A True Historicall discourse of Muley Hamets rising to the three Kingdomes of Moruecos Fes and Sus. The dis-vnion of the three Kingdomes by ciuill warre kindled amongst his three ambitious Sonnes Muley Sheck Muley Boferes and Muley Sidan The Religion and Policie of the More or Barbarian The aduentures of Sir Anthony Sherley and diuers other English Gentlemen in those Countries With other Nouelties AT LONDON Printed by Thomas Purfoot for Clement Knight and are to be sold at his shop in Paules Churchyard at the Signe of the Holie Lambe An. Dom. 1609. TO THE RIGHT Worshipful Sir Robert Cotton of Cunnington Knight SIR I entreate you patronize this smal Treatise if in your iudgement it can either pleasure or in small measure profite by being divulged to the open view of the world If otherwise lay it by you as a bundle of waste paper In so doing I shal thinke my selfe much obliged vnto you if in suppressing the originall my weakenesse may rather take a priuate checke of a friend for being too bolde then an open scorne of a multitude for being too foolish Thus relying wholy vpon your wonted fauour discreete and iudiciall censure herein I rest euer At your seruice Ro. C. The true Historicall discourse of MVLEY HAMETS rising to the three Kingdomes of Moruecos Fes and Sus. Cap. I. How the Kingdome of Barbary came to Muley Hamet Xarif the late deceased King THE Familie of the Mareines beeing Larbies were long times Kings of Barbary vntill a plaine Haly some hundred yeres agoe calling himselfe Muley Hamet Xarif came out of the countrey of Dara lying beyond the mountains of Atlas with a great number of Montaniers called in their owne language Brebers these with their strength got Moruecos from the Mareins And going forwarde following the fertilnes of the soyle draue the Mareins out of Fes getting into his power all the flat countries comprised vnder the titles of Sus Moruecos and Fes from the hilles of Atlas to the straits of Gybraltar Being thus growne great be would proue himselfe a Xarif one of the kindred of the Prophet Mahomeâ—… desiring his birth might be held answerable to his new acquired fortunes But within a little time after this his sodaine inuasion Sus rebelling refused his gouernment wherefore he sent to the bordering Turkes for ayde who fulfilled therein his request Aided with these turkish auxiliary forces he set forward and at his enterance into that kingdome yâ— turkish souldiers through treason killed him cut of his head sacked Taradant and running ouer the whole countrey spoyled it by the space of twoo moneths which done they would gladly haue returned to Trimasine yet fearing their owne strength to return the same way Hamet had brought them it was helde their better course and shorter iourney to passe ouer the Mountaines but the Montaniers knowing this their new done bloody fact and séeing them haue good store of pillage set vpon them so that few or none escaped their handes but were all slaine After this Hamet Xarifs death who raigned some eight yeares succéeded his brother Muley Abdela hauing all his life time great warre with the Mareins to kéepe that his brother had conquered hee hauing raigned some fiftéene yeares died leauing behind him thirtéene sonnes the eldest Muley Abdela who at his entrance to the kingdome commaunded all his brethren to bee killed but the second brother Abdelmelech fearing hard measure fled presently vppon the death of his Father into Turkie and so saued his life The third brother Muley Hamet of whome we are hereafter to entreate béeing held a great Church man simple and humble spirited not any way addicted vnto armes was spared aliue as lesse feared The other ten were all put to death in one day at Taradant in Sus where they were kept in their Fathers life time This Abdela raigned fortie yeares and dying left behinde him thrée sonnes Muley Mehamet Muley Sheck Muley Nassar Muley Mehamet beeing King his twoo yonger brethren ranne away into Spaine the elder wherof named Muley Sheck is yet liuing and there turned Christian. The yonger brother called Muley Nassar returned into Barbary in the fourteenth yeare of Muley Hamets raign who died last At this Muley Nassars landing in the country of Fes much people fauoured him and his title two thousand of Muley Shecks souldiers who now liueth and then gouerned Fes for his Father reuolted from him to Nassar insomuch as Muley Sheck was in mind to haue fled vnto his Father But that Alkeyd Hamet Ben lau being a very wise Captaine and there placed to helpe Muley Sheck by his councell who was very yong kept him from running away and Muley Nassar with a dilatory warre with whome if the souldiers had staied he might peraduenture haue gotten the country But their Lent approaching the souldiers tolde Nassar they would go kéepe their Easter at their owne houses Whervpon Nassar thinking if they were once gone they would neuer returne to him againe would giue present battaile so was this Nassar slaine Abdelmelech being second brother to Abdela got such fauor in Turkie where he liued as entering Barbary with foure thousand Turkish souldiers he got the kingdome from his Nephew Mehamet the eldest sonne of Abdela and their raigned two yeares Muley Mehamet thus depriued of his kingdome fledde for succour to Sebastian then King of Portugale who came in person into Barbarie to helpe him with thirtie thousand men giuing battaile the Mores fled and the Christians retired hoping the Mores would returne that so the Christians might make the greater slaughter of them According to this expectation Abdelmelech with his armie returned and the Christians charged the formost of their horsemen very hotly who would haue fledde But such was the aboundance of Abdelmelechs horsemen following the foreward which were discoÌ„â—…ted as they could not haue field-roome to flie but were forced to â—…ght it out This was a bloody battaile wherin thrée kings lost their liues Don Sebastian King of Portugale Muley Mehamet vnto whose ayde Sebastian came ouer And Abdelmelech who came