Turves and Hurdles This Policy was very useful to them for the English Horse ignorant of this Stratagem sell into these Pits where the Scots encountred them in a great disorder The English were forced to retreat though the Scots pursued the Victory furiously the English had rallyed and were again going to try their fortune but the sight of the Scotch Carriages left upon the Hills with their Cattle and Servants making a great noise and shewing the appearance of another Army coming down to the assistance of their Fellows discouraged and put them to flight 10000 were here killed 700 Knights and Gentlemen and many Prisoners taken but King Edward escaped to York After this the Scots subdued and plundred all the Northern Countries as far as York and routed 10000 English in another Battel with the loss of 3000. there slain The King returned toward Scotland with another Army but King Bruce forced him to retreat with the loss of all his Treasure Edward Bruce the Kings Brother was likewise sent over into Ireland and subdued almost all that Kingdom to the Crown of Scotland This Robert Bruce enjoyed Scotland many years and then bequeathed it to his Son David and if he dyed without Issue to Robert Stuart his Sisters Son who was Granchild to Alexander Stuart who about the year 1255. defeared Atho King of Norway who had invaded the West part of Scotland with 20000 Danes and 120 Ships He killed 16000 in the Field and freed his Country from the cruelty and oppression of these Northern People and forced them to sue to the Scots for peace CHAP. XLI Of some of the most remarkable Persons for their Valour of that most Honourable and most Noble Family of the Stuarts THis Family for Antiquity may contend with any in Europe being derived from some of the most Antient British Kings of this Island And I am certain that in all Ages since it hath been taken notice of in History none hath been more fruitful of excellent Men for their Wisdom Valoua and other Abilities of Body and Mind Besides the fore-named Alexander Stuart who by his wise Conduct and Courage deliver'd his Native Country from a dangerous Invasion his Granchild Robert Suart who succeeded to the Crown of Scotland after David Bruce his Unkle and was the first of his name King of that Warlike People became one of the most famous Princes of his time for his Victories over his English Enemies He was no sooner promoted but a War broke out between England and Scotland for the killing of a Friend of George Dunbar by the English at a Fair. Dunbar to be revenged plundred the Fair and burnt the Town with the slaughter of all Opposers The Gentlemen Borderers on both sides invaded the Lands of one another At last Henry Pierce Earl of Northumberland gathers together 7000 Soldiers with whom he marched into Scotland as far as Dunce The Scots in the night instead of their Swords made use of their Rattles with which they commonly drive away the Deer from their Corn to encounter with their English Enemies and having the advantage of the Hills and Vallies to receive and increase the sound The noise was so great that the Eearls Horse turned back and fled and the rest of the Army fearing more danger than there was followed after leaving their Baggage to the Scots who got an easie Victory without drawing a Sword At the same time one Gordon lay in Ambush and defeated Thomas Musgrave Governour of Berwick and his Troops and took him Prisoner The English entred Scotland again under the Lord Talbot with fifteen thousand but in their return only 500 Horse in the Night assaulted and overthrew them because they imagined them to be a greater number King Richard of England invaded Scotland with 60000 men and a great Fleet but King Robert by entring and spoiling England dispersed this great Tempest without much loss to his own Kingdom In this Kings time the Scots took part of Ireland and the Isle of Man and had many notable Victories over the English so that after he had governed his Kingdom and defended it against all Invasions he left it to his eldest Son John who was perswaded by his Parliament to change his name into the fortunate name of Robert he had two Sons David and Robert the first was created Duke of Rothsay the second Duke of Albany David incurr'd his Fathers displeasure by his youthful pranks and was confin'd to the keeping and inspection of his younger Brother Robert who made him a close Prisoner and resolved to starve him to death but a Country Maid found means to preserve his Life for a while with thin Oat Cakes which she gave him through a Window and a certain Nurse caused him to suck her Breasts at a distance by a long Cane To King Robert succeeded his youngest Son James after a long Captivivity in England He deliver'd his Kingdom from many intestine Enemies Alexander Lord of the Isles was by him subdued and all the little Tyrants that plundred and robbed his People He commissioned several Judges to make a Circuit about his Kingdom and to hear the Complaints of his Subjects He was as great a Lover of Learning as of Justice and as