Italians upon whom he shewed his Tyranny with most exquisite and horrible Torments Paulus Ericus Governor of the City with a few others who with him were fled into the Castle without resistance delivered the same unto him upon his faithful Promise that they might in safety depart but after he had got them into his Power the perfidious Tyrant without regard commanded them all to be cruelly murthered The Governors Daughter a Maiden of incomparable beauty was amongst the rest taken Prisoner and for her rare Perfection by them that took her presented to Mahomet as the Mirrour of Beauty The barbarous Tyrant greedy of so fair a Prey sought first by flattering words and fair perswasion to induce her to consent to his desire but when he could not so prevail he fell into another vain and began to shew himself in his own nature threatning her with Death Torture and Force worse than Death it self if she would not otherwise yield unto his Appetite Whereunto the constant Virgin worthy eternal Fame answered so resolutely and so contrary to the Tyrants expectation that he being therewith enraged commanded her to be presently slain The horrible and monstrous Cruelty with the filthy Outrages by that beastly and barbarous people committed at the taking of that City passeth all credit Chalcis thus won the rest of that fruitful Island without further resistance yielded unto the Turish slavery under which it yet groaneth This Calamity happened unto the Venetian State or rather to say truly to the general hurt of the Christian Common-weal in the year of our Redemption 1470. Canalis the Venetian Admiral who all the time of the Siege had in the sight of the City lien at Anchor as a looker on fearing now the City was lost to be set upon by the Turks Fleet hoised Sail and laded with dishonor returned in haste unto Venice where he was by the Commandment of the Senate committed to Prison and afterward with all his Family exiled to Utinum year 1471. Shortly after when Mahomet was departed with his Army out of Euboea and his Fleet returned to Constantinople the Venetians with their Gallies attempted to have upon the sudden surprised the City a little before lost But Mahomet had therein left so strong a Garrison that when the Venetians had landed their Men they were again enforced to retire to their Gallies and to forsake their Island Chalcis thus lost with all the Island of Euboea the Venetians chose Petrus Mocenicus a valiant and discreet Gentleman Admiral of their Fleet in stead of Canalis and by their Embassadors solicited Sixtus the Fourth of that Name then Bishop of Rome and Ferdinand King of Naples with Lewis King of Cyprus and the grand Master of the Rhodes to joyn their Forces together with theirs against the great and common Enemy which thing all the aforesaid Christian Princes promised them to do And the more to intangle the Turk they at the same time sent Caterinus Zenus their Embassador with rich Presents unto Alymbeius Usun-Cassanes the great King of Persia to incite him on that side against the Turk in which Negotiation Zenus so well behaved himself that the next year following that great King took up Arms against Mahomt and had with him mortal Wars as shall be in convenient place hereafter declared Mahomet not ignorant of the proceedings of the Venetians and that they did what they might to stir up as many Enemies as they could and to bring him if it were possible into hatred with the whole World and well knowing how much he had offended the minds of the Christian Princes with the cruelty he had of late used against them of Chalcis thought it not best as then further to provoke them and so happily to bring all at once about his ears but for a season to lie still at Constantinople as if he had been desirous now to live in peace not meaning further harm hoping therâ—by that although he concluded no Peace with any of them which inded he was not desirous of yet that tract of time might mittigate the hainousness of the fact and cool the heat of their displeasure whereby it came to pass as he wished that nothing worth the speaking of was that year attempted against him and because the Persian King was the man of whom he stood most in doubt he sought by his Embassadors to pacifie him and to withdraw him from the League of the Christians requesting him if it were for nothing else but for the Community of the Mahometan Religion wherein they well agreed and were thereby the professed Enemies of the Christians to withdraw his hand and in their cause to cease to take up Arms urging now for that it so stood with his purpose the zeal of Religion whereas otherwise he regarded as was thought no Religion at all But Zenus the Venetian Embassador lying continually in the Persian Court so wrought the matter with Usun-Cassanes that he told the Turks Embassadors plainly That he could nor would not longer endure the manifest injury and wrong done unto him by the Turkish King and farther that he had made a faithful League with the Christian Princes and therefore would to the uttermost of his Power make it known unto the World that he would effectually perform what thing soever he had promised and so dismissed them now no less discontented than were before the Persian Embassadors at such time as they returned from the Turks Court having obtained nothing they then requested concerning the Emperor of Trapâ—zond The year following year 1472. Mocenicus the Venetian Admiral with his Fleet arrived in the Isle of Lesbos where he did great harm From thence he passed the Bay of Adramittium into the lesser Asia and so spoiled the Country about Pergamus After that he landed again at Cnidus upon the coast of Caria where he took a great Booty and so having done the Turks exceeding much harm in Asia all alongst the Sea coast opposite to Graecia he returned laden with spoil towards Peloponnesus In his return about the Promontory of Malea upon the coast of Peloponnesus he met with Richaiensis coming unto him with seventeen Gallies from King Ferdinand by whom he was certified that the great Bishops Fleet was ready to come forth also After mutual Gratulation as the manner at Sea is the Admirals joyning their Fleets in one landed at Methone now called Modon then a City of the Venetians in Peloponnesus where after they had well refreshed their Souldiers and taken in fresh Victuals they put to Sea again and sailing through the Islands landed in Asia where they were at their first landing encountred by the Country Turks whom at last they put to flight and by the space of four days took what pillage they could in the Country where the Souldiers found great store of rich Booty especially of Turky Carpets which are there made in great abundance From thence they sailed to Halicarnassus which is part of Caria where sometime stood
City with a strong Counterscarp so preparing themselves as if they should have been even presently besieged But the time so passing and the Emperor delaying his coming they began to think of other matters for being brought to that strait that they could not well tell which way to turn them but that they were on every side beset with danger they upon a malicious Resolution and unto the Greeks most fatal by Messengers sent of purpose craved Aid of the Turks that dwelt on the other side of the strait over against them in Asia who presently sent them five hundred good Souldiers after whom followed also many other Fugitives and loose Companions in hope of spoil with whom the Catalonians for the present strengthned and being themselves three thousand strong issued out of the City and forraged the Country thereabouts bringing in with them great Herds and Flocks of Sheep and other Cattel together with their Keepers wherewith both the Emperors and their Subjects incensed prepared themselves for Revenge This was the first calling in of the Turks into Europe that I read of and the beginning of those endless miseries wherewith the Christian Commonweal hath been ever since most grievously afflicted and a great part thereof overwhelmed few or none grieving thereat but such as themselves feel the heaviness thereof whom God in his mercy comfort The Catalonians and Turks now lying about Cypsella and Apri in Thrace Michael the Emperor with his Macedonian and Thracian Souldiers the Magassets and the Turcopuli encamped at Apri These Turcopuli were Turks also in number a thousand who as is in the former part of this History declared being fled with their Sultan Iathaâ—ines unto the Greek Emperor and left behind him at such