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
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
Forces to the Conquest of that great Kingdom which the dissension amongst the Sons of the deceased King about the succession made him suppose was easie to be effected whereupon raising such great Forces as held Christendom in suspence he yet declined attempting any thing till he had knowledge what effects the civil broyls had wrought which were that after a long contention and the Murther of many of the Sons and Grandchildren of the deceased King Mahomet Eldest son to Tamas who had before rejected the Diadem to prevent the ruin of his Native Country took upon him the Regency though not without the envy of many of the great Sultans whose guilt upon his being proclaimed King had caused them to fly who like thorow paced Traitors in their exile solicited Amurath by all means speedily to invade the Kingdom of Persia laying before him the facility of conquering that noble Kingdom abounding with all manner of riches and that the Georgians and Saracens evily affected towards the new King would not fail upon the approach of his Army to joyn with him These and the like perswasions fired the Turk with hopes of so glorious an atchievement that notwithstanding he was in League with the Persian yet after long debating the matter in the Divan it was resolved that the War should be undertaken and carryed on with all vigor and that the first attempt should be made upon the Countrey of Servan the better to effect which by alaruming the Enemy in divers places he sent to his Bassa's Governours of Babylon Van and other places on the Persian Frontiers to molest the Territories by frequent inroads to perform which they were no ways wanting And now Stephen the Prince of Transilvania having marryed Queen Anne and being confirmed by the free choice of the Nobility King of Poland he sent his Ambassadors to Amurath to conclude a firm and inviolable League which was granted by the Turk very advantageous to the Christians that he might not be hindered in his Persian War which in Anno 1578. he undertook sending a great Army under the leading of Mustapha Bassa who in the Reign of Selymus had Conquered Cyprus into the Countrey of Servan composed of these following Nations viz 12000 Mesopotamians 14000 Babylonians and Assyrians 2000 Syrians 10000 Natolians 1000 Jews of Palastine 4000 Cilicians after which followed the Soldiers of Grecia the Glory and Hope of the whole Camp to the number of 10000 as likewise 10000 Janizaries Harquibusires to whom 4000 of the Citizens of Er Zicshum were added besides many Voluntiers of divers Nations insomuch that the whole Army consisted of 110000 Horse and Foot besides this multitude of men Mustapha brought into Persia 500 pieces of Artillery and 50 Waggon loads of Money to leavy other Soldiers if occasion required it The Bassa with the Army aforesaid arriving at Chars after three dayes staying there during which time being marvellously troubled by reason of a suddain Tempest he raised his Camp and departed to the foot of the Mountains of Chielder otherwise Periardo where he had knowledge of the Persian Sophies Army Approach which caused him to put his Army into order of Battle dividing it amongst his great Commanders which were Deruis Bassa of Caraunt and Osman Mahomet and Musta Fada Bassas as for the Persian Army under the leading of Tocomac an experienced Captain whom for his known valour and Loyalty the Sophy had made General it consisted not of above twenty thousand all Horsemen gathered out of Georgia Media and Antropatia who misinformed by their Scouts of the Turks number boldly held on their way resolving to give them Battle who from the Hills perceiving their intent put themselves in a posture to receive them whereupon about one in the Afternoon a dreadful sight began wherein at the first charge were slain seven of the Turks Sanzacks with a Great number of Soldiers without any apparent loss to the Persians who fighting close together slew the Turks at a distance with their shot of Arrows and the continual thundering of their Harquibuzes of which Engins by this time they had learned the perfect use But Mustapha who with a great power of his choice souldiers having waited a fit opportunity peirced the Squadrons of the horse having first made a lane by the reiterated Vollies of his Artillery and charged with such fury that although the Persians incouraging each other did all than men were capable to perform yet being overpowered with number were at length broken and disordered they under the shelter of the night retired which the Turks without much difficulty permitted they not having any cause to rejoyce at the Victory so gotten their loss was so great yet keeping the field all that night the next morning in token of his good success Mustapha sent the heads of five thousand Persians and three thousand live prisoners to Amurath and for the greater terror of the enemy caused the heads of three thousand others to be stricken off and piled on heaps the Turks lost in this battle near twenty thousand many of their chief souldiers The next day after the battle Manuchlars a Prince of the Georgians sent a messenger to Mustapha to acquaint him that he was coming to confer with him which did not a little rejoyce the Turk insomuch that he caused all his Great Commanders with Trumpets Ensigns displayed Drums beating and the discarge of all the Great Ordnance to receive him and in like manner to conduct him to his Pavillion not doubting but that the revolt of this Prince would greatly further his affairs which being being done and he entering the Bassa's Tent he there was caused to sit down on his right hand when after having made him presents of such chings as for that purpose he had brought he gave the Bassa to understand That for the honour and estimation he conceived of the Turkish valour he was ever devoted to the house of the Ottomans and as he had often times desired to venture his life and fortune in their service so at this present time he moved by his former desire allured by the strange fame of his wonderful and victorious Army and stirred up by a particular Fantaâ—e to learn the Turkish Discipline in martial affairs under such a General as was the Bassa to whom he offered all his devotion and service things as he said not offered to any before and in sine besought him to accept of him in the name of Amurath whose obedient vassal he had vowed himself This Speech ended the Bassa highly commended him for his prudent choice and good will towards the Turks and the more to confirm him in the opinion he had of the Ottoman Greatness he caused him to be led throughout his Camp that so he might take a view of the Turkish Magnificence where amongst other things he with detestation beheld the Pile of Persian heads and then returning to Mustaphas Tent he was presented with Garments of cloth of Gold a Gilt Battle Ax and
he knowing upon such terms he could at any time make his peace who ever was Conqueror seemingly hearkened to that motion so that gaining credit eight thousand Persians was sent to take possession thereof who he no sooner got within his danger but he set upon them put one thousand to the Sword and took most of the remainder Prisoners which caused the Turk to have a better opinion of him then formerly insomuch that they nominated him for Grand Visier the ensuing year Anno 1625. a new Rebellion broke out in Asia headed by an ordinary Spahi who drew down ten thousand men before the City of Smirna the which after some resistance he entered and pretending to reform abuses cut off the heads of two Cadees punished divers others place and displaced the Magistrates as he pleased and then departed without suffering any spoil to be made pretending the Grand Signeours order for what he had done and indeed the Court connived at his proceedings for awing corrupt Officers he restored the face of Justice in those parts but not long after he with a greater power marched toward Brussia in Natolia using the Name of Morat to colour his purpose pretending to work a Reformation in the State but in the ending of great preparations were making to oppose him he disbanded his Army and retired himself And now the mortality raged at Constantinople in such sort that Fifty thousand died in a short space so that the City was left almost desolate which known to the Cossacks they came again in their Boats and sailing through the Bosphorus made great spoil on Europe side attempting to burn the Arsenal to prevent which all the Gallies and small Vessels in the Port were manned out so that between them there happened a fierce ingagement but the Cossacks Boats being small though many in number thirty of them by the shot of the Gallies were sunk and overturned insomuch that five hundred Cossacks were drowned and taken Prisoners and double the number of Turks slain for the Boats being in all three hundred and each Boat manned with thirty or forty Musquetiers they showered their Bullets so thick upon the Decks of the Gallies that scarce a Turk peeped out but he was cut off twice they boarded the Admirals Gally and had taken it had not the Sea of a suddain gone high and the Wind stood against them Upon the approach of great Visier towards the Province of Babylon the King of Persia sent to desire a Treaty of Peace which was only to protract time it in the end coming to nothing yet the Princes of Georgia sent their Ambassadors as willing to be freed from the Persian yoke which Ambassadors were kindly entertained by the Visier their demands granted and the Bishop of Calcedon their Countrey man sent back with them to see the Peace Ratified upon which they raised a great Army and invaded the Territories of Persia to oppose whom the King sent part of his Army under the leading of his great Leiutenant who joyning Battle was overthrown with the loss of seven thousand of his men which greatly incouraged the Visier so that he resolved the next year to besiege Babylon in which was a Garrison of eight thousand Persians besides the Citizens who were five times the number yet early in the Spring Anno 1626. having refreshed his Army he pitched his Camp before that great City but as they were making their approaches Twenty Thousand Persian Horse who attended the motion of the Turks fell into the Visiers quarter doing great excution and by that means troubled the whole Army but in fine the Persians were obliged to retire yet not before they had slain about Six Thousand Turks upon which a muster was taken of the Army which was found much less then was expected for that a number of the Spahi and Janizaries that were inroled had forborn to undertake that dangerous and so often fatal Expedition and seven Princes of the Arabs Tributaries to the Grand Signeour having raised their power refused to advance any further then the Borders of their Principalities alledging that they durst not displease the possessors of Babylon but were ready to obey if the City fell into the hands of the Turks which weakness known to the Persian King he drew thither the strength of his whole Kingdom and running Trenches round about the Turks Camp besieged it in such manner that all Provisions and Succors was cut off and instead of hoping to win the City they were solicitous of nothing more then how to retreat This danger of the Army was made known to the Emperor and Divano at Constantinople but nothing was done till it was too late for through want and diseases the Army was so wasted that they were no wayes able to make head against their Enemies besides a great number of them were slain in the frequent fallies the besieged made out of the City and the Persians Incursions who seldom failed to beat up one quarter or other of the Camp and hearing of no supplies durst advance or were in a probability to relieve the half starved Souldiers who had left no unclean thing uneaten it was resolved that under the favour of the night the Camp should rise and force a way through the Persian Squadron rather choosing to die like men then pine with hunger Whereupon they brake their great Artilery and cast into the Euphrates all such things as they could not convey away to prevent their falling into the hands of the Enemy and then with as little noise as possible broke through one quarter of the Persian Camp yet not so suddainly but that the Persians taking the Alarum overtook them ere they reached Ninive and had the execution of the Army for the space of ten dayes in which time seventy thousand Turks and Tartars fell by the Sword when to cast the odium upon the Bassa's and to save his credit at the Port the Visier caused three of their heads to be stricken off This great blow caused the revolt of many Cities upon the Frontires of Persia and indangered the revolt of all Asia The Turks not having received the like blow since the overthrow of Bajazet the first by Tamerlane the great which caused a general heavyness throughout the City of Constantinople few therein but lost one Friend or other in this unfortunate War of which the Emperour of Germanies Ambassador taking advantage pressed for a speedy conclusion of Peace and laboured to cross the purpose of the Transylvanian Prince but in the interim the Imperial and Transylvanian Armies being abroad on the 16th of October near to the River Gran a mortal Battle was fought between them wherein the latter was put to the rout and in passing confusedly the River over two Bridges layed for that purpose Six thousand were slain drowned and taken Prisoners yet Winter coming on the Prince retired with his Troops and without the consent of the Turks made a Truce with the Imperialists for three months sending to the
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.
would have Petitioned for his Life when on the contrary without a Word speaking Cobelits drawing forth a Dagger stabbed him into the Belly for which he was presently hewn in pieces nor did Amurath long survive him but within three days after dyed of his Wound and was buryed in Prusia Anno 1390. of his Age 68 years and of his Reign 31 years To whom succeeded Bajazet his eldest Son who was no sooner Crowned but he caused his Brother Jacup to be strangled in his Presence with a Bow-string which wicked Precedent has ever since been put in Practice by the Othoman Kings and Emperors CHAP. X. The Life of Bajazet the first of that Name and Fourth King of the Turks his Wars and Captivity BAjazet a man of a Proud and haughty temper having taken upon him the Regency of his Father's Kingdoms fell heavily upon Servia not so much as vouchsafing to hear the Embassadors sent on their behalf which made the Princes of the West begin to consider their own estate and especially Vincelaus the German Emperor and Sigismond King of Hungary and not contented with the spiols of Servia he made several inroads into Bosan spoiling the Country and carrying away great booties when in the mean while the King of Caramania hearing of his Fathers death began anew to waste his Countries in Asia which caused Bajazet to send a great power who overthrew him and recovered all that was lost taking from him likewise his own Country which obliged him in humble wise to beg their restauration which Bajazet upon condition that he should from that time forward become his vassal restored About this time Philadelphia the only City the Christians had in Asia was besieged by Bajazets Power and after a straight Siege and no hopes of any succours delivered by the Citizens as a ransom for their Lives and Persons Having subdued Servia and the greatest part of Bosan he invaded Thessalia wasting it as he passed with fire and Sword even to the Walls of Thessalonica taking Neopolis in Greece and Joannia in Aetolia and afterward returning into Asia he there spent the Winter but Spring being come with all his Power he repassed the Hellespont and lay'd close Siege to Constantinople the seat of the Greek Emperor Emanuel Paleologus then Reigning who after he had been brought to great extremity went to the German Emperors Court to crave aid who together with many other Christian Princes sent an Army of 250000 under the leading of young Sigismond King of Hungary to oppose whom Bajazet raised his Siege and found them besieging Neocopolis from whence they drew into the great Plain and joyned Battle but by reason of the confusion that was in the Christian Army their Van being overcharged the Rear fled without striking a stroak so that the Turks getting the Victory with a far less number pursued so hard upon the Christians that the greater part of the Army was slain taken prisoners and drowned in passing the River Danubius After this great and unexpected Victory over the Christians occasioned by the emulation that arose amongst their great Commanders Bajazet returned to the Siege of Constantinople now out of all hope to be relieved where whilst he lay casting his eyes upon Despina the slain Despot of Servia's fair Daughter offered by her Mother his former Wife being dead he Married her and for her sake restored to her Brother Stephen all his fathers Principalities Aladin the Carramanian King being dead and his Son of the same name Reigning in his stead desirous to revenge the wrong Bajazet had done his Fathers Subjects coming to Aucyra surprised Temurtasses Bajazet's great Lievtenant but upon the approach of Bajazet with his Army he richly arraying begged his pardon and set him at liberty sending Embassadors to excuse them but Bajazet would not suffer them to come into his sight whereupon the young King gathering all the Power of his Country fought with him a great Battle but being far too weak for such an Enemy was overthrown he taken Prisoner by the Command of Bajazet delivered to Temurtases his Capital Enemy who for the disgrace he had put upon him caused him to be strangled which rash deed much grieved Bajazet the young Prince being his Sisters Son yet he seized upon the greatest part of his Kingdom though he had several Sons living and so inraged was he that he expulsed all the Mahometan Princes in Lesser Asia and seized upon their Territories whereupon they fled to Tamerlane the Great who having Married the daughter of the Cham or Emperor of Tartary and now returned from the Conquest of China he took them into his protection and being at the same time Solicited for aid by Emanuel the Greek Emperor he sent to Bajazet his Embassadors with many rich presents requesting him to cease from molesting his Allies but he in a proud manner not only rejected his presents but with many opprobrious words cast foul reproaches on him telling his Embassadors that he desired nothing more then to meet him in the field and with many taunting expressions dismissed them The report of which so throughly netled the Tartar that he resolved with a puissant Army to go against him being hightened thereto by Axalla his great favourite a Genoway by birth and friend to the Greek Emperor whose cause he daily solicited And Tamerlane who was a well-wisher to the Christians in his opinion differing little from them so well approved of all he said and having taken his leave of his Father-in-Law and his Wife with a powerful Army he passed the Mountains Marching through many Countries none daring oppose his passage till at length coming to Bachichich he mustered his Army and found it to consist of 800000 Horse and Foot of divers Nations to whom he gave general pay not having suffered the least wrong to be done in any Country through which he had passed Bajazet lying at the Siege of Constantinople and hearing the Tartar approached with a Power that covered the Countries as he passed he raised his Siege and contrary to Tamerlains Expectation but even as he wished came over with such forces as he could raise into Asia where he joyned with his Livetenant whilst the Tartars still came on having by this time passed Euphrates and taken all the Cities in their way that appertained to Bajazet and amongst the rest the great City of Sabastia once the chief Seat of the Turkish Sultan utterly rasing it putting all the Citizens to the Sword or as some Buryed them alive in deep Pits he caused to be digged for that purpose unless the Governour whom he set at Liberty to carry the News to Bajazet who was advancing 500000 Strong who upon the Governours coming into his presence demanded which was the greater Army he having seen both to which after having craved pardon he replyed that the Tartars Army must needs be the greatest by Reason he was Lord of far greater Countries whereupon Bajazet Laughing said out of doubt the sight of the
Tartars hath made this Coward so affraid that he thinketh every Enemy two The Armies being come near to each other upon the great Plains of Sennas he thought not good to joyn Battle presently by Reason the Evening approached yet many light Skirmishes happened between the Parthian Horsemen and the Forerunners of the Turkish Army but the next Morning either Hoast being set in Array after some Pause the charge was Sounded whereupon the Prince of Ciarcan Tamarlin's Kins-man with 40000 Horse charged the Turks in the Front and Piercing their Battle put the Jannizaries into disorder but venturing too far was there Slain whereupon Axalla Leading the Vaunt-Guard composed of Sciths and Parthians bore upon the left Wing of the Turks Army cutting in pieces and Bearing down all that oppos'd him at what time his Footmen coming to joyn with him he Faced the Batalion of the Jnnaizaries who behaved themselves Valiantly for the safety of their Prince who in the middle of them Fought on Foot which Fight continued Bloody and doubtful for the space of an Hour all the place being heaped with the Bodies of the Slain till at last the Tartars being overcharged gave Ground which Tamerlain from his Stand perceiving sent 10000 Horse to Reinforce them and other 10000 to Fight in the Rearward and at the same time sent his Foot-men who fell in with the Turks main Battle that remained yet unshaken with such fury that making them give way he opened them to the Rear of the Jannizaries wherein was yet the Person of Bajazet who sustained the greatest Brunt of the Fight but at last overpowered with number they were forced to give Gronnd at what time Tamerlain coming on with 50000 fresh Horse Bore down all before him till he came to the Jannizaries who always Fight in the Heart of the Army and they weary and not able to make sufficient resistance were trodden down on all sides so that the Battle Swerving the Turks betook themselves to Flight and amongst the rest Bajazet wounded as he was who afterwards fell into the Hands of Axalla together with his Son Musa The Despot of Servia and many others of note This great Victory fell to the Tartars chiefly by the revolt of a great number of Bajazet's men who were raised in the Countries of the Mahometan Princes expulsed who in the Heat of the Battle seeing their natural Lords under Tamerline's Standard went over to ' um This Fight lasted Bloody and doubtful from Seven in the Morning till four in the Evening wherein as many report 200000 on either side were Slain and amongst the rest Mustapha Bajazets Son with most of his great Commanders After this Bajazet being brought before Tamerlain and demanded why he oppressed the Christians and made War upon so Noble a Prince as was the Emperor of Greece to which he replyed Even the same thing that hath moved thee to invade me even the desire of Glory and Soveraignty and why said Tamerlain do you use such Tyranny over those you Conquer without Respect of Sex or Age That I did said he to give the greater Terror to my Enemies Ah what wouldst thou have done with me said Tamerlain if it had been thy Fortune to have had me in thy Power I would said the haughty Turk not Conquered tho overcome have put thee in a Cage of Iron and have carryed thee in Triumph about my Kingdom Even so said Tamerlain shalt thou be served and thereupon commanded him out of his presence and as he had determined shortly after Cooped him up in a Cage of Iron and carryed him into the Countries he Conquered whose Calamity may well serve as a memento to all aspiring Mortals by putting them in mind that the Worldly Glory is not perminent After this the Greek Emperor sent his Ambassedor to Tamerlain in his Name to deliver up his City and Empire but he refused saying he had Dominions sufficient of his own and after having seen the City and wondered at its fair Structures and Riches he taking leave of the Emperor he passed with his Army into Egypt to be revenged on the Sultan for assistng Bajazet against him with 30000 Mamalukes having first subdued all or the greatest part of all the Turks Dominions in Asia and intirely restored Europe to its rightful possessors and meeting with the Sultan he overthrew his Army consisting of 174000 Horse and Foot and so wining Damasco Jerusalem Damiata Cairo and most of the Cities in Egypt Syria Lybia and other Eastern Countries making all the Kings as he passed become his Tributaries he left Calibes a great Captain with the greatest part of his Army to pursue the Egyptian Sultan and secure what he had won having news that his Father in Law was sick and that his Wife was desirous of his Company he returned into his Country but ' ere his departure Bajazet as desperate and impatient of his Misfortune had beaten his Brains out against the Bars of his Cage as the mos Authentick Authors affirm tho the Turks say he was set at Liberty by Tamerlain who beforehand had caused to take Poyson of which within three Days he dyed tho their saying is very unlikely to be true but however he was Buryed in Prusa by his beloved Wife Despina Anno 1399. having Reigned seven years and kept under restraint two years CHAP. X. The Life of Mahomet the first King of the Turks and the restorer of their Kingdom ruined by the Tartars THough Historians somewhat vary about the Successor of Bajazet yet the most Credible do affirm that his Son Mahomet several of his other Brothers being slain and carried away Captive succeeded him and that the rest might be mistaken in the Name This Mahomet when his Father was taken Prisoner was but fifteen years of Age having been by him appointed his Successor for the great Hope he saw in him for the recovery of the broken and much shattered Kingdom When Mahomet entered upon Kingly Authority the Tartars possessed a great part of the before Turkish Dominion but the Remains of the scattered Army and other Aids resorting to his Standard after the departure of Tamerlain he recovered many Cities some by Force and others by Revolt from the Tartars and not long after in a great and bloody Battle overthrowing Inal Ogly Tamerlain's Lieutenant he advanced more boldly and charged Costor Ogly and Kinpeck Ogly two more of Tamerlain's great Captains whom he likewise overthrew and following his good Fortune passed into the lesser Asia of which Tamerlain having Notice sent for him with a Promise to give him one of his Daughters in Marriage to whom he intended to go but by the way being often forced to fight through the Ambushment of the Tartars he fearing it was a Design to take him Prisoner returned to his Government excusing himself to Tamerlain's Ambassador and sending one of his own Ambassadors to give the reason of his not coming upon Notice of which and that the Turks still prevailed Tamerlaine prepared for
a second Expedition having recruited his huge Army for that purpose But what Man willeth God disposeth whilst he was intent upon the matter falling sick of a Feaver or Ague after three sits he dyed Death Conquering him who in a short space Conquered fifty intire Kingdoms This mighty Tartar being Dead his great Kingdom divided amongst his Sons by their jarring and discontent of the Nobility was soon after rent into pieces most of it falling into the hands of the Turks who at this day possess it And now Mahomet winning all the Dominions his Father held in the greater Asia from the Tartars resolved to recover the rest which his three Brothers Isa Solyman and Mnsa had seized on in Europe and the lesser Asia whereupon assembling all his Forces he marched to Lâ—pacllum near to which Isa being incamped he sent to offer him Caramania and several other Kingdoms in the lesser Asia though indeed they were not his to give being possessed by their rightful Princes whom Tamerlain had re-possessed them off which offer refused from a younger Brother whereupon a bloody Battle insued in which Isa was overthrown and for the preservation of his Life forced to fly to Emanuel the Greek Emperor In this Battle were blain the two famous Basas Eine and Tenurtases of which overthrow Mahomet sent to certifie his Brother Solâ—â—â—â—n then in Constantinople after which he marched with his Army to Prrsa and received under his Protection all the Countries adjoyning and now growing strong he â—eselved to brook no Rival in his Fathers Kingdoms when on the other hand Solyman his Elder Brother hearing what he had done and knowing him to be of an aspiring Temper thought it not Convenient to suffer him longer so Triumphantly to proceed whereupon by the advice of his Grave Counsellors he sent for his Brother Isa then at Constantinople and making him general of his Army gave him Orders to pass over into Asia and curb the Pride of his aspiring Brother Isa glad of this opportunity to revenge his own Injuries sustained in loosing his Dominions obeying his Brother Solyman's Commands entered Mahomet's Dominions and there with Fire and Sword began his Progress which Mahomet understanding came against him and having overthrown his Forces put him to a second flight into Carramania where in obscurity of the Wounds he received in Battle and grief for his foul defeat he dyed Solyman hearing of the defeat prepared a great Army to invade Asia which made Mahomet retire into the Country of Amasa as doubting the affections of his People by reason the Kingdoms of Bajazet of Right appertained to Solyman as Flder This retireing gave Solyman opportunity to advance to the Walls of Prusâ—s which City he besieged and had it presently yielded except the Castle which upon the Interceptions of Mahomet's Letters was likewise surrendered but upon the approach of Mahomet with a great Power doubtful to keep what he had got he with all his People retired to the Straights of Neapolis where he defended himself right valiantly against the assaults of his Brother who by reason of the Intemperance of the Weather and a Letter framed by Alis-Bassa that there was a Conspiracy amongst his Captains to deliver him up to Solyman he retired Whilst these things were acting Musa being set at Liberty by the Tartars came to Mahomet's Camp was of him joyfully received when after some Discourse it was greed that Musa with an Army should pass over the Euxin Sea into Europe and whilst Solyman was busie in Asia seize upon his Country which Expedition he undertaking and making Isfender Prince of Castomonia his Friend and afterward the Prince of Valachia by marrying his Daughter he soon prevailed with the Governours of the chief Cities to Revolt from Solyman when entering Hadrianople he caused himself to be invested with Royal Robes and as King of the Country sent forth his Decrees which Solyman hearing of as he lay at Ancira in Asia passed the Straights of Bosphorus with all the Forces he could raise upon whose Departure Mahomet recovered what ever he had won in Asia Solyman being come into Europe Musa prepared to oppose him and both Armies coming in sight of each other Musa so dealt with Solyman's Captains that they revolted which he perceiving fled accompanied only with Caratze-Beg Cara Muchil and one Country Turk whom they took with them as their Guide whose persidiousness brought them to Destruction for pretending to lead them through the by-ways all Night he misnaming places brought them in the Morning near to Musa's Camp when giving Notice to the Rusticks they set upon them and having killed the two Captains took Solyman and delivered him to Musa who immediately caused him to be strangled whose Body by his Command was carried to Prusa and there buryed by his Ancestors Solyman being Dead Musa took upon him the Goernment of the Turkish Kingdom in Europe as had been agreed between him and his Brother Mahomet but e'r he was settled he began to Tyrannize beyond measure over his Subjects which caused many of his great Captains to leave him and amongst the rest Eurenosie feigning himself Blind found means to depart to Constantinople from whence he wrote to Mahomet then in Asia giving him an Account of his Brothers proceedings and soliciting him to pass over with his Army whose Council Mahomet taking making first a League with Emanuel the Greek Emperor he entered Europe with his Army But by the over eager pursuit of his Army after the Vaunt Couriers of Musa's Army his Orders being broken he was put to flight and forced to repass the Seas into Asia leaving behind him a great part of his Army who were spoiled by the Enemy Mahomet thus foiled and desirous of Revenge resolved once more to try his Fortune and thereupon drawing to his Assistance Dulgader Ogly who sent his Son with great Forces to serve him in his War he repassed the Euxin and by the Council of Eurenosis having procured the revolt of Jegides-Bassa Barack-Beg and Sinon-Beg 3 of Musa's great Captains who came over to him with 3000 valiant Turks he resolved to give his Brother battle the which being joyned Musa by the revolt of other Commanders during the heat of fight was overthrown taken and by the Command of Mahomet strangled receiving therein the same measure he had dealt to his Brother Solyman After this overthrow of Musa Mahomet proceeded to take possession of his Kingdom the which whilst he was doing news came that the Carramanian King spoiled his Countries in Asia and had burnt his great City of prusa which being a frontier City was still exposed to the miseries of War whereupon Mahomet setling his Affairs in Europe as necessity would permit passed into Asia and falling like a tempest upon the Country of Carramama took Aspropolis Despoâ—opolis and Hierapolis laying hard Siege to Iconium which caused the Carramanian to send his Embâ—â—â—dors to treat a Peace the which by reason of the great â—oods of Rain that
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
Bassa of whose coming Scanderbeg having notice retired into Epirus and putting all things in order raised what forces he could to oppose the Turks comforting his People in the best wise who upon the Bassa's approach were filled with fear and then marching against him set upon him as he was wasting his Country of Vpper Dibra and overthrew him with the Slaughter of 22000 of his men with the loss of Scarce 300 of his own the news of which raised such dispair in Amurath that he was glad to accord a peace with the Hungarian King by renouncing his claim to Moldavia Transilvania and Bulgaria and then turning his Arms against the Carramanian King his Brother-in Law seized upon the greatest part of his Country but upon his Submission and giving in Hostage his Eldest Son for the performance of paying double tribute he restored him again to his former dignity and then as a man weary of the World sent for his Youngest Son Mahomet his Eldest Son Aladine being killed at the Siege of Iconium by a fall from his Horse and appointing Caly Bassa his Tutor and Chosore a learned Doctor of the Law his Counsellors he resigned to him the Kingdom being as yet but 15 Years of Age and retiring into Asia entered into a Cloister of Turkish Monks there intending to spend the remainder of his Days But he had no sooner resigned his Government ' ere Vldislaus King of Hungary perswaded thereto by Julian the Popes Legate who absolved him of his Oath broke the 10 Years League made with the Turks But God let not so heinous an Offence against his divine Majesty pass long unrevenged For Amurath roused with this unexpected news leaving his Cloister passed over into Europe with an Army of 100000 Turks and advancing with all speed against the Christians who had â—uâ—dued most of his Countries in Europe near the City of Varna both Armies meeting a cruel Fight began with an infinite Slaughter of the Turks whom Huniades and the King charged with such fury that all the Fields lay covered with the Slain which Amurath perceiving and finding his Battle to Swerve and his men at the point to Fly pull'd the Writing containing the League he had made with Vldislaus out of his Bosom and holding it up with his Eyes lifted towards Heaven with a loud Voice said Behold thou Crucified Christ this is the League they Christians in thy name made with me which they have without any cause Violated now if thou be a God as they say thou art and we deem revenge the wrong now done unto they name and shew thy power upon thy perjured People who in their deeds deny thee their God Upon this Speech of Amurath's the Christians who before were well nigh Conquerers began to give Ground which the Hungarian King perceiving charging into the Thickest of the Turkish Army in hopes to restore the Battle was there Slain which so discouraged the Hungarians that Huniades not being able to stay their Flight giving place to necessity and reserving himself for better fortune fled with them and left the Turks the Victory but so dearly bought that only thinking the Christians had retired to their Camp they durst not venture upon it for two Days space till by the profound silence they perceived it was abandoned In this Fight most of the Hungarian Nobility were slain and amongst the rest Julian the Popes Legate the Author of the perjurous Expedition who being wounded and slying out of the Battle fainted for loss of Blood dyed in a Ditch And thus we may see how just the Almighty is in punishing those that dishonour him and little Availes the Popes dispensation This great and mortal Battle in which perished on both sides 60000 men was Fought Anno 1444 after which Amurath glad of the Victory tho much dismayed with his great loss returned to Adrianople and again resigned his Kingdom to his Son but soon after being weary of the Melancholy Life he again assumed his kingly Dignity At this great Battle of Varna Scanderbeg should have been present being on his way with 30000 Horse and Foot in order to have joyned King Vladislaus But God prevented his ingaging in so bad a Quarrel by permitting both Armies to ingage ' ere he could arrive of which intention of Scanderbeg's Amurath having notice sent sharply to reprove him of Ingratitude to which the Valiant Prince as sharply reply'd upbraiding the Turk with the Poysoning his Brothers seizing upon his Kingdom and often determining to take his Life whilst he remain'd in his Court which so throughly netled the old Turk that he raised great forces to invade Epirus sending of Ferises and Mustapha his chief Bassas with promise of great reward if they could take Scanderbeg and subdue the Country but on the contrary they were both overthrown by the Invincible Prince and forced to return with great dishonour yet the Prince of Peloponnesus had not the like good Fortune but for the preservation of his Country was obliged to become tributary to the Turk Vladislaus being Slain as aforesaid Humiades was made Governour by the general cousent of the Hungarian Nobility during the Minority of the Young King Son to the deceased Queen who having setled the necessary Affairs of the Kingdom with great discretion and finding the Turks since the late dreaful overthrow at Varna greatly to have incroached upon the Hungarian Territories he raised a great power and marched against them when in the Territories of his Country near the River Schichniza meeting Amurath with a vast Army he couragiously charged upon his formost Battle so that within a while new Succors being sent the whole Armies were ingaged which Battle without any other pausing then what Night obliged them to Fought for the space of 3 Days at the end of which the Christians being rather overpowred by number then true valour having done all that men were capable of doing Fled disorderly and were Slain in great abundance Humiades himself Flying after having Incountered and overcome two sturdy Thieves who set upon him to Rob him was taken Prisoner by the ungrateful Despot of Servia whose Country he had a little before rescued out of the Hands of the Turks And forced to deliver up several strong Towns which the Despot pretended belonged to his Territories for his Ransom In this Battle were Slain of the Turks 40000 and of the Christians 17000. The Year following Amurath invaded the Despot's for not delivering into his power Humiades his Capital Enemy whereupon he was constrained to send his humble Supplication to Humiades whom he not long before had so evil intreated for aid who notwithstanding leavyed a great Army and passing through Servia where tho false Despot to curry Favour with Amurath taking an account of his Army secretly sent the Turk notice what number the Christians were and what they intended yet this great Captain marched on to the Plains of Cassova famous for the many Battles there Fought between the Turks and the Christians
without being Assaulted So that all the Fruitful Island of Euboea fell into the Hands of the Turks who infinitely inriched themselves in taking the Spoil The Turks thus Triumphing over the Ocean Islands the Christians thought it no ways convenient to be lookers on but in time to oppose them whereupon the Venetians aided by Ferdinand King of Naples Sextus the fourth Bishop of Rome and the Great Master of Rhodes set out a powerful Navy under the command of Petrus Mocenicus a Valiant Venetian Gentleman and the better to Amate him both by Sea and Land drew Alymbeus Vsan Cassanes the great King of Persia into a League with them and so at once by Sea and Land invading the Ottoman Empire took many strong places and Loaded the Fleet with the Spoil which Fleet consisting of 85 so terrified Mahomet that he durst not ingage them nor once oppose their proceedings but in revenge thereof turned his whole force upon Epirus and Dalmatia which Countries having lost their Champion the renowned Scanderbeg growing Weak he mightily wasted with Fire and Sword till he had made an absolute conquest over them and the easier by Reason of the discords that arose amongst the great Commanders during the Minority of the King but ere Mahomet had well setled himself in those so much desired Countries he had news that the Persians with a great Army invaded his Countries in Asia which made him begin to consider how to defend his own rather then further to proceed in Conquering what appertained to others so that increasing his Army with no less then 320000 men he passed over the Helespont and after several Days marching came within a League of the Persian Army lead by Vsan Cassanes their King who after some debate gave the Turks Battle near the Mountains of Armenia in which one of the great Bassas together with 40000 Turks were Slain and the rest put to Flight which so discouraged Mahomet that had not his great Captains used many Arguments to perswade him to the contrary would have returned without attempting any thing further but being roused by their reproofs lest he should be suspected of Cowardise he resolved to try the Fortune of another Field in order to which he drew up his forces in Battalia near to the Straights of the Mountains and so fortified his Camp with Waggons and other cumbersome Carriages that it seemed a Walled City when in the midst of his Army he placed his great Artillery the which upon the first joyning of Battle his men opening to the Right and the Left played so furiously upon the Persian Horse-men that they soon began to Disrank by Reason their Horses upon hearing the unwonted Thundering of the Cannon would know no Ruler but with Head-strong fury Floundered first one way then another and by that means put all things into confusion of which Mahomet taking the advantage commanded his men furiously to charge upon the Enemy as flyers To resist whose fury and to stay the Flight of his men Zeinal Vsan Cassanes Eldest Son Labouring was Slain with a small Shot which more and more discouraged the Persians so that from retreating they betook themselves to plain Flight yet so great was the loss of Mahomet that he contented himself only with the Spoil of the Enemies Camp not thinking it convenient to persue them for it was generally Rumoured that in that Battle he lost 40000 men and the Persians 1000 only after which Mahomet returning home and Vsan Cassanes leaving his second Son with his Army for the defence of Armenia Ambassadors were sent by the former to Treat of a Peace the which to the great dislike of the Christians his Confederates the Persian concluded with the Turks After the Expedition into the Persian Territories Dyed the Couragious Prince Mustapha as some say of a Surfeit but others say that he was strangled by the Commandment of his Father for Ravishing Bassa Achmets Wife a Lady of Incomparable Beauty and Daughter to Isaac Bassa one of Mahomets chief Favorites Mahomet desirous to revenge the wrong done by the Venetians sent Solyman Bassa with 80000 Soldiers to besiege Scodra a strong City then in the possession of the Venetians and an Inlet into Epirus Dalmatia and Albania who Anno 1475 set down before it and having raised his Batteries gave it a furious assault but was repulsed by Antonius Lauretamus the Valiant Governour with great loss when a while after the Venetian Gallies coming up the River Boliana on whose Banks the City standeth and as the Turks were busie in laying a Chain across slew many of them and forced the rest to retire to their Camp out of which soon after Matthias King of Hungary drove them with the Terror of his approach the Bassa being glad after the loss of 14000 of his men to raise his Siege Anno 1476. Mahomet growing impatient to be thus hindred in his progreess of Victory by the Christians confederates set out a great Fleet under the conduct of Geduces Achmetes who did great harm to the Islands in the Mediterranean and hoped by Treason to have surprized the Island of Creet but was prevented by the Venetians who discovering the Plot Executed the Traitors before his arrival yet sailing into the Euxine he Landed his men in Taurica Chersonesus a Friutful Country belonging to the Genoways in hopes to have surprized the rich City of Caffa Scituate near to the Shoar but was repulsed with a great Slaughter of his men but being reinforced by fresh Troops he lay'd Siege to it which by Reason of the Turkish Garrisons all along the shoars of Bosphorus and the Hellespont could have no relief by Sea after a stout resistance surrendered and soon after all the Country to it appertaining most of the Merchants contrary to the promise of the Faithless Bassa being plundered of their Riches Mahomet thus conquering on grew dreadful to the Tartar princes Namely the Precopenses and Destenses who for fear of being invaded Voluntarily submitted themselves and became Tributaries having ever since been greatly serviceable to the Turks in their Wars who now impatient that the Venetians held several strong Towns in the Heart of the Ottoman Solyman Bassa with a great Fleet entering the Gulph of Corinth lay'd Siege to Naupactum now called Lepanto a strong City near Locris over against Pelopennesus but upon the arrival of Antonius Lauretanus with the Venetian Gallies after he had layn 4 Months before it and gave many unsuccesful assaults in a great fury raised his Siege in order to his returning to Constantinople and by the way Landing his men on the Isle of Lemnos in hopes to have surprized the City of Coccinum but were Valiantly repulsed by such Citizens and Merchants Strangers as were then near the Gate and amongst the rest one Merulla a Maiden of the City seeing her Father Slain took up his Weapon and with it made great Slaughter of the Turks that were entering the Gate upon which bad Success the Bassa departed for Constantinople
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
