of them slain and the rest taken Prisoners Things being at this pass and by this means peace Recovered to the Empire intestine broyles began anew to be fomented by the factious Greeks for the young Emperor being dead they stirred up young Adronicus his Son to depose his Grand-father the old Emperor which after several Stratagems and devices he effected taking the City of Constantinople by treason and casting him in Prison where of grief he soon after died These Civil dissensions of the Greeks amongst themselves gave Othoman the opportunity to sound his Empire in Phrygia and Bythima where being successful in all his Attempts he mightily increased his Dominions having by this time subdued 20 Cities with all their Territories and amongst the rest Prusia which after along Siege worn out with Famine Anno 1327 yielded upon several Articles few of which were afterward observed by the Turk which being the greatest City in those parts of Asia became for many years after the seat of the Turkish Kings But as all men must yield to death so in the 28 year of his Reign and the 69 year of his Age Othoman the Founder of the Turkish Empire still called from him the Othoman Empire died and was buried in Prusia where to this day his Tomb is to be seen and in his new acquired Kingdom Orchanes his Second Son succeeded him his eldest dying during his Regency CHAP. VII The Life and Actions of Orchanes otherwise Urchan Second King of the Turks in Asia THE Funeral rights of this great Conqueror being performed by his Sons viz. Orchanes alias Vrchan his Second Son and Aladin his third and youngest Son and he having left great store of wealth Orchanes his Successor took upon him the rule of the Kingdom allotting to his Brother Aladin at his request the Lordship of Fodore in the Teckences Country where he lived a private Life without doing any thing worthy of memory but Orchanes now settled in his Kingdom following his fathers footsteps whose Armies of late he had altogether commanded as his General he forgat not to proceed where he had left off and therefore prepare to War upon the Christians but at first with no great Success for the Christians upon the death of Othoman drawing their forces together out of all parts recovered the City of Nice with divers Castles and Towns and amongst the rest the Castle Tzuprichiser which greatly hindered the Turks excursions who dwelt in Bithynia whereupon Orchanes upon notice that it was slenderly Guarded went with several of his followers in the attire of Merchants and by that means deceiving the warders got admittance but were no sooner entered e're they proved fatal ones for drawing their Swords they put all such as they found therein to death and seized the Castle and having Garrisoned it passed on to the City of Nice to which they lay'd siege when to rescue it the young Emperor Andronicus came with such power as he could raise but being for the most part unexperienced Soldiers the Turks from the Mountains as they were passing through the hot Country setting upon them a cruel battel begun but night coming on they parted by consent yet in this fight the Emperor lost near half his People and was himself wounded with an Arrow so that despairing of effecting what he came for leaving his Tents and great store of Furniture therein every man shifted for himself in the dead of Night so that next Morning what they left became a prey to the Infidels who hightened by this Success took in several Sea Towns and within a while recovered the City of Nice by Stratagem As thus the Emperor in his flight thither from his Camp had promised to send them 1000 Horse-men of which Orchanes having notice disguised 800 of his men in Grecian habit and sent them with full instructions who being come within sight of the City he sent out 300 other in Turkish habit as foragers whom the other espying as if they had been ignorant of the Matter turned upon them and after a feigned skirmish put them to flight then taking their way to the City the Citizens who from their walls had beheld what had passed joyfully opened their Gates supposing them to be the Emperors promised Aid but they no sooner entered but the other 300 Horse and several Companies of Foot who lay in Ambush were at their Heels by which means that great City was a second time taken by the Turks whose Riches became a prey to the Soldiers and whose Inhabitants became of free Persons miserable Captives The Fate of this great City followed many others in the same Tract the Turks wasting all before them as they went miserably burning up what they could not carry away so that the Countries before them were dispeopled all the Inhabitants flying from them as a ten-fold Contagion So that no considerable Forces being sent from the Emperor the Cities fell into his Hands in great abundance and above all being desirous to possess the two fair Castles of Abydos and Sestus he sent Accecozza one of his great Captains to win them if possible who by the way having Intelligence that the Captains Son of the Castle of Seamandra being dead his Funeral was such a day to be Solemnized without the Walls whereupon laying an Ambushment they upon the Mourners approach suddenly issued from their Coverts and slew several of them taking the remainder Prisoners and amongst them the Captain whom they carried to the Castle telling those that kept the Walls that if they did not deliver it he should be put to a Cruel Death before their Eyes at which nothing dismayed they returned Answer that they might Kill him Boyl him and Eat him if they pleased but as for the Castle they would not deliver it whereupon he finding it a work of great Difficulty to take by force departed to Sestus which he with little Difficulty took and had his Prisoners Ransomed for a great Mass of Mony and amongst the rest the Captain of Scamandra and now Abydos standing in Europe on the other side the Hellâ—â—â—â— was the only place Aimed at when as Fate would have the Night before the Turks came before it the Captain of the Castles Daughter dreamt that she falling 〈◊〉 miry made her Clean the which as soon as 〈◊〉 the viewed Abdurachman one of the Turkish Captains the fancied him to be the same Person she had 〈…〉 Vision and so strongly her fancy wrong 〈…〉 he lead up his Forces against the Wall 〈…〉 Power from whence she beheld what was 〈…〉 a Letter tyed to a stone at his Feeâ—◠〈…〉 presed her Passion Protesting that 〈…〉 of her Love she would on such a 〈…〉 Castle into his Hands This Letter 〈…〉 Acâ—ecozza he much doubted the 〈…〉 searing it was a design to draw them 〈…〉 upon Abdurachman's Request that he might 〈…〉 the Enterprize he Consented it being agreed that to give the besieged the less Suspicion the Army should give a general assault and then draw
sent her Parents notice thereof who tender of their Daughters Honour sent her away secretly the which upon Knowledge it was done by Othomans means so inraged the Governour that he vowed Revenge and sent after him a strong Party to seize him at the Castle of In-Vngi whither he knew he was gone where being demanded of the Captain of that Castle after some Debate those that kept it resolved to defend him but he not greatly trusting them as knowing the Governours Power in those parts with several of his trusty Friends he broke through the Leagures killing some and dispersing the rest yet other Forces coming to their Assistance they followed him into his Fathers Territories where his Danger was no sooner known but all the Youths Armed and setting upon the Governours Soldiers they slew many took some Prisoners and put the rest to flight So that Othoman began to be feared of such as hated him Ertogrul being spent with Age and Infirmity created by lying in the Field and watching in Camps dyed in the ninety third year of his Age Anno 1289. Having since the Death of Solyman his Father governed the Ogâ—zian Family fifty two years who now being dead the Heads of the Family assembled to chuse another Lord and thereupon they pitched upon Dunder Entogrul's Brother but he by reason of his great Age refusing the Honour they with one Consent elected Othoman saluting him by the Name of Beg or Lord he being by this means become Lord of the same Family The Herdsmen that sed their Flocks upon the Mountains complained to him of outrages done them in passing and repassing by the Garrison or Soldiers of the Castle of Einegiol they being thereto incited by their Captain with which he being not a little grieved sent to the Captain of Bilâ—zuga his Friend another Castle not far distant from the former to permit his People to shelter and refresh themselves therein during their passing and repassing to the Mountains to which in Relation to the Turkish Women he Consented but not to permit the Men for Fear of a surprize So that they went another way avoiding the former Castle but Othoman still studying Revenge for the Injuries done to his People whereupon gathering what Force he could he passed to the Mountains in hopes to surprize it but the Captain having notice thereof came out to meet him laying an Ambush in hopes to intrap him of which he being aware came not into it but gave the Captain battle upon plain Ground and after some slaughter on both side put him to slight and passing on took the Castle of Chalce not far from Einegiol by surprize putting all he found therein to the Sword of which outrage great Complaint was made to the Governour of Cara-Chisar and great Forces raised to apprehend him and destroy the Oguzian Family who as they said coming not long before poor Herdsmen and sheltered out of Pity began to Usurp over the rightful Inhabitants Against these Preparations Othoman provided the best he could and near to Mount Tmolus gave Battle to Calanus Brother to the Governour of Cara-Chisar who overthrown in the Battle lost his Brother Saragatine and many other Friends when shortly after Sultan Aladine the last Sultan of Iconium understanding what had happened and that Othoman might stand him in stead against the Christians gave him the City of Paleopolis with all the Territories thereunto belonging So by this means he became of a poor Herdsman a formidable Governour when not unmindful upon what Account such a Favour was bestowed upon him he entred into Consultation with his Brother Jundus how he might best get away but he finding himself too weak and by that means Considering he should lay himself open to the Fury of the Tartar he resolved to make Peace with such as would accord thereto and wait his better Fortune for there wanted not some of the Selzuccian Family that greatly envied his Aspiring yet incouraged by the Sultan he took the strong Castle of Cara-Chisar the residence of his Enemy and so settled his Affairs winning upon his People with kind Speeches and bounty that great numbers of the Turks daily resorted to him Now during the prosperous Proceedings of Othoman there happened a Quarrel between the two Christian Captains of Belezuga and Cupri-Chisar upon which the former doubting his strength and yet desirous of Revenge solicited Othoman for aid who in lieu of some kindnesses received came to his Assistance with 100 Turks by whose Valour he overthrew his Adversary took his Castle and put him to the Sword which so swelled the Captain with Pride that he gave Othoman many rich Gifts as likewise to his Soldiers but what vexed them more then the Gifts pleased them he gave them his Hand to kiss and above all Othoman who adviced with his Cozen Dunder his Uncles Son what Revenge was best to be taken to humble the Captains insolence but seeming to disswade him from any such Attempt and to be the Captains Friend lest he should relate his Intentions and that redound to his prejudice resolving to make all he at an advantage shot his Cozen through with an Arrow and hid him in the Sand. Long it was not after this Transaction e'r he was invited by one Michael Cossi Captain of Hirmen Caia to the Marriage of his Daughter where according to the Custom of the Country making large Presents the rest of Captains began to mistrust his greatness so that the Captain of Belezuga resolved to prevent it with his Death and therefore the better to have him within his Power he invited him to his Wedding at a certain day making Cossi privy to his Design And a little before the appointed time sent Cossi to fetch him who was as ready to accompany him which Cossi perceiving to prevent his Ruin discovered the Conspiracy against his Life Whereupon he Contracted a strict Amity with him obliging him to secrecy and then began to cast about how he might be revenged of the said Captain and so ordered it that sending about forty men in a Carriage instead of packs of Presents they whilst the Captain and all his People unless a few left to secure the Castle by the help of some Soldiers who in the habit of Turkish Women were sent thither by the Captains order as Othomans Friends surprized it putting the Warders to the Sword Now Othoman came according the Captains wish and stayed drinking with him in his pleasant Bowers till he supposed his men had effected his Commands and together with Cossi and some other of his Companions retired which the Captain perceiving and loath to let him escape his Hands as supposing he had him sure he and all his Soldiers followed him but being over-charged with Wine they were by him and his Company lightly slain Things thus prospering he followed his Advantage and the next Morning surprized the Castle of Jarchisar took the Captain Prisoner as likewise Lubufer the fair Damosel with all her Attendants that should
the youngest Son of John Huniades their great Captain deceased who not much inferiour to his Father in valour and success in Arms gave the Infidels many a fatal overthrow with the Loss of many of their Armies and gave great hopes to the Christians that he would as indeed he did prove a Bulwark to Christendom Whilst things thus passed Mahomet desirous to revenge himself of Scanderbeg fent Ballabanus with a great Army to invaide his Territories whom Scanderbeg charging furiously overthrew him but Moses and others of his Captains contrary to the command of their General in the heat of fight following their Enemies into the straights of the Mountains where fallen into an Ambush for that purpose layed they were taken Prisoners and carryed to Constantinople by those they had before Vanquished wherewith Sanderbeg sent to desire that he might Ransom them but the crafty Tyrant knowing how much he was weakned by such a loss caused them Cruelly to be flain alive and soon after sent Jacup Bassa with a great Army with whom the renowned Prince ingaging slew him hand to hand and put to the Sword a great part of his Army upon news of which Mahomet mad with Anger raised an Army of 200000 men thinking to overrun the Country but in vain for having a long time layn Siege to Croia and there by the furious Sallies of the Garrison and onsets of Scanderbeg lost near half his men together with Ballabanus his General he with great shame and confusion returned to Constantinople But as all things must yield to Fate so our invincible Champion whom no mortal hand could subdue wearyed with the Toils of a tedious War coming to Lyssa a City of the Venetians fell Sick and calling the Venetian Embassador to him he discovered to him what a troublesome Life he had lived and by what means the War was to be maintained recommending to him the care of his Wife and Children appointing the Venetians the Guardians of his Son till such time he came of Age and in the mean while to secure for him the Kingdom of Epirus admonishing him to be faithful and as much as in him lay to maintain peace and unity Then calling his Wife and Son told them that he must leave the World and exchange this Life for one more durable and willed her that after his death she should pass over into Apulia and there to live upon the inheritance given him by King Ferdinand and then after some devout Prayers gave up the Ghost Anno. 1466. in the 63 year of his Age and 24 of his Reign to the great grief of the Christian Princes and joy of the Turks whose Armys his very name had frequently put to flight After his death he was with great Solemnity buryed in the Cathedral Church at Lyssa where he rested