a prouince of his Empire 713 a. his proud answer vnto King Ferdinand his embassadours 714 k. he returneth to Constantinople 715 b. sendeth his fleet by Barbarussa his Admirall to aid the French King against the Emperour 734 k. Solyman with a great armie commeth againe into Hungarie 736 g. taketh Strigonium 738. entereth into the citie and there setteth vp the Mahometane superstition m. winneth Alba Regalis 742 h. returneth to Constantinople k. by the instigation of Dragut the pyrat sendeth out Sinan Bassa with a great fleet to reuenge the wrong done vnto him by Auria 752 l. Solyman amorous of Rozolana 757 c. manumiseth her 758 h. marrieth her l. by her persuaded resolueth to put to death his eldest sonne the noble Mustapha 761 d. goeth himselfe with a great armie into Asia to kill his sonne e. sendeth for Mustapha who comming is cruelly strangled in his sight 763 c. his stout speech vnto the Ianizaries vp in arms for the vnworthie death of Mustapha 764 k. he glad to yeeld vnto the Ianizaries m. Solyman desirous with as little stirre as might be to appease the grudges betwixt his two sonnes Selymus and Baiazet sendeth Partau and Mehemet two of his Visier Bassaes to bring them to the prouinces by him appointed for them 773 d. maketh preparation against Baiazet and sendeth aid to Selymus e. for countenancing of Selymus goeth himselfe in person with his armie ouer into Asia 776 l. dissembleth with Baiazet 778 g. seeketh to stop his flight into Persia deceiued of his purpose procureth to haue him and his foure sonnes strangled in prison in Persia. 791 d. Solyman by his embassadour Abraham Stroiza confirmeth his league with Ferdinand the Emperor for eight yeares 789 b. his proud letters vnto the Emperour Ferdinand c. his presents sent vnto the Emperour 791 d. he maketh preparation against the knights of Malta 793 a. his Oration vnto his captaines for the inuasion of Malta b. his fleet arriueth at Malta 795 a. with shame returneth 817 c. Solyman purposing now the seuenth time himselfe in person to inuade Hungarie causeth a bridge of a mile long with incredible labor to be made ouer the great riuer Sauus and the deepe fennes toward Sigeth 821. besiegeth Sigeth e. commeth himselfe with a great power into the campe 822 h. winneth the old towne l. falleth sicke and dieth of the bloudie flix at Quinque Ecclaesiae 822 m. his death by Muhamet Bassa concealed and the siege continued 813 a. his bodie with great solemnitie by his sonne Selymus buried at Constantinople 828 h the Spaniards reioycing at the ouerthrow of the Italians by Salec are themselues foyled by Tabacces 658 m Stellusa with Desdrot the Gouernor therof deliuered to Scanderbeg 285 f Stephen Rozwan in stead of Aaron by the Transyluanian prince placed Vayuod of Moldania 1062 l. thrust out by Zamoschie Chancelour of Polonia 1080 g. taken prisoner and put to death 1081 a Stephen Vayuod of Transyluania vpon the commendation of Amurath chosen King of Polonia 921 a Stiria forraged by the Turks 1132 Strigonium in vaine besieged by King Iohn 616 k. besieged by Solyman 736 i. diuers times by the Turks in vaine assaulted c. the strength therof by a fugitiue Christian discouered d. yeelded vnto the Turke 738 h. besieged by the Christians 1033 c. fiue times in vain assaulted with the losse of fiue thousand men 1034 l. the siege by Matthias the Archduke giuen ouer 1037 d. besieged by countie Mansfelt 1065 b. twice in vaine assaulted e. the lower towne taken 1070 g. yeelded vnto the Archduke Matthias 1072 h Suguta by Sultan Aladin giuen to Ertogrul 134 k Sumachia taken by Osman Bassa 936 b recouered by the Persian prince 940 i Swartzenburg by two Italian prisoners flying out of Rab is informed of the state of the towne 1102 g. consulteth with the lord Palsi h. surpriseth that strong town 1103 b. in vain attempteth to haue surprised Buda 1110â— commeth to Pappa to appease the French and Wallons there in mutinie 1117 a. besiegeth the towne 1118. slaine i. Syrgiannes appointed by Andronicus the Emperor to obserue the doings of yong Andronicus his nephew trecherously discouereth the same vnto him 159 c. cunningly coloureth his treason 160 b contemned of the yonger Andronicus reuolteth again vnto his grandfather 162 l. apprehended imprisoned and his house rased 164 l T TAmas the Persian King hearing of the comming of Solyman to Tauris flieth into Hircania 651 d. in feare of Baiazet killeth his followers and imprisoneth him with his sonnes 780 l. sendeth embassadors with presents to Solyman 781 a. the cause why he would not by any meanes let Baiazet goe out of his hands d. his answere vnto the Venetian embassadour persuading him to take vp armes against the Turke 862 k Tamerlan his reasonable and modest answer vnto the other Mahometane princes crauing his aid against Baiazet 210 k. in their behalfe sendeth embassadours with presents to Baiazet l. prouoked by the proud answer of Baiazet the sollicitation of the oppressed princes and the persuasion of Axalla resolueth to make war vpoÌ„ him 211 b his honourable parentage and auncestours 212 i. the causes why some report him to haue beene a shepheard or heardsman k. he himselfe not delighted in bloud m. marrieth the daughter and heire of the Great Cham of Tartarie the ground of his greatnes 213 a. setteth forward against Baiazet 214 k. his great campe still like vnto a well gouerned citie 215 b. the number of his great armie â— he taketh Sebastia and burieth all the people quicke 216 h. staieth the comming of Baiazet 217 a. disposeth of the order of his battell 218 k fighteth a great and mortall battell with Baiazet 219 b. taking him prisoner causeth him like a wild beast to be shut vp in an yron cage 220 m. refuseth the Empire of Constantinople offered him by Emanuell the Emperors embassadors 221 e. goeth priuatly himselfe to Constantinople 222 i. much delighted with the situation and pleasures of that citie k. spoileth the Turks dominions in Asia l. restoreth vnto the poore Mahometaâ—e princes oppressed by Baiazet all their auntient inheritances 223 b. in a great battell ouerthroweth the Sultan of Aegipt neere vnto Aleppo c. winneth Damasco d. commeth to Ierusalem f. taketh Damiata 224 h. assaulteth Cairâ— 225 a driueth the Sultan out of Caire d. pursueth him to Alexandria 226 g. chaseth him into Lybia h leaueth Calibes to gouerne the countries of Aegipt and Syria l. conquereth Mesopotamia and Babylon with the kingdome of Persia. 227 a. returneth to Samarcand b. the great power he continually kept 235 c. his death e. Tangrolipix the Turke sent to aid the Persian Sultan 4 g. by consent of the souldiours chosen Sultan of Persia. l. first Sultan of the Turks m. hauing slaine Pisasiris Caliph of Babylon in battell ioyneth his dominions vnto his owne 5 b. inuadeth the Greeke Emperours dominions f. putteth to death his brother Habramie 6 i Tancred created prince of Galliley winneth Apamea and Laodicea 25
Christians was honourably buried in the church of the sepulchre of our Sauiour on the mount CALVERIE where our Sauiour suffred his passion in which the Christian kings succeeding him were also afterwards buried He departed this life the eighteenth of Iuly in the yeere of our Lord 1100 when he had yet scarce raigned a full yeere Whose tombe is yet at this day there to be seene with an honourable inscrption thereupon After the death of Godfrey the Christians made choice of Baldwin his brother countie of EDESSA who leauing his former gouernment to Baldwin surnamed Burgensis his neere kinsman came to IERVSALEM honourably accompanied and was there by the Patriarch on Christmas day with all solemnitie crowned king in the yeere 1101. He aided by the Venetians and Genowaies at sea and by Bohemund king of ANTIOCH by land tooke from the Infidels the citie of CESAREA STRATONIS standing vpon the sea side and ouerthrew certaine companies of the Aegyptian Sultans at RAMA But vnderstanding that the Christian princes of the West were comming to his aid with a new power he glad thereof went to meet them and safely conducted them to IERVSALEM alongst the sea coast by the cities of BERYTVS SIDON TIRE and PTOLEMAIS all yet holden by the enemies At which time the Turks at ASCALON hauing receiued great aid from the Arabians and Aegyptians inuaded the countrey about RAMA where betwixt them and the Christians was fought a most cruell battell wherein the Christians receiued a most notable ouerthrow many of their great commanders being there slaine and among the rest Stephen earle of CHARTERS but lately returned home from the former expedition and now come backe againe and Stephen earle of BVRGVNDIE and THOLOVS yea the king himselfe hardly escaped the enemies hands and after many dangers came at length to IOPPA after it had beene constantly before reported him to haue been in that battell also slaine Who hauing there in hast repaired his armie came againe speedily vpon his enemies fearing as then nothing lesse and ouerthrew them with such a slaughter as that they had small cause to rejoyce of the former victorie Neither were the rest of the Christian princes in the other parts of SIRIA and PALESTINE in the meane time idle but sought by all meanes to enlarge their territories Tancred prince of GALLILIE hauing raised a great power tooke APAMEA the Metropoliticall citie of CoeLESYRIA and after much toile woon also the citie of LAODICEA Baldwin also gouernour of EDESSA besieging the citie of CARRAS had brought the besieged Turks to such extremitie that they were about to haue yeelded the citie when suddenly hee was set vpon by a great armie of the Turks sent from the Persian Sultan for the reliefe of the besieged and being there ouerthrown was himselfe there taken with Benedict the bishop and one Ioscelin his kinsman who after fiue yeeres captiuitie found means with the Turke that had taken them to redeeme themselues to the great offence of the Persian Sultan of the Sultan Solyman King Baldwin after the late victorie liued for a season at some good rest in IERVSALEM vnmolested by his enemies but knowing his greatest safetie among such warlike people to consist in armes he vpon the sudden raised the whole strength of his kingdome and laid siege to PTOLOMAIS otherwise called ACON a citie of PHoeNICIA standing vpon the riuage of the sea where he found such resistance that he was glad to raise his siege and depart hauing done nothing more than spoiled the pleasant places without the citie By the way in his returne backe againe it fortuned him to meet with certaine companies of the enemies aduenturers by whom he was in a skirmish mortally wounded although he died not thereof in long time after for albeit that the wound was by his surgeans healed vp yet was the griefe thereof so great that at length it brought him to his end Yet he notwithstanding the former repulse the next yeere encouraged by the comming of the Genua fleet laid hard siege againe to PTOLOMAIS both by sea and land which after twentie daies siege was by composition yeelded vnto him Shortly after the gouernour of ALEPPO with certaine others of the Turks great captaines in those quarters hauing joyned their forces together and so inuaded the countrey about ANTIOCH were by Tancred whom Bohemund at his departure into ITALY had left gouernour of that citie notably encountred and put to flight At which time also the Caliph of AEGYPT sending great forces both by sea and land against the king of IERVSALEM was in both places discomfited at land by the Christians and at sea by tempest Bohemund in the meane time with a great armie of voluntarie men and others wherein he is reported to haue had fiue thousand horse and fortie thousand foot returning towards the Holy land in reuenge of many injuries done by Alexius the emperour vnto the souldiers of this sacred war contrarie to his faith and promise to them before giuen by the way landed his men in EPIRVS and grieuously spoiled the countrey about DIRRACHIVM part of the emperours dominion Neither made he an end of spoiling vntill he had enforced the emperour for redresse of so great harmes to make peace with him and againe by solemne oath to promise all securitie and kindnesse vnto all such Christian souldiers as should haue occasion to trauell too or fro through his countries during the time of this religious war After which agreement hee put to sea againe and so returned for IERVSALEM But whilest he staid at ANTIOCH hee shortly after there died in the yeere 1108 leauing the principalitie thereof vnto his yoong sonne Bohemund a child vnder the tuition of his nephew Tancred Yet were the cities of BERYTVS SIDON and TIRE alongst the sea coast in the enemies possession for the gaining whereof Baldwin the king raised a great armie and so came and laid siege to BERYTVS which after many sharpe assaults he at length woon the three and twentith day of Aprill in the yeere 1111 and put to sword most part of them that he found therein The same yeere also he assisted by a fleet sent vnto him out of NORWAY besieged the citie of SIDON which the citizens seeing themselues now beset both by sea and land at length yeelded vnto him by composition the nineteenth day of December After which victorie he dismissed the fleet and returned himselfe in triumph to IERVSALEM Now of all the famous cities alongst the sea coast of PHoeNICIA and PALESTINE from LAODICEA to ASCALON was onely the citie of TYRE that remained in the hands of the enemies which citie Baldwin also hardly besieged neuerthelesse it was so well defended by the Turks that after he had all in vaine lyen before it by the space of foure months he was glad to rise with his armie and depart It fortuned that within two yeeres after the Turks with a mightie armie sent from the Persian Sultan
part in reuenge thereof by certaine men of warre whom he put to sea grieuously infested the frontiers of the emperours dominions Now during the time that the marriage was in solemnising the king made his abode at ANTIOCH at which time he fortefied the castle of PONTISFER vpon the riuer ORONTES against the incursions of the enemies But lying there he according to his wonted manner to preuent sicknesse vpon the approch of Winter tooke physicke of Baraca Iew the countie of TRIPOLIS his physician After the taking whereof he fell presently into the bloudie flix and afterward into a consumption whereby it was verely supposed that he was poysoned by the Iew and the rather for that some little part of the same medicine that was left being giuen to a dog he thereof in short time died The king thus languishing in paine to change the aire remooued first to TRIPOLIS afterward to BERYTUS where he departed this troublesome life to liue with his Sauiour Christ in blisse for euer His dead bodie was afterward with the generall mourning of his subjects conueied to HIERUSALEM and there solemnly enterred by the bodie of his father He departed the 13 of Februarie in the yeere of grace 1163 when he had raigned 21 yeeres He was a man so gracious that not onely his friends but euen the infidels themselues as it is reported lamented his death Insomuch that Noradin king of DAMASCO his antient enemie being incited by some of his captaines to inuade his kingdome at such time as his funerals were in solemnising refused so to doe answering That compassion and regard was to be had of the just sorrow of the Christians his subjects for that they had lost such a king as the like was hardly againe to bee found in the world But leauing the kingdome of HIERUSALEM with the greater part of SYRIA thus victoriously gained from the infidels let vs for the orderly continuation of our historie againe returne to see thâ— proceedings of the Turkes at the same time in the lesser ASIA also wherein they yet held the state of a kingdome though not so great as before the comming of the princes of the West into those countries After the death of Sultan Solyman with whome duke Godfrey and the other Christian princes had much to doe as they passed into SYRIA as is aforesaid one Muhamet succeeded him betwixt whom and Masut Sultan of ICONIUM great discord arise which at length brake out into open warre to the farther weakening of that late shaken kingdome For the maintenance of which quarrell as profitable for his state Iohn Comnenus the Greeke emperour gaue aid to Masut against his enemie Muhamet Neuerthelesse in short time the two infidels professing both one superstition became friends and joyning their forces ouerthrew the emperour with his whole armie as he lay at the siege of ICONIUM at which time he himselfe with much adoe escaped by flight Masut afterwards hauing got into his hands the whole kingdome of the Turks at the time of his death deuided the same amongst his three sonnes Vnto Clizasthlan his eldest sonne hee gaue ICONIUM his cheefe citie with the townes and prouinces subject thereunto Vnto Iagupasan his other sonne or rather as some will haue it his sonne in law he allotted AMASIA and ANCYRA with the fruitfull country of CAPPADOCIA and the places adjoyning But vnto Dadune his other sonne or sonne in law hee gaue the great cities of CESARIA and SEBASTIA with the large countries thereabouts all sometime part of the Greeke empire but then the portions of the Turks Long it was not after this deuision of the kingdome but that these brethren after the manner of ambitious men forgetfull of the bonds both of loue and nature fell at discord among themselues the Sultan seeking the destruction of Iagupasan and he likewise of him and that not by secret meanes but euen by open force of armes Emanuell the Greeke emperour in the meane time wishing the destruction of them both heartely rejoycing thereat and by his embassadours secretly animating the one against the other yet in open shew more fauouring the part of Iagupasan than of the Sultan by whose aid he obtained against him many a notable and bloodie victorie insomuch that the Sultan wearie of the quarrell was glad not onely by his embassadours to seeke the emperours sauour but euen in person himselfe to go and meet him as he came with his armie out of SIRIA and so to accompanie him vnto CONSTANTINOPLE where he was together with the emperour most honourably receiued with all the signes of joy and triumph that could possibly be deuised The emperour no lesse rejoycing to be sued vnto by so great a prince than did the Sultan at his so honourable entertainment Among other queint deuises of many for the solemnizing of so great a triumph there was an actiue Turke who had openly giuen it out that against an appointed time he would from the top of an high tower in the tilt-yeard flie by the space of a furlong The report whereof had filled the citie with a woonderfull expectation of so strange a noueltie The time prefixed being come and the people without number assembled the Turke according to his promise vpon the top of the high tower shewed himselfe girt in a long and large white garment gathered into many plites and foldings made of purpose for the gathering of the wind wherewith the foolish man had vainely persuaded himselfe to haue houered in the aire as do birds vpon their wings or to haue guided himselfe as are ships with their sailes Standing thus houering a great while as readie to take his flight the beholders still laughing and crying out Flie Turke flie how long shall we expect thy flight The emperour in the meane time dissuading him from so desperat an attempt and the Sultan betwixt feare and hope hanging in doubtfull suspence what might happen to his countrieman The Turke after he had a great while houered with his armes abroad the better to haue gathered the wind as birds do with their wings and long deluded the expectation of the beholders at length finding the wind fit as he thought for his purpose committed himselfe with his vaine hope vnto the aire But in steed of mounting aloft this foolish Icarus came tumbling downe headlong with such violence that he brake his necke his armes and legs with almost all the bones of his bodie This foolish flight of the Turke gaue such occasion of sport and laughter vnto the vulgar people alwaies readie to scoffe and jest at such ridiculous matters that the Turks attending vpon the Sultan could not walke in the streets vnderided the artificers in their shops shaking their armes with their tooles in their hands as did the Turke and still crying out Flie Turke flie whereof the emperour hearing although he could not chuse but thereat smile himselfe as not ignorant of the scoffes and taunts of the vulgar people yet in
withstood whose furious impression wheÌ„ the Turks could not by plain force endure they began with their fresh horsemen cunningly to delude their desperat fiercenesse at such time as the Hungarians began most hardly to charge them they by by turned their backs suffering them a while to follow after theÌ„ far scattered dispersed who allured as it were with the hope of a present victory eagrely pursued them in the pursuit slew diuers of them And they again vpon a signall giueÌ„ closing together turning back vpon the dispierced troups well reuenged the death of their fellows with their often charges retraits wonderfully wearied the Hungarians notably deluding their furious attempts with that vncertain kind of fight all the day long Many of the Hungarians were there slain and the Turks had that day the better and so both armies being wearied night and wearines ended the fight both retiring into their trenches there keeping most carefull watch The next morning by the dawning of the day the battaile was again begun Huniades his brother Generall of the Valachians with his light horsemen setting first forward after whom in seemly order followed the rest of the nobilitie with their companies Where for certaine howers the battaile was hardly fought with like hope on both sides and a great slaughter made but especially of the Hungarians who wearied with the long fight most part of them wounded were now all to endure this third daies labour Zechel Huniades his sisters sonne valiantly fighting in the front of the battaile was the first of the leaders there slaine in the thickest of the Turks Emericus Marzalus and Stephen Bamffi both great commaunders enclosed by the Turks there died also Amurath seeing the formost ensignes of the Christians which stood in Zechel his regiment taken and his soldiors discomfited with the death of their colonell turning their backs presently commaunded all the companies which were manie yet left in the trenches for fresh supplies to issue foorth and at once to ouerwhelme the Christians being as hee said but few and ouerweried with three daies continuall fight Vpon which the kings commaund they fiercely breaking out presently ouerthrew both the wings of the Christians before wauering and in a great battaile wherein most of the chiefe commaunders were slaine and their ensigns taken discomfited the rest and with a great slaughter put them to flight Huniades seeing his brother now slaine the ensignes taken and the battaile quite lost betooke himselfe to flight also leauing behind him his tents and baggage all which shortly after became a prey vnto the Turkes who from noone vntill night furiously followed the chase with most cruell execution but at length staied by the comming on of the darkenesse they returned againe vnto their trenches The rest of the Turkes armie that followed not the chase compassing in the Hungarian campe were there by the wounded souldiors the wagoners and other drudges of the armie kept out so long as they had any shot left but yet were in the end euerie mothers sonne slaine though not altogither vnreuenged two or three of the Turkes in many places lying dead by the bodie of one Hungarian Amurath to couer the greatnesse of the losse he there receiued commanded the bodies of his captaines there slaine to be forthwith buried and the bodies of his common souldiours to be for the most part cast into the riuer SCHICHNIZA For which cause the inhabitants of the countrey there by of long time after abstained from eating of any fish taken in that riuer The plaine by this great battaile made once againe famous lay neuerthelesse many yeares alter couered with dead mens bones as if it had been with stones neither could be ploughed by the countrey people but that long time after armour and weapons were there still in many places turned vp and found Thus albeit that this bloudy victorie fell vnto the Turkes yet was their losse farre greater than the Hungarians hauing lost as was reported by them that say least foure and thirtie thousand of themselues for eight thousand of their enemies Howbeit they themselues report the losse to haue beene on both sides far greater as that of the Christians were slaine seuenteene thousand and of themselues fortie thousand which in so long and mortall a fight is not vnlike to haue been true In this vnfortunate battaile fell most part of the Hungarian nobilitie all men worthy eternall fame and memorie whose names we for breuitie wil passe ouer Many in the chase taken and the next day brought to Amurath were by the commandement of the angrie tyrant slaine Such as escaped out of the slaughter by the way of ILLYRIA returned in safetie but such as sought to saue themselues by returning back againe through SERVIA the Despots countrey found the same so troublesome as that few of them escaped but that they were by the way either slaine or quite stripped of all they had Neither was the fortune of the noble Huniades much better than the fortune of the rest who hauing on horsebacke all alone by vncouth and vntract waies trauailed three daies without meat or drinke and the fourth day tired his horse and cast him off being on foot and disarmed fell into the hands of two notable theeues who in dispoiling him of his apparell finding a faire crucifix of gold about his necke fell at strife betwixt themselues for the same whereby he tooke occasion to lay hand vpon one of their swords and with the same presently thrust him through and then suddenly assailing the other put him to flight also So deliuered of this danger trauailing on and almost spent with thirst and hunger the next day he light vpon a sheepheard a sturdâ—e rough knaue who hearing of the ouerthrow of the Hungarians was in hope of prey roaming abroad in that desolat countrey Who at their first meeting strucken with the majestie of the man stood at gaze vpon him as did also Huniades fearing in his so great weaknesse to haue to doe with him Thus a while hauing the one well regarded the other they began to enter talke the sheepheard bluntly asking him of his fortune and he for Gods sake crauing of him some thing to eat When as the sheepheard hearing of his hard happe mooued with his estate and hope of promised reward brought him vnto a poore cottage not farre off causing to be set before him bread and water with a few oynions Who in the pleasant remembrance of that passed miserie would oftentimes after in his greatest banquets say That he neuer in his life fared better or more daintily than when he supped with this sheepheard So well can hunger season homely cates Thus refreshed he was by the sheepheard conducted to SYNDIROVIA whereof the Despot hauing intelligence whose countrey was all layd for the staying of him caused him by the captaine of the castle to be apprehended and imprisoned But after certaine daies spent in talke about his deliuerance it
beare authoritie and rule and are had in greater honour and reputation than the rest such as are the men of warre and courtlers but he is borne a Christian either of father or at the least of his grandfather auouch those onely to be Turks which liue in NATOLIA al of them either marchants or of base and mechanicall crafts or poore labourers with the spade and pickaxe and such like people vnfit for the warres the rest as I say holding it for a title of honour to be discended of Christian parents Yea the Grand Sign â—or himselfe although by the fathers side he bee come of progenitors such as were naturall Turks borne yet many of them had Christian mothers which they accounted in the greatest part of their nobilitie and honour Thus by the wisedome of Amurath was the order of the Ianizaries and other souldiours of the court greatly aduanced though not by him begun and the politicke state of the Turks kingdome to say the truth quite altered the naturall Turks more than the Sultan himselfe now bearing therein no sway but onely these new souldiours all of them discended from Christian parents and by adoption as it were become the sonnes of the Turkish Sultans and vnder them commanding all by whom they haue euer since managed their estate by their good seruice wonderfully euen to the astonishment of the world encreased and extended their empire But of them more shall be said hereafter This great king was whilest hee liued of his subjects woonderfully beloued and no lesse of them after his death lamented He was more faithfull of his word than any of the Turkish kings either before or after him by nature melancholie and sad and accounted rather politicke than valiant yet was indeed both a great dissembler and painefull in trauaile but wayward and testie aboue measure which many imputed vnto his great age He had issue sixe sonnes Achmetes Aladin Mahomet Hasan otherwise called Chasan Vrchan and Achmetes the younger of some called Calepinus three of whom died before him but the two youngest were by their vnnaturall brother Mahomet who succeeded him in the Turkish kingdome euen in their infancie in the beginning of his raigne most cruelly murthered FINIS Christian princes of the same time with Amurath the second Emperours Of the East Iohn Palaeologus 1421. 24. Constantinus Palaeologus 1444. 8. Of the West Sigismund king of Hungarie 1411. 28. Albert the second king of Hungarie and Bohemia 1438. 2. Frederick the third Archduke of Austria 1440. 54. Kings Of England Henrie the fift 1413. 9. Henrie the sixt 1422. 39. Of Fraunce Charles the sixt 1381. 42. Charles the seuenth 1423. 38. Of Scotland Iames the first 1424. 13. Iames the second 1436. 29. Bishops of Rome Martin the V. 1417. 13. Eugenius the IIII. 1431. 16. Nicholas the V. 1447. 8. MAHOMET II. MAHOMETHES II COG MAGNVS TVRCARVM IMPERATOR PRIMVS FLORVIT AN o 1450 Qui vici innumeros populos tot regna tot vrbes Solus immensi qui timor orbis eram Me rapuit quae cunque rapit mors improba sed sum Virtute excelsa ductus ad astra tamen Maior Alexander non me fuit Annniball non Fuderit Ausonios tot licet ille duces Vici victores Dannos domuique feroces Caoniae populos Sauromatasquè truces Pannonius sensit quantum surgebat in armis Vis mea quae latio cognita nuper erat Arsacidae sensere manus has sensit Arahsquè Et mea sunt Persae cognita tela duci Mens fuerat bellare Rhodum superare superbam Italiam sed non fata dedere modum Hei mihi nam rapuit mors aspera quaequè sub alto Pectore condideram vertit hora breuis Sic hominum fastus pereunt sic stemata sicquè Imperium atquè aurum quicquid orbis habet In English thus I that so many nations townes and kingdomes haue brought low And haue alone dismaied the world and fild the earth with woe Am now by death which all deuoures brought downe from hie degree Yet doth the glorie of my name surmount the starrie skie The great king Alexanders fame the world no better fild Nor worthy Hannibal whose force so many Romans kild I vanquisht the victorious Greeks and tam'd with mightie hand The warlike people of EPIRE and fierce TARTARIA land My force in field HVNGARIA felt my greatnesse is there knowne Which of late time through ITALY to their great ruth is blowne Th'Assyrians felt my heauie hand so did th' Arabians wild The Persian king with all his force I driue out of the field I purposed to win the RHODES and ITALY t' vndoe If that the fatall destinies had granted leaue thereto But wo is me for grisly death hath brought all this to nought And in the twinckling of an eye is perisht all I thought So perisheth the pride of man his honour wealth and power His golde and whatsoeuer else it fadeth as a flower THE LIFE OF MAHOMET SECOND OF THAT NAME SEVENTH KING AND FIRST EMPEROVR OF THE TVRKS FOR HIS MANY VICTORIES SVRNAMED THE GREAT THe report of the death of old Amurath the late king was in short time blowne through most part of Christendome to the great joy of many but especially of the Greekes and other poore Christians which bordered vpon the tyrants kingdome who were now in hope together with the change of the Turkish king to make exchange also of their bad estate and fortune and the rather for that it was thought that his eldest sonne Mahomet after the death of his father would haue embraced the Christian religion being in his childhood instructed therein as was supposed by his mother the daughter of the prince of SERVIA a Christian. But vaine was this hope and the joy thereof but short as afterward by proofe appeared For Mahomet being about the age of one and twentie yeares succeeding his father in the kingdome in the yeare of our Lord 1450 embraced in shew the Mahometane religion abhorring the Christian but indeed making no great reckoning either of the one or of the other but as a meere Atheist deuoid of all religion and worshipping no other god but good fortune derided the simplicitie of all such as thought that God had any care or regard of worldly men or of their actions which gracelesse resolution so wrought in him that he thought all things lawfull that agreed with his lust and making conscience of nothing kept no league promise or oath longer than stood with his profit or pleasure Now in the Court men stood diuersly affected towards the present state the mightie Bassaes and others of great authoritie vnto whom the old kings gouernment was neuer greeuous inwardly lamented his death doubting least the fierce nature of the yong king should turne to the hurt of some of them in particular and the shortening of their authoritie in generall as indeed it shortly after fell out But the lustie gallants of the Court wearie of the
countries by the prince Who if he had not then gained the victory the Chancelour had not now holden MOLDAVIA but the Turke whose quarrell he seemed rather to fauour than the princes The Chancelour to colour this his inuasion pretended That the countrey of MOLDAVIA did of auntient right belong vnto the kingdome of POLONIA which the Transyluanians tooke to be no other but meere and open wrong This supposed title such as it was the Chancelor had so fashioned out vnto the king and the states of that kingdome that they referred it to his discretion to inuade the countrey and remoouing the Vayuod placed by the prince to place another in his stead and the rather to persuade them laboured by many forced reasons to shew the power of the Transyluanian prince to be so far inferiour vnto the Turks that it was to be feared he should at length be thrust out of all his dominions and so they together with MOLDAVIA become subject to the Turke Which if it should so come to passe then should the Polonians haue an vntrustie and troublesome neighbour And that therefore it were better that MOLDAVIA were possessed by them that were better able to defend it than was he that so the Turke might be kept farther off from POLONIA Which occasion he said was not longer to be delaied but now betime to be laid hold vpon persuading himselfe to find such grace and fauor with the Turkish emperor as that he should be therewith right well contented which was like ynough for a time to be for that the Transyluanian should thereby be much weakened By these and such like reasons framed to serue his owne turne the Chancelour so preuailed with the king and the states of the kingdome that he receiued from them as I said full authoritie to proceed in the matter as he did and as is before declared to the great trouble of the prince and benefit of the Turke the late chosen Vayuod not long after opening a way in three places for the Tartars into TRANSYLVANIA one by the countrey of SICVLI another by the way that leadeth to ALBA IVLIA and the third by VALACHIA The Transyluanian prince seeing the countrey of MOLDAVIA by the practise of the Chancellour thus taken from him and disseuered from the other vnited prouinces to the great weakening of his state after the flight of Sinan sent certaine companies both of horse and foot to Stephen the late Vayuod but now driuen out by the Polonians to prooue if happily he could by that meanes driue out the Polonians againe and recouer his former dignitie With this aid sent from the prince and others that fauoured his quarrell he joyned a bloudie battell with the Polonians but being therein by them ouercome and taken and for a space kept as the prince feared to haue beene deliuered vnto the Turke he was by them as is reported cruelly afterwards put to death This foule dealing of the Polonian in MOLDAVIA much grieued many good Christians as tending to the generall hurt of the Christian commonweale For which cause the Emperour by his embassadours sent for that purpose vnto the Polonian king sought to persuade him to desist from such inuasion of the Transyluanian prince by his Chancellour as nothing standing with his honour and that some good reconciliation might be made betweene the prince and the Cardinall Bator and his brother the princes vncles authors of all these troubles To which purpose also the Pope sent a messenger with like instructions and letters vnto the king persuading him not so to prosecute his warres against the prince but to turne his thoughts vnto a more peaceable and Christianlike course especially with him with whom he was so neere linked in mariage To the like effect he writ also vnto the Cardinall Bator and after many graue admonitions peremptorily cited him to ROME But for as much as the proceedings of the Polonian against the prince are more plainely to be gathered by the Popes letters vnto the king it shall not I hope be mistaken if I here set them downe thus as I find them by others reported Pope Clement the eight to our best beloued sonne in Christ Sigismund by the grace of God king of POLONIA with the benediction Apostolicall sendeth greeting By how much greater affection of fatherly loue we embrace your maiestie in the Lord so much the more feruently we wish all your actions to be adorned with the greatest commendation of true godlinesse and wisedome both before God and men Whereof it proceedeth that we are so much the more vehemently and grieuously moued if we heare any such thing of you as may seeme not agreeable to your vertue and approued zeale toward the Catholike religion or tending to the obscuring of the glorie of your name as is now brought vnto vs concerning the affaires of MOLDAVIA whereof not without great griefe we write vnto you And to rehearse things a little before past With what earnestnesse and feruencie dealt I with you that for Gods cause and the defence of the health and libertie of the Christian commonweale against the tyrannie of the Turkes you would combine your selfe with our most dearely beloued sonne Rodolph the Emperour and diuers other Christian princes and that you should not let slip so notable an occasion so worthily to deserue of God of the Catholike faith and of the Christian commonweale in generall And albeit we then thought as well for many your owne priuat respects as also of your kingdomes That you were to be borne withall and excused if you did not now openly descend into this confederation of the Christian princes against the most mortall and common enemie neither apertly ioyne your forces or giue aid for the repressing of his insolencie yet we alwayes assured our selues that no let should in any case proceed from you whereby either the Emperour or the other Christian princes should be the rather hindered iustly to prosecute their iniuries or to cast off from their necks the heauie yoke of the most cruell tyrant whose desire of soueraignetie is not comprised within the compasse of any bounds But that you should in fauour of the Turkes impugne the Catholike princes and defendors of the Christian faith and so ioyne hands with the enemies of the Crosse of Christ as that by your helpe their force and furie should be encreased and ours not only weakened but in the very course of victorie hindered and cast into most grieuous perils this we haue not onely not thought of you but not so much as once suspected yea and can now scarce be persuaded to beleeue those things to bee done by you which are reported vnto vs as most true and vndoubted For the report goeth That you hauing intelligence with the Turkes and Tartars haue with them conspired and namely against our welbeloued sonne Sigismund prince of TRANSYLVANIA who with inuincible courage fighteth the battels of the Lord and least he should be able to abate the
Vladislaus seâ—keth in value to open the passage of the mountainâ— Hemus The Hungarians much troubled in passiâ—g a thicke â—ood Vladislaus honorably receiued at Buda Scanderbeg wisely dissembleth his desire for the deliuerse of himselfe and his countrey Scanderbeg commeth with his armâ—â— to Petrelâ—a Petrella yeelded vnto Scanderbeg Petra-Alba yeelded Stellusa yeelded by the garrison A notable speech of a common soldior to the rest of his fâ—llowes for the holding out of the citie against Scanderbeg Scanderbeg his short answere to the souldiors speech Desdrot gouernour of Stellusa executed Macedonia spotâ—ed by Scanderbeg Alis Bassa with an armie of forty thousand sent against Scanderbeg The battell betwixt Alis Bassa and Scanderbeg A great slaughter of the Turks Amurath in dispâ—â—e Amurath by thâ— persuasion of Cali Bassa seeketh for peace of king Vladislaus The capitulatâ—ons of the ten yeares peace concluded betwixt Vladislaus and Amurath Amurath inuâ—deth Caramania The â—unning speech wherwith Iulian the Cardinal perâ—â—adeth 〈◊〉 Vladislaus to breake the leaguâ—â—e had before made with Amurath Iulian the Cardinall absolueth king Vladislaus and the â—ect from their oath before giuen to Amurath The letters of king Vladislaus to Scanderbeg Scanderbeg his answere by letters vnto king Vladislaus King Vladislaus setteth forward against the Turks Dracula aâ—â—eth Vâ—adâ—slaus with his sonne and 4000 horse His last farewell vnto the king The great battell of Varna fought betweene king Vladislaus and Amurath Amurath prayeth vnto Christ. A cruell fight Amurath in danger King Vladislaus slaine Huniades flyeth Amurath to perform his vow resigneth his kingdome to his sonne Mahomet which he in short time after taketh again vpon him The comparison betwixt Huniades and Scanderbeg The sullen and craftie letters of Amurath to Scanderbeg The resolute answere of Scanderbeg to Amurath his letters Amurath 〈…〉 Sâ—anderbeg Scanderbeg his valiant resolution for the assaulting of Mustapha in his camp Peloponnesus made tributarie vnto the Turke 1446 Baiazet borne Huniades in the minoritie of the king chosen Gouernor of all the kingdome of Hungarie 1448 Huniades goeth against the Turks The false Despot giueth Amurath knowledge both of Huniades his comming and of his strength The omynous speech of an old woman The notable speech of Huniadâ—s to 〈…〉 against the Tuâ—ks The great baâ—â—aile of Cossoâ—â— fought betwixt Amurath and Huniades three daies together The battaile begun againe the second day Huniades encourageth his souldiors The battaile againe begâ—n the third day Huniades flieth The number of the Turks and Christians slain in the battaile of Cossoua Huniades taken prisâ—ner noâ— by the Dâ—spot 1449 The Despot inuaded by Amurath craueth aid of Huniades Amurath his graue letters of aduertisement to Mustapha concerning his going againe into Epirus The sâ—eech of Caragusa the Tuâ—ke to Manessi Manessi his stout answere to Caragusa The battaile betwixt Scanderbeg and Mustapha Mustapha ranâ—somed Thâ— lamentable 〈◊〉 of the â—â—â—ke ciâ—izenâ— out of Croia Scanderbeg commeth to Sfetigrade The effectuall speech of Scanderbeg vnto the souldiors and citizens of Sfetigrade to encourage theÌ„ against the comming of Amurath A notable â—tratageme of Scanderbeg for the intrapping of his enemies 1449 Amurath commeth to Sfetigrade with his armie The resolute answere of Perlat the Gouernor vnto the Bassa Sfetigrade assaulted The Turkes 〈…〉 The Ianizaries desperatly attempt to surprise the citie The Ianizaries repulsed Scanderbeg commeth to trouble the assault and 〈◊〉 met with by Feri-Bassa Amurath by greâ—â— pâ—â—miseâ— seeketh to corrupt the garrison of Sfetigrade A traitor â—orrupted with Amurath his Lâ—â—ge pâ—omises conspireth to betray the citie The carkas of a dead dog cast by the traitor into the common 〈◊〉 that serued the citie The Gouernor in vaine seeketh to peâ—suaâ—e the garrison sâ—uldiors to drinâ—e of the water of the well A traitoâ—â—orthâ—ly rewarded according to his treason 1450 Amurath assembleth againe his army at Hadrianople Croia baâ—â—red The cheerefull speech of Vranacontes the Gouernour to encourage his soldiours Croia assaulted Scanderbeg in danger Mahomet thinking to deceiue Scanderbeg is himselfe by him deceiued The Turkes retire Amurath seeketh to vndermine Croia The craftie speech of the Bassa sent from Amurath to corrupt the Gouernour and to persuade the â—â—â—hers to yeeld vp the cittie Vranacontes reiecteth Amurath his presents and threatenâ—th the Bassa Croia againe in vaine assaulteâ—â— The last speech and admonition of Amurath vnto his sonne Mahomet vpon his death bed Amurath his death Amurath an example of the vaâ—itie of worldly honour Amurath buried at Prusa A great poliâ—â—â— Amurath his disposition The sonnes of Amuraâ—h Paulus Iouius Illust virorum Elog. lib. 3. 1450 Mahomet of no religion Mahomet murdereth his brethren A cruell reuenge of an angrie woman Mahomet reformeth the Turkish coÌ„monweale 1451 Mahomet goeth against the king of Caramania Mentesia subdued by the Turks 1452 Mahomet maketh preparation for the besieging of Constantinople Constantinus the emperor in vaine craueth aid of the Christian princes 1453 Vide â—â—onardi Châ—ensis Archiepiscopi Miâ—â—len hist. dâ— captiuitate Con lantinopolitana Mahomet encamâ—eth before Constantinople The situation of Constantinople Constantinople built by Pausanâ—as destroyed by Seuerus reedified by Constantine the Great and now taken by Mahomet the Turke The magnificent temple of S. Sophia The frugalitie of the Turkes in their pâ—iuat buildâ—â—gâ— The Turks flâ—et Constantinople vndermined by the Turks Seuentie of the Turks galliots brought eight miles ouerland by the deuice of a Christian into the hauen of Constantinople A wonderfull bridge made by the Turks ouer the hauen of Constantinople A notable fight betweene four of the Christians ships and the Turks flâ—et The citizens of Constantinople without cause murmure against the emperour A bare shift for money Constantinople assaulted by the Turks Mahomet renueth the assault The Christians forsake the 〈◊〉 Constantinople woon by the Turkes Mahomet solemniseth his feastâ— in Constantinople with the bloâ—d of the Grecian nobilitie Pera yeelded to the Turke Mahomet notably dissembleth his hatred against Caly Bassa Mahomet placeth his imperiall seat at Constantinople and is worthely accounted first Emperor of the Turks 1454 Thomas and Demetrius rebell against Mahomet and are by him spoiled of part of their dominion Mahomet commeth againe into Peâ—â—ponesus Demetrius submitteth himselfe to Mahomet Peloponesus subdued by the Turks The death of George Despot of Seruia Serâ—ia yeelded to the Turke Belgrade besieged The Turks fleet ouerthrown by the Christians Carazies Bassa slaine Belgrade assaulted by the Turks The Turks notably repulsed The death of the most famous captaine Huniades 1461 Vsun Cassan the Persian king sendeth embassadours with presents to Mahomet Mahomet inuadeth Ismael prince of Sinope Trapezond besieged by Mahomet Trapezond yeelded vnto the Turks The ruine of the empire of Trapezond 1462 Mahomet seeketh to entrap Wladus prince of Valachia Chamuzes Bassa and the Turkes secretarie haÌ„ged Mahomet himselfe in person inuadeth Valachia A most horrible spectacle Two thousand of the Valachies slaine The death of Wladus 1462 Mitylene besieged Mitylene yeelded to
inuaded the countrey of CoeLESYRIA where spoiling all before them as they went they came and encamped vpon the sea coast neere vnto TYBERIAS Against whom Baldwin gathered the whole strength of his kingdome with whom also Tancred who now raigned in ANTIOCH the yoong Bohemund being dead with the countie of TRIPOLI and the rest of the Christian princes joyned their forces who altogether marching forward came and encamped not far from the enemie being in number far moe than they Mendus generall of the Turks armie for so I find him called vnderstanding of their approch sent out certaine companies of his men to skirmish with them against whom the Christians also sent out others who encountring them easily put them to flight being before commanded so to do of purpose to draw the Christians into the danger of a greater strength lying in ambush to intrap them which according to the Turks desire fell out For the Christians fiercely pursuing the flying enemie fell into the ambush and so before they were well aware were beset on euerie side with their enemies vnto the rescue of whom other companies of the Christians comming in and others likewise from the Turks both the great armies were at length drawn into the field where betwixt them was joyned a most fierce and terrible battell with great slaughter on both sides But at length the multitude of the Turks preuailing the Christians were put to the woorse and so glad to flie after whom the fierce enemy hardly followed not without great slaughter In which flight the king himselfe hardly escaped with Arnolphus the Patriarch Whilest Baldwin was thus busied abroad the Turks Sarasins from ASCALON came besieged IERVSALEM being then but weakly manned but hearing of the kings comming that the armie of the Christians dayly increased with new supplies out of the West by sea they retired home againe hauing burnt certaine storehouses full of corne and spoiled such things as was subject to their furie Long it were to recount all the hard conflicts and combats this king had with the Sarasins and Turks which for breuitie I passe ouer contented to haue briefly touched the greatest In the last yeere of his raigne hauing for certaine yeeres before liued in some reasonable peace he made an expedition into AEGYPT where he with much difficultie woon PHARAMIA a strong citie vpon the sea coast which he joyned vnto his owne kingdome After that he went to the mouth of the riuer NILVS and with great admiration learned the nature of that strange riuer And hauing therein taken abundance of fish returned into the citie and there with the same feasted himselfe with his friends But after dinner he began to feele the griefe of his old wound and growing thereof sicker and sicker returned with his armie toward IERVSALEM where by the way neere vnto a citie called LARIS he died to the great griefe of all the Christians in the yeere 1118. His dead bodie being brought backe vnto IERVSALEM was there roially buried neere vnto his brother Godfrey after he had raigned eighteene yeeres whose sepulchre is yet there also to be seene fast by the sepulchre of his brother The late king thus dead and buried the Christians with one consent made choise of his cousin Baldwin surnamed Brugensis gouernour of EDESSA who by the name of Baldwin the second was the second of Aprill in the yeere 1118 solemnly crowned king of IERVSALEM He was of stature tall and well proportioned of countenance comely and gratious hauing his haire thinne and yellow his beard mingled with some gray haires hanging downe to his breast his colour fresh and liuely for one of his yeeres He was a man of great courage and therefore no lesse redoubted of his enemies than beloued of his subjects who had in him reposed great hope both for the defence and enlarging of that new gained kingdome Against him the same Sommer the Caliph of AEGYPT aided by the king of DAMASCO and the Turks in reuenge of the losse he had in the expedition the yeere before receiued raised a great power to inuade him both by sea and land Against whom Baldwin also opposed himselfe with his whole strength and so came and encamped within the sight of his enemies In which sort when both armies had lyen the one facing the other by the space of three months they both rise the Christians fearing the multitude of the Turks and the Turks the valour of the Christians and so retired without any notably thing doing This yeere died Alexius the Greeke emperour who euen from the beginning of this sacred war secretly repined at the good successe of the Christians in SIRIA although his empire were thereby greatly enlarged after whome succeeded Calo Ioannes his sonne who all the time of his raigne right woorthily defended his territories in the lesser ASIA against the inuasion of the Turks Not long after Gazi one of the greatest princes of the Turks in the lesser ASIA with the king of DAMASCO and Debeis king of ARABIA joyning their forces together with a great armie inuading the countrey about ANTIOCH came and encamped not far from ALEPPO against whom Roger prince of ANTIOCH not expecting the comming of Baldwin and the other Christian princes his confederats but presuming of his owne strength went foorth with greater courage than discretion whereunto his successe was answerable for encountring with them at too much ods he was by them in a great battell ouerthrown wherein he himselfe was slaine with most part of his armie Of which so great a slaughter the place wherein this battell was fought was afterward called The field of Blood But whilst the Turks after so great a victorie carelesly and at pleasure roame vp and downe the countrey Baldwin setting vpon them ouerthrew them with a great slaughter and so put them to flight After this victorie gained by the Christians the fourteenth of August in the yeere 1120 king Baldwin in great triumph entred into ANTIOCH and so joyned that principalitie vnto his owne kingdome The yeer following the Turks with another armie inuaded the same country again for repressing of whom whilst Baldwin with the other Christian princes were making their preparations it fortuned that Gazi their great commander suddenly died of an Apoplexie vpon whose death they retired without further harme doing Neuerthelesse the next Spring the king of DAMASCO aided by the Arabians entred againe with a great power into the countrey about ANTIOCH and there did some harme for the Antiochians now destitute of their owne prince and Baldwin who had taken vpon him their protection being far off and otherwise busied at IERVSALEM were much more subject vnto the inrodes of their enemies still at hand than before when they had a prince of their owne still present amongst them But Baldwin aduertised thereof was making towards them with a puissant armie sooner than they had thought it could haue beene possible Of whose approch the Turks vnderstanding retired
after his father for whose inheritance Reucratine prince of DOCEA and Masut prince of ANCYRA his two brethren fell at variance and so at last into open war But Masut finding himselfe too weake for his warlike brother Reucratine yeelded vnto him the territories which he saw he must needs forgo and glad now to keepe his owne so made peace with him Reucratine being a man of an ambitious and haughtie spirit with his forces thus doubled denounced war vnto his brother Caichosroes who doubting his owne strength fled vnto the emperour Alexius Angelus for aid as had his father done before him vnto the emperour Manuel although not with like good fortune For the emperour but of late hauing obtained the empire by the deposing of his brother and altogether giuen to pleasure reputing also those domesticall warres of the Turkes some part of his owne safetie sent him home without comfort as one strong enough of himselfe to defend his owne quarrell against his brother Howbeit he was scarcely come to ICONIUM but that he was by Rucratine expulsed thence and driuen to flie into ARMENIA where he was by Lebune king of that country a Turke also honourably receiued and courteously vsed but yet denied of the aid he requested the king pretending that he was alreadie in league with Reucratine and therefore could not or as some thought fearing the dangerousnesse of the matter would not intermeddle therein Wherewith the poore Sultan vtterly discouraged returned againe to CONSTANTINOPLE and there in poore estate as a man forlorne passed out the rest of his daies Now hauing thus passed through the Turkish affaires in the lesser ASIA together with the troubled estate of the Constantinopolitan empire no small cause of the Turks greatnesse the course of time calleth vs backe againe before wee passe any further to remember their proceedings also at the same time and shortly after in SIRIA IVDEA AEGYPT and those more Southerly countries where these restlesse people ceased not by all meanes to enlarge their empire vntill they had brought all those great kingdomes vnder their obeisance After the death of Baldwin king of HIERUSALEM of whom we haue before spoken Almericus his yoonger brother earle of IOPPA and ASCALON being then about seuen and twentie yeeres old was by the better good liking of the cleargie and people than of the nobilitie elected king not for that there wanted in him any good parts woorthie of a kingdome but for that some of them enuied vnto him so great an honour Neuerthelesse he was as we said by the generall consent of the people elected proclaimed and by Almericus the Patriarch with all solemnitie crowned the seuenteenth day of Februarie in the yeare of Grace 1163. To begin whose troubled raigne the Aegyptians first of all denied to pay vnto him their woonted tribute In reuenge whereof he in person himselfe with a puissant armie entred into AEGYPT and meeting with Dargan the Sultan ouerthrew him in plaine battell and put him to flight who to stay the further pursuit and passage of the Christians cut the bankes of the riuer NILUS and so drowned the countrey that the king was glad to content himselfe with the victorie he had alreadie gotten and so to returne to HIERUSALEM The next yeere Almericus was againe drawn downe with his power into AEGYPT by Dargan the Sultan to aid him against Saracon whom Noradin the Turke king of DAMASCO had sent as generall with an armie to restore Sanar the Sultan before expulsed and to depose Dargan In which expedition Dargan being slaine and Saracon hauing woon certaine townes kept them to himselfe Sanar doubtfull of his good meaning joyned his forces with Almericus and by his helpe expulsed Saracon out of AEGYPT But whilest Almericus was thus busied in AEGYPT Noradin the Turke making an inroad into the frontiers of the Christians neere vnto TRIPOLIS was by Gilbert Lacy master of the Templars in those quarters and the other Christians when he least feared so suddenly set vpon that he had much adoe by flight to saue himselfe halfe naked for hast most of his followers being at the same time slaine In reuenge of which disgrace he not long after with a greater power came and besieged ARETHUSA For reliefe whereof Bohemund prince of ANTIOCH Raymund the yoonger earle of TRIPOLIS Calaman gouernour of CILICIA and Toros prince of ARMENIA came with their power Of whose comming the Turke hearing raised his siege and departed After whom these Christian princes eagerly following were by the Turks shut vp in certaine deepe and rotten fennes whâ—â—einto they had vnaduisedly too far entred and there with a great slaughter ouerthrown In which conflict all the chiefe commanders of the armie were taken except the prince of ARMENIA who forecasting the danger had retired after he had in vaine dissuaded the rest from the further pursuit of the flying enemie The prince of ANTIOCH there taken was about a yeare after for a great summe of money redeemed but the countie of TRIPOLIS was after eight yeares strait captiuitie hardly deliuered Noradin after this victorie returning againe to the siege of ARETHUSA in few daies woon the towne and encouraged with so good successe and the absence of the king laid siege to the citie of PANEADE which was also deliuered vnto him vpon condition that the citizens might at their pleasure in safetie depart At the same time Saracon generall of Noradin his forces tooke from the Christians two castels the one in the countrey of SIDON the other beyond IORDAN vpon the borders of ARABIA both in the custodie of the Templars twelue of whom the king at his returne hanged vp for treason Shortly after Saracon king Noradin his great man of war with all the power of the Turkes came downe againe into AEGYPT with purpose to haue fully subdued all that notable kingdome vnto his lord and master Of whose power Sanar the Sultan standing in dread praied aid of Almericus promising vnto him beside his yearely tribute the summe of fortie thousand ducats for his paines The matter fully agreed vpon and all things now in readinesse Almericus set forward with his armie and encountring with Saracon and his Turks at the riuer NILVS ouerthrew him in a great battell yet not without some losse for the Turks in their flight lighting vpon the kings carriages with the whole baggage of the armie and ouerrunning them that had the charge thereof caried away with them a most rich prey whereby it came to passe that as the Christians had the victorie so the Turkes enjoyed the spoile Saracon after this ouerthrow hauing againe gathered together his dispersed souldiers tooke his way to ALEXANDRIA where he was by the citizens receiued after whom the king following gaue no attempt vnto the citie for that he knew to be but vaine but encamped close by the side of the riuer NILVS from whence the citie was chiefly to be victualed Whose purpose Saracon perceiuing and betime foreseeing the distresse of his whole armie
inuaded by Almericus they praid aid of Noradin the Turke Sultan of DAMASCO who vnto their reliefe sending Saracon with an armie repulsed indeed the Christians but oppressing their libertie tooke vnto himselfe the kingdome which he left vnto his nephew Saladine in whose posteritie it remained vntill it was from them againe taken by the Circassian slaues the Mamalukes vnder whose seruile gouernment it was holden of long time vntill that by the great emperor of the Turkes Selymus the first it was againe conquered and the Mamalukes vtterly destroied In the gouernment of whose posteritie the mightie emperors of the Turks it hath euer since remained as part of their empire vntill this day as in the processe of this historie God willing shall appeare Saladin thus possessed of the great kingdome of AEGYPT and all things set in such order as he thought best for the newnesse of his state with a great armie entred into the land of PALESTINE in the yeare 1170 and there besieged DARON which towne he woon and ouerthrew such as were sent by king Almericus to haue relieued the same with which small victorie contenting himselfe as with the good beginning of his rising fortune he returned backe againe into his kingdome Yet was his armie so great and populous as that the like armie of the Turkes had neuer before beene seene in the Holy land Wherefore Almericus considering in what great danger he stood his kingdome now being on both sides beset by the Turks sent out his embassadours vnto the Christian princes of the West to craue their aid for the defence of that kingdome which their fathers had woon And for the same purpose went himselfe in person vnto the emperour of CONSTANTINOPLE of whom he was royally entertained and afterwards sent backe loaded with the promises of great matters as were also his embassadours from the princes of the West All which for all that sorted vnto nothing but vanished into smoake The yeare following viz. 1171 Saladin besieged PETREA the metropoliticall citie of ARABIA but hearing that Almericus with a great power was comming to the reliefe thereof hee raised his siege and retired As he did also the next yeare after hauing in vaine attempted the strong castle of MONT-ROYALL on the further side of IORDAN In like manner also the third yeare he came againe into the Holy land and spoiled the countrey beyond IORDAN but hearing of the kings comming against him he foorthwith returned againe into AEGYPT All these light expeditions this politike prince made not so much for hope of victorie or to prooue his enemies strength as to traine his souldiers especially the effeminat Aegyptians and to make them sitter to serue him in his greater designes Shortly after died Noradin Sultan of DAMASCO and in his time a most notable champion of the Turks after he had raigned nine and twentie yeares Vpon whose death Almericus foorthwith besieged the citie of PANEADE in hope to haue againe recouered the same but he was by the widow of the late dead Sultan for a great summe of money and the deliuerie of certaine noble prisoners intreated to raise his siege and depart So hauing sent away his armie and trauelling with his ordinarie retinue to TIBERIAS where hee had the summer before beene sicke of the flix feeling himselfe not well he returned on horsebacke by NAZARETH and NEAPOLIS to HIERUSALEM where his old disease increasing vpon him he was also taken with a feuer wherewith after he had beene some few daies grieuously tormented hee requested his physitians with some gentle potion to loose his belly which was now somewhat staied which they refusing to do he commaunded the potion to be giuen him vpon his owne perill hap thereon what hap should which being giuen him and his belly againe loosed he seemed therewith to haue been at the first well eased but his woonted feauer with great vehemencie returning before his weake spent bodie could be with conuenient meats refreshed he suddenly died the tenth of Iuly in the yeare 1173 when he had raigned about ten yeares His dead bodie was with the great lamentation of all his subjects solemnly buried by his brothers Hee was a most wise prince and withall right valiant amongst many most fit for the gouernment and defence of that troublesome kingdome so hardly beset with the infidels if it had pleased God to haue giuen him longer life Foure daies after the death of Almericus was Baldwin his sonne then a youth about thirteene yeares old by the generall consent of the nobilitie chosen king and by Almericus the Patriarch in the temple with great solemnitie crowned in the yeare 1173 vnto whom as not yet by reason of his tender age fit himselfe to mannage the waightie affaires of the kingdome Raymund countie of TRIPOLIS was by the whole consent of the nobilitie appointed tutor to supply what was wanting in the yoong king Noradin Sultan of DAMASCO dead as is aforesaid left behind him Melechsala his sonne yet but a youth to succeed him in his kingdome Whose gouernment the nobilitie disdaining sent secretly for Saladin Sultan of Aegypt vnto whom at his comming they betrayed the citie of DAMASCO the regall seat of the Turkes in SYRIA Whereof Saladin possessed and entring into CELESIRIA without resistance tooke HELIOPOLIS EMISSA with the great citie of CESAREA and in fine all the whole kingdome of DAMASCO the citie of ARâ—THUSA onely excepted But thus to suffer Melechsala the young prince to be wronged and the kingdome of DAMASCO to be joyned vnto the kingdome of Aegypt was of the wiser sort thought not to stand with the safetie of the kingdome of HIERUSALEM lying in the middle betwixt them both Wherefore the countie of TRIPOLIS gouernour of that kingdome made out certaine forces to haue hindred his proceeding At which time also Cotobed prince of PARTHIA and Melechsalas vncle sent certaine troupes of Parthian horsemen to haue aided his distressed nephew who were by Saladin ouerthrowne and almost all slaine neere vnto ALEPPO where Melechsala lay As for the countie of TRIPOLIS and the other Christian princes with whom Saladin in the newnesse of his kingdome had no desire to fall out he appeased them with faire intreatie and rewards vnto the countie hee sent freely the hostages which yet lay for his ransome at EMISSA vnto the other princes he sent rich presents and therewith so contented them all that they returned without any thing doing against him After which time three or foure yeareâ— passed in great quietnesse to the great strengthening of him in those his new gotten kingdomes At length vpon the comming ouer of Philip earle of FLANDERS the Christian princes in SYRIA encouraged consulted of an expedition to be made into AEGIPT whereof Saladin hauing intelligence drew downe into that countrey the greatest part of his strength But Philip disliking of that expedition and the rather for that he saw no great cheerefulnesse in the countie of TRIPOLIS and the rest thereunto they
the releefe thereof by sea Of which preparation Saladin vnderstanding as also of the kings comming by letters intercepted by his scouts directed to the besieged for the holding out of the siege with promise of speedie reliefe he presentâ—y rise with his armie and departed whereof the king being aduertised retired to SEPHOR Not long after Saladin according to his ambitious nature desirous aboue measure to extend the bounds of his kingdome and seeing the successe of his attempts against the king of HIERUSALEM not answerable to his desire conuerted his forces vnto the countries more eastward and passing the riuer EUPHRATES and entring into MESOPOTAMIA partly by force partly by corruption got into his hand the cities of EDESSA CARRAS and diuers others In which time the king of HIERUSALEM tooke occasion first to spoile the country about DAMASCO and after that diuers other places of the Sultans kingdome making hauock of whatsoeuer came in his way and so laded with the spoile of the Turkes retired to HIERUSALEM Saladin with victorie returning out of MESOPOTAMIA in reuenge of the injuries done vnto him in his absence marched directly to ALEPPO the strongest citie of the Christians in that part of SYRIA which aboue all other he longed after where hee had not long lien but that it was by the treason of the gouernour deliuered into his hands with all the countrie thereabouts wherwith the Christian princes were so discouraged that they euen then began to feare greater matters to ensue The prince of ANTIOCH sould TARSVS the metropoliticall citie of CILICIA to Rupinus prince of ARMENIA for that he saw it was not without great charge and danger to be by him defended being so farre from him and Saladin as it were now stept in betwixt him and it At the same time king Baldwin at NAZARETH fell sicke of a feauer the leprosie also his old disease growing dayly more and more vpon him in so much that dispairing of his life he called vnto him Guy Lusignan countie of IOPPA and ASCALON vnto whom he had before espoused Sybill his eldest sister and in the presence of his mother the Patriarch and all the chiefe commaunders of the souldiers of the sacred war appointed him gouernour of the kingdome reseruing vnto himselfe only the title of a king with the citie of HIERUSALEM and a yearely pension of ten thousand duckats All which was done to the great disgrace and discontentment of the countie of TRIPOLIS the old gouernour It was not long but that Saladin hauing breathed himselfe a little after so great labours came againe into the Holy land where he tooke many castles and did infinit harme in so much that the countrey people were glad for feare to forsake their houses and to flie into cities The Christian armie in the meane time lying fast by at SEPHOR not once moouing although many a faire occasion were offred For the chiefe commaunders affectionated vnto the countie of TRIPOLIS and enuying at the preferment of Guy the new gouernour were vnwilling to fight but finding one excuse or other suffered the enemie at his pleasure to spoile the countrey and so in safetie to depart which he had neuer before done in those quarters Within lesse than a moneth after Saladin with a great armie well appointed with all the habilliments of war needfull for the besieging of a citie or strong castle came againe into the land of PALESTINE and passing through the countrey beyond IORDAN sat downe at last before PETRA in hope by the taking thereof to haue made his passage betweene AEGYPT and DAMASCO more safe Of which his purpose king Baldwin hauing knowledge and taught by the euill successe of late to what small purpose it was to commit the managing of his wars vnto a generall so euill beloued and lesse regarded as was Guy his brother in law sent against him with his armie Raymund the countie of TRIPOLIS the old gouernour whom he had againe restored vnto the gouernment and displaced Guy Of whose comming Saladin hearing raised his siege after he had lien there a moneth and so departed A little before this expedition the king still growing sicker and sicker his foule disease still increasing by the common consent of the nobilitie appointed Baldwin his nephew by his sister Sybylla a child but of fiue yeares old to succeed him in the kingdome and the countie of TRIPOLIS to haue the gouernment of the state during the time of his minoritie This Sybilla the kings sister was first married to William the yoonger marquesse of MOUNT-FERRAT who dying within three months after left her with child with this his posthumus sonne Baldwin now by his vncle deputed vnto the hope of the kingdome After whose death she was married to Guy Lusignan countie of IOPPA and ASCALON the late gouernour who taking in euill part this the kings designement especially for the gouernment of the kingdome by the countie of TRIâ—OLIS departed from the court as a man discontented vnto his citie of ASCALON whereof the Patriarch and the princes of the sacred war fearing and that not without cause great danger to ensue came to the king then holding a parlament at the citie of ACON most humbly requesting him for auoiding of further danger and the safetie of his kingdome to receiue againe into his fauour the countie Guy his brother in law and to make an attonement betwixt him and the countie of TRIPOLIS But this their request sorted to no purpose so that the parlament was dissolued without any thing for the good of the commonweale in that point concluded After that time the kingdome of HIERUSALEM began still more and more to decline In the old king Baldwin sicke both in bodie and mind was almost no hope in the yoong king yet vnfit for so great a burthen much lesse and the dissention betwixt the two counties Guy and Raymund with their fauorits was like enough to bring great harme vnto the state Besides that the countie of TRIPOLIS fearing the power of Guy his enemy was thought to haue secret intelligence with Saladin the Turke in so much that the king was almost in purpose to haue proclaimed him traitour Wherefore the king now rested onely vpon the counsell of William archbishop of TYRE and the masters of the knights of the sacred war by whose aduise he sent Heraclius Patriarch of HIERUSALEM Roger Molins master of the kinghts of S. Iohns and Arnold master of the Templars embassadours vnto Lucius the third then Pope vnto Fredericke the emperour Philip the French king and Henrie the second king of ENGLAND to declare vnto them the dangerous state of that Christian kingdome and to craue their aid against the Infidels These embassadours comming to the Counsell then holden at VERONA with great grauitie and diligence in the presence of the Pope and of the emperour declared the hard estate of the Christians of the East with their humble request vnto them for aid in such sort that they mooued
them with all the princes there present to compassion From thence they were by the Pope directed vnto Philip the French king with whom hauing dispatched their affaires they from him passed ouer into ENGLAND afterward into GERMANIE and had at length broght their negotiation to so good passe that in euerie place great preparation was made for a great expedition to be vndertaken against the Turks for the reliefe of the Christians in the East with which good newes the embassadours returning to HIERUSALEM filled the sicke king with the hope of great matters But greater quarrels shortly after arising betwixt the Pope and the emperour and sharpe war likewise betwixt the French king and the king of ENGLAND and the other Christian princes also being at no better quiet the notable expedition that had with the expectation thereof so filled the world was againe laid aside and quite dashed Whereof king Baldwin vnderstanding both by messengers and letters from his friends oppressed with griefe and heauinesse more than with the force of his disease a man for his prowesse and painefulnesse not inferiour to any his predecessours died without issue the 16 day of May in the yeare 1185 being but fiue and twentie yeares old whereof he had raigned twelue His bodie was afterward with the generall mourning of his subjects solemnly buried in the temple neere vnto the mount CALVARIE together with his predecessours the kings of HIERUSALEM King Baldwin thus buried Baldwin the fift of that name yet but a boy was crowned king But then began the sparks which had of long lien raked vp hidden in the ashes to break out into a great fire For Raymund countie of TRIPOLIS contended the whole gouernment of the kingdome tuition of the king to be due vnto him by the appointment of the late king consent of the nobilitie and did so much that he had almost obtained it to haue beene confirmed vnto him in open parlament But Sybilla a woman of a most haughty spirit sister vnto the late king mother vnto the yoong king yet liuing prickt forward her husband Guy in no case to giue place vnto his competitour Raymund and so animated him that by the helpe of his owne fauourits and the countenance of Boniface marquesse of MOVNT-FERRAT who euen then was come with a great power into SIRIA he extorted from the nobilitie whatsoeuer hee desired But seuen moneths were scarce well passed but that this yoong king Baldwin was dead and buried poysoned as was reported by his mother for the desire shee had of the kingdome herselfe whose death she with all secrecie concealed vntill she had obtained of the Patriarch and other princes of the kingdome That Guy her husband might be proclaimed king So by her meanes it was so wrought that vpon one and the selfe same day the yoong king Baldwin was buried by his vncle and Guy the countie crowned This yoong king Baldwin by reason of his tender yeares and short raigne is of some not reckoned amongst the kings of HIERUSALEM howbeit seeing he was by his vncle and the princes of that time thought woorthy of the kingdome let him also haue his place amongst the rest as the eight king of HIERUSALEM When Guy was thus possessed of the kingdome the countie of TRIPOLIS seeing himselfe out of all hope of the gouernment and highly therewith discontented did what he might by all meanes to crosse the doings of the king whose sicke and aspiring mind Saladin prickt dayly more and more forward promising him his helping hand whensoeuer hee should need which courtesie the countie desirously imbraced For now the fatall period of the kingdome of HIERUSALEM drew fast on and all things tended to destruction discord raigning in euerie place which Saladin well perceiuing after that he had compacted with the countie by messengers sent of purpose inuited the Turks Sarasins Aegyptians as men agreeing in one and the same religion generally to take vp armes in so fit an oportunitie of the discord of the Christians assuring them of great prey and spoile besides the honour of the conquest The citie of PTOLEMAIS was the place by him appointed where all this power should meet whether such a multitude of the barbarous Mahometanes partly for the hatred of the Christian religion partly for the hope of the rich spoile which Saladin had promised them came flocking out of all places that in short time there was met together about fiftie thousand horsemen besides an infinit number of foot And vnto such as could not safely passe by the borders of HIERUSALEM to them the false countie gaue safe conduct by the countries of TIBERIAS NAZARETH and GALILEY All the power of the infidels thus assembled Saladin laid siege vnto the citie of PTOLEMAIS which the Templars and the knights Hospitalers had notably fortefied and strongly manned as before vnto them giuen by the kings of HIERUSALEM to defend against the infidels and therein now were both the masters of both those honourable orders with the whole flower of the knights of their profession Vnto this citie Saladin gaue a most terrible assault vpon May day in the morning in the yeare 1187 which was by the Christians notably defended and the enemie with great slaughter still beaten downe In the heat of this assault the two great masters sallying out with certaine troupes of their most readie horsemen assailed the enemies campe and bearing down all before them raised there a great tumult and by and by turning vpon the backs of them that were assaulting the citie made there an exceeding great slaughter Insomuch that Saladin dismaied first with the confusion in his campe and now with the suddain danger behind him was glad to giue ouer the assault and to turne his whole forces vpon them where was fought a most bloodie and terrible battell Amongst others that there fought the countie of TRIPOLIS now an enemie vnto God and his country disguised in the habit of a Turke notably helped the infidels and meeting with the great master of the knights Hospitalers vnhorsed him who surcharged with the waight of his armour and oppressed with the multitude of his enemies there died Neuerthelesse such was the valour of these woorthie men and new succour still comming out of the citie that Saladin hauing in that battell and at the assault lost fifteene thousand of his Turks was glad with the rest to betake himselfe to flight Neither was this so notable a victorie gained by the Christians without blood most part of the worthie knights Hospitalers being together with their grand master there slaine Saladin by this ouerthrow perceiuing that by open force he should not be able to doe much against the Christians thought it good vnto his forces to joyne also pollicie Wherein the false countie of TRIPOLIS was the man he thought best to make choice of as his fittest instrument to worke by Him hee compacted withall to seeke for grace at the king of HIERUSALEM his
