in the mean while to Strigonium in which commanded as Governours Liscanus and Salamanca two proud and covetous Spaniards with a Garrison of 1300 Souldiers but e're Solyman began to batter the City he sent to promise them Life Liberty and whatever Goods they were possessed of if they would surrender or upon refusal to denounce against them all the miseries that attend on stormed Cities yet this nothing daunted the Souldiers who returned for answer that they reposed their last hope in their Arms and were not to be won by gifts nor terrified with threats upon notice of which their stout resolution he commanded his Cannon already mounted to play from several Batteries the which was put in Execution with such fury that the Walls were beaten down in several places at which breaches the Turks in great number attempting to enter were beaten back three times successively with great loss and slaughter and amongst the slain fell Bultaces Sanzack of Selymbria a man of great account amongst the Turks but in the end the weakness of the City being discovered to the enemy by a fugitive Calabrian the two aforesaid Governours consulting for their own safety intended secretly to leave the City and carry with them all their Riches but their purpose being discovered to the Captains and Soldiers they proposed a parly perswading the defendants that the City was not to be held against so powerful an Enemy upon which the City was yielded and the Garrison such as would marched to Possonium where the two cowardly Governours who notwithstanding the promise of safe conduct had been robbed by the Turks were by Count Salme committed to safe custody to answer for their cowardly yielding up the City Strigonium being thus obtained on the 10th of August Anno 1543. and the Christian Churches converted to the Mahometan superstition he marched towards Alba regalis taking in his way the Castle of Tatta antiently called Theodota which he utterly rased after which coming before Alba regalis a City famous for the Coronation of the Hungarian kings sâ—ituate in a Marsh and incompassed with a Lake He caused the said Lake with infinite labour to be filled up and thereafter many terrible Assaules in which he lost 20000 of his men took the Suburbs putting all he found therein to the sword and afterward had the City delivered into his possession where entering he contrary to his faith plighted he caused the most wealthy Citizens to be slain after which leaving Ballabanus Governour thereof and placing Governours in other places by him subdued in this Expedition he returned to Constantinople By this time Barbarussa and Polinus were arrived at Marselles where having refreshed themselves they departed to Province where they laid siege to Nice a City belonging to the Emperour which after a long siege they took but the Castle being defended with a strong Garrison they in vain assaulted it which so enraged Barbarussa that he threatened to imprison Polinus for not performing his promise made at Constantinople to furnish his Army with all necessaries when as he said Powder and shot were wanting even in the Country of France which division between the French and the Turks was ended by the raising the seige upon notice that Alphonsus Vastus the Emperors General was coming out of Italy with a great Army when as the French Forces retiring Barbarussa sent most part of his Fleet to Argeir with a command to return early the next spring to Marselles The great preparations of Barbarussa to aid the French King gave Muleasses suspition that they were intended against him whereupon leaving the management of the Affaires of his kingdom of Tunes in the hand of his trusty Counsellors as he supposed and the management of his men of war his son Amida he went to Naples to wait upon Charles the Emperor and of him to crave aid when in the mean time by the perswasion of such as hated Muleasses his son usurped his kingdom who upon notice thereof returning with such Forces as he could gather in Italy was overthrown taken prisoner and by his unnatural Son deprived of his sight dealing to him therein the same measure that he had dealt Yet the unnatural Son escaped not altogether scotfree for Tovarres Governour of Gullet for the Emperour sending for Abdamelech brother to Muleasses of whom I have before spoken he in the absence of Amida surprized the City and Castle of Tunis but injoyed no more then 26 dayes e're he died when leaving his Son Mahometes a Child his Successor he was soon thrust out and Amida restored whereupon Muleasses fled first to Guletta and afterward into Sicily where at the Emperours command he was maintained at the common charge of the Islanders The French King being by this time weary of his new come Guest the Turks having first largely rewarded them sent them away who in their return spoil'd the Island of Elba belonging to the Duke of Florence upon the Governours refusing to deliver the Son of Sinan the Jew held Prisoner there since his being taken at Tunis and after that committed many outrages upon the Coast of Italy burning many Towns and carrying away the people into miserable Captivity but he long enjoyed not his Triumph ere himself was by death lead into Captivity viz. anno 1547. In which year died Mahomet Solyman's Eldest Son Frances the French King and Alphonsus-Daualus-Valtius the Emperours renowned General Solyman having now not made any personal Expedition for the space of three years resolved to invade the Persian King being solicited thereto by Ercases Imirza King of Sirnan and that Kings Brother but after great toil to little or no purpose for the space of 1 year and 9 Months he returned with his 〈◊〉 to Constantinople Imirza in the mean while being delivered to his brother Tamas the Persian King by Treachery was put to death during which Transaction one Dugat a notable Pirate having taken Africa a City in Tunis formerly called Aprodise he greatly troubled the Moors by Land and the Christians by Sea when to remove so troublesome a man the Knights of Malta passed over with a considerable power and after a furious assault possessed themselves of the said City the which by reason it was not tenable without excessive charge they razed carrying away a rich booty and 7000 Captives whereupon the Pirate fled to Constantinople craving aid of Solyman who sent with him Sinan the Jew made Admiral in the stead of Barbarossa with a great Fleet who in revenge of what had happened to Africa landed on the Island of Malta and attempted though in vain the winning that strong City Yet sailing into Africk they after great slaughter of their men took Tripolis in Barbary at that time possessed by certain of the Malta Knights for which Sinan Bassa having as it were Triumphed left Drugat Governour thereof by the Title of Sansack returned to Constantinople Anno 1551. Solyman notwithstanding the five years peace made with King Ferdinand sent Achmetes his Lieutenant in Europe
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
sore shaken with inrestine broyls But Clisalthâ—n dying gave some Rest by reason his Sons fell at variance among themselves as he and his Brothers had done for he leaving four all grown to Mens estate viz. Maful Coppatine Renâ—â—â—â—ine and Câ—ichofroes he divided his Dominions amongst them but they thinking each other wronged unless every one had all would not content themselves with what their Father had allotted them though Dominions large enough to suffice twenty Kings raised impious Broils But after long contention Masut the Elder seised by force all the Dominions in Persia making himself thereby absolute Sultan where I shall leave him setling his Dominions and return to Jerusalem After the death of Baldwin in Almericus his younger Brother was crowned King on the seventeenth day of February Aâ—â—â— â—163 who was no sooner setled in his Throne but he warred upon Dargan the Egyptian Sultan for refusing to pay him the accustomed Tribute and in a dreadful battel overthrew him who to stay the pursuit cut the Banks of Nilus and lay'd the Country under water But whilst he was busie in Egypt Noridin the King of Damasco making Inrodes upon the Christians near Tripolis was fought with by Gilbert Lacy an english man then great Master of the Templars and by him overthrown with the loss of three parts of his Army but the next year laying Siege to Arethusa the Christian Princes gathered their Forces to oppose him who upon their approach raised his Siege and departed and whilst they eagerly pursued he trained them into certain miry Fens where turning upon them he overthrew their Army with incredible slaughter and the Captivity of all the Princes commanding after which Victory he again laying Siege to the City had it yielded to him but Almericus was more successful in Egypt for he so prevailed against the Turks and Sarazens that they were obliged to purchase their Peace with the delivery of the City of Alexandria and most of the Prisoners taken by Noradin in the late overthrow and within a short while after the Turks infringing the Articles he aided by the Knights Templars and other Christians lay'd Siege to Pelusium which he after three days setting down before it won and gave it to the great Master and the Knights of the Order In this City they took the Sultan of Egypt's Son and Nephew for whose ransom the King received 100000 Duâ—ats and so he returned to Jerusalem when shortly after Sâ—raâ—con the Turkish General in those Parts under pretence of Friendship slew the Sultan of Egypt in his Tent and was in his stead proclaimed Sultan being first Turk 〈◊〉 ever governed Egypt yet he enjoyed not his ill got Dominion above the space or a year before death surprized him when in his stead Saladine his Nephew was crowned Sultan who desirous to be rid of the Caliph who as Successor to the Impostor Mahomet ruled in effect the Kingdom he upon some disgust with his horseman's Mace beat his brains out at a blow and then taking the chief Places of Trust from the Egyptians and giving them to his Turks so well secured himself and his Posterity that for the revolution of many years that fertile Kingdom remained in subjection to the Turks Being by the means aforesaid setled in his Kingdom he raised a great power and entered Palestine and after a short Siege took the City of Daron e're Almericus could come to relieve it and now the Turks increasing in great numbers the King of Jerusalem was obliged to send to the Christian Princes of the West for aid and in the mean while stoutly defended his Territory which the former Kings had extended to the uttermost borders of Arabia Felix larger than what ever the Israelites possessed and Anno 1173. Noridon King of Damasco died the sorest Enemy the Christians had but as Joy seldom comes without some taste of sorrow to allay it so now for Almericus the Sixth famous King of Jerusalem returning from the Siege of Peane 〈…〉 year fell into a Fever which after a short sick 〈…〉 him of life Up 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 Americus his Nephew Baldwi◠〈…〉 nightily opposed the Turks gâ—â—ing them many 〈◊〉 â—â—erthrows but was in the flower of his youth cut 〈◊〉 death the sixteenth of Aâ—â—y 1185. when as he