till about 9 years after at what time the Turks taking the City dug up his Bones and happy was he that could get the smallest piece which they wore about them ever after as inestimable Jewels superstitiously imagining that whilst they had them about u'm Scanderbeg's fortune would attend u'm and that they should be invincible Not long after the Death of this renowned Soldier the Hungarians under the leading of their young King seized upon the Kingdom of Bosna and soon rent it from the Turkish Empire demolishing the Castles and driving away the Garrisons placed there by Mahomet at what time the Venetians being abroad with a great fleet of Gallies took divers Cities from the Turks burnt many Villages and carryed away 2000 Captives into the Country of Euboea now called Nigroponte which so inraged Mahomet that he prepared a great Army to invade that Country and recover the spoil in order to effect which he sent Mahomet Bassa with a fleet of 300 Gallies whilst himself with a great Army Marched overland with which the Venetian Admiral not daring to ingage it arrived safe where the Turks landing took Stora Basasilicon and Marching to Chalcis joyned with the Emperors Army who with small Vessels and other Materials made a Bridge over the straight or narrow Sea which divides Euboea from Achaia straightly besieging it both by Sea and Land and with his Cannon for 4 days battered the City incessantly being given to understand by the chief Cannoneer of the 〈◊〉 whom he had bribed which was the weakest part insomuch that in the end several large 〈…〉 made yet was the City so manfully 〈…〉 the Turks could not enter and every day 〈…〉 Turks forced to make a new Battery for such part of the Wall as was in the Day time beaten down which the Citizens in the Night repaired and at length coming to understand the Tretchery of their Gunner hanged him up as a reward of his Tretchery Mahomet perceiving the valor of the defendants resolved after his having rent the Wall with his Cannon in divers places and thirty Days besieged the City to give a general assault with all his power at what time the Venetian Admiral came in sight of the City with his Fleet but would not tho his Captains urged either Fight with Turkish Gallies or endeavour to break the Bridge the which had he done he had shut up Mahomet and all his forces in the Island where through Famine and other necessities he might have greatly distressed him This Cowardice of the Admiral for which he and all his Family was afterwards Banished by the Signory of Venice being perceived by the Turks they gave a furious assault on all parts and were so stoutly repulsed that they with their dead filled up the Trenches and Breaches but their number still increasing and continuing the assault a whole day and a night without intermission the Citizens at last being 3 parts of them Slain and wounded the remaining part retired to the Market and there upon the Turks entering Fought it out to the last man selling their Lives at a dear rate amongst whom many Women disguised in men's apparel Fighting couragiously were Slain The City being thus gained at the price of 40000 Turks Lives the Barbarous Tyrant commanded all that were found therein to be put to the Sword which Paulus Ericus the Governour understanding with his Wise Daughter and trusty Friends betook himself to the Castle who capitulated that upon the surrender of the Castle himself and his Friends should have their Lives and Liberties Granted them which the Tyrant solemnly Swore to but having gotten them in his power made at the great loss he had sustained in winning the City he caused the Governour and all but his Daughter to be presently Slain reserving the young Lady as the only Mirror of Beauty to satiate his lust but she disdaining the Tyrants promises and reviling him for his wicked purposes rather desiring Death then to lose her Chastity by becoming his prostitute he caused her even in his presence to be cruelly put to Death and then proceeded to subdue the other Cities of the Island who terrified with the fate of Chalcis surrendered
in the mean while to Strigonium in which commanded as Governours Liscanus and Salamanca two proud and covetous Spaniards with a Garrison of 1300 Souldiers but e're Solyman began to batter the City he sent to promise them Life Liberty and whatever Goods they were possessed of if they would surrender or upon refusal to denounce against them all the miseries that attend on stormed Cities yet this nothing daunted the Souldiers who returned for answer that they reposed their last hope in their Arms and were not to be won by gifts nor terrified with threats upon notice of which their stout resolution he commanded his Cannon already mounted to play from several Batteries the which was put in Execution with such fury that the Walls were beaten down in several places at which breaches the Turks in great number attempting to enter were beaten back three times successively with great loss and slaughter and amongst the slain fell Bultaces Sanzack of Selymbria a man of great account amongst the Turks but in the end the weakness of the City being discovered to the enemy by a fugitive Calabrian the two aforesaid Governours consulting for their own safety intended secretly to leave the City and carry with them all their Riches but their purpose being discovered to the Captains and Soldiers they proposed a parly perswading the defendants that the City was not to be held against so powerful an Enemy upon which the City was yielded and the Garrison such as would marched to Possonium where the two cowardly Governours who notwithstanding the promise of safe conduct had been robbed by the Turks were by Count Salme committed to safe custody to answer for their cowardly yielding up the City Strigonium being thus obtained on the 10th of August Anno 1543. and the Christian Churches converted to the Mahometan superstition he marched towards Alba regalis taking in his way the Castle of Tatta antiently called Theodota which he utterly rased after which coming before Alba regalis a City famous for the Coronation of the Hungarian kings sâ—ituate in a Marsh and incompassed with a Lake He caused the said Lake with infinite labour to be filled up and thereafter many terrible Assaules in which he lost 20000 of his men took the Suburbs putting all he found therein to the sword and afterward had the City delivered into his possession where entering he contrary to his faith plighted he caused the most wealthy Citizens to be slain after which leaving Ballabanus Governour thereof and placing Governours in other places by him subdued in this Expedition he returned to Constantinople By this time Barbarussa and Polinus were arrived at Marselles where having refreshed themselves they departed to Province where they laid siege to Nice a City belonging to the Emperour which after a long siege they took but the Castle being defended with a strong Garrison they in vain assaulted it which so enraged Barbarussa that he threatened to imprison Polinus for not performing his promise made at Constantinople to furnish his Army with all necessaries when as he said Powder and shot were wanting even in the Country of France which division between the French and the Turks was ended by the raising the seige upon notice that Alphonsus Vastus the Emperors General was coming out of Italy with a great Army when as the French Forces retiring Barbarussa sent most part of his Fleet to Argeir with a command to return early the next spring to Marselles The great preparations of Barbarussa to aid the French King gave Muleasses suspition that they were intended against him whereupon leaving the management of the Affaires of his kingdom of Tunes in the hand of his trusty Counsellors as he supposed and the management of his men of war his son Amida he went to Naples to wait upon Charles the Emperor and of him to crave aid when in the mean time by the perswasion of such as hated Muleasses his son usurped his kingdom who upon notice thereof returning with such Forces as he could gather in Italy was overthrown taken prisoner and by his unnatural Son deprived of his sight dealing to him therein the same measure that he had dealt Yet the unnatural Son escaped not altogether scotfree for Tovarres Governour of Gullet for the Emperour sending for Abdamelech brother to Muleasses of whom I have before spoken he in the absence of Amida surprized the City and Castle of Tunis but injoyed no more then 26 dayes e're he died when leaving his Son Mahometes a Child his Successor he was soon thrust out and Amida restored whereupon Muleasses fled first to Guletta and afterward into Sicily where at the Emperours command he was maintained at the common charge of the Islanders The French King being by this time weary of his new come Guest the Turks having first largely rewarded them sent them away who in their return spoil'd the Island of Elba belonging to the Duke of Florence upon the Governours refusing to deliver the Son of Sinan the Jew held Prisoner there since his being taken at Tunis and after that committed many outrages upon the Coast of Italy burning many Towns and carrying away the people into miserable Captivity but he long enjoyed not his Triumph ere himself was by death lead into Captivity viz. anno 1547. In which year died Mahomet Solyman's Eldest Son Frances the French King and Alphonsus-Daualus-Valtius the Emperours renowned General Solyman having now not made any personal Expedition for the space of three years resolved to invade the Persian King being solicited thereto by Ercases Imirza King of Sirnan and that Kings Brother but after great toil to little or no purpose for the space of 1 year and 9 Months he returned with his 〈◊〉 to Constantinople Imirza in the mean while being delivered to his brother Tamas the Persian King by Treachery was put to death during which Transaction one Dugat a notable Pirate having taken Africa a City in Tunis formerly called Aprodise he greatly troubled the Moors by Land and the Christians by Sea when to remove so troublesome a man the Knights of Malta passed over with a considerable power and after a furious assault possessed themselves of the said City the which by reason it was not tenable without excessive charge they razed carrying away a rich booty and 7000 Captives whereupon the Pirate fled to Constantinople craving aid of Solyman who sent with him Sinan the Jew made Admiral in the stead of Barbarossa with a great Fleet who in revenge of what had happened to Africa landed on the Island of Malta and attempted though in vain the winning that strong City Yet sailing into Africk they after great slaughter of their men took Tripolis in Barbary at that time possessed by certain of the Malta Knights for which Sinan Bassa having as it were Triumphed left Drugat Governour thereof by the Title of Sansack returned to Constantinople Anno 1551. Solyman notwithstanding the five years peace made with King Ferdinand sent Achmetes his Lieutenant in Europe
words The hard fortune of this sinful Kingdom hath together with our own overtaken us but let us noble Hearts indure with Patience whatsoever is by God to us assigned you know what we have before promised which hitherto God be thanked we have accordingly performed and now let us with like resolutions perform this last the place you see is not longer to be kept the devouring fire grows fast upon us and we in number are but few wherefore let us as becometh valiant men break out into the utter Castle and there dye fighting in the midst of our Enemies to live afterwards with God for ever I will be the first that will go out follow me like men Thus having said the Heroick Count worthy of Eternal fame or a name greater then ever Roman yet could boast with his Sword in his hand charged the thickest of his foes laying them round him on heaps even till the Rampart of the dead hemmed him in nor durst the Turks with their multitude incounter him long at close fight but cowardly at a distance shot him through the head upon which he fell dead amongst the heaps of his Enemies in token of whose matchless prowess the Turks buryed his body and sent his head as a token of his being slain to Count Salma his kinsman in the Emperours camp with this following Letter Muhamet Bassa to Eccius Salma greeâ—ing In token of my Love behold here I 〈◊〉 thee the head of a most resolute and valiant Captain thy Friend the remainder of his body I have honestly buryed as became such a man c. That which lightened the Christians sadness for the loss of so brave a Captain and the taking of Sigeth was the Death of Solyman who far spent with years and distempers died at Quinque Ecclesiae of the Bloody Flux on the 4th of September anno 1566. when he had lived 76 years and reigned 46 not living to see the end of the siege his death was by the Bassa kept secret to prevent disorder in the Army who according to their wonted policy satisfied the inquisitive Janizaries by shewing them his dead body sitting in his Horse-litter giving it out that he was extream ill when after Sigeth having by Treason taken Gyula for which the Traytor was afterward deservedly put to death by Selymus Solymans successor the Bassa's with the Army returned to Constantinople where they published the death of Solyman and proclaimed Selymus his now onely remaining Son Emperour in his stead CHAP. XVI Selymus the second of that name and fifth Emperor of the Turks His Life and Actions SOlyman being dead upon the return of the Army out of Hungaria towards Constantinople Mabumet Bassa by letters advertised Selymus thereof then residing at Cutai a City of Galatia who glad of the news hasted to take possession of the so long expected Empire when being conducted over the straights of Bosphorus he was by Bostanges Bassas and Scander Bassa conveighed into the Imperial Pallace on the 23 of September Anno 1566 from whence he departed to meet his fathers Corps not yet arrived at Constantinople upon the meeting of which he caused the Insignes to be let fall in token of the Emperors death which had been till that time kept secret from the Soldiers to prevent disorders and so with it Marching in the head of the Army returned to Constantinople being first by the men of War saluted Emperor who upon his Arrival to quiet the unruly Soldiers distributed a large sum of mony amongst them with a Promise to augment their wages as is usual at the installment of the Ottoman Emperors or else by reason of the insolency of the Janizaries and other Soldiers of the Court of their Pallace would prove too hot to hold them Selimus thus setled in his Empire with Royal solemnity buried his father in a Chappel which he afterward built together with a Colledge and Hospital erecting over him a stately Tomb near unto which is at this day to be seen the Magnificent Tomb of his beloved wife Roxolana mother to Selimus and of certain of his Murthered children By him hangs his Scimiter in token that he dyed in war an honour not otherwise granted to the Mahometan Princes The Revenues arising of the Countrey about Sigeth won from the Christians a little before his death were given to maintain the houses by him built for devotion which for Magnificence exceed all others Erected by the Mahometan Kings and Emperors except those of Mahomet the Great and Bajazet the Second It was by many thought that Soliman was in good time taken out of the way for that he resolving to winter in Hungary the next Spring purposed with himself to have over-run Austria and a great part of Germany Anno 1567 Solyman being dead great trouble arose notwithstanding in Hungary occasioned by John the Vayvod of Transilvania who used his utmost endeavour to dispossess Maximilian the Emperor of those Cities and Fortresses he held in that Kingdom but they were soon after appeased by a peace concluded between the two Emperors Maximilian and Selimus The principal points on which the peace depended being these That the German Emperor should yearly pay 30000 Ducates to Selimus as a Tribute for Hungary the Tribute to begin upon the conclusion of the Articles of Peace That the Subjects of the Turks should pay nothing to the Subjects of the Emperor nor on the other side the subjects of the Emperor pay nothing to the Subjects of the Turks but to remain both of them exempted from payment of Tax Duty or Contribution and that either Prince should inviolably hold what he was in possession of at the conclusion of the Treaty which peace was confirmed for the space of 8 years in which was included the Vayvod of Transilvania as the Turks Tributary This peace was concluded Anno 1568 as was likwise the year following a peace concluded between Selymus and Tamas the Persian Kings after which the Turk desirous to undertake some 〈◊〉 exploit that might get him a name and out of the Revenues of which he might build him a Temple exceeding any of his Predecessors which those superstitious people hold to be for the good of their souls be plotted in his mind many things but at length being by his mischievous Counsellors of whom he wanted not he was â—â—ged to the conquest of the rich Island of Cyprus lying in the Cicilian Sea and hath on the West Pamphilia on the East Siria on the South Egypt and on the North Cilicia now called Caramania This Island at such time as Selymus was intent on the conquest thereof was in the possession of the Venetians with whom he had contracted a League since the death of Solyman but in vain are Leagues with Infidels any longer then they serve their own turns yet Muhamates the Great Bassa laboured all he could to disswade him therefrom and Marcus Antonius Barbarus the Venetian Ambassador then residing at Constantinople so wrought that he procured the