careful to promote the publick good by inviting many skilful Persons in Manufactures His reputation was so great that he was earnestly courted by the Embassadours of the Kings of England and France to joyn with them in League and Affinity but at last he was so unhappy that a Conspiracy being made against him he was basely murthered at Perth by the Earl of Athol and his wicked Associates who within forty days after were deservedly tortured to death The Earl was Crowned with a burning Crown of Iron his Joynts dislocated by the Strapado the next day he was drawn through the streets of Edinburg upon a hurdle and executed for High Treason To King James the I. succeeded his Son James the II. yet a Minor Anno 1537 The Regency of the King and Kingdom was committed to Alexander Leviston The Queen a subtile Woman seeing distempers of the Kingdom encrease through the imperiousness and ill government of the Chancellour Chrichton resolved to get the King out of his Custody by this Invention She obtained leave to lodge with her Son in Edinburg Castle at last she found a means to convey him out of the Castle to Leith in her Trunk where her Linen was used to be kept This King when he came to be of Age obtained a notable Victory over the English at a place called Sarc and killed 3000 of his Enemies with the loss of 600 Scots The Earl Douglass was then too Potent for the King and Kingdom and too haughty for a Subject The King therefore weakens that powerful Family brought them upon their knees after many sierce Skirmishes and Battels and such as continued in their Rebellion he banished out of the Kingdom At last he raised an Army to assist the Duke of York against King
Henry the VI. of England After this Kings overthrow the Lords sent to King James to desire him to disband his Army and not to molest the English Borders threarning him that if he did otherwise they would meet him in the Field He answered the Messengers That he was resolved to take the Town and Castle of Roxburg which he had besieged and that he was not to be driven away from thence by Words As King James was storming the Castle of Roxburg he gave fire to one of the great Guns himself and was suddenly struck dead The Queen then in the Army desired the Lords not to be dejected by the Kings death nor to forsake the Siege and told them that she would provide another King for them her Son James then about nine years old who was brought into the Camp and saluted King by the Army who never left off till they had taken the Castle and demolished it Thus this Couragious Queen undaunted at the unexpected death of her Husband continued in the Field to hearten the Soldiers and force the Enemy to surrender this strong Castle to the Scots King James the III. succeeding to his Father wanted not his Courage though he suffered himself to be too much govern'd by his passions which brought him at last to an untimely end To him succeeded James the IV. who in the year 1500 proclaimed a War against England in favour of the French and sent a great Fleet to their Assistance He was so resolved that when he was disswaded from a Battel with the English because of his small and weak number he declared to the Earl of Angus he would fight them if they were one hundred thousand strong The Scots according to the example of their King fought stoutly and though there were 5000 of them killed they slew as many of the English But the King lost his life in this Battel of Fluddon Field He was so zealous for the Christian Religion that he obtained from the Pope the stile of Protector of the Faith James the V. a Child succeeds his Father under several Regents At last the distractions of the Kingdom forced the Nobility to invite over from France John Stuart Duke of Albany 1514. to take upon him the Government of the King and Kingdom He was a wise and moderate man but much addicted to the French faction and interest He was a Nephew of King James the III. by his Brother Alexander It was the unhappiness of this and several of the former Kings to come to their Crown before they had knowledge and ability to bear them therefore divisions and factions in the State between great and Ambitious Men did miserably tear that poor Kingdom of Scotland and caused many calamities to fall upon the innocent Inhabitants When King James the V. came to be of Age he visited with a fleet all the Islands and punished such disorderly Rebels as regarded not his Predecessors commands He went over into France and marryed first Magdalen the French Kings Daughter but she dyed suddenly He marryed next with Mary of the House of Guise of whom was born that excellent Queen Mary of Scotland whose Rebellious Subjects and over-jealous Kinswoman brought her after much affliction and a long imprisonment to an undeserved Death She was conveyed into France and marryed to the Dolphin and her mother declared Regent in Scotland About this time happened great troubles all over that Kingdom by the bringing in of the Protestant Reformation which was opposed by the Queen Regent and her French Faction