in due place God willing be declared Now was king Richard for the increase of his honour more desirous than before of the citie of HIERUSALEM as the most precious and honourable prize of all that religious warre And thereupon with all the power of the Christians then at his command set forward from PTOLEMAIS and was come on his way as farre as ARSUA a towne situate betwixt CESAREA and IOPPE In the vauward was king Richard himselfe with the Englishmen after whom followed Odo duke of BVRGVNDIE with his French and in the rereward Iaques de Auenes with the Flemmings Brabanders and Wallons who after the death of their countie Philip at the siege of PTOLEMAIS had put themselues all vnder his regiment Saladin with a great armie still at hand and as it were attending vpon them first with certaine ambuscadoes charged the rereward and so afterward came on with his whole power vpon whom Iaques turning himselfe with his Flemmings receiued the charge with great assurance and so long themselues endured the same vntill the French came in to their succours and after them the English also There was fought a notable battell and great valour shewed both on the one side and the other but especially by them of the Turkes part who knew well the purpose of the Christians for the besieging of HIERUSALEM and that thereon depended their onely hope and that hee that could hold the same might almost assure himselfe to carrie away the glorie of that warre The French and English in that battell honorably stroue who might shew the greatest valour neither would the Low countrey men vnder Iaques their generall seeme to bee any thing behind them This sharpe conflict began about noone and continued vntill the going downe of the Sunne King Richard as some write was there wounded with an arrow and Iaques valiantly there fighting was slaine hauing sold his life deere to the great admiration of the infidels and dying left the victorie vnto the Christians It is reported that in this battell were slaine moe Turks and Sarasins than in any one battell within the memorie of man before of the Christians were not lost any great number either any man of name more than the aforesaid Iaques the valiant generall of the Flemmings The next day the Christians remooued to BETHLEM a towne about the mid way betwixt IOPPE and HIERUSALEM But Winter now comming fast on and want of victuals like ynough to increase the king changing his mind for the siege returned with the greatest part of the armie to ASCALON which he that Winter new fortefied the wals thereof being before by Saladin in his despaire demolished the duke of BVRGVNDIE with his Frenchmen all that while quietly wintering at TYRE In the meane time the power of the Christians was that Winter greatly deminished some one way departing from the campe and some another The Italians for the most part with them of PISA who in these three yeares warres had striuen with the Venetians for the honour of their seruice were now returned home as were the Venetians themselues also Neuerthelesse Winter now past and the Spring time come king Richard took the field againe and came to BETHLEM where by the way hee met with an exceeding great number of cammels charged with great store of victuals and munition sent by Saladin out of AEGYPT to HIERUSALEM all which he tooke But purposing to haue gone on to the siege of HIERUSALEM he was by the backwardnesse of the French glad to change his purpose and to returne to PTOLEMAIS for the Frenchmen persuaded by the duke their generall who well knew the French kings mind That if any thing woorth remembrance were done it was to bee done by them and that the glorie thereof should wholly redound vnto the king of ENGLAND as there in person present and to his Englishmen shewed themselues so vnwilling to the siege as that therin was nothing done to the great griefe of that worthy prince At which time also news was brought vnto king Richard How that Philip the French king forgetfull of his solemne promise made before his departure out of SYRIA had now inuaded the country of NORMANDIE and excited earle Iohn the kings brother a man of an hautie aspiring nature to take vpon him the kingdome of ENGLAND in his absence as had before in like case William the yonger brother serued duke Robert his elder brother then absent at his father the Conquerours death in the first sacred expedition vnder Godfrey of BUILLON Wherfore king Richard beside the present difficulties fearing least while he was so far off in wars for defence of the Christian commonweale he might lose his kingdome at home thought it best to grow to some good end with Saladin and so to make his returne But the politicke and warie Sultan not ignorant of the discord of the Christians and that their forces daily decaied in SYRIA either of the troubled estate of the kings affairs at home in his kingdome or of his desire to returne would not hearken to any other conditions of peace but such as might both for the present weaken the forces of the Christians in SIRIA and discourage others that had a mind to come thither afterward whē they should see that for naught they should trauell to conquer that which in the end they must of necessitie restore againe The conditions he offered were That the Christians should foorthwith restore whatsoeuer they had woon in those three years wars PTOLEMAIS only excepted and that from thence forth for the space of fiue yeares the Turks should not in any thing molest the Christians but to suffer them in peace to liue by them which hard conditions for that no better could be had the king was glad to accept and so concluded a peace Wherby the labor and trauell of the two great kings and so many nations with them were all become frustrat and vaine hauing now to no purpose lost their men their money their time their hope their blood their long trauell to gaine that they must now in one houre forgo nothing more left vnto the poore Christians in SIRIA than the cities of ANTIOCH TYRE and PTOLEMAIS This done king Richard leauing the affaires of ASIA vnto the charge of Henrie countie of CHAMPAGNE his nephew shipping the greatest part of his people with his wife Berengaria first for SICILIA and from thence for ENGLAND where they in safetie at length arriued followed shortly after with some few himselfe where by the way by extremitie of weather he was in the Adriatique driuen to land vpon the coast of HISTRIA where trauelling with a small retinue homewards in the habit of a Templar he was discouered and taken prisoner by Leopold duke of AVSTRIA whom he had before disgraced at the winning of PTOLEMAIS as is before declared who now glad to haue him in his power made prize of him and sold him to Henrie the emperor for fortie thousand pounds by
whom he was kept prisoner by the space of a yeare and three months and then ransomed for the summe of an hundred and fiftie thousand pounds About this time died the great Sultan Saladin the greatest terrour of the Christians who mindfull of mans fragilitie and the vanitie of worldly honours commanded at the time of his death no solemnitie to be vsed at his buriall but onely his shirt in manner of an ensigne made fast vnto the point of a launce to be carried before his dead bodie as an ensigne a plaine priest going before and crying aloud vnto the people in this sort Saladin Conquerour of the East of all the greatnesse and riches hee had in his life carrieth not with him after his death any thing more than his shirt A fight woorthie so great a king as wanted nothing to his eternall commendation more than the true knowledge of his saluation in Christ Iesu. He raigned about sixteene yeares with great honour and dying left nine sonnes which were all murthered by Saphradin their vncle excepting one called also Saphradin Sultan of ALEPPO who by the fauour and support of his fathers good friends saued himselfe from the treacherous practises of his vncle Of this Saphradin the vncle discended Meledin Sultan of AEGYPT and Coradin Sultan of DAMASCO and HIERUSALEM Saladin his great kingdome being by them now againe rent in pieces The death of Saladin in short time bruited abroad with the discord amongst the Turks and Sarasins about his dominions put Celestinus then Pope in good hope that the citie of HIERUSALEM might in that change and hurle be easily againe recouered and that kingdome established But when hee had in vaine dealt to that purpose with the kings of FRANCE and ENGLAND then altogether busied in their wars the one against the other he persuaded Henrie the sixt then emperor to take the matter in hand who for that he well could not or else would not himselfe in person vndertake that long expedition sent Henrie duke of SAXONIE his lieutenant with a great armie into ASIA vnto whom were joyned two Legats Conradus Archbishop of MOGUNSIA another of the electours and Conradus the bishop of HERâ—IPOLIS At which time also many other great princes tooke vpon them that holy war namely Herman Lantgraue of THURIN Henrie Palatine of RHENE Henrie duke of BRABANT Conrad marques of MORAVIA Frederick duke of AUSTRIA and Albertus Hapspurgensis with some others vnto whom also joyned themselues the bishops of BREME HALBERSTAT and RATISBON with diuers other great prelates Who hauing passed through HUNGARIE and THRACIA and by the Greeke emperour Alexius Angelus relieued with all things necessarie were by the Graecian ships transported vnto ANTIOCH and so by land came to TYRE and from thence to PTOLEMAIS with purpose to haue gone to relieue the Germains besieged in IOPPE who before their comming were all by treason slaine and the citie rased wherefore being come to the ruins thereof they departed thence to SIDON which they found also abandoned by the Turks After that they tooke BERITHUS which citie they fortified and so went to besiege TORONE which citie when they had brought vnto the extremitie as that it must needs as it was thought either yeeld or bee taken the Turkes came on so fast to the reliefe therof that the Christians were glad to raise their siege and to be gone which they in garrison at BERITHUS perceiuing seeing the enemie to approch them they abandoned the citie and joyning themselues vnto the rest of the armie marched all together to IOPPE a little before ruinated which they now againe fortified But the enemie comming to BERITHUS and finding it forsaken rased it downe to the ground and so in few moneths space was BERITHUS both repaired and rased in the yeere 1197. But whilest the Christians were repairing the citie of IOPPE the Turks proud of that they had done at BERITHUS came now to disturbe also the fortifying of that place Of whose comming the Christians vnderstanding remooued by night about fiue miles from the citie of purpose to draw the Turks vnto a conuenient place for battell The Turks thinking them to haue beene fled for feare sent part of their armie to assaile the citie and with the other followed after them disorderedly as if it had beene after men they had had in chace Vpon whom the Christians turning had with them at the first a sharpe encounter but afterwards put them to flight in which conflict certaine thousands of the Turks fell of whom the Christians taking the spoile and hauing put the rest to flight returned againe vnto the fortifying of the citie But the joy of this victorie was by the sudden death of two of the greatest princes in the armie greatly diminished for the duke of SAXONIE hauing in the battell taken great paines in performing the parts both of a woorthie generall and valiant souldier had ouer heated himselfe and thereupon without regard of his health taking cold died of a feauer the fourth day after The duke of AUSTRIA mortally wounded in the battell died also the night following About this time or not long after died Celestinus the pope author of this expedition and Henrie also the Germaine emperour after whose death great troubles began to arise in GERMANIE about the chusing of a new emperour Whereof the bishop of MOGUNSIA then chiefe commander of the armie of the Christians in SIRIA one of the electors and the other Germaine princes with him hauing intelligence could not by any persuasion or praiers of the poore Christians in whose quarrell they were come bee persuaded longer to stay but that needs home they would indeed home they went the same way that they came After whose departure the Turks tooke IOPPE hauing one of the ports betraied vnto them by one of the citie at such time as the Germains there in garrison after the manner of their countrey vpon S. Martins day were carelesly making merrie together in their pots vpon whom so surcharged with wine the Turks entring by the port giuen vnto them put them all with the rest of the Christians to the sword and so afterward rased the citie downe to the ground Of which victorie they became so proud that they had thought without stop to haue driuen the Christians quite out of SIRIA but by the comming of Simon countie of MONT-FORT a most valiant and expert captaine sent thither by Philip the French king with a regiment of tall soldiers at the instance of Innocentius Tertius that succeeded Celestinus in the papacie and by ciuill discord then raigning among the Turks themselues for soueraigntie their furie was repressed and a peace betwixt them and the Christians concluded for the space of ten yeares during which time the Turks promised not to molest the Christians in TYRE or PTOLEMAIS which hapned in the yeare 1199 or as some others say 1198. After which peace so concluded the woorthie countie returned again with his souldiers into
repaire vnto CYPRUS as Robert duke of BURGUNDIE who hauing wintred in ACHAIA came now in the beginning of the Spring vnto the king with a number of good horsemen and with him William prince of ACHAIA with a great fleet out of PELOPONESUS which countrey with most part of GRECIA was then vnder the commaund of the Latines amongst others came also William surnamed Long-espie earle of SARISEURIE with a band of lustie tall souldiors So the armie being met together and all things againe in a readinesse king Lewes departing from CYPRUS and tossed at sea with cōtrary winds about fiue daies after fell with the coast of AEGIPT there with all his fleet came before the strong towne of DAMIATA being as we haue said the key of that kingdome The Sultan long before vnderstanding of the French kings purpose for the inuasion of his countrey had strongly fortified his frontier townes and put into them strong garrisons beside the great power he kept with himselfe in readinesse at all assaies as occasion should require Vpon the approch of the Christians the gouernour of DAMIATA was ready vpon the shore with a number of braue souldiers to keepe them from landing who neuerthelesse resolutely before set downe for the performing of that they came for manning foorth their long boats with their archers and crossebowes to beat the enemie from the shore ran a ground with their other small boats made of purpose for the landing of men and so without longer stay came to handie blowes where for a while was fought a most sharpe and cruell battell the Christians striuing to land and the Turkes to keepe them off many falling on both sides But what should an handfull doe against so many The Turkes oppressed with the multitude still landing more and more and hauing done what was possible for them to doe fled into the towne leauing behind them their gouernour with fiue hundred of their best souldiors dead vpon the shore This citie of DAMIATA was exceeding rich and populous and had in the former warres not been taken but by more than a yeares siege as is before declared and that not so much by the valour of the Christians as by the extremitie of the plague and famine since which time it had been strongly fortefied by the Turks with deepe ditches high wals and strong bulwarkes and was at that time well stored with victuals also and all things else for the enduring of a long siege Neuerthelesse the souldiors that were left and the citizens discouraged with the losse of their gouernour and remembrance of the miseries before endured in the former siege and seeing the Christians now readie againe to besiege the same the night following a little before the breake of day set fire euery man vpon his owne house and so by a bridge which they had made of boats fled ouer the great riuer breaking the bridge when they were ouer for feare their enemies should thereby haue followed after them The Christians perceiuing their flight without resistance entred the citie and being strangers did what they could to quench the fire and to saue that which the inhabitants themselues would faine haue with fire destroyed and so afterwards found great abundance of riches with plentifull store of all manner of victuals wherewith the souldiors both enriched and refreshed themselues This so happie vnexpected a victorie happened vnto the Christians about the beginning of October in the yeare 1249. Sultan Meledin himselfe discouraged with the losse of so strong a citie offered vnto the French king for the redeeming thereof and to haue peace at his hands more territorie in SIRIA and the land of PALESTINE than the Christians had of long time before which large offer was by the French especially by the earle of ARTHOI◠the kings brother proudly rejected and ALEXANDRIA the most famous port and metropoliticall citie of AEGIPT further demaunded to the great discontentment of the Turkes and Sarasins In these troubles died Meledin the old Sultan a man not much beloued of his people in whose stead Melechsala or Melexala as some call him a valiant and couragious prince well beloued of his subjects and but euen then returned out of SIRIA and ARABIA where he had been to craue aid of the other Mahometane princes was chosen Sultan Which princes especially the Sultan of DAMASCO although they had not of long been at any good accord among themselues or with the Aegyptian yet in this common danger of their superstition which by the losse of AEGIPT was like to be greatly weakned they joyned hands together and so sent him great aid The new Sultan thus strengthened drew neerer vnto the Christians which then lay encamped not farre from DAMIATA and had with them a hot skirmish wherein hee was put to the worse and so with some losse glad to retire But the Christians the next day in hope of like successe sallying out againe were ouerthrowne with ten times more losse than was he the day before and so faine to flie vnto the campe By which victorie the Sultan encouraged began now to conceiue better hope of the successe of his wars and by stopping the passages both by water and land to prouide that no victuals could without great perill bee brought either vnto the citie or the campe insomuch that at length victuals began to grow scarce in both whereof the Sultan was not ignorant as being thereof throughly informed by such fugitiues as for want or other causes oftentimes fled out of the French campe into his Winter thus passing and wants still increasing it fortuned that the gouernour of the great citie of CAIRE vpon the fortune whereof depended the state of the whole kingdome a man not euill affected vnto the Christian religion and in his heart highly offended with the Sultan for the death of his brother by him wrongfully executed by secret messengers persuaded the French king to come on with his armie to the citie the regall seat of the Sultan promising him to deliuer it into his power with full instructions what he had in all points to do for the gaining thereof Whereupon the king who had before of himselfe purposed the same exploit but now filled with a greater hope assembled together the greatest forces he was able to make At which time also he sent for the earle of SALISBURIE with the rest of the English men who for many proud indignities offered them by the French especially by the earle of ARTOIS the kings brother whereof they could haue no redresse were gone to PTOLEMAIS without purpose to haue any more serued in those warres But now being sent for by the king with promise of better vsage and honourable recompence for the wrongs past returned againe into AEGIPT there to doe their last endeuour With whose comming the king strengthened but more by the new supplies brought vnto him by his brother Alphonsus out of FRANCE leauing the duke of BURGUNDIE with a conuenient garison with the queene his
strengthening of their kingdome bought an infinit number of slaues especially of the poore and hardie Circassians called in antient time Getae and Zinchi neere vnto COLCHIS and the EUXINE sea brought vnto ALEXANDRIA and other ports of AEGYPT out of those bare cold countries by marchants and from thence transported to CAIRE and other cities of AEGYPT of which poore slaues the late Aegyptian Sultans taking their choice and culling out from the rest such as were like to be of greatest spirit and abilitie of bodie deliuered them vnto most skilfull and expert teachers by whom they were carefully taught to run to leape to vaut to shoot to ride with all other feats of actiuitie and withall cunningly to handle all manner of weapons as well on horsebacke as on foot and so instructed and become cunning were taken out of their schooles into pay and enrolled together as the Sultans choice horsmen were commonly called by the name of Mamalukes In whose good seruice the late Sultans finding great vse spared for no cost both for their maintenance and encreasing of their number dayly erecting new nurseries stored with yoong frie which growing vp and readie was still joyned to the other It is woonderfull to tell vnto what a strength and glorie this order of the Mamalukes was in short time grown by the care of the Aegyptian kings By them they mannaged their greatest affaires especially in time of wars and by their valour not onely defended their countrey but gained many a faire victorie against their enemies as they did now against the French But as too much power in such mens hands seldome or neuer wanteth danger so fell it out now betwixt the late Sultan Melech-sala and those masterfull Mamaluke slaues who proud of their preferment and forgetfull of their dutie and seeing the greatest strength of the kingdome in their hands traiterously slew Melech-sala their chiefe founder setting vp in his place as aforesaid one Turquiminus a base slaue one of their owne order and seruile vocation but indeed otherwise a man of a great spirit and valour This Melech-sala murthered by the Mamalukes was the last of the free borne kings of AEGYPT in whom the Turks kingdome in AEGYPT erected by Sarracon and the great Sultan Saladin as is before said and in his stocke and family euer since continued tooke end as did also all the power of the Turks in that great and rich kingdome For the proud Mamalukes hauing now got the soueraigntie into their hands and exalted a Sultan out of themselues imperiously commanded as great lords ouer the rest of the people not suffring them to haue the vse either of horse or armour or to beare any sway in the common weale but keeping them vnder with most heauie impositions and still preferring their owne slaues wherewith the countrey of AEGYRT now swarmed made the naturall countrey people of all others most miserable not daring to meddle with any thing more than merchandize their husbandrie or other their base mechanicall occupations whereof the greatest profit still came vnto the Mamalukes who as lords of all with great insolencie at their pleasure tooke it from them as their owne As for the great Sultan they still chose him from among themselues not suffering any the Sultans children to succeed their fathers in the kingdome for feare least they in processe of time proud of their ancestors and parentage should recken of them as of his slaues as indeed they were and so at length bring in another more free kind of gouernment Against which they prouided also not onely by this restraint of their Sultans children but of their owne also taking order and exstablishing it as an immutable law That though the sonnes of the Mamalukes might enjoy their fathers lands wealth after their death yet that it should not be lawfull for them in any case to take vpon them the name or honour of a Mamaluke so embarring them from all gouernment in the common wealth to the intent it might still rest with the Mamalukes Neither was it lawfull for any borne of Mahometan parents which could not be slaues or of the race of the Iewes to be admitted into that Order but onely such as being borne Christians and become slaues had from the time of their captiuitie beene enstructed in the Mahometan superstition or else being men grown and comming thither had abjured the Christian religion as many reprobates did in hope of preferment Right strange it is to consider vnto what honour and glorie this slauish empire in short time grew many of those poore slaues by rare fortune or secret diuine power exalted out of the dust vnto the highest dedegree of honour proouing most excellent and renowmed princes of such strength and power as was dreadfull euen vnto the greatest princes of the world In which great glorie this seruile empire to the worlds woonder flourished from this time amongst the greatest by the space of 267 yeates vntill that hauing run the appointed race it was with a great destruction by Selymus the victorious emperour of the Turks ouerthrown in the yeare 1517 and the kingdome of AEGYPT with all SYRIA and the land of PALESTINE brought into the forme of Prouinces vnited vnto the Turks empire as they are at this day and as in the course of this historie shall in due time and place God willing at large appeare But leauing the kingdome of the Turks thus ouerthrown in AEGYPT and the Mamalukes there triumphing the French king returned into FRANCE and the Christians in peace in SIRIA let vs againe returne into the lesser ASIA and vnto the imperiall citie of CONSTANTINOPLE whether the affaires both of the Turkes and of the Christians now call vs. All this while the Greeke empire for so the Greeks will haue it called flourished both in peace and plentie in the lesser ASIA vnder their emperour Iohn Batazes the power of the Latines in the meane time declining as fast at CONSTANTINOPLE vnder the rule of the Latin emperour Baldwin the second As for the Turks whom we left grieuously troubled both with famine and the often incursions of the Tartars they had all this while and yet also enough and more than enough to do to withstand the same enemie At length it fortuned that Iohn Ducas the Greeke emperor died being at the time of his death about threescore yeares old wherof he had happily raigned three thirtie by whose good discreet gouernment the Greeke empire before broght low and almost to naught by the Latines began againe to gather strength and to flourish both in ASIA and some little part of EUROPE also Of him are reported many notable matters which as impertinent to our purpose I could willingly passe ouer were I not by the woorthie remembrance of one of them staied a while by the way This noble and famous emperour hauing long lamented the death of the faire empresse Irene his first wife at last married another yoong ladie the sister of Manfred king of SCICILIE
that euen hee that had so great a care of the yoong child and so prouided for his safetie persuaded by them of the nobilitie and the cleargie with his owne hands and all the accustomed ceremonies set the imperiall crowne vpon this vsurpers head yet not as vpon him that should still enjoy the empire but as vpon a man according to the present necessitie of the time and state thought fittest for so great a charge vntill the yoong child came to age vnto whom then he was to giue place and to resigne to him the empire All which being by more solemne oath than before confirmed good newes as the certaine signes of his fortunat gouernment were brought vnto him of a great victorie obtained by his captaines against Michaell Angelus Despot of AETOLIA and EPIRUS Who hauing married the late emperours daughter and hearing of his death with the great troubles in ASIA aided by the king of SICILIA and the prince of PELOPONESUS and ACHAIA his sonnes in law had thought in that hurle and perturbation of the state to haue taken vnto himselfe the greatest part of the emperours territories in MACEDONIA and THRACIA and for the same purpose was with a great armie entred into them burning and spoiling the countrey before him whereof Michaell Paleologus then but newly made Despot hauing intelligence sent his brother Iohn and some other his best captaines with a great armie against him by whom he with his complices were put to the worse and not without great losse enforced to retire the joyfull newes whereof he receiued euen as he was crowned Which was shortly after confirmed by the comming of the great commaunders themselues bringing with them the prince of PELOPONESUS and ACHAIA by them taken prisoner Who for his ransome was afterward glad to giue vnto the emperour Paleologus MONEMBASIA MAINE and SPARTA three of the best cities of PELOPONESUS whereinto he put strong garrisons vnder the commaund of Constantinus his brother by the mothers side a right valiant captaine By whose good seruice and the commodious situation of the places he gained diuers other townes and cities and at length the greatest part of PELOPONESUS out of the hands of the Latines for the vtter rooting out of whom hee shortly after with a great armie passed ouer into THRACIA with purpose as was thought to haue besieged CONSTANTINOPLE but finding it to be a matter of more difficultie than was before supposed he left that and laied siege to the castle of PERA oueragainst it on the other side of the hauen in hope by winning of that castle to haue become master also of the towne where he was notably repulsed and enforced with losse to retire So rising with his armie hee fortefied diuers castles and strong holds in the countrey about CONSTANTINOPLE and put into them strong garrisons charging them with continuall incursions to trouble the Constantinopolitanes and to cut them so short if it were possible as that they should not dare to looke out at the gates of the citie Which they so well performed that in short time the Latines in the citie were driuen to such extremitie that for want of wood they were faine to burne many of the fairest houses in the cittie in stead of fewell which done hee returned againe to NICE the cheefe seat of the Greeke emperours euer since that CONSTANTINOPLE was taken by the Latines Now raigned in CONSTANTINOPLE the Latine emperour Baldwin the second as is before declared a man of small courage and lesse power and therefore not much regarded either of the Greekes or Latines who for the maintenance of his state was glad to sell away the publick ornaments of the citie and to pawne his sonne vnto the Bruges marchants for money by whom hee was leâ—t at VENICE to be brought vp which gaue occasion for some writers to report That he was pawned vnto the Venetians About this time Mango the great Chan of TARTARIE stirred vp by Aitonus the Armenian king by whose persuasion he had also receiued the Christian religion sent his brother Haalon with an exceeding great armie against the Turkes and Sarrasins in SYRIA and the land of PALESTINE This Haalon conuerted also vnto the Christian faith by his wife setting forward with a world of people following him in the space of six moneths ouerran all PERSIA with the countries adjoyning excepting one strong place in the mountains which some say was SAMARCHAND afterward the royall seat of the great terrour of the world the mightie Tamerlaine which besieged by ten thousand horsemen by him there left for that purpose and so continued by the space of seuen and twentie yeares after was then at length as Aiton himselfe writeth yeelded by the defendants onely for want of clothes to couer their nakednesse Haalon in whose armie those ten thousand left behind were not missed marching on and as a violent tempest bearing all downe before him entered at length into ASSYRIA and there laied siege vnto the great citie of BABYLON then the seat of the great Caliph whom all the Mahometane princes honoured aboue all others as the true successour of their great prophet Mahomet and receiued from his mouth the interpretation of their law as most diuine oracles Which great citie Haalon woon and putting to sword all he found therein men women and children with the spoile therof and the rich treasures of the Caliph enriched his souldiours The Caliph himselfe reserued for that purpose he commaunded to be set in the middest of the infinite treasure which hee and his predecessours had most couetously heaped vp together and that he should of that gold siluer and precious stones take what it pleased him to eat saying by way of derision That so gainefull a guest should by good reason be fed with nothing but things of greatest price whereof he willed him to make no spare In which order the couetous wretch kept for certaine daies miserably died for hunger in the middest of those things whereof he thought hee should neuer haue had ynough which though they were in valour great and with great care laied together yet serued they him not now to suffice nature best contented with a little BABYLON thus sacked and almost rased the Tartar marching on through MESOPOTAMIA by the way took the citie of RHOAIS where Aiton the Armenian king and author of this the Tartars expedition came vnto him with twelue thousand horsemen and fortie thousand foot as reporteth Aiton the Armenian kings nephew then there present So entering into SYRIA in a few daies tooke ALEPPO which hee sacked and rased in the yeare of our Lord 1260 with diuerse other strong townes sometime belonging vnto the kingdome of ANTIOCH Then was one Malacnesar Sultan of DAMASCO commaunding ouer all SYRIA and the land of PALESTINE who terrified with the losse of his cities and the feare of farther danger with his wife and children came and humbled himselfe before the Tartar prince in hope so to haue
yet held it out by the space of six moneths After which time wants dayly more and more increasing among the besieged embassadours were sent out to the king to entreat with him of peace But whilest these embassadours go too and fro and reason vpon the capitulations of the desired peace behold a great and furious plague arose in the French campe which began to cut them downe by heapes there died Iohn Tristan countie of NEVERS the kings yoongest sonne borne in the first expedition that the said king his father made into the Holy land euen at such time as hee was taken prisoner which Tristan died the fiue and twentith day of August in the yeare of our Lord 1270. The good king hauing yet scarcely performed the obsequies of his sonne fell sicke of the bloodie flix wherof he there shortly after died also About which time arriued there Charles king of SICILIE the French kings brother with a great number of fresh souldiours whose comming lightned somewhat the Frenchmens hearts heauie for the death of their king and daunted the Moores before brag of the same Shortly after whom arriued there also prince Edward king Henrie the third his eldest sonne who trauelling through FRANCE and taking shipping at AQVESMORT not far from MARSEILLES was now in ten daies with a braue companie of Englishmen come to TVNES and there of the other Christian princes namely of Philip the French king his father Lewis being now dead of Charles king of SICILIE and of the two kings of NAVAR and ARAGON joyfully receiued But these princes had a little before his arriuall concluded a peace with the Moores king and the infidels vpon condition that he should pay a yearely tribute of fortie thousand crownes vnto the king of SICILIA and to suffer the Christian religion to be freely preached in his dominions by such deuout persons as should be there left for that purpose and that vnto such persons as should by their preaching bee conuerted vnto the faith in Christ Iesus it should be lawfull for them to be baptized and to professe the Christian religion Of which peace prince Edward vnderstanding did what hee might to haue dissuaded them from the same saying That the war was by them all taken in hand against the infidels as enemies vnto the crosse of Christ with whom they were not to haue peace and for the recouerie of the Holy citie But say what he would and what he could the peace to his great discontentment was now concluded which they might not as they said againe breake and thereuppon with the first faire wind hoissed saile and returned towards SICILIA with purpose the next Spring to haue gone into SYRIA which their determination was shortly after by the hand of God disappointed For being come vpon the cost of the island not far from DREPANVM most of the great princes and other nobilitie in their long boats went on land the rest of the fleet lying at anker about a league off for that being for the most part ships of great burthen they were not able to put into the harbour But as they so lay by force of a sudden and violent tempest then arising some were eaten vp with the wrought sea some falling foule one of another there perished together others driuen vpon the maine were there beaten in peeces so that of that great fleet before the storme ceassed perished about an hundred and twentie saile with all the people aâ— well marriners as souldiours left in them and great store both of armour and munition In 〈◊〉 sort that most of the common souldiours and marriners which had escaped the plague 〈◊〉 TVNES there vpon the coast of SICILIA perished by shipwracke Onely prince Edwards fleet being in number but thirteene ships escaped free without losse either of ship or man Neither were they that were got to land at DREPANVM in much better case the plague still following them whereof died Theobald king of NAVAR and Isabell his wife king Lewis his daughter Elizabeth the French queene with a woonderfull number of noble gentlemen and other common souldiours in such sort that Philip the French king discouraged with the greatnesse of the mortalitie and the miserable losse at sea resolued there to make an end of the intended warre and so returned into FRANCE as did the rest that were left euery man into his owne countrey Onely prince Edward hauing passed that Winter in SICILIA with the first of the next Spring set forward againe on his voyage and in fifteene dayes after arriued with his fleet at PTOLEMAIS where after he had by the space of a moneth rested himselfe and his souldiors after their long trauell and fully inquired of the state of the country hee with six or seuen thousand souldiors marching from PTOLEMAIS about twentie miles into the land tooke NAZARETH and put to sword all them he found therein and so againe returned After whom the enemies following in hope to haue taken him at some aduantage he vnderstanding thereof turned backe vpon them and killing a great number of them put the rest to â—light And after that about Midsummer vnderstanding that the Sarasins were againe making head at a place called CAKHOW about fortie miles off he set forwards towards them and comming vpon them early in the morning before they were aware slew aboue a thousand of them and dispersed the rest Aided also by the nobilitie of CYPRUS he with like successe as before made a third expedition against the Infidels insomuch that his fame began to grow great amongst them and they to stand of him in no little dread But whilest he thus preuailed he was by foule trecherie almost taken out of the way The Admirall of IOPPA faigning himselfe desirous to become a Christian and willing to further the princes proceedings had by a secret messenger and letters sundrie times intelligence with him as well concerning his owne good intertainement as the effecting of that which he had promised This messenger by the Admirall thus imployed was though to the prince vnknowne one of the Assasines a companie of most desperat and dangerous men among the Mahometanes who strongly deluded with the blind zeale of their superstition and accounting it meritorious by any meanes to kill any great enemie of their religion for the performance thereof as men prodigall of their liues desperately aduenture themselues vnto all kind of dangers So now this messenger before resolued to die comming the fift time vnto the prince and being searched for hauing any weapon about him as the manner was had accesse vnto him then lying in his chamber vpon his bed in his jerkin bare headed because of the heat of the weather where after due reuerence done hee pulled out certaine letters from his lord vnto the prince which he read with great delight as penned of purpose for to please But as hee was farther questioning with him of many matters and all the companie voided the desperat messenger making as though he
not regarding greatly whether so it were out of the emperours jurisdiction and something fitting their owne humors neither conforming themselues vnto the religion then commonly by the emperour established neither yet agreeing among themselues but taking vnto them diuers names some as the disciples of Arsenius some of Ioseph and some of others some of them themselues deceiued and deceiuing others also Thus for the auoiding of forraine danger out of the West was the empire at home no little indangered and the state thereof shaken Wherewith the emperour was so encombred as that he had no leisure to prouide for the tempest arising by the Turks out of the East but was inforced wholly to imploy himselfe and all his indeuours vnto the keeping of his people subjects in their due obedience at home All whose deepe deuises first in aspiring vnto the empire no way vnto him due and great trauels afterwards for the assuring of the same vnto himselfe and his posteritie against all right euen with the alteration of the religion of his fathers yeelded him in the winding vp of all not so much as the credit of an honourable sepulture But dying in these troubles not far from LISIMACHIA as he was making preparation against the prince of THESSALIE was there by his sonne Andronicus his commaundement for whose aduancement he had strained both his faith and honour obscurely buried in the field a good way from his campe as vnworthie of a better sepulture for reuolting from the antient religion of his ancestors although his obsequies were for fashion sake afterwards with some solemnitie celebrated This was the end of the great emperour Michaell Paleologus in whose time the Turks the successors of Aladin greatly incroched vpon him in the lesser ASIA as is in part before declared a man greatly adorned with the good gifts both of the bodie and the mind had he not for the aduancement of himselfe and his posteritie stained the same with foule trecherie and apostasie for which as some say he euer after liued in conscience troubled and dying was euen by his owne sonne not thought worthie of an honourable funerall A notable example vnto all such as with greedinesse seeke after vaine glorie and foolishly expose themselues vnto such aduentures as oftentimes ouerwhelme their deepest deuises hauing in themselues no certainetie preferring their inordinat desires either for themselues or their posteritie before that which is good and vertuous Twice wretched in so doing first in their folly and then in their indeuours Who beside that they find God himselfe against their designes and purposes they by and by also euidently meet with other things than what they had forecasted contrarie vnto them and so themselues oftentimes contrarie to their expectation cast headlong into extreame miserie for loe euen he of whom we now speake otherwise a man of great wisdome and happie in his doings ouercome with his affection towards his children in desiring to leaue vnto them the empire when as he ought to haue cast all the care both of himselfe and of them especially vpon the prouidence of God he like a blind man following his own deepe conceits not grounded vpon the fear of God but mans wisdome only cast himselfe before he was aware into miserable troubles and became odious euen vnto his subiects them also for whom he had so forgot himselfe For wheras God had euen from his childhood alotted vnto him the empire as was by many euident signes tokens to haue bin gathered if he could haue moderated his vntimely desires kept his tongue from periurie and his hands from blood and not turned out of the way after strange doctrine he had by many degrees excelled euen the best emperours his predecessors whereas now he lieth obscurely buried shrouded in the sheet of defame the report of his foule faithlesse dealings far exceeding all his other worthy vertues Andronicus Paleologus succeeding his father in the empire and thinking by restoring again the gouernment of the church together with the rites and customes of the Greeks to haue appeased all such troubles as were before by his father raised by bringing in those of the Latines found himselfe therein much deceiued and his troubles no lesse than his fathers they which had before receiued the Latine customes and well liking of them with great obstinacie defending the same and the other of the contrarie faction now countenanced by the emperor without modestie or measure insulting vpon them whereof arose exceeding great stirs and troubles especially in the beginning of his raigne to the great benefit of the encroaching Turks who in the meane time ceased not by all meanes to increase their territories in ASIA and not onely there but in the islands of the Mediterranean sea also For Andronicus by the death of Charles king of SICILIE deliuered of the greatest feare for which both he and his father before him had to their great cost and charge both built and maintained a strong fleet of gallies now persuaded by some whose actions and speeches were after the manner of the court all framed vnto the princes appetite as the readiest way to thâ—iue without respect of the coÌ„mon good to spare that needlesse charge as they tearmed it which yearely cost him more than any other thing else had discharged all his mariners and sea men and commanded all the gallies to be laied vp some in one creeke some in another where neglected not looked vnto they in time for most part rotted and perished As for the mariners they went some one way some another as their fortunes lead them to seeke for their liuings in forreine countries euen with the emperours enemies and some gaue themselues to husbandrie thinking it better by doing something to liue than by sitting still to perish which good husbandrie at the first seemed to be verie profitable vnto the emperour but especially vnto such as being neere vnto him and couetously giuen made small reckoning of all other the most necessarie defences of the empire in comparison of hoording vp of money vntill that it was afterwards too late by experience found hereof to haue sprung many great mischiefes vnto the great weakning of the Greeke empire For besides that the Turkes without lette did great harme on the sea the pirates now out of feare of the emperours gallies at their pleasure tooke the spoile of the rich Islands in the Mediteranian and robbed the townes all along the sea coast to the vnspeakable griefe of the poore countrie people And yet not so contented came with their gallies sometime two sometime three and sometime moe as it were in contempt euen close vnto the imperiall citie Yea the Venetians were so bold as vpon a right small displeasure to rifle and afterward to set fire vpon the suburbes thereof which they would hardly haue aduentured had the emperours fleet bene preserued and maintained in the woonted strength At the same time also Andronicus the emperour to the great hinderance
Orchanes made lord and gouernour of PRUSA after he had remooued his court to NICE And the castle of CHARA-CHIZAR with the seignorie thereto belonging he gaue to his cosin Artemuâ—e the sonne of his vncle Iundus There was at this time in Orchanes court a noble yong gentleman called Turson-beg the son of Charasis king of CHARASIA by whose persuasion Orchanes in person himselfe with a strong armie made an expedition into that countrey for that his fathers subjects after the death of the king his father denied their obedience to his elder brother wishing rather to haue Turson for their soueraigne In whose behalfe Orchanes taking that journey surprised by the way many castles and townes to his owne vse Orchanes was no sooner entred the countrey of CHARASIA but Tursons elder brother fled to PERGAMUM whither the Turks shortly pursued him Where Turson desirous to speake with his brother vnwarily approching the citie was wounded with an arrow shot from the wals and there slaine With whose death Orchanes was so greatly offended that he threatened to destroy the whole countrey with fire and sword if they did not by a day prefixed 〈◊〉 submit themselues to his mercie The people terrefied with this proclamation of so 〈…〉 alreadie in armes yeelded themselues vnto his subjection The kings sonne also 〈…〉 into PERGAMUM vpon reasonable conditions yeelded himselfe vnto Orchanes who 〈◊〉 him to PRUSA where after he had there liued two yeares died of the plague after whose death Orchanes made his son Solyman prince of CARASINA Neither is this taking in of the countrey of CARASINA to be accounted a small conquest one of the greatest houses of the Turks the successors of the Iconian Sultan Aladin now thereby taking end and their dominions which were not small as containing almost all LYDIA with some good parts of MISIA TROAS and the lesser PHRIGIA now vnited vnto the Othoman kingdome Orchanes vpon his returne for the good successe of this journey built a church and monasterie at PRUSA placing therein religious men with all diligence sought for out of all his kingdome of which religious the Turks write many fables better worth the smiling at than the serious reporting Hitherto the kingdome of Othoman and Orchanes his sonne was contained within the bounds of the lesser ASIA which the Turks call ANATOLIA Now it resteth to be shewed vpon what occasion Orchanes or rather his sonne Solyman Bassâ— as it were fatally with a small power first passed ouer HELLESPONTUS into EUROPE where they and their successors haue by little and little so enlarged their dominions that they haue now long ago quite ouerthrowne the Grecian empire with many other great kingdoms are at this present a terrour to all Christian princes bordering vpon them to the perpetuall infamie of the Greeks who for want of courage and busied with ciuile discord neuer sought in time to impeach their greatnesse Orchanes hauing now so augmented his kingdome that he might from many parts therof out of ASIA take view of the pleasant borders of EUROPE from whence he was excluded only by the narrow sea of HELLESPONTUS and continually incited with the vnsatiable and restlesse desire of soueraignetie began to deuise how he might possibly passe that strait sea and set foot into EUROPE another part of the world Which his conceit one day he imparted to his sonne Solyman who presently answered his father That if it would please him to giue him leaue he would not doubt to passe the strait of HELLESPONTUS and in time to plant the Mahometane religion in those countries of EUROPE possessed by the Christians Which answer of Solyman much pleased his father who gaue him leaue to depart into his countrey and in that matter to proceed further as he thought best and as occasion should best serue Solyman taking leaue of his father tooke his journey into CARASINA where riding vp and downe the country as it had bin for his pleasure only he made his way to the place where it is thought the famous citie of TROY sometime stood where yet as the Turks and some others say are to be seene the woonderfull ruines of that vnfortunate citie by the sea side In this place Solyman stood still a great while as it were in a studie forecasting as it seemed some great matter without speking one word to any of his followers When one of his chiefetains called Ezes-beg to put him out of his deep thoughts boldly said vnto him My lord and great soueraigne what strange thing is this that you are so deepely drowned in these your melancholy thoughts vndoubtedly it is some great matter that you are studying vpon Truth it is said Solyman for I was thinking how it were possible to passe ouer this sea of HELLESPONTUS into the borders of EUROPE and to take view of that countrey and so to returne vndiscouered If this bee the matter said Ezes-beg joyning vnto him one Fazil-Beg a man of no lesse valour than himselfe wee two will by the power of God performe â—nto you this enterprise Then was Solyman desirous to know of them about what place they would passe ouer which they well knowing the sea coast shewed him not far off Wherfore Solyman giuing them leaue they departed and shortly after making a little boat or rather as some suppose a raffe passed ouer HELLESPONTUS by night and arriued in EUROPE side neere vnto â— castle of the Turkes called ZEMENIC or ZEMBENIC but of the Greekes Coiridocastron that is to say The hogs castle not farre from SESTUS where going ashore they tooke prisoner a Greeke in a vineyard neere vnto the castle whom they finding to bee a good sensible fellow without delay put him into their boat or raffe and returning backe againe presented him to Solyman This Christian captiue Solyman entertained courteously giuing him great gifts and rich apparrell to discouer vnto him the estate of his countrey and in fine learned of him a meanes â—o take the castle of ZEMBENIC before the Christians should thereof be aware For atchieuement whereof certaine boats were speedily made readie by Solyman commaundement and he with eightie chosen souldiors easily passed ouer in them by night with their Christian guide the Greeke for in that place the strait betwixt ASIA and EUROPE is not past an Italian mile ouer This guide brought Solyman directly to the aforesaid castle where was a great dunghill so high that from the top thereof Solyman with his souldiors easily got into the castle which they woon without any great resistance for it was then haruest time and most part of the people were in the vineyards or treading out of their corne all night as the vse of those countries is Solyman thus possessed of the castle of ZEMBENIC vsed no extremitie against the inhabitants thereof seeking rather by courtesie to gaine their good wils than by extremitie to force them to his yet such gentlemen as he tooke with some others also of the better sort hee sent by shipping
said vnto the confederate princes that were with him Verilie Amurath threatneth to take from vs our cities of ICONIUM and LARENDA but let him take heed that we take not from him his faire citie of PRVSA Then demaunding of the embassadour of what strength Amurath might be It was answered by him that he deemed him to bee about seuentie thousand strong Whereat Aladin not a little rejoycing said Assuredly when he shall see our armie he will not dare to giue vs battaile or if he do he shall fight vpon great disaduantage his men being both fewer in number than we and sore wearied with long and painefull trauaile In the meane time Amurath held on his way towards CARAMANIA daily encouraging his souldiours with persuasions and gifts bountifully bestowed vpon them filling their heads with promises of greater the warres once happily ended At length he came to the great plaines in CARAMANIA called the French plains because in former time the Christians whom the Turks for most part call Frankes in those places encamped their great armies as they went to the winning of IERVSALEM as in the former part of this historie is declared into these plaines also came Aladin with his armie and was now encamped within one daies march of Amurath and so rested that night The next morning Amurath put his armie in order of battaile appointing the leading of the right wing to his youngest sonne Iacup with whom he joyned Cutluzes Beg Eine Beg Subbassa Egridum Subbassa Seraze and Custendil two Christian princes all captaines of great experience the left wing was led by Baiazet his eldest sonne with Ferize and Hozze both valiant captaines in which wings were also placed the Christian souldiors sent by Lazarus out of SERVIA according to the late conuention of peace in the maine battell he stood himselfe the vauntgard was conducted by Temurtases and the reareward by the Sabbassa of OXYLLITHUS called also Temurtases and Achmetes Aladin on the other side with no lesse care and diligence set his men likewise in order of battaile placing himselfe in the maine battaile as did Amurath and the princes his Allies with his other expert captaines some in the right wing and some in the left as he thought most conuenient in such sort as that in all mens iudgement he was in force nothing inferiour to his father in law These great enemies thus ranged with ensignes displaid came on couragiously one directly vpon the other where approaching together the confused noise of trumpets drummes fifes with other instruments of warre the neighing of horses and clattering of armour was so great that whilst warlike minds thereat rejoyced cowards thought heauen fell But the signe of battaile on both sides giuen Samagazes one of the confederate princes with exceeding courage first charged Temurtases in the vauntguard and broke his rankes at which time Teberruses a Tartar prince and Varsacides another of the confederats deliuered their arrowes also vpon the vauntguard as if it had been a shower of haile Which Baiazet seeing and how hardly Temurtases was charged hauing before obtained leaue of his father brake in vpon the enemie with such violence as if it had been the lightening whereof he was euer after surnamed Gilderun which is to say the Lightening Ferizes and Hozza with the other valiant captaines in that wing following Baiazet with inuincible courage entred the battaile where for a great space was made a most dreadfull and doubtfull fight A man would haue thought two wrought seas had met together swaying one against the other doubtfull which way the current would at length fall In this conflict many thousands were on both sides slain so that the field lay couered with the dead bodies of worthie men and valiant souldiors yet at length these confederate princes finding themselues ouermatched by Baiazet and his souldiors reseruing themselues to their better fortunes turned their backes and fled when Aladin seeing a great part of his armie thus ouerthrowne and himselfe now readie to be charged with Amurath his whole power despairing of victorie sped himselfe in all hast to ICONIUM his strong citie The spoile which Amurath got in this battell was great most part whereof he gaue in reward to Temortases and his souldiors which had endured the greatest furie of that battaile Amurath after this victorie with all speed marched to ICONIUM and there besieged Aladin the Caramanian king in his strongest cittie giuing out proclamation in the mean time That none of his souldiours vpon paine of death should vse any violence to any of the countrey people or take any thing from them to the intent it might appeare vnto the world that he made that warre against that Mahometan king rather to propulse injurie and wrong than for desire of soueraigntie or spoile Which his so straight a proclamation the Christians sent by Lazarus amongst others transgressed and therefore by his commandement suffred many of them exemplarie punishment which was the cause of the Seâ—â—ian waâ— which not long after ensued fatall both vnto Amurath and Lazarus the Despot as hereafter shall appeare Aladin now on euerie side besieged in ICONIUM and without all hope of escape sent vnto the queene his wife Amuraths daughter bewailing vnto her his desperat estate and requesting her by all the loue that so honourable a minded ladie might beare to her miserable husband to aduenture her selfe to goe to her angrie father and to craue pardon for his great trespasse and offence The queene forthwith attiring her selfe as was fittest for her husbands present estate came vnto her father where falling downe at his feet vpon her knees with wordes wisely placed and teares distilling downe her faire cheeks from her fairer eies as if it had been from two fountaines in most sorrowfull manner craued her husbands pardon imputing vnto the heat of youth whatsoeuer he had done and would not be comforted or taken vp vntill she had obtained grace Amurath most entirely loued this his daughter and therefore for her sake not onely graunted vnto her her husbands life which in short time was like to haue been in his power to haue spilt but also his kingdome which he as a victorious conquerour might by law of armes haue of right detained She now assured of her fathers promise sent vnto her husband Aladin willing him the next day without feare to come out of the citie and in humble sort to acknowledge his fault before her father Who the next morning accordingly came out and prostrating himselfe before Amurath acknowledged his vndutifulnes of whom for his wiues sake he obtained pardon and restitution to his kingdome with many other great gifts contrarie to his euil desert The Latine histories mistaking the man report that this Caramanian warre to haue been fought against the king of CARAMANIA Amurath his owne grandfather by the mothers side and that he was by Amurath then spoiled of a great part of his kingdom but it agreeth not with the Turkish histories which make
Lazarus doubting that the castle would hardly be kept in that dangerous war sent Vulcus his sonne in law with twentie thousand men to bring away all that was therein and in the citie neere vnto it least it should become a prey vnto the greedie Turks which he accordingly did and at the same time rased both the castle and the citie before the comming of Iaxis Beg sent from Amurath to haue done the same exploit which hee comming thither found alreadie done to his hand by Vulcus As Amurath was marching towards SERVIA Seratze and Custendyl two Christian princes his tributaries met him with their forces whome hee caused to march before him as his guides and passing through Custendyl his countrey was there refreshed with plentie of all things necessarie vntil at length passing the riuer of Moroua the lesse he drew so neere to the plains of COSSOVA where the Christian armie lay that he with his sonne Baiazet from a little hill tooke full view of the Christian campe which was so great that it couered all those large plains from side to side and so daunted Amurath as that returning to his armie he presently entered into a great consultation with his greatest captains and commaunders What course to take against such a puissant enemie These great armies being now come so nigh together as that they might the one well descrie the other Amurath had purposed the same day to haue giuen the Christians battaile but being disâ—uaded by Eurenoses both for that it was extreame hot and his soldiours wearied with trauell he rested that night The next morning as soone as it was day he put his armie in order of battaile placing his sonne Baiazet with Eurenoses and Eine Beg Subbassa in the right wing his youngest sonne Iacup with Sarutze Bassa in the left wing the maine battell he led himselfe Lazarus in the meane time had also set his armie in good order giuing the charge of the right wing to Vulcus his sonne in law the left wing was led by the king of BOSNA and his sonne in the maine battell stood Lazarus himselfe the Italians Valachians Hungarians Bohemians and Bulgarians he placed in both wings It is thought greater armies than these two had sildome before met in EUROPE Lazarus as the Turkish histories report but how truly I know not hauing in his armie fiue hundred thousand men and Amurath scarce halfe so many To begin the battaile Amurath had drawne a thousand of his best archers vnder the leading of Malcozzeus out of the right wing of his armie and the like number of archers out of the left vnder the conduct of one Mustapha which so placed on both sides of the armie as he thought best Eurenoses a man of great experience told Amurath That the Christians were for the most part well and strongly armed and shouldering close together in their charge would be like a rock of yron vnable to be pierced but if in joyning the battaile hee would a little retire the Christians following vpon good hope would so loose their close standing the cheefe part of their strength and leaue an entrance for his men Vpon which resolution Amurath commaunded the archers to giue the first charge which they courageously performed At which time the Turks armie gaue ground a little which the Christians perceiuing with great force assailed the left wing of their armie and after a hard and cruell fight put the same to flight which Baiazet seeing with such furie renewed the battaile that the Turks which before as men discouraged fled in the left wing began now to turne againe vpon their enemies and the Christians hauing as they thought alreadie got the victorie were to begin a new battell In which bloodie fight many thousands fell on both sides the brightnesse of the armour and weapons was as it had been the lightning the multitude of launces and other horsemens staues shadowed the light of the sunne arrowes and darts fell so fast that a man would haue thought they had powred downe from heauen the noise of the instruments of warre with the neighing of horses and outcries of men was so terrible and great that the wild beasts in the mountaines stood astonied therewith and the Turkish histories to expresse the terrour of the day vainly say that the Angels in heauen amased with that hidious noise for that time forgot the heauenly hymnes wherewith they alwaies glorifie God About noone time of the day the fortune of the Turks preuailing the Christians began to giue ground and at length betooke themselues to plaine flight whom the Turks with all their force pursued and slew them downe right without number or mercie In which battell Lazarus the Despot himselfe was also slaine Howbeit some histories report otherwise as that he with his son were taken prisoner and by and by afterwards in reuenge of Amurath his death cruelly slaine othersome also reporting that he died in prison Amurath after this great victorie with some few of his cheefe captaines taking view of the dead bodies which without number lay on heapes in the field like mountaines a Christian souldiour sore wounded and all bloodie seeing him in staggering manner arose as if it had been from death out of a heape of slaine men and making towards him for want of strength fell downe diuers times by the way as he came as if he had been a drunken man at length drawing nigh vnto him when they which guarded the kings person would haue stayed him hee was by Amurath himselfe commaunded to come neerer supposing that he would haue craued his life of him Thus this halfe dead Christian pressing neere vnto him as if he would for honour sake haue kissed his feet suddenly stabbed him in the bottome of his bellie with a short dagger which he had vnder his soldiors coat of which wound that great king and conquerour presently died The name of this man for his courage worthie of eternall memorie was Miles Cobelitz who before sore wounded was shortly after in the presence of Baiazet cut into small peeces The Turks in their Annales somewhat otherwise report of the death of Amurath as that this Cobelitz one of the Despot his seruants in time of the battaile comming to Amurath as a fugitiue offering him his seruice and admitted to his presence in humbling himselfe to haue kissed his feet as the barbarous manner of the Turks is stabbed him into the bellie and so slew him being himselfe therefore shortly after as is aforesaid in the presence of Baiazet most cruelly hewen into small peeces Whereupon euer since that time the manner of the Turks hath been and yet is that when any embassadour or stranger is to come to kisse the Sultan his hand or otherwise to approach his person hee is as it were for honours sake lead by the armes vnto his presence betwixt two of the great courtiers but indeed by so entangling him to be sure that he shall not offer him the like violence
almost in one battell subuerted report nothing simply of him but in what they may detracting from his worthie praises wrongfully charge him with many vntruths not concerning his parentage onely but euen in the course of his whole life also making him as they would haue the world to beleeue first to haue beene a very abject amongst men and then for his inhumane crueltie a very monster in nature or as it was long before but more truly said of another great one much like himselfe a lumpe of earth tempered with blood Which incredible reports concerning so great a monarch I list not to follow as too full of dishonour especially whereas others of no lesse credit than they with farre more modestie and greater probabilitie report of him the greatest honour that may be Hee was as they and the others also say borne at SAMERCAND the cheefe citie of the Zagataian Tartars pleasantly situated vpon the riuer IAXARTES his father was called Zain-Cham or as some others will Og prince of the Zagataian Tartars and of the countrey of SACHETAY sometime part of the famous kingdome of PARTHIA third in descent from Zingis the great and fortunate leader of the Tartars before in the former part of this historie remēbred Which Og as a prince of a peaceable nature accounting it no lesse honour quietly to keepe the countries left him by his father than with much trouble and no lesse danger to seeke how to enlarge the same long liued in most happie rest with his subjects no lesse happie than himselfe not so much seeking after the hoording vp of gold and siluer things of that nation not regarded as contenting himselfe with the encrease and profit of his flocks of sheepe and heards of cattell then and yet also the principall reuenues of the Tartar kings and princes which happily gaue occasion vnto some ignorant of the manner and custome of those Northerne nations and countries to account them all for shepheards and heardsmen and so also to haue reported of this mightie prince as of a shepheards sonne or heardsman himselfe vainely measuring his nobilitie by the homely manner of his people and subjects and not by the honor of his house heroicall vertues such as were hardly to be found greater in any prince of that or other former ages His peaceable father now well stricken in yeares and wearie of the world deliuered vp vnto him not yet past fifteene yeares old the gouernment of his kingdome joining vnto him two of his most faithfull counsellours Odmar and Aly to assist him in the gouernment of his state retiring himselfe vnto a solitarie life the more at quiet to serue God and so to end his daies in peace which two his trustie seruants and graue counsellors he dearely loued whilest they liued and much honoured the remembrance of them being dead The first proofe of his fortune and valour was against the Moscouit for spoiling of a citie which had put it selfe vnder his protection and for entering of his countrey and for proclaiming of warre against him whom he in a great battaile ouerthrew hauing slaine fiue and twentie thousand of the Moscouits footmen and betweene fifteene and sixteen thousand horsemen with the losse of scarce eight thousand horsemen and foure thousand footmen of his own After which battell he beholding so many thousands of men there dead vpon the ground was so farre from rejoicing thereat that turning himselfe vnto one of his familiars he lamented the condition of such as commaunded ouer great armies commending his fathers quiet course of life accounting him happie in seeking for rest and the other most vnhappie which by the destruction of their owne kind sought to procure their owne glorie protesting himselfe euen from his heart to be grieued to see such sorrowfull tokens of his victorie With this ouerthrow the Moscouit discouraged sent embassadours to him for peace which vpon such honourable conditions as pleased him to set downe was by him graunted and so the peace concluded Now the Great Cham of TARTARIA his fathers brother being growne old and out of hope of any mo children moued with the fame of his nephew after this victorie sent vnto him diuers presents and withall offering him his onely daughter in marriage and with her to proclaime him heire apparant vnto his empire as in right hee was being his brothers sonne and the daughters not at all succeeding in those empires Which so great an offer Tamerlane gladly accepted and so the mariage was afterwards with great triumph at the old emperors court solemnized and he proclaimed heire apparant vnto that great empire Thus was Tamerlane indeed made great being euer after this marriage by the old emperour his vncle and now his father in law so long as hee liued notably supported and after his death succeeding him also in that so mightie an empire Yet in the meane time wanted not this worthie prince the enuious competitours of these his so great honours insomuch that whilest by the aduise and persuasion of the old emperour he was taking in hand to make warre against the great king of CHINA who had as then gone far beyond his bounds and so was now well onwards on his way he was by the conspiracie of Calix a man of greatest power and authoritie in the Great Cham his court almost thrust out of his new empire Calix with a right puissant armie hauing alreadie ceized vpon the great citie of CAMBALU and the citizens also generally fauouring those his traiterous proceedings as disdaining to bee gouerned by the Zagataian Tartar For redresse whereof Tamerlane was enforced with the greatest part of his armie to returne and meeting with the rebell who then had in his armie fourescore thousand horse and an hundred thousand foot in a great and mortall battell wherein of the one side and of the other were more than fiftie thousand men slaine ouerthrew him though not without the great danger of his own person as being there himselfe beaten down to the ground tooke him prisoner and afterwards beheaded him Which so dangerous a rebellion with the death of the traitour and the cheefe of the conspiratours repressed and his state in the newnesse thereof by this victorie well confirmed he proceeded in his intended war against the great king of CHINA brake downe the strong wall which the Chinoies had made foure hundred leagues long betwixt the mountaines for the repressing of the incursions of the Tartars entered their countrey and meeting with the king leading after him three hundred and fiftie thousand men whereof there were an hundred and fiftie thousand horsemen and the rest on foot in a great and dreadfull battaile with the slaughter of 60000 of his men ouercame him and tooke him prisoner whom for all that he in the course of so great a victorie wisely moderating his fortune shortly after set againe at libertie yet so as that hauing before taken from him the one halfe of his kingdome and therein left Odmar
at length to SAMERCAND the famous place of his birth and glorious seat of his empire Now had Baiazet but a little before one of the greatest princes on earth and now the scorne of fortune and a byword to the world with great impatiencie laine two yeares in most miserable thraldome for most part shut vp in an yron cage as some dangerous wild beast and hauing no better meanes to end his loathed life did violently beat out his braines against the barres of the yron grate wherein he was inclosed and so died about the yeare of our Lord 1399. Yet of his death are diuers other reports some saying That hee died of an ague proceeding of sorrow and greefe others that he poysoned himselfe and the Turks affirming that he was set at libertie by Tamerlane being by him beforehand poysoned whereof hee died three dayes after hee was enlarged a report not like to be true but howsoeuer it was his end appeareth to haue ben right miserable His dead bodie at the request of his sonne Mahomet was by Tamerlane sent to ASPRAPOLIS from whence it was afterwards conueyed to PRUSA and there lieth buried in a chappell neere vnto the great Mahometane temple without the citie Eastward where also lieth his beloued wife Despina with his eldest sonne Erthogrul And fast by in a little chappell lieth buried his brother Iacup whom he in the beginning of his raigne murthered These two great and mightie princes Tamerlane and Baiazet both of them whilest they liued a burâ—hen vnto the world as they tooke their beginning from the Scythes or Tartars so were they of like honourable progenitors descended Baiazet being the fourth in discent from the warlike Othoman the raiser of his familie and Tamerlane in like degree from the great Zingis the first and most fortunat leader of the Tartars his countreymen vnto the pleasures of the East both princes of great power and like spirit wise hardie painefull resolute and most skilfull in martiall affaires but ambitious aboue measure the ground of all the former troubles by them raised to the astonishment of the world Howbeit the great vertues and other the honourable qualities of Baiazet were in him by his chollericke and waiward nature much obscured which made him to exceed both in crueltie and pride being also much more handfast than were his honourable predecessors For which causes he was much feared and lesse beloued of his souldiors and men of warre in generall and of them at his most need forsaken He vsed commonly to say That his treasures were his childrens meat and not his souldiors pay which by way of reproch was by a common souldior cast in his teeth when hee raged to see himselfe by them forsaken in the great battell against Tamerlane telling him as he fled That he ran not away but went to seek his pay wherewith to prouide his children bread Whereas all the aforesaid vertues in Tamerlane were graced with diuers others of like nature no man being vnto his friends more courteous or kind either vnto his enemies more dreadfull or terrible The good seruice of his seruants hee neuer forgot either left the same long vnrewarded being thereof so mindfull as that he needed not by them or others in their behalfe to be put in remembrance thereof hauing alwaies by him a catalogue both of their names and good deserts which he daily perused Oftentimes saying that day to be lost wherein he had not giuen them something and yet neuer bestowing his preferments vpon such as ambitiously sought the same as deeming them in so doing vnwoorthie thereof but vpon such as whose modestie or desert he thought worthie those his great fauours so tempering the seueritie of his commaunds with the greatnesse of his bountie as that it is hard to say whether he was of his nobilitie and men of war for the one more feared or for the other beloued both the great staies of princes states feare keeping the obstinat in their obedience and loue the dutifull in their deuotion But with Baiazet it was not so who deeming all done for him but dutie and by nature chollericke and proud after the manner of tyrants desired aboue all to be of his subjects feared not much regarding how little hee was of them beloued not the least cause of his great fall and miserie and that therein he was of his owne so smally regarded wherin for all that he is to be accounted more fortunat than the other great conquerour his enemie hauing euer since in the lineall descent of himselfe had one of the greatest Monarchs of the world to succeed still in his kingdome and empire as hee hath euen at this day the great Sultan Mahomet the third of that name who now in great majestie raigneth in CONSTANTINOPLE Whereas the glorie of Tamerlane his empire euen in his owne time growne to the height therof and labouring with the greatnesse of it selfe and by him deuided amongst his sonnes shortly after his death decayed rent in sunder by ambition and ciuile discord and not long after together with his posteritie rooted out by Vsun-Cassanes the Persian king to the worlds woonder tooke end nothing of the huge greatnesse thereof now or since then remaining more than the fame thereof as doth also the miserie of the other so brought low But leauing this mirrour of mishap Baiazet vnto his rest and Tamerlane for a while to triumph in SAMERCAND let vs now proceed in the course of our Historie yet not forgetting by the way to remember such Christian princes as then liued together with these two great Monarchs FINIS Christian princes of the same time with Baiazet the first Emperours Of the East Emanuell Palaeologus 1387. 30. Of the West Wenceslaus son to Charles king of Bohemia 1378. 22. Rupertus duke of Bauaria 1400. 10. Kings Of England Richard the second 1377. 23. Henrie the fourth 1399. 12. Of Fraunce Charles the sixt surnamed The welbeloued 1381. 42. Of Scotland Iohn Stuart otherwise called Robert the third 1390. 16. Bishops of Rome Vrban the VI. 1380. 11. Boniface the IX 1390. 14. MAHOMET I. MAHOMETHES PRIMVS QVINTVS TVRCARVM REX FLORVIT ANNO 1405 Vindicibus Mahomet patrium sibi vendicat armis Imperium fractas feruidus auget opes Quod patri abstulerat violentia Tamberlani Imperio reddit Marte fauente suo Ille sagittiferosque Dacas validosque Triballos Contudit populos Ister amoene tuos Turcica sic rursus sublata potentia stragem Attulit imperio Romule magne tuo By force of armes stout Mahomet his fathers kingdome gaines And doth the broken state thereof repaire with restlesse paines What so the force of Tamerlane had from his father tane He by his fortune and his force restor'd the same againe The Dacians he vanquished and Seruians in field And forc'd the people neere to thee faire ISTER for to yeeld So once againe the Turkish state by him rais'd vp on hie Hath to thine empire Romulus brought great