and best men of War but rather to defer the Execution till he saw how the matter would be digested and in the mean time by Torture to make him confess what might render his Execution more reasonable of which Counsel Bajazet approving commanded him immediately to be stripped and delivered into the Hands of the Tormentors The which whilst they were doing his Son having gotten notice in what Extream danger his Father was in raised the Jannizaries who upon notice that their beloved Captain stood on the Brink of the Grave flowed from all parts like a Torrent to the Pallace Thundering at the Gates as if they would have beaten the Pallace about his Ears whereupon causing the outward Gate to be set open he shewed himself to 'um through an Iron Window demanding the cause of that Tumult and Uproar to which they answered that they would by and by teach him as a Drunkard or Beast and a Rascal to use his great place and calling with more Sobriety and Descretion Loading him with many more such like opprobrious Expressions Commandin forthwith to deliver Achmetes or else they would beat the Pallace about his Ears which demand of the insolent Janizaries he durst not deny but Commanded that he should be forthwith delivered to them who for hast was brought out half Naked with the marks of his severe usage on his Body who had no sooner got him but they stripped the Emperors Minions and with their Spoils Cloathing him carryed him out of the Court on their Shoulders in great Triumph tho the Bassa did what he could to appease the Tumultuary Joy they conceived for his deliverance Bajazet knowing by experience how deeply the Bassa was rooted in the affections of the men of War durst not presently shew his Anger tho Burning with the desire of revenge therefore the better to bring to pass what he had purposed he took Achmetes into favour again promoting him more then ever which the Loyal old man trusting too far was as he was sitting at Supper by the command of Bajazet thrust through with a Sword and Slain after he had Conquered 7 Kingdoms and Annexed them to the Ottoman Empire being the most expert Commander that ever the Turks could Boast off But Bajazet's Spleen not so satisfied he purposed to destroy the whole order of the Janizaries in revenge of the insolency they had offered him but his design upon their lives coming to their knowledge and they standing upon their Guard he found it a matter not to be compassed without great difficulty tho to execute his pleasure he had sent for the Acanzii accounted the best Soldiers next the Jamzaries throughout all his Dominions therefore he was forced to forego his Bloody and Tyrannical purpose and the better to Colour the matter pretended he had sent for those Soldiers to War against Moldavia But the Janizaries not greatly trusting him Inbattled by themselves refusing to receive him into the middle of their Ranks as was their usual manner but shaking their Weapons bid him send his Executioners for they were ready to receive them but by the mediation of the Bassas at length matters were accorded and they received Bajazet amongst them for the Turkish Emperors never marched but in the middle of the Janizaries The Tumult pacified Bajazet with his Army passed over Danubius and entering Moldavia besieged Kele or Achilleia which after many furious assaults was delivered to him as afterward was Ac-Gimen or Asprocastron the Turks usually changing the Names of such Cities Towns as fall into their hands Zemes being at Rhodes Bajazet was not a little troubled lest he should prove a Thorn in his side therefore used many Endeavours to get him into his possession but the great Master abhorring Breach of trust notwithstanding the many Threats and Promises of the Tyrant would not deliver him nor was he sought only by his Brother but by Charles the French King Matthias King of Hungary and Pope Innocentius the Eight of that Name Bishop of Rome all of them thinking to advantage their Affairs by having a Prince of the Ottoman Blood in their Custody the King and the Emperor in their Wars and the Pope of a mind more Ignoble by getting a yearly Pension from his Brother Bajazet for the safe keeping him to the last of which after Reiterated intreaties the great Master delivered him in lieu of which be was Created Cardinal nor was the Popes Expectation vain for he yearly received of Bajazet 40000 Ducats yearly for the safe keeping him but of this more hereafter Bajazet being frequently troubled by the suddain Invasions of the Caramanian King resolved to subdue the remaining part of his Country the which with a great Army out of Europe he invaded spoiling all before him but the wary Prince knowing himself far too Weak to meet so powerful an Enemy in the Field kept himself with his few forces in the Fastnesses of the Mountain whereupon Bajazet besieged Tarsus in Cilicia and had it delivered to him upon condition that the Citizens might depart thence with their Goods and not be further prejudiced either in their Lives or Liberties but by this time Abraham Aliàs Pyramet King of Caramania having obtained considerable forces of Caytbeius Sultan of Egypt he was resolved to try his fortune in the Field and put all to the Hazard of a Battle which being begun the 10th of May Anno 1486 was Fought with great obstinancy on either side for the space of a whole day when the Turks by Reason of their Multitude prevailed in which Battle the King and the greatest part of his Army were Slain and afterward his Country totally subdued by Bajazet who likewise at that time took into his possession all Asia the less becoming Lord of the Sea Coast from the Straights of Bosphorus to the Confines of Syria By this means the Ambitious Emperor Stretching the borders of his Empire to the bounders of the Egyptian Sultans Territories resolved to have no peace with him by Reason he had not only assisted his Brother Zames against him but likewise the Carramanian King in the last Battle so that raising a great Power he sent them under the Leading of Ishender-Bassa Michael-Beg and Jaxis-Beg his two Sons to wast the Sultans Dominions in Syria but passing the Great Mountain Taurus they were intraped by Aladules the Mountain King who had lay'd an Ambush of his Savage people for that purpose where most of the Turks were together with Michael-Beg were Slain the Bassa his other Son and the remaining part taken Prisoners the news of which defeat being known to Carragoses Bassa who was following with more forces it so discouraged him that he would advance no further yet the next Year passing into the confines of Egypt he was Fought with and overthrown by the Sultans power But these ill haps so little discouraged Bajazet that he more inraged then ever resolved to invade Egypt by Sea and Land which the Sultan understanding resolved to Transport the Seat
over at length weary of his unwonted diet he sent his Servant to a Shepherds Cottage to purchase natural Food who suspecting by some words that passed that it was the Prince like a perfidious Swain he gave notice thereof to Coshmos one of Selymus's his Captains who was come insearch of him upon which he was apprehended and carryed towards Prusa of which the Tyrant having notice greatly rejoyced and immediately sent one Kirengi Og'ly a Squint-Ey'd Captain to strangle him by the way who accordingly performed his wicked Masters pleasure and now none remaining alive to obstruct the progress of his greatness but Achometes and his two Sons he resolved to go against them but in the beginning of his Expedition he intercepted some Letters signed by several Commanders of his Camp and directed to Achometes desiring him to advance towards Selymus with all speed and that he might be assured upon his approach a great part of the Army would revolt or at least in the Battle they would kill Selymus Upon this discovery those that were found to be concerned therein were Executed and the Letters notwithstanding sent upon which Achometes presuming made such hast that he left his Footmen behind at what time 10000 Janizaries were come to Selymus out of Europe so that Battle joyning after a most Bloody conflict Achometes was overthrown and seeking to save himself by flight his Horse fell with him into a deep Ditch where he was taken by the pursuers at whose hands he could not procure himself to be Slain tho he earnestly desired it but was lead Captive to his cruel Brother who Commanded the Squint-Ey'd Captain that had dispatched Corcutus to strangle him with a Bow-String and now desiring nothing more then to get in his possession the two Sons of Achometes who to his great Grief heard they were honourably received the one in the Persian and the other in the Egyptian Courts and that Amurath the Elder aided by Hysmael the Great Sophy with ten thousand Persian-Horse was entered into Cappadocia wasting the Country before him for fear of whom most of the adjacent Provinces had submitted to do him homage he resolved after he had driven him back in revenge of the aid the Sophy had lent him to War upon his Countries in Persia wherefore preparing a great Army tho many of his great Commanders lay'd before him the difficulty and danger of the undertaking and amongst the rest Chendemus Vice-Roy of Natolia a man of great Experience and of all others in greatest Credit and Authority with Selymus who used many Arguments to disswade him therefrom which he afterward found to be undeniable truths but some of his Flatterers perswading him that Chendemus was bribed by Amurath to divert his Arms another way and bring certain Ruffains hired for that purpose to attest what they had said the Tyrant caused the faithful Bassa to be slain without hearing his Excuse and then Marching from Arsenga he came to the Confines of Armenia the Less before whose Powerful Army the young Prince fled but Selymus fearing lest the Mountain Kings not being made his friends and yet left behind him should fall upon his Rear sent Ambassadors to them to desire free passage through their Territories and to send him provision for his Money at such time as he should be entered into Armenia the greater to all which they accorded whereupon with all his Army he passed the Mountain Scodrisci and after 8 days Marching over an other great Mountain called Moschiâ— which the famous River Euphrates with his mighty streams and huge broden Banks separateth from the great Mountain Anti-Taurus and with perpetual steep ridges runneth into Iberia and Cholchis Here Selymus with his Ensigns displayed Marching along the Banks of the River departed not from the same for fear in that hot Country he should be distressed for want of Water and so held on his way directly Eastward leaving the Country of Armenia the less upon the Left and the Kingdom of Aladeules on the right and so along to the Banks of Araxes finding all the Country before him destroyed and by reason the Mountain Kings kept not their words in sending him provision his Army began to fall into great want which though too late made him call to mind the faithful Council of Chendemus yet having Marched thus far he could not without great dishonour turn back and therefore passing Arazes about the City of Coy to defend which City Vsta Ogli the Persian General approached with his whole power contrary to the expectation of Selymus whose Souldiers being oppressed by want and for the most part were forced to live upon wild fruit began to Mutinie so that whilst either Army lay Hovering at some distance Hismael came in Person into his Camp and from thence sent a harauld to Selymus to know why he had in hostile manner entered his Country having no title thereto as likewise to take a view of the Turkish Army to which demand Selymus replyed that his Grandfather his Uncle and himself had greatly Indamaged the Othoman Empire by making several Invasions and Aiding the Rebels in the Reigns of Mahomet Bajazet and of late in his Reign yet he esteemed them not as sufficient causes of War but sought after his enemy young Amurath his Brothers Son who had of late spoiled Cappadocia whom if he would quietly and friendly deliver unto him he would withdraw his forces and peaceably return into his own Kingdom otherwise with fire and Sword he would destroy not only the frontiers of Armenia but the heart of Persia also and so dismissing the Herauld both the Armies for that day lay still in their trenches expecting the dreadful event of Battle and after both Armies were Marshalled and put in order the Bloody Blast was sounded whereupon the Persian Horsemen came on with great fury making great Havock of the Vaunt-guard of Selymus his Army overthrowing the Alapi or common Souldiers by heaps which are such as the Turks for the most part carry to stand the first Shock of the Enemies fury and to blunt their Swords nor did the Turkish Horse stand firm but charged in either Wing gave ground which Selymus seeing caused his orders to open and began with his great Ordnances to play furiously to avoid whose Murthering shot the Persian Horsemen opened likewise to the right and the left yet the thundering of the Cannon so amazed the Horses that many of them cast their Riders yet Hysmale with great fury broke and disordered the Turks right Wing composed of Asian Horsemen but whilst Vsta Ogli was indeavouring to do the same to the left he was slain with a harquibus shot which much dismayed the Soldiers under his command yet could they not be forced to retire till Selymus came on with all his Power of Janizaries yet gaining little ground whereupon he commanded all his great Ordnance which he had reserved as his last refuge to be furiously discharged against the right Wing of the Persian Horse where
is to Iay them upon their Belly on a Table and to beat their Buttocks the Calves of their Legs and Soles of their Feet with a flat staff giving them ere they cease 100 or 200 blows yet the Servants confessed nothing whereupon they caught a Weaver being a Turk whose Shop was near the Ambassadors house whom they tortured in the like manner but he as the others had done could reveal nothing against the Ambassador who for all that was obliged to pay 30000 Sultanies for his own release and his Servants These and such like insolencies together with the Imprisonment of young Osman and his Brethren made the Grand Vizar who was then on the Confines of Persia to haste to Constantinople with his Army at whose approach Osman was taken out of Prison and Proclaimed Emperour so suddain are the changes of fortune in great as well as little affairs and the proud Sultan Mustapha inforced for fear of the inraged Souldiers to betake himself again to his Cell or rather Prison where for a while I shall leave him and relate what happened during the Reign of Osman CHAP. XX. The Life and Actions of Osman the First of that Name Tenth Emperour of the Turks THE Uncle after he had proudly Tyrannized for the space of two Months being deposed the Nephew was advanced to his Fathers Throne being not full Thirteen years of Age wherefore he was wholly governed by the Vizar Bassa as was also the whole Ottoman Empire when the first thing of moment that happened was the complaint of the French King by two Gentlemen sent for that purpose by whom he demanded reparation of the new Emperour for the indignity he had sustained by the Imprisonment of his Ambassador and the evil treating of his Servants letting him understand that he could not send any other Ambassador to his Court to condole the Death of Sultan Achmat his Father nor congratulate his coming to the Empire till he had received satisfaction from him becoming his dignity and the wrongs he had received in his Ambassador The Grand Vizar and Mufti hearing this Embassie and considering what had passed advertised the young Emperour to send an Ambassador to the most Christian King to Confirm the League and to testifie both by Words and Letters how much he was dissatisfied for his discontent whereupon Vri Chiaus was sent with ample instructins and so great an acknowledgment of the wrong done to the Baron of Mole that the French King rested satisfied and calling the said Ambassador home he sent the Earl of Sezi to succeed him as Ambassador at Constantinople The War continuing between the Turks and Persians about this time a great Battle was fought between them wherein the Turks prevailing put the Persians to flight with the lost of Ten Thousand of them and thereupon the Bassa General of the Turkish Army prosecuting his victory entered into the heart of Persia wasting with Fire and Sword all that stood in his way but at length having through daily skirmishes with the Enemy and Diseases arising from want and evil Diet lost a third part of his Army he accepted of the Sophies proposals of Peace which were that he would yearly pay the Tribute of Silks and at present relieve his Army with all things necessary This Peace concluded by the Bassa was allowed on by the Emperour and Ratified at Constantinople whereupon Two Hundred Cammels laden with Silks were for many years after sent to the Emperour according to Agreement Anno 1618. A fearful Comet was seen over the City of Constantinople in form like a Turkish Scimiter placed near unto the Zenith under the Horizon of a fiery colour appearing very terrible for the space of eight nights which made many conjecture it the forerunner of great bloodshed Vri Chiaus returning out of France after he had dispatched his affairs at that Court came into England where he was received and conducted to the Court and had Audience of King James his Speech being as followeth The Most True Incomprehensible and Most High God increase and multiply your Majesties years in all happiness Amen O Thou Lord of the World THE most invincible most mighty and most happy Sultan Osman Chan of the Othoman Empire Monarch sendeth to your excellent Majesty a hundred thousand Salutations and Greetings evermore praying the most High God for your Majesties happyness sendeth to your Highness with all possible Honour and Renown this his Imperial and most Noble Letter and with all hopeth that the Sacred bond of Peace which hath been hitherto inviolably on your Majesties part kept and observed your Majesty will be pleased still on your part with daily increases of more and more Friendship earnestly to continue therein And his Imperial Majesty on his behalf is also resolved in like manner evermore punctually to keep and continue the same Also the most Mighty Emperours Tutor and his chief Visier Bassa hath addressed to the dust of your Noble Feet this his most Honourable Letter with a Thousand commendations praying everlastingly the Mighty God for Your Majesties long Lise and Happyness Also Your Majesties Ambassador at Constantinople your slave Paul Pindar bowing his forehead to the dust of your Majesties Feet and most humbly kissing your Highnesses blessed Feet hath directed unto your Majesty this his submissive Letter This Speech ended and the Emperours Letter delivered with such other as the Chiaus brought he was by the Kings command in great splendor conducted to his Lodging where after five or six days stay he came again to Whitchall and made his conjue of leave upon his departure in these words as near as they can be Translated out of the Turkish Language Most happy Emperour as I have with my own hands howing my self to the dust of your Princely feet presented unto your Excellent Majesty the most mighty and high Sultan Osman my Lord and Master his Imperial Letter so likewise I beseech your Majesty that you will be pleased in conformity thereof to vouchsafe your Princely answer by your noble Letter and to deliver the same into the hands of me your slave and be ever partaker of all blessedness and happiness After he had made this Oration and received the Kings Letters he was conducted to Dover by several of the Nobility where imbarking in one of His Majesties Ships he sailed to Constantinople Anno 1619 great trouble arose in Bohemia upon the Emperours sending an Army into that Country to suppress the Protestant Religion there flourishing so that the Protestants tired with the cruelties of the popish Souldiers sent to Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania to acquaint him with the state of their affairs who after he had obtained leave of the Grand Signeour came with an Army of Eighteen Thousand men into Hungary and took many Towns spoiling the Countrey as he went nor so contented but he entered Austria Stiria and Carinthia subdued all before him without opposition but fearing if the Bohemians should be subdued the storm would sall upon him
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
his Army had scarce entred the Confines of Media before the Emperor 's new Lievtenant gave Battle and put the Turks to flight following the Execution for many miles This defeat inraged the Sultan and caused him to send an Army double the number of the former under the Conduct of Humbramy-Alim his other Brother who after six days Siege took Arzen a Town rich in Merchandize but the Lievtenant having joyned his Forces with those of Liperates Governour of Iberia who came to his Assistance the Battle was joyned which continued bloody and doubtful for the space of four hours at the end of which the Victory fell to the Christians who followed the Execution till Night put an end to it yet Liperates fighting valiantly was taken and carried into Persia for whose Ransom the Emperor sent great Presents but the Sultan out of a generous bravery sent him home Ransom-free only admonishing never to bear Arms against him more and with him sent Seriph a Mahumetan Priest as his Ambassador to demand of the Emperor that he would become Tributary to the Sultan and that thereby an Eternal Peace might issue which the Emperor rejected with just disdain Whereupon the Sultan invaded the Roman Provinces with great Forces but understanding upon his approaching Caesarea that the Emperor's Army was upon the March resolving to give him Battle and that if he should be overthrown there was little hopes of retreating by reason he had left so many Enemies at his back he returned into Media and laid Siege to the strong City of Mantizichiert furiously assaulting it for thirty days without intermission but after the loss of Alean his chief Captain and 20000 Turks and Persians he in great perplexity raised the Siege and upon his return being displeased with his Brother Habraim-Alim he fled by Night and joyned such Forces as he could raise with Cutlu Muses against whom the Sultan marched and overthrowing them in plain Battle took Habraim Prisoner and immediatly commanded his head to be struck off when in the mean while Cutlu Muses and his Cousin Melech fled into Armenia with the remainder of the broken Army and from thence sent Ambassadors to the Greek Emperor to take them into protection but the Sultan following them close with his Army they removed from thence and fled into Arabia upon which the Sultan leaving the pursuit turned his Army upon Iberia and wasted the Country with fire and sword in many places but upon the approach of Acoluthus the Emperor's Lievtenant he retired to Tauris leaving behind him one Sannich with 3000 Turks to infest the Imperial Territories At which time the Emperor Constantius died leaving his Empress and three Children the former being obliged in an Oath not to marry though afterwards that Oath was dispensed with by the Patriarch and she married to one Diogines whom she pardoned as the Sentence of death was about to pass upon him for conspiracy to dismember the Empire So that he being proclaimed Emperor advanced with an Army against the Turks pasting over into Asia where they were wasting the Provinces with fire and sword upon whose approach the Sultan doubting the Event sent one part of his Army into the South and the other into the North the latter surprising upon its arrival new Caesarea and so laded with rich Booties departed upon notice of which the Emperor pursued them and after a sharp Incounter put them to flight recovering the Booty and Prisoners at which time the City of Hierapolis was surrendred to him and many other Cities which the Turks had taken and then dividing his Army past on with one part of it to Syria and left the other part to defend the new Conquest which in his absence was overthrown by the Turks upon News of which the Governour of Aleppo revolted from him But whilst the Turks supposed they had him in a Toil he without any noise fell in with their Army and put them to flight making great slaughter of such as fled and then receiving the Homage of the several Countries he passed through he came to Alexandria in Caelicia and there quartered his Army and so returned to Constantinople The Emperor having recruited himself all Winter early in the Spring hasted to his Army to oppose the Turks that were abroad ravaging the Country about new Caesaria and after having repressed them passed on to the River Euphrates where leaving part of his Army with his Lievtenant for securing the Frontires he retired into Capadocia but in his absence his Lievtenant was routed by the Turkish Army which the Emperor understanding at Sabestia he sent the Governour of Antioch with part of his Army to oppose them at Mopsiphestia but they before were broken by the Armenians who had took from them the rich Booties they had acquired by the Sacks of many Cities And thus this Emperour continued to defend the Roman Provinces with great Success against the powerful Forces of a furious Adversary all the Reign of Tangrolipix the first Turkish Sultan of Persia CHAP. II. The Reign and Memorable Atchievements of Axan the second Turkish King or Sultan of Persia The Division of the Turkish Monarcby and the Expedition of the Christians unto the Holy Land in order to regain it from the Turks TAngrolipix being dead his Son Axan was chosen by the general Consent of the Souldiery Sultan in his stead who sent his Ambassadors immediately upon his Election to the Emperor Diogenes to conclude a Peace but some of his Counsellers perswaded him that thereby the Turk only sought to gain time till he could increase his Army insomuch that the Treaty broke off abruptly though in an ill time for the Emperor had sent away part of his Army yet was he spurred on to ingage the Turks by such of his Predecessors Relations as envied his Greatness and after Battle joyned the Turks retiring the Emperor supposed they did it to fetch a Compass in order to surprize his Camp and thereupon himself caused a Retreat to be sounded which John Ducas his Predecessor's Brother and his Caesar under whose command a great part of the Army was perceiving laid hold of that opportunity to ruin the Emperor by turned Tail and commanded a Retreat to be sounded which created so general a fear in the Army that they fled in all Parts the Emperor not being able to stay their flight which unexpected advantage the Sultan perceiving charged with fury upon the Christians so that the Emperor fighting with a brave resolution amongst the thickest Squadrons was at last taken Prisoner together with several of his great Commanders after several wounds received yet comforted by the Sultan and within a while honourably dismiss'd when during the time of his Captivity John Ducas his Caesar Psellus one of the Senators and other of the Faction had thrust the Empress into a Monastery and proclaimed Michael Ducas her Eldest Son Emperor and when they heard that the Emperor Diogenes was at liberty they sent out Letters to the Lievtenants of
the Provinces to apprehend him which made him gather a great Power but being discomfitted by Andronicus the Eldest Son of John Ducas he was forced to resign his Claim to the Empire nor were his Enemies content with that but afterward put out his eyes in such sort that he died miserably To revenge which by reason of a perpetual League made at his dismission the Sultan with great Forces invaded the Roman Provinces whereupon several Battels were fought with various Success in which the Caesar and Roselius the Emperor's Lievtenant were taken but both ransomed the former by the Emperor the latter by his Wife The Affairs between the Empire and Sultan of Persia being at this pass gave Cuthu Muses opportunity to strengthen himself insomuch that resolving to cast a Hazard for the Persian Dominion he drew his Army into the Field near the City of Ere 's to encounter which the Sultan likewise drew forth his but fatal to Christendom just as they were about to give Battel the Caliph of Babylon who as Priest of Mahomet was held in great Esteem amongst the Infidels came running between either Army and conjured them not to weaken the Religion of their great Prophet by shedding each others blood but rather stand to his award the which they having consented to do he instantly decreed that the Sultan should quietly enjoy what ever he possessed and that his Couzen aided by him should possess in himself and Posterity whatsoever should thenceforward be gained from the Christians upon which the Christians were on all sides invaded by the Turks and Sarazens their own Divisions in many Parts rendring them easie to be subdued So that the Turkish Empire spreading wide the Christians were grievously oppressed especially in the Holy Land which caused them to send a Letter filled with Lamentations by one Peter a Hermit to Pope Vrban the Second who taking their sufferings into consideration called a Council at Charemont in France at which were present upwards of three hundred Bishops besides several Princes when to stir them up he caused the Patriarch of Jerusalem's Letter and other Letters to be publickly read as likewise ordered the Hermit to relate the deplorable state of the Christians suffering under the cruelty of the Infidels which with such Eloquence and feeling commiseration he delivered that it moved the hearts of all present nor was the Pope himself wanting to exhort them to stir up the Christian Princes to undertake a War for the deliverance of the Eastern Christians which was so effectually ordered that within a short time an Army of 300000 men were raised wearing on their breasts red Crosses under the Lead of Godfry of Bulloin Duke of Lorrain and his two Brothers Eustace and Baldwin Hugh the French King's Brother Raymond and Robert Earls of Flanders Robert Duke of Normandy Son to the Conqueror Stephen Devalois Earl of Chartiers Ademar the Pope's Legate Bishop of Podie with many other honourable Princes and expert Warriours who passing through part of the Greek Empire with a Promise from Alexus the Emperor that they should be from time to time provided with necessaries they passed over the Hellespont with their Armies covering the Shores of Asia to the great Terror of the Turks and Sarazens who notwithstanding to oppose the Tempest of War which from Europe threatned their overthrow they gathered huge Forces and falling upon part of Peter the Hermit's Army which was too far advanced before the rest of the Princes and consisted of forty thousand men raised in the Territories of the Church they cut them off and caused him with the remainder to betake himself to Civite a Town before abandoned by the Turks where he stayed till the Arrival of Duke Godfry This Loss inspired the Christians with rage and desire of revenge so far that they made a terrible destruction in all places when in their Progress they had notice that Cutlu Muses the most politick Prince of the Turks was dead and had left large Dominions to his Son Solyman of the Proceedings during whose Reign I shall treat in the following Chapter CHAP. III. The Reign of Solyman Son to Cutlu Muses his Wars with the Christians their taking of Jerusalem from the Infidels their various Success in the Holy Land against the Turks Sarazens c. CVtlu Muses Nephew to Tangrolipix having as aforesaid accorded with the Sultan by the means of the Babylonish Caliph he by his Aid won many Provinces from the Christians which were now left in the possession of his Son Solyman The Christian Army resolved to recover them again if possible and he as obstinately to defend what he had in possession So that gathering huge Forces with which he approach'd Nicea where the Christian Army lay in Leaguer Anno 1097. and after on the Fifth of July took it having spent fifty days in the Siege but were well recompensed by the rich Booties they found in it and amongst the rest Solyman's Wife and two Children which they sent Prisoners to Constantinople yet the bad Success put not a stop to the advancement of Solyman with the whole power of the lesser Asia consisting of 60000 Horse and Foot So that within a short space the Battle began with great fury on both sides the Christians eager to revenge their Fellows so lately slain and the Turks to secure their Country made horrible slaughter but after a long and obstinate fight where nothing but blood and slaughter appeared nor nothing but cries and dying groans to be heard the Turks were put to flight the Christians following the Execution so that 40000 of them fell in the Battel and pursuit Though Solyman flying with the remainder of his broken Army gave out that himself had Victory on his side the less to dismay his Subjects yet so far the Terror of the Christians wrought that the Infidels fled into fenced Cities leaving the Villages desolate whereupon they besieged Antioch which with little difficulty they subdued being joyfully received by the Christians there dwelling next Iconium and Heraclea two Cities of note surrendred upon Summons Solyman still flying before the Victors and duly sending Letters to his Couzen Axan the Persian Sultan for Aid but he not being able to supply him against such powerful Opponents the Christians recovered all that had been torn from the Greek Empire the which according to their Contract made with the Emperor they restored The Princes thus Victorious in Asia called a Council in which it was decreed that an Oath should be administred as well to the Princes Commanders as to the common Soldiers that none should return till they had won Jerusalem which was joyfully embraced And now the Turks perceiving they were no ways able to oppose the Christians in open fight endeavoured to surprise and cut off as many as they might by Ambushment and therefore sent several stragling Troops to face Antioch upon which the Flemins sallied and followed hard till within the danger of the Ambush where they had been
received his fatal overthrow he had a second conflict with the Turk whom he put to flight with great slaughter and took the City of Philomela and put the Inhabitants to the sword for executing his Messangers he sent to treat with them about delivering it peaceably and then entring â—â—â—â—enia the less he took the City of Melitene and subdued all the Territories round about and there gave the Turks an other fearful overthrow which Army was no sooner vanquished but another not inferiour to â—â— appeared under the heading of Saphadine Saladin the Sultan's Son which with an undaunted bravery he charged and put to rout with incredible slaughter but the joy of Victory was soon turned into Mourning for the good Emperor zealous for the Christian Cause following hâ—â—d upon the flyers his Horse floundered in the River 〈◊〉 and threw him out of the Saddle with his right foot hanging in the Stirrup after which manner e'r he could be relieved he was drag'd through the River and hitting by the way on certain Stumps so bruised that when he was taken up he was heard to say no more then Lord receive my Soul e'r he gave up the Ghost in the seventieth year of his Age and of his Reign 38. Anno 1190. Whereupon his Body was carried to the City of Tire and there in the Cathedral with all Solemnity interred This Heroick Emperor being dead his Son Frederick Duke of Suevia then in the Army was saluted Emperor and General by the consent of the great Commanders but now the Country being purposely destroyed before them pale Famine began to stare them in the face yet on they marched and charging Dodequin Saladius General sent to oppose their Passage gave him a great overthrow and had all the Cities rendred as they passed till they came to Ptolomais where the power of the Christians in Syria were incamped headed by Guy late King of Jerusalem who for a great Sum had obtained his Liberty Upon the Arrival of Frederick the Christians gave a fierce Assault to the City on all Parts and had taken it by Storm had not Saladine the Egyptian Sultan who lay hovering aloof with his Army fallen upon their Camp and thereby in the hottest of the Assault obliged them to draw off to defend the same and having forced him to retire with the loss of a few men they returned again to the Siege expecting the Arrival of Richard the First King of England and Philip the Second King of France who were upon their way with great Forces but they wintering in the Isle of Sicilia the French King out of Envy to the Glory of the English and an old grudge having been formerly about King Richard's refusing the French King's Sister and marrying the Daughter of the King or Navar the French King not long after returned home and withdrew his Army to the frustrating the whole design of recovering Jerusalem yet at present he dissembled the matter and loosing first from the Port of Mesina arrived at Ptolomais where the Christians lay still incomped after whom King Richard shortly followed but sayling by Cyprus his Fleet was dispersed by a Storm and two of his Ships falling on ground on that Coast the Islanders spoyled them and when the rest of the Fleet put in there they rudely withstood their landing which so inraged King Richard that he landing by force seised the Island and took the King thereof Prisoner and sent him bound in Chains of Silver to Syria The King having secured the Island to his use disanchored and sailed to Ptolomais where he was joyfully received of the Christian Princes upon whose Arrival the City after a hot Assault and a great breach in the Wall was surrendred upon condition the Garrison might depart with safety for which they were likewise to pay a great Ransom to deliver they Holy Cross they had in possession and a certain number of them to remain as Hostages that the Saladine should deliver such Christian Prisoners as he had in his power whereupon the Germans of Austria entered first the 〈◊〉 and advanced the Standard of their Duke upon the Wâ—ll as if by their only valour the City had 〈…〉 which so offended King Richard that he 〈◊〉 the Standard to be thrown down and trampled on which indignity the Duke resented so heinously that 〈◊〉 great hindrance of the Wars in Syria he retuâ—â—◠〈…〉 his Forces into Austria as likewise did the 〈◊〉 France with the greatest part of his Army under 〈◊〉 he did it for want of health in so hot a Clime 〈…〉 out of secret Envy to King Richard Salâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of the lessning of the Christian Army and that there still remained amongst them discontent refused to pay the money for the Ransom of the Hostages or deliver up the Christian Prisoners but threatned that if any Extremity was used by the King towards them he would behead all the Christian Prisoners the which notwithstanding the Hostages were not hurt he most barbarously performed in return whereof the King commanded 2500 of the Hostages to be executed in the sight of the Infidels Camp and resolved to give him battel which he perceiving raised his Camp and departed along the Sea Coast ruining the strong Towns to prevent their falling into the hands of the Christians who leaving Ptolomais strongly fortified followed close at his heels resolving to besiege Jerusalem which he perceiving and taking such advantage as the time and place would afford faced about So that both Armies meeting about Noon a dreadful conflict began which continued with great slaughter especially on the part of the Turks till Evening at what time the Victory fell to the Christians who had the Execution of the Infidels for seven miles but Winter coming on they disposed of the Army till Spring in the Towns that Saladine had ruinated repairing and fortifying them stronger than before but when Spring came upon must'ring the Army they were found greatly decreased by diseases and absenting and at the same time the King found the Duke of Burgundia under whose command the French King had left part of his Army still to cross his purpose as desirous to return home having received such Orders privately from the King his Master who was contrary to his Oath taken at his departure warring upon the Normans then King Richard's Subjects and that others were of the like mind found himself altogether too weak to besiege Jerusalem and hearing how the French King had incited his younger Brother John to take upon him the Government of the Kingdom of England fearing lest while he was warring abroad he might loose his Kingdom at home he resolved to make such conditions with the Sultantain as might be best for the advantage of the Christians in Syria and so imbarque for England which the crafty Infidel understanding and finding his power daily to decay would hearken to no other Proposals than that the Christians should surrender all the Towns they had taken Ptolomais excepted and in consideration
Infidels thus foiled though the City still held out Corradiâ—e Sultan of Damasco and Jerusalem sent his Ambassador to the Christian Princes to sue for Peace for himself and his Brother the Sultan of Egypt In lieu whereof he promised to restore the Holy-Cross and all the Towns his Father Saladine had taken from the Christians which large offer was thought reasonable by most of the Princes none opposing it but Pelagius the Popes 〈◊〉 John the late made King of Jerusalem the 〈◊〉 of the Knights Templers and Hospitallers and the Duke of Aâ—siria they alledging that the War was undertaken generally against the Infidels and that they ought not to desist till they had brought them under Whereupon the Sâ—â—â—â—n supposing they would speedily come to Jerusalem caused it to be rased all exceâ—◠〈◊〉 Tower of David and the holy Sepulcher 〈…〉 instance of the Christians there dwelling 〈…〉 with all his people departed to Daâ—â—◠〈◊〉 but 〈…〉 Christians though too late repented their 〈…〉 advantageous an offer for 〈…〉 of the raw 〈◊〉 and Vapors that ascended from Niâ—â—s a mortal Contagion raged in the â—â—mp and much weakened it so that the Sultan taking the advantage indeavoured to put succors into the Town with such speed that many entered ere the Christians could take the Alarum but they falling in the Rear cut off a great number that were shut out lest the Christians should have entered Pell-mel with them into the City and heightened with this success they marched to the Sultans Camp and dared him to battel but he not willing to hazard his Kingdom upon a cast refusing they assaulted him in his Lodging In which daring Attempt the French General was lost with many more of note so that without success they again returned to the Siege Famine beginning to rage extreamly in the City and soon after its attendant the Plague of which such a number died that there were none left to defend it So that the Christians entering found all the Streets paved with the dead 70000 of the Infidels having perished therein through obstinacy who upon surrender might have had their Lives and Liberties Thus this great City after a years Siege was taken the Third of November 1221. After which the Popes Legate laying Claim to it in the behalf of his Master though at the beginning of the War the Princes had concluded that all the Cities and Towâ—◠〈◊〉 should be put into the Possession of the King of Jerusalem a Contest arose between them insomuch that the King retired to 〈◊〉 and was hardly intreated to return upon whose return and the Arrival of the Duke of Bavaria with fresh Forces at the Legates intreaty a great part of the Army was drawn forth in order to the 〈◊〉 the City of Câ—â— which they effected not without hopes of wâ—â—â—ing it but being unacquainted with the Country they iâ— camping in low Ground the 〈…〉 and overflowed their 〈…〉 Waters of a prodigious depthâ—â—â— that many perished therein and at last were obliged to re-deliver Damiata for their Ransom and so the Sultan relieving them with such necessaries as they wanted caused them to be Conducted out of Egypt Whereupon most of them returned into their own Country having first concluded a Peace for eight years with Coradine the Sultan of Damasco which Peace was by the Infidel inviolably observed King John upon his return at the instance of Hâ—â—orâ—us gave his Daughter Yoland in Marriage to Erâ—drick King of Sicilia and with her the Title of Jerusalem from whence the succeedings derived their Titles instiling themselves Kings of Jerusalem And now Henry the second Emperor of Constantinople being dead having Reigned eleven years and some odd days Peter Count of Ausseres was made Emperor in his stead who in revenge to Injuries done to the Veâ—etians by Theodorus Angelius Prince of Epirus besieged him in Dâ—â—rachium but upon his feigned Submission a Peace was concluded when the Emperor too much crediting the perjured Wretch going into the City slenderly attended to an Entertainment to which the Epirâ—â— had invited him was by his Commandment slain Upon the News of this sad disaster the Constantinopâ—liâ—â—ns elected his Son Robert to succeed him but he lived nor long for having married a beautiful Lady before Contracted to a noble man of Burgundia he in revenge in the Emperors absence with a resolute Company broke into the Pallace and there seizing upon the 〈◊〉 cut off her Nose and Ears and afterward 〈◊〉 her Mother who had been the cause of the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 Contract threw her into 〈…〉 into the 〈…〉 Mountains living 〈…〉 of his Companions which 〈…〉 the Emperor that going to Rome in his return the died After him succeeded his Son by the name of Baldwin the Second being the fifth and last Emperor of the Lattins in Constantinople For Lasâ—ares of whom I have before spoken after the overthrow he gave the Sultan mightily increasing his Power rigged a great many Ships and Siezed upon all the Islands in the Iconium and Egean Seas Lesbos Chios Saâ—os Rhodes c. And by that means rendered himself so formidable that most Cities before in the possession of the Lattins revolted to him insomuch that without any great resistance he brought his Army to the Gates of Constantinople and then dying lefe his Son John Ducas Batazes to succeed him who prosecuting the War against the Latrius became more terrible then his Father strengthening himself by a Marriage between Hâ—lena daughter to Assan King of Bulgaria and his Son Theodore And after that renewed the League with the Sultain of Iconium who was then 〈◊〉 in Warring against the Tartars During these pâ—ssâ—â—es 〈◊〉 the German Emperor with great forces passed 〈◊〉 Syria but by Reason he did not humble himself to Greogry the ninth the proud Preâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 thereto by his Strumpet Fulminated against 〈◊〉 with Excommunications sending his Leâ—ters to the Christians not to aid nor receive him upon his 〈◊〉 but they did not regard the 〈◊〉 Pope 〈…〉 his Landing with his forces 〈…〉 joyfully and honourably received 〈…〉 to Sultan 〈◊〉 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 but 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 to his 〈…〉 desire 〈…〉 himself 〈…〉 that after 〈…〉 that the 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 was at hardly gladly 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 up the City of Jerusalem with all the Land of Palestine together with the Respective Cities taken by the Sultan Saladine and all the Christian Prisoners in lieu of a ten years Peace which was accorded and the Emperor with his Army coming to the desolate City of Jerusalem and there with great Solemnity on Easter Day Anno 1229 was Crowned King and so having fortifyed the City by repairing the Wall and Garrisoned Nazereth Joppa and other strong Cities and appointed Reynold Duke of Bavaria his Lieutenant in Syria he returned home where the Pope had put his Subjects in an uproar and Seized upon his Kingdom of Naples working him greater troubles then are convenient to be here related as not pertinent to this History only note that this was