haâ—â—eiâ—â—ed twelve Years and some Months In this King's stead his Son Baldwin the Fifth of that name and Eighth King of Jerusalem was crowned but long he had not reigned e'r his perfidious Mother to advance her second Husband Guy to the Throne poysoned him But Heaven leâ—t not such wickedness unrevenged not long after Guy the Ninth and Last King of Jerusalem took upon him the Scepter the Christians fell at variance amongst themselves ready to turn their Swords upon each other of which Saladine the Egyptian Sultan taking the advantage won many Cities and finally in a bloody battel the Christian Army was overthrown the King and most of his Nobles together with the great Master of the Templers were taken Prisoners which altogether broke the strength of the Christians in Syria for hightned with this success the Sultan with an Army of 200000 Horse and Foot besieged Jerusalem which being naked of men and wanting a Head was after fourteen days Siege and many fierce Assaults delivered up to the Enemy Anno 1187. after it had been in the hands of the European Christians for the space of 100 years upon condition that such Christians as would might still remain there with free exercise of their Religion and those that were minded to depart might be permitted so to do with as much of their Goods as they could carry upon their backs And thus the Holy City again fell into the hands of the Pagans who poluted it with their prophane Idolatries and superstitious Worship through the Christians lukewarmness and disrespect of God's Divine Worship who living in abundance of plenty forgat the hand that protected them trusting in their own arms as the Israelites to their cost had done before them After Jerusalem the Metropolis of the Kingdom was taken Anâ—â—eâ—â— was betrayed by the Patriarck such little regard had Christians of their Fidelity into the hands of the Turks for a certain sum of Gold 〈◊〉 afterward most of the other Cities either revolted or were taken by force Chap. IV. The Second Expedition of the Western Princes for the Recovery of the Holy Land c. JErusalem and most of the Cities of Palestine being lost as aforesaid the European Potentates were not a little grieved and to recover the same raised a mighty power and first that advanced was Frederick the German Emperor who setting forth from Vienna passed with a puissant Army through Hungary Bulgaria and Thracia and so to Constantinople where he passed over into Asia and entring Lyconia gave the Turks a great overthrow after which he besieged and took Iconium giving the Spoyls thereof to his Soldiers and from thence passing into Celicia in the Straights where the Greek Emperor some years before
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
Christendom now worn out with the toyls of War fell sick and although his Disease was grievous yet desirous to receive the blessed Sacrament he would be carried to the Church saying it was not fit that the Lord should come to the House of his Servant But that rather the Servant should go to the House of his Lord and after his being brought home his Sickness Increasing he gave up the Ghost to the Grief of all the Christian Princes and was buried in the Church of St. Stephen in Alba Julia. Mahomet hearing of the Death of this great Captain who opposed the Torrent of his Victories greatly rejoyced and now resolving to extend his Dominions as well by Sea as Land Equipped a great many in the Port of Constantinople with which he invaded the Islands in the Egean Sea reducing several of them to his obedience and Landing his Army straightly besieged the famous City of Rhodes but Calixtus the third then Bishop of Rome being greatly displeased for the loss of Pera a City belonging to his See aided by the Genoways sent out a great Fleet under the Conduct of Lodonicius Patriarch of Aquilla fought with the Turks Gally sunk and burnt most of them And by that means recovered the Islands they had taken which so inraged Mahomet that he prepared an other Fleet against the Spring the which whilst he was doing Ambassadors came from Vsun Cassanus King of Persia with many rich Presents desiring that he would enter into League with the mighty Prince his Master and remit the Tribute payed him by the King of Trepezond that Kingdom as he said after the Death of the then Reigning King revolving to his Master in right of his Wife Daughter to the said King which Peremptory demand so inraged Mahomet that he not only refused his Presents but dismissed his Ambassador with this Answer That he would himself e'r long be in Asia to teach Vsun Cassanes what to request of one greater then himself and thereupon Commanded the Fleet he had prepared for the Invasion of the Isles in the Egeum incontinently to sail to Sinope the chief City of Paphlagonia and to expect his coming thither with his Army by Land which City and Country being under the Persian King he resolved to besiege it on no other Account then to raise a ground of Quarrel which City being but slenderly fortified and not able to indure the Force of the Ordnance it was delivered by Ismaele the Prince of Paphlagonia into his Hands who putting a Garrison therein proceeded to the Siege of Trepezond which he had in like manner yielded to him who sent the Emperor together with his Empress Sons and Daughters Prisoners to Constantinople dispeopling the City and thrusting thereinto a Garrison of his Janizaries by that means bringing the whole Country into Subjection and for ever ruining that Christian Empire And now hearing that Waldus Dracula Prince of Valachia his Tributary went about to joyn with the Hungarians his mortal Enemies he sought by all means to get him into his Power to effect which he sent Chamuzes Bassa and his Secretary accompanied with several others to invite him to Court but the Prince understanding the Design upon his Life hanged the Bassa and Secretary and impailed the rest alive and then invaded his Country with Fire and Sword which so inraged Mahomet that he in Person with a great Army invaded Valachia ruining all with Fire and Sword till at length driving the Prince out of his Country he gave it to his younger Brother who in lieu thereof became his Tributary and upon his return invaded the Islands in the Egeum as he had before purposed and Landing on the Isle of Mittylene took the strong City from whence the Island take its name after twenty seven years Battery with the great Ordnance and then for non-payment of Tribute invaded the Kingdom of Bassan which subdued he by that means incompassed Epirus he having all this while according to his Directions of the Father by one or other of his Bassas maintained War against Scanderbeg but with such bad success that he thought more then Convenient to make Peace with him but such were his Proposals that Scanderbeg with scorn rejected 'um whereupon Mahomet sent Amasa Bassa with 12000 Horsemen to wast Epirus but Scanderbeg incountering with 6000 put his Army to flight and took him Prisoner and worse faired Debreus Bassa who soon after was sent with 14000 Horsemen for ingageing with Scanderbeg's Forces his Army was overthrown and himself slain Mahomet grieved his Affairs prospered no better and finding that by force he could not prevail against Scanderbeg he dealt underhand by giving great Rewards to his Captains thinking if he could cause them to revolt Scanderbeg would easily be subdued and so effectually he wroght with Moses his chief Captain and a great Soldier that in hopes of the Kingdom of Epirus promised by Mahomet when Scanderbeg should be subdued and a great mass of Money he found means to escape to Constantinople and after him Amasa another of Scanderbeg's Captains who were sent by Mahomet with great Power to invade Epirus but being overthrown by the invinsible Prince they received such cold Comfort at their return that fearing their Lives which indeed the Turk had a design to bereive them off Moses fled and humbling himself at the Feet of his Compassionate Prince he notwithstanding his Treachery received him again into his Service who afterward served him faithfully in his Wars but Amaze being overthrown in his expedition with Isaac Bassa with the loss of 20000 Turks upon his return was by the Command of Mahomet as most Conjectured poisoned after which Scanderbeg concluded a Peace with the Turks for a year and was afterwad continued for a longer time during which great War happened between the Turks about the seizing the Islands in the Egeum and thereby hindering the Traffick in the Mediteranian to the great impoverishing their Signiory Wherefore entering into a Confideracy with the Princes they Arme both by Sea and Land into which League they with many perswasions drew Scanderbeg notwithstanding his League made with Mahomet was not expired The Princes thus Confedrated raising great Forces when in the mean time Mahomet sent Scremet Bassa against Scanderbeg to keep him from joyning with the Venetians whose Duke Christopher Maurus was coming to him with ten Gallies appointed with which Bassa Scanderbeg fought and put him to flight with the loss of ten Thousand of his Men taking the Treasurer of the Army and six others of Account Prisoners who were speedily Ransomed at 40000 Duccats and greater things had been done had not the Duke of Venice dyed of a Fever upon whose Death his Army returned home Victor Capella the next year with the Venetian Fleet seized Athens Aulis Chalchis Larsum and the Isle of Himber But attempting to recover Patras was overthrown Hungary being destitute of such a King as might defend them against the Power of the Turks elected Matthias Corroinus