Turkish kingdome as well in EUROPE as in ASIA And here the Turkish histories begin the raigne of this Mahomet fifth king of the Turks accounting the troublesome time from the captiuitie of Baiazet vnto the death of Musa as a time of vacancie or Anarchi wherein the Turkish kingdome was not at any time wholie possessed by any one of Baiazet his sonnes Isa possessing one part whereof hee was by Mahomet dispossessed who afterwardes vsurped all that part of the Turkish kingdome in ASIA being the right of his eldest brother Solyman Who at that time raigning in EUROPE was deposed and strangled by his brother Musa who was in like manner serued by his youngest brother Mahomet the onely sonne of Baiazet then left as is before at large declared Which diuers mutations and interrupted successions was the cause that the Historiographers doe so greatly discent vpon the successour of Baiazet some reckoning one some another and some more some fewer and some such as neuer were But forasmuch as Mahomet held all or most part of the Turkish kingdome in ASIA during this troublesome time and in the end possessed the other part thereof in EUROPE also I reckon him for the fifth king of the Turks and successour to his father Baiazet including also in this Historie of his life all that intestine and serpentine-like tragedie wherin he himselfe was the principall actor Whilest Mahomet was as is aforesaid thus busied in his wars in EUROPE against his brother Musa the king of CARAMANIA taking the aduantage of his troubles there with a great armie inuaded his kingdome joyning vpon him in ASIA burning and spoiling all before him as he went Eiuases Bassa Mahomet his lieutenant then lying at PRUSA not able to withstand him and fearing his comming thether because it was the seat of the Othoman kings in ASIA caused the citizens to bring the greatest part of their wealth into the castle whereinto he also receiued so many of the citizens as he conueniently could willing the rest to shift for themselues as they might in such case of extremitie Shortly after the king of CARAMANIA according to his expectation came to PRUSA and without resistance tooke the citie not as yet fully fortified which he without delaie caused the second time to be burnt downe to the ground and afterwards laid siege to the castle giuing many great assaults thereto by the space of thirtie daies but was alwaies valiantly repulsed by Eiuases the Bassa who ceased not continually to encourage his souldiours still putting them in comfort That Mahomet hauing now ouercome his enemies in EUROPE would in few daies vndoubtedly come to their releefe It chaunced at the same time that the dead bodie of Musa sent to PRUSA to be buried was honourably conuaied vpon the way with much people following it The Caramanian king hearing of the comming of such a multitude and fearing it to haue been Mahomet with his power raised his siege and with speed departed whereat the Turks long time after jeasted saying If the Caramanian king runne away for feare of the dead bodie of the Othoman king what would he doe if hee had come against him aliue but the truth was he feared Mahomet and his power Orchanes the sonne of Solyman yet a boy hauing liued at CONSTANTINOPLE euer since the death of his father about this time departed thence because of the league but lately made between the emperour and his vncle Mahomet purposing to haue gone into VALACHIA but by the way as hee was trauelling the Turkish voluntarie souldiours vnderstanding that hee was the sonne of their late king Solyman resorted vnto him in great numbers offering in his quarrell to spend their liues Of which insurrection Mahomet hearing marched thether in all hast with a great power to suppresse the same of whose coming the souldiors with Orchanes vnderstanding dispierced themselues and fled As for Orchanes himselfe he was by his vnfaithfull tutor Zaganos betraied vnto his vncle Mahomet who presently caused his eies to be put out and so sent him to PRUSA allowing him great reuenewes to liue vpon and euer after vsed him with great honour The sister of this Orchanes he gaue in marriage to one of his noblemen with a great dowrie This is that Orchanes whom some historiographers reckon vp among the Turkish kings as one of the successours of Baiazet and that hee was betrayed to his vncle Moses erring as I suppose both in the succession and the name mistaking Moses for Mahomet Now Mahomet calling to remembrance the injurie which the Caramanian king had done to him in his absence returning to PRUSA assembled a great armie to reuenge himselfe of that wrong At which time he sent to the prince Isfendiar for aid who sent him his sonne Cassumes He commanded also the prince Germian Ogli to make prouision for the victualing of his campe as he should passe by his countrey which was accordingly done And so prouided of all things necessarie he with his armie entred into the Caramanian countrey Where he tooke the cities ASPROPOLIS DESPOTOPOLIS HIEROPOLIS and besieged ICONIUM but by reason of the imoderate raine which at that time fell he was glad to make peace with the Caramanian king called also Mahomet And so raising his siege departed towards PONTUS where hee had not long staied but that newes was brought vnto him That the Caramanian king renouncing his league was againe vp in armes Wherefore returning into CARAMANIA and so to ICONIUM he there ouerthrew the king in battaile and tooke both him and his son Mustapha prisoners who redeemed themselues by deliuering diuers of their strong cities and castles into his hands and afterward concluded a peace they receiuing from him an ensigne as the Turkish maner is in token they were now become his vassales The Caramanian warre thus happily ended he went ouer into EUROPE and passing ouer DANUBIUS foraged the countrey of VALACHIA TRANSALPINA making there great spoile for redresse whereof the Valachian prince by his embassadours sent him such tribute as hee demaunded and his son also to serue him in his court About which time happened a great earthquake in PRUSA and other places of ASIA wherby many houses towers were ouerthrown after which ensued great troubles in most parts of ASIA howbeit Mahomet going thether by his presence kept all his dominions in peace and quietnesse Isfendiar prince of CASTAMONA and part of PONTUS reseruing vnto himselfe CASTAMONA with a little part more of his dominion gaue the rest vnto Mahomet vpon condition that he should restore no part thereof againe vnto his sonne Cassumes who hauing long time serued in Mahomet his court and warres could not be persuaded to returne againe vnto his father and therefore was by him thus disinherited Which great gift Mahomet thankefully accepted and in lieu thereof assigned vnto Cassumes other great and large possessions within his owne kingdome Mahomet after the death of his brother Musa had sent Scheiches Bedredin his brothers
said Behold thou crucified Christ this is the league thy Christians in thy name made with mee which they haue without cause violated Now if thou bee a God as they say thou art and as we dreame reuenge the wrong now done vnto thy name and me and shew thy power vpon thy perjurious people who in their deeds denie thee their God The king with Huniades furiouslie pursued the chased Turks with bloodie execution a great space when as the king in his heat hardly persuaded by Huniades to returne againe vnto his campe at his comming thether found the Cardinall Iulian with Franke one of his cheefe captaines and others ouercharged with the Turkes which had againe made head against that part of the Christian armie and there yet fought couragiouslie by reason of their multitude being also backt by the Ianizaries which all this while had stood fast with their old king as his last and most assured refuge but were now come in There began a most cruell and fierce fight in the successe whereof the Turks well saw the whole estate of their kingdome in EVROPE to consist many were there slaine on both sides the Turks feeling their losse lesse than indeed it was by reason of their multitude and the Christians by reason of their courage A great while the victorie stood doubtfull insomuch that at length the Turkes began to shrinke backe in that part of the battaile where the king and Huniades fought But in the left side they preuailed so vpon the Christians that they were euen readie to haue fled Which when Huniades hauing a vigilant eie vnto euerie part of the armie perceiued hee with speed made thether and there againe with his presence restored the battaile almost before lost Which done hee returned againe towards the king who in the mean time had most valiantly repulsed a great number of the Turks and was now come vnto the Ianizaries Amurath his last hope There was to be seene a thousand manners of death whilest both the armies fought more like wild beasts in their rage and furie than warie and politique souldiours In this confused medly the yong king Vladislaus with greater courage than care of himselfe brake into the battaile of the Ianizaries at which time Amurath himselfe was by a valiant Frenchman a knight of the Roads first wounded with a pike and after assailed with his sword and had there ended his daies but that hee was speedily rescued by his guard by whom this worthie knight after great proofe of his valour was there slaine in the middest of his enemies Vladislaus being got in also amongst them valiantly performed all the partes of a worthie souldiour vntill such time as his horse being slaine vnder him hee was forthwith oppressed by the multitude of his enemies and slaine his head being strucke off by Ferizes one of the old Ianizaries was by him presented vnto Amurath who commaunded it presently to be put vpon the point of a launce and proclamation to be made that it was the head of the Christian king which was afterwards so caried through the principall cities of MACEDONIA and GRECIA as a trophey of the Turks victorie Huniades after hee had in vaine giuen diuers braue attempts to haue rescued the kings bodie retired with a few Valachian horsemen and seeing no hope of better hap for all the Christians being discouraged with the death of the king had now taken themselues to flight gaue place to necessitie and reseruing himselfe to his future fortune fled ouer the mountaines into the thicke woods from whence with much difficultie he got ouer DANVBIVS into VALACHIA and was there as some 〈◊〉 by Dracula prince of that countrey taken prisoner In reuenge whereof after hee was enlarged by the Hungarians hee so aided Danus against Dracula that in fine Dracula and his sonne were both slaine and Danus placed in his roome Iulian the Cardinall flying out of the battaile was found by that worthie man Gregorie Sanose lying in the desert forrest by the way side mortally wounded and halfe stripped by whom hee was in few wordes sharpely reprooued as the wicked authour of that perfidious warre and there left giuing vp the ghost Many of the Christians which fled out of that battell fell into the enemies hands and so were slaine but greater was the number of them which were drowned in the fennes or that by hunger and cold perished in the woods or else after long and miserable trauaile finding no passage ouer DANVBIVS fell at length into the Turkish slauerie This great and mortall battaile as it was with diuers fortune fought so was also the present report thereof most vncertaine for the Turks that were at the first put to flight reported in the townes thereby as they fled that the battell was lost and they which had all the daie endured the fight not altogether assured of the victorie and not knowing whether the Hungarians had retired themselues whilest they suspected some deceit in the kinges campe by reason of the great silence therein staied two daies before they durst aduenture to take the spoile thereof The number of them that were slaine in this battaile as well on the one side as the other was great as the mounts and little hils raised of the bones and bodies of them that were there buried doe yet at this daie declare Howbeit the certaine number was not knowne some reporting moe some fewer Yet in this most agree that of the Christian armie being not great scarce the third part escaped and that the Turkes bought this victorie with a farre greater losse although it was of them lesse felt by reason of their multitude made lesse by that slaughter as they that report least thereof affirme by thirtie thousand Which may well seeme rather to be so for that Amurath after this victorie neither farther prosecuted the same nor shewed any tokens of joy at all but became verie melancholie and sad and being of them about him demanded why after so great a victorie he was no merrier answered That he wished not at so great a price to gain many such victories Yet in memoriall thereof hee erected a great pillar in the same place where the king was slaine with an inscription of all that was then done which as they say is yet there to be seene at this day This bloodie battaile was fought neere vnto VARNA in ancient time called DIONISIOPOLIS a place fatall vnto many great warriors and therfore of them euen yet abhorred the tenth day of Nouember in the yeare of our Lord Christ 1444. Some maliciously impute the losse of the battaile of VARNA and the death of the king to Huniades who as they said fled out of this battaile with ten thousand horsemen but this report agreeth not with the noble disposition of that courageous and valiant captaine but seemeth rather to haue been deuised to excuse the foule dealing of the cleargie who as most histories beare witnesse were the cheefe authors both
not charge mee with such crimes for euer I care not The long catalogue of thy kindnesse towards me which thou rehersest I could willingly rmēber if it drew not with it the wofull remembrance of my greater miseries Which if they were to be compared together the greatnesse of thy good deserts would be ouerwhelmed with the multitude of thy greater tyrannies which I had rather thou shouldest count with thy selfe than blush whilest I repeat them Euery man that knoweth them may meruell how I had power to endure them or that thou wast not wearie at last of thy crueltie and secret hatred Thou tookest away my fathers kingdome by force thou diddest murther my brethren and my selfe thou diddest most wickedly vow to death when I little feared any such crueltie And doth it now seeme strange to thee ô Amurath that an inuincible mind desirous of libertie should seeke to break out of the bonds of so great slauerie How long at length diddest thou thinke I would endure thy proud and insolent bondage which for all that I many yeares endured and refused not thy commaund I exposed my selfe to publicke and priuat dangers both voluntarily and by thy designement speeches were giuen out daily by thy selfe and the admonition of my friends concerning thy deepe trecherie was rife in mine eares yet for all that of long time I simply beleeued both thy words and deeds to haue beene deuoid of all fraud vntill thy cankered mallice began too too apparently to shew it selfe then began I also to glose with thee wholly metamorphosed into thine owne conceits vntill I found occasion to recouer my libertie Wherefore there is no cause thou shouldest now greeue if thou be well beaten with thine own rod. But these are but trifles Amurath in comparison of those things which I haue laied vp in hope and resolution of mind Therefore hereafter surcease thine angrie threats and tell not vs of the Hungarian fortune Euery man hath his owne resolution and euery man a particular gouernour of his actions and so will we with patience endure such fortune as it shall please God to appoint vs In the meane time for direction of our affaires we will not request counsell of our enemies nor peace of thee but victorie by the helpe of God Farewell from our campe When Amurath had read these letters and further conferred with Arradin hee was filled with wrath and indignation wondering at the great resolution of so small a prince presently casting in his mind as was thought the difficultie of that warre Yet because he would giue no token of feare oftentimes stroking his white beard as his manner was when he was throughly angrie with a dissembled cheerefulnesse of countenance said Thou desirest wicked man thou desirest the title of some honourable death we will giue it thee beleeue vs wee will giue it thee Wee our selues will bee present at the buriall of our foster child and in person though vnbidden honour the funerall pompe of the great king of EPIRVS that thou shalt neuer complaine among the damned ghosts that thou diddest die a base or obscure kind of death And for because at that time by reason of many great occurrents hee could not conuert his whole power into EPIRVS he sent Ferises one of his best captaines with nine thousand choice horsemen to keepe Scanderbeg in doing and to spoile his countrey so much as he could Which was with such speed done that it was thought Ferises would haue beene in the heart of EPIRVS before Scanderbeg could haue had knowledge of his comming But for all his hast he could not so preuent the flying fame but that Scanderbeg hearing thereof and hauing his men alwayes in readinesse placed fifteene hundred good footmen in ambush vpon the rough mountaines leading into the valley of MOVEA whereby the Turks must needs passe into EPIRVS placing also two thousand horsemen as he thought most fit conuenient for his purpose Ferises descending from the high mountaines full of woods and bushes by the broken and stonie waies leading into the valley was in that troublesome and intricate passage fiercely set vpon by Scanderbegs readie footmen suddainely arising out of ambush where the Turks hauing no vse of their horses but rather by them encombered were slaine as Deere enclosed in a toyle In this conflict seuen hundred and sixtie Turks were taken prisoners and a greater number slaine and Ferises himselfe with the rest enforced to flie crying still out as hee fled Better some saued than all lost Scanderbeg hauing thus ouerthrowne Ferises pursued him into MACEDONIA and with the spoile there taken rewarded his souldiours as he had also many times before done Amurath greeued with the ouerthrow of Ferises presently sent Mustapha a politicke and hardie captaine with a new supplie of six thousand souldiours to take the charge from Ferises commaunding him in no case nor vpon any occasion to enter farre into EPIRVS but onely to burne and spoile the frontiers thereof saying That he would account it for good seruice if he might but vnderstand that the trees and fruits of that countrey had felt the force of his anger Mustapha hauing receiued his charge when he began to draw neere the borders of EPIRVS continually sent out scouts before his armie to see if the passages were cleere and so warily entred the vallie of MOCRE A where Ferises not long before was ouerthrowne In this fruitfull vallie being the frontiers of Scanderbegs dominion Mustapha entrenched his armie vpon the rising of a hill and placed espials vpon the tops of the high mountaines round about by them to discouer the comming of the enemie and to haue notice thereof by signes into the campe then reseruing foure thousand horsemen with himselfe to keepe his campe hee sent forth the rest of his armie about nine thousand horsemen to forrage and spoile the countrey giuing charge before that euerie man vpon paine of death should presently retire to the campe vpon signe giuen from thence as to a place of safetie and refuge The Turkish armie ranging ouer that rich and pleasant vallie burnt the villages cut downe trees spoiled the vineyards and made hauocke of all things that fire and sword could destroy in that point executing Amuraths commaund to the full At length Scanderbeg drawing neere to this vallie with foure thousand horsemen and a thousand foot was aduertised of all the enemies doings by an Epirot souldiour who greeuously wounded had hardly escaped from the Turks of him he vnderstood what number of Turkes were burning and destroying the countrey of the campe also kept by Mustapha and how espials were placed vpon the mountaines Scanderbeg hauing well considered Mustapha his warie proceedings and seeing no pollicie to bee vsed against so carefull an enemie resolued to vanquish him by plaine force by assaulting him suddainely in his trenches before his dispierced souldiors could repaire to the campe and hauing to this purpose with effectuall persuasions encouraged the minds of his valiant soldiors readie
the Christians in that place fighting with them as if it had been vpon euen ground still sending vp fresh souldiors in stead of them that were slaine and thereby preuailed so far that they had set vp certaine of Amurath his ensignes vpon the wall to the great comfort of the Turkes and astonishment of the besieged Christians The Gouernour seeing the imminent danger hasted to the place with a companie of fresh and valiant souldiors by whose force the Turks were quickly repulsed from the wall their ensignes taken and sent into the market place the tower of wood with many ladders and much timber by the Turks brought to that place was quickly consumed with wild fire cast vpon the same from the wals Perlat hauing deliuered the citie of this feare presently placed fresh soldiors in stead of them which were slaine or hurt and so worthely defended the citie Whilest Amurath was giuing this great assault to Sfetigrad Scanderbeg to withdraw him from the same came with nine thousand souldiours to assaile the Turkes campe as Amurath had before suspected and was now come verie neere the same Feri-Bassa glad of his comming opposed his armie against him which Scanderbeg seeing retired a little of purpose to draw the Bassa farther from the campe and then forthwith began to joyne battaile with him The Bassa considering the small number of his enemies and his own greater power withdrew foure thousand horsemen out of his armie to fetch a compasse about and to set vpon the rearward of Scanderbegs armie hoping so to inclose him that he should neuer escape thence but there either to be slaine or taken aliue and his armie vtterly defeated But the expert captaine perceiuing his purpose to meet therewith left Moses to lead the maine battaile and he himselfe with two thousand horsemen so valiantly charged those foure thousand of his enemies before they were well departed from the rest of the Bassaes armie that they had now more cause to looke to their own safetie than how to circumuent others In this conflict Feri-Bassa hand to hand as he had oft times before desired encountring with Scanderbeg was by him there slaine All this while that Scanderbeg was in fight with Feri-Bassa in the right wing of the armie and Musachie in the left Moses stood fast receiuing the assault of the enemie without mouing anie thing forward expecting the successe of the wings But Scanderbeg hauing discomfited the right wing and slaine the Generall comming now in he set forward with such force and courage that the Turkes not able longer to abide his force turned their backs and fled of whom manie were slaine in this chase though Scanderbeg doubting the great power of his enemie so nigh at hand durst not follow them farre but sounding a retrait put his armie againe in good order for feare of some sodaine attempt from the campe and after appointed some of the meanest of his souldiors to take the spoile of the slaine Turkes When Amurath had vnderstood what had happened to Feri-Bassa he was so ouercome with anger and melancholy that for a while he could not speake one word but after the heat was a little past he commaunded certaine small peeces of ordinance which he had before vsed against the citie to be remoued into the campe and there placed vpon that side which was most in danger to the enemie He also presently sent thither foure thousand souldiours to joyne with the remainder of Feri-Bassaes armie for defence of the campe with straight charge that they should not issue out of the trenches Neuerthelesse he himselfe continued the assault of the citie all that day but when night drew on and no hope appeared for him to preuaile he caused a retrait to be sounded and leauing the assault he returned againe into his campe At this assault Amurath lost seuen thousand men beside manie that died afterwards of their wounds but of the garrison souldiours were slaine but seuentie and nintie mo hurt The terror of the turkish armie began now to grow into contempt throughout EPIRVS and Scanderbeg was in good hope that Amurath after so manie ouerthrowes and shamefull repulses would at length raise his siege and be gone yet he sent spies continually to discouer what was done in the Turkes campe and he himselfe with two thousand souldiours would oftentimes shew himselfe vpon the sides of the mountaines neere vnto Amurath his campe of purpose to draw the Turkes out that hee might take them at some aduantage But the old king had giuen commandement vpon paine of death that no man should go out of the trenches without leaue or once to speake of giuing battaile or assault so that hee lay certaine daies in his campe not like a king besieging of a citie but more like a man besieged himselfe the which his still lying Scanderbeg had the more in distrust fearing greatly that he was hatching some mischiefe which so soone as it was ripe would violently breake out Amurath considering with what euill successe he had manie times assaulted the citie and holding it for a great dishonour to raise his siege and depart hauing done nothing worth the remembrance thought good once againe to prooue if it were possible to ouercome the minds of the garrison soldiors with gifts whom he was not able to subdue by force For which purpose he sent an embassadour vnto the citie offering vnto the besieged and garrison souldiors easie conditions of peace with such large gifts and rewards as had not been heard offered to any garrison in former time All which his magnificall promises were lightly rejected by the common consent of all the whole garrison preferring their faithfull loyaltie before all his golden mountaines For all that Amurath was in good hope that amongst so manie some would be found into whose minds his large offers might make some impression wherein he was not deceiued For one base minded fellow amongst the rest corrupted with the Turkes great promises preferring his owne priuat wealth before the welfare of his countrey waiting his time had secret conference with the Turks espials and promised vpon assurance of such reward as was before by Amurath proffered to find meanes that in few daies the citie should bee yeelded into his power This corrupted traitour had laid many mischieuous plots for the effecting of this horrible treason but the first deuice he put in practise which of all others a man would haue thought to haue been of least moment serued his wicked purpose in stead of all the rest All the garrison souldidiours of SFETIGRADE were of the vpper countrey of DIBRA put into that citie by Moses for their approoued valour aboue all the other souldiours of EPIRVS But as they were men of great courage so were they exceeding superstitious both in their religion and manner of liuing putting nice difference betwixt one kind of lawfull meat and other accounting some cleane some vncleane abhorring from that which they fondly deemed vncleane with more
contemne thine enemie be he neuer so weake of which one thing aboue all others I haue repented my selfe of long and shall doe after my death if any feeling of humane thinges remaine in the dead And that I was so foolish and inconsiderat as to foster vp as it were in my bosome this my domesticall and neglected enemie wherby I haue purchased vnto my selfe this calamitie and for euer blemished the honor of the Othoman kings whilest I so basely ending my daies vnder the wals of CROIA shall become a by-word vnto the world and all posteritie for euer This traitour should euen then haue been oppressed when hee by great treacherie first recouered his wicked kingdome in that newnesse of his estate and before the minds of the people were assured vnto him then it had been an easie matter without bloudshed to haue vtterly extinguished the wretch together with his name Ali Bassa whose euill fortune was the first beginning of his good nor the other Generals who by him slaine or taken prisoners increased his strength and credit with his subjects should not haue been sent against him a thing which I haue oftentimes thought vpon but could scarce haue beleeued that euer I should haue thereby receiued such disgrace together with the ignominious renting of my kingdome if I had not been taught the same by mine owne experience to my great losse and hearts greefe We entred into EPIRVS and here encamped an hundred and threescore thousand men strong now if leisure serue you take view of them examine the matter you shall find a great want of that number The fields could not contain our regiments and the multitude of our men but now how many tents stand emptie how many horses want riders You shall go to HADRIANOPLE with our forces much impaired As for me the destinies haue vowed my spirits to this country of EPIRVS as vnto me fatall But wherfore do I impute vnto my selfe these impediments and chances of Fortune for then first began this seed of mischiefe in EPIRVS when the Hungarians with other the Christian princes rose vp in armes against vs at which time we fought not with them for soueraigntie but for the whole state of our kingdome as the bloudie battailes of VARNA and COSSOVA still witnesse vnto the world So whilest I had neither leisure nor sufficient power to take order for all my important affaires at once in the meane time this enemy grew as you see But how or in what order you are hereafter to wage warre against him you may not looke for any direction from me which haue in all these matters so euill directed my selfe Fortune neuer deceiued my endeuors more than in this But happely thou Mahomet my sonne maiest prooue a more fortunat warriour against him and for so many honors alreadie giuen vnto me the destinies haue reserued the triumph of EPIRVS for thee Wherfore my sonne thou shalt receiue from me this scepter and these roial ensigns but aboue all things I leaue vnto thee this enemie charging thee not to leaue my death vnreuenged It is all I charge thee with for so great and stately a patrimonie as thou art to receiue from me it is the only sacrifice that my old departing ghost desireth of thee Shortly after he became speechlesse and striuing with the pangs of death halfe a day he then breathed out his gastly ghost to the great joy and contentment of the poore oppressed Christians He died about the middle of Autumne in the yeare of our Lord 1450 when he had liued 85 yeares as most write and thereof raigned 28 or as some others report 30 about fiue months after the siege laid before CROIA Thus lieth great Amurath erst not inferiour vnto the greatest monarchs of that age dead almost in despaire a worthy mirror of honours frailtie yeelding vnto the worldly man in the end neither comfort nor reliefe Who had fought greater battails who had gained greater victories or obtained more glorious triumphs than had Amurath Who by the spoils of so many mightie kings and princes and by the conquest of so many prowd and warlike nations againe restored and established the Turkes kingdome before by Tamerlan and the Tartars in a manner clean defaced He it was that burst the hart of the prowd Grecians establishing his empire at HADRIANOPLE euen in the center of their bowels from whence haue proceeded so many miseries and calamities into the greatest part of Christendome as no tongue is able to expresse He it was that first brake downe the Hexamile or wal of separation on the strait of CORINTH conquered the greatest part of PELOPONESVS He it was that subdued vnto the Turks so many great countries and prouinces in ASIA that in plaine field and set battaile ouerthrew many puissant kings and princes and brought them vnder his subiection who hauing slaine Vladislaus the king of POLONIA and HVNGARIE and more than once chased out of the field Huniades that famous redoubted warriour had in his prowd and ambitious heart promised vnto himselfe the conquest of a great part of Christendome But O how farre was he now changed from the man he then was how farre did these his last speeches differ from the course of his forepassed life full of such base passionat complaints and lamentations as beseemed not a man of his place and spirit but some vile wretch ouertaken with dispaire and yet afraid to die Where were now those haughtie thoughts those loftie lookes those thundring and commaunding speeches whereat so many great commaunders so many troups and legions so many thousands of armed souldiours were woont to tremble and quake Where is that head before adorned with so manie trophies and triumphs where is that victorious hand that swaied so many scepters where is the majestie of his power and strength that commanded ouer so many nations and kingdoms O how is the case now altred he lieth now dead a gastly filthy stinking carkas a clod of clay vnregarded his hands closed his eyes shut and his feet stretched out which erst prowdly traced the countries by him subdued and conquered And now of such infinit riches such vnmeasurable wealth such hugie treasures such stately honors and vainglorious praises as he in his life time enjoyed his fraile bodie enjoyeth nothing but left all behind it O the weake condition of mans nature O the vaine glorie of mortall creatures O the blind and peruerse thoughts of foolish men Why do we so magnifie our selues why are we so puffed vp with pride why do we so much set our minds vpon riches authoritie and other vanities of this life whereof neuer man had yet one daies assurance and at our most need and when we least thinke quite forsake vs leauing euen them that most sought after them and most abounded in them shrowded oft times in the sheet of dishonor and shame That his death is otherwise by some reported I am not ignorant the Turkes saying that he died miraculously
old king who in hope of preferment had long wished for the gouernment of the yong prince were glad to see him set vpon his fathers seat And the vulgar people neuer constant but in vnconstancie and alwaies fawning vpon the present exceedingly rejoyced in their young king The Ianizaries also at the same time according to their accustomed manner tooke the spoile of the Christians and Iewes that dwelt amongst them and easily obtained pardon for the same whereupon he was by the same Ianizaries and the other souldiors of the Court with great triumph saluted king Which approbation of these men of warre is vnto the Turkish kings a greater assurance for the possession of their kingdome than to be borne the eldest sonne of the king as in the processe of this Historie shall appeare so great is the power of these masterfull slaues in promoting to the kingdome which soeuer of the kings sonnes they most fauour without much regard whether he be the eldest or not This young tyrant was no sooner possessed of his fathers kingdome but that hee forgetting the lawes of nature was presently in person himselfe about to haue murthered with his owne hands his youngest brother then but eighteene moneths old begotten on the daughter of Spoâ—derbeius Which vnnaturall part Moses one of his Bassaes and a man greatly in his fauour perceiuing requested him not to imbrue his owne hands in the blood of his brother but rather to commit the execution thereof to some other which thing Mahomet commaunded him the author of that counsell foorthwith to doe So Moses taking the child from the nurse strangled it with pouring water downe the throat thereof The young ladie vnderstanding of the death of her child as a woman whom furie had made past feare came and in her rage reuiled the tyrant to his face shamefully vpbraiding him for his inhumane crueltie When Mahomet to appease her furie requested her to be content for that it stood with the policie of his state and willed her for her better contentment to aske whatsoeuer she pleased and she should forthwith haue it But she desiring nothing more than in some sort to be reuenged desired to haue Moses the executioner of her sonne deliuered vnto her bound which when she had obtained she presently strucke him into the breast with a knife crying in vaine vpon his vnthankfull master for helpe and proceeding in her cruell execution cut an hole in his right side and by peecemeale cut out his liues and cast it to the dogs to eat At the same time also he caused another of his brethren committed by his father to the keeping of Caly Bassa and now by him betrayed into his hands to be likewise murthered Thus beginning his tyrannous raigne with the bloodie execution of them that were in blood nearest vnto him and whom of all others he ought to haue defended he presently after began to frame a new forme of a commonweale by abrogating and altering the old lawes and customes and publishing of new better fitting his owne humour and more commodious for himselfe imposing also new taxes and subsidies vpon his subjects neuer before heard of thereby to increase his treasures and satisfie his auaritious desire which amongst many other his vices so much raigned in him as that he was thought ouersparing vnto himselfe as well in his apparrell as in his diet And proceeding farther hee called vnto straight account all the great officers of his kingdome of whom some he put to death and confiscated their goods others he put to great fines or quite remooued them from their offices In like manner hee dealt also with his great Bassaes admitting many false and surmised accusations against them whereby to bring them within his danger where little mercie was to be looked for By which meanes hee became no lesse terrible vnto his subjects than he was afterward vnto his enemies and so was of them exceedingly feared but more hated Amongst other things hee much misliked in his court the excessiue number of faulconers and huntsmen which was growne so great by the immoderat delight which his predecessors tooke in the pleasures of the field that there were continually maintained of the kings charge seuen thousand faulconers and not many fewer huntsmen saying That he would not be so much a foole as to maintaine such a multitude of men to attend vpon so meere a vanitie And therefore tooke order that from thenceforth there should bee allowance made for fiue hundred faulconers onely and one hundred huntsmen the rest he appointed to serue as souldiors in his warres At the same time also he entered into league with Constantinus Palaeologus the emperour of CONSTANTINOPLE and the other princes of GRECIA as also with the Despot of SERVIA his grandfather by the mothers side as some will haue it howbeit some others write that the Despot his daughter Amurath his wife was but his mother in law whom hee vnder the colour of friendship sent backe againe vnto her father after the death of Amurath still allowing her a princely dowrie But if shee were not his mother as like ynough it is that shee was not much more happie was she that she neuer groned for so gracelesse a sonne Whilest Mahomet was thus occupied about his ciuile affaires Ibrahim king of CARAMANIA who long before had married Amurath his sister and yet for all that had as his ancestors had before him alwaies enuied the prosperous successe of the Othoman kings tooke occasion in the first yeare of Mahomet his raigne with fire and sword to inuade his dominions in ASIA Which thing when Mahomet vnderstood he displaced Isa his lieutenant in ASIA as a man not sufficient to manage so great warres and appointed Isaack Bassa in his roome a most valiant man of warre vpon whom not long before he had vpon speciall fauour bestowed in mariage the fair daughter of Sponderbeius one of his fathers wiues of whom we haue before spoken This great Bassa passing ouer into ASIA raised a great armie After whom followed Mahomet in person himselfe with a greater out of EVROPE and hauing all his forces together entered with great hostilitie into CARAMANIA But the Caramanian king perceiuing himselfe vnable to withstand so puissant an enemie fled into the strength of the great mountaines and by his embassadours offered vnto Mahomet such reasonable conditions of peace as that hee was content to accept thereof Which after they had by solemne oath on both parts confirmed Mahomet returned with his armie to PRVSA but when he was come thither the Ianizaries presuming that they might be bold with the young king putting themselues in order of battaile came with great insolencie demaunded of him a donatiue or largious as a reward of their good seruice done With which so great presumption Mahomet was inwardly chafed but for so much as they were his best souldiors and alreadie in armes he wisely dissembled his anger for the present hauing a little
strong citie of EPIDAVRVS to commaund them in the name of the prince to deliuer vnto him the citie with the prince his wife and daughter which lay there But the Gouernour trusting vnto the strength of the citie refused to deliuer the same yet suffred the princesse with her daughter to depart out of the citie being willing to goe to her husband whom the captaine hauing receiued returned and presented them to Mahomet By whose commaundement they were presently sent into BEOTIA there to attend his returne towards CONSTANTINOPLE and an Eunuch appointed to take charge of the young ladie who had so warmed Mahomets affection that he tooke her afterwards to his wife At the same time hee also subdued the most part of ACHAIA and ELIS by Zoganus Bassa his lieutenant whether hee came not long after himselfe and laied siege to the citie of SALMENICA which for lacke of water was at length yeelded vnto him but the castle was by the space of a whole yeare after valiantly defended against the Turks left to besiege it by Thomas the prince of whom Mahomet afterwards gaue this commendation That in the great countrey of PELOPONESVS hee had found many slaues but neuer a man but him This valiant prince seeing the miserable ruine of his countrey and the state thereof vtterly forlorne after he had most notably endured a yeares siege in the castle of SALMENICA got to sea and so arriued in ITALIE where trauelling to ROME hee was honourably receiued by Pius Secundus then bishop there who during his life allowed him a large pension for the maintenance of his state Thus Mahomet hauing thrust both the Grecian princes out of their dominions and subdued all PELOPONESVS excepting such strong townes and castles as bordering vpon the sea coast were yet holden by the Venetians left Zoganus Bassa his lieutenant to gouerne that new conquered prouince and with great triumph returned himselfe towards CONSTANTINOPLE carrying away with him Demetrius the prince with his wife and daughter and many other noble prisoners But after he was come to HADRIANOPLE and placed in his royall seat he remooued the Eunuch from the faire young ladie and tooke charge of her himselfe As for Demetrius her father hee gaue to him the cittie AENVM with the custome arising of the salt there made as a pension for him to liue vpon Thus this most famous and populous countrey of PELOPONESVS fell into the Turkish thraldome about the yeare of our Lord 1460 seuen years after the taking of CONSTANTINOPLE Which I haue here togither set downe as it is reported by them who liued in that time and in the same countries omitting of purpose other great occurrents of the same time which shall also in conuenient place be hereafter declared to the intent that the fall of that great Empire with the common miserie of the delicate Graecians might appeare vnder one view which otherwise being deliuered by peecemeale as it did concurre with other great accidents according to the course of time would but breed confusion and require the Readers greater attention The Christian princes especially such as bordered vpon the dominions of the Turkish tyrant were no lesse terrified than troubled with the subuersion of the Constantinopolitane empire for they saw by the continuall preparation of the Turk that his ambitious desires were rather encreased than in any part satisfied with his so great and late victories Wherefore they with all carefulnesse fortified their frontier towns and prouided all things necessarie for defence of themselues and for the repulsing of so mightie an enemy Amongst the rest George the old Despot or prince of SERVIA whose dominions of all others lay most in danger of that tempest speedily mustred his men of warre fortified his strong citties placed his garrisons and left nothing vndone that he thought needfull for the defence of his countrey for he had many times before to his great losse endured the furie of the Turkish kings although he were joyned vnto them in the bonds of neerest allyance And hauing thus politikely set all things in order at home in person himselfe tooke his journey into HVNGARIE from thence to procure aid against such time as he should haue need But the Hungarians and especially Huniades who at that time bare greatest sway in that kingdome hauing before had sufficient triall of the vncertainty and light faith of that aged prince who had so often fashioned himselfe according to the occurrents of the time that he was accounted neither right Turke nor good Christian refused to promise him any aid but left him to his owne fortunes wherewith he returned discontented and full of indignation But shortly after he was come home he died of an hurt receiued in a skirmish with Michaell Zilugo gouernor of BELGRADE whose brother Ladislaus he had but a little before trecherously murdred as he was trauailing by wagon to BELGRADE with his said brother Michael who at the same time hardly escaped This was the end of George Despot of SERVIA when he had liued nintie yeares in which time of his long life he had plentifully tasted of both fortunes A man assuredly of great courage but of a maruellous vnquiet nature by profession a Christian yet a great friend vnto the Turkes whom he many times stood in great steed a deepe dissembler and double in all his dealings whereby he purchased vnto himselfe that credit that he was not of any his neighbour princes whilest he liued either beloued or trusted and after his death of his subjects so detested that the people of that countrey euen at this day in their countrey songs still tearme him The faithlesse and gracelesse Despot Lazarus his youngest son after his death succeeded in his place hauing depriued both his elder brethren Stephen and George of the gouernment for Amurath the Turkish king had long time before put out their eies of purpose to make them vnfit for the gouernment of so great a countrey yet these blind princes found meanes to flie away from him to Mahomet carrying with them a great masse of money and so incited him against Lazarus their younger brother that to keepe friendship with the tyrant he was glad to promise vnto him a great yearely tribute and so to become his tributarie But within few moneths after Lazarus died the last Christian prince that raigned in SERVIA after whose death great troubles arose in SERVIA for the soueraigntie The blind brethren still crauing aid of Mahomet with whom they then liued and the desolate widow of Lazarus putting her selfe with her three sons Iohn Peter and Martin into the protection of the Hungarians by which means she with much trouble held her state for a season Vntill such time as that the Seruians seeing small assurance in that manner of gouernment and wearie of the harmes they daily receiued of the Turkes yeelded themselues with their countrey vnto the obedience of the Turkish emperour Mahomet who foreuer vnited the same vnto his empire as
as being before vnder the Constantinopolitane empire had vpon the losse of the citie put themselues vnder the protection of the Venetians but especially the isle of MITYLENE called in auntient time LESâ—OS pretending that Nicholaus Catelusius prince therof did harbour the pyrats of ITALY and other places and also bought of them such prisoners and other bootie as they continually tooke from the Turkes at sea or alongst the sea coast out of many places of his dominions pretending also the chastising of the said prince for that he had by treacherie slaine his eldest brother and so vnjustly taken vpon him the gouernment His fleet thus set forward he himselfe with a small army passed ouer into ASIA and came by land to POSSIDIVM a citie of IONIA ouer against MITYLENE From whence he embarked himselfe ouer the narrow straite into the island where after he had once landed his army he in short time ouerran the whole island and miserably spoiled the same leading away all the inhabitants thereof into captiuitie who shortly after were sold at CONSTANTINOPLE like flocks of sheepe and from thence dispersed into all parâ—s of his dominions After he had thus harried the countrey and left nothing therein vnspoiled he besieged the Prince in the citie of MITYLENE whereof the island now taketh name and with his great ordinance continually battered the same by the space of 27 daies In which time many sharpe assaults were also giuen by the Turkes whereby the defendants were greatly diminished and wasted The prince perceiuing himselfe not able long to hold out offered to yeeld vp the citie with all the strong holds in the isle vpon condition that Mahomet should therefore giue vnto him some other prouince of like valew to the island which his offer Mahomet accepted and by solemne oath bound himselfe for performance of that he had promised Whereupon the prince came out of the citie and humbled himselfe before him excusing himselfe for the receiuing of the men of warre wherewith he was charged as done for no other purpose but that they should forbeare to spoile his owne countrey much subject to their furie vtterly denying that he had at any time bought or shared any part of such prizes as had by those pirats by sea or land been taken from the Turkes With which his excuse Mahomet seemed to be reasonably well contented and with good words cheered him vp neuerthelesse as soone as the citie with all the other strong holds in the isle were by the princes meanes deliuered into his hands hee no longer made reckoning of his Turkish faith but cruelly caused many of the chiefe citizens of MITYLENE to be put to death and three hundreth pirats whom he found in the citie to be cut in two peeces in the middle so to die with more paine And when he had placed conuenient garrisons in euerie strong hold in the isle he returned to CONSTANTINOPLE carrying away with him the prince and all the better sort of the inhabitants of MITYLENE that were left aliue togither with all the wealth of that most rich and pleasant island leauing it almost desolat none remaining therein more than his owne garrisons with a few of the poorest and basest people Mahomet after he was arriued at CONSTANTINOPLE cast the prince Nicholaus with Lucius his cosin whose helpe he had before vsed in killing of his elder brother into close prison where they seeing themselues euerie houre in danger of their liues to winne fauour in the tyrants sight wickedly offered to renounce the Christian religion and to turne Turke Which Mahomet vnderstanding caused them both to be richly apparelled and with great triumph to be circumcised and presently set at libertie yet still bearing in minde his olde grudge he shortly after when they least feared any such matter clapt them both fast againe in prison and there caused them to be most cruelly put to death A just reward for the bloodie murtherers and apostacie who to gaine a little longer life were content to forsake God Shortly after it fortuned that Stephen king of BOSNA in antient time called MaeSIA SVPERIOR who supported by the Turkish emperour had wrongfully obtained that kingdom against his owne brethren refused now to pay such yearely tribute as hee had before promised for which cause Mahomet with a strong armie entered into BOSNA and laied siege vnto the cittie of DOROBIZA which when he had with much adoe taken he deuided the people therof into three parts one part whereof he gaue as slaues vnto his men of warre another part he sent vnto CONSTANTINOPLE and the third he left to inhabit the citie From DOROBIZA he marched to IAZIGA now called IAICA the cheefe citie of that kingdome which after four months siege was deliuered vnto him by composition In this citie hee tooke the kings brother and sister prisoners with most of the nobilitie of that kingdome whom he sent as it were in triumph vnto CONSTANTINOPLE The other lesser cities of BOSNA following the example of the greater yeelded themselues also But Mahomet vnderstanding that the king of BOSNA had retired himselfe into the farthest part of his kingdome sent Mahometes his cheefe Bassa with his Europeian souldiors to pursue him wherein the Bassa vsed such diligence that he had on euery side so inclosed him before he was aware that hee could by no meanes escape which was before thought a thing impossible So the king for safegard of his life was faine to take the citie of CLYSSA for his refuge where he was so hardly laied to by the Bassa that seeing no other remedie hee offered to yeeld himselfe vpon the Bassaes faithfull promise by oath confirmed that he should be honourably vsed and not to receiue in his person any harme from the Turkish emperour Wherupon the Bassaes oath to the same purpose was with great solemnitie taken and for the more assurance conceiued in writing firmed by the Bassa and so deliuered to the king which done the king came out of the citie and yeelded himselfe The Bassa hauing thus taken the king prisoner carried him about with him from place to place and from citie to citie vntill he had taken possession of all the kingdome of BOSNA and so returning vnto his master presented vnto him the captiue king who was not a little offended with him for that hee had vnto him so farre engaged his Turkish faith But when the poore king thought to haue departed not greatly fearing further harme he was suddenly sent for by Mahomet at which time he doubting the worst caried with him in his hand the writing wherein the Bassaes oath for his safetie was comprised neuerthelesse the faithlesse tyrant without any regard thereof or of his faith therein giuen caused him presently to be most cruelly put to death or as some write to be flaine quicke Thus was the Christian kingdome of BOSNA subuerted by Mahomet in the yeare 1464 who after he had at his pleasure disposed thereof and reduced it
a place called POLOGVS where he lay with his armie encamped in a plaine in great securitie fearing no danger for that he was not as yet in the enemies countrey neither as he supposed neere the enemie Of all this preparation and of the comming of Debreas Scanderbeg had intelligence and being resolued not to expect the comming of the Turkes into EPIRVS made choise of six thousand of his best horsemen with whom he marched with as much speed as was possible into the enemies countrey and came by night vnto the plaine where the Turkes lay hoping to haue been vpon them before they were aware and so to haue ouerthrowne them Wherin he was much deceiued for by the light of the moone which then shined all night he was by the Turkes in time descried yet the suddennesse of his approach with the strangenesse of the attempt exceedingly dismaied the whole army of the Turkes But Debreas mindfull of the promise he had made vnto his lord and master with cheerfull words encouraged his souldiours and presently sent out certaine troups of light horsemen to receiue the first charge of the enemy vntill he might set his whole army in order of battaile Betwixt these troupes and others sent out by Scanderbeg began a sharpe skirmish both the armies standing fast as beholders carefully expecting the euent thereof But Scanderbeg doubting that if his soldiours should in this first encounter be put to the worse it might tend to the great discouraging of the rest of his army seconded his men with other fresh troups vnder the leading of Moses and Amesa by whose comming in the Turks were forthwith beaten backe and chased euen to their maine battaile In the heat of which chase Moses forgetting himselfe had with great danger in following on too fast been enclosed by the Turkes had not his furie beene in good time staied by Amesa for which ouersight he was afterward blamed by Scanderbeg that he could not with greater moderation vse his good fortune commending such forwardnesse in a priuat souldior but not in so great a commaunder When Moses and Amesa had thus put the Turkes to flight Scanderbeg brought on his whole armie and fiercely assailed the Turkes yet troubled with the discomfiture of their fellows Debreas on the other side with cheerefull speech and his owne valour so encouraged his souldiors that Scanderbeg was there notably resisted and his fortune as it were at a stand vntill that Musachius with certaine troupes of resolute men drawne out of the left wing of Scanderbeg his armie gaue such a fierce charge vpon the side of the Turkes armie that he brake their rankes and sore disordered that part of the armie Which when Debreas perceiued he withdrew himselfe out of the front of the battaile wherein hee had valiantly stood against Scanderbeg and came to the place where Musachius had disordered the battaile and with such courage cheared vp his troubled souldiours that his onely presence and valour seemed to bee the very life and heart of his whole armie Whilest Debreas was thus busied against Musachius Scanderbeg in the meane time with might and maine still charged the front of the enemies armie who now in the absence of the Generall began to loose their order and to giue ground making no such resistance as before At which time Moses forcibly breaking into the thickest of them tooke one of their ensignes which hee threw backe amongst his followers wherewith they encouraged so pressed vpon their enemies without regard of danger that the Turks being therewith discouraged and their battaile disordered were almost readie to turne their backs and to flie Debreas seeing all in danger to be lost hasted with all speed vnto the place where he saw most perill and did what was possible to haue restored the battaile and encouraged his souldiors where pressing in amongst the formost hee was by Scanderbeg himselfe encountered hand to hand and so by him slaine with whose fall the whole armie discouraged without further resistance fled Moses pursuing them on the one side Musachius on the other with furious hand slew more in that chase than were slaine in the battaile Of the Turkes were slaine in this battaile 4120 and some prisoners taken but of the Christians few or none so that for the good fortune thereof Scanderbeg accounted it a victorie giuen All the spoile taken from the enemie together with the prisoners was by Scanderbeg equally deuided amongst the souldiors Vnto Moses he gaue Debreas his horse and armour and vnto Musachius a prisoner which by his port and behauior seemed to be a man of some good account This Turke agreed with Musachius vpon a ransome of two hundred duckats and presently vpon agreement made drew forth the money out of a little bag which he had kept secretly about him and offered it to Musachius for his ransome Who receiuing the money told the Turke that he must prouide another ransome for as much as that money was his owne before by law of armes as taken with his person The Turke on the other side alledged for himselfe the agreement alreadie made with the payment of the full summe agreed vpon This controuersie was brought before Scanderbeg who with great pleasure heard them both what they could say Musachius laying in hard for another ransome and the Turke for his libertie vrging the agreement Who when they had both said what they could for themselues Scanderbeg smiling told them that they both contended for that which was in right his and neither of theirs for the prisoner with the money were both mine said he at the first taking of him since which time I haue giuen to you Musachius the prisoner which I knew but not the money which I knew not of neither doth the concealing thereof make it yours said he to the Turke who had by law of armes lost your selfe together with all that you had about you After he had thus pleasantly discoursed of the matter and brought them both in doubt he awarded vnto Musachius the money he agreed for and to the Turke his desired libertie who glad thereof and hauing also receiued his horse and armour of the gift of Scanderbeg departed speaking all the honour he could of so noble a conquerour After this victorie Scanderbeg with great triumph returned againe to CROIA When Mahomet vnderstood that Debreas was slaine and his armie ouerthrowne hee became exceeding melancholie but after he saw so many of his souldiors returned as had ben sufficient to haue restored a lost battaile he was so highly displeased with their cowardise as that he could not endure the sight of them The death of Debreas greeued none more than the king himselfe for the captaines generally either enuied at his hardinesse or else hated his insolencie Amesa amongst the rest tooke no small pleasure that his proud successour had taken part of his euill fortune and so in part eased his former infamie The great Bassaes and men of warre seeing
any thing base which may tend to the common honour or profit of vs all This speech of Scanderbeg was well liked and joyfully receiued of all the hearers so that many besought him to manifest vnto them how he purposed to proceed in those wars whereunto hee with cheerefull countenance answered That it was ynough for him if they did but beleeue him promising himselfe in person to bee in the most dangerous actions as farre as any of them wherwith they rested contented And presently dispatching his lieutenants into diuers parts of his kingdome as he thought most conuenient prouided That all things were in short time conueyed out of the countrey into the strong townes and other places of refuge No corne no cattell or other things of any worth was left in the countrey but all left desolate in like manner as was before at the comming of the great king Amurath to the siege of CROIA By this time Isaack the great Bassa was come into EPIRVS accompanied with Amesa and as hee marched still sent before him his scouts and espials carefully to view euery corner of the countrey for feare to bee entrapped as others before him had beene directed in his journey for most part by Amesa Scanderbeg had in readinesse such an armie as he had purposed to vse against his mightie enemie but lay with six thousand horsemen onely in shew as if hee had determined with them to haue giuen them battaile but meaning indeed nothing lesse For as soone as the Bassa was come in sight he with those horsemen according as hee had before appointed as if hee had beene discouraged with the very sight of the Turkes turned his backe and fled And because he would not giue them any occasion to suspect it to be done for some policie or finenesse and so to make them more carefull he fled not into the mountaines or woods as his wonted manner was but directly toward LYSSA a towne of the Venetians standing vpon the sea coast as if hee had quite despaired of the keeping of EPIRVS and fled thither for refuge The Bassa seeing him flie was glad thereof and sent certaine troupes of horsemen to pursue him diligently to marke which way he tooke but encamped himselfe with his armie in the plaines of DIâ—RA neer vnto ORONYCHIVM where Scanderbeg lay before there rested his armie wearie of long trauell expecting the returne of his horsemen sent after Scanderbeg But vpon their returne when it was for a certaintie reported by them That Scanderbeg with an handfull of men was fled out of EPIRVS and not an enemie to be seene the Turkes began to rejoyce and proudly to triumph that they had without any losse driuen the enemie out of the countrey yet much greeued that they could no where find any thing to satisfie their greedie desires for why all things were so cleane gone as if the countrey had beene swept against their comming which might haue beene a sufficient cause for them to haue distrusted some great matter but they flattering themselues supposed all this to be done for feare of them vpon extreame desperation such is the fraile condition of men to loose strength of bodie common sence yea their reason and vnderstanding when some great mischeefe is appointed for their ouerthrow or destruction The Bassa seeing the enemie fled and now no cause of feare consulted with his cheefe captaines what were now best to bee done Amesa still persuading him not to remoue but there to stay a time and to expect the farther euent of matters But the greater number whose opinion preuailed said it was better to goe farther into the countrey and to take the spoile thereof before the countrey people should conuay away all their substance into places of safetie as they had done there in DIBRA and leaue them nothing but the bare ground and emptie cottages By this persuasion the Bassa earely next morning in good order set forward commaunding by generall proclamation That no man vpon paine of death should breake his array or straggle from the armie Yet before he set forward he called Amesa vnto him whom after he had highly commended and with great vehemencie inuayed against Scanderbeg he with the great applause of the whole armie in the name of Mahomet created him king of EPIRVS That day he marched not farre by reason of the great heat for it was then about the middest of Iuly Yet when he had well wearied himselfe with that daies trauell finding neither enemie nor any things els worthie to be accounted in any part of a victorie he encamped at night keeping dilâ—gent watch and sending forth his scouts euery way but especially towards LYSSA The next day which was the third day after the Bassaes comming into EPIRVS hee set forward againe and came at length into AEMATHIA and there encamped that night When Scanderbeg flying for feare as the Turks supposed was gone a great way out of their sight towards LYSSA and come euen to the borders of his kingdome he there staied all the rest of that day And a little before the going downe of the sunne he with a few select horsemen departed from the army and with painfull trauell got vp to the top of the high mountaines from whence a man might by day well discouer all the plaines of AEMATHIA There he appointed one Peieus Emanuel a politicke and valiant gentleman with certaine horsemen to marke diligently which way the enemy held and by certaine secret and appointed wastings and signes to giue knowledge thereof to the army After such order taken he returned himselfe and came againe to the campe after midnight And presently rising with his army and fetching a compasse about came vndiscouered and secretly encamped himselfe as neere as he could vnto the mountaines where his scouts lay with eagles eies waiting for the least mouing of the enemy The Bassa desirous to get as farre as hee could into the countrey before the heat of the day began early in the morning to set forward and came to the plaines of PHARSALIA through the world spoken of for the great battell in them long time before fought between the two most famous chieftaines Caesar and Pompeius and now once more to bee made famous by the slaughter of the Turks Here the enemie finding some stragling cattell and other small things which the country people had in their hastie flight left behind them fell to seeking after bootie and as men without feare spent that day in roaming vp and downe the countrey in hope to find something and at night encamped without any great watch but towards LYSSVM from whence they in great securitie looked for the comming of Scanderbeg and as it were in disgrace of him carried Amesa in triumph vp and downe the campe as if he had been alreadie possessed of the kingdome of EPIRVS Scanderbeg lying on the other side of the mountaines perceiued by his espials which way the enemy lay and with great silence vnder the
but especially the great Bishop by whose meanes they were in good hope to bee greatly strengthened Pius the second of that name was then the great Bishop who at first answered the Venetian embassadours That he must take away the little Turke before hee had any thing to doe with the great meaning thereby Sigismundus Maletesta prince of ARIMINVM whom he deadly hated for that he tooke part with the French against the Aragonians Howbeit the warres in ITALIE being well appeased Pius still sollicited by the Venetians made great preparation against the Turkes giuing it out That hee would in person himselfe goe vnto those warres and by his authoritie then much regarded procured great aid out of GERMANIE FRAVNCE SPAINE and other countries also farther off at which time also voluntarie men in great numbers resorted out of all parts of Christendome into ITALIE readie to aduenture their liues in those religious warres At the same time also the Venetians had with much adoe by the working of Paulus Angelus Archbishop of DIRRACHIVM persuaded Scanderbeg to renounce the league which he had before made with the Turke and to enter into arms againe which he presently did and vpon the sudden spoyled the borders of the Turks dominions next vnto him Wherwith Mahomet was no lesse troubled than with all the rest of the great preparation of the Christians against him fearing that as it was then reported he should be made generall of the Christian armie which Mahomet feared might tend to the vtter ruine of his kingdome so dreadfull was the name of Scanderbeg amongst the Turkes Wherefore thinking it most expedient for his affaires to reconcile him if it were possible by his embassadour sent for that purpose writ vnto him as followeth Sultan Mahomet Emperour of the East and of the West vnto Scanderbeg prince of the Albanenses and of the Epirots greeting I haue alwayes had thy fidelitie and vpright dealing in great admiration most noble prince Scanderbeg for which cause I thought it a thing incredible that thou being a prince of such an heroicall and princely perfection should so inconsideratly and without any occasion breake the faith and league which thou not long since solemnely contracted with me For as I am aduertised thou hast entred into the confines of our dominions with a great armie and with fire and sword destroying all that thou couldest hast caried away with thee a great bootie Of which thing I know right well that the Venetians are the onely cause by whose counsell and persuasion thou hast been set on to doe this deed and seduced by their allurements and subtill persuasions hast made war vpon me and art become the faithlesse breaker of thine owne league and of the sacred law of nations Yet doe I little or nothing blame thee therefore regarding more the cause of the ignominie than the despight it selfe and lay the blame vpon them who haue alwayes been my foes and capitall enemies rather than vpon thee But alas what is this vnto me Scanderbeg that thou hast done which possesse so many and so large dominions Diddest thou thinke to doe so great hurt vnto our kingdome by spoiling a little peece of our countrey and by stealing our cattell more like a theese and robber than an open enemie Which thing I yet account not woorth the name of an iniurie But if thou thinke it so good proceed in these thy doings for I make more account of thy friendship and loue than of whatsoeuer is to me dearest because as thou knowest I haâ—e alwaies borne vnto thee an especiall fauour and loued thee most entirely And therefore as oft as I call to remembrance our tender yeares and old familiaritie whilest we liued together in my fathers court at HADRIANOPLE I cannot but thinke my selfe bound vnto thee in all courtesie And therfore my good Scanderbeg I most heartily request and entreat thee That we renuing the former conclusions of peace may of new confirme the same by solemne oath wherewith if the former peace had beene established thou wouldest not haue suffered thy selfe to haue been now of the Venetians so circumuented or seduced It is therefore needfull that we now againe for euer confirme a league and peace betwixt vs by solemne and sacred oath on both sides which if thou shalt doe as I hope thou wilt and in this be aduised by me thou with thy posteritie shall vndoubtedly alwayes raigne in peace and in safetie possesse whatsoeuer is yours Whereas if thou shalt do otherwise beleue me it will repent thee and that right quickly Thou knowest alreadie my force which whether thou be able to withstand or not thou were best to bee well aduised The poore princes thy neighbors the Venetians thy seducers cannot deliuer thee from my forces and power Doest thou not see the Grecians almost all rooted out before thy face the emperours of CONSTANTINOPLE and TRAPEZOND by vs depriued of their empires the princes of SERVIA and RASCIA destroyed the king of BOSNA put to death and all the kingdomes of ASIA with many other kings and princes moe vanquished and ouerthrowne and made subiect vnto mee Wherefore Scanderbeg I aduise thee in this to follow my counsell keepe thy promise and so beleeue me thou shalt not be deceiued Concerning these matters we haue giuen further commaundement to our embassador and seruant Mustapha which commeth vnto thee vnto whom doubt thou not to giue credence in any thing Farewell from our imperiall citie of CONSTANTINOPLE the 7 of May 1463. Scanderbeg hauing by the afore said messenger receiued these letters and well considered of the same returned answere as followeth The champion of Christ Iesus George Castriot otherwise called Scanderbeg prince of the Albaneses and Epirots to the most excellent Mahomet king of the Turks greeting You maruell most noble Mahomet that my souldiors as you say contrarie to our league and the conditions of our peace haue entered into your confines and from thence caried a great bootie Of which thing you say the Venetians are the authors whom you call your mortall enemies inferring afterward that you are little therewith offended for that you are a most mightie prince and can easily disgest such vnkindnesse for the great loue you beare vnto me and the rather for that I did it deceiued as it pleaseth you to say by others All these things you can easily forgiue and forget so that I will by solemne oath confirme the same conditions of peace that were in our former league betwixt vs agreed vpon And thereunto you do greatly vrge me you admonish and counsell me to follow your aduise as tending to the great profit and securitie of me and my posteritie least happily whilest I seeke to please the Venetians I incur your heauie displeasure Besides this the more to terrifie me you reckon vp as it were in a catalogue the people nations kings and princes by you ouercome and subdued But what is that which is so strange I pray you and which you
of that citie Whilest he lay in EVBoeA he was persuaded that the citie of PATRAS in PELOPONESVS would be deliuered vnto him by the Christians that dwelt therein if hee did but shew himselfe before it Whereupon he departed from EVBoeA and comming into the gulfe of PATRAS landed 4000 footmen vnder the leading of Barbaricus and 200 horsemen of whom one Nicholaus Ragius was captaine Barbaricus marching toward PATRAS was come within a mile of the cittie when manie of the horsemen and of the vnruly mariners disorderly scattering abroad neglected the intended seruice and sought after pillage all about the countrey The Turkes garrisons taking this opportunitie set vpon them with their horsemen and so easily ouerthrew them being scattered and out of order At the first encounter Barbaricus himselfe was slaine Ragius captaine of the horsemen was taken aliue empailed vpon a sharpe stake Of all them that were landed scarce a thousand were left who saued their liues by flying vnto the gallies With this ouerthrow Victor the Venetian Admirall was greatly discomfited yet hauing conceiued some hope of better successe in few daies after attempted againe to haue taken PATRAS but with like hap as before For hauing lost a thousand of his men about the citie and the rest glad to take their refuge to the fleet he was constrained with great dishonour to depart thence And so full of sorrow and heauinesse returning into EVBoeA oppressed with melancholy there suddenly died The Venetians deceiued of the great hope they had conceiued of the generall preparation made against the Turkes and much troubled with the hard proceeding of their warres against so mightie an enemie by their embassadours solicited Mathias not long before chosen king of HVNGARIE to joyne in league with them and to take vp armes against the common enemie offering presently to furnish him with a great summe of money beside a large yearely pention for the maintenance of those warres for which he should to his power by land defend all their territorie betwixt the Rhetian Alpes and the Adriatique against the inuasion of the Turke This Mathias surnamed Coruinus was the yonger sonne of the most famous captaine Io. Haniades whose elder brother Vladislaus a gentleman of such courage as might well shâ—w whosâ— sonne he was being not able to disgest the injuries and disgraces done vnto him and his brother by Vlricus countie of CILIA and vnckle vnto Ladislaus the yong king of BOHEMIA and HVNGARIE for the despite he alwaies bare vnto their father Huniades slew the same Vlricus at ALBA REGALIS euen in the kings court Which outrage the yong king was glad for the present to winke at and also to grant him pardon as hauing taken away the man whose immoderat power well stood not with the kings safetie but in deed fearing the citizens of ALBA the men of war who exceedingly fauoured the sonnes of Huniades for their fathers sake For all that Ladislaus returning into BOHEMA caused both the sons of Huniades vpon the sudden to be apprehended and most cruelly executed Vladislaus being then about six and twentie yeares old Mathias the yonger brother was kept in prison expecting nothing else but to be partaker of his brothers hard fortune as vndoubtedly he had had not Ladislaus the yong king vpon the sudden as hee was vpon the top of his marriage with Magdalaine the French kings daughter by vntimely death beene taken away After whose death the Hungarians for the loue they bare vnto the remembrance of Huniades by a militarie election chose this Mathias his youngest sonne theâ— in prison at PRAGE to be their king Wherof Pogebrache who after the death of Ladislaus of an old gouernour had made himselfe the young king of BOHEMIA hauing speedie intelligence as he was sitting at supper sent for Mathias his prisoner and when he was come commaunded him to sit downe at the vpper end of the table whereat the young gentleman being then but about eighteene yeares of age and sore abashed began to craue pardon But when the king would needs haue it so and that he was set the king to quiet his troubled thoughts willed him to be of good cheere for that he had good newes to tell him Good newes said he if it would please your majestie to grant me libertie Yea that said the king and more to and then saluting him by the name of the king of HVNGARIE brake vnto him the whole matter how that he was by the generall consent of the Hungarians chosen their king And so in few daies after married vnto him his daughter which done he furnished him with all things fit for his estate and royally accompanied him into HVNGARIE where he was with great joy and triumph receiued of the Hungarians ouer whom he afterwards gloriously raigned for the space of eight and thirtie yeares In which time he notably enlarged the kingdome of HVNGARIE and became a farre greater terrour vnto the Turkes than euer was his father Huniades And therewithall which is not to be accounted in the least part of his praises was alwaies a great fauourer and furtherer of good letters and ingenious deuises But to returne againe to our purpose Mathias hauing well considered of that the Venetians had requested answered them that they had many times before in like case refused to giue aid vnto the Hungarian kings his predecessours yea and that more was thought it a thing not reasonable that anie such thing should be requested at their hands forasmuch as they then receiued no harme from the Turke but were in league and amitie with him so that the Hungarian kings wanting their helpe had manie times receiued greater losse from the Turke than otherwise they should haue done if they had beene by them aided Yet for all that he was content to forget all such vnkindnesse and to grant them what they had requested promising the next Spring to inuade the Turkes dominion and according to their request to take into his protection all their territorie betwixt the Rhetian Alpes and the Adriatique which thing hee most honourably performed For with the first of the Spring he passed ouer Danubius at BELGRADE with a puissant armie and rased the forts which the Turkes had built thereabouts and so entring into SERVIA laid all the countrey waste before him and afterwards laden with spoile returned home carrying away with him twentie thousand captiues Neither so rested but with great good fortune maintained great warres against Mahomet during all the time of his raigne and afterwards against Baiazet his sonne also wherein he most commonly returned with victorie so that it is of him as truely as briefly written That no Christian king or chieftaine did more often or with greater fortune fight against the Turkish nation or had of them greater victories Mahomet deliuered of the great feare he had before conceiued of the generall preparation of the Christian princes against him determined now to worke his will vpon such as were neerest vnto