that Frederick that marryed the King of Jerusalem's Daughter and with her had the Title of King of Jerusalem which occasioned his setting forward to take possession of that Kingdom The Emperor was no sooner returned but to spight him and break the ten Years League he sent Lewis King of Navar with a great Power into Syria to invade the Sultans Dominions but his Expedition was no ways prosperous joyning Battle with the Sultans Power he and the rest of the Christians were overthrown which occasioned the loss of Jerusalem soon after 〈…〉 by the Tâ—â—ks all the Souls that were 〈…〉 being put to the Sword and with 〈…〉 hands demolished the 〈◊〉 of our 〈◊〉 Saviour which all other 〈◊〉 had with a 〈◊〉 reverence sorborn to 〈◊〉 The News of the great overthrow and the loss of 〈…〉 to the 〈◊〉 of the Christian Princes of the 〈◊〉 greatly troâ—â—â—ed them but most of all the Emperor and Lewis the Ninth King of France Insomuch that the latter gathering a great Power Anno 1248. set Sail and came to the Isle of Cyprus and there wintered by reason of the far advancement of the Season during which time he received an Embassador from the Master of the Templars to inform him that there was no need of his coming by reason the Sultan oftered honourable terms but the King understanding that it was a contrivance between them that the Templars might have the greater power sent back to command him under pain of forseiting his head that he should receive no more Embassadors from the Sultan and Early in the Spring weighing Anchor within five or six days sail he fell in with the Coast of Egypt and with all his sleet sailing up the River Nile came before Damiata to oppose whose landing the Governour with what forces he could draw out stood upon the banks but in vain they resisted for the French-men manning out their boats thrust on shore and put them to flight leaving the Governour and 500 of their Companions dead upon the Strand and perceiving the Christians were preparing to besiege the City the former Miseries it had indured coming afresh into their mind they in the dead of night set every man his house on fire and sled which the Christians perceiving they entered the City and exstinguished the slames saving so much as was possible and there found abundance of Riches The Sultan upon notice of the loss of this strong City was greatly dismayed 〈◊〉 he sent to the French King to osser him several places in Palestine never yet in the possession of the Christians but his offer was rejected and 〈…〉 by the Earl of 〈◊〉 the Kings brother During these sâ—irs 〈…〉 Brother Melesh-Sâ—llâ—â— or 〈…〉 whom joyned the Sultan of 〈◊〉 to oppose the Christians and with his whole Power drew near to Damiata where the Christian Army lay incamped who Sallying out of their Trenches beat him back but Sallying the next day and following the Enemy too far many of them were slain and the rest were forced to retire Long they were not incamped before a private Messenger came to the King from the Governour of Cairo to inform him that if he would draw near to the Walls of that great City he would put it into his hands the said Governour appearing to be much inclinable to the Christian Religion Or as some will have it oâ—â— of Revenge for the Death of his Brother slain by the Sultans Command Upon which the King assembled all his Power and marched till he came to an Arm of Nâ—â—us with part of his Army under the Command of his Brother Robert Earl of Arthâ—â—s passing at a Board discomfited the Turks that desended the further Bank but contrary to the advice of the renowned Eâ—â—l and the Master of the Templers following the Chase e'r the other part of the Army arrived he was incompassed by the Sultans power that â—ay in Ambush that not above two Templers one Hospitaler and a common Souldier escaped to tell the heavy News This News was seconded with that of the Imprisonment of the Governour of Câ—â—â—â—o which altogether disappointed the King of his purpose Whereupon he pasted the River at the same Board his Brother had done and behold the sad 〈◊〉 of the minâ—â—ed Careasses of the slain each having his Head and Hards â—nâ— off the Sultan the better to incourage his Men haing promised rewards to 〈◊〉 could bring them either but long he had 〈◊〉 them before the 〈◊〉 come upon him 〈…〉 being near ten 〈…〉 and after a 〈…〉 overthrew him cutting the greatest part of his Army in pieces and amongst the rest the Flower of the French Nobility The King and some few of the Nobility were taken Prisoners and for their Ransom delivered up the City of Damiata and payed 8000 pound in Gold with a promise of a ten years Peace but whilst the Sultan was accompanying him to Damiata two desperate Russians assassinated him in the presence of his Nobility instigated thereto by one Turquiminus a Mamaluke or Slave got himself proclaimed Sultan renouncing the League that Melech-Sala had made and made another in his own Name not much different from the former but performed not above the half part but in fine after the surrender of Damiata which the new Sultan caused to be rased the King with all his Retinue were Conducted to Ptolomais and at the end of six years from his setting out sailing from thence arrived in his own Kingdom having lost 60000 of his Subjects in that expedition The Sultan being as aforesaid Traiterously murthered the Mamalukes or Slaves bought by the Sultans of divers Merchants to serve them in their Wars Put an end to the Turkish Kingdom in Egypt by deposing all such as bare Offices or had places of trust advancing those of their own order continually choosing their Sultans from amongst themselves flourishing in great Renown for the space of 267 years at the end of which they were totally subdued by 〈◊〉 the victorious Emperor of the 〈…〉 151â— and the Kingdom of Egypt with all 〈◊〉 and the 〈…〉 as they are at this day annexed to the 〈…〉 as shall be in process of this History 〈…〉 these Actions passed John Daccâ—◠〈…〉 â—â—ed having Reigned successfully for the space of 〈◊〉 three years after whom succeeded 〈◊〉 his Soâ— who renewed the League his Father had made with the Jathanites the Turkish Sultan in the lesser Asia after which with a puissant Army he passed the Straights of Hellispont to appease the troubles raised in Macedonia and Thessalia by the King of Bulgaria his Father in Law and the Despot of Thessalia during which one Michael Paleologus a great Courtier fled to the Turkish Sultan under pretence that he doubted his Life by reason of those Enemies he had at Court that inveighed against him and at his coming to Iconium sound the Sultan leavying an Army to oppose them that spoiled his Country of whom he was kindly received and the Greeks in his Service reduced under his Command
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
of them slain and the rest taken Prisoners Things being at this pass and by this means peace Recovered to the Empire intestine broyles began anew to be fomented by the factious Greeks for the young Emperor being dead they stirred up young Adronicus his Son to depose his Grand-father the old Emperor which after several Stratagems and devices he effected taking the City of Constantinople by treason and casting him in Prison where of grief he soon after died These Civil dissensions of the Greeks amongst themselves gave Othoman the opportunity to sound his Empire in Phrygia and Bythima where being successful in all his Attempts he mightily increased his Dominions having by this time subdued 20 Cities with all their Territories and amongst the rest Prusia which after along Siege worn out with Famine Anno 1327 yielded upon several Articles few of which were afterward observed by the Turk which being the greatest City in those parts of Asia became for many years after the seat of the Turkish Kings But as all men must yield to death so in the 28 year of his Reign and the 69 year of his Age Othoman the Founder of the Turkish Empire still called from him the Othoman Empire died and was buried in Prusia where to this day his Tomb is to be seen and in his new acquired Kingdom Orchanes his Second Son succeeded him his eldest dying during his Regency CHAP. VII The Life and Actions of Orchanes otherwise Urchan Second King of the Turks in Asia THE Funeral rights of this great Conqueror being performed by his Sons viz. Orchanes alias Vrchan his Second Son and Aladin his third and youngest Son and he having left great store of wealth Orchanes his Successor took upon him the rule of the Kingdom allotting to his Brother Aladin at his request the Lordship of Fodore in the Teckences Country where he lived a private Life without doing any thing worthy of memory but Orchanes now settled in his Kingdom following his fathers footsteps whose Armies of late he had altogether commanded as his General he forgat not to proceed where he had left off and therefore prepare to War upon the Christians but at first with no great Success for the Christians upon the death of Othoman drawing their forces together out of all parts recovered the City of Nice with divers Castles and Towns and amongst the rest the Castle Tzuprichiser which greatly hindered the Turks excursions who dwelt in Bithynia whereupon Orchanes upon notice that it was slenderly Guarded went with several of his followers in the attire of Merchants and by that means deceiving the warders got admittance but were no sooner entered e're they proved fatal ones for drawing their Swords they put all such as they found therein to death and seized the Castle and having Garrisoned it passed on to the City of Nice to which they lay'd siege when to rescue it the young Emperor Andronicus came with such power as he could raise but being for the most part unexperienced Soldiers the Turks from the Mountains as they were passing through the hot Country setting upon them a cruel battel begun but night coming on they parted by consent yet in this fight the Emperor lost near half his People and was himself wounded with an Arrow so that despairing of effecting what he came for leaving his Tents and great store of Furniture therein every man shifted for himself in the dead of Night so that next Morning what they left became a prey to the Infidels who hightened by this Success took in several Sea Towns and within a while recovered the City of Nice by Stratagem As thus the Emperor in his flight thither from his Camp had promised to send them 1000 Horse-men of which Orchanes having notice disguised 800 of his men in Grecian habit and sent them with full instructions who being come within sight of the City he sent out 300 other in Turkish habit as foragers whom the other espying as if they had been ignorant of the Matter turned upon them and after a feigned skirmish put them to flight then taking their way to the City the Citizens who from their walls had beheld what had passed joyfully opened their Gates supposing them to be the Emperors promised Aid but they no sooner entered but the other 300 Horse and several Companies of Foot who lay in Ambush were at their Heels by which means that great City was a second time taken by the Turks whose Riches became a prey to the Soldiers and whose Inhabitants became of free Persons miserable Captives The Fate of this great City followed many others in the same Tract the Turks wasting all before them as they went miserably burning up what they could not carry away so that the Countries before them were dispeopled all the Inhabitants flying from them as a ten-fold Contagion So that no considerable Forces being sent from the Emperor the Cities fell into his Hands in great abundance and above all being desirous to possess the two fair Castles of Abydos and Sestus he sent Accecozza one of his great Captains to win them if possible who by the way having Intelligence that the Captains Son of the Castle of Seamandra being dead his Funeral was such a day to be Solemnized without the Walls whereupon laying an Ambushment they upon the Mourners approach suddenly issued from their Coverts and slew several of them taking the remainder Prisoners and amongst them the Captain whom they carried to the Castle telling those that kept the Walls that if they did not deliver it he should be put to a Cruel Death before their Eyes at which nothing dismayed they returned Answer that they might Kill him Boyl him and Eat him if they pleased but as for the Castle they would not deliver it whereupon he finding it a work of great Difficulty to take by force departed to Sestus which he with little Difficulty took and had his Prisoners Ransomed for a great Mass of Mony and amongst the rest the Captain of Scamandra and now Abydos standing in Europe on the other side the Hellâ—â—â—â— was the only place Aimed at when as Fate would have the Night before the Turks came before it the Captain of the Castles Daughter dreamt that she falling 〈◊〉 miry made her Clean the which as soon as 〈◊〉 the viewed Abdurachman one of the Turkish Captains the fancied him to be the same Person she had 〈…〉 Vision and so strongly her fancy wrong 〈…〉 he lead up his Forces against the Wall 〈…〉 Power from whence she beheld what was 〈…〉 a Letter tyed to a stone at his Feeâ—◠〈…〉 presed her Passion Protesting that 〈…〉 of her Love she would on such a 〈…〉 Castle into his Hands This Letter 〈…〉 Acâ—ecozza he much doubted the 〈…〉 searing it was a design to draw them 〈…〉 upon Abdurachman's Request that he might 〈…〉 the Enterprize he Consented it being agreed that to give the besieged the less Suspicion the Army should give a general assault and then draw
off the which being done the Garrison buried in Sleep and Wine for joy of the Turks departure neglecting their Watches the Captain being Conducted by his Mistress a private way entered with about fifty Followers and putting the Warders to the Sword opened the Gates and let in the Army who the next Morning took the Garrison The Turks departed with their Prisoners and such Booty as they found The Tratyress being given to Abdurachman as a reward of his Adventurous undertaking not long after Accecozza dying Orchanes made his Sons Amurath and Solyman Lords of the Provinces he had taken from the Christians who lay'd Siege to the City of Niâ—â—media which despairing of succour surrender'd upon Condition that so many as would depart might and those that would stay there might without any hurt Either Body or Goods of which City Solyman was made Governour and thereupon he removed his Court from Prusa to Nice that he might be near his new Conquests at all times to give such necessary Orders as were Convenient and so prospered that he soon after got Possession of Taraxa Govinucia and Mndurne and raising a puissant Army he invaded the Country of Carasiana the Brothers of the deceased King being at odds about the Succession and soon over-run it forcing one of the Brothers to fly into Pergamum and the other as his Vassal to hold the Kingdom in Fee of him at the same time made his younger Son Amurath Lord of Prusa The Turkish Kingdom being thus settled in Asia Archanes consulted with his Son Solyman about getting footing in Europe which he promised to effect and upon his return to his Government sent over Ezes-Bey his chief Captain and some others to discover the Country who taking a Greek Prisoner returned and presented him to Solyman who having given him Mony and Rayment inquired of the Nature of the Country who informed them at large Whereupon repassing with a small Force they seized upon the Castle of Zembenick without doing any harm to the Garrison which was indeed but small most of them being gone out to fetch in their Harvest The News of the Turks landing in Europe soon flew to Constantinople but such was their Cowardise and Sloath together with intestine Divisions that no Care was taken to expulse them So that they daily increasing their Power by such as were sent over in Boats seized also upon the Castle of Maditas and afterward spoiled the Country of Chersonesus as far as Callipolis which City they took after having overthrown the Governour in a pitched Battle yet so infatuated were the greater part of the Greeks that they made a jest of the proceedings of the Turks who were by this time advanced 200 from the Castle of Zembenick where they first Landed Whereupon Solyman sent to his Father to acquaint him with what had passed as likewise to desire him to send him fresh supplies of Men not only to secure what he had won but to prosecute his successful beginning upon the receipe of which news Orchanes greatly rejoyced and immediately Commanded 1000 Sarazens and Turks to pass the Hellespont in Boats prepared for that purpose upon whose Arrival Solyman intercepted the Goveronour of Conger Castle who had greatly annoyed the Turks and striking off his Head before the Castle-Gate so terrified those that were within that they soon surrendred the Place from whence the Turks frequently sallying fetched in great Booties venturing even to the Walls of Didymotichum And thus in the space of one year the Turks got strong footing in Europe possessing themselves of divers Castles and Towns with the Countries about them which Solyman as a reward of their Service gave to his Captains and Soldiers as appeareth by the Monuments of Ezes-Beg and Fazel-Beg the first Two Turkish Captains that set Footing in Europe but for a while a stop was put to the Turks Progress occasioned by the Death of Solyman who hawking in the Fields of Bolyre and following too furious in taking a Ditch his Horse threw him where he received such a mortal bruise that he within a few days after died which News coming to his Father Orchanes he for grief fell sick and within two Months gave up the Ghost Anno 1359. and of his Age 80 years having Reigned 31 years This Orchanes was both warlike and Politick Courteous he was to his Friends and stern to his Enemies much devoted to the Mahometan superstition and a great Enemy to the Christians CHAP. VIII The Life and Actions of Amurath the first of that Name and third King of the Turks OChanes and Solyman his eldest Son being dead Amurath succeeded in the Kingdom as the younger Son to the deceased King who at his first Entrance upon his Government had great Contests with the Turkish Princes of the lesser Asia who Envying his aspiring as supposing in the Currant of his Victories he might as well overthrow them as the Christians but having Vanquished their Forces and brought them Terms of Agreement he turned his Arms upon Europe with a great host passing the Hellespont he seized upon the Castle of Benutum when passing on the Greeks now roused out of their security opposed him with such Forces as they could draw together but were soon overthrown After which he won the Town of Trurulus taking likewise all the Castles and small Towns adjoyning as Mesine Burgos Hebrus and soon after Didimotichum and staying there sent one of his Captains named Lala-Schakin to besiege Hadrianople now called Adrianople with whom the Christians fought a great and mortal Battle but such was their ill steered Fate that Victory declared for the Infidels So that that great City being out of all hopes of Relief opened her Gates to the Enemy Anno 1362. The City of Hadrianople being taken or as their own Histories relate taken by Treachery in time of Peace Amuratis made it the chief Seat of the Turkish Kings in Europe as a place from whence he might best annoy Christendom and then sending for his Captains he Commanded to invade the Countries of Philipopolis Zogora and Ipsala the which in a snort time they brought under Subjection The Turkish Kingdom in a small time being spread wide Cura Rustemes the Doctor of the Mahometan Law and Zinderlu Chelil the Chief Justice devised the Order or Constitution of the Janizaries which have ever since been available to Turks in all their Wars after this manner that seeing there were great multitudes of Christian Captives frequently taken the Youths above fifteen years of Age should every fifth be the Kings and if there wanted of five then he who had them shoud pay twenty five Aspers a Head and that those which appertained to the Kind should for three of four years be put to hard Labour the better to inure 'um to Hardship and then being brought to Court to serve in the Wars as the Kings Life-Guard being alway near his Person Which advice was so well approved of that it has continued acceptable to the Othoman Kings and
Emperors ever since Amurath having settled his Conquests in Europe leaving a sufficient Power with his great Captains The Winter coming on the passed over into Asia but early in the Spring upon view tha the Christians were in Arms he returned and by the way took the Town of Boge putting the chief Inhabitants to the Sword and carrying away the rest Captives but held it not long e'r it was recovered and rased by the Christians who served the Turks in like manner In the mean time the Christian Army in Servia and Bulgaria consisting of 50000 Horse and Foot advanced in Order to their besieging Adrianople which obliged him for his better security to haste over the Hellespont giving Order for a great number of Asians to follow him but by reason of the Christians discord amongst themselves and refusing to joyn their Forces they were set upon at advantage and overthrown with the loss of half the Army e'r the Forces arrived from Asia The News of which fatal overthrow spreading wide Anairath's Fame spread wider Insomuch that German-Ogly Reigning in the lesser Asia and being chief of the Zelzuccian Family sent his Ambassadors to intreat a Marriage between his Daughter Hatun and young Bajazet in lieu of which he promised a great part of his Territory and that his Son-in-Law at his Death should succeed him in his Kingdom by that means joyning both Families into one the which in short time was accorded at the Celebration of which Nuptials the Ambassadors of almost all the Princes of the East were present who in the Names of their Lords presented the Bridegroom and Bride with exceeding rich Gifts but Amurath to outdo them all caused Euronoses to bring out of Europe 100 beautiful Boys with as many Virgins all Christian Captives clad in rich Garments imbroidered with Gold and Pearl each of them holding a Cup of Gold in the one hand and a Cup of Silver in the other filled with Jewels Pearls Amber and the like which he caused in requital of their Kindness given to the Ambassador to be At this Marriage Chusun-Beg Prince of Amisum in Galatia sold by his Ambassador his Territories of Amisum to Amurath as doubting to keep them the Turks Power being now so near him The Nuptials Celebrated Amurath making his Son Bajazer Governour of his Countries in Anatolia gathered what Forces he could for the Invasion of Servia taking by the way the strong City of Pherae and entering Servia the Despot no ways able to oppose him he took Nissa the Metropolis of that Province and soon after Apolonia with many other places of strength so in fourteen days over-run nigh all the Provinces but receiving News out of Asia that Aladine King of Caramania who a little before had Married his Daughter wasted his Countries in Asia with Fire and Sword which so inraged Amurath that making Peace with the Despot of Servia he passed over with an Army of 70000 Horse and Foot to whom in number Aladine was not inferior as having Confederated hmself with all the Petty Princes of Asia when after several overtures of Peace proposed and none accepted both Armies joyned on the great Plains of Carramania where after a dreadful Battle Aladin's Army was overthrown he was forced to fly into Iconium his chief City and was there straightly besieged but at the humble Supplication of his Queen who would have no denyal at her Fathers hands he upon his Submission was restored again to his Dignity and Kingdom as likewise were all the Princes his Confederates upon Condition of acknowledging him their supream Lord. Whilst these things passed the Despot of Servia grieving that he had made such a dishonourable League with the Turks and being told by his General sent with Forces to assist Amurath against the Caramanian King how despightfully he had used him and his Soldiers therewithal stirring him up to break the League and cast off the servile Yoak he sent secretly to the King of Bozan to request him to joyn with him against the Turkish Tyrant who willingly accorded and at an interview between the said King and the Despot all things were agreed upon Notice of which Amurath was not a little perplexed but yet resolving to take revenge he gathered great Forces to invade both Princes the which whilst he was doing the Captain of Alexandria took a Castle in the Confines of Bosan came privately to his Tent and offered to deliver to him most part of the Country if he would follow his directions strengthening his Promise with many specious Arguments insomuch that the Greedy Turk giving Credit to what he had said sent twenty thousand Men under the leading of his great Captain and Tutor Lala-Schalin who plundering part of the Country and at last by the said Captains device who had by Amurath been highly honoured especially with a rich Cloak which signifies the Person so invested to be highly in the Favour of the Turkish King but having drawn them within the Danger of the Ambush he sent to the King of Bosan who coming upon them with 30000 Greeks as they were stragling cut of 50000 of them the other 5000 with Schakin hardly escaping to tell the News With this overthrow of his Men Amurath was greatly inraged and gathering all his Power marched into Servia which before he had Relinquished upon the Despots becoming his Tributary where he found the Christians with a formidable Army ready to receive him when after some Towns and Castles taken on either side both Armies met upon the great Plains of Cossovia where when the Captains on either side had put their Men in Order exhorting them to do their best for obtaining the Victory they joyned with such Fury that the Earth trembled under their Feet and such was the horrid noise of Clashing Arms shouts of the Conquerors Cries of the Vanquished and Weeing of Horses that wild Beasts in the Mountains trembled and those that beheld the Fight supposed that showers of Arrows descended from the Clouds At first the Turks gave back being assailed by the Christians in great number and the Right Wing routed but Bajazet coming in with a fresh Power renewed the Battle which having continued eight hours with great slaughter Insomuch that all the Plains were covered with the Bodies of the slain most of the Christian Captains killed Valiantly fighting and amongst the rest Lazerus the Despot the Victory fell to the Turks those that fell in the Battle not being accounted less then 50000. After the Battle was over Amurath greatly Rejoycing in his huge Conquest in a Vain-glorious Humour would needs take a view of the heaps of the dead Carcasses which made the Plain Mountainous when as a half dead Soldier named Cobelits faint with loss of Blood and Wounds rising as it were from the Grave came towards him staggering and falling three or four times in twenty paces when those that were about him would have hindered his approach but Amurath Destiny so ordering Commanded he should have access supposing he
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
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
and soon after was sent to besiege Croia in Epirus to the relief of which the Venetians hast'ned with an Army under the leading of Contarenus a man of great courage who at the first onset overthrew the Turks with great Slaughter obliging them to leave their Camp but not pursuing them by Reason of the near approach of Night whilst they were taking the Spoil the Enemy rallying fell into their disordered Ranks and soon turned the Scale of Victory by subduing those who a little before were Conquerers in which last Fight the General and several of his great Captains were Slain Heightned with this Success the Year following Asa-Beg with a considerable Army passed the River Sontium where being incountered by the Garrison Soldiers of three several Forts under the leading of Hieronimus Nowel the Count of Verona he trained the Venetians into an Ambush by which they being few in number and beset on every side were mostly Slain after which the proud Conquerers proceeded to spoil the Country wasting it with Fire and Sword taking great Spoils and driving before them a number of the miserable People into Captivity The Year following Anno 1478. about Harvest-time they come again and with a great power passing the aforesaid River marched further into the Country wasting all before them and unopposed passed over a part of the Alps towards Germany a way both difficult and dangerous and so plundering the Mountaniers who little dreamt of such troublesome Visitants they returned home laden with great Spoil And now Mahomet remembring the disgrace he received at the Siege of Scodra of which he allowed one a yearly Pension to put him daily in mind he sent for his Soldiers from all parts of his Dominions and under the Leading of several of his Bassaâ— himself being there in person likewise he set down before the City with an Army of 350000 men and there casting several pieces of Ordnance of Mettal he had for that purpose brought thither in Mass one of them carrying a Bullet of 1300 pound Weight he after he had in vain Essayed to have the City delivered by fair means from the Mounts incessantly battered the Walls and withal threw into the City huge Balls of Wild-Fire and Stones of a prodigious Weight which beat down and fired many Houses yet so far were the besieged from being discouraged that they daily animated each other couragiously to defend the City to the last man every Night Countermuring the Breaches the Cannon made with Earth Timber and Planks which Mahomet perceiving commanded his men to give a furious assault and either by Firing the Planks or scaling the Walls to enter the City the which in hopes of great rewards promised them if they happened to be Succesful in the attempt thrust themselves into the mouth of Slaughter being cut off in such numbers by the storm of Shot sent from the Walls that all the plains were covered with their Bodies which Mahomet perceiving and understanding they could not accomplish his desire caused the retreat to be sounded and gave order for the renewing the Battery so that in one day the Engineers sent 194 great Shot into the Breach and immediately caused a second Assault to be made tho with as bad Success as had been the former About this time the Turks under the leading of Solyman Bassa had taken Croia more through Famine then their Valour which City the Inhabitants nigh perished with Hunger and not being able to expect any Relief all the Country about the City being in the hands of the Turks had delivered upon promise of Life and Liberty but the Faithless Bassa not having Regard to his Promise having got Possession put the remaining Skeletons to the Sword which the Scadrians understanding by some Christians in the Turks Camp were the more incouraged resolving manfully to dye rather then trust the perfidious Infidels Mahomet inraged at the besieged obstinacy and the loss of his men in the two assaults after he had with his Artillery beaten down a great part of the Wall Commanded the most Couragious of his Soldiers to give a third Assault which they did with great Fury shouting in the mean while Showers of Arrows and Bullets into the City and at length as men desperate entering into the Breach came to Hand-strokes with the Christians and began a cruel and dreadful Fight in which many were slain on either side The Turks still renewing their assault with fresh Forces till at length they so far prevailed that those who defended the Breach were at the point to retire at what times a fresh Troop brought by the Governour came happily to their Relief and beat off the Assailants with great slaughter Whereupon Mahomet again renewed his Battery and lodged 173 more of his great Shot in the Breach and then sending for his chief Commanders into his Tent-Royal pitched upon a Mount advantagiously to behold what passed and there by Threats and Promises incouraged them to undertake a fourth Assault In which he lost 12000 of his best Men and was forced at last to sound a retreat yet by the several Fights the Christians were sorely weakened in all the Streets lying covered with Turkish Arrows and the Breaches with the mingled Bodies of the Christians rent most miserably by the great Shot they were forced to Labour both Day and Night to repair the Breaches every one incouraging his Fellow in such sort that Mahomet began to despair of Victory and blaspheming God for as he impiously pretended hindering his Proceedings he retired in his Melancholly Mood into his Tent where Tormenting himself for the space of two days he would not be spoken with by any but the third Day calling a Council it was concluded another Assault should be given which was according done with great Fury and much Effusion of Blood on either side but the besieged and resolving to fell their Lives dear so manfully withstood them that with Shame and greater Slaughter then ever they were forced to retire and now all Provision being cust off from the besieged the Tyrant resolved to gain that by Famine he could not do by Force and therefore ceasing any further Assault caused the City to be so closely Blocked up that the Christians were forced to Eat all manner of unclean and loathsome Things as Horses Dogs Cats Rats Mice and the like Which miserable state of theirs made known to the Senate of Venice under whose Protection that City was and they being grown weary of their twenty years tedious War with the Turkish Tyrant sent Benedictus Trivisanus their Embassador to Constantinople whither weary of the Siege Mahomet was returned leaving one of his Bassas with the Army to Block up the City as aforesaid who upon his Arrival being admitted to the Presence of the Tyrant he so ordered the Matter that a Peace was concluded upon these Articles First that the Venetians should deliver him the City of Scodra the Isle of Lemnos the strong Castle of Tenarus in Peloponnesus and pay
him yearly 8000 Duccats that they might have leave to Traffick in the Euxine-Sea by the Straights of Bosphorus Hellespontus and Thracius and that the Citizens of Scodra and the Garrison contained therein should upon the Delivery of the said City be at their Choice free to Live in the City under the Turkish Government or depart whither they pleased with their Goods c. These Articles concluded on Notice thereof was sent to the Governour who assembling the Citizens related it to u'm as he had received it from the Ambassador who then together with the Venetian Admiral Rode at Anchor in the Mouth of Boliana when after some Debate it was agreed that they would leave the City and not expose themselves to the Mercy of the Tyrant at all times whereupon at a certain time prefixed the City was put into the Hands of the Bassa and the Citizens marching out Bag and Baggage went on Board the Venetian Gallies who carefully Transported them into their other Territories of Italy and thus was this City surrendered Anno 1478. after a years Siege before which 100000 Turks had lost their Lives Mahomet having gotten what he sorely longed for sent Achmetes Bassa with his Gally to take in the Islands of Neritus Zacynthus and Cephalenia upon which he seized without any Resistance Lenord Prince of the same upon the Arrival of the Turks hasting with his Wife and Children into Italy where he was kindly received of King Ferdinand his near Kinsman after that he sent three of his Bassas with a great Army to invade Transilvania Whereupon Stephanas Batore the Vayvod fled to Matthias King of Hungary to crave Aid who at the same time lay sick of the Gout yet he ordered his two Captains viz. Stephanus Cherepetnus and Palus Rivisus to march with his Army who incountering the Turks near Alba Julia in a great and bloody Fight overthrew the Army with the Slaughter of 30000 of their best Men together with Isa Bassa their chief Commander and of the Christians there fell 8000 only Mahomet possessing most of the Islands in the Mediterranian Sea began to be very desirous of the Famous Rhodes and to further his Design at the same time a Fugitive Knight of the Order named Antonius Meligalus residing in his Court gave him a Plat-form of the City informing him in what place the City was easiest to be Assaulted and how the Island might be best subdued Whereupon a great Fleet was fitted out and this Traytor to his Country put on Board with a Command that his Directions should be followed but he by the way falling sick of a loathsome Disease so infected the Ship with his noisome Smell that the Marriners in a great rage threw him Over-Board whilst he vainly Cryed to them for Mercy and thus he received the reward due to his Traiterous Intention The great Master of Rhodes having notice that Mahomet intended to invade his Territories was like an experienced Captain wanting nothing that might conduce to a resolute Defence and having certain Notice that Misistes Bassa had Landed his Power and was marching towards the City he assembled his Captains and with many Christian and Soldier-like perswasions admonished them to fight the Battle of the Lord Jesus against his Enemies which so wrought upon them that they all resolved to Live and Dye in his defence By this time the Bassa had set down his Camp and began to raise his Batteries according to the Directions of one Demetrius another Fugitive Knight who in the first Skirmish according to the Merits of his Treason having his Horse slain under him was miserably trampled to Death most of the Ordnance now bent against the Wall the Bassa sent out a part of his Army to seize upon an Orchard possessed and intrenched by the Christians which those that possessed it not being able to defend against so powerful an Enemy slighted it and retired to the City leaving the Ordnance behind them Out of this Orchard by the advice of one George Trapain a Christian Runagado the Turks battered the Tower standing about 300 paces from the City with great Fury and having made a Breach indeavoured to have entered but were beaten off with great loss after which they framed a Bridge upon Boats over a frith of the Sea fastening by Ropes so indeavouring to besiege the Tower both by Sea and Land the which was no sooner fastened but the Ropes were all cut in sunder by one Garvais Rogers a most expert English Sea-Captain and after that attempting to make another Bridge and plant pieces of Cannon in Lighters and foists the Bridge was broken and the Lighters sunk by Anthony Damboise the great Masters Brother who with his Artillery planted for that purpose on the Bastions beat them to pieces but it had not been long e'r Caly Bassa the younger Arriving in the Camp it was noised that Mahomet was coming with an additional Army of 100000 Turks which so terrified the Spaniards for the Garrison was Composed of all Christian Nations that they desired to be Shipped out of the Island and to return home but for such their Cowardize being sharply reproved by Peter Damboise the great Master a most expert and Valiant French man they as ashamed of what they before proposed begged Pardon and afterwards notably defended the City during the Siege Mesues perplexed that he could not carry the City by Force though with his Artillery he had levelled the Walls in many places which were as soon repaired he resolved by Treachery to perform what otherwise he could not Effect and therefore made large Offers to several discontented Rhodians to poison the great Master which some of them undertook to bring to pass but e'r any thing was done in Relation thereto the wickedness was discovered and the undertakers worthily Executed upon notice of which the Bassa more perplexed then before and yet not knowing without loss of Honour how to raise the Siege sent several Messengers to the great Master in his Name to promise him extraordinary Matters if he would surrender to him the City and to denounce all the Miseries of War upon his Refusal To which the Heroick Old man returned Answer that he would not willingly in his surest Estate use the Council of his Enemy neither in his greatest distress refuse Cheerfully to yeild his Life unto Almighty God to whom he did owe it and that with far better Will then to surrender the City upon any Conditions bear they never so fair a shew of Honour or Profit The Messengers perceiving this constant Resolution of the great Master by other Arguments indeavoured him at least to become Tributary to the Emperor paying a small matter yearly for his Peace but he knowing that to be the ready way to be brought under the Turkish Slavery utterly refused upon which the Messengers returned greatly discontented to him that sent 'um who thereat greatly perplexed gave another general Assault battering the City for four days without Intermission but not prevailing
of War into the Turks Dominions and so with a great Army he Commanded Vsbeg to pass into Cilicia where not far from Tarsus he found the Turks incamped under the command of Chersogles Vice-Roy of Greece a most Valiant Captain whereupon a mortal Battle begun and many thousands Slain for the Sultans Army consisting mostly of Mamalukes such an obstinate Fight was fiercly maintained between them and the Turkish Jannizaries that Victory stood doubtful for the space of 2 days at the end of which the Turkish General having lost 60000 of his men in the Night left his Camp and fled nor was the loss in the Sultans Army much inferiour but the Turks loss still proved greater for Flying through Aladules Country that King had so beset the way that most of the remaining part were Slain and the General taken prisoner nor fared Bajazet's Fleet at Sea better for Anchoring in the mouth of Orentes within sight of Antioch it was by a Tempest beaten to pieces all which losses coming one upon the Neck of another caused Bajazet to send his Ambassadors to the Sultan to require peace which was accorded to and all the Prisoners set at liberty when shortly after the Sultan who of a Circassian Slave by the favour of the Mamaluke's his Fellows become a mighty Monarch dyed Peace being concluded in Asia the Christian Princes stirred up thereto by Pope Alexander the Sixth that Firebrand of discord all Christendom was in a Flame at what time Charles the French King seized upon the Kingdom of Naples taken from his Father by Ferdinand the first whereupon the Pope and Alphonsus the exiled King of Naples solicited Bajazet to send them 6000 Horse and as many Foot for the recovery of the same laying before him like special Christians what danger the Mahometan Religion would be in if the French prevailed the Pope promising him also to Poyson Zemes his Brother if he would pay him well for so doing these Admonitions and large overtures so prevailed with the Infidel that he had great store of treasure but as it was designed for evil purposes it prospered accordingly for the Vessell in the Adriatick Sea being boarded by John Roverius a Venetian he seized the cash before it came to the Popes fingering yet his Holyness loath to break his Word nevertheless contrary to his Oath made to the Ambassadors from the great Master of Rhodes Poisoned Zemes by putting Poison amongst the Sugar which he was wont to mix with his Water to the great Scandal of the Christian Religion and reproach of St. Peter's pretended Successors nor was God slow in revenging the dishonor done to his name for Alexander having a Bastard Son named Caesar Borgia a Profligate Wretch who after many Outrages and Murthers committed being about to Poison several of the Cardinals at a Supper in the Vattican by a lucky mistake of the waiter in taking up the wrong flaggon poisoned his Father who notwithstanding his infallibility was not Poison proof nor did this ungracious Son long escape for fighting under the standard of the King of Navar he was slain with a hargubus shot Notwithstanding the death of Pope Alexander yet he left Christendom in such a blaze that the flame of discord was not in a long while after quenched for whilst the Emperor of Germany and Princes of Italy were Bandising against the French King and shedding Christian Blood the Turks invaded Podolia and Rassia spoiling the Country and sacking several walled Towns but by reason of the Excessiveness of the Winter through Hunger and Cold most of the Army Perished yet not dismayed by the Loss sustained he the next year sent Cadumes Bassa into Illyria who spoiling the Country was incountred by 9000 Croats and Hungarians near the River Morava under the leading of Count Bernard Francopain where after a cruel and Bloody fight the Christians were put to the worst and 7000 of them slain and drowned in passing the River the noses of which being cut off and hung upon strings were sent to Bajazet as a Barbarous present Charles the French King being dead Lewis the 12 Succeeded him in the Kingdom of France who laying claim to the Dukedom of Millain made a league with the Venetians whereupon Sfortia the Duke in possession sent to crave aid of Bajazet laying before him the danger his Empire was in daily to be invaded if the French grew strong in Italy preferring Ambition and revenge before the advancement of the Christian Religion Bajazet by this means stirred up resolved to render the Venetians unserviceable to the French by keeping them busie nearer home whereupon he commanded Scander Bassa his Lievetenant in Illyria to break in upon the Fruitful Country of Friuli part of the Venetians Territories on the borders of Italy the which he did with 12000 Horse destroying all before him as far as Liquentia driving before him a great number of Captives the which when he came to the Banks of Tiliaventum and understanding that the French and Venetians had driven the Duke of Millan out of his Territories he barbarously caused to be put to the Sword After the Seisure of Millan the Venetians set out a great Fleet under the charge of Anthony Grimani who set upon the Turks Fleet far Superior in number as it was coming out of the Bay or Haven of Sapientia in the Island of Sphraga but through the Cowardice of the Admiral in not permitting half his Fleet to come up those that were ingaged retired after a sharp dispute and the Turks kept their course to Naupactum now called Lepanto where they found Bajazet already arrived with his Land Army so that after a few days Siege the Citizens dispairing of Succour Surrendred the City wherefore the Venetian Admiral upon his return was Banished by a decree of the Senate to one of the Absytidies Islands upon the Coast of Liburnia Bajazet by this means having got firm footing in the Venetian Territories the year following viz. 1500 entered the straights of Corinth with an Army of 150000 and passing through Peloponnesus lay'd Siege to the strong City of Menthon now called Modon and took it by surprize putting all the Inhabitants to the Sword upon which several other Cities belonging to the Venetians yielded by composition but after the taking of many Cities on either side with great Blood-shed both by Sea and Land A peace between Bajazet and the Senate of Venice was treated and finally accorded upon consideration first that the Venetians should deliver up the Islands of Neritos and Lucadia the which during these Wars they had taken from the Turks reserving to themselves only the Island of Cephalenia And that in consideration thereof Bajazet should restore all such goods as had been taken from the Venetian Merchants in the late Wars and that it should be lawful for them as they were wonted safely to trade and traffique into the Euxine Sea and to Constantinople and there to have their Conful or Governour as they had in former time and lastly
that the Venetian Territories should be certainly known and seperated from the Turks by certain Bounds or Limits These conditions were Solemnly concluded on and confirmed both by Bajazet and the Senate of Venice and so affirmed Peace concluded in Anno 1503 after the Wars had continued between them for the space of 5 years Peace concluded with the Venetians Bajazet raised a great Army intending to invade Hungary but having been often foiled by that warlike Nation he changed his mind and Marched to suppress the insurrection in Albania a part of his Territory which done as he was returning a Derviller which is a Phantastical kind of a beggarly Turkish Monk using no other apparel but two Sheep Skins the one hanging before and the other behind who coming up to him as if he would have asked an Almes with a short Cimiter strock at him and beat him from his Horse and being about to redouble his blow had certainly dispatched him had not Ishender Bassa come in and with his Horsemans Mace struck the Varlet dead who afterwards by the Soldiers was hewn in pieces this treacherous and desperate act so moved Bajazet that he proscribed all them of that Superstitious order and banished them out of his Empire Bajazet after the incessant toiles of War resolving to repose himself committed the Management of his great Affairs to his 3 Bassa's viz. Alis Achmetes Kinsman to him that was slain and Jachia who having got the Reins of Empire in their hands for the space of 5 years suffered things to run into such disorder by regarding their private profit more then the publick good that a great part of the Lesser Asia was in an uproar by the means of Chasan Chelife and Schach Culi or Techellis two Persian Imposters who set the Multitude a madding by spreading a new fangled Doctrine more wicked then that of Mahomet their pretended Prophet To quench this Flame that began dreadfully to blaze into a Rebellion Bajazet was forced to rouse from his Lair yet the Doctrine could not nor is it to this day extirprated for being persecuted by Bajazet they fled into Persia and there pretending themselves to be the true Successor of Mahomet the Imposter and that none but they knew his Will and that those that believed not in their Doctrine should never Injoy any happiness after this Life with a deal of such ridiculous Cant they so besotted Asymbeiuâ—Vsun Cassanes the Persian King that he had to the first Author of this Doctrine viz. one Haider who was Master of these Disciples given his Daughter Martha in Marriage but he dying and his Son Jacup succeeding him in the Kingdom began to have his Brother-in-Law in suspition by reason of the multitude that followed him upon the account of his pretended Sanctity Insomuch that he caused him secretly to be murthered and raised a great Persecution against those that imbraced his Doctrine yet this Haider left a Son which he had by Martha his Wife named Hysmael who afterward became a Sophy of Persia as will appear in his Wars with Selymus Bajazet's Son and Successor but upon the Persecution raised by Jacup Son to Vsun Cassanes the two aforesaid Disciples of Haider fled to Armenia and there dwelling in Rocks began to tell Fortunes and other strange things which made the Rusticks suppose them men more then ordinarily inspired Insomuch that they gathered about them in great numbers insomuch that they came out of their Iurking Holes into walled Towns and taught boldly During the spreading of this Doctrine Hysmael the Son of Haider being grown to mans Estate and his Uncle Jacup dead he by the Aid of such as favoured his Fathers Doctrine won the Kingdom of Armenia and after that overthrowing Eluan the Persian King Son to his Uncle Jacup in a pitched Battle wherein the said King was slain he took Possession of all his Grand-fathers Dominions and from that time was called the great Sophy of Persia being afterward exceedingly beloved of his Subjects This Hysmale was no sooner Established in his Kingdom but he Established to his Power his Fathers Doctrine which Chusan Chelife and Techellis perceiving and understanding the unlooked for success of their Masters Son they resolved not to be Idle but to try their Fortune likewise Whereupon gathering a great number of their Proselytes in Arms they wasted again the Countries in the lesser Asia and being incouraged thereto by Hysmale with Promise of great Succours they set down before the City of Iconium sending out their Proclamations strictly to injoyn all the People thereabout to imbrace their Doctrine threatning them otherwise with Death and Confiscation of Goods which wrought such Terror in the Peasants that they had many of them joyned with them so that within a while their number was increased from 10 to 50000. Whereupon Orchanes and Mahomites two of Bajazets Nephews gathering what Forces they could Sallyed out of the City against them but were put to flight with the loss of most of their Men Corcutus also one of Bajazets Sons and then Governour of Thyatria Sypilus Magnesia and Phocia having leavyed a great Army durst not nevertheless to give them Battle but waited the coming of Caragoses Bassa who was raising great Forces in Cappadocia and Pontus having sent his Command to Achmetes one of Bajazets Sons to do the like but e'r he had gathered a sufficient Power the pretended Prophets came upon him put such Forces as he had to the Rout and forced Caragoses then Vice-Roy of Asia for his safety to fly into the City of Cutaie near unto the Mountain Horminius situate in the middle of the lesser Asia which City they besieged took by force and in it the Vice-Roy his Wife and Children putting most of the Citizens to the Sword and from thence marched to besiege the great City of Prusa but in their way hearing that Alis Bassa was come out of Europe with great Power and followed hard upon them they retreated and passed another way to avoid joyning with the Turks in the plain Ground of which the Bassa having Notice and dispairing to overtake them with his Footmen chose out 8000 of his swiftest Horse leaving Achmetes with the rest of the Army after a tedious March he fell in with their Rear Whereupon Techellis who was chosen General of the Rebels put his men in Battle Array when taking the most advantagious Ground he stayed the coming of the Turkish Horse who charged him in the Front with great Fury but wanting Foot to second them in so Hilly a Country were driven back which the Bassa perceiving drew forth 1000 Harquebusiers who served as Foot to oppose the Front whilst the Horse Charged on the right and left Wings of the Enemies Army which was performed with such Bravery that Techellis's Men gave Ground and in the Rear broke and disordered their own Ranks when Chelife one of the Impostors fighting desperately was slain But Techellis coming with fresh supplies restored the Battle to break which Alis
