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
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
after three Months siege having lost 9000 of his Men and 15000 dangerously sick of their Wounds and mortal Distempers he with great shame raised his Siege and after having destroyed all the Trees in that part of the Island imbarked his Men for Constantinople where at his return he received but a Cold Welcom from his imperious Master Whilst Mesites besieged Rhodes Achmetes Bassa passed over into Italy and besieged Otranto a Famous City in Puglia the which after the loss of many of his Turks took it spoiling all the Country round about it which brought such a Fear upon Italy that Sextus Quartus Bishop of Rome being only dreadful to the Christian Princes was about to fly and leave this once Mistress of the World as a prey to the Infidels and doubtless at that time the greatest part of Italy had been subdued had not the Ottoman Forces been Converted another way for the Carramanian King aided by the Persians and Sultan of Egypt having entered the Turkish Dominions on that side had in a mortal Battle overthrown Bajazet Mahomet's eldest Son then Living with the Slaughter of well nigh all his Army to revenge which Mahomet called home his great Bassa Achmetes with all the European Soldiers and in Person passed over into Asia but upon the way within two days journey from Nicomeda a City of Bythinia he fell sick and there for the space of three days grievously Tormented with a pain in his Belly which some supposed to be the Collick though others to proceed from the effects of Poison he Dyed Anno 1481. of his Age 52 years and his Reign 31 years His Body being afterwards Magnificently buried in a Chappel near unto the great Mahometan Temple which himself had built at Constantinople Leaving his Empire to Bajazet against whom Bandied till such time he was Poisoned by the Bishop of Rome who at the Commandment of Bajazet durst do no other Zemes or Zizimus his younger Brother as in the Life of Bajazet will appear CHAP. XIII The Life of Bajazet the second of that Name and second Emperor of the Turks his memorial Exploits Victories and Death MAhomet being dead and Bajazet and Zemes his two Sons absent for the Turkish Tyrants will not permit their Sons to remain at Court when they are Men grown lest they should aspire to Empire before their time the great Bassas and Aga of the Janizaries Conspired together e'r either of them could arrive to make Corcutus younger Son to Bajazet Emperor which accordingly they did of which Bajazet upon his approaching the City of Constantinople hearing horribly Exclaimed against the perfidious dealings of the Bassas and so laboured that at the Instance of Cherseogles Vice-Roy of Greece and the Aga or Captain of the Janizaries the young Emperor being of a mild and Courteous Nature overcome by their Intreaty and the Reverence of his Father resigned unto him his Imperial Government which he took upon him with the general liking of the men of War the finest token of any Turkish Emperors Establishment for if they oppose it 't is in vain for them to hope for Empire and in lieu of this Resignation Bajazet made him Governour of Lycia Caria Ionia and all the pleasant Countries adjoyning where being altogether given to study he Lived quietly all the Reign of Bajazet but after his Death was strangled by the Command of Selymas his Brothers Son as will in his Reign more at large appear During these Troubles Ferdinand King of Naples sent his eldest Son Alphonsus Duke of Calabria with a great Power to besiege Otranto which after several sharp Conflicts he had delivered up to him with all the Country lying about it which had been by Achmetes Bassa taken from the Christians during the Reign of Mahomet to recover which an Army was a second time prepared under the leading of the same Bassa but e'r he arrived in Italy he was Countermanded upon notice that Zemes was coming out of Amasia with an powerful Army to Wrestle with Bajazet for the Empire In which Expedition Achmetes was made General who meeting Zemes by plain Force drove him out of the Field with great slaughter of his Army insomuch that not thinking himself safe in his Brothers Dominions he fled into Syria and from thence into Egypt to Caytbeius Sultan of Egypt and Syria who received him with many great Expressions of joy and at his Request sent an Ambassador to Bajazet to intreat in his behalf that some part of that so great an Empire might be allotted him but the Proud Turk having gotten Possession would not yeild to have so dangerous a Partner Whereupon the Ambassador effecting nothing he joyned with the Caramanian King who by such a Conjunction hoped to recover his Territory taken from him by Mahomet Prince Zemes Father against whose joynt Forces but few in number Bajazet advanced with 200000 Horse and Foot of which the Princes having notice and finding themselves too weak by far to oppose so great a Power not finding as they had been put in hopes any to revolt from Bajazet to them they thought it good to retire before the ways were beset through the Straights of the Mountain Amanus which done they dispersed their little Army and soon after Zemes went to Rhodes where of the great Master he was kindly received with Promise of Protection from the Fury of his Brother hoping by this means if Bajazet should die a natural Death or otherwise misearry this Prince might be set up Emperor and by means ever remain a firm Friend to the Christians During these Transactions there wanted not some in the Court of Bajazet who Envying the Prosperity Achmetes Counselled the Emperor to put him to Death falsly insinuating that he held private Correspondence with Zemes Whereupon at his return from the Wars Bajazet as in kindness to his Bassas made a Royal Supper where after they had Drunk plentifully of Wine which by their Laws is forbid yet frequently amongst the Great ones used at their Feasts he in token of Honouring them caused a Rich Garment to be cast over each of them but when they came to Achmetes they cast over him a black Velvet Garment by the Turks called the Mantle of Death for whosoever that Garment is cast upon none of the Bassas dare be so hardy as to intreat for his Life which the other Bassas perceiving most of them being before privy to the Matter by leave of the Emperor after having kissed the Ground whereon he stood departed amongst whom Achmetes would likewise have gone out but was Commanded to stay for the Emperor and no sooner were the Bassas gone out but the Ministers of Death which are certain strong Men bereaved of Speech whom the Turkish Tyrants keep as Instruments of their Cruelty Entered and were about to strangle the Bassa when one of the Eunuches in great Favour with the great Emperor stood up and advised 〈◊〉 not to be too hasty in Executing so great a Man so beloved by his Soldiers
Bohemia King John by the means aforesaid thrust of his Kingdom grew extreme impatient and often consulted with Sigismond King of Polonia to re-in-throne him in his Kingdom offering to bear the Charge of the War but the Pole being already in League with Ferdinand would not seem unless underhand to favour John but wished him to take counsel with Hieronymus Lascus a great Politician what was best to be done in his Affairs the which Lascus advised him to crave Aid of Solyman now at Leasure to assist him and urged so many Reasons for it that he was content to send him his Ambassador to Constantinople who there with Treasure and fair Speeches so allured the Bassas of the Court to second him in his Request that Solyman promised again to enter Hungaria with a puissant Army and by the Insinuation of this sly Councellor that when King Ferdinand sent Ambassadors to him to make out his Title by which he laid Claim to the Kingdom he would scarcely give them Audience and when he did instead of an Answer to their Ambassy he Herauld-like denounced against their King all the Calamities that attend on War and so commanded speedily to depart the City all which upon their Arrival at Vienna they made known to the Kings Lieutenant who was so far from believing them that he looked upon them as vain and idle Tale-bearers which they perceiving hasted to the King at Spires who then was Labouring to get himself chosen King of the Romans and declared to him all they had in Charge Whereupon he well knowing that the Turk desirous of Glory and the inlarging of his Dominions seldom broke his Word on such occasions he put all his Forces in a readiness earnestly both in Person and by his Ambassadours craved Aid of the German Princes for the Defence of his Kingdom of Hungary against the common Enemy but his Brother Charles having his hands full of his Wars in Italy and he wanting Money to raise a sufficient Army to fight so powerful an Enemy was forced to suffer him without Controul to enter Hungaria for fear of whom the Citizens of Buda mostly fled to Strigonium Alba-Regalis and Possonium So that marching from Belgrade where King John came to wait upon him and received a Confirmation of the Promise he had made to Lascus of restoring him to the Kingdom of Hungary he came before it and had it yeilded with little or no Resistance as likewise the strong Castle though contrary to the Will of the Captain yet contrary to his Promise he caused all that were found in the latter to be put to the Sword except the Captain whom the Soldiers had cast in Bonds for refusing to joyn with them in their treacherous delivery of that strong Piece Buda taken most of the other Cities of Hungary surrendred whereupon he resolved to invade Austria a part of King Ferdinands other Dominions in Order to which he sent Achometes Bassa with the voluntary Horsemen who running through the Heart of Hungary entring into Austria with Fire and Sword passed by Vienna miserably burning and destroying the Country before them even as far as Lyntz driving the Country People like Sheep deflowring Vigins riping up Women alive dashing Infants against the Rocks with all other imaginable Cruelties after whom Solyman followed with the gross of his Army consisting of 500000 Horse and Foot as many Writers affirm who by the way having taken the Castle of Altenbury and in vain assaulted Neapolis he came before the great City of Vienna and incamped about it in five places covering the Ground with his Tents and the multitude of his People 8 miles in Circumference So that Fredrick Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria General of King Ferdinand's Forces not being able to get into the City with his Army sent for that purpose was forced to stay at Chremse yet was his Nephew Philip the Palsgrave a little before the coming of Solyman to the great joy of the Citizens entered with several Troops of valiant Horsemen as likewise Nicholas Count of Salma the Lord William Regendorf Steward of the Kings houshold Johannes Cazzianer Nicholaus Turianus Johannes Hardecus Leonardus Velsâ—â—s Hector Ramsack with divers others all men of great Experience and Valour and daring Resolution yet was the City but badly defended with a Brick Wall without Grafts or Flankers the Ditch altogether dry and although at that time there were found 400 Pieces of Ordnance yet they could find means to mount no more then a 100 notwithstanding the Citizens and Soldiers used all diligence in raising Rampires and Barocading the Gates unless those they reserved to Sally at and by the Command of the Governour every man was assigned his Quarter keeping strict Watch upon the Walls to prevent the Enemies approach for that the Bulwarks were not of Considerable strength The Count of Salma and the Lord Regendorf walking hourly from one place to another to see all things put in a posture of defence the Citizens laboured continually in strengthening the Fortifications and raising Batteries whereon to plant such Pieces as lay useless for want of where to mount them they made likewise divers Fire-works and continually kept Coppers of Tar Pitch Rosin Oyl and scalding Water in a readiness to pour upon the Enemy by that means to prevent their Scaling the Walls every one from the greatest to the least expressing a Cheerfulness for the defence of this place the Metropolis of Austria and chief Hope of the German Empire which the Turks conceived so Considerable that they doubted not but it won all Austria Stiria and Corinthia would be soon at their Devotion The City by this time strengthened and provided of many necessary for a strenuous Defence Messengeres were sent to Count Fredrick to draw near with his Army the more to terrifie and amaze the Enemy whose numerous Camp could not long subsist if supplies of Provision were cut off upon the Arrival of the Messenger the Count highly approved of the Resolution of the besieged and declared he would be always at hand and omit no Indeavours to succour them admonishing the Messenger to remember him to his fellow Soldiers and in his Name intreat them to play the Men for the defence of the Christian Religion and Glory of the German Nation whose Ruin the Infidels sought and so with several presents he dismissed the Messenger who returning related what he had in Charge Whereupon the Lord Regendorf assembled all the chief Commanders and principal Citizens and with an undaunted Courage made this short Oration Christians and fellow Soldiers the time is now come wherein we are to fight under the Banner of our Lord Jesus Christ whom these barbarous Nations have defied let us then shew forth our Courage to the utmost even in the Mouth of Slaughter let not Death nor Danger terrifie us since we fight in a good Cause even for our Religion our Lives our Wives Children and all that we hold dear for what it can