time as he was by the European Tartars delivered had forsaken their Mahometan Superstition and so being become Christians were inrolled amongst the Greek Souldiers Shortly after the Emperor advertised by his Scouts of the approach of his Enemies commanded every man to be in a readiness and his Captains to put his Army in order of battel who seeing the Enemies battel divided into three parts put theirs also in like order placing the Turcopuli and Massagets in the left Wing the Macedonian and Thracian choice Horsemen in the right Wing and the rest with the Footmen in the main battel At which time the Emperor himself riding from place to place with comfortable Speeches encouraged his men to fight valiantly against their Enemies The Sun rising the Enemies battel began to come on in number much inferiour unto the Emperors yet in like order the Turks being placed in both Wings and the Catalonians well armed in the midst But the signal of battel being given on both sides the Massagets whether it were by agreement so before made with the Enemy or upon a sudden conceived Treason presently withdrew themselves aloof off and so stood as idle beholders giving Aid neither to the one nor to the other as did also the Turcopuli their Companions which greatly dismayed the Grecians and encouraged their Enemies for the Greeks dismayed with that sudden defection of their Fellows were even in the joyning of the battel discouraged Which the Emperor perceiving with great instancy intreated the Captains and Commanders of his Army calling them oftentimes by name not to be so suddenly discouraged but they in so great a danger little regarding his words and still shrinking from him when as the greatest part of his Footmen were troden under foot and slain turning himself unto them that were left which were but few he said Now worthy men is the time wherein death is better than life and life more bitter than death And having so said valiantly charged the Enemy in which Charge his Horse was slain under him and he in danger to have been taken had not one of his faithful Followers remounted him upon his own Horse and so saved his life with the loss of his own The Emperor flying to Dydimotichum where Andronicus his Father then lay was of him joyfully received but sharply reproved for adventuring his person so far The Enemies pursuing the Chace slew some took others until that by the coming on of the night and weary with the long fight they retired and the next day dividing the spoil afterwards at their pleasures forraged the Country The Renegat Turks called Turcopuli within a few days after revolting to the Catalonians were of them joyfully entertained and inrolled into the Regiment of Chalel the Turks General Shortly after this Victory the Catalonians began to mutiny among themselves the great Captain Tenza and Pharenza his Companion disdained to be commanded by Recafort their General in which tumult the matter coming to blows Tenza was slain and Pharenza for safeguard of his life glad to fly unto the Emperor Andronicus of whom he was contrary to his expectation right honourably entertained About this time also the Massagets having done the Greeks more harm than the Turks against whom they were entertained and enriched themselves with the spoil of their Friends both in Asia and Europe were about with their Wives and Children and Wealth to return again unto their old dwellings beyond Ister Which the Turcopuli with the Catalonians understanding and bearing unto them a secret grudge for that they as the weaker had by them oftentimes bin wronged in the division of the spoil of the Greeks lay now secretly in wait for them as they should pass the straits of the great Mountain Hemus which bounded the Greek Empire from the Bulgarians where setting upon them fearing no such danger they slew them almost all and with the spoil of them recompenced themselves for all the wrongs they had from them before received The Catalonians proud of their Victory at Apri and well strengthened by the revolt of the Turcopuli with continual Rodes spoiled not only all alongst the Sea-coast of Thracia but all the in-land Country also as far as Maronea Rhodope and Bizia laying all wast before them And having forraged most part of Thracia brake into Macedonia and there wintred about Cassandria sometime a famous City but as then all desolate and ruinous But the Spring being come they removed thence with purpose to have spoiled the Cities of Macedonia and especially the rich City of Thessalâ—nica where the Empress Irene then lay wherein they were by the Emperors good care and foresight prevented who doubting such a matter had fortified his Cities in that Country and furnished them with strong Garrisons and all other things needful for their defence which they quickly perceiving and finding the Country all desolate and forsaken by the Inhabitants were about to have again returned into Thracia but as they were thereupon resolving they were informed by one that was with them Captive how that the Emperor by a mighty strong Wall built at a place called Christopolis from the Sea-side even unto the top of the Mountains had so shut up the passage as that it
now in a readiness for the firing of the Mine it was thought good by general consent that an assault should also at the same time be given unto the City and thereupon every Regiment was by lot appointed which part of the Wall to assail which they all with great courage undertook In the heat of which Assault the aforesaid undermined Tower with some part of the Wall the Timber whereon it staied now burnt fell down with a great fall laying open a fair Breach for the Christians to enter wherewith the Turks dismaied forthwith craved to come to parl which granted they for safeguard of their lives yielded forthwith to give up the City and to restore to the Christians the Holy Cross with two thousand Captives and two hundred Horsemen such as they should require of all them that were in the power of Saladin besides 200000 Constantinopolitan Ducats to be by him given to the two Kings for the cost by them bestowed in the Siege For payment whereof the Turks in the City were to remain as hostages under the safe keeping of the Christians so that if all the Covenants aforesaid were not within forty days performed by Saladin they should all for their lives be at the Kings mercy So was this strong City after it had been almost three years besieged delivered up unto the Christians the 12 of Iuly in the year 1191. The first that entred were the Germans of Austria year 1191. who as if they had been the only men by whose Valour the City had been won at their first entry presumptuously advanced their Ensigns upon the top of the Walls to the great Offence of all the rest of the Christian Princes but especially of King Richard who not unworthily for his Princely Courage was commonly called Richard Cueur de Lyon not brooking so proud an indignity caused the Ensigns of Leopold their Duke to be pulled down and foiled under foot which shortly after gave him occasion of Repentance as shall hereafter be seen The two Kings possessed of the City divided the same with all the People and Spoil thereof betwixt them without regard of the rest of the other noble Christians that had sustained the whole travel of that long Siege for which cause most part of them seeing themselves so deluded withdrew themselves from them and with one consent sent them word That they would forsake them except they were made partakers of the gains as they had been of the pains Which the two Kings to content them promised they should howbeit they delayed so long their promises that many worthy men constrained by Poverty departed discontented from them into their Countries But long it was not that this one City so lately gained could contain these two great Kings whom two large Kingdoms could not retain in peace For albeit that they were in body together present and in one and that a most honourable action combined yet were they in hearts far asunder and their secret designs much different envy and distrust still reviving unkindness past and ministring new matter of greater discontentments King Richard according to his noble nature was of nothing more desirous than to have the War continued until they had made a full Conquest of Syria and the Land of Palestine and for that cause requested the French King to bind himself together with him by solemn Oath there to stay yet three years for the regaining of those Countries But he in mind long before