out of Turkie being second brother to Abdela This Abdelmelech left behind him a sonne yet liuing at this day in Turkie whose name is Muley Smime After the death of these twoo Abdelas third brother Muley Hamet Xarif was made King raigned about twenty seauen yeares in great peace and felicity vntill he went to take his sonne Muley Sheck at Fes where the Father dyed whose death hath caused all these warres as yea may reade hereafter Cap. II. The course of Muley Hamet Xarifs gouernment during his 27. yeares raigne OBtaining the Scepter he first prouided himselfe of the grauest men he could finde in his Kingdomes to be Counsellors of estate then of the most experienced and valiant souldiers for Commanders ouer his campe and Garrison townes And whereas hee was Monarch ouer two Nations the Larbies and Brebers hee found it requisite to vse a two-folde gouernment The Larbies dwelling in the best plaine champion
Country of his three Kingdomes Moruecos Sus and Fes were easily gouerned being of milde and peaceable nature giuen to thrift and tillage of the ground sought no alterations but receiuing from him a due forme of iustice executed by his Ministers protecting them from the Montaneirs which are robbers willingly obeyed his Regall authoritie and yearly payed their tenths towards their Kings maintenance As for the Brebers or Montaneirs beeing of an vntamed and fierce disposition speaking the Tamiset tongue which is as much different from the Larbee as Welch is from our English dwelling in places by nature defencible and almost inaccessible He could not so well gouerne neither had euer such absolute power ouer them nor receiued the fift pennie of profite from them as hee did from the Alarbeis Therefore hee sought by all meanes to diminish their strength of people drawing them alwayes into forraigne expeditions especially into that warre against the Negros which continued a long time thereby extending his Empire so farre that way as by Camell it was sixe Moneths iourney from Morruecos to the farthest parts of his Dominion Likewise he vsed this people to goe with the Carabans to Gago to fetch home his yearely tribute and custome whereby manie were consumed in trauailing ouer the Saharas for anie offence or robberie committed by them his sword should punish seuerely that the rest might feare diuiding their Countrey into seuerall diuisions or Cantons in euerie which hee placed an Alkeyd with souldiers to suppresse any suddaine vprores must like our Lieutenant set ouer our seuerall Countyes but that the Alkeyd is continually resident and hath greater power in executing Marshall law And lastly as pledges of their loyalties hee would get their chiefest mens sonnes into his hands bringing them vp in his Court to a more ciuill and delicate kinde of life He was alwayes of minde to keepe peace with Christendome with Spaine who was his next potent neighbour but aboue all loued the English Nation and admired the late Queenes happie gouernement willing to entertaine trading with vs witnesse his manie letters written to that worthie Ladie of happie memorie And his Embassage sent vnto her Anno. 1601. performed by Abdala Wahad Anowne and Hamet Alhadg their great trauailer to Mecha and other places Towards his subiects he was not too tyrannicall but sweetned his absolute power and will with much clemencie By diuerse wayes he got excessiue store of gold First by seeing his tenths truly payed from the Larbees Secondly by trading with the Negroe taking vp the salt at Tegazza and selling it at Gago hauing from thence returne in good golde Thirdly by husbanding his Maseraws or Iâ—…genewes where his Sugar Canes did growe though nowe all spoyled with these warres for it is sufficiently knowne all of them about Morruecos Taradant and Magador were yearely worth vnto him sixe hundred thousand ounces at the least I omit his loue he tooke in entertaining forraigne Artisans the reedifying of his house in Morruecos getting Italian Marbles the richest that could bee bought for money and workmen hired from thence at great wages His sumptuous prouisions for the Saraile and maintenance of his women not so much delighting in the sinne as his predecessors had done before as to shew his glorie because the fashion of the Countrey is such to shewe their riches and greatnesse vpon that fraile sexe and their attendances For his chiefest pleasures were to see the gallantrie of his kingdome managing their good Barbarian Steedes and the Falcons vpon their wing making faire flights after the Heron for these sports hee was prouided no man better from which hee was recalled by certaine discontents which as clowds forerunned his owne Sunset Cap. III. The number of Muley Hamet Xarif sonnes their behauiours the beheading of Mustepha MVley Hamet Xarif the late deceased king and father of these thrée brothers now liuing that striue for the kingdome at the time of his death left fiue sonnes aliue The eldest Muley Mahemet commonly called Muley Sheck a title giuen alwaies to the eldest of the kings sonnes The second Muley Boferes which two sons were both by one woman a Negra one of his concubines The third sonne Muley Sidan whome he had by one of his wiues The fourth sonne Muley Nassar who was about the age of Ninetéen yeares And the fift Muley Abdela about Fourtéene yeares old at the time of the old kings death and these twoo last were not legitimate but the sonnes of two seuerall Concubins This deceased King in his life time had placed his thrée elder sons in seuerall parts of his kingdome to gouerne for him in them to Muley Sheck his eldest he had giuen the kingdome of Fes which kingdome hath in former times continually béen allotted by the late kings of Barbary to their eldest sonnes Muley Boferes he placed in his kingdome of Sus to Muley Sidan he gaue the prouince of Tedula which lyeth in the mid-way betwéene Moruecos and Fes his two yonger sonnes Muley Nassar and Abdela remained with him in his house whome by reason of their yong yeares he had not as yet placed in any