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
laid open to the Christians who just as they were about to enter had notice that the Bassa of Buda whom Mahomet had threatned with the loss of his head if he suffered that City which he esteemed worth a whole Kingdom to be lost was coming to relieve it with twenty thousand Turks resolving to fight his way into it whereupon divers parties were sent out to skirmish and by retiring to draw the enemy into the danger of the Christian Army which project was not unsuccesseful for the resolute Bassa coming on between the hills of St. George and St. Thomas near to the Suburbs called the Ruscian City put his Army in order of Battle as did the Christians when in the mean while the Lord Paifi with his Hungarian horsemen fetching a compass about the hill on the one side and the Lord Swartzenburg with such horse as he had under his command on the other side so inclosed the Turks rear that they could not without great danger retire when as both Armies were orderly ranged the signal of battle was given the Turks without any great harm to the Christians discharged seventeen Pieces of Artillery after which with showers of Arrows and the smoak of the Harquibuses the Sky was darkned and in a trice not without great slaughter the battle was brought to the sword at what time Victory declared for the Christians the Turks being every where most miserably beaten down crying out for mercy and flying as they found opportunity and in the end the Bassa himself from his stand perceiving his Army in the rout and that the day was irrecoverably lost fled for his life and about midnight recovered Buda with not above twenty of his followers filling that City with the laments of such as had in the battle lost their friend The slain and those taken prisoners were fourteen thousand and the spoil of the Camp consisting of rich Pavilions Money Plate Ammunition fair horses provision Camels and the like was valued at 300000 Ducates part of which was sent to the Emperour part to the Arch Duke and part distributed amongst the Souldiers to every one according to their deserts The Turkish Army thus overthrown the Christians returned again to the siege when as the Count sent to Summon Alis Beg the Governour to surrender the City and that in consideration thereof he and all that were with him should be suffered to depart but the messengers finding the froward old man obstinate notwithstanding the great dearth that was then in the City he returned without effecting any thing upon which a terrible battery being placed against the lower City it thundred against the walls and Bullwarks so long that laying open a fair breach the Souldiers entred with such fury that bearing down all before them they upon the coming of the Marquess of Burgave with fresh Troops they possessed themselves of it driving the Turks into the Castle and upper City with great slaughter sparing in their rage none that came in their way yet the malitious Turks e'r their departure to deprive the Christians of the benefit they might reap by the spoil had by Trains laid for that purpose fired the building in several places so that inraged by the wind the flame could be hardly extinguished till it had laid most of the goodly building waste yet was this great Victory accompanied with sorrow for the death of the Count Mansfelt who by drinking cold Liquors after his great pains taken in the late battle fell into a feaver which turning to the bloody Flix deprived him of his life to the great grief of the Christian Princes who on his Courage and Conduct had reposed next to God the success of their Arms yet the Christians continued the siege nor was it long e'r the besieged lost Alis Beg their Governour who walking upon the wall to give directions in places of most danger had his arm struck off with a great shot of which he dyed when in his stead the Janizaries in Garrison chose the Bassa of Natolia who upon the overthrow of the Bassa of Buda had escaped into the City with a hundred horsemen when upon notice of the death of Count Mansfelt the Arch Duke came to the Camp who when he had well viewed the Army and the manner of the siege he assembled his chief Commanders to consult what was best to be done who after some debate resolved to give a generall assault which was maintained with great resolution but the besieged as obstinately defending their walls the Duke caused the Retreat to be sounded and then by his Espials understanding that the Turks near Buda were gathering together to relieve the besieged he commanded 8000 chosen horse speedily to march thither who a little before sunset setting upon them expecting nothing less made of them a great slaughter and taking a number of prisoners and amongst the rest the Sanzack of Copan returned again to the siege when as the besieged finding there was no hope of relief and that the famine was greivous amongst them the Governour overcome with such like difficulties and the continual cries of the Citizens and Souldiers at length consented to parly upon reasonable conditions so that in fine it was agreed that the Garrison and all the Citizens Turks should be sent with bag and baggage to Buda and in consideration whereof Strigonium the Metropolis of Hungaria which for the space of 52 years had groaned under the oppression of the Turkish Tyrants was delivered into the hands of the Arch Duke and the conditions with the Turks accordingly performed twenty Ships being for that purpose imployed by the space of two dayes after which the Duke sent 18 thousand to besiege Vicegrade otherwise called Plindenburg a strong Castle of the Turks scituate upon Danubius between Strigonium and Buda which they took and in their march brought such a fear upon Buda that had not the Bassa shut fast the Gates most of the Inhabitants had fled over the Danudius During this good success of the Imperialists the Prince of Transylvania was not idle but with an Army of his best Souldiers setting upon thirty thousand Turks who as unbidden Guests were coming to his wedding which he was then solemnizing with Maria Christina daughter to Charles the late Arch Duke of Austria he gave such a welcome that few of them returned to tell the news after which prosecuting his victory he took Lippa a strong Town with divers other Towns and Castles of the Turks out of which they had for a long time annoyed the Countries round about them about the same time the Lords Herbenstien Lucowitz and Eckenburg incountered with the Bassa of Bosna as he was returning with ten thousand Turks and Tartars from the taking of Babotzka whom after a hard fight they overthrew putting most of them to the sword the Bassa himself upon a swift horse hardly escaping These successefull proceedings of the Christians so inraged the Turk that imputing several of the disgraces that had happened to
Hundred Heyducks being abroad and not assisted by the Turks as they expected were intercepted by Humanoius an Imperial Captain and almost all of them slain yet soon after the kind of proling men assembling to the number of Fifteen Thousand laid siege to Tilesk having for their incouragement received Three Hundred Thousand Duccates by the order of the Turkish Sultan and great Ordnance the better to inable them to take the Town which they were to deliver to the Turks from Agria upon notice whereof the Hungarian Estates Assembled at Presburg but by reason of the absence of the Arch-Duke who by the Emperours appointment was to have sat as President there was nothing worthy of mention transacted whereupon an Imperial Diet was assembled at Ratisbon where after debating many matters the Deputies of the several Princes fell at variance amongst themselves which still increasing notwithstanding the indeavours used to prevent it the Arch-Duke then President dismissed the assembly These great Councils proving fruitless Troubles and Discontent in the unsettled Provinces of Hungary Austria c. arose to alay which the Arch-Duke came to Presburg and assembled the Estates who out of themselves chuse Commissioners to appease the Tumults on foot to hear and determine all Grievances who so well performed their trusts that Peace for a while insued Affairs Anno 1608. standing thus in Hungary c. about the beginning of Spring Jerome Prince of Valachia died leaving behind him a Son about 13 years of Age whom the Emperour admitted as yet not being capable to manage the affairs of Government under Tutors unto the Succession of the Principality which thing the Valachians not being willing to endure and bearing themselves upon the Turks went about to Elect another Prince for which cause the Princess Widow to the deceased Vayvod by Letters certified Polloscie her Son-in-Law of the intended outrage of her Subjects and having received of him a great summ of money Leavied Ten Thousand good Souldiers to secure her Sons right who in a great Battle overthrew such forces of Valachians Turks and Tartars as the Nobility had raised to oppose the Succession of the young Prince and by that means preserved the Principality to the behoof of her Son but what had like to have proved fatal to Christendom was the difference arising between the Emperour nad the Arch-Duke Matthias upon the â—atters laying absolute claim to the Crown of Hungary without acknowledging to hold it of the Empire but when both parties had armed and matters had like to have come to extremity several Princes laboured so far therein that a Pacification was made and the Arch-Duke having received the Insigns of Royalty from the Emperours Ambassadors upon acknowledging him his Soveraign broke up his Camp and returned to Vienna where he was joyfull received Yet the Protestant Estates of Austria refused to swear Allegiance to him till he had confirmed the Article of free exercise in matters of Religion which he for a considerable time refusing to do great Troubles had thereupon like to have arisen for the Protestant Estates not regarding his Regal Authority further then stood with the Articles of Pacification for non performance thereof betook themselves to Arms but the Estates of Bohemia and Moravia interposing all was for a while quiet the King promising that although for fear of displeasing the Pope and King of Spain he could not tolerate the Reformed Religion yet he would wink at the free exercise throughout his Dominions and that as to the disposal of Offices and places of Trust he them according to the merits of his Subejcts Upon which the Estates proceeded to the Election of a Palatine which honourable Dignity they bestowed on Illishascius a Noble man of Hungary who faithfully discharged his trust for the space of one year and then died to the great grief of the Hungarians of whom for his great Wisdom and Uprightness he was generally beloved in whose stead the Nobility elected George Turson who got a good esteem amongst them by his pacifying the Troubles that immediately upon the death of Illishascius arose in Bohemia about Religion Anno 1608 on the 19 of October the Turkish Ambassador came to the Emperors Pallace at Prague having by the way visited the new King of Hungary where being received with the respect due to his Character he delivered the present sent by his Master the Grand Signeor which were principally a Rich Tent of divers Colours most curiously wrought with Pearls of great value four couragious horses trapped with Gold and precious Stones certain Turkish weapons set and garnished with precious Stones a Princely Turkish Robe such as they use at their Marriages Glistering with Gold and pretious stones with divers other rarities of lesser value together with which he delivered Achmats Letters and withall desired the confirmation of the Peace before made for twenty years to be again renewed after which he was honourably treated and dismissed with the Emperors Letters to the Sultan and many rare presents no whit inferiour to those he brought and with a train of two hundred horse conducted him to the Turkish Frontiers In the year 1609 nothing worthy of mention happened but the year following the King of Persia having overthrown the Turks Forces sent to stay the current of his Victories entred into the Province of Babylon with an intent to annext it to his other Conquests which so alarmed Achmet that Leavying a great power he sent them under the Leading of Nassut Bassa to secure his Territories on that side but such was the evil fortune of the Bassa that joyning battle he was overthrown and twenty thousand of his men slain after which good success the Persian King sent other Ambassadors to the Roman Emperor with many rich presents to incite him to break his League with the Turks but notwithstanding the many pregnant arguments used by the Amassador the Emperor could not be induced to break his faith but dismissed him with a return of presents and many thanks to his master for the respect he had towards him and his care for the Christian Commonwealth About the same time the Knights of Malta putting several Galleys to sea fought the Turks Galleys with various success sometimes one prevailing and sometimes the other nor did the Duke of Tuscany less annoy them with a squadron of Gallies under the command of Admiral Jughiraim who running along the coast of Barbary took many Turkish Gallyes and landing his men in divers places spoiled the Country and took greate booties nor fared the Morisques or new Christians in Spain this year to their contents for the Spanish King upon a Capricio Banished them out of his Dominions to the number of 900 thousand persons most Moores and Jews who for profits sake had suffered themselves to be baptized but now upon the Publication of the Kings Edict they were forced to wander like vagabonds over the face of the earth to seek new places to reside in at what time there happened a