estranged from King Richard and in his deep conceit plotting matters nearer home better fitting his purpose would by no means be perswaded so to do but still found one occasion or other for to colour his departure And shortly after as the French Chronicles report falling extreamly sick he requested King Richard and the other Christian Princes to come unto him unto whom being come he in few words declared his purpose of return as followeth I cannot my Lords longer endure the inclemency and intemperature of the Air in this extream hot season If my death might profit the Christian Religion or any one of you or the Christian Commonweal there should be no distemperature whatsoever that could separate me from you or withdraw me from hence But more may the life of one absent serve and profit you than the death of him present I must of necessity depart yet at my departure I will leave you five hundred men at Arms and ten thousand Footmen the Flower and Choice of all the Forces of France under the conduct of my Cousin Odo Duke of Burgundy unto whom I will give Pay and Entertainment with a continual supply of all things for them necessary This excuse of the French Kings King Richard could not take in good part but said That it was apparent to all men that he abandoned the Wars in Syria to return into France for no other end or purpose but the more easily to invade the Provinces of Guien and Normandy now disfurnished of their Garrisons and so subiect to his malice Which point he so urged that the French King could have no leave with his Honour to depart until such time as he had by solemn Oath bound himself unto King Richard not to attempt any thing either by force or fraud against him or any thing of his until â—ifty days were expired after King Richard his return home which how well it was by the French King observed I leave it to the report of the Histories of that time And so the French King not to be intreated longer to stay leaving behind him the aforesaid number of men he had promised embarking the rest of his Army and accompanied with three tall Ships of the Genowaies his Friends and Ruffin Volta their Admiral departed from Ptolemais to Tyre the first of August and two days after loosing thence sailed alongst the Sea-coast of Asia and cutting through the Mediterranean arrived at length in the mouth of the River of Tiber and from thence went to Rome where after he had visited Pope Celestine and the famous places of that most Renowned City he returned again to his Fleet and so by Sea arrived in safety in France having in that great expedition so honourably by him entertained performed nothing answerable to that the World looked for After the French King followed Leopold Duke of Austria with his Germans and not long after him the Venetians also with them of Pisa and Genoa Of whose departure Saladin understanding and that the Christian Forces were thereby much empaired refused either to pay the Mony or to restore the Prisoners as was promised at the giving up of Ptolemais threatning moreover to chop off the Heads of all such Christian Captives as he had in his power if the King should shew any extremity unto the pledges in the City Nevertheless shortly after he sent his Embassadors with great Presents unto the King requesting a longer time for the sparing of his pledges which his request together with his Gifts the King refused to
pleasure to water them by Channels and Sluces out of the River of Nile which now pluckt up and opened the River began to rise and overflow all Then too late they perceived themselves 〈◊〉 as in a Grin without power to defend themselves or to make any resistance or by any other means to shew their Valour So the River still arising and overflowing gave unto the Turks and Egyptians good hope of their Wars and of a Victory more desired than hoped for over a warlike and victorious People All the ground where the Christians lay encamped was covered with Water so high that the Victuals were corrupted and no place left for a man to stand or lie dry in Now at the same time the Egyptians had taken the high places with the passages upon the Walls and Banks in that drowned Country to the intent that the Christians should not be able to retire or to save themselves out of the Bogs and Marishes covered over with Water So was their rash Valour and presumptuous Confidence in themselves exposed unto the Enemies Shot and Fury and when they would by force have defended themselves their hardiness was overcome by the crafty Subtility of the weak Enemy Then began every man to cry out against Pelagius the Legat accusing condemning and rayling at him the King himself they blamed not for that he had done his duty in disswading of this expedition and was contrary to his good liking himself drawn into this War the charge whereof he had not without great intreaty taken upon him neither might he with his credit well complain of this misfortune lest in so doing he might seem to have had no comfort in himself But as for the Legate what Counsel could he then give what Counsel could he then take for himself They of Venice Pisa and Genoa left at Damiata were indeed strong at Sea but how could they come to relieve him at Caire And how or by what Forces could the Christians break out of the Banks and Sluces of the Cuts and Channels which winding in and out with a thousand inextricable turnings inclosed them beset also on every side with the victorious Enemy After they had been thus coupt up and environed with the Waters three days you might have seen the poor Souldiers in every place fall down dead for want of Food and Sleep and so perish in the Water the like miserable kind of death the rest were also in short time after to expect other help there was none but to yield unto necessity and to accept of such conditions as it should please the proud Enemy to propound Now the Sultan desired not so much their lives as the Liberty of his Country and therefore required to have the City Damiata again restored unto him and all things else in such sort as were before the besieging thereof and so the Christians without more ado to depart his Country Hard Conditions if a man respect the hope whereupon the Christians had undertaken this War and were so come into Egypt with the toil there by them endured but unto him that will but enter into consideration of mens affairs and especially in Martial matters it will seem but an accident to be yielded unto the like whereof hath oftentimes happened unto the greatest men in the World. These Conditions such as they were were by the distressed Christians accepted of But when they were brought to Damiata and there propounded to the Christians there left a great contention began to arise among them some said they would not accept of them or surrender the Town which being kept would be a stay for all the affairs of the Christians in the East and a most commodious place for them to have recourse unto but being restored and lost carried away with it all the hope of the Christians and that therefore it were better to endure all extremities than to receive such dishonourable and hurtful a peace Others of the contrary opinion said That they ought not to forsake them that were in danger before Caire nor to expose them to the butchery but to have a Christian compassion of so many thousands of Souls as there lay distressed seeing they might be saved by the surrender of that one Town Towns they said consisted of the number of men and not Men of the Inclosures of Walls and Ditches They that were of this opinion for the delivering up of the Town seeing the other obstinately set down to the contrary withdrawing themselves from the Council presently took up Arms and by force entred the Houses of them that were of the contrary opinion and took from them their Weapons by that means and perforce to constrain them to yield to their desire As soon as they that lay before Caire almost drowned in the Waters understood of this dissention at Damiata about the delivery of the Town they sent them word that if they would not yield the Town to the Sultan they would forthwith send to Ptolemais which would not fail to do what should be commanded to have it instead of Damiata surrendred to the Egyptians So was Damiata again yielded to the Infidels and so great labours of the Christians taken at the Siege and winning thereof all lost That which made this indignity more tolerable was that Sultan Meladin having without bloodshed gained so great a Victory did neither by word or deed any