the neglect of Ferat Bassa he by the advice of Sinan Bassa sent for him who trusting to his innocency boldly came to answer to what should be objected against him though warned to the contrary but he was scarce arrived e'r by the command of Mahomet he was strangled and his goods to the value of five hundred thousand Ducats confiscated After the death of Ferat who was somewhat a favourer of the Christians Sinan the proud Bassa son to a Fisherman and their mortal enemy was sent with a great Army into Valachia to reduce that and the other revolted Countries to the Turkish obedience but being encountred by the Transilvanian Forces his Army was overthrown with great slaughter and himself in his flight falling into a Lime-pit hardly escaped with life after which he fled to Canstantinople to plead his own cause having promised upon his undertaking that Expedition at the price of his head to reduce Valachia Moldavia and Transylvania to their former obedience Not long after the overthrow of Sinan the Lords Eckenberg and Leucowitz overthrew twenty thousand who under the leading of the Bassa of Bosna invaded the country of Crotia and following their Victory entred the Turkish Dominions and burnt 15 Villages carrying away a great booty and soon after took Petrina which after a close siege and some furious assaults was abandoned by the Turks In the mean while Sigismund the Transylvanian Prince raised a greater power than before upon notice that Sinan Bassa was again upon his march to invade his Countries at what time the Ziculi or Sciculy a people bordering on the North of Transilvania sent to him to offer him their service as weary of the Turkish thraldom who according to agreement besides many rich presents and store of provision sent him forty thousand men well appointed which no sooner joyned him he had notice that Sinan had passed Danubius by a bridg of Boats whereupon he marched with all dilligence to meet him and in another set battle gave him a fatal overthrow in which there were thirty thousand slain and taken prisoners besides a rich booty nor did the River Danubius upon their hasty repassing the bridge which was near two miles over devour a less number insomuch that Sinan swore in a great rage that the young Prince had in a short time Eclipsed all the renown he in the course of his whole life had got After this overthrow of the Turks which they number amongst their great mischances the Castle and Island in the River with little loss were recovered and then in great Triumph laden with the Turks spoils the Prince returned to Alba Julia at what time by his Captains he took the strong Castle of Jenna and intercepted about 70 waggons richly laden which they of Temeswar fearing to be besieged were sending together with their wives and children to places of greater strength These things perplexing the proud Turk he sent his special Messengers to stir up the Crimesian Tartars a people living for the most part on spoil to invade Moldavia Transylvania and Valachia who were likewise incouraged thereto by the Chancellor of Polonia he so far insinuating with the King that Moldavia was taken from the Transylvanian Prince and a new Vayvod placed therein who opened contrary to his faith given three wayes for the Turks and Tartars to invade Transylvania of which perfidious dealing Pope Clement the Eighth by his Letters to the King of Polonia grievously complained and likewise against Cardinal Zamoskie the Chancelor and first mover of this mischief whom he cited to appear before him at Rome there to answer to what should by the Ambassadours of the Christian Princes be objected against him charging them both with breach of faith and disloyalty to the King of Heaven by betraying the Christians into the hand of the sworn enemies of the Christian Religion yet both the King and Chancelor used such endeavours that they satisfied the Pope in the necessity of their writing better to him to that purpose when at the same time Cham Kazikieri the Tartarian King wrote to Sigismund King of Polonia to put him in mind of his promise to give his Army free passage as likewise to destroy the Cossacks who as he said by daily incursions wasted his Frontier and to make a perpetual League with him yet onely the former request was observed The Christians not pleased with the proceedings of the Polonian to shew how little they esteemed his Friendship inraged as it were with his revolt burnt and destroyed all the Turkish Garrisons uppon his Frontiers whom he durst not protect for fear of having his own Dominions wasted in the like manner but what happened this year 1596 advantagious to the Christians was the death of Sinan Bassa their sworn Enemy who having by his Friends and many rich presents escaped the fury of the angry Sultan Mahomet who had vowed his death soon after through grief and shame of his late overthrow died after he had for Fifty years wasted the Earth with Fire and Sword Yet the following Spring Mahomet with a great power purposed in person to pass into Hungary but by reason of the Plague and Famine that raged throughout his Empire he could not accomplish his design but was more and more perplexed by the revolt of the Georgians and the great Army the new King of Persia was raising for the recovery of Tauris notwithstanding to prevent the worst the Transilvanian Prince in person went to the Courts of the Emperour and Pope to crave Aid where he was with great kindness received and promised such supplies of Men and Mony as his occasion should require but during his stay there the Sciculi rose up in arms against him yet the Rebellion was blown over by the execution of the chief Promoters of the Tumult and Ten Thousand Rascians in a fit time proffered him their service for the Tartars were by this time on their way whereupon having received several rich Presents he returned home being every where joyfully received of his People All this time the Lord Palfi with the Garrison Souldiers of Strigonium was not idle but used his utmost dilligence to surprize the Turks Convoys and Garrisons nor was his expectation frustrated for overrunning the Country as far as the Walls of Temeswar he got many rich booties and removed such Christians as were in danger of the Turks Garrison nearer his own missing but narrowly of the Bassa of Temeswar with all his Treasure as he was going to Belgrade to give place to a new Bassa but however he fell into the hands of the Hungarian Heidons who overthrew his Convoy slew him and took all his riches laden in Seventy Five Waggons to the value of Two Hundred Thousand Hungarian Ducats which so inraged the Turks that gathering Forty Thousand strong they besieged Lippa but after the loss of six Thousand of their number in many furious assaults they left their Trenches and in great confusion retired which flight was occasioned by the
of Lewis the Eighth King of France who after a long Siege lay'd to Damasco without preâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 it was forced to return with half his Arâ—◠〈…〉 half being through want and diseases lost But 〈…〉 to Baldwin King of Jerusalem after he had given the Turks and Sarazens several Overthrows 〈…〉 Peâ—â—â—d fortified Gaza and taken all the 〈…〉 held in the Terrirories of Jerusalem 〈…〉 accorded a Marriage with the Greek Emperor's â—iece which Emperor in requital thereof desired in Marriage one of the King 's near Kinswomen whereupon he offered him Mathildas an honorable Ladâ—â—â—â—ter to the Count of Tripolis but he refusing her and taking Mary the Daughter of Raymund Earl of Aâ—tâ—â—ch the Count was greatly displeased and with certain Ships of War greatly infested the Emperors Territories and upon the King 's coming to Antioch to solemnize the Marriage he was supposed to be poysoned by one Barac a Jew the Counts Physician for he taking â—â—ysick to prevent Winter sickness immediately fell into a bloody Flux and afterwards a Consumption of which he died at Beritus Anno 1163. when he had reigned prosperously 21 years being generally lamented of his Friends and Enemies Noridan the Turkish General and King of Damasco declaring that the world afforded not his Peer During these stirs in Syria Sultan Solyman and Mahomet his Successor being dead Mansal having upon the overthrow of the Greek Emperor's Army grasped the Scepter of Persia divided his Dominions at his death between his three Sons viz. to Clizasthilon his Eldest he gave Persia with the Towns and Provinces thereunto appertaining to Jagupasan his Second Son he gave Amasa and 〈◊〉 with the fruitful Country of Cappadocia and to Daâ—iâ—n and his Third Son gave he the Cities of 〈◊〉 and Sâ—bastia which Division caused a greater amongst the Brethren so that mortal hate insâ—ed which 〈◊〉 heels brought an Intestine War the Elder who bore the name of Sultan seeking to destroy and dispossess the two younger which intestine broyls the Greek Emanuel sought to augment covertly assisting them both that they by rending the Persian Monarchy might give him an easie means to recover what had been dismembred from his Empire but finding the Sultan powerful he supposed it best to side with him openly which he doing by that means Jagupasan was overthrown in a bloody and doubtful battel and he flying into Arabia had all his Dominions seized upon which an enterview was had between the Sultan and the Emperor wherein a Peace was concluded between those Potentates the former promising at his return to take Caesaria and Sebastia from Dadune and deliver them to the Emperor the former part of this promise he performs viz. the taking the Cities but the latter part of restoring them as he never intended so he never performed but forgetting all former curtesies invaded the Imperial Provinces with Fire and Sword doing great mischief taking by storm Laodicea in Phrygia upon which the Emperor passed the Hellespont with a great Army and fortified Dorileum and Subleum with other strong Holds to hinder the Inroads of the Turks nevertheless they ceased not to infest his Frontiers whereupon the Emperor grievously complained of the Sultan's Ingratitude and breach of Promise and he on the other side of his breach of League in fortifying the Frontier Towns whereupon the Emperor raised the whole power of his Empire resolving to rase Iconium marching with his whole Army Phrygia Laodicea Chonas and other Countries the Turks keeping aloof as not daring to give him â—atrâ—â— but the Sultan sent his Ambassadors with offers of Peace but the Emperor driven head-long on as it were by the Destinies trusting his power slighted all his Proposals willing the Ambassadors to tell their Master he would give him answer under the Walls of Iconium whereupon order was given to the Turks to impoyson the Well and destroy all Corn and Forrage by the way the Emperor should pass which was accordingly put in Execution so that by such means many of the Soldiers and some prime Commanders died and further they fortified the Straights of Zibriâ—â— through which the Christians were to pass upon their departure from Myria-Cephalon which are seven narrow Valleys of five miles long each over which hang Rocks craggy Clifts and Mountains that almost touch at the top yet through these the Emperor would needs pass though he had notice that the Turks â—â—d strongly possessed themselves of the said Valleys having first divided his Army into three Battalia's but he was no sooner entred but the Turks appeared upon the Rocks and Mountains on every side sending showers of poysonous Arrows upon the Imperialists themselves remaining as it were secure under the shelter of the Rock insomuch that e'r he had got through three parts of his Army were destroyed filling the Valleys with blood and the Carcasses of the slain but in the middle of his distress it pleased God to move the Sultan to pity him and conclude a Peace on condition that the fortified Towns should be rased and so dismissed him with the remainder of his broken Army but after repenting that he had suffered his Enemy to escape his hand permitted such as would to fall upon his Rear by which means many were slain yet at last he arrived at Chovas in his own Territories and caused Subleum to be rased but not the other Towns whereupon the Sultan complained of the non-performance of the Articles but receiving no satisfaction to his mind he sent Atapatch one of his great Captains with an Army of 2400 Horse and Foot to destroy the Emperor's Territories even to the Sea-side and in token thereof to bring an Oar some of the Sea water and Sea Sand which the said Captain undertook spoyling Phrygia and all the Cities upon the Banks of the River Meander taking a great Spoyl but in his return he was met withal by John Bataza the Emperor's Nephew and Ducase Constantine who setting upon him about to pass the Meander destroyed him and all his Army recovering the rich Booty And thus the Emperor Emanuel passed over in continual Wars yet by so doing he gave the Christians in Syria rest who after he had sat Emperor for the space of thirty eight years died leaving Alexius Comnenus his Son a Child of twelve years of Age to Reign in his stead under the protection of the Empress both of which were barbarously murdered by Andronicus the deceased Emperor's Couzen who proved so inhuman and unmerciful that one Isaac Angelius whom he designed to murther caused the Citizens to mutiny against him and put him to a shameful death himself being afterwards chosen Emperor in his stead but he reigned not long for proving almost as Tyrannical as the former he was deposed and his Brother Alexius chosen to succeed him who getting him into his power to make all safe put out his eyes and thrust him into a Monastery so that in these suddain alterations the Turks made great spoyl of the Imperial Provinces greatly dismembring the Empire