ILLUSTR PRINCEPS SULTAN MAHOMET HAN MAG TURCARUM IMPERATOR C. Sultan Mahomet Han the present Emperour of the Turks Aged 34 years c THE HISTORY Of the TURKS DESCRIBING The Rise and Ruin of their first Empire in Persia the Original of their Second CONTAINING The Lives and Reigns of their several Kings and Emperors from Ottoman its first Founder to this present Year 1683. BEING A Succinct Series of History of all their Wars Forreign and Domestick Policies Customs Religion and Manners with what else is worthy of Note in that great Empire LONDON Printed by Ralph Holt for Toomas Passenger upon London-Bridge William Thackery in Dack-Lane and Toomas Sawbridge in Little-Brittain 1683. TO THE READER SInce the late Alarms the Port has given to Christendom I have thought it both Profitable and Convenient to describe the Original of that Great Empire which now spreads over near half the World and to demonstrate by what means it aspired to its Immensity and by what Policies maintained as in the Series of this History it is fully and at large discoursed not so only but the Turks various Successes in their Wars at Land and Sea Including their Religious Customs Manners and extent of that Empire as it remains at this day being deduced from the Original of the first and second Empire for the space of six hundred years attended with Circumstances too tedious here to be recited So that all may plainly comprehend how easily those Infidels might at first have been hindred from Incroaching and how often had not the Divisions of the Christians upon which they founded their Empire they might have been brought low but as God in whose Eternal Wisdom all Affairs are centered has not of late permited and should they extend their Arms as at this time they threaten yet a hearty Unanimity in the Empire and the Kings and Princes of Christendom may through God's blessing impede the growing Greatness of this great Monarch and hinder the Effusion of Christian Blood Here you have an impartial Account of their Rise and Ruin in the first Empire and the Continuation of the second to this present time Faithfully Collected which I hope will prove to the Satisfaction of the Ingenious Reader which is all desired by Your Friend I. S. The Heads of each Chapter or Division contained in the History directing to the Revolutions of the Turkish Empire and Reigns of their several Kings and Emperors CHAP. I. THE Original of the Turks according to the opinion of Sundry Learned Authors with the means by which they acquired their first Monarchy in Persia together with the Reign and Death of Tangrolipix their First King Page 1. Part 1. CHAP. II. The Reign and memorable Atchievements of Axan the Second Turkish King or Sultan of Persia The Division of the Turkish Monarchy and the Expedition of the Christians to the Holy Land in order to regain it from the Turks page 8. part 1. CHAP. III. The Reign of Solyman Son to Cutlu-Muses his Wars with the Christians Their taking Jerusalem from the Infidels their various success in the Holy Land against the Turks Sarazens c. p. 11. part 1. CHAP. IV. The second Expedition of the Western Princes for the recovery of the Holy Land p. 28. part 1. CHAP. V. The ruine of the Turks first Kingdom in Asia by the Tartars p. 33. part 1. CHAP. VI. The rise of the powerful Empire of the Turks under Othoman it's first Founder with his Life and Actions p. 57. part 1. CHAP. VII The Life and Actions of Orchanes otherwise Urchan Second King of the Turks in Asia p. 68. part 1. CHAP. VIII The Life and Actions of Amurath the First of that Name and Third King of the Turks p. 74. part 1. CHAP. IX The Life of Bajazet the First of that Name and Fourth King of the Turks his Wars and Captivity p. 80. part 1. CHAP. X. The Life of Mahomet the First of that Name Fifth King of the Turks and the Restorer of their Kingdom ruined by the Tartars p. 87. part 1. CHAP. XI The Life of Amurath the Second of that Name and Sixth King of the Turks his Wars Victories and Defeats p. 93. part 1. CHAP. XII The Life of Mahomet the Second of that Name Seventh Monarch and the First that took upon him the stile of Emperor of the Turks who for his many Victories was Surnamed Great p. 108. part 1. CHAP. XIII The Life of Bajazet the Second of that Name and Second Emper or of the Turks his memorable Exploits Victories and Death p. 132. part 1. CHAP. XIV The Life of Selymus the First of that Name Third Emperor of the Turks his bloody Reign and woful Death p. 153. part 1. CHAP. XV. The Life of Solyman the First of that Name and Fourth Emperour of the Turks who for his many great Exploits or rather lofty Carriage was Sirnamed the Magnificent p. 181. part 1. CHAP. XVI Selymus the Second of that Name and Fifth Emperor of the Turks his Life and Actions p. 45. part 2. CHAP. XVII The Life Reign and Memorable Transactions of Amurath the Third of that Name and Sixth Emperor of the Turks p. 73. part 2. CHAP. XVIII The Life of Mahomet the Third of that Name Seventh Emperor of the Turks p. 123. part 2. CHAP. XIX The Life of Achmat the Eighth Emperor of the Turks and first of that Name p. 162. part 2. CHAP. XX. Mustapha the First of that Name Ninth Emperor of the Turks his Life and Actions p. 196. part 2. CHAP. XXI The Life and Actions of Osman the First of that Name Tenth Emperor of the Turks p. 198. part 2. CHAP. XXII Mustapha reinthronized with an Account of his proceedings till his second deposing p. 214. part 2. CHAP. XXIII The Life and Reign of Morat or Amurath the Fourth of that Name and Eleventh Emperor of the Turks p. 222. part 2. CHAP. XXIV The Life of Sultan Ibrahim the Twelfth Emperor of the Turks p. 256. part 2. CHAP. XXV The Reign of Mehomet or Mahomet the Fourth of that Name and Thirteenth Emperor of the Turks who now Reigneth p. 272. part 2. CHAP. XXVI A Description of the Power Policies Forces Revenues Religion and Greatness of the Ottoman Empire and by what means it subsists and maintains its Grandeur c. p. 378. part 2. FINIS THE HISTORY OF THE TURKS DESCRIBING The Rise and Ruin of their first Empire in Persia the Original of their Second CONTAINING The Lives and Reigns of their several Kings and Emperours from Ottoman its first Founder to this present Year 1683. BEING A Succinct Series of History of all their Wars Forreign and Domestick Policies Customs Religion and Manners with what else is worthy of Note in that Great Empire WITH A Continuation of the History to this present time Containing the Remarkable Siege of Vienna for Sixty dayes the raising of it by the Imperial Forces and the King of Poland The Ruine of their Army before it and a Second Fight
his Army had scarce entred the Confines of Media before the Emperor 's new Lievtenant gave Battle and put the Turks to flight following the Execution for many miles This defeat inraged the Sultan and caused him to send an Army double the number of the former under the Conduct of Humbramy-Alim his other Brother who after six days Siege took Arzen a Town rich in Merchandize but the Lievtenant having joyned his Forces with those of Liperates Governour of Iberia who came to his Assistance the Battle was joyned which continued bloody and doubtful for the space of four hours at the end of which the Victory fell to the Christians who followed the Execution till Night put an end to it yet Liperates fighting valiantly was taken and carried into Persia for whose Ransom the Emperor sent great Presents but the Sultan out of a generous bravery sent him home Ransom-free only admonishing never to bear Arms against him more and with him sent Seriph a Mahumetan Priest as his Ambassador to demand of the Emperor that he would become Tributary to the Sultan and that thereby an Eternal Peace might issue which the Emperor rejected with just disdain Whereupon the Sultan invaded the Roman Provinces with great Forces but understanding upon his approaching Caesarea that the Emperor's Army was upon the March resolving to give him Battle and that if he should be overthrown there was little hopes of retreating by reason he had left so many Enemies at his back he returned into Media and laid Siege to the strong City of Mantizichiert furiously assaulting it for thirty days without intermission but after the loss of Alean his chief Captain and 20000 Turks and Persians he in great perplexity raised the Siege and upon his return being displeased with his Brother Habraim-Alim he fled by Night and joyned such Forces as he could raise with Cutlu Muses against whom the Sultan marched and overthrowing them in plain Battle took Habraim Prisoner and immediatly commanded his head to be struck off when in the mean while Cutlu Muses and his Cousin Melech fled into Armenia with the remainder of the broken Army and from thence sent Ambassadors to the Greek Emperor to take them into protection but the Sultan following them close with his Army they removed from thence and fled into Arabia upon which the Sultan leaving the pursuit turned his Army upon Iberia and wasted the Country with fire and sword in many places but upon the approach of Acoluthus the Emperor's Lievtenant he retired to Tauris leaving behind him one Sannich with 3000 Turks to infest the Imperial Territories At which time the Emperor Constantius died leaving his Empress and three Children the former being obliged in an Oath not to marry though afterwards that Oath was dispensed with by the Patriarch and she married to one Diogines whom she pardoned as the Sentence of death was about to pass upon him for conspiracy to dismember the Empire So that he being proclaimed Emperor advanced with an Army against the Turks pasting over into Asia where they were wasting the Provinces with fire and sword upon whose approach the Sultan doubting the Event sent one part of his Army into the South and the other into the North the latter surprising upon its arrival new Caesarea and so laded with rich Booties departed upon notice of which the Emperor pursued them and after a sharp Incounter put them to flight recovering the Booty and Prisoners at which time the City of Hierapolis was surrendred to him and many other Cities which the Turks had taken and then dividing his Army past on with one part of it to Syria and left the other part to defend the new Conquest which in his absence was overthrown by the Turks upon News of which the Governour of Aleppo revolted from him But whilst the Turks supposed they had him in a Toil he without any noise fell in with their Army and put them to flight making great slaughter of such as fled and then receiving the Homage of the several Countries he passed through he came to Alexandria in Caelicia and there quartered his Army and so returned to Constantinople The Emperor having recruited himself all Winter early in the Spring hasted to his Army to oppose the Turks that were abroad ravaging the Country about new Caesaria and after having repressed them passed on to the River Euphrates where leaving part of his Army with his Lievtenant for securing the Frontires he retired into Capadocia but in his absence his Lievtenant was routed by the Turkish Army which the Emperor understanding at Sabestia he sent the Governour of Antioch with part of his Army to oppose them at Mopsiphestia but they before were broken by the Armenians who had took from them the rich Booties they had acquired by the Sacks of many Cities And thus this Emperour continued to defend the Roman Provinces with great Success against the powerful Forces of a furious Adversary all the Reign of Tangrolipix the first Turkish Sultan of Persia CHAP. II. The Reign and Memorable Atchievements of Axan the second Turkish King or Sultan of Persia The Division of the Turkish Monarcby and the Expedition of the Christians unto the Holy Land in order to regain it from the Turks TAngrolipix being dead his Son Axan was chosen by the general Consent of the Souldiery Sultan in his stead who sent his Ambassadors immediately upon his Election to the Emperor Diogenes to conclude a Peace but some of his Counsellers perswaded him that thereby the Turk only sought to gain time till he could increase his Army insomuch that the Treaty broke off abruptly though in an ill time for the Emperor had sent away part of his Army yet was he spurred on to ingage the Turks by such of his Predecessors Relations as envied his Greatness and after Battle joyned the Turks retiring the Emperor supposed they did it to fetch a Compass in order to surprize his Camp and thereupon himself caused a Retreat to be sounded which John Ducas his Predecessor's Brother and his Caesar under whose command a great part of the Army was perceiving laid hold of that opportunity to ruin the Emperor by turned Tail and commanded a Retreat to be sounded which created so general a fear in the Army that they fled in all Parts the Emperor not being able to stay their flight which unexpected advantage the Sultan perceiving charged with fury upon the Christians so that the Emperor fighting with a brave resolution amongst the thickest Squadrons was at last taken Prisoner together with several of his great Commanders after several wounds received yet comforted by the Sultan and within a while honourably dismiss'd when during the time of his Captivity John Ducas his Caesar Psellus one of the Senators and other of the Faction had thrust the Empress into a Monastery and proclaimed Michael Ducas her Eldest Son Emperor and when they heard that the Emperor Diogenes was at liberty they sent out Letters to the Lievtenants of
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
