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
after three Months siege having lost 9000 of his Men and 15000 dangerously sick of their Wounds and mortal Distempers he with great shame raised his Siege and after having destroyed all the Trees in that part of the Island imbarked his Men for Constantinople where at his return he received but a Cold Welcom from his imperious Master Whilst Mesites besieged Rhodes Achmetes Bassa passed over into Italy and besieged Otranto a Famous City in Puglia the which after the loss of many of his Turks took it spoiling all the Country round about it which brought such a Fear upon Italy that Sextus Quartus Bishop of Rome being only dreadful to the Christian Princes was about to fly and leave this once Mistress of the World as a prey to the Infidels and doubtless at that time the greatest part of Italy had been subdued had not the Ottoman Forces been Converted another way for the Carramanian King aided by the Persians and Sultan of Egypt having entered the Turkish Dominions on that side had in a mortal Battle overthrown Bajazet Mahomet's eldest Son then Living with the Slaughter of well nigh all his Army to revenge which Mahomet called home his great Bassa Achmetes with all the European Soldiers and in Person passed over into Asia but upon the way within two days journey from Nicomeda a City of Bythinia he fell sick and there for the space of three days grievously Tormented with a pain in his Belly which some supposed to be the Collick though others to proceed from the effects of Poison he Dyed Anno 1481. of his Age 52 years and his Reign 31 years His Body being afterwards Magnificently buried in a Chappel near unto the great Mahometan Temple which himself had built at Constantinople Leaving his Empire to Bajazet against whom Bandied till such time he was Poisoned by the Bishop of Rome who at the Commandment of Bajazet durst do no other Zemes or Zizimus his younger Brother as in the Life of Bajazet will appear CHAP. XIII The Life of Bajazet the second of that Name and second Emperor of the Turks his memorial Exploits Victories and Death MAhomet being dead and Bajazet and Zemes his two Sons absent for the Turkish Tyrants will not permit their Sons to remain at Court when they are Men grown lest they should aspire to Empire before their time the great Bassas and Aga of the Janizaries Conspired together e'r either of them could arrive to make Corcutus younger Son to Bajazet Emperor which accordingly they did of which Bajazet upon his approaching the City of Constantinople hearing horribly Exclaimed against the perfidious dealings of the Bassas and so laboured that at the Instance of Cherseogles Vice-Roy of Greece and the Aga or Captain of the Janizaries the young Emperor being of a mild and Courteous Nature overcome by their Intreaty and the Reverence of his Father resigned unto him his Imperial Government which he took upon him with the general liking of the men of War the finest token of any Turkish Emperors Establishment for if they oppose it 't is in vain for them to hope for Empire and in lieu of this Resignation Bajazet made him Governour of Lycia Caria Ionia and all the pleasant Countries adjoyning where being altogether given to study he Lived quietly all the Reign of Bajazet but after his Death was strangled by the Command of Selymas his Brothers Son as will in his Reign more at large appear During these Troubles Ferdinand King of Naples sent his eldest Son Alphonsus Duke of Calabria with a great Power to besiege Otranto which after several sharp Conflicts he had delivered up to him with all the Country lying about it which had been by Achmetes Bassa taken from the Christians during the Reign of Mahomet to recover which an Army was a second time prepared under the leading of the same Bassa but e'r he arrived in Italy he was Countermanded upon notice that Zemes was coming out of Amasia with an powerful Army to Wrestle with Bajazet for the Empire In which Expedition Achmetes was made General who meeting Zemes by plain Force drove him out of the Field with great slaughter of his Army insomuch that not thinking himself safe in his Brothers Dominions he fled into Syria and from thence into Egypt to Caytbeius Sultan of Egypt and Syria who received him with many great Expressions of joy and at his Request sent an Ambassador to Bajazet to intreat in his behalf that some part of that so great an Empire might be allotted him but the Proud Turk having gotten Possession would not yeild to have so dangerous a Partner Whereupon the Ambassador effecting nothing he joyned with the Caramanian King who by such a Conjunction hoped to recover his Territory taken from him by Mahomet Prince Zemes Father against whose joynt Forces but few in number Bajazet advanced with 200000 Horse and Foot of which the Princes having notice and finding themselves too weak by far to oppose so great a Power not finding as they had been put in hopes any to revolt from Bajazet to them they thought it good to retire before the ways were beset through the Straights of the Mountain Amanus which done they dispersed their little Army and soon after Zemes went to Rhodes where of the great Master he was kindly received with Promise of Protection from the Fury of his Brother hoping by this means if Bajazet should die a natural Death or otherwise misearry this Prince might be set up Emperor and by means ever remain a firm Friend to the Christians During these Transactions there wanted not some in the Court of Bajazet who Envying the Prosperity Achmetes Counselled the Emperor to put him to Death falsly insinuating that he held private Correspondence with Zemes Whereupon at his return from the Wars Bajazet as in kindness to his Bassas made a Royal Supper where after they had Drunk plentifully of Wine which by their Laws is forbid yet frequently amongst the Great ones used at their Feasts he in token of Honouring them caused a Rich Garment to be cast over each of them but when they came to Achmetes they cast over him a black Velvet Garment by the Turks called the Mantle of Death for whosoever that Garment is cast upon none of the Bassas dare be so hardy as to intreat for his Life which the other Bassas perceiving most of them being before privy to the Matter by leave of the Emperor after having kissed the Ground whereon he stood departed amongst whom Achmetes would likewise have gone out but was Commanded to stay for the Emperor and no sooner were the Bassas gone out but the Ministers of Death which are certain strong Men bereaved of Speech whom the Turkish Tyrants keep as Instruments of their Cruelty Entered and were about to strangle the Bassa when one of the Eunuches in great Favour with the great Emperor stood up and advised 〈◊〉 not to be too hasty in Executing so great a Man so beloved by his Soldiers
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
inevitably lost had not the Citizens who were Christians timely come in to their assistance and put the Turks to flight and then the Armies drawing forth marched as far as the River Orontes before they met with any resistance but there the Turks had fortified the Bridge and Banks on the other side but being overwhelmed with showers of English Arrows sent from the Squadron commanded by Robert Duke of Normandy they soon gave ground and left the Passage open and so the Princes passing the River came to the other Antioch in Syria of which one Cassianu was Governour to the Relief of which the Turks came with an Army of 100000 Horse and Foot but were repulsed by the Christians and returned with 20000 less than they brought so that the City on the third day of June 1098. was secretly and contrary to the knowledge of the Governour delivered by one Phirrus to Prince Bohemund of Tarentum who furiously entering a dismal slaughter ensued insomuch that the Streets run with blood The Governour upon notice of what had hapned fled but falling into the hand of the Armenians that were expelled Jerusalem he was slain The loss of Antioch being made known to Corbanus the Persian Sultan's Lievetenant as he lay before Edessa he raised the Sige and with all his Forces marched towards Antioch resolving to put all upon the Hazard of a Battle against whom the Princes drew out their Strengths leaving the Earl of Tholous with a competent number to secure the City from a revolt by reason the Turks still held the Castle and after a long and doubtful fight overthrowing with such incredible slaughter of his men that all the Valleys were filled with blood and bodies of the slain 100000 Turks being adjudged to fall in that Battel and not above 4000 Christians and the next day they took 5000 Cammels with their lading as also a new Castle built but the year before by the aforesaid Lievtenant And thus conquering they passed on taking several Cities of note till they came within the view of Jerusalem upon sight of which they shouted so loud that all the Country resounded with the joyful Acclamations and with their hands and eyes extended towards Heaven they called upon the name of Jesus and many in humility to the place where our Blessed Lord had so often preached his Gospel fell to the Ground and kissed it with great Affection making fresh Vows never to leave the City till they had delivered it from the Infidels but their strength was much impaired by reason of a Pestilence that had the Autumn before hapned in the Army yet in a Council of the Princes and chief Commanders it was resolved that the Siege should immediately be begun and carried on with all the vigour imaginable The Governour having notice of the Christians approach and what was intended delayed not to prepare all things that might conduce to the making a strenuous defence having a little before received a strong recruit of able Soldiers and a supply of all things necessary yet the Christians after having got what knowledge they could of the state of Affairs within the City sat down before it on the North for towards the East and the West the broken Rocks and shattered Hills render it very incommodious Next the Wall incamped Godfry Duke of Lorrain with his Germans and Lorainers near unto him on the right pitched their Tents Robert Duke of Normandy and the Earl of Flanders before the West Gate lay incamped Tancreed and the Earl of Tholous Bohemund and Baldwin being absent the one remaining King at Antioch and the other Governour of Edassa The Christians having refreshed themselves it was concluded amongst the Princes that the fifth day the Assault should be given which accordingly was done with such bravery that the Turks were beaten from their Defences and miserably slaughtered by the shot of the Archers but they wanting scaling Ladders and the weather being exceeding hot the retreat was sounded but being desirous of nothing more than winning the City five days after they gave it another fierce Assault which made the Walls to tremble nothing that Policy or Valour could afford being wanting on the part of the Christians but scarcity of Water afflicting them with drought and the excessive heat of the Weather frustrated this second Attempt for the Enemy had either stopped up or poysoned all the Wells about the City unless that of Siloe whose Water had worked out the Poison and was become wholesome but that yielded not half enough to suffice the Army During the time that the Christians besieged Jerusalem a Fleet of Genoeses arrived at Joppa where having notice that a far greater Fleet of the Egyptian Sultans lay at Ascalon with an intent to relieve the besieged they after having taken out all things necessary sunk their Gallies and marched over land to the Camp where they became very serviceable in making Engines for Assault and moving Towers covered with raw Hides to prevent their being fired one of which they set to the Walls and from it greatly annoyed the besieged which they perceiving prepared to set it on fire but the wind favouring the Christians drove iâ— full in the besiegers face insomuch that the Duke of Lorrain with his German Foot getting upon the Engine beat the Turks and Sarazens from the Wall with great slaughter and leaping thereon fixed his Standard keeping his Ground though the Enemies shot flew as thick as Hail which venturous Attempt so encouraged the rest of the Princes that they pressed on with great fury insomuch that a terrible slaughter ensued the Souldiers in their rage sparing neither Man Woman nor Child which made the most couragious of the Turks Sarazens and Jews retire to Solomon's Temple in the Entrance whereof they maintain'd a bloody and obstinate fight spreading all the Pavement with the bodies of the slain and bedewing it with streams of blood and so eager were the Christians to charge the Infidels that they for haste thrust one another upon the Enemies Weapons yet after great slaughter they gave back and betook them to the Vaults on the top of the Temple from whence they defended themselves till the fury of the Christians was over and a Trumpet sounded to give Quarter upon which they yielded and had their Lives spared Thus was the Famous City of Jerusalem retaken by the Christians in 30 days Anno 1099. after it had remained in the hands of the barbarous Infidels for the space of 409 years and so great was the joy conceived by the Christians who inhabited it and had suffered miserable Persecution under the Turks that they embraced the Souldiers weeping for gladness and every where singing praises for their deliverance Things being at this pass the Princes consulted amongst themselves whom to constitute King of the Holy City and after some deliberation thought none fitter than the valiant Duke of Normandy but he hearing of his Brothers death declined it as desirous to return and take possession of
and so marching against the Enemy a dreadful Fight began the Turks charging with great Courage putting the Right-wing to flight and disordering their main Battalion So that Victory began to declare her self in favour of them when one of the Sultans chief Commanders out of some former grudge fell with the Squadron of Persian Horse under his Command to the Enemy and by that means turned the Scale of War so that the Turks who even now were Conquerors fled for their Lives nor durst the Sultan stay in his own Country but fled to Constantinople where of the Emperor he was kindly received and aided with what Force he could spare under the leading of an experienced Captain for which kindness he gave the Emperor the City of Laodicea Not long after this was Palelogus received into Favour and restored to his Dignity upon his solemnly swearing to be true and Loyal to him and his Sons which had not long been done â—'r the Emperor fell sick and dyed Reigning only three years and in his stend was Crowned his Son John a Child of six years old who was by the Emperors last Will bequeathed to the Tutorage of Arsenius the Patriarch and George Muzâ—la the letter of which being of mean Birth having raised for his Vertues and good parts by the departed Emperor which caused him to be greatly envyed by the Courtiers whereupon he assembling together desired to be rid of his Charge but every one seeming unwilling to undertake it he still continued with much Integrity but several having conspired against him of which Paleologus was Chief they during the Obsequies of the defunct Emperor slew him and several that they supposed Favoured him even at the Altar and in a short time Paleologus usurped the Empire not in the least regarding his former Oath About this time Mango the great Cham of Tartary stirred thereto by Amonius the Armenian King of whom he had received the Christian Religion Sent his Brother Haalon with a powerful Army against the Turks and Sarazens in Syria and the Land of Palestine who in the space of six Months over-run all Persia with the Countries adjoyning and came at length into Syria and took the great City Babylon at that time commanded by the Caliph putting all the Inhabitants to the Sword inriching his Soldiers with the spoil and passing from thence through Mesopotamia took the City of Rhoais and there being supplyed with fifty two Horse and Foot entering Syria he rased Aleppo and other strong Towns and soon after won Damasco when as the Sultan with his Wife and Children came and fell before him desiring him to spare his Country but in vain for he wasted all before him but being about to pass on to Jerusalem News was brought him of his Brothers death upon which he returned home yet at his departure for the good Will he bore the Christians he left his Son Abiga with 20000 Horse to aid them in Wars but Abiga hearing of his Fathers Troubles about his Establishment in the Empire departed with 10000 of the 20000 leaving the rest under the Command of Guirboca a valiant Captain who by some affronts put upon him by the Christians became their mortal Enemy yet letted not give battle to the Sultans Army of ten times to the number and not being aided by the Christians was overthrown wherein himself fighting couragiously with greater part of his small Army were slain and thereupon Antioch and most of the Towns holden by the Christians were taken by the Sultan Bandocador By this time the Tartars warring in the lesser Asia had driven Jathanites out of all his Dominions whereupon he fled to the Greek Emperor for aid or Refuge but ingrateful as he was not regarding the Kindness he had received at his Hands when he fled from Theodorus the Emperor he committed him Prisoner at large to the City of Aenus in Thrace appointing several to watch him so narrowly that he should not escape When Paleologus had Reigned at Nice two years he sent Alexus Stregopulus against the Despot of Epirus who raised Tumults in the West this man in his passage with a small Army by the Treachery of the Greeks dwelling in Constantinople found means to surprize that City and again annex it to the Greek Empire After it had been in the hands of the Latines fifty eight years for which service Alexus triumphed in Purple Robes wearing a Crown of Gold commanded that for one year following his Name next to his should be mentioned in all publick Prayer Psalms and Hymns But now the Son of Theodorius whose Right this Emperor had usurped coming to years of Discretion it bred much jealousie in him that lest any discontented Person espousing his Quarrel should pluck the Crown from off his Head and place it where it ought to rest Whereupon to render him unfit for Government he like a barbarous Wretch deprived him of his sight which his Aunt Queen of Bulgaria no sooner understood but with many Arguments stirred up her Husband to make War upon the Usurper and at the same time being solicited by the Sultan Jathanites to deliver him from his Confinement he with a great Power of Scythians his own Subjects entered the Empire wasting all before him with Fire and Sword hoping to surprize the Emperor in his return from his Expedition against the Despot of Servia but failing of him he turned to Aenus and took thence the Sultan the Citizens gladly delivering him to save their Lives and contenting himself with the spoil of Thracia he passed over Ister and returned into his own Country Jathanites the Sultan being set at Liberty by the King of Bulgaria for Grief of his great loss dyed not leaving any Dominions to his Children Yet not long after Gazan the great Cham of Tartary as his Vassals two of his Kinsmen of the Zelzuccian Family viz. Mesot and Rei-Cubades they in acknowledgment thereof paying him a yearly Tribute placed them in part of his Dominions and thus fell the Turkish Empire in the lesser Asia being Rent in pieces by the Tartars who afterward seized upon a great part of the Greek Empire they and the Fugitive Turks together possessing themselves of the Countries from Pontus and Galatia unto the Lyeian and Carian Seas and the River Eurymedon Anno 1270. King Lewis of France aided by Henry the Third of England and divers others resolved upon a second Expedition into the Holy-Land the years Truce being exspired he set out from the Haven of Marseilles with a great Fleet of Ships and coming before Carthage he found in the Port a great number of the Enemies Ships which he seized and after some light Skirmishes with those that kept the shoar Landed his Men and laid close Siege to the City which after many desperate though unsuccessful Sallies of the besieged sarrendered upon Condition to depart Carthage being won the King laid Siege to Tums to relieve which the King of Fez with a great Army of the Moors came down but