with the Roman Clergy but much encouraged by the People the Gentry and Nobility and especially by James a Bastard Son of James the V. who leaving the command of his Cloyster was created by his Sister Queen Mary Earl of Murrey Queen Elizabeth of England was not wanting to the Protestant party in Scotland she sent them both Men and Money and by the assistance of the English the French were driven out of Scotland Queen Mary after the death of her Husband the French King returns by shipping to Scotland where she found the Religion of the Country changed by an Act of Parliament and the Roman Faith abolished Though the Queen had the liberty of the Mass in her own Chappel the furious Zeal of the reformed party was scandalous and unsufferable for they offered many affronts to the Queens Domesticks of the Roman persuasion Therefore to strengthen her self against a contrary faction she calls home Mathew Stuart Earl of Lenox out of England where he had lived in Exile This Noble Man brought with him a Son named Henry commonly called the Lord Darly to the Court of Scotland where as soon as the Queen fixed her Eyes upon him she chose him for her Husband and dignified him with the Dukedom of Rothesay and Earldom of Ross to make him a fitter match for a Queen He was a person of admirable and comely presence and a zealous Roman Catholick After he was marryed and proclaimed King many of the Nobility grew discontented and fell into several parties labouring to breed a difference between the King and Queen which they found means to effect after the King had caused David Riz her French Secretary to be violently carryed away from the Queens presence and murdered she being then big with Child Afterwards she was brought to bed in Edinburg Castle of a Son named James who after the decease of Queen Elizabeth united both Kingdoms and put an end to the quarrels of both Nations The Queens Husband was afterwards inhumanely murdered by Earl Bothwel and other Conspirators The distressed Queen after many hazards and troubles flies for shelter into England where instead of a Sanctuary she finds a Prison and Death King James though Crowned young and governed by his Unkle Murrey proved one of the most excellent Princes for Wisdom Learning and all other Princely Endowments that ever any Nation was blessed with He was first govern'd by his Unkle Murrey but he being shot by one Hamilton in the Streets of Lithgo and killed Mathew Lenox the young Kings Grandfather was made Regent of Scotland during his Minority but he being also killed at Sterlin the Earls Morton and Mar were appointed to succeed But when the King was twelve years of Age he took upon him the Government and was assisted by twelve Noble Men as Councellours Then his Kinsman Esmerus Stuart the Son of John the Brother of Mathew late Earl of Lenox came over from France to visit his Cousin King James and was by him highly advanced made Lord Chamberlain of Scotland Captain of Dunbritton and Duke of Lenox His Father for his extraordinary Valour at the Battel of Baugy against the English had the Noble seat of Aubigny bestowed upon him by the French King Charles the VII King James met with many difficulties and snares out of which Providence and his own discretion led him safe to the Crown of England to the great Joy and Happiness of both Kingdoms He marryed with Anne Daughter
thousand common Soldiers Though the Enemy was fled the King for the publick safety commanded his Army to stand in Array for the Earl of Faulconbridge suddenly appeared with 600 Horse to take the English upon an advantage but they were soon routed After this Solemn thanks was given there to God and the Soldiers had then liberty to take the Plunder of the Field From thence King Henry marched to Chalice loaden with Riches and Honour The next year with a new Army he landed in Normandy besieged and took Caen and all the chief Towns invited by the Kings promises yielded without resistance only Rohan being well manned and fortified held out so long till Famine scal'd the Walls and deliver'd it to the English Bedford and the Earl of Huntington returned likewise with Victory over the French Fleet. In the beginning of this War the English had no assistance but from their own Skill and Valour and from the divided State of France and the discontent of the Grandees who commonly find fault with one another in an unsuccessful War But there happened an Action which mightily increased the strength of the English The Duke of Burgundy the Dolphins Enemy sought to be reconciled to him for the publick good The Dolphin though he professed much kindness took his advantage and murdered the Duke The Earl of Carolois the Dukes eldest Son sought to be revenged on the Murderers and therefore from thence favoured King Henry's Claim A peace was concluded by which King Henry was proclaimed Regent and Heir apparent of France and he marryed with Catherine the French Kings Daughter All these sudden successes of the English were owing to the young Duke of Burgundy's revenge the French Kings weakness