sore shaken with inrestine broyls But Clisalthâ—n dying gave some Rest by reason his Sons fell at variance among themselves as he and his Brothers had done for he leaving four all grown to Mens estate viz. Maful Coppatine Renâ—â—â—â—ine and Câ—ichofroes he divided his Dominions amongst them but they thinking each other wronged unless every one had all would not content themselves with what their Father had allotted them though Dominions large enough to suffice twenty Kings raised impious Broils But after long contention Masut the Elder seised by force all the Dominions in Persia making himself thereby absolute Sultan where I shall leave him setling his Dominions and return to Jerusalem After the death of Baldwin in Almericus his younger Brother was crowned King on the seventeenth day of February Aâ—â—â— â—163 who was no sooner setled in his Throne but he warred upon Dargan the Egyptian Sultan for refusing to pay him the accustomed Tribute and in a dreadful battel overthrew him who to stay the pursuit cut the Banks of Nilus and lay'd the Country under water But whilst he was busie in Egypt Noridin the King of Damasco making Inrodes upon the Christians near Tripolis was fought with by Gilbert Lacy an english man then great Master of the Templars and by him overthrown with the loss of three parts of his Army but the next year laying Siege to Arethusa the Christian Princes gathered their Forces to oppose him who upon their approach raised his Siege and departed and whilst they eagerly pursued he trained them into certain miry Fens where turning upon them he overthrew their Army with incredible slaughter and the Captivity of all the Princes commanding after which Victory he again laying Siege to the City had it yielded to him but Almericus was more successful in Egypt for he so prevailed against the Turks and Sarazens that they were obliged to purchase their Peace with the delivery of the City of Alexandria and most of the Prisoners taken by Noradin in the late overthrow and within a short while after the Turks infringing the Articles he aided by the Knights Templars and other Christians lay'd Siege to Pelusium which he after three days setting down before it won and gave it to the great Master and the Knights of the Order In this City they took the Sultan of Egypt's Son and Nephew for whose ransom the King received 100000 Duâ—ats and so he returned to Jerusalem when shortly after Sâ—raâ—con the Turkish General in those Parts under pretence of Friendship slew the Sultan of Egypt in his Tent and was in his stead proclaimed Sultan being first Turk 〈◊〉 ever governed Egypt yet he enjoyed not his ill got Dominion above the space or a year before death surprized him when in his stead Saladine his Nephew was crowned Sultan who desirous to be rid of the Caliph who as Successor to the Impostor Mahomet ruled in effect the Kingdom he upon some disgust with his horseman's Mace beat his brains out at a blow and then taking the chief Places of Trust from the Egyptians and giving them to his Turks so well secured himself and his Posterity that for the revolution of many years that fertile Kingdom remained in subjection to the Turks Being by the means aforesaid setled in his Kingdom he raised a great power and entered Palestine and after a short Siege took the City of Daron e're Almericus could come to relieve it and now the Turks increasing in great numbers the King of Jerusalem was obliged to send to the Christian Princes of the West for aid and in the mean while stoutly defended his Territory which the former Kings had extended to the uttermost borders of Arabia Felix larger than what ever the Israelites possessed and Anno 1173. Noridon King of Damasco died the sorest Enemy the Christians had but as Joy seldom comes without some taste of sorrow to allay it so now for Almericus the Sixth famous King of Jerusalem returning from the Siege of Peane 〈…〉 year fell into a Fever which after a short sick 〈…〉 him of life Up 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 Americus his Nephew Baldwi◠〈…〉 nightily opposed the Turks gâ—â—ing them many 〈◊〉 â—â—erthrows but was in the flower of his youth cut 〈◊〉 death the sixteenth of Aâ—â—y 1185. when as he haâ—â—eiâ—â—ed twelve Years and some Months In this King's stead his Son Baldwin the Fifth of that name and Eighth King of Jerusalem was crowned but long he had not reigned e'r his perfidious Mother to advance her second Husband Guy to the Throne poysoned him But Heaven leâ—t not such wickedness unrevenged not long after Guy the Ninth and Last King of Jerusalem took upon him the Scepter the Christians fell at variance amongst themselves ready to turn their Swords upon each other of which Saladine the Egyptian Sultan taking the advantage won many Cities and finally in a bloody battel the Christian Army was overthrown the King and most of his Nobles together with the great Master of the Templers were taken Prisoners which altogether broke the strength of the Christians in Syria for hightned with this success the Sultan with an Army of 200000 Horse and Foot besieged Jerusalem which being naked of men and wanting a Head was after fourteen days Siege and many fierce Assaults delivered up to the Enemy Anno 1187. after it had been in the hands of the European Christians for the space of 100 years upon condition that such Christians as would might still remain there with free exercise of their Religion and those that were minded to depart might be permitted so to do with as much of their Goods as they could carry upon their backs And thus the Holy City again fell into the hands of the Pagans who poluted it with their prophane Idolatries and superstitious Worship through the Christians lukewarmness and disrespect of God's Divine Worship who living in abundance of plenty forgat the hand that protected them trusting in their own arms as the Israelites to their cost had done before them After Jerusalem the Metropolis of the Kingdom was taken Anâ—â—eâ—â— was betrayed by the Patriarck such little regard had Christians of their Fidelity into the hands of the Turks for a certain sum of Gold 〈◊〉 afterward most of the other Cities either revolted or were taken by force Chap. IV. The Second Expedition of the Western Princes for the Recovery of the Holy Land c. JErusalem and most of the Cities of Palestine being lost as aforesaid the European Potentates were not a little grieved and to recover the same raised a mighty power and first that advanced was Frederick the German Emperor who setting forth from Vienna passed with a puissant Army through Hungary Bulgaria and Thracia and so to Constantinople where he passed over into Asia and entring Lyconia gave the Turks a great overthrow after which he besieged and took Iconium giving the Spoyls thereof to his Soldiers and from thence passing into Celicia in the Straights where the Greek Emperor some years before
Amurath through Grief and despair Dyed in his Tent Anno 1450 in the 85 Year of his Age and of his Reign the 28 or as some say the thirtieth leaving Mahomet his Son to succeed him in his troublesome Kingdom charging him to revenge his Death upon Scanderbeg and so having his Corps conveyed to Prusa he was there interred by his Ancestors CHAP. XII The Life of Mahomet the second of that Name seventh King and the first that took upon him the Style of Emperor of the Turks who for his many Victories was surnamed Great A Murath being dead Mahomet the second began his Reign over the Turkish Kingdom Anno 1450. Being of a firey Cruel Nature given to many Debauches not acknowledging any Deity but ascribing all things to Fortune and Chance who e'r he was well settled caused his two Brethren the one an Infant and the other not above twelve years of Age to be put to Death after which he fell to altering the Constitution of the Government by abrogating the Old Laws and Establishing new ones more suitable to his Humour So that he began to be exceedingly hated by his Subjects when to prevent any disorder that might happen by the Soldiers lying Idle he hearing that Ibrahim King of Carramania was entered his Territories in the lesser Asia passed thither upon whose Arrival the King unable to oppose him fled into the Mountains and from thence sent his Ambassadors to treat with him who offered such Submission in the behalf of their Masters as Mahomet was well Content to accept and so returned to his City of Prusa sending Isaac Bassa against Elias Prince of Mentesia or Caria who altogether deprived the said Prince of his Country annexing it to the Turkish Empire for so henceforth I must call it Mahomet being proud of his Petty Conquests without any Colour or Reason only being driven Headlong by Ambition he resolved to make War upon the Greek Emperor and to have the sooner done marched to the Walls of Constantinople with a great Power laying Siege to that Imperial City which had once been Mistress of the World which he reduced to such Extremity that the Citizens for meer Hunger left no filthy thing uneaten and at last Eat one another and perceiving none intended to relieve them they inforced by invincible necessity yielded the fairest City of the World to the Will of the Tyrant having made all the defence that from true Valour could be expected The proud Conqueror entering the City amidst his Cups caused all the Grecian Nobility the chief Citizens and Nobles of other Nations to be slain in his Presence Constantinus Paleologus the Emperor being before slain and Trampled underfoot in the Press as he was indeavouring to escape the Imperial City this taken after a years Siege Pera a City of the Greeks opposite to it surrendred yet were the Citizens used with all manner of Despite And now removing the Imperial Seat from Hadrianople to Constantinople where it has ever since remain'd he repaired the Walls and such Buildings as had been demolished by the Fury of the Cannon Amongst the Captives taken in the City one of his Commanders presented unto him one of the most beautiful Ladies that Nature ever formed named Irene being nobly descended and for Education not to be paralell'd upon this incomparable Beauty Mahomet so doted that he spent whole Days and Nights with her never thinking his time well spent but in her Company So that his warlike Affairs were altogether neglected which caused his Captains to murmur against him though they durst not freely speak their Minds which Mustapha Bassa one that had been bred up with him observing presuming upon the Interest he had in him took upon him boldly to declare his Mind laying before him the glorious Atchievments of his Ancestors and the disgrace and obloquie he incurred by devoting himself to amorous Delights whilst the Affairs of his Empire were neglected At this free Speech of the Bassas Mahomet was wonderfully offended telling him he was worthy of Death for his unseasonable Presumption but notwithstanding he would pardon him for the good Opinion he had of his Fidelity Commanding him the next Morning to assemble all his Captains and chief Councellors the next Morning to attend his Pleasure in his Pallace which being accordingly done he came out of his Chamber leading the fair Greek in most splendid Attire which adding Luster to her rare Perfections made her appear more like an Angel then a Mortal and sternly demanding of them Whether if any of them had such an inestimable Treasure they would not be thrice advised e'r they parted with it To which they all answered that he had with greater reason passed his time with her then any man had to find sault therewith To which the barbarous Tyrant replyed well but now I Will make you to understand how far you have been deceived in me and that there is no earthly thing that can so much blind my Senses or bereave me of my Reason as not to see or understand what beseemeth my high Calling yea I would you should all know that the Honour and Conquest of the Othoman Kings my noble Progenitors is so fixed in my breast with such a Desire in my self to exceed the same as nothing but Death is able to put out of my Remembrance and having so said he presently with one of his Hands catching the fair Greek by the Hair and with the other drawing his Scimiter smote off her Head she vainly Crying out for Mercy and then taking the bloody Head in his Hand turning to his Captains said now by this Judge ye whether your Emperor is able to Bridle his Affections or not and immediately to put this cruel Act out of his Mind gave order for his Army to march to the Invasion of Peloponnesus which he soon brought into Subjection taking most of the principal Cities and putting the Inhabitants to the Sword but upon the Submission of Demetrius the Prince thereof he restored him upon Condition of his becoming Tributary to the Turkish Empire and afterwards being inamoured of his fair Daughter took her to Wife and soon after hearing of the Death of George Despot of Servia he seized upon his Country and so passing on with his Army besieged Belgrade both by Land and Water as having a great Fleet upon the River Danubius on whose Bank that City is seated which Fleet being incountered by several Ships of War sent by Humaides for that purpose were soon destroyed which so inraged the Turk that immediately giving order for the assaulting the City his men were beaten off with the loss of 4000 men and amongst the rest Curaizis Bassa his Lieutenant in Europe who making his approach was slain with a great Shot and so well did the Valiant Humiades defend that City that after many unsuccessful assaults Mahomet was forced to raise his Siege and departed with 40000 less then he brought The great Humiades having thus long stood a Bulwark to
Christendom now worn out with the toyls of War fell sick and although his Disease was grievous yet desirous to receive the blessed Sacrament he would be carried to the Church saying it was not fit that the Lord should come to the House of his Servant But that rather the Servant should go to the House of his Lord and after his being brought home his Sickness Increasing he gave up the Ghost to the Grief of all the Christian Princes and was buried in the Church of St. Stephen in Alba Julia. Mahomet hearing of the Death of this great Captain who opposed the Torrent of his Victories greatly rejoyced and now resolving to extend his Dominions as well by Sea as Land Equipped a great many in the Port of Constantinople with which he invaded the Islands in the Egean Sea reducing several of them to his obedience and Landing his Army straightly besieged the famous City of Rhodes but Calixtus the third then Bishop of Rome being greatly displeased for the loss of Pera a City belonging to his See aided by the Genoways sent out a great Fleet under the Conduct of Lodonicius Patriarch of Aquilla fought with the Turks Gally sunk and burnt most of them And by that means recovered the Islands they had taken which so inraged Mahomet that he prepared an other Fleet against the Spring the which whilst he was doing Ambassadors came from Vsun Cassanus King of Persia with many rich Presents desiring that he would enter into League with the mighty Prince his Master and remit the Tribute payed him by the King of Trepezond that Kingdom as he said after the Death of the then Reigning King revolving to his Master in right of his Wife Daughter to the said King which Peremptory demand so inraged Mahomet that he not only refused his Presents but dismissed his Ambassador with this Answer That he would himself e'r long be in Asia to teach Vsun Cassanes what to request of one greater then himself and thereupon Commanded the Fleet he had prepared for the Invasion of the Isles in the Egeum incontinently to sail to Sinope the chief City of Paphlagonia and to expect his coming thither with his Army by Land which City and Country being under the Persian King he resolved to besiege it on no other Account then to raise a ground of Quarrel which City being but slenderly fortified and not able to indure the Force of the Ordnance it was delivered by Ismaele the Prince of Paphlagonia into his Hands who putting a Garrison therein proceeded to the Siege of Trepezond which he had in like manner yielded to him who sent the Emperor together with his Empress Sons and Daughters Prisoners to Constantinople dispeopling the City and thrusting thereinto a Garrison of his Janizaries by that means bringing the whole Country into Subjection and for ever ruining that Christian Empire And now hearing that Waldus Dracula Prince of Valachia his Tributary went about to joyn with the Hungarians his mortal Enemies he sought by all means to get him into his Power to effect which he sent Chamuzes Bassa and his Secretary accompanied with several others to invite him to Court but the Prince understanding the Design upon his Life hanged the Bassa and Secretary and impailed the rest alive and then invaded his Country with Fire and Sword which so inraged Mahomet that he in Person with a great Army invaded Valachia ruining all with Fire and Sword till at length driving the Prince out of his Country he gave it to his younger Brother who in lieu thereof became his Tributary and upon his return invaded the