entertainement there in the time of the ciuile wars betwixt Caesar and Pompeius This citie Mahomet thought to haue taken vnprouided and so vpon the suddaine to haue carried it but was therein much deceiued finding it strongly fortified and manned both by the Venetians and Scanderbeg Where when he had there spent some time and to his great losse in vaine attempted the cittie hee rise vpon the suddaine and retiring into EPIRVS came and sat downe againe before CROIA of purpose by his suddaine comming to haue terrified the cittizens and vainely persuaded that he had left Scanderbeg in DIRRACHIVM for that in the assailing thereof he had discouered many of Scanderbeg his men and thereby supposed him to haue beene there also the greatest cause why he so suddenly rise and came to CROIA At his first comming he offered great rewards and large priuiledges vnto the cittizens if they would forthwith yeeld vp their citie otherwise he threatened vnto them all the calamities of warre vowing neuer to depart thence before he had it whereunto he receiued no other answere out of the cittie than was sent him by the mouth of the Cannon or brought him by many most braue sallies Scanderbeg in the meane while continually molesting his campe and euery night falling into one quarter or another thereof Mahomet taught by experience to what small purpose it would bee for him to lie there long rise with his armie marched againe to the sea side to a place now called the head of REDON vpon the gulfe of VENICE not farre from DIRRACHIVM where Scanderbeg had begun to build a new cittie called CHIVRILL not yet finished which Mahomet in despight of the man rased downe to the ground After that hearing that many of the Epirots were retired into the mountaines hee went to seeke them out and was with greâ—â— losse by those mountaine people repulsed Scanderbeg still following him at the heeles and awaiting all oportunities daily cut off part of his armie So that at last the tyrant despairing of any good to bee done in that expedition was glad to depart out of EPIRVS hauing atcheeued nothing worth his comming and so full of discontentment and melancholie returned to CONSTANTINOPLE After all these great troubles Scanderbeg rid ouer most part of EPIRVS to view the state of his kingdome and so at last came to LYSSA a citie of the Venetians which he had alwaies specially liked there to conferre with the Venetian legate and other the confederate princes of matters concerning their state in generall as his manner was but more particularly how they might take the citie of VALMES which Mahomet had the last yeare built in the siegnorie of Aryannites Comynat and much troubled that part of EPIRVS But whilest he lay there he fell sicke of a feauer which daily so encreased vpon him that he became sicke euen vnto death and now perceiuing his end to draw nigh sent for his wife and sonne with the princes and lords his confederates and the embassadours of the Venetians into his bed chamber Where after he had at large with greater paine notably discoursed of his troublesome life led amongst them than he had before passed the same and carefully forewarned them of the dangers like to ensue he earnestly exhorted them to continue in vnitie and concord and valiantly to stand in defence of their religion countrey and libertie And afterwards turning his speech to his wife and his sonne commended them both with his kingdome to the tuition of the Venetians who by the articles of the confederation betwixt him and them were in honour bound to protect his sonne and kingdome during the time of his minoritie and afterwards peaceably to place him in the same In fine he willed his wife after his death to passe ouer with her sonne into APVLIA where they might in safetie and quiet liue vpon such possessions as he there held by the gift of king Ferdinand And so after he had with most feruent prayer commended his soule into the hands of Almightie God departed in peace the seuenteenth day of Ianuarie in the yeare of our Lord 1466 when hee had liued about 63 yeares and thereof raigned about 24. His death was worthely lamented of all Christian princes but especially of the Venetians and princes of ALBANIA who had now lost their most carefull watchman and inuincible champion the sorrow of his subjects is not to bee expressed euery man bewayling him as the onely stay of the commonweale and as if with him they had lost all their hope His deadâ—bodie was with the generall lamentation of all men royally buried in the cathedrall church of S. Nicholas at LYSSA where it rested in peace vntill that about nine yeares after the Turkes comming to the siege of SCODRA by the way tooke the citie of LYSSA and there with great deuotion digged vp his bones reckoning it in some part of their happinesse if they might but see or touch the same and such as could get any part thereof were it neuer so little caused the same to be set some in siluer some in gold to hang about their neckes or weare vpon their bodies persuading themselues by the wearing thereof to be partakers of such good fortune and hap as had Scanderbeg himselfe whilest he liued which is not vnaptly by Gabriell Fairnus of CREMONA thus in verse expressed SCANDERBEG In English thus The bloudie bane of faithlesse Turkes and terrour of their name EPIRVS strong defence and guard lay buried there with fame Within that tombe wherein long since Great Castriotus lay But now those limbs and tombe defac'd are carried quite away The remnants of that worthy wight out of his graue were torne And being dead could find no rest but were for jewels worne For after he farre spent with age gaue place to fatall doome And left his fathers kingdome got and kept with great renowme Forthwith the cruell Turkes preuaild and all things there possest Who worshipping his stately tombe and place of quiet rest Dig'd vp his bones and brake the tombe wherein he did remaine And glad was he that could thereof some little part obtaine As if in them some martiall force or vertue great had beene Or fortune rare such as before in him was liuing seene So vertue which to others giues a sepulture and graue Bereft it him yet forst his foe in honour it to haue Most part of the time of these warres betwixt Mahomet and Scanderbeg the Venetians by sea and the Hungarians by land kept the Turkes throughly busied Mathias Coruinus king of HVNGARIE according to his promise made vnto the Venetians entred into the kingdome of BOSNA where by force he ouerthrew the strong forts which the Turks had built for the defence of their frontiers and manfully draue them out before him vntill he came to IAZIGA of some called IAITZE the chiefe citie of BOSNA which he at length tooke and following the course of his victorie scarcely suffered the
otherwise he regarded as was thought no religion at all But Zenus the Venetian embassadour lying continually in the Persian court so wrought the matter with Vsun-Cassanes that hee told the Turkes embassadours plainely That he could not nor would not longer endure the manifest injurie and wrong done vnto him by the Turkish king and farther that hee had made a faithfull league with the Christian princes and therefore would to the vttermost of his power make it knowne vnto the world that he would effectually performe what thing soeuer he had promised and so dismissed them now no lesse discontented than were before the Persian embassadours at such time as they returned from the Turkes court hauing obtained nothing they then requested concerning the emperour of TRAPEZOND The yeare following Mocenicus the Venetian Admirall with his fleet arriued in the Isle of LESBOS where he did great harme From thence hee passed the bay of ADRAMITTIVM into the lesser ASIA and sore spoiled the countrey about PERGAMVS After that hee landed againe at CNIDVS vpon the coast of CARIA where he tooke a great bootie and so hauing done the Turkes exceeding much harme in ASIA all alongst the sea coast opposit to GRaeCIA he returned laden with spoile towards PELOPONESVS In his returne about the promontorie of MALEA vpon the coast of PELOPONESVS he met with Richaiensis comming vnto him with seuenteene gallies from king Ferdinand by whom hee was certified that the great Bishops fleet was readie to come forth also After mutuall gratulation as the manner at sea is the Admirals joining their fleets in one landed at METHONE now called MODON then a citie of the Venetians in PELOPONESVS where after they had well refreshed their souldiours and taken in fresh victuals they put to sea againe and sailing through the Islands landed in ASIA where they were at their first landing encountered by the countrey Turkes whom at last they put to flight and by the space of foure daies tooke what pillage they could in the countrey where the souldiours found great store of rich bootie especially of Turkie carpets which are there made in great abundance From thence they sayled to HALICARNASVS which is a part of CARIA where sometime stood the stately tombe which queene Artemesia built for her husband Maâ—solus accounted amongst the wonders of the world where they tooke a wonderfull spoile There came vnto them Nicholas Bishop of MODRVSSA with twentie gallies sent from the great Bishop whom the other two Generals welcommed with great joy At the same time also came thither two gallies from the great master of the RHODES With this fleet of 85 gallies they sailed to the Isle of SAMOS oueragainst EPHESVS sometime a place of great fame but then altogether desolate and vnpeopled there to consult for their further proceeding in those warres Loosing from SAMOS they tooke their course alongst the coast of ASIA and landed at ATTALIA the cheefe citie of PAMPHILIA a place of great trafficke where they found in the suburbes of the cittie great store of many rich commodities brought thither out of AEGIPT and SYRIA whereof they tooke what pleased them and burnt the rest together with the suburbes Vnto the cittie it selfe they began to lay siege but perceiuing that it was not without great losse of their men to be taken they departed thence and running all alongst the coast of PAMPHILIA burnt and destroied what came in their way and so returned backe againe to the RHODES where they met an embassadour from Vsun-Cassanes the Persian king to the bishop and the Venetians for great ordinance whereof that so mightie a prince was altogether vnfurnished Of this embassador they vnderstood that Vsun-Cassanes was entered into league with the Christian princes and now busie in making preparation against the Turke At which time Mahomet requited the Venetians with no lesse harme in EPIRVS and DALMATIA than they had done to him in ASIA for now that Scanderbeg was dead the Turkes mightely preuailed vpon the weake princes of EPIRVS and ALBANIA with the countries adjoyning The Christian fleet departing from the RHODES landed in the countrey of the Myndians a part of CARIA and with great spoile returned to the Island of NAXOS one of the CYCLADES from whence king Ferdinand his gallies returned home laded with much rich spoile for now the yeare was farre spent Yet after the departure of the kings gallies Mocenicus with the Legate returned backe againe into ASIA and there landing their men tooke the famous citie of SMYRNA in IONIA and when they had taken the spoile thereof set it on fire At which time also they did great harme about CLAZOMENE not far from SMYRNA So Winter drawing now fast on they returned laded with the rich spoiles of ASIA the Legate into ITALIE and Mocenicus to METHONE The insatiable desire of soueraignetie whereunto the Turkish king was naturally enclined had continually armed him not onely against the Christian princes but against others also euen of his owne superstition making no great difference betwixt the one the other if so he might extend his dominion He had long before vnder the pretence of a friendly parley craftely circumuented the king of MYSIA a countrey in ASIA and hauing got him within his danger cruelly put him to death and by force subduing his kingdome left not one of the kings blood aliue After that he inuaded CILICIA which the Turkes call CARAMANIA where the two young brethren Pyramet and Cassambet raigned and draue them both out of CILICIA of whom Pyramet the elder fled for refuge to Vsun-Cassanes Cassambet the yonger assisted by his old friends sought by force of armes to recouer againe his inheritance wrongfully by the Turkes possessed and was besieging certaine townes vpon the sea coast which being taken from the Turkeâ— would easily draw all the rest of the kingdome after them Mocenicus the Venetian Admirall being now with the first of the Spring come vpon the coast of CILICIA at the request of Cassambet landed certaine companies of his men vnder the leading of Victor Superantius and certaine peeces of great artillerie wherewith he so battered the wals of SICHINVM that hee enforced the Turkes therein to yeeld vp the citie which he deliuered to Cassambet In like manner he tooke the citie of CORYCVS which he also restored to Cassambet At last hee laid siege to Sâ—LEVCIA which standeth vpon the riuer ORONTES and was built by king Seleucus one of the successors of Alexander the Great distant from the sea about fiue miles the Gouernour of this citie discouraged with the sight of the great artillerie deliuered the citie to the Venetian captain who by the appointment of the Admirall restored the same to Cassambet Who by this meanes brought againe into his kingdome gaue great thankes vnto the Admirall promising both for himselfe and for his brother to be alwayes friends vnto the Venetians Mocenicus departing from CILICIA landed his men in LYCIA and harried that countrey all
to carrie newes home Calibeius and Cherseogles the Bassaes were in that flight both taken prisoners and afterwards presented to Caitbeius the Sultan at CAIRE with eighteene ensignes of the Turkes Sanzackes which are great men amongst them hauing euerie one of them the regiment and commaund of some one prouince or other and are in degree next vnto the Bassaes. Neither was the fortune of Baiazet his nauie at sea better than that of his armie at land for as it lay at rode vpon the coast of SYRIA at the mouth of the riuer Orontes which runneth by the famous citie of ANTIOCHIA his gallies were by tempest and rage of the sea put from their anchors and in the sight of their enemies swallowed vp of the sea or else driuen vpon the main and there with the surges of the sea beaten in peeces Baiazet not a little troubled with these losses both by sea and land at length with much adoe by his embassadours concluded a peace with the Sultan vnto whom he restored all such places as he had before taken from him for which the â—ultan deliuered vnto him Calibeius Cherseogles Achmetes and Ishender with all the rest of the â—urkes prisoners which he had in great number in his keeping â—hortly after this peace was concluded betwixt these two great and mightie princes Caitbeiâ—â— the Sultan died who of a Circassian slaue by manie degrees of honour and by the fauour of the Mamalukes his fellowes obtained the rich kingdome of Aegypt which he right worthely gouerned to his immortall praise by the space of two and twentie yeares commaunding at one time the great and rich countrey of AEGYPT with all AFFRIKE as farre as CIRENE Westward and IVDEA with a great part of ARABIA and all SYRIA vnto the great and famous riuer Euphrates Eastward In the latter end of his raigne he ouercome with the importunitie of his wife Dultibe an Arabian borne a woman of an hautie spirit joyned his sonne Mahomethes a young man of about foure and twentie yeares old with him in the fellowship of his kingdome that so possessed of it his father yet liuing hee might the better enjoy it after his death Contrarie to the custome of the Mamalukes who of long time had not vsed to haue their king by succession but by their free election Who grudging to be thus defrauded of their wonted choise immediatly after the death of Caitbeius slew Mahomethes his sonne and in a few moneths after foure mo who one after another without their good liking had aspired vnto the kingdome neither could they be contented vntill such time as that they had according to their wonted custome set vp a Sultan of their owne choise About the same time that the aforesaid peace was concluded betwixt the two great Mahometane princes Baiazet and Caitbeius Charles the French king was making great preparation against Alphonsus king of NAPLES giuing it out That after he had recouered that kingdome he would forthwith from thence inuade the Turkes dominions in GRaeCIA Which great attempt the haughtie king was induced to take in hand by the persuasion of diuers of his nobilitie but especially by the solicitation of Lodouicus Sfortia duke of MILLAN whereby the whole state of ITALIE was in short time after sore shaken and Sfortia himselfe author of those troubles at last carried away by the French miserably ended his dayes as a prisoner in FRAVNCE Alphonsus the Neapolitane king doubting the greatnesse of the French king his enemie entered into a confederation with certaine of the states of ITALIE against the French but especially with Alexander the sixt then Bishop of ROME for the beter assurance whereof he gaue his base daughter in marriage to Godfrey Borgia the Bishops sonne and made him prince of CARINVLA his other sonne Francis he entertained also in great pay to serue him in his wars And by his embassadour Pandonius Camillus lately returned out of FRANCE gaue Baiazet to vnderstand what the French king had purposed against them both requesting him to aid him with six thousand horsemen and as many foot against their common enemie promising to giue them honourable entertainement during those warres And to further the matter Alexander the great Bishop sent George Bucciarde a Ligurian skilfull in the Turkish language embassadour to Baiazet to declare vnto him with what great preparation both by sea and land the young French king desirous of honour and the enlargement of his kingdome was about to inuade NAPLES and then with what great power after he had dispatched his warres in ITALIE he purposed to passe ouer into GRaeCIA and that hee had to that end earnestly trauelled with him to haue Zemes his brother deliuered into his hands whom he desired to vse as a most fit instrument for the troubling of his state and empire by reason of his many friends yet that his Holinesse hauing the French in distrust as a proud and ambitious people as also carefull for the danger of the citie of ROME and of the state of ITALIE in generall had entered into a confederation with Alphonsus king of NAPLES with their vnited forces to withstand that proud nation both by sea and land wanting nothing more for the accomplishment thereof than mony by which onely meanes Baiazet might as hee said prouide for the safetie of his kingdome in GRECIA if he would put to his helping hand to furnish them with mony for the entertainment of souldiors for as much as the citie of ROME and the kingdome of NAPLES were the surest wals of that side of the Othoman empire if hee not altogether refusing the charge would not spare for a little cost to maintaine the warre rather in that forraine countrey than to receiue it brought home to his owne dore concluding That it were much more commodious and easie with his treasures to represse his enemie in a strange countrey a farre off than by dint of sword and plaine battell in his owne A thing by experience well knowne that they which haue neglected and set at nought remote dangers for sparing of charge haue afterwards been enforced with greater danger to receiue the same into their owne bosomes when as they were become desperat and past remedie Baiazet who both by his espials and often letters and embassadours from Alphonsus knew all this to be true gaue great thankes to the bishop by his embassador for that he sitting in so high place did so friendly and in so good time admonish him both a stranger and of a contrarie religion of things of so great consequence yet for answere hee willed him to returne againe to his master with one Dautius his embassadour who should carrie with him both money and his other secret resolutions concerning those matters Amongst other things giuen him in charge was an Epistle written in Greeke wherein the barbarous king with great cunning persuaded the bishop to poyson Zemes his brother as a man of a religion altogether contrarie to his for indeed of
him alone for his great vertues Baiazet stood in feare and doubt least hee should by some chance escape out of prison to the troubling of his state For the performance of this his request he promised faithfully to pay vnto the bishop two hundred thousand duckats and neuer after so long as he liued to take vp armes against the Christians Otherwise than had his father Mahomet and his grandfather Amurath done who both as deadly enemies vnto the name of the Christians neuer ceased by continuall warres to worke their woe But George the bishops embassadour and Dautius trauelling towards ITALIE and hauing now happely passed the Adriaticke as they were about to haue landed at ANCONA were bourded by Io. Rouereus brother to Iulianus the Cardinall a man of great account in those quarters and cleane quit of their treasure and whatsoeuer else they had aboord Rouereus pretending for the defence of the fact That the bishop did owe him a great summe of money due vnto him for his good seruice done in the time of Innocentius his predecessour for which he now paied himselfe Neither could the bishop much troubled with that injurie euer after recouer any one part thereof although he threatened vengeance with fire and sword and also sought for recompence of the Venetians whom it concerned to saue the Turkes harmelesse in those seas for why Rouerius bearing himselfe vpon the French which were now vpon comming whose faction he followed kept the money and set at nought the bishops thundering curses and vaine threats Dautius himselfe Baiazets embassadour being set on shore was glad to goe on foot to ANCONA and so from thence passing vp the riuer Padus came to Franciscus Gonzaga duke of MANTVA of whom for the antient friendship betwixt him and Baiazet hee was courteously entertained and furnished both with money and apparell and so spoiled returned into GRaeCIA to carrie newes vnto his master how he had sped When Baiazet vnderstood by Dautius the euill successe he had in his late journey he forthwith sent Mustapha one of the Bassaes of the court vnto the great Bishop Alexander with like instructions as he had before giuen to Dautius who with better hap arriued in ITALIE and came to ROME in safetie where he forgot no part of that was giuen him in charge by his great master But amongst manie other things the life of Zemes was that he most sought for at the Bishops hands At the same time which was in the yeare 1495 the French king Charles the eight of that name passing through the heart of ITALIE with a strong armie against Alphonsus king of NAPLES and taking his way without leaue through the citie of ROME so terrified Alexander the bishop who as we haue before said altogither fauoured and as much as in him lay furthered the cause of Alphonsus that he was glad to yeeld to all such articles and conditions as it pleased him then to demaund not purposing in himselfe at all the performance of anie of those things which for feare he had with great solemnitie promised as the â—equell of the matter afterwards declared Amongst other things he was enforced to giue vnto the king his gracelesse sonne Caesar Borgia Valentinus then one of the cardinals in hostage for the performance of the other of his promises Which disgrace the craftie old bishop sought to couer by gracing his sonne with the title of his legate and with him he was also enforced to deliuer Zemes the Turke Baiazet his brother his honourable prisoner who to the great profit of the bishop and his predecessour had remained in safe custodie at ROME about the space of seauen yeares But Zemes within three daies after he was deliuered vnto the French died at CAIETA being before his deliuerance poisoned as it was thought with a powder of wonderfull whitenesse and pleasant tast whose power was not presently to kill but by little and little dispersing the force therof did in short time bring most assured death which pleasant poison Alexander the bishop skilfull in that practise corrupted by Baiazet his gold and enuying so great a good vnto the French had caused to be cunningly mingled with the sugar wherewith Zemes vsed to temper the water which he commonly dranke His dead bodie was not long after sent to Baiazet by Mustapha his embassador who to the great contentment of his master had thus contriued his death with the bishop Not long after this dead bodie so farre brought was by the appointment of Baiazet honourably enterred amongst his auncestors at PRVSA Caesar Borgia also the bishops sonne a little before giuen in hostage vnto the French king deceiuing his keepers at VELITRAS returned againe to ROME before the French king was come to NAPLES This wicked impe come of an euill strain not worth the remembrance but by way of detestation the verie monster of nature if a man should well consider the course of his whole life shortly after his escape enuying at the honour of Candianus his brother who then was Generall ouer the bishop his fathers forces which were at that time great when he had one night merily supped with his said brother with their mother Vannotia traiterously caused him to be vnawares murdered in the streets as he was going home and his dead bodie to be cast into the riuer of Tiber. Then casting off his priestly habit with his Cardinals roabs he tooke vpon him the leading of his fathers armie in his brothers stead and gaue himselfe wholy to martiall affaires a vocation best fitting his fierce and bloudie disposition And with exceeding prodigalitie wherwith he exhausted his fathers coffers and the treasures of the church bound fast vnto him desperat ruffians and souldiours especially Spaniards his fathers countrey men such as he knew fittest to serue for the execution of his most horrible deuises Which manner of his proceedings although they were such as all good men detested yet did the old hypocrit his father winke thereat fearing as it was thought to be murdered of the viper himselfe when it should serue for his purpose Now when he had thus strengthned himselfe and that he was become a terrour to all the nobilitie of ROME and the seigniories thereabout he by the deuise and helpe of his father who desired nothing more than to make him great first draue the most honourable family of the Columnij out of the citie and afterwards out of LATIVM and by most execrable treacherie poisoned or killed the honourable personages of the great houses of the Vrsini and Caetani taking vnto himselfe their lands and possessions With like crueltie he strangled at one time foure noblemen of the Camertes and draue Guido Feltrius out of VRBIN He tooke the citie of PISAVRVM from Io. Sfortia who with much difficultie escaped his bloudie hands and draue the Malatestaes out of ARIMINVM The great ladie Catherine Sfortia he thrust out of FORVM LIVII and FORVM CORNELII and shamefully led her in triumph
of the French out of NAPLES began now to turne his forces vpon the Christians and by his lieutenant Balt-beg Sanzacke of SILISTRA inuaded the countries of PODOLIA and RVSSIA being part of the Polonian kingdome where the Turkes did great harme and carried away many prisoners But comming againe the second time and making such like spoile as before they stayed so long that the cold of the Winter which in those countries is very extreame was now come on and in their returne as they were about to haue passed through MOLDAVIA they were by Stephanus prince of that countrey denied both passage and victuals and forced to take the way alongst the sea coast where many of them stragling from the armie were by the way cut off and slaine by the Moldauians and the rest what by the extremitie of the cold what for want of food and foulenesse of the way perished so that of that great armie very few returned home The Turks histories report That in this expedition were lost fortie thousand Turkes He sent also Cadumes one of his Bassaes into ILLIRIA who spoiling that countrey with a part of CROATIA was encountred by nine thousand Croatians and Hungarians neere vnto the riuer Moraua vnder the leading of countie Bernard Francopaine where after a cruell and bloudie fight the Christians were put to the worse and aboue seuen thousand of them slaine the rest saued themselues by flight through the mountaines and woods Of the Christians that were lost manie were drowned in Moraua chusing rather so to end their daies than to fall into the hands of their cruell enemies This ouerthrow was imputed to the Generall who would needs giue the Turkes battell in plaine field although he was earnestly entreated by countie Io. Torquatus to haue kept the straits of that countrey whereby he might haue had great aduantage of the enemie Torquatus himselfe hauing lost all his horsemen in that battell and his horse killed vnder him fought valiantly on foot vntill hee was by the multitude of his enemies oppressed and slaine The Bassa to giue Baiazet a sure testimonie of the victorie caused all the noses of the slaine Christians to be cut off and put vpon strings and so by wagon sent them as a barbarous present to CONSTANTINOPLE After the death of Charles the French king Lewes the twelfth of that name hauing obtained that kingdome writ himselfe also duke of MILLAN as discended of one of the daughters of Io. Galeatius first duke of MILLAN in which his supposed right he was fully resolued to make warre vpon Sfortia then duke of MILLAN And for his better successe in those warres sought by all meanes he could to draw some other of the princes and states of ITALIE into the fellowship of that intended warre but aboue all others the Venetians as most commodious for his purpose with whom he made a firme league and for the aid they were to giue him couenanted that they should haue for their share the citie of CREMONA with all the pleasant countrey about AEDVA then part of Sfortia his dominion which was afterwards accordingly performed Sfortia vnderstanding of this compact made aâ—â—inst him and knowing himselfe farre too weake of himselfe to stand against so puissant enemies attempted first to set Maximilian the emperour with the states of GERMANIE vpon the French king But that not sorting to his desire he sought to agree with the king by offering to hold his dukedome of him by paying him a yearely tribute After he had thuâ— in vaine proued all the meanes he could deuise to haue appeased the French king prouided for his own safetie he by his embassadors sent of purpose certified Baiazet of the confederation betwixt the French king and the Venetians and that their purpose was after they had oppressed him and some other of the states of ITALIE then with their vnited forces to inuade his dominions and that therefore it were good for him in time to looke vnto it and to giue aide against those which would in short time become his most dangerous enemies By this meanes the Duke was in good hope so to busie the Venetians by bringing the Turke vpon them as that they should stand the French in small stead At which time also the embassadours of FLORENCE did what they could to pricke forward the Turke to make warres vpon the Venetians for the malice they bare against them for protecting them of PISA against the oppression of the Florentines Baiazet persuaded by the embassadors and calling to remembrance the injuries before done him by the Venetians first in giuing aid to Iohn Castriot the sonne of Scanderbeg and Iohn Chernouich another prince of EPIRVS whereby he lost a great part of that countrey and was also farther enforced to yeeld to such conditions as altogither stood not with his honour and againe by denying to giue his fleet leaue to put into their harbours in CYPRVS in the time of his warres against the Sultan of AEGYIT all which he was glad then to endure for feare least that his brother Zemes then liuing should by their means be set vp against him promised now to do what these embassadours had requested glad in his mind that the discord of the Christian princes had presented vnto him so fit an opportunitie of reuenge Hereupon he made great preparation both by sea and land against the Venetians and vpon the sudden caused Scander Bassa his lieutenant in ILLYRIA with twelue thousand horse to breake into the countrey of FRIVLI part of the Venetian territorie vpon the frontiers of ITALIE The Bassa as he had in charge passing ouer diuers great riuers at length entred the countrey burning and destroying all before him as farre as LIQVENTIA carrying away with him all the poore countrey people prisoners But when he was come to the bankes of TILIAVENTVM and vnderstood that hee came too late to pleasure the duke of MILLAN for why the French with the Venetians had before without resistance driuen him quite out of ITALIE and GERMANIE he there with more then barbarous crueltie put foure thousand poore prisoners to the sword and so hauing filled the country with mourning and with bloud returned from whence he came loded with the spoile of that rich countrey At the same time also Baiazet put to sea such a fleet as none of his predecessors had before set forth and with a great armie in person himselfe marched alongst the sea coast of MOREA in such sort as that his armie by land and his fleet at sea as neere as they could kept euen pace the one within sight of the other Neither were the Venetians vnmindfull of themselues but set forth a strong fleet vnder the charge of Anthony Grimani their Admirall in number farre inferiour to the Turkes but for equipage strength skilfull marriners and all other manner of warlike prouision much superiour For which cause the Turkes although defied and braued by the Venetians yet durst not at the first joyne with
vndoubtedly in his due time succeed in the empire as of right ought only they wished that the old emperour might in the meane time liue in health with a long and happie raigne neither needed he as they said to feare that after his death any controuersie should arise amongst his sonnes about the succession for that the Othoman progenie vsed to attaine the imperiall seat according to the old custome of their auncestours the Othoman kings by right and order onely and not by corruption or faction But if hee would needs vpon his owne priuat good liking or as it were by new adoption proceed to make choice of such a one as the people and the men of warre his most loyall and faithfull subjects could not so well like of it would be an occasion of much more trouble and happily the meanes to bring in that confusion of the state which he thought thereby to eschew For then beside the dislike of the people the other brethren would neuer endure so notable an injurie or euer be at quiet vntill they had as men wrongfully cast off and disinherited by strong hand and endangering of all recouered their honour lost by the headstrong will of their aged father The souldiors thus before instructed by the friends and fauourites of Selymus who with money and large promises had corrupted their captains and cheefe officers spake these things frankly to haue deterred the old emperour from his purpose But he thinking that they had as he himselfe did especially affected Achomates his eldest sonne for that they had generally protested that they would against all injuries defend his honour vnto whom the empire should of right appertaine said he would make choise of Achomates if it should stand with their good liking But the cheefe of the souldiors who corrupted by Selymus had together sold both their faith and themselues cunningly commended Achomates and seemed wonderfully to like of him yet to accept of him for their soueraigne Baiazet yet liuing they said was not agreeing with the antient custome of the Othoman kings neither for the behoofe of the men of war neither yet good for the state of the empire for as much as neither his brethren Corcutus and Selymus neither the souldiors of the court could with patience endure the least touch of the suspition of infidelitie which they must needs doe if he as a suspitious father should doubt either of the loue or loyaltie of his most dutifull sonnes or of the faith or constancie of his most faithfull seruants wherof he had made so many trials Besides that it seemed vnto them all vnreasonable that by the odious prejudice of that fact the souldiors should be defrauded of the rewards vsually graunted vnto them during the time of the vacancie of the empire arising of the spoile taken from them which are of religion different from the Turkes For it is a custome that immediately vpon the death of the Turkish emperour all the Iewes and Christians which liue at CONSTANTINOPLE PERA HADRIANOPLE THESSALONICA and PRVSA especially marchants exposed vnto the injuries of the Turkes are by the Ianizaries and other souldiors of the court spoiled of all their wares and goods and become vnto them a prey neither will they giue their oath of allegeance vnto the new emperour vntill he haue graunted vnto them all that prey as a bountie and haue solemnely sworne by his owne head the greatest assurance that can by oath be giuen amongst the Turkes freely to pardon all the offenders and for euer to forget all the outrages before committed When Baiazet saw his men of war thus generally to oppose themselues against the translation of the empire to Achomates he of purpose to corrupt the minds of them which were alreadie before corrupted promised to giue them fiue hundred thousand duckats if they would stand fauourable to Achomates and accept him for their soueraigne which masse of money his customers and receiuers vndertooke to leuie of the same marchant strangers and Iewes and to pay it as Baiazet had promised Yet the ouerthwart frowardnesse of these men of warre ouercame the good fortune of Achomates although the reward proposed were great For why they had in their martiall minds conceiued farre greater rewards and preferments if instead of a peaceable and quiet prince a monstrous tyrant of restlesse nature as was Selymus might by their helpe and meanes aspire to the empire Thus Baiazet driuen from his hope thought it best for the present to dissemble the matter and concealing his greefe with patience to put vp that dishonour vntill a fitter opportunitie were offered for the effecting of that he so much desired Selymus aduertised from his friends with what affection and fastnesse the souldiours of the court had in the secret fauour of him openly withstood the earnest desire of Baiazet for the preferment of Achomates because he would not longer frustrate the expectation of his fauourits by lingering and delay or seeme to distrust the readie good will of the men of warre towards him left the borders of HVNGARIE and with his armie marching through THRACIA encamped at length vpon the rising of an hill not farre from HADRIANOPLE from whence the neighing of his horses might easily be heard and his tents from the high places of the citie discouered From thence he sent a messenger vnto his father then lying in the citie to certifie him That for as much as he had not of many yeares before seene him he was now therefore desirous to come vnto his presence to visit him before hee crossed the seas backe againe by his appointment to TRAPEZOND and the rather because it might chance that he should neuer see him againe being now become both aged diseased besides that it much concerned as he would haue had him to beleeue the quietnesse of his kingdome in ASIA and the vnitie of his children if the controuersies betwixt him his brother Achomates which could not safely be committed to messengers might by themselues be discouered to him their father as an indifferent hearer and decideâ— of the same Wherfore he humbly besought him to appoint him a time and place to giue him audience in and not to denie him leaue to come and kisse his hands which thing his ancestors neuer refused to graunt vnto their poore friends much lesse vnto their children Baiazet who a few dayes before vnderstanding of the comming of Selymus and throughly seeing into his deuises had called vnto him certaine of his Sanzackes or cheefe captaines with their select companies out of the neerest parts of GRaeCIA and had also set strong watch and ward through the citie fearing least vnder the colour of parley his souldiors attending about his person corrupted by Selymus and his friends who euen then loded with gifts and promises were secretly vpon the point of reuolt should be quite drawne away from him and so he himselfe at length bee either by open force oppressed or secret trecherie circumuented thought
Solyman by Mustapha and Ferhates two of the greatest Bassaes going before him after due reuerence done and commaunded to deliuer his opinion spake vnto Solyman as followeth The greatnesse of your deserts most mightie and puissant emperour maketh me being by you so commaunded at this time frankely to speake what I thinke may be for the glorie and honour both of your maiestie and empire I dayly heare the pitifull lamentation of the miserable people of MITYLENE EVBoeA PELOPONESVS ACHAIA CARIA LYCIA and all alongst the sea coast of SYRIA and AEGIPT bewayling the spoile of their countries the ransacking of their cities the taking away of their cattell and people with other infinit and incredible calamities which they dayly suffer of the crossed Rhodian pirats no man withstanding them many a time haue these wretched people holden vp their hands to me for helpe most instantly requesting me to be a meane for them to your imperiall Maiestie whereby they might be protected from the iniurie rapine and slaughter of these cruell rouers Wherefore in their behalfe I beseech your sacred Maiestie by the most reuerend name of the holy prophet Mahomet and by your owne most heroicall disposition to deliuer your afflicted subiects from these their most cruell enemies and at length to set them free from the furie captiuitie and feare of these pyrates more greeuous vnto them than death it selfe and consider with your selfe that this iniurie and insolencie tendeth not so much to the hurt of your poore subiects and oppressed people in priuat as to the dishonour and disgrace of your imperiall name and dignitie which if any other Christian king or prince should offer your Maiestie I know would not suffer vnreuenged and will you then suffer these robbers cut-throats base people gathered out of all the corners of Christendome to wast your countries spoile your cities murder your people and trouble all your seasâ— for who can passe by sea to TRIPOLIS DAMASCO ALEXANDRIA CAIRE CHALCIDE LESBOS CHIOS nay vnto this your imperiall citie of CONSTANTINOPLE without most certain and manifest danger of these rouers What haue we heard euerie Spring this manie yeares but that the Rhodians had taken some one or other of your ports led away your people into miserable captiuitie and carried away with them the rich spoiles of your countries And that which is of all other things most dishonourable this they doe vnder your nose and in your sight in the middest and heart of your empire Pardon me I beseech you most mightie emperour if I too plainely speake what I thinke For whatsoeuer I say I say it to no other end but that you should now at length doe that which should manie yeares agoe haue been done We your most loiall subiects may not nor ought not for the encrease of our Mahometane religion and for the enlarging of your empire and honour to refuse to aduenture our goods our bodies our liues to all hazard and danger without exception If you likewise be caried with loue of glorie and renowne or rauished with the desire of neuer dying fame in what wars can you more easily gaine the same or better imploy vs your seruants than in vanquishing and subduing the RHODES the reputed bulwarke of Christendome which onely keepeth vs from their countries But some will perhaps say your auncestors haue in former times vnfortunately attempted that citie so did they also BELGRADE in HVNGARIE yet hath your happie fortune to your immortall fame brought the same vnder your subiection being far more strongly fortified than it was in times past and doe you then despaire of the RHODES Cast off such vaine and needlesse misdoubt the Turkish empire hath alwaies growne by aduentures and honourable attempts therefore make hast to besiege it both by sea and land If your subiects mourning vnder the heauie burthen of the Christian captiuitie built it with their owne hands for the Christians cannot they now at libertie desirous of reuenge and fitted with oportunitie with like hands destroy the same If it please you to vouchsafe but to looke into the matter most dread Soueraigne you shall see that there is a diuine occasion by the procurement of our great prophet Mahomet presented vnto your most sacred Maiestie now that the Christians of the West are at discord and mortall warre amongst themselues Your Maiestie is not ignorant that in managing of warres the oportunitie of time is especially to be followed and that when occasion serueth all remissenesse and delay is to be carefully auoided the changes of times are most tickle and if you suffer your good hap now to passe ouer you shall perhaps in vaine afterwards pursue the same when it is fled and gone Solyman by nature an ambitious young prince prickt forward thus also by the persuasions of Cortug-Ogli and others seeking their further credit and preferment by fitting his ambitious humour but most of all by the instigation of the Bassa Mustapha resolued to goe in person himselfe against the RHODES And first to make some proofe of what spirit and courage Villerius the new chosen Great Master was of in whose sufficiencie the greatest part of the defence of the citie was supposed to consist to him by way of a little cold friendship he sent a messenger with this short letter thus directed Solyman by the grace of God King of Kings Lord of Lords greatest Emperour of CONSTANTINOPLE and TRAPEZOND most mightie king of PERSIA ARABIA SIRIA and AEGIPT lord of ASIA and EVROPE prince of MECHA and ALEPPO ruler of HIERVSALEM and Master of the Vniuersall sea to the reuerend Father Phillippus Villerius Lilladamus Great Master of the RHODES and Legat of ASIA greeting I am glad of thy comming and new promotion which I wish thou maiest long and happely enioy for that I hope thou wilt in honour and fidelitie exceed all them which haue before thee ruled in the RHODES from whom as my ancestors haue withdrawne their hand so I after their example ioine with thee in amitie and friendship Ioy thou therefore my friend and in my behalfe reioice of my victorie and triumph also for this last Summer passing ouer Danubius vith ensignes displaied I there expected the Hungarian king who I thought would haue giuen me battell I tooke from him by strong hand BELGRADE the strongest citie of his kingdome with other strong holds thereabouts and hauing with fire and sword destroied much people and carried away many moe into captiuitie as a triumphant conquerour breaking vp mine armie am returned to my imperiall citie of CONSTANTINOPLE from whence farewell The Great Master hauing read these letters and well considered of the same perceiued forthwith Solymans meaning and that peace was offered him in words and shew but war in deed and meaning Which because he was readie by force to repulse he rewarded the Turks messenger and sent backe with him another of his owne a priuat person For the Rhodians did seldome vouchsafe to send any honourable embassadours to
would the next day doe and that he would with so great an enterprise effect no more but to make one holiday the more in the Christian kalenders in remembrance of thirtie thousand Hungarian martyrs most miserably slaine of the Turks in vnequall battell for defence of the Christian faith and religion for at that time they which willingly exposed themselues to death in defence of the Christian faith were all accounted for Martyrs Georgius Sepusius and the others he called rash fooles that would aduenture with so small strength to encounter so strong an enemie At such time as the counterfeits of king Lewes and Marie his wife were shewed vnto him he honourably said That he was sorie for the young king that it was his euill hap to haue so vnaduised counsellors in a matter of so great importance as to persuade him against all reason to fight at so great disaduantage And that he came not into HVNGARIE to take his kingdome from him but only to reuenge the wrongs done vnto him by the Hungarians And that if he had escaped the danger of the battell he would assuredly haue againe restored vnto him the kingdome of HVNGARIE contenting himselfe with some small tribute And that it should haue beene vnto him honour enough to haue saued the nephew of Sigismund king of POLONIA his confederat so strongly allied with the honorable house of Austria All which he commaunded to be told to Marie the queene who was for feare fled from BVDA to POSSONIVM Which might perhaps all seeme to haue been either dissemblingly spoken or falsely reported of the equitie and courtesie of the barbarous king if he had not shortly afterwards to the ample declaration of his bountie and liberalitie without any desert giuen the same kingdome of HVNGARIE to Ioannes Sepusius not borne of any royall bloud and then retaining the mind of a verie enemie After that he tooke away three goodly images of brasse of antient workmanship which were placed in the entrance into the kings pallace by that renowned king Mathias Coruinus the great fauourer of rare qualities and vertues these images represented the formes of Hercules with his club of Apollo with his harpe and Diana with her bow and quiuer all which he placed in the tiltyard at CONSTANTINOPLE as a trophie of the Hungarian victorie Howbeit these images were since taken downe by the persuasion of the Mufti molten as contrarie to their superstition and great ordinance made of them He carried also away with him three pieces of artillerie of most excellent and curious workmanship and certaine brasen pillars of chamfred worke which supported the Chapiters of the gates He tarried at BVDA about twentie daies In which time to satisfie the cruell nature and greedie desires of his souldiours he sent out diuers troups of horsemen into the countrey thereabout by whom all the countrey betwixt RAB and the riuer of Tibyscus was by that sudden and vnexpected incursion so destroied that it is reported that aboue an hundreth and fiftie thousand people of all sorts were either slaine or led away into most miserable captiuitie All which done he returned againe by the same way he came to CONSTANTINOPLE About the same time Ioannes Sepusius Vayuod of TRANSILVANIA with a great power came now too late into HVNGARIE to haue aided the king but glad as was thought of his death as tending to his owne aduancement for as much as he was now the king being dead without issue a man of greatest account amongst the nobilitie of HVNGARIE Wherefore as one of a deepe and reaching wit and in great hope to obtaine the kingdome he began cunningly to labour diuers of the noble men one by one and instantly to request them that at the next parliament they would not betray the honour of their countrey in suffering the royall dignitie of that auntient kingdome to be transferred vnto a stranger of such a nation as happily loued them not for why the Hungarians ought well to remember what great calamities they had receiued in former times in chusing forraine kings and strangers to raigne ouer them and in following their vnfortunat ensignes against the Turkes which thing the wofull miseries of times past might notably proue which either Sigismundus of BOHEMIA or Ladislaus the first of POLONIA by their vnfortunat battels once at NICOPOLIS againe at CVLVMBARIVM and last of all at VARNA had brought vnto the Hungarians But to speake nay once to remember the harmes receiued by the long cowardise of Ladislaus or this late rashnesse of his sonne king Lewes would make any noble mind to blush and be ashamed vnder whose gouernment all militarie discipline and the glorie of HVNGARIE might well be thought to be vtterly lost And yet he said there remained of the nobilitie of HVNGARIE men honourably discended of most auntient houses worthie of the kingdome which bare noble minds and were of sufficient courage discretion and power in this time of common heauinesse to restore the honour of the estate and worthily to defend the kingdome Amongst whom said he I would not bee accounted so base minded or heauie headed although there be many which for the honour of their houses and wealth may seeme to go before me that I will therefore confesse that any of them is for valour prowesse or fortune better than my selfe either for conducting of an armie or gouernment of a kingdome for I shall be a king of courage and valour sufficient if by your fauourable good will I shall be thought worthie of your consent and suffrages The Vayuod taking this course by his earnest sute and labour had woon the good wils of many and so much the easier for that Stephanus Bator a man of greatest nobilitie among the Hungarians was a little before gone into BOHEMIA vnto king Ferdinand who was then greatly busied by reason of a parliament there summoned in procuring the fauour of the nobilitie and commons of that realme against the time of the parliament wherein he was in good hope to be chosen king as he was in short time after At that same time the Hungarians were with great solemnitie celebrating the funerall of their late king whose dead bodie after the departure of Solyman from BVDA was found whole by the demonstration of one Cotriscus one of the squires of his bodie who was present when he was drowned and so was brought out of the fens of MOHATCHZ to ALBA REGALIS where it was with great pompe buried amongst the sepulchres of the other kings of HVNGARIE his predecessours Which solemne funerall once ended the generall militarie parliament by the authoritie and voice whereof the kings of HVNGARIE were by their auntient lawes and customes to be chosen was called in the shutting vp wherof Iohn the Vayuod hauing in that common heauinesse no competitour nor any of the greatest nobilitie which durst stand against him was with the great applause and consent of all there present chosen king To whom forthwith
fiftie thousand men set forward from HADRIANOPLE his Europeian horsemen going before him conducted by Abraham the great Bassa and Achomates Michael-ogli Generall of the Acanzij or voluntarie horsemen and his Asian souldiours led by Becrambeus Bassa following after him he himselfe with his Ianizaries and souldiours of the court keeping in the middle And marching on this sort came in fifteene daies to BELGRADE where king Iohn accompanied with Lascus and such of the Hungarian nobilitie as tooke his part came vnto him of purpose to make himselfe knowne vnto him which was to protect him and doing him all the honour he possibly could to request him to proceed to reuenge his quarrell Solyman with graue and yet friendly countenance raising himselfe a little from the cushion wheron he sat gaue him his right hand protesting That nothing could happen vnto him better or that he more desired of God than to be able to relieue distressed princes especially such as were wrongfully oppressed by his enemies wherefore he willed him to be of good comfort promising of his bountie frankly to bestow vpon him whatsoeuer he should in that warre win with the sword from the enemie King Iohn obtained this rare fauour of Solyman by the earnest mediation of Abraham the commaunding Bassa whom he had before at CONSTANTINOPLE by his embassadour Lascus so woon with gifts and requests that he thorowly tooke vpon him the defence of the kings cause wherein Lascus was especially holpen by Aloysius Grittus the Duke of VENICE his sonne who then followed the Turkes campe and was for his fathers sake and the great sufficiencie he held himselfe had in great reputation amongst the Turkes and in such fauor with Abraham who did all in all with Solyman that he could persuade him to any thing he would For this Aloysius Grittus borne and brought vp in CONSTANTINOPLE and wonderfull eloquent in the Turkish tongue had by the honourable carriage of himselfe and the great port he kept in his house so thorowly possessed Abraham that all commanded that he would manie times bring Solyman himselfe ouer the hauen to PERA to solace himselfe in Grittus his pleasant gardens and banquetting houses which he had there most sumptuously made after the Italian manner whereby to his great profit he obtained to be the chiefe man in receiuing of the Turkes customes The fame of Solymans comming directly from BELGRADE to BVDA so terrified the citisens of BVDA that they almost all forsooke the citie and fled vnto other places further off some to STRIGONIVM some to ALBA REGALIS some to POSSONIVM so that at his first comming he entred the citie almost desolate without any resistance the castle holden by a garrison of Germains he commaunded to be besieged The captaine of the castle was one Thomas Nadastus a man of great account among the Hungarians both for the honour of his house and his qualities answerable to the same graced with singular learning He perceiuing his souldiors dismaied with the sight of so great an armie and willing to surrender vp the castle as beseemed a valiant captaine forbad his souldiours to haue any talke with the enemie commanded the great artillerie to be bent and discharged vpon the Turkes and seeing his souldiours slacke and timorous reproued them of cowardise and treason threatning them with shamefull death if they did not hold out the siege to the vttermost and shew themselues valiant men both for the honour of their countrey and of king Ferdinand whose pay they receiued and of whose bountie they were to expect rewards and preferments answerable to their deserts But they misdoubting by the running too and fro of the Turks that the castle was vndermined and smelling or at least wise imagining themselues to smell the sent of the gunpouder which they supposed to be in the mine and doubting to be presently blowne vp were strucke with such a sudden feare that neither the feare of future punishment neither the shame of so foule a fact nor the reuerence of so worthie a captaine could stay them but that they would needs without further delay deliuer vp the castle which when they could by no meanes persuade the resolute captaine to consent vnto but that he still with sterne countenance exclaimed against their cowardise and treason they laid hands vpon him and bound him hand and foot and so presently concluded with the enemie to yeeld vnto him the castle so that they might in safetie depart thence with bag and baggage which their request Solyman granted But when the garrison souldiours in number about seauen hundred were about to depart with their baggage towards POSSONIVM as was before agreed and the Ianizaries comming into the castle hauing loosed the captaine were about to let him go also Solyman aduertised of the treacherie of the garrison souldiours and of the fidelitie of the captain changing his mind judged such villanous minded men vnworthie of his mercie and in detestation of their perfidious dealing with their captaine gaue them all to his Ianizaries to be slaine but to the captaine himselfe he offered honourable entertainment which when he refused Solyman courteously sent him away holpen therein by the commendation of king Iohn although his sister was married to Stephanus Maylat his deadly enemie Which bloudie execution done by the commaundement of the cruell tyrant the Turkes said was not onely lawfully done but also to the immortall glorie of his name in the execution of justice which might peraduenture seeme reasonable if the perpetuall hatred of that most barbarous nation against the Christians gaue not just occasion of suspect that it proceeded rather of their auntient malice than of any regard of justice For why should the Germans who had offended to his great good and therefore obtained his safe conduct be thought worthie of so cruell death when as Solyman himselfe in punishing the perjurie of another ran into wilfull perjurie himselfe peruerting the commendation of justice which he so much desired by his most bloudie and vnjust sentence BVDA the chiefe citie of HVNGARIE thus taken by Solyman he resolued forthwith to besiege VIENNA the chiefe citie of AVSTRIA in good hope that by the carriage away of that the other cities of lesse strength both of HVNGARIE and AVSTRIA would without any resistance be yeelded vnto him Wherefore he sent before him Achomates with the voluntarie horsemen who according to the manner of the Turkish warres running thorow the heart of HVNGARIE and entring with fire and sword into AVSTRIA passed by VIENNA miserably burning and destroying the countrey before him as farre as LYNTZ The poore people not knowing where to hide themselues from the furie of their enemies nor of whom to craue helpe fled as men and women dismaied carrying with them their beloued children the vnfortunat pledges of their loue and what else they could as things saued out of the middest of the fire For whatsoeuer fell into the enemies hand was lost without recure the
was gone so farre before that he was hardly to be ouertaken and finding the noble gentlemen in his armie vnwilling in their heauie armour to vndertake such a pursuit as could not be performed without the wonderfull toile of themselues and most assured losse of their goodly horses alleadging that they were prouided to fight a battell and not to trauell so long a journey all which Tamas now that his choller was ouer knew to stand with good reason he changed his former determination thinking it best there to stay and not to follow the pursuit of his enemies any further vntill that Delimenthes one of his noble men alwaies more forward than the rest offered with fiue thousand chosen horsemen to ouertake some part of the Turkes armie and to doe on them some good seruice Which his offer Tamas gladly accepted commending him greatly for the same promising him most honourable reward and so in hast sent him away He forthwith taking the well knowne and neerest way vsed such expedition that he was in hope to ouertake the rearward of the Turkes armie marching not farre now before him about the foot of the mountaine TAVRVS as in deed it fell out at a place called BETHLIS This BETHLIS is a famous towne in the confines of the Persian kingdome where it bordereth vpon MESOPOTAMIA standing in a pleasant valley by which runneth a little riuer falling out of the mountaine ANTITAVRVS and had a castle kept with a garrison of PERSIANS In this valley the two Bassaes of CAIRE and SYRIA conducted by Vlemas thinking they had now beene past all danger of the enemies pursuit staied with the rearward of the armie to refresh their wearied souldiours vpon certaine knowledge that Solyman with the rest of his armie was alreadie come in safetie to AMIDA in MESOPOTAMIA and therefore lay as men secure without any suspition of the comming of the Persians whom they had not so much as heard any thing of in long time before But Delimenthes vsing most faithfull and diligent espials of that countrey people by that time he was come within one daies journey of BETHLIS vnderstood certainly where the Turkes lay wearie of their long trauell as men without feare keeping little or no watch in their campe Whereupon he determined in the dead time of the night following to assaile them in their campe and by secret messengers gaue knowledge both of his comming and of this his purpose to the captaine of the castle of BETHLIS requesting him at an appointed houre vpon signe giuen to be readie to sallie out with his garrison vpon that side of the Turkes campe which was towards the castle Which his venturous designment was so furthered both by the darkenesse of the night and the abundance of raine which fell at the fame time as if it had beene wished for that he was got with all his resolute followers within the Turkes campe before they were aware of his comming where the Persian souldiors as wolues amongst sheepe did such speedie execution amongst the sleepie Turkes that the two great Bassaes and Vlemas had much adoe to get to horse and saue themselues by flight And such was the furie of the Persians and the greatnesse of the sudden feare encreased by the darkenesse of the night that the Turkes not knowing which way to turne themselues or what to doe were slaine by thousands some sleeping some halfe waking some making themselues readie to fight and some to flie few of all that great armie escaped the sword of the Persians Of the fiue great Sanzackes which were in the armie three were slaine and one taken Eight hundred Ianizaries seeing themselues forsaken of their cheefetaines laid downe their harquebusiers and other weapons and yeelded themselues vpon Delimenthes his word The fierce mountaine people also who in former time had suffered great injuries of the Turkes after the death of Aladeules their king had now joyned themselues to the Persians and notably reuenged their wrongs to whose share all the baggage of the Turkes campe fell for a prey It might then well haue beene said of the Turkes which the Poet speaketh of the night wherein TROY was sackt Quis cladem illius noctis qui funera fando explicet The slaughter of that night was such as that it is of the Turkes vntill this day accounted amongst their greatest losses and the victorie so welcome to the Persians that in memoriall thereof they kept that day which was the thireenth of October as one of their solemne holidaies for many yeares after Delymenthes returning all bloudie with the slaughter of the Turks and loaded with their spoiles was of Tamas joyfully receiued and honouraly rewarded This ouerthrow reported to Solyman by the two great Bassaes and Vlemas as men that had hardly escaped shipwracke so daunted his proud conceits that he resolued in himselfe to returne home and no further to prosecute that vnfortunat warre the euill euent whereof his mother as hee said had more truly presaged than had the cold prophet Mulearabe but secretly in mind displeased with Abraham the great Bassa by whose persuasion he had taken in hand that dangerous expedition By the way as he went he was met at ICONIVM by Barbarussa and Sinan Bassa surnamed the Iew a man for his skill at sea in reputation next vnto Barbarussa These two great personages lately come from ALGIERS to CONSTANTINOPLE with the remainder of his fleet met him so farre by land to shew their joyfulnesse for the conquest hee had made of MESOPOTAMIA and ASSIRIA and to excuse themselues for the losse of the kingdome of TVNES which woon by Barbarussa in the beginning of the Persian warre was before the ending thereof againe wrong out of his hands by Charles the emperour and restored to Muleasses as shall be hereafter declared They with great humilitie declared vnto him the whole processe of that warre and with what successe they had endured the force of Charles the emperour himselfe in person shewing plainely vnto him that there wanted neither valour in the souldiors nor direction in them the commaunders but onely fortune which as it mightily raigneth in all mens actions so especially in matters of warre Solyman gratiously accepted of their excuse and courteously tooke them vp prostrate at his feet commending them for their valour in their euill haps in a plot so well by them laid more than he did the victorie of others got by good fortune not grounded vpon any good reason willing them to be of good cheare saying That he would in short time find occasion for them to recompence that disgrace againe to shew their approued valour After long trauell he came to the strait of Bosphorus where Abraham the Bassa going before him had in signe of triumph caused the shore all alongst the place where he should go abourd the gallie prouided for his transportatiō to be couered with Persian silke for him to tread vpon from whence he passed with much triumph ouer to his
thenceforth call Iohn by the name of a king whereas before he had both in his common talke and letters called him by the name of the Vayuod onely It was also expressely set downe in the same articles of peace and subscribed with the hands of diuers of the nobilitie of HVNGARIE That if king Iohn should die king Ferdinand should succeed him in the whole kingdome of HVNGARIE Which condition was suppressed and kept verie secret for feare of Solyman who accounted of that kingdome as of his owne gotten by law of armes and bestowed vpon king Iohn as vpon his vassaile neither was it to haue been thought that if he should haue knowne thereof being of a hautie mind by nature and not able to endure any injurie he would haue suffered that kingdome got and defended with so great danger and cost to be by the will of an vnthankfull man transferred vnto his enemies This matter of so great importance was as it is reported by Hieronymus Lascus embassadour for king Ferdinand to CONSTANTINOPLE reuealed vnto Solyman and the Bassaes to bring king Iohn into hatred So much did this noble gentleman for his rare vertues otherwise greatly to haue been commended yeeld vnto his griefe and desire of reuenge when after the death of Aloysius Grittus he fell from the friendship of king Iohn being as is before declared by him committed to prison and hardly afterwards enlarged at the request of king Sigismund Whereupon Solyman being exceedingly angrie with king Iohn called him vnthankfull churle and turning himselfe about to Lutzis bassa his brother in law said How vnworthely doe these two Christian kings weare their crownes vpon their faithlesse heads who as shamefull deceiuers are not afraid either for worldly shame or feare of God for their profit to falsifie their faith But king Iohn vnderstanding thereof and wonderfully fearing his owne estate did by good friends and rich presents pacifie Solyman againe laying all the blame vpon king Ferdinand as better able to beare it Not long after king Iohn hauing set his kingdome in good order and strongly fortified the citie of BVDA being now farre stricken in yeares at the earnest request of most of the nobilitie of HVNGARIE and other his best friends married Isabella the daughter of Sigismund king of POLONIA a gratious ladie and of great spirit which king Sigismund had long before married Barbara king Iohn his sister after whose death he married the ladie Bona Sfortia the daughter of Ioannes Galeacius duke of MILLAIN by whom he had this ladie Isabella whom king Iohn now married Which marriage Solyman liked well of hauing many times by way of talke before condemned the single life of the king but king Ferdinand liked thereof nothing at all plainly foreseeing that the Hungarians if the king should chance to haue a sonne would forthwith looke vpon him as their naturall king and reject himselfe as but a stranger This young queene in short time as he had feared conceiued with child and was now verie big when king Iohn was enforced to make an expedition in person himselfe against Maylat famous for the death of Aloysius Grittus and Balaâ— both Gouernours of TRANSILVANIA whereof Maylat not contented with the name of Vayuod or Gouernour sought to make himselfe king But Solyman detesting the impudent arrogancie of the faithlesse man and hating him for the death of Grittus and the Turks slaine with him aduertised king Iohn of all the matter wishing him to be more circumspect whom he trusted with the gouernment of so great and rich a countrey So Maylat shamefully rejected of Solyman and out of hope of a kingdome fearing also to be thrust quite out of his gouernment by king Iohn thought it best for his owne safetie to raise vp all the prouince into rebellion and to take part with king Ferdinand which thing Ferdinand by his diuers agents secretly furthered to the vttermost For these two kings although they were at peace the one with the other and in words and shew made semblance of friendship yet in heart they enuied and hated each other as if they should presently haue waged warre At that same time king Iohn exacted of his subjects and especially of them of TRANSILVANIA a great summe of money to pay the Turke his tribute then two yeares behind which thing serued Maylat and his complices as a fit occasion to raise the people into rebellion persuading them that there was no reason to pay vnto the Turke such a tribute as would serue well to wage ten yeares honourable warre against him so that by that and such like persuasion all the prouince was in an vprore little differing from manifest rebellion To appease these dangerous troubles thus arising king Iohn sent certaine of his chiefe nobilitie and best captaines with a great power into TRANSILVANIA following after himselfe in his chariot not yet well recouered of his late sicknesse These noble men entring in two places into TRANSILVANIA and scouring vp and downe the countrey had in short time so vsed the matter that what by force what by policie the tumult was well pacified and diuers of the chiefe offenders worthely executed Maylat the ambitious author of this sedition not able to hold the field against the king and seeing himselfe beset on euerie side with his enemies retired himselfe with all his wealth into a towne called FOGARAS a place of great strength which the kings power shortly after hardly besieged the king himselfe then lying at SIBYNIVM the chiefe citie of TRANSILVANIA about a mile distant from FOGARAS sicke of an ague whereinto he was againe fallen through too much care and paines taken in trauelling in that hoat time of the yeare the daies being then at the longest Whilest he thus lay sicke at SIBYNIVM and his armie fast by at the sige of FOGARAS newes was brought vnto him from the court That the queene his wife was deliuered of a faire young sonne which was no sooner bruted abroad but the Hungarians as men ouerjoyed came flocking to the court where the king lay discharging their pieces in triumph with all other signes of joy and mirth they could possible deuise the noble men came from the campe to rejoice with the king and all the armie was filled with gladnesse And for the greater solemnitie of this so common a joy a royall feast was prepared which the noble men would needs haue the king to honour with his presence though he were thereto vnwilling being as yet but a little recouered Howbeit yeelding to their importunitie hee suffered himselfe to be ouerruled and brought to the feast by them which was vnto him the merriest and the last that euer he made for willing to shew his inward joy and to content his nobilitie there present he forgot himselfe and eat and dranke more liberally than was for the health of his weake bodie whereby the feauer which had but a little before left him was againe renewed in such sort as
that he well perceiued he could not long endure Wherefore feeling his end to draw fast on he made his will appointing his young sonne to be his heire whom he committed to the tuition of George bishop of VERADIVM and Peter Vicche a noble gentleman and his neere kinsman vntill he came to age requesting the rest of the noble men to preferre his sonne in the succession of the kingdome before a stranger telling them That Solyman would vndoubtedly take vpon him the protection both of the kingdome and of his sonne if they would in time send embassadours vnto him with presents and promise for his sonne that he should raigne as his tributarie as he had done before and so presently after died This king was of a courteous and gentle nature bountifull and in all his doings just of no fierce and rough disposition as the Hungarians commonly are but of a most ciuile behauiour garnished with good letters and thorowly schooled in the diuers chances of both fortunes not measuring his actions by the strength of his power but by the exact rule of discretion for in time of businesse no man was more circumspect or vigilant than he nor in time of recreation any man more courteous or pleasant He vsed oftentimes to say That the fauour and loue of valiant men gotten by bountie and courtesie was the best treasures of a prince for that courteous and thankfull men did oftentimes in some one worthie piece of seruice plentifully repay whatsoeuer had been bestowed vpon them as for such as were vnthankfull they did to their shame beare the testimonie of another mans vertue The kings death was kept secret vntill such time as the noble men had agreed with Maylat that he should take an oath of his faithfull alleagance to the king and his sonne his lawfull heire and so still to enjoy his former place and gouernment which offer Maylat gladly accepted Then calling togither the counsell it was decreed to send the same embassage to Solyman which was appointed the old king yet liuing So were presently dispatched away two most honourable embassadours Ioannes Exechius bishop of QVINQVE ECLESIE and Stephanus Verbetius the Chancelor a man of great yeares carrying with them ten boles of pure gold curiously wrought six hundred of siluer gilt and engrauen fortie pieces of purple silke and cloth of gold for Turkes gownes and fiftie pound of coined gold to be paid in the name of two yeares tribute Which embassadours passing directly from SIBYNIVM ouer Danubius into SERVIA and so trauelling thorow THRACIA came to CONSTANTINOPLE In the meane time the dead body of the king was with much heauinesse carried from SIBYNIVM to ALBA REGALIS most part of the armie following it and there with great solemnitie buried After this the young child was christened and called Stephen and there presently crowned with the antient crowne of king Stephen who first erected that kingdome without which the Hungarians neuer accounted their kings lawfully crowned Yet the royall dignitie was by the common consent of the nobilitie giuen vnto the queene with condition that in all publike writings the names of the sonne and of the mother should be joyned and the kings money coined with the same inscription but the chiefest authoritie rested in George the bishop for he was treasurer and had at his commaund the castles and strong holds yet were the souldiors with their ensignes and furniture at the deuotion of Valentinus Thuracus In the middle between these two was placed Peter Vicche the kings kinsman and by the old king appointed for one of the tutors to his young sonne suspected of neither part honoured with the name of high Constable But because the name of this George the bishop was most famous in this wofull warre which we are about to write I thought it worth the labour to speake something of his nature and disposition that it may be knowne to all posteritie by what pollicie this war was managed and how this flourishing kingdome by the madnesse of the Hungarians came into the hands of the Turkes This George was borne in CROATIA and brought vp from his youth in the house of king Iohn where vertue and industrie neuer wanted reliefe when as he vnaduisedly before had entred into the orders of a monasticall life and wearie too late of the straightnesse thereof had forsaken his profession Wherefore being of a wonderfull pleasing nature and still following king Iohn driuen out of his kingdome and long liuing in exile he woon such credit and commendation for his fidelitie integritie and readie counsell in the kings most doubtfull and dangerous affaires that after Sibacchus that worthie bishop was by the treacherie of Aloysius Grittus slaine at BAXOVIA he obtained the great bishopricke of VERADIVM After that when he had strengthened his credit with great wealth he alwaies as a faithfull counsellor swaied and happily ruled both the court and kingdome to the profit of the king But he was of such a diuers and pliant nature that performing in all actions all the parts of a most readie and excellent man he seemed to be made of contrarie qualities and borne to doe any thing For in saying of his princely seruice and performing the other ceremonies of the Christian religion he shewed or at leastwise counterfeited such a contrition in his deuout countenance and speech that a man would not haue thought it could possibly be the same man who in the most waightie affaires both of warre and peace did most stoutly shew the wonderfull force of a most pregnant and couragious wit For he vsed to keepe whole companies of most excellent and ready horsemen and would oftentimes come forth into the battell armed he would with often banquets and rewards win the hearts of the souldiors and after the manner of great chieftaines maintaine the honour and credit of his name both with punishment and reward as occasion required Besides that no man looked into the wealth of the kingdome more diligently than he no man did to more profit let to farme the customes gold mines feedings and saltpits no man could deuise finer meanes to raise money of all others the readiest way to credit insomuch that king Iohn would confesse himselfe to raign by the especially industrie of that man and king Ferdinand would many times say That he enuied at K. Iohn for nothing he had but for one hooded fellow which was better for the defence of a kingdome than 10000 with helmets on their heads Wherfore this bishop hauing taken vpon him the tuition of the young king was still busied in all the waightie causes of the kingdome both ciuile martiall he laboured with great care that the Hungarians should agree togither in loue and vnitie and did what he might prouidently to foresee that no tumult or rebellion should any where arise wherby the beginning of the kingdome yet but weake might any way be troubled But king Ferdinand hearing of the death of