and the Dolphins unjust dealing for he had purchased to himself many Enemies by the illegal murdering of great men chiefly the Duke of Burgundy A Foreign Enemy hath a great advantage in a strange Country when a Potent Person or a considerable Party joins with or assists them in their Conquest The Dolphin though he was discouraged by the French Kings rejection and the defection of many Towns he gathered his Forces and put a period to the English Victories and Joys by the gain of a Battel wherein 2000 English were surprized and slain with the Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother the Earls of Tankerville and Kent and the Lord Ross only for want of a right intelligence of the Enemies state and numbers The Duke being perswaded by a deceitful Scout to leave behind him the strength of his Army and engage the French Army only with his Horse Too much Confidence and Valour hath been the ruine of the stoutest and best Generals of former Ages The Dolphin to be revenged upon Burgundy employs Fire and Sword to destroy his Country but the King of England pursued him from one City to another till he fell sick by the way in marching towards Burgundy which caused him to be carryed back to Bois d'Vnicermes where after he had given order for the preservation of his Kingdom and returned thanks to God for his Conquests he departed this troublesome life leaving by his Queen a young Henry born at Windsor whom he committed to the Protection of his good Brother Humfrey Duke of Glocester but the Regency of France was left to his Brother John Duke of Bedford After the Kings Death Montacute Earl of Salisbury and the Lord Talbot were the most noted Champions and the most successful Commanders for the English Salisbury surprised the Town of Pont-Melance and raised the Siege of Cravant in Burgundy with the destruction of 8000 of the Enemy He took several other Towns and at the Battel of Vernoyle between the Regent and the Duke of Alanson who was assisted by William Stuart and a strong party of Scots this brave Commander routed the French Army kill'd 7000 French 2700 Scots with many of the chief Nobility so dreadful was his name to the French Nation that when St. James in Benyon was besieged by the Constable of France with 40000 men about 600 English sallying out of the Town and crying out St. George a Salisbury put the whole French Army to flight and took 14 great Guns with much of their Baggage and Ammunition In the prosecution of this War many Towns were lost and taken on both sides several sharp encounters happened between the English and the French Garrisons The French King was Crowned at Rheims and young King Henry at Paris where he received the Homages from the Nobility and Citizens The English Affairs prospered mighty well whilst there was a good agreement between the chief Commanders whilst they humoured the Duke of Burgundy and treated the French with Civility and kindness but when discord happened to be between the English Lords and they suffered the the Soldiers to oppress the Natives of France the Cities fell away from them apace Yet Lord John Clifford took Pouthois when the English Interest began to decay In a Snowy and Frosty Night he caused all his party to cloath themselves in White and in that colour he scal'd the Walls undiscover'd put most part of the Inhabitants to the Sword and plundered the Town Yet for all the brave Exploits and couragious endeavours of several English Commanders within a few years all France was lost with Aquitain and Normandy through the division of the English the cruelty of the Soldiers the Falshood and Treachery of the Natives and the presumption and negligence of some great Captains CHAP. XLIII Of Alexander Duke of Parma and his successful Stratagems WHen this excellent General came first to the Government of the Netherlands the King of Spain of the Seventeen Provinces was in possession but of three of the least but in a few years Parma by his industry and skill in Arms recovered almost all Holland and Zealand excepted This Prince had given the first Specimen of his Courage and Understanding in War in the Famous Battel of Lepanto against the Turks where he adventur'd to board a great Commanders Vessel named Mustapha the Treasurer of the Turks and after a bloudy Fight he took that Gally and another that came in to assist the former with unknown Riches in both But when John of Austriae was sent Governour into the netherlands he invited Alexander the young Duke of Parma into the Low Countries At the Battel of Gemblack between John of Austria and the States Alexander perceiving the Enemies Horse to march in a crooked and uneven way gave notice of it to the General and without expecting any return caused some Spanish Commanders to assault them in the Front and upon the Flanks which was performed with that Gallantry that they were put to flight and run back upon their Foot which they broke and disorder'd so that 10000 were there slain and taken in half an Hours time and but nine of the Spanish Army were found wanting All their Carriages and Guns were there taken with their General and several Noblemen This great Victory