the youngest Son of John Huniades their great Captain deceased who not much inferiour to his Father in valour and success in Arms gave the Infidels many a fatal overthrow with the Loss of many of their Armies and gave great hopes to the Christians that he would as indeed he did prove a Bulwark to Christendom Whilst things thus passed Mahomet desirous to revenge himself of Scanderbeg fent Ballabanus with a great Army to invaide his Territories whom Scanderbeg charging furiously overthrew him but Moses and others of his Captains contrary to the command of their General in the heat of fight following their Enemies into the straights of the Mountains where fallen into an Ambush for that purpose layed they were taken Prisoners and carryed to Constantinople by those they had before Vanquished wherewith Sanderbeg sent to desire that he might Ransom them but the crafty Tyrant knowing how much he was weakned by such a loss caused them Cruelly to be flain alive and soon after sent Jacup Bassa with a great Army with whom the renowned Prince ingaging slew him hand to hand and put to the Sword a great part of his Army upon news of which Mahomet mad with Anger raised an Army of 200000 men thinking to overrun the Country but in vain for having a long time layn Siege to Croia and there by the furious Sallies of the Garrison and onsets of Scanderbeg lost near half his men together with Ballabanus his General he with great shame and confusion returned to Constantinople But as all things must yield to Fate so our invincible Champion whom no mortal hand could subdue wearyed with the Toils of a tedious War coming to Lyssa a City of the Venetians fell Sick and calling the Venetian Embassador to him he discovered to him what a troublesome Life he had lived and by what means the War was to be maintained recommending to him the care of his Wife and Children appointing the Venetians the Guardians of his Son till such time he came of Age and in the mean while to secure for him the Kingdom of Epirus admonishing him to be faithful and as much as in him lay to maintain peace and unity Then calling his Wife and Son told them that he must leave the World and exchange this Life for one more durable and willed her that after his death she should pass over into Apulia and there to live upon the inheritance given him by King Ferdinand and then after some devout Prayers gave up the Ghost Anno. 1466. in the 63 year of his Age and 24 of his Reign to the great grief of the Christian Princes and joy of the Turks whose Armys his very name had frequently put to flight After his death he was with great Solemnity buryed in the Cathedral Church at Lyssa where he rested till about 9 years after at what time the Turks taking the City dug up his Bones and happy was he that could get the smallest piece which they wore about them ever after as inestimable Jewels superstitiously imagining that whilst they had them about u'm Scanderbeg's fortune would attend u'm and that they should be invincible Not long after the Death of this renowned Soldier the Hungarians under the leading of their young King seized upon the Kingdom of Bosna and soon rent it from the Turkish Empire demolishing the Castles and driving away the Garrisons placed there by Mahomet at what time the Venetians being abroad with a great fleet of Gallies took divers Cities from the Turks burnt many Villages and carryed away 2000 Captives into the Country of Euboea now called Nigroponte which so inraged Mahomet that he prepared a great Army to invade that Country and recover the spoil in order to effect which he sent Mahomet Bassa with a fleet of 300 Gallies whilst himself with a great Army Marched overland with which the Venetian Admiral not daring to ingage it arrived safe where the Turks landing took Stora Basasilicon and Marching to Chalcis joyned with the Emperors Army who with small Vessels and other Materials made a Bridge over the straight or narrow Sea which divides Euboea from Achaia straightly besieging it both by Sea and Land and with his Cannon for 4 days battered the City incessantly being given to understand by the chief Cannoneer of the 〈◊〉 whom he had bribed which was the weakest part insomuch that in the end several large 〈…〉 made yet was the City so manfully 〈…〉 the Turks could not enter and every day 〈…〉 Turks forced to make a new Battery for such part of the Wall as was in the Day time beaten down which the Citizens in the Night repaired and at length coming to understand the Tretchery of their Gunner hanged him up as a reward of his Tretchery Mahomet perceiving the valor of the defendants resolved after his having rent the Wall with his Cannon in divers places and thirty Days besieged the City to give a general assault with all his power at what time the Venetian Admiral came in sight of the City with his Fleet but would not tho his Captains urged either Fight with Turkish Gallies or endeavour to break the Bridge the which had he done he had shut up Mahomet and all his forces in the Island where through Famine and other necessities he might have greatly distressed him This Cowardice of the Admiral for which he and all his Family was afterwards Banished by the Signory of Venice being perceived by the Turks they gave a furious assault on all parts and were so stoutly repulsed that they with their dead filled up the Trenches and Breaches but their number still increasing and continuing the assault a whole day and a night without intermission the Citizens at last being 3 parts of them Slain and wounded the remaining part retired to the Market and there upon the Turks entering Fought it out to the last man selling their Lives at a dear rate amongst whom many Women disguised in men's apparel Fighting couragiously were Slain The City being thus gained at the price of 40000 Turks Lives the Barbarous Tyrant commanded all that were found therein to be put to the Sword which Paulus Ericus the Governour understanding with his Wise Daughter and trusty Friends betook himself to the Castle who capitulated that upon the surrender of the Castle himself and his Friends should have their Lives and Liberties Granted them which the Tyrant solemnly Swore to but having gotten them in his power made at the great loss he had sustained in winning the City he caused the Governour and all but his Daughter to be presently Slain reserving the young Lady as the only Mirror of Beauty to satiate his lust but she disdaining the Tyrants promises and reviling him for his wicked purposes rather desiring Death then to lose her Chastity by becoming his prostitute he caused her even in his presence to be cruelly put to Death and then proceeded to subdue the other Cities of the Island who terrified with the fate of Chalcis surrendered
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
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
sent her Parents notice thereof who tender of their Daughters Honour sent her away secretly the which upon Knowledge it was done by Othomans means so inraged the Governour that he vowed Revenge and sent after him a strong Party to seize him at the Castle of In-Vngi whither he knew he was gone where being demanded of the Captain of that Castle after some Debate those that kept it resolved to defend him but he not greatly trusting them as knowing the Governours Power in those parts with several of his trusty Friends he broke through the Leagures killing some and dispersing the rest yet other Forces coming to their Assistance they followed him into his Fathers Territories where his Danger was no sooner known but all the Youths Armed and setting upon the Governours Soldiers they slew many took some Prisoners and put the rest to flight So that Othoman began to be feared of such as hated him Ertogrul being spent with Age and Infirmity created by lying in the Field and watching in Camps dyed in the ninety third year of his Age Anno 1289. Having since the Death of Solyman his Father governed the Ogâ—zian Family fifty two years who now being dead the Heads of the Family assembled to chuse another Lord and thereupon they pitched upon Dunder Entogrul's Brother but he by reason of his great Age refusing the Honour they with one Consent elected Othoman saluting him by the Name of Beg or Lord he being by this means become Lord of the same Family The Herdsmen that sed their Flocks upon the Mountains complained to him of outrages done them in passing and repassing by the Garrison or Soldiers of the Castle of Einegiol they being thereto incited by their Captain with which he being not a little grieved sent to the Captain of Bilâ—zuga his Friend another Castle not far distant from the former to permit his People to shelter and refresh themselves therein during their passing and repassing to the Mountains to which in Relation to the Turkish Women he Consented but not to permit the Men for Fear of a surprize So that they went another way avoiding the former Castle but Othoman still studying Revenge for the Injuries done to his People whereupon gathering what Force he could he passed to the Mountains in hopes to surprize it but the Captain having notice thereof came out to meet him laying an Ambush in hopes to intrap him of which he being aware came not into it but gave the Captain battle upon plain Ground and after some slaughter on both side put him to slight and passing on took the Castle of Chalce not far from Einegiol by surprize putting all he found therein to the Sword of which outrage great Complaint was made to the Governour of Cara-Chisar and great Forces raised to apprehend him and destroy the Oguzian Family who as they said coming not long before poor Herdsmen and sheltered out of Pity began to Usurp over the rightful Inhabitants Against these Preparations Othoman provided the best he could and near to Mount Tmolus gave Battle to Calanus Brother to the Governour of Cara-Chisar who overthrown in the Battle lost his Brother Saragatine and many other Friends when shortly after Sultan Aladine the last Sultan of Iconium understanding what had happened and that Othoman might stand him in stead against the Christians gave him the City of Paleopolis with all the Territories thereunto belonging So by this means he became of a poor Herdsman a formidable Governour when not unmindful upon what Account such a Favour was bestowed upon him he entred into Consultation with his Brother Jundus how he might best get away but he finding himself too weak and by that means Considering he should lay himself open to the Fury of the Tartar he resolved to make Peace with such as would accord thereto and wait his better Fortune for there wanted not some of the Selzuccian Family that greatly envied his Aspiring yet incouraged by the Sultan he took the strong Castle of Cara-Chisar the residence of his Enemy and so settled his Affairs winning upon his People with kind Speeches and bounty that great numbers of the Turks daily resorted to him Now during the prosperous Proceedings of Othoman there happened a Quarrel between the two Christian Captains of Belezuga and Cupri-Chisar upon which the former doubting his strength and yet desirous of Revenge solicited Othoman for aid who in lieu of some kindnesses received came to his Assistance with 100 Turks by whose Valour he overthrew his Adversary took his Castle and put him to the Sword which so swelled the Captain with Pride that he gave Othoman many rich Gifts as likewise to his Soldiers but what vexed them more then the Gifts pleased them he gave them his Hand to kiss and above all Othoman who adviced with his Cozen Dunder his Uncles Son what Revenge was best to be taken to humble the Captains insolence but seeming to disswade him from any such Attempt and to be the Captains Friend lest he should relate his Intentions and that redound to his prejudice resolving to make all he at an advantage shot his Cozen through with an Arrow and hid him in the Sand. Long it was not after this Transaction e'r he was invited by one Michael Cossi Captain of Hirmen Caia to the Marriage of his Daughter where according to the Custom of the Country making large Presents the rest of Captains began to mistrust his greatness so that the Captain of Belezuga resolved to prevent it with his Death and therefore the better to have him within his Power he invited him to his Wedding at a certain day making Cossi privy to his Design And a little before the appointed time sent Cossi to fetch him who was as ready to accompany him which Cossi perceiving to prevent his Ruin discovered the Conspiracy against his Life Whereupon he Contracted a strict Amity with him obliging him to secrecy and then began to cast about how he might be revenged of the said Captain and so ordered it that sending about forty men in a Carriage instead of packs of Presents they whilst the Captain and all his People unless a few left to secure the Castle by the help of some Soldiers who in the habit of Turkish Women were sent thither by the Captains order as Othomans Friends surprized it putting the Warders to the Sword Now Othoman came according the Captains wish and stayed drinking with him in his pleasant Bowers till he supposed his men had effected his Commands and together with Cossi and some other of his Companions retired which the Captain perceiving and loath to let him escape his Hands as supposing he had him sure he and all his Soldiers followed him but being over-charged with Wine they were by him and his Company lightly slain Things thus prospering he followed his Advantage and the next Morning surprized the Castle of Jarchisar took the Captain Prisoner as likewise Lubufer the fair Damosel with all her Attendants that should