part of his kingdomes The eldest sonne Muley Sheck in his yonger yeares gouerned Fes those partes of Barbarie with great approbation of his father through yâ— counsell of Basha Mustepha a Spanish Renegado which Basha in continuance of time grewe into such fauour with him that the whole gouernment of the kingdome of Fes was wholly by Mu Sheck put into his handâ—… Whervpon yâ— Alkeyds of the countrie that were naturall borne Mores continuall attendants vpon the old King enuying the greatnes of the said Basha raised diuers accusations against him Complaining to the King that he learned Muley Sheck to drinke wine a thing vnlawfull to the Mores being forbidden them by their Prophet Mahomet and that now hauing the whole gouernment of the kingdome of Fes in his hands vnder the kings sonne he purposed after he had possessed himselfe of Muley Shceks treasure to flie and carry it with him to some partes of Christendome Which accusations the old King vpon some probabilities and likelihoods conceiuing to be true these Alkeyds procured at last with him that he should send to his Sonne Muley Sheck commaunding him to send the head of the said Basha which commaund howsoeuer Muley Sheck who greatly loued and fauoured the said Basha at the first delayed to performe yet after diuers messages the old King sending at the last a principall seruant of his to see the execution done he was forced much against his will to sée fulfilled In these yonger yeares of Muley Sheck whilest this Basha was aliue none of the Kings Sonnes was more dutifull to their Father then he neither any of their actions so contented the old King as his insomuch the whole kingdomes hope for a successor after the old kings decease was onely in Muley Sheck Wherevpon and by the Kings voluntary motion all the principall Alkeyds and men of Commaund that were
in his kingdomes by solemne oath vowed allegeaunce to Muley Sheck after the olde kings decease And at that time Boferes the second Sonne by reason of the great plague in Sus and other discontents he receiued from that rebellious people stayed not long there but returned againe to his Father in Moruecos where he stayed with him vntill his Fathers departure to Fes in September 1602. Muley Sidan the third Sonne continued in Tedula a prouince fruitfull and scituate in the flat of Barbarie the mid-way betwéene Fes and Moruecos as I haue told you who gouerned those parts in great peace and quietnes euen in the cheife times of the tuâ—…lts that were in the bordering Dominions of his eldest brother Sheck whereof you shall read hereafter insomuch that he was generally commend ed and liked both of his Father and of all the kingdome for his gouernment being strict in séeing the execution of iustice to be done in those parts that he gouerned not sparing his kindred or nearest followers in those cases From his infancy be naturally hated all manner of théeues whatsoeuer especially thâ—…se which robbed by the high wayes and without any fauour or mercy seuerely punished them Howsoeuer he carryed himselfe very dutifull to his Father whilest he was liuing yet from his Childehoode he was alwayes of an aspiring and ambitious nature which could neuer be brought to subiect it selfe to giue any awefull respect to his elder brethren but to hazard his whole estate in obtaining the Kingdome accounting himselfe his Fathers lawfull heire in that hee was his Fathers eldest Sonne which he had by any of his marryed wiues In this point not regarding the custome and lawe of the Mores who in title of inheritance or succession respect not the mother whether shée be marryed Wife or Concubine bought with money so that her sonne be the eldest in birth Cap. IIII. The misgouernment of Muley Sheck which caused his old Father to visite the Kingdome of Fes the taking of Sheck prisoner the death of the Father BUt to returne againe to Muley Sheck the Kings eldest Sonne who after the death of his Basha Mustepha beheaded by his Fathers commaund soone shewed vnto all men the want of Gouernment that was in him for in his latter times giuing himselfe ouer to drunkennes and other detestable vices which amongst the Mores commonly accompanieth that sinne regarded not at all the gouernment of his kingdome but suffered his seruants followers and souldiers to doe what they would in robbing and spoyling the the goods of his honest minded Subiects without controllment And through want of Iustice duly executed his whole country in a short time swarmed so with théeues and robbers by the high wayes that there was no trauelling through his dominions but in Caffilas or companies of 300 and 400 persons at a time and they hardly sometimes escaped the hands of théeues The Alarbies who continue to this day in tribes and kindreds beeing the husbandmen of the countrey liuing in the fields in tents by â—…illing of the ground and bréeding vp of cattell when as they could not quietly gather in and peaceably enioy the corne and fruits of the ground denyed to paye the King their accustomed dutie and in the fields followed the courses of Muley Shecks seruants in the citie in robbing of all passengers that came within their power And such was his laâ—…ishing manner of spending and consuming of his Treasure that in his humors hée neither regarded what hée gaue nor to whome in so much that a Iew who was a Musitian and vsed to play before him in his drunken fits what with the gifts giuen him by the Prince and what else he gotte out of his house had gotten together in money and iewels in the space of foure or fiue yeares to the value of Foure Hundred Thousand Duckets which is about fortie Thousand Pound sterling This dissolute life and carelesse gouernment of Muley Sheck gréeued the olde King not a little especially to sée such a change or alteration in him whose forwardnes in former times had béene the staye of his age and had mooued him to cause the Alkeyds of the kingdome by oath to confirme their allegeance after his owne death Many wayes he sought to amend what was amisse in those parts