the Romans Armies would have the advantage but Caelius with all his Family would perish He therefore destroyed the Bird and it happened accordingly the Roman Army got the Victory but Caelius with Fourteen of his Family and Name were killed in that same Fight Some report that it was not Caelius but Laelius and that the Family of the Laely not the Caely were destroyed 15. P. Decius first the Father next the Son being Magistrates offer'd themselves to dye for the Commonwealth for putting spurs to their Horses they charged the Enemy and obtained for their Country the Victory 16. When P. Crussus was engaged in Asia in the War against Aristonicus between Aelia and Myrina he fell in amongst the Enemies Forces and was taken Prisoner which caused him to exclaim against the Roman Consul because of his Captivity but with the Rod that he had in his hand to strike his Horse he put out the Eye of a Thracian who to revenge himself run him through and deliver'd him from his Captivity as he desired 17. M. Cato the Censors Son falling down in a Battle from his Horse when he look'd about and perceived that his Sword was fallen out of the Scabbard he feared the reproach of his own Men he therefore returned to the Enemy and recovering his Sword after he had received some Wounds he returned back to his own Party 18. When the Petilini were besieged by the Carthaginians they cast out of their City their Aged Parents and Children because of the Famine And they endured a long Siege of eleven Months by feeding upon the leaves of Trees upon wet Leather dryed at the Fire and upon all manner of Beasts 19. The Spaniards called Arabricenses suffered the same Misery and would not deliver up the Town to Herculeius 20. When the Cassilini were besieged by Hannibal they suffered so much want that a Mouse was sold for a hundred Pence as it is left upon Record and that he that sold it dyed for want but the Buyer preserved his Life They continued nevertheless in their Fidelity to the Romans 21. When Mithridates besieged Cyzicum he brought forth the Captives of that Town and shewed them to the Besieged imagining that out of Pity and Compassion of their own Men the Towns-People would yield themselves But they exhorting the Prisoners to suffer Death manfully kept their Faith to the Romans 22. The Segobrigenses when their Wives and Children were kill'd by Viriatus chose rather to behold the Torments of their Dear Relations than to fall away from the Romans 23. They of Numantia rather than to yield shut themselves up in their Houses and were famish'd to Death CHAP. VI. Of Affection and Moderation Example 1. WHen Q. Fabius exhorted his Son that he should chuse a convenient place with the loss of a few Men. He answered wilt thou be of the number of those few 2. Xenophon being on Horseback commanded a Party of Foot Soldiers to take the Top of a Hill but when one of them murmur'd That he could easily fitting on his Horse order such a difficult March He alighted and made the Soldier to mount in his stead and he running on foot got up to the Top of the Hill The Soldier being ashamed of what was done when all his Fellows laughed at him alighted They all together could hardly perswade Xenophon to take his Horse again and to preserve himself for the Offices and Duties belonging to a General 3. Alexander leading his Army in the Winter when he was sitting by a Fire to take a view of his Forces as they march'd by him saw a certain Soldier almost dead with Cold he called him and made him sit in his place telling him That if he had been born among the Persians to sit in the Kings Seat would be a Crime worthy of Death but to a Macedonian born it was allowed 4. D. Augustus Vespasianus understanding that a certain young man of Honest Parentage unable for the War because of his great Poverty was brought down to the lowest ranks of Soldiers he appointed him a Pension and freed him from the Militia CHAP. VII Of various Counsels Resolutions and Advises Example 1. Caesar used to say that his Policy was to treat an Enemy as many Physitians do the Distempers of Bodies to overcome them rather by Famine than by Sword 2. Domitius Corbulo was wont to say that an Enemy was to be overcome with a Mattock that is by Works and Trenches 3. L. Paulus was of a Judgment that a General should be Old in Manners that is should follow the most moderate Counsels 4. It is reported of Scipio Africanus that when one told him that he was no Fighter answered My Mother made me a General but no common Soldier 5. C. Marias when a German challeng'd him out to fight him told him That if he were desirous of Death he might go and hang himself And when one shewed him a Gladiator of a low Staure but very old he bid him fight him and if he did overcome he would encounter with him who was the Conqueror 6. Q. Sertorius understanding by experience that he was not able to deal with all the Roman Army together in a Body that he might better be able to teach