fell and the Sickness in the Army occasioned by the intemperance of the Weather was by Mahomet accorded but it continued not long e're the Carramanian King in the absence of Mahomet a second time invaded his Countries with whom Mahomet fighting routed his Army taking him and his Son Prisoners for whose Ransoms he had delivered into his possession the principal Cities of Carramania and then returning into Europe seized upon Valachia obliging the Prince thereof to become his Vassal About this time two Persons viz. Buriluzes and Bedredin pretending themselves to be great Prophets drew great multitudes after them who spoiled the Country upon notice of which Mahomet sent forces to apprehend them who dispersing their followers hewed the former in pieces and hanged the latter upon a Sign-post and now Mahomet falling sick without any hopes of recovery assembled all his great Captains and charged them to obey his eldest son Amurath whom after his decease he appointed to succeed him in his Kingdom and lest in his absence he being then at his Government of Amass any disturbance should happen that they that were about him if he should chance to die should conceal his Death All which he at that time dying being accordingly observed for when the Janiziries and Pensioners mistrusting him to be dead and demanded to see him the Bassas attiring him in his Royal Robes like as when he was alive brought him forth into a large Gallery placing a Boy under his Gown who as he was Commanded lifted the Kings Arm and moved his head with which those that were below were well contented and by this Stratagem kept his Death Secret 41 days even till Amurath came and took the Scepter the which had they not done the 〈◊〉 and Pensioners would have spoiled the rich Citie wherein they were quartered as ever since has been observed during an Interregnum CHAP. XI The Life of Amurath the Second of that name and Sixth King of the Turks his Wars Victories and Defeats A Murath had no sooner taken possession of his Kingdom and the Death of Mahomet published but divers Princes revolted from him and invaded his Territories as the Prince of Smyrna Mentesia and others and amongst the rest an obscure fellow of Thessalonica feigning himself to be Mustapha the Eldest Son of Bajazet who was slain in the battle against Tamerlane all the Turkish Cities in Europe fell to him whereupon Amurath sent Bajazet Bassa against him with a great Army which was no sooner landed but it revolted to Mustapha leaving the Bassa alone to shift for himself whereupon the Bassa together with his Brother Hamze submitted themselves to this counterfeit Son of Bajazet but being envyed by the rest of the Captains they raised such Jealousies of his being treacherous in Mustapha that he soon after put him to death and afterward prepared for the Invasion of Amurath's Territories in Asia of which he having notice gathered all his forces to oppose him and after asking Council of a Mahometan Priest who assured him he had after two repulses at the hands of the Great Prophet obtained the favor of making him prosperous in his Wars and so coming to the North-side of the River Vlibad he found the Bridge broken down and Mustapha's great Army incamped on the other side where he so dealt with the great Captains of Mustapha's Army that many of them revolted and at length Mustapha being frighted by forged Letters importing that his Army intended to deliver him up fled by night after which his men submitted to Amurath and he in his flight being taken in Europe was hanged The Rebellion being pacified and Amurath informed that all this had happened by the contrivance of the Greek Emperor besieged Constantinople which in vain he often attempted to take by storm but whilst he lay at this siege news was brought that the King of Caramania had set up another Mustapha viz. his younger Brother Son to Mahomet to whom many Countries in the lesser Asia revolted which made Amurath raise his Siege and with all hast March to oppose him and with large gifts to have the sooner done he so corrupted Ilias Beg the young Princes Tutor that he delivered him up together with the City of Nice where he was by Amurath's command Strangled Amurath having appeased these Rebellious Tumults Lessened his Council from 5 to 2 Bassas viz. Ibrahim and Eivazes the latter of which being much envyed by those that were outed they supposing it was done by his perswasion possessed Amurath that he had a design upon his Life and after that to seize his Kingdom and for that purpose went privately armed to prove the truth of which Amurath one day clasping him in his Arms as in token of Friendship found it so indeed and therefore growing more suspitious notwithstanding his many excuses for his so doing caused his Eyes to be put out and soon after had news of the death of the King of Carramania his Mortal Enemy who having lay'd Siege to the City of Attalia in Pamphilia as he was viewing it to see where he might most conveniently make an Assault was shot into the Brest with an Arrow from a Lope-hole at which Amurath greatly rejoyced but his joy was soon allayed by other news of a fierce Invasion of his Territories made by Tzunites Prince of Smyrna but it soon blew over for the Prince being Vanquished by the Vice-Roy of Anatolia was together with his Son taken Prisoner and contrary to Faith plighted Slain after this Amurath Marryed the Daughter of Prince Isflendiar and then on a suddain in revenge of the pretended wrongs done him by the Greeks besieged and took Thessalonica and dispoiled it of all its Riches leading away the Inhabitants into miserable Captivity At this time amongst other distressed Princes John Castriot Prince of Epirus perceiving the Turks ready to invade him and being no ways Capable to withstand so powerful an Army resolved to avoid the Miseries of War by a timely accord with the Turkish Tyrant promising to become his Tributary and for confirmation thereof as Hostages delivered his 4 Sons viz. George Stanisius Reposuis and Constantine Amurath promising well and honourably to intreat them but as soon as they were within his power he caused them to be Circumcised and brought up in the Superstition of the Mahumetan Religion and after the Death of their Father seized upon his Kingdom and Poysoned all but George whom he Named Scanderbeg who afterwards became the Mawl and terror of the Turks as will in the Sequel appear Amurath being busie in Europe the Carramanian King and the other Mahumetan Princes invaded his Dominions in Asia which caused him to pass over to repress that dangerous Enemy which done he returned into Europe and with Fire and Sword fell upon Hungary and turning thence upon the Prince of Servia's refusing to come to his Court seized Servia tho he had Sworn to the contrary The Hungarians being at Variance amongst themselves and likewise at Wars with the
the hazard of a Battle to revenge the indignity of whose approach Osman who then lay sick in his Pavilion haveing notice Command Sinan Bassa and Mahumet Bassa should with all the Greek Soldiers and others to the number of 74000 should go out and meet the Enemy who by the craft of the forerunners of his Army drawing the Turks within his strengths had with them there a mortal Battle wherein 10000 of their Souldiers were slain and the two Bassa's in great confusion obliged to fly to the Camp leaving most of their Insigns and all their baggage as a prey to the Persians who hightned with this success advanced within sight of the Turks Camp sending a Herauld to the sick General to demand of him Battle of which accepting though not able to be there present when as Battle being joyned after a long and doubtful fight victory inclined to the Persians who in the end slew 20000 of the Turks and amongst the rest the Bassa's of Caramite and Trepezâ—nd and Sanzack of Brusia with five other Sanzacks and among the Prisoners were taken Amurath Bassa of Caramania and divers other of note Upon news of this bad success the Genral fearing to have his Army wasted to nothing by continual skirmishes in a strange Countrey having Fortified Tauris and made Giaffer Bassa of Tripolis Governour he was about to decamp when on a suddain the neighing of Horses the noise of Drums and Trumpets were heard which putting the Army into a great consternation and soon caused them in great confusion to run all to that side where they supposed the noise was when in the mean while Emir the Persian Prince on the other side without any sound of Trumpet or beat of Drum with 28000 Souldiers entered their Camp took 18000 Camels laden whom he sent away by 6000 of his Souldiers and then charging furiously upon such as he found insomuch that after a hard Battle fought 20000 Turks lay scattered on the Plain many of which were slain by their own Artillery which by Osmans Command being furiously discharged at the Armies the murthering shot made lanes before them without discerning between Friend and Foe but night coming on and the Persians weary with slaughter retired and were for a while faintly pursued by the Turks Osman lying all this while sick in his Pavilion sore afflicted with the Bloody Flux and hearing what havock the Persians had made died the grief of so great a loss hastening his end Yet was his death for a long space kept secret least thereby the Army should be discouraged which now was returning under the leading of Sinan or Cicala as some called him Bassa Osman in his Will having delivered to him the charge of the whole Army Yet the Persian Prince with 14000 Horse and Foot followed them at the heels still cutting of the straglers and had utterly destroyed them had not his design been discovered which obliged him to retreat with the loss of 3000 of his Men so that by long and tedious marches the Turks wasted Army arriving the Van after the publication of the Generals death were discharged all but a certain number retained who under the leading of Dâ—ut Chan a Renegado Persian were sent to the relief of Teflis which without any loss they performed Now the Castle built in Tauris much grieved the Persians to take which they used their utmost endeavour but it being strong of it self and defended by a strong Garrison their attempts proved unsuccessful When at the same time great mischief arose in the Kingdom of Persia for 10000 Turcomans a people bordering upon the Georgians and resolving to revenge themselves for the death of Emir Chan offered their service to the Persian Sophy under the leading of their two Captains Mahomet Chan and Calife Chan to whom the Sophy as a pledge of his love and their safety delivered Tamas his young Son whom they had no sooner got into their power but they proclaimed him King of Persia and in all hast marched towards Casbiu the Regal City in hopes to surprize it and seat young Tamas on his Fathers Throne of which the Sophy and his eldest Son having notice pursued hard after them when overtaking them at a place called Calisteza a dayes journey on this side Casbiu the Prince gave them Battle and after a dangerous and doubtful conflict put them to flight In which they being swiftly pursued the two rebellious Captains were taken and by the Kings Command had their heads stricken off young Tamas being likewise taken was sent Prisoner to the Castle of Cabaca those that escaped the Battle fled to Solyman Bassa of Babylon which put an end to the Rebellion Giaffer Bassa Governour of Tauris after the departure of the Turkish Army understanding that the Persian Prince was Levying a great Army to Besiege the City sent an Express to Sinon or Siculi Bassa to send him Aid for the defence of the City and Castle the which by reason of the flight of some and death of othersome of his men must otherwise fall into the hands of the Enemy now notwithstanding great preparation for that purpose were made they could not be put into the City by reason of the near approach of the Persian Army without manifest hazard of exposing them to the mercy of their Enemies Yet it so fell out that the Governour without any recruits maintained the City and Castle the Persians not being so urgent for the recovery of the same as was expected Upon notice of Osmans death Amurath chose Ferat Bassa once more his General who departing from Constantinople in the month of April 1586 and passed over into Asia where having compleated his Army at Sinas upon notice that Tauris was in danger he marched thitherward though with great caution the enemy should charge him at unawares and by reason of the dissensions arisen amongst the Persian Captains sent to oppose him and the Treason of Aliculican now alienated from his Prince and holding secret correspondence with the Turkish General he without any loss relieved Tauris and having caused a strong Fort to be built at Churchine near unto the said City and two others at Câ—y and Carn and left therein sufficient Garrisons and store of provision he sent succours to Teflis in Georgia and so with little or no loss returned to Erzirum By this time the Persian Prince who and Mahomet his father now grown old ruled the Kingdom had notice of the Treason of Aliculi Chau and Emanguli Chan whom he had drawn into his confederacy he prepared his Forces to march against them whereupon the latter submitted and was received into favour but howsoever it happened whether with his knowledge or not the Prince the chief glory of Persia sleeping in his Pavilion was by an Eunuch run through the body supposed to be done at the instance of Abas Miriza his younger brother to advance whom to the Persian Diadem Aliculi Chan had revolted from the obedience of the Sophy and plotted with the