of them slain and the rest taken Prisoners Things being at this pass and by this means peace Recovered to the Empire intestine broyles began anew to be fomented by the factious Greeks for the young Emperor being dead they stirred up young Adronicus his Son to depose his Grand-father the old Emperor which after several Stratagems and devices he effected taking the City of Constantinople by treason and casting him in Prison where of grief he soon after died These Civil dissensions of the Greeks amongst themselves gave Othoman the opportunity to sound his Empire in Phrygia and Bythima where being successful in all his Attempts he mightily increased his Dominions having by this time subdued 20 Cities with all their Territories and amongst the rest Prusia which after along Siege worn out with Famine Anno 1327 yielded upon several Articles few of which were afterward observed by the Turk which being the greatest City in those parts of Asia became for many years after the seat of the Turkish Kings But as all men must yield to death so in the 28 year of his Reign and the 69 year of his Age Othoman the Founder of the Turkish Empire still called from him the Othoman Empire died and was buried in Prusia where to this day his Tomb is to be seen and in his new acquired Kingdom Orchanes his Second Son succeeded him his eldest dying during his Regency CHAP. VII The Life and Actions of Orchanes otherwise Urchan Second King of the Turks in Asia THE Funeral rights of this great Conqueror being performed by his Sons viz. Orchanes alias Vrchan his Second Son and Aladin his third and youngest Son and he having left great store of wealth Orchanes his Successor took upon him the rule of the Kingdom allotting to his Brother Aladin at his request the Lordship of Fodore in the Teckences Country where he lived a private Life without doing any thing worthy of memory but Orchanes now settled in his Kingdom following his fathers footsteps whose Armies of late he had altogether commanded as his General he forgat not to proceed where he had left off and therefore prepare to War upon the Christians but at first with no great Success for the Christians upon the death of Othoman drawing their forces together out of all parts recovered the City of Nice with divers Castles and Towns and amongst the rest the Castle Tzuprichiser which greatly hindered the Turks excursions who dwelt in Bithynia whereupon Orchanes upon notice that it was slenderly Guarded went with several of his followers in the attire of Merchants and by that means deceiving the warders got admittance but were no sooner entered e're they proved fatal ones for drawing their Swords they put all such as they found therein to death and seized the Castle and having Garrisoned it passed on to the City of Nice to which they lay'd siege when to rescue it the young Emperor Andronicus came with such power as he could raise but being for the most part unexperienced Soldiers the Turks from the Mountains as they were passing through the hot Country setting upon them a cruel battel begun but night coming on they parted by consent yet in this fight the Emperor lost near half his People and was himself wounded with an Arrow so that despairing of effecting what he came for leaving his Tents and great store of Furniture therein every man shifted for himself in the dead of Night so that next Morning what they left became a prey to the Infidels who hightened by this Success took in several Sea Towns and within a while recovered the City of Nice by Stratagem As thus the Emperor in his flight thither from his Camp had promised to send them 1000 Horse-men of which Orchanes having notice disguised 800 of his men in Grecian habit and sent them with full instructions who being come within sight of the City he sent out 300 other in Turkish habit as foragers whom the other espying as if they had been ignorant of the Matter turned upon them and after a feigned skirmish put them to flight then taking their way to the City the Citizens who from their walls had beheld what had passed joyfully opened their Gates supposing them to be the Emperors promised Aid but they no sooner entered but the other 300 Horse and several Companies of Foot who lay in Ambush were at their Heels by which means that great City was a second time taken by the Turks whose Riches became a prey to the Soldiers and whose Inhabitants became of free Persons miserable Captives The Fate of this great City followed many others in the same Tract the Turks wasting all before them as they went miserably burning up what they could not carry away so that the Countries before them were dispeopled all the Inhabitants flying from them as a ten-fold Contagion So that no considerable Forces being sent from the Emperor the Cities fell into his Hands in great abundance and above all being desirous to possess the two fair Castles of Abydos and Sestus he sent Accecozza one of his great Captains to win them if possible who by the way having Intelligence that the Captains Son of the Castle of Seamandra being dead his Funeral was such a day to be Solemnized without the Walls whereupon laying an Ambushment they upon the Mourners approach suddenly issued from their Coverts and slew several of them taking the remainder Prisoners and amongst them the Captain whom they carried to the Castle telling those that kept the Walls that if they did not deliver it he should be put to a Cruel Death before their Eyes at which nothing dismayed they returned Answer that they might Kill him Boyl him and Eat him if they pleased but as for the Castle they would not deliver it whereupon he finding it a work of great Difficulty to take by force departed to Sestus which he with little Difficulty took and had his Prisoners Ransomed for a great Mass of Mony and amongst the rest the Captain of Scamandra and now Abydos standing in Europe on the other side the Hellâ—â—â—â— was the only place Aimed at when as Fate would have the Night before the Turks came before it the Captain of the Castles Daughter dreamt that she falling 〈◊〉 miry made her Clean the which as soon as 〈◊〉 the viewed Abdurachman one of the Turkish Captains the fancied him to be the same Person she had 〈…〉 Vision and so strongly her fancy wrong 〈…〉 he lead up his Forces against the Wall 〈…〉 Power from whence she beheld what was 〈…〉 a Letter tyed to a stone at his Feeâ—◠〈…〉 presed her Passion Protesting that 〈…〉 of her Love she would on such a 〈…〉 Castle into his Hands This Letter 〈…〉 Acâ—ecozza he much doubted the 〈…〉 searing it was a design to draw them 〈…〉 upon Abdurachman's Request that he might 〈…〉 the Enterprize he Consented it being agreed that to give the besieged the less Suspicion the Army should give a general assault and then draw
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
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
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
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
Prince of great hope to be chosen K. of the Romans who likewise the year following on the 8th of September with all solemnity Crowned at Presburg King of Hungaria to confirm which choice Solyman sent Ibrahim Bassa as his Ambassador to the Emperour as likewise to conclude in his name an eight years peace and the better to gain credit he sent his Letters of credence not usually done by the Turkish Emperors whose proud stile therein I think not amiss to insert which take as followeth I the Lord of Lords Ruler of the East and West who am of power to do and not to do whatsoever pleaseth me Lord of all Grecia Persia and Arabia Commander of all things which can be subject to King and Command the great worthy of these times and strong Champion of the wide World Lord of all the white and black Seas and of the Holy City of Mecha shining with the brightness of God of the City of Medina and of the Holy and Chast City of Jerusalem King of the most noble Kingdom of Egypt Lord of Jovia and of the City of Athens Senan of the Sacred Temple of God Zabilon and Bassio Rethsans and Magodini the Seat and Throne of the great King of Nashin Rettam and Lord of the Island of Argiers Prince of the Kingdom of Tartary Mesopotamia Media of the Georgians Morea Anatolia Asia Armenia Valachia Moldavia and of all Hungary and many other Kingdoms and Territories whereof I am Emperour The most mighty Monarch Sultan Solyman Son of the great Emperour Sultan Selym who hath power from God to rule all People with a bridle and strength to break open the Gates and Bars of all Cities and strong places into whose mighty hand are delivered all the ends of the World none excepted I Ruler of the East from the Island of Tsein unto the farthest bounds of Africa whom God hath appointed a mighty Warrior in the edge of Sword amongst whose most mighty Kingdoms the impregnable Castle of Caesarie is reputed the least and in whose Hereditary Dominions the Kingdom or Empire of Alexander the Great is accounted of us a trifle with me is the strength of the whole World and Virtue of the Firmament For as much as thou King Ferdinand c. Their audacious stile being read in the German Court moved some to indignation and others to secret laughter yet the necessity requiring it peace was concluded but kept no longer then the Emperour lived for upon his Death which happened two years after viz. 1564. new troubles arose in Hungary and several Towns and Castles were won and lost on either side whereupon Solyman resolved in person to come into Hungary but upon second thoughts he changed his mind and bent his Forces against the Island of Malta lying between Africa and Sicilia in length twenty and in breadth twelve miles exceeding fruitful and pleansantly scituate were it not in Summer time too much scorched by the Sun which deprives the inhabitants of their fresh water before which the Turks coming with a Fleet of Two Hundred Ships and Gallies after some loss sustained both by the Sea and Islanders Landed and layed siege to St. Michaels Castle which they furiously battered but it being defended by several Knights of the Order they received great loss before it whereupon they consulted amongst themselves to leave the siege of St. Michael and besiege the Castle of St. Elmo the which with the loss of 18000 of their men they took when in the mean while Valetta the