and to draw his Son to a more stricte course of life and more carefull kind of gouernment as well by his letters as by sending diuers principall Alkeyds to be Counsellors vnto him Yet such was the small accompt he made either of the one or the other That the old King in the end séeing no amendment but the estate of that Kingdome to grow dayly worse and worse determined to go to Fes in his owne person with an armie aswell to displace his Sonne who had denyed to come vnto him vpon his sending for as also to put in order all matters in those parts which through the ill gouernment of his Sonne were all out of frame And so about the beginning of October 1602. he set forwards from Moruecos with an armie of Eight Thousand shot and some fiue Thousand Horse towards Fes leauing his second Sonne Muley Boferes to gouerne Moruecos and Sus in his absence vntill his returne making such spéedy iourneyes that he was with his forces within one dayes iourney of Fes before his Sonne Muley Sheck was certainly aduised of his setting forth from Moruecos Who when hee vnderstood of his fathers being so néere and himselfe euery way vnprouided to resist him Would haue fled towards Tafilet but being followed by Basha Mustefa hee was constrained to take saâ—…uary with fiue hundred of his best souldiers being very good shotte and well prouided The old King the Father séeing his sonne take the prâ—…ueledge of the place which is much respected in that countrey willed him to come forth and submit himselfe to his mercy But Muley Sheck refused either obstinate in not obeying or fearefull he could not render a good accompt of his Twenty Fiue yeares gouernment in Fes Wherefore Muley Hamet commaunded Mustefa a Basha of Sidans though then in the olde Muleys seruice to take thrée thousand men 〈◊〉 perforce to enter the place which he performed bringing Sheck prisoner and the rest of his company which were left aliue after the conflicte The old man would in no wise admit him into his presence but committed him to the charge and custody of Basha Iudar one of greatest place about the King who caryed Sheck to Mickanes a strong Garrison towne and there remained vntill the time of his Fathers death which was some fiue moneths after The olde King in his iourney to Fes against his eldest sonne passed by the Prouince of Tedula and from thence tooke alongst with him his third son Muley Sidan whom he commaunded to remoue his houshold to Fes from Sidania a Citie which he had begunne to build in Tedula and called it after his owne name intending to leaue him Uizeroy of those parts in the roome of his eldest
sonne whom he purposed to carrie with him from Mickanes where he was prisoner to Morruecos Which he had also performed if hee had not beene preuented by suddaine death For in August 1603 hee hauing set all matters in order in those parts of Fes prouiding for his returne to Morruecos put out his Tents without Fes gates but being abroad hee suddainly fell sicke and his sicknesse so sore increased that on Thursday falling sick on Sunday morning beeing the fourteenth of August 1603. he died Cap. V. Muley Sidan proclaimeth himselfe King in Fes Muley Boferes in Morruecos Muley Nassar would haue done the likein Taradant but is hindered The death of Nassar MVley Sidan by reason his Mother Lilla Isha gouerned the old Kings house vnderstoode of his fathers death before it was noysed abroad whereupon he presently went forth into his fathers campe and tents from whence he carried away all such Iewels and treasure as he found there And after his fathers death he caused himselfe in Fes to bee proclaimed King of Barbarie as lawfull heyre of his deceased father Lilla Iohora mother to Muley Sheck and Muley Boferes seeing her eldest sonne in prison and voide of all meanes to helpe himselfe at that instant was not vnmindfull of her second sonne Boferes whom the old King had left to gouerne Morruecos during his absence To whom shee dispéeded presently letters by one of the kings Eunuchs who made such hast that in foure dayes he came from Fes to his Tents which were some two leagues from Morruecos where he had lien all the Summer before to auoyd the infection of the plague which had béene that Summer in Morruecos and with him was his younger brother Muley Nassar and his eldest brothers sonne Muley Abdela Muley Boferes vnderstanding of his fathers death presently entred Moruecos and gaâ—… possession of the Alcasaua his fathers house Before the newes of his fathers death was noysed abroad and generally knowne fearing how the Alkeyds and people of Morruecos might stand affected vnto him and knowing that if he had once possession of the Alcasaua of his fathers treasure he had the best part of the Kingdome And the next day after his entrance hee caused to bee published generally thorow the whole Citie the newes of his fathers death and withall himselfe to be proclaimed king Writing letters to the Uizeroy of Sus to doe the like in Taradant the chiefe Citie of that Kingdome the which he accordingly performed Muley Nasâ—…ar the fourth sonne of the deceased King hauing beene all the Summer abroad with his brother Boferes when now hee vnderstood of his fathers death followed his brother a farre off as though hee meant to haue entred Morruecos with him But comming to the gates of the Citie in companie with Muley Abdela his Nephew being sonne to Muley Sheck with whom hee was familiar conferred with him about their flying into the Mountaines perswading Muley Abdela that hee might no wayes put any trust in Boferes since his father and he were the chiefest impediments that hindered Boferes from claiming the Kingdome by course of iustice his father Muley Sheck being the old Kings eldest sonne and he the eldest sonne of his father Besides his father being in prison so neere Fes where Muley Sidan was it was to be doubted that Muley Sidan had alreadie gotten him into his power and it might be had made some agréement with him alreadie to ioyne both against Muley Boferes which if it should so fall