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
Amurath through Grief and despair Dyed in his Tent Anno 1450 in the 85 Year of his Age and of his Reign the 28 or as some say the thirtieth leaving Mahomet his Son to succeed him in his troublesome Kingdom charging him to revenge his Death upon Scanderbeg and so having his Corps conveyed to Prusa he was there interred by his Ancestors CHAP. XII The Life of Mahomet the second of that Name seventh King and the first that took upon him the Style of Emperor of the Turks who for his many Victories was surnamed Great A Murath being dead Mahomet the second began his Reign over the Turkish Kingdom Anno 1450. Being of a firey Cruel Nature given to many Debauches not acknowledging any Deity but ascribing all things to Fortune and Chance who e'r he was well settled caused his two Brethren the one an Infant and the other not above twelve years of Age to be put to Death after which he fell to altering the Constitution of the Government by abrogating the Old Laws and Establishing new ones more suitable to his Humour So that he began to be exceedingly hated by his Subjects when to prevent any disorder that might happen by the Soldiers lying Idle he hearing that Ibrahim King of Carramania was entered his Territories in the lesser Asia passed thither upon whose Arrival the King unable to oppose him fled into the Mountains and from thence sent his Ambassadors to treat with him who offered such Submission in the behalf of their Masters as Mahomet was well Content to accept and so returned to his City of Prusa sending Isaac Bassa against Elias Prince of Mentesia or Caria who altogether deprived the said Prince of his Country annexing it to the Turkish Empire for so henceforth I must call it Mahomet being proud of his Petty Conquests without any Colour or Reason only being driven Headlong by Ambition he resolved to make War upon the Greek Emperor and to have the sooner done marched to the Walls of Constantinople with a great Power laying Siege to that Imperial City which had once been Mistress of the World which he reduced to such Extremity that the Citizens for meer Hunger left no filthy thing uneaten and at last Eat one another and perceiving none intended to relieve them they inforced by invincible necessity yielded the fairest City of the World to the Will of the Tyrant having made all the defence that from true Valour could be expected The proud Conqueror entering the City amidst his Cups caused all the Grecian Nobility the chief Citizens and Nobles of other Nations to be slain in his Presence Constantinus Paleologus the Emperor being before slain and Trampled underfoot in the Press as he was indeavouring to escape the Imperial City this taken after a years Siege Pera a City of the Greeks opposite to it surrendred yet were the Citizens used with all manner of Despite And now removing the Imperial Seat from Hadrianople to Constantinople where it has ever since remain'd he repaired the Walls and such Buildings as had been demolished by the Fury of the Cannon Amongst the Captives taken in the City one of his Commanders presented unto him one of the most beautiful Ladies that Nature ever formed named Irene being nobly descended and for Education not to be paralell'd upon this incomparable Beauty Mahomet so doted that he spent whole Days and Nights with her never thinking his time well spent but in her Company So that his warlike Affairs were altogether neglected which caused his Captains to murmur against him though they durst not freely speak their Minds which Mustapha Bassa one that had been bred up with him observing presuming upon the Interest he had in him took upon him boldly to declare his Mind laying before him the glorious Atchievments of his Ancestors and the disgrace and obloquie he incurred by devoting himself to amorous Delights whilst the Affairs of his Empire were neglected At this free Speech of the Bassas Mahomet was wonderfully offended telling him he was worthy of Death for his unseasonable Presumption but notwithstanding he would pardon him for the good Opinion he had of his Fidelity Commanding him the next Morning to assemble all his Captains and chief Councellors the next Morning to attend his Pleasure in his Pallace which being accordingly done he came out of his Chamber leading the fair Greek in most splendid Attire which adding Luster to her rare Perfections made her appear more like an Angel then a Mortal and sternly demanding of them Whether if any of them had such an inestimable Treasure they would not be thrice advised e'r they parted with it To which they all answered that he had with greater reason passed his time with her then any man had to find sault therewith To which the barbarous Tyrant replyed well but now I Will make you to understand how far you have been deceived in me and that there is no earthly thing that can so much blind my Senses or bereave me of my Reason as not to see or understand what beseemeth my high Calling yea I would you should all know that the Honour and Conquest of the Othoman Kings my noble Progenitors is so fixed in my breast with such a Desire in my self to exceed the same as nothing but Death is able to put out of my Remembrance and having so said he presently with one of his Hands catching the fair Greek by the Hair and with the other drawing his Scimiter smote off her Head she vainly Crying out for Mercy and then taking the bloody Head in his Hand turning to his Captains said now by this Judge ye whether your Emperor is able to Bridle his Affections or not and immediately to put this cruel Act out of his Mind gave order for his Army to march to the Invasion of Peloponnesus which he soon brought into Subjection taking most of the principal Cities and putting the Inhabitants to the Sword but upon the Submission of Demetrius the Prince thereof he restored him upon Condition of his becoming Tributary to the Turkish Empire and afterwards being inamoured of his fair Daughter took her to Wife and soon after hearing of the Death of George Despot of Servia he seized upon his Country and so passing on with his Army besieged Belgrade both by Land and Water as having a great Fleet upon the River Danubius on whose Bank that City is seated which Fleet being incountered by several Ships of War sent by Humaides for that purpose were soon destroyed which so inraged the Turk that immediately giving order for the assaulting the City his men were beaten off with the loss of 4000 men and amongst the rest Curaizis Bassa his Lieutenant in Europe who making his approach was slain with a great Shot and so well did the Valiant Humiades defend that City that after many unsuccessful assaults Mahomet was forced to raise his Siege and departed with 40000 less then he brought The great Humiades having thus long stood a Bulwark to
Christendom now worn out with the toyls of War fell sick and although his Disease was grievous yet desirous to receive the blessed Sacrament he would be carried to the Church saying it was not fit that the Lord should come to the House of his Servant But that rather the Servant should go to the House of his Lord and after his being brought home his Sickness Increasing he gave up the Ghost to the Grief of all the Christian Princes and was buried in the Church of St. Stephen in Alba Julia. Mahomet hearing of the Death of this great Captain who opposed the Torrent of his Victories greatly rejoyced and now resolving to extend his Dominions as well by Sea as Land Equipped a great many in the Port of Constantinople with which he invaded the Islands in the Egean Sea reducing several of them to his obedience and Landing his Army straightly besieged the famous City of Rhodes but Calixtus the third then Bishop of Rome being greatly displeased for the loss of Pera a City belonging to his See aided by the Genoways sent out a great Fleet under the Conduct of Lodonicius Patriarch of Aquilla fought with the Turks Gally sunk and burnt most of them And by that means recovered the Islands they had taken which so inraged Mahomet that he prepared an other Fleet against the Spring the which whilst he was doing Ambassadors came from Vsun Cassanus King of Persia with many rich Presents desiring that he would enter into League with the mighty Prince his Master and remit the Tribute payed him by the King of Trepezond that Kingdom as he said after the Death of the then Reigning King revolving to his Master in right of his Wife Daughter to the said King which Peremptory demand so inraged Mahomet that he not only refused his Presents but dismissed his Ambassador with this Answer That he would himself e'r long be in Asia to teach Vsun Cassanes what to request of one greater then himself and thereupon Commanded the Fleet he had prepared for the Invasion of the Isles in the Egeum incontinently to sail to Sinope the chief City of Paphlagonia and to expect his coming thither with his Army by Land which City and Country being under the Persian King he resolved to besiege it on no other Account then to raise a ground of Quarrel which City being but slenderly fortified and not able to indure the Force of the Ordnance it was delivered by Ismaele the Prince of Paphlagonia into his Hands who putting a Garrison therein proceeded to the Siege of Trepezond which he had in like manner yielded to him who sent the Emperor together with his Empress Sons and Daughters Prisoners to Constantinople dispeopling the City and thrusting thereinto a Garrison of his Janizaries by that means bringing the whole Country into Subjection and for ever ruining that Christian Empire And now hearing that Waldus Dracula Prince of Valachia his Tributary went about to joyn with the Hungarians his mortal Enemies he sought by all means to get him into his Power to effect which he sent Chamuzes Bassa and his Secretary accompanied with several others to invite him to Court but the Prince understanding the Design upon his Life hanged the Bassa and Secretary and impailed the rest alive and then invaded his Country with Fire and Sword which so inraged Mahomet that he in Person with a great Army invaded Valachia ruining all with Fire and Sword till at length driving the Prince out of his Country he gave it to his younger Brother who in lieu thereof became his Tributary and upon his return invaded the Islands in the Egeum as he had before purposed and Landing on the Isle of Mittylene took the strong City from whence the Island take its name after twenty seven years Battery with the great Ordnance and then for non-payment of Tribute invaded the Kingdom of Bassan which subdued he by that means incompassed Epirus he having all this while according to his Directions of the Father by one or other of his Bassas maintained War against Scanderbeg but with such bad success that he thought more then Convenient to make Peace with him but such were his Proposals that Scanderbeg with scorn rejected 'um whereupon Mahomet sent Amasa Bassa with 12000 Horsemen to wast Epirus but Scanderbeg incountering with 6000 put his Army to flight and took him Prisoner and worse faired Debreus Bassa who soon after was sent with 14000 Horsemen for ingageing with Scanderbeg's Forces his Army was overthrown and himself slain Mahomet grieved his Affairs prospered no better and finding that by force he could not prevail against Scanderbeg he dealt underhand by giving great Rewards to his Captains thinking if he could cause them to revolt Scanderbeg would easily be subdued and so effectually he wroght with Moses his chief Captain and a great Soldier that in hopes of the Kingdom of Epirus promised by Mahomet when Scanderbeg should be subdued and a great mass of Money he found means to escape to Constantinople and after him Amasa another of Scanderbeg's Captains who were sent by Mahomet with great Power to invade Epirus but being overthrown by the invinsible Prince they received such cold Comfort at their return that fearing their Lives which indeed the Turk had a design to bereive them off Moses fled and humbling himself at the Feet of his Compassionate Prince he notwithstanding his Treachery received him again into his Service who afterward served him faithfully in his Wars but Amaze being overthrown in his expedition with Isaac Bassa with the loss of 20000 Turks upon his return was by the Command of Mahomet as most Conjectured poisoned after which Scanderbeg concluded a Peace with the Turks for a year and was afterwad continued for a longer time during which great War happened between the Turks about the seizing the Islands in the Egeum and thereby hindering the Traffick in the Mediteranian to the great impoverishing their Signiory Wherefore entering into a Confideracy with the Princes they Arme both by Sea and Land into which League they with many perswasions drew Scanderbeg notwithstanding his League made with Mahomet was not expired The Princes thus Confedrated raising great Forces when in the mean time Mahomet sent Scremet Bassa against Scanderbeg to keep him from joyning with the Venetians whose Duke Christopher Maurus was coming to him with ten Gallies appointed with which Bassa Scanderbeg fought and put him to flight with the loss of ten Thousand of his Men taking the Treasurer of the Army and six others of Account Prisoners who were speedily Ransomed at 40000 Duccats and greater things had been done had not the Duke of Venice dyed of a Fever upon whose Death his Army returned home Victor Capella the next year with the Venetian Fleet seized Athens Aulis Chalchis Larsum and the Isle of Himber But attempting to recover Patras was overthrown Hungary being destitute of such a King as might defend them against the Power of the Turks elected Matthias Corroinus