Great Master fortified St. Michael both City and Castle sending to the Viceroy of Sicilia for aid but the Turks incouraged by the comming of the King of Argier with his Ships and a great supply of Victuals besieged St. Michaels Castle a second time as also the City Thundering against it for the space of eight days without intermission but such was the courage of the besieged that they either repaired the breaches or beat back the Assailants who made such slaughter of those that attempted to enter that their dead bodies filling the breaches served as a Rampire to keep out the rest and thus they continued furious to assault the City almost every day till upon notice of the Viceroy of Sicily's approach with a great power both by Sea and Land they raised their siege and departed to meet him near Melita where in a set Battle they were overthrown and most of them slain with the loss of 5000 Christians onely yet those that escaped in their return landed on the Island Chios and took it it being before almost deserted of its inhabitants by reason it lay always obnoxious to the fury of the barbarous Infidels Solyman inraged at this defeat resolved to revenge himself upon the Christian Princes and therefore with a great Army undertook his before determined War against Hungary solicited thereto by the Vayvod of Traâ—sylvania who hoped to be made King thereof but Maximilian being Crowned Emperour he railed a great power being aided by the German Princes and sent them under the leading of several valiant Captains but especially Count Serenus and Count Helffeustin whose good Fortunes proved such that within a short time the Turks were stripped out of most of their Garrisons and a great number of them slain for Maximillian the Emperour long before advertised of Solymans purpose had raised as is said a gallant Army consisting of 40000 Horse and Foot the flower of all Christian Nations besides a Fleet upon the River Danubius which hindered the Turks Provisions and other necessaries from being brought by water By this time Solyman coming to the River Dromus over which with infinite labour he caused a Bridge to be made for the passage of his Army which done he encamped before Sigeth of which Count Serenus was made Governour a valiant man and mortal Enemy to the Turks attended on by a Garrison of 2300 resolute Germans and Hungarians who like a brave Souldier with a most Christian Oration incouraged his men not to be dismaid at the multitude of their Enemies but to trust in God and be of good courage for he by his Almighty power was able by a few to confound the Armies of the proud Concluding that as for himself as he was a Christian and free born so he would by the Grace of God in the same Faith and Freedom end his dayes and that no proud Turk so long as he could hold up his hand should have power to command over him or the ground whereon he stood nor failed he in his resolves for after he had done all that man was capable of doing killing such numbers of Turks that the Plains lay scattered with the dead the Walls being for the most part beaten down and the Town fired about his Eares the Turks in great number entring every where and no relief coming to his assistance he called the poor remainder of his Souldiers about him with whom he was retired into the Castle and with an undaunted resolution spake these his last
favours towards him then stood with her honour and at the same time Mahomet intending to match him to his Daughter thereby to procure the Friendship of the great Tartarian Cham it so far moved the Sultans or great men of the Court with envy that they slew him in the Palace and at the same time as many reported strangled the Queen whom they found over familiar with him in his Chamber but whether so or not certain it is she was never afterwards seen The Tartars Forces thus destroyed the Terror of the young Persian Prince was so great that what by Stratagem and plain Force he wrested out of the Turks hands most of the Cities they had before possessed Insomuch that the City of Derbent of which Osman Bassa was Governour with the title of Vizar of Sirnan excepted the Turks were driven out of all their strong places nor was it long ere the Persian Sophy practised with Shahamel Lord of the Mountain of Brus whose Daughter Osman had married to betray him and the City into his power for that he was the onely man amongst the Georgians whom Osman trusted who won by the great promises of the Sophy without any respect to the Turk as he was his Son-in-Law undertook to gratifie him in his desire but he carried not the matter so close but his Daughter understanding what that passed and more studious for the preservation of her Husband than furthering her Fathers purpose she still revealed all she knew which so inwardly perplexed Osman that he resolved to prevent the Treachery of his Father-in-law by taking him out of the way whereupon as his usual manner was inviting him to a solemn Feast with a chearful countenance he commanded 500 of his Soldiers to be in a readiness and that as soon as Sahamel was entered the Court off his Pallace to seize him and after having cut of his Head to put all his followers to the Sword which was accordingly put in execution and not so contented he sent out 2000 Horsemen to spoil his Countrey to the great astonishment of all the neighbouring Princes but to the exceeding grief of the Sophy who found his hopes frustrated by the death of Sahamel The year following viz. 1578. Amurath calling to him his Bassa's consulted what was further to be done in relation to the Persian War when after a long debate it was upon mature deliberation resolved that it was a matter of dangerous consequence to send an Army into the heart of Persia where they should not only have a fierce Enemy to deal with but likewise many other difficulties as hunger overflowing of Rivers passing craggy Mountains and the like But that it was therefore necessary that by degrees they should pass conquering on from the Borders still securing all at their backs the care of managing which being referred to Mustapha he sent into all the Heredatary Countries of the Empire commanding the respective Governours to send him store of Pioners and men skilled in Architect as likewise a great number of the most expert Souldiers but especially those that had been disbanded the year before upon notice of which great multitudes flocked to the service who early in the Spring met at Erzirum from whence they marched under the command of the Bassa to Chars a City on the Frontiers of Sirnan which in the late War had been demolished yet now again Rebuilt and Fortified within the space of 23 dayes notwithstanding the abundance of Snow that fell during their labouring therein the which was no sooner finished but news came that the strong Castle of Testis was besieged by the Persians who had reduced the Garrison to so great a straight that through Famine they would be obliged to yield up the place if they were not speedily relieved Upon which in great perplexity he sent Hassan Bassa Son to Mahomet Principal Vizar of the Court and Resuan Captain of the Adventurers with 20000 Horse and Foot furnished with Provisions and others Necessaries for the relief of the Besieged who passing the straits of Tomanis were set upon by 8000 Persians under the leading of Aliculi Cham and Simon two expert Captains who in those intricate mazes slew many of them and took considerable spoil which so hightened them that within a while after setting upon the Turks and thinking to have the like advantage fell into their Ambush so that most of the Persians fell by the Sword or were taken Prisoners and amongst the latter Aliculi Cham wwhich gave Hassan opportunity to march without further controul to Testis where through Famine he found half the Garrison lost yet encouraging them in the best wise and storing them with all manner of Provision and Warlike Munition he having at their request displaced Mahomet the Governour and constituted Amet Bassa in his stead he was about to return the same way he came but upon notice that Simon had strongly possessed himself of the aforesaid straights and barrocadoed them with his great Artillery he was wonderfully perplexed as dispairing of his safe return which Aliculi perceiving promised upon consideration that he would release him to shew him a way both plain and easie through which he might pass without any danger from the Persians whereupon the Bassa swore to perform what he requested but afterwards as is very usual amongst those Infidels revoked his Oath excusing himself by saying it was not in his power to release any Prisoner taken in War without the consent of his General of which perfidious dealing Sinan having notice who before in consideration of the delivery of Aliculi had winked at their passage he with his Light-Horsemen pursued hard after them when overtaking the Rear he charged them with such fury that in great confusion they fled In which flight a great number were slain and taken Prisoners with a great booty especially the Treasure of the Bassa and of Resuan Captain of the Adventurers which loss so sensibly afflicted Mustapha that upon notice thereof he broke up his Army not thinking it convenient to attempt any thing further that year and soon after he being discharged of his Generalship was called home where upon his arrival at Court he was accused by Sinan Bassa for neglecting the Emperours affairs wasting his Treasure in unnecessary buildings and rather giving the Enemy cause to contemn the Ottoman Forces then to fear their Prowess These and many other such like complaints being exhibited against him so incensed Amurath that he resolved he should be strangled in order to which he sent his chief Gentleman Porter attended on by fifteen others to the Bassas Pallace but the crafty old blade being forewarned of what was intended against him caused himself for a long time to be denyed but when the messengers impatient of delay urged that he must and should render obedience to the Emperors warrant which they then produced they were admitted to his presence but frustrated of their design by a Guard that inclosed the Bassa with weapons forbidding any access
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
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