40000 forthwith removed and with great speed hasted toward the Turks of which they having notice by their Espials put themselves in Battle Array and after their vain glorious manner dreamt of nothing but the spoil of the Christians whom they already concluded overthrown by reason of the disproportion of number they being indeed much inferiour in that nature to the Infidels Yet had the Emperours General so ordered his Battles that placing the Crotians and Hussars in the Vauntguard those of Carolstat and the Harquibusires of Keriva in the Left wing In the Right the Borderers of Carania all Horsemen in the main Battle the rest of the Souldiers with the Horsemen of Silesia under the conduct of Sigismund Paradise the Rereward was incompassed with three Companies of the Emperours Souldiers nor were the Turk idle but Marshalled their Battle in the best wise when as the Charge being sounded the Crotians and Hussars in the Vaunt-gard gave the first onset with such fury that being seconded by the Lord Anersburgh they after a cruel Fight obliged the Turks to give ground and with Hassan Bassa their General retire towards the River Odder after whom the Christians following furiously many endeavouring to save themselves by passing over were drowned and those that stayed in a fearful manner on the Banks overwhelmed by the continual Tempest of shot from the Flankers so that within three hours space all the Army was in a confusion every man seeking for his own safety insomuch that 18000 Turks perished either by the Sword or in the Rivers Odder and Kulp and amongst the rest Hassan Bassa Mahomet Beg Achmet Beg Saffer Beg Meni Beg Framatan Beg Curti Beg Operd Beg and Goschus the Bassa's chief Counselor together with Sinan Beg Amuraths Nephew the onely Son of his Sister after which signal victory obtained the Christian Army falling on their knees gave Thanks to God to whom alone they ascribed their miraculous preservation The news of which overthrow coming to the knowledge of Amurath he like a frantick man blasphemed the God of Heaven and perswaded thereto by the tears and intreaties of his Sister to revenge the death of her Son sent a proud and blasphemous denunciation of War to the Emperour Rodolphus wherein he stiled himself The onely Monarch of the World a great and mighty God on Earth an invincible Caesar King of all Kings from the East unto the West c. and proceeded to threaten the said Emperour and his People with all the miseries that attend on War impiously declaring that the Crucified God of the Christians long since dead and buried had not been able to deliver his own Countrey out of his hands much less the German Empire which in despite of him he was resolved to take knowing himself a subverter and sworn Enemy of the Christians and of all that called upon the name of Christ And thereupon the more to terrifie the Christians he sent a great Army under the Command of Sinan Bassa their implacable Enemy who upon his Arrival layed siege to Ciseg which he took putting all he found therein to the Sword and after that took several other places of lesser note yet not without considerable loss and breach of Faith to the besieged who finding themselves oft too weak to defend places of little strength against so powerful an Enemy would surrender them upon promise of Life and Liberty but falling into the hands of the barbarous Infidels seldom obtained either These proceedings of the Turks did not a little alarum the Christian Princes who having mustered 18000 Men under the Command of Count Hardeck Governour of Rab he with marching from Comara came before Alba-Regalis which by force of his Artillery he in a short time made saultable to the relief of which the Bassa of Buda sent Sinan Bassa with 20000 Horse and Foot but he being encountered by the Christians was put to flight with the loss of most of his men whereupon as victors the Christians returned to the siege but finding the season far advanced and a great number of Turks that escaped in the overthrow to be got into the City the Count raised his Camp and returned again to Rab but early in the Spring assisted by fresh supplies the Emperours Captains dividing the Army took the strong Castle of Sabatzka the City of Fileck the Towns of Seeteschiu Blanestine and Salleck the three latter being through fear abandoned by the Turks having first set them for the most part on Fire At the same time the Lord Palfie with a strong party marching to Dregel and Palanka found them likeâ—ise abandoned by the Turks the which having furnished with strong Garrisons of his own he took by force Ainacke Sellecke Westkee and divers other places so that the Turks were in a manner driven out of the Lower Hungary and new Buda and Alba-Regalis the onely Strong holds possessed by the Turks in those parts began to doubt their security for whilst a party out of the latter coming forth to bury the dead that lay scattered round the Walls and by their contagion infected the City they were so suddainly incountered by a Captain of the Hussars Commanding a Troop of Light Horsemen that near 200 of them were slain and 50 taken Prisoners These proceedings coming to the Ears of Amurath and he from all hands certified that the strength of the Christians daily increased he began to doubt his Empire in Europe and therefore to defend the same raised a puissant Army anno 1594. at the head of which he resolved to march in person a thing he had not done since his taking upon him the Government but on the 11th of January as the Army was upon its march not far from Constantinople such a terrible Tempest of Hail Rain Snow Wind Thunder and Lightning arose that by its impetuosity it overturned the Tents Chariots Waggons Horse and Men few being able to stand upright before it The which the Tyrant taking as ominous to his proceedings in great perplexity returned with his formidable Army to Constantinople where casting himself upon his bed after much tumbling and tossing falling asleep he dreamed that he beheld a man of exceeding Stature standing with one his feet upon the Tower of Constantinople and the other over the straight fixed on the Asian shoar who stretching out his Arms held the Sun in one hand and the Moon in the other at whom whilst he was wondering the Monster with his foot struck the Tower which forthwith fell down and in its fall overthrew the great Temple with the Imperial Palace whose Thundering awaking the Turk he much troubled with the strangeness of the dream imediatly sent for his Necromancers and Wizards to Interpret it who to curry favour with their Prince hypocritically answered That for as much as he had not with all his Forces as with a Tempest impugned the Christians their great Prophet Mahomet threatned by that dream to overturn the Tower Temple and Imperial Palace which by a symbolical meaning denoted
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
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
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
and to bring them to a Compliance the good Emperor desired the Lattins to retire to their Camp which was performed but â—re he â—ould prevail with the Citizens to pay the Tax 〈◊〉 he through loss of Sight and other Infirmities 〈…〉 had the Prince his Son Saluted Emperor in his 〈◊〉 who desirous to perform his Promise with the Lattins proceeded where his Father lest off but â—o no purpose for when he pressed the raising of the 〈◊〉 before 〈◊〉 they rose in Armes and 〈◊〉 like a Torrâ—â— to the Palace threatned to 〈…〉 of his Life and Empire if he did not 〈…〉 him that he sent to the 〈…〉 part of his Army privately into the City at a 〈◊〉 which he would deliver 〈…〉 intention of the Emperors 〈…〉 privy Surnamed for his 〈…〉 by the Emperors Father had been 〈…〉 a low condition to the 〈…〉 and thinking to opportunity more 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 to Empire after which he had a long 〈…〉 then the present â—â—â—â—â—ion he gathered 〈…〉 and imâ—â—â—â—ed them what was inâ—ended and then under a Simile of Friendship came to the young Emperour and seizing upon his Person caused him to be Imprisoned and by insinuating himself into the good liking of the Mobile procured himself to be proclaimed which was no sooner done but he strangled the Emperor and attempted to sire the Venetian Gallies which so inraged the Christians that they resolved to lay close Siege to the City the which after the overthrow of the Usurpers Army under its Walls they did and firing it in divers Places entered upon which the Tyrant fled The City of Constantinople thus taken the 12 of April 1204 or as some will have it 1200 the Citizens Lives at the request of the Religious were spared but their Wealth became a prey to the Souldiers so now those that refused to part with a little at the request of their Natural Lord for the support of his Honor and their Safety were now obliged to part with all After the Sack of this City most of the Cities of the Empire yeilded whereupon the Princes assembling chose Baldwin Earl of Flanders and Hanault Emperor and amongst the other Princes was the Empire divided into Provinces each holding his Principality in fee of the Emperor as their Supream Lord. Things being at this pass news came that Theodorius Lascaris had fortified Adrâ—anoâ—le and raising forces for the recovery of the Greek Empire which â—â—nsed the Latins under the leading of their Emperor to March against him who upon news of their Approach retired into the City which he strongly fortified expecting no less then a Siege which accordingly was lay'd at what time John King of Bulgaria otherwise called Mysia a large Kingdom lying between the great Mountain Emaus and Danuâ—ius aided by the Scythians a Barbarous People came with a great power to raise the Seige against whom the Emperor drew out his strengths but following too eagerly the Scythian Horsemen sent out to Skirmish on purpose to â—â—ain him into an Ambush he â—ell in with the Kings power amongst the Woods and Mountains where being over wearyed with the tedious 〈◊〉 he was overthrown himself taken Prisoner and his Army for the most part Slain nor susâ—iâ—ed it the Barbarous King to have him in his Power but after an Inhumane manner cutting off his hands and feet cast him yet living into a deep Valley where he miserably perished and thus died the first most Valiant Emperor of the Lattins in 〈◊〉 e're he had Reigned a full year The Emperor Bâ—â—hrin being dead Henry his Brother was chosen in his stead who to revenge his Brothers Death aided by the Lattin Princes Marched against the 〈◊〉 who hightened with their Success were â—â—r advanced wasting with Fire and Sword all they 〈◊〉 in their way and after many notable 〈…〉 â—iven drove them out of all the places 〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉 During thâ—se proceedings Alexus 〈◊〉 〈…〉 falling into the hands of the 〈…〉 Eyes put out and in that manner being 〈…〉 was Condemned to be thrown 〈…〉 angling the young Emperor which 〈…〉 a reward of his Treason was put in Exception And the other Alexus commonly 〈…〉 who deprived the Emperor Isaac of his Sight 〈…〉 him hearing that his Son 〈…〉 desire â—s of his Kingdom went to the Court of 〈…〉 Sultan 〈◊〉 〈…〉 holding 〈…〉 had shewed great 〈…〉 his 〈…〉 by his Brother 〈…〉 there so prevail 〈…〉 Sultan raised 〈…〉 with it lay'd 〈…〉 part of 〈…〉 Kings 〈◊〉 of which he had no 〈◊〉 notice but with what Forces he could raise on the sudden he posted thither and 〈◊〉 â—â—riously upon the Sultans Army slew him in the 〈◊〉 thereof which so discouraged the Turks that â—â—â—â—â—thstanding Victory inclined to their side they 〈…〉 the City free In this battle was taken Alexus the Author of the War whom his Son-in-law notwithstanding used with great respect though contrary to his desert In the mean time the ten years Truke between the Christians in Syria and the Turks drew to a Conclusion And Almeriâ—â—s King of 〈◊〉 and Titular King of Jerusalem refusing to assist them with Provisions and the like the great Mâ—sters of the Knights Templers and Hospitalers sent to complain thereof to the Pope and to inform him that there was yet living one Mary the Daughter of the Marquess of Mont-Ferrâ—â— a Lady of incomparable Beauty who they as her Tutor had brought up in hope of the Kingdom and were now ready to bestow her upon â—â—â—â—h a Person as he should think worthy of her together with her Right and Title to the Kingdom of 〈◊〉 upon which the Pope 〈◊〉 Almericus of the Title of King of Jerusaâ—â—â—n and gave it to John Coâ—nâ— D' Brenne of the 〈◊〉 in Trance A man of great Fame and Courage and then in Arms amongst the Lattin Princes who upon notice thereof committing his Earldome to the care of his Brother failed with a competent number of his followers to Tyre where he espoused the Lady and not long after the Pope viz. Pope â—â—â—ocent the third calling in a general Council so dealt with the Princes and Prelates thâ—â— great Forces were again raised for the relief of the 〈◊〉 in the Holy Land who setting fall 〈…〉 Towns and Castles on the â—â—â—-Coast 〈…〉 with a great Fleet and an Army by Land 〈…〉 formerly called Pelusium situate upon the Bank of Nâ—â—â— resolving to begin first with Egypt that Palestine might follow where building Towers of Wood upon Gallys they fought with those that kept the Walls at even hand and after great slaughter on both sides took the Suburbs wherein they found not only store of Provision but infinite Riches being the Merchandise of Persia Arabia India and Egypt that being the chief Scale of Trade in those parts During this Transaction the Sultan lay hovering aloof with his Army not daring to ingage the Christians and so long he continued that Want began to rage in his Camp insomuch that he was obliged to send away one part of his Army The
of Syria for the present I shall return into the lesser Asia where I find Mesoot and Rei-Cubades the two Tributary Turkish Princes dead without doing a any thing worthy of note of which the latter left a Son named Aladan who likewise paying Tribute held joyntly the Kingdom that were before possessed by his Father and Uncle This Aladine the last of the Selzuccian Family dying without issue one Sahib his chief Councellour and then a man of great Authority aspired unto the Kingdom but being risen from a mean estate he was highly envyed by the Nobility they casting off all respect from him by force divided the Kingdom amongst themselves every one seizing the Province he could best light on so that Sahib who was first in possession lost all no part remaining as his Lot so that they turned it into a perfect Anarchy of which the greatest share fell to Caraman Alusirus who strongest took Iconium with part of Cilicia Lycaonia Pamphilia Caria and Phrygia and of him descended the Caramanian Kings who in the rise of the Othoman Empire put the Turks so often to the Foil The next to him was Saruchan who possessed himself of the greatest part of Lydia and some other Countries adjoyning Troas Phrygia and part of Mysia fell to Calumus and his Son Carasius the remaining part of Mysia and part of Lydia was seized by Aidin part of Pontus the Cities of Heraclea Pontica Castomonia Synope and others near to the Euxine Sea and Country of Paphlagonia fell into the hands of the Sons of Omer or as the Greeks call them Amar of whom the Country took not their names as did the former of these that possessed them but is commonly called Bolli so named of the Metropolis as also was Mendesia or as some will have it Mentetia a Country in the Lesser Asia These and divers others were the divisions of the Turkish Empire in Persia and the Lesser Asia which Anarchy caused their Subjection and utter subversion as in the Succeeding part of this History will at large appear During this confusion amongst the rest of the great Captains there happened one Othoman of the Oguzian Family who had been raised from a low estate by Sultan Aladine yet by reason he was not of the Selzuccian Family they made little account of him not permiting him to share with them in their division though by what justice is uncertain all of them feared his rising fortune and strove what in them lay to hinder but in vain for the Destinies so ordering it he in a short time became the Founder of the Othoman Empire as in the Perusal of his Life and Actions will appear CHAP. VI. The Rise of the Powerfull Empire of the Turks under Othoman its first Founder with his Life and Actions THat Empires and Kingdoms have their Limitation from the Soveraign Creator and Disposer of all things it is undeniably evident by the Sundry Mutations that have been in all Ages of the World for nothing can be assured of long continuance though never so great and powerful How are the great Monarchies of the Persians Medians Babylonians Chaldeans Romans and the like dwindled away into nothing no more then a bare Relation of their Names and Greatness remaining to testifie the mighty actions they performed when at their becks were half three parts of Mankind And indeed no less famous was the Turkish Empire in Persia and the Lesser Asia till broken and dismembred by the violent intrusion of the Tartars a Savage People bursting from the Frozen-North to the Terror and Subversion of the greatest part of Asia and Africa but now under the Turkish Scepter as shall by the subsequent Discourse appear During the time that the Tartars overwhelmed the Turkish Dominions in Asia Solyman of the Oguzian Family Reigning in the lesser Asia and seeing his Country-man the Sultan of Persia driven from all his Possessions thought it not safe for him of far Inferior force to abide the Sorm but flying with such People as would follow him after long wandring the Tempest being near over and he desiring to return home as he was about to pass the Danube was carried away by the Stream and drowned leaving behind him four Sons viz. Sencur Teken Jundogdis and Ertogrul of some called Orthobules who was the Father of Othoman This Ertogrul after the Death of his Father having notice that Aladine the Sultan had again settled himself in the lesser Asia Sent Messengers to him to desire him that he and the rest of his poor followers who were Herdsmen driving Flocks still before them as they travelled might inhabit in some Corner of his Country The Sultan not unmindful of the state of poor Exiles it having so lately been his own Case appointed them a Village called Suguta lying between the Castle Belezuga and Mount Tmolus in the greater Phrygia during whose residence there with his small Train the Sultan had many Conflicts with the Tartars whose Power by this time was in its Wain and being hard put to it in one Battle near the said Village Ertogrul with four hundred of his Herdsmen unexpectedly came to his Assistance and behaved himself so valiantly that the Tartars were put to flight for which the Sultan honoured him with a rich Cloak and began highly to prize his Valour insomuch that he inlarged his Territories making him a petty Lord which Lordship with great Repute he held during the Reign of the Sultan doing many notable Services as taking the Castle of Cara-Chisar from the Christians who by their many Injuries had exasperated the Sultan but after the Sultans Death those that succeeded being Tributaries to the Tartars till such time as the Kingdom was Anachised he lived quietly at home during which time many conceived great hopes of his younger Son Othoman called by some Osman Gazi or Osman the Warlike by reason of the great delight he had in Arms when he was a Child and when grown up to discourse and Argue with the Commanders and Governours of whom he had the general Esteem of an active Youth designed for great Atchievements as it afterward fell out One day Othoman going to visit the Governour of Eski-Chisar lately taken from the Christians by his Father He fell in Love by the way with a beautiful Damosel named Malhatun and sent to request her in Marriage but she seeming something averse excusing her self that she was of too mean a Parentage and not a fitting Match for him that was so nobly descended he as she conceived designing rather to Debauch her then make her his Wife but this modest repulse making him more and more desire her he in other Discourses declared his Affections to the aforesaid Governour who seeming little to take notice thereof begun to be inflamed with the Love of the Damosel unseen by the lively Description Othoman had given of her rare Perfection which Othoman well perceiving and fearful that he should inforce her to his Lust having great Power in that Country he