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
which a fierce fight was begun and Atadeules fighting Courragiously at the head of his men forced the Turkish Horsemen to give ground which Selymus perceiving and that his Army was sorely Annoy'd by the Archers from the Mountains drawing out 2000 Harquibusiers out of his own Squadorn he sent them to reinforce his Horse and at the same time commanded the Janizaries to Mount the Hills which they doing charged the Foot with such Fury that they being sore distressed with the Harquibus shot not being used to such engins scattered and fled so that a great number of them were killed e're they could clamber up the steep Mountains and the Horse at that time being discomfited fled by well known ways into the fastnesses of the steep Rocks after whom Selymus followed burning all before him but finding he could not overtake the King who retiring before him had fortified himself amongst the Impregnible Rocks and there stored up much provision in hopes to weary the Turks with tedious delay Selymus having perfect notice of all that had passed by several Prisoners that he had taken thought it more fit to prevent his falling into necessity in so barren a Country to use Stratagems where force could not prevail whereupon understanding that there was no good meaning between Aladeules and Alis Beg his General by reason that the King had formerly commanded his Father to be slain upon suspicion he designed to seize his Kingdom he releasing the Prisoners sent them to Alis Beg with great rewards to incite him to deliver Aladeules into his hands and that in Lieu thereof he of his bounty would give him the Kingdom which so wrought with the treacherous General that not finding means to kill the King as he had purposed he caused all his Army to revolt to Sinan Bassa whom Selymus had sent to pursue him so that being left alone flying through many desolate places at length hid himself in a Cave where being discovered by a Country Peasant he betrayed him into the Hands of those that sought after him who presenting him to Selymus he caused his Head to be stricken off and carried all over Asia the less in manner of Triumph and afterward sent it to the Senate of Venice in token of his Victory Selymus having subdued the Kingdom of Aladeules as aforesaid and reduced it into the form of a Province making the Traitor chief Governour thereof returned to Constantinople having at the same time he was Waring against Aladeules by his Bassas invaded Hungaria and now having notice from his Correspondents in Christendom that Maximillian the Emperor Vladislaus King of Hungaria Sigismond King of Poland together with the Princes of Germany were entering into a League against him it caused him to make great Preparations for the defence of his Territories but in the end those Princes seperated without doing any thing worthy of their meeting So that being freed from that Fear he left a strong Guard upon the Fronteers of his Empire bordering upon Hungaria and departed to Iconium in Order to prosecute his War against the Persian but during his stay at that City he had certain notice that Campson Gaurus Sultan of Egypt with a great Army levied in Egypt and Judea was coming to Aid the Persian King his Confederate as hating Selymus for his Cruelty towards his Father Brethren and Nephews as likewise being jealous of his aspiring Greatness this News was Confirmed on all Hands Selymus greatly feared that if he should pass over the River Euphrates the Sultan might enter Asia and spoil his Dominions wherefore he thought it safe if possible to make him his Friend in order to which he sent the Cadelescher or great Doctor of the Mahomitan Law A man much reverenced amongst the Turks and Jachis one of his great Captains as his Ambassadors to desire the renewing the League sometime made between the Sultan and his Father Bajazet but the Sultan moved by the pittious Complaints of the Princes Aladine Son to Mahomet and the Son of Aladeules who as exiled Princes remained in his Court and incouraged by his great Captains to restore them to their rightful Possessions would have no Peace unless Selymus would leave off to invade the Persian and restore the Mountainous Kingdom to the young Aladeules which upon the Report thereof so inraged Sebymus that he resolved to lay aside his intended War against Hysmale and turn all his Forces upon the Sultan and therefore with words of incouragement having animated his Soldiers he passed with his Army over the Mountains in three places and so appointing a great Company of the Common Soldiers and Country people for the opening of the straight Passages he Commanded the rough and uneven ways to be made smooth and plain so that in five Days all his Ordnance and Carriages were come into the Plains of Comagena where he received News of Campson's Army from Alis Beg Governour of the Mountain Kingom which caused him to march towards him with all speed By this time Campson having notice of the approach whom he could not at first believe to have passed the huge Mountain of Amanus stood long in doubt what was best to be done whether to give the Tyrant Battle or to retire to Damasco and protract the War whilst fresh Forces could come to his Assistance In the latter Opinion Gazelles his great Counsellor and Governour of Apamia Concurred with him labouring earnestly to confirm him in that Opinion but Destiny so ordering it he refused the good and wholsome Perswasions of Gazelles and imbraced that of Cayerbeius which was presently to give the Turks Battle which Council he gave though he knew it to be Destructive that by such means he might be revenged on the Sultan who some years before had caused his Brother to be poisoned for designing to deprive him of his Empire Battle being resolved on and the Turks Army coming on Campson divided his Army into four Battles the first whereof he committed to Cayerbeius the Traitor the second to Sybeius the Governour of Damasco a man of singular Faith and Valour these two were appointed at once to Charge both Wings of the Turkish Army the third was lead by Gazelles and the last by Campson himself who stayed with it for the defence of the Camp Nor was Selymus Idle for he had placed the Asian Horsemen in the right Wing and the European in the left and in the middle the Janizaries and Artillery before whom between the two Wings he had placed his Pentioners all most expert and valiant Soldiers and in this Order the Turks always fight if the Ground will admit so to Marshall the Army Both Armies being thus set in Order the Charge was sounded whereupon Cayerbeius with his Squadron Charged the European Horsemen with great Fury but resolving to betray his trust by and by Wheeling off fell upon the Sullians and such other Slaves as kept the Baggage making some small slaughter that as a Valiant and cunning Traitor he might
fell that it not only allayed the Sand but furnished his Army with Water during his passage which took up eight days yet was he frequently assaulted by the Arabians The Deserts passed as aforesaid the Turkish Army drew near unto Cair to receive or rather intrap which Tomombeius the new Sultan near to a Village called Rhodania had intrenched his Camp with deep Ditches filled with Water over which he had laid rotten Hurdles and upon them Earth and lined all the Banks with Artillery not doubting but Selymus would march that way but this their Device which would certainly have gained them a Victory had it took was upon the approach of the Turkish Army discovered to Selymus by four Epirot Mamalukes who secretly Envying the sudden Advancement of Tomombeius had in the Night time withdrawn themselves from his Camp Upon which Selymus altered his determined Courses and marching by by-ways suddenly appeared with his Army drawn up in Battalia in the Rear of the Egyptian Camp which put them into a great Consternation but seeing no Remedy but presently to ingage the Sultan put his Army in readiness and after the Charge sounded furiously with his great Ordnance spoke his indignation and was answered in the same Language from Selymus his Camp but after the second discharge of each particular tire the Armies joyned Charging each other with such Force that all the Ground lay covered with the slain the Mamalukes inraged with mortal Hatred bearing down all before them when in the mean time the Arrabians incompassed the Turks Battle putting the Thracian Macedonian and Epirot Horsemen to the flight the which Sinan Bassa perceiving came in with his Squadron of Horse to stay the wavering Battle but being overcharged by Gazelles and Bidon he was slain and his men disordered So that had not Selymus himself advanced with his surest strength of the Janizary the Victory had fallen to the Sultan but with them restoring the Battle and the Mamalukes being tired with continual Fighting at the approach of Night Tomombeius finding his men to be worsted caused the retreat to be sounded and retired towards Cair leaving his Camp to the Turks In this Battle fought on the 24. of January 1517. Were slain many Thousands on both sides and the Turks had certainly been worsted had it not been for the invincible Courage of the Janizaries The Turks in pursuit having taken the Diadare a man of great Command amongst the Egyptians and Bidon the valiant Captain whom Selymus unworthily caused to be slain in revenge of the Sinan Bassa Tomombeius a man of a warlike Spirit nothing discouraged at what had happened but rather more resolute to revenge his disgrace gathered his Power from all parts and incamped Commodiously between the City of Cair and the River Nilus and there consulted how he might by stratagem most conveniently set upon the Turks Camp e'r they understood what Power he had not thinking it safe so suddenly to try another Field But whilst he was thus plotting all his devices were discovered to Selymus as they had been before by several Mamalukes who now beginning to have his fortune in Contempt revolted from him Insomuch that to prevent the firing of his Camp as was intended Selymus caused strict Watches to be kept and great Fires to be made that so he might discover the Enemies approaches by night which the Sultan perceiving by the advice of his great Commanders retired into the City of Caire there to expect the approach of the Conqueror furnishing it with all manner of Warlike provision and inciteing the Egyptians who stood all this while Newters to take up Arms in the defence of their Country which the more wealthy whillingly did but the poorer sort who in all Nations ever gape after change of Government thinking to advantage themselves thereby yet such were the perswasions of the Mamalukes that in the end most of the Citizens resolved upon the defence of that great City towards which Selymus was advancing a pace wherefore Tomombeius caused Trenches to be drawn Cross the Streets at the bottom of which were fixed sharp Stakes and before them Tin being overlaid with rotten Hurdles so to intrap the too eager Turks for why the City had no Walls but situate upon the River Nilus was adorned with many stately Towers Piramides Pallaces Temples and Monuments of the Egyptian Kings served rather for Pleasure then strength He likewise caused the Houses to be furnished with Harquebusiers and his Pieces of Culvering and other small Pieces to be every where planted Advantagiously for the annoying the Enemy and in the great Street drew up his greatest strength consisting of Mamalukes yet Selymus being now come before it after his having incouraged his Soldiers to undertake the subduing of that great City as the last Refuge of the Sultan he furiously entered the Gate called Basuela and at one instant thrust in his Horsemen at divers Caves but kept his Janizaries in the high Street where the greatest Power of the Mamalukes were Whereupon a dreadful Fight was begun on all parts insomuch that the Channels run Blood like so many Torrents the Artillery and small Shot still thundering from either side made all seem Fire and covered the tops of the Houses with Clouds of smoke when from their Windows and Roof of their Houses the Egyptians cast down Stones Tiles scalding Water Sulphur Pitch Tar and the like to the great annoyance of the Turks who still pressing forward many of them fell into the Covert Trenches and were there impailed on the Stakes and such was the Clamour and Outcries of the enemy where together with the Clashing of Weapons and dreadful Fires that it seemed as if the desolation of all things was come and in this dismal manner continued the Fight for the space of two Days and two Nights without intermission Insomuch that Selymus finding what obstinate Enemies he had to deal with began to despair of winning the City and therefore was about to sound the Retreat as his fainting Soldiers most earnestly desired at what time he had News that Mustapha Bassa had by the Conduct of some Fugitive Mamalukes entered the City on the other side and had taken the Mamalukes Horses which they had left there ready Sadled thereon to make their escapes if matters came to the Extremity which not only Animated the Turks but dismayed the Mamalukes who expected no such Matter So that the Fight were renewed on the third day continuing Bloody and doubtful till the Evening at what time most of the Egyptians were very desirous to be rid of their insolent Lords the Mamalukes revolted to the Turks which the Mamalukes perceiving and that by Reason of the great number of Turks that were sent to stop the Gaps that Death had made they were no longer able to resist their Fury they betook themselves to flight most part of them hasting to the River Nilus with Tomombeius who in that Battle had all in vain proved the utmost of his Prowess and
Policy being Transported over it in Boats fled to Segesta others of them fled into the Houses of the Egyptians and into Caves and Vaults in the City to hide themselves A thousand five hundred of the better sort betook them to the Temple of their pretended Prophet where after an obstinate and tedious defence being disabled by Weariness Thirst and loss of Blood they surrendered themselves upon Diseretion part of whom the furious Soldiers slew in the Porch of the said Temple and the rest within a few days after being sent down the River to Alexendria were there contrary to the Promise of Selymus put to Death This great City subdued after the manner aforesaid Selymus Commanded a part of his Army to extinguish the Fire which raged vehemently in many places which done he exhibited a Proclamation that all the Mamalukes who within twelve hours would furrender themselves should have pardon of Life upon which many came forth of their secret places and that whosoever of the Egyptians should conceal any one of them longer then the time specified he threatned to impail them alive on Stakes and having sold their Wives and Children to burn their Houses which dreadful menace on the one side and hopes of Reward which was also Promised on the other caused many of the Egyptians contrary to their Promises to their old Lords the Mamalukes to deliver some of them up to the Tyrany of Selymus who caused them to be put to Death but some of the Egyptians impeached by their malicious Neighbours chose rather to suffer Death then to prove perfidious in breaking the solemn Protestations they had made to their Lords Nor did the Victorious Turks spare though contrary to Selymus his Promise to rifle the Houses of the Egyptians Murther many of them and defloure their Daughters and ravish their Wives even in their Presence and to use all other Cruelties incident to so great and populous a City upon the entry of an Hunger-starved Army greedy of prey At the taking of Cair Gazales the great and Valiant Captain of the Mamalukes was not present but sent by Tomombeius to raise an Army in Arabia who upon his return finding all lost and that the Sultan was fled he knew not where not thinking it Convenient to hazard a Battle against him whom Fortune so highly favoured he came to Selymus upon his Faith before given for the safety of himself and his Followers which were three Arrabian Captains and a number of good Horsemen and being admitted to his Presence boldly declared that since Fortune had made him her Darling and that he by her aid rather Conquered the Mamalukes then by any Force and that since Tomombeins was fled whose part as long as his Kingly Authority and Majesty remained he had faithfully served he and the rest were at his Devotion if he so pleased to serve him with their Lifes and Fortunes of which offer Selymus joyfully accepted highly Commending Gazeles both for his Virtue and Valour which for the most part gains Credit amongst the roughest Enemies and not long after sending him to suppress the Moors and Arabs that made Incursions into the Country about Cair he suddenly overthrew them and e'r he was expected returned with Victory Tomombeius being in the Country of Segesta whilst Selymus was setling his matters at Cair raised a considerable Army and the rather for that he had frequent advice from the Carians that if he would come suddenly upon the Turks they would raise such a Tumult that he should not only recover the City but destroy the Army who were but few in number and most of those weak through their Wounds and Sickness but e'r he could put this Design in Practice one Albuchomar a man of great Wealth and Authority in the Country of Segesta discovered the design to Selymus who caused all such Citizens as he suspected to be shut up in the Castle and continually guarded the Streets placing along the River Boats and Men and Artillery to keep the Enemy from repassing it and not well assured to hold what he had got from such desperate and resolute Enemies as were the Mamalukes of whom a great Power were again resorted to Tomombeius he resolved to send Ambassadors to him to advise him to submit and in yielding to his Clemency he would provide for him in some other part of his Dominions but e'r the Ambassadors came to his Camp they were way-laid by certain Mamalukes who had vowed no Peace with the Turks and without respect to their Character shamefully murthered them upon notice of which Selymus who was of a hot fiery Nature was so inraged that he could scarcely contain himself And thereupon Commanded a strong Bridge made of Boats and Planks to be laid over Nilus resolving to revenge the affront done to his Majesty the which once finished he drew the greatest part of his Army out of Cair leaving only so many as might keep the City from revolting with an intent to pass into the Country of Segasta to wast it with Fire and Sword of which Tomombeius having knowledge by speedy marches came to the Bridge at what time the Asian Horsemen were passed over and setting furiously upon them e'r they had well put themselves in Order making great slaughter of such as resisted Insomuch that many to avoid the Swords of their Enemies by leaping into the River were there drowned others in passing the Bridge were thrust beside and miserably perished in the Water Nor could Mustapha Bassa with all his Courage resist the Fury of the Mamalukes all the Turks being filled with Fear and Consternation as well on the hither as the further Bank the Artillery was for a while rendered useless by reason that if it had been discharged it must have been against the Turks onely who in fearful Troops covered the further Bank calling for Help to those on the other side Selymus seeing in what state Assairs stood caused all his Boats to be brought and filling them with Janizaries passed them over who Ranging in good order stayed the Fury of the Mamalukes when as Carrgolis Son to the Tartar King and Brother-in-Law to Selymus with his Horsemen took the Water and Swom over with little loss So that now the Battle went hard on all sides and strongly did the Mamalukes press on to gain the Head of the Bridg the which they had done by Cutting the Cables that fastened it they had set it afloat down the River and destroyed that part of the Army with whom they were ingaged e'r they could have been relieved by their Fellows which Mustapha perceiving had drawn to that place both his Insigns and his most experienced Soldiers so that the Fight was for a long time maintianed Bloody and doubtful but the Turks still coming over in great abundance true Valour was obliged to give place to Multitudes for the Mamalukes who had done all that men could do betook themselves to Flight after whom the Tartarian Horsemen followed with great Slaughter as
likewise did Mustapha Gazeles and Cayrebeius Selymus being desirous of nothing more then that Tomombeius might fall into his Hands which at length fell out according to his wish for the next Day he was overtaken when making head with his slender Train he Fought right valiantly but at length overcome he again fled yet so strict was Selymus his command that the great Captains still pursued him denouncing all manner of Torture to the poor Villagers if they did not so watch the passages of the great Marsh whereinto he was entered that he should by no means escape whereupon on the third day finding himself hard beset on everyside he willingly gave his followers leave to forsake him and laying aside his Insigns of Royalty hid himself amongst the Flags and Bushes standing up to the Neck in Water where being found by the Country Peasants he was drawn thence and delivered to the Bassa Mustapha who brought him together with several of his Captains to Cair where Selymus resolving before hand to put him to Death thereby to appease the Ghosts of his slain Ambassadors would not admit him to his presence but commanded him to be delivered to the Tormentors that with exquisite torments they might make him reveal the Treasure of Campson Gourus supposed by him to have been hid all which he indured with a manly courage and stern Countenance uttering nothing unbeseeming his Character after which he in tattered Garments with his Hands bound behind him being set upon a lean Ill-favoured Camel was in division carryed through all the Publick places of the City to be Gazed at as a Spectacle of Misery by those who not a Month before had honoured with profound Reverence as their great mighty King now by the hand of Fortune thrown from the top fo all worldly honour into the Abyss of extreamest Misery and in this manner the insulting Turks having brought him to the chief Gate of the City extended their cruelty yet farther by strangling him with a Rope and that he might be the better seen of all that passed by Hanged him upon a hook under the Gate nor did any of the Princes of the Mamalukes who fell into the Turks Hands fare otherwise The Terror of Selymus his man Victories now spreading wide all the Cities of Egypt submitted to the Conquerour no place between the River Nilus and the Borders of India and Arabia that were either Tributaries or Confederates to or with the Sultan but sent their Ambassadors with Presents to Selymus promising to continue the same with him as they have done with the Sultans only the wild Arabians stood at defiance till such time as with large Gifts he had won many of their great Captains to bring their People over to his obedience at what time Amyrases submitted himself and delivered into his possession the Egyptian Fleet built to oppose the Portugise Trade in the Indias and so Swimming in the currant of Fortunes favour he extended his Dominions as far as the confines of the Great King of Aethiopia called Prester-John and thus having reduced all to his obedience he came down the River Nilus in his Gally to Alexandria and having well reviewed it returned again to Cair from whence he commanded 500 Families of the Wealthier sort of the Egyptians to be removed to Constantinople for the Transportation of which Vessels were purposely prepared as also a great number of Women and Children of the Race of the Mamalukes thereby to prevent future troubles and then staying a while to observe the overflowing of Nilus from which the Egyptians Prognosticate a happy or unhappy Season as it rises little or much he resolved to depart for Syria having made Cayrebius the Traytor Governour of Cair and his great Lieutenant of Egypt which he had reduced into a Province whereat Jonuses the Great Bassa greatly envying as supposing himself greatly wronged by Selymus whom he had faithfuly served in all his Wars in heaping upon a Traytor the honour which he greedily expected by opening his mind therein and refusing to deliver the Largesses appointed for the Soldiers thereby to render his Competior odious he fell so far into the Emperors displeasure that notwithstanding all the excuse he made in defence of himself he caused him to be Strangled even in his presence thereby to deter others from daring to prescribe him what he should Act or on whom he should bestow his favours yet was the fall of this great Bassa worthily Lamented of the Souldiers who spared not to tell the Tyrant to his Face of his many Barbarous Cruelties repeating all the Inhumane Murthers he had caused to be committed but others again remembring how this Bassa had during his being in favour with Selymus causelesly Stabed his Fair and Virtuous Wife Manto upon a jealous tho false and Groundless Suspicion of her Inconstancy said it was a Judgement of God upon him for that Barbarous and unnatural Crime Selymus having left Egypt and arrived in Syria received Letters from Himbracor the Great Master of his Horse whom he had left upon the Frontiers to attend the motions of the Persians certifying him that Hismael's great preparations were dwindled into nothing by reason that most of his forces consisting of Voluntary Gentlemen who served at their own charges and they not bound to pass the Limits of their Country had refused to invade the Turkish Frontiers during the Wars with the Sultans of Egypt All the following Winter Selymus stay'd to settle his Affairs in Syria but early in the Spring having notice from his Lieutenant in Europe that Pope Leo the tenth had stirred up the Christian Princes to invade his Territories on that side leaving Gazeles his Lieutenant in Syria he hasted with his Army to Constantinople where he no sooner arrived but making great preparations he resolved to bend all his forces against the Christians but ' ere he could perform his design God who as he pleses restrains the power of Tyrants even in their greatest pride to make him sensible that he was but a mortal Man struck him with a grievous Canker in the Reins of his Back which deriding Art admitted of no cure but daily increasing with horrible pains he still Rotting above-Ground and well-nigh Poysoning such as were about him with the noisome Contagion in his way to Hadrianople in order to the Solemnizing the profane Feast called Baiâ—â—m or as they Term it the Feast of their Prophet he Breathed out his dismal-Ghost Anno 1520 near to the City Chiurlia on the very spot where he had formerly lifted up his Impious Sword against his Father Bajazet with purpose to have bereaved him of his Life and Empire dying after he had Reigned eight Years and lived 46 filling the World with Murthers and prodigius Slaughters and was Buryed in a new Temple at Constantinople Erected for the purpose by his Son Solyman who succeeded him in the Ottoman Empire and in token of his restless Nature upon his Tomb is Ingraven in Greek Turkish and the
Italy Flanders and other Countreys to leavy Forces which they did in such abundance to oppose the common Enemy that upon the Muster of the Army there were found Ninety Thousand old experienced Foot Souldiers and Thirty Thousand Horsemen well appointed all the flower â—â—â—ermany Italy Bohemia and Hungaria as likewise One Hundred and Forty Thousand of less experience the whole Army consisting of One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Men the approach of which so terrified Solyman that after he had in vain besieged Gonza and harazed the Countrey though with the loss of Ten Tousand of his Men he returned to Constantinople carrying with him into miserable Captivity Thirty Thousand poor Christians taken in divers Countries through which he passed and to appease his fury put no less a number to the Sword And now had the Christian Army composed of divers Nations pursued the Turk by Land and Sea as the Emperour earnestly desired they might have driven him quite out of Europe but Emulation arising amongst the Commanders and the Soldiers frequently mutining this great Army effected nothing more than to oblige Solyman to retire The Empire mindful of the damage sustained by the Turks in Austria Hungary and other Countries to revenge the same early the spring following set forth a Fleet consisting of Thirty Five great Ships and Forty Eight Galleys under the Conduct of Andreas Aurea a most expert Captain who sailing to the Bay of Ambracia thought there to have met with the Turks Admiral who had under his Command Sixty Galleys but he having notice of his coming from the Venetians who stood Newters was sailed to the strong Haven of Calcide whereupon Auria directed his course to Corone a strong City upon the Coast of Peloponesus and had it yielded unto him upon condition that the Garison might depart with bag and baggage where leaving a Garrison of Spaniards he sailed to Patras another City in the same Tract took it and ransacked it permitting the Garrison nevertheleless to march out in safety after which he took all the Castles that guarded the straight of Naupactum without any hindrance which gave Saluiatus General of the Malta Galleys opportunity to waste the Coast of Corinth and take great booties which done he returned loaden with spoils to Naples and from thence to Genoa the place of his birth and residence The Turks grieving at their great loss early in the Spring Anno 1533 lay'd siege to Corone both by Sea and Land of which Mendoza the Governour by Letters advised the Vice-Roy of Naples craving speedy aid with all assuring him he would defend the Town to the utmost extremity upon which Auria was sent with a well appointed Fleet the terror of whose coming so frighted the Turks that they left the siege having lost many Men before it and for haste left all their heavy Carriages which became a Prey to the Garrison Soldiers which exalted their courage to that degree that they requested Macicaus the Governour to lead them forth to the siege of Andrusa a Garrison of the Turks not far distant from Corone but their coming being discovered they could not surprize it as they intended yet ransacked the Suburbs and made great slaughter of the Turk Horsemen quartering therein though with the loss of Macicaus the Governour and divers others yet not long after they took the City being abandoned by the Garrison as not tenable but upon their return to Corone the Plague began to rage so fearfully that fearing if they stay they should all perish and fit opportunity offering it self by reason of the Arrival of several Galleys from Sicily with Corn all the Spaniards together with as many Greeks as would imbarqued with the Cannon and what else they thought convenient leaving the Town to be again possessed by the Turks though not without the consent of the Emperor Anno 1534 Aloysus Grittus Son to the Duke of Venice and Solymans great Favourite being by him â—ade Leiutenant of Hungary inwardly envying at Ameriâ—us Vayvod of Transylvania at the instance of one Docia caused him to be murthered in his Tent which so incensed the Transylvanians that they Arming themselves to the number of Forty Thousand under the Leading Maylat a Valiant Gentleman and Kinsman to the Vayvod pursued the Murtherer who sled to Mega which the Transylvanians besieged and not without great difficulty took and in it Aloysus and Docia the former of which they beheaded and the latter tore in pieces taking the spoil of their Goods which was very great for about Aloysus were found as many precious stones as were esteemed worth Forty Millions Solyman thirsting after Glory and resolving not to let his Soldiers lye idle resolved to invade at once both Africk and Persia the charge of the first he committed to Barbarusa who of a poor Fisher-Boy became a Pirate and afterward King of Argire and then travelling to Constantinople was upon the recommendation of Achometes the Great Bassa made one of the Bassas of Solymans Council Whereupon he cansed all his Galleys to be in a readiness appointing the aforesaid Barbarusa Admiral of all his Sea Forces who had no sooner taken upon him the Command but sailing out of Hellespontus with Eighty Galleys leaving Amurath with twelve to transport Solymans Army in to Asia he shaped his course for Italy when passing the Straights between Italy and Sicily he brought such a fear upon the Inhabitants on either shoar that they fled with all their substance further into the Countrey after which he layed siege to Saint Lucidius formerly called Tempsas which he took putting most of the Inhabitants to the Sword from whence with a rich booty and many Prisoners he marched to Citrarium which he took and burnt together with Seven Galleys that lay in the Port and so sailing by Naples he seized upon Spelunca from which he marched over Land to Fundi ten miles from Spelunca on purpose as was thought to have seized on Jula Gonzaga a Lady of incomparable Beauty whom he intended to have presented to Solyman but she though half naked getting on Horseback fled to the Mountains yet he took the City and put most of the Inhabitants to the Sword and so coasting along Italy and taking many Cities Towns and Castles he brought such a fear upon Rome once Mistress of the World that many conjectured that if he went directly thither with his Fleet the Romans would have forsaken the City but then contrary to the expectation of most he shaped his Course for Africk resolving to invade the Kingdom of Tunes over which Reigned one Muleasses having a little before stepped into the Throne by treacherously causing to be Murthered all his Brethren except Roscetes and Abdemelech the former of which having tryed his utmost fortune for the recovery of the Kingdom in right appertaining to him as Elder Brother to Mueasses he for his safety was fled to Constantinople which opportunity Solyman laying hold on to advantage his Wars in Africk kept him as a
Emperor caused his Batteries to be mounted whilst Auria with the Fleet blocked up the Castle to the Sea-ward so that what from the Ships and the Mounts the great Ordnance in manner of an Earthquake so terribly roated that their continual 〈◊〉 made it seem as if the Earth would have â—ent in sunder and caused the Sea which before was calm to mount as if it had been inraged with a Tempest the Air likewise became thick and the Sky was darkned with smoak so that after ten hours incessant battery the Vamures and Walls of the Castle were in many places beaten down the Turks Canon and Canoneers lying buried together in the Rubbish so that the defendants utterly despairing longer to hold it fled over a wooden Bridge layed for that purpose who being fiercely pursued by the Christians were most of them slain insomuch that the Surface of the Lake was well nigh covered with dead bodies The strong Castle thus taken and most of the Turks Fleet of Galleys at Aâ—â—hor in the Lake yielded to the Conqueror upon notice of which Muleasses the Moorish King came to the Emperors Tent and humbled himself at his Feet promising to become his tributary desiring as his Vassal to be received into his protection swearing never to forget so great a Benefit with many the like expressions which so moved the Emperour that he promised to restore him without any other Tribute than yearly paying a brace of Falcons and a brace of Barbary Horses as likewise to maintain a Thousand Christian Soldiers to keep for him the Castle of Guletta and ever after to be kind to all Christians either Inhabiting or that should have occasion to pass through his Countrey telling him further that if he failed in any point those Armes that restored him could again depose him Matters thus concluded the Emperour marched against Tunis where Barbarussa with the remainder of his Forces were in Garrison who upon the approach of the Christians drew out his Forces consisting for the most part of Numidian Horsemen but scarcely endured the first charge e're he betook himself to flight and again entered the City of Tunis where in his mad mood he determined to kill all the Christian Prisoners and had put his bloody intent into practise had he not been disswaded therefrom by Sinan a Jew one of his chief Captains which turned to his great disadvantage for the Captives to the number of Six Thousand hearing in what danger they were in burst out of the Dungeons in the Castle where they lay in Irons and killing such Turks as they found therein barracaded the doors seizing on such Armour as came first to hand made signs to the Emperor from the Battlements that they kept the Castle to his behoof which Barbarussa perceiving and that all his intreaties for the rendition of it was in vain he in a great rage abandoned the City with such of his followers as would attend him and fled by Sea in Fourteen Galleys to the City of Bona. The Turks having deserted Tunis the Magistrates came forth with the Keyes to meet the Emperor who without any resistance entered the City which he laboured to save from the spoil but such was the fury of the Soldiers that they could not be restrained neither by the Emperor nor Vastius the General but seizing upon all they found killed such of the Moors as resisted them so that in a short time all was in a confusion and great riches carryed to the Ships and Galleys together with many Captives most of which the Emperor caused to be restored and the rest were redeemeâ— by Muleasses Barbarussa not thinking himself safe at Hippona upon the coming of Auria with the Fleet fled to Argier of which the Emperor having notice he placing Muleasses in the Kingdom of Tunesses and furnishing Guletta with all manner of Warlike Provision with a Thousand Spaniards to secure it returned in Triumph to Naples Anno 1537 when the same year Solyman envying at the Portugals trade in the East-Indies sent Solyman Bassa accompanied with Asau Beg a famous Pirate commonly called the Moor of Alexandria with a Fleet to molest them who sailing through the Red-Sea came as far as the River Indus where with all their power they assaulted Dium a Castle of the Portugals scituate upon the mouth of that great River but after many dayes siege both by Sea and Land having tryed their utmost force they were glad to retire leaving behind them for hast most of their great Ordnance when coming to Aden a rich City in Arabia Foelix they allured the King thereof on board their Galleys with promise of safe conduct but having him in their power contrary to their Oaths they hanged him up at the Yards Arm of the Admirals Galley and plundered the City the like they did to another City in the same Tract called Zibith and returned to Constantinople one by Sea and the other by Land at what time Solyman solicited thereto by John Forrest the French Kings Ambassador was preparing for the Invasion of Italy and having for that purpose raised Two Hundred Thousand Men sending before him Lutzis Bassa and Barbarussa with a great Fleet who landing at Otranto and conducted by one Troilus Pignatellus a Fugitive Italian seized on Castrum which contrary to their Faith given they plundered carrying most of the people Prisoners at what time Solyman had by night sent over several Troops of Light-Horsemen in great Palendars who running all along the Sea Coast from Tarentum to Brundusium for the space of Forty miles rummaged the Countrey carrying away a great booty and had been likely enough had Solyman as he intended seconded them with his great power to have overrun all Italy but providence so ordered it that by the wilfulness of Alexander Contarenus a Venetian Captain who meeting with the Admiral of Callipolis and he not vailing his top-sail nor in token of Reverence and Friendship discharge his great Ordnance offended with his proud insolency fiercely assailed the Squadron of Galleys under his command of which he sunk two the Admiral himself perishing in one of them and not long after for the like insolency the Venetian Admiral caused Junusbeus Solymans chief Interpreter passing by Coreyrae to be assailed when to save himself and his Turks he forceing his Galleys on shoar near unto the Mountains called Acroceraunii he fell into a worse danger for being taken by the Mountainiers most of his people were slain and himself hardly released for a great sum of money These Breaches of Peace as the Turks termed them so much incensed Solyman that he recalled his Forces then in Puglia resolving to turn his whole power upon the Venetians upon whose return Auria falling in with Twelve Galleys laden with Janizaries and chosen Horsemen of the Court after a sharp conflict to them all which proved a great weakning to the Tyrants Fleet yet he desperately bent against the Venetians resolving to take from them the rich Island of Corcyra but by
lascivious Turk to send Cubates as his Ambassador to the Senate of Venice with a letter to certifie them upon what grounds he undertook to invade their Territory since the League had till that time been kept inviolable which was done more to gain time then for any hope he had that Selymus would alter his determination which Ambassador not obtaining what Selymus desired which was to have the fertil Island peaceably put into his possession but on the contrary finding the Venetians resolved to desend it with all their power he returned again to his faithless Master and related what he had in charge whereupon the Great Fleet before prepared for the invasion of Cyprus put to Sea Mustapha Bassa being General of all the Forces and within a while stood with the said Island where the greedy Turks landing spoiled many goodly Villages and after some deliberation having by prisoners taken understood the constitution of the Countrey and of what strength the Islanders were resolved to besiege Nicosia a City standing in the midst of the Island in a plain and Champain ground being in circuit about five miles incompassed with a strong wall defended by eleven strong Bulwarks and three great Fortresses raised by the Venetians the Governour of which was Nicalaus Dandalus a man too weak for so great a burthen as having been alwayes brought up in civil affairs in Garison were 8000 horse and foot but most of them raw soldiers and not acquainted with Martial discipline too few to oppose so powerful an Army as the Bassa drew after him which consisted of near 150000 horse and foot On the 22 of July Anno 1569 the Bassa with his Army Encamped within a mile and half of the City covering with their Tents the hill called Mandia and with incredible labour bringing their Trenches from far cast up several Forts which they raised so high that they overlooked the walls of the City and from their Mounts terribly battered the walls with seventy pieces of great Artillery whose dreadful thundring made the earth to tremble and having by this time run their Trenches to the brim of the ditch hotly assaulted the City in several places which was as valiantly defended by the besieged insomuch that the ditches were well nigh filled on that side with the bodies of the slain and what was beaten down in the day time was with great labour repaired in the night During these passages the Venetians having leagued with the Pope King of Spain and several of the Italian Princes prepared their fleet consisting in all of one hundred and seventeen sail but whiles they lingered for the Additional Forces of the King of Spain the plague so raged amongst the Marriners and Souldiers that twenty thousand dyed e'r its fury was abated and amongst them many men of account but it ceasing and the summer half spent the Venetian Admiral no longer expecting the coming of the Spaniards sailed to Corcyra and there calling a Council it was resolved they should pass over to Cyprus and destroy the Turks fleet but in the height of this expedition dyed Petrus Loridanus Duke of Venice Leaving the care of the war to Aloysius Mocenicus who succeeded him in the Dukedom Mustapha advertized of the approach of the Christian fleet used his utmost endeavour to carry the City by assault but being valiantly repulsed he caused several letters to be shot over the walls fastened to Turkish Arrows therein perswading the Citizens to open their gates and receive him their Mild and Merciful Conqueror and that in so doing they should deliver themselves from the miseries that attended on besieged Cities but these fair promises nothing prevailing he incouraged his soldiers to a fresh Assault in attempting which he lost 4000 of his men and was forced to sound the retreat but in the many conflicts the Christians being wasted either by death sickness or wounds expecting succours from the Princes of the West and none coming to their aid wearyed with continual watching the Turks in the dead of the night secretly entred a Bulwark the day before sore battered by the Ordnance from the mount and putting the drousie Italians and Epirots they found therein to the sword e'r the Allarm could be taken let in such a number of their fellows that the besieged were not able to repell them but with the continual Vollies of shot were on all sides overwhelmed which Eugenius a valiant Captain perceiving and as a man desperate endeavouring to retain his flying Soldiers in thickest danger was slain by a Harquibus shot and now the Turks like a Torrent flowing in at all the Ports made such destruction that it was lamentable to behold sparing in their fury neither man woman nor child whereupon the Soldiers and many of the Citizens casting themselves in a Ring in the Market-place with their weapons in their hands as men desperate resolved to dye fighting against whom the Governour of Aleppo caused several Murthering Pieces to be bent which they perceiving and finding they should be killed at a distance without having power to revenge themselves on their Enemy cast down their weapons and yeilded themselves to the mercy of the Enemy and were thereupon for a while spared but the Gates being strongly guarded that none should escape Dandalus the Governour Contarenus Bishop of Paphos and other the chief men of the City having retired themselves into the Town-hall there resolving to dye like men if they could find no other means to escape sent to the Bassa for life which request he seemed well to approve but whilst messengers passed too and fro the barbarous Turks broke in upon them and put them all to the sword when raging on they likewise killed all those that had submitted themselves and were taken to mercy as is supposed not without the secret command of the Bassa a deadly enemy to the Christians and so great was the inhumane slaughter that eighteen thousand were in all reported to perish by the sword neither was there any end of the spoil till the avaritious enemy had carryed away all that long peace had accumulated which according to the moderatest computation amounted to 20000 Millions of Ducates and notwithstanding the fury of the Barbarous Enemy 200 youths were reserved and sent as a present to Selymus in order to his training them up in the order of Janizaries In the City likewise were taken two hundred and fifty Pieces of Great Ordnance This City was won on the 9 of September 1570 and to this day remains in the hands of the Turks as doth the whole Island Nicosia won the Bassa sent one of his Sanzacks to summon the City of Cyrene of which Palacius was Governour who upon sight of the Turks Army cowardly yeilded the same into their hands which so heightened their courage that they laid siege to Famagusta sending to Summon it to Surrender but finding the resolution of the Garrison to defend it and withall having notice that the Christian Fleet was at hand he raised
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