citie where viewing the garrison the great artillerie and fortification of the citie he perceiued it was not to be taken without a greater power and in a more seasonable time of the yeare Which thing so moued Velsius by nature suspitious and doubtfull of the fidelitie of a stranger that he commaunded him in anger to void the campe because he had without his leaue gone into the citie and vpon his owne priuat insolencie had conference with the enemie and by amplifying their strength to haue discouraged the armie by putting them out of hope of victorie Wherefore Velsius neuer attempting to assault the citie returned againe to VICEGRADE to besiege the higher castle wherein the auntient crowne of king Stephen wherewith the Hungarian kings were euer after him crowned was kept which castle he also tooke with something lesse losse than he had done the lower towne Not long after he marched with his armie to ALBA REGALIS the citie where the Hungarian kings were vsually crowned and buried which by the meanes of Perenus was deliuered vnto him and a garrison put into it for king Ferdinand These things thus done Velsius retired againe to STRIGONIVM which he did the rather because the Germanes and Hungarians two rough nations could by no meanes agree together insomuch as that Velsius the Generall in parting them was wounded in the thigh and Perenus hurt with a stone besides that Winter was now come farre on and the souldiors cried out for pay For which causes Velsius being also sicke of the stone billitted his souldiours for that Winter about in the countrey Yet before that he new fortified PESTH and left therein a garrison because it was reported that the Turkes vpon their frontiers were making preparation to come to aid them of BVDA At such time as king Ferdinand was leuying his forces for the inuasion of HVNGARIE the queene by the counsell of the Bishop had in good time craued aid of the Turkes lieutenants in the countries bordering vpon HVNGARIE especially of Vstref gouernour of BOSNA a very aged man and of great honour who had married one of the daughters of Baiazet the old emperour as also of Mahomethes gouernour of BELGRADE and Amurathes who had the charge of the frontiers of DALMATIA from whom she receiued one answere That they might in no case without expresse commaundement from Solyman depart from the places of their charge Besides that Mahometes was by rewards ouercome by Laschus as he passed by BELGRADE to CONSTANTINOPLE not to stirre or aid the queene Wherefore she rejected by these great captaines certified Solyman by her embassadours what danger her selfe her sonne and the kingdome was in crauing his speedie aid Laschus was not yet come to CONSTANTINOPLE being fallen sicke by the way but had sent before Ptolomeus his physition to the great Bassaes and especially to Lutzis his old acquaintance vpon whom he had bestowed great gifts and was in hope by him to haue obtained what he desired but all in vaine for Solyman who thought it much for his honour to defend his owne right and that he had before giuen vnto king Iohn thought also that it would redound both to his great profit and glorie if he should as it were vpon charitie take vpon him the protection of the widdow and fatherlesse child in their so great distresse and danger Wherefore calling vnto him the embassadours the three great Bassaes standing by he said That he had of his meere bountie before giuen the kingdome of HVNGARIE vnto king Iohn to descend to his posteritie so long as they should retaine the kind remembrance of so great a benefit wherefore to declare his constancie inseparable from his bountie he said he would take such a course in the matter as that the Germans his enemies should not long rejoice of the warres they had begun And in token of friendship and that he had taken vpon him the protection of the young king he caused to be deliuered vnto the embassadours a royall robe of purple and gold a buckler with the bosse most curiously wrought a horsemans mase with a handle of gold and a scimitar with the scabberd richly set with stones and afterwards writ effectually to Vstref and Mahometes his lieutenants that they should without delay aid the queene and not to make excuse because it was Winter threatening them that if she tooke any harme through their default or negligence it should cost them their heads The queenes embassadours glad of their good dispatch were scarce departed from the Turks court when Laschus came to CONSTANTINOPLE and vnderstanding by his physition the successe of the Hungarian embassadours proceeded for all that in his businesse and deliuered his message and vpon many reasonable conditions requested the kingdome for king Ferdinand But when he in speaking had oftentimes made mention of Charles the emperour as if he would with all the power of GERMANIE aid his brother Solyman was so mooued therewith that he was presently taken away and committed to prison the great Bassaes but especially Rustan Solymans sonne in law a proud and furious young man chiding him and shaking him vp as worthie of death for offending with his liberall speech the majestie of so courteous a prince and as it were mocking the king of kings requiring friendship when in the meane time his master most impudently made warres in HVNGARIE Vstref and Mahometes the Bassaes aforesaid hauing receiued such straight commaundement from Solyman assembled their dispersed souldiors and by shipping brought them downe the riuers Sauus and Dranus into Danubius for it is a hard matter to performe any great thing by warres in HVNGARIE without the helpe of a great fleet for conueying of the great ordinance victuall and other such necessaries of the armie from one side of the great riuers to the other as occasion requireth but as then being the middest of Winter and the North wind blowing hard Danubius was so frozen on both sides that the middle of the riuer was scarce open so that the Turkes not able to passe for the extremitie of the weather nor daring to returne for the straight command of Solyman were enforced in their tents there to abide the hardnesse of Winter to shew their readinesse It is almost incredible to be spoken with what patience and resolution the souldiors endured all the extremities of the time in so bare a place their horses which of all other things they hold most deare staruing for cold and want of meat The Spring at length comming on right welcome both to the Turkes and the queene Mahometes with his Turks and wild Illyrians and Vstref with his souldiors of BOSNA entred into HVNGARIE with whom Valentinus Generall of the queens forces joyned also with a strong power of Hungarians brought from BVDA And the queene to further the matter sent presents to the Turks Generals victualed the campe and furnished them with great ordinance for the besieging of such cities as were holden by
most desired Besides that they said he should deale neither honorably nor indifferently if he should preferre the young child before king Ferdinand who beside his auntient right vnto that kingdome which they were not now to vrge as oppressed by his happie victories but might in time be reuiued had also a late interest by a league betwixt him and king Iohn wherein he had expressely couenanted by the solemne consent of the greatest part of his nobilitie that king Ferdinand should succeed him in the kingdome Whereby they excused him of the late warre as justly taken in hand against the queene and her sonne vsurping vpon his right which king Iohn knowing to be good and mooued with conscience had by his solemne act acknowledged though to the great offence and prejudice of Solyman his setter vp and defender as also to the touching of himselfe in honour to haue so vnthankfully and fraudulently dealt with his patrone to whom hee was by the oath of obedience bound Wherefore they requested That sith he being a prince of all others most mightie and magnificent standing vpon his vpright dealing both in peace and warre had so lightly regarded the slie dealing of so ingratefull a man he would rather accept of king Ferdinand so many waies injured as his friend and tributarie than to haue him his perpetuall enemie Concluding that nothing could be vnto him for the good report of his justice more commendable or for the assurance of a perpetuall peace more profitable or to the immortall praise of his bountie more honourable than to call a king of a most auntient dissent famous for his vertue and fidelitie chosen for a king by the Bohemians desired for a king by the Hungarians emperour elect of the Roman empire by the Germans and the naturall brother of the great emperour his tributarie king of HVNGARIE Solyman with cheerefull countenance accepting and commending of the presents answered them two daies after by Rustan the Bassa his sonne in law that this was his resolute condition of peace and friendship If king Ferdinand would forthwith restore all the cities towns castles which were before belonging to K. Lewes and for euer after abstaine from HVNGARIE and whereas he had beene so often prouoked by him to warre and had therein bestowed so great charges and taken so much trauell he could for that be content with an easie paine which should be for his greater honour to impose an easie tribute vpon AVSTRIA vpon which conditions he was content to enter into league with them but if so be that those conditions seemed vnto them too heauie and that they would rather make choise of warre than peace hee would bring to passe by continuall warre that such things as they had taken from the kingdome of HVNGARIE should be requited with the destruction of AVSTRIA But the embassadours although they were much moued at the proud demaund of tribute for AVSTRIA as that wherein the two brethren of mightie power Charles the emperour and king Ferdinand were disdainfully abused to keepe the best course of their negotiation and to win some time in so hard estate of things required a truce vntill such time as king Ferdinand and the emperor his brother might be made acquainted with the matter Which their request the Turke perceiuing their drift and purpose would in no case grant for Winter was now fast comming on It was lawfull for the embassadours all the time they were in the Turks campe to view euerie part thereof Rustan Bassa conducting them from place to place where aboue all things they most wondred at the perpetuall and dumbe silence of so great a multitude the souldiors being so readie and attentiue that they were no otherwise commanded but by the beckning of the hand or a nod of their commaunders They maruelled also at the exquisite order and sweetnesse of the Turkes campe finding therein nothing disordered or noisome so that it seemed not the campe of such a rude and barbarous nation but rather of them which were the authors of martiall discipline The embassadours being rewarded and so sent away Solyman commaunded the old Gouernour of BELGRADE to spoile the borders of AVSTRIA all alongst Danubius Cason also Generall of the voluntarie horsemen he sent into MORAVIA for like purpose who neither of them did any great harme by reason of the sudden rising of the great riuers with the aboundance of raine then falling in Autumne After that Solyman appointed one Solyman an Hungarian who taken prisoner in his youth by the Turkes had from that time followed the Mahometane superstition gouernour of BVDA who by the vpright administration of justice and courteous vsing of the people with Verbetius the old chancellor should doe what was possible to put the people in hope of long peace and tranquilitie Which things done after he had staied about twentie daies at BVDA hee determined to returne againe into THRACIA because the raine of Autumne and the cold of Winter was now come in and was also in doubt to be shut in with the rising of the great riuers wherwith the countrey of HVNGARIE is in euerie place so watered and on euerie side so compassed that it is a hard matter to passe By the way he set Lascus king Ferdinands embassadour againe at libertie whom he had left in prison at BELGRADE but he long enjoyed not that benefit for shortly after returning into POLONIA he died of the flix which caused many to suppose that he was poisoned by the Turkes A man for his vertue and learning famous worthie of a longer life whose death the king himselfe much lamented As Solyman was returning into THRACIA and was come to the riuer Dranus it was told him that Stephen Maylat Vayuod of TRANSILVANIA who tooke king Ferdinand his part a professed enemie of the Turks was taken by the cunning of Peter of MOLDAVIA and prince of VALACHIA and that all the country of TRANSILVANIA was well pacified and yeelded to his obedience Of which newes Solyman was passing glad for he exceedingly hated Maylat a martiall man of a froward nature desirous of rule and readie vpon any occasion to reuolt forasmuch as he remembred Grittus his legat and the Turks by him slaine and knew also that the Transiluanians an inuincible people borne to trouble and more delighting in vncertaine warre than assured peace was by him stirred vp whom he wished rather by gentlenesse to appease than by force of armes and strong hand to subdue But because we haue oftentimes before made mention of this Maylat of whose taking Solyman so much rejoyced it shall not be amisse in few words to declare by what finenesse he fell into the hands of this treacherous and bloudie man Peter of MOLDAVIA This Moldauian by the commaundement of Solyman as is aforesaid had joyned his forces with Achomates Gouernour of NICOPOLIS against Maylat which being vnited were in number fiftie thousand horsemen beside footmen which after the manner of
much noted as presaging the wofull ouerthrow which was the day before râ—receiued at BVDA but not yet knowne in ITALIE From MILLAINE he departed to GENVA where he was aduertised by letters from his brother king Ferdinand of the ouerthrow of the Germans of the victorie of the Turkes and the comming of Solyman Vpon which newes Vastius and Auria his two chiefe commaunders the one at land the other at sea would haue persuaded him to haue deferred his intended expedition for AFRICA vntill the next Spring and with such power as he had alreadie raised in ITALIE brought with him out of GERMANIE to stay still in ITALIE so to make shew vnto the Turks as if he would haue returned and holpen his brother and in the meane time to assure himselfe of his state in ITALIE against the French who as it was thought would be readie to take all occasion of aduantage if any mishap should befall him either by the force of the enemie or violence of tempest But he constant in his former resolution answered them as they sate in counsell that they had persuaded him for great reasons to stay in ITALIE but that he was for farre greater to passe into AFFRICKE for if he should then stay in ITALIE it would be thought that he was for feare of the Turkes fled out of GERMANIE which disgrace could no otherwise be preuented but by the present prosecuting of his former determination for ALGIERS and satisfying the expectation of his subjects of SPAINE and so by sea valiantly to proue their better fortune which had of late not so euill fauoured them at land in hope that ALGIERS might be woon before the seas should grow rough and dangerous with Winter tempests which if it should fall out according to his mind hee would not as he said greatly care what the French could doe Yet was it thought that the dissembling friendship betwixt the French king and him would not long endure and the rather for that there was a new grudge risen betwixt them about the death of Antonius Rinco who for certaine yeares had lien embassadour for the French king at CONSTANTINOPLE to Solyman and was a few moneths before sent backe againe by him into FRANCE to the king but returning back againe with new instructions from his master for the confirmation of a further league betwixt the Turkish Sultan and him he was by certain Spaniards of the emperors old souldiors who had knowledge of his comming belaid vpon the riuer Padus as he was going down to VENICE so to haue passed into EPYRVS and slaine togither with Caesar Fregosius or as the common report went first taken and tortured to get from him the secrets of his negotiation and afterwards slaine Which report so much touched Vastius in credit that in purgation of himselfe he offered the combat to any man of like qualitie to himselfe that durst charge him with the truth thereof But many were of opinion that he was well and worthely taken away for vndertaking so odious a charge as to stirre vp the Turkes against the Christians and to shew vnto them such opportunities as might best serue their purpose by discouering vnto them the emperours desseigns to the great hurt of the Christian commonweale But were it well or were it euill as Paulus the third of that name then bishop of ROME meeting the emperour at LVCA as he came from GENVA could not or would not determine sure it serued as no small occasion to set those two great princes againe at ods whereby the wished vnitie of the Christian state was sore shaken and a way opened for the Turke The emperour at his comming to LVCA was honourably receiued by the cardinals and bishops and lodged in the court the great bishop was before placed in the bishops pallace whither the emperour came thrise to talke with him and the bishop to him once But the bishop hauing nothing at all preuailed with the emperour and the French embassadour for the appeasing of the troubles euen then like to arise betwixt him and the French king did what he might to persuade him to employ such forces as he was about to passe ouer with into AFFRICKE against the Turkes in defence of his brother Ferdinand and of the countrey of AVSTRIA if Solyman should happely pursue his late obtained victorie at BVDA But hee still resolute in that fatall determination of inuading of AFFRICKE rejected that the bishops request also So the great bishop hauing mooued much and preuailed little in the greatest matters which most concerned the common good taking his leaue of the emperour returned by easie journies to ROME The emperor in the meane time with certain bands of Italians vnder the leading of Camillus Columna and Augustinus Spinula and six thousand Germanes came from LVCA to the poâ—t LVNE and there embarking his souldiours in certaine marchant ships prouided for the purpose and fiue and thirtie gallies departed thence commaunding the masters of the ships to direct their course to the islands of BALEARES but after they had put to sea they were by force of tempest suddenly arising brought within sight of CORSICA where after they had beene tossed too and fro two dayes in the rough seas and put out of their course the wind something falling they put into the hauen of SYRACVSA now called BONIFACIVM The dispersed fleet once come together into the port of SYRACVSA and the rage of the sea well appeased he put to sea againe for the islands BALEARES now called MAIORCA and MINORCA where in his course he met with a tempest from the West more terrible and dreadfull than the first wherein diuers of the gallies hauing lost their mastes and sailes were glad with extreame labour and perill in striuing against the wrought sea to get into a harbor of the lesser island taking name of Barchinus Mago the famous Carthaginensian whose name it retaineth vntill this day From hence the emperour with all his fleet passed ouer to the greater island being wonderfull glad that Ferdinand Gonzaga his viceroy in SICILIA was in good time come with the Sicilian gallies and ships of ITALIE in number a hundred and fiftie saile wherein he had brought such store of bisket and victuall as might haue sufficed for a long warre Mendoza was also expected to haue come thither with his fleet from SPAINE but he by reason of contrarie winds being not able to hold that course altered his purpose according to the tempest and so happily cut ouer directly to ALGIERS So the emperour nothing misdoubting the carefull diligence of Mendoza and thinking that which was indeed alreadie chanced and the wind now seruing faire by the persuasion of Auria his Admirall hoysed saile and in two dayes came before ALGIERS and there in goodly order came to anker before the citie in the sight of the enemie Whilest the fleet thus lay two of the pyrats which had beene abroad at sea seeking for prize returning to ALGIERS not knowing
were of opinion that it was best to beare for SARDINIA or CORSICA and othersome would haue had them to haue kept alongst the coast of AFFRICA and so directly for SICILIA But the wind comming faire at East the emperour directed his course to the islands BALEARES and from thence at length arriued at the port of new CARTHAGE in SPAINE greatly commended euen of his enemies for his wonderfull courage and constancie in passing thorow so many extremities in such sort as if he had triuÌ„phed ouer the malice of fortune About this time the dissembled friendship betwixt Charles the emperour and Francis the French king brake out into open hatred The king first thinking himselfe deluded by the emperour who had long time fed him with the vaine hope of the restitution of the dukedome of MILLAN when as he meant nothing lesse and of late abused by the death of Rinco his embassadour slaine by the Spaniards in passing downe the riuer Padus as is before declared In reuenge whereof he raised a great power in FRANCE and at such time as most men thought he would haue inuaded ITALIE sent Charles his sonne with the one part of his forces into the low countries which were then gouerned by Marie queene of HVNGARIE the emperours sister and Henrie his other sonne with the other part of his forces to inuade SPAINE both yong princes of great hope And not so contented but desirous by all meanes to trouble and molest the emperor as he did in the low countries by setting on the duke of CLEVE so by Antonius Polinus his embassadour a man of great discretion he earnestly sollicited Solyman the great Turke with whom he was then in league to spoile the borders of SPAINE with his gallies at the same that Henrie his sonne was besieging PERPENNA in SPAINE For which practise he was of most men discommended as too much fauoring his owne greefe and especially by such as affected the emperour But how this matter which drew vpon the French king no small enuie was carried in the Turks coâ—rt shall not as I hope be vnto this historie impertinent to declare After the death of Rinco slain by the Spaniards Francis the French king sent Antonius Polinus a man of great dexteritie his embassadour to Solyman who passing by many by-wayes to VENICE and so ouer the gulfe to SIBINICVM crossing ouer ILLYRIA met with Solyman in MISIA as he was comming from BVDA and there first offered vnto him the present sent from the king his master for with emptie hands no man might presume to come to those barbarous kings of the East which present was a cupbord of plate curiously wrought in weight 600 pounds and 300 rich garments of all sorts of silke and scarlet to be bestowed vpon the Bassaes and other great courtiers Solyman after he had read the French kings letters and heard what he had further to say seemed to be greatly moued with the death of Rinco and promised Polinus not to be wanting vnto the French king by sea or land to giue him aid in his just warres against Charles his enemie for breaking of the league but for as much as nothing could be well determined of such matters in his journey of so great hast he told him that as soon as he was come to CONSTANTINOPLE he should then haue answer by his Bassaes of all his demaunds The embassador aboue all things desired That he would send Hariadenus Barbarussa with his fleet against the next Summer into PROVINCE there to be receiued into the French harbors to be emploied against the emperor as occasion should require and further That he would request the Venetians with whom he was able to doe much to joine in league with the king his master against Charles the emperor whose power began now to be dreadfull to their estate Polinus was not slacke in his businesse but all the way as he went â—ought to win the fauour of the Bassaes still giuing them one present or other filling their minds with the hope of greater But when they were come to CONSTANTINOPLE in the latter end of December Solyman promising what he had before said aduised Polinus to returne into FRANCE with his letters to bring him certaine word back againe from the king of the determinat time and full resolution of taking those wars in hand that he would in the meanâ— time send Iâ—nusbeius his embassador to VENICE who had been there diuers times before would prouide to haue such a fleet in readinesse as he desired Polinus exceeding glad of that answer with wonderfull speed returned back again to the king bringing with him as presents from Solyman two goodly Turkish horses and a sword richly set with stones of great price The French king hauing by his embassadour receiued Solymans letters and presents and three dayes together discoursed with him at large of the manner of his proceeding in the Turkes court in short time after sent him backe againe to Solyman with full instructions both of the time and places and other circumstances of the intended warre Polinus comming to VENICE found not Iunusbeius there as he had well hoped yet to lose no time in expecting his comming he with Pellicerius embassadour Legier for the French king and other of the French faction laboured the Senatours in the behalfe of the king For it was thought likely ynough that the Venetians still measuring all their counsels by their profit would easily consent to that league especially being requested thereunto by Solyman and put in hope to haue the port towne MARANVS deliuered vnto them in reward thereof which otherwise the French in whose possession it was threatened to deliuer to the Turkes and to make them their euill neighbours rather than to haue it taken from them by the Germanes Wherefore Polinus hauing audience giuen him in the Senat notably pleaded the French kings cause grieuously lamented the death of the embassadour slaine by the Spaniards and bitterly enueighed against the ambition of the emperour who as he said aspiâ—ed to the whole monarchie of all ITALIE not by true vertue and valour but by meere craft and deceit encroching still vpon the liberties of the free states and by little and little imposing vpon them the yoke of bondage In confirmation whereof hee produced many examples to them well knowne requesting them as antient friends and confederats of the French to joyne their forces with the kings in which doing they should assure themselues of such rewards of the vndoubted victorie as they could not desire greater Wheras if they should refuse so to doe and would rather sit still and looke on as neuters they should vndoubtedly fortune hauing decided the quarrell grieuously offend both and might worthely expect of the vanquished hatred and of the conqueror injurie Besides that in taking vp of armes they should highly gratifie Solyman who prouoked with late injuries had determined with a puissant armie to inuade HVNGARIE
Turkish captaines by sending them great presents and receiuing the like againe And last of all his letters directed to certaine Hungarian captaines were produced wherein he seemed to promise them as his friends and followers greater entertainment than agreed with his present estate All which things king Ferdinand of his owne disposition not easily to be persuaded to conceiue euill of the Germanes his countreymen were it neuer so apparant or true but of strangers any thing quickly beleeued and therefore caused him as is beforesaid to be apprehended But Perenus as he was brought by Medices the Admirall to VIENNA when he was come neere vnto the gate of the citie and heard that Phillippus Torniellus with certaine other braue captaines of his acquaintance were come to meet the Admirall he requested that the close coach wherein he rid might be opened and that he might haue leaue to speake to those noble and valiant gentlemen Which thing was easily graunted for that the nobilitie and approoued valour of the man seemed vnto them which had the charge of him vnworthie of such restraint of libertie or imprisonment yea or of the least suspition thereof So he turning himselfe towards them spake vnto them in this sort Wretched I noble gentlemen said he whom despightfull enuie hath circumuented guiltlesse but much more miserable king Ferdinand whom domesticall theeues bereaues of substance friends and honour all at once For so it commeth to passe that by this inconsider at wrong done vnto me he shall vtterly lose the loue and fidelitie of the Hungarian nation and may therefore for euer not without cause despaire for the obtaining of the kingdome of HVNGARIE sithence that it is not lawfull for me inferiour to none of my nation in birth and hauing for my good and faithfull seruice well deserued reward of a iust king so much as to reioice for the deliuerance of my sonne from the captiuitie of the Turks but that by my sinister fortune dreadfull death in stead of incomparable ioy must be presented to mine eyes For will these malicious pick-thanks guiltie of their owne cowardise the wicked contriuers and witnesses of my wrongfull accusation spare me being laid fast and in durance which neuer spared the kings honour For euerie man of what nobilitie soeuer be he neuer so guiltlesse when he is once in hold must be content to endure not what he hath deserued but what his hard fortune assigneth Yet my vpright mind and cleare consâ—ience which onely thing God the most iust iudge leaueth as a comfort to men in miserie wrongfully accused deliuereth me of this care and so will the Marquesse our Generall to whom I before vpon a mistrust foretold that such a danger would shortly befall me and that I had rather be slaine guiltlesse than to withdraw my selfe from triall which thing I told him at such time as I was so guarded with mine owne strength that I feared no mans force I beseech you doe me this honourable fauor as to request king Ferdinand in my behalfe quickly and honourably to proceed to the triall of my cause and according to his owne princely disposition and not the will of others to discerne betwixt his faithfull friends and faigned flatterers Truly wee are too too vnfortunat captaines if for a little euill successe we shall be so adiudged as men that had ouerthrowne their fortune Cazzianer peraduenture receiued the iust punishment hee had deserued for the shamefull forsaking and losing of the armie at EXEK when as he possessed with an vncouth feare forgot the dutie of a Generall more afraid of death than dishonour for when he had voluntarily committed himselfe to safe custodie be was so generally condemned of cowardise that despairing to defend his cause he brake prison and as wickedly as vnfortunatly reuolted to the Turkes But neither was I of late the Generall neither were we vanquished although we preuailed not but honourably retiring valiantly repressed the insolencie of the pursuing enemie As for the kingdome of HVNGARIE I might then well haue affected the same and easily haue deserued it at Solymans hands when as king Ferdinand after the death of king Iohn was making his preparation for that warre at which time my friends and followers at my deuotion with the loue of the Hungarians towards me seeming of no small importance for the obtaining of the victorie might haue ministred no vnreasonable or vnseasonable hope to haue drawne a man into courses not altogither beseeming a Christian Wherefore I haue and will so long as I liue fight against the Turkes if king Ferdinand shall shew himselfe an indifferent iudge in this accusation falsely surmised against me by the malice of mine enemies When he had made an end of speaking the Admirall courteously persuaded him to haue good hope in the clemencie of the most just king and shortly after performed his request for he and Torniellus taking the king as he was hunting entreated him to deale fauourably with Perenus For all that Perenus could not obtaine that his cause might be openly heard but was committed to safe keeping there to remaine in perpetuall prison but whether it was for the misprission of new treason or for reuenge of his old inconstancie is vncertaine Thus three the only great princes left of the Hungarian bloud equally worthie of the kingdome Valentine Maylat and Perenus snarled almost in like snares of enuie cut off all hope of raising a king to their seditious and therefore miserable countreymen when as Perenus lay too late bewailing his vnconstancie in perpetuall prison and the other two fast in chaines neere vnto the Euxine sea expected death the end of their miseries This end had the wars taken in hand against the Turks by the generall consent of the Germans in the yeare 1542 which many thought might worthily be compared with the greatest losses of those times When as king Ferdinand hauing in vaine spent a great masse of treasure the fittest stay for the imminent warre and lost the opinion before conceiued of the strength of GERMANIE had now as a weake prince and subject to injurie prouoked against him the Turkes bold enough otherwise but as then insolent for their late victories Polinus the French kings embassadour still following the Turkes court ceased not by all meanes to solicite Solyman with his gallies to aid the king his master in the inuasion of the dominions of Charles the emperour in ITALIE SICILIE and SPAINE In which sute he was so crossed by Solyman the eunuch Bassa then Vesier that he was almost in despaire of speed for the malitious eunuch being himselfe a great sea man and enuying the honor of Barbarussa who was to be imploied in that seruice sought by keeping him out of all honourable actions to diminish his former glorie and concerning the present protested openly as he sat in counsell that he saw no other cause why the Turkish emperour should to his great charge and the common danger send out such a
repulsed In which assaults amongst others Bultaces Sanzacke of SELYMBRIA a man of great account among the Turkes was lost Whilest the defendants were thus busied many of the souldiors and marriners which came vp the riuer with all things necessarie for the armie from BVDA went on shoare and lay in the suburbs of the citie in such securitie as if there had been no enemie nigh which thing they in the citie perceiuing suddenly sallied out vpon them fearing no such matter and slew many of them before they could arme themselues and draue the rest to their fleet so that betwixt fighting and flying there was about two hundred of them slaine Zymar a Persian Admirall of the fleet in rescuing of them which to saue their liues fled vnto the riuer was shot thorow with a small shot and slaine Whilest these things were in doing and the Turkes hauing in many places sore shaken the wall did with greater force daily assaile the citie and the defendants with their continuall losses and out of hope of all reliefe were more and more discouraged an old Calabrian enginer which had long time serued king Ferdinand fled out of the citie to the Turkes who being courteously entertained by Solyman and examined by the Bassaes of many things concerning the strength and state of the citie satisfied them in all that they desired and farther directed them in planting their batteries in places most conuenient for the speedie taking of the towne In the meane time whilest the Turkes were with restlesse labour battering the wals and working in their mines it fortuned that a gilt brasen crosse which stood vpon the top of the steeple of the Cathedrall church was by the continuall shooting of the Turkes thereat at length beaten downe at the sight whereof it is reported that Solyman after the superstitious manner of that nation taking the chance as a token of his good lucke cried out presently STRIGONIVM is woon Liscanus and Salamanca fearefully consulting of the euent of the siege and secretly conferring together resolued to saue themselues and to giue vp the towne Liscanus was no great souldior and yet by continuall spoile growne exceeding rich and therefore thought it but follie to buy the name of a resolute captaine at too deare a price with the losse of his life and wealth The like feeling was also in Salamanca who preferred the safetie of himselfe and of that which he had got in long seruice before all credit and honour were it neuer so great This their purpose was not kept so secret but that it was noised abroad amongst the common souldiours of whom almost the third part was now either slaine or with wounds or sicknesse growne weake yet were they all of opinion generally That they were still strong ynough to defend the towne But the vnder captaines and auntients vsing to flatter their Generals liked well of the motion to yeeld vnto Solyman vpon reasonable conditions rather than to expose themselues to most certaine death which should nothing better king Ferdinands cause Not long after an Auntient was by night let downe ouer the wall and hauing by an interpreter receiued the Turks faith called forth Salamanca that he might vpon better conditions goe thorow with them for the yeelding vp of the towne Who without further delay comming out went to Achomates commaunding before he went them which defended the water tower next vnto the riuer side a place of great danger for safegard of their liues to get themselues into the citie who terrified with that newes and hastily retiring were by the vigilant Turks which lay at the siege thereof perceiued who suddenly breaking in slew such as were not yet gone possessed the castle But Salamanca being brought before the great Bassaes when he had stood vpon many nice tearmes and required many things to haue beene graunted him obtained no more but that they should without delay yeeld vp the citie and put themselues wholly to the mercie of Solyman So the Spaniard being there stayed himselfe writ to Liscanus how he had sped willing him forthwith if he loued his owne safetie to yeeld the citie without standing vpon further tearmes Liscanus vpon receit of these letters comming forth to the souldiors declared vnto them the necessitie of yeelding vp of the towne and what hope there was to escape with life and libertie But whilest the souldiors filled with indignation stood as men in doubt what to doe Halis commaunder of the Ianizaries came vnto the gate and with cheerefull rather than sterne countenance required to haue it opened vnto him according to the agreement made by Salamanca in the campe which was forthwith opened by Liscanus and the keyes deliuered vnto him the Ianizaries entring peaceably into the citie possessed themselues of the wals and fortresses round about commaunding the Christian souldiors to giue place out of whom they chose all the beardlesse youths and commaunded the rest to cast downe their harquebusiers and other weapons in a place appointed which they all for feare did expecting nothing but some cruell execution to be done vpon them by the barbarous enemie Which their feare was the more encreased by a strange accident then vnluckily chancing For whilest the souldiors did as they were commaunded with their harquebusiers cast their flaskâ—s full of pouder also one of them suddenly tooke fire of a match which was by chance cast in amongst them with fire in it which firing the rest blew abroad all that heape of weapons amongst the Turks which so filled them with anger and feare of some sudden trecherie that they fell vpon the Christians slew diuers of them vntill such time as Halis persuaded that it was a thing happened rather by chance than mallice commaunded his Ianizaries to stay their furie This tumult appeased Halis caused proclamation to be made That all such Christian soldiors as would serue Solyman in his warres should haue such place in his armie as their qualitie required with bountifull entertainement yet of all the Christian souldiors were found onely seuentie which carefull of their liues accepted the offer fearing that the Turkes would vpon such as refused exercise their wonted crueltie Halis entertaining them courteously sent them away with the other youths whom he had before culled out downe the riuer to BVDA the other souldiors he tooke into his protection and vsed their labour to helpe the Turks to make cleane the castle But Liscanus who to saue his gold had made shipwrack of his honour and reputation was glad to giue vnto Halis the faire chaine of gold which he had most couetously and insolently before taken from Perenus when as Halis who would otherwise haue taken it from him by force by way of militarie courtesie now craued it of him as a strange kind of ornament amongst the Turks with which gift he was in hope to haue saued the rest of his coine But fortune fauoured not so much the couetous coward For when he was about to
depart away with his horses of seruice which he kept very good and had cunningly stuffed the saddles full of gold thinking so slyly to haue conueyed it the Turke laughing at him tooke from him his horses furnished as they were saying That he which was to goe by water needed no horses So was the couetous wretch at once quit of the great wealth which he had in long time euill gotten The captaines with the rest of the souldiors dispoiled of their armes were conueyed ouer the riuer of Danubius and so trauelled on foot to POSSONIVM where the countie Salme by the commaundement of the king apprehended Liscanus Salamanca and some other of the captaines for suspition of treason and committed them to safe custodie there to answere for their cowardly yeelding vp of the citie Solyman entred into STRIGONIVM the tenth of August in the yeare 1543 and there conuerting the Christian churches into temples for the Mahometane superstition first sacrificed for his victorie as he had before done in BVDA and after with all speed so strongly fortified the citie as if he would thereby for euer haue taken from the Christians all hope of recouering the same againe deriding the slouthfull negligence of the Germans who possessed of it foureteene years had neglected all that time to fortifie it Not long after Solyman leauing Ossainus a valiant captaine gouernour of STRIGONIVM and sending his Tartarian horsemen to spoile the countrey on the left hand as farre as ALBA REGALIS went himselfe to besiege the castle of TATTA called in auntient time THEODATA The garrison souldiours terrified with the losse of STRIGONIVM and the sight of the Turkes armie vpon the first summons yeelded the castle without resistance and were so suffered quietly to depart That castle after the manner of the Turkish discipline who with few and those very strong holds keepe their prouinces in subjection was by Solymans commaundement presently rased downe to the ground Torniellus Generall of the Italians caused Hanniball captaine of the castle to haue his head strucke off for his cowardly yeelding vp of the peece he had taken charge of thereby to admonish others which had the charge of strong places not to refuse an honourable death in defence of their countrey for feare of an ignominious death attending their cowardise TATTA thus layd in the dust Solyman marched with his armie towards ALBA surnamed REGALIS for that the kings of HVNGARIE by an auntient custome vsed to be there crowned and also buried BVDA STRIGONIVM and ALBA REGALIS three principall cities of the kingdome of HVNGARIE stand in manner of a triangle almost equally distant one from another about a hundred miles in compasse BVDA and STRIGONIVM are siâ—â—at vpon the riuer of Danubius but ALBA standeth more into the land strongly seated in the midst of a great lake but not so wholesomely especially in the Summer time the Winter waters then decreasing and grosse vapours arising with the heat of the Sunne From the citie thorow the marrish or lake vnto the firme land lie three broad and high causeyes in manner of the strakes of a cart wheele well built with faire houses and gardens on either side and a broad way in the middle whereby men passe in and out of the citie At the end of euery causey towards the land were cast vp strong bulwarkes which the citisens vsed not to watch but in dangerous times of warre so that by these bulwarkes the houses of the suburbs standing vpon these causies were safe from the danger of the enemie the lake filling vp all the spaces betwixt the causies which what for the depth what for mud flaggs and bulrushes growing in it was not by horse or man to be passed thorow And the citie it selfe standing in the middest of the lake compassed round about with a strong wall and a deepe ditch alwayes full of water was hardly to be besieged for which causes a great number of the countrey people vpon the comming of Solyman fled into it with their cattell as vnto a most sure hold In the citie lay in garrison two companies of Germans and two hundred horsemen vnto whom were joyned fiue hundred Hungarian horsemen such as in time of peace liued by robbing and are by an infamous name called Vsarous vnto these the Italian countie Torniellus who with his Italians was come as farre as IAVARINVM or RAB sent foure captaines with their companies such as were most forward in that seruice after whom followed Barcocius captaine of the kings guard with a companie of horsemen appointed by the king for Generall Who was no sooner come into the citie but news was brought of Solymans approch Whereupon he in hast called together the other captaines with Birrous then maior of the citie and other the cheefe citisens to consult with them What was best to be done for the defence of the citie but especially Whether the suburbes of the citie standing vpon those three broad causies were to be destroyed or not that so the citie standing in the middest of the great marrish might both with lesse labour and danger be defended This question was seriously debated and great reasons alleadged on both sides at last the citisens cried out with one voice against the matter and said That they would neuer suffer those goodly suburbs wherein were so many churches and faire buildings as might compare with the citie it selfe to be so shamefully destroied to the vtter vndoing of so many rich citisens for what could be said they more dishonourable or lamentable than to the encouraging of the barbarous enemie to shew such a token of extreame feare and with their owne hands to burne and destroy those stately buildings which might by strong hand be well enough defended against the enemie if they did not play the shamefull cowards Of which opinion with the citisens was also Octauianus Serosactus an Italian captaine alleadging that both the citie and the suburbs might both with like danger be defended forasmuch as they were equally fortified with the benefit of the marrish and if the worst should happen the defendants might yet safely enough retire into the citie At last standing vp as one thrust forward both with the publicke hard fortune and his owne said Valiant gentlemen what shew will you giue of your valour or what honour shall you haue of your seruice If you shall defend so famous a citie by deforming of it your selues and cutting off the suburbes as it were the armes thereof before the danger vpon too hastie desperation Verily you shall doe nothing either in the seruice of the king or the honour of your selues except this citie if God so please be of you whole and sound valiantly defended Vpon this speech they all arise the wiser sort and of greatest experience giuing place to the importunitie of the ignorant and simple Barcotius himselfe full of care and ouercome with the vaine opinion of the greater part yeelded also vnto that fatall resolution
notable men some fighting some flying were there slaine amongst whom was Octauianus Serosactus author of the euill counsell whereof ensued that calamitie Barcotius the Generall flying on horsebacke to the little gate which was not to be passed thorow and crying in vaine to them that fled to haue the great gate opened was by the comming in of Ianizaries slaine whose head and right hand full of rich rings was by the barbarous enemie carried about in derision vpon a launce The rest of the flying multitude finding the little gate shut vp with the bodies of the dead and the bridge maliciously drawne vp desperatly threw themselues into the deepe ditch where some of them labouring to swim out were caught by the legs and armes by other that could not swim and both together drowned Some hardly crauling ouer were shot in the head or backe with the Turkes arrowes othersome sticking fast in the mud were as if it had beene in sport shot to death by the Turkes some few there was which got ouer and were saued There was yet left in the citie the Generall of the German horsemen and Vscasades of CRâ—MONA an Italian captaine these two gathering the remainder of the souldiors which were left placed them vpon the wals but the citisens were strucke with such a feare that they could not tell which way to turne themselues For now Birrous the maior with the aldermen and other chiefe citisens seeing the slaughter of the Italians and Germans were so ouercome with despaire that they thought no hope of their well doing was to be reposed in making of any farther resistance but onely in the mercie of Solyman Wherefore Birrous spake vnto the Turks from the wall That he might safely send embassadours to Solyman to intreat with him vpon reasonable conditions for the yeelding vp of the citie which thing Achomates easily granted With these embassadours for the citisens went also the generals of the German horsemen and Carolus Rufus an Italian captaine who of all others had borne himselfe most valiantly in all the assaults to the great admiration of the Turks to intreat for the safetie and libertie of the souldiors The embassadours being brought before the great Bassaes requested That yeelding the citie the citisens might enjoy their liues and libertie whereunto they were so answered as that it seemed they should not all be pardoned yet was the generall feare well diminished for that the punishment respected but some few Rufus was courteously entertained and easily obtained that the Italians might in safetie depart with bag and baggage to VIENNA the like grace also obtained the Generall of the Germans for his soldiors Solyman the eunuch Bassa offered vnto Rufus honourable entertainment if he would haue serued Solyman which when he refused as bound to king Ferdinand by oath in honour of his valour he gaue him a rich cloake wrought with flowers of gold The embassadours returning into the citie and telling how they had sped deliuered the citisens of a great feare Shortly after the citie being yeelded Achomates by open proclamation in the market place commaunded the Italians and Germans to make themselues readie against the next day to depart and to take good heed that no Hungarian went with them hee also straightly charged the citisens to keepe their houses vntill the strange souldiors were departed At the time appointed the Italians and Germans set forward conducted by Homares with a companie of the Turks horsemen who faithfully defended them against the Tartares running vp and downe the countrey after spoile neither was any thing taken from them but their dags which the German horsemen after a new fashion carried at their saddle bowes these the Turks greatly desired delighted with the noueltie of the inuention to see them shot off with a firelocke without a match But after the departure of Homares they were in their trauell set vpon by the Hungarians with whom they had many hoat skirmishes and had hardly escaped vnspoiled had they not been rescued by the kings souldiors lying in garrison in the castles as they passed alongst the countrey The few which remained after many troubles came at last to VIENNA more like ghoasts than men Solyman entring quietly into the citie first visited the sepulchers of the Hungarian kings and gaue out proclamation That the Hungarians should feare of him no harme for that he was not come to conquer them but to deliuer them from the bondage of the Germans and so to restore againe that entire kingdome vnto Stephen the right heire of king Iohn But within three or foure daies after he called out the chiefe citisens into a field not farre off wherein the bodies of condemned men were woont to be buried as if he would haue there taken an oath of them for their fidelitie whither after they were all assembled in the best manner they could as to some solemn feast the cruell tyrant without regard of his faith or promise caused them all to be slaine Howbeit some report that he caused them onely to be put to death which bare office in the citie at such time as they reuolted from the obedience of the queene and the infant king vnto Ferdinand and had then brought in German souldiors and that he sent the rest into exile to BVDA and BELGRADE So Solyman leauing Baâ—ibeius gouernour of ALBA REGALIS and Mahometes sometime gouernour of BELGRADE his lieutenant generall for the whole gouernment of that kingdome returned againe toward CONSTANTINOPLE Winter now beginning to approach after he had that Sommer woon Sâ—IGONIVM and ALBA REGALIS two of the chiefest cities of HVNGARIE All this while king Ferdinand had raised no power worth the speaking of to withstand so mightie an enemie onely at VIENNA lay seauen thousand Germans and foure thousand Italians at such time as Solyman departed from ALBA REGALIS which were shortly after discharged Whilest Solyman thus lay at the siege of ALBA REGALIS he sent his Tartarian horsemen which serued him to small purpose in the siege to spoile the countrey round about these sauage people doing much harme were in diuers places circumuented by the Hungarians and about three thousand of them slaine one of them being taken prisoner had found in his knapsacke halfe a child of about two yeares old the loathsome remainder of his barbarous feeding Barbarussa all this while lying with his fleet as we haue before said at MARSEILâ—ES fretted exceedingly that he had to his dishonour vndertaken so long a voyage by sea to pleasure him which was not able as he said to direct his owne dessignes to any certaine resolution but shamefully suffered the best time of the yeare for seruice negligently to passe away without any thing doing the blame wherof would as he said be imputed to him at CONSTANTINOPLE and that Solyman who desired to aid the king his friend and confederat and by all â—eanes to annoy his enemies would take in euill part to haue it reported that he had
that it was well knowne that a peacocke and two feisants dressed after the manner of the kings kitchin cost aboue an hundred duckats so that not onely the dining chamber when they were carued vp but all the house was so filled with the strange and fragrant smell that all they that dwelt neere thereabouts were partakers of the pleasure of that vnusuall and delicat perfume From NAPLES he was about to haue trauelled by land to the emperour being then in conference with the Pope at BVXETVM fearing to aduenture the sea possessed by his enemies fleet had not the emperour by his letters willed him to stay still where hee was But whilest he made his abode at NAPLES and carefully attended what course Barbarussa would take who furnished with so great a fleet was departed from NICE disappointed of his purpose he was by certaine messengers aduertised out of AFFRICKE That Amida his sonne was risen vp against him and possessing himselfe of the kingdome had slaine his captaines polluted his wiues and taken the castle of TVNES With which newes he being exceedingly troubled determined without delay to passe ouer into AFFRICKE and though late yet as he might to remedie his domesticall troubles in hope to oppresse that rebellion in the beginning and his sonne also before he could gather any strength to rest vpon Wherefore he with all the hast hee could opened his cofers and entertained souldiors the viceroy giuing leaue to all such banished men as would to come and giue their names to passe ouer as souldiors into AFFRICKE vpon report whereof such a number of malefactors condemned persons came flocking to NAPLES that it was thought a sufficient armie might haue beene made of such kind of men euery one of them chusing rather to enter into pay and blot out the infamie of banishment and proue the fortune of warres than to liue wandering vp and downe in the woods and in danger euery houre to be hanged Of these infamous men one Ioannes Baptista Lofredius a man well borne but of a fierce and couetous disposition vndertooke the leading he couenanting with Muleasses to haue three moneths pay before hand leuied eighteene hundred men which he presently shipped and keeping the greatest part of their pay to himselfe passed ouer with the king into AFFRICKE and landed at GVLETTA But how Amida rise vp against his father and what was the end of that bloudie rebellion shall not be amisse briefely to rehearse There were certaine noble men of great authoritie about Amida when Muleasses departed which at their pleasure ruled the young prince who easily harkened vnto their counsell and followed the same the chiefe of these was one Mahometes sonne of Bohamer who in the raigne of Mahometes Muleasses his father was Maniphet whom Muleasses possessed of the kingdome put shamefully to death by cutting off his priuities because he had by hastie marriage deceiued him of Rhahamana a maiden of incomparable beautie the daughter of Abderomen captaine of the castle whom he most passionatly loued for which cruell fact Mahometes his sonne had of long time conceiued a deadly hatred against Muleasses which he had many yeares dissembled that he might as occasion serued be the more cruelly reuenged Next vnto him was another Mahometes surnamed Adulzes whom Muleasses was wont commonly to call his worst seruant These two with a few others conspiring togither gaue it out that Muleasses was dead at NAPLES and before his death had most irreligiously as they accounted it reuolted to the Christian religion With which report they perceiuing Amida moued came vnto him and persuaded him quickly to enter into his fathers seat least Mahometes his younger brother then lying in hostage with the Christians at GVLETTA should by the fauour and helpe of Touarres whose garrison was euer readie be preferred before him For Mahometes was eighteene yeares old resembling his grandfather in name fauour and disposition and therefore of the citisens of TVNES best beloued wherefore Amida came in post hast out of the campe to TVNES to lay first hand vpon his fathers kingdome The people which as yet had heard nothing of the kings death receiued him with doubtfull countenance and as many stood maruelling that he was so rashly come into the citie without his fathers commaundement Mahometes appointed by Muleasses to gouerne the citie came out and sharpely reproued him as guiltie of high treason persuading him to returne againe vnto the campe and seeing him stay by force of the multitude thrust him out of the citie Amida deceiued of his expectation got him out of the way into the pleasant country of MARTIA betweene VTICA and the ruins of old CARTHAGE But Mahometes Gouernour of the citie after he had repulsed Amida got him with all speed by water to Touarres at GVLETTA to know of him more assuredly if any such euill newes were brought from SICILIE of the death of the king and to complaine of the rashnesse and intollerable presumption of Amida Where staying somewhat long in discoursing with the captaine and afterwards returning to the citie he was suspected to haue practised with the captaine to make Mahometes the pledge in GVLETTA king in his fathers steed for so the common voice went The Moores are by nature a faithlesse people vnconstant hastie suspitious desirous of newes which true or false they for the time interpret as serueth best their factions whereunto they are exceedingly giuen So at the first there rise in the citie a doubtfull rumour of the making of a new king the suspition wherof more and more encreasing set all the citie on an vprore By occasion whereof certaine of the citisens to whom the verie name of Muleasses was odious speedily certified Amida then in the gardens of MARTIA sighing and grieuing at his hard fortune how all stood and that now was the time to doe himselfe good He reuiued with that vnexpected newes and encouraged by the persuasion of Bohamar and Adulzes and other his followers resolued to take hold vpon that good offer of fortune which would not alwaies frowne and to follow his good hap So in hast returning to TVNES and entring in at the gate which he then found open ran presently to the gouernours house and finding him not at home cruelly slew all his houshold and with his bloudie companie went presently to the castle where Fares the captaine seeking to haue kept him out and boldly laying hands vpon his horses bridle to haue thrust him backe was by a desperat Ethiopian one of Amida his followers thrust thorow with a sword and slaine ouer whose bodie yet sprawling Amida forcing his horse brake into the castle with his friends and finding Mahometes gouernour of the citie presently slew him also And so by this meanes Amida in the space of an houre a little before a man in despaire obtained the citie the castle and the kingdome togither After that he murthered his younger brethren and embrued with bloud without shame polluted his
haue built him a stately tombe erected also in memoriall of him a Mahometane church called the church of Mahomet the lesser for the difference of Mahomet the great who woon CONSTANTINOPLE Whereunto he also annexed a monasterie and a colledge with many things mo after the grosse manner of their superstition for the health of his soule as he vainly supposed After that Solyman according to his wonted manner which was but euery second or third yeare to take in hand some notable expedition ceased from warres by the space of two yeares in which time many of the great princes and worthie men of that age died amongst whom was Francis the French king Hariadenus Barbarussa that famous Turke of whom we haue so often spoken who being of great yeares and no lesse fame left this life in the yeare 1547 and was buried at a house of his owne called Besictas neere vnto BOSPHORVS THRACIVS on EVROPE side not farre from the mouth of Euxinum about foure miles from PERA where he had but few yeares before at one time sold about sixteene thousand Christian captiues taken out of CORCYRA and to make famous that place appointed for his buriall he of his owne cost built there a Mahometane temple there yet with his sepulchre to be seene that place was in auntient time called IASONIVM About which time also died of conceit that famous captaine Alphonsus Daualus Vastius taken away by vntimely death when he had liued but fortie fiue yeares At which time Charles the emperour by his embassadour Gerardus Veltunich concluded a peace with Solyman for fiue years wherein king Ferdinand was also included which peace was afterwards before the expiration thereof by Solyman at the request of Henrie the French king broken Solyman had now almost three yeares taken his rest when it fortuned that Ercases Imirza king of SIRVAN moued with the often injuries of Tamas his brother the great Persian king fled to Solyman at CONSTANTINOPLE to craue aid of him against his brother Solyman glad of such an occasion to worke vpon entertained him with all courtesie and promised to take vpon him his quarrell and to protect him against his vnnaturall brother And when he had made all things readie for so great an expedition passed ouer into ASIA and after long and painefull trauell entred at last with a puissant armie into ARMENIA and there in the borders of the Persian kingdome first besieged the citie of VAN which after ten daies siege was yeelded vnto him vpon condition that the Persian souldiors there in garrison might with life and libertie depart with their armes as souldiors which was at the first by Solyman granted and so the citie surrendred From thence Solyman sent his chiefe commanders with a great part of his armie to burne and spoile the enemies countrey which they for a time cheerfully performed and running farre into the countrey striue as it were amongst themselues who should doe most harme where Imirza amongst the rest for whose sake Solyman had vndertaken this warre was as forward as the best to wast and spoile his brothers kingdome sparing nothing that came to hand the best and richest things he got he presented to Solyman to draw him on still in that warre But that serued not his turne to recouer againe his kingdome of SIRVAN for Tamas without shewing any power to withstand the Turks had after his wonted manner caused his people to withdraw themselues far into the mountaine country leauing nothing behind them in that wast countrey to relieue them but the bare ground so that the farther the Turks went the more they wanted without hope of better successe than such as they had before to their losse made proofe of in their former expeditions into that great kingdome The conceit whereof so much pierced not the common souldiors onely but euen the captaines themselues that to make an end of that long and vnprofitable warre taken in hand for another mans good they consulted amongst themselues either to kill Imirza or else to disgrace him with Solyman Which they so cunningly wrought some suggesting false suspitions of his treacherous dealing in the proceeding of that warre and others with like craft vnder colour of friendship giuing him warning in secret of the danger he was in the one filling Solymans head with distrust and the other Imirzas with feare briefly to shut the matter vp in their owne tearmes They persuaded the hare to flie and the hounds to follow Imirza doubting some sudden mischiefe fled for succour to an old acquaintance of his one of the princes of CHALDEA who most treacherously sent him in bonds to Tamas his brother his most cruell enemie who glad to haue the author of all his troubles with the Turks deliuered into his hands cast him in prison and that Solyman nor any other should in his behalfe further prosecute the warre or by his meanes hope for victorie caused him to be in prison murthered In this expedition against the Persian king Solyman was occupied a yeare and nine moneths all which time the Turks endured great troubles and were oftentimes hardly distressed by the Persians vntill at last Solyman himselfe wearie of that tedious warre wherein he had got neither honour nor profit thought it best so to make an end and thereupon returned againe to CONSTANTINOPLE in the yeare 1549. In the meane time it fortuned that one Dragut Raises a notable pirat of the Turks had craftily surprised the citie of AFRICA in the kingdome of TVNES called in auntient time APHRODISEVM and also LEPTIS PARVA and now of the Moores called MAHAMEDIA and there setling himselfe as in a place both commodious and of good assurance exceedingly troubled the Christians both by sea and land especially such as traded in the Mediterranean So that the emperour moued as well with the manifold injuries done by that arch-pirat vpon the frontiers of his dominions as by the daily complaint of his poore subjects commaunded the Viceroy of SICILIE and Auria his Admirall to leauie a sufficient power in time to represse that pirat before he grew to farther strength Whereupon they with a strong fleet well manned and thorowly appointed for that purpose and aided by the knights of MALTA passed ouer into AFFRICKE and landing their forces by the space of three moneths besieged the citie before possessed by the pirat which with continuall batterie they had at length made saultable And hearing that Dragut was comming with a new supply to relieue it they with all sceleritie assailed it both by sea and land and in the space of a few houres tooke it by force the tenth day of September in the yeare 1550 in which assault many of the enemies were slaine and the rest taken Auria hauing thus dispossessed the pirat and aduisedly considering that the citie was not without an infinit charge to be holden by the Christians among so many of the infidels rased it downe to the ground carrying away
the life to come There was in this expedition a Colonell of the Turks well acquainted with Busbequius the emperours embassadour then lying at CONSTANTINOPLE into whose hands in that discomfiture of the Christians by chance was come the imperiall ensigne of the gallies of NAPLES wherein within the compasse of an Eagle were contained the armes of all the prouinces belonging to the kingdome of SPAINE Which faire ensigne the embassadour vnderstanding him to purpose to giue for a present vnto Solyman thought good to preuent the matter and to get it from him which he easily obtained by sending him two sutes of silke such as the Turkes make reckoning of for it so prouiding that one of the imperiall ensignes of Charles the fift should not to the eternall remembrance of that ouerthrow remaine still with the enemies of the Christian religion This so miserable a calamitie receuied by the Christians at ZERBI made that island before little or nothing spoken of to be euer since famous About this time to end this vnfortunat yeare withall the fiue and twentith day of Nouember died Andreas Auria that second Neptune being ninetie foure yeares old a man in his time of great fame and of the greatest princes of that age had in no small reputation but especially of Charles the fift in whose seruice he did much for the benefit of the Christian common weale being for most part imploied in his greatest warres against the Turks and Moores Yet amongst all the notable things done to his immortall glorie the kindnesse by him shewed vnto his natiue countrey was greatest which oppressed by the French he set at libertie and when he might haue taken vpon him the sole gouernment thereof as had diuers others before him moderating his desires and respecting the onely good thereof appeased the great dissention that had of long raigned therein and established such a forme of gouernment confirmed with so good and wholsome lawes and orders no mans libertie infringed as that it hath euer since to his eternall praise in great wealth state and libertie thereby flourished Vnto whose remembrance for that we haue before of him much spoken in the course of this historie I thought it not amisse to joyne the liuely counterfeit of his reuerend aged countenance by nature framed answerable vnto his noble vertues ANDREAS AVRIA Genua quem genuit genui quam deinde vicissim Auria qui merui Carolo sub Caesare quinto Turcarum terror Piratarumque Subactor Barbara quem sensit tellus capta Thunissa Arx Aphrodisium Moreaeque vrbs celsa Corone Mors rapuit Lustris decies prope quinque peractis As Genua me begat so I preseru'd the same And seruing vnder Charles the fift exalted haue my name A terrour to the Turkes I was I brought the pyrats low And spoiling their Barbarian coast made them by force to know Faire TVNES and strong APHRODISE both by my helpe were woon And CORONE in MOREA by me was ouerrun So hauing spent ninetie foure yeares in treading honours trace Full fraught with honour and with yeares I ended haue my race The Turkes the yeare following with their gallies robbed and spoiled diuers places vpon the coasts of ITALIE SICILIE and MALTA against whom Phillip king of SPAINE sending forth his gallies by force of tempest lost twentie fiue of them the eighteenth day of Nouember togither with Mendoza admirall of that fleet Ferdinand the emperour hauing with long sute and much entreating obtained peace of Solyman and being now well stricken in yeares and carefull both of the state of the empire and of the aduancement of his posteritie began to deale with the princes Electors for a choice to bee made of a king of the Romans who after his death might without the trouble of GERMANIâ— succeed him in the empire commending vnto them his sonne Maximilian a prince of great hope then king of BOHEMIA Whereupon an assemblie of the princes Electours was appoâ—â—â—ted to bee holden at FRANKFORD who there meeting at the appointed time with generall consent the 24 day of Nouember in the yeare 1562 chose Maximilian the emperours some king of the Romans and with all the accustomed solemnities crowned him who also the yeare after was at PRESEVRO the eight of September with much solemnitie crowned king of HVNGARIE Vnto this solemne assemblie of the empire at FRANâ—FORD Solyman the Turkish emperour sent Ibrahim Bassa otherwise called Abraham Strotzza a Polonian borne of whom we haue before spoken his embassadour with presents and letters to Ferdinand the emperour to confirme the peace for eight yeares betwixt them before concluded who the seuenteenth day of Nouember in presence of the emperour the king of the Romans and all the princes Electâ—â—â— had audience where after much glorious speech in setting forth his masters greatnesse with his loue towards the emperour and his sonne the new chosen king as wishing vnto them all happinesse he deliuered his letters of credence vnto the emperor the copie wherof I haue not thought amisse here to set downe for that therein is notably to be seene the most insolent pride of that barbarous prince and miserable estate of the â—ent kingdome of HVNGARIE deuided as it were at his pleasure betwixt him and the emperour I the lord of lords ruler of the East and of the West who am of power to doe and not to doe whatsoeuer pleaseth me lord of all GRaeCIA PERSIA and ARABIA commaunder of all things which can be subiect to king and commaund the great worthie of these times and strong champion of the most wide world lord of all the white and blacke sea and of the holy citie of MECHA shining with the brightnesse of God and of the citie of MEDINA and of the holy and chast citie of IERVSALEM king of the most noble kingdome of AEGIPT lord of IONIA and of the citie of ATHENS SENAV of the sacred temple of God ZABILON and BASSIO RETHSAN and MAâ—ODIM the seat and throne of the great king Nashin Rettam and lord of the island of ALGIERS prince of the kingdomes of TARTARIE MESOPOTAMIA MEDIA of the Georgians MOREA ANATOLIA ASIA ARMENIA WALACHIA MOLDAVIA and of all HVNGARIE and of many other kingdomes and territories whereof I am emperour the most mightie Monarch Sultan Solyman sonne of the great emperour Sultan Selym who haue power from God to rule all people with a bridle and strength to breake open the gates and bars of all cities and strong places into whose mightie hand are deliuered all the ends of the world none excepted I the ruler of the East from the Island of TSEIN vnto the farthest bounds of AFFRICA whom God hath appointed a mightie warriour in the edge of the sword amongst whose most mightie kingdomes the impregnable castle of CESARae is reputed for the least and in whose hereditarie dominions the kingdome or empire of Alexander the Great is accounted as a trifle with me is the strength of the whole world and
be decided and determined by discreet and indifferent men on both parts and the authors of such discord and variance to be punished as suspected persons and breakers of the league We also prohibit those skirmishes or combats which were wont to be sometimes on both sides made vpon the borders And desire that the forme of this league and peace and euerie article thereof may be publikely read and set vp in sundrie places of your dominions and commaundement giuen that they may with due obedience and reuerence be obserued and kept Which we likewise haue now before promised faithfully and assuredly to performe and your embassadour whom a few moneths agone you sent vnto vs in your name requested the same thing of vs and hath with earnest praiers moued vs by imperiall oath and these letters of credence to witnesse that we did ratifie and confirme the same as if we our selues should speake to you in presence Wherefore we haue giuen to him these our letters of pacification to you directed that your generals souldiors and subiects may be bound also to obserue and keepe all these things wherefore so long as nothing contrarie to this league shall be done on your part so long in like manner all these articles of peace shall be of me accepted and assured For witnesse and confirmation whereof I sweare this oath By the true and liuing creator of heauen and earth by the true signes of our great and reuerend prophet by my imperiall power and by my true faith that nothing contrarie or repugning vnto the aforesaid articles conditions and promises of the eight years league agreed vpon betwixt vs shall be attempted or done by any our Gouernours Generals Vayuods c. Commaunding moreouer all our sworne gouernours of our most mightie empire in WALACHIA and MOLDDAVIA and king Stephen himselfe and others which haue the gouernment of our empire confining vpon you That they all and euerie of them as well as our selues shall iustly faithfully and religiously accept reuerence and keepe these conditions of peace towards your subiects cities castles townes and other things appertaining to you and in the least thing not to hurt iniurie or wrong any your subiects In briefe we shall as farre as our part concerneth vs giue vnto this most mightie and great new made loue and friendship so great honour reuerence and authoritie that that which may euen in the least things be had shall not on our part be wanting In token whereof we haue suffered certaine Christian captiues whom by your embassadour you requested to haue set at libertie franckly to returne vnto you without raunsome out of which captiuitie they could neuer haue been redeemed if in regard of this our amitie and friendship we had not granted them libertie trusting that you will in like sort set at libertie such of ours as you haue captiues Giuen at our imperiall pallace and seat in the most mightie citie of CONSTANTINOPLE the first day of September in the yeare of our great and reuerend prophet 969. The same embassadour after he had deliuered these letters presented vnto the emperour the gifts he had brought from his Great master which was two great cups of naturall christall curiously wrought and set with stones of great price a couragious Turkie horse with a saddle and trappings wrought with gold and set with pretious stones and garnished with chaines of pure gold and foure of the fairest camels that were to be got in all CONSTANTINOPLE In deliuering of which presents the Bassa made his excuse that the horse and camels had lost their beautie being with foure moneths trauell from CONSTANTINOPLE growne somewhat leane and wearie This peace thus concluded betwixt the emperour Ferdinand and Solyman held firme vntill the death of Ferdinand who about two yeares after in the yeare 1564 vpon S. Iames his day died being sixtie yeares old whereof hee raigned as emperour not full seauen yeares In whose place succeeded Maximilian his sonne before chosen king of the Romans But immediatly after the death of Ferdinand the captaines on the frontiers of that part of HVNGARIE which was holden for the emperour on the one side and the Turkes captaines with the Vayuod of TRANSILVANIA on the other side wearie of their ease began contrarie to the forme of the league to surprise strong holds and townes one in another confines wherof ensued much trouble The authour whereof was Melchior Balas the emperours lieutenant in that part of HVNGARIE which bordereth vpon TRANSILVANIA who first surprised certaine townes vpon the frontiers thereabouts in reuenge whereof the Vayuod suddenly set vpon SACâ—MAN a town in the emperours territorie which he tooke and therein Balas his wife and children In despight whereof Balas ransacked and burnt DEBREZIN a great towne of the Vayuods But not long after the Vayuod Solymans vassall and aided by him with foure thousand Turkes and three thousand Moldauians did much harme vpon the frontiers of that part of HVNGARIE which belonged to the emperour and first tooke HADAD and afterwards besieged VNGAR In requitall whereof Maximilian the emperour sent Lazarus Suendi a valiant captaine who with an armie of eight thousand besieged the strong castle of TOKAY which he tooke the fift of Februarie in the yeare 1565 and after that tooke the rich towne of ERDEN In the meane time Solyman who had in himselfe fully purposed to be reuenged of all these injuries as well appeared by that he did the yeare following to stay the emperour from proceeding farther vntill such time as he were at better leisure to be reuenged for as then he was making great preparation for MALTA sent Marcus Lilinesius a renegat Transiluanian of CIBINIVM his embassadour to Maximilian to put him in remembrance of the league made with his father and to wish him to haue regard how he further proceeded to the breach thereof Whereupon the emperour because he would not seeme vnwillng to hearken to peace commaunded his lieutenants and captaines no more to inuade TRANSILVANIA or that part of HVNGARIE which the Turkes held Howbeit that whilest this embassadour was thus intreating of peace at VIENNA the Bassa of TEMESVVAR in the borders of TRANSILVANIA made diuers incursions into the borders of HVNGARIE and with six thousand souldiors besieged the strong castle of IVLA and the Turkes in great number came daily into TRANSILVANIA At which time also Suendi Generall of Maximilian his forces vpon the frontiers by messengers sent for that purpose wished him not to giue any credit vnto the Turks embassadour who meaning nothing but warre vnder the colour of peace sought nothing else but to take him vpon the sudden vnprouided Neither ceased these troubles thus but daily grew from euill to worse for in Iune the Transiluanians besieged ERDEN before taken by the imperials and after two moneths siege had it yeelded vnto them In the meane time Chernouich the emperours embassadour to Solyman returned from CONSTANTINOPLE assuring him that the great