a second Expedition having recruited his huge Army for that purpose But what Man willeth God disposeth whilst he was intent upon the matter falling sick of a Feaver or Ague after three sits he dyed Death Conquering him who in a short space Conquered fifty intire Kingdoms This mighty Tartar being Dead his great Kingdom divided amongst his Sons by their jarring and discontent of the Nobility was soon after rent into pieces most of it falling into the hands of the Turks who at this day possess it And now Mahomet winning all the Dominions his Father held in the greater Asia from the Tartars resolved to recover the rest which his three Brothers Isa Solyman and Mnsa had seized on in Europe and the lesser Asia whereupon assembling all his Forces he marched to Lâ—pacllum near to which Isa being incamped he sent to offer him Caramania and several other Kingdoms in the lesser Asia though indeed they were not his to give being possessed by their rightful Princes whom Tamerlain had re-possessed them off which offer refused from a younger Brother whereupon a bloody Battle insued in which Isa was overthrown and for the preservation of his Life forced to fly to Emanuel the Greek Emperor In this Battle were blain the two famous Basas Eine and Tenurtases of which overthrow Mahomet sent to certifie his Brother Solâ—â—â—â—n then in Constantinople after which he marched with his Army to Prrsa and received under his Protection all the Countries adjoyning and now growing strong he â—eselved to brook no Rival in his Fathers Kingdoms when on the other hand Solyman his Elder Brother hearing what he had done and knowing him to be of an aspiring Temper thought it not Convenient to suffer him longer so Triumphantly to proceed whereupon by the advice of his Grave Counsellors he sent for his Brother Isa then at Constantinople and making him general of his Army gave him Orders to pass over into Asia and curb the Pride of his aspiring Brother Isa glad of this opportunity to revenge his own Injuries sustained in loosing his Dominions obeying his Brother Solyman's Commands entered Mahomet's Dominions and there with Fire and Sword began his Progress which Mahomet understanding came against him and having overthrown his Forces put him to a second flight into Carramania where in obscurity of the Wounds he received in Battle and grief for his foul defeat he dyed Solyman hearing of the defeat prepared a great Army to invade Asia which made Mahomet retire into the Country of Amasa as doubting the affections of his People by reason the Kingdoms of Bajazet of Right appertained to Solyman as Flder This retireing gave Solyman opportunity to advance to the Walls of Prusâ—s which City he besieged and had it presently yielded except the Castle which upon the Interceptions of Mahomet's Letters was likewise surrendered but upon the approach of Mahomet with a great Power doubtful to keep what he had got he with all his People retired to the Straights of Neapolis where he defended himself right valiantly against the assaults of his Brother who by reason of the Intemperance of the Weather and a Letter framed by Alis-Bassa that there was a Conspiracy amongst his Captains to deliver him up to Solyman he retired Whilst these things were acting Musa being set at Liberty by the Tartars came to Mahomet's Camp was of him joyfully received when after some Discourse it was greed that Musa with an Army should pass over the Euxin Sea into Europe and whilst Solyman was busie in Asia seize upon his Country which Expedition he undertaking and making Isfender Prince of Castomonia his Friend and afterward the Prince of Valachia by marrying his Daughter he soon prevailed with the Governours of the chief Cities to Revolt from Solyman when entering Hadrianople he caused himself to be invested with Royal Robes and as King of the Country sent forth his Decrees which Solyman hearing of as he lay at Ancira in Asia passed the Straights of Bosphorus with all the Forces he could raise upon whose Departure Mahomet recovered what ever he had won in Asia Solyman being come into Europe Musa prepared to oppose him and both Armies coming in sight of each other Musa so dealt with Solyman's Captains that they revolted which he perceiving fled accompanied only with Caratze-Beg Cara Muchil and one Country Turk whom they took with them as their Guide whose persidiousness brought them to Destruction for pretending to lead them through the by-ways all Night he misnaming places brought them in the Morning near to Musa's Camp when giving Notice to the Rusticks they set upon them and having killed the two Captains took Solyman and delivered him to Musa who immediately caused him to be strangled whose Body by his Command was carried to Prusa and there buryed by his Ancestors Solyman being Dead Musa took upon him the Goernment of the Turkish Kingdom in Europe as had been agreed between him and his Brother Mahomet but e'r he was settled he began to Tyrannize beyond measure over his Subjects which caused many of his great Captains to leave him and amongst the rest Eurenosie feigning himself Blind found means to depart to Constantinople from whence he wrote to Mahomet then in Asia giving him an Account of his Brothers proceedings and soliciting him to pass over with his Army whose Council Mahomet taking making first a League with Emanuel the Greek Emperor he entered Europe with his Army But by the over eager pursuit of his Army after the Vaunt Couriers of Musa's Army his Orders being broken he was put to flight and forced to repass the Seas into Asia leaving behind him a great part of his Army who were spoiled by the Enemy Mahomet thus foiled and desirous of Revenge resolved once more to try his Fortune and thereupon drawing to his Assistance Dulgader Ogly who sent his Son with great Forces to serve him in his War he repassed the Euxin and by the Council of Eurenosis having procured the revolt of Jegides-Bassa Barack-Beg and Sinon-Beg 3 of Musa's great Captains who came over to him with 3000 valiant Turks he resolved to give his Brother battle the which being joyned Musa by the revolt of other Commanders during the heat of fight was overthrown taken and by the Command of Mahomet strangled receiving therein the same measure he had dealt to his Brother Solyman After this overthrow of Musa Mahomet proceeded to take possession of his Kingdom the which whilst he was doing news came that the Carramanian King spoiled his Countries in Asia and had burnt his great City of prusa which being a frontier City was still exposed to the miseries of War whereupon Mahomet setling his Affairs in Europe as necessity would permit passed into Asia and falling like a tempest upon the Country of Carramama took Aspropolis Despoâ—opolis and Hierapolis laying hard Siege to Iconium which caused the Carramanian to send his Embâ—â—â—dors to treat a Peace the which by reason of the great â—oods of Rain that
Bassa Charging furiously with fresh Troops of Horse entering too far amongst the Squadrons of his Enemies was slain which so discouraged his men then at the point to have prevailed that they first fainted and afterwards betook themselves to plain flight so that in passing the Mountains many of them were slain and more taken Prisoners Bajazet hearing of the Success of the Rebels sent Jonuses Bassa against them with 40000 Horse and Foot upon whose approach they retired into the Mountains but being driven thence they fled into Armenia Whereupon the Bassa fretting that he had not beset the ways caused all that he found to imbrace the new Religion or to have born Arms against Bajazet on the behalf of Techellis either to be put to Death Burnt in the Forehead with a hot Iron or Transported into Europe to prevent any future Insurrection and upon his return to Constantinople had Notice that Techellis and his scattered Forces in their flight lighting upon a Caravan of Silks and other Rich Merchandize took the spoil thereof for which outrage coming to Tauris the Captains were all by the Command of Hysmael hanged upon Gibbits and Techellis for a Terror to others burnt alive The Astan Rebellion suppressed by the means aforesaid the year following viz. Anno 1509. a dreadful Earthquake happened in Constantinople and the Countries adjacent which lasted with very little Intermission for the space of eighteen days or as the Turks affirm a Month in which time â—â— tâ—ew to the ground many stately Buildings in Constantinople Hadrianople and other Cities of Greece and in their Ruins overwhelmed 13000 People after which a great Mortality happened which dispeopled many Cities in the Turks Dominions but both being past Bajazet set 80000 to repair the mischief Constantinople had sustained by the Earthquake which they performed in four Months Beautifying the City more then ever Bajazet had by his many Wives eight Sons and six Daughters who lived to be Men and Women grown and the Sons all Governours in divers Provinces of his large Empire whom the Turkish History after this manner reckons up viz. Abdullah Zelebi Alem Scach Tzihan Scach Achmet Machmut Corcut Selim and Mahomet yet as Antonius Vtrius Genois who long time lived in Bajazet's Court accounts they were only six whose Names he recites thus Scieniscia Alemscia Achometes Mahometes Selymus and Corcutus and that the two former dyed long before their Father and were by him greatly lamented now as for Tizhan and Abdula Zelebi the Turks report they were put to Death by their Fathers Command upon Suspition that they aspired too high in Conceit of Empire Of all these Sons Mahometes was of greatest hope who was by his Father made Governour of Magnesia but being by reason of his Youth somewhat Frolicksome he often went disguised to take a view of his Brothers Courts how therein they behaved themselves c. And at last came with two others in the habit oâ— Sea-faring men to the Court of Bajazet where not at first finding Admittance to the Emperors Presence they went and bought a fair Christian Captive and then pretending they had a Present to deliver were by the Warders permitted to enter and having delivered the Present found means to depart being first rewarded with three rich Garments but e'r they were gotten on Ship-board they were met by a Courtier that knew Mahometes who allighting would have done him Reverence but he forbad it as not being willing to be discovered yet it was not kept so close but it came to Bajazet's Ear who jealous as always Tyrants are that under such like Intreagues might be hid some secret Conspiracy against his Life or Empire he wrote to one Asmehemides a Courtier highly in Favour with Mahometes to poison him sending withal a poisonous Powder to effect it which this perfidious Courtier in hopes to succeed him in his Government performed but long it was not e'r the Tyrant repenting him of his inhumane and unnatural Command cast the said Courtier in Prison where he miserably perished Bajazet having caused Mahometes to be poisoned whom he need not to have feared Selymus the Governour of Trepezond one whom he intirely Loved immediately Conspired against him and having Corrupted most of the great Bassas of the Court the better to strengthen himself married the Daughter of Mahometes the Tartarian King who Aiding him with 15000 Tartarian Horse he left his Government and passed over the Euxine into Europe under pretence of invading Hungary where haivng notice that his Father intended to declare Achometes his Successor leaving the Coast of Hungary he marched directly towards Hadrianople where Bajazet lay with his Army and incamping within sight of the City sent a feigned Message to excuse his coming in a Hostile manner the which was as he said only that he might gain Access to his Presence to shew him such Reasons as he doubted not but he would approve of why Achometes should not succeed him but Bajazet not trusting to his fawning sent him word that if he did not immediately return to his Government in Asia and disband his Army he would not fail to chastise him with the Scourge of War But this Speech did not at all dismay the Head-strong Youth nor could all the Presents and fair Words Bajazet could devise avert him but raising his Camp marched directly towards Constantinople which Bajazet perceiving drew his Army out of Hadrianople and marched to prevent his surprizing the Imperial City at whose Departure out of Hadrianople Selymus entered it and having there refreshed his Army followed hard upon his Father cutting off the straglers of his Army and part of his Rear which caused the Old man to Face about and bid him Battle though all the Bassas except Cherseogles disswaded him from it as secretly favouring Selymus which Selymus as willing to accept after both Armies were put into Order and Bajazet with a moving Oration had incouraged his Men a cruel Fight began which continued from Noon till the setting of the Sun at what time the Tartarian Horse sore Gauled with the shot of the Harquebusses and terrified with the Thundering noise disranked and fled in spite of their Rider after which the Foot being Charged by the Janizaries were most of them slain Selymus himself upon a swift Horse hardly scaping In this Battle fought Anno 1511. near Chiurlus 30000 of Selymus his Men were slain and taken Prisoners with the loss only of 7000 of Bajazet's Soldiers after which Bajazet kept on his way to Constantinople where he no sooner arrived but he bountifully rewarded his Men Achometes Bajazet's eldest Son being at Amasia and hearing what had passed raised an Army of 20000 Horse and Foot and by speedy marches came to Scutari Antiently called Christophorus situate upon the Straights of Bosphorus over against Constantinople where incamping he sent Messengers to his Father requesting him as he had frequently determined to declare him his Successor as by Seniority he ought and to resign him the Empire
to invade several Towns in Hungary who upon his Arrival took Temeswar and Zolnock which Queen Isabel perceiving and that the Turk contrary to his Faith plighted daily incroach upon her Territories whose power she was not in a capacity to repel by force she agreed with King Ferdinand to resign her and her Sons Title to the Kingdom of Hungary in consideration of Cassovia and a yearly pension of 100000 Ducats After which the King recovered most part of the Kingdom from the Turks and for the better keeping thereof as some say caused George Bishop of Veradium a great favorite of Solymans though by Birth a Hungarian to be murthered in his own House Upon which the Bassa of Buda drawing together what Forces be could Besieged Agria but after the loss of many of his best Souldiers he gave over the siege Henry succeeding his Brother Francis in the Kingdom of France and desirous to molest the Emperor sent the Lord Avomont to incite Solyman to wast the Coast of Italy whereupon he sending a great Fleet in the Tyrrenan and Tuscan Seas wasted the Coast of Calabria Sâ—cilia Majorca Sardinia Elba Corsica and Cerbe the Frontiers of the Emperours Dominions and the same year viz. anno 1554. Solyman incited thereto by Roxolana once his Slave and Concubine but now his imperious Wife and by the Treacherous insinuation of Rustan Bassa who had Married Chameria her Daughter by Solyman caused his Son Mustapha the chief hope of the Othâ—man Family begot on a Sâ—yrcassian Woman to be strangled in his Pavilion without suffering him to clear himself of what had been falsly laid to his charge during his absence the which barbarous cruelty when Tzihunger Roxolana's Son by Solyman whom she purposed to raise to the Empire after his decease and for that purpose had procured the death of Mustapha came to know he had detested his Fathers cruelty with his Dagger killed himself and fell down dead upon his Brothers dead body nor was Solyman in safety when the matter came to be once known for the inraged Souldiers with their drawn Swords after they had killed a great number of those that came thither to fetch the Riches in Mustaphaes Tent came to his Pavilion Threatning him with present Death and after many reproaches were hardly appeased swearing at their departure if the Accusers of Mustapha were not brought to light they would nevertheless kill him when to satisfie them in their demands he deprived Rustan Bassa of all his Honours taking from him the seal whereof he had the keeping and delivered it to Achomates Bassa and Rustan commanded to leave the Camp upon pain of Death but not long after by the means of his Mother-in-Law who had by the means of a Jew bewitched Solyman with her charms he was again restored and to make way for him Achomates who had stept up into his places of Honour by Solyman's command in the Divano causelesly was strangled Whilest these things were doing Haly Bassa having for a long time besieged Zigeth defended by Marcus Horworth a valiant Captain was beaten off by Polviller and Serineus two of King Ferdinandoes Captains with the loss of half of his Army Nor fared the Turks better at Sea for Guise Lord Prior of the Knights of St. John in France took six Ships and Gallies richly laden and now God intending to punish the Tyrant for so many Murthers suffered his Son Bajazet gotten upon Roxolana to rise up against him Arms under pretence of supplanting his Brother Selymus all the remainder of the aforesaid wicked stock who by setting up a counterfeit Mustapha and pretending he that was killed was no other but one much resembling the true Mustapha sent for great rewards to try his