dismissed his Army having done nothing worthy the name of a General In the year 1581 Amurath caused his son Mahomet to be circumcised after the Hebrew manner in honour of which solemnity he made a feast which continued with shews and sports for the space of forty days where all or most of the Christian and Mahometan Princes Ambassadors were present and amongst them the Ambassador of Persia whom Amurath after suffering many affronts to be put upon him caused to be imprisoned with all his Retinue so straightly that though one hundred of his servants dyed of the Plague yet much adoe had he to get himself removed to Erzirum This hard handling of the Ambassador made the conceived hopes of Peace to vanish insomuch that either Potentate prepared for war when as Amurath not well liking the proceedings of Sivan constituted Mahomet Bassa nephew to Mustapha Bassa deceased which choice Sivan greatly inveighed against though all in vain for early in the spring he taking charge of the Army designed for the Persian war departed from Erzirum accompanied with the Bassa of Caramite carrying with him great store of provision and a huge mass of mony but such was his bad fortune that in his way to Teflis passing a River his Army was routed by the Persians and Georgians and most of his best Souldiers slain or taken prisoners a great part of the mony and provision fell likewise into the hands of the enemy so that not having sufficient to relieve the Garison hardly oppressed by famine he had much adoe to perswade the Souldiers to continue in it and exceedingly to straighten his discomfited Army to supply that place with mony and provision all which calamity being supposed to happen by the Sinister Council of one Mustapha a Renagate Georgian then in the Turks Camp who was more then suspected to hold correspondence with his Country wherefore Mahomet with other his trusty Counsellers resolved his death whereupon he called a Council in his own Pavillion pretending letters of instruction from the Emperor and secretly gave order that upon the coming of Mustapha whilst the Letters were in reading the Janizaries should cut off his head but the Georgian having notice chose out fifty of his faithful followers and imparting to them what was intended commanded them to be near at hand and at the first call to enter the Pavilion where if they perceived any violence used towards his person they should not spare the General himself Matters being brought to this pass and Mustapha entred the Pavilion of the Bassa the counterfeit Letters were ordered to be read which done and the Georgian about to depart promising to perform what ever the King should command Capagi Bassa Mahomets Great usher came to him and plucking him by the sleeve would have forced him to have sat down which he perceiving and knowing his life was in danger drew his sword and struck Mahomets Lieutenant so forcibly on the head that he clove him to the stomach then reversing his blow wounded the Bassa of Caramite as likewise many others and had killed the General himself had not the uproar caused many to enter the Pavillion and amongst others his fifty followers who carryed him in safety to his Tent. This action caused grievous complaints to be sent to Amurath from either party whereby he understanding the evil state of his affairs in those Parts exceedingly blamed his Bassa's for pushing on into such a dangerous war and in a rage thrust Sivan Bassa from his Vizarship placing Sciaus Bassa a Hungarian born and to whom he had married his sister in his stead The Turks affairs being at this pass Anno 1582 they had small mind to proceed in their war against the Persians nor was the Persian King less desirous to be rid of so troublesome a guest that he might be the better at leasure to suppress the Rebellion raised by his Son Abas Mirize who countenanced by the chief of the Sultans had seized upon many strong places and was now Fortifying himself in Ateri whither his father passed with a great Army by the way recovering such Towns as had revolted from his obedience and putting such of the Traitors as he found therein to death but coming before the City the young Prince wrote such submissive Letters to his father and elder brother then in his fathers Camp that the old man was well content that he should by his Ambassadors be admitted to purge himself of such crimes as were laid to his charge which he did so effectually that the whole matter appearing to be framed and contrived by Mirize Sulmos who notwithstanding had perswaded the King to make that Expedition against his Son that he might advantage himself by being made General of the Army to put an end to further differences the said Mirize Sulmus was by the Kings command beheaded as being indeed the Author of those intestine troubles These things thus disposed the Sophy was now at leasure to oppose the invading Turks wherefore gathering a great Army he striped them out of many of their holds which so enraged Amurath that appointing Ferat Bassa his General whom with full instructions he dismissed with a great Army with which having roamed about Sunan and Georgia all Summer Anno 1583. with the loss of many of his men and the revolt of Mustaffa he in September returned to Erzirum having done nothing more then destroyed the Countrey of Mustaffa and relieved Teflis The following year the Pâ—â—sian King resolving to drive the Turks out of his Countrey raised a great Army and encamped in the Plains before the City of Tauris of which Ferat having notice would not depart from Erzirum before he had sent to Amurath to have his opinion therein who sent him an express to relieve if possible the Garrison of Teflis with a small power to oppose the rest of the Army against the Enemy whereupon he resolved to put in practice the pleasure of his Lord. In order to which the better to secure the passage or strait of Tomanis he built a Castle in the enterance thereof 1700 yards in compass furnishing it with all necessaries and then sent a detachment of 20000 Horse and Foot under the leading of Resuan Bassa for the releif of Teflis but fearing that power not sufficient sent others after him under the leading of the Bassa of Caramite of which Simon the Georgian Prince having notice yet deceived in their number hasted over the Countrey by short cuts to give them Battle which he was the readier to do because he at first discovered no more then 6000 Turks the rest lying behind a Hill but Battle once joyned they came down upon him like a Tempest and so oppressed his small number not exceeding 4000 who yet fought desperately that he and all his men had been slain had not the other Turks sent by Ferat to strengthen Resuan appeared upon the Hills at a distance whom those Turks that were fighting supposed to be Persians and by that means not
daring to pursue the retiring Georgians for fear of being drawn into an Ambush they easily found means to escape and the Bassa the like to relieve Teflis and with the same facility to return to the Camp which by this time began to be sorely oppressed with Famine insomuch that a bushel of Wheat was sold for 100 Ducates which caused the Camp to rise and march towards the Countrey of Mustaffa formerly called Manucchiar the Georgian Prince who now revolting from the Turks took part with the other Georgian Princes but the many difficulties being apparent to the Soldiers by reason of the advancement of the Season they flatly denyed to obey his command threatning him with great mischief if he did not speedily return to Erzirum nor did they forbear to assault him in his Tent threatning him with present death if he continued to expose them to the miseries of Hunger and Cold which so that finding no means to restrain their insolency or to quiet their continual clamours but a speedy return to Erzirum he was forced to yield to their requests where arriving after a tedious march wherein he lost many of his best Souldiers he broke up the Army The Persian King hovering about Tauris and having notice of all that had passed sent away a great part of his Army an forasmuch as Emir Cham Governour of that City had neglected to oppose the Turks during their building several strong Fortresses to keep the passages of the straits nor assisted him as he ought he caused his Eyes to be put out and himself to be cast into prison where shortly after he died of grief and made Aliculi Cham who a little before had escaped from the Turks Camp Governour in his stead About this time the League between Amurath and Râ—dolphus the German Emperour by reason of some Hostilities committed between their Subjects had like to have ended but upon more mature consideration of what had passed and reparation on the part of the Aggressors for dammages sustained it was again renewed for the space of 8 years after which Ferat Bassa upon the complaint of the great Captains falling into disgrace with Amurath he was deposed from his trust of General and Osman Bassa Governour of Sirvan who for his many victories over the Tartars was become famous appointed General in his stead and made chief Vizar The greatest honour that can be conferred on any person by the Ottoman Emperors And now Amurath casting in his mind the subduing of Tauris caused a great Army to be raised and the better to make the Persian neglect the Fortifying of that City caused it to be bruted that he intended to invade Nassivan but whilst these preparations were intended against the Persians the Villany of a Venetian Captain had gone near to turn them upon the Christian the manner thus The Widow of Ramadan Bassa late Governour of Tripolis in Barbary with her Children and Servant being imbarqued in three Gallies in order to their being transported to Constantinople sailing by the mouth of the Adriatick were by contrary Winds driven into the Gulf where Petrus Emunius a Venetian Captain of the order of the Senators lying with certain Gallies set upon those before mentioned and boarded them where he exercised most barbarous cruelty as well upon the Women as the Men. For having slain the Mariners in number 250 and the Son of Ramadan a Child in his Mothers lap he caused the Women first to be Ravished and then having their Breasts cut off to be cast into the Sea nor did he exercise this cruelty upon the Turks onely but upon such Christians likewise as he found on board using such barbarity as was thought to prevent the discovery of the great Riches he found in those Gallies Yet was it afterwards made manifest by one of the Turks who during the slaughter had hid himself in the hold and was afterwards saved by a Cretian who had in like manner been formerly preserved by the said Turk who coming to Constantinople declared what had happened which so enraged Amurath that he sent to the Venetians speedily to make reparation or to expect their Frontiers to be invaded To which the Senators answered they were altogether Ignorant of what had happened but if so as the Messengers related upon enquiry reparation should be made which being found according to the relation of the Turks they caused Emus to be beheaded the Gally to be restored and to supply the loss of the slaves delivered them a like number of Turks and Moors which for that time appeased the indignation of Amurath Amurath anno 1585. having constituted Hassan Bassa the Queens Eunuch Governour of Caire afterwards casting his Eyes upon Ebraim Bassa a Sclavonian about 23 years of Age resolved to make him his Son-in-law and to raise him to a condition worthy so great an honour as to marry the Daughter of an Emperour he made him soveraign Judge of Egypt of which Hassan having notice and by reason of the suddain advancement of Ebraim doubting his safety fled to Constantinople and fell at the Emperours feet desiring to know what crime he had committed to have a Master so suddainly set over him but had no other answer then that he must to Prison where after he had continued a long time still expecting the fatal hour he was at the earnest intercession of the Empress and the great Ladies of the Court set at Liberty but all his riches seized and converted to the Emperours use Ebraim being settled in his Government of Egypt by extorting great summs of money from the Egyptians and other people subject to his rule in a short time heaped up great Riches when at the end of three years Amurath sent for him to Constantinople to Celebrate the intended Marriage charging him withal to pass through the Countrey of the Drusians a people inhabiting a large Countrey invironed with Joppa Caesaria Palestina and within the Rivers Orantes and Jordan stretching it self even to the Plains of Damasco near to the Hills that compass it about upon the Coast of Mount Libanus and are said to be the race of those Christians that seated themselves there in the time that the Princes of the West sent their Armies to subdue the Holy Land but have since bin perverted to the Mahometan Superstition and at the coming of Ebraim into those parts with his Army they were divided under many Princes of which these were the chief viz. Ebne Man of the Turks called man Ogli Serafadin Mahamet Ebne-Mansur Eben Frec and Ali Ebne-Carfus by the Turks called Ali Carfus-Ogli under whom were divers Lieutenants called their Macademi or Agents all of which except Eben Man Ogli upon the arrival of the Bassa sent him rich Presents whereupon he entering the Countrey of the said Ogli wasted it with Fire and Sword which made the rest of the Princes exceeding angry and underhand to send aid to their Compere with which incamping himself advantagiously he fell upon Veis Bassa who lead a
part of the Turks Army and discomfited him puting 500 of his Men to the Sword and carrying away a rich booty which so inraged Ebraim that he used his utmost diligence to intrap the aforesaid Prince but finding no means to effect the same he began with fair Promises and Presents to corrupt his Macademes one of which together with 300 Drustans he got into his power whom in revenge of Veis his overthrow he caused to be flead alive and all his followers slain and again raged with Fire and Sword throughout the Countrey when afterward by dissimulation and feigned Friendship he got Eben Mansur into his power whom he caused to be fast chained and sent to the Gallies after which he took the spoil of his Countrey and afterward with a great Booty returned to Constantinople where he was in triumph received by his Friends amongst whom he bestowed Liberally the spoils taken from the Drusians even to the value of one Million of Ducates and 200000 Sultanies But upon his departure out of the Drusians Countrey they joyning with the Arabian to revenge the injuries themselves sustained entered the Turks Confines and committed many outrages burning and destroying all before them not in their anger sparing Man Woman or Child passing on even to the Gates of Jerusalem being assisted covertly by the Sub-Bassa of Bethlehem who displeased with the rule of Ebraim watched his opportunity to revolt to the Enemy but was prevented by being slain alive at the Commandment of one of the Sanzaks of Jury Whilst affairs stood thus in Egypt and the Drusians Land Osman had compleated his Army at Erzirum which upon Muster was found to consist of 180000 choice Souldiers with which on the 11th of August 1585. he marched toward Tauris keeping on his way till he came into the vast Chalderan memorable for many Battles fought therein between the Turks and Persians where straitned for want the Soldiers mutined against him upbraiding him with many reproachful words and threatning him with death for that as they said contrary to his promise he had drawn them into a place of danger to become a prey to the Enemy at which the Bassa being much perplexed sent for the Captain and by telling them it was the Sultans express Command and that he did not in the lest doubt but to become victorious and therefore prayed them to rest contented and not Eclipse their honour by their civil dissensions amongst themselves which would rather give the Enemy advantage against them then any thing else and that if it was given out upon the raising the Army that it was intended for Nassivan that specious pretence was as he said to render the Persian more secure and thereby to hinder his great preparations These and such like speeches together with a small distribution of money calmed the Tempest the Mutiners had raised and thereupon the Army rising passed on towards Cay from thence to Marant a City Subject to the Persians and so keeping their way came within sight of Tauris the mark at which they aimed upon which proposing to themselves a kind of security the Van of the Army fell to spoiling the Countrey and seizing upon what best liked them keeping little or no order in their March of which Emir Hamze King Mahumets Eldest Son perceiving with 10000 Horsemen lay in Ambush in a way where they must pass and having got them within his danger burst out upon them with such fury that he overrun that part of the Army put 7000 to the Sword and carrying away a number of Prisoners and so with great spoil retired ere the gross of the Turks Army could come up Yet Osman upon notice of what had happened sent Mahomet Bassa and the Bassa of Caramite after him the victorious Prince with 14 Horse and Foot who by speedy Marches overtaking him had with him a bloody conflict in which 6000 Turks were slain nor had any escaped had not the darkness of the night caused the retreat on both sides to be sounded The next Morning the Turks Camp removed and came within two Miles of Tauris where Aliculi Chan of whom I have before spoken was Governour who desirous to revenge himself upon the perfidious Turks issued out of the City with about 6000 resolute Persians and charging those that were advanced beat them back into their Trenches with great slaughter but upon the opening the Tires of Ordnance and advancing of the Janizaries finding himself not capable of incountering such a multitude he retired into the City after whom the Turks in a confused manner pressed but in the enterance so strongly resisted that the passages were filled with their dead carkasses and all the Ditches swum with their blood but fresh supplies coming on and the City Walls no way built for defence badly furnished with Defendants and worse with Ordnance at length the Turks entered spoiling with incredible barbarity that great City the Regal seat of the Persian Kings Yet such compassion wrought in the breast of Osman the General that he caused Proclamation to be made that upon pain of death none should kill any that made not resistance and when the tumult was over came himself to take a view thereof and gave Orders for its Fortification sending out partys daily to reduce the other place adjacent to the Turkish obedience and so speedy were they in Fortifying that within the space of 36 days a strong Castle was erected Five dayes after the building of the new Castle was began even when the Taurisians thought themselves secure news was brought into the Turkish Camp that 8 Janizaries and divers Spaoglians were seen strangled in a Bath within the City of Tauris whereupon the Zani Spahini and Janizaries in a great rage went to the Generals Pavilion telling him that although he had with too much clemency given Order that none should molest or hurt the Taurisians and that according to his pleasure every man had used his modesty towards them and obedience to him yet the Taurisians themselves had most audaciously strangled several Janizaries and Spaoglians which injury and insolency they said was not to be suffered This outrage whether true or only raised by such as desired to satifie their inordinate lusts is uncertain so moved the Bassa that without any further delay hecommanded the City to be sacked leaving it wholly to the discretion of the Souldiers who like hell-hounds greedy of blood run with full cry into the City filling every place with slaughter of the amazed Taurisians Matrons were Ravished Virgins defloured young Children dashed against the pavement houses fired and other outrages committed that are commonly attendants upon such General calamities so that it was a misery almost inexplicable to behold that City so populous so rich honoured with the Palace of the Persian Kings now subject to the fury of the Turks plunged in calamity and utter destruction The outrages committed in Tauris coming to the knowledge of the Persian King he was greatly offended insomuch that he resolved with
the Turkish Religion and Empire which vain and fictitious Interpretation so moved the superstitious Tyrant that having first asked pardon of his Impostor Prophet he swore from henceforth to turn all his Forces upon the Christians and not to give over War till he had done his utmost to subdue them These vain threats did not in the least dismay the Christian Princes yet to ingage a sure Friend on their side they caused publique prayers to be put up in all Churches and that people might perceive on what slender and impious grounds the Tyrant had resolved the prosecution of the War had the vain Dream and the vainer Interpretation read in the Churches of Transylvania and most of the Churches of Hungary The Christian Army having taken the Field and a Present of the Turks spoiles taken some time before sent to Rodolphus the Emperour the Arch-Duke of Austria besieged Novograde which after several assaults was delivered by capitulation in consideration of Life and Liberty which strong Town after it had been Turkish for the space of 60 years was by the Arch-Duke committed to the care of Lord Rebei a Noble Hungarian and the Turkish Governour upon his arrival at Buda was by the Bassa's Command imprisoned Whilst these things were in doing the Emperour sent his Embassadors to the great Duke of Muscovy the King of Poland and Prince of Transilvania in all whose Courts their Negotiation proved successful nor in the mean time was the young Count Serinus idle for that he with 300 Harquibusires and certain Troops of Horse and Companies to the number of 10000 took the Castles of Bresenza Sigesta and Babostcha by the recovery of which strong holds he opened a safe passage even to Ziget the Bassa of which standing at that time in no small doubt to be besieged These things perplexing the Turkish Tyrant who was preparing great Forces for the securing his Province on this side the Danubius he in the mean while sent a Fleet into the Adriatick to besiege Zegna an Imperial City scituate upon the Sea Coast in the Bay of Quernero called in antient time Flanaticus Sinus in order to the prosecution of which he sent his Ambassador to the Venetians to require the use of their Ports in those Seas and that his Gallies might pass and repass without any molestation from the Gallies of that State but the Senate doubting the fidelity of the Turk and loath thereby to disoblige the Christian Emperour would by no means consent yet used the Ambassador honourably and sent him away without obtaining his purpose In the Upper part of Hungaria the Lord Tenffenbeck Commanding as the Arch-Dukes Lieutenant with an Army of 2000 Horse and Foot besieged Hatvan a strong Town of the Turks lying about six miles from Buda Fortified with a Triple Ditch and Bullwarks of exceeding strength to the relief of which the Bassa of Buda came with fifteen thousand Souldiers thinking at unawares to surprize the Christian Camp but was frustrated in his project for the Lord Tenffenbeck drawing off from before the City passed through with much difficulty the River Sagijvay when setting upon the Bassa's Army after a hard fight he put it to the Rout having the execution of the Turks for many miles so that about Ten Thousand of them were slain and taken Prisoners with a great Booty of Provision and Ammunition after which the Christians returned to the siege yet finding the hazards and difficulty that they should meet with in winning it by the directions of the Arch-Duke who with Forty Thousand Men at the same time besieged Strigonium the Siege of Hatvan was given over yet upon the raising thereof the Lord Tenffenbeck discomfited the Bassa of Buda a second time as he was again coming to the relief thereof in which conflict Five Thousand Turks were slain Strigonium after a long siege and the burning of the old Town being relieved by the coming of Sinan Bassa with a great Army the Arch-Duke thought it not yet convenient to let him take breath but on the 28th of June passed Danubius to expect the motion of Sinan Bassa with his huge Army composed of Turks and Tartars and by frequent onsets daily weakned his Camp nor were the Rascians slow to revolt from the Turkish obedience So that having raised a confused power to the number of Fifteen Thousand they took many strong Places and obtained two notable Victories one over the Bassa of Temeswar in which himself and three of his Sanzacks and about Nine Thousand Five Hundred of his Turks were slain And the other over another Bassa that succeeded him upon which they sent to the Arch-Duke to receive them and their Countrey into the Emperours protection and that in consideration thereof they would maintain Ten Thousand Men in the Field whose Proposals were by the Imperial General accepted About this time the Emperour the better to consult the defence of his Provinces called a Diet at Ratisbone where in the assembly of the German Princes he declared how matters stood and repeated the manifold injuries he had sustained by the Turks contrary to the League made with Amurath and that amongst the rest he contrary to the Law of Nations had imprisoned Frederick Creckovitz his Ambassador first at Constantinople and caused the greatest part of his followers to be thrust into the Gallies and afterwards to have sent him with a few of his attendants to Belgrade and thereto have kept him in prison till he ended his dayes To revenge which indignities those daily offered and such as were like to ensue from the great Army at hand he desired the Princes to consider a most speedy way and not by delay to indanger the greatest part of Christendoms falling into the hands of the mercyless Enemy To which the Electoral Princes after a due consideration replyed That they had a regard to his Imperial Majesty and for the preservation of Hungary and others his Hereditary Countries as also for repressing the fury of the Turks yet by reason of the late dearth they were not capable of maintaining such Forces as might be expected yet besides their Annual Contributions they would for the space of six years grant such further relief as they well hoped would prove sufficient for the maintenance of a defensive War both for the present and for the time to come after which resolves of the Princes the Diet broke up and all diligence was used for increasing the Army and Fortifying the strong Holds in Hungaria Austria Styra and Carinthia Countries most obnoxious to the Incursions of the Turks Sinan Bassa all this while not ignorant of the Emperors proceedings lay with an Army of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Fighting men between Buda and Alba Regalis frequently sending out Parties to wast the Countries in possession of the Emperour yet with such indifferent success that he had no cause to boast which made the Bassa to raise his Camp and in sight of the Christian Army which still attended his motions battered Dolis
and St. Martins with such fury that within a short time they fell into his hands the Imperialists at so great an odds not thinking it convenient to hazard a Battle to relief their besieged Friends and after doing other mischief in their Territories layed siege to the City of Rab scituate on the Southside of Danubius where the River dividing it self makes a most fertile Island called Schut about twelve German miles from Vienna in which Island lay the Christian Camp This City was defended by a Garrison of Five Thousand Men under the Command of Count Hardeck a more valiant then at this time faithful Friend for when every one supposed the City impregnable and that the Turks for many dayes had without intermission battered it with Sixty pieces of Cannon and made several unsuccessful assaults with the loss of Fourteen Thousand of their men the said Count contrary to the minds of his Commanders and Souldiers capitulated with the Bassa and in consideration of his departing with all his Treasure delivered that strong piece in his hands For which upon his arrival at Vienna he by the judgement of Sixty of his Peers had his Head and his right Hand stricken off it being proved against him that he in leiw of the surrender had of the Bassa received two bags of Ducats During the siege of Rab the Christians in the Island of Schut received a great loss for Ten Thousand Turks and Tartars getting over in Boats or swimming upon their Horses came so suddainly upon their Camp that having slain Two Thousand of them and put the rest into a great consternation they entered their Trenches and carryed thence a booty valued at Five Hundred Thousand Ducats which loss for a while after sore weakned the Christians Nor were the Turks onely busie in spoiling Hungary but Italy also for with a great Fleet under the leading of Ciala Bassa Amuraths Admiral they surprized Rhegium in Calabria and utterly razed it after which they spoiled all the Countrey about it as likewise the Sea Coasts of Italy in many other places taking several Ships richly laden in the sight of the Garrison of Messina and carrying away a great number of poor people into miserable Captivity Sinan Bassa having by this time received new supplies and repaired Rab putting therein a strong Garrison marched to Comara before which he incamped but upon the approach of Matthias the Arch-Duke with a puissant Army of Germans Bohemians and Hungarians to relieve it he raised his siege not thinking it safe at that time to hazard a Battle and by a Bridge of Boats Transported his Army over Danubius to Dolis where he the following day dismissed them upon which the Arch-Duke without any hinderance coming to Comara caused the breaches to be Repaired and then leaving it to the protection of the Governour viz. The Lord Bruun who had faithfully defended it he departed to take a view of the other Cities About this time Sigismund Prince of Transilvania weary of the grievous exaction and injuries they sustained at the hands of the Turks resolved to cast off their servile yoak which being known to certain of the Nobility pensioners to Amurath they secretly advertized him of the Princes purpose promising to send him in Chains to Constantinople and with the Turks good liking to set up one Balthazor Bator the Princes nigh Kinsman in his stend but the Treason being discovered most of the Traitors were taken and executed upon which the Tarâ—ars to the number of Forty Thousand brake into Transilvania burning and destroying all before them in a fearful manner which obliged the Prince to raise the whole power of his Countrey and to crave aid of the Rascians and other his Neighbours giving freely to his Subjects and Confederates what ever they could take from the Turks who in their first interprize were so successful that they surprized seven of the Turks Gallies laden with Provision Rich Merchandize and store of Treasure and missed but narrowly of the eighth which was the Admiral which loss was so great to the Turks Sinan Bassa upon notice of what had happened is reported to have said that if those Gallies had come to him in safety he could with the Treasure have bought Vienna as he had done Raâ—b after which the Transilvanians hightened with this success marched towards Temeswar but hearing that the Tartars were about to return they retired for the defence of their own Countrey yet by this time headed by their Prince they took many strong Holds from the Turks and still following their returning Army in the rear cut many Thousands of them short and by his example soon after the Valachians and Moldavians rose up in Armes against Amurath and Confederated themselves with the Transilvanian Prince who with one consent sent to Rodolphus the Emperour to make a League with him against the common Enemy which was accordingly concluded very Honourable to the Confederates which made Amurath begin to doubt his safety even in Constantinople and much more when they with their victorious Armies overrun his Countries on every side for grief of which and the disorderly tumults he found amongst his Janizaries and his other Souldiers of the Court he fell Sick when greatly afflicted with the Stone and Falling Sickness his wonted Disease as a man both in Soul and Body tormented he with great Impatiency and Agony of mind gave up the Ghost departing this Life on the Eighteenth of January Anno Domini 1595. When he had lived One and Fifty years or as some say Two and Fifty years and thereof Reigned Nineteen years At the time of whose Death arose so Terrible a Tempest at Constantinople that many thought the world should have presently been dissolved his dead Body within a while after was with all Funeral Solemnities used amongst the Turks buryed by the Body of Mahomet his Eldest Son in the Moschie which himself had builded near unto his Palace CHAP. XVII The Life of Mahomet Third of that Name seventh Emperor of the Turks A Murath being dead his death to prevent tumults was kept secret till such time that Mahomet his Eldest Son then living came from Amasia to Constantinople where contrary to the mind of the Janizaries who generally affected Amurath his younger brother he was saluted Exmperour when by a wile getting his Ten Brethren into his power he caused them to be strangled nay so far extended his barbarity that at his Commandement ten of his Fathers Wives and Concubines whom he suspected to be with Child were drowned in the Sea one of which number as some affirm was his own Mother These violent proceedings made the great Commanders envy him and the better to wreck their spleen secretly to stir up the Janizaries who committed for the space of several days such disorders that the like in no Interregnum had happened and great had the disorder been even to outraging the Emperour himself had not the Bassa Governour of the City causedall the great Ordinance to be bent
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
Governour of Lugaz his surprising the Suburbs of Temeswar and setting them on fire which being seen in the Turks Camp caused amongst them that great consternation as thinking the Prince of Transilvania with his whole Army was coming on and even at their backs After whose flight the Hungarian Heidons passing the Danubius took Plenia in revenge of which the Turks took Clissa out of which they had not long before been driven not long after the Lord Palfi took the strong Castle Sombock which the Turks in a rage upon the enterance of the Christians set on fire but thereby so exasperated the Souldiers that they spared none they found therein but put them all to the Sword without respect either to Age or Sex These continual currants of Victory carryed the Transilvanian Prince to the Siege of Tameswar which he for many dayes furiously battered but upon notice that the Bassa of Natolia the forerunner of Mahomets Army was come to Belgrade with Fourteen thousand Turks and Mahomet with an Army of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand was coming after him to the Relief of the City and he not having yet received the supplies promised by the Christian Princes his Confederates thought good to raise his siege and depart for Lippa where having left a strong Garrison he kept on his way to Alba-Julia and assembled there the States of his Principality to consider the most expedient means for raising more Forces to repress so potent an Adversary Mahomet approaching with his Forces which daily increased sent to Michale the Vayvod of Valachia to promise him great rewards if he would become his Tributary and revolt from the Transilvanian Prince but finding nothing would prevail with the Vayvod to break his Faith he came with his whole Army now increased to the number of Two Hundred Thousand to Buda yet ere he could attempt any thing Maximilian the Emperours General made so in the stead of Matthias the Arch-Duke who upon the Death of Ferdinand the Emperors Uncle had the rich County of Tirol bestowed upon him whither he was retired had taken Vacia Hatvan and several other places but long rested not Mahomet before he with his huge Army besieged Agria which after the loss of Twenty Thousand of his Men not by force but by surrender for the Soldiers perceiving the new Castle the place in which they only put their trust undermined and about to be blown up and that all hopes of being relieved were vain they layed hands upon Paulus Niari and Terskie the Captain of the Garrison Souldiers and Governour of the City and casting them in Prison capitulated with the Turks to deliver the City and Castle in consideration that they might depart with bag and baggage but the faithless Infidels ere they had passed through the Camp contrary to their faith given cut them in pieces after which the Bassa of Bosua with a strong power layed siege to Petrina but upon notice that the Lords Herbenstein and Bencowitz were coming to relieve it and in their way had overthrown Six Thousand Turks he raised his siege in great hast leaving behind him part of his Carriages But now the two puissant Armies of the Christians and Turks coming in view of each other and nothing but a small River parting them drew frequently up in Battalia and had several skirmishes at a distance but the vain glorious Turks not thinking it sufficient to discharge their great Artillery and skirmish in small parties at the Command of Mahomet Ten Thousand of them and Six Thousand Tartars passed the River but were so hotly welcomed that few returned which advantage the Christians following pursued the flyers and set upon the gross of the Turks Army putting all into confusion and consternation so that Mahomet fearing a total overthrow retreated to his Camp whither the Christians as eagerly pursued but whilst they disordered themselves to take the spoil although the General had caused Proclamation to be made that none on pain of death should attempt it till the victory was obtained They being afresh charged and many of them cut off by the Turks great Artilery betook themselves to plain flight not to be stayed by the threats nor intreaties of their Commanders so that the German Horse disordering their own Foot put all into confusion which the Turks contrary to their expectation perceiving followed hard after them making great slaughter yet so conscious were they of their weakness that fearing the return of the Christians that in the night they secretly raised their Camp and returned to Agria leaving their Cannon and Baggage in the Trenches for the space of three dayes so slenderly guarded that Five Thousand men might have taken the spoil Mahomet himself confessing that he feared to have been taken Prisoner and would not for the future venture his person in places of such imminent danger In this Battle or rather running fight called from the place where it happened the Battle of Karesta Forty Thousand Turks and Fifteen Thousand Christians were slain most of the latter in the rash and unadvised flight the which had it not contrary to all reason happened never had a more glorious victory been obtained over the Infidels Yet Mahomet after he had furnished Agria with a Garrison of Ten Thousand choice Souldiers returned to Belgrade and having divided his Army in two parts the one he left in the Countrey to secure it against the Christians and with the other departed to Constantinople but by the way being set upon by Barbelius Jancaechie the Transilvanian Princes Lieutenant and the Vayvod of Valachia who with a strong power for that purpose had passed the Danubius they cut off seven Thousand of his men Early in the spring as ashamed of their disgrace the Christian Princes recruited their scattered Forces which meeting together near to Passonium and Altenburg marched to Papa which they besieged and after eight dayes battery took it and so again returning to Altenburg the Army mustered from whence they marched to Rab and besieged it but upon the approach of the Turks Army under the Command of Mahomet Bassa raised the siege as finding it both difficult and dangerous and so marched over into the Island of Schut when in their sight they permitted the Turks to take Dolis Michael the Vayvod of Valachia having his Countrey almost destroyed by the Turks and they promising him great favours and bounties more then ever if he would again return to his obedience he to save his Countrey from utter destruction complied with the Tyrants desire in part viz. to own him for his Soveraign and to pay him half the wonted Tribute but denied upon any terms to aid him against the Christians which the Turk for a while dissembled and seemed well contented with his submission but afterward contrary to his Oath oppressing him with great Taxes both he and the Prince of Transilvania recommended the protection of their Countries to Rodolphus the Emperour who thereupon called a Diet to consult about raising contributions
sufficient for the management of the War against the Turks and such success had his arms immediately thereon through the good conduct of the Lord Swartzenburg Rab was surprized for certain Engineers coming by night to the Gates finding the Portcullises drawn up in expectation of Waggons loaden with Provision to come from Alba Regalis they fastened several Petards to the said Gates which deadly Engins once fired rent 'um in pieces so that the Army which followed at their heels pressing in after a long fight killed two of the Turks Bassa's and put the rest to the flight who such as could escaped over the Wall and those that could not fell by the Swords of the inraged Soldiers who in the City found so great a booty that many of them were greatly inriched thereby besides One Hundred pieces of great Ordnance and store of all manner of Provisions That City though so easily recovered being one of the strongest Fortresses in Christendom the taking of which so incouraged the General of the Imperialists that upon notice that great differences were arisen between the Janizaries and the Sphai the Turks best Footmen and Horsemen upon a point of preheminency he resolved to besiege Buda the Turks chief strength in Hungary and thereupon marching thither with all his Army on the 16th of October 1598. he sar down before it and for many days battered it with sixteen pieces of Cannon But in fine seeing no hopes of winning it and having notice that a great Army of Turks was hasting to its relief having plundered the Suburbs the General drew his Army out of the Trenches and departed to Strigonium The Transilvanian Prince having exchanged his Country with the Emperour for the Dukedoms of Oppel and Ratibor and yearly Fifty Thousand Joachim or the Revenues of the Bishoprick of Vratislavia Territories lying in Silesia and repenting him of what he had done he came again into Transilvania in disguise and was joyfully received by his Subjects at what time Maximilian the Emperors Generals was marching with the Army to take possession of it which had like to have caused great dissensions amongst the Christian Confederates had not the Prince by many submissive Letters pacified the Emperors displeasure Now were the Turks Army arrived in Hungary and had layed siege to Veradinum which City being at the point to be yielded was relieved by the Lord Basta the Emperours Lieutenant who making semblance to give the Turks Battle and by that means drawing them out of their Trenches in the mean time by an unsuspected way thrust Eight Hundred Souldiers into the City and so drew off through which supply the City was so long defended that the Turks weary of the siege and by reason of the approach of Winter departed leaving for hast many of their Tents and great Ordnance as a prey to the besieged after which the Imperialists spoiled that part of the Lower Hungary which was in the possession of the Turks even to the gates of Buda which brought a great fear upon the Garrison and Citizens When at the same time Michael the Vayvod of Valachia having gathered a strong power took and sacked Nicopolis the rumor of which coming to Constantinople where the Plague then raged it greatly perplexed Mahomet and brought a fear upon that great City Yet to put a stop to the Vayvods proceedings he caused a great number of Turks under the leading of Taut Bassa to march against him who joyning the forces of Mahomet Satergi with which he had besieged Veradinum yet the Vayvod not in the least dismayed marched 100 Miles into the Turks Territories and destroying all before him obtained a great Booty But now contrary to the expectation of all men the Transilvanian Prince instigated thereto by the Polonian King resigned the right he had in that Principality to his Cozen Andrew Battor and thereby defrauded the Emperour of that which by way of Exchange was properly his the Transylvanians having thereupon sworn him fealty yet not to discourage his Confederates the Emperor set light thereby though the proud Cardinal to whom it was resigned submitted himself a Vassal to Mahomet and thereby deprived the Christian Commonwealth of one of her surest Bulwarks Buda blocked up by the Christians and thereby reduced to great extreamity the Bassa thereof upon notice that several waggons laden with provision were on their way issued out with six hundred horse to conduct them safe but being set upon by the free Hadducks his Guard was overthrown his son slain and himself taken prisoner and within a while after the Lord Palfie incountering the Bassa of Bosna who was coming with ten thousand men to relieve the said City overthrew his power slew the Bassa and took all the waggons laden with provision and at the same time five thousand Tartars being set upon by the Lord Swartzenburgs Regiment were all cut in pieces upon notice of Ibraim Bassa with a great power set forward from Constantinople but part of his Forces being encountred by the Imperialists under the command of the Lord Palfis Lieutenant were overthrown and rich booty taken containing all the provision of the Camp and one hundred thousand Dollars which were coming up the Danubius to pay the Souldiers which loss greatly discontented the Bassa and then when he had notice that the Imperialists intended again to besiege Buda which he by reason of the said loss was not in a capacity to relieve as also at the same time news came of a great slaughter of the Turks before the City of Agria the which City had the Christians assaulted in any considerable number the consternation was so great that they might easily have surprised it yet as it happened they took a hundred prisoners and five hundred horses the free Haducks also entring the Turks Territories did great hurt by burning their Villages and carrying away a great number of Inhabitants Buda now had not escaped falling into the hands of the Christians had not Ibraim Bassa received an unexpected supply which increased his Army to the number of one hundred and thirty thousand with which upon his approach the Christians too weak to encounter him were obliged to raise their siege yet so much was the Bassa out of love with war that having relieved the City he by the command of Mahomet the Turkish Emperor laboured to procure a peace with Rodolph the German Emperor in order to which several great Commanders on either side met but the Turks proud demands seem'd so unreasonable to the Christian Commissioners that they rejected them with disdain and so all hopes of peace vanishing the Vayvod of Valachia invaded Transylvania now wholly devoted to Mahomet against whom Cardinal Batter prepared his Forces being strengthened over and above with thirty thousand Turks and Tartars sent by Ibraim yet in a mortal battle he was overthrown by the Vayvod and the Cardinal in endeavouring to escape was slain and his head sent to the Emperour after which most of the Cities of Transylvania revolted from