Islands in the Egeum as he had before purposed and Landing on the Isle of Mittylene took the strong City from whence the Island take its name after twenty seven years Battery with the great Ordnance and then for non-payment of Tribute invaded the Kingdom of Bassan which subdued he by that means incompassed Epirus he having all this while according to his Directions of the Father by one or other of his Bassas maintained War against Scanderbeg but with such bad success that he thought more then Convenient to make Peace with him but such were his Proposals that Scanderbeg with scorn rejected 'um whereupon Mahomet sent Amasa Bassa with 12000 Horsemen to wast Epirus but Scanderbeg incountering with 6000 put his Army to flight and took him Prisoner and worse faired Debreus Bassa who soon after was sent with 14000 Horsemen for ingageing with Scanderbeg's Forces his Army was overthrown and himself slain Mahomet grieved his Affairs prospered no better and finding that by force he could not prevail against Scanderbeg he dealt underhand by giving great Rewards to his Captains thinking if he could cause them to revolt Scanderbeg would easily be subdued and so effectually he wroght with Moses his chief Captain and a great Soldier that in hopes of the Kingdom of Epirus promised by Mahomet when Scanderbeg should be subdued and a great mass of Money he found means to escape to Constantinople and after him Amasa another of Scanderbeg's Captains who were sent by Mahomet with great Power to invade Epirus but being overthrown by the invinsible Prince they received such cold Comfort at their return that fearing their Lives which indeed the Turk had a design to bereive them off Moses fled and humbling himself at the Feet of his Compassionate Prince he notwithstanding his Treachery received him again into his Service who afterward served him faithfully in his Wars but Amaze being overthrown in his expedition with Isaac Bassa with the loss of 20000 Turks upon his return was by the Command of Mahomet as most Conjectured poisoned after which Scanderbeg concluded a Peace with the Turks for a year and was afterwad continued for a longer time during which great War happened between the Turks about the seizing the Islands in the Egeum and thereby hindering the Traffick in the Mediteranian to the great impoverishing their Signiory Wherefore entering into a Confideracy with the Princes they Arme both by Sea and Land into which League they with many perswasions drew Scanderbeg notwithstanding his League made with Mahomet was not expired The Princes thus Confedrated raising great Forces when in the mean time Mahomet sent Scremet Bassa against Scanderbeg to keep him from joyning with the Venetians whose Duke Christopher Maurus was coming to him with ten Gallies appointed with which Bassa Scanderbeg fought and put him to flight with the loss of ten Thousand of his Men taking the Treasurer of the Army and six others of Account Prisoners who were speedily Ransomed at 40000 Duccats and greater things had been done had not the Duke of Venice dyed of a Fever upon whose Death his Army returned home Victor Capella the next year with the Venetian Fleet seized Athens Aulis Chalchis Larsum and the Isle of Himber But attempting to recover Patras was overthrown Hungary being destitute of such a King as might defend them against the Power of the Turks elected Matthias Corroinus
at the self same time satisfie the Expectation of his Valour and of his Treason but Sybeius the Governour of Damasco dealt otherwise for entering over-thwart the Ranks in the right Wing of the Turks Army he with his Mamalukes Charged with such fury that having made great slaughter of the Asian Horsemen they broak in amongst them like a devouring Tempest bearing down all before them till they came to the Insigns in the midst of the Wing Neither could Mustapha the Beglerbeg nor Imbrahor Bassa with all their Forces withstand him or restrain the Flight of their Soldiers so that cutting in pieces the right Wing he resolutely thrust in between the Battle of the Janizaries and the Pentioners and there made such lamentable Slaughter that the whole Army was in great fear for Selymus by the breaking in of Sybeius was divided from his Footmen in whom he reposed his greatest trust and now the Janizaries hardly charged by Gazellesâ— who following the Fortune of Sybeius had set upon the Front of the Enemies Battle the Asian Horsemen also put to the worst found no means how again to restore the disordered Battle In this Confusion Sinan Bassa came in with the Squadron of Horse under his Command who had been but lightly Skirmished with by Cayerbeius he stayed the Fury of the Mamalukes whereby the Turks taking fresh Courage soon after wrung the Victory out of their Hands for the great Artillery being by the Commandment of Selymus discharged amongst them by the terrible Thundering thereof their Horses were so troubled that they could not well guide them neither could their Riders themselves though they were men of undaunted Courage prevaile being on every side oppressed with the multitude of their Enemies yet in that disaster nothing dismayed setting themselves close together they brake through the midst of their Enemies with great slaughter of the European Horsemen and Pentioners and so with speed fled towards the Camp and City of Aleppo after whom followed Sinan Bassa with the swiftest Horse so that the News of the overthrow being known to Compson the Sultan he indeavoured what he could to stay the flight of his Men but the press being great and the Turks pursuing hard after them making great slaughter every one shifting for himself in that general Calamity without Respect to the Sultan he was overborn in the Press and there by reason of the weight of his Armour and great Age not able to relieve himself was troden to Death who after wards being found amongst the slain was laid to the view of all People that they might not flatter themselves with his being alive and so on his behalf fight more obstinately for the future This great Battle cost Selymus 30000 men and the Egyptians few less amongst which there fell 1000 Mamalukes and was fought on the seventeenth of August Anno 1516. After which Selymus received the City of Aleppo into his obedience the Mamalukes being departed thence to Damasco after whom he likewise sent Jonuses Bassa and followed himself with all the Army but before his Arrival they were departed to Cair and in a full Assembly chose Tomombeius a Circassian born Sultan in the stead of Campson Gaurus who took speedy Care for providing all things necessary to defend his Countries from the Power of the Turks mustering great Companies of such of his Slaves as he thought fit for the War as likewise several Moors and Arabians His Neighbours hiering certian Persons for great Rewards to Travel through the Arrabian Deserts into Mesopotamia and so to Hysmale the Persian King with the Letters earnestly requesting him to invade the Turks Dominions in Asia the less or with all speed to break into Comagena and so to inclose Selymus with both Armies as he lay in the Borders of Judea and by that means greatly destress him by reason he had no Fleet at Sea to relieve him with Provision and by that means might revenge himself and prevent his Territories from Invasion for the future Whilst these things was doing Sinan Bassa with considerable Forces passing through part of Arabia seized upon the City of Gaza of which Gazelles having notice posted thither with 6000 Mamalukes and a considerable number of Arabian Adventurers thinking to surprize the Bassa but he having notice of his approach went to meet him with all his Forces So that both Armies incountering the Egyptians after a Bloody fight being over-powred by numbers and sore Gauled with Harqucbuss Shot left the fight and fled towards Cair but whilst the Turks were departed on this Expedition the Citizens of Gaza had plundered their Camp supposing them to be retired for Fear and discomfited 2000 Turkish Horses sent by Selymus to the Aid of Sinan Bassa who retreating were almost slain by the wild Arabs and had certainly all perished had they not fortunately met with Juleb Governour of Achaia sent with another Power yet the Arabians flocking about them greatly annoyed them with their Shot from the Hills not giving them any time to rest and such through weakness or for to seek Provision stragled from the Army and were cut off so that had not Imbrahor Bassa met them out of Syria they had never passed alive through those Desarts for the Arabians as men living upon spoil still pursued them and in a dispersed manner were continually hovering over their Army yet long they had not marched e'r they met with Selymus who with the remainder of his Army was marching towards Gaza when having notice from those that had been put to flight by the Citizens thereof what had befell them he verily believed that Sinan Bassa and all his men were either slain or taken Prisoners till such time as he was by the Syrian Scouts informed to the contrary at which he not a little rejoyced yet the Arabians daily molested his Army Insomuch that he was inforced to place his Harquebusiers and most of his Artillery in the Rear with order to Charge them as they saw occasion and so in that Order he marched till he came to Jerusalem which was then altogether ruinated and defaced from whence after having viewed the holy Sepulcher kept by a Company of poor yet devout Christians who payed Tribute for that priviledge to the Sultan of Egypt and having made his offering and some miles distant met with Sinan Bassa who having put to Death the Authors of the revolt of that City and Exacted a great sum of Money of the rest came forth to meet him whom he bountifully rewarded giving to the Captains Garments of Silk and to the rest rewards according to their Demerits After he had refreshed his Army at Gaza for the space of four days he leaving a Garrison therein passed over the Dangerous Desolate and unpeopled Sands which at many times moved by the Wind worked like a rough Sea and rising in the Air hindred the sight of the weary Passingers but such was the good fortune of Selymus that a little before he entered them such store of Rain
Prince of great hope to be chosen K. of the Romans who likewise the year following on the 8th of September with all solemnity Crowned at Presburg King of Hungaria to confirm which choice Solyman sent Ibrahim Bassa as his Ambassador to the Emperour as likewise to conclude in his name an eight years peace and the better to gain credit he sent his Letters of credence not usually done by the Turkish Emperors whose proud stile therein I think not amiss to insert which take as followeth I the Lord of Lords Ruler of the East and West who am of power to do and not to do whatsoever pleaseth me Lord of all Grecia Persia and Arabia Commander of all things which can be subject to King and Command the great worthy of these times and strong Champion of the wide World Lord of all the white and black Seas and of the Holy City of Mecha shining with the brightness of God of the City of Medina and of the Holy and Chast City of Jerusalem King of the most noble Kingdom of Egypt Lord of Jovia and of the City of Athens Senan of the Sacred Temple of God Zabilon and Bassio Rethsans and Magodini the Seat and Throne of the great King of Nashin Rettam and Lord of the Island of Argiers Prince of the Kingdom of Tartary Mesopotamia Media of the Georgians Morea Anatolia Asia Armenia Valachia Moldavia and of all Hungary and many other Kingdoms and Territories whereof I am Emperour The most mighty Monarch Sultan Solyman Son of the great Emperour Sultan Selym who hath power from God to rule all People with a bridle and strength to break open the Gates and Bars of all Cities and strong places into whose mighty hand are delivered all the ends of the World none excepted I Ruler of the East from the Island of Tsein unto the farthest bounds of Africa whom God hath appointed a mighty Warrior in the edge of Sword amongst whose most mighty Kingdoms the impregnable Castle of Caesarie is reputed the least and in whose Hereditary Dominions the Kingdom or Empire of Alexander the Great is accounted of us a trifle with me is the strength of the whole World and Virtue of the Firmament For as much as thou King Ferdinand c. Their audacious stile being read in the German Court moved some to indignation and others to secret laughter yet the necessity requiring it peace was concluded but kept no longer then the Emperour lived for upon his Death which happened two years after viz. 1564. new troubles arose in Hungary and several Towns and Castles were won and lost on either side whereupon Solyman resolved in person to come into Hungary but upon second thoughts he changed his mind and bent his Forces against the Island of Malta lying between Africa and Sicilia in length twenty and in breadth twelve miles exceeding fruitful and pleansantly scituate were it not in Summer time too much scorched by the Sun which deprives the inhabitants of their fresh water before which the Turks coming with a Fleet of Two Hundred Ships and Gallies after some loss sustained both by the Sea and Islanders Landed and layed siege to St. Michaels Castle which they furiously battered but it being defended by several Knights of the Order they received great loss before it whereupon they consulted amongst themselves to leave the siege of St. Michael and besiege the Castle of St. Elmo the which with the loss of 18000 of their men they took when in the mean while Valetta the Great Master fortified St. Michael both City and Castle sending to the Viceroy of Sicilia for aid but the Turks incouraged by the comming of the King of Argier with his Ships and a great supply of Victuals besieged St. Michaels Castle a second time as also the City Thundering against it for the space of eight days without intermission but such was the courage of the besieged that they either repaired the breaches or beat back the Assailants who made such slaughter of those that attempted to enter that their dead bodies filling the breaches served as a Rampire to keep out the rest and thus they continued furious to assault the City almost every day till upon notice of the Viceroy of Sicily's approach with a great power both by Sea and Land they raised their siege and departed to meet him near Melita where in a set Battle they were overthrown and most of them slain with the loss of 5000 Christians onely yet those that escaped in their return landed on the Island Chios and took it it being before almost deserted of its inhabitants by reason it lay always obnoxious to the fury of the barbarous Infidels Solyman inraged at this defeat resolved to revenge himself upon the Christian Princes and therefore with a great Army undertook his before determined War against Hungary solicited thereto by the Vayvod of Traâ—sylvania who hoped to be made King thereof but Maximilian being Crowned Emperour he railed a great power being aided by the German Princes and sent them under the leading of several valiant Captains but especially Count Serenus and Count Helffeustin whose good Fortunes proved such that within a short time the Turks were stripped out of most of their Garrisons and a great number of them slain for Maximillian the Emperour long before advertised of Solymans purpose had raised as is said a gallant Army consisting of 40000 Horse and Foot the flower of all Christian Nations besides a Fleet upon the River Danubius which hindered the Turks Provisions and other necessaries from being brought by water By this time Solyman coming to the River Dromus over which with infinite labour he caused a Bridge to be made for the passage of his Army which done he encamped before Sigeth of which Count Serenus was made Governour a valiant man and mortal Enemy to the Turks attended on by a Garrison of 2300 resolute Germans and Hungarians who like a brave Souldier with a most Christian Oration incouraged his men not to be dismaid at the multitude of their Enemies but to trust in God and be of good courage for he by his Almighty power was able by a few to confound the Armies of the proud Concluding that as for himself as he was a Christian and free born so he would by the Grace of God in the same Faith and Freedom end his dayes and that no proud Turk so long as he could hold up his hand should have power to command over him or the ground whereon he stood nor failed he in his resolves for after he had done all that man was capable of doing killing such numbers of Turks that the Plains lay scattered with the dead the Walls being for the most part beaten down and the Town fired about his Eares the Turks in great number entring every where and no relief coming to his assistance he called the poor remainder of his Souldiers about him with whom he was retired into the Castle and with an undaunted resolution spake these his last