thing in despight or reproach of the Christians but used them with all courtesie relieving them also with Victual and such other things as they wanted and by faithful Guids conducting them in safety out of the Country In like manner also Coradin his Brother Sultan of Damasco made truce with the Latines for eight years Whereupon the King of Ierusalem went over into Italy and there by the perswasion of Honorius the Pope his Wife being now dead gave his Daughter Yoland now crowned Queen of Ierusalem in the right of her Mother in marriage to Frederick King of Sicilia and Emperor of the Latines the rather thereby to stir him up for the taking in hand of the sacred War. Ever since which time he and the Kings of Sicilia his Successors have been called Kings of Ierusalem albeit that they have evil prosecuted that their pretended Right and Title as still busied in more prophane Wars against other Christian Princes King Iohn afterwards departing from Rome for France was by the way honourably entertained at Pisa but arriving at the French Court he found Philip the French King desperately sick who by his last Will and Testament gave unto the Knights Hospitalers and Templars sixty thousand Crowns for the maintenance of their Wars against the Infidels which Mony was to their use afterward paid unto King Iohn Who shortly to discharge himself of a Vow he had made to visit the Pilgrimage at Compostella going into Spain by the way married Berengaria the King of Castile his Daughter and there staying a great while returned again into France where he lay long expecting
occasion upon the flight of Syrgiannes with all the power he could make marched towards the City and being come within sight thereof encamped laying ambushes upon every way and passage thereabout for to have intercepted Syrgiannes who was then at Perinthus and the third night after with three hundred select Souldiers deceiving them that lay in wait for him as if they had been all asleep before the rising of the Sun came to Constantinople and if thâ— old Emperor would have given him leave he had suddenly charged them that did lie in wait for him before they were aware of his coming But as soon as it was day the Prince hearing of the escape of Syrgiannes and no such tumult in the City as he had expected presently without more ado retired with his Army the same way he came back again into Thracia By and by after Constantine the Despot was by the old Emperor his Brother sent by Sea to Thessalonica to take upon him the Government of Macedonia and by the way to apprehend Xene the Empress the young Princes Mother and after with all the power he could make to invade the young Prince in Thracia that so setting on him on the one side out of Macedonia and Syrgiannes with the Turks for the Emperor in this civil Discord was glad to use their help also and the â—ithynian Souldiers on the other they might so shut him up betwixt them and take him According to which resolution the Despot coming to Thessalonica there took the Empress whom with all her Family he thrust into a Gally and so sent her to Constantinople where she was in the Palace kept close as too much favouring the proceedings of the Prince And afterward raising all the power he could in Macedonia invaded the Prince in Thracia breaking by force through the Wall of Cristopolis The young Prince seeing himself by this means now like to be driven to a great strait sent Synadenus with his Thracian Army to defend the Frontiers of his Empire towards Constantinople against Syrgiannes with his Turks and Bithynians in hope himself by many subtle devices and slights to be able to encounter his Uncle and Despot And first he caused divers edicts and prosâ—riptions to be written in hast wherein great rewards and preferments were with great solemnity of words promised to whomsoever could bring unto him the Despot either quick or dead which were of purpose given to the Country People passing to and fro to be dispersed abroad in the high Ways and about in the Country near unto the Despots Camp. And after that he caused the death of the Emperor his Grandfather to be every where proclaimed and how that he was by the Constantinopolitans in a tumult slain which the devisers thereof in every place reported Yea some there were that swore they were themselves present at his woful death and saw it with their Eyes othersome more certainly to perswade the matter shewed long white Goats hair or such like gathered out of white Wool as if they had been by the furious People pluckt from the old Emperors Head or Beard at such time as he was slain Which things being commonly reported in every Town and Village but especially in the Despots Camp wonderfully filled Mens Heads with divers strange and doubtful thoughts then divers also of the dispersed Edicts being found and brought to the Despot struck him and not without cause into a great fear insomuch that by the perswasions of his best Friends he without longer stay retired in hast to Thessalonica Whither shortly after came a Gally from Constantinople with secret letters from the Emperor to the Despot for the apprehension of five and twenty of the chief Citizens vehemently suspected for the stirring up of the People to Rebellion and so to have delivered the City to the Prince all whom the Despot should have sent bound in that Gally to Constantinople but they in good time perceiving the danger they were in secretly stirring up the People and by and by after ringing out the Bells the signal appointed for the beginning of the Rebellion had in a very short time raised a wonderful tumult in the City insomuch that all the Citizens were up in Arms who running headlong unto the House of the Despot found not him for he forewarned of their coming was fled into the Castle but slew all they met of his or else robbing them cast them in Prison As for the Despots House they took what they found therein and afterwards pulled it down to the ground Then coming to the Castle they fired the Gates which the Despot seeing and not able to defend the place took horse and fled to a Monastery not far off where being taken by them that pursued him he full sore against his Will for the safeguard of his life took upon him the habit of a Monk nevertheless he was from thence carried Prisoner to the young Prince his Nephew who shewed himself much more courteous to him than all the rest of his Nobility and Waiters for they as if they would have eaten him up were even forthwith ready to have torn him in pieces had not the Prince embracing him in his arms saved his life Yet the next day after by the perswasion of his Council he sent him to Didimotichum where he was cast into a most loathsom Prison being very deep and strait in manner of a Well no body to attend upon him but one Boy where he lay in miserable darkness and stink they which drew up his Ordure from him and the Boy whether by chance or of purpose pouring it oftentimes upon his Head. Where after he had lien a great while in most extreme misery wishing to die and could not he was at length by the Princes commandment entreated thereunto by certain religious men removed into a more easie Prison where we will for ever leave him Things falling out cross with the old Emperor and although they were never so well devised still sorting out unto the worst he became very pensive and doubtful what to do So it fortuned that one day in his melancholy mood having a Psalter in his hand to resolve his doubtful mind he opened the same as if it were of that heavenly Oracle to ask Counsel wherein the first verse that he light upon was Dum coelestis dissociat Reges nive conspergentur in Salmon When the Almighty scattered Kings for their sakes then were they as white as snow in Salmon Which he applying to himself as if all those troubles and whatsoever else had happened in them proceeded from the Will of God although for causes to him unknown he by and by sought to reconcile himself unto his Nephew contrary to the mind of Syrgiannes desiring nothing but trouble For as we have before said the young Prince although he was desirous of the Power and Liberty of an Emperor yet he left the Ornaments and Care thereof unto his Grandfather and had not he oftentimes and earnestly been egged