the Turkish obedience The news of which greatly troubled Sigismund the late Prince who resided in Polonia but more Mahomet the Turkish Emperor imbroiled in new troubles by the revolt of Chusahin or Cassan the great Bassa of Carraâ—â—â—â— who had caused most of the Countries in the letter Asia to cast off the Turkish yoke but Mahomet sending great Forces against him under Mahomet Bassa who after several conflicts spoiling the possessions of the Rebells in Arms he so dealt with the chief of them that by bribes and large promises he prevailed with them to leave their ringleader he was taken and brought in chains to Constantinople where with most exquisite torments he was put to death The end of which dangerous Rebellion gave the Ottoman Emperor more leasure to prosecute his wars in Hungary to oppose whose Forces the Christians were not wanting for in an other Diet assembled new supplies were granted by the Electoral Princes for the carrying on the war toward which the Bishop of Rome contributed very largely so that Anno 1600 the Christian Army early in the Spring took the field though to breed delay therein the Turkish Bassa in the name of his master had made many offers tending to peace but e'r any notable action was performed the renowned Lord Palfie the greatest Commander of that Age dyed at his Castle of Bibersperg whereupon the Lord Swartzenburg was by the Emperor appointed Governor of Strigonium in his stead who to the great grief of the Army soon after slain with a shot as he was reducing Papa to its obedience it having a little before at the instigation of De la Mot a seditious French Commander there in Garrison revolted from the Emperor and yet stood neuter not permitting the Turks to enter yet was it again reduced notwithstanding the death of the Lord Swartzenburg and most of the Rebels Executed after the severest manner that could be invented These things passing the troubles in Hungary daily increasing and the Turks were every where put to the worst and amongst the rest the Bassa of Sigeth with five thousand of his Turks and his head sent to the Emperor Jula was likewise surprized and the Bassa thereof with two Sanzacks and Five Hundred common Souldiers slain and now the Government of Transilvania being vacant by the death of Cardinal Battor and the absence of the Prince the Emperor confirmed it to the Vayvod of Valachia who raising a great power went against the Prince who aided by the Turks Tartars and Polonians was coming to try a field Battle for the recovery of his Inheritance and in a set battle overthrew him with great slaughter of his men himself hardly escaping after which he seized upon the Countrey of Moldavia causing all the inhabitants to swear Allegiance to him when the better to incourage him to invade the Turks Dominions the Emperour not only confirmed him in that Principality also but sent him six Thousand Men under the leading of D. Petzen with a mass of mony to pay his Souldiers appointing him one of his Council and cheif Intendant for those Countries but he behaving himself roughly towards the Transilvanian Nobility they sent Ambassadors to Basta the Emperors Lieutenant General praying him to take then into the protection of the Emperor onely and that they might obey no other Soveraign Prince whereupon Basta after mature deliberation resolved to grant their desires and to protect them from the fury of the Vayvod whom he yet not able to appease by fair means he resolved to compel by force of Armes to acquiesce with what he determined and therefore gathering such forces as he could with Eighteen Thousand well appointed Souldiers he awaited on the Frontiers of Transilvania his coming and near to a Village called Mivislo adventured to give him Battle though under his standard he had double the number and after six hours desperate fighting put him to flight with the loss of Ten Thousand of his men taking likewise several Prisoners and a great spoil yet nevertheless the Vayvod bating of his proud temper by the mediation of Friends they were afterwards reconciled Yet the Vayvod jealous of the Imperialist as being also without cause perswaded thereto by the Polonians to prevent as was suggested to him his being taken Prisoner with a few of his followers fled into the fastness of the Mountains whereupon one Simon was placed in his stead by the haughty Chancelor of Poland which choice Basta altogether disliking resolved to displace the upstart Vayvod but the Transilvanians desirous of freedom and in order to recover it raising many rumours portending the mischief intended against the Imperialists at that time hindered his violent proceedings so that for the future the whole matter was referred to the Emperour The Transilvanians likewise casting themselves upon him and when they perceived no remedy desired that Maximilian the Arch-Duke might take upon him the Government of that Province but whilst these affairs were in controversie the Turks with a huge Army besieged Canisia a strong City of Stira to the relief of which came the Imperial Army consisting of Forty Thousand Horse and Foot composed of divers Nations under the leading of Duke Mercury General of the Emperours Forces in Hungary to oppose which Ibrahim Bassa drew out of his Trenches thinking by their multitude to oppress the Christians but was therein deceived for after a bloody and doubtful fight for the space of eight hours victory declared her self against him yet not so apparently but that the next day by reason of the discord amongst the Christian Captains who at the Command of their General refused to charge the Turks in their strengths the scale was turned and their Convoy of Provision upon its way to the Camp being taken by the Tartars they were so straightned that after having layn still for the space of three dayes they rose in the night but not so secretly but that the Turks following hard after them cut off Three Thousand of the rearmost took several pieces of Cannon and a great part of their Baggage and afterwards had the City of Canisae yeilded to them upon condition that the Garrison should be safely convoyed over the River Mur with Bag and Baggage and hightened with this success they afterwards forraged the Countrey of Stira for fear of whom the Inhabitants with such of their substance as they conveniently carry with them fled to the Mountains whereupon the Bassa sent forth a Proclamation commanding them to return and that such as would willingly submit themselves to the Turkish obedience should be taken into safe protection upon which Proclamation many of the half starved people returned and submitted themselves but the ever renowned mirrour of Vertue and Valour the Heroick Count Serenus being the man that the Bassa aimed at as well knowing whilst he went free his new Conquests were slightly cemented to the rest he the better to decoy the Noble Youth into his power wrote to him as followeth We Ibraim Bassa Chief
speedy Aid whereby he might be able to reduce them to their former obedience During these troubles in Transylvania the Turks taking the advantage did mischief in Hungary yet were often met with by the Imperialists and amongst the rest the Bassa of Agria as he was going to besiege Toccaie with ten thousand Turks who being encountered by Ferrant Gonzaga the Emperors Lieutenant was overthrown with the slaughter of almost all his followers nor was Mahomet the Emperor less perplexed with the Carramanian and Natolian Rebels who now getting to a great head under the leading of one Scrivano had given several overthrows to his Bassas sent against them and spread their borders wide drawing into their Confederacy all Asia the Lesser and a part of the Greater and at the same time the Janizaries were in an uproar in Constantinople threatning the Emperor and charging him with Cowardise and the neglect of his affairs to appease whom Cicala Bassa was obliged to bestow amongst them a great sum of money and the Musti or chief Mahometan Priest declaring that all these disorders happened for that Mahomet their Prophet was offended at the excess of wine that was drunk in the City whereupon Proclamation was made that upon pain of death all those that had any wine in their houses the Ambassadors of the Christian Princes excepted should immediately bring it forth and stave it whereupon such abundance was spilt that boats in the high streets might have swam in wine of all sorts By this time Basta having received Forces from the Emperor had so straitned the Transylvanians that Sigismund sent to offer him all the Towns that were in his possession at the time of his being expelled Transylvania of which offer Zachel Moyses the Princes Lieutenant having notice resolved not to suffer any agreement upon such conditions and therefore with the Forces under his Command composed of Turks Tartars and Transylvanians he hasted to oppress Basta in his Camp but finding him as ready as himself a dreadful battle was fought between them wherein Basta with his Germans prevailed making a great slaughter of the enemy To excuse which rash action Sigismund sent several of his Nobility to the Imperial Camp offering to perform what ever he had promised and to go in person to the Emperor which once put in practise all the Countrey returned again to the Emperors obedience nor was Valachia at this time less troubled about Election of a Vayvod that Province being divided into two Factions the one was for choosing Radol a Noble man affecting the Emperors interest and the other for Electing Jeremias who had promised to hold his Province Tributary of the Turk whereupon many Battles were fought with various success but in the end Rodolph assisted by the Emperors Forces overthrew his competitor and obtained a great Victory in which battle two of the Turkish Bassas were slain with all their followers and soon after having overthrown a great power of the Tartars he recovered the Principality nor was Hungary free from the Turkish outrages who bearing themselves upon their small success attempted to surprize Alba Regalis but were by the Christians overthrown with great slaughter and soon after two hundred of their Waggons laden with provision and Amunition was taken by Count Serinus on its way to Canisia and about the same time took Ali Bassa Governour of Pesth prisoner and with him seventy thousand Hungarian Ducates which Bassa for his ransom over and above offered 300000 Sultanies Mahomet not a little troubled with the continual news of his Losses in Hungary and resolving to revenge himself on the Christians sent Hassau Bassa with an Army of one hundred and fifty thousand Turks and Tartars who upon their arrival passing the Danubius laid siege to Alba-Regalis of which the Count Ysolon was Governour when raising three Batteries they incessantly thundered against the wall and Bulwarks and was by the Defendants answered in the same Language and by frequent Sallies cut off a number of the enemies but having all their walls on the West side beaten down and most of the Souldiers either killed or disabled the Count himself wounded in the thigh their powder being almost spent and no hopes of relief they capitulated to deliver the Town upon condition that they should depart thence with all their Goods and be conducted in safety to the neighbouring Garrison which was sworn to by all the Turkish Commanders but having once entred the City they not only spoil and plunder it but destroyed and put to the sword all the Souldiers and Citizens sparing none alive but the Count himself and some few Captains whom they sent in Chains to Constantinople insomuch that the streets flowed with the blood of three thousand Christians in revenge of this loss the Lord Russworm with thirty thousand men laid siege to the strong City of Buda and took the base Town where he got store of Riches and afterwards laid hard siege to the upper City but finding it a work of great difficulty he resolved to turn his Forces upon Pesth a strong Garrison lying on the other side the River from whence the Turks with their great Ordnance annoyed his Army before Buda which place he without much difficulty won and then again returned to the siege of the upper City of Buda but having lost eight thousand of his men and having notice that the Tartars were at hand with a great Army resolving to relieve it he raised his siege having first repulsed the Vizar Bassa before Pesth with the loss of half his Forces Scrivano having rent the Turks Dominions in Asia by taking from them their principal Cities fell sick of which sickness he dyed to the great grief of the Rebels who nevertheless chose his younger brother to lead them who soon after in a great battle overthrew the Turkish Army that was sent against him under the leading of Hassau Bassa and slew the Bassa himself together with almost all his followers whereupon Mahomet doubting his Empire in Asia was obliged to withdraw his Forces out of Hungary yet incited the Tartars by frequent inroads to busie the Imperialists till he could be at leisure to return his Captains with a greater power who according to their wonted mischievous natures committed sundry outrage burning and destroying all in their way but in the end were most of them cut off by the Christians against whose joynt Forces they were no wayes able to stand as being rather inured to spoil than fight Anno 1603 The Turks in the several Garrisons roaming abroad in the depth of winter when Danubius it self was frozen over committed many outrages in Hungaria but in their return being met by Colonel Coblonitz a great number of them were cut in pieces and all the booty recovered so that for want of Victuals Buda was greatly distressed but see again the change of fortune for the Turks coming out of Buda upon the Frozen River braving the Garrison of Pesth the Souldiers sallyed out upon them but being
overpowred were two hundred of them slain yet this loss was shortly revenged by the Garrison Souldiers who surprizing several of the Turkish Nobility sporting with their wives in the hot Baths not far from Buda put all the men to the sword and suffered the women to escape naked into the City to whose flight fear added wings and so with the spoil of their rich garments returned in Triumph but want of Victuals increasing they were obliged to feed upon all manner of unclean things when at the same time their neighbours of Buda having received a great Convoy of Victuals derided them and sent three or four thundering Peals of Cannon over the river against the Town but their mirth was soon spoiled for by the carelessness of the Engenier several barrels of Povvder taking fire not only killed a great number of them but likevvise overthrevv four yards of their Wall and thus the Winter passed over vvith many skirmishes and the taking of several places in Hungary on either side When early in the Spring the nevv Vayvod of Valachia over run the rich Countrey of Silistria reducing the greatest part of it to his obedience and soon after Colloninitz gave the Turks another great overthrow and took a great booty on its way to Canisia and afterwards laid siege to Baboz but finding it strongly Garrisoned and furnished for a long siege he withdrew from before it yet he surprized many of the Turks and intercepted several Waggons laden with provision about which time news came that the Janizaries were up in Arms at Constantinople as likewise Sphai and that they committed several outrages on the Bassas and spared not to abuse their master telling him they would seeing he neglected to reform his Government svvearing that unless he vvould deliver into their povver the Capi Aga and such others as they should require they would turn all into confusion which threats so scared the Pusillanimous Tyrant that he was contented to yield to their demands who having got those Favorites they most inveighed against they with all despight put them to death whereupon the Tyrant not to be outdone in cruelty caused several of the Bassa's and chief men of his Court whom he knew the Souldiers affected to be slain which caused such a hatred against him that many of his great Bassa's conspired to depose him and set up his son Mahomet in his stead which they were the more animated to put in practice for that he had at the same time made a dishonourable peace with the Asian Rebels giving most of their ring-leaders great Commands whilst those that had faithfully served him were rejected of which intent of his men of war the Tyrant having notice caused his son and so many as he could understand were any wayes concerned therein to be put to death These things happening in the foregoing year the year following the Tartars in great numbers intending to invade Hungary were denyed passage by the Polonians whereupon they resolved to make their way through Valachia with whom the Vayvod had many hard conflicts killing at one time three thousand of them but their number being great he was forced at length to let them pass who upon their arrival in Hungary and Stira made great spoil e'r Collonitz could take the field who at length joyning with Count Serinus gave them a fatal overthrow and recovered about five thousand Christian Captives yet those that escaped from the battle roving about did great harm till such time as they were met with by the Lord Nadasti and his Hassars who with a furious charge overset their battle and brought them to final destruction when soon after Collonitz returning fell upon Two Thousand Turks all or most of which he slew and then passing on besieged the Castle of Loqua which in a short time he took but by neglect of the Soldiers injoyed not long for the Palizadoes being fired set fire to the Castle and laid it wast After which he marched towards the Castle of Boulouvenar upon whose approach the Garrison fled but in their flight being met were overthrown with great slaughter and such as were taken Prisoners together with all their substance brought back to the Castle into which the Collonel having put Four Hundred Haducks and Two Hundred Hussars returned to Comara where with a great Booty he arrived in safety Turning a little from the troubles of Hungary a Countrey subject to the continual Inroads of the Turks I shall return to Transilvania which by this time was for the most part reduced to the Emperours obedience For Moyses the Rebel after his being overthrown by Basta doubting his safety in the Castle of Solemose delivered it to the Turks and fled to Temeswar a City in their possession of which Basta the Emperours Leiutenant having notice resolved to recover the Castle which the Turks supposed impregnable by reason of its scituation as being founded upon a steep and hard Rock but the Germans having by strength of Arms drawn their Cannon to the top of a little Hill not far distant from it after a terrible battery made had it delivered to them the Turks well perceiving they were no longer able to keep it This strong place thus gained many of less account that held out against Basta surrendered whereupon assembling the principal men of Transilvania he in a short Oration admonished them to be stedfast to the interest of the Emperour and not to have any regard to the faithless and wavering Turks c. To which they replyed That they were willing to obey the Emperour in all things but that their people in continual Wars being wasted they desired him to consider how little able they were to keep an Army in the Field without which the Countrey could not be defended but if the Emperour would protect them and secure them with a standing Army they would yearly pay towards the defraying of the charges Fifteen Thousand Hungarian Ducats and furnish them with all things necessary It being a thing more Honourable and Profitable for a Prince moderately to use his Subjects then for covetousness to devour them in one day and in their loss to lose himself for ever This their offer was by Basta accepted and the minds of the people by many perswasive arguments kept in their dutiful Allegiance to the Emperour But whilst peace was expected on all sides Moyses the Rebel with a great power of Turks and Tartars entered Transilvania at such time as Basta was absent dreaming of no such matter and seizing upon Wisceborongh some other places of small importance his name began to spread wide Insomuch that Mahomet the Sultan understanding what he had done promised to send him more Aid and to make him his Leiutenant if he prospered in his Wars which puffed up the Rebel to that height that hearing of Basta being with small Forces in the Town of Somosinar he resolved to march thither and besiege him but that experienced Captain knowing how much it impaired the credit of a
Troops of Hussars to Solvock when having put a strong Garrison into it and relieved such other places as he thought convenient and now the depth of Winter coming on he broke up his Army sending as a certain token of several successful exploits sixty four of the Turks Ensigns to the Arch Duke Matthias so that till the next Spring nothing of moment happened No sooner was the frozen Earth freed from the cold embraces of Winter but new stirs began in Transilvania as likewise in Moldavia where the Tartars in great number destroying the Countrey were overthrown and almost all of them slain at what time Zellali the chief of the Asian Rebels whom Mahomet by great rewards had allured to his interest entered the Kingdom of Bosna with a great power of his followers where having trained Zeffer Bassa the Governour thereof into his danger he set upon him and slew most of his men and seized upon the Kingdom upon notice of which Mahomet in a great rage sent his Letters to him commanding him forthwith to repair to Constantinople but he not thinking it convenient to trust the Tyrant with his head he returned for answer that he was already possessed of the Kingdom promised him for his service and that he as a Loyal Subject would keep it to his behoof with which answer Mahomet was forced to content himself as fearing that if he should go about to expulse him by force he would revolt to the Christian Emperour and so prove a more dangerous Enemy to him in Europe then he had done in Asia Wherefore to prevent the worst he resolved if he could obtain such conditions as might sute with his greatness to have Peace with the Emperour in order to which Commissioners met at Buda and many Presents were given and received on either side the Turks expressing great joy for the hopes they conceived that at length they should rest from the toils of War but after many proposals on either side the demands of the Turkish Sultan was so unreasonable that nothing was concluded so that after a short truce Hostilities began afresh when as the Turks seeking to wast Valachia were with great slaughter by the Vayvod overthrown at what time the Lord Nadasti the Valiant and Renowned Captain of the Christians died to the grief of all the Confederate Princes there not being a man left whose Council and Conduct in Martial affaires equalled his but this grief was somewhat alayed upon certain News that Mahomet the great Sultan was likewise departed this Life dying about the latter end of January Anno 1604. When he had lived 44 years and thereof Reigned 8 being altogether pusillanimous and given up to pleasure and lyes buried in a Chappel of white Marble at Constantinople near to the Church of St. Sophia in whose stead Achmâ—â— his Third Son was saluted by reason of the death of his two Elder Brethren one of which was strangled by the Commandment of his unnatural Father and the other very young died a natural death CHAP. XVIII The Life of Achmat the Eighth Emperour of the Turks and first of that Name UPon the death of Mahomet the Third his Son Achmat then but fifteen years of Age was by the great Bassa's and men of War saluted Emperor having purchased the good will of the latter at two Millions and a half of Aspers upon which after he was solemnly Crowned he sent Ambassadors to the King of Persia as he likewise did to the Emperor but according to the proud humour of his Predecessors his demands were so unreasonable that they would not be accorded to neither in Europe nor Asia whereupon the Turks ere the Treaty was ended with the Emperour under pretence of Friendship indeavoured to surprize Pesth but by the vigilancy of the Garrison Souldiers were put by their purpose which Treacherous dealing made manifest the Treaty was utterly broken off whereupon great preparations were made for War on either side during which time the Persian King was not idle prosecuting his Wars had recovered almost all that the Turks had taken from his Predecessors Yet the Turks lessened his victory and the more to amuse the Christians spread a false report that near unto Babylon his Army was overthrown and himself taken Prisoner not forgeting to magnifie the Forces of their Emperour who indeed for his years was very active in the affairs of Government though cruel withal towards his own Subjects and farther they gave it out that at once he intended to invade with puissant Armies both Hungary and Persia purposing to annex them to the Ottoman Empire but these great words though in truth the Christians were more negligent in their preparations then the occasion required proved but Air. But leaving the Turks awhile I shall survey the miseries of the once fertile Countrey of Transylvania which now through civil discord amongst themselves and Rebellion against the Emperour was so spoiled that Famine coming fast on them for want of the Earths due increase it by long continuance reduced them to that extremity that the Peasants and poorer sort of people having eaten up for dainties all the Dogs Cats Mice Rats and live Horses fell to eating such starved Beasts as through want they found to have perished in the Woods and Fields and at length when nothing was left they fed upon human flesh men eating men and Women their Children yea Thieves and Malefactors hauged for their Villanies were by the miserable people cut down and eaten to remedy which the Emperour caused to be assembled the States of the Province wherein it was accorded that all Hostilities set apart the Gentlemen of Transilvania having by their Rebellion forfeited their Lives and Lands should be pardoned as to Life with three fourth parts of their Lands reserved unto them and that for ready money they might of the Emperour redeem the fourth part but concerning the moveables of such as were dead in the time of trouble and already confiscated to the Emperour they should so remain and that they should pay their tenths of their Wines and Fruits to the Emperour and that no other then the Romish Religion should be exercised in that Province and that Clausenburg and Cronstad should within three weeks after pay the one Twenty Thousand Dollars and the other Eight Thousand and that the Governours of those Towns should put their Keys into the hands of the Emperours Leiutenant And lastly That the Gentlemen who would not be accounted in the number of the Rebels should for the safety of their persons take Letters of Pardon from the said Lieutenant This pacification gave somâ— little hopes to the distressed Transylvanians but I lasted not long for the Nobility weary of the German yoke soon revolted from the Emperours oâ—â—â—â—ence and again took up Arms which plunged them into their former miseries wherein for a while I must leave them and return again to the Turkish affaires The several Hostilities having banished all hopes of Peace several skirmishes passed between the
Christians and Turks in which the latter were for the most part put to the worst and had been more distressed had not the Imperial Souldiers mutined and for want of pay spoiled the Countrey of Austria even within the sight of Vienna the Suburbs of which City they had sacked had not the Governour come against them with a great power and forced them to lay down their Arms causing the Ring-leaders to be punished with death and imprisonment But whilst these things were doing Zellaly was driven out of Bosna by Zeffer Bassa sent in order thereto by the Sultan with a great power yet the better to calm his high Spirit and to make the Asian Rebels have a better opinion of the young Emperour he was made Governour of Temeswar and so became a mortal Enemy to the Christians his first undertaking being to surprize Lippa but therein found such bad success that he hardly recovered his own Garrison leaving most of his men dead behind him and soon after a terrible fire happening in Canisia layed it almost wast firing the Magazine of Powder and blowing up the Cittadel Towers Houses and Wall so that had any forces of the Christians been near in that General consternation they might easily have surprized it after which lost the Turks sustained another for Two Hundred of the Garrison of Buda going abroad to forrage were by the sallying of the Garrison of Pesth all cut off During these stirs the restless Transylvanians having called to their assistance divers Turks and Tartars had seized upon several strong places driving out the Imperial Garrisons to repress whose insolency Basta sent the Haducks under the leading of Horwal their Captain who lying in ambush for them who were but few in number and easily overthrown as being by Famine bereaved of their strength they were most of them put to the Sword after which the Haducks robbed the poor Villagers at their pleasure killing such as refused to contribute to their greedy desires So that all was again reduced to the same extremity as before and when the said Captain was by the Leiutenant Commanded to restrain his men from committing any more such outrages he answered that it was impossible to keep Souldiers in order amidst extremity of Famine for that the belly was an inexorable usurer which took pitty upon nothing but with great rigor exacted that which it thought due for the nourishment of it self The Forces of the Christians increasing in Hungary the Bassa of Buda to retard their proceeding made many fair shews of the great desires his Lord the Emperor had of peace and the better to make it be believed he wrote a dissembling letter signifying as much to the Governour of Strigonium but his fair Glozing was not of force to lull the Christians into a security which hypocrisie of the Bassa's soon after appeared by his surprising Simnin a Castle held by the Christians upon the banks of the Danubius and setting it on fire The Persian King having joyned hands with Caracas the chief Leader of the Rebels a man of great power in a set Battle overthrew Cicala Bassa with the loss of almost all his Turks taking the Bassas son prisoner by secret Messengers invited the bordering Nations to revolt from the Turkish obedience to prevent which the same Bassa was with another huge Army sent into those parts where in a short space he received two several overthrows in which besides what he lost in the first battle seventy thousand Turks perished so that now the Terror the Persian breathed even upon Constantinople it self having over-run the greatest part of the Turks Dominions in Asia at what time Achmat fell sick of the small Pox at Constantinople and hardly recovered when during the time of his sickness it was agreed amongst the Bassas that his brother Mustapha the only surviver of the Ottoman family if he had dyed should have been taken out of the Seraglio where he remained no better then a prisoner and have been proclaimed Emperor nor would the Souldiers believe but that he was dead till such time as he recovering his strength rode for their better satisfaction through most of the Principal streets of the Imperial City of Constantinople The Persian still prevailing and it being rumoured that he advanced apace at the head of one hundred thousand fighting men to whom Bagages the discontented Bassa had joyned himself Achmat sent Hassan Bassa his General to maintain the wars in Hungary and Cicala Bassa notwithstanding he had been thrice overthrown against the Persian and Asian Rebels but amidst his great preparation the Tartarian Cham sent him word that he could not come to his assistance in person but that he would send his son with a great power into Hungary now the reason that this great Monarch is so ready at all times to serve the Turk is for that they often interchange in Marriages and that if the Ottoman family fail the Empire descends to the Tartar Cham and lastly which indeed is the greatest motive by reason of the large Pension that Prince living in a needy Country receives yearly from the Turkish Emperor To oppose the Turks and Tartars Rodolphus the Emperor sent Maximilian his nephew in the quality of an Ambassador to the Pope and Princes of Italy to crave aid who upon his arrival at Rome was honourably received and after having finished his negotiation sent back with many presents and a full assurance of a speedy supply the Pope for his part having promised out of his Treasury 150000 Crowns to be paid towards the defraying the charges of the war in which he was not less then his word but by this time the Tartars being upontheir march towards Hungary where Hassan Bassa was with a great power of Turks arrived and denyed passage through Polonia brake violently into Valachia miserably spoiling and destroying the Country to abate whose fury the Valachians aided by Bastas Forces still following them in the rear cut off a great number of them yet at length they passed into Hungary and there joyned the Bassas Forces whereupon after severall skirmishes and the taking of some not important places on both sides he set down with all his power before Strigonium to prevent whose intrenching the Christians Sallyed out killing many of them and driving the rest from their works upon news of which siege Basta taking a new oath of the Transylvanians came with all his Forces to endeavour its Relief who upon his arrival confronted the enemy and raising a huge Fort of Earth not far from their Camp from thence with several Pieces of Cannon greatly annoyed them so that what with continual sallyes of the besieged and the skirmishes Bastas Souldiers had with them after a tedious siege and the loss of twenty thousand men the haughty Bassa raised his Camp and departed towards Buda Basta still following them and cutting off a great number of such as marched in the rear and took several prisoners of note yet such was the fera that
contest between Muley Xequy King of Fess and Muley Sidan his younger brother which increased to that height that mortal wars arose when after many fields fought the latter prevailed and possessed himself of the Kingdom which caused the former to flye into Spain there to crave aid of King Phillip who in consideration of the Barbarians promise to deliver Alarache a strong Town seated on the mouth of the River Lucus in the Kingdom of Fess into his possession furnished him with 100 thousand Duccates therewith to leavy Souldiers in his own Countrey and sent with him likewise his ships of war under the conduct of the Marquess of St. Germaines manned with ten thousand Spaniards who coming before the Town landed the King who was received by several of his friends into a strong Castle that guards the mouth of the River which he put into the hands of the Spaniard but it was no sooner known that he had so done but the Mores from all parts run to their Arms so that e'r they could possess themselves of the Town an obstinate fight was maintained for the space of three hours in which space five hundred Spaniards and three thousand Moores were slain but in the end the former prevailed and possessed themselves of that strong place which had by them been so often desired the news of which caused great rejoycing in Spain This year was fought a great battle between the Son of the late deceased Cham of Tartary and his uncle upon the latters usurping the Imperial dignity during the formers remaining a hostage at Constantinople in which 40000 men were slain and the Victory rested upon the rightful Heir Anno 1611 such a Contagion happened in Constantinople that it ingendring a Pestilence which raged so vehemently that thirty thousand died in one month and amongst the rest one of Achmats sons nor did the Barron of Salignac the French Kings Ambassador escape to succeed whom as soon as the Mortality ceased the Barron of Mole was sent who upon his arrival after having visited the Mufti or chief Mahometan Priest and the great Bassa's of the Court himself and his retinue were attired in Turkish habit no Ambassadors being permitted in the proper habit of their own Countrey to approach the Sultan was conducted to have his Audience of the Grand Seigneour through a litte Court paved with Marble after which he entred the Royal Chamber which was inriched on one side with many Pillars of Marble and square stones of the same beautified with two Fountains on either side the planchers were gilt with Gold and the Walls Inameled with flowers and the flour covered with cloath of Gold and silver at the entery of which stood six Capigi or Royal Porters two of which took the Ambassador by either arm to lead him to the Grand Seigneor a Ceremony pretended for honours sake but indeed to prevent any violence that upon such near access may be offered and has been in use ever since Amurath the first was stabbed in the fields of Cossâ—via and the rest carryed the presents so that the Ambassador having kissed the hem of the imperious Turks Garment was carryed out another way backward because it should not be said that the Minister of any Forrein Prince turned his back upon the Emperor in like manner his attendants fared being obliged to withdraw till the Infidel was more at leisure for as then he stood peeping out at a window to view some disports that were made below for his diversion and a while after being admitted he delivered his letters written in the Turkish Language and in a pithy Oration delivered what else he had in charge Notwithstanding the Peace between the Imperialists and the Turks the latter ceased not covertly to stir up dissensions by which means they procured the revolt of Gabriel Battori Vayvod of Transilvania who raising a great power chased Raduille Prince of Valachia out of his Principality who thereupon fled to Constantine Vayvod of Moldavia when reinforced by the Moldavian he returned again and in a great battle overthrew Gabriel forcing him to flye with his scatered Troops to Hermstad where he committed many Cruelties under pretence that the Citizens went about to deliver him into the hands of his mortal enemies The division stirred up Fortgaâ—sie the King of Hungary to pass into Transylvania to reduce the revolted Cities to the Kings obedience but being waylaid he was forced to travel through desart places where through famine and diseases that raged in his Camp most of his men dyed so that fearing to fall into the hands of those he intended to oppress he fled into Polonia with a slender Train yet ended not the trouble for by this time the Turks had stirred up discontents in Moldavia by sending thither a Competitor to wrestle with Constantine for his Principality but finding himself too weak and not assisted as he expected fled to Constantinople there to crave aid of Achmet but finding many delays he travelled to the Courts of many Christian Princes and amongst others came into England and made his application to King James who moved with his heavy complaints and specious pretences of just claim to the Principality of Moldavia that his Majesty was pleased bountifully to relieve him and by his Letters to recommend him to the care of Sir Thomas Glover his Ambassador then residing at Constantinople who recommended him to the Grand Signeur but such were the counterplots of Constantine that by bribing the great Bassa's he not only prevented him in his purpose but greatly indangered his being made away which had certainly happened had not Sir Thomas sheltered him under his protection and by fortifying his house daunted the blood-thirsty Janizaries whom the Grand Visier had imployed to take him thence by Force but Sir Thomas being soon after recalled The Moldavian despairing to obtain the Principality he so much desired in a rage renounced the Lord that bought him and imbraced the Turkish superstition whereupon he was made Bey of Bursia in Asia but enjoyed not that dignity long e'r Nassuf Bassa returning from the Persian war dispossessed him This year the Gallyes of Florence Malta and Naples greatly endamaged the Turkish Dominions on the Sea-Coasts taking likewise several rich prizes and amongst the rest the Carravan Gally coming from Egypt to Constantinople with the Tribute of that rich Kingdom sinking at the same time five others and descending upon the Isle of Lango and took the Town from which the Island takes its name putting a number of Turks to the sword and taking a great spoil and soon after entered the Bay of Corinth so secretly that Landing they surprized the City sacked it and carryed away besides a rich booty five hundred slaves These things made the Turkish Sultan wish for peace with the Persian that he might be at leasure to turn his Arms upon the Christians especially upon the Knights of Malta who greatly obstructed his Navigation and that which furthered his purpose was the arrival of the
Persian Ambassador at Constantinople whereupon to welcom him he concluded a Marriage between Mehemet Bassa son to Cicula late deceased and his Sister and another between Mechmet Bassa his great Admiral and his Eldest daughter which were cellebrated with all imaginable splendor but soon after the Pestilence began again to rage in that great City whereupon Achmat withdrew himself to his rural Palace at Durat Bassa where whilst he was viewing the Mosque that he had caused to be built a Dariveler or Turkish Monk cast at him a stone with such force that it overthrew him whereupon the Traytor was seized and ordered by Torture to be constrained to confess what moved him to that outrage but the officers of the Port with out further examination the next day executed him which made some conjecture that either they or some great men whom they favoured set him on work During these Passages Moldavia groaned under Clandestine Tumults the Turks still endeavouring to depose Constantine and he with all his power on the contrary labouring to support his dignity so that the Villages in all places went to Rack the Countrey for the most part being laid wast to calm which differences the Polonian Ambassador came to the Court of Constantinople expecting a sudden Audience but was contrary to his expectation after six weeks attendance clapt up in prison with notice that he could not be delivered till such time as the two Capigis which Constantine carryed Captive into Polonia nor was Transylvania free from fraction and civil dissension occasioned by one Giezy set up by the Bassa of Buda to oppose the Palatine of Hungary to whom that Province according to the late Articles of peace does appertain but the upstart finding his Forces too weak too grasp the Government soon after relinquished his claime Achmat the more to amuse the Persian Ambassador and oblige him to wonder at his greatness resolved to shew himself in all his pomp and thereupon making as if he went to Darut Bassa to take the air after a dayes stay returned in this manner Before him a great number of men at Arms marched on horse-back and after them some Troops of Foot The Cadies of Constantinople or his chief Justicers Then all the Talismans or those of Mahomets Law in great number then the Vizar Bassas in great splendor after whom followed ten of the Sultans houshold leading ten goodly horses in rich Caparisons the last of which had a Bridle and Saddle pondered with precious stones and unto the saddle was fastned the Sultans Target and upon it were fastened Tassels of Pearls hanging almost with the ground and over these a horse-cloth richly imbroidered with Pearl after which followed the rest of the Sultans houshold in divers Troops first fifty Janizaries on foot every one of them leading dogs in Leshes for the most part Irish-greyhounds presented to him a little before by the French Ambassador next to whom in order succeeded the Sultans Footmen called Pelks who were Persians born all well attired wearing on their heads bonets of Silver after the Indian fashion Then sixty Archers in the midst of whom came Sultan Achmat attired in a rich robe of Cloath of Gold imbroidered with Pearls and Diamonds and his slave clad in the same manner his Turbant was covered with a Plume of black Feathers inriched with great Diamonds and a chain of the same stones about the lower part of it upon his fingers he had Diamonds of such largeness as they cast admirable light his horse had Caparisons imbroidered with Diamonds Pearls and other precious stones the Ground being Gold and the stirrups of beaten Gold set with Diamonds and from his Horses neck hung great Tassels of Pearl of a more than ordinary size after him there followed three men on Horseback the one carrying his Cloak the other his arms and the third his Imperial Turbant and these were attended on by certain Esquires on horseback Then came the Musick after the Turkish manner consisting of sixty men on Horseback which played upon Fiets Chardons and Trumpets next followed one hundred of the Sultans Pages bravely mounted followed by as many Eunuches fifty of which carryed each of them a Falcon upon his fist having their heads inriched with Diamonds after them came thirty Guards of the Port and fifty Falconers and Huntsmen richly attired each of them carrying upon his saddle bow a Leopard covered all but the head with a Cloath of Gold attended on by an other train of Pages very beautiful chosen from amongst the Tribute infants having their Garments beset with pretious stones the ground being Cloath of Gold curled and after these followed a Troop of youths in plain attire who were appointed to serve the pages The rear of which procession was closed with all the great Officers of the Turkish Empire that were then resident at Constantinople and to make the Magnificence more compleat as the Archers passed by the Sultans lodging 100 pieces of Silk were cast amongst them Four days after this pompous shew Achmat gave Audience to the Persian Ambassador who presented him on the behalf of the King his Master with 100 Bales of Silk a Beazor stone as big as a mans fist 9 bags of Turquoises of a foot and half long and above a finger broad several rich pieces of Tapistry interwoven with Silk and Gold with some other things of great price amongst which he delivered his masters Letters whereupon they began to treat of peace which soon after was accorded principally upon these Articles First That the Persian King should pay unto the Turkish Sultan yearly by way of Tribute two hundred Camells Loads of Silk That the King of Persia's Son should be called Bassa of Iauris and that the Cadi or Soveraign Judge of that City should be sent from Constantinople The Peace thus concluded to the advantage of the Turks and dishonour of the Persians the Ambassador with many rich presents was dismissed leaving allmost all his Retinue behind him dead of the plague nor did he long survive them for upon his arrival at Tauris his master understanding upon what dishonourable Terms he had concluded the peace caused his head to be cut off and sent back the Chiaus that was come with his Ambassador to see him swear the peace so that not long after all vanished into nothing During these Transactions Rodolphus the Emperor died to succeed whom the Electoral Princes made choice of his brother Matthias King of Hungary who upon his taking upon him the Imperial sway sent his Ambassadors to Constantinople to intreat a confirmation of the peace made between his brother deceased and the Sultan and to complain of the daily outrages committed in his Province of Transylvania but the Turk who keep no League any longer then it turns to their advantage not only refused to redress the grievances in Tansylvania but denyed the Emperor to have any right to that Province although in the League it was expresly mentioned that Botscay dying with
out Heirs male the Principality should totally remain a member of the Roman Empire but after all was said that could be said the Ambassador was dismissed without the satisfaction he expected About the end of September Anno 1612 great troubles arose in the Kingdoms of Fess and Morocco occasioned by a quarrel between the Prince Xerif-Muley-Cidan and Xerif-Muley-Achet-Ben-Abdula his nephew when after many battles fought between them the latter was overthrown and in his flight slain having drawn the people into Rebellion against his uncle under the pretence of a Prophesie that foretold his rise and the flourishing State of Barbary under his Government which Prophecy himself not long before invented yet many imagined that he dealt by inchantment and often would he boast that no Bullet could hurt him and indeed many were the Victories he gained over Cidan even with a handful of men in comparison to the great Armies which Cidan lead against him his Allegation was that he was sent from Heaven to purge the world of wicked men About this time the Estates of the United Provinces under Prince Maurice sent Cornelius Hage their Ambassador to Constantinople with Commission to treat of the deliverance of the captive Hollanders that had bin taken by the Turkish Gallies and to require free Traffick in all the Ports of the Ottoman Empire in consideration of which to propose perpetual Amity with the Sultan in all which he succeeded so well that the Spanish King was not a little grieved thereat though himself was afterward obliged to enter into League with the Turk Transilvania altogether disquieted and weakned by civil discord the Sultan thought it a fit time to reduce that Province to his obedience and therefore raised a mighty Army and marched directly thither but whilst he was on his way Fortifying all the important places in his passage Cosmo d' Medicis the great Duke of Tuscany setting out a Fleet of Gallies spoiled the Sea Coasts in the Mediterranean and took many places from the Turks and amongst the rest the strong City of Agliman with 2 Gallies that lay in the Port putting a number of Turks to the Sword by whose example an 1613. the Gallies of Sicily set out and destroyed the Turks Gallies in the Levant making terrible spoil on the Sea-Coast landing several times on the Islands of Chios Samos and Cyprus taking rich spoils and freeing many Christian Captives to oppose whom Ten Turkish Gallies came but after a terrible engagement seven of them fell into the Christians hands and one was sunk the other two hardly escaping under the shelter of the night Achmats Army arriving in Transilvania committed many outrages but upon notice that Bethlem Gabor was acknowledged Prince under the protection of the Sultan and had sent his submission to him the Tempest fo War grew calm and the Turkish power dreadful to the German Empire returned to Constantinople at what time Sâ—gismund Battor the Warlike Prince of Transilvania who had deposed himself and was retired to Prague there to lead a private Life died but the Turks upon their arrival at Constantinople found the City almost desolate by reason the Plague raged there so that Achmat and all his followers retired themselves to Darut Bassa till the Contagion ceased and then in great pomp entered the City publishing an Edict that all the Dogs therein should be transported to Scutary in Asia formerly called Chirsopolis but the Inhabitants of that place not willing to be trouble with such Guests although provision was allowed them humbly besought the Emperor to dispose of them elsewhere so that they were to the number of Fifty Thousand put on shoar in a desolate Island where they all perished The reason why they were not killed was for that the Mufti had told Achmat it was not lawful alledging that Dogs had Souls To conclude this year 1613 the Persian King upon a suspicion that the Armenians were about to reconcile themselves to the Pope and yield obedience to the See of Rome which suspicion was grounded upon forged Letters he caused Twelve Hundred of them to be put to death and kept straightly imprisoned double that number which made the Grcassians Georgians and Armenians with other Eastern Christians send their Ambassadors to Achmat imploring Aid to protect them from the rage of the Persians to counterpoise which the Persian King sent likewise his Ambassador but the Sultan would not admit him to Audience till such time as he heard his Master had stayed the Persecution Anno 1614. divers direful Prodigies were seen in Hungary Silesia Austria and other parts of Christendom which greatly amazed most people who supposed them to be the forerunners of great calamities but nothing followed except the downfal and death of the Nassuf the grand Vizar who fell from the top of Honour into the depth of misery by offending his soon offended Master and by the Sultans Command was by Bestanges Bassa slain in his own house and that Head which during the time he stood high in the Sultans favour had Governed the whole Ottoman Empire stricken off and carried as a present to Achmat and in his stead Mechmet who had Marryed the Sultans Daughter was made chief Vizar Transylvania now rent from the German Empire the Emperour laboured to recover it and for that purpose sent several trusty Councelors to deal with the Nobility to cast off the Turkish yoke and to return to their former obedience of which the Turkish Sultan getting notice sent to the Emperor to admonish him to keep inviolate the peace concluded between them and not to meddle in the affairs of Transylvania though at the same time by his Hostilities in Hungary he had manisestly broke it to which the Emperor replyed he was on his part resolved to keep the peace inviolate though the Sultan had already broken the Articles of the League but as to his tamely parting with his Province of Transylvania confirmed to him by the same League he would resolve nothing therein till he had consulted Princes of the Empire with which answer the Chiaus returning to Constantinople The Emperor Assembling the Estates laid before them the just Grievances of his Subjects and the indignities offered to himself with the manifest breach of the League on the part of the Turks in not only assisting his Rebels but with great Companies of themselves making great spoil in his Hereditary Countries To which the Estates answered that with all their power they would maintain the Dignity of the Emperor and defend the Empire of which resolve Achmat was no sooner advertized but the better to encourage Bethlem Gabor to invade the Emperors Frontiers he sent him a strong power under the command of Sander Bassa with which he besieged Lippa and had it delivered to him as he had also had several other places of less importance which places were put into the possession of the Turks but to remain part of the Transylvanian Principality Affairs standing thus in Transylvania Moldavia was at