out would cause Boferes to deale more cruelly with him But these perswasions moued not Abdela who rather chose to enter the Citie and follow his Uncle on whose curtesie he would relie Though Nassar fearing how Boferes would deale with him with all speede fled into the Mountaines to the kindred of his mother from whence after a few daies with some eight hundred or a thousand of those people whome he ioyned together he passed into the plaines of Sus sending to the Alkeyd in Taradant to proclaime him King or else to suffer him quietly to depart But the Alkeyd hauing alreadie proclaimed Muley Boferes withstood him and he hauing no meanes wherewith to pay his souldiers and people that he had gathered togither was soone left of all so returned againe to his mothers kindred and liued priuatly there about seuen Moneths and then dyed of the plague or as some reported secretly poysoned was brought to Morruecos and there buryed Cap. VI. The reuolt of Alkeyd Hamet Monsore Muley Sheck prisoner deliuered to Boferes Muley Sidan rayseth forces against his bother Boferes And the like doth Muley Boferes against Sidan BUt to returne to Fes and those parts after the death of the old King Sidan being now proclaimed king in Fes Boferes in Morruecos Sus Muley Sheck prisoner in Mickanes in the keeping of Basha Iudar the souldiers being abroad in their tents without Fes gates began to be in a mutenie as well for sixtéene Moneths pay which the old King owed them as also about their returne to Morruecos where the most of them had left their wiues and children To appease this mutenie Muley Sidan sent out of Fes vnto them Alkeyd Hamet Monsore their chiefe Commaunder in the olde Kings time to promise them as well content in payment as also a speedie returne to Morruecos with Muley Sidan himselfe But Monsore in stead of pacifying laboured to encrease their mutenous humours and at last agreed with them suddainly in the night to take vp their tents and to march with him to Morruecos alleadging vnto them both the vncertaintie of Muley Sidans pay and the small likelyhoode of any speedie iourney he meant to take to Moruecos And being to passe within a little of Mickanes where the Basha kept Muley Sheck prisoner hee wrote vnto the said Basha to know his intent whether hee would goe to Moruecos or no with him To whom the Basha came and brought Muley Sheck with him whom they brought along as prisoner to Moruecos and deliuered him vp to his brother Boferes who kept him close prisoner in his house some 4. or 5. moneths vntill the comming of Muley Sidan against him in battaile by this meanes thinking to haue established the whole kingdome to Muley Boferes who now besides the possession of the city of Moruecos and his Fathers treasure had brought vnto him yâ— greatest part of his Fathers forces 〈◊〉 his elder brother put prisoner into his hands Muley Sidan being thus deceiued by Monsore and likewise by diuers other principall Alkeids who had secretly departed from Fes and left him forthwith dispeeded one Mustefa a Renegâ—…do of his owne whome hee made a Basha with two thousand shot and some companyes of horses to Tedula aswell to receiue from the Alarbies those duties which they alwayes pay vnto their King as also to stoppe and returne to Fes whomsoeuer he should finde flying from thence to Moruecos kéeping possession of that prouince for his vse He made likewise great preparations both of
the Basha before yâ— Muley Sidan had certain intelligence of his liberty and yet he entered the Almohalla but on the Tuesday the battaile being fought vpon the Fryday following Muley Sidan vnderstanding for certaine that his eldest brother was come into the Basha his Almohalla thought it no time for him to deferre giuing of battile least it shold be knowne amongst his souldiers many of whome in former times had serued the sayd Muley Sheck And therefore on Fryday the sixt of Ianuary 1604. the forces of each side met and ioyned together betwéen whom there was no long fight for vppon the discharging of foure Péeces of Artillery which Iudar Basha had with him some 3 or 4 times a great part of the souldiers of Muley Sidan beganne to flye except some choyce men which were in that part of the battaile where the Muley himselfe was by reason of yâ— resolution of their Commaunder continued somewhat longer but in the end fled when as yâ— canopy ouer Muley Sidans head was shot down with a Piece of Ordinance At which mâ—…chance not before the Muley himselfe began to leaue the field who in the managing of this battaile was some thing to be blamed for as he had vsed the celerity of a wise Generall comming with all spéed to Mustefa after he heard Muley Sheck should be set at liberty setting two souldiers vpon euery Mule and euery horseman for the spéedier march to take a souldier with his Piece vp behinde him being come to his Campe an houre before day â—…ee should not haue delayed two howers and more the present onset gazing in his enemies face and giuing them time to ready themselues to fight whome otherwise he might haue taken at the disperâ—…iew and his Fezzes whome he halfe mistrusted no premeditation to reuolte or runne away On Muley Shecks side few were slaine and of Muley Sidans side the greatest number was some 〈◊〉 hundred men or thereabout neither was it euer thought that the battaile would be sore or endure long but that the one side would presently flye First for that they were all Mores of one country and one religion and howsoeuer the Kings might be affected one to the other yet betwéen the cominalâ—…y of each side was no hatred onely for their paye came into the field to fight one against an other Secondly by reason of the olde Kings death in Fes there was almost no Alkeide of Muley Shecks side but had either his brother Sonne or chiefest friend on the other side as Alkeid Mumen Bocrasia was a chéefe Commaunder on Muley Sidans side and his brother Alkeid Gowie of the like Commaund on the other side Alkeid Absadok was chiefe counsellor with Muley Sidan his brother was the