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
all which Bajazet intended to do and proposed such his Intentions to his Captains but they bribed by Selymus opposed him therein saying they would acknowledge no other Emperor but himself and as the Captains said so said the Soldiers Whereupon he sent to Achometes to inform him of the Obstinacy of the Soldiers and desired him to return to his Government of Amasa till he could mold them into a better Temper by his Bounty but he impatient of delay not only abused the Messenger but greatly reproached his Father rose with his Army and marching through the Country spoiled Bythinia and growing daily more and more inflamed from being barred of his Expectation purposed to have seized upon Asia the less upon which calling to him his two Sons Amurath and Aladine young Princes of great hope he admonished them to take up Arms against their Grand-father who prone enough thereto of themselves and now incited by their Father in a short time raised a great Army and joyning with the standing Forces Achometes had before in pay over-run a great part of Asia Achometes causing himself every where to be proclaimed King These proceedings greatly troubled Bajazet insomuch that to prevent Blood-shed he sent to him his Ambassadors to reprove him for his Disloyalty and to command him forthwith to set at Liberty his Nephews Mahometes and his Brother whom he had taken Prisoners for refusing to aid him against their Grand-Father Bajazet but instead of performing what his Father Commanded he caused the chief Ambassador to be Slain in his presence and strictly enjoyned the other on Pain of their Lives to depart his Camp ' ere Sun set of which strange and Heinous Fact when Bajazet had knowledge he was greatly inraged and caused him to be proclaimed a Traytor against his Person and Empire commanding that the European Horse-men should immediately march against him But the Bassas that favoured Selymus thinking it now a fit time to procure his being called home and entring again into Favour insinuated into the old Emperor that if he designed to destroy both his Rebellious Sons he could do it by no better means then by calling home Selymus and making him General of the Army designed to march against Achometes and that by such means one of them was sure to Perish and then getting the other into his power he might destroy him at his pleasure to this motion of the Bassas Bajazet hearkened adn commanded that Selymus should be fetched to Court whither now Corcutus was come to claim his Fathers promise as having heard that contrary thereto he meant to give the Empire from him to whom Bajazet again made many promises only willing him to be content whilst this new Rebellion was suppressed when in the mean while Selymus arrived and prostrating himself at his Fathers Feet was received into favour and preferred to the leading of the Army who no sooner he dâ—d it but as it was before contrived by the Bassas he by the General Voice was saluted Emperor and Mustapha Bassa sent to Bajazet peremptorily to demand him to surrender the Empire to his Son Selymus whom as he said the Soldiers had saluted Emperor and that if he refused so to do they were resolved to spoil the Pallace if not commit an out-rage upon his Person upon which Bajazet finding himself betrayed by those he most relyed on after having expressed Indignation and Grief finding that would or would he not all was one with many curses and Execrations upon his unnatural Son and the rest of the Traytors he delivered the Insigns of Majesty of which unexpected news Corcutus having notice fled for his Life to Magnesia Selymus having by the means aforesaid Grasped the Empire could not suppose himself safe whilst his Father lived and therefore with great rewards tempted Hamon a Jew and Bajazet's chief Physitian to make him away by Poyson who in order to his Hellish purpose went to Hadrianople whither Bajazet was retired and there through Melancholy and infirmities incident to Age he found him indisposed he offered him Physick the which the old man not doubting to be of fatal Consequence when delivered by the Hand of his old approved Physitian at the time appointed took which he had not long done ' ere he felt a grievous pain in his Stomack and plain Symptoms of his being Poysoned appeared so that amidst Groans and Torturing Pangs within 24 Hours he gave up the Ghost Anno 1512 and his Reign the thirtieth Bajazet thus Poysoned the Jew hasted to Constantinople to receive his reward which he had accordingly for not long after his Arrival his Head was stricken off by the Commandment of Selymus who afterward Buryed his Father in a most stately Tomb near to the Great Mahometan Temple that himself had built and by Reason two of his Pages mourned for him he caused them to be put to Death but Heavens Vengeance was not long delayed as will appear in the next Chapter in his woful and unusual Death CHAP. XIV The Life of Selymus the first of that Name the third Emperor of the Turks his Bloody Reign and woful Death SElymus Aspiring to the Empire by Blood and Treason could not think himself safe whilst any of the Othoman Royal Blood remained in the Veins of his Relations therefore gathering all his forces he marched into Asia to oppress Achometes but missing of him at that time he thirsty of Blood caused 5 of his Nephews all Princes of great hope to be straugled in his presence causing their dead Bodies to be Buryed in Prusa and afterward sought to surprise Amurath and Aladin Mahometes 2 Sons but they having notice of his wicked intent one of them fled into Persia and the other into Egypt and Vsegi Bassa who was sent to apprehend them at Amasa upon notice beforehand sent by Mustapha Bassa who now was alienated from Selymus was intrapped by an Ambush lay'd by Mahometes himself taken Prisoner and most of his men Slain but it coming to Selymus his Ear that Mustapha held Correspondence with Achometes notwithstanding he had helped him to the Empire he caused him to be Slain so little Assurance has any man in the favour of a Tyrant who has the power of Life and Death in his Hand in revenge of which Achometes put Vsegi Bassa whom he held Prisoner to Death Selymus still thirsty of Blood with all speed marched to Magnesia in hopes to have surprized his Brother Corcutus in his Castle but he having timely notice was fled before his coming yet he took the Spoil of all his Treasure and so leaving a Captain with a 1000 Horse to secure the City and commanding Bostanges his Son In-Law with a Fleet to watch the Sea-Coast that he should not escape he went to Prusia supposing to have found him there but on the contary he poor Prince was fain to hide himself in a Cave by the Sea-side and there for many Days feeding upon Crabs in hopes the Ships would have departed that he might have wafted
Policy being Transported over it in Boats fled to Segesta others of them fled into the Houses of the Egyptians and into Caves and Vaults in the City to hide themselves A thousand five hundred of the better sort betook them to the Temple of their pretended Prophet where after an obstinate and tedious defence being disabled by Weariness Thirst and loss of Blood they surrendered themselves upon Diseretion part of whom the furious Soldiers slew in the Porch of the said Temple and the rest within a few days after being sent down the River to Alexendria were there contrary to the Promise of Selymus put to Death This great City subdued after the manner aforesaid Selymus Commanded a part of his Army to extinguish the Fire which raged vehemently in many places which done he exhibited a Proclamation that all the Mamalukes who within twelve hours would furrender themselves should have pardon of Life upon which many came forth of their secret places and that whosoever of the Egyptians should conceal any one of them longer then the time specified he threatned to impail them alive on Stakes and having sold their Wives and Children to burn their Houses which dreadful menace on the one side and hopes of Reward which was also Promised on the other caused many of the Egyptians contrary to their Promises to their old Lords the Mamalukes to deliver some of them up to the Tyrany of Selymus who caused them to be put to Death but some of the Egyptians impeached by their malicious Neighbours chose rather to suffer Death then to prove perfidious in breaking the solemn Protestations they had made to their Lords Nor did the Victorious Turks spare though contrary to Selymus his Promise to rifle the Houses of the Egyptians Murther many of them and defloure their Daughters and ravish their Wives even in their Presence and to use all other Cruelties incident to so great and populous a City upon the entry of an Hunger-starved Army greedy of prey At the taking of Cair Gazales the great and Valiant Captain of the Mamalukes was not present but sent by Tomombeius to raise an Army in Arabia who upon his return finding all lost and that the Sultan was fled he knew not where not thinking it Convenient to hazard a Battle against him whom Fortune so highly favoured he came to Selymus upon his Faith before given for the safety of himself and his Followers which were three Arrabian Captains and a number of good Horsemen and being admitted to his Presence boldly declared that since Fortune had made him her Darling and that he by her aid rather Conquered the Mamalukes then by any Force and that since Tomombeins was fled whose part as long as his Kingly Authority and Majesty remained he had faithfully served he and the rest were at his Devotion if he so pleased to serve him with their Lifes and Fortunes of which offer Selymus joyfully accepted highly Commending Gazeles both for his Virtue and Valour which for the most part gains Credit amongst the roughest Enemies and not long after sending him to suppress the Moors and Arabs that made Incursions into the Country about Cair he suddenly overthrew them and e'r he was expected returned with Victory Tomombeius being in the Country of Segesta whilst Selymus was setling his matters at Cair raised a considerable Army and the rather for that he had frequent advice from the Carians that if he would come suddenly upon the Turks they would raise such a Tumult that he should not only recover the City but destroy the Army who were but few in number and most of those weak through their Wounds and Sickness but e'r he could put this Design in Practice one Albuchomar a man of great Wealth and Authority in the Country of Segesta discovered the design to Selymus who caused all such Citizens as he suspected to be shut up in the Castle and continually guarded the Streets placing along the River Boats and Men and Artillery to keep the Enemy from repassing it and not well assured to hold what he had got from such desperate and resolute Enemies as were the Mamalukes of whom a great Power were again resorted to Tomombeius he resolved to send Ambassadors to him to advise him to submit and in yielding to his Clemency he would provide for him in some other part of his Dominions but e'r the Ambassadors came to his Camp they were way-laid by certain Mamalukes who had vowed no Peace with the Turks and without respect to their Character shamefully murthered them upon notice of which Selymus who was of a hot fiery Nature was so inraged that he could scarcely contain himself And thereupon Commanded a strong Bridge made of Boats and Planks to be laid over Nilus resolving to revenge the affront done to his Majesty the which once finished he drew the greatest part of his Army out of Cair leaving only so many as might keep the City from revolting with an intent to pass into the Country of Segasta to wast it with Fire and Sword of which Tomombeius having knowledge by speedy marches came to the Bridge at what time the Asian Horsemen were passed over and setting furiously upon them e'r they had well put themselves in Order making great slaughter of such as resisted Insomuch that many to avoid the Swords of their Enemies by leaping into the River were there drowned others in passing the Bridge were thrust beside and miserably perished in the Water Nor could Mustapha Bassa with all his Courage resist the Fury of the Mamalukes all the Turks being filled with Fear and Consternation as well on the hither as the further Bank the Artillery was for a while rendered useless by reason that if it had been discharged it must have been against the Turks onely who in fearful Troops covered the further Bank calling for Help to those on the other side Selymus seeing in what state Assairs stood caused all his Boats to be brought and filling them with Janizaries passed them over who Ranging in good order stayed the Fury of the Mamalukes when as Carrgolis Son to the Tartar King and Brother-in-Law to Selymus with his Horsemen took the Water and Swom over with little loss So that now the Battle went hard on all sides and strongly did the Mamalukes press on to gain the Head of the Bridg the which they had done by Cutting the Cables that fastened it they had set it afloat down the River and destroyed that part of the Army with whom they were ingaged e'r they could have been relieved by their Fellows which Mustapha perceiving had drawn to that place both his Insigns and his most experienced Soldiers so that the Fight was for a long time maintianed Bloody and doubtful but the Turks still coming over in great abundance true Valour was obliged to give place to Multitudes for the Mamalukes who had done all that men could do betook themselves to Flight after whom the Tartarian Horsemen followed with great Slaughter as