the same afflicted and brought low by the Tyranny of Stephano their Vayvod who the better to secure him in his Estate had caused most of the Nobility to be cruelly and shamefully murthered upon which the Moldavians disdaining the Tyrants rule who was wont to say that he valued not his Subjects love so they feared him rose in Arms against him choosing for their Prince Alexander son to Jeremy their former Vayvod who with a great power entering the Countrey had many strong places put into his possession which the Tyrant understanding and finding the hatred of his Subjects generally bent against him he fled till strengthened by a supply of Turks and Tartars he again returned and gave the Prince Battle but was therein overthrown after which Alexander was proclaimed with the consent of all the Nobility Vayvod of Moldavia whereupon he sent Ambassadors to the Grand Seigniour to inform him that he would do nothing prejudicial to his Imperial Majesty but that what he had done was at the instance of the Nobility to free the Countrey from a Tyrant but e'r these Ambassadors could arrive at Constantinople they were imprisoned at the commandment of the Bassa of Buda and being afterward put into the power of Stephano he caused their heads to be cut off and their bodies to be cast into the Danube and then having recruited his Forces returned again into Moldavia where in a second battle he was overthrown and most of his Army slain himself hardly escaping to Michna Prince of Valachia but soon after Alexander having notice that the said Michna and Hebraim a Turkish Bassa were raising great Forces to assist Stephano he sent Boyartsk ye his Ambassador to Michna to make him his friend or at least to perswade him to desist from taking part with the Tyrant but the proud Bassa contrary to the will of the Vayvod Michna caused the Ambassador to be clapped in Irons and sent prisoner to Constantinople where upon his arrival contrary to the Law of Nations he was condemned to the Gallies to excuse which the Vayvod sent an Ambassador to Prince Alexander promising him that unless it were by the absolute command of the Grand Siegniour which he durst not disobey he would not assist his Competitor and at the same time it being rumoured that Bethlem Gaber was likewise raising Forces to invade Moldavia the Prince sent an other Ambassador to him who to the Ambassador protested his innocency therein and that he intended no harm to Alexander his master but on the contrary greatly desired his friendship and for his fathers sake would assist him in what lay in his power but that which caused a great trouble in Moldavia was the death of Prince Visnouviskie who was poisoned by a Greek Priest in receiving the Sacrament for which the impious actor was fryed to death in a wyer chair having first confessed that he was induced to commit that hellish exploite at the instance of the Princes enemy who upon the Priests detection were fled Anno 161. at the incessant intreaty of Stephano the Sultan sent Skinder Bassa with a powerful Army to to restore him to the Vayvod-ship of Moldavia whereupon Prince Alexander sent to his friends as well in Polonia as in other parts of Christendom to Aid him against the Common Enemy and thereupon received great Aid especially out of Polonia under the leading of Prince Coreski who shortly after Marryed the Princess Alexandrina Sister to Prince Alexander and having refreshed the Army the two Princes as joynt Commanders marched against the Bassa and in a set battle overthrew him near unto Cochona together with the Forces of Stephano and pursuing their Victory entered Valachia where entering Bonza without resistance he was by the Estates of that Province intreated to take upon him the Vayvodship for that they being weary of the Turkish thraldom from which Michna their Vayvod had absolutely refused to free them they resolved for that reason to chuse an other but the Prince refused the charge he would not deprive his friend of his possession yet consented that Prince Cherbanne son to the late Vayvod should take the charge upon him but whilst these things were in agitation Shindar Bassa had gathered a great power and proclaimed Michna Vayvod of Moldavia Stephano by reason of his frequent overthrows being now fallen into disgrace with the Sultan and on a sudden the said Bassa with his multitude invironed the Princes Camp where he together with his mother Prince Coreskie and his fair Princess Alexandrina were taken prisoners as were all the Camp except five hundred Polonians who under the leading of the Lord Tischevish cut their way through the Army of the Turks yet for a long time the Princes remained disguised amongst the common prisoners in hopes of being admitted to their ransoms but at length all except the Princess Alexandrina were carryed to Constantinople but she falling into the hands of a Tartarian Captain was carryed into Tartary where she was hardly dealt with till at length she was ransomed for 3000 Chequins having during her Captivity been delivered of a fair son The year following the Turks spoiled the Seacoast Towns of Italy taking many rich prizes and had the like repayed them by the Christian Gallies in the Mediterranean and greater mischiefs had insued had not Achmet the Turkish Sultan died having lived thirty years and reigned fifteen appointed by reason of his sons minority his brother Mustapha whom he had a long time kept prisoner to succeed him in the Ottoman Empire CHAP. XIX Mustapha the first of that Name Ninth Emperour of the Turks his Life and Actions AChmat being dead Mustapha his Brother the First that had been saved alive since the foundation of the Ottoman Empire succeeded him by his appointment his Children of which Osman was the Eldest being too weak to sway the Scepter of so mighty an Empire So that this Mustapha brought from a straight Prison every day expecting Death now advanced to a Throne to rule the East forgeting his former devout Life began to Tyrannize over his Subjects more then his Predecessors which caused him to be hated of many especially for that he imprisoned the French Ambassador and his servants breaking thereby the Law of Nations upon pretence that they had been instrumental in the escape of Prince Coreskie out of the Black Tower who by the assistance of a Greek Priest descended from the top thereof on a rople Ladder drawn up by a bottom of Packthred brought in a Pie to the said Prince by the Ambassadors Secretary though contrary to his knowledge with the Prince likewise escaped one Rigaut a French Captain who by the assistance of the said Priest disguised in Priestly Vestments for that purpose prepared got passage into Italy notwithstanding all the Ports were beset with their pursuers Nor was the Ambassador only imprisoned but his servants and himself evilly intreated especially the former two of which were put to the torture according to the Turkish manner which
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
Letter to the Bassas of those two Cities to send their Commissioners to to the Port to answer to what was objected against them and at length to promise not any more to molest the English in order to the confirmation of which several Articles were drawn and delivered to Sir Thomas Rowe then residing at the Port with the Grand Seigneours Letter of command to the Dage Bassa and Divan of Argier and Tunis to forbear assaulting or in the least injuring any English ships or the Subjects of the King of England in what part of the Ottoman Empire soever they resided insomuch that the fear of punishment did for the space of five years deter those Pirates from molesting the English either by Sea or Land and the better to ingratiate themselves they delivered six hundred English Marriners which they had taken at divers times without Ransom but upon the Expiration of the years aforesaid they again robbed and spoiled the Merchants ships Trading in those parts but were frequently met withall by the English men of war that were sent into those Seas to secure the Traffick Anno 1624 on the 24 of March Ali Bassa the great Visier by whose means Morat was advanced to the Crown was sent for into the Seraglio where being questioned by the young Emperor about the affairs of the Persian Invasion and not answering to the satisfaction of those present he was then and there at the commandment of the Emperour beheaded and his body cast out into the street which caused much murmuring amongst his friends and one Creques Mechemet advanced to the Dignity of Grand Visier but he was not settled in his place before news came that the Roman Emperour had entered Hungary with an Army of Fifty Thousand Horse and Foot resolving to recover the Towns a little before take by Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania and that the Cossack with four hundred Boats were abroad in the Black Sea and had taken many vessels laden with Provision as likewise made great spoil upon the Coast To prevent which the Bassas of Buda Temeswar Bosna Canisa and Agria received Orders to joyn with the Transilvanian and several Gallies dispatched into the black Sea nor were the preparations against the Persians slackned who still marched on conquering for by this time Abassa Bassa upon the receipt of the Grand Signeours pardon had submitted himself and with the forces under his command marched towards the frontires to joyn with Hafis Achmet Bassa who made head on that side by which the suspicion of the Janizaries being removed they to the number of Thirty Thousand were mustered for the Wars and Forty thousand Spahi their rendezvous being appointed about Brussia and at the same time Biram Bassa was dispatched General of the frontires of Poland and Bugdania with Four thousand Souldiers and Orders to command all the Begs and Sanzacks to raise such forces as they could and joyn him to prevent the incursions of the Cossacks and more Gallies sent into the black Sea to transport Jean Gheray Han Prince of Tartary the year before deposed by Mechmet and to re-establish him in his Kingdom but Mechmet having notice of his arrival raised an Army of Sixty thousand Horse and drove him from the Land with the slaughter of many Turks which so inraged the Grand Signeour that as he said his honour being engaged he resolved to re-inthrone him for Mechmet was suspected of holding correspondence with the Persian to whose proceeding the Turks and Arabians had by this time put a stop but failed therein for the Captain Bassa with a great Army Landing the second time was routed two Bassas and about Five thousand Turks slain as many taken Prisoners and Twenty pieces of Cannon with much rich Furniture left to the Tartars who by that means found that they were able to deal with the Turks Things falling out thus in Tartary the Cossacks taking the advantage of the Turkish Fleets absence with Eighty Boats or small Barks entered the straights of Bosphorus where lying before Constantinople they brought a general fear upon that great City and after having plundered and razed several Towns upon the Sea Ceast they returned in Triumph unopposed which good success imboldened them with a greater number of Vessels to adventure a second time when as before they returned with a great booty the Turks not being able to prevent it About the same time the Pirates of Tunis and Argiers revolted from the Grand Signeours obedience and robbed many of his Ports in the Mediterranean taking such Ships as they found therein and setting fire to a great number of Storehouses so that the loss the Christian Merchants sustained by them in one Expedition amounted to 4 Millions of Ducates nor did they less harm by Land to such as bordered on their Country neither regarding Friends or Foes any longer then stood with their conveniency and profit being indeed Enemies to all men which intestine troubles obliged Morat to conclude a Peace with Mechmet the Tartar Prince dissembling the intentions he had to depose him laying all the fault of what had happened upon the Captain Bassa whose head had like to have gone off to have rendered his Masters story plausible such danger are those in that live under a Tyrant whose will is his Law not weighing Justice nor good deserts further then may serve his purpose Yet blood was not wanting for Huzein Bassa who sometime before fled being taken and brought to Constantinople where after in hopes to save his Life he had confessed his Treasure he was strangled Abassa Bassa notwithstanding the specious shews he made to march against the Persians linger'd greatly which gave the Janizaries a suspicion that he had contrived the matter only to draw them into his danger and then to destroy them as he had formerly purposed which opinion of theirs had turned all again into confusion had he not at that instance reconciled himself to the Grand Visier and protested that he would not hurt the Janizaries but use his Arms in defence of the Empire So that by swearing three times on the Alcoran that no violence should be done on either side all animosities vanished the Government of Arzirum being confirmed to him and he allowed a competent number of Souldiers to guard the frontires as likewise places of trust bestowed upon most of his chief Officers but upon the Janizaries putting many of his Friends to the Sword who had yielded themselves to the Grand Visier he in a rage fell into their quarter making slaughter of three or four thousand of them though not without the loss of as many of his own men but finding that the Visier had drawn up his Army in Battalia he sounded the retreat and marched to his Government and the Visier kept on his way towards Diarbecher to seek the Persian when in the mean time the Persian General treated with Abassa to deliver up the City of Arzirum to the King his Master promising in lieu thereof great rewards but
made the Grand Signeour in person intending to take the Field But ere the Army could be raised and all things gotten in a readiness the Persians were far advanced and taken many places of importance and amongst the rest Reivan a strong place Garrisoned by the Turks taken from the Persians the year before putting all they found therein to the Sword and Ransom The report of these losses arriving ere the Grand Signeour had put himself in a readiness to accompany his Army he layed aside his purpose of going in person and full of discontents remained at home to consult his own safety which was now threatned with such a storm that to shun it was not imagined a possibility in humane Providence for the Souldiers that were abroad began to express their discontents refusing to receive their pay or to be commanded by the Grand Visier for the Turks War with the Persians unwillingly there being no other cause for their invading each other then the emulation of greatness which has successively fired the Lords of those two mighty Empires Besides the Turks seldom meet in Persia with any plentiful spoils so that they are neither incited by their own freeness nor allured by the hopes of any large reward But on the contrary to the Wars of Hungary and Poland they hast as to some delightful spectacle induced thereto by a superstitious zeal as making religion a ground for their attempts and an assurance of large spoiles where the Countries abound in all manner of Plenty This danger of the Souldiers mutiny abroad reached not presently the ears of the Grand Signeour to terrifie him with the apprehensions of a double storm for he had enough to do with the Janizaries who now began to suspect another design on foot for the extirpation of their order which made them cast off all obedience and set the great City of Constantinople in an uproar which obliged the Citizens every where to provide for their safeties for the unruly Souldiers having gotten the knack of making and unmaking Emperors at their pleasure were grown to that height of insolency that they supposed the center of Government to rest in themselves and each individual man of them thought himself superior to any Officer in the Empire insomuch that they accounted the Grand Signeour but as their Steward intrusted by them with the Government and that his Life and safety wholly depended on their pleasure which he well perceiving knew no better means to render them tractable then by distributing large sums of money amongst them which nevertheless at this time much availed not for being bent on mischief they plundered the houses of several Merchants and rich Burghers killing and wounding such as resisted them and in a fury ran to the Palace demanding such Favourites as they named which being denyed they presently fell into a consultation about deposing their Emperour Nay so far proceeded that many perswaded to take away his Life as they had done his Brother Osmans but so divided were they in their Councils that they could come to no result at that time but soon after assembling it was proposed that if the Grand Signeour would make amends by some acknowledgment of his ill intents toward them and confirm their Order and Priviledges his Government he being one that was not insensible of their power might prove advantagious to them but that if his disposition rested yet undiscovered it might render the course of their Lives obnoxious to incertainties for the Grand Signeour in the beginning of his Reign not exceeding fifteen years of age expressed a natural inclination to action which wits his years increased and this had settled some good opinion of him in the unruly Souldiers whose desire is War that by plunder they may inrich themselves Though of late many of the Janizaries contrary to their first institution and the long continued course that former Emperors had obliged them to had married Wives settled themselves to Merchandize and were become both rich and effeminate In these and the like mischievous consultations many dayes were wasted nor could the Janizaries wanting their usual Confederates the Spahi who were then under the leading of the Grand Visier at Arzirum effect their purpose as they were wont which made them more cautious in their proceedings and to keep together in one strong and intire body as fearing to be destroyed by a general Massacre if they separated such a rumour whether spread by themselves to countenance them in their unlawful purposes or really intended being spread about the City and that in the room of them a new Militia should be established less chargeable and more tractable after the same method as Delavire Bassa had formerly purposed and that many were for that purpose inrolled on the Frontires especially European Horsemen that were continually in action to prevent the incursions of the Cossacks and free Heyducks who living mostly upon spoil greatly endammaged the Turks but in the end a right understanding being created between the Emperour and the Janizaries by the mediation of the great Officers of the Court a Reconciliation was made though not without a wonderful mass of money distributed amongst the latter who frequently mutiny for no other purpose then by such means to inrich themselves well knowing that the Grand Signeour has no other way to appease them then by distributing large summs of mony amongst them nor were the Soldiers abroad satisfied till they had sacrificed to their revenge the chief Treasurer of the Army the two Aga's of the Spahi's and the Chiaus Bassa of the Janizaries nor till a new Visier was sent to discharge the Old one and to lead them to the Persian War During these troubles an Ambassador from the King of Persia arrived at Constantinople with many Rich presents which caused him to have the speedier Audience and promise of an honourable Peace bur whilst the Treaty held the Cossacks driven out of Poland by King Uladislaus had siezed upon Asac a strong City of the Grand Signeours scituate upon the mouth of the River Tanais upon the declining of a Hill which they pillaged and afterward Fortified keeping possession thereof for the space of four years at what time the Turk again recovered it as also great troubles arose in Tartary upon the Tartar Hans putting to death the Bassa Musti and Cadi of Caffa for reproving him of Cowardâ—â—â— for thereupon the Grand Signeour secretly maintained Cautimeri and his faction against him who with Fire and Sword wasted his Countrey and at length passing the Niester siezed on the Countrey of Budziack near to Beliegrode and Kilea bordering on the Countrey of Moldavia on which he likewise incroached drawing a World of People after him which raised a jealousie in Vladislaus the Polonian King who doubting they would prove troublesom neighbours resolved to expell them by force of Armes but whilst he delayed the Tartar Han executed his purpose for setting upon Cautimeri with a great Army overthrew him and followed the
execution over the large Plains of Dobruc so that dispairing to appear any more formidable in the Field he fled to Constantinople where the Grand Signeour contrary to his Faith given to curry favour with Tartar Han caused him to be strangled together with his Son when not long after a Nephew of this Cautimeri killed Tartar Han as he was Hunting and by a misguiding path separated from his followers for which Treachery he was applauded at Constantinople as a man of admirable courage and upon news of Hans death caused Becher Gherey his brother to be Proclaimed King of Tartary Notwithstanding the fair Promises of Morat the Persian Ambassador was dismissed without any agreement of Articles in relation to a Peace and order given to prosecute that War with all imaginable rigor intending to go himself in person and knock at the Gates of Babylon whereupon he hung out the Horse taile a certain sign of his or the Grand Visiers taking the Field and increased the number of his Janizaries revoking a Decree he had made to the contrary commanding his Bassas upon the Christian Frontiers to give no occasion of complaint in his absence that might oblige him to retire ere he had accomplished his purpose and so with an Army of five hundred thousand Horse and Foot whereof three hundred thousand were fighting men he entered Persia about the end of May 1638. having joyned the Grand Visier with such forces as he had at Iconium and in his way overthrew a Shegh who had drawn a great number of people into Rebellion under pretence of Religion out of the Mountains of Anatolia but the Impostor escaping Morat to prevent his further attempts caused to be proclaimed that if he was not put into his hands he would destroy all the Countrey with Fire and Sword for fear of which he was discovered by those that he trusted with the knowledge of his aboad and by the Grand Signeours command flead alive and with his skin off carryed to the wheel and there broken without expressing the least sence of pain This let removed Morat passed on to oppose whose passage the Persian King took the Field with one hundred twenty thousand Horse and put 30 thousand men into Babylon with what was necessary for their subsistence but at the same time his Countrey on the other side being invaded by the great Mogul oâ— India who in favour of Morat had raised a powerful Army he did not think it convenient to give the Turks Battle but permitted them to pass the Euphrates over a Brige though not without grâ—â—t loss for the Bridge giving way under so great a weight many Men Horses and Camels perished in the Water but it being repaired the remainder of the Army attained the further Bank and in a short time came to Mosul antiently called Ninive where all the petty Princes whose Countries were near came to the Camp and tendered their Homage to the Grand Signeour bringing many rich presents and promising to become his Tributaries The Army rising from before Mosul Morat marched directly to Babylon otherwise Bagdat accounted the ancientest City in the World reported to be built by Nimrod on the Bank of the River Euphrates which he straitly besieged ordering his Batteries in three places to be raised and each Battalion to be appointed his quarter himself being attired like a private Souldier to be the less exposed to danger protesting he would never change his Cloathes unless he might do it within the Walls of Babylon and with words and gifts so incouraged the Officers and Souldiers that within three dayes the Trenches were opened himself giving Fire to the first Cannon and after that with fifty great pieces he thundered against the Walls incessantly being answered in the same Language by the Defendants who were eighty thousand fighting men four or 5 thousand of which frequently sallyed as they saw advantage making great slaughter of the Turks for the Persian had put into this important place his Souldiers of greatest courage thinking by that means to prevent its falling into the Grand Signeors hands either by their valour or protracting the time till he could be better at leasure to relieve it but notwithstanding the continual skirmishes the Turks numerous Army advanced the Trenches to the brink of the Ditches railing several redoubts to secure themselves and hinder the besieged from sallying and so effectually they wrought hat within one months space they filled up the first and second Ditches with Woolsacks Fagots and the like and then in great numbers assaulted the breaches the Cannon had made but were strenuously repulsed by the Persians who showred on them all manner of warlike instruments of death The great Visier signalizing himself above all by his undaunted courage commanding with his hand and voice was slain by a Musquet shot This fight within the breach continued for the space of five days where both parties fighting like men in despair the dead bodies lay in heaps and blood flowed like a Torrent But at length the number of Turks prevailing they under the leading of Mustapha Bassa on the 22th of December Anno Dom. 1638. entered the City and set up the Royal standard against whom notwithstanding four and twenty thousand Persians made head but quarter being offered them they readily accepted it throwing down their Armes and submitting upon the publick Faith of the Grand Signeour for their safety who contrary to his promise caused them when disarmed most barbarously to be Massacred not sparing either Man Woman or Child The taking of Babylon caused great rejoycing at Constantinople a twenty dayes Feast being thereupon proclaimed and many Ceremonies used according to the Turkish manner and the Grand Signeour having left a Garrison of thirty thousand Men in his new conquered City returned to the Port having in this Expedition lost by the Sword Famine and Pestilence one hundred thousand of his best men and himself very much afflicted with sickness Soon after his return and triumphant enterance an Ambassador arrived from Persia with proposals of Peace who being admitted to Audience and the matter afterwards referred to the Chimacam a Peace was concluded the chief Article being that Reven should remain to the Sophy and Babylon to the Grand Signeour During the Persian War the Venetians having sustained great dammage by the Pyrates of Algier and Tunis set forth a Fleet of Gallies and destroyed many of those Rovers and amongst the rest seven in the Grand Signeours Port of Valona which he highly resented but in the end was by several rich Presents pacified and the Peace renewed and soon after an Envoy extraordinary from the Emperor of Germany arrived at the Port to congratulate the Grand Signeours success in his late Persian War but not bringing such Presents as were expected he was not received with the honour due to his Character and there happening a dispute between the English Ambassador and this Envoy about precedency the Turks granted it the former being made to understand the
difference Christian Princes make between an Ambassador and an Envoy And now Morat studying on whom to turn his Arms at length concluded to invade Germany and in order thereto called him the new Grand Visier Mustapha whom he had left with a part of the Army in Persia but death frustrated his project for drinking excessively with several of his Favourites and pot Companions he fell into a Fevour whereupon his Physitians being called were fearful to administer remedies least proving unsuccessful their lives should be indangered yet at length they concluded to let him blood which haâ—â—â—â—ed his end â—he dying the 8th of February Anno Dom 1640. of his Reign the seventeen and of his Age thirty one having ruled in the height of all excess and irregular disorders his youthful years inabled him to support having murthered Orchan and Bajazet two of his Brethren and leaving himself no Issue so that Ibrahim Son of Achmat and his younger Brother preserved by strange Providence from his fury succeeded him in the Empire CHAP. XXIII The Life and Reign of Sultan Ibrahim the Twefth Emperour of the Turks MOrat being dead as is before recited Ibrahim the onely Male surviver of the Ottoman Race was taken from the Prison in which his Brother had confined him and proclaimed Emperor though Morat in his Life time had by his will bequeathed his Empire to the Tartar This new Emperor being of a soft nature suffered himself to be wholly governed by his Mother and such Ministers as were about him himself being altogether weak in his understanding So that the War intended against the Germans was by the Council of the great Visier reverted on the Cossacks yet for some reason for a while suspended the great Visier in the mean while studying to take such out of the way that might Eclipse his grandure and amongst the rest he caused the Captain Bassa the deceased Emperors Chief Favorite to be beheaded in Selistra whither he had sent him Governour for that purpose The news of Sultan Ibrahims advancement to the Throne being known to the Christian Princes few of them deferred to send Ambassadors to congratulate him on that occasion each making him large Presents as the manner is for as 't is often said in this History none may have Audience of the Turkish Emperour that comes empty handed The Grand Signeour about this time greatly addicting himself to the use of Women fell into an Apoplexy which put many in doubt of his recovery and raised the greater confusion by reason he had no Children and that it was given out by his Women with whom he had to do that he was not capable of generation therefore the Councellors consulted amongst themselves that in case he died without Issue the Son of a Sister or Neece should ascend the Throne and that in no wise the Succession should devolve to the Tartar whose right it is upon the failure of the Ottoman Male-line but he soon after recovering of his indisposition put them in some hopes though that joy was damped by the advice that came to Court of the ruine of several Important Cities on the Frontires of Persia by a terrible Earthquake Yet the Grand Signeour to show the World that he intended something gave Order to the Grand Visier to besiege Asac possessed by the Cossacks in the Reign of Morat as is aforesaid which he did both by Sea and Land and not without great loss of his best men reduced it to the Turkish obedience Anno Dom. 1641. at what time it was abandoned by the Garrison of Cossacks who despairing to hold it long departed with all their substance About the beginning of the following year the doubt of the Grand Signeours improcreation vanished for one of his Sultanesses brought forth a Son who was named Mahomet which replenished the Turkish Empire with joy which Prince now sways the Ottoman Scepter during the Triumphs for the birth of the young Prince the Persian King by his Ambassador renewed his League with the Sultan which was performed upon an additional Article that the Sophy would demolish the Fortress of Fortrina which he had built contrary to Articles on the Frontires not far from the Caspian Sea which that it might assuredly be performed a Capugibathee was dispatched to see it effected after which a considerable body of Turks gathering together in Hungary endeavoured to surprize â—ab a strong Garrison on the frontires in this manner viz. one hundred men being trussed up in Carts and covered with Hay and Straw in the habit of Peasants who getting enterance were to leap out and surprize the Centinels that guarded the Gate at what time four thousand Turks for that purpose layed in Ambush were to enter and possess themselves of the place but this Treachery succeeded not the Ambuscado being discovered by an Officer of the Garrison that was abroad he made it known to the Guards who notwithstanding permitted the Carts to enter and then drew up the Bridge and unloaded the Carts which rendred it apparent the intended Treachery in time of Peace of which the Emperour sent and Ambassador to Constantinople but the Turks being ashamed of what had happened especially of their evil success would not admit the Ambassador to his Audience unless the Emperor would first agree to pay a yearly charge of one hundred thousand Rix-Dollars to the Port not by way of Tribute but of Present in which unreasonable demand they took more confidence for that they well perceived the Emperour was intangled in his Wars with Sweden the Christians dissension being ever advantagious to the Turks To these dishonorable demands the Emperour would in no wise condescend supposing it less perilous to venture a War in Hungary then to comply with propositions so derogatory to the Majesty of his Câ—saâ—ean greatness Ibrahim addicting himself to the Company of Women then in which he seemed in nothing more to delight spent more Treasure in the sift Wars of Venus than his Predecessor had done in his Persian Expedition and so laboured he therein that Anno Dom. 1643. he had two other Sons born which absolutely took away the reproach of his frigidity and impotency proving afterward the most Lascivious and devoted Sultan that ever aspired to the Mahometan paradise where the Company of fair Women is the chiefest felicity promised Yet that he might not be forgot abroad he sent out his Fleet of Gallies under the command of his Captain Bassa who after much Treasure spent without effecting any thing except strangling the Bassa of Cyprus for his store of Wealth he returned About this time a great Plague raging at Alexandria about six thousand slaves found means to escape and carry with them several Vessels that rode at Anchor in the road in which they conveyed themselves to Candia and Malta and from thence many of them found means to depart to their respective Countries of which the Grand Signeour having notice sent to the Signory of Venice to command their redelivery which not
being performed afterwards occasioned the loss of Candia as shall in the Reign of Mahomet the fourth be discoursed of more at large Now the year 1644. beginning Rogotskie Prince of Transylvania who succeeded Gabor in that Principality being of a turbulent nature he so wrought with the discontented Hungarians and Austrians that he caused them to Rebel to whom he joyning his Forces drew after him fifty thousand Horse and Foot with which he took Solnock besieged Filek and Cassovia for suppressing of whom the Emperor caused his Troops to advance who in divers skirmishes worsted the Rebels and overthrew six thousand Turks who were coming to the assistance of Rogotski but at length both parties tired with the toiles of War on the 14th of August in the following year a Peace was concluded and soon after the Grand Signeors Mother ruling all in effect caused the Grand Visier to be put to death thereby to render her Authority more dreadful to the rest and caused her Son to appoint Mahomet Bassa of Damascus Grand Visier in his stead who was altogether at her devotion as being first promoted to the Bassa-ship of Damascus at her instant sute to her Son Morat Predecessor to this Emperor Whilst these matters were in agitation the Tartars forgetful of their late Peace made an incursion with thirty thousand men into Russia against whom Konispolski having made head with twenty thousand Horse and Foot defeated them killing twelve thousand and taking three thousand Prisoners pursuing the remainder to the Borders of Valachia in like manner Wisnowick a noble Polander happily encountering another party of Tartars as they were returning from the spoil of a part of Moscovia killed ten thousand of them and recovered a great booty sending the rest naked into their own Countrey The Polonians thus prevailing the Grand Signeour to curry favour with the Polonian King deposed the Tartar Han from his soveraignty which caused various discourses but upon the birth of the Grand Signeours fourth Son that wonder ceased nor was that all which changed the scene of admiration for about this time six Gallies of the Turks passing from Constantinople to Alexandria were taken by the Knights of Malta which greatly incensed the Grand Signeour against the Venetians who had it in charge according to the League concluded between that Signory and the Port to guard those Seas insomuch that under Pretence of destroying the Island of Malta this and former grievances induced the Grand Signeour to make great preparation for the Invasion of Candia formerly called Grete yet the Venetian Balio or Ambassador was caressed at such a rate as he suspected no such Treachery but the state growing jealous upon notice of the great Naval preparation provided cautiously for the safety of their Island During these preparations the Grand Signeor followed his Lascivious courses keeping his female Court in such splendor that his greatest Treasure was spent therein nor was all the Silks of Italy sufficient to suffice his Women but upon the false rumour that the design was against the Maltesians they were not idle but in the best manner Fortified their chief places of strength yet in the end the storm fell not there but upon Candia for the Fleet of a hundred Gallies and fifty great Ships with three hundered Saicks most of the latter being pressed for the transportation of Souldiers being arrived at Scio after refreshment of the Army consisting of seven thousand Janizaries fourteen thousand Spahies fifty thousand Timariots three thousand Pioners besides Cooks Bakers and other necessary followers set sail for Napoli Di Romagnia and having stayed there some time weighed Anchor and touching at divers Islands some belonging to the Venetians and others not they at length came to Candia having taken a Venetian Vessel laden with Ammunition and bound for Retimo by the way where no longer being able to hide their intentions they unmasked themselves by publishing the War both there and at Constantinople the latter of which was attended with the imprisonment of the Balio or Venetian Ambassador and giving order through all the Archipelago for the enslaving and destroying all the subjects of that Republick and here the Turk practised his usual beginning of War with more then ordinary caution for though with other Princes whose Territories border on him by Land he usually endeavours to strike at the same time when he gives the salutation of Peace Yet here being to contend at Sea where he was conscious his forces were inferiour to those of Venice he practised by a different method making many vows and protestations that no such thing was intended till he had safely Landed his Forces yet were not the Venetians so easie of belief but that they likewise Armed thirty Gallies seventeen English and Dutch Ships two Galliasses and several other Vessels of force raising a great power by Land to transport into that important Island imploring the assistance of divers Christian Princes who were not backward to their said sending their Fleet to Sea under the Command of Antonio Capello Francisco Molino being made Proveditor General whose good conduct in affairs caused him to be made Proveditor General and afterwards Duke of Venice and an express sent to Andree Cornaro Inquisitor in Candia to Arm out twenty Gallies from the Arsenal of Canea and to promote this design the better two English an one Dutch Ship then in the Port of Mallomocco were hired to carry Timber fitted and already squared for the compleating the said number of Gallies and Francisco Erizzo was appointed General of all the Naval Forces but he being stricken in years whilst he intended to crown the remainder of his dayes with glory was taken off by death leaving sufficiently graced with the memory of his past actions yet the Fleet was no ways obstructed but with a prosperous gale sailed to Corfu and from thence to Candia where the Turks were arrived before them and had landed without opposition occasioned by the difference that antient Remora amongst the Christian Princes Confederates with the Venetians about bearing the flag which was vigorously contended for by the Genoways and Florentines nor could it be reconciled though the Pope earnestly laboured therein advising them for the deciding the controversie at a time when the urgency admitted of no delay to wave Ceremonies yet ere they could come to the assistance of the Venetians the Turks had spoiled a great part of the Island and after divers skirmishes with much blood and slaughter took Canea the second City of importance and after that Retimo in defence of which Andrea Cornaro lost his Life by a Musquet shot Anno 1646. The opportunity was fair for destroying the Turks Fleet as it carelesly rod at Anchor near the Isle of Theodoro opposite to Canea where had the advantage been improved it might easily have been burnt but such was the contention amongst the Christian Commanders that nothing was attempted worthy of mention whereupon Molino General of the Venetian Land Forces was revoked
Turk Serniswar the Imperials not so much as vouchsafing to relieve it which so afflicted the Noble Mind of the Count Serini that growing Melancholly to divert himself he often used Hunting when one day Chasing a Bore whom he wounded in several places the furious Beast turned upon him and with his Tusk struck him on the Knee which made him fall to the ground when before he could recover himself with a second stroke he was mortally wounded in the head and soon after dyed in the Armes of one of his Pages This was the end of this valiant Captain whom his Enemies could never subdue to the great grief of all worthy Christians and the joy of the Turks whose Mortal Enemy he was a man in dangers most couragious in War valiant and patient in labour in peace courteous and moderate in his pleasure and in fine he was accomplished with all those vertues that renders a man compleat After the death of this Count the Peace between the Empires was concluded when as the Grand Seigniour being at leasure plotted the destruction of his Brothers but at the perswasion of the Muphti altered his Resolution About this time the Grand Visier indeavoured to depose the Tartar Han and place his Son in his stead but the young Tartar though barbarous would not consent thereto but sent his Father secret notice what was intended against him which so inraged the Tartar that he used his utmost indeavour at the Ottoman Court to overthrow the Visier and promote another to that Office in order to which he dealt with the Bassa of Buda promising him his utmost interest at the Port to make him great Visier by which though contrary to his wish he destroyed him for the Visier having notice of what had passed obtained a private Commission from the Grand Seigniour by which he Summoned the Bassa to appear before him when immediately without any process proof or accusation caused his Head to be stricken off Anno Dom. 1665. The Genoese sent the Marquess Durazzo as their Envoy Extraordinary to the Ottoman Court where by gifts and other means he so effectually wrote with the Grand Visier that a peace insued between the Grand Seigniour and that Republick the which was the rather accorded to that the War against Candia might be the better carryed on on which the Turks seemed absolutely bent in order to the Equiping of Gallies and other things necessary the Grand Seigniour came from Adrinople to Constantinople but before his arrival great part of the Seraglio was burnt to the ground fired by some of the women to prevent the discovery of their stealing divers Jewels that garnished the Royal Cradle and upon his arrival he desired of the Earl of Winchelsea Fifteen Sail of English Men of War with the consent of His Majesty of Great Brittain but the Earl excused it saying that though his Majesty of England did always entertain a good affection and zealous disposition towards the affairs of the Ottoman Port yet at present the Wars with Holland and ill understanding with France made his occasions for his own Shipping more urgent then usual and the time most unseasonable to press his Majesty in that particular whereupon the Grand Visier gave order for the building Sixty Gallies against the Spring at what time a great Fleet was in a readyness several English French and Dutch Merchant Men who were at that time found in the prots of Aleppo Smyrna and Alexandria being pressed for the service These proceedings greatly alarumed the Venetians insomuch that they delayed nothing that was requisite for the defence of their important City of Candia the which who ever holds commands the rest of the Island whereupon the Marquess Ghiron Franciseo Villa a brave Souldier was entertained as General of Foot and a Sallary of twelve thousand Crowns per Annum alowed him with a large Commission not to be subject to any command but that of the Captain Generals who with a great train arriving at Venice made an Oration to the people wherein he incouraged them to the utmost to fight against the enemies of their Country and Religion with wearyness and chearfully to provide all necessaries for so honourable a War whereupon they fitted their Fleet with all things necessary and strengthened their Forts both with Horse and Foot drawn out of their Garrisons on the Terra Firma being assisted with Men and Money from other Princes and States The Pope gave them permissions to levy four thousand men out of his Countries the Emperor likewise notwithstanding the peace furnished them with considerable Forces to which were additions made from other parts of Germany and indeed from many of the Christian Princes who were grieved to see an Infidel incroach yet farther into Europe but above all the French King contributed largely though at the same time he sent Mounsier d' Vently his Ambassador to the Port who as the former received many affronts during his residence there The Captain of the Ship that brought him thither likewise was ordered by the Grand Seignior to be Executed for too rudely pressing into his presence which Sentence had been put in Execution had not the Bostangi Bassa interceeded for him yet he nevertheless was imprisoned and put in chains nor could the Ambassador without a great Sum procure his Liberty nor at his Audiences had of the Grand Seignior and Grand Visiâ—r was he received with such respect as became his Character yet he made the best on it boasting to the other Christians Ministers of the ample satisfaction he had received both for his own affronts and the affronts put upon his Predecessors Whilst these things passed the Marquess d' Villa passed into Dalmatia to take a view of the Forts and strong places on that side as fearing whilst the Turks gave out for Candia they might suddenly turn their Forces upon that Frontier Territory of the Venetians but having given such necessary orders as he thought requisite and being certified from Count Lisle the Emperors Ambassador at Constantinople that the Grand Visier early in the Spring would with a puissant Army land on the Island he set over with such Forces as he had to joyn those already there About the beginning of the Year 1666. great troubles had like to have risen in the Ottoman Empire occasioned by one Sabatai Seni a Jew born at Smyrna who impiously pretending himself to be the Messia drew after him a multitude of that unhappy nation declaring that he came to restore them to their temporal Kingdom and to gather the scattered tribes filling their heads with prophesies dreams and false delusions that they every where credited him and laying aside all business prepared for their march to Jerusalem once more to possess the Land of Promise and raise a Glorious Monarchy above what ever their Ancestors could pretend too and to that purpose made themselves Garments according to the Levitical Ordinance several of them affirming that they had seen Elias and that he had expresly