his Barbarian People who desired earnestly to fight them he brought before them Two Horses the one strong and lusty the other very weak and commanded two Young Men answerable to them to take them in hand to the strong man he appointed the weaker Horse bidding him to pull of the whole Tail but the weaker Young Man he commanded to pull off the Tayl of the strong Horse one Hair after another The Weak Person succeeded in his Enterprize and pulled off all the Tail by degrees but the strong Young Man strived in vain to pull off the Tail of the weak Horse By this example said Sertorius my Soldiers I have discovered to you the Nature of the Roman Army they are not to be overcome if you encounter them all together but you may destroy them by degrees if you take them by Parties 7. Valerius Levinus the Consul having taken within his Camp a Spy of the Enemy out of a confidence he had in his Soldiers commanded him to be led about the Quarters and to terrifie the Enemy he assured him that when they pleased their Spies should have liberty to take a View of his Forces 8. Caelius Principilaris who was chose Captain in Germany over such as remained alive and were besieged after the Defeat of Varrus fearing lest the Enemy should fire the Heaps of Wood joyning to the Trenches and by that means set their Camp in a Flame pretended the want of Wood he sent therefore many to steal Wood every where which when the Germans saw they carryed away all the Heaps of great Wood. 9. Cn. Scipio in the Maritime War cast Pitchers full of Tar and Grease into the Enemies Ships that by their weight they might do mischief and by breaking and shedding what was therein
provided to resist An Ambush was laid to catch some of the Emperors Forces but several of the Bulgarian Nobility discontented at Telerichus reveals all the danger to the Emperor who managed and improved that discovery so well that he took all that lay in Ambush for him without shedding a drop of his peoples Bloud Telerichus understood that some had revealed this plot to the Emperour but not knowing who they might be he found them out in this manner He pretended that he would willingly make peace with the Emperour and submit to him upon certain Conditions and to shew that he had such a real and hearty design he desired him to name some of his Officers and Noble Men who were most pleasing to him them he promised to send and to entrust with the management of this Agreement between them The Emperour not imagining the Subtilty of Telerichus named those very Men to be Commissioners who had revealed all their Princes designs and plots to him Telerichus as soon as he knew them put them all to death and punished them for their Treason CHAP. XII How the Empress Irene overcame such as were of a Faction contrary to hers THere was a great stir in the Eastern Empire about the Images of the Church They had been cast out by Leo Isaurus and his Successors Constantine Copronymus and Leo the 4th and those who were for Images were banished and several punished But it happened that after the death of Leo Irene his Widow appointed to be Governess of the Empire during the minority of her Son re-establishes the Worship of Images and calls home all that had been banished These and other proceedings met with great opposition as is usual where two strong Factions are in a Kingdom She being jealous of the number and power of those that did dislike her Actions resolves to dis-arm them and to colour her malicious purposes against them she pretends an expedition against the Saracens who were broke in upon the Roman Provinces and that she wanted Arms to furnish her Army and therefore desires to borrow them from her Citizens The Officers who were sent were order'd to take none but from those who joyned not with her in the worship of Images As soon as they had yielded up their Arms which they did the more willingly because they thought that they should be employed against the Common Enemy she banished them out of the City and took away their Goods and Estates CHAP. XIII How Pope Gregory the Fourth betrayed the Emperour into the Hands of his unnatural Sons THe Sons of this Emperour were risen in Rebellion against him and had raised a considerable Army with a design to fight with their Father near Basil The Pope whose Election the Emperour had with some difficulty allowed came to the Armies with a pretence to make peace between the Father and his Sons but with a real intent to find some opportunity to be revenged upon the Godly Emperour At his arrival he found the Emperours Army the strongest and ready to give Battel To prevent the mischief that was like to fall upon the Sons whom he secretly favoured and whom he had stirred up against their Father he went over to the Emperours Army as if he had intended to reconcile the Father and the Sons together but as it appeard afterwards it was to get some time that the Emperours Army might be prevailed with by his cunning Followers to forsake their Lord and to join with the Young Men. This Negotiation was carryed on so subtilely