retire though they were mowed down in abundance by the great Shot for fear of the Tyrants displeasure yet at length creeping under the Walls to the Spanish Bulwarks they surprized it whilst their Soldiers were drawn off to relieve their Fellows hardly Charged by Achmetes Bassa but e'r they had kept it two hours it was again recovered and all the Turks either put to the Sword or thrown over into the Ditch where they miserably perished And the Bassa sore Gauled by the Flankers was forced to retire though not without great slaughter of his Men who lay on heaps in the Ditch and Breaches which Solyman perceiving caused the retreat to be sounded in this Assault by the Valour of the Christians 20000 Turks fell which so grieved Solyman that in a great rage he Commanded Mustapha Bassa the first mover of the War to be slain as likewise Pyrrhus Bassa for daring to intreat for him but upon the humble Supplication of his Men of War on their behalf he remitted the Execution of the Sentence but would not for a long time receive them into Favour He also Commanded the Admiral of his Gallies to be put to Death for suffering Provision to be carried by Sea into the City but at the intreaty of Achmetes his Life was spared but he not absolutely pardoned for being set upon the Stern of his Ship he there as a Slave by the Commandment of Solyman received 100 Stripes and so much was the Tyrant grieved for the re-ite-rated losses sustained in that Siege that he was about to have raised his Camp and returned to Constantinople the which he had done had not Achmetes Bassa perswaded him to the contrary by Promsing to make him speedily a way into the City at which he taking Courage again heartned his Men to continue the Siege whose Resolutions had long before fainted upon which Achmetes to make good his Promise assailed with all the Forces under his Command the Vamures of the Avergnon Station the which although they were not high were valiantly defended by the Rhodians yet the Turks Power increasing they were at last taken and a great Pent-House claped to the Wall to secure the besiegers from the Shot of the besieged notwithstanding Persanes a notable Engineer caused such abundance of Wild-Fire Pitch Tar Lead hot Ashes and Water to be thrown on them that they were forced to retire but such was the miserable Condition of the Turkish Soldiers that they were forced back again by their Commanders even into the mouth of Slaughter or else by them slain as Cowards or Flyers yet for all they could do the Rhodians forced them to retire in great disorder which inraged Solyman even to Madness but perceiving that his Honour lay at Stake he again by many perswasive Arguments prevailed with them to give another Assault promising them great Rewards if they prevailed and threatning those with Death that should be remiss in the performance of their Duty which either through Hopes or Fear Animated them to another Assault but with no better success then before for being miserably rent by the murthering Shot from the Flankers and Countermurers they were forced to retire leaving Piles of their Dead in the Breach and Ditch and now being altogether heartless yet extreamly vexed that they should be foiled with a handful of Men they resolved for the futere to be the more wary and rather to tire the Rhodians with continual Alarums then venture upon them when in the mean time they set their Pioneers at work to make way through the Breach deep in the Ground and for their defence turned their great Artillery upon it to prevent the Rhodians Sallying and with their multitude proved therein so successful that in a short time they had gained within the City 200 paces in breadth and 150 in length yet durst not Sally out to Scale the Countermurers which the Rhodians had made of the Houses beaten down by the Turks Shot which Solyman perceiving at the instance of Achmetes caused a parley to be offered offering many reasonable Conditions if the Rhodians would at length surrender the almost ruined City but and in Order thereto sent Hieronymus Monelia a Genoway who having procured safe Conduct would not deliver his Message but to some particular men which so incensed the Knights of the Order who now had set down a Resolution to dye in defence of the City that one Franciscus Farnovius a French Knight of singular Valour bent his Piece against him and would not suffer him to do his Message but the Citizens hearing there were Terms of Life and Liberty offered by the insulting Tyrant came to the House of the great Master and beseeched him to take pitty on them their Wives and Children and that since he well saw that the City was not long tenable he would in time provide for their safety and not expose them to the Fury of their Merciless Enemies whereat the great Master a man of singular Piety as well as Warlike Ardour being moved to Compassion sent Antonius Groleus and Robartus Barusinus his Ambassadors to Solyman having first received Pledges for their safe return who coming into the Emperors Presence told him that they were sent to know for what cause he had sent to require Parly who in a fuming heat as if he had been Ignorant of the matter said there was no such thing offered and thereupon Commanding them presently to avoid his Camp sent them away with Letters to the great Master and Citizens to this Effect If I had not Compassion of human Infirmities which often times tumbleth Head-long mens Ambitions and haughty minds into most dangerous and unnecessary Mischiefs truly I would not have directed to you these Letters at this time but as you have well deserved persecute you with Death and most Miserable Servitude which how easie a thing it were for me to do you your selves know but having now sufficiently tryed my force if you be wise make proof of my Clemency you have already satisfyed your own fury your own mad humour Therefore now advise your selves lay your Hands upon your Hearts and without delay yield your selves as I command your Lives I give you your Wealth and more then that your choice to tarry there still or depart refuse not the Grace freely Offered which was of you to have been most heartily desired it shall not be always Lawful as at this present to make choice of both c. Upon the return of the Ambassadors the Citizens of all sorts flocked together to the Great Masters House standing near the Breach to implore him to accept of any Reasonable terms who after he had dismissed the Multitude calling to him the Knights of the Order and chief Citizens after the Letters read he expressed himself after this manner You heard sacred Fellows in Arms and Valiant Citizens of Rhodes these imperious and sorrowful Letters whereunto how we are to answer requireth no great deliberation we must as resolute men either yield or
which accordingly he performed but having agreed that none but Hungarians should enter the better to prevent the effusion of blood and Regendorff contrary to that agreement sending in Germans under the Leading of their Captains to be more sure of the City the Traitor repenting of what he had undertaken refused to lead them to the Market place and they still remaining in the narrow streets and not knowing which way to go a sufficient number could not enter e're the Alarum was taken upon which the Citizens and Garrison Souldiers running to their Armes assaulted them on every side who being in a strange place and their fear augmented by the terror of the night fled back faster than they advanced Spring being come Solyman sent a great Army under the Leading of Mahometes Bassa to the Assistance of the Queen which passing the Danubius intrenched within half a mile of the Bohemians Germans and Italians under the command of the Lord Regendorff and dayly with skirmishes perplexed him having likewise fortified an Island lying in the River called Ceppelia as the General of the Christians had done another opposite to his Camp between which passed likewise many skirmishes but at length the Turks pouring a great number of their men on shoar in the Island held by the Christians caused them to leave the Fortifications and flie over the Bridge layed to pass and repass to the Camp but by the valour of the German Soldiers all was quickly regained and the City furiously assaulted though without success for that a great number of the besieged continually kept such breaches as the Canon had made and the Besiegers by reason of the nearness of the Turks Army durst not go to the assault in such number as otherwise they might have done yet they had so battered the Walls that they despaired not to win it in a short time but in the height of their Expectation news came that Solyman with a great power was near at hand to joyn the Bassa already incamped which infused such a fear into the Christians that the Soldiers whether their General would or no resolved to raise the Seige and pass the Danubius So that he was constrained to accord to the resolves and in the dead of the night raised the Siege but not so secretly but the Turks had notice sent them of what had happened by those in the City Whereupon bursting out of their Camp and the Citizens at the same time sallying by the light of a stack of straw and pursued them with great slaughter insomuch that most part of the Army was either drowned in the hasty passage or fell by the Sword not above a third part of them escaping to Comora So that a great booty by that means fell into the hands of the Turks Upon this defeat Pesih being deserted of her Garrison was taken without resistance by Cason the Turks Fleet then in the Danubius and most that were found therein put to the Sword The Lord Regendorf as a man not desirous to outlive so foul a dishonour brought upon him by the wilfulness of his unruly Souldiers would have died fighting amongst the thickest of his Enemy had he not against his will by strong hand been forced into a Pinace and so carryed by his Captains to Comora within five days after Solyman came to Buda and according to his wonted cruelty caused all the Prisoners to be put to death and one amongst the rest a German Souldier being of wonderous height he appointed to be slain by his Dwarff whose head reached not past his knees which he ordered to be done in derision of the German Nation Solyman having pitched his Camp near Buda sent his Ambassadors with Presents to the Young King viz. Three beautiful Horses with their Bridles of Gold and their Trapings set with precious stones and three Robes of cloth of Gold and unto every one of the chief Nobility a chain of Gold and rich Gowns upon the delivery of these presents as they had it in charge they requested that the Queen would cause the young King to be sent to the Camp to Solyman who was greatly desirous to see him and that he was resolved to take him and his Kingdom into protection until such time as he should of himself be able to defend it against his potent Adversary This request of the Ambassadors though not without some scruple was granted and the young King being then in his swadling Cloths was sent in a rich Chariot together with his Nurse and several great Ladies attended on by such of the Nobility to whom Solyman had sent presents upon whose Arrival the Tyrant took him in his arms and looked upon him commanding his sons then present viz. Selymus and Bajazet begotten on the fair Roâ—colana to kiss him in token of there love to him from thence forward yet notwithstanding these fair shews he consulted with his Bassa's whether he should retain the King and seize on the Kingdom of Hungary having before caused his Soldiers to possess themselves of one of the Gates of Buda called Sabatina it was likewise debated whether all the Nobility then in his possession should be put to death or carried into bondage of all which opinions were some of his Bassa's and others of a far more mild opinion So that Solyman when he well considered what had been argued resolved upon a method between the one and the other when entering Buda on the 30th of August anno 1541. after he had sacrificed to his vain Prophet in the Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary he published a Decree the fatal doom of that flourishing Kingdom under which it at this day groans That Buda should from that day be kept with a Garrison of Turks and the Kingdom be converted into a Province of the Turkish Empire that the Queen with her son the young King should presently depart the City and live in Lippa a fertil and quiet Countrey beyond the River Tibiscus near to the borders of her fathers Kingdom and to be safely conducted thither with all her Wealth and Jewels by the Janizaries of which hard conditions the Queen was glad to accept upon which the Hungarian Nobility all but Valentinus her General were set at Liberty having before been retained as Prisoners in the Turkish Camp King Ferdinand residing at Vienna upon notice of what had passed and that Solyman was purposed to invade his Territories first sending to collect his dispersed Forces afterwards he sent Count Salma and Sigismund Lethestaine noble and grave Councellors his Ambassadors to Solyman with rich presents which were a standing cup of Gold after the German fashion richly beset with pearls and pretious stones and a wonderful Silver Globe of most rare and curious device daily expressing the hourly passing of the time the motion of the Planets the Change and Full of the Moon the motion of the Superiour Orbs ever moving by certain wheels or weights curiously conveyed within the same exactly keeping due time and motion lively expressing
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