Fathers fury drew after him a World of people being secretly encouraged thereto by his mother who preferred him before his Elder Brother whom Solyman would have his Successor and such was her power with Solyman that after the Plot was discovered the counterfeit taken and executed she made Bajazets peace and restored to favour as much as ever yet such was the fiery nature of the head strong youth that knowing his Life was dated with his Fathers if his Brother succeeded him he again took up Arms being generally favoured of the Soldiers against whom Selymus was sent with a great Army between whom was fought a dreadful Battle in which 300 Turks were slain and Bajazet put to the worst who after much adverse fortune flying to the Persian King was by the procurement of Solyman contrary to Faith given by the Persian he together with his four Sons was murâ—â—â—â—ed Anno 1558 Charles the Fifth and warlike Emperour of Germany stricken in years and worn out with the toils of tedious War resigned the Empire to his Brother Ferdinand having before put his son Philip in possession of all Hereditary Kingdoms and then retiring lead a private Life and shortly after changed it for Life Eternal after he had with great reverence and integrity Reigned 39 years after whose death at the earnest request of the Knights of Malta the Christian Princes set out a Fleet for the recovery of Tripolis in Barbary when coming to the Island of Zerbi belonging to the Turks they spoiled it and after a small battery to the Castle in which the Islanders put their cheif hope but this Expedition proved unfortunate to the Christians for Pial Bassa Solymans Admiral coming upon them with a great Fleet suddainly surprized many of the Ships and Gallies out of order and unable to make resistance took them and put most of those he found therein to the Sword and such as could stand off to Sea fled leaving Don Alvarus De Sandee a valiant Gentleman of great Spirit and long Experience General of the Christian Forces on shoar who together with such as were sied from the Fleet entered the Castle which was most resolutely defended till such time as hunger and thirst compell him to surrender not less then 18000 Christians by one means or other being lost from the setting out of the Fleet to the time the Castle was delivered to the Turks the which by the Bassa being strongly Garrisoned he with the Christian Captives there taken returned in Triumph to Constantinople and long was ere the Spanish and Italian Nobility there taken could be ransomed and to make up this unluckly year viz. 1560. on the 25th day of November Auria the great Sea Captain died being 94 years old to the great Rejoycing of the Turkish Pirates whose terror he had been for more then Thirty years nor was the following year fortunate for King Philip of Spain sending out his Fleet under Mendoza his Admiral Five and Twenty Ships and Gallies by stress of Weather were broken on the Coast of Sicily on one of which the Admiral perished little or nothing being saved in that dismal and unexpected Calamity Anno 1562. The Emperour Ferdinand so laboured with the Electoral Princes that he procured his son Maximillian then King of Bchemia a
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
Forces to the Conquest of that great Kingdom which the dissension amongst the Sons of the deceased King about the succession made him suppose was easie to be effected whereupon raising such great Forces as held Christendom in suspence he yet declined attempting any thing till he had knowledge what effects the civil broyls had wrought which were that after a long contention and the Murther of many of the Sons and Grandchildren of the deceased King Mahomet Eldest son to Tamas who had before rejected the Diadem to prevent the ruin of his Native Country took upon him the Regency though not without the envy of many of the great Sultans whose guilt upon his being proclaimed King had caused them to fly who like thorow paced Traitors in their exile solicited Amurath by all means speedily to invade the Kingdom of Persia laying before him the facility of conquering that noble Kingdom abounding with all manner of riches and that the Georgians and Saracens evily affected towards the new King would not fail upon the approach of his Army to joyn with him These and the like perswasions fired the Turk with hopes of so glorious an atchievement that notwithstanding he was in League with the Persian yet after long debating the matter in the Divan it was resolved that the War should be undertaken and carryed on with all vigor and that the first attempt should be made upon the Countrey of Servan the better to effect which by alaruming the Enemy in divers places he sent to his Bassa's Governours of Babylon Van and other places on the Persian Frontiers to molest the Territories by frequent inroads to perform which they were no ways wanting And now Stephen the Prince of Transilvania having marryed Queen Anne and being confirmed by the free choice of the Nobility King of Poland he sent his Ambassadors to Amurath to conclude a firm and inviolable League which was granted by the Turk very advantageous to the Christians that he might not be hindered in his Persian War which in Anno 1578. he undertook sending a great Army under the leading of Mustapha Bassa who in the Reign of Selymus had Conquered Cyprus into the Countrey of Servan composed of these following Nations viz 12000 Mesopotamians 14000 Babylonians and Assyrians 2000 Syrians 10000 Natolians 1000 Jews of Palastine 4000 Cilicians after which followed the Soldiers of Grecia the Glory and Hope of the whole Camp to the number of 10000 as likewise 10000 Janizaries Harquibusires to whom 4000 of the Citizens of Er Zicshum were added besides many Voluntiers of divers Nations insomuch that the whole Army consisted of 110000 Horse and Foot besides this multitude of men Mustapha brought into Persia 500 pieces of Artillery and 50 Waggon loads of Money to leavy other Soldiers if occasion required it The Bassa with the Army aforesaid arriving at Chars after three dayes staying there during which time being marvellously troubled by reason of a suddain Tempest he raised his Camp and departed to the foot of the Mountains of Chielder otherwise Periardo where he had knowledge of the Persian Sophies Army Approach which caused him to put his Army into order of Battle dividing it amongst his great Commanders which were Deruis Bassa of Caraunt and Osman Mahomet and Musta Fada Bassas as for the Persian Army under the leading of Tocomac an experienced Captain whom for his known valour and Loyalty the Sophy had made General it consisted not of above twenty thousand all Horsemen gathered out of Georgia Media and Antropatia who misinformed by their Scouts of the Turks number boldly held on their way resolving to give them Battle who from the Hills perceiving their intent put themselves in a posture to receive them whereupon about one in the Afternoon a dreadful sight began wherein at the first charge were slain seven of the Turks Sanzacks with a Great number of Soldiers without any apparent loss to the Persians who fighting close together slew the Turks at a distance with their shot of Arrows and the continual thundering of their Harquibuzes of which Engins by this time they had learned the perfect use But Mustapha who with a great power of his choice souldiers having waited a fit opportunity peirced the Squadrons of the horse having first made a lane by the reiterated Vollies of his Artillery and charged with such fury that although the Persians incouraging each other did all than men were capable to perform yet being overpowered with number were at length broken and disordered they under the shelter of the night retired which the Turks without much difficulty permitted they not having any cause to rejoyce at the Victory so gotten their loss was so great yet keeping the field all that night the next morning in token of his good success Mustapha sent the heads of five thousand Persians and three thousand live prisoners to Amurath and for the greater terror of the enemy caused the heads of three thousand others to be stricken off and piled on heaps the Turks lost in this battle near twenty thousand many of their chief souldiers The next day after the battle Manuchlars a Prince of the Georgians sent a messenger to Mustapha to acquaint him that he was coming to confer with him which did not a little rejoyce the Turk insomuch that he caused all his Great Commanders with Trumpets Ensigns displayed Drums beating and the discarge of all the Great Ordnance to receive him and in like manner to conduct him to his Pavillion not doubting but that the revolt of this Prince would greatly further his affairs which being being done and he entering the Bassa's Tent he there was caused to sit down on his right hand when after having made him presents of such chings as for that purpose he had brought he gave the Bassa to understand That for the honour and estimation he conceived of the Turkish valour he was ever devoted to the house of the Ottomans and as he had often times desired to venture his life and fortune in their service so at this present time he moved by his former desire allured by the strange fame of his wonderful and victorious Army and stirred up by a particular Fantaâ—e to learn the Turkish Discipline in martial affairs under such a General as was the Bassa to whom he offered all his devotion and service things as he said not offered to any before and in sine besought him to accept of him in the name of Amurath whose obedient vassal he had vowed himself This Speech ended the Bassa highly commended him for his prudent choice and good will towards the Turks and the more to confirm him in the opinion he had of the Ottoman Greatness he caused him to be led throughout his Camp that so he might take a view of the Turkish Magnificence where amongst other things he with detestation beheld the Pile of Persian heads and then returning to Mustaphas Tent he was presented with Garments of cloth of Gold a Gilt Battle Ax and
and St. Martins with such fury that within a short time they fell into his hands the Imperialists at so great an odds not thinking it convenient to hazard a Battle to relief their besieged Friends and after doing other mischief in their Territories layed siege to the City of Rab scituate on the Southside of Danubius where the River dividing it self makes a most fertile Island called Schut about twelve German miles from Vienna in which Island lay the Christian Camp This City was defended by a Garrison of Five Thousand Men under the Command of Count Hardeck a more valiant then at this time faithful Friend for when every one supposed the City impregnable and that the Turks for many dayes had without intermission battered it with Sixty pieces of Cannon and made several unsuccessful assaults with the loss of Fourteen Thousand of their men the said Count contrary to the minds of his Commanders and Souldiers capitulated with the Bassa and in consideration of his departing with all his Treasure delivered that strong piece in his hands For which upon his arrival at Vienna he by the judgement of Sixty of his Peers had his Head and his right Hand stricken off it being proved against him that he in leiw of the surrender had of the Bassa received two bags of Ducats During the siege of Rab the Christians in the Island of Schut received a great loss for Ten Thousand Turks and Tartars getting over in Boats or swimming upon their Horses came so suddainly upon their Camp that having slain Two Thousand of them and put the rest into a great consternation they entered their Trenches and carryed thence a booty valued at Five Hundred Thousand Ducats which loss for a while after sore weakned the Christians Nor were the Turks onely busie in spoiling Hungary but Italy also for with a great Fleet under the leading of Ciala Bassa Amuraths Admiral they surprized Rhegium in Calabria and utterly razed it after which they spoiled all the Countrey about it as likewise the Sea Coasts of Italy in many other places taking several Ships richly laden in the sight of the Garrison of Messina and carrying away a great number of poor people into miserable Captivity Sinan Bassa having by this time received new supplies and repaired Rab putting therein a strong Garrison marched to Comara before which he incamped but upon the approach of Matthias the Arch-Duke with a puissant Army of Germans Bohemians and Hungarians to relieve it he raised his siege not thinking it safe at that time to hazard a Battle and by a Bridge of Boats Transported his Army over Danubius to Dolis where he the following day dismissed them upon which the Arch-Duke without any hinderance coming to Comara caused the breaches to be Repaired and then leaving it to the protection of the Governour viz. The Lord Bruun who had faithfully defended it he departed to take a view of the other Cities About this time Sigismund Prince of Transilvania weary of the grievous exaction and injuries they sustained at the hands of the Turks resolved to cast off their servile yoak which being known to certain of the Nobility pensioners to Amurath they secretly advertized him of the Princes purpose promising to send him in Chains to Constantinople and with the Turks good liking to set up one Balthazor Bator the Princes nigh Kinsman in his stend but the Treason being discovered most of the Traitors were taken and executed upon which the Tarâ—ars to the number of Forty Thousand brake into Transilvania burning and destroying all before them in a fearful manner which obliged the Prince to raise the whole power of his Countrey and to crave aid of the Rascians and other his Neighbours giving freely to his Subjects and Confederates what ever they could take from the Turks who in their first interprize were so successful that they surprized seven of the Turks Gallies laden with Provision Rich Merchandize and store of Treasure and missed but narrowly of the eighth which was the Admiral which loss was so great to the Turks Sinan Bassa upon notice of what had happened is reported to have said that if those Gallies had come to him in safety he could with the Treasure have bought Vienna as he had done Raâ—b after which the Transilvanians hightened with this success marched towards Temeswar but hearing that the Tartars were about to return they retired for the defence of their own Countrey yet by this time headed by their Prince they took many strong Holds from the Turks and still following their returning Army in the rear cut many Thousands of them short and by his example soon after the Valachians and Moldavians rose up in Armes against Amurath and Confederated themselves with the Transilvanian Prince who with one consent sent to Rodolphus the Emperour to make a League with him against the common Enemy which was accordingly concluded very Honourable to the Confederates which made Amurath begin to doubt his safety even in Constantinople and much more when they with their victorious Armies overrun his Countries on every side for grief of which and the disorderly tumults he found amongst his Janizaries and his other Souldiers of the Court he fell Sick when greatly afflicted with the Stone and Falling Sickness his wonted Disease as a man both in Soul and Body tormented he with great Impatiency and Agony of mind gave up the Ghost departing this Life on the Eighteenth of January Anno Domini 1595. When he had lived One and Fifty years or as some say Two and Fifty years and thereof Reigned Nineteen years At the time of whose Death arose so Terrible a Tempest at Constantinople that many thought the world should have presently been dissolved his dead Body within a while after was with all Funeral Solemnities used amongst the Turks buryed by the Body of Mahomet his Eldest Son in the Moschie which himself had builded near unto his Palace CHAP. XVII The Life of Mahomet Third of that Name seventh Emperor of the Turks A Murath being dead his death to prevent tumults was kept secret till such time that Mahomet his Eldest Son then living came from Amasia to Constantinople where contrary to the mind of the Janizaries who generally affected Amurath his younger brother he was saluted Exmperour when by a wile getting his Ten Brethren into his power he caused them to be strangled nay so far extended his barbarity that at his Commandement ten of his Fathers Wives and Concubines whom he suspected to be with Child were drowned in the Sea one of which number as some affirm was his own Mother These violent proceedings made the great Commanders envy him and the better to wreck their spleen secretly to stir up the Janizaries who committed for the space of several days such disorders that the like in no Interregnum had happened and great had the disorder been even to outraging the Emperour himself had not the Bassa Governour of the City causedall the great Ordinance to be bent