and secretly by rewards and promises and by sowing the Seeds of discontent in the Army that when they were drawn out to Fight they went over to the Sons Army and forsook the poor Aged Emperour who was then forced to cast himself in the hands of his wicked and rebellious Sons who shut him up in Prison But this unnatural deed stirred up the Emperours Friends to procure him in a short time his Liberty CHAP. XIV How the Emperour Basil was deceived twice once by a Monk next by a Parrot THis Emperour was very desirous to see again his Son Constantine who was lately dead A Monk named Theodorus a reputed Negromancer undertakes to shew him again alive which he did in so lively a manner that the Emperour admired him But his Son Leo as soon as he heard of it accused Theodorus of Witchcraft but could do him no prejudice because of the Emperours extraordinary Favour that he did bear to him But Theodorus resolved to be revenged on Leo he perswades therefore the Young Man to carry secretly a Dagger in his Boots as a spell to preserve him from all kind of Wounds Leo believed Theodorus who went to the Father and told him that his Son Leo intended to kill him and for that purpose he carryed secretly in his Boots a short Dagger Search was made and the Dagger found and Leo was without further Examination shut up in Prison at which the people were much afflicted crying up and down the Streets Alass Lord Leo which words a Parrot belonging to the Court heard and learned to speak When the Emperour was at Dinner the Parrot cryed often Alass Lord Leo. These words spoke by the Bird so prevailed upon his mind for he fancyed the Bird to have spoken them by some Divine Inspiration that he released and heard his Son's Justification being thereunto earnestly intreated also by the common people who had for him a great respect and by that means found out the wicked knavery of Theodorus CHAP. XV. How the City of Rome was taken casually by the running of a Hare ARnulphus the first Emperour of the German Nation was invited by Pope Formosus into Italy to assist him against his Enemies and a contrary Faction He took many Towns and besieged the City of Rome unto which he had given several fierce assaults but in vain for it was stoutly defended by the Citizens At last when Arnulphus despaired to take it by force and was going to raise his Siege it happened that a Hare ran before his Army towards the breach The Soldiers gave immediately a great shout and hollow running after the Hare The Guards upon the Walls thinking they were coming to give an assault to the City in a panick Fear hasted away and forsook their stations and charge which as the Soldiers of Arnulphus perceived they entred the Town and took the City Thus was Rome once surprized by the guidance of a Hare Such casual accidents have oft-times been of great moment in times of War when mens apprehensions are awake and their minds ready to receive any impression the least surprize or strange thing unexpected weakens their Resolutions and makes them less able to resist an Enemy Therefore wise Generals have often put in practise things of themselves ridiculous at other times which in War have put the stoutest Enemy to flight and overcame the bravest Couragious For then nothing is to be contemned that may either dismay or disorder an Enemy
departure Scanderbeg followed and cut off many of his Army assaulting him sometimes in the Rear sometime in the Van as place and occasion would suffes him The next Spring Amurath returned intr Epirus with an of Army 160000 Men seading beo fore Sebali as a wise Captain with 40000 Horse to beleagure the City of Croia After a furious Battery it was assaulted by the Turks but Vranacontes the Governour so encouraged his Soldiers and Citizens that they stoutly defended it whilst they were then busie in the assault Scanderbeg with 5000. broke into their Camp killed 500 Men and was spoiling of their Tents This gave an Alarm to the whole Army so that the Bassa Seremet and Prince Mahomet with his Guard hasted to rescue their Camp and to deliver it from such troublesome Guests Scanderbeg in his Retreat being inclosed in by the Turks broke through several Bodies of them safe but with great danger of his Life During this Siege he had strongly encamped himself upon the Mountain Tumenist not far from the Turks that he might be more ready to plague his Enemies and assist his Subjects besieged in Croia Mahomet to prevent Scanderbeg for the future had drawn all the best Soldiers of his Army on that side where he was wont to assault them but he having good Intelligence caused an Alarm to be given by Moses there whilst he in the mean while with a strong party of 8000 Men at Midnight entred their Camp at the farther end and made a very great flaughter of the Turks Amurath after many cruel Assaults given to the City and furious Attempts to no purpose through the Vigilancy of the Governour and Courage of the Defendants dyed for Grief under the Walls of Croia His Death caused the Siege to be raised by his Son and Successor