favours towards him then stood with her honour and at the same time Mahomet intending to match him to his Daughter thereby to procure the Friendship of the great Tartarian Cham it so far moved the Sultans or great men of the Court with envy that they slew him in the Palace and at the same time as many reported strangled the Queen whom they found over familiar with him in his Chamber but whether so or not certain it is she was never afterwards seen The Tartars Forces thus destroyed the Terror of the young Persian Prince was so great that what by Stratagem and plain Force he wrested out of the Turks hands most of the Cities they had before possessed Insomuch that the City of Derbent of which Osman Bassa was Governour with the title of Vizar of Sirnan excepted the Turks were driven out of all their strong places nor was it long ere the Persian Sophy practised with Shahamel Lord of the Mountain of Brus whose Daughter Osman had married to betray him and the City into his power for that he was the onely man amongst the Georgians whom Osman trusted who won by the great promises of the Sophy without any respect to the Turk as he was his Son-in-Law undertook to gratifie him in his desire but he carried not the matter so close but his Daughter understanding what that passed and more studious for the preservation of her Husband than furthering her Fathers purpose she still revealed all she knew which so inwardly perplexed Osman that he resolved to prevent the Treachery of his Father-in-law by taking him out of the way whereupon as his usual manner was inviting him to a solemn Feast with a chearful countenance he commanded 500 of his Soldiers to be in a readiness and that as soon as Sahamel was entered the Court off his Pallace to seize him and after having cut of his Head to put all his followers to the Sword which was accordingly put in execution and not so contented he sent out 2000 Horsemen to spoil his Countrey to the great astonishment of all the neighbouring Princes but to the exceeding grief of the Sophy who found his hopes frustrated by the death of Sahamel The year following viz. 1578. Amurath calling to him his Bassa's consulted what was further to be done in relation to the Persian War when after a long debate it was upon mature deliberation resolved that it was a matter of dangerous consequence to send an Army into the heart of Persia where they should not only have a fierce Enemy to deal with but likewise many other difficulties as hunger overflowing of Rivers passing craggy Mountains and the like But that it was therefore necessary that by degrees they should pass conquering on from the Borders still securing all at their backs the care of managing which being referred to Mustapha he sent into all the Heredatary Countries of the Empire commanding the respective Governours to send him store of Pioners and men skilled in Architect as likewise a great number of the most expert Souldiers but especially those that had been disbanded the year before upon notice of which great multitudes flocked to the service who early in the Spring met at Erzirum from whence they marched under the command of the Bassa to Chars a City on the Frontiers of Sirnan which in the late War had been demolished yet now again Rebuilt and Fortified within the space of 23 dayes notwithstanding the abundance of Snow that fell during their labouring therein the which was no sooner finished but news came that the strong Castle of Testis was besieged by the Persians who had reduced the Garrison to so great a straight that through Famine they would be obliged to yield up the place if they were not speedily relieved Upon which in great perplexity he sent Hassan Bassa Son to Mahomet Principal Vizar of the Court and Resuan Captain of the Adventurers with 20000 Horse and Foot furnished with Provisions and others Necessaries for the relief of the Besieged who passing the straits of Tomanis were set upon by 8000 Persians under the leading of Aliculi Cham and Simon two expert Captains who in those intricate mazes slew many of them and took considerable spoil which so hightened them that within a while after setting upon the Turks and thinking to have the like advantage fell into their Ambush so that most of the Persians fell by the Sword or were taken Prisoners and amongst the latter Aliculi Cham wwhich gave Hassan opportunity to march without further controul to Testis where through Famine he found half the Garrison lost yet encouraging them in the best wise and storing them with all manner of Provision and Warlike Munition he having at their request displaced Mahomet the Governour and constituted Amet Bassa in his stead he was about to return the same way he came but upon notice that Simon had strongly possessed himself of the aforesaid straights and barrocadoed them with his great Artillery he was wonderfully perplexed as dispairing of his safe return which Aliculi perceiving promised upon consideration that he would release him to shew him a way both plain and easie through which he might pass without any danger from the Persians whereupon the Bassa swore to perform what he requested but afterwards as is very usual amongst those Infidels revoked his Oath excusing himself by saying it was not in his power to release any Prisoner taken in War without the consent of his General of which perfidious dealing Sinan having notice who before in consideration of the delivery of Aliculi had winked at their passage he with his Light-Horsemen pursued hard after them when overtaking the Rear he charged them with such fury that in great confusion they fled In which flight a great number were slain and taken Prisoners with a great booty especially the Treasure of the Bassa and of Resuan Captain of the Adventurers which loss so sensibly afflicted Mustapha that upon notice thereof he broke up his Army not thinking it convenient to attempt any thing further that year and soon after he being discharged of his Generalship was called home where upon his arrival at Court he was accused by Sinan Bassa for neglecting the Emperours affairs wasting his Treasure in unnecessary buildings and rather giving the Enemy cause to contemn the Ottoman Forces then to fear their Prowess These and many other such like complaints being exhibited against him so incensed Amurath that he resolved he should be strangled in order to which he sent his chief Gentleman Porter attended on by fifteen others to the Bassas Pallace but the crafty old blade being forewarned of what was intended against him caused himself for a long time to be denyed but when the messengers impatient of delay urged that he must and should render obedience to the Emperors warrant which they then produced they were admitted to his presence but frustrated of their design by a Guard that inclosed the Bassa with weapons forbidding any access
overpowred were two hundred of them slain yet this loss was shortly revenged by the Garrison Souldiers who surprizing several of the Turkish Nobility sporting with their wives in the hot Baths not far from Buda put all the men to the sword and suffered the women to escape naked into the City to whose flight fear added wings and so with the spoil of their rich garments returned in Triumph but want of Victuals increasing they were obliged to feed upon all manner of unclean things when at the same time their neighbours of Buda having received a great Convoy of Victuals derided them and sent three or four thundering Peals of Cannon over the river against the Town but their mirth was soon spoiled for by the carelessness of the Engenier several barrels of Povvder taking fire not only killed a great number of them but likevvise overthrevv four yards of their Wall and thus the Winter passed over vvith many skirmishes and the taking of several places in Hungary on either side When early in the Spring the nevv Vayvod of Valachia over run the rich Countrey of Silistria reducing the greatest part of it to his obedience and soon after Colloninitz gave the Turks another great overthrow and took a great booty on its way to Canisia and afterwards laid siege to Baboz but finding it strongly Garrisoned and furnished for a long siege he withdrew from before it yet he surprized many of the Turks and intercepted several Waggons laden with provision about which time news came that the Janizaries were up in Arms at Constantinople as likewise Sphai and that they committed several outrages on the Bassas and spared not to abuse their master telling him they would seeing he neglected to reform his Government svvearing that unless he vvould deliver into their povver the Capi Aga and such others as they should require they would turn all into confusion which threats so scared the Pusillanimous Tyrant that he was contented to yield to their demands who having got those Favorites they most inveighed against they with all despight put them to death whereupon the Tyrant not to be outdone in cruelty caused several of the Bassa's and chief men of his Court whom he knew the Souldiers affected to be slain which caused such a hatred against him that many of his great Bassa's conspired to depose him and set up his son Mahomet in his stead which they were the more animated to put in practice for that he had at the same time made a dishonourable peace with the Asian Rebels giving most of their ring-leaders great Commands whilst those that had faithfully served him were rejected of which intent of his men of war the Tyrant having notice caused his son and so many as he could understand were any wayes concerned therein to be put to death These things happening in the foregoing year the year following the Tartars in great numbers intending to invade Hungary were denyed passage by the Polonians whereupon they resolved to make their way through Valachia with whom the Vayvod had many hard conflicts killing at one time three thousand of them but their number being great he was forced at length to let them pass who upon their arrival in Hungary and Stira made great spoil e'r Collonitz could take the field who at length joyning with Count Serinus gave them a fatal overthrow and recovered about five thousand Christian Captives yet those that escaped from the battle roving about did great harm till such time as they were met with by the Lord Nadasti and his Hassars who with a furious charge overset their battle and brought them to final destruction when soon after Collonitz returning fell upon Two Thousand Turks all or most of which he slew and then passing on besieged the Castle of Loqua which in a short time he took but by neglect of the Soldiers injoyed not long for the Palizadoes being fired set fire to the Castle and laid it wast After which he marched towards the Castle of Boulouvenar upon whose approach the Garrison fled but in their flight being met were overthrown with great slaughter and such as were taken Prisoners together with all their substance brought back to the Castle into which the Collonel having put Four Hundred Haducks and Two Hundred Hussars returned to Comara where with a great Booty he arrived in safety Turning a little from the troubles of Hungary a Countrey subject to the continual Inroads of the Turks I shall return to Transilvania which by this time was for the most part reduced to the Emperours obedience For Moyses the Rebel after his being overthrown by Basta doubting his safety in the Castle of Solemose delivered it to the Turks and fled to Temeswar a City in their possession of which Basta the Emperours Leiutenant having notice resolved to recover the Castle which the Turks supposed impregnable by reason of its scituation as being founded upon a steep and hard Rock but the Germans having by strength of Arms drawn their Cannon to the top of a little Hill not far distant from it after a terrible battery made had it delivered to them the Turks well perceiving they were no longer able to keep it This strong place thus gained many of less account that held out against Basta surrendered whereupon assembling the principal men of Transilvania he in a short Oration admonished them to be stedfast to the interest of the Emperour and not to have any regard to the faithless and wavering Turks c. To which they replyed That they were willing to obey the Emperour in all things but that their people in continual Wars being wasted they desired him to consider how little able they were to keep an Army in the Field without which the Countrey could not be defended but if the Emperour would protect them and secure them with a standing Army they would yearly pay towards the defraying of the charges Fifteen Thousand Hungarian Ducats and furnish them with all things necessary It being a thing more Honourable and Profitable for a Prince moderately to use his Subjects then for covetousness to devour them in one day and in their loss to lose himself for ever This their offer was by Basta accepted and the minds of the people by many perswasive arguments kept in their dutiful Allegiance to the Emperour But whilst peace was expected on all sides Moyses the Rebel with a great power of Turks and Tartars entered Transilvania at such time as Basta was absent dreaming of no such matter and seizing upon Wisceborongh some other places of small importance his name began to spread wide Insomuch that Mahomet the Sultan understanding what he had done promised to send him more Aid and to make him his Leiutenant if he prospered in his Wars which puffed up the Rebel to that height that hearing of Basta being with small Forces in the Town of Somosinar he resolved to march thither and besiege him but that experienced Captain knowing how much it impaired the credit of a