the neglect of Ferat Bassa he by the advice of Sinan Bassa sent for him who trusting to his innocency boldly came to answer to what should be objected against him though warned to the contrary but he was scarce arrived e'r by the command of Mahomet he was strangled and his goods to the value of five hundred thousand Ducats confiscated After the death of Ferat who was somewhat a favourer of the Christians Sinan the proud Bassa son to a Fisherman and their mortal enemy was sent with a great Army into Valachia to reduce that and the other revolted Countries to the Turkish obedience but being encountred by the Transilvanian Forces his Army was overthrown with great slaughter and himself in his flight falling into a Lime-pit hardly escaped with life after which he fled to Canstantinople to plead his own cause having promised upon his undertaking that Expedition at the price of his head to reduce Valachia Moldavia and Transylvania to their former obedience Not long after the overthrow of Sinan the Lords Eckenberg and Leucowitz overthrew twenty thousand who under the leading of the Bassa of Bosna invaded the country of Crotia and following their Victory entred the Turkish Dominions and burnt 15 Villages carrying away a great booty and soon after took Petrina which after a close siege and some furious assaults was abandoned by the Turks In the mean while Sigismund the Transylvanian Prince raised a greater power than before upon notice that Sinan Bassa was again upon his march to invade his Countries at what time the Ziculi or Sciculy a people bordering on the North of Transilvania sent to him to offer him their service as weary of the Turkish thraldom who according to agreement besides many rich presents and store of provision sent him forty thousand men well appointed which no sooner joyned him he had notice that Sinan had passed Danubius by a bridg of Boats whereupon he marched with all dilligence to meet him and in another set battle gave him a fatal overthrow in which there were thirty thousand slain and taken prisoners besides a rich booty nor did the River Danubius upon their hasty repassing the bridge which was near two miles over devour a less number insomuch that Sinan swore in a great rage that the young Prince had in a short time Eclipsed all the renown he in the course of his whole life had got After this overthrow of the Turks which they number amongst their great mischances the Castle and Island in the River with little loss were recovered and then in great Triumph laden with the Turks spoils the Prince returned to Alba Julia at what time by his Captains he took the strong Castle of Jenna and intercepted about 70 waggons richly laden which they of Temeswar fearing to be besieged were sending together with their wives and children to places of greater strength These things perplexing the proud Turk he sent his special Messengers to stir up the Crimesian Tartars a people living for the most part on spoil to invade Moldavia Transylvania and Valachia who were likewise incouraged thereto by the Chancellor of Polonia he so far insinuating with the King that Moldavia was taken from the Transylvanian Prince and a new Vayvod placed therein who opened contrary to his faith given three wayes for the Turks and Tartars to invade Transylvania of which perfidious dealing Pope Clement the Eighth by his Letters to the King of Polonia grievously complained and likewise against Cardinal Zamoskie the Chancelor and first mover of this mischief whom he cited to appear before him at Rome there to answer to what should by the Ambassadours of the Christian Princes be objected against him charging them both with breach of faith and disloyalty to the King of Heaven by betraying the Christians into the hand of the sworn enemies of the Christian Religion yet both the King and Chancelor used such endeavours that they satisfied the Pope in the necessity of their writing better to him to that purpose when at the same time Cham Kazikieri the Tartarian King wrote to Sigismund King of Polonia to put him in mind of his promise to give his Army free passage as likewise to destroy the Cossacks who as he said by daily incursions wasted his Frontier and to make a perpetual League with him yet onely the former request was observed The Christians not pleased with the proceedings of the Polonian to shew how little they esteemed his Friendship inraged as it were with his revolt burnt and destroyed all the Turkish Garrisons uppon his Frontiers whom he durst not protect for fear of having his own Dominions wasted in the like manner but what happened this year 1596 advantagious to the Christians was the death of Sinan Bassa their sworn Enemy who having by his Friends and many rich presents escaped the fury of the angry Sultan Mahomet who had vowed his death soon after through grief and shame of his late overthrow died after he had for Fifty years wasted the Earth with Fire and Sword Yet the following Spring Mahomet with a great power purposed in person to pass into Hungary but by reason of the Plague and Famine that raged throughout his Empire he could not accomplish his design but was more and more perplexed by the revolt of the Georgians and the great Army the new King of Persia was raising for the recovery of Tauris notwithstanding to prevent the worst the Transilvanian Prince in person went to the Courts of the Emperour and Pope to crave Aid where he was with great kindness received and promised such supplies of Men and Mony as his occasion should require but during his stay there the Sciculi rose up in arms against him yet the Rebellion was blown over by the execution of the chief Promoters of the Tumult and Ten Thousand Rascians in a fit time proffered him their service for the Tartars were by this time on their way whereupon having received several rich Presents he returned home being every where joyfully received of his People All this time the Lord Palfi with the Garrison Souldiers of Strigonium was not idle but used his utmost dilligence to surprize the Turks Convoys and Garrisons nor was his expectation frustrated for overrunning the Country as far as the Walls of Temeswar he got many rich booties and removed such Christians as were in danger of the Turks Garrison nearer his own missing but narrowly of the Bassa of Temeswar with all his Treasure as he was going to Belgrade to give place to a new Bassa but however he fell into the hands of the Hungarian Heidons who overthrew his Convoy slew him and took all his riches laden in Seventy Five Waggons to the value of Two Hundred Thousand Hungarian Ducats which so inraged the Turks that gathering Forty Thousand strong they besieged Lippa but after the loss of six Thousand of their number in many furious assaults they left their Trenches and in great confusion retired which flight was occasioned by the
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
the same afflicted and brought low by the Tyranny of Stephano their Vayvod who the better to secure him in his Estate had caused most of the Nobility to be cruelly and shamefully murthered upon which the Moldavians disdaining the Tyrants rule who was wont to say that he valued not his Subjects love so they feared him rose in Arms against him choosing for their Prince Alexander son to Jeremy their former Vayvod who with a great power entering the Countrey had many strong places put into his possession which the Tyrant understanding and finding the hatred of his Subjects generally bent against him he fled till strengthened by a supply of Turks and Tartars he again returned and gave the Prince Battle but was therein overthrown after which Alexander was proclaimed with the consent of all the Nobility Vayvod of Moldavia whereupon he sent Ambassadors to the Grand Seigniour to inform him that he would do nothing prejudicial to his Imperial Majesty but that what he had done was at the instance of the Nobility to free the Countrey from a Tyrant but e'r these Ambassadors could arrive at Constantinople they were imprisoned at the commandment of the Bassa of Buda and being afterward put into the power of Stephano he caused their heads to be cut off and their bodies to be cast into the Danube and then having recruited his Forces returned again into Moldavia where in a second battle he was overthrown and most of his Army slain himself hardly escaping to Michna Prince of Valachia but soon after Alexander having notice that the said Michna and Hebraim a Turkish Bassa were raising great Forces to assist Stephano he sent Boyartsk ye his Ambassador to Michna to make him his friend or at least to perswade him to desist from taking part with the Tyrant but the proud Bassa contrary to the will of the Vayvod Michna caused the Ambassador to be clapped in Irons and sent prisoner to Constantinople where upon his arrival contrary to the Law of Nations he was condemned to the Gallies to excuse which the Vayvod sent an Ambassador to Prince Alexander promising him that unless it were by the absolute command of the Grand Siegniour which he durst not disobey he would not assist his Competitor and at the same time it being rumoured that Bethlem Gaber was likewise raising Forces to invade Moldavia the Prince sent an other Ambassador to him who to the Ambassador protested his innocency therein and that he intended no harm to Alexander his master but on the contrary greatly desired his friendship and for his fathers sake would assist him in what lay in his power but that which caused a great trouble in Moldavia was the death of Prince Visnouviskie who was poisoned by a Greek Priest in receiving the Sacrament for which the impious actor was fryed to death in a wyer chair having first confessed that he was induced to commit that hellish exploite at the instance of the Princes enemy who upon the Priests detection were fled Anno 161. at the incessant intreaty of Stephano the Sultan sent Skinder Bassa with a powerful Army to to restore him to the Vayvod-ship of Moldavia whereupon Prince Alexander sent to his friends as well in Polonia as in other parts of Christendom to Aid him against the Common Enemy and thereupon received great Aid especially out of Polonia under the leading of Prince Coreski who shortly after Marryed the Princess Alexandrina Sister to Prince Alexander and having refreshed the Army the two Princes as joynt Commanders marched against the Bassa and in a set battle overthrew him near unto Cochona together with the Forces of Stephano and pursuing their Victory entered Valachia where entering Bonza without resistance he was by the Estates of that Province intreated to take upon him the Vayvodship for that they being weary of the Turkish thraldom from which Michna their Vayvod had absolutely refused to free them they resolved for that reason to chuse an other but the Prince refused the charge he would not deprive his friend of his possession yet consented that Prince Cherbanne son to the late Vayvod should take the charge upon him but whilst these things were in agitation Shindar Bassa had gathered a great power and proclaimed Michna Vayvod of Moldavia Stephano by reason of his frequent overthrows being now fallen into disgrace with the Sultan and on a sudden the said Bassa with his multitude invironed the Princes Camp where he together with his mother Prince Coreskie and his fair Princess Alexandrina were taken prisoners as were all the Camp except five hundred Polonians who under the leading of the Lord Tischevish cut their way through the Army of the Turks yet for a long time the Princes remained disguised amongst the common prisoners in hopes of being admitted to their ransoms but at length all except the Princess Alexandrina were carryed to Constantinople but she falling into the hands of a Tartarian Captain was carryed into Tartary where she was hardly dealt with till at length she was ransomed for 3000 Chequins having during her Captivity been delivered of a fair son The year following the Turks spoiled the Seacoast Towns of Italy taking many rich prizes and had the like repayed them by the Christian Gallies in the Mediterranean and greater mischiefs had insued had not Achmet the Turkish Sultan died having lived thirty years and reigned fifteen appointed by reason of his sons minority his brother Mustapha whom he had a long time kept prisoner to succeed him in the Ottoman Empire CHAP. XIX Mustapha the first of that Name Ninth Emperour of the Turks his Life and Actions AChmat being dead Mustapha his Brother the First that had been saved alive since the foundation of the Ottoman Empire succeeded him by his appointment his Children of which Osman was the Eldest being too weak to sway the Scepter of so mighty an Empire So that this Mustapha brought from a straight Prison every day expecting Death now advanced to a Throne to rule the East forgeting his former devout Life began to Tyrannize over his Subjects more then his Predecessors which caused him to be hated of many especially for that he imprisoned the French Ambassador and his servants breaking thereby the Law of Nations upon pretence that they had been instrumental in the escape of Prince Coreskie out of the Black Tower who by the assistance of a Greek Priest descended from the top thereof on a rople Ladder drawn up by a bottom of Packthred brought in a Pie to the said Prince by the Ambassadors Secretary though contrary to his knowledge with the Prince likewise escaped one Rigaut a French Captain who by the assistance of the said Priest disguised in Priestly Vestments for that purpose prepared got passage into Italy notwithstanding all the Ports were beset with their pursuers Nor was the Ambassador only imprisoned but his servants and himself evilly intreated especially the former two of which were put to the torture according to the Turkish manner which
dye and lose his Empire the empty name only of Emperor accompanying him to his grave And thus much for Osman Tenth Emperor of the Turks CHAP. XXI Mustapha Reinthronized with an Account of his proceedings till his second Deposing MVstapha having as has been related caused his nephew young Osman to be strangled in prison he made several new Bassas displacing such as had been made by his Predecessor least getting power they should revenge the death of Osman nor were there some wanting that both desired and attempted it especially Mechmet Bassa Governour of Erzirum in â—â—sia During the consternation of the Asian Turks at the death of their Emperor putting them in fear the Empire would be dissolved the Persian King was not idle but with a powerful Army recovered most places taken from him by the Turkish Sultans and the like might have been effected by the Christians had they not been at discord amongst themselves so that that much dreaded Empire would have been reduced into a small circumference which many afterwards though too late repented The new Sultan altogether governed by his Imperious Officer not yet supposing himself fast in the Throne consented to the making away the brethren of Osman and children to Achmat the late Emperor in order to Execute which bloody purpose the Capi-Aga or Major Domo of the Seraglio went to their Lodgings with a purpose to strangle them but the children crying out several of the Pages run to their rescue and falling upon the messengers of death slew the Capi-Aga and evilly intreated the others that attended him and thereupon sent word to the Janizaries and Spahis who approved of their proceedings commanding the body of the Aga to be hanged up in the Hippodrome as a terrour to those that should attempt the like for the future and in a rage went to the Pallace demanding Justice on them that had Councilled so wicked a purpose but the new Emperor who differed not much from an ideot solemnly protested he was altogether ignorant of the matter and if such command were procured it was gotten by sabreption which Protestation was easily believed yet Darut Bassa and the Emperors mother were vehemenly suspected when to appease the angry souldiers the Bassa was displaced from the Viziership Hazein Bassa placed in his stead and the Emperors mother hid in the Pallace till the Tempest was over which could be no otherwise allayed then by a showr of Gold Chequins After which the new Vizier protesting either to reform the affairs of the Empire or fall a Sacrifice did a little restore the face of Justice by making examples of some and terrifying others with threats insomuch that he was looked upon as a man fit for those boisterous times nor was that his only aim but he resolved when once settled in his place to remove Mustapha and place Morat brother to Osman in the Imperial seat not thinking himself safe under a man that was altogether governed by an imperious woman desirous of Rule and was no further capable of the passions of love and hate then they were infused into him During these troubles of the Ottoman Empire the Duke Sbaraskie lay upon the Frontiers and would not advance to ratifie the peace between the King his master and the new Sultan till such time as Sir Thomas Rowe his Majesty of Great Brittains Ambassador then resident at the Port had given him his faith for his security which done the Duke advanced and upon his arrival at the Port was magnificently entertained by the new Vizier yet e'r any thing was absolutely concluded a matter happened which had like to have turned all into nothing for on the 17 of June 1622 Prince Coreskie who had been taken in the late war between Osman and Sigismund King of Poland was strangled in prison at Constantinople which put all into murmur and deep consideration to what intent it was done when so great a ransom might have been had for his release but most believed it was done out of a Politick end for that the Prince being a mortal enemy to the Turks if he should have been set at liberty his restless nature would not have suffered the peace to have continued long inviolable yet the urgent affairs of Poland so requiring the Peace was concluded in nineteen Articles much to the advantage of the Polonian King the Turks greatly fearing at that juncture the Christians uniting against them might dismember their Empire The new Vizier by this time having won the affections of the Souldiers resolved upon his former purpose of Deposing Mustapba and setting up Morat Brother to Osman then a child and the better to forward his purpose he caused the Aga of the Janizaries and several Officers of the Court to be seized as contrivers of the death of Coreskie whom himself had commanded to be strangled which raised another Tumult for the Janizaries running furiously to the Court demanded their Captain whom the Bassa had ordered to be put to death and had done great mischief had he not been delivered nor were they so contented but peremptorily demanded the head of the Visier solemnly protesting to facrifice him for the affront done to their order upon which escaping through the Emperors Garden he took boat and passed over into Asia whereupon they sacked his house and found therein great store of Treasure they likewise demanded the heads of several others but in the end all was hushed yet they proceeded to the Election of a new Visier making choice of one Mustapha a man of a soft nature and easily ruled who scarcely durst do Justice for fear of offending any man which proceeding of the insolent Janizaries nevertheless caused the wiser sort of men to retire from office and imployment and to the insufficient daily change and ruine for the Emperor durst not move but by the directions of the Souldiers whose creature he was so many insolencies were frequently committed and all Asia greatly endangered to be lost for at Bagdat antiently Babylon the Captain of the Janizaries killed the Bassa burnt the Mufti and gave his daughter in Marriage to one Assan Beg pretender to an Antient Inheritance of a bordering Province to cantonize that part nor Asia only stood in suspence what to do but the Dominions of the Turkish Sultan in Africk greatly wavered as doubting whom to obey On the 22 of August an Extraordinary Ambassador from Bethlehem Gabor Prince of Transylvania arrived at the Port who amongst other instructions had order to excuse his master and to declare the reasons why he had made peace with the Emperor without the knowledge of the Sultan which were that the war had continued three years in the Kingdom of Hungary and had so wasted the Country that it was impossible for him to stay longer in the field unless he would have exposed his Army to those wants that would have reduced him to have accepted of an inglorious peace or to have suffered a great part of his Souldiers to perish for want and