the neglect of Ferat Bassa he by the advice of Sinan Bassa sent for him who trusting to his innocency boldly came to answer to what should be objected against him though warned to the contrary but he was scarce arrived e'r by the command of Mahomet he was strangled and his goods to the value of five hundred thousand Ducats confiscated After the death of Ferat who was somewhat a favourer of the Christians Sinan the proud Bassa son to a Fisherman and their mortal enemy was sent with a great Army into Valachia to reduce that and the other revolted Countries to the Turkish obedience but being encountred by the Transilvanian Forces his Army was overthrown with great slaughter and himself in his flight falling into a Lime-pit hardly escaped with life after which he fled to Canstantinople to plead his own cause having promised upon his undertaking that Expedition at the price of his head to reduce Valachia Moldavia and Transylvania to their former obedience Not long after the overthrow of Sinan the Lords Eckenberg and Leucowitz overthrew twenty thousand who under the leading of the Bassa of Bosna invaded the country of Crotia and following their Victory entred the Turkish Dominions and burnt 15 Villages carrying away a great booty and soon after took Petrina which after a close siege and some furious assaults was abandoned by the Turks In the mean while Sigismund the Transylvanian Prince raised a greater power than before upon notice that Sinan Bassa was again upon his march to invade his Countries at what time the Ziculi or Sciculy a people bordering on the North of Transilvania sent to him to offer him their service as weary of the Turkish thraldom who according to agreement besides many rich presents and store of provision sent him forty thousand men well appointed which no sooner joyned him he had notice that Sinan had passed Danubius by a bridg of Boats whereupon he marched with all dilligence to meet him and in another set battle gave him a fatal overthrow in which there were thirty thousand slain and taken prisoners besides a rich booty nor did the River Danubius upon their hasty repassing the bridge which was near two miles over devour a less number insomuch that Sinan swore in a great rage that the young Prince had in a short time Eclipsed all the renown he in the course of his whole life had got After this overthrow of the Turks which they number amongst their great mischances the Castle and Island in the River with little loss were recovered and then in great Triumph laden with the Turks spoils the Prince returned to Alba Julia at what time by his Captains he took the strong Castle of Jenna and intercepted about 70 waggons richly laden which they of Temeswar fearing to be besieged were sending together with their wives and children to places of greater strength These things perplexing the proud Turk he sent his special Messengers to stir up the Crimesian Tartars a people living for the most part on spoil to invade Moldavia Transylvania and Valachia who were likewise incouraged thereto by the Chancellor of Polonia he so far insinuating with the King that Moldavia was taken from the Transylvanian Prince and a new Vayvod placed therein who opened contrary to his faith given three wayes for the Turks and Tartars to invade Transylvania of which perfidious dealing Pope Clement the Eighth by his Letters to the King of Polonia grievously complained and likewise against Cardinal Zamoskie the Chancelor and first mover of this mischief whom he cited to appear before him at Rome there to answer to what should by the Ambassadours of the Christian Princes be objected against him charging them both with breach of faith and disloyalty to the King of Heaven by betraying the Christians into the hand of the sworn enemies of the Christian Religion yet both the King and Chancelor used such endeavours that they satisfied the Pope in the necessity of their writing better to him to that purpose when at the same time Cham Kazikieri the Tartarian King wrote to Sigismund King of Polonia to put him in mind of his promise to give his Army free passage as likewise to destroy the Cossacks who as he said by daily incursions wasted his Frontier and to make a perpetual League with him yet onely the former request was observed The Christians not pleased with the proceedings of the Polonian to shew how little they esteemed his Friendship inraged as it were with his revolt burnt and destroyed all the Turkish Garrisons uppon his Frontiers whom he durst not protect for fear of having his own Dominions wasted in the like manner but what happened this year 1596 advantagious to the Christians was the death of Sinan Bassa their sworn Enemy who having by his Friends and many rich presents escaped the fury of the angry Sultan Mahomet who had vowed his death soon after through grief and shame of his late overthrow died after he had for Fifty years wasted the Earth with Fire and Sword Yet the following Spring Mahomet with a great power purposed in person to pass into Hungary but by reason of the Plague and Famine that raged throughout his Empire he could not accomplish his design but was more and more perplexed by the revolt of the Georgians and the great Army the new King of Persia was raising for the recovery of Tauris notwithstanding to prevent the worst the Transilvanian Prince in person went to the Courts of the Emperour and Pope to crave Aid where he was with great kindness received and promised such supplies of Men and Mony as his occasion should require but during his stay there the Sciculi rose up in arms against him yet the Rebellion was blown over by the execution of the chief Promoters of the Tumult and Ten Thousand Rascians in a fit time proffered him their service for the Tartars were by this time on their way whereupon having received several rich Presents he returned home being every where joyfully received of his People All this time the Lord Palfi with the Garrison Souldiers of Strigonium was not idle but used his utmost dilligence to surprize the Turks Convoys and Garrisons nor was his expectation frustrated for overrunning the Country as far as the Walls of Temeswar he got many rich booties and removed such Christians as were in danger of the Turks Garrison nearer his own missing but narrowly of the Bassa of Temeswar with all his Treasure as he was going to Belgrade to give place to a new Bassa but however he fell into the hands of the Hungarian Heidons who overthrew his Convoy slew him and took all his riches laden in Seventy Five Waggons to the value of Two Hundred Thousand Hungarian Ducats which so inraged the Turks that gathering Forty Thousand strong they besieged Lippa but after the loss of six Thousand of their number in many furious assaults they left their Trenches and in great confusion retired which flight was occasioned by the
overpowred were two hundred of them slain yet this loss was shortly revenged by the Garrison Souldiers who surprizing several of the Turkish Nobility sporting with their wives in the hot Baths not far from Buda put all the men to the sword and suffered the women to escape naked into the City to whose flight fear added wings and so with the spoil of their rich garments returned in Triumph but want of Victuals increasing they were obliged to feed upon all manner of unclean things when at the same time their neighbours of Buda having received a great Convoy of Victuals derided them and sent three or four thundering Peals of Cannon over the river against the Town but their mirth was soon spoiled for by the carelessness of the Engenier several barrels of Povvder taking fire not only killed a great number of them but likevvise overthrevv four yards of their Wall and thus the Winter passed over vvith many skirmishes and the taking of several places in Hungary on either side When early in the Spring the nevv Vayvod of Valachia over run the rich Countrey of Silistria reducing the greatest part of it to his obedience and soon after Colloninitz gave the Turks another great overthrow and took a great booty on its way to Canisia and afterwards laid siege to Baboz but finding it strongly Garrisoned and furnished for a long siege he withdrew from before it yet he surprized many of the Turks and intercepted several Waggons laden with provision about which time news came that the Janizaries were up in Arms at Constantinople as likewise Sphai and that they committed several outrages on the Bassas and spared not to abuse their master telling him they would seeing he neglected to reform his Government svvearing that unless he vvould deliver into their povver the Capi Aga and such others as they should require they would turn all into confusion which threats so scared the Pusillanimous Tyrant that he was contented to yield to their demands who having got those Favorites they most inveighed against they with all despight put them to death whereupon the Tyrant not to be outdone in cruelty caused several of the Bassa's and chief men of his Court whom he knew the Souldiers affected to be slain which caused such a hatred against him that many of his great Bassa's conspired to depose him and set up his son Mahomet in his stead which they were the more animated to put in practice for that he had at the same time made a dishonourable peace with the Asian Rebels giving most of their ring-leaders great Commands whilst those that had faithfully served him were rejected of which intent of his men of war the Tyrant having notice caused his son and so many as he could understand were any wayes concerned therein to be put to death These things happening in the foregoing year the year following the Tartars in great numbers intending to invade Hungary were denyed passage by the Polonians whereupon they resolved to make their way through Valachia with whom the Vayvod had many hard conflicts killing at one time three thousand of them but their number being great he was forced at length to let them pass who upon their arrival in Hungary and Stira made great spoil e'r Collonitz could take the field who at length joyning with Count Serinus gave them a fatal overthrow and recovered about five thousand Christian Captives yet those that escaped from the battle roving about did great harm till such time as they were met with by the Lord Nadasti and his Hassars who with a furious charge overset their battle and brought them to final destruction when soon after Collonitz returning fell upon Two Thousand Turks all or most of which he slew and then passing on besieged the Castle of Loqua which in a short time he took but by neglect of the Soldiers injoyed not long for the Palizadoes being fired set fire to the Castle and laid it wast After which he marched towards the Castle of Boulouvenar upon whose approach the Garrison fled but in their flight being met were overthrown with great slaughter and such as were taken Prisoners together with all their substance brought back to the Castle into which the Collonel having put Four Hundred Haducks and Two Hundred Hussars returned to Comara where with a great Booty he arrived in safety Turning a little from the troubles of Hungary a Countrey subject to the continual Inroads of the Turks I shall return to Transilvania which by this time was for the most part reduced to the Emperours obedience For Moyses the Rebel after his being overthrown by Basta doubting his safety in the Castle of Solemose delivered it to the Turks and fled to Temeswar a City in their possession of which Basta the Emperours Leiutenant having notice resolved to recover the Castle which the Turks supposed impregnable by reason of its scituation as being founded upon a steep and hard Rock but the Germans having by strength of Arms drawn their Cannon to the top of a little Hill not far distant from it after a terrible battery made had it delivered to them the Turks well perceiving they were no longer able to keep it This strong place thus gained many of less account that held out against Basta surrendered whereupon assembling the principal men of Transilvania he in a short Oration admonished them to be stedfast to the interest of the Emperour and not to have any regard to the faithless and wavering Turks c. To which they replyed That they were willing to obey the Emperour in all things but that their people in continual Wars being wasted they desired him to consider how little able they were to keep an Army in the Field without which the Countrey could not be defended but if the Emperour would protect them and secure them with a standing Army they would yearly pay towards the defraying of the charges Fifteen Thousand Hungarian Ducats and furnish them with all things necessary It being a thing more Honourable and Profitable for a Prince moderately to use his Subjects then for covetousness to devour them in one day and in their loss to lose himself for ever This their offer was by Basta accepted and the minds of the people by many perswasive arguments kept in their dutiful Allegiance to the Emperour But whilst peace was expected on all sides Moyses the Rebel with a great power of Turks and Tartars entered Transilvania at such time as Basta was absent dreaming of no such matter and seizing upon Wisceborongh some other places of small importance his name began to spread wide Insomuch that Mahomet the Sultan understanding what he had done promised to send him more Aid and to make him his Leiutenant if he prospered in his Wars which puffed up the Rebel to that height that hearing of Basta being with small Forces in the Town of Somosinar he resolved to march thither and besiege him but that experienced Captain knowing how much it impaired the credit of a