1555. 22 daies Paulus the IIII. 1555. 4. Pius the IIII. 1560. 5. Pius the V. 1566. 6. SELYMVS SELYMVS SECVNDVS TVRCARVM IMPERATOR QVINTVS FLORVIT AN o 1566 Dissimilis patri Selymus regalia Sceptra Corripit dira concutit arma manu Foedus cum venetis frangit Quid foedera prosunt Armataque manu Cypria regna rapit Instrauit tumidum numerosis classibus Aequor Vt Naupactiacas nobilitaret aquas Moldauum foeda mulctauit morte Dynasten Et magni fines prorogat imperij Obruit Hispanos multa vi Punica regna Destruit regnis adijcit illa suis. Sed nimis in venerem pronus vinoque sepultus Extremum properat praecipitare diem R. KNOLL Vnlike his father Selymus the royall Scepter takes And shaking armes with cruell hand exceeding stirs he makes With VENICE state his league he breaks with Turks what league can stand And CYPRVS kingdome takes from them by force of mightie hand He couered the swelling seas with hugie fleets to see That vanquished vnto those seas he might an honour be The Vayuod of MOLDAVIA he brought to wofull end The borders of his kingdome great that so he might extend In GVLET he the Spaniards ouerwhelmd with mightie power And thereby TVNES kingdome did the selfesame time deuour But wholy giuen to venerie vnto excesse and play He posteth on before his time to hast his fatall day R. K. THE LIFE OF SELYMVS THE SECOND OF THAT NAME FIFT EMPEROVR OF THE TVRKES SElymus the only sonne of Solyman then left aliue by letters from Muhamet Bassa vnderstanding of the death of his father hasted from CVTAI a citie of GALATIA not farre from ANCYRA towards CONSTANTINOPLE and comming to SCVTARIE was from thence by Bostanges Bassa of the court conducted ouer the strait to CONSTANTINOPLE where by him and Scander Bassa Selymus his sonne in law and then Solymans Vicegerent he was conuaied into the imperiall pallace the three and twentith of September in the yeare 1566 and there possessed of his fathers seat was by the Ianizaries there present saluted emperour He was about the age of fortie two yeares when he began to raigne a man of an vnconstant and hastie disposition wholy giuen to wantonnesse and excesse so that he neuer went to wars himselfe but performed them altogether by his lieutenants contrarie to the charge of Selymus his grandfather giuen by him to his father Solyman whereof he was neuer vnmindfull The next day he came abroad and shewed himselfe in his majestie and in the temple of SOPHIA after the manner of the Turkish superstition caused solemne praiers and sacrifices to be made for his father which done he gaue vnto the Ianizaries a largious of 100000 Sultanines with promise to augment their wages And all things being now in readinesse for his intended journey he with a goodly retinue set forward from CONSTANTINOPLE the seauen and twentith of September and the twentith of October a little from BELGRADE met the armie comming from SIGETH gallantly marching vnder their ensignes with the dead bodie of Solyman whom the souldiors generally supposed to haue been yet liuing but troubled with the gout to haue kept his horse-litter as his manner was to trauell Selymus alighting came in his mourning attire to the horse-litter looked vpon the dead bodie of his father kissed it and wept ouer it as did all the other great Bassaes also And that the death of Solyman might then be made knowne to all men the ensigns were presently let fall and trailed vpon the ground a dead march sounded and heauie silence commaunded to be kept through all the campe Shortly after Selymus was with the great applause of the whole armie proclaimed emperour his ensignes aduaunced and euerie one of the great commaunders of the armie in their degree admitted to kisse his hand So marching forward he returned againe to CONSTANTINOPLE the two and twentith of Nouember but thinking to haue entred his pallace which they commonly call the SERAGLIO he was by the discontented Ianizaries but now come from the wars prohibited so to do they with great insolencie demaunding of him a greater donatiue togither with the confirmation both of their auntient and new priuiledges before they would suffer him to enter Against which their so great presumption the Visier Bassaes togither with the Aga opposing themselues and seeking by all means to appease them were by them fowly intreated and well rapped about the pates with the stocks of their calliuars but especially the two great Bassaes Muhamet and Pertau as the chiefe authors that their lord had dealt no more liberally with them With which so sudden and vnexpected a mutinie of his best souldiors Selymus not a little troubled and calling vnto him the Aga or captaine of the Ianizaries demaunded of him the cause thereof who with teares trickling downe his cheekes for griefe told him That it was for money Which by Selymus now promised vnto them togither with the confirmation of their liberties and the Aga with faire words and heauie countenance most earnestly entreating them not to blemish the antient reputation of their wonted loyaltie with so foule a disorder nor to expose the life of him their louing captaine vnto the heauie displeasure of their angrie Sultan and farther assuring them that he would not faile them in the least of his promises but content them to the full of their desires the mutinie was at length appeased the insolent Ianizaries againe quieted and Selymus into the SERAGLIO receiued Howbeit Muhamet chiefe of the Visier Bassaes for certaine daies after went not out of his pallace neither came as he was woont into the DIVANO but kept himselfe cose for feare of some greater mischiefe from them This tumult thus ouerpassed and all againe well quieted Selymus with all royall solemnitie buried his father in a chappell which he after the manner of the Mahometane kings had in his life time most stately built with a colledge and an hospitall Where fast by his side is to be seene the tombe of Roxolana his best beloued wife and of certaine others his murthered children and by him hangeth his scimitar in token that he died in wars an honour not otherwise granted to the Mahometane princes The reuenues arising of the countrey about SIGETH of late woon from the Christians at the time of his death were giuen to the maintenance of the houses by him built of deuotion which for the magnificence thereof exceed all the rest before built by the Mahometane kings and emperours except those which were the buildings of Mahomet the great and Baiazet the second It was by many thought that Solyman was in good time by death cut off as purposing that yeare to haue wintered in HVNGARIE and the yeare following to haue done great matters against the Christians both by sea and land The great armie of the Turks thus drawne out of HVNGARIE by the death of Solyman in some part assuaged but altogither appeased not the endlesse troubles of
for wealth allured the pouertie of the people of ROME to lay hold vpon it so that we haue rather couetously than justly got the rule thereof In the heart of the island standeth NICOSIA sometime the regall and late metropoliticall citie thereof And in the East end thereof FAMAGVSTA sometime called TAMASSVS a famous rich citie the cheefe and onely port of all that most pleasant island Other faire cities there be also as PAPHOS AMATHVS now called LIMISSO and CYRENE This island of it selfe long time maintained the majestie of a kingdome as then when Richard the first king of ENGLAND passing that way with his fleet for the releefe of the Christians then distressed in the Holy land about the yeare 1191 was prohibited there to land and certaine of his people by force of tempest there cast on shore were by the Cypriots either cruelly slaine or taken prisoners which barbarous violence king Richard tooke in so euill part that he there by force landed his armie and rested not vntill he had taken Isaak the king prisoner and subdued the island The king he sent in chaines of siluer to TRIPOLIS there to be kept in close prison the kingdome he kept a while in his owne hand which not long after he gaue or as some say exchanged with Guido the titular king of HIERVSALEM for which cause the kings of ENGLAND for a certaine time afterwards were honoured with the title of the kings of HIERVSALEM This kingdome by many descents came at length to Ianus son of king Peter who in the yeare 1423 was by Melechella Sultan of AEGIPT taken prisoner but afterwards for the ransome of an hundred and fifteene thousand Sultanins was set at libertie and restored to his kingdome paying vnto the Sultan and his successours a yearely tribute of fortie thousand crownes This Ianus left a sonne called Iohn who after the death of his father married the daughter of the Marques of MONT-FERRAT after whose death he married one Helena of the most noble house of the Paleologi in GRaeCIA by whom he had one onely daughter called Carlotte but by another woman a base sonne named Iames. This king Iohn was a man of no courage altogether giuen to pleasure and according to the manner of his effeminate education shewed himselfe in all things more like a woman than a man which Helena his wife a woman of a great spirit quickly perceiuing tooke vpon her the soueraignetie and whole gouernment of the realme gracing and disgracing whom she pleased and promoting to the ecclesiasticall dignities such as she best liked abolishing the Latine ceremonies and bringing in them of the Greeks and tooke such further order as pleased her selfe in matters of state concerning both peace and warre her husband in the meane time regarding nothing but his vaine pleasure whereby it came to passe that all was brought into the power of the Greekes the queenes friends Now the queene her selfe was much ruled by the counsell of her nurse and the nurse by her daughter so that the people commonly said The daughter ruled the nurse the nurse the queene the queene the king The nobilitie ashamed and wearie of this manner of gouernment by generall consent of the people sent for Iohn the king of PORTINGALS cousin Germane whom some call the king of PORTINGALL to whom they gaue Carlotte the kings daughter in marriage with full power to supplie that want of gouernment which was in king Iohn his father in law He taking the authoritie into his hands quickly reformed the disordered kingdome as well in matters concerning religion as ciuile policie The Latine ceremonies were againe restored and the gouernement of the daughter the nurse and the queene brought to an end But the mischieuous daughter doubting the countenance of the new king persuaded her mother as she tendered her owne life to poyson the king Which thing the wretched woman by the consent of the queene mother as was reported in shorttime performed and so brought that noble prince well worthie longer life vnto his vntimely end whereby the gouernment was againe restored to the Greeke queene who in the name of her weake husband commaunded againe at her pleasure But aboue all the nurse and her daughter insulted vpon the young queene Carlotte which shee not well brooking grieuously complained thereof to Iames her base brother requiring his helpe for redresse therof who not long after slew the nurses daughter not so much in reuenge of the wrong by her done vnto his sister as to prepare a way for himselfe for the obtaining of the kingdome grieuing inwardly that shee or her husband whosoeuer should bee preferred before himselfe Which thing Helena the queene quickly perceiuing persuaded the king her husband to cause his base sonne to enter into the orders of priesthood and so to become a church man thereby to cut off all his hope of aspiring vnto the kingdome which the king at her instance did and made him archbishop of NICOSIA In the meane time Carlotte by the persuasion of her mother and the nobilitie of the countrey married Lewes sonne to the duke of SAVOY who being for that purpose sent for came with all speed to CYPRVS After that the queene mother and the old nurse desiâ—ing nothing more than to reuenge the death of the nurses daughter vpon Iames now archbishop deuised first how to thrust him out of all his spirituall promotions which were great and afterward quite banish him the kingdome Hereupon the queene wrote letters against him to the Pope to haue him disgraded for that he being a man base borne with his hands embrued with guiltlesse blood was vnworthie of holy orders Which letters by chance came to Iames his hands who enraged therewith accompanied with a number of his friends and fauorits suddenly entred the Court slew such of his enemies as he found there deuided their goods amongst his followers and as king possessed himselfe of the regall citie In this broile the Greeke queene Helena died and shortly after her husband also All things being thus in a hurle and out of order certaine of the nobilitie for redresse thereof sent for Lewes the husband of Carlotte as for him to whom that kingdome in the right of his wife most justly belonged who vpon his arriuall was of all sorts of men joifully receiued and welcommed as their king Iames the vsurper vnderstanding before of the comming of Lewes and perceiuing the inclination of the people towards him fled with diuers of his friends to ALEXANDRIA to craue aid of the Aegyptian Sultan in whose Court he found such fauour as that he was by the Sultans commaundement royally apparrelled and honoured with the title of the king of CYPRVS which he promised for euer to hold of the Sultans of AEGIPT as their vassale and tributarie At which time the Sultan also by his embassadours commaunded Lewes to depart the isle who by all meanes sought to haue pacified the Sultan declaring vnto him his rightfull title yet
to be hanged vp at the yards arme of the same gallie to the great offence of all the Spaniards The Generall also taking this execution in euill part full of choler and indignation grieuously complained That he himselfe as Generall was therein not a little wronged and that it became euerie commaunder to know what belonged to his place and not to encroach vpon his betters so should the conditions of the league be the better kept if euerie commaunder could keepe himselfe within the bounds of his owne authoritie Venerius he said whose authoritie was inferiour vnto his could not of right without his command determine any thing against Mutius a Spanish captaine And that therein his honour was empaired for which if he had not a publike and honourable amends he threatned by force of arms to redresse his wrong and the league being broken to carrie away with him the kings gallies Neither wanted there some who fauouring Don Iohn his quarrell and angrie with the Venetians laid still more coles on the fire that was alreadie too great Hereunto Venerius sent word vnto the Generall That he should do well to moderat his anger and at leisure to aduise himselfe and better to vnderstand the matter so should he plainly see that there was neuer more just or wholsome execution done vpon any than vpon those mutinous persons But if he carried away with the heat of youth should attempt any more violent course than stood with the common quiet it were not to be maruelled if hee afterward repented He as he said was also in armes and readie to shew himselfe a man The matter was growne to that heat that it was not onely not farre from the breaking off of the league but euen at the point to haue set all on a broile and to haue put the whole fleet in danger had not Columnius the Popes Admirall against this tempest opposed himselfe He with all his power laboured to cure the wounded mind of the Generall and to appease his anger telling him That the common enemie would hardly be withstood by them all being at vnitie and concord amongst themselues but if vnto the forrain danger were also joyned domesticall discord then were the Christian commonwealth vndone But if he would moderat his anger and more regard the honour and credit of the Venetian Admirall than the punishment of a seditious man euen they which were vnto him friends and enemies vnto the Venetians would highly commend his moderation and stayednesse yea that howsoeuer the matter was done it could not now be vndone But whatsoeuer Venerius had done was in his opinion justly done That it was alwayes so accounted and obserued that when many princes joyned their forces together in matters that concerned the common managing of the warre nothing was to be done without the commaund of the Generall but in matters belonging to the priuat gouernment of euery mans regiment euery Generall had power of life and death ouer them that were vnder his commaund which to be so was as he said hereby to be vnderstood King Philip was king of many kingdomes and that hee might long so bee hee heartily wished Now if any Millanoies had committed any capitall crime worthie death in the kingdome of NAPLES should the judgement of that crime be of right to be referred vnto the king himselfe as the cheefe soueraigne or vnto the Gouernour of MILLAINE where the offendour was borne or rather to the ciuile magistrate of NAPLES in whose jurisdiction the fault was committed and so of right there to be executed What difference was there then but that Mutius might rightly seeme to haue beene justly punished by Venerius who although he were a Spanish captaine had yet raised a mutinie in a Venetian galley which was vnder the command of the Venetian Admirall Beside that the discipline of warre sometime required a seuere and exemplare kind of punishment For which cause it was both notably and truly said of Clearchus That a Generall ought to be more feared of his souldiours than the enemie and that amongst the auntient Romanes it had beene the custome euen for priuat men with more seuere punishment to restraine the factious citisen than the most cruell enemie That the fact was not so much to be regarded as the intention of him that did it That it was the dutie of commaunders to withstand the madnesse of the mutinous The author of sedition and tumult hee said had suffered but condigne punishment to his fact who if hee had escaped vnpunished would but haue beene the more disordered but now by his exemplarie punishment would deterâ—e others from the like insolencie Besides that the externall danger was such as ought to reconcile them were they neuer so much enemies That such men as they were should aboue all things regard what might profit or hurt the common cause in contemplation whereof all priuat injuries were to be remitted and the rather for that the honour and dishonour of the good or bad successe of such important an action should redound vnto themselues but especially vnto the Generall His owne dutie he had as he said discharged in dealing so plainely and faithfully with him and could no more but pray vnto God with mercifull eye to behold the troubled Christian commonweale in such a most dangerous time Thus was the mutinie at PAXO by the great labour of Columnius hardly appeased neuerthelesse Don Iohn could not afterwards endure to participate vnto Venerius his counsels or so much as to come in his companie all was done by Barbadicus the Venetian Proueditor This Barbadicus was not inferiour to Venerius in courage and valour but farre beyond him in discretion a tall and goodly and personage well coloured his beard grizie though not for age for why he was not aboue fiftie yeares old besides that in his eyes and countenance appeared a viuacitie or liuelinesse of spirit in his very gate and comely motion of his bodie he carried a certaine grace and majestie his talke and speech was alwayes calme and temperate his counsell graue and sound so that he was both greatly honoured and beloued of all men his cheefe endeauour also was to further the hope of attonement betwixt the Spaniards and the Venetians so well begun by Columnius And so all things brought into some reasonable tearmes they departed from PAXO and came to CORCYRA the spoyle whereof well declared the enemies late being there From thence they departed to CEPHALENIA where they by letters from Pau. Contarenus Gouernour of ZACYNTHVS were aduertised That the Turkes fleet of three hundred and three and thirtie sayle of one sort and other lay in the gulfe of CORINTH now called the gulfe of LEPANTO Whereupon they shortly after remooued with purpose to haue gone to PETALA an hauen opposit oueragainst the islands or rather rockes called ECHINADES but now CORZVLARES and so to the bay of CORINTH to draw the enemie forth to battell but stayed with contrarie winds they put
downe Euen so with many others moe must perish my renowne R. Knolls THE LIFE OF AMVRATH THE THIRD OF THAT NAME SIXT EMPEROVR OF THE TVRKES THe death of the late emperour Selymus was for feare of the insolent Ianizaries notably concealed by the great Bassaes vntill such time as Amurath his eldest sonne then in ASIA by speedie messengers aduertised thereof about twelue dayes after arriued at CONSTANTINOPLE and there receiued into the Seraglio tooke possession of the empire the fiue and twentith day of September solemne amongst vs Christians for the natiuitie of our Sauiour Christ Iesus He was about thirtie or as some write seuen and twentie yeares old when he began to reigne of a manly stature but pale and corpulent wearing his beard thin and long in his countenance appeared not the fierce nature of the Othoman princes being indeed himselfe of a peaceable disposition a louer of justice and in the manner of his superstition very zealous The roiot and excesse growne amongst the Turks by his fathers euill example he reformed by his owne temperance and the seuere punishment of notorious drunkards yet is it reported that he would oftentimes himselfe drinke plentifully of wormewood wine he was much subject to the falling sicknesse and sore troubled with the stone more spare handed than was for the greatnesse of his state and yeelding more to the counsell of his mother his wife and sister than of his great Bassaes which was of many imputed to him for simplicitie At his first comming to CONSTANTINOPLE to appease the murmuring of the Ianizaries grieued to see themselues so disappointed of the spoyle of the Christians and Iewes which they were wont to take in the vacancie of the empire he beside the vsuall largesse which the Turkish emperours at their first entrance into the empire bestow vpon them augmented also their dayly wages and graunted them this priuiledge That their sonnes as soone as they came to be twentie yeares old should be enrolled amongst the number of the younger Ianizaries and be partakers also of their immunities wherby he woon their fauors exceedingly And immediatly to rid himselfe of all competitours he after the vnnaturall manner of the Turkish policie caused his fiue brethren Mustapha Solyman Abdulla Osman and Tzihanger to be all strangled in his owne presence The mother of Solyman pierced through with the cruell death of her young sonne as a woman ouercome with sorrow desperatly strucke her selfe to the heart with a dagger and so died At which so tragicall a sight it is reported that Amurath let some teares fall as not delighting in such barbarous crueltie but that the state and manner of his gouernment so required In the beginning of his reigne he established diuers wholesome lawes altered the coyne and bountifully relieued the poore And albeit that he was of a mild and peaceable nature yet because he would not seeme to degenerate from the Othoman princes his progenitors he prosecuted his fathers warres and by the Tartars called Praecopenses in the moneth of October in the yeare 1575 entred into RVSSIA part of the Polonian kingdome where he burnt and destroyed two hundred noblemens houses besides an infinit number of townes and villages made great slaughter of the poore countrey people and carried away great numbers of cattell and prisoners bound in thongs made of raw hides But whilest they were deuiding the spoyle with Peter the new Vayuod of VALACHIA who had before solemnely promised to giue the Tartars no passage that way the Polonian Cossackes who had lien waiting for their returne vpon the riuer Borysthenes brake into the Tartars countrey and there requited them with like harme and brought backe with them a number of old captiues who little expected that their so sudden deliuerance The Polonians at this time were at variance among themselues about the election of their new king Henry Valois their late king being the last yeare after the death of Charles his brother the French king secretly stolne from them into FRAVNCE to take vpon him that kingdome after whose departure some of the Polonian nobilitie made choice of Maximilian the emperour othersome no lesse enclining vnto the choice of the great duke of MOSCOVIE and some vnto others also Whereof Amurath vnderstanding and loth that either of those two great princes his enemies should be inuested or strengthened with that so great a kingdome and so neere vnto him to hinder that their election and to bring in another of lesse power and so lesse dangerous vnto himselfe euen in the beginning of his reigne wrote vnto the Polonians to that purpose commending vnto them Stephen Battor the Vayuod of TRANSYLVANIA for their king in manner as followeth Amurath God of the earth Gouernour of the whole World the messenger of God and faithfull seruant of the Great Prophet vnto the most honourable Nobilitie and Counsellors of the kingdome of POLONIA greeting It is not vnto the world vnknowne most honourable and mightie Senatours our noble progenitours to haue of long time and for many yeares holden good friendship and religious leagues with the kingdome of POLONIA For which cause it hath seemed good and reasonable vnto vs to put you in remembrance of this so auntient a league and bond of friendship for that we vnderstand your kingdome to be of late become destitute of a king by the departure of the noble king Henry your crowned king descended of the royall race of the French kings our friend who for the small regard you had of him so great and worthie a prince and for your disloyaltie is departed out of your kingdome without purpose of returning any more into POLONIA Whereupon as it is reported vnto vs but how truly we know not you passing ouer your said crowned king Henry are about to make choice of a nâ—w king and especially of Maximilian the emperour or of the duke of MOSCOVIE both men of running wits and of vs greatly hated for why you may well know they will bee troublesome and grieuous not vnto euery one of you onely but euen vnto vs also Wherefore be you ware that you be not deceiued and take heed least your confederations and leagues cannot long by their valour and prowesse be established and withall consider well the great dangers and losses which you may thereby fall into whereof we haue thought good to giue you a tast wherefore beware that heauier things befall not your State We know there are right noble and wise men amongst you which know better than they how to rule and gouerne and if so be it please you not to make choice of any of your owne nation there is not farre from you one Stephen Battor prince of TRANSYLVANIA a man of great honour and valour by whose labour and dexteritie you may easily procure the peace and quiet of your kingdome Whereas if you shall doe otherwise we take to witnesse your God and his seruant our Great Prophet to
destroy all your wealth and goods which together with you selues your wiues and children shall be giuen for a prey vnto our souldiors with the cheefe men of your cities of CRACOVIA and LEPERIS which for all that we say not as any thing at all doubting of your fidelitie and constancie towards vs. As for the rest which it pleased vs by word of mouth to haue told vnto you we haue giuen charge vnto this our embassadour and counsellour vnto whom our desire is that you should giue full credence From CONSTANTINOPLE the last of September in the yeare of our Prophet Mahomet 983 and first of our reigne This the great Sultans commendations so much preuailed with the Polonians that notwithstanding that Maximilian the emperour was by the Archbishop of GNESNA and some others chosen king yet was that his election by the greater part of the Nobilitie reuoked and both he and the great duke of MVSCOVIE being passed ouer the noble princesse Anne of the most honourable Iagellonian house chosen queene of POLONIA yet with this condition That she should marrie Stephen the Vayuod of TRANSYLVANIA to them by Amurath commended Who afterward elected king all the time of his life right worthily gouerned that noble kingdome not onely defending the same in such state as he found it but also notably extending the bounds thereof enlarging it with such territories as he by force of armes got from his neighbours especially the Muscouite Of this election Amurath would oftentimes afterwards boast and say That he had giuen the Polonians their king But of him and of the league by him made with Amurath more shall be said hereafter The yeare following great troubles arose in PERSIA whereby the flourishing state of that most mightie kingdome was sore shaken and opportunitie giuen for the Turkish emperour to inuade the same which he laying hold vpon entered into that bloudie warre which to the great quiet of the Christian commonweale for long time after exercised the forces of those most puissant princes one vpon the other For the better vnderstanding wherof it shall not be amisse compendiously to set down the same troubles of the Persian kingdome the very ground of the long and mortall warre betweene those two most mightie Monarchs Old Tamas the Persian king sonne to the noble Hismaell who with great glorie had more than fiftie yeares worthily gouerned that large kingdome and mightily withstood the often inuasions of the Turkish emperours now spent with yeares died the eleuenth of May in the yeare 1576 leauing behind him eleuen sonnes namely Mahomet the eldest of an infirmitie in his eies surnamed Codabanda a man of a peaceable and quiet disposition more delighted with the sweet pleasures of a contented life than the carefull honors of so great a kingdome Ismahel the second sonne of a more fierce and troublesome nature so much abhorring quietnesse that not regarding the league hardly concluded betwixt his aged father and the Turkish emperours Solyman and Selymus he would now and then without his fathers knowledge vpon a youthfull heat breake out into the frontiers of the Turkes dominions and there make great spoyle for which doing although he was both of his father and the people the more regarded yet was he by his fathers commaundement who in outward shew seemed to mislike of those his youthfull prankes tending to the breach of the league restrained of his libertie and sent to the castle of CAHACA betwixt TAVRIS and CASBIN where he remained at the time of his Fathers death Aidere the third sonne no lesse ambitious than was his brother Ismahel but not of like valour kept by Zalchan Piry Mahamet and other his kinsfolkes all men of great power and authoritie The other eight were Mamut Solyman Mustapha Emanguli Alichan Amet Abrahin and Ismahel the younger The old king before his death had by his last will and testament solemnely appointed Ismahel his second sonne to succeed him in the kingdome as of all his sonnes most â—it to take vpon him so great a charge Which thing Mahomet his elder brother seemed not much to dislike contenting himselfe with such honours as his father had before bestowed vpon him Tamas thus dead Ismahel was by the Sultans sent for to CAHACA to take vpon him his fathers kingdome at CASBIN when in the meane time there arose a great tumult in the citie yea euen in the kings pallace for Aidere the third brother who in the time of his fathers greatest sicknesse had entered the chamber where he lay drawing towards his end and in his sight most presumptuously set the royall crowne vpon his head to the manifesting of his ambitious desires for which he was then worthily reproued now after the death of his aged father carried headlong with the same aspiring humour and supported by Zalchan and other his mightie fauourits had so effectually dealt with the great ladie Periaconcona his eldest sister and the other Sultans counsellours of estate put in trust to see the will of the dead king put in execution as that the succession could not be any longer kept from him and preserued for Ismahel but by the helpe of some fine and secret deceit This ladie Periaconcona elder than all the young princes the sonnes of Tamas her brethren a woman of great spirit and deepe conceit left in great trust by her father seeing the proceeding of her brother Aidere durst neither openly to mooue any thing vnto the Sultans prejudiciall to his designes neither could she in her heart endure so great an injurie to be done to her brother Ismahel appointed by his father to succeed him Wherfore in this perplexitie she cast in her wily head how to satisfie her ambitious brother present how to saue the right of Ismahel absent the honour of her dead fathers will and testament and the safetie of the kingdome For hauing throughly debated the matter with the Sultans she resolued That Aidere inuested in royall apparrell and setled in the great gallerie should attend the acclamation of the people and be there openly enthronised as the very elected king With which vaine shew the vnwise youth blinded with ambition suffered himselfe to be led and being set in his majestie verely persuaded himselfe that he should now be honoured both of his friends and foes as king But vnto these his so hastie and prosperous designes the successe that sprung from the subtiltie of those counsellours and his dissembling sister were nothing conformable for that she by their aduise tooke order for the gates of the pallace to be presently locked leauing at euery passage a sure guard and onely one wicket open safely warded with a companie of most faithfull and valourous captaines and souldiours wholly deuoted to Tamas and Ismael with streight charge to suffer euery man to enter in sauing onely the knowne friends of Aidere In this sort did she thinke to haue entertained the young man vntill such time as Ismahel should arriue from CAHACA and
so put in execution what he thought best for the honour of himselfe and the generall quiet of the kingdome Who joyeth now but Aidere in conceit a king replenished with vnwonted joyes receiuing honour from all men sauing from his best friends By meanes wherof perceiuing now the prohibition of them and moued also with the great stirre of Zalchan his greatest fauourit who discouering the deceit and crying vpon king Aider threatened the ladie the Sultans and the rest that waited vpon the faigned succession indeed ordained but for the scorne and despight of the ambitious man strucken with an exceeding feare and full of sorrow he withdrew himselfe closely amongst certaine women of the Court hoping so to find some way to escape with life In the meane time so greatly encreased the cries and threatenings of the friends and fauourits of Aidere who now had all of them prepared themselues for some dangerous and pernitious attempt that the counsellors with consent of the ladie his sister were enforced to take order That to bereaue this tumultuous seditious people of all their hope and courage Aidere should be depriued of his life Whereupon Sahamal the Georgian vncle to Aidere by the mothers side by the appointment of the ladie Periaconcona and the Sultans after long search made for him at last found him hidden amongst the women and without further delay taking him by the lockes strucke his head from his shoulders and in the place where Zalchan and the rest of his vnâ—ortunat fauourites stood crying and threatening amongst the thickest prease of the proud conspiratours flung the head all bloudie and as it were yet breathing for heat crying aloud vnto them Behold there your king enioy him at your pleasure At which sudden and horrible spectacle euery man burned in rage and anger neither for the present wanted there many a rash head that vainely threatened most cruell reuenge But in the end when they perceiued the neere succession of Ismahel ineuitable and the death of Aidere irreuocable euery man betooke himselfe to his owne priuat affaires and so at last deuided themselues one from another and so departing from the pallace scattered themselues some one way some another euery man as hee thought best for his owne safetie Shortly after Ismahel the desired king arriued at CASBIN where he was of his sister and the Sultans joyfully receiued as their lawfull and vndoubted soueraigne and with the great acclamation of the people saluted king who as soone as he saw himselfe possessed of the royall seat and his power now answerable to his desires he after the manner of the Turkish pollicie most vnnaturally caused the heads of his eight yonger brethren to be strucken off and withall vsed such further diligence that not onely all those which were neere vnto them in bloud or affinitie were bereaued of their liues but also all the fauourits of his late slaine brother Aidere were destroied in that publicke slaughter so that all the streets of CASBIN were defiled with bloud and all the citie resounded with mourning and complaints Which vnexpected crueltie altogether vnworthie so worthie a thought king so altered the minds of his subjects in generall that all their former hopes were now conuerted into new feares and their joy into mourning But much greater and farre more lamentable did the miseries grow as soone as it was giuen out That hee would change the religion of the Persians who with great deuotion honor their foolish Prophet Aly into the superstition of the Turks who with no lesse impietie obserue and maintaine the wicked rites of Ebubekir Haumer Osman and others by them supposed to be the most true successours of their great Prophet Mahomet For by meanes of this vncouth noueltie and vnexpected change and by force of an edict concerning that matter published by this new king many of his prophane priests many of the gouernours of his friendly and subject cities too much deuored to their former superstition were driuen some into exile some clapt into prison some had their eyes pluckt out among whom was the Caliph of CASBIN and not a few others in sundrie sorts depriued of their liues Yea many ladies joyned in bloud with Ismahel himselfe and diuers others of his kinsfolks to whom neither sex nor age nor innocencie could be a sufficient defence endured sundrie torments and strange calamities so that in PERSIA was neuer felt greater troubles or a more dangerous change In this so great an innouation and among these tumults there went abroad withall a generall rumour not in the cities of PERSIA onely but in the regions of the Turks also euen as farre as CONSTANTINOPLE That Ismahel with a puissant army of such as fauored this new proclaimed vanitie was determined in person himselfe to go to BABYLON now called BAGDAT there to receiue the crowne of the empire at the hands of him that he should find to be the successour of their great Caliph and in the chiefest place among their vncleane priests as had sometime Solyman the great emperour of the Turkes and the Persian kings of auntient times In this world of troubles when as the feare of farther miseries increased rather than any hope of auntient quietnesse he was when he least feared by the helpe of the aforenamed ladie Periaconcona suddenly bereft of his life but whether ouertaken in some of his owne amorous practises or poisoned by his said sister or that she as some probably affirme hauing secretly conspired with Calil Chan Emir Chan Pyry Mahamet Curchiâ— Bassi being all at that time men of great account and as it were presidents of the kingdome who disguised in womens apparell and brought in by her strangled him at such time as he had priuatly withdrawne himselfe amongst his parmours is vncertaine Howsoeuer it was sufficeth it that he by the helpe of the said ladie Periaconcona was by vnnaturall death taken out of this world the foure and twentith day of Nouember in the yeare of grace 1577 to the exceeding joy of all those nations who by his death thought themselues now freed of many great and dangerous troubles when he had raigned one yeare seauen moneths and six daies Ismahel thus taken out of the way the ladie began forthwith to persuade with the great Sultans the ministers of Ismahels death that as they had for the generall good of PERSIA contriued the death of the late king so now that they would take vpon them the protection of that great kingdome with the preseruation of the majestie and libertie thereof vntill such time as it were knowne who should worthily succeed in that crowne which now remained in their hands There was at that time many of the greatest princes and Gouernors of that kingdome assembled at CASBIN there gaping after such mutations of those troublesome times as might best serue their priuat dessignes Emir Chan burning in ambitious desires was in hope by means of a match to be made with a sister of Periaconcona
who was alreadie greatly enclining vnto him to be exalted to the soueraigntie of all PERSIA Mirize Salmas the chiefe Sultan hoped on the other side to aduance into the estate either Mahamet Codabanda the eldest brother of the dead king or else Hamze the eldest sonne of the said Mahamet and by bestowing vpon him his daughter in marriage as afterwards he did so to encrease the glorie of his house Others there were that thought they should be able to draw Abas Mirize the middlemost sonne of Mahamet out of HERI and to make him king Neither wanted the infant Tamas his aspiring friends whose tutour waited likewise for some opportunitie to settle him in the kingdome and so by meanes of his greatnesse to make himselfe greatest amongst his fellowes A number of others there were that secretly waited vpon euerie occasion that time should present for their preferment Howbeit in this so great varietie of thoughts the Sultans answered the ladie with one consent and promised her in most liberall tearmes all the protection that their forces could affoord or their weapons procure and yet did euerie one of them both in action and word clearkly dissemble their seuerall imaginations whereunto their minds were as prone and readie as their hearts were cunning closely to conceale them Amurat the Turkish emperours now wakened first at the death of the old renowmed Tamas and then at the rumour of the desire Ismahel had to passe with an armie to BABYLON as also at the fresh report of the Turkish superstition newly published in PERSIA and withall throughly instructed what harme this late king had done in PERSIA what dissentions he had raised and how hardly the prouinces of that empire had endured those calamities began forthwith to thinke hereby a faire occasion to be ministred vnto him to take vp armes against the Persians and matter sufficient suggested for him to put in execution the great desire he had of some new conquest For it is an antient custome which is grown to be as it were a law amongst the Othoman kings That they may not challenge their due honours in their life time nor their prowd monuments after their death vnlesse they attempt some great and ambitious actions and enterprises and performe some exploit conformable to their majestie Amurath therefore bent vpon these great stirs in PERSIA would not direct his mind any other way or take any other war in hand vntill he might first see what issue these maruellous innouations in PERSIA would bring forth which in the person of Mahamet the succeeding king seemed to be more pregnant than euer before and ministred vnto Amurath new occasions of victorious and strange hopes For as soone as Ismahel was dead the aforenamed Mirize Salmas in dignitie chiefe man among the Sultans though in bloud and nobilitie inferiour to them all after many letters dispatched to and fro at last assured Mahamet Codabanda how with all quietnesse of mind and securitie of person he might come and possesse himselfe of the kingdome He was also aduertised by the said Salmas of the whole conspiracie plotted against his brother to bring him to his end and likewise made acquainted how the fraudulent ladie with the Sultans had capitally consulted against himselfe and how she fauouring Emir Chan and Abas Mirize of HARI her nephew and his sonne more than became her did little regard the due and rightfull succession of him being the eldest brother So Mahamet bearing himselfe vpon the faith and diligence of Mirize Salmas and desirous withall to see his eldest sonne Hamze Mirize aduanced to some such soueraign dignitie as he saw was due to the liuely hope euerie man perceiued to be in him in regard of his vertue and prudence for mannaging the common-wealth and matters of warre wherein also he shewed himselfe vnto his father jealous and suspitious least some other man should vsurpe vpon him that honour and authoritie which so properly appertained vnto him resolued in the end not to leaue the kingdome in the hands of priuat persons nor the lightnesse of an vnconstant woman of suspected modestie and a rebellious conspiratour against her owne bloud wherwith she had without any pittie or remorse of conscience now twise defiled her selfe And therefore he wrote backe againe That he was minded to take the rightfull succession vpon him and that for the same purpose he was putting himselfe vpon his journey with straight charge notwithstanding that Mirize Salmas should before his entrance within the gates of CASBIN present him with the mischieuous head of Periaconcona a woman in respect of the scorne exercised against her brother Aidere and of the treacherous death of her other brother Ismahel and of the peruerse imaginations which she had conceiued to cause the succession to fall into other mens hands and of the prodigall familiaritie which she had with some of the Sultans well worthie of a thousand deaths Secretly did Mirize Salmas put in execution whatsoeuer Mahamet had priuatly enjoined him so that by his means he was presently and solemnly proclaimed king of PERSIA And afterwards hauing gathered togither many squadrons of men wholy deuoted to the bloud and name of Mahamet the same Mirize Salmas met him on the way carrying the head of that manlike Virago Periaconcona vpon the point of a launce with her haire dispersed and some other vncouth sights to the terrour of the beholders From which nouelties one mischiefe as it were hudling vpon the necke of another there sprung vp diuers inward hatreds sundrie tumultuous seditions and much ciuile warres this new king by the instigation of Mirize Salmas seeking on the one side to be reuenged on the Sultans for his brothers death and they on the other side opposing themselues with all their power against him the state of PERSIA began to fall into great inconueniences and of these nouelties to reape new losses Sahâ—mal the Georgian fled into his mountaine of BRVS fearing the wrath of this new lord Leuent ogli likewise an other of the lords of GEORGIA vnderstanding of the flight of Sahamal his neighbour estranged himselfe so farre from his old loue and auntient deuotion towards the Persian kings that he seemed now to desire some new innouation The nations also that were neighbours to the Turkes and the people of MEDIA ATROPATIA now called SIRVAN disliked of this new king and in the end it appeared that PERSIA vnder this king through many mutations was in short time fallen into most notable miserie and the state thereof more weakned than it had been of long time before Of all these things had Amurath from diuers places intelligence but more particularly from Vstreff of VAN a citie of ARMENIA the greater situat vpon the lake Actamar who sent him most perfect information of all the stirs in PERSIA Discoursing vnto him of the death of Ismahel the consultations of the Sultans the trecheries and death of Periaconcona the broiles betweene the king and the Sultans the nature of
he would be content with CHARS and TEFLIS With these instructions the embassador departed and at length arriued at CHARS and so came to ERZIRVM and was from thence conducted towards AMASIA But when he came to SIVAS he found Sinan the Generall there encamped gathering togither his armie for the execution of his dessignments for Sinan vpon the arriuall of Mustapha departing from CONSTANTINOPLE the fiue and twentith day of Aprill was now come so farre on his way Of the comming of this embassadour the Turks receiued great joy and newes thereof was in post sent by Cicala Bassa to the court The Persian embassadour enformed Sinan of all that he had to treat with Amurath on the behalfe of king Mahamet and laboured earnestly to persuade him of the equitie of the cause and of his request declaring vnto him that for as much as both the nations were conjoyned vnder the law of Mahomet their common prophet though there seemed some small difference not worth those troubles it were a verie inconuenient thing for them to contend among themselues and to seeke the ouerthrow or vtter destruction of one another and that therefore he was in good hope to obtaine of Amurat this desired peace if he had no other cause wherewith he found himselfe agrieued as in truth he had not Wherefore he besought the Generall that he would with safe conuoy conduct him to Amurath to the end that if it were possible these bloudie wars might take end at the verie report whereof the rest of the world rejoiced and stood attentiuely waiting to see what would be the issue thereof This embassadour Sinan entertained after the best manner the rudenesse of his nature would afford and thinking that the verie fame of his valour had wrought in the minds of his enemies this resolution to come to demaund peace granted vnto the embassadour a sure conuoy to conduct him to CONSTANTINOPLE and wrote to Amurath in his letters all that he thought was fit to be demanded representing vnto him what great and important matters he hoped might now be obtained But before he dismissed the said embassadour he aduised him not to go to Amurath without resolution to offer vnto him some great good conditions and to yeeld vnto him all that countrey which he by force of armes had before conquered for he knew the mind of Amurath verie well that hee was resolued in himselfe not to yeeld so much as one hand breadth of that ground which he had woon with the sword Which motion of the prowd Bassa so troubled the embassadour that fearing he should not be able to conclude any thing he stood in doubt whether to proceed on his journey to CONSTANTINOPLE or to returne back againe into PERSIA but considering better what belonged to his duetie in so waightie a businesse and hoping to receiue more reasonable conditions from the mouth of Amurath himselfe he gaue large words to Sinan and so with a safe conuoy departed from SIVAS and by long journies came to SCVTARI and so passing ouer that little strait the fourth of August arriued at CONSTANTINOPLE The Persian king in the meane time stirred vp with the report of the Turks preparations to cause it to be noised that he likewise intended some important matters commaunded all the Chans and Gouernours of his kingdome to meet togither with all their forces at TAVRIS where he himselfe with the prince Emir Hamze his sonne met them And after many consultations there had for the repressing of the Turkish inuasion for as yet it was not certainly knowne what Sinan meant to attempt he resolued to send souldiors into GEORGIA towards TEFLIS whither of necessitie succours must be sent by the Turkes to them of the fort and withall determined also to go himselfe with all his armie from TAVRIS to CARACACH a place verie commodious and neere to guard both TAVRIS and SIRVAN being situat euen in the middest betweene the one and the other and there to expect the remouing of Sinan whose ambitious nature the king knowing doubted that he to surmount Mustapha would attempt some great enterprise yea peraduenture to run euen vpon TAVRIS But when it came to the point that hee should send some of his captaines into GEORGIA he made choise of such as had best experience of those countries and were neerest vnto them with whom he sent Tocomac also and the rest whose seruice he had before vsed against the Turkes commaunding them to joine their forces with Simon the Georgian and by all meanes possible to annoy the enemie whom if they should perceiue to bend for TAVRIS they should not faile to follow him to the end they might joine togither with him and so encounter the enemies armie All those captaines were resolute men and led with them ten thousand souldiors which being joyned with them of GEORGIA amounted to the number of thirteene thousand who arriuing at GENGE gaue knowledge to Simon of their comming and that in his behalfe they were readie to doe great matters Now was the Persian embassadour with all due honour receiued at CONSTANTINOPLE where he was honourably entertained by the great Bassaes of the court but especially by Mustapha who within two daies after suddenly died of a surfeit taken of eating too much of muske Mâ—lons and immoderat drinking of Zerbet a kind of pleasant drinke which the Turkes vse made of water and sugar but most men thought him to haue poisoned himselfe as fearing the former indignation of Amurath to be againe enflamed by the new complaints of the Persian embassadour against him for that he in the time of his Generalship had dishonourably suppressed certaine embassages sent from the Persian king which he now fearing to be called in question for the former stormes as yet scarce well appeased made himselfe now away After his death it was commonly reported that if he had longer liued he should haue been vndoubtedly strangled which to preuent he became the worthie executioner of himselfe that had most vnjustly caused others to be most shamefully murthered Which was the more like to be true and the rather beleeued for that the infinit wealth he had of long time scraped togither was immediatly after his death taken into the kings treasures some small portion thereof being left vnto his nephews a most certaine token of Amuraths indignation against him The Persian embassadour hauing audience the seauenth of August with many liuely reasons and much eloquence persuaded the Turkish emperour to desist from the warre begun as contrarie to the will and pleasure of their common Prophet Mahomet as also to the peace which was so roially and with so many capitulations not long before concluded betweene Tamas and Solyman his grandfather and was not to haue been broken and warres raised but vpon some great quarrell or injurie done which the Persians had not at any time offered but had alwaies wished vnto him all happinesse as they had manifestly declared by sending vnto him an embassage to that
purpose by Sultan Tocomac whereby he might plainly perceiue the good mind and zeale the Persian king had for the maintenance of the peace And although in the short raigne of Ismahel there was some rumor raised that he meant to go vnto BABYLONIA and some such like newes yet that was but a youthfull part and an effect of that heat which is commonly proper to such as being kept long in straight prison cannot vse their libertie with moderation and had therefore receiued due punishment for it by sudden and vnexpected death But as for the king that now is he did aboue all others embrace amitie with his majestie and therefore did most earnestly desire that it would please him to temper his anger conceiued which had incensed him to take vp armes against a king so much his friend being of the same religion and better affected towards him than all the rest of the nations in the world This embassadour the Turkish emperour dismissed without any resolution at all but onely gaue order that whatsoeuer he had to say touching this peace he should communicat it with his Visier Many were the discourses that happened for that the Turke required all those cities and countries which till that time he had conquered with the sword or as their prowd manner of phrase is whereon his Generals horse had trod to be yeelded again vnto him and the embassadour on the other side had no warrant from his king to yeeld any more than that part of GEORGIA which is on this side the riuer of Araxis Whereupon the said embassadour began to feare least he should be suspected for a spie and so be euill intreated wherewithall he did find himselfe too manifestly charged by the hard speech that the Visier vsed towards him Being thus doubtfull whereupon to resolue perceiuing himselfe strained to the grant of these demaunds and receiuing also some threatnings withall he determined with himselfe to enlarge his speeches with the Visier in diuers and sundrie particularities and to giue him good hope that he should be able to persuade with his king the yeelding vp of so much as Amurath had and did demaund Hereupon was Maxut Chan the embassadour in friendly manner and without any outrage sent from CONSTANTINOPLE to CHARS and commission giuen to Sinan then at CHARS that without delay and with all fidelitie he should cause the embassadour to be conducted to VAN and from thence into PERSIA wheresoeuer he did desire all which was faithfully performed But to returne againe to Sinan the Generall who from SIVAS had sent the said embassadour to CONSTANTINOPLE as is before declared and being departed thence arriued at ERZIRVM where he tooke a suruey of his armie and other prouision necessarie for this expedition and so from thence was now come to CHARS from whence he dispatched the Persian embassadour much discontented that no other conclusion for peace could be wrought Maxut Chan at last arriuing at the Persian Court reported vnto the king all that had happened in this his embassage the summe whereof was That Amurath would not condiscend to any condition of peace vnlesse the whole countrey of SIRVAN might be yeelded vnto him for that he had once as he said conquered the same Neither did the same embassadour forbeare to tell the king the suspition Amurath had conceiued of him to haue been a spie rather than an embassadour and of the large promises he was faine to make to the Turke to auoid the manifest danger of imprisonment or death all which for all that now lay in his majesties power to performe or not The king for the present remained well satisfied with that Maxut had done and in reward of his great trauell and expences gaue him the charge of the chamber at TAVRIS naming him the chamberlaine of that rich and great citie Of which new office though verie honourable and of great importance he tooke small pleasure for that one Emir Chan his auntient enemie was chiefe Gouernour of that citie from whom he feared some dangerous treacherie wherefore he appointed his deputie for the execution of the office and withdrew himselfe from TAVRIS to CASSANGICH a place of his owne there to passe away the time vntill it should please the king otherwise to dispose of him But Emir Chan who still nourished in his mind the auntient hatred he had conceiued against him tooke this as a most fit occasion to bring him into disgrace with the king certifying him That Maxut not contented with the great preferment it had pleased him to bestow vpon him had in contempt of his rewards abandoned TAVRIS and subsisted in his place a most base person to represent the kings majestie and to mannage his treasure and that he absented himselfe farre from that citie and the court there hauing withdrawne himselfe into the confines of TVRKIE no doubt for some mischieuous intent either to yeeld himselfe vnto them or els to haue intelligence with them and was like ynough to be guiltie to himselfe of the great errour he had alreadie committed by offering SIRVAN vnto the Turkish king and making promise of so large conditions whereby he had obtained such a sure and saâ—e conuoy to conduct him when as he had before discouered himselfe to be a fauorer of the Turks and a traitor to his owne king and that therefore it were good to make triall of his inclination and so peraduenture to decline some great mischeefe tending to the danger of the Persian state This malitious accusation slily contriued so wrought in the mind of the suspitious king that he commaunded Emir Chan secretly to apprehend Maxut and to bring him to the Court and if he could not by other meanes then by torture to wrest from him the truth of all those matters Glad was Emir to haue his enemie thus put into his hands and thought it long 〈◊〉 he had brought this shame vpon Maxut who hauing alreadie heard some iâ—ckling thereof resolued with himselfe to doe any thing rather than to fall into the power of his hatefull enemie And therfore at such time as fifteene tall fellows were for that purpose sent vnto him from Emir Chan who in the kings name summoned him to the Court he without making any shew that he took the matter otherwise than well entertained them courteously and made them great cheere but when he perceiued them to be ouercome with sleepe which crept vpon them by reason of the excesse wherewith they had ouercharged themselues he caused them to be straightly bound and with long cords hanged them downe into a deepe well and there shut them vp secretly couered Then gathering together the most precious things he had in his house and setting his wiues his children his brethren and nephewes on horsebacke fled with all his familie in the euening and the next day arriued at SALMAS and was there friendly entertained by the Turkish Bassa and from thence conueyed to VAN where he was also courteously welcommed by
nouelties should be Whereupon Abas Mirize sent vnto them two of his chiefe counsellors men of great account and reuerence both for their yeares and wisedome with full instructions Who after many speeches in the end swearing according to their custome by the Creator that spread out the ayre that founded the earth vpon the deepes that adorned the heauen with stars that powred abroad the water that made the fire and briefly of nothing brought forth all things swearing by the head of Ali and by the religion of their prophet Mahomet that such peruerse thoughts neuer entred into the head of Abas Mirize they alleadged many testimonies and manifest proofes that most loially in all due time as well when he was aduanced to the kingdome of PERSIA as also in his battels against the Turks his sonne had alwaies caused deuout prayers and supplications to be made to God for his prosperitie neither euer desired to heare any other but happie and fortunat successe of him They brought with them a thousand and a thousand precepts and royall letters which the young man had caused to be written as occasions required to the Gouernours that were his subjects for the gouernment of the State wherein he neuer named himselfe king of PERSIA but onely Your king and Gouernour of HERI They prayed the king also to cause a diligent processe to be framed against his sonne and if there should be found in him any signe or shadow of so wicked a suspition then to take from him his estate and libertie offering themselues to remaine as hostages for him But when all this should be done and Abas found altogither free from these vnjust accusations then falling euen to the earth and kissing it they besought him and as it were conjured him not to leaue the matter thus imperfect to the prejudice of his bloud but returning to his counsellor to take information likewise vpon what mind and consideration he had aduised the king to take vpon him this vnorderly and dangerous voyage where no doubt he should find nothing in him but malignant ambitious and wicked affections and such as euen deserued that with his bloud there should be reuenged all the bloud of those which till that houre had been brought to their vnworthie and vndeserued deaths And for as much as nothing remained whereof the Visier had enformed the king against his sonne but the commaundement that was giuen by Abas Mirize to the Gouernors vnder him That they should not go to the wars against the Turkes they confessed in truth that such an order was taken but not to that wicked and traiterous end and purpose as was reported to the king by his great counsellour but onely in respect of an inuasion justly feared in those quarters by the Tartarian Iesselbas who by diuers inroads had alreadie done great harme in the countrey about HERI and put young Abas and his counsellors in such a feare that they durst not disfurnish their cities of their guards and forces and therfore had commaunded the said Gouernours not to go to warre against the Turkes but to stay and expect further direction And that all this was by writing signified vnto the Visier himselfe which he of a malicious mind had concealed onely to trie if in these common troubles he could bring to passe that Abas Mirize and the king might be taken away and Emir Hamze succeed in his place and so he himselfe remaine the Superintendent of his sonne in law and Moderator of that most famous kingdome Of which so treacherous a purpose they for all that thought Emir Hamze the young prince altogither ignorant knowing his honourable disposition and loue towards his owne kindred but imputed it only to the immoderat and ambitious desire of the wicked traitour Mirize Salmas Of these graue speeches of the embassadours Mahamet the father by nature credulous began to make great construction and deeply to consider of their so earnest and important requests which seemed vnto him so vpright and equall as that he could not chuse but hearken vnto the same And therefore calling vnto him the Gouernours the captaines the judges and treasurers of all the cities that were subject to to HERI he demanded of them how and in what sort they esteemed of Abas Mirize and in what degree of honour he desired to be esteemed of them and of them all receiued one answere That they held him for their lord as lieutenant to the king of CASâ—IN and that he himselfe had alwaies desired to be so taken and thought of for proofe whereof euerie one of them brought in diuers letters precepts and orders wherein hee neuer caused himselfe to be honoured with any other title but onely Your king of HERI He demaunded further whether any such warres were attempted by the Tartarian Iesselbas or no whereof he receiued a large and solemne information that so it was to the great detriment of all those territories And thus the king was throughly persuaded of the innocencie of his sonne who before was noted vnto him by his Visier to be an obstinat rebell Vpon which occasion only although he might justly haue put him to death as author of so great troubles and bloudshed yet because he would be better enformed of the truth of the accusations laid against him by the embassadours he resolued to make a curious and diligent inquisition thereof and therefore first of all in great secresie he examined Emir Hamze his eldest sonne wherefore he had aduised this journey against his brother Abas whom he had found guiltlesse of all those crimes that were objected against him whereunto the prince answered That he had no other certainetie of the pretended euill behauiour of his brother but onely that which proceeded from the great credit that he alwaies gaue to his father in law Mirize Salmas to whom as to a chiefe counsellor his father in law and protector of the kingdome he had alwaies yeelded assured credence and so discharged the whole tempests of all those mischiefes vpon the Visier Touching whom the king made diligent inquisition as well among those of the court as of the armie and thereby found him guiltie of all that the embassadours of HERI had accused him and that being alwaies acquainted with the true occasions which restrained the Gouernours of HERI subject to Abas Mirize from going to the warre against the Turkes he had most maliciously concealed the same of purpose to hatch such a strange and dangerous discontentment as had wrought the vnworthie death of many great men and almost defiled the hands of the father with the innocent bloud of his guiltlesse sonne For which so foule a treason the false Visier was worthely condemned to die and his wily head by the commaundement of the king strucke from his carkasse Iustly rewarded with the same punishment which he vnjustly sought to haue conuerted vpon others and with his owne destruction pacified the dissentions and hatreds that were risen betweene the two
the great trouble of all his souldiors for whereas the journey was wont to be two waies worke ordinarily as well in respect of the length of the way as the difficultie of the passage the Generall would now needs haue it done in one the rather thereby to grieue his souldiors But of this his wilfulnesse he receiued euen the same day the just reward for that the chariots wherein his women rode were conuaied away togither with the eunuchs that were their keepers some say by the Georgians that lay in wait for such a prey some others say by the Ianizaries who the more to dishonour their Generall wrought him this injurie Great was the reproach that Ferat receiued in the armie but farre greater at CONSTANTINOPLE when these newes were there knowne but there was no remedie he must now perforce endure it and discontented as he was keepe on his way towards ERZIRVM In ARDACHAN he tooke a surueigh of his armie and there gaue his souldiors leaue to depart himselfe afterwards arriuing at ERZIRVM hated of all his souldiors enuied by his captaines derided for the losse of his women and fallen into the disgrace of euerie man No lesse than the rest was the Turkish emperour discontented with him also first for that he had done nothing worth the speaking of in reuenge of the shamefull injurie done by Manucchiar the Georgian and yet so mightily discontented his souldiors and secondly for that without any care he had suffered Aliculi Chan the Persian prisoner to escape away about whose flight it was thought he could not chuse but haue some intelligence For Ferat after he was by new order from the court to diuert his journey from NASSIVAN to the straits narrow passages of GEORGIA being desirous to be throughly enformed of those dangerous waies in this second yeare when he remoued from ERZIRVM tooke Aliculi Chan out of prison of purpose to vse him as his guide in those dangerous straits and therefore carried him vnder a guard whatsoeuer it was afterwards of his most faithfull vassals still intreating him well and taking such order as that he wanted nothing at last being come to the straits of TOMANIS in GEORGIA where the Castle as we haue before said was erected he from thence secretly escaped into PERSIA The manner of his escape is diuersly reported some say that Ferat in discharge of his promise for his good direction had gratified him with his libertie others say that Ferat corrupted with money gaue him opportunitie to escape some others with more probabilitie that this escape was made neither for money nor discharge of promise but by the onely vigilancie of Aliculi himselfe and the sleepinesse of his keepers and that watching the opportunitie of the night a friend to all escapes he started away Howsoeuer it was in fine hee was deliuered from his long captiuitie to the discredit of Ferat and returned into PERSIA to performe such enterprises against the Turkes as shall bee hereafter declared Generall Ferat before his departure out of GEORGIA had commaunded Aly the Bassa of GRaeCIA whom he left as is before declared in the new castle of LORâ— to fortifie a certaine castle called SAITAN CHASI in our language the Castle of the Diuell which he with great diligence performed and left therein fiftie pieces of arâ—illerie and a thousand souldiors vnder the charge of a Sanzacke and so quieted the passages from fort to fort as that all the waies from REIVAN to CHARS and from CHARS to TEFLIS were made easie and safe and all the means taken away whereby the enemie might be able to plot any new treacherie vpon those passages which was no small piece of good seruice The Persian king in the meane time lying at TAVRIS with his armie vnderstanding that the Turkes had changed their purpose from NASSIVAN to GEORGIA so that there was no further need to employ his armie against them for the defence of TAVRIS or NASSIVAN at last resolued with himselfe to licence his souldiors to depart and to apply himselfe to more priuat reuenges For calling Emir Chan vnto him whom he had left Gouernor of TAVRIS and Generall for that part of his kingdome he required of him the occasion why he had not performed the great promises which he had made to him before his departure to HERI nor done his endeuour to hinder the Turks Fabrik at REIVAN and why he went not ouâ— with other souldiors appointed for that purpose and namely with the Turcomans as he had promised to reuenge so great an injurie and in best manner he could to haue endomaged the Turkish forces Sundrie excuses did Emir Chan alleadge for the colouring of his manifest default but none sufficient to cleare him of the crimes objected against him by the king and the Sultans wherefore he was by the king adjudged to haue his eies burnt out with an hoat yron and so depriued of his sight to be despoiled of all his goods and shut vp in close prison Which heauie doome was without further delay accordingly put in execution whereof within the space of a few moneths the wicked Chan but yet a famous souldior miserably died in prison Whose death so highly offended the Turcoman nation who had him alwaies in great estimation that they absolutely denied their defences for the crowne of PERSIA and the more when they heard that the king had bestowed the roume of Emir Chan vpon Aliculi who although he had in many respects deserued all preferment yet for that he was an auntient enemie to certaine Turcoman captaines they would not in any wise endure that he should be exalted to so great an honour And therefore they waxed more disdainfull and ill affected towards the king whereby the Persian forces became the more weakened and diuided The Turkes notwithstanding the league yet in force betweene Amurath and Rodolph the Christian emperour that now is did many times make incursions into the vpper part of HVNGARIE burning the countrey villages and carrying away the people into captiuitie but in their returne they were oftentimes cut off by the emperours souldiors and slaine Which being reported at CONSTANTINOPLE much moued the Turkish tyrant but when he vnderstood that his men had without any cause made those inrodes into the territorie of the Christians and so receiued the foresaid losses he was againe appeased and in the beginning of this yeare 1584 renewed the league betwixt him and the emperour for eight yeares more Ferat from ERZIRVM aduertised Amurath of all that had happened in his late expedition desiring him to commaund what he would haue taken in hand the next Spring But besides this information from him there wanted not many others which did the like also although in another manner declaring vnto the king and that in an odious sort the whole proceedings of Ferat the escape of Aliculi Chan the shamefull losse of his women his quarrels with the Ianizaries his falling out with Vies Bassa a man well
with continuall snowes leauing on his left hand MEDIA IBERIA and CHOLCHIS and on the right hand the famous riuers of Tanais and Volga euen at his first entrance vnto the shores of the Euxine sea he was by the abouenamed twelue thousand Tartarians being apparrelled like theeues that lie vpon those wayes suddenly assailed and fought withall But like as an huge rocke lying open to tempests and waues standing fast and vnmoueable in it selfe resisteth the thunderings and rushings of the great and fearefull billowes so stood Osman fast and firme and couragiously sustained this trecherous assault turning the bold countenances of his resolute souldiors against the rebellious multitude of those traiterous squadrons who as is their manner in the beginning vsed great force but finding so stout resistance in those few whom they had thought with their onely lookes and shoutings to haue put to flight they began at length to quaile Which Osman quickly perceiuing couragiously forced vpon them and in a very short space and with a very small losse of his owne put those Tartarians to flight killing a number of them and also taking many of them prisoners by whom Osman was afterwards informed as the truth was that their king for feare that he had conceiued least when he came to CONSTANTINOPLE he would procure his destruction from Amurath had sent this armie to seeke his death Of which treason Osman caused a perfect processe to be made together with the depositions of the Tartarian prisoners which he sent the shortest way he could deuise to Amurath at CONSTANTINOPLE with letters declaring all that had passed enflaming him to reuenge so grieuous an injurie and so wicked a practise Amurath receiuing these aduertisements from Osman according to the necessitie of the matter tooke order that Vluzales his Admirall with certaine gallies well appointed should passe ouer to CAFFA to fetch Osman and withall to carrie with him Islan a brother of the Tartar kings commaunding Osman by letters that he should to the terrour of others put to death the treacherous king and place his brother in his roume This Tartar king was one of those mightie princes who basely yeelding to the Othoman power led vnder them a most vile and troublesome life as their tributaries and vassals alwayes at commaund whose yonger brother Islan presuming of the sufficiencie of himselfe and the fauour of the people going to CONSTANTINOPLE became a suter vnto the Turkish emperor to haue his eldest brother thrust out of his kingdome as a man for his euill gouernment hated of his subjects and to be placed himselfe in his roume Which his sute was so crossed by the embassadours of the king his brother who spared for no cost in the behalfe of their master that the ambitious youth was sent from the Turks Court to ICONIVM and there clapt fast vp in prison where apparrelled like an Eremit he led his life altogether conformable to his miserie with such a kind of externall innocencie as if he had beene void of all hope or ambitious desire of a kingdome but rather like a forlorne and vnhappie wretch with vaine affliction and impious deuotion to prepare himselfe to a laudable and honourable death But whilest he thus liued sequestred from all worldly cogitations vpon the discouerie of the king his brothers rebellion he was in more than post hast sent for to CONSTANTINOPLE and put into the gallies bound for CAFFA with letters to Osman of the tenor aforesaid Now in the meane time Osman had by cunning meanes got into his hands this Tartar king being as is reported betrayed by his owne counsellours corrupted with the Turkes gold whom with his two sonnes Osman vpon the receit of the aforesaid letters from Amurath caused to be presently strangled with a bowstring and Islan his younger brother to be saluted king in his place yet as vassale to Amurath This shamefull death the vsuall reward of the Turkish friendship was thought justly to haue happened vnto this Tartar king for that he not long before supported by Amurath had most vnnaturally deposed his aged father from that kingdome just vengeance now prosecuting his so great disloyaltie Osman embarking himselfe in the forenamed gallies at the port of CAFFA passing ouer the Euxine sea and entering into the Thracian Bosphorus arriued at CONSTANTINOPLE where he was receiued with great pompe and singular significations of good loue But with most euident and expresse kinds of joy was he saluted by Amurath himselfe when by his owne speech and presence he declared vnto him euery particularitie of the matters that had happened in his long and important voiage and in liuely manner represented vnto him the perils and trauels that he had passed and the conquests that he had made in SIRVAN After all which discourses Amurath who longed after nothing more than to see the Persian king somewhat brideled and the famous citie of TAVRIS brought vnder his own subjection began to enter into conference with Osman about that enterprise and in the end would needs throughly know of him what issue he could promise him of this his desire and in what sort by his aduice and counsell the forces should be employed and the armies disposed for the subduing of that citie which ouerall the nations of the world was so famous and so great an honour to the Persian kingdome To all which demaunds his answere and resolution was That for so much as the matters of GEORGIA were now well setled the trecherous passages by the new built forts assured and the prouince of SIRVAN vnder his obedience established there was now no cause why he should any longer foreslow so famous an enterprise but by the conquest of TAVRIS erecting of a fort in that proud citie to bring a terrour vpon all PERSIA and to raise a glorious renowne of so mightie a conquest among the nations of EVROPE for the accomplishment whereof he thought that either the same armie or at the most a very little greater would suffice so that it were raised of the best and choisest souldiors By reason of one of the letters which Sciaus Bassa had written to the late Tartar king and by the instigation of the young Sultan Mahomets mother jealous of the neere alliance of the great Bassa with her husband as prejudiciall and dangerous to her sonne Amurath had in the open Diuano depriued the said Sciaus from the office of the cheefe Visier and hardly pardoning him his life at the intercession of his wife being his sister had banished him the Court so that he liued afterwards about CALCEDON vpon the borders of ASIA not far from CONSTANTINOPLE in a close pallace he had there built for his owne pleasure in whose roume he appointed Osman to be cheefe Visier and to honour him the more nominated him the Generall of his armie against the Persians Such power hath vertue that euen from the very scum of the rascall sort and out of the rusticall rout of