Troops of Hussars to Solvock when having put a strong Garrison into it and relieved such other places as he thought convenient and now the depth of Winter coming on he broke up his Army sending as a certain token of several successful exploits sixty four of the Turks Ensigns to the Arch Duke Matthias so that till the next Spring nothing of moment happened No sooner was the frozen Earth freed from the cold embraces of Winter but new stirs began in Transilvania as likewise in Moldavia where the Tartars in great number destroying the Countrey were overthrown and almost all of them slain at what time Zellali the chief of the Asian Rebels whom Mahomet by great rewards had allured to his interest entered the Kingdom of Bosna with a great power of his followers where having trained Zeffer Bassa the Governour thereof into his danger he set upon him and slew most of his men and seized upon the Kingdom upon notice of which Mahomet in a great rage sent his Letters to him commanding him forthwith to repair to Constantinople but he not thinking it convenient to trust the Tyrant with his head he returned for answer that he was already possessed of the Kingdom promised him for his service and that he as a Loyal Subject would keep it to his behoof with which answer Mahomet was forced to content himself as fearing that if he should go about to expulse him by force he would revolt to the Christian Emperour and so prove a more dangerous Enemy to him in Europe then he had done in Asia Wherefore to prevent the worst he resolved if he could obtain such conditions as might sute with his greatness to have Peace with the Emperour in order to which Commissioners met at Buda and many Presents were given and received on either side the Turks expressing great joy for the hopes they conceived that at length they should rest from the toils of War but after many proposals on either side the demands of the Turkish Sultan was so unreasonable that nothing was concluded so that after a short truce Hostilities began afresh when as the Turks seeking to wast Valachia were with great slaughter by the Vayvod overthrown at what time the Lord Nadasti the Valiant and Renowned Captain of the Christians died to the grief of all the Confederate Princes there not being a man left whose Council and Conduct in Martial affaires equalled his but this grief was somewhat alayed upon certain News that Mahomet the great Sultan was likewise departed this Life dying about the latter end of January Anno 1604. When he had lived 44 years and thereof Reigned 8 being altogether pusillanimous and given up to pleasure and lyes buried in a Chappel of white Marble at Constantinople near to the Church of St. Sophia in whose stead Achmâ—â— his Third Son was saluted by reason of the death of his two Elder Brethren one of which was strangled by the Commandment of his unnatural Father and the other very young died a natural death CHAP. XVIII The Life of Achmat the Eighth Emperour of the Turks and first of that Name UPon the death of Mahomet the Third his Son Achmat then but fifteen years of Age was by the great Bassa's and men of War saluted Emperor having purchased the good will of the latter at two Millions and a half of Aspers upon which after he was solemnly Crowned he sent Ambassadors to the King of Persia as he likewise did to the Emperor but according to the proud humour of his Predecessors his demands were so unreasonable that they would not be accorded to neither in Europe nor Asia whereupon the Turks ere the Treaty was ended with the Emperour under pretence of Friendship indeavoured to surprize Pesth but by the vigilancy of the Garrison Souldiers were put by their purpose which Treacherous dealing made manifest the Treaty was utterly broken off whereupon great preparations were made for War on either side during which time the Persian King was not idle prosecuting his Wars had recovered almost all that the Turks had taken from his Predecessors Yet the Turks lessened his victory and the more to amuse the Christians spread a false report that near unto Babylon his Army was overthrown and himself taken Prisoner not forgeting to magnifie the Forces of their Emperour who indeed for his years was very active in the affairs of Government though cruel withal towards his own Subjects and farther they gave it out that at once he intended to invade with puissant Armies both Hungary and Persia purposing to annex them to the Ottoman Empire but these great words though in truth the Christians were more negligent in their preparations then the occasion required proved but Air. But leaving the Turks awhile I shall survey the miseries of the once fertile Countrey of Transylvania which now through civil discord amongst themselves and Rebellion against the Emperour was so spoiled that Famine coming fast on them for want of the Earths due increase it by long continuance reduced them to that extremity that the Peasants and poorer sort of people having eaten up for dainties all the Dogs Cats Mice Rats and live Horses fell to eating such starved Beasts as through want they found to have perished in the Woods and Fields and at length when nothing was left they fed upon human flesh men eating men and Women their Children yea Thieves and Malefactors hauged for their Villanies were by the miserable people cut down and eaten to remedy which the Emperour caused to be assembled the States of the Province wherein it was accorded that all Hostilities set apart the Gentlemen of Transilvania having by their Rebellion forfeited their Lives and Lands should be pardoned as to Life with three fourth parts of their Lands reserved unto them and that for ready money they might of the Emperour redeem the fourth part but concerning the moveables of such as were dead in the time of trouble and already confiscated to the Emperour they should so remain and that they should pay their tenths of their Wines and Fruits to the Emperour and that no other then the Romish Religion should be exercised in that Province and that Clausenburg and Cronstad should within three weeks after pay the one Twenty Thousand Dollars and the other Eight Thousand and that the Governours of those Towns should put their Keys into the hands of the Emperours Leiutenant And lastly That the Gentlemen who would not be accounted in the number of the Rebels should for the safety of their persons take Letters of Pardon from the said Lieutenant This pacification gave somâ— little hopes to the distressed Transylvanians but I lasted not long for the Nobility weary of the German yoke soon revolted from the Emperours oâ—â—â—â—ence and again took up Arms which plunged them into their former miseries wherein for a while I must leave them and return again to the Turkish affaires The several Hostilities having banished all hopes of Peace several skirmishes passed between the
so that they were dissembled and although whilst the Ships lay before the City a hundred slaves from on board the Turks Gallies and out of the City escaped by getting on board and amongst them Monsieur de Peau-jeu a Knight of Malta yet that was likewise dissembled and not thought a sufficient ground for War with a Nation whose valour the Turks by fatal experience had tryed but in the end the French became more moderate and new instructions being brought the Ambassador by a man of War he passed to Adrinople where the Grand Signeour was gone and having his second Audience granted his first being had of the Visier he desired that the League so long continued between his Master and the Ottoman Princes might continue and that the capitulation might be renewed only with the Alteration of the customs imposed upon his Masters Subjects from five to three in the hundred according to that priviledge which the English and other Christian Merchants whose league and Friendship was subsequent to theirs but after many delays the Visier would not accord but referred him to his return from the Wars of Poland on which he was intent which disappointment greatly perplexed the Ambassador The Grand Signeour having before missed his design in making away his Brethren for fear of the Janizaries now in their absence most of them being busied in the Wars renewed his resolution and under pretence of Friendship poisoned Orcham the Eldest with a bowl of Wine though some affirm he was strangled with a Bow string and that ere he fell he killed one of the Executioners but howsoever it happened he was made away whose death once known greatly incensed the people against the Grand Signior and prevented the like effects on the other Brother All other matters now layed aside about the beginning of the year 1672. preparations were made for the Polish War though with such deliberation as expressed an unwillingness thereto on the part of the Ottomans who having experienced the force of that warlike Nation moved thereto with caution Yet their motives were not inconsiderable but such as thereon a War might be grounded not only for the continual Piracy of the Cossacks on the Black Sea and their assisting the bordering Princes in their opposing the Turkish Arms and the little regard the Polish Ambassador had of the Port treating there with equal grandure and assuming a Liberty above the Ministers of other Christian Princes and now they lay more open to be assaulted by reason of the divisions amongst themselves whereby an opportunity offered to the Grand Signeour to oblige the Polonians to a complyance of his demands yet whilst preparatians were making on all hands an Ambassador was sent to the Visier he advancing with his Army towards the frontires named Wisozski a Noble man of Poland presuming upon his Power and Authority argued after such a lofty manner and in terms so contrary to the methods of an Ambassador that the Visier much incensed dispatched a Chiaus into Poland with Letters desiring that this Ambassador might be recalled as being a person unable to mannage matters of the least concernment insinuating that if they supplyed his place with another he should be received with due respect and a plain way laid opento conclude his Negotiations to the satisfaction of both parties Upon notice of which the Ambassador was so sensibly touched that he in a rage sent Letters to the assembly of the Polish Nobility to certifie them that he was not only debarred of the allowance usual to Ambassadors but also was imprisoned both of which though untrue for the former he refused as too little for one o0f his Character and the latter being onely his confinement to the City of Constantinople by reason of some outrages his servants committed at his house at Pera being believed kindled such a flame that the Poles imprisoned the Turkish Chiaus and ordered that all the Countrey should be put in Arms rendering the Visier no other answer then that when their Ambassador was set at Liberty and had License to depart the like should be done to theirs Of these proceedings the Grand Signeour having notice was highly offended immediately ordering that Wisoski should depart and at the same time commanded his whole Militia to rise and follow him to the Wars fending a Sword and Vest to the Tartar Han with orders to unite his Forces with the Cossacks that had revolted from the Poles and speedily to invade Polonia which accordingly he did and incountering near Batowa with a Body of Polish Horse under the command of Luzecki Governour of Podolia he overthrew them which was the first bad Omen of the ill success of this unhappy War The Grand Signeour having raised an Army of one hundred fifty thousand men marched towards Poland already sick and languishing with its own intestine distempers and unable to contend with a body united within it self The first enterprize he made was upon impregnable Fortress of the Caminieck which had so often baffled the Ottoman Force but now being weakly manned unprovided of all necessaries and despairing of Relief after fourteen days siege surrendered the Garrison in it submitting to the will of the Conqueror which opened a passage through all Podolia and Volhinia to the very Walls of Leopolis which they passed over rather like Travellers then Enemies not one man in armes appearing to oppose them delighting and sporting themselves in those the most fruitful and delicious Countries of Europe permitted so to do by the animosities and intestine broiles amongst the Nobility who being divided into factions reguarding more their private quarrels then the safety of their Countrey now ready to be devoured by the Infidels and indeed it has been always seen that the divisions of the Christians have layed the foundation of the Turkish greatness which they impute to the merit of their prayers Yet such was the command of the Grand Signeour that no Souldier spoiled or outraged any person which so far won upon the affections of the Polonians that they in all places where he passed submitted and put themselves under his protection which so awakened the Nobility that a Council being called it was resolved that to buy their Peace and be shut of these new come guests That the King of Poland should quit all claim to the Vkrain Pedoli and Russe land That Leopolis and the Countrey thereabouts should pay a Tribute of seventy thousand Dollars a year and all other Capitulations formerly made to stand in full force and vertue These Articles being signed the Grand Signeour committed the Government of Veravia and Podolia to Dorosensko General of the Cossacks and the defence of Cominieck and Chusaein Bassa with a Garrison of twelve thousand Janizaries and so returned to Constantinople dismissing the greatest part of his Army poor and almost naked by reason of their being restrained from plundering About this time Tripolâ—es matined against Osman Bassa their Governour for refusing to divide amongst them such booties as were
the Divano or Council-House where the Grand Vizier and such others as are by the Grand Seignior appointed his Councellors four times a Week or oftner of Occasion require it sit to consult the Important Affairs of the Empire to hear and determine all Matters of Controversie and give Audience to Ambassadors and other Forreign Ministers In this Seraglio the Grand Seignior has many Chambers hung with Cloth of Gold gilded Skins and Tapestries made of Silk and Gold wherein are lively represented the Wars of the Ottoman Emperours His Lodging-Chamber is garnished with divers Precious Stones of great value and constantly attending him six young Men who do Service in his Chamber and watch his Person all Night two and two by turns with lighted Torches the one sitting at the Head and the other at the Feet of his Bed And when he attires himself they put into his Pockets a thousand Aspars and twenty Ducats of Gold the which if he does not distribute that Day at Night is their Fee for he seldom or never puts on one Suit of Apparel twice and whensoever he goes to Hunting or any the like Exercise besides the Money in his Pockets his Casnadar Bassa or Chief Treasurer follows him with great store of Money to give away Of these six Young Men who are changed at Pleasure their Offices are distinct for the first carries his Shoes the second his Bow and Arrows the Third his Vest the fourth a Vessel with Water the fifth his Seat and the sixth called Oda Bassa is Head of the Chamber He hath daily a great number of Persons resident in his Palace imployed in their several Charges the chief of which are these First The Capi Aga by whom the Grand Seignior speaks to such as have any Important Business for no Ambassador can be admitted to his Presence but at his first Arrival when he delivers his Letters of Credit and Presents But if afterward any matter arises he must address himself to the Capi Aga that is the Grand Vizier or his Substitute Secondly The Casnadar Bassa or Chief Treasurer of the Houshold Thirdly The Chilergi Bassa or Chief Cup-Bearer Fourthly The Seragli Agasi Steward or Master of the Houshold Fifthly The Chiller Agasi or Seraider Bassa Overseer of the Seraglio of Concubines who is always an Eunuch Sixthly and lastly The Bostangi Bassa or Chief Gardiner who is Captain of the Jamoglans and steers the Grand Seignior's Barge When ever he goes by Water he hath a Protogero or Lieutenant and many Gardiners to attend him which are called Bostangi who are frequently listed in the number of Janizaries when fitted thereto by hard Labour c. These Six Officers have no Authority out of the Seraglio yet the greatest Bassa's fear them for that they being always near the Emperour frequently incense him against them to their Destruction Near unto the Grand Seignior's Person are commonly six Mutes Men born both Deaf and Dumb with whom he makes himself Pastime There are found likewise about thirty four more of the same Tribe which he keeps as Executioners of his Wrath for upon the least Command they will strangle the greatest Bassa of the Court or otherwise make him away it being their frequent Practice Within the Seraglio are kept to the number of five hundred such Youths as are taken up for Tribute-Children in Graecia and other Parts of the Empire all Sons of Christians who taken young from their Parents are instructed and brought up in divers Arts and taught more especially to manage all sorts of Weapons and to be perfect in the Mahometan Superstition few of them being above eight Years of Age at their first Entrance Of these some they make Janizaries others are preferred to Offices of Trust and come to great Preferment But none of them may on Pain of Death stir out of the Seraglio till the Sultan thinks them of a fit Age and sufficiently qualified for his Service He has in like manner eighty Mutaferache or Launce Bearers who carry his Launce and are subject to the Command of none but himself He hath in continual pay a thousand Eunuches whom the Turks call Hundurni many of which are imployed to attend his Virgins and Concubines in the Seraglio They are not only deprived of their Genitors but in their Youth they have their whole Privities smoothed off by their Bellies And in their Turbants they bear a