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
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
so that they were dissembled and although whilst the Ships lay before the City a hundred slaves from on board the Turks Gallies and out of the City escaped by getting on board and amongst them Monsieur de Peau-jeu a Knight of Malta yet that was likewise dissembled and not thought a sufficient ground for War with a Nation whose valour the Turks by fatal experience had tryed but in the end the French became more moderate and new instructions being brought the Ambassador by a man of War he passed to Adrinople where the Grand Signeour was gone and having his second Audience granted his first being had of the Visier he desired that the League so long continued between his Master and the Ottoman Princes might continue and that the capitulation might be renewed only with the Alteration of the customs imposed upon his Masters Subjects from five to three in the hundred according to that priviledge which the English and other Christian Merchants whose league and Friendship was subsequent to theirs but after many delays the Visier would not accord but referred him to his return from the Wars of Poland on which he was intent which disappointment greatly perplexed the Ambassador The Grand Signeour having before missed his design in making away his Brethren for fear of the Janizaries now in their absence most of them being busied in the Wars renewed his resolution and under pretence of Friendship poisoned Orcham the Eldest with a bowl of Wine though some affirm he was strangled with a Bow string and that ere he fell he killed one of the Executioners but howsoever it happened he was made away whose death once known greatly incensed the people against the Grand Signior and prevented the like effects on the other Brother All other matters now layed aside about the beginning of the year 1672. preparations were made for the Polish War though with such deliberation as expressed an unwillingness thereto on the part of the Ottomans who having experienced the force of that warlike Nation moved thereto with caution Yet their motives were not inconsiderable but such as thereon a War might be grounded not only for the continual Piracy of the Cossacks on the Black Sea and their assisting the bordering Princes in their opposing the Turkish Arms and the little regard the Polish Ambassador had of the Port treating there with equal grandure and assuming a Liberty above the Ministers of other Christian Princes and now they lay more open to be assaulted by reason of the divisions amongst themselves whereby an opportunity offered to the Grand Signeour to oblige the Polonians to a complyance of his demands yet whilst preparatians were making on all hands an Ambassador was sent to the Visier he advancing with his Army towards the frontires named Wisozski a Noble man of Poland presuming upon his Power and Authority argued after such a lofty manner and in terms so contrary to the methods of an Ambassador that the Visier much incensed dispatched a Chiaus into Poland with Letters desiring that this Ambassador might be recalled as being a person unable to mannage matters of the least concernment insinuating that if they supplyed his place with another he should be received with due respect and a plain way laid opento conclude his Negotiations to the satisfaction of both parties Upon notice of which the Ambassador was so sensibly touched that he in a rage sent Letters to the assembly of the Polish Nobility to certifie them that he was not only debarred of the allowance usual to Ambassadors but also was imprisoned both of which though untrue for the former he refused as too little for one o0f his Character and the latter being onely his confinement to the City of Constantinople by reason of some outrages his servants committed at his house at Pera being believed kindled such a flame that the Poles imprisoned the Turkish Chiaus and ordered that all the Countrey should be put in Arms rendering the Visier no other answer then that when their Ambassador was set at Liberty and had License to depart the like should be done to theirs Of these proceedings the Grand Signeour having notice was highly offended immediately ordering that Wisoski should depart and at the same time commanded his whole Militia to rise and follow him to the Wars fending a Sword and Vest to the Tartar Han with orders to unite his Forces with the Cossacks that had revolted from the Poles and speedily to invade Polonia which accordingly he did and incountering near Batowa with a Body of Polish Horse under the command of Luzecki Governour of Podolia he overthrew them which was the first bad Omen of the ill success of this unhappy War The Grand Signeour having raised an Army of one hundred fifty thousand men marched towards Poland already sick and languishing with its own intestine distempers and unable to contend with a body united within it self The first enterprize he made was upon impregnable Fortress of the Caminieck which had so often baffled the Ottoman Force but now being weakly manned unprovided of all necessaries and despairing of Relief after fourteen days siege surrendered the Garrison in it submitting to the will of the Conqueror which opened a passage through all Podolia and Volhinia to the very Walls of Leopolis which they passed over rather like Travellers then Enemies not one man in armes appearing to oppose them delighting and sporting themselves in those the most fruitful and delicious Countries of Europe permitted so to do by the animosities and intestine broiles amongst the Nobility who being divided into factions reguarding more their private quarrels then the safety of their Countrey now ready to be devoured by the Infidels and indeed it has been always seen that the divisions of the Christians have layed the foundation of the Turkish greatness which they impute to the merit of their prayers Yet such was the command of the Grand Signeour that no Souldier spoiled or outraged any person which so far won upon the affections of the Polonians that they in all places where he passed submitted and put themselves under his protection which so awakened the Nobility that a Council being called it was resolved that to buy their Peace and be shut of these new come guests That the King of Poland should quit all claim to the Vkrain Pedoli and Russe land That Leopolis and the Countrey thereabouts should pay a Tribute of seventy thousand Dollars a year and all other Capitulations formerly made to stand in full force and vertue These Articles being signed the Grand Signeour committed the Government of Veravia and Podolia to Dorosensko General of the Cossacks and the defence of Cominieck and Chusaein Bassa with a Garrison of twelve thousand Janizaries and so returned to Constantinople dismissing the greatest part of his Army poor and almost naked by reason of their being restrained from plundering About this time Tripolâ—es matined against Osman Bassa their Governour for refusing to divide amongst them such booties as were
a Grave Turk placed in his stead who caused several of the Mutiniers to be Apprehended and publiquely Executed Notwithstanding these troubles the Turks desisted not to carry on the War against the Venetian so resolutely were they bent to have Candia In their possession therefore Equiping another Great Fleet they put to Sea in order to relieve their men in the Island but being again fought with by Moâ—errigo the Venetian Admiral all the Fleet was either taken sunk or stranded upon which the Venetians landed on the Island of Tenedos and in four dayes became Masters of it as also they did of Stalimene antiently called Lemnos which losses so incensed the Grand Seignor by this time grown to understanding that he resolved to carry the War into Dalmatia part of the Venetians Seignory but upon second thoughts resolved the recovery of the Islands and in order thereto put another Fleet to Sea who after a great dammage sustained by the Venetian shot thrust their men on shoar in great numbers and by that means the evil Fortified Islands so lately taken by the Venetians were by the Turks recovered in attempting the relief of which Mocenigo the Venetian Admiral had his Ship blown up by his powder accidentally taking fire by which Accident himself together with all that were on board perished These important places regained the treaty of peace was offered to be renewed and some overtures were made by the Venetians but now the Turks would hearken to nothing unless Candia might be intirely put into their hands with the Fortress of Clissia in Dalmatia and payment made of three Millions of Gold for the Dammages sustained by the War which unreasonable proposals so perjudicial to the honour of their Seignoury the Senators Generously rejected rather resolving to maintain the War and defend themselves more vigorously then ever which intention known the Grand Seigniour gave second orders for his Army to spoil Dalmatia but in their March the Grand Vizier who headed them having caused the Bassa of Aleppos brother who had a command in the Army to be put to death for coming later to the Randesvous than was appointed which so â—nraged the Bassa that raising 40000 men he advanced even to the Walls of Constantinople burning up the Country before him and there pitching his Tents sent to demand the head of the great Vizier in reprisal for that of his Murthered brothers but not finding his expectations answered he sent a second Messenger to demand the heads of 4 other Bassas of the Council whom he said