like with Muley Boferes to whome also was sworne Alkeid Absadocks Son Alkeid Hameâ—… Monsore was on Muley Boferes siâ—…e and his brother Alkeid Ally Monsore on the other side and so of diuers others Cap. VIII ¶ Sidans Iustice done vppon the Larbees forrobbing His flight after the battaile lost to Trimasine THe thrée brethren thus striuing for the golden Ball of Soueraignty iustice was trodden downe The Larbees robbed one an other the strongest carrying away all â—…uarrels betwixt Families and Tribes which durst not be talked of in old Muley Hamts time came to be decided with the Swoord After this battaile alwayes were stopped with robbers no trading from the Portâ—… Townes to Moruecos without great strength of men Muley Boferes who had the imperiall seate was neither so fit for action or to do iustice as Muley Sidan who had lost the day And that the kindred called Weled Entid well knew which presuming vpon the soft nature of Boferes and their owne strength which consisted of Fiftéene Thousand horse â—…oraged vp to Moruecos gates fore-closed all passages for trauellers making Marchants goods their prises Whereas an exemplary punishment executed vppon them for their robbing in Fes by Muley Sidan whilest hee raigned there made them thinke the countrey too hot For Sidan commaunded Alkeid German with Twoo Thousand souldiers in hostile manner to fall vpon the next Dwarre of tents belonging to that Tribe to burne Man Woman Childe Kyne Shéepe and whatsoeuer belonged to them not to spare it vppon his owne life from Fire and Sword which fully executéd and so bloodily that Sidanâ—…ghed â—…ghed hearing the true report yet it made Fes the peaceablest part in Barbarie But returne we to Sidans fortunes after he lost the field hauing the ouerthrowe retyred backe to Fes and forthwith was Alkeid Azus the onely man in the latter daies of the old King fauoured by the whole countrey dispéeded towards Moruecos to treate of a peace and himselfe beganne to make head againe to resist such forces as should follow him but before hee could bring his forces together againe newes was brought vnto him that his brother Muley Sheck was neare at hand with certaine companies of Horsemen and that the whole Almohalla of the Basha was not farre behinde So that then hee was rather to consider of and to prouide for his escaping by flight then any wayes to resist and hauing before put some Nyne Hundred Thousand Duckets in Allarocha for the which money he had sent one of his Alkeids after his returne from the battaâ—… he thought it is his best course to passe that waye and to take that money along with him but he was followed so hardly by Alkeid Abdela Wahad and Alkeid Vmsoud Vmbilie Boferes seruants that hee was forced to flye directly towards Trimasine and to leaue that treasure behinde him which was taken by his brother Muley Sheck In these his frowning fortunes the most of his Alkeids left him and amongst others Mumine Bocrasia flying to Moruecos in whome hee put no small trust and more then the seruants of his house he had no man of accompt but forsooke him onely Alkeid Absadik Hadâ—… Tabid and Mustepha the twoo latter of them being his houshould seruants and belonging to him in his Fathers time left him not in his aduerstie So that any Alkeid of the Cassas or Castes in Barbarie hee had no more then Absadicke who rather then he would leaue him although allured by the perswasions of his brother Alkeide Abdela Wahad and entreated by â—…he teares of his Sonne to returne both of them then bâ—…ing in the pursuite of Muley Sidan and in a playne oâ—…ertooke the sayde Absadocke yet hee left his house anâ—… chilâ—…ren at the mercie of Mulâ—…y Boâ—…eres his Maister anâ—… enemie The Alkeids who followed in pursuite of Muley Sidan â—…ollowed him so hard that besides the treasure of Allarocha they likewise tooke much of the Muleys treasure that hee carryed along with him although with that small companye of Horses which were no more then Twentye Horsemen or thereabout hee â—…eturned many times and fought with those who pursued him in person béeing still one of the foremost in thâ—…se sâ—…shes vnâ—… Aâ—…keide Vmbilâ—… who persued him admiring his resâ—…lution and pittying his miserable estate
Saphie diuerse letters from the King extolling his honourable endeuours and approued valiantnesse in his farrâ—… aduentures both by sea and land not omitting any Courtship to winne his loue or make him doubt his welcome After two dayes stay in the Citie the King madâ—… preparation for his entertainment at Court whither hâ—… went suting his followerâ—… as well as the shortnesse of time could suffer and his credite with the Christian Marchants could affoord which was good for two Spaniards were so rapt with admiration of his worth and by his speeches allured with so strange hope that they fell in emulation whether should doe him more seruices or helpe him to more money reasonably attended he râ—…de to Court not lighting from his horse where the Kings Sonnes vsually doe but rode thorow the Mushward which is the Kings great Hall wherein most of his Lords Gentlemen and chiefe sort of people doe attend when they come to Court which none but the King himselfe doth Being come into the Kings presence his Letters of credite were receyued with great shewe of kindnesse and himselfe entertained with all gracious respect not onely at the Kings hands but of the principallest men in office or fauour about the Court and so for that time was dismissed the chiefest men attending him backe to the place where he tooke horse Some fiue dayes after sir Anthonie Sherley comming to audience and thinking to haue ridden in as he did before a chaine was hung crosse the entrance of the Mushward which he perceyuing onely done to hinder his passage would not alight from his horse but returned backe verie discontented This being certified to Boferes presently three of his chiefest Alkeyds were sent to qualifie the matter But sir Anthonie tooke the disgrace not as his owne but his whose person he represented