Silver Quill or Crue through which they evacuate their Urine This Inhuman Barbarity was first commanded by Solyman the Magnificent who grew jealous of them upon his observing a Gelding back a Mare gathering from thence that his Eunuches though they had lost their Genitor might yet dalliance with his Females The Seraglio of Women is within the Palace in which are constantly five hundred Virgins the choicest Beauties that can be procured being all Daughters to Christians taken from their Parents when they are about eight Years of Age or under none above are admitted lest they should be debauched e're they enter These are brought up to curious Works And when at any time the Grand Seignior is desirous to have any of them brought to his Bed he the Day before gives notice to the Captain of the Eunuches who commands those under him to put them in order and array them in their best Attire Which done the Grand Seignior attended by the said Captain walking between them as they stand demurely in rowes on either Hand and where he likes drops his Handkerchief of which he has many hanging at his Girdle which the Eunuches that follow observing put her or as many as his Pleasure is to signifie by such Tokens into a Coach and carry them to his Lodgings where they are gorgeously attired and used as he has occasion for them After which they return not to the Seraglio of the Virgins but have other Lodgings appointed them And when by reason of the Failure of Tribute-Virgins the Seraglio grows empty they purchase the Fairest they can find in the Market of Constantinople whither they are brought to be sold as Slaves Another Seraglio there is in which the Grand Seignior keeps his Sultana's or Sultanesses and their Children as likewise such other Concubines of whom for his delight he hath chosen from amongst the Virgins He never marries but when any one is brought to his Bed side he gives her a Golden Head-tire and ten thousand Aspers causing her to live apart daily increasing her Maintenance The first that bears him a Child is called the Sultana or Sultaness and is accounted Mistress of the rest of his Women and by him for the most part best beloved The rest that hath been brought to his Bed and with whom he hath dallianced are returned back to their several Apartments there to expect the Issue and if they prove not with Child then are they given in Marriage to his Slaves whom for their sakes he advances to great Dignity for the most part He hath three hundred Sollacchi who march continually about
a Grave Turk placed in his stead who caused several of the Mutiniers to be Apprehended and publiquely Executed Notwithstanding these troubles the Turks desisted not to carry on the War against the Venetian so resolutely were they bent to have Candia In their possession therefore Equiping another Great Fleet they put to Sea in order to relieve their men in the Island but being again fought with by Moâ—errigo the Venetian Admiral all the Fleet was either taken sunk or stranded upon which the Venetians landed on the Island of Tenedos and in four dayes became Masters of it as also they did of Stalimene antiently called Lemnos which losses so incensed the Grand Seignor by this time grown to understanding that he resolved to carry the War into Dalmatia part of the Venetians Seignory but upon second thoughts resolved the recovery of the Islands and in order thereto put another Fleet to Sea who after a great dammage sustained by the Venetian shot thrust their men on shoar in great numbers and by that means the evil Fortified Islands so lately taken by the Venetians were by the Turks recovered in attempting the relief of which Mocenigo the Venetian Admiral had his Ship blown up by his powder accidentally taking fire by which Accident himself together with all that were on board perished These important places regained the treaty of peace was offered to be renewed and some overtures were made by the Venetians but now the Turks would hearken to nothing unless Candia might be intirely put into their hands with the Fortress of Clissia in Dalmatia and payment made of three Millions of Gold for the Dammages sustained by the War which unreasonable proposals so perjudicial to the honour of their Seignoury the Senators Generously rejected rather resolving to maintain the War and defend themselves more vigorously then ever which intention known the Grand Seigniour gave second orders for his Army to spoil Dalmatia but in their March the Grand Vizier who headed them having caused the Bassa of Aleppos brother who had a command in the Army to be put to death for coming later to the Randesvous than was appointed which so â—nraged the Bassa that raising 40000 men he advanced even to the Walls of Constantinople burning up the Country before him and there pitching his Tents sent to demand the head of the great Vizier in reprisal for that of his Murthered brothers but not finding his expectations answered he sent a second Messenger to demand the heads of 4 other Bassas of the Council whom he said had been consenting thereto and upon refusals threatened the destruction of the City but the Plague raging there at that time after he had burnt up all the Country about it he retired into Asia and there seting up a Youth of Twenty Years of Age whom he gave out to be the Lawful Son of Sultan Morat till that time hidden by his Mother from his Uncles fury His Army was wonderfully increased insomuch that he would hearken to no Proposals of an accommodation though the Government of divers Provinces were offered but Exhibited a Proclamation wherein he declared Mahomet the unrightful Heir to the Ottoman Empire upon which he was pronounced a Rebel and all men commanded to rise up against him and destroy him but instead thereof most of the Asian Forces revolted to him which made the Divan suppose it high time to give a check to the Progress of his Armes and thereupon shipped over the Great Vizier with a puissant Army composed of the Flower of the Ottoman Chavalarie in Europe who joyning with the Bassa was in a great and mortal battle overthrown and with his broken Forces obliged to retire which made the Grand Seigniour with such Forces as he could raise pass the Bosphorus and joyning with the Viziers rallied Souldiers Composed an Army of Thirty Thousand Horse and Seventy Thousand Foot with which he Marched against the Bassa whose heart at the approach of so great a power began to fail him and make him more plyable to hearken to Terms of Agreement which he proposing to his Council of War and they approving his Resolution a place was Assigned for Treaty and Mortaza Bassa made the Grand Seigniours Plenipotentiary the Grand Seigniour promising to stand to what ever he should Act as indeed he did for the Bassa under pretence of a Treaty being unadvised drawn from his Army was together with Seventeen of his Attendants strangled by the said Mortaza and such as he had layed in ambush for that purpose upon notice of which his Army that then consisted of Eighty Thousand Horse and Foot dispersed every Man shifting for himself For this Exploit Mortaza was greatly applauded by the Grand Seigniour and Grand Vizier and had a considerable command conferred on him in the War against Rogotski the Transilvanian Prince whose Country about this time the Tartars had entered at the instance of the Sultan with a great power yet was not the Asia Rebellion thus extinguished for a Nephew of the dead Bassas raising great Forces in the Territories of Aleppo advanced with a Resolution to revenge his Uncles death to whom joyned the two sons of Chusaein Bassa whom the Great Vizier had caused to be put to death as also the Bey of Torgne and many others which rendred this Army as formidable as the precedent gave new subject of fear at Constantinople but the great Visier so managed the matter by sowing dissension among the chiefs and bestowing large sums of Money on the Soldiers that the Army dayly diminished till at length it came to nothing leaving many of the Commanders to the mercy of the Visier who never spared any man that was guilty of a crime or suspected to be so Asia being again reduced to Obedience the Grand Seignior had leisure to think of his Wars with the Venetians and therefore gave strict command for part of his Army to march into Daimatia and the other part to be imbarqued for Candia he resolving to besiege the Meâ—ropolitan City of that Name nor were the Venetians slack for having received a reinforcement of Four Thousand French Foot and divers other Aids sent them by the Christian Princes their Confederates They took the Forts of Calamo Calegro and Epicarno hardly distressing the Bassa of Canea in the principal City of his Province insomuch that he was obliged to write to Constantinople for speedy succour leâ—t that City should be lost for the Venetians dayly battered it and pressed it hard with continual Assaults but a supply of Three Thousand fresh men being by Night thrust into it the Venetians raised the siege and marched to New Candia built near to Old Canoia in hopes to beat the Turks out of it but prevailed not according to their expectation About this time the Visier with a Great Army arrived at Belgrade but there falling sick he returned to Adrinople to recover his Health swearing that if he found Death approach he would caâ—â—e all his Physitians to be put to 〈◊〉 which
〈◊〉 servation rendred them double-diligent These were the principal revolutions in the Ottoman Empire from the time Mahomet ascended the Throne till the year 1â—60 Anno Dom. 1661. About the beginning of this year His Majesty of Great Britain sent the Earl of Winchelsea his Embassador to Constantinople who upon his arrival at the Port was received as became his Character with all the Grandeur that the Turks allow to any Embassador and after his Audience conveyed with due Ceremony to the prepared for his reception and now the Turks being at leisure invaded Transylvania in order to depose Prince Rogotski who after having deposed himself and made his submission in hopes to be restored but finding his hopes frustrated and another advanced in his stead Again he assumed his Government and raising a powerful Army made divers Inroads into the Turkish Dominions till at last joyning Battle with the Bassas of Buda and Temeswar near Julia Aâ—ba where being overthrown and wounded he fled to Varadia and there within Fifteen days dyed of the Hurts received in Battle yet was it no ways satisfactory to the proud Bassas unless they might reduce that City which as they alledged had taken part with their Masters Rebels whereupon drawing down their Army they layed close siege which so terrified the Citizens that they sent their Deputies to the Caesarean Emperor to require aid desiring him to take them into his protection but whilst the Imperialists delayed and made many scruples of breaking the League with the Turks after many furious Assaults and great Slaughter on either side the City was surrendered In consideration that the Garrison should march out with Drums beating Colour flying c. and to go whither they pleased which conditions being performed the Turks took possession of that strong Frontire City Varadin thus taken the Citizens of Vienna were not a little alarmed thereat though none used any endeavours either to relieve it when besieged or to recover it when taken nor in the least to annoy the Turks unless Count John Serini a Prince who had a fair Soveraign Inheritance in those parts was under the Emperour made Governour of Croatia who raising a power laid siege to the strong City of Canisia which at that time was almost destroyed by an accidental Fire but upon notice thereof the Emperour not only denyed to assist him in his enterprize but sent an express Command to him to raise his siege at which in a rage he cast his Scimiter on the Ground and for a while stood mute yet not thinking it convenient to disobey his Soveraigns Commands though he might easily have taken the City he raised his siege The Transylvanian blocked up as it were on every side by the Turks about this time implored a second time the Emperors Assistance resolving to shake off the Turkish yoak and in order thereunto they banished Acatius Barklay who since the Death of Ragotski had governed in chief greatly favouring the Turks and in his stead constituted one Kemenus sometimes General of Ragotski's Army which plainly manifesting their hatred to the Turks the German or Caesarean Emperor resolved to assist them they consenting to admit Garrisons of German Souldiers into divers of their Cities using them with all respect and plentifully providing them with all convenient necessaries Yet the Germans made small shew of taking the Field to assist or protect the Transylvanians but on the contrary wrote to the Bassa of Buda to certifiâ— him that the peace should be kept inviolable yeâ— the Turk not contented entered Hungary and layeâ— waste a great part of it that was subject to the Emperor whereupon Count Serini built a Fortress iâ— the Turks Dominions near Canisia e're the Turks were aware at which the Grand Visier was so inraged that he sent an express to strangle the Bassâ— of Buda for permitting it so that the League being apparently broken or infringed on either sidâ— the German Army under the Command of Counâ— Montecuculi and joyned with the Transylvanians under the Leading of Kemenius their General whicâ— Conjunction rendered them so formidable to the Ottoman Empire that Ali Bassa durst not oppose their progress till he had divided the Transylvanians amongst themselves by advancing one Apafi to thâ— principality who being well beloved caused by sundry means the Army of Kemenus for the most part tâ— revolt of which the crafty Bassa taking the advantage set upon him and in a bloody Battle over threw his people with great slaughter obliging him for his safety to fly into Hungary from whence returning after he had recruited his broken Army oncâ— more to try the fortune of a Field he was in a second Battle put to the rout and as he retired beaten from off his Horse by one of his own Souldiers where none relieving him he was trodden to Death under the Horses Feet and left the greatest part oâ— his people a sacrifice to the inraged Turks Kemenius thus dead Apafi's Party was greatly in couraged insomuch that joyning with a Body oâ— Turks they besieged Claudiopolis of which David Râ—tani a right Valiant Souldier was Governour having under his Command a Garrison of German Horse and Foot yet the Turks and Transylvanians battered 〈◊〉 for a while but upon the arrival of General Schenidan who in spight of them put a reinforcement into the Town and made great slaughter of their out-guards About this time the Plague raged in Constantinople in the Camp at such a rate that Fifty Thousand persons of all Ages and Sexes dyed which leaving the City almost desolate the Grand Signior retired to Adrinople and there made his solemn entrance which place so delighted him that he had since for the most part resided there where Rupeâ—ee the Old Visier so dealt with him that he procured a promise that his Son Ahmet whom he had made Chineacam of Constantinople should be assisting to him in his Visier-ship and after his Death succeed him in that place of trust the which though contrary to the Ottoman Custom who hold it dangerous to that any Office should go by Inheritance accordingly came to pass to the great grief of the Court Bassas who are ever emulous of that place c. For old Kuperle after he had been five years Visier and in that time had caused Thirty Thousand Persons to fall by the hands of divers Executioners being the bloodiest that ever officiated that place dying his Son Ahmet had the Grand Signiors Patent and the Seal of the Empire delivered to him taking upon him the Office of Great Visier at the Age of Thirty two years a thing not usual and not to be behind hand with his Father established himself upon the destruction of such as he suspected to envy at his advancement amongst whom the Bassa of Magnesia fell a Sacrifice he likewise procured the Banishment of Solyman Bassa of Damascus and that of the Muphti and indeed caused to be made away or displaced all that he suspected averse to his interest During