had been consenting thereto and upon refusals threatened the destruction of the City but the Plague raging there at that time after he had burnt up all the Country about it he retired into Asia and there seting up a Youth of Twenty Years of Age whom he gave out to be the Lawful Son of Sultan Morat till that time hidden by his Mother from his Uncles fury His Army was wonderfully increased insomuch that he would hearken to no Proposals of an accommodation though the Government of divers Provinces were offered but Exhibited a Proclamation wherein he declared Mahomet the unrightful Heir to the Ottoman Empire upon which he was pronounced a Rebel and all men commanded to rise up against him and destroy him but instead thereof most of the Asian Forces revolted to him which made the Divan suppose it high time to give a check to the Progress of his Armes and thereupon shipped over the Great Vizier with a puissant Army composed of the Flower of the Ottoman Chavalarie in Europe who joyning with the Bassa was in a great and mortal battle overthrown and with his broken Forces obliged to retire which made the Grand Seigniour with such Forces as he could raise pass the Bosphorus and joyning with the Viziers rallied Souldiers Composed an Army of Thirty Thousand Horse and Seventy Thousand Foot with which he Marched against the Bassa whose heart at the approach of so great a power began to fail him and make him more plyable to hearken to Terms of Agreement which he proposing to his Council of War and they approving his Resolution a place was Assigned for Treaty and Mortaza Bassa made the Grand Seigniours Plenipotentiary the Grand Seigniour promising to stand to what ever he should Act as indeed he did for the Bassa under pretence of a Treaty being unadvised drawn from his Army was together with Seventeen of his Attendants strangled by the said Mortaza and such as he had layed in ambush for that purpose upon notice of which his Army that then consisted of Eighty Thousand Horse and Foot dispersed every Man shifting for himself For this Exploit Mortaza was greatly applauded by the Grand Seigniour and Grand Vizier and had a considerable command conferred on him in the War against Rogotski the Transilvanian Prince whose Country about this time the Tartars had entered at the instance of the Sultan with a great power yet was not the Asia Rebellion thus extinguished for a Nephew of the dead Bassas raising great Forces in the Territories of Aleppo advanced with a Resolution to revenge his Uncles death to whom joyned the two sons of Chusaein Bassa whom the Great Vizier had caused to be put to death as also the Bey of Torgne and many others which rendred this Army as formidable as the precedent gave new subject of fear at Constantinople but the great Visier so managed the matter by sowing dissension among the chiefs and bestowing large sums of Money on the Soldiers that the Army dayly diminished till at length it came to nothing leaving many of the Commanders to the mercy of the Visier who never spared any man that was guilty of a crime or suspected to be so Asia being again reduced to Obedience the Grand Seignior had leisure to think of his Wars with the Venetians and therefore gave strict command for part of his Army to march into Daimatia and the other part to be imbarqued for Candia he resolving to besiege the Meâ—ropolitan City of that Name nor were the Venetians slack for having received a reinforcement of Four Thousand French Foot and divers other Aids sent them by the Christian Princes their Confederates They took the Forts of Calamo Calegro and Epicarno hardly distressing the Bassa of Canea in the principal City of his Province insomuch that he was obliged to write to Constantinople for speedy succour leâ—t that City should be lost for the Venetians dayly battered it and pressed it hard with continual Assaults but a supply of Three Thousand fresh men being by Night thrust into it the Venetians raised the siege and marched to New Candia built near to Old Canoia in hopes to beat the Turks out of it but prevailed not according to their expectation About this time the Visier with a Great Army arrived at Belgrade but there falling sick he returned to Adrinople to recover his Health swearing that if he found Death approach he would caâ—â—e all his Physitians to be put to 〈◊〉 which
〈◊〉 servation rendred them double-diligent These were the principal revolutions in the Ottoman Empire from the time Mahomet ascended the Throne till the year 1â—60 Anno Dom. 1661. About the beginning of this year His Majesty of Great Britain sent the Earl of Winchelsea his Embassador to Constantinople who upon his arrival at the Port was received as became his Character with all the Grandeur that the Turks allow to any Embassador and after his Audience conveyed with due Ceremony to the prepared for his reception and now the Turks being at leisure invaded Transylvania in order to depose Prince Rogotski who after having deposed himself and made his submission in hopes to be restored but finding his hopes frustrated and another advanced in his stead Again he assumed his Government and raising a powerful Army made divers Inroads into the Turkish Dominions till at last joyning Battle with the Bassas of Buda and Temeswar near Julia Aâ—ba where being overthrown and wounded he fled to Varadia and there within Fifteen days dyed of the Hurts received in Battle yet was it no ways satisfactory to the proud Bassas unless they might reduce that City which as they alledged had taken part with their Masters Rebels whereupon drawing down their Army they layed close siege which so terrified the Citizens that they sent their Deputies to the Caesarean Emperor to require aid desiring him to take them into his protection but whilst the Imperialists delayed and made many scruples of breaking the League with the Turks after many furious Assaults and great Slaughter on either side the City was surrendered In consideration that the Garrison should march out with Drums beating Colour flying c. and to go whither they pleased which conditions being performed the Turks took possession of that strong Frontire City Varadin thus taken the Citizens of Vienna were not a little alarmed thereat though none used any endeavours either to relieve it when besieged or to recover it when taken nor in the least to annoy the Turks unless Count John Serini a Prince who had a fair Soveraign Inheritance in those parts was under the Emperour made Governour of Croatia who raising a power laid siege to the strong City of Canisia which at that time was almost destroyed by an accidental Fire but upon notice thereof the Emperour not only denyed to assist him in his enterprize but sent an express Command to him to raise his siege at which in a rage he cast his Scimiter on the Ground and for a while stood mute yet not thinking it convenient to disobey his Soveraigns Commands though he might easily have taken the City he raised his siege The Transylvanian blocked up as it were on every side by the Turks about this time implored a second time the Emperors Assistance resolving to shake off the Turkish yoak and in order thereunto they banished Acatius Barklay who since the Death of Ragotski had governed in chief greatly favouring the Turks and in his stead constituted one Kemenus sometimes General of Ragotski's Army which plainly manifesting their hatred to the Turks the German or Caesarean Emperor resolved to assist them they consenting to admit Garrisons of German Souldiers into divers of their Cities using them with all respect and plentifully providing them with all convenient necessaries Yet the Germans made small shew of taking the Field to assist or protect the Transylvanians but on the contrary wrote to the Bassa of Buda to certifiâ— him that the peace should be kept inviolable yeâ— the Turk not contented entered Hungary and layeâ— waste a great part of it that was subject to the Emperor whereupon Count Serini built a Fortress iâ— the Turks Dominions near Canisia e're the Turks were aware at which the Grand Visier was so inraged that he sent an express to strangle the Bassâ— of Buda for permitting it so that the League being apparently broken or infringed on either sidâ— the German Army under the Command of Counâ— Montecuculi and joyned with the Transylvanians under the Leading of Kemenius their General whicâ— Conjunction rendered them so formidable to the Ottoman Empire that Ali Bassa durst not oppose their progress till he had divided the Transylvanians amongst themselves by advancing one Apafi to thâ— principality who being well beloved caused by sundry means the Army of Kemenus for the most part tâ— revolt of which the crafty Bassa taking the advantage set upon him and in a bloody Battle over threw his people with great slaughter obliging him for his safety to fly into Hungary from whence returning after he had recruited his broken Army oncâ— more to try the fortune of a Field he was in a second Battle put to the rout and as he retired beaten from off his Horse by one of his own Souldiers where none relieving him he was trodden to Death under the Horses Feet and left the greatest part oâ— his people a sacrifice to the inraged Turks Kemenius thus dead Apafi's Party was greatly in couraged insomuch that joyning with a Body oâ— Turks they besieged Claudiopolis of which David Râ—tani a right Valiant Souldier was Governour having under his Command a Garrison of German Horse and Foot yet the Turks and Transylvanians battered 〈◊〉 for a while but upon the arrival of General Schenidan who in spight of them put a reinforcement into the Town and made great slaughter of their out-guards About this time the Plague raged in Constantinople in the Camp at such a rate that Fifty Thousand persons of all Ages and Sexes dyed which leaving the City almost desolate the Grand Signior retired to Adrinople and there made his solemn entrance which place so delighted him that he had since for the most part resided there where Rupeâ—ee the Old Visier so dealt with him that he procured a promise that his Son Ahmet whom he had made Chineacam of Constantinople should be assisting to him in his Visier-ship and after his Death succeed him in that place of trust the which though contrary to the Ottoman Custom who hold it dangerous to that any Office should go by Inheritance accordingly came to pass to the great grief of the Court Bassas who are ever emulous of that place c. For old Kuperle after he had been five years Visier and in that time had caused Thirty Thousand Persons to fall by the hands of divers Executioners being the bloodiest that ever officiated that place dying his Son Ahmet had the Grand Signiors Patent and the Seal of the Empire delivered to him taking upon him the Office of Great Visier at the Age of Thirty two years a thing not usual and not to be behind hand with his Father established himself upon the destruction of such as he suspected to envy at his advancement amongst whom the Bassa of Magnesia fell a Sacrifice he likewise procured the Banishment of Solyman Bassa of Damascus and that of the Muphti and indeed caused to be made away or displaced all that he suspected averse to his interest During