mountaine peasants which notwithstanding cannot be truly justified of this Osman his father being Beglerbeg of DAMASCO and his mother the daughter of the Beglerbeg of BABILON it doth oftentimes in the course of this variable world draw diuers men into princes Courts and aduance them to the highest dignities Truth it is that from a priuat souldiour though well borne he by sundrie degrees grew vp to the highest honours of that so great an empire and was at one instant created the cheefe Counsellor and Generall of the Othoman forces Great was the joy that Osman conceiued hereat and great was the desire hee had to make himselfe worthie of so honourable fauours and the greater confidence he perceiued that Amurath had reposed in him the more eagerly was hee spurred on to doe any thing possible whereby he might shew himselfe to haue deserued the same And therefore aduising with himselfe that for as much as the greatnesse of the enterprise required a greater armie than was leuied in former yeares so it was necessarie also for him the sooner to send out his aduertisements into all his subject prouinces and by his owne example to stirre vp the other captaines and souldiours euen in the Winter though it were as yet somewhat troublesome to passe ouer to SCVTARI and from thence to ANGORI to AMASIA to SIVAS and there in those territories to driue out the time vntill his soldiors which were summoned were all gathered together And because vpon this his great speed it might peraduenture fall out that the enemie misdoubting his purpose for TAVRIS might prouide a greater armie than they would otherwise he caused it to be giuen out That he must goe for NASSIVAN to the end that the Persians so beguiled should not regard the gathering of so mightie an armie as they would haue done if they should haue heard of the Turkes comming to TAVRIS and so the generall cousening rumor flew not only through all the cities subject to the Turkes but into the countries of the Persian also who notwithstanding being very jealous of the citie of TAVRIS and fearing that the matter would fall out as indeed afterwards it did ceased not to make most curious and diligent enquirie about it And although the disgrace offered to his embassadour at CONSTANTINOPLE dissuaded him from sending any other for treatie of peace yet to spie out the secrets of the Turkes and to vnderstand the certainetie of their purpose for NASSIVAN or TAVRIS he sent diuers messengers to Osman as if he had meant to feele his mind touching a peace but in very deed for nothing els but to sound his designements which for all that he could not with all the cunning he could vse possibly discouer but still remained doubtfull as at the first the fame still running for NASSIVAN In the beginning of this yeare now growing towards an end Amurath sent one Mustapha one of the meanest of his Chiaus vnto Stephen king of POLONIA to excuse the death of Podolouius so shamefully murthered as is before declared as if the same had happened by the insolencie of certaine souldiors and not by his commaundement who the better to colour the matter had brought with him two base fellowes as authors of that outrage for the king to take reuenge vpon but were indeed no such men as they were pretended to be but rather as it was thought men before condemned for some other fact worthie of death and now sent thither to serue this purpose for whom the Chiaus in proud and threatening manner in the name of his master required to haue present restitution made of all such goods as the Polonian Cossackes had not long before taken from the Turks and the captaine of the said Cossackes to be deliuered also vnto him to be carried to Amurath and so hardly vrged the matter that notwithstanding the vnworthie death of Podolouius and his followers and the taking away of his horses all the goods taken by the Cossackes were forthwith restored which the Chiaus almost in triumphant manner presented vnto Amurath at CONSTANTINOPLE This Summer also Amurath disporting himselfe with his Muts was almost dead These Muts are lustie strong fellowes depriued of their speech who neuerthelesse by certain signes can both aptly expresse their owne conceits and vnderstand the meaning of others these men for their secrecie are the cruell ministers of the Turkish tyrants most horrible commaunds and therefore of them had in great regard With these Muts mounted vpon faire and fat but heauie and vnreadie horses was Amurath vpon a light and readie horse sporting himselfe as the manner of the Turkish emperours is riding sometime about one sometime about another and striking now the horse now the man at his pleasure when suddenly he was taken with a fit of the falling sicknesse his old disease and so falling from his horse was taken vp for dead insomuch that the Ianizaries supposing him to haue beene indeed dead after their wonted manner fell to the spoyling of the Christians and Iewes and were proceeding to further outrages had not their Aga or captaine to restraine their insolencie to the terror of the rest hanged vp one of them taken in the manner and certaine others in the habit of Ianizaries Neuerthelesse Amurath shortly after recouered againe and to appease that rumour of his death openly vpon their Sabboth which is the friday rid from his pallace to the temple of Sophia where I with many others saw him saith Leunclauius his countenance yet all pale and discoloured This yeare also happened such a chance as had like to haue raised new warres betwixt the Turks and the Venetians which for as much as it is worth the reporting I thought it not good in silence to passe ouer The widow of Ramadan Bassa late Gouernour of TRIPOLIS in BARBARIE with her sonne her familie and a great number of slaues of both sorts being about to depart from TRIPOLIS to CONSTANTINOPLE had rigged vp a faire gallie for the transporting of her selfe and her substance reported to be worth eight hundred thousand duckats vnto which gallie for her more safetie she had joyned two others as consorts Thus embarked she came to the mouth of the Adriaticke where sayling by CORFV she was by force of tempest driuen into the gulfe of the Adriaticke At which time one Petrus Emus one of the Venetian Senatours with certaine gallies had the charge for the keeping of that sea agaist pyrats and all other enemies whosoeuer He hearing of the Turkes comming into the gulfe without delay set vpon them and being too strong for them tooke them all and hauing them now in his power exercised most barbarous crueltie as well vpon the women as the men for hauing slaine the men in number two hundred and fiftie and the sonne of Ramadan in his mothers lap he caused the women being before rauished to haue their breasts cut off and afterwards to be cast ouerbourd into the sea being in number about fortie The brother of
doubted of any but onely by those that were acquainted withall or borne thereabouts Which their policie the rebell Maxut Chan and with him Daut Chan as being well acquainted with those places perceiuing gaue notice thereof to Cicala Bassa who presently caused a great compassing wing to be made commaunding them to set vpon the Persians and to charge them home which was forthwith put in execution so that their forefront opened it selfe with very large and spacious cornets vpon the prince who no sooner saw this their vnwonted order of comming on but by and by he perceiued that his purpose was discouered And thereupon without any stay he began to retire calling his people after him which could not so readily be done but that three thousand of them remained behind all miserably stifled ouertroden in the mire with very little losse to the Turkes and this onely battell of fiue that were fought vnder TAVRIS and in those quarters was lesse hurtfull to the Turks than to the Persians The prince returned to the king his fathers campe recounting vnto him the whole action together with the departure of the enemie And so the Turkes came to SALMAS where the death of the Generall was published from SALMAS they went afterwards to VAN where they tooke a suruey of their armie and found wanting therein about fourescore and fiue thousand persons or as some say more At VAN all the souldiors were dismissed and Cicala from thence gaue notice to Amurath at CONSTANTINOPLE of all that had happened Where first was published the death of Osman the Generall for whom were made many signes of great sorrow and together with his death were blazed the bloudie and mortall actions that were in that expedition performed so that the whole citie seemed to be greatly discomforted and in many places were heard much secret railing vpon the king many curses of this warre and insolent maledictions of these manifold mischiefes After that was dispersed the great fame of the new fortresse erected at TAVRIS of the sacking of the citie and of all the losse that had happened therein and a generall edict published in the kings name That through all the cities of his empire they should make solemne feasts with other expresse tokens of joy and rejoycing which was accordingly done both in CONSTANTINOPLE and other places There was also word sent to the embassadours of HVNGARIE of FRANCE of VENICE and of other countries that they should doe the like but they all with one accord answered That it was neuer the custome of embassadours to make any such signe of rejoysing but onely when the king himselfe in person returned from the like victories In the meane time consultation was held at VAN for the sending of succours to TEFLIS in GEORGIA vnto which important seruice Daut Chan to deserue some reward at Amuraths hand offered himselfe vnto whom Cicala Bassa deliuered thirtie thousand Cecchini to be conueyed to the fort at TEFLIS Which piece of seruice the renegate performed and without trouble relieued the souldiors in the fort which was so well accepted of Amurath that he for the same good seruice honoured him with the dignitie of the Bassa of MARAS Maxut Chan also the other Persian rebell that guided the Turkish armie to Reiuan and afterwards to TAVRIS was in like manner by the same Amurath honoured with the great rich office of the Bassa of ALEPPO The miseries the Turkish armie endured in this expedition for TAVRIS beside the losses before rehearsed were wonderfull for as the Sanzacke of AMAN a citie of SORIA called in antient time APAMEA present in all this action reporteth in a letter which he wrote to Ali Bassa of ALEPPO there was such a dearth in the Turks armie that they were enforced to giue their cammels bisket and rice and when that failed they gaue them their pack-saddles to eat and after that pieces of wood beaten into pouder and at last the very earth which dearth endured vntill they arriued at VAN. And at TAVRIS whiles the fortresse was in building they were of necessitie constrained to giue their horses their dung in very drie pouder By reason whereof there followed a grieuous mortalitie of horses cammels mules and men and the stinke which grew of this mortalitie became so great that euery man was faine to carie a piece of a strong smelling oynion still vnder his nose to auoid the heauinesse thereof The fort so lately built in the royall citie of TAVRIS exceedingly grieued the Persians in generall but especially the king and the prince his sonne to let it alone they reckoned it too great a shame and how to demolish it they well knew not finding themselues not onely destitute of artillerie but also of such sufficient strength as was requisit for the performance of so great an enterprise yet prickt on with desire of glorie and the necessitie of the cause they determined euen in the sharpenesse of Winter to gather new forces and with trenches of earth to approch the ditch and to trie if they could aduance a countermure as high as their wals and so to attaine to the conquest thereof But in the gathering of their men they discouered new difficulties for to hire any souldiors either from HERI or GHEILAN was denied them by Abas and Amet Chan and the Turcoman nation which might haue been the readiest and the neerest at such a need for the late death of Emir Chan and for the succession of Aliculi were growne verie contumatious so that neither the king nor the prince nor the presidents and gouernours of the kingdome could tell which way to turne themselues At last for the common safetie they determined to draw the Turcomans to a reconciliation hoping that by promising them any honest satisfaction for the wrong wherwith they challenged themselues grieued for the death of their captaine they would become more tractable to doe them seruice in their common necessities Whereupon the king sent kind letters to the heads and captaines of those nations and principally to Mahamet Chan and to Calife the Sultan declaring plainly vnto them the perill of his state and of the libertie of the whole kingdome with the confidence he had in their valour and that therfore forgetting all that was past as done not in shame or scorne of their nation but onely for zeale and loue to the kingdome they would demaund such satisfaction as they desired and that he would be readie to agree to any just request they should make To which letters they readily answered That they would come vnto him to put in execution whatsoeuer he should for the common necessitie or the honour of his State commaund Now they had craftily among themselues alreadie concluded not to suffer any other to sit in the roume of Emir Chan their late Gouernour but onely young Tamas the kings third sonne Which conclusion they had plotted to themselues with a resolution in the end to cause him to be accepted for king at CASBIN in
despight of the king himselfe and of the prince Hamze nothing regarding that by this action farre greater troubles would arise in PERSIA than euer were yet heard of but onely being wholy bent to reuenge the death of one onely Emir Chan. With this malitious and fraudulent resolution they to the number of ten thousand vnder the conduct of two captaines Mahamet and Calife went to the king in all reuerence offering themselues with all readinesse to be imploied in the enterprise whereunto they were called The old credulous king not suspecting any mischiefe plotted by these secret rebels was greatly comforted at their comming and although by some of his Sultans that had felt some inkling of this conspiracie he was aduised to deale circumspectly and warily with them and not commit any matter of importance to their trust yet did he thinke euerie houre a thousand vntill he had offered them satisfaction promising them that what captaine soeuer they would desire in the roume of Emir Chan if it were possible they should haue him Whereunto the dissembling Mahamet Chan made answere That their desire aboue all things was to doe him pleasure and seruice not doubting but he would appoint them such a chieftaine as should be valorous noble and acceptable vnto them The king could stay no longer but frankly declared vnto them That to assure them of his good will and to giue them an hostage in pawne thereof he had made choise of young Tamas his sonne to succeed in the roume of Emir Chan their late Gouernour As soone as Mahamet Chan heard this resolution of the king who beside all expectation voluntarily of himselfe yeelded them the meanes to put in execution what they had malitiously before contriued against the peace and libertie of the kingdome he became more jocund than he was wont to be and outwardly shewed himselfe readie for whatsoeuer the king would command him and in the names of the rest yeelded also large promises of fidelitie and obedience so that the matter might be performed for which he had now giuen his word The king who desired nothing more than to see the fort of TAVRIS rased which could hardly be done without the helpe of those Turcomans contrarie to the aduise of the wisest of the Sultans and of the prince secretly and as it were by stealth gaue his young sonne Tamas into the hands of Mahamet as chiefe of all the Turcomans Who to nourish the good opinion and credulitie of the king and to secure the prince and the Sultans gaue a lustie beginning by the helpe of his followers with trenches and rampiers to approach the fort Neither was there any great time spent therein for they had now almost made their trenches and mounts euen with the enemies wall and the ditch it selfe was almost filled vp with earth so that there wanted but little more labour to begin the desired assault when contrarie to all mens expectation the false and wicked traitour Mahamet Chan with all his Turcomans leading away with them the child Tamas departed in the night time and vpon a sudden from so noble and honourable an enterprise And blinded with desire to put in execution his ill hatched purpose couertly and without any noise remoued from the besieged wals and put himselfe on his way towards CASBIN still tearming Tamas by the name of the king of PERSIA and sundrie waies abusing and mocking the poore old king and the prince This so sudden and so dangerous a rebellion whereby not onely so honourable and so necessarie an enterprise was to be abandoned but the whole state of the kingdome like to be endangered exceedingly grieued all good men but most of all the old king and the prince his sonne who no lesse carefull of his rightfull succession than was the aged king of his present estate both now hazarded by this rebellion wholly incensed with griefe and anguish of mind began to cast a thousand deuises in his troubled head what course to take and what to resolue vpon To abandon the siege it grieued him aboue measure and to suffer so pernitious a rebellion to go forward seemed too dangerous for the state of PERSIA and to prouide for both these mischiefes at once was altogither impossible In these huge waues of contrarie thoughts he resolued at last to turne himselfe against the Turcomans and to suppresse that rebellion as most dangerous to the State And so with twelue thousand souldiors and a part also of the kings ordinarie guard all couragious and hardie men he followed after the rebellious Turcomans and marching directly toward CASBIN he ouertooke them at a place called CALISTEZA a daies journey on this side CASBIN and there joyned battell with them Wherein many of them being sorie for that they had done would not so much as draw their swords against the prince many others fled also away for feare so that he easily obtained a wished victorie ouer them The seditious Mahamet Chan was taken prisoner and by the princes commaundement presently beheaded so was also Calife the Sultan and diuers other captaines of this pestilent conspiracie Young Tamas was also taken and by the direction of the prince sent to the castle of CAHACA Fiue thousand Turcomans of the late followers of the rebell Mahamet fled out of the battell towards BABYLON by the way of SIRAS and yeelded themselues to Solyman Bassa of that citie who afterwards repenting themselues of their folly sought to returne againe into the fauour of their king but all in vaine so that being become rebels to the one and suspected to the other they did at one time loose their countrey their libertie their honour and the fauour of all men as well friends as foes The prince after this victorie held on his way to CASBIN and there staying laboured to gather the dispersed Turcomans especially those that moued with the honestie of the cause would not beare armes in so vnjust an action intending afterwards to returne to TAVRIS to attend the besieging and conquest of the fort This was the end of this dangerous rebellion the chiefe cause that TAVRIS was not againe recouered out of the hands of the Turks to the great weakning of the Persian kingdome Now Giaffer the Eunuch Bassa Gouernour of the castle of TAVRIS fearing least the Persian prince would with a greater armie againe returne to the siege perceiuing himselfe to wax euerie day weaker and weaker by reason that many of his men secretly fled from him beside them that perished with sicknesse and others slaine in aduenturing too boldly to go abroad to seeke for victuals sent aduertisement thereof to Cicala Bassa at VAN signifying farther vnto him by writing That if the prince should againe returne to assault the fort he should of necessitie be enforced to yeeld it and that therefore as he tendered the honour of his Sultan he would be carefull to send him succour whereby he might be able to maintaine the fort adding moreouer That now it
his defence in a vault vnder ground was there smothered The third escaped by flight but was afterwards the same yeare taken with diuers others as shall be forthwith declared The eight of August following foure of the Turks great commaunders in HVNGARIE viz. the Bassa of ZIGET the Sanzackes of MOHAS of QVINQVE ECCLESIae and the new Sanzacke of KOPPAN with fiue thousand souldiors brake into the borders of the Christians and in most cruell manner destroied seuenteen countrey villages about LIMBACH carrying away with them all the miserable countrey people with the spoile of the countrey Whereof George Countie Serinus sonne to that most valiant Countie Nicholas Serinus slaine at ZIGET commaunder of the garrison of CANISIA vnderstanding with as much speed as was possible raised such forces as he was able out of his territorie betwixt the riuers of Drauâ—s and Mura and calling vnto his aid the Countie Nadasti the Lo. Bathianius and some other valiant captaines that had the charge of those frontiers with such diligence tooke the straits and passages whereby the Turkes must needs returne amongst the marishes that the Turkes comming backe againe that way with a verie rich prey and many prisoners being in the breake of the day hardly charged by those most expert and resolute souldiors in those straight and troublesome passages about a mile from CANISIA were at length discomfited and put to flight with such a miserable slaughter that many of them yeelded vp their scimitars pitifully crying for mercie othersome fled backe into the woods and forrests and many running headlong into the marishes there perished or sticking fast in the deepe mud cried togither for mercie and helpe of their enemies In this conflict Muhamet the Sanzacke of QVINQVE ECCLESIae sonne to Hali Bassa slaine in the battell of LEPANTO was taken prisoner Sinan Beg Sanzacke of MOHAS thinking to escape thorow the marish stucke fast with his horse and was shot through the head with a small shot and there died The Bassa of ZIGET with Chasan the new Sanzacke of KOPPAN seeing all desperat and lost fled betimes out of the battell but he of KOPPAN wandring vp and downe in the woods was the next night after the battell with others taken the Bassa of ZIGET almost spent with hunger and griefe of mind escaped on foot seauen daies after to BRESENZA There were taken of the Turkes a thousand three hundred of whom manie died afterwards of their wounds In this battell there was slaine of the Turks with them that perished in the marishes and woods about two thousand and of the Turkes horses were taken aboue fifteene hundred All the prey before taken by the Turkes with the miserable captiues was againe recouered The number of them that performed this notable seruice was in all but fifteene hundred foot and fiue hundred horse of whom there was but eleuen slaine but most of the rest wounded Foure hundred heads of the slaine Turkes were after the manner of those bordering souldiors carried for shew to CANISIA with fiue hundred prisoners The Christian souldiors with the helpe of the countrey people ceased not for certaine daies to hunt after the Turkes that were fled into the woods as after wild beasts of whom they found a great number diuers others also seeing no means to escape came forth of their lurking places and yeelded themselues Amurath vnderstanding of all these troubles that had so happened commaunded Aly the Bassa of BVDA to be strangled for that he had broken the league and not restrained the insolencie of his Sanzackes whom he might haue commaunded And in his stead placed Sinan Bassa whom before in disgrace he had now at the request of his wife againe receiued into fauour and restored to his former dignitie About this time also Sigismund the king of SVVEDEN his sonne now after the death of king Stephen chosen king of POLONIA and Maximilian the emperours brother rejected euen in the beginning of his raigne sought to renew the league which Stephen his predecessour and other the Polonian kings had before made with Amurath and his predecessours the Turkish Sultans And to that purpose writ vnto him as followeth Sigismund the third king of Polonia vnto Amurath the third emperour of the Turkes sendeth greeting The Almightie long keepe and preserue your maiestie in health and honour Most mightie prince our best beloued friend and neighbour after that we by the grace and goodnesse of God were chosen to gouerne the kingdome of POLONIA and the embassadours of that kingdome had signified so much vnto vs we prouiding vs of necessaries came to DANSKE the 18 day of October from whence we send Iohn Zamogil our Secretarie to giue your maiestie to vnderstand of this our comming For being told by the Polonian embassadours that we were chosen vnto the gouernment of that kingdome vpon condition That according vnto the custome of our predecessours the Polonian kings we should keepe loue and friendship with the most excellent Mussulman emperours we promise vnto your soueraigne maiestie that we are willing with the like or greater zeale and deuotion to continue that amitie and friendship with your most excellent maiestie and the Othoman emperours your successours For confirmation whereof so soone as we shall come vnto CRACOVIA the regall citie of POLONIA and there be crowned we will forthwith send our great embassadour vnto your maiestie In the meane time we most earnestly request your maiestie that our kingdome may on your maiesties behalfe rest in safetie and peace which we persuade our selues you will easily grant So wishing vnto you all health and happinesse we bid you farewell from DANSKE the 18 of October in the yeare 1587 and of our raigne the first Vnto which the kings request and letters Amurath not long after returned this answere in writing Amurath the third emperour of the Turkes vnto Sigismund king of POLONIA greeting I take it well and as a token of your loue that your embassadour Iohn Zamogil came with your letters vnto our most high and glorious Court the refuge of distressed princes wherein you haue giuen vs to vnderstand how that in stead of the most excellent and famous king Stephen of worthie memorie late king of POLONIA you descended of the same noble stocke and race of the Polonian kings are by the free election of the whole State of the famous kingdome of POLONIA and the great kingdome of LITHVANIA chosen king of POLONIA and being sent for by lawfull embassadours by the fauour and goodnesse of God to be come vnto the citie of DANSKE and from thence to be about to go vnto CRACOVIA the chiefe citie of the kingdome of POLONIA And when you are there arriued to send your great embassadour vnto our most high and glorious Court to confirme preserue and establish the league and amitie commodious and necessarie for both our kingdomes honoured and kept by your auntient predecessours with our grandfathers and great grandfathers yea and that with greater
Bassa of AGRIA going out with ten thousand Turkes in hope to haue surprised TOCCAIB a strong hold of the Christians in the vpper HVNGARIE was encountred by Ferrant Gonzaga the emperours lieutenant there and by him ouerthrowne and with great slaughter of his Turks chased to the gates of AGRIA Now was Mahomet the Turkish emperour this yeare also no lesse troubled with the proceedings of the Scriuano in CARAMANIA and NATOLIA than with the euill successe of his affaires in TRANSYLVANIA and HVNGARIE For the Scriuano by his last yeares victorie growne into great credit with the common people and still by them more and more followed to maintaine the reputation of his credit came now againe this yeare with a great power into the field to meet with Mahomet the great Bassa and Generall of the Turkes armie who with fiftie thousand good souldiors a power thought sufficient to haue repressed him was readie to encounter him With whom the Scriuano joyning battell in a great fight â—ut in sunder a great part of the Bassaes armie and so became master of the field forraged all the countries adjoyning almost as farre as ALEPPO still calling the people vnto libertie and causing himselfe to be proclaimed the true defender of the Mahometane faith and of the liberties of those coâ—â—tries with him combined in such sort as that it now stood the great Turke vpon to send an other great armie to the aid of Mahomet the discomfited Bassa With whom also the Scriuano presuming of his former fortune comming to a day of battell and ouercharged with the multitude of his enemies was at the first encounter with his people put to the worse but forthwith by his good direction hauing repaired his disordered battell and thereby giuen as it were new courage to his fainting souldiors he with a great slaughter disordered also the Bassaes armie Yet hauing not any other firme state or stay to rest vpon more than the fauour and reputation he held with these his rebellious followers of whom he had now lost a great many he thought it not best to aduenture too far not knowing how presently to repaire his losses but contenting himselfe with that he had alreadie done retired with his armie into the strength of the mountaines there that Winter to liue vpon the spoile of the countries adjoining and the next yeare to do more harme than euer he had done before Beside all which former troubles the plague also this yeare sore raged both in CONSTANTINOPLE and many other places of the Turkish empire At which time also the Ianizaries at CONSTANTINOPLE hauing receiued some disgrace by some of the great Sultans fauourits and with great insolencie requiring to haue their heads caused their Aga well accompanied presumptuously to enter into the Seraglio to preferre this their request Whom Mahomet to the terrour of the rest caused for his presumption to be taken into the middest of the Spahi and so by them to be cut in pieces which was not done without the great slaughter of the Spahi themselues also slaine by the Ianizaries Whereupon the other Ianizaries arising vp in armes also and euen now readie to haue reuenged the death of their captaine were yet by the wisedome of Cicala Bassa bestowing amongst them a great summe of money againe appeased without farther harme doing Which their so great insolencie Mahomet imputing vnto their excessiue drinking of wine contrarie to the law of their great Prophet by the persuasion of the Muftie commaunded all such as had any wine in their houses in CONSTANTINOPLE or PERA vpon paine of death to bring it out and to staue it except the embassadours of the Queene of ENGLAND the French king and of the State of VENICE so that as some report wine for a space ran down the channels of the streets in CONSTANTINOPLE as if it had been water after a great shower of raine Sigismund the Transyluanian prince now of late againe possessed of TRANSYLVANIA as is before declared could not yet well assure himselfe of the keeping thereof for that he with the Transyluanians of his faction alone was not able to withstand the force of Basta who still strengthened with new supplies both of men and all things else necessarie for the warres from the Emperour was now with a great power alreadie entred into TRANSYLVANIA the Polonians busied in the warres of SUEVIA and the Turkes with their other greater affaires neither of them sending him their promised aid the greatest hope and stay of himselfe in that newnesse of his state Wherefore seeing himselfe euerie day to loose one place or other and fearing also least his souldiors for want of pay should in short time quite forsake him and go ouer to Basta he thought it best betimes and whilest he had yet something left and was not yet altogither become desperat otherwise to prouide for his estate especially hauing small trust in the Turkes to whom he had before been so great an enemie Wherefore he dealt with Basta for a truce or cessation from armes vntill embassadours might be sent vnto the emperour to entreat with him for some good attonement Wherewith Basta being content and the embassadours sent the matter was so handled with the Emperour that Sigismund to make an end of all these troubles was contented to the behoofe of his Imperiall majestie to resigne vnto Basta his lieutenant all such places as he yet held in TRANSYLVANIA vpon much like conditions he had about three yeares before made with him and so in all and for all to submit himselfe vnto his majestie Which intended surrender of the princes being bruted in TRANSYLVANIA Zachell Moises his lieutenant and now in field with the princes forces not able to endure or to heare that that noble prouince should againe fall into the hands of the Germanes encouraging his souldiors went vpon the sudden to assaile Basta in hope to haue found him vnprouided and so discomfiting his armie to haue driuen the Imperials quite out of TRANSYLVANIA But he an old and expert commaunder perceiuing euen the first mouing of the Transyluanians with great sceleritie put his armie in good order and so joyned battell with them wherein hee with the losse of some fiue hundred men ouerthrew Moises with his armie of Transyluanians Turkes and Tartars hauing slaine aboue three thousand of them and put the rest to flight Moises himselfe with some few others being now glad to take their refuge into the frontiers of the Turkes territories towards TEMESVVAR But when Sigismund vnderstood what his lieutenant had without his knowledge done he in token of his owne innocencie went himselfe vnto the Imperiall campe accompanied only with certaine of his Gentlemen and there vnto Basta excused himselfe of that which was by his lieutenant against his will and without his priuitie done frankly offering to performe whatsoeuer was on his part to be performed according to the agreement made betwixt the Emperour and him And so presently calling his garrisons out of
so great a worke shall be brought to passe but he in whose deepe counsels all these great reuolutions of empires and kingdomes are from eternitie shut vp who at his pleasure shall in due time by such meanes as he seeth best accomplish the same to the vnspeakeable comfort of his poore afflicted flocke in one place or other still in danger to bee by this roaring lyon deuoured Which worke of so great wonder he for his sonne our Sauiour Christ his sake the glorie of his name and comfort of many thousand oppressed Christians fed with the bread of carefulnesse amidst the furnace of tribulation in mercie hasten that we with them and they with vs all as members of one bodie may continually sing Vnto him be all honour and praise world without end FINIS A TABLE OR INDEX POINTING vnto all the most notable things in the Historie of the Turkes before written wherein such directorie letters as are set without numbers are to be still referred to the next number of the page precedent AAron Vayuod of Moldauia suspected by the Transyluanian prince to haue intelligence with the Turke with his wife and sonne sent prisoners vnto Prage 1062 l Abas Mirize by the practise of Mirize Salmas brought into suspition with Mahomet his father the Persian king 946 i. by his embassadours purgeth himselfe of the supposed treason 964 g Abdilcheraie with his Tartars commeth into Siruan 838 k. taketh Ares Chan. 939 a. spoileth Genge is himselfe ouerthrowne and taken prisoner by the Persian prince 940 g. beloued of the Persian queene k. slaine in the Court. 941 a Abedin Bassa with a great armie sent by Amurath to reuenge the death of Mesites spoileth Valachia and so entereth into Transyluania 271 a. encourageth his Turkes 273 b. in a great and mortall battell ouerthrowne by Huniades at Vascape 274 l Abraham otherwise called Pyramet last king of Caramania slaine by Baiazet 447 b Abraham Bassa his description 645 f. his bringing vp in Court 646 g. his great credit with Solyman i. he persuadeth him to make warre vpon the Persians 647. â— maligned by Solymans mother and Roxolana 649 b. sent before by Solyman with an armie into Syria c. hath the citie of Tauris yeelded vnto him d. in disgrace with Solyman 653 f. shamefully murthered in the Court by the commaundement of Solyman 654 h Abydus surprised by the Turks 183 a Acanzij what they be 415 b Achmetes Bassa Gouernour of Cyprus slaine by the Ianizaries 979 b Achmetes the great Bassa his notable speech to Mahomet to dissuade him from any more assaulting of Scodra 423â— landeth with his armie in Apulia 432 i. by Baiazet made Generall of his armie against his brother Zâ—â—es 438. l. his death contriued by Isaack Bassa 443. b. in danger to haue beene put to death deliuered by the Ianizaries 444. h. suddenly slaine k. Achmetes Bassa with his armie ouerthrowne by the Mamalukes taken and sent prisoner vnto Caytâ—eius at Caire 448 i Achomates polliticke and valiant but too much giuen to pleasure 478 k. discontented 487â— threateneeh the Cadelescher sent vnto him by his father 488 g. entereth with his sonnes into rebellion h. killeth his fathers embassador proclaimed traitor 489 f secretly fauoured by diuers great men in Selymus his armie 503â— ouerthrowne in battell taken and by the commaundement of his brother Selymus strangled 504 i Achomates the great Bassa appeaseth the souldiors vp in armes for the vnworthie death of Mustapha 764 h. his miserable end 765. c. Agria in vaine besieged by the Turkes 756 k. yeelded vnto Mahomet the third 1096 h Aladin the sonne of Kei-Husreu of the Selzuccian familie driuen out of Persia ceisâ—th vpon Cilicia 76 l Aladin his modestie about the deuision of his father Othomans inheritance and goods with his brother Orchanes 179 d. Aladin the Caramanian king hanged 208 m. Aladin Amurath his eldest sonne slaine with a fall from his horse 289 d Alba Regalis yeelded to king Ferdinand 700 l. besieged by Solyman 740 i. the lake and ditches with incredible labour filled vp by the Tarkes l. the suburbes woon 741 c. the miserable slaughter of the Christians in their flight d. yeelded vnto Solyman 742 g besieged by duke Mercurie 1134 l the suburbes of the citie surprised by lord Rusworm 1135 d. the citie taken by the Christians 1136 g. besieged by the Turkes 1144 l. terribly assaulted 1145. woon by the Turkes d. Aladeules his kingdome 519 a. the battell betwixt him and Selymus â— he flieth into the mountaines 520 g. taken by Sinan Bassa and brought to Selymus is put to death l. his head sent to Venice for a present and his kingdome brought into the forme of a prouince m. Albuchomar discouereth vnto Selymus the power of Tomombeius and the treason intended by them of Caire 547â— Aleppo in Syria betrayed and taken from the Christians by Saladin Sultan of Damasco 61 a. by the Tartars taken from the Turkes and by them sacked and rased 113 d. by Cayerbeius the traitour deliuered to Selymus 530 l Alessandro the Georgian submitteth himselfe vnto Mustapha 933 c Alexius the great president of Constantinople committed to prison 45 f. his eyes put out by the commaundement of Andronicus 46â— Alexius Comnenus otherwise called Porphyrogenitus succeedeth his father Emanuel in the Empire 43 b. by the practise of Andronicus is depriued of the Empire and strangled 50 b Alexius the young prince craueth aid of Philip the Emperour and the Latine princes against his vncle the vsurper 77 a. commeth to the armie of the Christian princes going towards the holy land 78 g. arriueth with a great fleet of the Latines before Constantinople l. taketh land and after an hot skirmish forceth the old tirant Alexius to flie out of the citie 79 c. seeketh to bring the Latines again into the citie 80 k. is betrayed and strangled by Murzufle l. Alexius Philanthropenus by Andronicus the Emperour made Gouernour of the frontiers of his empire in Asia against the Turkes 147 e. aspireth 148 i. betrayed hath his eyes put out 149 a Alexius Strategopulus with a smal power sent into Grecia by the Emperour Michaell Palaeologus by the treason of two Greekes taketh the citie of Constantinople from the Latines 115 d Algiers described 720 g. in vaine besieged by Charles the Emperour h. Aliculi Chan taken 944 l. in hope of libertie conducteth Hassan Bassa through the straight passages of Georgia 945 b. cast in prison at Erzirum d. escapeth from Ferrat 972 m. by the Persian king to the great discontentment of the Turcomans made Gouernour of Tauris 937 c. killeth the Bassa of Maras doth the Turkes great harme and so flieth from Tauris 991 c. conspireth with Abas Mirize against the Persian prince 1000 h. being by the prince sent against the Turkes performeth nothing 1001 c Alis Bassa with a great armie ouerthrowne by Scanderbeg 288 k Alis Bassa sent by Baiazet with an armie out of Europe against Techellis slain 474 l. Alis Beg and his foure sonnes
trecherously slaine by Ferrat Bassa 600 l Alis Bassa of Buda by the commaundement of Amurath strangled 1003 d Alis Beg Gouernour of Strigonium comming downe into the lower town there staied by the Ianizaries 1066 k. his resolute answer vnto the message sent him from the lord Palfi 1009 e. slain with a great shot 1071 c Almericus Earle of Ioppa after the death of his brother Baldwin chosen sixt king of Ierusalem 53 d. with a puissant armie entereth Aegipt and in plaine battell ouerthroweth Dargan the Sultan e. aideth Sanar the Sultan against Saracon Noradins Generall whom he ouerthroweth in Aegipt 56 i taketh Alexandria l. winneth Pelusium 57. dieth 58 k Aloysius Grittus the duke of Venice his sonne sent by Solyman as his lieutenant into Hungarie to ouersee king Iohn 631 f. contemned by Americus causeth him to be murthered 633 d. besieged by the Transyluanians 634 h. taken and beheaded l. the great riches found about him 635 a Alphonsus king of Naples sendeth aid vnto Scanderbeg 369 f. with Alexander the Bishop of Rome craueth aid of Baiazet the Turke against Charles the French king 551 a Alphonsus resigneth his kingdome of Naples vnto his sonne Ferdinand 453 e Alphonsus Daualus Vastius lieutenant Generall of the Emperours land forces in his expedition for Tunes 655 b. his speech vnto the Spanish captaines 659 b. commaundeth the Emperour 665 d. with Hannibaldus sent embassadours from the Emperor and the French king to the state of Venice for a confederation betwixt that State them to be made against Solyman 992 g. his Oration in the Venetian Senate h. the answere of the duke m. the Senators diuersly affected towards the confederation 693 d Alteration of Religion in the Greeke Church the cause of great trouble 144 m. Amesa with his Turkes ouerthrowne and taken prisoner by Scanderbeg 366 g Amesa emploied by his vncle Scanderbeg for the recouerie of Croia out of the hands of Turkes 284 h. corrupted flieth to Mahomet the Turke 375 b. his first speech to Mahomet c. honourably entertained 376 i. by Isaack Bassa created king of Epirus 378 d. taken prisoner by Scanderbeg 381 d. sent prisoner into Italie 382 h. enlarged returneth to Constantinople and there dieth â—83 b Amurath the first succeedeth his father Orchanes in the Turkish kingdome 189 c. inuadeth Europe d. taketh Hadrianople f. maketh his roiall seat in Europe 191 b. beginneth the order of the Ianizaries e. returneth into Asia 192 g. marrieth his son Baiazet vnto Hatune the daughter of the prince Germean with a great dowrie 193 c. purchaseth the principalitie of Amisum of Chusen Beg. d. inuadeth Seruia and taketh Nissa the metropoliticall citie thereof e. imposeth a yearely tribute vpon the countrey of Seruia f. in a great battel ouerthroweth Aladin the king of Caramania his sonne in law with the other Mahometane prinâ—â— his confederates 196 g. by his captaines winneth and spoileth a great part of Bulgaria 199 a. in a great mortall battell ouerthroweth Lazarus the Despot of Seruia with his confederats in the plaines of Cossoua 200 i. slaine k. buried at Prusa 201 b. Amurath the second placed in his fathers seat 255 c. afraid to goe against the rebell Mustapha 256 h. in vaine besieged Constantinople 258 g. strangleth his brother Mustapha l. winneth Thessalonica 260 g. taketh vnto himselfe the greatest part of Aetolia i. enforceth the princes of Athens Phocis and Beotia to become his tributaries h. falsifieth his faith with Iohn Castriot prince of Epirus and poysoneth his three eldest sonnes his hostages l. oppresseth the Mahometane princes in Asia 261 c. spoileth Hungarie d. contrarie to his saith inuadeth Seruia and subdueth it 262 g. putteth out the eyes of the Despots sons his wiues brethren g. besiegeth Belgrade 263 c. dealeth subtilly with the embassadors of king Vladislaus 264 g. notably encourageth his souldiors to the assault of Belgrade h. shamefully repulsed 266 h. his sullen answere vnto the embassadours of king Vladislâ—us i. sendeth Mesites Bassa to inuade Transyluania 267 f. grieued with the losse of Mesites and his armie sendeth Abedin Bassa to reuenge his death 270 l. in despaire about to haue slain himselfe 289 a. by the mediation of the Despot of Seruia obtaineth peace of king Vladislaus for ten yeares b. inuadeth Caramania d. wearie of the world committeth the gouernment of his kingdome to his sonne Mahomet and retireth himselfe vnto a monasticall life c. at the report of those preparations of the Hungarians and request of his Bassaes forsaketh his solitarie life and raiseth a great armie in Asia 296 k. by the Genowaies transported with his armie into Europe l. ioyneth battell with K. Vladislaus at Varna 297 b. about to haue sled reproued of cowardise by a common souldiour c. prayeth vnto Christ. e. in danger to haue beene slaine 298 h. wisheth not many times so to ouercome as he did at the battell of Varna m. to performe his vow resigneth his kingdome to his sonne Mahomet which he shortly after resumeth againe 299 b. his craftie letters to Scanderbeg 300 g. his passionate speech in his rage against Scanderbeg 302 i. breaketh through the Hexamylum imposeth a yearly tribute vpon them of Peloponnesus 304 h. after three daies hard fight with great slaughter of his men ouercommeth Huniades in the plaines of Cassoua 309 b. inuadeth the Despot 310 k. his graue letters of aduice to Mustapha concerning his inuading of Epirus 311 e. commeth with a great armie to Sfetigrade 316 l. in vaine with great â—urie giueth many a desperat assault vnto the citie 319 b. in one assault looseth seuen thousand of his Turks 320 i. by great promises seeketh to corrupt the garrison of Sfetigrade l. by the practise of one man hath the citie of Sfetigrade yeelded vnto him 321 e. hauing lost thirtie thousand of his Turks at the siege of Sfetigrade returneth to Hadrianople 322 h. with a great armie commeth againe into Epirus and besiegeth Croia 323 c. in two assaults looseth eight thousand of his souldiors 326 k. content to buy the life of one Christian with the losse of twentie of his Turks 327 a. seeketh by great gifts to corrupt Vranacontes the Gouernour of Croia 328 i. ouercome with melancholie tormenteth himselfe 330 g. by his embassadours offereth Scanderbeg peace h. his last speech vnto his sonne Mahomet concerning such things as at his death grieued him most k. dieth 331. b. buried at Prusa 332 g Amurath the sonne of Achomates flieth vnto Hysmael the Persian king 504 k marrieth his daughter 505 a. spoileth Cappadocia and for feare of his vncle Selymus retireth d. Amurath the third taketh vpon him the Turkish Empire 919 c. pacifieth the Ianizaries and augmenteth their priuiledges d. strangleth his fiue brethren e. his letters vnto the nobilitie of Polonia in the behalfe of Stephen Bathor Vayuod of Transyluania 920 i. attentiue to the slirs in Persia. 923 f. enformed thereof by Vstref Bassa of Van. 924 m. resolueth to take the Persian warre in hand 925 d.
of Sultan Aladin in the lesser Asia 204 k. inuadeth Valachia ouerthroweth the Vayuod and causeth him to become his tributarie 205 a. besiegeth Constantinople eight yeares c. in a great battell at Nicopolis ouerthroweth Sigismund king of Hungarie with his confederats 206 g. returneth againe to the siege of Constantinople k. marrieth Despina the faire daughter of Lazarus the Despot 207 a. pretily reprooued by his ieaster d. in battell ouercommeth Aladin the Caramanian king and deliuereth him prisoner to Temurtases his lieutenant 208 m. subdueth the Caramanian kingdome 209 a. hath the great cities of Amasia and Sebastia yeelded vnto him a. oppresseth the Mahometane princes of the lesser Asia d. vnciuilely entertaineth the embassadours of Tamerlan sent vnto him in the behalfe of the poore princes by him oppressed 211. accounteth a shepheard more happie than himselfe 216 k. ioyneth a great and mortall battell with Tamerlan 219 b. forsaken of his owne souldiors c. ouerthrowne and taken prisoner by Axalla d. brought to Tamerlan 220. shut vp in an yron cage like a wild beast m. dieth miserably 227 b. his issue as also his immediat successour vncertaine 231 c. his true posteritie 232 g Baiazet the second excluded from the succession in the Turkish Empire by his sonne Corcutus commeth to Constantinople 437 e. by the mediation of the great Bassaes obtaineth the kingdome of Corcutus 438 g. goeth against his brother Zemes vp in rebellion against him i. in doubt to haue been betraied by his souldiors 441 c. reuiled by the Ianizaries 444 h. putteth some of them to death 445 a. purposeth their vtter destruction b. glad to dissemble his purpose and to reconcile himselfe vnto them f. sendeth Dautius his embassadour to Alexander bishop of Rome 451 d. glad to heare that diuers of the Christian princes had combined themselues against the French king 456 i. in danger to haue been slaine by a Deruislar or Turkish Monke 463 c. Baiazet by nature peaceable d. his children 476 k. sendeth embassadours with presents vnto his sonne Selymus 480 i. seeking to preferre Achomates his eldest sonne to the empire himself yet liuing is mightily withstood by the souldiors of the Court before corrupted by Selymus 481 b. he forbiddeth Selymus to come vnto him and threateneth him 482â— fearing to loose Constantinople departeth from Hadrianople i. his resolute speech vnto the Ianizaries and other souldiors of the Court. 484 l. in plaine battell ouercommeth his son Selymus at Tzurulum 485 d. willing the second time to haue resigned his Empire vnto Achomates is againe withstood by his men of warre 487 b. his resolute answer vnto Mustapha and the other traiterous Bassaes after that Selymus was by their practise by the souldiors of the Court saluted Emperour 494 k. poysoned by Hamon his phisition a Iew. 495 f. dieth 496 g. Baiazet Solyman his younger sonne seeketh to aspire vnto the Empire his father yet liuing 768 h. setteth vp a counterfet Mustapha to make an head to his intended rebellion k. the subtile and craftie dealing of the supposed Mustapha to deceiue the people l. forsaken of his followers is taken and brought to Solyman at Constantinople 770 g. secretly with his complices drowned h. Baiazet sent for by his father goeth vnto him in feare l. in few words comforted by his mother 771 a. sharply for his disloyaltie reprooued by his father and so by him pardoned b. returneth againe to his charge d. after the death of Roxolana his mother raiseth new stirs e. admonished of â—his dutie by his father 772 h. vnwilling to go to Amasia the prouince appointed him by his father seeketh delaies 773 k. by a Chiaus requesteth his father not to intermeddle betwixt his brother and him 774 h. making shew as if he would go to Amasia stayeth at Anâ—yra and there raiseth his forces l. his quarrell generally fauâ—ured of the souldiors 775 b. his purpose d. he goeth against his brother towards Iconium e. fighteth a bloudie battell with his brother Selymus wherein were fortie thousand Turks slaine 776 g. put to the worse retireth and so goeth to Amasia h. more commended by the souldiours in his ouerthrow than was his brother in his victorie i. seeketh againe for his fathers â—auour 777 f. dispairing thereof flieth into Persia deceiuing by the way the Bassaes of Sebastia and Erzirum 778 k. at the first well entertained by the Persian king 779 e. his followers by the cunning of the fearefull Persian dispersed and slaine 780 k. he himselfe with his sonnes imprisoned l. his miserable estate in prison 781 f. with his foure sonnes at the instance of his father by the Persian strangled 782 h Baiazet Bassa sent by Amurath against Mustapha the rebell forsaken of his souldiors yeeldeth 255 e. vpon a false surmise executed f. Baldwin Countie of Edessa and brother to Godfrey second king of Ierusalem 25 a. winneth Casaria from the Infidels b. ouerthroweth the Turks hard by Rama c. besiegeth Ptolemais and in retiring thence is mortally wounded e. besiegeth it againe hath it by composition yeelded vnto him e. after many sharp assaults winneth Berythus 26 h. taketh Sidon by composition and in vaine besiegeth Tire i. maketh an expedition into Aegipt and neere vnto Laris dieth m. Baldwin surnamed Brugensis countie of Edissa besiegeth Carras and there taken prisoner after fiue years captiuitie redeemeth himselfe 25 d. after the death of Baldwin the first chosen king of Ierusalem and called Baldwin the second 27 a. ouerthroweth the Turks and ioyneth the principalitie of Antioch to his owne kingdome d. by Balac the Persian Sultan ouerthrowne and taken prisoner after eighteene months captiuitie for the ransome of an hundred thousand duckats set at libertie 28 l. in three notable battels ouerthroweth the king of Damasco 29 a. dieth h. Baldwin the third of that name crowned king of Ierusalem 31 a. hardly distressed by Noradin the Turke b. he fortifieth Gaza and taketh Ascalon by composition 34 i. in a set battell ouer throweth Noradin the king of Damasco at the castle of Sueta 35 f. falleth sicke and dieth 36 h Baldwin the fourth of that name seuenth king of Ierusalem 58 l. with a great slaughter ouerthroweth Saladin inuading his kingdome 59 d. putteth him with his great armie againe to flight 60 k. resigneth the gouernment of his kingdome to Guy Lusignan countie of Ioppa and Ascalon 61 b. sendeth embassadours vnto the Christian princes of the West and immediately after dieth 62 i Baldwin the â—iâ—t of that name yet but a boy was crowned eight king of Ierusalem and within seuen months after dieth 62 i Baldwin countie of Flaunders and Haiâ—nault chosen by the Latins Emperour of Constantinople and so solemnely crowned 83â— subdueth Thracia and besiegeth Hadrianople 85 a. ouerthrowne in battell by the Scythians and taken prisoner is by the commandement of their barbarous king most cruelly put to death d. Baldwin the second of that name â—iâ—t and last Emperour of the Latines in Constantinople 97 a. pawneth his sonne vnto the Bruges
1015. lodeth six waggons with the heads of the slaine Christians 1016 g. spoyleth Turopolis l. deceiued by the Abbot of Siseg 1021 c. his threatening letters vnto the Abbot d. besiegeth Siseg 1022 g. in a great battell ouerthrowne 1023 a. drowned b. Hatwan besieged by the Christians 1093 d. taken by assault 1094 g. againe forsaken by the Christians i. Henry brother to Baldwin chosen second Emperour of the Latines in Constantinople 85 f Henry duke of Saxonie with a great armie sent into the Holy land by Henry the sixt Emperour of Germanie goeth accompanied with many great princes 73â— falling sicke of a feuer dieth 74 h Henry the French king by his embassadour solliciteth Solyman to inuade the king of Spaine his territories 767 c Heraclius the Greeke Emperour by the helpe of the Arabians recouereth Siria and the holy citie from Chosroe the Persian king 22 g Hoccata the Tartar by his captaines subdueth Armenia the greater Cholchis and Iberia 76 i. succeeding his father Zingis inuadeth the East and West part of Aâ—ia subdueth the East Indies and buildeth Cambalu 75â— driueth the Turks out of Persia and subdueth many countries 76 g Horruccius and Hariadenus how they of base pyrats aspired to the kingdome of Algiers 635 c. Horruccius his successe f. slaine and his head in triumph carried about in Spaine 636 h Hungarie deuided into two factions vpon the choice of Vladislaus king of Polonia 163 a. againe deuided vpon the dissention betwixt king Ferdinand and king Iohn 605 c. becommeth a prey vnto Solyman and by him conuerted into the forme of a prouince of the Turkish Empire 713 a Huniades by king Vladislaus made Vayuod of Transyluania 266 l. in a great battell ouerthroweth Isa Beg Amurath his lieutenant in Seruia 267 d. ouerthroweth Mesites Bassa and killeth him with twentie thousand Turks moe 269 e. of the spoile of the Turks sendeth a present vnto king Vladislaus and the Despot of Seruia 270 g. his most Christian speech to encourage his souldiours against the Turks 271 d. in a great and mortall battell ouerthroweth Abedin Bassa with his armie at Vascape 274 l. with ten thousand horsemen ouerthroweth a great armie of the Turks by night 277 f. eight times repulseth the Turks pursuing him in his retreat downe the mountaine Hemus 279 d. with a great slaughter discomfiteth Carambey the Bassa of Romania and taketh him prisoner 280 k. flying out of the battell of Varna taken prisoner by Dracula Vayuod of Valachia 298 i. by generall consent chosen Gouernour of Hungarie in the minoritie of king Ladislaus 304 l. goeth against the Turke 305 b. with a notable speech encourageth his souldiours against the Turkes 306 i. fighteth three daies together with Amurath in the plaines of Cossoua 307 d. ouercome flieth 309 b. falleth into the hands of two notable theeues e. in doubt of a shepheard is by him relieued 310 g. taken prisoner by the false Despot g. set at libertie reuengeth himselfe vpon him i. requested giueth him and against the Turks 311 a. his most Christianlike death 358 l. Hysmaell after the death of his father Haider flieth to his fathers friend Pyrchales 465 b. his behauiour in the time of his exile 466 g. recouereth his inheritance k. taketh Sumachia l. obtaineth Tauris 467 b. ouercommeth Eluan the Persian king and killeth him 468 g. peaceably receiued into Sâ—yras h. preacheth his fathers doctrine i. putteth Moratchamus to â—light and obtaineth the kingdome of Persia. 469 b. the inscription of his coyne d. commeth to his army at Coy 508 m. sendeth an herauld vnto Selymus 509 b. with thirtie thousand Persians giueth battell to Selymus with three hundred thousand Turks 510 i. wounded retireth 512 g. the cause why he came with so small an armie against Selymus 517 d. his large territories 518 h. the reason why he inuaded not Selymus wholly busied in the Aegiptian wars 560 h. I IAcup Arnaut slaine and his army discomfited by Scanderbeg 399 d the Ianizaries first instituted by Amurath the first 191 e. stand vpon their guard and reuiling Baiazet their Emperour refuse to receiue him amongst them 445 f. in mutinie against Selymus 512 m. vp in armes against Solyman for the vnworthie death of the noble Mustapha 764 i. vnwilling to goe in the quarrell of Selymus against his brother Baiazet 773 f. their insolent and threatening speech vnto Ferat Bassa their Generall 970 l. in a tumult at Constantinople 1005 d. in an vprore with the Spahi 1104 b. threaten the deposing of their Emperor 1115 c. in mutinie at Constantinople 1142 k Iathatines Sultan of Iconium succeedeth his father Aladin 86 i. besieging Antiochia is slaine by Theodorus Lascaris the Greeke Emperour 87 c Iathatines the second of that name Sultan of Iconium maketh great preparations against the Tartars 109 b. ouerthrowne flieth to the Greeke Emperour Theodorus for aid e. maketh peace with the Tartars and yeeldeth them a yearely tribute 109 f. againe by them oppressed flieth to Palaeologus the Emperour at Nice 114 l. dieth in exile 117 c Ibrahim Bassa by Amurath made Gouernour of Caire 980 l. oppresseth the people and enricheth himselfe 981 e. goeth against the Drusians 982 g. spoileth the country of Man-Ogli the Drusian lord 986 h. with fire and sword destroyeth the countrey of Seraphadin 987 a. createth Aly Ebnecarfus Bassa of the Drusians b. the rich presents by him giuen to Amurath and the ladies of the Court. 988 h. in danger to haue been taken 1095 d. flieth out of the battell of Agria 1097â— sent againe Generall into Hungarie 1104 l. commeth to Buda 1112 h. purposing war entreateth of peace i. with a great armie besiegeth Canisia 1131 b. hath the towne yeelded vnto him 1132 b. his letters vnto Countie Serinus 1133 b. returneth with his army to Belgrade c dieth 1134 l Imailer what men they be among the Turks 477 b Imirza stirreth vp Solyman against his brother Tamas the Persian king 751 d betrayed to his brother Tamas and by him murthered in prison 752 g Innocencie of great force 782 i Iohn Batazes made Emperour of the Greeks in Asia 97 d. taketh in many islands of the Aegeum and forâ—ageth the countrey of Thracia euen to the gates of Constantinople being very aged dieth 108 g Iohn Countie de Brenne by Innocentius the Pope appointed king of Ierusalem 87â— in derision called Roy â—ans ville 88 g. Iohn Castriot prince of Epirus for feare giueth his foure sonnes in hostage vnto Amurath 260 l Iohn Sepusius Vayuod of Transyluania chosen and crowned king of Hungarie 605 a. after the battell of Toccay flieth into Polonia 606 i. by Lascus his embassadour craueth aid of Solyman 607â— commeth to Solyman at Belgrade 609 b. by him restored to the kingdome of Hungarie 614 l. in his old yeares marrieth Isabella the daughter of king Sigismund 695 d. dieth 696 k Don Iohn of Austria Generall of the conâ—ederat princes forces 860 k. in a terrible fight encountreth with Haly Bassa in the battell of Lepanto 881
21 l Ramadan Bassa slaine by the insolent Ianizaries 978 m Rayschachius for sorrow of his sonne slain by the Turks suddenly dieth 760 k Rhodes by the knights hospitalers recouered from the Turks in the year 1308.162 h. besieged by Mesites Palaeologus 428 l. for feare of the Turks the Rhodians destroy their suburbes and places of pleasure without the citie 578 l. the Rhodes described 581 d. besieged by Solyman 584 g. in fiue places at once by the Turks assaulted 587 b. the distressed estate of the Rhodians and their resolution therein 592 g. the Rhodes yeelded vnto Solyman 600 i Richard the first king of England setteth forward toward the Holy land 68 h. reuengeth the iniuries done to him by the Cypriots taketh prisoner Isaack Comnenus their king 69 a. arriueth at Ptolemais c. causeth all the Turks his prisoners in the sight of Saladins armie to be executed 71 a. giueth Cyprus to Guy in exchange for the titular kingdome of Ierusalem f. with great slaughter ouerthroweth Saladin in plaine battell 72 h. returning homeward taken prisoner by Leopold duke of Austria 73 b Rodolp the Emperour prayeth aid of the Germane princes against the Turks 1017 c. his embassadour shut vp close in his house at Constantinople 1018 l. his letters to Amurath 1019 a. his letters to Sinan Bassa d. presented with the spoile of the Turks ouerthrow at Alba Regalis 1029 b. requesteth aid of the great duke of Muscouia the king of Polonia and of the prince of Transyluania 1031 b. holdeth a Diet of the Empire at Ratisbone for the withstanding of the Turks 1038 m. receiueth aid from the Pope the king of Spaine and the princes of Italie 1134 k Robert duke of Normandie by generall coÌ„sent chosen king of Ierusalem which honour he refuseth 22 f Robert sonne of Peter fourth Emperour of the Latines in Constantinople 96 l goeth to Rome and in his return dieth in Achaia 97 a Rogendorff his name terrible vnto the Turks 613 e. with king Ferdinands armie entereth into Hungarie and besiegeth Buda 702 i. threateneth the queene k. derided by the bishop l. in vaine assaulteth Buda 703 d. in raising of his siege by night receiueth a great ouerthrow 708 k. conueyed vp the riuer to Komara there dieth 709 b. Ronzerius sometime a notable pyrat entertained by Andronicus the Emperour against the Turks 150 k. relieueth Philadelphia l. for lacke of pay spoileth the Emperours territories in Asia 151 a. suddenly slaine c. Roscetes riseth against his brother Muleasses king of Tunes 642 l. flieth to Barbarussa and by him carried to Constantinople 643 a Rouerius robbeth Dautius Baiazet the great Turks embassadour to Pope Alexander 451 e Roxolana conspireth with Rustan Bassa against the noble Mustapha and faineth her selfe religious 758 g. sent for by Solyman refuseth to come i. plotteth the confusion of Mustapha 759 f bringeth him into suspition with his father 760 g. she with Rustan put Solyman in feare of his life and Empire by his sonne Mustapha 761 a. loueth her younger sonne Baiazet better than her eldest sonne Selymus 768 g entreateth Solyman for Baiazet and obtaineth his pardon 770 i. comforteth him going in feare vnto his father 771 a Rustan Bassa a man of a mischieuous nature 757 e. furthereth the deuices of Roxolana for the destruction of the noble Mustapha 760 g. sent by Solyman with an armie into Asia to haue taken or slaine Mustapha 761 c. returneth in hast and with false suggestions stirreth vp Solyman himselfe against his sonne d. his exceeding trecherie at the comming of Mustapha to his fathers campe 762 i. disgraced by Solyman flieth to Roxolana at Constantinople 765 a. by her meanes restored againe vnto his former honours dieth afterwards of a dropsie 765 e. S SAhib after the death of Sultan Aladin his master taking vpon him the gouernment is by the nobilitie thrust out and the Tinks kingdome in Asia rent in sunder amongst them 127 c Sahamall the Georgian cutteth off the head of Aider 922 i. submitteth himselfe to Mustapha the great Bassa 936 k. slaine by Osman Bassa his sonne in law 941 d Saladin the Turke chosen Sultan of Aegipt killeth the Caliphâ— and all his posteritie 57 e. inuadeth the kingdome of Ierusalem by Baldwin suddenly sallying out of Ascalon ouerthrowne 59 d. besiegeth Beritus both by sea and land taketh Edessa and Carras 60 l. spoileth the holy land at his pleasure 61 c. in vaine besiegeth Ptolemais 63. b. besiegeth Tiberias and by the treason of the countie of Tripolis ouerthroweth Gâ—y the king comming to the reliefe thereof and taketh him prisoner 63 e. winneth Ierusalem with all the other cities and townes in the holy land except Tripolis Tire and Antioch 64 g. besiegeth Tire and with the losse of his best souldiors and of his tents retireth l. taketh Antioch with all the prouinces and townes thereunto belonging 65 a. putteth to death the Christian captiues 71 a. dieth and forbiddeth any funerall pompe to be vsed at his buriall 73 c Saluagus a worthie knight 797 c Salazar a Spanish captaine goeth as a spie into the Turks campe at the siege of Malta 811 d Sanguin the Turke ouerthroweth king Fulke comming to the reliefe of the castle of Mont Ferand and hath the castle yeelded vnto him 30 h. taketh Edessa and there vseth all manner of crueltie against the Christians 31 a. besieging Cologenbar is there stabbed by one of his own friends and slain b. Sarmentus slaine 691 d Sarugatin Osmans brother slain and accounted of the Turks for a saint 138 k Scanderbeg with his brethren by their father Iohn Castriot giuen in hostage vnto Amurath 260 l. wisely dissembleth his desire for the deliuerie of himselfe and his countrey 283 d. by great pollicie recouereth the citie of Croia out of the hands of the Turks 284 i. hath the strong cities of Epirus yeelded vnto him 285 c. spoyleth Macedonia 287 c. in a great battell ouerthroweth Alis Bassa with two and twentie thousand of his Turks 288 l. going to the aid of king Vladislaus is by the faithlesse Despot denied passage through Seruia 295 b. spoileth the Despots countrey and so returneth into Epirus 299 c. his resolute answere vnto Amurath his melancholie letters 301 d. putteth Ferises to flight 302 l. ouerthroweth Mustapha the second time and taketh him prisoner 313 b. carefully setteth all things in order against the comming of Amurath 314 g. his effectuall speech vnto the souldiours and citisens of Sfetigrade to encourage them against the comming of the Turke 315 b. cunningly entrappeth some of the forerunners of Amuraths armie 316 l. troubleth his great campe 319 a. with his owne hand killeth Feri Bassa 320 g. troubleth Amurath his great armie at the siege of Croia 324 l. in danger to haue been slaine or taken m. deceiueth Mahomet the young prince in his own deuice 326 h. flieth by night into Epirus 371 c. his answer by letters vnto the letters of Mahomet 385 c. his answer vnto Mahomets letters concerning the
c. after the death of young Bohemund created King of Antioch 26 i Tarsus in Cilicia yeelded vnto Baiazet 446 m. Tartar Han his letters vnto the King of Polonia 1083 c Tauris yeelded to Selymus 512 c. who contrarie to his promise exacteth a great summe of money from the Taurisians and so departeth 513 a. sacked by Solyman 651 f. taken by the Turks 991 d. hath a new castle therin built by the Turks in six and thirtie daies 992 i. miserably spoiled l. Taurica Cheâ—sonesuâ— with the Tartars Precopenses and Dâ—steâ—ces subdued by the Turks 412 m Techellis inuadeth the Turks dominions 469 c. ouerthroweth Orchanes and Mahometes Baiazet his nephewes 471. discomfiteth Caragoses the Viceroy of Natolia 472 i. killeth Alis Bassa 474 l. flieth into Armenia 475â— robbeth a Carauan of marchants and therefore burnt at Tauris 476 h. Temeswar taken by the Turks 756 g Temurtases Baiazet his lieutenant in Asia taken prisoner by Aladin the young King of Caramania 208 k. againe set at libertie hangeth the Caramanian King m. Teufenbach taketh Sabatska 1026 k. winneth Filek 1027 c. besiegeth Hatwan 1032 g. ouerthroweth the Bassa of Buda h. giueth the same Bassa a second ouerthrow 1037 f Theobald King of Nauarre maketh an vnfortunat expedition into the Holy land 99 f. with Lewis the French King goeth against the Moores 118 k. in his returne dieth of the plague in Sicilia l. Theodorus Lascaris flieth into Bythinia and possessing himselfe of many countries taketh vpon him the name of the Greeke Emperour at Nice 84 l. he killeth Iatâ—atines the Turkish SultaÌ„ 87 c Theodorus Lascaris son to Iohn Batases chosen Emperour 108 m. aideth the Sultan of Iconium 109. c. falleth sicke and dieth 110 g Theupulus Earle of Paphos vnworthily hanged by the faithlesse Bassa Mustapha 867 d Thracia spoiled by the Turks 156 g Tomombeius by the generall consent of the Mamalukes chosen Sultan of Aegipt 533 d. maketh great preparation against the Turks and seeketh to entrap them 538 g. his deuices discouered i. he fighteth a great battell with Selymus and is put to the worse 540 m. raiseth new forces at Caire 541 c. fortifieth Caire 542 k. fighteth a great battell in the citie 545 b. ouercome flieth 546 h. driuen out of Caire raiseth new forces in Segesta 547 d. distresseth the Turks in passing the bridge made ouer Nilus 549 b. giueth anotable attempt to haue gained the bridge f. repulsed and put to flight 550 i. taken and brought to Selymus l. tortured and shamefully put to death m. Trapezond yeelded to Mahomet the Great 360 k. Transyluania giuen by Solyman to the child King Iohn his sonne 716 l Tripolis in Barbarie besieged by Sinan Bassa 753 a. battered b. the weakest places thereof and â—ittest to be battered by a fugitiue Christian discouered to the Turks d. vpon hard conditions yeelded to the proud and faithlesse Bassa 755 d Tunes besieged by Lewis the French king 119 a. yeelded to Charles the Emperour 667 c. by him vpon an easie tribute againe restored to Mulcasses 669 d. againe yeelded to the Turks 915 d. Turks their originall beginning diuersly reported 1 c. discended from the Scythians 2 b. the causes why they left their auntient and naturall seats in Scythia to seeke for other in countries more Southerly 2 l. where they first seated themselues in Asia after their departure out of Scythia 3 b. their first kingdome erected in Persia by Tangrolipix their first Sultan 4 l. the Turks first called into Europe by the Catalonians 152 g. they differ not from the Persian about the interpretation of their law but about the true successor of their false prophet Mahomet only 462 i. Turqueminus chosen Sultan of Aegipt 106 h. Tzihanger refuseth the noble Mustapha his brothers wealth treasure offered him by his father Solyman and for sorrow killeth himselfe 763 e V VAlachia when first spoiled by the Turks 204 g. inuaded by Mahomet the Great 362 g. oppressed by the Turks 1050 h. in great troubles 1143 d Valmes fortified by Mahomet the Great 402 g. Valetta the Grand master of Malta aduertised of Solymans purpose for the inuasion of him his knights 793 f. his effectuall speech vnto his knights 794 g. his great preparation against the Turks comming k. his whole strength 796 g. he certifieth Garzias of Toledo Viceroy of Sicilia of his estate l. sendeth a new supplie into the castle S. Elmo twice before assaulted by the Turks 798 g. disappointed of a supplie to haue beene brought him by his owne gallies h. his letters to Garzias the Viceroy of Sicilia 800 g. he sendeth three of his knights to know the state of them in the castle S. Elmo 801 e. encourageth his souldiors after the losse of the castle 803 c. his Christianlike letters to the Gouernor of the citie of Melita â— his resolute answere to the messengers sent vnto him from the great Bassa 804 i. he receiueth a small supply from Sicilia 805 f. maketh hard shift to send newes of his distresse to the Viceroy of Sicilia 808 l. his comfortable speech vnto his souldiors at such time as the Turks were entered the new citie 814 h. his great carefulnesse 817 e. his letters to the Grand Prior of Almaine concerning the manner of the Turks proceedings in the siege of Malta 818 g Venerius the Venetian Admirall and Barbadicus their prouiditor persuade the rest of the Christian confederats to giue battell vnto the Turks at Lepanto 871 d. comming to the reliefe of Don Iohn is encountered by Partau Bassa 879 a. in danger b. at the request of the Spaniards displaced but not disgraced 887 e the Venetians with a great fleet spoile the coasts of Lycia Pamphilia and Cilicia 19 a. in the deuision of the Greeke Empire amongst the Latines had for their share all the rich islands of the Aegeum and Ionian with the famous island of Candie or Crete 84 h. enter into confederation with other Christian princes against the Turke 389 e. they with their confederates doe the Turks great harme 407 d. receiue a great ouerthrow from the Turks at the riuer of Sontium 414 k. their marchants in Syria imprisoned by Campson Gauruâ— the Aegiptian Sultan 471 b. their Senatours diuersly affected towards the confederation with the Emperour and the French King against Solyman 693 d. they refuse to yeeld vp Cyprus vnto Selymus demanding the same 841 e. make great preparation for their own defence and craue aid of the other Christian princes 842 k. what princes promised them aid l. wearie of the delaies and crosse dealing of the Spaniards their confederats conclude a peace with Selymus without their knowledge 904 k. Veradinum besieged by the Turks 1106 h relieued by the lord Basta l. Vesprinium taken by the Turks 1025 c Vfegi Bassa taken prisoner 500 l. put to death 501 b Vicegrâ—de taken by the Christians 1072 i Victor Capella with a notable speech persuadeth the Venetians to take vp arms against Mahomet the Great 387 a Vienna by Solyman
cruell and bloodie sight betwixt the Christians and the Turks euen in the Temple of Ierusalem 1099 Godfrey duke of Buillon by the generall consent of the Christian armie chosen first king of Ierusalem An hundred thousand Turks and Sarasins slaine Godfrey of Buillon first Christian king of Ierusalem dieth of tâ—e plâ—gâ—â— 1100 Baldwin countâ—â— of Edessa and brother to Godfrey second king of Ierusalem 1101 King Baldwin mortally wounded Ptolomais woon by king Baldwin Bohemund dieth at Antioch 1111 Sidon woon 1118 Baldwin Brâ—gensis chosen king of Ierusalem 1118 1120 1122 Iâ—ppa besieged bâ— the Sarasins Tâ—re bâ—siâ—â—ed by the Christians 1124 Damasco in vaiâ—e besieged by the Christians The death of Baldwin the second the third king of Ierusalem 1131 Caâ—o Ioannes 〈◊〉 Greeke empeâ—â—uâ— seâ—keth 〈…〉 Tâ—e death of 〈…〉 the Greeke emperour The miserabâ—◠〈…〉 of Ierusalem Baldwin the third of that name fift king of Ierusalem 1142 Conrade third emperor of Germanie taketh vpon him an expedition into the Holy land Conrade the emperour not suffred to enter into Constantinople The Turke with 〈…〉 A notable speech of Conrade the emperour to encourage his soldiers to aduenture the riuer Meander The Turks ouerthrowen by the Christians with a woonderfull slaughter Nicetas Choniates Annali primo rerum à Manuele Comoeno Imperatore gestar fol. 139. Iconium in vaine besieged by the Christianâ— 1146 The honourable expedition of Lewis the French king by the malice of the Greeks and 〈◊〉 of other Christian princes of Syria frustrated and brought to naught Damasco in vaine besieged by Lewis the French king 1147 Paneade taken and sacked by the Turks Paneade â—gaine repaired by the Christians The death of king Baldâ—in lamented by his â—â—â—mies 1163 Dâ—scord amongst the Tâ—â—kâ— in the lesser â—sia Masâ—t the Sultan deuideth his kingdâ—m amoÌ„gst 〈◊〉 three sâ—nnes Another foolish Icarus Nicetas Choniates reâ—um ab imperat Manuele Comnenâ— gestar lib. 3. fol. 143. Vnkindnesse betwixt the emperour and the Sultan Baldwin slainâ— The miserie of the Christians by the Turks inclosed in the straits The emperour in great perplâ—â—itie The desperat resolution of the emperour A moâ—â— miserabâ—e spectacle The emperour in danger to haue been takâ—n notably defendeth himselfe The malapert speech of an insolâ—nt soldiour to the emperour The great patience of the emperour The â—earfull resolution of the emperour A sharpe reprehension of a common soldior vnto the emperour The emperour returneth The emperour aâ—together 〈◊〉 not what he hâ—d 〈◊〉 to the Sultan Andronicus aspireth Ambition couered with the zeale of the commonweale Andronicus departeth from Oenum towards Constantinople Androniâ—us encampeth in sight ouer against Constantinople Xiphilinus senâ— ouer to Andronicus dealeth â—â—faithfully in dâ—â—ng his messagâ— The proud answer of Andronicus Contostephanus reuolteth to Andronicus Alexius in despaire Alexius and his friends apprehended A strange alteration Alexius broght to Andronicus hath his eyes put out The meeting of the Patriarch Andronicus Andronicus passeth ouer the straâ—â— Andronicus taketh vpoâ— him the gouernment Andronicus tyrannizeth A miserable state of a commonweale Mary the daughter of Emanuell with her husband Caesar poysoned by Andronicus Xene the empresse accused of treason and condemned Dangerous to speake the truth to a tyrant A wicked counsell The miserable death of the empresse The slie practise oâ— Andronicus in aspiring to the empire Alexius depriued of the empire Alexius coÌ„demned to die Alexius the emperour cruelly strangâ—â—d An vnequall mariage Androniâ—us seeketh 〈◊〉 â—â—â—annie to establish his estate Exceeding crueltie Isaack Angelus taketh saâ—ctuary The people in a tumult â—eâ—ort vnto Angelus Andronicus in vaine seeketh to appease the tumultuous people Isaack Angelus by the people in a 〈◊〉 saluted emperour Andronicus forsaken of his flattering fauourits A strange chaÌ„ge Andronicus the emperour taken and brought in bonds to Angelus Andronicus the emperor hanged vp by the heeles Nicetas Chomates Annal. lâ—b 1. fol. 161. col 4. Isaack Angelus the emâ—eâ—our 〈…〉 Isaack the emperour 〈◊〉 froÌ„ the empire and 〈◊〉 of his 〈…〉 brother 〈◊〉 Cazastâ—lan the Turkâ— Sultan 〈…〉 vpon the 〈◊〉 empire in the â—â—sser Asia The sonnes of Clizasâ—lan at variance among themselues Almericus 〈◊〉 king of Hierusalem Noradin the Turke discomfited by the Christians Aâ—â—â—andria yeeâ—ded to Aâ—meâ—icus 1167 Pelusium takeâ—â— by Almericus The Sultan of Aegypt vnder the colour of friendship slainâ— by Saracon How the kingdome of Aegypt first fell into the hands of the Sarasins with the notable alterations thereof 1170 1171 1173 Baldwin the fourth of that name seuenth king of Hierusalem Saladin ouerthrowne by king Baldwin 1177 The Christians deuiding the spoil ouerthrown by the Turks Saladin goeth 〈◊〉 of Aegypt to Damasco Galiley spoâ—led and the castle of Buâ—â— taken by the Turks Berytus in vain besieged by the Turks Saladin inuading Mesopotamia iâ— himselfe inuaded by the king of Hierusalem Aleppo betraied vnto the Turks Petra in vaine besieged by the Turks Discord in the court of Hierusalem King 〈◊〉 sendeth embassadours vnto the Christian princes of the West for aid 1185 〈…〉 of Hierusalem Saladin vpoÌ„ the discord of the Christians taketh occasion to inuade the Holy land Ptolemais besieged by Saladin 1187 Guy king of Hierusalem taken prisoner Hierusalem besieged Hierusalem taken by Saladin The famous city of Antioch betrayed vnto the Turkes 1160 Fredericke the emperour setteth forward towards the Holy land Fredericke the emperours sonne 〈◊〉 generall of the Christian armie A great battell betwixt the Turks and the Christians Ptolemais assaulted by the Christians An old grudge betwixt Philip the French king and Richard king of England King Richard reuengeth the iniurie done vnto his people by the Cipriots King Richard arriueth at Ptolemais 1191 The French king sâ—eaâ—â—th vnto king Riâ—hard in 〈◊〉 absence not to inuade his territories in France King Richard marcheth with his army towards Hierusalem A notable battel fought betwixt king Richard Saladin King Richard purposing to haue besieged Hierusalem â—s by the baâ—kwardâ—es of the French enforced to retire King Richard 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 a peaâ—e with Saladin King Richard returning out of the Holy land taken prisoner by Leopold duke of Austria 1197 The Turks ouerthrown by the Christians Ioppe repaired by the Christians The Germaine princes returne home 1199 Kingdomes after the manner of other things haue but their time to flourish in and so againe decay The Turks driueÌ„ out of Persia by the Tartars 1202 The beginning of the Aladinian kingdome in the lesser Asia as Sebastia and Iconium Alexius the yong prince craâ—eth aid of Philip the emperour and the Latine princes against his vncle the vsurper Great preparation made by the Christians for an expedition into the Holy land Alexius coÌ„meth vnto the armie A great â—leet of the Latineâ— before Constantinople The Latines by force enter the hauen of Constantinople A hot skirmish betwixt the Greekes and the Latines at their landing Isaack the old emperour taken out of prison and againe saluted emperour together with young Alexius his son 〈◊〉 seeketh 〈◊〉 bring the Latines