being performed afterwards occasioned the loss of Candia as shall in the Reign of Mahomet the fourth be discoursed of more at large Now the year 1644. beginning Rogotskie Prince of Transylvania who succeeded Gabor in that Principality being of a turbulent nature he so wrought with the discontented Hungarians and Austrians that he caused them to Rebel to whom he joyning his Forces drew after him fifty thousand Horse and Foot with which he took Solnock besieged Filek and Cassovia for suppressing of whom the Emperor caused his Troops to advance who in divers skirmishes worsted the Rebels and overthrew six thousand Turks who were coming to the assistance of Rogotski but at length both parties tired with the toiles of War on the 14th of August in the following year a Peace was concluded and soon after the Grand Signeors Mother ruling all in effect caused the Grand Visier to be put to death thereby to render her Authority more dreadful to the rest and caused her Son to appoint Mahomet Bassa of Damascus Grand Visier in his stead who was altogether at her devotion as being first promoted to the Bassa-ship of Damascus at her instant sute to her Son Morat Predecessor to this Emperor Whilst these matters were in agitation the Tartars forgetful of their late Peace made an incursion with thirty thousand men into Russia against whom Konispolski having made head with twenty thousand Horse and Foot defeated them killing twelve thousand and taking three thousand Prisoners pursuing the remainder to the Borders of Valachia in like manner Wisnowick a noble Polander happily encountering another party of Tartars as they were returning from the spoil of a part of Moscovia killed ten thousand of them and recovered a great booty sending the rest naked into their own Countrey The Polonians thus prevailing the Grand Signeour to curry favour with the Polonian King deposed the Tartar Han from his soveraignty which caused various discourses but upon the birth of the Grand Signeours fourth Son that wonder ceased nor was that all which changed the scene of admiration for about this time six Gallies of the Turks passing from Constantinople to Alexandria were taken by the Knights of Malta which greatly incensed the Grand Signeour against the Venetians who had it in charge according to the League concluded between that Signory and the Port to guard those Seas insomuch that under Pretence of destroying the Island of Malta this and former grievances induced the Grand Signeour to make great preparation for the Invasion of Candia formerly called Grete yet the Venetian Balio or Ambassador was caressed at such a rate as he suspected no such Treachery but the state growing jealous upon notice of the great Naval preparation provided cautiously for the safety of their Island During these preparations the Grand Signeor followed his Lascivious courses keeping his female Court in such splendor that his greatest Treasure was spent therein nor was all the Silks of Italy sufficient to suffice his Women but upon the false rumour that the design was against the Maltesians they were not idle but in the best manner Fortified their chief places of strength yet in the end the storm fell not there but upon Candia for the Fleet of a hundred Gallies and fifty great Ships with three hundered Saicks most of the latter being pressed for the transportation of Souldiers being arrived at Scio after refreshment of the Army consisting of seven thousand Janizaries fourteen thousand Spahies fifty thousand Timariots three thousand Pioners besides Cooks Bakers and other necessary followers set sail for Napoli Di Romagnia and having stayed there some time weighed Anchor and touching at divers Islands some belonging to the Venetians and others not they at length came to Candia having taken a Venetian Vessel laden with Ammunition and bound for Retimo by the way where no longer being able to hide their intentions they unmasked themselves by publishing the War both there and at Constantinople the latter of which was attended with the imprisonment of the Balio or Venetian Ambassador and giving order through all the Archipelago for the enslaving and destroying all the subjects of that Republick and here the Turk practised his usual beginning of War with more then ordinary caution for though with other Princes whose Territories border on him by Land he usually endeavours to strike at the same time when he gives the salutation of Peace Yet here being to contend at Sea where he was conscious his forces were inferiour to those of Venice he practised by a different method making many vows and protestations that no such thing was intended till he had safely Landed his Forces yet were not the Venetians so easie of belief but that they likewise Armed thirty Gallies seventeen English and Dutch Ships two Galliasses and several other Vessels of force raising a great power by Land to transport into that important Island imploring the assistance of divers Christian Princes who were not backward to their said sending their Fleet to Sea under the Command of Antonio Capello Francisco Molino being made Proveditor General whose good conduct in affairs caused him to be made Proveditor General and afterwards Duke of Venice and an express sent to Andree Cornaro Inquisitor in Candia to Arm out twenty Gallies from the Arsenal of Canea and to promote this design the better two English an one Dutch Ship then in the Port of Mallomocco were hired to carry Timber fitted and already squared for the compleating the said number of Gallies and Francisco Erizzo was appointed General of all the Naval Forces but he being stricken in years whilst he intended to crown the remainder of his dayes with glory was taken off by death leaving sufficiently graced with the memory of his past actions yet the Fleet was no ways obstructed but with a prosperous gale sailed to Corfu and from thence to Candia where the Turks were arrived before them and had landed without opposition occasioned by the difference that antient Remora amongst the Christian Princes Confederates with the Venetians about bearing the flag which was vigorously contended for by the Genoways and Florentines nor could it be reconciled though the Pope earnestly laboured therein advising them for the deciding the controversie at a time when the urgency admitted of no delay to wave Ceremonies yet ere they could come to the assistance of the Venetians the Turks had spoiled a great part of the Island and after divers skirmishes with much blood and slaughter took Canea the second City of importance and after that Retimo in defence of which Andrea Cornaro lost his Life by a Musquet shot Anno 1646. The opportunity was fair for destroying the Turks Fleet as it carelesly rod at Anchor near the Isle of Theodoro opposite to Canea where had the advantage been improved it might easily have been burnt but such was the contention amongst the Christian Commanders that nothing was attempted worthy of mention whereupon Molino General of the Venetian Land Forces was revoked
people of Grand Cario and Damascus taking the advantage of the intestine broyles had rebelled and shaken off the Turkish yoke and assembling to the number of forty thousand had seized upon several strong places many of the Ottoman Governours in those parts conniving at their proceedings which greatly perplexed the Bassas of the Divan and obliged them to use their utmost Council to contrive a way to extinguish this Combustion during which the Caâ—diâ—ts had rest and Fortified their City in such a manner that it became afterwards the wonder of the World of which the Grand Vizier having notice and fuming that his neglect had turned so much to the advantage of the Christians he resolved to try if he could gain it by fair means and in order thereto sent a Letter written in Letters of Gold to the Venetian Senate requiring them to deliver Candia up to the behoof of the Grand Seignior which was the only obstacle that hindered the conclusion of Peace desiring that an Ambassador might be sent to treat about it but the Venetians remembring that the Turks never made any peace but when necessity drove them to it nor kept it longer than they found it advantagious and withal called to mind how evilly they had intreated their Ambassador generously refused to hearken to any Peace upon those terms commanding their Admiral with his Fleet to block up the Dardanellis which he so strictly observed that for want of succour the Turks in the Island of Candia were greatly distressed and began to mutiny being hardly with great rewards retained in due obedience upon which the Divan sent strict orders with many Menaces upon refusal to the Captain Bassa then in the Bay of Rhodes to force his way through the Venetian Fleet and put men and Provision on shoar at Candia thereby to cease the loud complaints of the Souldiers yet could not be induced thereto but having plundered certain Islands he returned to Constantinople with the Gallies in hopes with his ill gotten booty to appease the Divan bâ—t contrary wise he was seized on and the goods seald up with the Grand Siegniours Signet which none may on pain of death unloose without command yet such was the presumption of his Sons that they broke it open and putting the richest of the spoil into a Galley fled to distant Lands thereby exposing their fathers life to the fury of this enemies who having dispatched him constituted the Bassa of Buda Captain General in his stead using all diligence to rig out a new Navy which once done the new Captain desirous to perform some exploit that might render him worthy of his place taking his advantage broke through the Venetian Fleet but therein sustained such dammage that he had little cause to boast for the Venetians following him even to the harbours mouth plyed him so with thundering shot that seventeen of his Gallies were sunk and taken and four thousand of his men killed yet he put twelve thousand men on shoar and what provision he could spare receiving order to return when he had repaired his dammage though at the hazard of battle the which he did though with more loss then went for that the Venetians having notice of what was intended stood continually on their guard nevertheless he so extolled his own exploits and demeaned the Courage of the Turkish Bassa then General of the Forces in Candia that he wrought the destruction of the latter for none being present to plead his Cause and Officer was instantly sent to fetch his head whose place the foul detracter afterwards injoyed as likewise that of Great Visier which he soon after resigned to the Bassa of Aleppo a stirring active man who after he had placed and displaced such Officers of the Court as he thought convenient sent to all the Maritim Ports Commanding those that were appointed to over-see them with Expedition to hasten thence such Ships and Gallies as were sit for Service determining to set forth a Fleet greater then what had for many Years before been seen in the Lâ—vant which was accordingly done but fared no better then those that had been formerly Equiped For Mustapha the New Captain Bassa joyning Battle with the Venetians was overthrown and most of his chief Gallies and Ships of War so rent by the Cannon that for the future they were rendered unserviceable and many fell into the hands of the Venetians the terror of whose Prowess was such that those Turks that could abandoned their Ship and fled to the shoar leaving their Ships to the Christians in which conflict the Venetians lost only one Vessel which over-powered by a number of the Turks Gallies was fired by her own men These unfortunate Losses much discouraged the Turkish Merchants and Inhabitants of Constantinople whose Trade was not only obstructed by reason of the Seas being shut up but they were likewise oppressed with heavy Taxes for the maintenance of the War which made them so desirous of Peace that mutining in great Number they ran to the Gates of the Pallace Exclaiming against the Ministers of State for protracting the War and hindering the procurement of a Peace nor would be appeased till the Grand Vizier was made a Sacrifice to their Revenge the Muphti hardly escaping with Life For the better quieting these Tumults the Bassas of the Divan were obliged to enter into a further treaty with the Venetians offering for Ten Millions to withdraw their Forces out of the Island of Candia and grant them an intire peace but this unreasonable demand was not accepted the Senate knowing that the City of Candia was so well Fortified that the Turks despaired of winning it and thereupon that they might seem the less to regard the Ottoman power they revoaked their Ambassador Seignior Capello but he through Melancholy and discontent occasioned by his hard usage at the Port soon after dyed leaving his Commission with his Secretary but that Expiring nothing more was done at that time in relation to peace which caused another Insurrection in the City which had like to have turned all into ruine and desolation for the Spahi's and Janizaries joyning together and pretending to reform abuses of State deposed the Grand Vizier discharged the Principal Officers of the Court and obliged the Muphti to fly for his Life to Jerusalem nor scarcely did the Queen-Mother remain secure in the old Seraglio and to so great a height their Rebellion proceeded that they proposed the deposing the Grand Seignior and having thus cast off all duty and respect to their Prince they entered the Pallace in a tumultuous manner where forcing the Guards they broke up the Treasury and conveyed thence Two Millions of Sultanies Nor in this General combustion which continued many days did the Shops and Ware-houses of the Merchants escape pillaging none daring oppose the fury of the Licentious Souldiery who had advanced a base fellow of their Faction to the Grand Vizier-ship though afterward the storm alayed he was decently layed aside and one Kuperlee