manner of Caps the Ianizaries use at this day The Turks also in Orchanes Reign and long time after used not to cut or shave their Beards but did wear them long so that if the King would disgrace any man he would in his displeasure command his Beard to be cut or shaven The manner of cutting and shaving their Beards which they now use they learned of the Italians of whom they have also borrowed many other fashions not only differing but quite contrary to their ancient Manners and Customs Orchanes about this time removed his Court to Nice where he lay a long time after There he built a sumptuous Church appointing a Preacher to preach to the People every Friday he erected in Nice also two fair Abbies in the one of which he with his own hands served the Strangers and Poor the first dinner He was the first that builded Abbies or Monasteries among the Turks whose example most of his Successors have imitated and is amongst them used unto this day The Government of Nicomedia Orchanes committed to his eldest Son Solyman as is before said a Prince of great towardliness giving him in great charge to have a vigilant Eye to the Towns of Taraxa Govinuca and Mudurne which were nigh unto Nicomedia yet in possession of the Christians all which Towns with the Countries adjoyning Solyman in short time got without force by composition This Solyman was of a Princely Disposition so tempering Justice with Clemency in his Government that many Christians allured with his Vertues became of his Religion and gladly put themselves under his Subjection the politick Laws of the Country he neither abrogated nor changed but maintained as they had been of ancient time accustomed whereby he greatly won the Hearts of the People Amurath his younger Son Orchanes made Lord and Governor of Prusa after he had removed his Court to Nice And the Castle of Chara-chisar with the Seigniory thereto belonging he gave to his Cousin Artemure the Son of his Uncle Iundus There was at this time in Orchanes Court a Noble young Gentleman called Turson-Beg the Son of Dharasis King of Charasia by whose perswasion Orchanes in Person himself with a strong Army made an Expedition into that Country for that his Fathers Subjects after the death of the King his Father denied their Obedience to his elder Brother wishing rather to have Turson for their Soveraign In whose behalf Orchanes taking that journy surprised by the way many Castles and Towns to his own use Orchanes was no sooner entred the Country of Charasia but Tursons elder Brother fled to Pergamum whither the Turks shortly pursued him where Turson desirous to speak with his Brother unwarily approaching the City was wounded with an Arrow shot from the Walls and there slain With whose death Orchanes was so greatly offended that he threatned to destroy the whole Country with Fire and Sword if they did not by a day prefixed generally submit themselves to his mercy The People terrified with this proclamation of so great a Prince already in Arms yielded themselves unto his Subjection The Kings Son also that was fled into Pergamum upon reasonable conditions yielded himself unto Orchanes who sent him to Prusa where after he had there lived two years he died of the Plague after whose death Orchanes made his Son Solyman Prince of Carasina Neither is this taking in of the Country of Carasina to be accounted a small Conquest one of the greatest Houses of the Turks the Successors of the Iconian Sultan Aladin now thereby taking end and their Dominions which were not small as containing almost Lydia with some good parts of Misia Troas and the lesser Phrygia now united unto the Othoman Kingdom Orchanes upon his return for the good success of this journy built a Church and Monastery at Prusa placing therein religious men with all diligence sought for out of all his Kingdom of which Religious the Turks write many Fables better worth the smiling at than the serious reporting Hitherto the Kingdom of Othoman and Orchanes his Son was contained within the bounds of the lesser Asia which the Turks call Anatolia Now it resteth to be shewed upon what occasion Orchanes or rather his Son Solyman Bassa as it were fatally with a small power first passed over Hellespontus into Europe where they and their Successors have by little and little so enlarged their Dominions that they have now long ago quite overthrown the Grecian Empire with many other great Kingdoms and are at this present a terror to all Christian Princes bordering upon them to the perpetual Infamy of the Greeks who for want of courage and busied with civil discord never sought in time to impeach their greatness Orchanes having now so augmented his Kingdom that he might from many parts thereof out of Asia take view of the pleasant borders of Europe from whence he was excluded only by the narrow Sea of Hellespontus and continually incited with the insatiable and restless desire of Soveraignty began to devise how he might possibly pass that strait Sea and set foot in Europe another part of the World. Which his conceit one day he imparted to his Son Solyman who presently answered his Father That if it would please him to give him leave he would not doubt to pass the Strait of Hellespontus and in time to plant the Mahometan Religion in those Countries of Europe possessed by the Christians Which answer of Solyman much pleased his Father who gave him leave to depart into his Country and in that matter to proceed further as he thought best and as occasion should best serve Solyman taking leave of his Father took his journey into Carasina where riding up and down the Country as it had been for his pleasure only he made his way to the place where it is thought the famous City of Troy sometime stood where yet as the Turks and some others say are to be seen the wonderful ruins of that unfortunate City by the Sea side In this place Solyman stood still a great while as it were in a study forecasting as it seemed some great matter without speaking one word to any of his Followers When one of his Chieftains called Ezes-Beg to put him out of his deep thoughts boldly said unto him My Lord and great Soveraign what strange thing is this that you are so deeply drowned in these your melancholy thoughts undoubtedly it is some great matter that you are studying upon Truth it is said Solyman for I was thinking how it were possible to pass over this Sea of Hellespontus into the borders of Europe and to take view of that Country and so to return undiscovered If this be the matter said Ezes-Beg joyning unto him one Fazil-Beg a man of no less valour than himself we two will by the power of God perform unto you this Enterprise Then was Solyman desirous to know of them about what place they would pass over which they well knowing the Sea coast shewed
Feet suddenly stabbed him in the bottom of his belly with a short Dagger which he had under his Souldiers Coat of which Wound that great King and Conqueror presently died The name of this man for his courage worthy of eternal memory was Miles Cobelitz who before sore wounded was shortly after in the presence of Bajazet cut into small pieces The Turks in their Annals somewhat otherwise report of the death of Amurath as that this Cobelitz one of the Despot his Servants in time of the Battel coming to Amurath as a Fugitive offering him his Service and admitted to his presence in humbling himself to have kissed his Feet as the barbarous manner of the Turks is stabbed him into the belly and so slew him being himself therefore shortly after as is aforesaid in the presence of Bajazet most cruelly hewen into small pieces Whereupon ever since that time the manner of the Turks hath been and yet is that when any Embassador or Stranger is come to kiss the Sultan his hand or otherwise to approach his Person he is as it were for honours sake led by the Arms unto his presence betwixt two of the great Courtiers but indeed by so intangling him to be sure that he shall not offer him the like violence that did this Cobelitz unto Amurath The dead body of Amurath was presently with all secrecy conveyed into his Tent by the Bassaes and Captains present at his death whether Bajazet was also brought with an Ensign before him as the Successor in his Fathers Kingdom His younger Brother Iacup sirnamed Zelebi or the Noble yet ignorant of that had hapned was by the great Bassaes sent for as from his Father who casting no peril but coming into his Fathers Tent was there presently by them strangled by the commandment of Bajazet as most Histories report howbeit the Turks Annals charge him not therewith This was the beginning of the most unnatural and inhumane custom ever since holden for a most wholsome and good policy among the Turkish Kings and Emperors in the beginning of their Reign most cruelly to Massacre their Brethren