〈…〉 citie The 〈…〉 in an vproâ—e Murzuâ—â—e attempteth to burne the Venetian fleet Murzufle encourageth his souldiers Constantinople hardly besieged Constantinople set on fire Nicetas Choniates annalâ—um fol. 180. 1204 The Greeke empire diuided amongst the Latines The beginning of the empire of 〈◊〉 by the Comneni Hadrianople besieged by the Emperour Baldwin 1206 Henry second emperour of the Latines in Constantinopleâ— Antioch besieged by Iathatines Iathatines the Sultan slaine by Theodorus Lascaris the Greeke emperour Iohn Brenne by Innocentius the Pope appointed king of Hierusalem 1209 Corradin and Meledin deuide their fathers kingdome betwixt them The situation of Damiata in Aegypt A desperat act of a Christian. Damiata in vain assaulted A faire offer euill refused Succours sent vnto the besieged Dâ—â—â—ata without resistance 〈◊〉 by the Châ—â—stians Dâ—amaâ—a 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 1221 1222 Pelagius the Legat persuadeth the princeâ— of the Christian armie to proceed for the conquest of Aegypt The miserie of the Christians in the drowned land The death of â—enry emperour â—â— Constantinople Peter emperour Robert emperor of CoÌ„stantinople An horrible â—utrage committed vpon the person of an empresse Baldwin the lasâ— emperour of the Latines in Constantinople Iohn Batazes made empeâ—or of the Greekes in Asia Plentie ensuing of peace An imperiall â—â—owne bought with egge mony 1227 1228 1229 Fredericke the emperor crowned king of Hierusalem 1230 The vnfortunat expedition of the king of Nauarrâ— into the Holy land The Christians by persuasion of the 〈…〉 their leâ—gue with the Turkeâ— 1234 Hierusalem taken and rased by the Turks 1248 King Lewis setteth forward toward the Holy land 1249 The citizens of Damiata set fire vpon the citie and ran away by the light A faire 〈◊〉 sondly refused Earle Robert in flying drowned The earle of Salisburie valiaÌ„tly sighting slaâ—â—â— The gouernor of Caire apprehended The beginning of the Mamalukes and their kingdome The ruine of the Turkâ— kingdome in Aegypt The emperour in 〈◊〉 with Marcesina Marcesina the emperâ—â—r 〈…〉 of the church Thâ—odorus Lasâ—â—â—â— chosen emperoâ—r The death of Theodorus the Greeke emperor Enuie in Couâ—â— Muzalo traitâ—â—rously murdered in the church Michael Paleologus aspireth Michaell Paleologus crowned emperor by Arsenius the Patriarch 1260 Haalon the Tartar sent with a great armie against the Turks Aleppo rased by the Tartars Damasco woon The Aegyptian Sultan inuadeth Siria Antioch taken from the Christians 1261 Paleologus the Gâ—eâ—ke emperor taketh possession oâ— the citie of Constantinopleâ— Paleologus â—ealous of his estate Paleologus causeth the yong emperours eyes to be put out Iathatines dieth in exile 1270 Carthage besieged by K. Lewis Caâ—thage woon The Christian princes returning from Tunes suffer shipwracke vpon the coast of Sicilia 1271 Prince Edward 〈…〉 Prince Edward wounded 1273 Rodolph the emperour taketh vpon him the Crosse. Henry the prince taken prisoner sent to Caire 1289 Tripolis won and rased by Elpis the Aegyptian Sultan Sydon and Berythus rased Tyre yeelded The miserable estate of a citie about to perish 1291 Ptolemais besâ—eged Ptolemais in vaine assaulted by the Sultan Cassanes the Tartar intâ—adeth Syria Hierusalem takeÌ„ and repaired by Cassanes The description of Cassaâ—es The citie of Hierusalem with all Syria againe recouered by the Aegyptian Sultan 1300 The death of Mesoot and Cei-Cubades The Turks kingdome rent in sunder by themselues The Turks Anarchie Caramania Saruchania Carasia Aidinia Bolli Mendesia Othoman 〈…〉 familie Phi. Lonicerus hist. Turc lib. 1. All worldly things subiect to change The greatest kingdomes haue in time taken end and so come to naught Solyman Sultan of Machan forsaketh his kingdome for â—â—are of the Tartars Romania Asiatica The sonnes of Solyman and their first aduentures The Christians of Cara-Chisar fall ouâ— with the Turks Small things in time of trouble yeeld vnto the wise great content Othoman â—â—â—orous of Malhatun a countrey maid A â—olly common vnto â—â—uers No friendship in â—oue Othoman besieged in danger for his loue The Oguzian Turks in doubt of whom to makâ— choice for their Gouernour The castle of Chalâ—e surprised by 〈◊〉 The Christians 〈◊〉 of the 〈…〉 Othomâ—n consulteth with his brother 〈◊〉 what 〈◊〉 to take for the oppresing of the Christians 〈◊〉 neighbours Othoman 〈◊〉 in order his 〈◊〉 commonweale Michael Cossi inuiteth Othoman to the maâ—â—age of his daughter The captaine of Belizuga â—â—â—acherously seeking the death of Othoman is by him himselfe slaine Othoman by adminiâ—â—ration of iustice strengtheneth his gouernment The â—ity of Nice besiâ—ged by Othoman 1300 Neapolis the first regall citiâ— of the Othoman kingâ— Prusa besâ—â—geâ— by Othoman Michael Cossi turneth Turke Alteration of Religion in the Greeke Church Persecution in the Greeke Church for matters of Religion Immoderat bountie in great men dangerous Alexiâ—s Philanthropenus aspireth Libadarius opposeth himselfe against the proceâ—â—iâ—gâ— of Philanthropenus Andronicus the Greeke emperor reposing moâ—e â—ust 〈…〉 his owne subiects greatly hurteth his state Ronzerius what he was 〈◊〉 for want oâ— pay spoileth the emperors subiects Ronzerius 〈◊〉 The Turks first called into Europe by the Catalonians The Turcopuli The vnfortunat battell of Michael the emperour against the Catalonians and Turks Cassandâ—â—â— The Catalonians shut out of Macedonia The Turks 〈…〉 two faâ—tâ—â—ns The vnfortuâ—at battell of the emperour Michael Paleologus with the Turks in Chersonesâ—â—s Thracia spoiled by the Turks Philes Paleologus requesteth of the emperour that he might goe against the Turks The battell betwixt Philes and the Turks The Turks ouerthrowne The causes of the decay of the Greeke empire Syrgiannes his craâ—tie sediâ—iouâ— speech vnto yoong Andronicus 〈◊〉 Andronicus commeth secretâ—y armed vnto his grandfatâ—â—r Thracia reuolâ—eth vnto Andronicus Articles of agreemeÌ„t betwixt the old emperour and his nephew The Greeke empire in Europe deuided Whilest the Greekes are at discord among thâ—selues Othoman layeth the foundation of the Turks empire and the other Turks encroch vpon them also The Island of the Rhodes was by the knights Hospitalers recouered from the Turks in the yeare 1308. Andronicus the old emperor seeketh for counsell of the Psalter as of an heauenly Oracle and so seeketh to make peace with his nephew Psal. 68. vers 14. A treacherous meeting The yong emperour sendeth embassadours vnto his grandfather The speech of the yong emperor vnto his grandfathers embassadors The speech of the old emperor â—nto the Patâ—â—arâ—h and the rest of the bishâ—ps 〈…〉 the young emperour his â—ephew The Patriarch with diuers of the bishops conspire against the old emperour Thessalonica yeelded vnto the yong emperour Constantinople betraied vnto the young emperour The pitifull supplication of the old emperour vnto his nephew Niphon incenseth the yoong emperor against his grandfather The old emperor beâ—â—meth blind Andronicus the old emperour against hâ—â— will mâ—de a Monke and called Anthonie The notable answere of the old emperour to the catching question of the proud Patriarch The death of the oâ—d emperour The Turks kingdome founded by Othoman in Asia at such time as the Greeke emperors were as variance betwixt
themselues in Europe Prusa yeelded vnto the Turks The death of Othoman Othoman 〈◊〉 at Prusa The wealth that Othoman left vnto his two sonnes Orchanes and Aladin When that barbarous manner of murthering their brethâ—eâ— first began among the Turkish Sultans The city of Nice with diuers other castles recouered from the Turks after the death of Othoman The emperour wounded The city of Nice surprised by the Turks Abydus besieged by the Turks Nicomedia yeelded vnto Orchanes Orchanes remoueth his court to Nice Orchanes inuadeth the country of Carasiâ—a The countrey of Carasina yeelded vnto Orchanes The castle of Maditus taken by the Turks Calipolis taken by the Turkes The death of Solyman Bassa Orchanes his eldest sonne The death of Orchanes * Lazarum Seruiae principeâ— Lazarâ—â— Despot of 〈◊〉 Amurath succeedeth his father Orchanes in the Turkish kingdome Didymotichum yeelded vnto the Turks Hadrianople yeelded vnto the Turks Rhâ—destum surâ—â—ised by the Turks Hadrianople the royall seaâ— of the Turkish kings in Europe Boga taken by Amurath and recouered again and rased by the Christians Boga new buâ—â—â— by â—he Turks Amurath inâ—â—deth Seruia Nissa taken by the Turks Appolonia woon by the Turks Amurath and Aladin prepare themselues for waâ—â—e The death of Chairadin Bassa The great battaile in the plaines of Caramania betwixt Amurath and Aladin Aladin flyeth to Iconium Iconium besieged by Amurath Lazarus the Despot by his embassadour craueth ayd of the king of Bozna Amurath maried the emperour of Constantinople his daughter The castle of Sarkiuâ— with the citie ioining vnto it taken by the Christians and rased Lazarus slaine Amurath slain Amurath burâ—â—ed at Prusa Phi. Lonicer Hist. Tur. li. 1. Baiazet iâ—â—adeth Seruia Seruia the second time inuaded by Baiazet â—â—â—ladelâ—hia 〈◊〉 by Baiazet Thessaâ—â—a inâ—â—ded by Baiaâ—et Constantinople eight yeares besieged by Baiazeâ— Constantinople the second time besieged by Baiazet Baiazet 〈◊〉 Despina the faire daughter of Lazarus the Despot Temurtaseâ— Baiazet his great 〈◊〉 â—enant in Asia taken prisoner by Alaâ—â—â— the young 〈◊〉 of Caâ—amaniâ— Amasia yeelded vnto Baiazet Sebastia deliuered to Baiazet Baiazet inuadeth Isfendiar prince of Castamona The Mahometan princes of Asia oppressed by Baiazet disguâ—sed flye vnto Tamerlane for aid Tamerlane his opinion concerning the diuersitie of religions The base opinion some haue concerning the birth and rising of Tamerlane Tamerlane honorably dâ—sceÌ„ded The cause why some haue reported him to haue been a shepheard or heardsman Tamerlane marrieth the daughter and heire of the great Chaeâ—â— of Tartariâ— Prince Axalla in great credit with Tamerlane The number of Tamerlane his great armie Sebastia besieged by Tamerlane Sebastia yeelded to Tamerlane A shepheard more happie than Baiazet The prince of Ciarcan dealeth politickly with the forerunners of the Turks armie The great and mortall battaile betwixt Baiazet and Tamerlane The prince of Ciarcan sâ—aâ—ne The Turks ouerthrowne Baiazet and his sonne Musa taken prisoners Baiazet brought before Tamerlane with his pride Baiazet like a beast shut vp in an iron cage Solyman set â—p in his fathers sâ—ead Prusa taken by Axalla Tamerlane goeth to Constantinople Tamerlan much deâ—ighted with the pâ—easures of Constantinople A great battell fought betwixt the Sultan of Aegypt and Tamberlane Damasco woon by Tamerlane Tamerlane commeth to Ierusalem Damiata taken by Axalla Tamerlane marchâ—th towards Caâ—er Caler bâ—sieged by Tamerlane Caier assaulted by Tamerlane The Sultan flieth from Alexandria Tamerlane desirous to returne into his country The misâ—rablâ— death oâ— Baiazet A comparison betwixt Baiazet and Tamerlane Baiazet in his posteâ—â—â—ie more fâ—rtunat than Tamerlane Phil. Lonicer Hist. Turc lib. 1. Diuers opinions concerning the successours of Baiazet The true posterâ—tie of Baiazet Mahomet Gouernor of Amasia Mahomet sendeth spies into Tamerlane his campe Cara Dulet slaine Mahomet his letters to Inall Ogli the Tartar pince Inall Ogli his answere to Mahomet Inall Ogli ouerthrowne by Mahomet Mahomet his speech to Tamerlans embassador The great power Tamerlane continually kept The death of Tamerlane The discription of Tamerlane Paulus Iouius Illust. virorum Elog. lib. 1. pag. 97. Mahomet goeth against his brother Isa. The answâ—re of Isa to Mahomet his oâ—â—ers The bodie of Baiazet honourabâ—y 〈◊〉 at Prusa Good counsell Isa with a great armie sent by his brother Solyman into Asia against Mahomet Prusa burnt by Isa. Isa â—lieth into Caramania and there dieth in obscuritie The castle of â—rusa besieged 〈◊〉 Solyman Musa marieth the prince of Valachia his daughter Musa in the absence of Solyman receiâ—ed at Hadrianople as king Musa goeth against Soâ—yman Solyman flyeth Solyman strangled by his brother Musa This Solyman is that same whom some call Celebinus and other-some Calepinus and reckon him for the fift king of the Turks The battaile betwixt the two brethren Mahomet and Musa Mahomet his letters vnto the prince Dulgader Ogli his father in law The answere of prince Dâ—lgader Ogli to Mahomet Hadrianople besieged by Mahomet Musa his cheefe captaines reuolt to Mahomet Musa taken Musa strangled 1415. Prusa burnt by the Caramanian king 1416 Mahomet inuadeth the Caramanian king 1417 Valachia tributarie to the Turke Burgluzes slain Bedredin hanged Mahomet dieth at Hadrianople The death of Mahomet cunningly concealed from the Ianizaries by the tâ—ree great Bassaes. Phil. Lonicer Hist. Turc lib. 1. Murat is the same that we caâ—â— Desiderius Mustapha the supposed sonne of Baiazet raiseth rebellion against Amurath Mustapha â—lyetâ— Mustapha hâ—â—ged Two Asapi sold by a Ianizarie for a sheepes head Constantinople in vain besieged by Amurath Mustapha betraied strangled Eiuases-Bassa 〈◊〉 put out The king of Caramania slaine Thessalonica besieged Thessalonica takeÌ„ by Amurath Plague among the Turks Hungarie spoiled by Amurath Amurath contrary to his faith inuadeth Seruia and subdueth it Vladislaus accepteth of the kingdome offered Belgrade besieged of the Turkâ— Belgrade in vain assaulted The notable speech of Amurathâ—â—â—ncourage 〈◊〉 souldiors to the assault of Belgrade Belgrade notably defended by the Christians Amurath his answerâ— to the embassadours 1440 Transiluania inuaded and spoiled by Mesites Bassa Huniades flieth Huniades the bishop of Alba-Iula entrapped by the Turks A great battell betwixt Mesites and Huniades Great reioicing for the victorie The speech of an old Turke in deliuering the present vnto the king Valachia grieuouslâ— spoiled by the Turks The most Christian speech of Huniades to encourage his souldiours against the Turks A cruell barrell betwixt Huniades and Abedin Bassa The Turks â—lie The effectuall speech of Iulian the Popes legate in the parlâ—ment to persuade the warre The pitifull comâ—â—â—â—â— of the Desâ—ot of tâ—e crueltiâ— of the Turks persuadâ—â—â— the Hunâ—â—â—ians to take the warre against them in hand Sophia taken Huniades with ten thousand horsemen assaâ—leth the Turks by night The meeting of Vladislaus and Huniades after the victorie The Hungarianâ— inforced with the diffâ—cultie of the passage of the mountaine Hemus retire A great battell betwixt Huniades the Bassa Carambey The Turks ouerthrowne and Carambry taken prisoner Scanderbeg reuâ—lteth from the Turks
the Turkâ— 1464 The great 〈◊〉 betwixt Mâ—homâ—t and Scanderbeg are at large written by Marinus Barletius in 13 books De vita gestis Scanderbegi from whence this Historie is taken and wâ—re done betwixt the yeares 1450 and 1467. Vide Marinum Barâ—etium lib. de vita gestis Scanderbegi Debreas sent with 14000 horsemen tâ— inuade Epirus A skirmish betwixt the Christians and the Turks The battell betwixt Scanderbeg Debreas Debreas slain by Scanderbeg and his armie ouerthrowne A pleasant contention betwixt Musachius and a Turke for his ransome The craftie procâ—eding of the Turâ—â— messenger Moses corrupteâ— Scanderbeg crâ—ueth aid of Alphonsus king of Naples Alphonsus sendeth aid vnto Scanderbeg Scanderbeg besiegeth and â—istresseth Belgrad Musachius slain and the Epirots put to â—â—ight Scanderbeg seeth his men slain and is not able to releeue them Scanderbeg flieth by night into Epirus Mahomet sendeth Moses with fifteene thousand seiâ—ct men to inuade Epirus A combat betwixt a Turke and a Christianâ— The battell betwixt Scanderbeg and Moses Moses contemned of the Turkâ— Moses flieth from Constantinople Amesa his first speech vnto Mahomet Amesa honourablâ— entertained by Mahomet A notable speech of Scanderbeg vnto his captainâ— how the Turks were to be withstood aâ— their comming into Epâ—uâ— The Eâ—iroâ—s remoâ—e all their 〈◊〉 â—ut of the 〈◊〉 into the 〈…〉 Turks Amesa is by the Bassa created king of Epirus The Turks camp 〈…〉 Scanderbeg suddenly assaileth the Turkes A notable victorie of the Christians The sâ—eeâ—h of Amâ—sa to Scanderbeg The answere of Scanderbeg to Amesa The death of Amesa A peace for a yeare concluded betwixt Mahomet and Scanderbeg The letters of Scanderbeg to Mahomet The answere of Scanderbeg to the former letters of Mahomet The letters of Mahomet to Scanderbeg for the concluding of a perpetuall peace betwixt them A peace câ—â—cludâ—d betwixt Maâ—omet and Scanâ—erbeg The notable speech of Victor Capella to persuade the Venetians to take vp armes against Mahomet The Venetians take vp armes against the Turk The Venetians enter into confederation with other Christian princes against the Turke The letters of Mahomet to Scanderbeg Scanderbeg his answere to the letters of Mahomet Ten thousand Turkes slaiâ—â— The Venetianâ— attempting to win Patras receiue great losse 〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉 â—hosâ—n king of Hungaâ—â—e Mahomet sendeth Balabanus to inuade Epirus Balabanus goeth against Scanderbeg The battell betâ—ixt Balabanus and Scanderbeg Moses and other 〈◊〉 captaines cruellâ— exâ—cuted by Mahâ—met The battell of Sfetigrade betwixt Balabanus and Scanderbeg Scanderbeg his 〈◊〉 traiâ—â—â—â—â—ly flâ—e to Balabanus Iacup slaine by Scanderbeg and his armie discomfited 1463 Mahomet commeth to the siege of Croia Scanderbeg surpriseth Ionima the brother of Balabanus and Hedar his sonne 1466 Scanâ—erbeg falleth siâ—ke The death of Scanderbeg Scanderbeg buried at Lyssa The bodie of Scanderbeg digged vp by the Turkes and of them greatly honoured Mathias king of 〈…〉 â—ingdome of 〈◊〉 from the Turke 1470 Chalcis the chiâ—fe citie of Euboea besieged by the Turkâ— Treason in the citie Chalcis taken by the Turkes The fruitfull island of Euboea taâ—en by the Turkes 1471 1472 The Venetianâ— aided by king Ferdinand the bishop of Rome and the great master of the Rhodes doe the Turks great harme all alongst the coast of the lesser Asia 1473 Mahomet no 〈◊〉 troublesome vnto the Mahometaâ—e princes than to the Christian Vsun-Cassanes in a great battell ouerthroweth the Persian king 1474 Two huge armies of the Turkâ— and Persians in 〈◊〉 together The death of the noble Mustapha Mahomet his eldest sonnâ— 1475 Solâ—man Bassa besiegeth Scodra with an armie of eightie thousand men Mattâ—ias â—ing of Huâ—gaâ—ie 〈◊〉 the Turks to â—orsake the siâ—ge of Scodra 1476 1477 Croia besieged by the Turke Contarenus the Venetian Generall slaine The Turkâ— shâ—w themselues at the riuer of Sontium The countrey of Friuli spoiled by the Turkes 1478 1479 Vide Marinum Barletium de expug Scodrensi The poore countrey people flie for feare of the Turks Two oâ— the Turkâ— attempting to touch the wals of 〈◊〉 are both slâ—ine and one of their heads set vp vpon the wal Mahomet in person himselfe commeth vnto the siege of Scodra The order of Mahomets campe Mahomet purposing to giue a generall assault encourageth his captaines and soldiors therunto The cittie of Scodra assaulted by the Turks the fourth time A most terrible assault Twelue thousand Turkes slaine in the last assault The Turkâ— superstitiously reuerence the new Moone Scodra againe most furiously assaulted by the Turkes The assault fiercely againe renued by the Turks A wofull sight A doubtfull fight A notable speech of the great Bassa Achmetes Lyssa taken by the Turks and the bones of Scanderbeg dâ—gged vp by them and had in great reuerence A hard choice Scodra yeelded vnto the Turks 1480 Mahomet longeth after the Rhodes A death right worthy such a traitour The oration of the Great Master to the rest of the knights and souldiors to encourage them valiantly to with sâ—and the Turks Eight hundred Turks slaine Treason against the great Master dâ—scâ—â—ered and the traitours executed Two thousand fiue hundred Turks slaine in the assault The resolute answer of the great Master A faire breâ—â—h made by force of the Turkes batterie The Bassa raiseth his siege Achmetes landâ—th his army in Apulia neere to Otranto and spoileth the countrey Otranto taken by the Turkes 1481 Mahomet dieth at Geiuisen in Bythinia not without suspition of poyson He is buried aâ— Constantinople The description of Mahomet The sonnes of Mahomet Mustapha Baiazet and Zemes. Otranto yeelded vp by the Turks vpon composition Phil. Loâ—icer Turc Hist. lib. 1. Dissention amoÌ„g the Turks about the succesâ—ion Baiazet commeth to Constantinople Zemes riseth against his brother Baiazet Bâ—iazet gâ—eth agaâ—â—sâ— Zemes. Achmetes made Generall of Baiazet his armie Zemes flieth into Syria 1482 Zemes his speech vnto Caytbeius Sultan of Aegypt Caytbeius the Aegiptian Sultan sendeth embassadors to Baiazet 1483 The king of Caramania solliciâ—eâ—h Zemes toâ—â— take vp armès against Baiazet Zemes flieth tâ— sea Zemes his letters to his brother Baiazet Zemes flieth to the Rhodes The description of Zemes. 1484 Achmetes his death contriued Achmetes his son stirreth vp the Ianizaries to help his father Baiazet for feare deliuereth Achmeâ—es to the Ianizaâ—ies Achmetes slaine 1485 Baiazet purposeth to destroy the Ianizaries Baiazet inuadeth Moldauia Many great princes sue to the Master of the Rhodes for Zemes. 1486 Baiazet inuadeth Caramania Tarsus in Cilicia yeelded to Baiazet A long and terrible battell betwixt Baiazet and the king of Caramanâ—a 1487 1488 Achmetes Bassa discomâ—iâ—ed and taken prisoner and sent to Caiâ—e 1489 A long and terrible battell betweene tâ—e Turks and the Mamalukes The Turks flie away by nighâ— 1492 A peace concluded betwixt Baiazet and Caitbeius Alphonsus king of Naples and Alexander Bishop of Rome craue aâ—d of Baiazet against Charles the French king Baiazet sendeth Dautius his embassadour to Alexander bishop of Rome Io. Rouereus robbeth the Turkes embassadour 1495 Zemes dieth
poisoned by Alexander bishop of Rome The euill life of Caesar Borgia The death of Caesar Borgia The French king inuadeth Naples Ferdinand departeth from Capâ—a to pacifie an vprore at Naples A most resolute fact of king Ferdinand Charles the French king receiued into Naples A great league made by dâ—uâ—rs Christian princeâ— agaiâ—st the French king Ferdinand recouereth his kingdome of Naples from the French and dieth The death of Charles the French king 1496 1497 The Turkes inuade Podolia Russia and in their returne are for most part lost 1498 1499 Friuly part of the Venetian territorie spoiled by the Turkes Fight at sea betwixt the Turkâ— and the Venetians Lepanto yeelded to the Turks 1500 Methone besieged both by sea and land by Baiazet Methone taken by the Turks Corone Pylus and Crisseum yeelâ—ed to the Turks 1501 Cephalenia taken by the Venetianâ— Pylos taken from the Turks and againe yeelded vnto them Dyrrachium taken by the Turkâ— Mytilâ—ne besiâ—ged The siege of Mytilene broken vp 1502 Nâ—ritos taken by the Venetians 1503 A peace concluded betwixt Baiazet and the Venetians Baiazet in danger to haue beene slaine by a Deruislar or Turkish monke Baiazet by nature peaceable The Turks and Persians differ not about the interpretation of their 〈◊〉 but about the true successor of their great prophet Mahomet Haider marrieth Maâ—tha the daâ—ghter of the great king Vsun-Cassanes Haider Erdebil sâ—cretly murdred The beginning of the Cuselbassas Hysmaell his behauiour in the time of his exile Hysmaell returneth iâ—to Armenia and recouereth his inheritance Sumaâ—hia taken by Hysmaell Hysmaell commeth to Tauris Hysmaell taketh the citie of Tauris and defaceth the tombe of his vncle Iacup Hysmaell goeth against the Persian king Eluan the Persian king slaine Hysmaell goeth against Moratchâ—mus Hysmaell exceedingly beloued and honoured of his subiects 1508 Chasan Chelife and Techellis inuade the Turkeâ— dominions â—â—smaell sendeth â—mbassadors vnto the Venetianâ— to â—oyne in league with them against Baiazet Orchanes and Mahometes two of Baiazet his nephewes ouerthrowne by Techellis The battell betweene Caragoses and Techellâ—s Techellis besiegeth Caragoses the Viceroy in the citie of Cuâ—aie Caragoses the viceroy with his wiues and children taken by Techellis in the citie of Cutaie Baiazet sendeth Alis Bassa against Techellis out of Europe The battell betwixt Alis Bassa and Techellis Chasan Chelife slaine Alis Bassa slain Ionuses Bassa sent by Baiazet Generall of his armie against Techellis Techellis burnt at Tauris 1509 A great earthquake at Constantinople The children of Baiazet Mahometes disguised as a seafaring man commeth to Constantinople and so to the court Mahometes poisoned by Asmehemedi Asmehemedi iuâ—â—ly rewarded for his treacherie 1511 Selymus aided by Mahometes his father in law riseth against his father Baiazet sendeth embassadours to Selymus Presents giuen to Selymus by his fathers embassadours Baiazet would appoint his successour whilest he yet liued Baiazet seeketh to preâ—er Achomates to the â—mpire Selymus marcheth with his armie towards Hadrianople Selymus his dissembling embassage vnto his father Selymuâ— ouertaketh his father The cheefe men about Baiazet secretly fauour Selymus and dissuade him from giuing him battaile Cherseogles Bassa the only great man faithfull to Baiazet persuadeth him to giue battel to Selymus The speech of Baiazet to the Ianizaries and souldiours of the court The common sort of the Ianizaries faithfull to Baiazet desire battell The battell betwixt Baiazet and Selymus Selymus his armie put to flight The estimation Selymus had of his horse wheron he escaped from his father Baiazet willing to preâ—er Achomates to the empire Achomates inciteth his two sons 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 to take part with him against their grandfather 〈◊〉 1512 Baiazet sendeâ—h embassadors to Achomates Achomates kiâ—leth his fathers embassadours Achomates proclaimed traitor The craftie oratiâ—n of the great Bâ—ssa Mustapha to Baiazet for the bringing home of Selymus Corcutus commâ—th to Constantinople Corcutus his Oration vnto his father Baiazet Baiazet comâ—â—â—â—eth Corcutus and promisâ—th to reâ—igne to him the empire afâ—er that Selymus a as passed euer into Asia The craftie speech of Baiazet vnto his sonne Selymus The craftie dissimulation of Selymus The blunt speech of Mustapha to â—aâ—azet persuading â—im to resigne the empire to Selymus The resolute answere of old Baiazet to Mustapha and the other Bâ—ssaes Corcutus 〈◊〉 Selymus practiseth with Hamoâ— a Iew Baiazet his phisition to poyson him Baiazet poysoned by the Iâ—â— The death of Baiazet Selymus causeth 〈◊〉 of his fathers pages to bee put to death for mourning for their master Hamoâ— the Iew â—â—stly rewarded for his trecherie Paulus Iouius Illust virorum Elog. lib. 4. Phil. Loâ—icer Turâ— Hist. lib. 1. 1512 Selymus goeth into Asia against his brother Achomates Selymus mâ—rthereth fiue of his brothers sonis 1513 Selymus seeketh aâ—â—â—r the liues of Amurat and Aladin the sons of Achomates his brother Vfegi Bassa taken prisoner Mustapha Bassa shamefully murthered Vfegi Bassa pâ—â— to death Selymus taketh the spoile of his brother Corcutus taken The lamentable death of 〈◊〉 Treason against Selymus discouered Sinan Bassa dâ—â—comfited by Achomates Selymus with his armie passeth oâ—er the riuer Achomates Evangled Amurat and Aladin the sonâ— of Achomates â—lie the one into Persia anâ— the other into Aegipt 1514 Amurat spoileth Capadocia Selymus resolueth to inuade the Persian Câ—â—â—demus Bassa 〈…〉 from going â—â—ther against the Persians Chendemus Bassa by the commaundement of Selymâ—â— slaine Selymus sendeth out his scouts who returne with bad newes Selymus passeth 〈◊〉 Araxes Hysmael sendeth an herauld to Selymus Selymus his answere vnto Hysmael The order of Selymus his battell Hysmaell with thirtie thousand Persians giueth battell to Selymus with three hundred thousand Turkes The great and mortall battaile between Selymus and Hysmaell Vsta-ogli slainâ— The terrour of the battell betweene Selymus and Hysmaell The Persian tents taken by the Turkes The Ianizaries in mutinie agaâ—â—â—t Selymus Selymus in passing the riuer Euphrates receiueth great losse Selymus câ—â—â—meth to Amâ—sia The former historie as it is reported by Io. Ant. Maenauinus a Genoway present at the doing thereof Selymus and Hysmaell compared togither Hysmaell maiesticall Selymus tyrannicall Hâ—smaell courteouâ— Selymus Chuâ—lish The Persians better horsemen than the Turkâ— The cause why Hysmaell came with so small an armie against Selymus The countries subâ—ect to Hysmaell 1515 Selymus with a new armie enâ—â—eth into Armenia Aladeuleâ— hiâ— kingdome Selymus assaileth Alâ—dâ—ulâ—s Aladâ—ules flieth into the mountaines Aladâ—ules taken and in ougâ—t 〈…〉 tâ— put to death Selymus inuadâ—th Hungarâ—â— 1516 Selymus goeth to Iconium The causes mooâ—ing Campson to fall out with Selymus The Order of the Mamalukes The imperioâ—s gouernment of the Mamalukes in Aegypt Iudea and Syria The beginning of the Gouernment of the Mamalukes in Aegypt The moderat and happie gouernment of Campson Campson his answere to the imbassadours of Selymus Selymus conuerteth his forces from the Persians against Campson Selymus encourageth his souldiours to go against the Mamalukes The wholsome counsell of Gazelles for protracting the warre
to inuade Tâ—â—es The emperours great preparations for the inuasion of â—â—nes Andrew Aâ—ria the emperours Admirall Alphonsus Daâ—â—lus Vastius Generall of the land forces The emperour passeth ouer into Affricke Barbarussa aduertised the comming of the emperour is much discouraged Iâ— hiâ—â—age he executeth Aloysius Praesenda Barbarussa encourageth his souldiors Barbarussa hiâ— chiefe captaines The scituation of Guletta The Christian army landeth 〈◊〉 Guletta Salec â—allâ—eth 〈◊〉 â—pon the countâ—e and the 〈◊〉 The countie 〈…〉 right hand sent to Barbarussa The Spaniards reioicing at the â—uerthrow of the Itaâ—ianâ—â— are 〈…〉 by Tabacches Vastius hiâ— speâ—ch to the Spanish captaines The Turks â—ally againe 〈◊〉 of Guletta Giafâ—er capâ—â—ine of the Ianizaries slaine Guletta furiously battered Guletta assaulted by the Christâ—ans Guletta â—oon and Barbarussa his fleeâ— taken Barbarussa â—â—geth The short answere of Sinan the Iew to Barbarussa Muleasses commeth to the emperour The Oration of Muleasses to Charles the emperour The emperours answere to Muleasseâ— The behauior of Muleasses His opinion and counsell concerning the present warre The Spanish light horsemen put to flight The emperour restoreth the battell and with his owne hand rescueth Andreas Poâ—tius of Granadâ— The emperour aduised by his counsellours to returne home The resolute answere of the emperour The emperour marcheth toward Tunes The souldiors for greedinesse of water disorder their march A draught of water sold for two duckats Barbarussa in field against the emperour Vastius commandeth the emperour Barbarussa flieth to Tunes Barbarussa in mind to kill all the Christian captiues iâ— dissuaded by Sinan the Iew. The Christian captiues breake prison and driue the Turkâ— out of the caâ—â—le of Tunes Tunes yeelded to the emperour Tunes spoiled by the Christians Three things especially lamented by Muleasses in the spoile of the castle of Tunes Barbarussa â—lieth to Hippona and there comforteth his souldiors Auria sendeth certaine gallies to intercept Barbarussa Barbarussa â—scapeth to Algiers The kingdome of Tunes is by the emperour restored to Muleasses The emperour returneth with victorie into Italie 1537 The Aegyptian kings about to let in the red sea into the Mediterranean Dium a castle of the Portingals in the East Indies in vaine assaulted by the Turkes The â—â—â—cherous dealing of Solyman the eunuch Bassa with the kings of Arabia Solyman incâ—ted by the French embassadours to inuade Italie Solyman with an armie of two hundred thousand men commeth to Aulonâ— Solyman sendeth Lutzis and Barbarussa with his fleet to inuade Italie Castrum in Apâ—lia yeelded to the Turkes and by them contrarie to their faith spoiled The Turkes spoile Apâ—â—ia Iunuâ—beius with two gallies driue by the Venetians vpon the Acroceraunian rocks Auria taketh twelue of the Turkes gallies full of Ianizaries and Solymans other best souldiors Iunusbeius Barbarussa Aiax incense Solyman against the Venetians Solyman conuerteth his forces from the Italians against the Venetians Solyman in danger to haue been slaine in his â—enâ— in the middest of his armie Solyman inuadeth the Island of Corcyra Good iustice done by Solyman The Turks depart from Corfu and carrie away with them aboue sixteen thousand Christians into captiuitie Aegina with thâ— other islands of the Aegâ—um spoiled The blunt speech of a Turke sent by Lutzis Bassa vnto the duke of Naxoâ— Naxos becommeth tribuâ—â— iâ— vnto the Turk◠〈◊〉 Bassa 〈◊〉 by Solyman 〈◊〉 exiled The Turks spoile the Veâ—etians and the Venetians â—hem likewise Mahometes Gouernour of Belgrane An euill assureâ— peace King Ferdinand breaketh his league with the Turkes Cazzianer Generall of king Ferdinandâ— armie Mahometes Gouernour of Belgrade aided by the other Turkâ— captaines A slow march Cazzianer commeth to Walpo The Turkâ— skiâ—â—mish with the Christians The Christians come within the sight of Exek The Turks skirmish with the Christians in passing the forrest Mahometes wisely refuseth to fight with the Christians offering him battell Balthasar Pamphilus his counsell for releefe of the armie Balthasar taketh the towne of Hermande The castle of Hermande yeeldâ—d to the Christians Cazzianer to retire with more host would haue broken his greaâ— ordinance The Turkes â—ore 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 in their retire A generall feare in the Christians campe The â—earefull resolution of the Christians to get from the Turks The vigilancie of Mahomeâ—â—â— The Christian captaines shamefully flie some one way some another in the night The dishonourable flight of Cazzianer Lodronius encourageth the footmen An old German souldior iesteth at Lodronius The horsemen discomâ—ited by the Turkes The Christian footmen ouerthrowne Lodronius slain Three of the great captaines heads presented to Solyman as Constantinople Cazzianer generally â—aâ—ed Cazzianer imprisoned breaketh prison Cazzianer shamefully murthered and his hâ—ad sent to king â—â—râ—inand The emperour the Venetians and the Bishop of Rome enter into a confederation against the Turkes 1538 Solyman sendeth Barbarâ—ssa against the Venetians Barbarussa landing in Crete is repulsed with losse The confederaâ— princes fleetes meâ—â— as Corcyra Gonzaga his opinion Auria of anoâ—ther opinion Auria braueth Barbarussa lying in the bay of Ambracia Barbarussa reproued of cowardise by one of the Turkes eunuchs Barbarussa his answere to Salec concerning the eunuchs speech Barbarussa putteth out of the bay of Ambracia and followeth Auria The order of the Turkâ— fleeâ— Auria his poâ—â—ticke course The Christian fleeâ— shamefully â—liâ—th Barbarussa â—â—â—â—leth at Auria Barbarussa braueth the Christians Castronouum taken by the Christians Auria neglecting to pursue Barbarussa returneth into Italie to the griefe of the Venetian Admirall 1539 Barbarussa sent by Solyman to besiege Castronoâ—um Castronouum hardly besieged by Barbarussa Castronouum taken Sarmentus slaine Alphonsus Vastius and Hanibaldus sent embassadours from the emperor and the French king to the State of Venice Vastius his Oration to the Venetian Senat. The answere of the duke to Vastius Vastius his ansâ—ere to the demaund of the Venetian Senatours The Venetian Senatorâ— diuersly affected towards the confederation with the emperour and the French king against Solyman Foscarus a 〈◊〉 Senatour Foscaâ—us disgraced by the multitude The Venetians send Aloysius Badoerius their embassadour to Solyman to conclude a peace The most seâ—ret decree of the Venetian Senate made knowne to Solyman 1540 A peace concluded betwixt the Veneâ—ians and Solyman The traitors which reuealed the secrets of the Venetian state to Solyman executed The secret confederation betwixt king Ferdinand and king Iohn reuealed King Iohn in his old yeares marieth Isabella king Sigismund his daughter The Queene with child Queene Isabella deliuered of a sonne The death of king Iohn The honourable saying of king Iohn Embassadours sent out of Hungarâ—e to Solyman A young child crowned king of Hungarie George bishop of Veradium one of the kings tutors a notable man The â—ugitiue Hungarianâ— persuade king Ferdiâ—and to inuade Hungarie Laschus dâ—ssuadeâ—â— king Ferdinand from seeâ—inâ— for the kiâ—â—dome of Huâ—garie by 〈◊〉 persuading him rather to requisiâ—â— of courâ—esie of Solyman Laschus sent embassadour from king Ferdinand to Solyman King Ferdinand sendeth an embassadour to the queen to demand of
in their warres The spare dies of the Ianizaries The precise manner of the Turkes in their fasâ—â— Presents sent froÌ„ the emperor Ferdinand to Solyman Baiazet goeth tâ— Amasia and seeketh for his fathers fauor Solyman dissembleth with Baiazet Baiazet departeth from Amasia with purpose to flie into Persia. Baiazet deceiueth the Bassa of Sebastia The Bassa of Erzirum deceiued by Baiazet Solyman much grieued with the flight of his son The eager pâ—â—suit of the â—assaâ—â— and Sâ—â—zackâ— Baiazet well entertained by thâ— Persian king Tamas the Persian king in feare of Baiazet Baiazet his followers dispersed and slaine Baiazet imprisoned The Persian king sâ—ndeth embassadours with presents to Solyman The cause why the Persian king would by no meanes let Baiazet go out of his hands The miserable estate of Baiazet The agreement betweene the Persian king Solyman for the destruction of Baiazet Baiazet and his foure sonnes strangled The rare force of innocencie 1558 Charles the emperour resigneth the empire to his brother Ferdinand shortly after dieth 1559 The Christian princes set out a fleet for the recouerie of Tripolis in Barbarie 1560 The Christian fleet arriueth at the Island of Zerbi The castle of Zerbi taken by the Christians Piall Bassa Solymanâ— Admirall sent to remoue the Christians out of Zerbi Part of the Christian fleet oppressed at Zerbi by the sudden comming of the Turks The castle of Zerbi besieged by the Turks Don Aluerus with the rest of the cheeâ—e commanders taken prisoners The castle of Zerbi yeelded vnto the Turks The Turks with victorie returne to CoÌ„stantinople Augerius Busbequius legationis Turcicae epist. 4. The miserie of the Christian captiues Piall in disgrace with Solyman shunneth to come to Constantinople One of the imperiall ensignes of Charles the fifâ— redeemed from the Turkâ— The death of the noble Andreas Auria 1561 A great shipwracke 1562 Maximilian chosen king of the Romans and after crowned king of Hungarie Solyman by his embassadour confirmeth a peace with Ferdinand the emperour for eight yeares Solymans proâ—â— letters to the emperor Ferdinand Presentâ— from Solyman to the emperour Ferdinand 1564 The death of the emperour Ferdinand New troubles in Hungarie 1565 The Turks purposing warre craftily sue for peace Solyman maketh preparation against the knights of Malta Solymans Oration to his captains for the inuasion of Malta Valetta the Grand master aduertised of Solymans purpose Valetta his Oration vnto his knights The knights make preparation for the Turks comming Solymans fleet departeth from Constantinople The Turks fleet arriueth at Malta The description of Malta Acts 27 28. Riuerius with other knights taken of the Turks The Turks land They of the castle of S. Michael skirmish with the Turks The Turks besiege the castle of S. Elmo Dragut commeth to aid the Turks The Turks assault the castle S. Elmo S. Elmo againe assaulted New supplie sem into the castle S. Elmo The Great master disappointed of a supplie by the searefulnesse of the shipmaster S. Elmo againe assaulted The Turkes repulsed The Turks make a bridge ouer the castle ditch A terrible batterie Medranus a valiant captaine Eight hundred Turks slain â—ith the fall of the bridge The Turks retire The Great masters letters to Garzias Viceroy of Sicilia Foure gallies sent to the Great master for the reliefe of Malta A most terrible assault Dragut slaine Three knights sent to view the state of the castle S. Elmo The resolute anâ—swere to them in the castle to the knights The three knights of diuers opinions concerning the keeping of the castle S. Elmo The Turks â—uriously assault the citie The castle of S. Elmo taken by the Turks Barbarous crueltie exercised by the Turkes vpon the dead bodies of the knights Valetta encourageth his souldiors after the losse of the castle S. Elmo Valetta his letters to the Gouernour of Mâ—lita Mustapha Bassa sendeth messengers to the Great master The answere of the Great master to the Turkes messengers Philip Lascaris flieth from the Turks to the castle S. Michaell The knights of Malta craue aid of the Viceroy The cold answere of the Viceroy to the knights A traitor taken and executed aâ— Melita The souldiors new come out of Sicilia come to the Great master The praier of Valetta Ochiall Bassa made Gouernour of Tripolis A terrible batterie Three gallies depart from Messana with aid towards Malta The gallies vpon a signe giuen returne backe The king of Algiers commeth 〈◊〉 aid the Turks A desperat fugitiue The king of Algiers notably repulsed both by sea and land A hard shift to carrie newes A bridge made ouer the castle ditch by the Turks The Turks repulsed A mine of the Turks defeated The bridge made by the Turkeâ—â— burnt Aquilates a Spaniard flieth to the Turks The Turkes at one time assault the new citie and the castle S. Michaell The garrison soldiours of Melita salying out cause the Turkes to giue ouer the assault at S. Michaels Mustapha sendeth a messenger to Solyman Salazer a Spanish captaine as a spie entreth the Turkes campe 〈◊〉 Turks mines 〈◊〉 by the â—â—â—â—stians Robles Gouernor of the castle of S. Michael slaine The Turkâ— at once assault the townes S. Angelo and S. Michael and are at both places repulsed Another assault The resolute answere of the great Master The Turkes assault both the townâ— the fourth time The Turks enter the new citie The comfortable speech of the Great master when the Turkes were entred The Turks with great slaughter againe repulsed A mine of the Christians found by the Turks The Turks desperatly assault the towne of S. Michael The Turks enforced to retire The Christian fleet driuen by tempest to the Island Aegusâ— The Christian fleet commeth to Gaulos A fugitiue discouereth the enemies purpose to the Great master The Viceroy arriueth at Malta and landeth his forces The Turks forsake the siege The Turks ouerthrowne by the Christians flie to their gallies The Turks depart from Malta The carefulnesse of the Great Master The letters of the Great master to the graund prior of Almanie concerning the manner of the Turks proceedings in the siege of Malta 1566 The island of Chios taken by the Turks The Turks surprise townes in Hungarie Great troubles in Hungarie The good successe of the emperours captains A great pâ—ey The Turks wiâ—h much labour make a bridge ouer the great riuer of Drauus The Turks encampe before Sigeth Countie Serinus his comfortable and resolute speech to his soldiors Solyman commeth into the campe at Sigeth The defendants burne the new towne The Turks win the old towne Solyman dieth of the bloâ—die flix Muhamet Bassa concealeth the death of Solyman The great bulwarke vndermined set on fire by the Ianizaries The little castle set on fire The last speech of countie Serinus to his souldiors Serinus slaine Serinus his head sent to countie Salma The Bassaâ— quipping little to countie Saâ—â—â— Nicholaus Keretschen corrupted for money beâ—â—ayeth Gyula to the Turks A traiâ—or well rewarded The Gouernor of Alba Regalis
Mustapha at Chars Mustapha cunningly encampeth his armie at Cheilder Tocomac Generall of the Persians Mustapha commeth with his battell to relieue his distressed people A bulwark made of the heads of the slaine Persians The speech of Manucchiar to Mustapha The answere of Mustapha A terrible raine and tempest Mustapha surueyeth his armie at Archichelec and lacketh fortie thousand of his men The Turkes victuallers cut off by the Georgians Alessandro the Georgian sendeâ—h embassadors to Mustapha Alessandro courtâ—ously entertained by Mustapha The Turks army afflicted with hunger Ten thousand of the Turks forragers slaine The Persians â—lie and in flying are many of them drowned in Canac The resolute answere of Mustapha to his tumultuous souldiors Eight thousand Turks drowned in passing the riuer Famine in the Turks hoast The Turks army refreshed Mustapha returneth out of Siruan Mustapha relieueth his distressed garrison at Teflis The miseriâ— of the Turks armiâ— in passing the straiâ—â— of Georgia The Georgian widow submitteth her selfe with her sonne Alexander to Mustapha Mustapha commeth to Erzirum and dischargeth his armie Mustapha magnifieth his owne exploits to Amurath Ares Chan hanged at Sumachia Emanguli Chan taken Genge sacked by the Tartarians Ere 's recouered by the Persians Sumachia besieged by the Persian prince Sumachia yeelded vnto the prince Abdilcherai beloued of the Persian queene Abdilcheraâ— slaine in the Court. The Tersian queene 〈◊〉 away Sahamal slaine by Osman The consultations of Amurath Mustapha carefâ—ll to put â—n excâ—tion Amuraâ—h his commaund Manucchiar â—urneth Turke Alexander constant in his religion Emanguli Chan taketh vpon him the defence of Siruan Simon with Aliculi Chan sent for the defence of Georgia 1579 The meeting together of the Turks armie at Erzirum Chars fortified in 23 daies space Snowes at Chars in August Hassan Bassa sent with 20 thousand to the succouring of Tefliâ— The Persians assaile the Turks and make of them a great slaughter The Persians ouerthrowne and Aliculi Câ—an taken The miserie of the Turks in garrison at Teflis Simon destroied the rearward of Hassanâ— armie and taketh from him his treasure Mustapha returneth to Erzirum and there dischargeth his armie Hassan Bassa for his good seruice rewarded by Amurath Mustapha discharged of his Generalship and called home to Constantinople A comparison bâ—twixt Sinan Bassa and Mustapha two antient enemies both to themselues and the Christian common â—eale Sinan accuseth Mustapha to Amurath Io. Leuncla in supplement Annal. Turcicorum pag. 79. Mustapha by the mediation of certaine great ladies appeaseth the displeasure of Amurath The strange death of the great Visier Bassa Muhamet 1580 Sinan Bassa chosen Generall for the Persian war The Persian king sendeth Maxut Chan his embassadour to Amurath The admoâ—iâ—ion of Sinan to the Persian embassadour The preparations of the Persian king against the Turkes Sinan mustereth his armie at Erzirum Maxuâ— Chan reporteth vnto the king what he hath done and is for his good seruice by him rewarded Maxut Chan flâ—eâ—h vnto the Turkes Sinan commeth to Tellis Sinan departeth from Teflis Seuen thousand Turkes slaine by the Georgianâ— and Persians Sinan deâ—idâ—d of his souldiors Sinan commeth to Erzirum and there breaketh vp his armie 1581 Amurath circumciseth his eldest sonne Mahomet Io. Leuncl suppl Annal. Turâ— pag. 82. Mahamet Bassâ— refuseth battell offered by the Georgians and and Persians The Turkes discomfited and the treasure and corne taken by the Georgians and Persians Mahamet with his discomfited armie commeth to Teflis The Oration of Mahamet Bassâ— in the castle of Teflis The Turkes among themselues make a purse of 30000 duckats for the releefe of the garrison of Teflis Mahamet deuiseth how to betray Mustaffa the Georgian Mustaffa notably reuengeth himselfe of the treâ—herie intended against hâ—m by Mahamâ—t the Generall The proud answere of Sinan to Amurath Sciaus Bassa made Visier in Sinaâ— place 1582 Mahamet the Persian king resolueth to go to Heri against his sonne Abas Mirize Mahamet commeth to Herâ— Abas Mirize by his embassadours purged of treason The embassadors of Abas accuse Mirize Salmas the Visier Mirize Salmas the Visier found guiltie of treason and beheaded Ferat Bassa chosen Generall of the armie in Sinans place 1583 Generall Ferat dâ—parteth from Constantinople He commeth to Reiuan Ferat in the space of fifteene daies buildeth a â—orâ— at Reiuan 750 yaâ—dâ— abâ—ut Ferat commeth to Erzirum and there breaketh vp his armie The death of Hama Cadum Amurath his mother 1584 Ferat raiseth a new armie The Persian king with a great armie commeth to Tauris For at cutteth downe a thicke wood at Tomanis and biuldeth a fort vpon the strait The compasâ—â— of the castle buiâ—t aâ— Tomanis by Ferat Simon in danger to haue been taken escapeth by a strange chance A wonderfull dearth in the Turks army at Triala The insolent speech of the mutinous souldiors against Ferat their Generall The mutinous souldiors againâ— threaten their Generall The stout answere of Ferat The souldiours ouerthrow the Generals tents and threaten to kill him Ferat at Ardachan breaketh vp his armie The dangerous passage from Reinan to Teâ—liâ— secured vnto the Turkes Emir Chan hauing his eies puâ— ouâ— dieth miserably in prison Amurath sendeth for Osman into Shuan The Tartar king sendeth twelue thousand Tartars to lie in wait for to kill Osman Osman assaulted by twelue thousand Tartars Osman ouercommeth the Tartarâ— Osman strangleth Mahomet the Tartar king with his two sonâ— and placeth Islan his brother in his sâ—ead Amurath demaundeth Osmans opinion concerning the enterprise of Tauris Osmans resolution Osman Bassa made cheefe Visier and Generall of the armie Io. Leunel sup Annal. Turcicorum pag. 91. A most barbarous outrage comitted by Petrus Emus a Venetian The villanie discouered Amurath sendeâ—h a messenger to Venice to â—xpostulat the iniâ—â—ie done vnto his subâ—â—ctâ— Petrus Emus beheaded Io. Leunel sup Annâ—l Turcicorum pag. 92. Ramadan Bassa slaiâ—e by thâ— insâ—leâ—â— Ianizaries Achmetes Bassa Gouernouâ— of Ciprus slaine by the Ianizaries Another insolencie of the Ianizaries Busbequius legationis Turcicae epist. 3. 1585 Hassan Bassa the queenes Eunuch sent to Caire to gouerne there Ebrain Bassa in speech to marrie Amuraths daughter The warinesse of the craftie Eunuch The Eunuch cast in prison aâ— Constantinople and his euill gotten goods confiscated The Drusian people what they are The countrey which the Drusians inhabit Fiue chiefe rulers or gouernors among the Drusians Three of the Drusian lords meet Ebrain aâ— Ierusalem with rich presents and a great 〈◊〉 of men Serafadin coâ—meth with presents to Ebrain A letter of Man Oglies â—o Ebrain Bassa Ebraim burneth 24 townes of Man-oglies Veis Bassa and his sonne discomfited by the Dâ—usians Ebrain sendeth for aâ—cubuses to Man-ogli The notable dissimulation of Ebrain Bassa Emir Ebne-frec antiseth Man-ogli his Macademo or lieutenant to come to Ebrain The Macademo by the commandement of Ebrain â—laine quicke Ebrain notably dissembleth with Ebne-mansur Ebne-mansur in chaines sent to the gallies The rich presents giuen to Amurath by Ebrain Io. Leuncl sup
there in one of his countrey pallaces royally feasted him At which time Mahomet requested the emperour to joine with him in that warre against their common enemie but hee excused himselfe by reason of his great age yet neuerthelesse assisted him with certaine companies of valiant Christians whose seruice afterward stood the Turke in great stead So Mahomet taking his leaue of the emperour marched with his armie to the riuer WYZEN in THRACIA where by the way he receiued letters from the antient captaine Chasis Eurenoses aduising him to be very circumspect in his marching and not to make too much hast to joine battaile with his brother counselling him also if he could by any means to allure Iegides Bassa Barac Beg and Sinan Beg to forsake his brother and to follow his ensignes for that in those men consisted Musa his greatest strength and promised in good time to come vnto him himselfe also if he were not too hastie This messenger that brought this newes Mahomet bountifully rewarded and so sent him away Shortly after as he was marching towards HADRIANOPLE part of the enemies armie began to shew it selfe vnder the leading of Cara Calile and was presently charged by Michaell Ogli and put to flight So holding on his way to HADRIANOPLE hee laied siege to the cittie where the cittizens sent out vnto him certaine of their grauest and most substantiall burgesses to certefie him That by reason of the garrison there left by Musa they could not as then deliuer the cittie vnto him but if it should please him to goe and trie his fortune in the field against his brother who should be the commaunder thereof he should find them readie to follow his good fortune and to yeeld themselues the cittie and all therein to his pleasure if it were his good hap to carrie away the victorie With which answere Mahomet contenting himselfe raised his siege and tooke the way towards ZAGORA In that place Musa is reported to haue come secretly disguised into Mahomet his campe and to haue taken full view thereof but perceiuing himselfe too weake to encounter his brother withdrew his armie into the safegard of the great woods and strong places and so from thence retired with his armie towards PHILIPPOPOLIS and so marched along the riuer MERITZE called in antient time HEBKUS Where Iegides Bassa with Hamza Beg and Ismir Ogli three of Musa his great captaines set vpon the rereward of Mahomets armie and were by Michael Ogli repulsed Mahomet holding on his way came to SOPHIA where as he went Musa diuers times from the mountaines made shew of his armie but durst not come downe into the plaine to giue him battaile Mahomet hauing refreshed his armie at SOPHIA marched to SARKIVE where he receiued letters from Iegides Bassa Barac Beg and Sinan Beg all secretly persuaded by old Eurenoses to reuolt vnto him the tenor whereof in breefe was this Iegides Bassa Barac Beg and Sinan Beg vnto the great Sultan Mahomet We are three young men most mightie Monarch and haue with vs three thousand choice soldiors men of incomparable valor such as the world hath scarce the like draw your forces neare vnto vs with as much speed as you can and you shall find vs readie to come ouer vnto you Fare you well Whereupon he marched all the next night after vntill he came to the riuer MORAVA and there encamped where the three aforenamed captains according to their promise joined themselues vnto him with all their souldiors Thither came also old Eurenoses of all others the most famous captaine amongst the Turks and now no longer blind bringing with him a great companie of most expert souldiours Marke the Despot of SERVIA for the displeasure he bare vnto Musa sent him aid thether also By which supplies Mahomets armie was greatly encreased who after he had courteously welcomed all these new come captains he began againe to march farther vntill he came to COSSOVA the vnfortunate plaine where Hamza Beg the prince of SMYRNA his sonne hauing forsaken Musa came vnto him with fiue hundreth horse certifying him that all the nobilitie had forsaken his father so as he marched from place to place his forces still encreased by the reuolt of his brothers Musa seeing his souldiours thus daily fall from him insomuch that he had almost none now left but the souldious of the court which were indeed his best men of warre and alwaies vnto him faithfull because he had been euer vnto them exceeding bountifull thought it best to attempt something before he were left himselfe alone Wherfore hauing yet with him seuen thousand of those expert souldiors he drew neerer vnto his brother seeking to haue taken him at some aduantage But Mahomet hauing knowledge of his purpose and contented to be aduised by his old expert captaines had euer a vigilant eye vnto him Yet at last whether it were vpon good hope or els prickt forward with despaire Musa vpon the suddaine valiantly set vpon his brothers armie but his souldiors oppressed with multitude rather than ouercome with true valour after a hard and bloodie fight were put to the worst which he seeing desperatly brake into the middest of his enemies seeking there for death amongst the thickest of them But being knowne by Baiazet Bassa Mahomet his lieutenant generall desirous to take him aliue he was beset on euery side where seeing himselfe in more danger to be taken than slaine hee with great courage brake from amongst the middest of them and fled In which flight his horse falling into a deepe muddie ditch or as some others say hoxed by Sarutzes his owne seruant and himselfe wounded ouerthrew him and there before he could againe recouer himselfe was taken by Baiazet Bassa the great lieutenant Michael Ogli and Barac Beg which had hardly pursued him out of the battaile and so was with his handes bound by them brought through the middest of the armie Which pitifull sight greeued not a little the hearts of many to see him but euen now so great a king and one of the sonnes of great Baiazet by the strange change of fortune bound like a captiue slaue led forth to execution yet were most part glad thereof hoping this long ciuile wars would now in him take end Shortly after came vnto him a noble man called Balta Ogly sent as was thought from Mahomet himselfe who after he had in few words bitterly reprooued him for the crueltie by him before shewed vnto his brother Solyman in like case caused him presently to be strangled with a bow string His dead body was by and by after presented to his brother Mahomet who seeing it shed a few Crocadils teares ouer it He raigned three yeares and seauen moneths and was afterwards conuaied to PRUSA and there lieth buried by the bodie of his brother Solyman in the same chappell with his grandfather Amurath Mahomet after the death of Musa now free from all competetours tooke vpon him the sole gouernment of the
Eiuases The other Bassa Ibrahim counsailed Amurath to put to sword all those rebels that had followed Mustapha but by the mediation of Eiuases to whome they had yeelded themselues they were generally pardoned Amurath departing from VLIBAD or LOPADIUM came to BOGA and there hanged vp the captaine that had giuen Mustapha passage From thence he held on his way to LAMPSACUM intending to pursue Mustapha into EUROPE but being come to the sea side hee could find no passage for that Mustapha had caused all the shipping on that side to bee brought ouer into EUROE Yet at last Amurath by good fortune chaunced vpon a great Genoway ship which hee hired for foure thousand duckats to transport his armie and so with much adoe at length landed in EUROPE Mustapha seeing that Amurath was now come ouer fled to HADRIANOPLE where he found such cold welcome that fearing to bee betraied hee was glad to speed himselfe thence thinking all the world to little to hide himselfe in and so came to an obscure place in the countrey of the Turks called KISUL-AGATZ-GENITZE where the souldiours sent to pursue him ouertook him and brought him bound to Amurath then being at HADRIANOPLE by whose commaundement he was shamefully hanged from the battlements of one of the highest towers of the citie and there left to the worlds wonder This Mustapha is of some writers reported to haue been indeed the sonne of the great Sultan Baiazet and that he was kept in prison all that long time and thus at length set vp by the Greeks to trouble the state of the Turkish kingdome but the Turkish histories report as before calling him Dusme or counterfait Mustapha And it is verie likely that if he had been one of the sonnes of Baiazet he would haue found some meanes to haue made some great stirre long before that as all the rest of the vnquiet brood of Baiazet did which neuer rested vntil they had like the earth borne brethren one destroied the other besides that their bloodie natures considered it is verie like that Mahomet his younger brother who raigned in HADRIANOPLE almost eight yeares and was in league all that time with the emperour of CONSTANTINOPLE would for his more safetie haue got him into his owne power if hee had been in prison with the emperour or else haue dispatched him if he had been in prison with himselfe All which I am the rather persuaded to thinke for that Orchanes a child the son of Solyman could find no safe place of abode at CONSTANTINOPLE in the raigne of Mahomet but flying was apprehended and his eies put out as is before declared in the life of Mahomet much lesse is it like that Mustapha being a warlike prince and his elder brother could haue been so long preserued and kept in prison from his furie It fortuned in these late broiles as oftentimes it doth with others in like case diuers of the rebels Asapi or common souldiors whom he for his greater countenance had apparrelled and armed like the Ianizaries to fall into the hands of the true Ianizaries Amurath his faithfull guard whose liues indeed they spared but vsing them with all the despight and indignities possible Amongst the rest one of the Ianizaries being an hungred brought two of these Asapi his prisoners vnto a cookes shop offering to sell them vnto him for a little victuall which the cooke refused to giue him as hauing no vse for such vnnecessarie seruants Wherewith the proud Ianizarie enraged swore many a great oath presently to cut off their heads to giue them him for nought if he would not for a thing of nought redeeme them And like ynough he was to haue so done had not the cooke moued with pitie offered him for them both a sheepes head which the Ianizarie tooke for them swearing That the cooke had giuen for theÌ„ more than indeed they were worth Which disgrace so long since done vnto these Asapi is yet oftentimes by way of reproch in great contempt by the masterfull and insolent Ianizaries objected vnto the whole bodie of the Asapi the greatest part of the Turks huge armies of whom for all that the proud Ianizaries make small reckoning accounting them scarcely for men in their rage oftentimes telling them That two of them are not worth a sodden sheepes head Amurath hauing at length with much adoe thus pacified the dangerous rebellion raised by the counterfeit Mustapha both in EUROPE and ASIA was yet not a little grieued to thinke how the same had to the great hazard of his estate beene first plotted by the Greekes and afterwards countenanced by the Greeke emperour of whom he thought now to be reuenged And therefore sending before him Michael Ogli his lieutenant generall in EUROPE with his Europeian souldiors to inuade the countrey about CONSTANTINOPLE followed himselfe after with the Ianizaries and his Asian forces and encamping before the cittie filled all that necke of land which lieth before it from sea to sea And so encamped began right furiously to batter the wals in hope so to haue made a breach and by the same to haue entered the cittie but finding the wals of greater strength than hee had before supposed and the defendants still repairing whatsoeuer the furie of his artillerie had beaten downe or shaken hee ceased his batterie and comming on with all his forces desperately attempted by assault to haue gained the citie wherein his 〈◊〉 was not answerable to his desire For approching the cittie with arrowes as showers falling 〈◊〉 the defendants and scaling ladders in the mean time clapt vp to the wals and the Ianizaries with others of his best souldiors courageously mounting the same they were by the defendants notably repulsed and beaten downe loosing some their hands some their armes some their heads but most their liues no shot falling in vaine from the wals Which Amurath beholding and grieued to see though vnwilling commaunded a retreat to be sounded and the assault â—â—uen ouer and shortly after seeing no hope to preuaile in great rage raised his siege and departed Vnto whom for all that the Greeke emperour not long after sent his embassadours to entreat with him for peace whereof he would by no meanes heare but proudly threatened to be ere long of all his wrongs reuenged Which caused the Greeke emperour to deuise what he might for the troubling of his estate so to keepe him otherwise busied as he did shortly after with the Caramanian king by countenancing another Mustapha surnamed Cutzug or the little Amurath his younger brother against him to the raising of new stirres and Amurath his no small trouble Mahomet the late king had fiue sonnes and seuen daughters whereof Amurath was the eldest and succeeded in his fathers kingdome Mustapha the second surnamed the little Achmetes the third who died before his father the other two Iosephus Machmutes both died of the plague being but children after the death of their father Three of their sisters were married
to the three sonnes of the king of CARAMANIA Ibrahim Aladin and Isa other two were bestowed vpon the sonnes of the prince Isfendiar Ibrahim and Casimes the sixt was giuen in mariage to Cozza-Beg viceroy in ANATOLIA and the seuenth to the sonne of Ibrahim Bassa who died at Mâ—CHA whither she went vpon superstitious deuotion on pilgrimage At such time as Amurath was busied in his warres in EUROPE against Mustapha the supposed sonne of Baiazet the younger sonne of Mahomet called also Mustapha being but thirteene years old and Amurath his brother indeed was set vp to raise new troubles by the king of CARAMANIA and other princes as well Mahometans as the Christian princes of GRECIA who thought it good pollicie by that meanes to impeach the greatnesse of Amurath This young prince Mustapha strengthened with the forces of his friends entered into his brothers dominions in ASIA and besieged NICE which was at length yeelded vnto him Amurath aduertised of this new rebellion by great gifts and large promises corrupted Ilias Beg the young princes tutor to betray the prince into his hands Whereupon Amurath with great celeritie set forward with his armie from HADRIANOPLE and in nine daies came to NICE where he entered the cittie with small resistance as was to him before promised where Mustapha was by his false tutor to him presented who because he would not spill one drop of the sacred Othoman blood as the Turks call it commaunded the executioner presently to strangle him with a bow string which was done accordingly and his bodie afterwards buried by his father at PRUSA Amurath hauing suppressed these two rebellions and now out of all feare of any competitor thought his fiue counsellers too many by three and therefore remoued the three Bassaes Omâ—re Vrutzi and Alis the sonnes of Temurtases into honorable places retaining of his counsell onely the two old Bassaes Ibrahim and Eiuases But shortly after Eiuases was secretly accused to Amurath That he sought by his fauorits the souldiors of the court to aspire vnto the kingdome himselfe and to depose the king and that intending some such matter hee did vsually weare a priuie coat This suspicious report troubled the jealous tyrant wherefore on a time as he rid accompanied with Eiuases he cast his arme about him as if it had beene in kindnesse but finding him secretly armed would needs know the cause thereof whereunto Eiuases answered That it was for feare of some enemies hee had in the court but this excuse could by no meanes serue his turne wherefore he was forthwith apprehended by the commaundement of Amurath and both his eyes burnt out with a hot steele glasse Whilest Amurath was thus busied in subduing rebellions at home Muhamethes the Caramanian king besieged ATTALIA a great cittie in PAMPHILIA by the space of six moneths which was valiantly defended by Hamza-beg Amurath his lieutenant there at which siege the vnfortunat king himselfe as he was taking view of the citie was slaine with a great shot out of the citie whereupon Ibrahim which succeeded him in the kingdome brake vp the siege returned home to burie his father At this time also Dracula prince of VALACAIA passing ouer DANUBIUS did the Turks much harme about SILISTRA but was afterwards enforced to submit himselfe to Amurath and become his tributarie About this time also Tzunites the prince of SMYRNA which had before aided the rebell Mustapha did by all meanes he could vex and molest Iaxis-beg Amurath his lieutenant in AIDINIA hauing by chance taken his brother prisoner put him to death This prince of SMYRNA was descended of the antient princes of AIDINIA and therefore pretended an interest in that siegnorie which his claime the people of the countrey secretly fauoured so farre as they durst for feare of the Turks Amurath hearing of the harmes that this prince of SMYRNA did commaunded Hamze-beg viceroy of ANATOLIA with all his power to make warre vpon him The viceroy without delay assembled a great armie and inuaded the princes country and the prince being well prouided for his comming meeting him vpon the way gaue him battaile wherein Hasan the princes sonne leading a great part of his fathers armie had put one part of the Turkes armie to flight and pursuing them with too much furie left his father at the same time so hardly beset by the viceroy that he was glad to flie to his castle of HIPSILY fast by Hasan returning from the chace of the enemie not knowing what had happened to his father was by the Turkes in his returne ouercome and taken prisoner After which victorie the viceroy presently laid siege to the castle wherein the prince was This siege continued a great while at length the prince brought to extremitie was content to yeeld himselfe vnto the viceroy vpon condition he should vse no violence against the person of himselfe or his sonne but to send them prisoners vnto Amurath which thing the viceroy by solemne oath promised whereupon the prince came out of the castle and yeelded himselfe prisoner to the viceroy Iaxis-beg whose brother the prince had before put to death attended the going of Hamze the viceroy to his tent where finding Hasan the princes sonne sitting vpon the ground as the manner of the Turkes is tooke him by the choller with great furie and drawing him along to the feet of the prince his father there most cruelly strucke off his head and in the same rage laying his bloodie hands vpon the aged prince strucke off his head also to the great dishonour of the viceroy who had before giuen his faith for their safetie The heads of the prince and his sonne were set vpon two launces within the sight of the castle which the defendants seeing and now despairing of all rescue yeelded themselues with the castle This infortunat Tzunites was the last prince of SMYRNA after whose death all his territorie was vnited to the Othoman kingdome After all these troubles Amurath with great triumph married the daughter of the prince Isfendiar Amurath hauing laied vp in the depth of his thoughts the remembrance of that the Grecian princes had done in giuing aid to the rebels aforesaid thought it now high time to take reuenge of that wrong and for that purpose gathered a great armie wherewith he ranged at his pleasure through MACEDONIA vntill he came to THESSALONICA surprising by the way diuers cities and castles at that time belonging to the Constantinopolitane empire This famous cittie of THESSALONICA now called SALONICHI for beautie and wealth sometime not inferiour to any of the greatest and most renowned cities of GRECIA is situate vpon the borders of MACEDONIA close vnto a bay of the ARCHIPELAGO or the sea AEGBUM which bay was in auntient time called THERMAICUS-SINUS and now the bay of SALONICHI To the Christian congregation there dwelling S. Paul wrote two Epistles in the latter whereof hee forewarneth them of a great defection to come before the latter day Before
king Iohn thought it now a fit time for him to recouer againe the kingdome of HVNGARIE which he had so long desired Whereunto he was also the more prickt forward by the persuasion of Alexius Torso Ferentius Gnarus Petrus Bachit Balthazar Pamphilus Erancus Capolnâ—tes Ianus Castellamphus and Casparus Seredus all noblemen or gentlemen of great account in HVNGARIE who in the former troubles following the part of king Perdinand against king Iohn liued now in exile these all with one consent told king Ferdinand That now or neuer was the time when they might be againe restored vnto their countrey with honor and that the warre might that Autumn be dispatched if he would make hast for as much as Winter comming fast on would stay the comming of the Turks and such noble men of HVNGARIE as tooke part with the queene did not verie well agree togither being vnwilling to be commaunded by George the Apostata monke who as they said with great cunning and dissimulation seducing the queene and possessing the treasure enjoyed all alone the power of a king and that they which for taking part with the right had long liued as banished men might now safely returne into their countrey and be honourably preferred by the queene the Bishop which all commaunded assuring them thereof if they would returne vnto the young kings court vnto their friends and auntient houses But they had as they said before giuen their faith vnto him as to a vertuous and faithfull prince whom they had preferred before one that was an Hungarian borne wherefore he should doe both vnaduisedly and vnkindly if letting slip the occasion presented he should deferre to make warre For what could be more dishonour to him so great a king and also emperour elect than by shamefull delay to forsake them being noble and valiant gentlemen which had followed his part and were then readie with strong troupes of horsemen to doe him the best seruice they could The German captaines in like manner persuaded him to take the matter in hand who as martiall men expecting some one preferment some another in the armie were desirous of honour pay and prey the chiefe comforts of their trauell and perill But Laschus the Polonian who in matters concerning peace and warre saw more than all they as he that knew the disposition of many princes and had seene the manners and fashions of diuers nations hauing trauelled thorow a great part of the world and oftentimes beene embassadour in the courts of the greatest princes was of a contrarie opinion and told king Ferdinand plainly That the kingdome of HVNGARIE was to be obtained rather by pollicie than by force by crauing it at Solymans hand to hold it of him by tribute as king Iohn did For said he that may by petition and faire entreatance be easily obtained of that heroicall prince who in his vaine humor oftentimes fondly seeketh after honour which will neuer be got from him by force of armes I thorowly know said he Solymans hautie mind and the proud disposition of his Bassaes he contemneth wealth and is cloied with so many kingdomes but they vpon their insatiable couetousnesse and exceeding pride desire nothing nor persuade him to nothing more than warre Wherefore it is good to beware that with the noise of this sudden warre you stir not vp the Turkes which lie readie as it were expecting such an occasion which cannot be withstood but by the vnited forces of the Christian princes which might by their generall consent be done but that their eyes blinded with fatall darknesse cannot see it and the vnitie of the Christians now desperate seemeth by God reserued to some better time seeing that of late the Christian kings are fallen off and cannot agree vpon the long expected peace Is not said he the French king deceiued of his hope and as he would haue it thought greatly dishonored with this late vnkindnesse which renewing his old wound will reuiue in him an endlesse hatred Away with all dissimulations enemie vnto graue counsels and let plaine truth although vnpleasant vnto princes eares preuent flatterie Vndoubtedly he being a prince of no base courage as it oftentimes falleth out with men thorowly grieued will in his anger as an enemie powre forth his gold whereof he hath good store to crosse the emperours dessignes to trouble the assemblies of the states of GERMANIE to withdraw the minds of the princes and with bountie to gaine them to himselfe who mightily enuying the imperiall dignitie woont to be indifferently giuen to them that best deserued the same to be as it were inuested in the house of AVSTRIA which in this perpetuall succession of so many emperours hath as it were got a right by long custome Wherefore they will secretly conspire togither and as notable lingerers by nature will either giue no helpe at all or else too late at such time as the Turkes garrisons shall come flying to the succour of the young king Neither is there any cause why any man should thinke that the gouernours of the Turks countries neere at hand will for the approach of Winter be slacke in this cause for they vndoubtedly making an honest and honourable shew will take vpon them the defence of the fatherlesse child and widdow of purpose to make an entrance to the secret desire they haue to gaine the kingdome to themselues for if you shall once ioyne with them in battell if the best happen and fortune fauour our first attempts truly you shall haue war without end with such an enemie which will bring with him wealth that will neuer be spent power not to be ouercome and courageous souldiors sworne to our destruction So will it come to passe and I pray God I be a false prophet that in seeking for the kingdome of HVNGARIE by warre you shall at length be glad to fight for AVSTRIA it selfe and your owne kingdome also This speech so moued king Ferdinand that although he purposed to goe on with the warre yet he thought it good by an honourable embassage to proue Solymans mind and purpose also which to doe no man was thought fitter than Laschus himselfe author of that counsell being vnto him very well knowne and familiarly acquainted with all the great Bassaes of the court which seruice Lascus refused not but being furnished with all things needfull for such an embassage departed from VIENNA towards CONSTANTINOPLE Yet for all that king Ferdinand persisting in his former purpose made withall preparation for warres trusting vpon the aid of the emperour his brother and the comming ouer of the Hungarians who euer thought it cause honest ynough for them to reuolt if it so stood with their present profit But before he would enter into open warres he sent Nicholas countie of SALMA to the queene to shew her the instruments of the last league betwixt the king her late husband and him to exhort her to yeeld vp the kingdome which by the late league was