that time were governed by valiant Captains so that they prevailed not greatly yet the General confusion made the Emperour desirous of Peace in order to which he sent Sigismund Forgat with full instructions to Kyrpa where the Estates of Hungary were to assemble thither likewise came several Commissioners from Botscay and the Turkish Bassa's of Buda Pesth c. when as in the mean time other Imperial Ministers were sent to Comara to Treat only with the Turks they having so required but the demands of the Turks and Rebels were so unreasonable that many believed they only set that treaty on foot to protract the preparations of the Imperialists so that all hopes of an amicable conclusion vanishing fierce War began to rage more terrible then before all the Countreys round being covered with the smoak of flaming Villages by day and illuminated with shining â—ires by night nor did the Rebels spare to sell the poor Christians like beasts to the merciless Turk by them to be carryed into perpetual slavery nor desisted from comitting such cruelties as even amazed the Infidels to see themselves out done To prevent which outrages the Imperialists drawing together in a body set upon a strong power of the Turks and Rebels who thought to have surprized them in their Camp and after a sharp dispute drove them with great slaughter to the Walls of Canusia and afterwards put strong Garrisons into most of the important towns and Castles which bad success made the Rebels again bethink themselves of a timely peace so that Botscay their Ringleader having received Letters of safe conduct from Matthias the Arch-Duke came with his Wife and Children to Vienna and there by frequent by conferring with the Imperial Commissioners matters were so ordered that peace was concluded between the Emperour and his Rebel Subjects of Hungary according to the Tenour of these Articles Articles of Peace agreed upon Anno 1606. between the Emperor and his discontented Subjects of Hungary 1. That from thenceforth it should be lawful for every man throughout the Kingdom of Hungary to have the free use of his Religion and believe what he would 2. That if the Hungarians so thought good they might chuse a Palatine for their Governor and that in the mean time the Arch-Duke Matthias should no more use the Title of Governour but Vice-Roy 3. That the Crown of Hungary should still be left in the Emperors keeping 4. That the Bishops that were nobly descended in Hungary and had Lands of their own should be forthwith admitted into the Council but the other Bishops not to be so received 5. That Botscay for himself and his heirs male should ever hold Transilvania 6. That the same Countrey of Transilvania should be still subject to the Kingdom of Hungary 7 That for his Arms he should bear three Royal Crowns and three open Helmets 8. That he should not more stile himself Prince but Lord of part of Hungary 9. That they should pay the Heyducks their wages who had leavyed them 10. That the harms done on both sides should for ever be forgotten 11. That Bohemia Moravia Lansnisium and Aâ—stria should not only with their Letters and Seals confirm the Articles but also swear at Vienna to keep the same so far as they conerned them 12. That the Hungarians likewise should send some to Vienna who in their behalfs should with their Letters Seals and Oaths Confirm and Ratifie these Articles 13. That the assembly of the States of Hungary should be referred unto a more convenient time for their meeting 14. That these things being done this Agreement should be publickly confirmed and inrolled in the Records of the Kingdom of Hungary 15. That it should be lawful for the Hungarians by their Ambassadors to invite the Princes of the Empire to the Approving and Confirming of these Articles Peace thus concluded with the Hungarians the Treaty of Peace between the Turkish Sultan and the Emperour went on and with such good success that a Peace was soon after concluded to the joy of all the Emperors Subjects who weary with the continual toils and miseries of War were now desirous of nothing more then to repose themselves in the downy armes of Peace After which Botscay called an assembly of the Estates of Hungary recommending to them the care of preserving inviolable the Articles and the speedy Election of a Palatine and that above all things they would maintain and incourage the Reformed Religion and in the next Assembly labour to have the Articles for burning Hereticks repealed and as much as in them lay to restore the lost Trade of the spoiled Provinces These things done Botscay fell sick which sickness increasing he greatly bewailed his late Rebellion and the blood therein shed wishing nothing more then that before he died he could beg pardon for the same of the whole Roman Empire yet had not his wish but of that sickness died at Cossovia on the 30th of December 1606. perswading in the time of his sickness such as had been his followers to adhere to the Emperours interest yet his Counsel was not so well observed but that after his death notwithstanding Matthias the Arch-Duke had caused himself to be Crowned King of Hungary including the Principality of Transivania there wanted not some who aspired to the Title of Prince which caused new discontents but with relinquishing of that Title they vanished Achmat having made Peace with the Emperour resolved to turn his arms against the Persian King and Asian Rebels against whom Anno 16â—7 early in the Spring he sent the Vizar Bassa who by Policy more then strength appeased the latter when upon notice that the Bassa of Aleppo had overthrown the Bassa's of Tripolis and Daucasco and that at the request of the Sultan he refused to lay down his arms he marched against him with One Hundred Thirty Thousand men which puissant Army the Bassa of Aleppo incountered with Fourty Thousand and in three Battles remained victor but upon notice that the Bassa's of Damasco and Tripolis were coming to the Aid of the Vizar Bassa with great Forces and he by reason of the loss he had sustained not able to withstand their united power fled with most of his Friends to the Mountains Yet at the intercession of the Vizar Bassa but more for fear he should revolt t the Persian he was afterwards pardoned and received into favour upon which the King of Persia wrote to the King of Spain intreating him to joyn Forces with him against the common Enemy but more especially to send his Ships of War into the Gulf and the rather to induce him so to do he sent him several rich presents Whilst these things passed the Turkish Garrisons who for the most part lived by spoiles impatient of Peace with the Christians committed some outrages and secretly incouraged the Heyducks to commit more of which Achmat having notice sent strictly to charge the Bassa of Buda not upon pain of his head to infringe the Capitulation whereupon Six
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
promised to made Husseruph a second time Visier and that Regeb Bassa should officiate till his arrival The storm allayed the Grand Signeour began to consider that Husseruph had raised it by the Influence he had upon the Souldiers and therefore least he should attempt any thing further secret order was given to the Bassa of Buda in whose Government he resided to send his head to Court which was done accordingly but not so privately but that the Soldiers getting notice thereof suddenly made up their many headed monster and in a great rage came to the Seraglio demanding the heads of those that had been any way councelling or consenting to the death of Husseruph otherwise they threatned all with ruin but having no answer suitable to their minds they ran to the house of Regeb demanding of him who it was that had councelled so great a wickedness Whereupon to save his Life which was then in no small danger he protested he knew not and that himself was innocent of the matter yet they forced him with them to the Palace and made him their Orator to demand what they desired upon which the Aga Mufti and Teftardar with a private Servant of the Grand Signeours fled but the latter being the next day taken and sent back he was delivered up as a sacrifice to the insolent Souldiers who after their usual manner in such like cases tore him in pieces Yet they were not so contented but upon a rumour that the Grand Signeour had put his three Brethren to death they broke into the Palace and could hardly be quieted although the young Princes were produced and that several officers swore upon the Alcoran that they see the grand Signeour lay his hand upon the book and swore they should have their demands satisfied In these Tumults the goods of Merchants strangers went to wrack and divers affronts and indignities were offered the several Ambassadors residing at the Port nor was this all for about the same time Eleas Bassa Rebelled against the Grand Signeour and siezed upon the City of Amasia about a League from Smirna infesting all the Countrey with divers outrages his Souldiers living altogether upon spoil insomuch that the Merchants and Consuls at Smirna were forced to remove with their goods to Scio but an Army being sent against him he was in a pitched Battle discomfited and had most of his followers slain himself hardly escaping and now the Grand Signeour supposing Regeb Bassa though indeed he was not the Author of the late tumults sent for him into the Seraglio and there caused him to be strangled About this time a fight for the space of four hours was maintained by two English Merchantmen against thirty of the Turks Gallies till at last the English finding themselves too weak for such odds fired their Vessels and cast themselves over board where many of them perished and those that were taken up put to the Oares in this fight a thousand Turks were slain and amongst them several Begs and men of note of this apparent injury done by the Turks His Majesty of Great Brittain by his Letter complained to the Grand Signeour requiring that those that were taken Captives might be restored to their Liberty that so a right understanding might continue but the Turks alledging that the Voyage of the two Ships were unlawful by reason they Traded in the Levant for Corn the Ambassador could little prevail and had much ado to save the lives of the Captives Yet in the end to hinder the dissolution of the Turkish Trade and to please the Grand Signeour a Decree passed in the Star Chamber prohibiting the Corn Trade in the Levant upon which several of the Captives were set at Liberty Three dayes after this action a Fire happened in Constantinople which consumed Seventy Thousand Houses The Persian War yet continuing that King with a great Army besieged Van a strong City upon the Confines of Diarbecher the news whereof arriving at the Port great preparations were made to prevent that important place from falling into the hands of the Persians it being Decreed that all the Beghs of Asia should repair thither with such forces as they could leavy and endeavour its releif and to joyn them the Grand Visier passed over with all European Souldiers but ere any thing could be done the City was taken whereupon the Visier marched towards Aleppo exacting great sums of money and the better to furnish himself sent the Cadee a slave to Cyprus and siezed upon all his Treasure Soon after the Turks under pretence of the Christians rising siezed all their Arms making it death to those in whose houses any were found after a time prefixed nor content with this they hanged a Venetian Merchant only for his Money and Imprisoned all the Christian Merchants in Constantinople setting a ransom of two thousand Dollars upon each and that if the money was not payed in four dayes they should be executed The four Ambassadors of England France Holland and Venice were likewise convented before the Bassas in the Arsenal and charged for building a House and Chappel without leave from the Grand Signeour to have done it in contempt of his Imperial Majesty and much ado they had to escape being imprisoned but in the end upon the Chappels being demolished and all the Armes they had in their Houses delivered to an officer appointed to receive them the Grand Signeour was pacified though indeed this was used only as a trick to extort mony from them This being the present state of things in the Imperial Port the English Ambassador in the behalf of his King and Nation made known the just resentments of his Master for the affront offered in the person of him his Ambassador as likewise did the rest exclaiming of injustice insomuch that the Captain Bassa told them that indeed the proceedings were too rigid and that for the future care should be taken to prevent the like as for their Armes taken away he said they had been seen by the Grand Signeour and therefore could not be restored but that they had liberty to buy more and the money exacted of the Merchants could not at that time be restored by reason of the urgent occasion of the state and therefore intreated them to be pacified but the French Ambassador was so far fallen into the Grand Signeours displeasure that his Death was determined the execution whereof was with much danger to the disswaders deferred and upon second thoughts changed into an Imprisonment the cause of which was for that he had siezed upon sixty thousand Dollars sent by the Town of Marseilles to pay his Predecessors Debts contracted in Constantinople which money he converted to his own use thereby defrauding the Creditor and obliging them to clamour for Turkish Justice which in it self is cruelty and oppression These intestine troubles gave the Persians Liberty to make themselves Masters of many strong places which greatly alarumed the Ottoman Empire insomuch that great preparations were every where