and nearest Kinsmen so at once to rid themselves of all fear of their Compâ—â—itors This Amurath was in his Superstition more zealous than any other of the Turkish Kings a man of great courage and in all his Attempts fortunate he made greater slaughter of his Enemies than both his Father and Grandfather his Kingdom in Asia he greatly inlarged by the Sword Marriage and Purchase and using the Discord and Cowardise of the Grecian Princes to his profit subdued a great part of Thracia called Romania with the Territories thereto adjoyning leaving unto the Emperor of Constantinople little or nothing more in Thracia than the Imperial City it self with the bare name of an Emperor almost without an Empire he won a great part of Bulgaria and entred into Servia Bosna and Macedonia he was liberal and withall severe of his Subjects both beloved and feared a man of very few words and one that could dissemble deeply He was slain when he was threescore and eight years old and had thereof reigned thirty one in the year of our Lord 1390. His dead body was by Bajazet conveyed into Asia and there Royally buried at Prusa in a fair Chappel at the West end of the City near unto the Baths there where upon his Tomb lieth his Souldiers Cloke with a little Turkish Tulipant much differing from those great Turbants which the Turks now wear Near unto the same Tomb are placed three Launces with three Horse-tails fastned at the upper end of them which he used as Guidons in his Wars a thing in ancient time not strange There standeth a Castle with a Tomb made in remembrance of him in the Plains of Cossova where he was slain and his Entrails buried which giveth occasion for some to report that he was there also himself enterred FINIS Christian Princes of the same time with Amurath the First Emperors Of the East John Paleologus 1354. 30. Andronicus Paleologus 1384. 3. Emanuel Paleologus 1387. 30. Of the West Charles the Fourth 1346. 32. Wenceslaus Son to Charles King of Bohemia 1378. 22. Kings Of England Edward the Third 1327. 50. Richard the Second 1377. 23. Of France John Valois 1350. 14. Charles the Fifth 1364. 16. Charles the Sixth sirnamed The welbeloved 1381. 42. Of Scotland David Bruce 1341. 29. Robert Stewart 1370. Bishops of Rome Innocent the VI. 1354. 10. Urban the V. 1364. 8. Gregory the II. 1372. 7. Urban the VI. 1378. 11. The LIFE of BAJAZET The First of that NAME The FOURTH and most UNFORTUNATE King of the Turks BAjazet or as the Turks call him Baiasit of his violent and fierce Nature sirnamed Gilderun or Lightning succeeded his Father Amurath in the Turkish Kingdom his younger Brother Iacup being strangled immediatly after his Fathers death as is before declared He in the first year of his Reign invaded Servia and there besieged Cratova a City of the Despots whereunto the Silver Mines of Servia not the least cause of that War belonged Which City was yielded unto him upon condition That the Christian Inhabitants might with Life and Liberty depart Who were no sooner gon out of the City but that by his commandment they were all most cruelly slain by his men of War for that purpose sent out after them At this time he also won Uscupia with divers other Castles in the Country near unto Cratova Sigismund at the same time King of Hungary a young Prince of great hope and Brother to Wenceslaus then Emperor of the West advertised from the Servians his Allies and Confederates of these proud proceedings of Bajazet by his Embassadors sent of purpose requested him That as he was a just Prince and wished to live in quiet with his own to desist from doing of such open wrong and from invading of such Countries of his Friends and Confederates as he had no right in Which Embassadors so sent Bajazet detained without answer until such time as he had overrun a great part of the Despot his Country and therein done what he thought good Then calling the said Embassadors unto him into one of the strong Towns which he had in every corner filled with his own Souldiers told them that they might there see that his Right both unto that Town and the rest by him taken was good enough for as much as the very Walls acknowledged the same And so giving them leave to depart willed them so to tell their Master Which his proud answer by the same Embassadors reported unto the young King no less troubled him than if open War had by them been denounced unto him seeing the Tyrant as it should seem pretended Right unto whatsoever he could by force get nevertheless being himself not yet well setled in his Kingdom and in doubt of the contrary Faction that altogether liked not of his Election into Hungary for their King he was glad at that time to put it
and was now come very near the same Feri-Bassa glad of his coming opposed his Army against him which Scanderbeg seeing retired a little of purpose to draw the Bassa farther from the Camp and then forthwith began to joyn battel with him The Bassa considering the small number of his Enemies and his own greater Power withdrew four thousand Horsemen out of his Army to fetch a compass about and to set upon the rereward of Scanderbegs Army hoping so to enclose him that he should never escape thence but there either to be slain or taken alive and his Army utterly defeated But the expert Captain perceiving his purpose to meet therewith left Moses to lead the main Battel and he himself with two thousand Horsemen so valiantly charged those four thousand of his Enemies before they were well departed from the rest of the Bassaes Army that they had now more cause to look to their own safety than how to circumvent others In this Conflict Feri-Bassa hand to hand as he had oft times before desired encountring with Scanderbeg was by him there slain All this while that Scanderbeg was in fight with Feri-Bassa in the right Wing of the Army and Musachy in the left Moses stood fast receiving the Assault of the Enemy without moving any thing forward expecting the success of the Wings But Scanderbeg having discomfited the right Wing and slain the General coming now in he set forward with such force and courage that the Turks not able longer to abide his force turned their backs and fled of whom many were slain in this chase though Scanderbeg doubting the great Power of his Enemy so nigh at hand durst not follow them far but sounding a Retreat put his Army again in good order for fear of some sudden Attempt from the Camp and after appointed some of the meanest of his Souldiers to take the spoil of the slain Turks When Amurath had understood what had hapned to Feri-Bassa he was so overcome with anger and melancholy that for a while he could not speak one word but after the heat was a little past he commanded certain small pieces of Ordnance which he had before used against the City to be removed into the Camp and there placed upon that side which was most in danger to the Enemy He also presently sent thither four thousand Souldiers to joyn with the remainder of Feri-Bassaes Army for defence of the Camp with strait charge that they should not issue out of the Trenches Nevertheless he himself continued the Assault of the City all that day but when night drew on and no hope appeared for him to prevail he caused a Retreat to be sounded and leaving the Assault he returned again into his Camp. At this Assault Amurath lost seven thousand Men beside many that died afterwards of their wounds but of the Garrison Souldiers were slain but seventy and ninety more hurt The terrour of the Turkish Army began now to grow in contempt throughout Epirus and Scanderbeg was in good hope that Amurath after so many Overthrows and shameful Repulses would at length raise his Siege and be gone yet he sent Spies continually to discover what was done in the Turks Camp and he himself with two thousand Souldiers would oftentimes shew himself upon the sides of the Mountains near unto Amurath his Camp of purpose to draw the Turks out that he might take them at some advantage But the old King had given Commandment upon pain of death That no man should go out of the Trenches without leave or once to speak of giving Battel or Assault so that he lay certain days in his Camp not like a King besieging of a City but more like a man besieged himself the which his still lying Scanderbeg had the more in distrust fearing greatly that he was hatching some mischief which so soon as it was ripe would violently break out Amurath considering with what evil Success he had many times assaulted the City and holding it for a great dishonour to raise his Siege