telling the Alkeyds his maister the Emperour was able would requite the iniury neither did he feare though now within the power of Boferes knowing the greatnesse of him in whose seruice hee was imployed so farre surpassing the King of Morruecos as maugre the proudest he would be fetched from thence and bee fully renenged of the least iniurie done vnto him The three Alkeyds layde the blame vpon the Kings Porter offering sir Anthonie the Porters head if he would haue it so spending an houre to pacifie his choller and bring him backe the Porter before his face was sore beaten and imprisoned neither euer after was he hindered of riding thorow the Mushward During his abode in Morruecos which was fiue moneths Boferes and he had diuerse priuate conferences as it was generally thought which way to keepe him in the Kingdome against his two brethren Sheck and Sidan as also to giue the great Lâ—…ke a blow to driue him out of Argiers and Tunes From Moruecos Sir Anthonie departed with great content to himselfe and good liking of Boferes of whom he bought two Portingall Gentlemen for a hundred and fiftie thousand ounces which amounteth to some ten thousand pound sterling These two had beene captines in Morruecos almost 16. yeares the one Sonne to the Uiceroy of the East Indies the other of a noble house in Portingal The first had his resgat thrise sent for to ransom him out of the East Indies but twise it was taken by the English once by Flemings during our late watres with them the other his brethren driue him of for his resâ—…at either to saue so much money or not able to pay so great a fine To accompanie him from the Court to Saphie was sent one of the Kings Gentlemen Ushers to whom at his parting he threw him his Hat which hee wore from his head with a Iewell of great value rewarding largely all the Ushers followers For his guard the wayes being then very daungerous was sent downe with him foure hundred shot vnder the commaund of Alkeyd Abdela Sinko a Portingall re negado which is a Christian turned Moore This man whether by perswasion or voluntarily desiring to see his natiâ—…e Countrey in the night gat aboard of the Ship sir Edwin Rich was in not sir Anthonies the Ship presently weying anchor made saile for Spaine but the other remaining with sir Anthonie in the harbour This dealing was taken in ill part insomuch that â—…ue of his men being sent to shore for certaine prouision which they lacked were claâ—…yed vp in prison and sent in chaines to Morruecos but afterward released Sir Anthonie writing to the King both to cleare himselfe of the fact and desiring remedie for these his new sustained grieuances set a good shew vpon the matter stayd foure dayes after the other Ship which had carried away the Alkeyd and would haue carried vntill hee had his 〈◊〉 men againe but that he was written vnto to bee gonâ—… from an especiall friend a shore aduising him he did not well to ride so long in the port diuers Flemish-men of warre being abroad and if any should chaunce to come in there as seldome it is without they finding these two Gentlemen as prize would sease vppon them and then was there lost Thirtie Fiue Thousand ounces which a Marchants Factor had lent Sir Anthonie Sherley to cleare him out of the country for which the Factor had the two Portugales bound to pay this debt at their arriuall in Lisbon Upon this aduertisement hee departed and the next day Boferes sent him a letter to cleare his men And so I returne to the â—…le of my continued history Cap. XII Muley Abdela goeth in person against Muley Boferes driueth him out of Moruecos Putteth to death Basha Iudar and other Noble men MVley Sheck putting his Sonne Abdela forward to the whole commaund of the armie himselfe meaning to saâ—… one kept in Allarocha thrée Italian Ships purposing if matters prospered not well with treasure sufficient to go to Florence but the battaile not fought his determination altered â—…or he e presently seized all strangerâ—… ships which came either to Laratch Salie or other parts as also some Marchants ships of â—…es robbing them of their goods making the Marriners land their Pieces and all the men either to serue him or else to haue the yron giuen them Herebâ—…â—…e â—…tted himselfâ—… of Captaineâ—… and souldiers being Enâ—…sh French and Dutch with 27. Pâ—…eces of Ordinanâ—…e and shot therevnto sufficient And so â—…red the minde of his Sonne Abdela with hope of winning Moruecos being of himselfe drunken with the ambitions desire of a Kingdome that Abdela about the latter â—…nde of Nouember 1606. marched to Moruecos with his troupes being some ten Thousand horse and foote besides his christian Marriners whose helpe wonne him the field fought some sixe myles southeast from Moruecos on the eight of December 1606. Sheck bore his Sonne company no farther then Salie from whence three houres riding is a riuer called Mamora into which bay the Italian Shippes put in Sheck went thither and hard by the Shippes vppon the shoare pitched his Tent wherein he lay part of his treasure béeing shipped himselfe determining
there to stay and expect the euent of his Sonne if it passed well with him then Affricke should hold him otherwise to visite the great Duke of Thuscane on whose courtesie he much rested But the christian Gunners so well obserued their times of shooting and placing their Ordinance as they gotte Abdela the field hoping thereby to haue obtained both libertie and pillage of which most of them poore men fayled as afterward you shall read When Sheck heard Abdela had gotte Moruecos hee grew careles to send prouision or supplie the wants of his thrée Italian Shippes wherefore they set saile from Mamora homewards taking such treasure for their pay as were in their custodies Boferes lost in this battaile about Sir Hundred men fled into the Citie to saue his treasure and his women but for feare of being surprised durst not tarry to take his treasure away with him but in all hast poasted toward the Mountaines willing the Alkeids and chiefest men of