difference Christian Princes make between an Ambassador and an Envoy And now Morat studying on whom to turn his Arms at length concluded to invade Germany and in order thereto called him the new Grand Visier Mustapha whom he had left with a part of the Army in Persia but death frustrated his project for drinking excessively with several of his Favourites and pot Companions he fell into a Fevour whereupon his Physitians being called were fearful to administer remedies least proving unsuccessful their lives should be indangered yet at length they concluded to let him blood which haâ—â—â—â—ed his end â—he dying the 8th of February Anno Dom 1640. of his Reign the seventeen and of his Age thirty one having ruled in the height of all excess and irregular disorders his youthful years inabled him to support having murthered Orchan and Bajazet two of his Brethren and leaving himself no Issue so that Ibrahim Son of Achmat and his younger Brother preserved by strange Providence from his fury succeeded him in the Empire CHAP. XXIII The Life and Reign of Sultan Ibrahim the Twefth Emperour of the Turks MOrat being dead as is before recited Ibrahim the onely Male surviver of the Ottoman Race was taken from the Prison in which his Brother had confined him and proclaimed Emperor though Morat in his Life time had by his will bequeathed his Empire to the Tartar This new Emperor being of a soft nature suffered himself to be wholly governed by his Mother and such Ministers as were about him himself being altogether weak in his understanding So that the War intended against the Germans was by the Council of the great Visier reverted on the Cossacks yet for some reason for a while suspended the great Visier in the mean while studying to take such out of the way that might Eclipse his grandure and amongst the rest he caused the Captain Bassa the deceased Emperors Chief Favorite to be beheaded in Selistra whither he had sent him Governour for that purpose The news of Sultan Ibrahims advancement to the Throne being known to the Christian Princes few of them deferred to send Ambassadors to congratulate him on that occasion each making him large Presents as the manner is for as 't is often said in this History none may have Audience of the Turkish Emperour that comes empty handed The Grand Signeour about this time greatly addicting himself to the use of Women fell into an Apoplexy which put many in doubt of his recovery and raised the greater confusion by reason he had no Children and that it was given out by his Women with whom he had to do that he was not capable of generation therefore the Councellors consulted amongst themselves that in case he died without Issue the Son of a Sister or Neece should ascend the Throne and that in no wise the Succession should devolve to the Tartar whose right it is upon the failure of the Ottoman Male-line but he soon after recovering of his indisposition put them in some hopes though that joy was damped by the advice that came to Court of the ruine of several Important Cities on the Frontires of Persia by a terrible Earthquake Yet the Grand Signeour to show the World that he intended something gave Order to the Grand Visier to besiege Asac possessed by the Cossacks in the Reign of Morat as is aforesaid which he did both by Sea and Land and not without great loss of his best men reduced it to the Turkish obedience Anno Dom. 1641. at what time it was abandoned by the Garrison of Cossacks who despairing to hold it long departed with all their substance About the beginning of the following year the doubt of the Grand Signeours improcreation vanished for one of his Sultanesses brought forth a Son who was named Mahomet which replenished the Turkish Empire with joy which Prince now sways the Ottoman Scepter during the Triumphs for the birth of the young Prince the Persian King by his Ambassador renewed his League with the Sultan which was performed upon an additional Article that the Sophy would demolish the Fortress of Fortrina which he had built contrary to Articles on the Frontires not far from the Caspian Sea which that it might assuredly be performed a Capugibathee was dispatched to see it effected after which a considerable body of Turks gathering together in Hungary endeavoured to surprize â—ab a strong Garrison on the frontires in this manner viz. one hundred men being trussed up in Carts and covered with Hay and Straw in the habit of Peasants who getting enterance were to leap out and surprize the Centinels that guarded the Gate at what time four thousand Turks for that purpose layed in Ambush were to enter and possess themselves of the place but this Treachery succeeded not the Ambuscado being discovered by an Officer of the Garrison that was abroad he made it known to the Guards who notwithstanding permitted the Carts to enter and then drew up the Bridge and unloaded the Carts which rendred it apparent the intended Treachery in time of Peace of which the Emperour sent and Ambassador to Constantinople but the Turks being ashamed of what had happened especially of their evil success would not admit the Ambassador to his Audience unless the Emperor would first agree to pay a yearly charge of one hundred thousand Rix-Dollars to the Port not by way of Tribute but of Present in which unreasonable demand they took more confidence for that they well perceived the Emperour was intangled in his Wars with Sweden the Christians dissension being ever advantagious to the Turks To these dishonorable demands the Emperour would in no wise condescend supposing it less perilous to venture a War in Hungary then to comply with propositions so derogatory to the Majesty of his Câ—saâ—ean greatness Ibrahim addicting himself to the Company of Women then in which he seemed in nothing more to delight spent more Treasure in the sift Wars of Venus than his Predecessor had done in his Persian Expedition and so laboured he therein that Anno Dom. 1643. he had two other Sons born which absolutely took away the reproach of his frigidity and impotency proving afterward the most Lascivious and devoted Sultan that ever aspired to the Mahometan paradise where the Company of fair Women is the chiefest felicity promised Yet that he might not be forgot abroad he sent out his Fleet of Gallies under the command of his Captain Bassa who after much Treasure spent without effecting any thing except strangling the Bassa of Cyprus for his store of Wealth he returned About this time a great Plague raging at Alexandria about six thousand slaves found means to escape and carry with them several Vessels that rode at Anchor in the road in which they conveyed themselves to Candia and Malta and from thence many of them found means to depart to their respective Countries of which the Grand Signeour having notice sent to the Signory of Venice to command their redelivery which not
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
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
his Kingdom of England but at his return found it possessed by his younger Brother Henry who not only deprived him of his Kingdom but soon after of his Dutchy of Normandy And finally of his life by putting out his eyes which many held as a Judgment for his refusing the Scepter of Jerusalem Upon the Duke's declining the Princes unanimously chose Godfry of Bolloin Duke of Lorain who accepted the honourable and glorious Trust but at the time of his Inauguration refused to be crowned with a Crown of Gold saying that it became not a Christian to wear a Crown of Gold where Christ the Son of God had for the Salvation of mankind sometime worn a Crown of Thorns but long he had not injoyed his new acquired Dignity e'r News was brought that 100000 Turks Sarazens and Jews were upon their march to recover the City against whom the Christian Army advanced and gave them battle with so fearful an overthrow that all the Field and Plains for the space of ten miles were covered with the bodies of the slain and then passing on won many famous Cities every where putting the Infidels to the rout but not long after a great Mortality happening the Heroick Godfry King of Jerusalem died and was interred in the Church of the Sepulcher of our Saviour on Mount Calvery And Baldwin Count of Edassa his Brother succeeded him who with many Victories and Cities taken much inlarged the Territories of Jerusalem but besieging the City of Ptolemais he was in a Skirmish with those Turks wounded yet took the City and lived many years after but the wound being as was supposed given with an impoysoned weapon and not pertectly cured he died thereof in the eighteenth year of his Reign and was most favourably buried by his Brother his Sepulcher remaining yet visible After him succeeded his Couzen Baldwin Brugenses against whom the Caliph of Egypt aided by the King of Damasco and the Turks came with a great Army but they returned without effecting any thing yet not long after Gazi the greatest Prince of the Turks in the lesser Asia aided by the King of Damasco and Debeis King of Arabia came against Antioch with a great power and incamped at Aleppo against whom Roger Prince of Antioch advanced without staying for King Baldwin who was on his march with a great Army and unadvisedly joyning battel his Army was overthrown and himself slain but King Baldwin coming upon the Turks grown secure by reason of their new acquired Victory put them to the rout far and near filling all the Plains with the bodies of the slain but within a while after encountring with Balac General of the Persian Sultan's Army he was taken prisoner and his Army overthrown but after eighteen Months imprisonment for the Ransom of 100000 Ducats set at liberty and afterwards obtained many signal Victories over the Infidels and in his Reign was setled the order of the Knights Templers Hugh Paganus being the first great Master of that Order but King Baldwin the Second being tired and disordered with the many battels and having received many wounds after he had married Margaret his Eldest Daughter to Foulk Duke of Turin Anjoy and Mayn fell sick in the thirteenth year of his Reign Anno 1131. and constituting his Son in Law to succeed him gave up the Ghost and was buried in the Temple upon Mount Calvery near his Predecessors After the death of Baldwin Foulk was crowned King of Jerusalem viz. on the Sixth of September Anno 1131. by William the Patriark but the Devil envying the spreading of the Christian Religion endeavoured to stir up Division amongst the Christians in the beginning of this King's Reign for Pontius Count of Tripolis by force of Arms endeavoured to rend the City and Territories of Antioch from the Kingdom of Jerusalem and Hugh Count of Joppa being highly concerned in the Treason for fear of punishment joyned with the Sarazens that held the strong City of Ascalon but God prevented the mischief that thereby might have ensued by taking the former away by the Sword of the Turks and the latter being driven out of Ascalon died in Exile the very Heathens abhorring a Traytor These stirs were no sooner over but the Turks invaded Antioch with a powerful Army but the King coming suddainly upon them put them to flight with much slaughter and got in the plundring of their Camp great Riches After which John the Creek Emperor raised a great power to seize upon Antioch pretending it a part of his Empire but the Kings of Europe interposing he was content it should be holden by the present Prince the Earl of Poictou he paying him Homage for his Principality but being a man of a restless Spirit he soon after came again with a powerful Army thinking to have admittance into the City and so to surprize it but found his expectations frustrate for the Citizens would not admit him to enter unless with some few of his Followers in reveage of which he caused the Suburbs to be sacked and so returned into Cilicia where hunting a Boar whilst the furious Beast pressed on the Spear the Emperor held against him the Emperor's hand pressed upon the point of a poysonoâ—s Aâ—â—oâ—â— he had in his Quiver which entring the flesh the force of the poyson was such that in great pain he shortly died upon which Emanuel Elexus his Son was chosen in his stead Jerusalem by this means being â—t peaâ—e the King Queen and many great Commanders went without the Walls to take the Air when there â—â—â—nced a Hare to be started after which the King and those that accompanied him rid and he forcing his Horse he fell so that the King's head fell under him of which mortal bruise he in three days dyed in great torment viz. on the thirteenth of November Anno 1142. and was buâ—ied by his Predecessors greatly lamented of all good Christians and after him succeeded Baldwin his Son the third of that name he being about thirteen years of Age and in his Reign came Conrade the Third Emperor of Germany with a powerful Army to the Assistance of the Christians in Syria who by the way being opposed by the Turks at the River Meander gave them battel and overthrew them with the slaughter of 30000 of the Enemy so that the River for many miles ran 〈◊〉 and then marching forward without the least Impeachment came to Iconium the Chief Seat of the Tâ—â—kâ—sh Kings in the lesser Asia which he besieged but it being strongly fortified and Want increasing in the Camp a Mortality hapâ—ned which destroyed so many of the Souldiers that the Emperor was forced to raise his Siege and to return home The occasion of this 〈◊〉 was said to be occasioned by eating of Meal which the 〈◊〉 Emperor upon their passing through his Dominions had caused to be mingled with Lime 〈◊〉 no less envying the success of the Christians in Syria 〈◊〉 the Turks and by such like Treacheries he frustrated 〈◊〉 Expedition