and depart having done nothing worth the remembrance thought good once again to prove if it were possible to overcome the minds of the Garrison Souldiers with Gifts whom he was not able to subdue by force For which purpose he sent an Embassador unto the City offering unto the besieged and Garrison Souldiers easie Conditions of Peace with such large Gifts and Rewards as had not been heard offered to any Garrison in former time All which his magnifical Promises were lightly rejected by the common consent of all the whole Garrison prefering their faithful Loyalty before all his golden Mountains For all that Amurath was in good hope that amongst so many some would be found into whose minds his large Offers might make some Impression wherein he was not deceived For one base-minded Fellow amongst the rest corrupted with the Turks great Promises preferring his own private wealth before the welfare of his Country waiting his time had secret conference with the Turks Espials promising upon assurance of such Reward as was before by Amurath profered to find means that in few days the City should be yielded into his Power This corrupted Traytor had laid many mischievous Plots for the effecting of this horrible Treason but the first device he put in practise which of all others a man would have thought to have been of least moment served his wicked purpose in stead of all the rest All the Garrison Souldiers of Sfetigrade were of the upper Country of Dibra put into that City by Moses for their approved Valour above all the other Souldiers of Epirus But as they were men of great courage so were they exceeding superstitious both in their Religion and manner of living putting nice difference betwixt one kind of lawful Meat and other accounting some clean some unclean abhorring from that which they fondly deemed unclean with more than a Jewish Superstition choosing rather to die than to eat or drink thereof such is the strong delusion of blind Error where it hath throughly possessed the minds of men The City of Sfetigrade as is aforesaid is situate upon the top of a great high Rock as most of the Cities of Epirus now be and was then watered but with one great Well in the midst of the City which sunk deep into the Rock plentifully served both the publick and private use of the Inhabitants Into this common Well the malicious Traytor in the night time cast the foul stinking carrion Carkass of a dead Dog knowing that the concâ—ited Gaâ—rison Souldiers of Dibra would rather indure the pains of death and starve or else yield up the City upon any condition than to drink of that polluted water In the morning when that sâ—â—nking Carrion was espied and drawn out oâ— the Well the report thereof was quickly bruted in every corner of the City and that the Well was poysoned so that all the people were in manner in an uproar about the finding out of the Traytor
the side of Danubius whereof the Secretary by speedy Messengers gave Chamuzes Intelligence who secretly passing over Danubius with certain Troops of Horsemen and riding a good way into the Country lay in ambush upon the way whereby the Prince and the Secretary must needs pass according as was before appointed the Secretary accompanied with the Prince put himself upon the way and at the very prefixed time came to the place where Chamuzes lay in ambush with his Horsemen who suddenly arising and on every side assailing the Prince slew divers of his men before they were well aware of his coming But Wladus being a man of great courage and better appointed than the Bassa had supposed for he went always attended upon with a strong Guard of valiant and stout men so received Chamuzes and his Turks that he slew many of them and at length after a hard Conflict took him with the rest Prisoners whose Hands and Feet he caused to be cut off and their Bodies afterwards to be thrust upon sharp Stakes set fast in the ground to the terror of all that saw them and did the Bassa so much honour as to hang him and the Secretary upon a Gibbet a great deal higher than the other Turks And not satisfied with this Revenge presently gathered his Forces and passing over Danubius into the Turks Dominions burnt all the Country before him along the Sea side killing Man Woman and Child without mercy after which great spoil and slaughter made he returned again to Valachia The report of this News being brought to Mahomet set him in such a choler and rage that he commanded the great Bassa Mahometes which first told him thereof to be cruelly whipt which servile punishment in that Tyrannical Government hath usually been inflicted even upon the greatest Princes of the Court upon the least displesure of the Tyrants especially if they be not natural Turks born accounting the rest in their anger but as their base and contemptible Slaves as well appeareth by the woful end of many even of the greatest of them But when he understood by most sure advertisements that all was as thâ— Bassa had before reported or rather worse it is not to be in words expressed into what a rage he fell the spoil of his Country grieved him much but the shameful death of the Secretary his Embassador and of Chamuzes the Bassa tormented his heart and filled him with Indignation and desire of Revenge Wherefore with all speed possible he assembled his Souldiers and Men of War out of all parts of his Dominions to Philippopolis and had in short time raised such an Army as the like he had not at any time imployed since the winning of Constantinople At the same time also he sent his Admiral with 25 Gallies and 150 Sail of other small Vessels by the Euxin to enter the River Danubius and there landing his Men to joyn his Forces with the Prince of Podolia who for a grudge he bare against Wladus had promised to Aid the Turk against him When all things were now in readiness he marched with his Army from Philippopolis and passing over Danubius entred into Valachia before which time the Admiral had landed his Men and with the help of the Podolian had burnt the City of Prailaba the greatest Town of Trade in all Valachia and was besieging Cebium called in ancient time Lycostomos where after they had lien a while and received some loss they left the Siege and departed the Podolian back again into his Country and the Admiral to his Fleet. Mahomet being got over Danubius burnt the Villages drave away the Cattel and made havock of all that came in his way As for Prisoners he took but few for the Valachies before his coming had retired their Wives and Children and all that were unfit for Wars either into their strong Cities or into the Refuge of great and thick Woods whereof there is in that Country plenty or else into the high and rough Mountains where they were in more safety than in any their strongest Holds and all such as were able to bear Arms followed the Prince who ever kept the Woods and Mountains still following the Turks Army so near as he possibly could with safety and many times cut off such as stragled any thing far abroad from the Army into the Country yet never durst shew himself in plain Field being indeed but a handful in comparison of the Turks multitude Mahomet to small purpose roaming up and down the Country at his pleasure staid never long in one place and making no reckoning of such a weak Enemy as durst never shew himself pitcht his Tents still in the open Plains and so lay with his Army in great security not entrenched at all Wladus by his Espials understanding of this the manner of Mahomets encamping came in the dead time of the night and with all his Power furiously assailed that quarter of the Turks Camp where the Asian Souldiers lay and slew many of them in their Tents the rest terrified with the suddenness of the Alarm fled out of their Tents for Refuge unto the European Souldiers the Prince following them at the heels and entring into that quarter of the Camp also did there great harm and struck such a general terror and fear into all the Turks Army that they were even upon the point to have wholly forsaken their Tents and betaken themselves to flight Yea Mahomet himself dismaid with the terror of the night and tumult of his Camp and fearing lest the Hungarians had joyned their Forces with the Prince not knowing which way to turn himself had undoubtedly fled had not Mahomet Bassa a man of great experience in Martial Affairs perswaded him otherwise and by general Proclamation made through the Camp That no man should upon pain of death forsake the place wherein he was encamped staid the flight and with much ado enforced them to make head against the Prince Wladus perceiving the Turks now to begin to stand upon their guard and to make resistance after great slaughter made returning took the spoil of the Tents forsaken by the Asian Souldiers and upon the approach of the day again retired with Victory into the Woods As soon as it was day Mahomet appointed Haly-Beg with certain Companies of select Souldiers to pursue the Valachies who overtaking part of the Princes Army took a thousand of them Prisoners and put the rest to flight all which Prisoners were by the Tyrants Command presently put to the Sword. From that time Mahomet every night entrenched his Army and caused better Watch and Ward to be kept in every quarter of his Camp than before As he marched along the Country he came to the place where the Bassa and the Secretary were hanging upon two high Gibbets and the dismembred Turks impailed upon Stakes about them with which sight he was grievously offended And passing on farther came to a Plain containing in breadth almost a mile and in