Mahomet whose Army was followed and miserably cut off by Scanderbeg in their return homewards at all places of advantage But to keep him in continual Play Mahomet sent one Amesa a Turk with 12000 Horsemen to wast Epirus Scanderbeg laid for him an Ambush upon the Mountain Modrissa where Scanderbeg's Infantry fell upon those Horsemen and killed 7000 men with the loss of the Turks General taken Prisoner who was afterwards ransom'd at 13000 Duckats by Mahomet The Money was distributed amongst the Christian Soldiers After this one Debreas a Valiant Captain requested Mahomet to be sent against Scanderbeg who hearing of his coming went to meet him in the Turks Dominions with 6000 choice men Debreas had 14000. Scanderbeg thought to have come upon him unawares but he was prevented and discovered therefore the two Armies drew up and after a sharp engagement Scanderberbeg slew Debreas with his own Hands as he was riding about to encourage his Men. The whole Army at the loss of their General fled and left behind them 4120. slain by the Christians Mahomet endeavour'd next to corrupt some great Man of Scanderbegs Army Moses Golemus of Dibra was the person pitched upon He fled to the Turks and returned with an Army of 15000 men into Epirus where he was encountred by his late Prince and 11000 of his Soldiers killed with the loss of one hundred Epirots In this Battel Ahemaze a Turk challenged Zacharias Groppa a Christian and was by him killed and beheaded before the Fight Moses at his return to Constantinople was so derided by the Turks that he preferr'd to cast himself upon the mercy of Scanderbeg who received him again and pardoned him restoring to him all his Goods which had been confiscated Turks won next Amesa a Nephew of Scanderbegs promising him the Crown of Epirus With him Isaak the Great Bassa was sent with 50000 men to proclaim him King of Epirus Scanderbeg had provided a good Army but came in sight of the Enemy only with 6000 Horse with whom he took the way of Lyssa a Town of the Venetians as if he had despaired of keeping of Epirus any longer and had fled thither for the safety of his Person The Turks rejoiced as if they had no Enemy to deal with or to fear When Scanderbeg saw the Turks secure and that they had the day before ranged about the Country for Plunder and Spoil he divided his small Army into three Parties and came upon them before they expected him for they had not time to bridle their Horses Amesa making Head first was taken Prisoner and his Party defeated The Bassa was overthrown by Moses and Tanusius two of Scanderbegs Captains and driven out of Epirus He lost about 20000 men and Scanderbeg but 60. All the Bag and Baggage and Tents of the Enemies were there taken with great Riches by the Epirots Three years after Sinam and Hamur two other Captains were ordered by Mahomet to disturb the quiet of Scanderbegs Kingdom but Sinam with 20000 men was overthrown and his Successor Asambeg with 30000. was defeated next in the Plains of Ocrida himself wounded and taken Prisoner by Scanderbeg One Jussembeg with 18000. entring into Epirus lost part of his Army and was glad to save himself by flight with the rest Their misfortune caused one Caraza-beg an old Companion of Scanderbegs to request Mahomet to venture an Army with him He trusted him with 40000 men but when Carazabeg had near 4000 Horse who were cut in pieces by an Ambush at his first entrance into Epirus and been wearyed out with continual Alarms by Scanderbeg in the Night the weather proving very Tempestuous and full of Rain he returned back to Mahomet with less loss than any before him A Peace afterwards was concluded between Mahomet and Scanderbeg but it lasted not long because of Injuries received on both sides Mahomet to defend his Territories bordering upon Epirus sent Seremet Bassa with fourteen thousand Soldiers but he was routed in the Plains of Ocrida and 10000 Turks slain Balabanus Badera an Epirot born was the next great Captain who invaded Epirus with 15000 Horse and 3000 Foot He sought to ingratiate himself with Scanderbeg by Messengers and Gifts but because he was born a Peasant Scanderbeg sent him a Shovel a Mattock and a Flail This Balabanus was three times overthrown in Battel by Scanderbeg and his Armies routed and cut in pieces At his return he perswaded Mahomet to send two Generals with 40000 men against Scanderbeg so that he and one Jacub Amauth entred into Epirus Balabanus was first defeated and forced to fly with great slaughter Jacub next was killed by Scanderbeg himself and his Army dispersed Mahomet went into Epirus next and sent Balabanus with 80000 men to besiege Croia before him but was perswaded to return back Constantinople and leave the command of the Siege to Balahanus who riding up to the Gates of Croia to offer them Honourable conditions was shot in the Throat and dyed in his Camp The Army fled after the death of their General out of Epirus leaving behind them their Tents and Carriages But Mahomet the next Spring returned with a vast Army to the Siege of Crota but