his court to bring it after him with the rich Swoâ—…rd the like whereof is not in the world committing also to their conduct his daughter and the châ—…isest of his women amongst whome was the wise of Ben Wash the Kings Marchant At the entrie of the hilles a kindred of the Larbies being fiue hundred horsemen seized vppon these people pillaged their cariages rifled and dishonoured the women not sparing Boferes Daughter whome Abdela determined to haue married but hearing diuers Mores to haue lyen with her also yâ— shée was suspected to haue liued in incest with her father after his enterance into Moruecos he neuer enquired farther after her The Alkeids being well mounted by the swiftnesse of their Horses returned backe to Moruecos and there tooke sanctuarye Abdela vppon their submission promised them pardon on whose Princelie word they relying came foorth the Foker of the place presenting them But Muley Abdela whether incited by enuious counsell or on his owne bloody minde putteth them so secretly to death that sending all their heads in one sacke to Fes for a present to his Father Their deaths was not fullie known in the Citie of Moâ—…uccos before their heads were set vppon Fcs gates Here was the end of Basha Iudar a great souldier in olde Hamets time a faithfull Commaunder during his life to Boferes accompanyed with Sedy Gowie Alkeid Aâ—… his Sonne Alkeid Moden the Cassemie and some foure great men more Cap. XIII Muley Sidan commeth against Muley Abdela getteth Moruecos from him killeth Eight Thousand of his men and vpon colde blood causeth 3000. Thousand Fâ—…zees to bee slaine yeelding vppon good composition THis tyranny of Abdela shewed vppon these valiant and woorthy men and the spoyle which the Fezees had made aswell in robbing the Alkeids houses as in ryâ—…ing the Citizens goods and committing aloutrages which follow war caused many flie to Muley Sidan and the rest which remained in Moruecos grewâ—… discontented so that the Sunne-â—…hine of Abdelas happines scarse lasted two moneths for Sidan resting in the halfe way between Moruecos and Fes taking oportunity of this vproare of the Townsemen marched toward Moruecos on the North side of the Towne determining to giue present battaile hearing by the scowâ—…s that Muley Abdela his campe was looged in the great Garden or Orchard called the Almowetto being some two English myles about The first night of Sidans approach the prisoners were released and prisons broken open so that these men getting liberty ran halfe mad vp and downe the Cittie crying long liue Sidan which troubled the citizens not a little And in this vproare Sidans faction let into the Citiâ—… at a secret gate many of his souldiers which made a sally vpon the regiment of Zalâ—… meaning to haue surprised Abdelas campe but himselfe comming to the rescue with two Thousand men continued a hotte skirmish against the Sidanians in which the christians fought valiantly to recouer their Péeces of Artillery which were lost vntill the Sidanians were forced to retyre The next day being the 25 of Aprill Stilo nouo Abdela remooued towards Muley Sidan who was encamped on the North side of the Citie not daring to come on the south-side for feare of the shot which galled his men from the battlements of the Kings house Therefore he hearing of Abdelas remoue and intending to venture his fortune vpon a present battaile set forward to méete him with a regiment of his best horse Abdela perceauing this caused his Canoniâ—… to march formost which could but place fiue Pieces of their Artillery in a â—…rest because the Orchards and Gardens made the passages â—…ery narowe and straight where as the armies should mâ—…te Sidanâ—… horsemen gaue 〈◊〉 very gallant charge but the Canonierâ—… made them retyre Which Abdeâ—… horsâ—… men perceiuing being encouraged and too eager of the chase some Thousand Horse galloped before their own Ordinance and followed their enemie close to Sidans campe their Péeces of Artillary being drawne after them Muley Sidan well knowing the aduantage of the place séeing his enemies depriued of the benefit of their great Ordinance which he most feared encouraged his men to kéepe their ground and bringing with his owne person fresh supplies to second them gaue his aduersaries the Abdelians so hotte a charge that they were faine to retire in great disorder vpon the mouths of their owne Artillary This dis array perceiued by the Christian Gunners it put them in minde to discharge vppon their owne men the Abdelians holding it better to kill Fiue or Sixe Hundred of their owne side then to loose the battaile But the More who was Captaine ouer the Canoniers and other Commaunders would not suffer it Wherefore the Sidanians following in good order and very close fell to the execution with their swords surprised the Artillery and flew the men The slaughter continued some foure houres betwixt seauen or eight Thousand killed and fewe to speake on left aliue for what the souldiers spared the Citizens in reuenge of their disorders pillages and villanies done to their women bereaued them of their liues who being dead were not suffered to bée buried but lay aboue the ground as a prey to the dagges and sowles of the ayre Heauie likewise was the Conquerors hand vppon the Christians which tooke Abdelas part most of them for their fiue moneths seruice to Abdela were either slaine in the fury of battaile or after had his throat cut And this was the ende of them who had liued in the streights of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea not as Marchants by honest trading but hauing committed spoyle vpon diuers Seafaring men felt the bloody hande of a barbarous Nation as a deserued punishment sent from God to execute iustice for their manifold committed wrongs and outrages This battaile being lost with the greatest bloodshed that any hath béen since these warres beganne Muley Abdela fledde to Fes a Hundred persons of his whole armie not left aliue to beare him company And Sidan Maister of the field entered the Citie of