two Chests of Sweet-Meats a piece and about each of their necks a Sattin Vest for the Muliter after them went several men carrying Pots of Sherbet or Water and Sugar boiled which the Turks for the most part drink next a Hundred men carrying Vests of Silk Sattin Velvit and Cloath of Gold then five Horses laden with rich Furniture followed by men bearing Cloath of Gold Vests with sable Loops richer than the former for the Loops and Buttons were imbroidered with rich Pearl and on the top of each were a Rubie Diamond or Saphier These likewise carryed Shoos Boots and Pattens for the Bagneo all covered with Pearl as likewise two dressing Boxes with Chrystal Glasses and a Cap in form of a Crown a little Cabinet imbroidered all over with Pearl Eight Girdles set with Emraulds Rubies and Diamonds a large Diamond Ring a pair of Pendants of two great Emraulds with many other things of value These Presents sent by the Bride-groom the Grand Signiour as his Daughters Dowry according to the custom of the Eastern Countreys ushered with a Caval-Cade of all the Grandees sent to the Bridegrooms-house two Gardens made of Sugar Forty little Nachils Eighty Six Mules laden with rich Furniture for a House Ten Men with dressings as Boots Shoes c. Imbroidered with Pearl and pretious Stones after them were carryed the Jewels set on Girdles Bracelets and the like then came Twelve Coaches laden with Slaves and Thirty Six Black Eunuchs these were succeeded by a Cavalcade in which was the Bride riding in a Coach covered with Plates of Silver and drawn by six Horses the sides adorned with Golden streams before which went the chief Eunuch of the Women after followed four Coaches with six Horses a piece each carrying two Eunuchs some distance from them came the Brides Mother in a Coach covered with Plates of Silver attended by Ten other Coaches the night following the Bride was conducted to the Nuptial Chamber in Ceremony only as not being yet ripe for consummation of Marriage though in England of late the Virgins think themselves wronged to stay to her Age unmarried The Ceremony thus performed great was the rejoycing demonstrated by Fire-works Shews and sounding of Musical Instruments After which the Grand Signiour on some private considerations though to the wonder of the whole Court removed the great Treasurer to the Bassa-ship of Grand Cairo and appointed the Efendi or Judge-Advocate of the Janizaries to succeed him in the Office of Treasurer and now the publick Treasury by the late Wars and costly Ceremonies being almost emptied divers ways were used to recrute it with Money some was procured by the Sale of great places from which those that would not largely contribute were thrust and some again extorted from the poorer sort whilst to save charges the Sedentary Millitia was abridged in their pensions and some utterly cast off so that in a while a great mass of Money was heaped together and Forces sent to the Frontires of Poland About this time the Republique of Genoa's resident at Constantinople for want of that due Income that was expected to accrue by Trade contracting large Debts and having several debts contracted by his Predecessors deceased contracted likewise with the Turks of Constantinople a great Man of War that brought him thither upon the Republique refusing to pay was seized and layed up in the Arsenal nor could a release be procured till Thirty Three Thousand Dollars part of the contracted Debt was payed and secured which so discouraged the Genoways that it has ever since damped their Trade in the Ottoman Dominions and now the Grand Signeour moved by chief Customer resident at Smyrna casting his Eye upon that Scale of Trade brought him in great Revenues by way of Custom the better to beautifie it and restore its antient Lustre built a Basasteen or Exchange as likewise a Custom-House Erected on Piles in the Sea sending his absolute Decree that all Merchants Ships should there unlade and make due enteries which greatly perplexed the Merchants who before were wont to land their Goods on their own Keys but in vain was their complaints for the Grand Signiour would not admit of any reversal but by his Ralya declared that rather than he would be disobeyed in his own Dominions he would blow up the Port and Town upon which answer the Merchants despairing of success were content to unlade their Ships at the Custom-House or there to make a true Entery of the Goods in their Boats for the Customer being sensible that there was not water enough for the Ships to ride at the Key was content to dispense with divers matters that the Innovation might sit more easie on the Merchants Things being at this pass the Grand Signior after sixteen years absence from Constantinople which had rendered that City almost dispeopled returned thither to the great Joy of the Constantinopolitans and frequently took his pleasure on the River in his Barge or on the Bosphorus in his Galley strictly commanding that no Christian Minister should be suffered to dwell upon the Banks of the latter a prohibition never before made by any of his Predecessors when soon after his arrival the Captain Bassa dyed and Zayd Ahmet Bassa Ogli succeeded him and soon after Ibrahim Bassa General of the Forees on the Borders of Poland dyed nor was the great Visier far from the Brink of the Grave by reason of his immoderate drinking of Wine and Strong-Waters which made him incident to the Dropsie and Jaundice The new Bassa of Cairo by this time having entered on his Office used great diligence to settle the Revenues of that Kingdom hoping thereby to please the Grand Signior of whose favour since his removal from Treasurer he stood doubtful but so severe he was in his Exaction that the Egyptians not accustomed to be so used complained of his rigour to the Begs or great Lords of Egypt who though they receive the Turkish Bassas pay Tribute and own them their chief Governours yet are They in themselves Absolute Lords in their respective Provinces for that Kingdom is rather an Aristocracy than a Monarchy These great Men much displeased at the proceeding of the Bassa which tended to Tyranny and Oppression took up Arms and drew after them a great multitude with which they assaulted the Bassa's palace entered it and dragging him thence cast him into Prison which news flying with all haste to the Ottoman Court filled all with fear and confusion upon apprehension that Egypt was revolted but a while after the truth of the matter being rightly understood the Grand Signior with all speed sent a new Bassa with gentle Letters to pacifie the Begs and restore things to their former tranquility promising that restitution should be made for all injuries sustained which message of Grace and Favour made all former discontents vanish and restored a right understanding insomuch that the imprisoned Bassa was set at Liberty and shipped to Candia where the Grand Signiour had appointed him
Officers intimated to Sir John Finch His Majesty of Great Britains Embassador that he might if he pleased receive Audience of the Visier but upon notice what had happened to the French Embassador he excused his going on pretence of an indisposition of body But however Venetian Dutch and Genoan Residents were content the better to curry favour with the Visier to be admitted to Audience on those terms which the Visier would vouchsafe to allow them for though during the time he was Chimacam as is aforesaid he was meek and humble yet being placed in the highest dignity next the Sultan the unexpected Exaltation made him so far forget himself that his pride knew no bounds These things happening and no hopes of accomodation with Poles who by this time had Elected Sobieski for their King great preparations were made for the carrying on that War The Tartar Han in order thereto receiving express command to take the Field which early in the Spring he did and entering Lithuania committed many outrages but being incountered by Sixteen Thousand Poles and Cossacks his Army was put to the rout and in great confusion obliged to repass the Neister leaving behind him all the booty which consisted mostly of People and Cattle during which the Bassa of Kemenitz with a great Body of Horse made an Inroad even to the Walls of Leopolis which caused the King to send his Queen and Children to Cracow resolving to give the Turks Battle and in order to strengthning his Forces summoned all the Polish Nobility to repair to his Standard putting himself and such Troops as he had between the City and the Enemy the better to alienate the fears of the people who upon the approach of the Turks who burnt up all before them had fled and left the City desolate had not the Gates been closed upon them The Turks perceiving the great preparations that were making against them thought fit with such booty as they had gotten to retire into Vckrania but in their retreat were charged by the King with such bravery that Seven Thousand of them were killed and a great number of Captives rescued to their unspeakable joy They finding the Turks were resolutely bent to carry on the War and that the Kingdom was greatly weakned by the Provinces they had already rent from it the better to strengthen himself by Alliance by the Advice of the Senate sent his Embassador to the Court of the Czar of Moscovy to solicite Aid against the common Enemy who upon his arrival was received with great expression of Joy and due Ceremony being dayly heightened with fair promises to expect great matters but in the end nothing worth mention came on it yet it so wrought upon the Turks that for the better preservation of what they had already required the Visier began to be intent on peace but his propositions were so unreasonable that the Poles generously refused them and early in the Spring prepared to take the Field with a puissant Army yet could not so soon draw them together but that the Tartars living on the Frontires joyning with some revolted Cossacks committed divers out-rages burning about Two Hundred Villages carrying away a great number of Christians into miserable captivity whilst Podolia groaned under the oppression of the Turks who now turned their clemency into rigour killing and carrying away great numbers of these distressed people burning their Houses and robbing them of the small matter they had left in such a manner that that fruitful Countrey was layd almost desolate to oppose which Torrent the King drew out his Forces and by fair promises and large gifts procured Threâ— Thousand Cossacks to joyn him when passing thâ— Neister and falling upon the Straglers as they at pleasure were ravaging the Countrey expecting no such matter and killed Five Thousand amongst whom fell One Bassa and Two Sanziacks but upon notice the Tartars in great number was entered the heart of Poland leaving some of his Troops under the Command of Witnowitzki his Lieutenant General he posted to oppose them but upon notice they were Forty Thousand lead by Expert Turkish Commanders he drew near to Leopolis to encourage that City which otherwise terrified at the approach of so great an Army might have been deserted when finding the Tartars made divers halts having put a Garrison into the City and given such necessary orders as he thought convenient he marched towards them and having notice by his Scouts that they approached he commanded his Army to extend large in Front and the Wings of Horse to lie off that they might seem more in number than they were he resolutely descended from a small Hill into the Plain and after having thrice proclaimed the Name of Jesus at the Head of his Troop fell like an unexpected Tempest upon the Infidels insomuch that the Front of their Army was overthrown before the Rear could come up to their assistance which putting them into a great confusion when perceiving the reserves advance to charge them in the flank and supposing the whole power of the Kingdom at hand by reason of great shout from the Hills made by the Rustick set there for that purpose they first gave back and in the end betook themselves to plain flight casting away many of their Arms and Baggage to make the swifter retreat upon whom the Polonian Horsemen followed hard making great slaughter of them for the space of Twelve Miles but night coming on to prevent the pursuers from falling into any ambush that might for that purpose be layed the King caused the retreat to be sounded and returning to the City Victorious he was received with all expressions of joy and the next day commanded a publick Thanksgiving for the Victory so miraculously obtained In this Battle Ninety Thousand Tartars Turks Moldavians and Valachians were slain Seven Hundred taken Prisoners and a great booty recovered of the Poles fell only Seven Hundred their whole Force not exceeding Six Thousand The reasons were gathered from some of the Prisoners why the Tartars c. were so suddenly discouraged were two first for that about ten in the Morning of the same day making a Halt abundance of Snow and Hail fell upon their Army and round about them none was seen to fall which they took as a bad Omen Secondly that when they perceived the large Front of the Polish Army which extended near a Mile they verily believed it to be the fore-runner of the Forces of the whole Kingdom which they had heard were in Arms and therefore having so far advanced into the Countrey and left many Enemies at their backs they feared to be inclosed which occasioned their hasty and disorderly retreat These reiterated Losses and the desire the Grand Signior had to possess himself of the rest of Hungary whose divisions gave him a prospect of reducing it to his Obedience made him more willingly hearken to the proposals of the Polish Embassador so that in the end upon much the same Articles as those
that had before been broke the Tribute accepted a peace was concluded in which the Moscovite would fain have been included but he failing to help his Neighbour Prince in his greatest Extremity was thought unworthy both by the Poles and Turks insomuch that soon after divisions arising amongst the Bowyers and great Men of that Dukedom the Tartars taking the opportunity thereof over-run a great part of the Countrey carrying away all that came to hand but another party soon after attempting the like were fought with and most of them cut off or drowned in repassing the Borysthenes About this time the differences between the Visier and the French Embassador greatly encreased notwithstanding the mediation of divers Christian Ministers then residing at the Port. The one Insisting to take his place during his Audience on the Saffora and the other as obstinately refusing to permit discontented that the Honour of his Master should be so much impaired yet in hopes of a better treatment he once more resolved to attend his Audience being introduced the Chair was brought and set at the Foot of the Saffora the which while he was with his own hands about to remove the Visiers Servants hindred him wherefore in a rage he took up the Cushion and flung it over his head which happened to fall upon the Great Visier who grievously resenting the Affront caused him head and Shoulders to be thrust out of the Audience-Chamber whereupon the rude Officers without respect to his Character or the Law of Nations which renders the Person of an Embassador Sacred and Inviolable so roughly handled him that he kept his Chamber for several days These are the most remarkable occurrences that have happened since the beginning of this Emperors Reign over the Eastern Empire till 1680 the relation of which I have partly received from Authors of undoubted Credit and Reputation and partly asserted of my own knowledg many of the Transactions of this Emperors Reign happening during my abode in those Countries But to proceed Anno 1680. the Grand Seignior arriving at Adrinople about the middle of December and being recovered of an Ague that had sometime afflicted him he commanded his Visier Bassa to draw his Forces together from all parts of his Empire causing the horses tail to be hung out which is a certain sign that the Grand Seignior or Grand Visier intends to take the Field and in order to defray the charges great sums of Money were every where exacted the Grand Visier labouring more earnestly therein that he might again recover the Grand Seigniors favour from which he was fallen with these Forces he intended to invade Muscovy early in the Spring and to prosecute that War till he had compelled the Czar to submit to such terms of peace as he himself should propose and at the same time dispatched Achians to the Emperor of Germany to treat on the behalf of the Hungarian Male-contents whom he declared he must take into his protection if their proposals for liberty of Conscience was by the Imperial Diet then sitting at Ratisbon rejected and soon after him followed the Bishop of Sebestini the Count D' Petrozi and two or three others of less note Deputed by the Hungarians to treat about the same matter but their demands seeming unreasonable they were dismissed without the satisfaction they expected About this time Muley Hamet Nephew to Muley Ismale King of Morocco and Fess assisted by a number of Renegado Turks and Moors mustered his Army near Suz and advanced to give his Uncle battle but near Morocco many of his followers deserting him and his horsemen in which his chief strength consisted being overthrown near to Alarach he fled to Tunis and was there received into protection by the Governour from whence he sent divers of his Favourites and followers to Constantinople to pray the Grand Seigniors aid against his Uncle who as he alledged unjustly detained those Kingdoms but he being a Prince of no Fortune and less power he nothing prevailed therein yet his Rebellion proved advantagious to the Garrison of Tangier the Moors being thereby diverted whilst the English rebuilt many of their Forts ruined a few months before and were disincumbered of those troublesome neighbours who had so long beleagured them nay more in the end it occasioned a firm and lasting peace The French Merchants Trading in the Levant having sustained great dammage by the Pirates of Tripoly and amongst other Vessels the Saâ—ta Sophia laden at Alicant with Saâ—t and Spanish Wool oâ—â—er way to Venice a great brigantine bound for Messina and a Petach of Ragus c. to revenge that injury and reduce those Turkish Pirates to obedience several Ships and Gallies were fitted out at Marselles under the command of the Barron of Quesne who coming before the Port of Tripâ—ly sent his Boat on shoar and in it several Officers in the Name of the most Christian King to demand Restitution for the dammages sustained by the French Merchants but receiving no other answer then that of the Cannon from the Castles that guard the Port he caused the boat to be haled back and with many broad sides fired upon the Town but by reason of the distance did no considerable dammage but whilst he was cruzing he had notice that seven Tripolean Men of War rid at Anchor in the Port of Scio or Chios an Island belonging to the Grand Signior whereupon he stood away from the Coast of Barbary and sailed thither upon whose approach the Turks slipped their Anchors and snugged close under the Castle where notwithstanding they were miserably torn by the shot from the French Gallies which their Admiral perceiving put out a Flag of Truce and offered to deliver without ransom all the French slaves that were on board with two prizes he had lately taken but the Barron would not hearken to these offers well knowing they could not escape him yet not thinking it safe to venture too near the shoar he blocked them up and sent to Tripoly to let the Governour understand what danger their Ships were in and that nothing could deliver them out of his hands but satisfaction for the wrongs sustained and a delivery of all the French Captives ransom free and immediately to conclude a peace but receiving no satisfactory answer he resolutely entered the Port with his Gallies and after having beaten down a great part of the Castle and demolished many stately Edifices he sunk two of the Ships took one and fired the rest in which Action he lost but Thirty of his Men but of the Turks there perished Eight Hundred This News made known to the Grand Visier he instantly sent for the French Ambassador residing at Constantinople and after having rated him and severely threatned him with death unless reparation was speedily made for the dammage sustained in the Grand Seigniors Port he caused him to be confined imprisoning likewise many of his servants nor could he obtain his Release till he had purchased his peace at the price
of Three Hundred Purses of Money each Purse being accounted Five Hundred Dollars yet the loss of these Ships wrought such effects that the Tripoles soon after concluded a peace with the French Matters being at this pass and the troubles increasing in Hungary Count Teckely still opposing himself against the Emperors Interest and useing his utmost endeavours at the Port to have himself proclaimed Prince of Transylvania the Emperor thought good to send an Ambassador to the Grand Seignior to put him in mind of the league between the two Empires desiring that it might be kept inviolable not any ways infringed by his giving countenance to his Rebels in Hungary which Ambassador upon his arrival had his Audience of the Grand Visier and a promise made him that a strict command should be sent to all his Beglerbegs and Sanzacks on the frontiers not upon pain of losing their heads to aid or countenance the Male-contents and being afterwards with the Grand Visier he assured him that the Grand Seigniors resolution should be maintained that thereby the peace and friendship Established between the two Empires might continue yet these specious pretences were to no other end intended then to protract time to make their own terms with the Rebels for soon after without the least provocation the Tables were turned and not only assisted them with all manner of Warlike provision but with Men and Money in consideration of several Towns to be put into their hands when taken They likewise made great preparations at Belgrade and Buda under pretence of deposing Abafti Prince of Transylvania and causing divers Janizaries to be attired like Hungarians and to serve Count Teckely as his guard The Turkish Pyrates of Argiers having broke the peace sometime since made with his Majesty of Great Brittain and taken several English Vessels and amongst others these by name viz. the Anne of London the John of Exeter the Thamar of Colchester the Post-horse of London the Rosemary of Yarmouth the William of London the amity of Plymouth the Fortune of London the Vnity of Barnstable and the Mary Land Merchant which last fought two Algerine Men of War almost one whole day but at last taking fire she together with most of her men perished To curb their insolency the Vice-Admiral Herbert with the Squadron of his Majesties Frigates under his command was appointed to cruze in those straights who with such success happened on those roving thieves that within the space of two years he took and destroyed forty of their Ships recovering a great number of Christian Captives and brought those Pyrates so low that not only they but those of Tripole and Sally were obliged to truckle and receive such terms of peace as the Victor would allow Amongst the many ingagements that happened during the space aforesaid this is remarkable on the 8th of April 1681. Captain Booth in the Adventure Frigate cruzing to the Leward got sight of a great Turks Man of War with a prize which she towed at her Stern the which upon a more full discovery proved to be the Golden Horse of Argiers mounted with upwards of Forty Guns and Five Hundred and Eight Men commanded by one Morat Raiza a Dutch Renegado with which about Ten in the Morning near Cape de Gal he began a sharp fight which continued till about Three in the Afternoon when the Algerine having her Main Mast shot by the Board and her Captains Thigh broken with a Musket Bullet the Turks were about to yield but seeing a fresh Ship with Turkish Colours which afterwards proved to be his Majesties Frigate the none-such Captain Wheeler Commander they took new courage and continued the fight with extraordinary Resolution till night at what time the Algerine had One Hundred and Twenty of her men wounded and near as many killed all her Masts shot by the Board and five or six foot deep of water in the Hold Captain Booth having likewise all his rigging cut in pieces and every thing out of order and apprehensive of ingaging in that condition with the said fresh Ship which he supposed to be an Enemy commanded the Calabash Fire-ship then attending him least the prize should escape to burn which of them she could most conveniently grapple which had been put in Execution had not the Fireships Boat been in the night time accidentally staved next Morning by break of day Captain Wheeler came up and being within half culvering shot put out the English Colours and bearing directly upon the Algerine siezed her without firing a Gun By this action thirty seven English Captives were redeemed and of Dutch and Spaniards One Hundred and Thirteen The Muscovite by this time beginning to dread the Tempest of War that was ready to fall upon him and not able of himself to resist such a power as the Grand Seignior had raised by reason of intestine troubles and despairing to be aided by the Polonians whom he had some years before deserted in their greatest necessity he thought it the safest to conclude a peace which by Presents and many intreaties he procured to be ratified for the space of twenty years It being the rather consented to by the Grand Seignior that he might be at leisure to turn his Armes upon Hungary in which so many of his Predecessors have been foiled Leopold the Emperor finding by experience that he had given too much credit to the Faithless Turks and it was but too apparent that they aided his Rebels He thought it convenient to call a Diet at Odenburg there to indeavour a Reconciliation and put an end to the intestine troubles which the Hungarian Nobility likewise urged and requested him to be present in the like Royal Robes as the Kings of Hungary were wont to apparel themselves in but he not consenting thereto after some debate and many particulars offered the Assembly broke up without concluding any thing whereupon Count Tecke'y siezed on several Garrisons on the Banks of the Waga and sent to the Bassa of Buda to hasten the Forces he had in a readiness for that he would have no peace with the Emperor unless his own proposals were granted upon receipt of which Letter Seventeen Thousand Turks passed the Danubius and made great spoil burning and destroying all the Villages for the space of Fourteen Miles till Teckely moved with the cryes of the poor Country people who fled like Sheep before them he sent an express to the Bassa that commanded them to restrain them from spoiling the Countries The news of these proceedings greatly troubled the Emperor then infested with the French who incamped upon the Rhine and had seized upon Strasburg a free City of the Empire yet like a prudent Prince he used many perswasions to reduce the Rebels to their former obedience publishing his declaration wherein he promised them all convenient liberty for the exercise of their Religion and that they should have a Palatine a native of Hungary offering likewise a general pardon for all that had passed but
nevertheless obliged to kiss the Hand that beat him Their Imploys are different in time of Peace for some wait upon Ambassadors others upon Merchants and Consuls others again upon such as travel through the Turkish Empire They likewise arrest Malefactors and see good Order kept being feared of all Men insomuch that if they buy any thing they will have it at their own Price the Vender not daring to refuse it They have great Power in their Princes Election no Emperour thinking himself safe in his Throne till they approve of him So that to gain their good Opinion every new Emperour at his entring upon the Government distributes large Sums of Money amongst them and increases their Stipends Though the chief Strength of the Turkish Foot Forces rests in the Janizaries yet are there another sort of Foot-Men called Acouices which is a Forlorn Hope These receive no Pay but have free liberty to plunder so that they deliver the fifth Part to the Grand Seigniour Another kind there are called Asapi who are but of small Account and rather used as Pioneers than to encounter the Enemy yet are they often thrust into the Front of the Battle with their Bodies to blunt the Enemies Swords or to scale the Walls of Towns that by being slaughter'd their Dead Bodies may fill up the Ditches and so give the Janizaries opportunity on their Dead Carkasses to mount the Bullwarks The Grand Seignior keeps in continual Pay six thousand Gunners whom the Turks call Topegi and for the Guard of the Powder and Shot upon the March of the Army twelve thousand Men are kept in pay called Jebegi The Grand Seignior hath likewise certain Officers attending on him to the number of three thousand whom they call Chiaus which act in the Nature of Serjeants at Arms. These Men are well esteemed and are often employed in Embassies to Forreign Princes They also carry Letters or Commendations from the Grand Seignior or his Chief Vizier and are impower'd to apprehend Malefactors But never go to the Wars unless the Grand Seignior be there in Person They are commanded by a Chiaus Bassa who is of such Credit with all Men that when he is sent by the Grand Seignior to any Bassa Sanzack or Caddi to have any Man's Head cut off though he have no Warrant in writing yet his Authority is not disputed Thus have I set down the Land Forces of the Turkish Empire in number so great that in shew they should breed Confusion and ruin themselves yet such is the Order and Discipline that in that point they give place to none They live for the most part on a little Bread baked in the Ashes with Rice and Powder of Flesh dried in the Sun Wine is forbidden them by their Law though 't is often drunk by them in private especially the Great Commanders No Women are seen in their Armies In their March they observe a wonderful Silence and all the Soldiers are governed by the Beck of the Hand or Shew of the Countenance Quarrels and Thefts are severely punished When they March they dare not enter any Corn-field or Vineyard The Valiant are assured of Preferment and the Coward of Punishment As for the Grand Seignior's Naval Forces they are great he having of late for Gain-sake allured many Christian Carpenters and Shipwrights to his Arsenal and hath a great number of Men trained up in Marine Affairs by being continually imployed aboard his Gallies at Rhodes Cyprus and Mitylene and Alexandria He has also at his Beck the Pirates of Tunis Tripoley Sally Argire and other Places from amongst whom he chooses his prime Commanders in Marine Affairs To maintain these great Forces it is requisite a wonderful Mass of Money should be imployed which is the Sinews of War and without which so great an Empire could not be kept in frame though many are of opinion that the Grand Seignior's Annual Revenues exceed not eight Millions meaning thereby that which is collected of his Subjects and upon the account of Customs For which they give these Reasons First That the Turks have no care but of Arms the which do rather ruin than enrich a Country Secondly They consume so many Men in their Enterprizes that they scarce leave a sufficient number to manure the Land insomuch that the Subjects despairing to injoy their Wealth and necessary Commodities which they might get by their Labour and Industry employ not themselves to work nor traffick more than by necessity they are constrained For they argue 't is to no purpose to labour for another their Lives and Estates being daily exposed to the Mercy of their Prince And for this Reason many spacious Countries in the Turkish Empire lie waste which neglect frequently causes a Dearth A Third Reason that is given why the Grand Seignior's Revenues are no greater is for that when he Conquers any Country he assigns the Lands therein to his Timariots who serve in the Wars and are no otherwise liable to accommodate their Prince But although his ordinary Revenues amount to no great Sum in consideration of the large Circuit of his Empire yet his extraordinary Profits accruing by Confiscations Presents for no Stranger may approach his Presence empty handed and Mony raised upon Places and Offices of Trust amount to a far greater Sum than what has been mentioned Nor are the Sums small which he draws from the Princes their Tributaries that are not absolutely under his Jurisdiction as Moldavia Vallachia and Transylvania with many more So that in all moderate Writers affirm That his Coffers are yearly supplied with twenty Millions The Management of which is left to the Defterdari or chief Treasurer who has many Sub-officers under him Thus much having been spoken of the Forces Revenues and great Officers I shall now proceed to give the Reader a View of their Religion if it may without offence be so termed which they call the Law of their great Prophet As for their Religion it began in the time of Heraclius the Emperor at what time the Heresie of Arius and Nestorius spread it self to whose Infamous Proselytes Mahomet the Impostor born in Arabia joyned himself impiously denying the Divinity of Christ and proclaiming himself a Prophet sent from God drawing a Multitude after him Insomuch that such as would not receive his impious Tenents by fair means he compelled by force And the better to ingratiate himself with the lewd and licentious sort of People he tolerated all manner of Lust and Worldly Delights By the Law this Impostor left and that now has overspread two Parts of the World a Distinction is made between clean and unclean Meats to content the Jews who are the greatest Merchants in the Ottoman Empire They also maintain Circumcision but not at the Expiration of Eight Days according to the Jewish Custom but at the End of Eight Years when the Infant is able to make a Confession of his Belief and lifting up his Finger to speak these words in the Arabick Tongue viz.
There is but One God and Mahomet is his Prophet one God and equal Prophets The Circumcision ended they feast three Days As for the Female Children they at eight Years old speak the same words but are not capable of Circumcision If any Christian turn Apostate and deny his Redeemer which to the loss of their Souls too many do only to avoid Taxations and Tribute they are led through the Town or City where they dwell in great Triumph many People presenting them with Gifts as they pass to encourage them to persevere in what they have undertaken And for the Men at what Age soever they are they must be Circumcised The Law of Mahomet is contained in his Alchoran wherein he confesseth One God and honoureth Jesus Christ as a great Prophet But impiously denies him to be the Son of God The Turks by their Law are forbid to worship Images or to have any placed in their Mosques The whole Series of the Alcoran being full of Fables and Fictions much like to those the Poets feigned of the Elizium-Shades indulging Men in all Sensuality during this Life and promising them a Paradise where they shall enjoy the like more perfectly after Death Their Sabbath is kept on our Fryday They keep Lent thirty Days during which space they eat nothing in the day-time but take their Repast after Sun-set abstaining from Wine and Women This Lent is called by them Ramaden They likewise observe an Easter called Bayran which continues for the space of the three Days though not always prefixed by reason they begin it in the New of the Moon They have no Bells in their Mosques neither do they suffer the Christians to have any that live amongst them When they enter the said Mosques they leave their Shooes at the Door and take them again when they return Where soever they sit or stand in their Religious Houses they have Tapestry or Mats under them as not thinking their Feet holy enough to stand in that Place during the Reading their Law and if they look back or scratch their Head till the Orizon is ended they think they have lost the Benefit they were at that time to receive by their coming thither They are not much addicted to Learning yet of late they have brought up their Children to use the Arabick Tongue in which their Law is written By this Law they have leave to marry as many Wives as they can maintain and when once any of them proves with Child her Husband may not carnally know her till she is delivered They have certain Marriages contracted during Pleasure which they call Kebin mostly practised by Strangers who may for a certain Sum of Money have the Use of a Woman during his Pleasure Yet when he turns her off if she have any Children he is bound to keep them A Turk having had to do with a Christian Woman both of them upon Conviction are to suffer Death unless she add sin to sin by renouncing her Faith The like is to be observed between a Christian and a Turkish VVoman though either Offence by bribing the Caddi's or Judges may be omitted They allow of Divorce in case of Barrenness or Incontinency The chief Interpreter of these Laws is the Muphti or Arch-Priest who is chosen by the Grand Seignior and is greatly reverenced amongst the Turks being Head of their Church and Decider of all Controversies arising in matter of their Superstitious Religion His Eminency is such that all the Bassa's are subject to his Direction He abaseth himself not so much as to sit in the Divano only passing through it when he is sent for by the Grand Seignior who at his approach riseth from his Seat an Honour not allowed to any other and then they sit together and familiarly discourse of their Affairs The next to him are the Cadilesquires or Talismen Two Doctors of the Law whose place it is to Examine the Caddi's or Judges who are dispersed throughout the Provinces of the Empire and are always attendant upon the Grand Seignior The one of them having Jurisdiction over all the European Caddi's and the other on those residing in Asia there being few Cities or great Towns in which one of the Caddi's have not their Residence there to hear and determine Matters of Controversie arising between Man and Man The Cadilesquires are likewise Soveraign Judges within their own Jurisdiction in all Causes belonging to their Religion as it were Patriarks They are of great Authority and have places in the Divano and in Council with the Bassa's consult the weighty Affairs of the Empire There is a third Degree of Church-Men not belonging to their Law called Mulli which they account their Bishops and are directed in their Affairs by the Muphti Their Office is to place and displace Church-Men as they see it convenient Another sort there are called the Nuderisi who act in the nature of Suffragans and have under them several young Doctors of the Law who are their Disciples called Naipi who are in the Absence of the Caddi's constituted to hear and redress Grievances After these are the Hagi who are employed to write their Books they in no wise allowing them to be Printed and inferior unto these are the Cassi who read unto them what they write c. These are their several Degrees of Lawyers and Church-Men for the Turks are governed by a kind of Ecclesiastical Law according to their Alchoran Many Colledges they have which they call Medressae's situate not only in Constantinople but in divers other Cities And thus Reader have I related the Suceinct Series of This History as near as can be gathered from Authors of undoubted Credit and my own Knowledge And now nothing more remains but to make known the Vastness of the Ottoman Empire which is for the most part the Subject of This History Know then that since the Reign of Ottoman first Founder of the Turkish Empire it has proudly built it self upon the Four Monarchies of the VVorld viz. the Assyrian Grecian Persian and Roman Empires for they enjoy Babylon and all Chaldea with the Kingdom of Media a great part of Persia all Greece with the Kingdom of Egypt and the greatest Part of Arabia the Islands of Cyprus Rhodes Mitylene Negropont Châ—o or Scio Candia and many others The Empire of Trepezond the Kingdoms of Colchis now called Mingrelia Tunis and Argeirs Dalmatia Illyria and Triballenia the Countries of Transylvania Wallachia Moldavia and Bulgaria A great part of Hungary and many other Countries which hold of the Empire and pay Tribute to the Grand Seignior who in Europe hath all the Sea-Coast from the Confines of Epidaurus the utmost Boundard of his Empire in Europe Westward unto the Mouth of the River Tanais now called Don with all that lieth between the City of Buda and Constantinople and Southward all the Sea-Coast from Velex or Belis the Boundard of the Kingdom of Fez unto the Arabian Gulph or Red-Sea and so proportionably every way The Greatness
between the horse and foot and so render them unserviceable to each other The Duke sent away the Baggage under a convoy of six hundred horse towards Altemberg to seize upon which the Turks advanced with a party of three thousand horse so that a sharp dispute happened till the Turks by the courage of the Imperialists were obliged to a disorderly retreat but being reinforced by eight hundred fresh horse they rallyed whereupon the Duke of Lorrain and divers great Commanders with all convenient speed advanced and the Forces on either side encreasing the fight grew hot the Imperialists behaving themselves very resolutely but especially the Duke of Lorraine who with his Regiment of Guards charged through the thickest of the enemies squadron but the Turks power still increasing and the Imperialists not being so suddenly able to pass the River as the Action required after two hours resolute fighting those that convoyed the Baggage were most of them cut in pieces and to the value of forty thousand Guilders fell to the enemy and in the whole action twelve hundred Imperialists and seventeen hundred Turks were slain amongst the former the Prince of Savoy General Rabatta the Count d'Lamberg and Prince of Aremberg after which the Imperial horse having made good their retreat passed the River and joyned their foot who could not though they were speculators of the Action come up which gave the Turks this considerable advantage and so exalted their spirits that upon receiving a new supply of eight thousand foot they besieged Raab but received such welcome from the mouthes of the murthering Cannon that they were glad to draw off when having burnt some few Villages with what plunder they had got they marched to the Grand Visiers Camp upon which reinforcement he trussed up his Tents and marched directly towards Vienna the Imperial chief City scituate in Austria on the banks of the River Danubius burning and ruining all his way insomuch that the Imperial Army being found too weak to encounter him the Duke retired with it under the walls of that City to expect the Forces of the Confederate Princes whilst Count Staremberg Governour thereof who had been abroad with a party to observe the motion of the enemy was obliged to fight his way through the Vaunt-Corriers of the Turks Army to get into the City through which likewise the Duke of Lorraine passed when he had given such necessary orders as were convenient for maintaining a strenuous siege leaving therein eighteen or twenty thousand souldiers under the command of the aforesaid Count who sallying out fired the Suburbs dislodging and killing a great number of Turks that he found there plundering the houses and upon his return calling together the Chief Citizens he admonished them to behave themselves like men against the enemies or their Countrey and Religion from whom notwithstanding the specious pretences they might make they should receive little mercy at the hands of the Infidels if they became victors he likewise with speech and large promises of reward animated his Captains and souldiers whom he found resolved to live and dye with him in the defence of that City which is the glory of the Empire protesting rather to suffer the worst extremity then hearken to any surrender The Duke of Lorraine having passed through the City with his Army incamped himself strongly near Kremps resolving there to expect the King of Poland and the Troops of the Confederate Princess which were on their march and as opportunity offered both to encourage and succour the besieged whom by this time the Visier had with his Army consisting of one hundred thousand men blocked up being the flower of the Ottoman Empire running his Trenches with great celerity though to hinder it the Cannons from the walls incessantly played and the besieged frequently sallyed killing and repulsing the Infidels following the execution even to their Camp yet the number of their Pioniers increasing they under the shelter of the night and favour of their Cannon in two dayes lodged themselves running their works to a great depth leaving the earth arch-wise thinking so to reach the walls and blow them up by springing their Mines but such diligence was used by the German Enginiers that a great number of the Infidels were buryed in their works several poysoned by the stench of dead bodied they met with in their Subterranean Progress which had been buryed in the last plague which the 〈◊〉 perceiving commanded eight thousand 〈◊〉 to lodge themselves in the ruines and 〈◊〉 from six batteries containing thirty which Cannon he caused the City to be battered 〈…〉 without intermission and having thereâ—◠〈…〉 breach near the Carinthian Gate comâ—◠〈◊〉 his men to enter who in a desperate manner came on but were so warmly received by the besieged that after three thousand were slain upon the place they were obliged to retire which so enraged the Visier that he commanded them to make a second Attack which was done but with altogether as bad success as the former The City of Vienna thus straitned the Bishop of Aichstadt the Imperial Minister represented the danger it was in to the Diet for that purpose assembled at Ratisbone recommending it especially to the care of the Electoral Princes requiring them in the name of the Emperor to find out such effectual and speedy ways to raise men and money for its relief that it might not fall into the hands of the Infidels and thereby open a way for them to conquer all the Cities of Austria This matter being debated it was resolved that a fund of money should be speedily raised and all other necessaries provided for the subsistence and relief of the besieged and to stay the further progress of the Turkish Arms. Upon notice of which the Elector of Bavaria drew his forces into the field and ordered them to the number of ten or eleven thousand immediately to march and joyn the Duke of of Loraine whom they found encamped near Kreâ—ps Whilst these things were doing the Rebels under the command of Count Teckely made great spoil upon the borders of Croatia and Silefia besâ—eâ—ing and taking Budekim by storm ravaging and destroying all the pleasant places about it which put the adjacent Garisons into such consternation that several whether through fear or treachery iâ— uncertain put themselves under his protection whereby he was pussed up to that extravagance that he sent Summons to divers of the Nobility to attend him in Arms as their Prince under the Penalties of Confiscation Imprisonment and death which so afrighted divers that they came in but many there were whose Loyalty could not be shaken which so enraged the Rebel that he destroyed their Country dwellings and seized on whatsoever of theirs he could find By this time the Turks had far advanced their Trenches and began to throw their Bombs into the City whereupon the Citizens covered many of their houses near the wall with earth and with the shot of the Cannons from the
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