Turk Serniswar the Imperials not so much as vouchsafing to relieve it which so afflicted the Noble Mind of the Count Serini that growing Melancholly to divert himself he often used Hunting when one day Chasing a Bore whom he wounded in several places the furious Beast turned upon him and with his Tusk struck him on the Knee which made him fall to the ground when before he could recover himself with a second stroke he was mortally wounded in the head and soon after dyed in the Armes of one of his Pages This was the end of this valiant Captain whom his Enemies could never subdue to the great grief of all worthy Christians and the joy of the Turks whose Mortal Enemy he was a man in dangers most couragious in War valiant and patient in labour in peace courteous and moderate in his pleasure and in fine he was accomplished with all those vertues that renders a man compleat After the death of this Count the Peace between the Empires was concluded when as the Grand Seigniour being at leasure plotted the destruction of his Brothers but at the perswasion of the Muphti altered his Resolution About this time the Grand Visier indeavoured to depose the Tartar Han and place his Son in his stead but the young Tartar though barbarous would not consent thereto but sent his Father secret notice what was intended against him which so inraged the Tartar that he used his utmost indeavour at the Ottoman Court to overthrow the Visier and promote another to that Office in order to which he dealt with the Bassa of Buda promising him his utmost interest at the Port to make him great Visier by which though contrary to his wish he destroyed him for the Visier having notice of what had passed obtained a private Commission from the Grand Seigniour by which he Summoned the Bassa to appear before him when immediately without any process proof or accusation caused his Head to be stricken off Anno Dom. 1665. The Genoese sent the Marquess Durazzo as their Envoy Extraordinary to the Ottoman Court where by gifts and other means he so effectually wrote with the Grand Visier that a peace insued between the Grand Seigniour and that Republick the which was the rather accorded to that the War against Candia might be the better carryed on on which the Turks seemed absolutely bent in order to the Equiping of Gallies and other things necessary the Grand Seigniour came from Adrinople to Constantinople but before his arrival great part of the Seraglio was burnt to the ground fired by some of the women to prevent the discovery of their stealing divers Jewels that garnished the Royal Cradle and upon his arrival he desired of the Earl of Winchelsea Fifteen Sail of English Men of War with the consent of His Majesty of Great Brittain but the Earl excused it saying that though his Majesty of England did always entertain a good affection and zealous disposition towards the affairs of the Ottoman Port yet at present the Wars with Holland and ill understanding with France made his occasions for his own Shipping more urgent then usual and the time most unseasonable to press his Majesty in that particular whereupon the Grand Visier gave order for the building Sixty Gallies against the Spring at what time a great Fleet was in a readyness several English French and Dutch Merchant Men who were at that time found in the prots of Aleppo Smyrna and Alexandria being pressed for the service These proceedings greatly alarumed the Venetians insomuch that they delayed nothing that was requisite for the defence of their important City of Candia the which who ever holds commands the rest of the Island whereupon the Marquess Ghiron Franciseo Villa a brave Souldier was entertained as General of Foot and a Sallary of twelve thousand Crowns per Annum alowed him with a large Commission not to be subject to any command but that of the Captain Generals who with a great train arriving at Venice made an Oration to the people wherein he incouraged them to the utmost to fight against the enemies of their Country and Religion with wearyness and chearfully to provide all necessaries for so honourable a War whereupon they fitted their Fleet with all things necessary and strengthened their Forts both with Horse and Foot drawn out of their Garrisons on the Terra Firma being assisted with Men and Money from other Princes and States The Pope gave them permissions to levy four thousand men out of his Countries the Emperor likewise notwithstanding the peace furnished them with considerable Forces to which were additions made from other parts of Germany and indeed from many of the Christian Princes who were grieved to see an Infidel incroach yet farther into Europe but above all the French King contributed largely though at the same time he sent Mounsier d' Vently his Ambassador to the Port who as the former received many affronts during his residence there The Captain of the Ship that brought him thither likewise was ordered by the Grand Seignior to be Executed for too rudely pressing into his presence which Sentence had been put in Execution had not the Bostangi Bassa interceeded for him yet he nevertheless was imprisoned and put in chains nor could the Ambassador without a great Sum procure his Liberty nor at his Audiences had of the Grand Seignior and Grand Visiâ—r was he received with such respect as became his Character yet he made the best on it boasting to the other Christians Ministers of the ample satisfaction he had received both for his own affronts and the affronts put upon his Predecessors Whilst these things passed the Marquess d' Villa passed into Dalmatia to take a view of the Forts and strong places on that side as fearing whilst the Turks gave out for Candia they might suddenly turn their Forces upon that Frontier Territory of the Venetians but having given such necessary orders as he thought requisite and being certified from Count Lisle the Emperors Ambassador at Constantinople that the Grand Visier early in the Spring would with a puissant Army land on the Island he set over with such Forces as he had to joyn those already there About the beginning of the Year 1666. great troubles had like to have risen in the Ottoman Empire occasioned by one Sabatai Seni a Jew born at Smyrna who impiously pretending himself to be the Messia drew after him a multitude of that unhappy nation declaring that he came to restore them to their temporal Kingdom and to gather the scattered tribes filling their heads with prophesies dreams and false delusions that they every where credited him and laying aside all business prepared for their march to Jerusalem once more to possess the Land of Promise and raise a Glorious Monarchy above what ever their Ancestors could pretend too and to that purpose made themselves Garments according to the Levitical Ordinance several of them affirming that they had seen Elias and that he had expresly
into the ruins of an old Town which a little before he had razed and therein strongly Fortified himself round about which next day the Turks incamped but perceiving that it was not onely difficult but dangerous to assault him in his strength they sent Messengers to him to perswade him to yield to Mercy and not expose his own Life and the lives of so many of his Subjects to the fury of the inraged Souldiers or miseries they would be shortly reduced to by Famine offering the Oaths of all the chief Commanders for his own security and the security of his people to which proposals he being perswaded to hearken he in consideration that the Cossacks might be permitted to return with their Horses and Armes into their own Countrey that himself might be alive conveyed into the presence of Selymus there to make his defence and that his Subjects might return to their respective homes or take service with the Turks agreed to come out of his strength and submit himself to which his demands Capucius Bassa General of the Turks Army consented and himself with the rest of the great Commanders swore seven times a usual custom amongst the Turks for the solemnly obliging themsleves to fulfil his request Whereupon he came forth onely accompanied with Osmolius a Polonian Captive but after four hours continuance in the Turks Camp the perfidious Bassa sending for him unexpectedly with his Scimiter struck him cross the face and afterwards wounded him in the Belly upon which signal the Janizaries present took him and cut off his head which they fixing upon the point of a Lance carrying it in derision through the Camp nor satisfied with barbarous and base indignities they at the commandment of the Bassa tore his body in pieces with Camels and soon after put all the Christians whom they had allured out of their strength to the Sword who yet fell not unrevenged for the Cossacks perceiving the hard plight they were in sered together and with their weapons in their hands made a great slaughter of the Enemy but being few in number except their Captain and some other men of note they were all slain After this shameful Murther the Turks over run all Moldavia and Valachia recovering in a short time the strong places that were possessed by the Vayoods Garrisons after which Selymus intent for the recovery of the Kingdom of Tunis in possession of the Spaniards sent 300 sail of Gallies under the command of Sinan Pial and Vluzales his chief Bassa's to reduce it to his obedience who after the loss of 30000 Turks with great difficulty took the strong Castle of Guletta and the new Castle built at the Commandment of Don John in his late expedition against the Moorish Rebels which strong hold lost Tunes surrendered without making any considerable resistance and in it was taken Mahomet the late invested King whom the Turks sent Prisoner to Constantinople But Selymus long survived not this victory over the Spaniards but being spent with Wine and Women to whom he had given his greatest strength he died on the 9th of December anno 1574. having lived 51 years and thereof Reigned eight he lies buryed at Hadrinople leaving his Empire to Amurath his Eldest Son who succeeded him by the name of Amurath the Third as will appear in the series of his Life and Reign CHAP. XVI The Life Reign and Memorable Transactions of Amurath the Third of that Name and sixth Emperor of the Turks SElymus dead and his Death kept secret from the Janizaries for the space of twelve dayes at the end of which Amurath arriving at Constantinople was received into the Seraglio and took possession of the Empire when having pacified the unruly Souldiers with great liberality he caused according to the Turkish policy Mustapha Solyman Abdula Osman and Tzihanger his five brethren to be strangled with how strings even in his sight the reason of which strangling is because they would not spill any of the Othoman sacred blood as they term it on the ground upon the death of whom the Mother of Solyman overcome with grief and dispair stabbed her self to the Heart with a Dagger at which Tragical sight it is reported that Amurath wept as not delighted with such unnatural crâ—elty but that the manner and nature of his Government so required for that by reason of the largeness of the Ottoman Empire if many of the Princes of the blood lived at one and the same time they would probably with civil dissensions rend it in pieces Anno 1575 Amurath established many wholsom Laws altered the Coin and bountifully relieved the poor and albeit he was of a mild and peaceable nature yet that he might seem like to his Predecessors he prosecuted his Fathers Wars and aided by the Tartars entered into Ruscia part of the Territories of the King of Polonia where he burnt and destroyed 200 Castles besides a great number of Towns and Villages putting multitudes of the poor people to the Sword and carrying as many into miserable Captivity but the Tartar had little joy of their success for whilst they were busie in Ruscia the Cossack brake into their Kingdom and destroyed all before them for the space of 100 miles That which gave the Turks encouragement to enter the Territories of Polonia was the division amongst the nobility for Henry D' Valoys their King upon notice that his brother Charles the Ninth French King was dead secretly departed to take upon him the Kingdom of France to which he was rightful Heire whereupon one party was for Electing Maximilian the German Emperour and the other strongly opposing them would have introduced the great Duke of Muscovy Of which Amurath having notice and supposing that to which soever of them it fell he would prove a troublesome Neighbour he sent a Letter to disswade the Nobility and Counselors of the Kingdom to chuse neither but to Elect a King amongst themselves or else Stephen Buttor Prince of Transylvania and in so doing they should find him their constant Friend or in refusing to comply with his desire to expect all the calamities that attend on War In this Letter the proud Turk stiled himself God of the Earth Governour of the whole World the Messenger of God and faithful servant of the great Prophet Yet so it effectually wrought with the Polonian Nobility that notwithstanding Maximilian the Emperour was by the Arch Bishop of Gnesna and some others Elected King yet was that their Election by the great part of the Electors disannulled as also the great Duke of Moscovy rejected and the Noble Princess Anne of the most Honourable Jagelionian house chosen Queen of Polonia upon condition that she should Marry Stephen Prince of Transylvania which she afterward performed as in the series of this History will appear Amurath upon the afore-mentioned conditions having drawn his Army out of Ruscia and taking advantage of the discord arising in the Kingdom of Persia upon the death of Tamas resolved to bend his
Turkish General to betray Emir Hamzes the Prince into his hands whose death so unfortunately happening caused great miseries to befall the Persian State Christendom having thus long been Exempted from the fury of the Turks who had their hands full of the Persian war now as it were destiny so ordering they having time to breath by reason of the divisions in Persia turned their restless Arms upon Hungaria which storm the Christians perceiving to hang black over their heads resolved to provide against it and therefore to show the Tyrant that they dreaded not his utmost indignation seized on the Castle of Coppan in Hungary not far from the Lake of Ballaton over which being hard frozen they passed undiscovered to requite which the Turks drawing five thousand horse out of several Garrisons entered the Christian Territories and destroying seventeen Villages returned laden with great spoils and many miserable Captives whereof George Count Serine Son to the renowned Count of that name slain at Ziget having knowledge raised such Forces as the time would give leave which exceeded not two thousand and laying the wayes by which the Turks must pass encountred them ere they could recover any strong hold and put most of them to the sword recovering all the booty and Captives amongst those that were made prisoners the Sanzack of Quinque Ecclesiae son to Haly Bass slain in the Battle of Lepanto the Bassa of Ziget Sanzack of Koppan and divers others Sinan Beg Sanzack of Mohaz endeavouring to escape and his horse sticking fast was shot through the head of the Turks horses were taken fifteen hundred and of the Turks five hundred besides three thousand slain This bad beginning so discouraged Amurath that in a rage he caused the Bassa of Buda to be strangled for that he had began the hostilities in Hungary and by that means violated the League between him and the Emperor at what time a great fire happened at Constantinople which consumed seven Temples twenty five great Inns and fifteen thousand houses with their warehouses and shops kindled as was supposed by the Janizaries a little before in a tumult for want of their pay due since their last Persian Expedition which was the rather believed for that it being their duty to endeavour the extinguishing any fire that should happen in the Imperial City They not only refused to put their hands thereto themselves but hindred such as attempted it These things hapning in Anno 1587 and 1588 the year following to prevent tumults which are usual where the souldiers are unimployed in the wars the new Bassa of Buda with Amuraths good liking having drawn to him a strong power invaded the upper Hungary but being encountered by Claudius Russel General of the Christians in those parts he received a great overthrow three thousand of his Turks being slain and drowned in the River Seago upon which the General pursuing his good fortune broke into the Turks Territories and took from them the Castles of Blavestine Gestes and several Forts in the upper Hungary upon which Sinan Bassa of Buda was called home and Ferat the late General against the Persians appointed Bassa in his stead Amurath having not a little been terrified with the great preparations of King Phillip of Spain in 1588 wherewith he invaded England and now understanding that he had received a fearfull overthrow with the loss of thirteen thousand of his Marriners and Souldiers and most of his ships and Gallies he sent a Letter to Queen Elizabeth to congratulate her happy victory and to intreat her not upon any terms to make peace with the Spaniard in which Letter he stiles her the most honourable Matron of the Christian Religion Mirror of Chastity adorned with the brightness of Soveraingty and power amongst the most chief women of the people which serve Jesus Mistris of great Kingdoms reputed of Greatest Majesty and Praise amongst the Nazarites Elizabeth Queen of England Anno 1590 the Tartars having broken into the confines of Polonia and taken a rich booty were driven out by the Cossacks who making of them great slaughter recovered all which Amurath taking in evil part as done to his confederates but indeed seeking occasion to war upon the Christians that had not the Queen of Englands mediation prevented it he had turned his Arms upon Polonia yet impatient of Peace he called his Bassas to consult what war was most expedient to be taken in hand amongst whom there were eight sundry opinions whereof the first was that the wars against the Persians should be renewed the second for the Invasion of the Kingdoms of Fess and Morocco the third was for a war to be taken in hand against the King of Spain The fourth for the besieging of Malta The fifth to war upon the Venetians The sixth to invade Italy the seventh to war upon Sigismund King of Poland The eighth and last to invade the Territories of Rodolphus the Emperor all which being patiently heard by Amurath with the sundry reasons of the Bassas at length the eighth opinion was confirmed and the Tyrant resolved once more to turn his Forces towards the West Whereupon he caused great preparations to be made resolving if possible to annex the remaining part of Hungary and Austria to his other Territories having by this time and for this purpose concluded a war with the Persian King wherefore he commanded his Garrisons on the Frontiers as they saw occasion to molest the Christian Frontiers with fire and sword which they letted not to do prone enough of themselves to act any great wickedness nor was it long e'r they surprized Willitz the Metropolis of Croatia and committed therein many outrages and their Army still increasing they upon an unexpected advantage inclosed 6000 Foot and 500 Horse of the Christians who had taken the Mountaines Woods and Straight passages and so hardly beset them that few of them escaped those that were slain the Turks cut off their heads and therewith loaded six Waggons Upon this Alarum the Christians drew forth their Armies and to put a stop to the Infidels who by reason of the unexpected breach of the League had seized upon many Castles and Strong holds in that security unprovided of such necessaries as would have rendered them impregnable and least Aâ—â—rath should alledge that those Hostilities were committed without his knowledge the Emperour sent to him by his Ambassadors to understand the reasons that induced him to break the League but being able to get no satisfactory answer he thought it high time to stand upon his guard and caused all his power joyned with Forces of the German Princes to march directly into Hungary under the Command of Rupertus Eggenber his General who approaching the Enemy consulted with his chief Commanders what was best to be done who were all of opinion that to give speedy Battle was most convenient thereby to prevent the Enemies for joyning the other Forces coming to their Aid so that upon a sign given the whole Army in number