or Land been taken from the Turks With which his excuse Mahomet seemed to be reasonably well contented and with good words cheared him up nevertheless as soon as the City with all the other strong Holds in the Isle were by the Princes means delivered into his hands he no longer made reckoning of his Turkish Faith but cruelly caused many of the chief Citizens of Mitylene to be put to death and three hundred Pirats whom he found in the City to be cut in two pieces in the middle so to die with more pain And when he had placed convenient Garrisons in every strong Hold in the Isle he returned to Constantinople carrying away with him the Prince and all the better sort of the Inhabitants of Mitylene that were left alive together with all the Wealth of that most rich and pleasant Island leaving it almost desolate none remaining therein more than his own Garrisons with a few of the poorest and basest people Mahomet after he was arrived at Constantinople cast the Prince Nicholaus with Lucius his Cosin whose help he had before used in killing of his elder Brother into close Prison where they seeing themselves every hour in danger of their lives to win Favour in the Tyrants sight wickedly offered to renounce the Christian Religion and to turn Turk Which Mahomet understanding caused them both to be richly apparelled and with great Triumph to be circumcised and presently set at liberty yet still bearing in mind his old grudge he shortly after when they least feared any such matter clapt them both fast again in Prison and there caused them to be most cruelly put to death A just Reward for bloody Murtherers and Apostacy who to gain a little longer life were content to forsake God. Shortly after it fortuned that Stephen King of Bosna in ancient time called Maesia Superior who supported by the Turkish Emperor year 1464. had wrongfully obtained that Kingdom against his own Brethren refused now to pay such yearly Tribute as he had before promised for which cause Mahomet with a strong Army entred into Bosna and laid Siege unto the City of Dorobiza which when he had with much ado taken he divided the pleople thereof into three parts one part whereof he gave as Slaves unto his Men of War another part he sent unto Constantinople and the third he left to inhabit the City From Dorcbiza he marched to Iaziga now called Iaica the chief City of that Kingdom which after four months Siege was delivered unto him by Composition in this City he took the Kings Brother and Sister Prisoners with most of the Nobility of that Kingdom whom he sent as it were in Triumph unto Constantinople The other lesser Cities of Bosna following the Example of the greater yielded themselves also But Mahomet understanding that the King of Bosna had retired himself into the farthest part of his Kingdom sent Mahometes his chief Bassa with his European Souldiers to pursue him wherein the Bassa used such diligence that he had on every side so inclosed him before he was aware that he could by no means escape which was before thought a thing impossible So the King for safeguard of his life was fain to take the City of Clyssa for his Refuge where he was so hardly laid to by the Bassa that seeing no other remedy he offered to yield himself upon the Bassaes faithful promise by Oath confirmed that he should be honourably used and not to receive in his Person any harm from the Turkish Emperor Whereupon the Bassaes Oath to the same purpose was with great Solemnity taken and for the more assurance conceived in writing firmed by the Bassa and so delivered to the King which done the King came out of the City and yielded himself The Bassa having thus taken the King Prisoner carried him about with him from place to place and from City to City until he had taken possession of all the Kingdom of Bosna and so returning unto his Master presented unto him the Captive King who was not a little offended with him for that he had unto him so far engaged his Turkish Faith. But when the poor King thought to have departed not greatly fearing further harm he was suddenly sent for by Mahomet at which time he doubting the worst carried with him in his hand the writing wherein the Bassaes Oath for his safety was comprised nevertheless the faithless Tyrant without any regard thereof or of his Faith therein given caused him presently to be most cruelly put to death or as some write to be â—lain quick Thus was the Christian Kingdom of Bosna subverted by Mahomet in the year 1464. who after he had at his pleasure disposed thereof and reduced it to the form of a Province to be as it is at this day governed by one of his Bassaes in great Triumph returned to Constantinople carrying away with him many a woful Christian Captive and the whole Wealth of that Kingdom Mahomet following the Example of his Father Amurath had from the beginning of his Reign by one or other of his great Bassaes or expert Captains still maintained Wars against Scanderbeg the most valiant and fortunate King of Epirus the greatest part whereof although it did in the course of time concur with the things before declared and might by piece-meal have been amongst the same in their due time and place inserted yet I have of purpose for divers reasons wholly reserved them for this place first for that I would not interrupt the course of the History before rehearsed with the particular accidents of this War And then for that the greatest heat of this Hereditary War delivered as it were from hand to hand from the Father to the Son hapned not long after this time when as Mahomet having conquered the Kingdom of Bosna had surrounded a great part of Scanderbegs Dominion wherein I had respect also unto the Readers ease who may with greater pleasure and content and less pains also view the same together than if it had been dispersedly scattered and intermedled with the other greater occurrents of the same time In which discourse I will but briefly touch many thing well worthy of a larger Treatise And if forgetting my self I shall in some places happen to stay something longer than the Readers hast would require yet I hope that the zeal and love he bears unto the worthy memory of most famous Christian Princes together with the shortness of the History in comparison of that which is thereof written in just Volumes by others shall easily excuse a lager discourse than this But again to our purpose Mahomet in the beginning of his Reign sent Embassadors to Scanderbeg offering him Peace to that he would grant to pay unto him such yearly Tribute as his Father Amurath had in his life time demanded Which embassage the crafty Tyrant sent rather to prove what confidence Scanderbeg had in himself than for any hope he had to have his demand granted This dishonourable
his Fleet in the mouth of Boliana a great River running out of the Lake whereupon the City of Scodra standeth These two great Commanders being met together were both as one man and with a wonderful consent did what they might for the furtherance of the Common good a thing not common first they put strong Garrisons with all things necessary into Colchinum Lyssa Dirrhachium and other Cities of their Seigniory upon the Sea coast After that they went up the River Boliana with certain Gallies and came within sight of Scodra and there by Fires in the night and other tokens of comfort encouraged the Defendants as with an assured promise of relief which thing it grieved the Turks to behold who therefore went about to have shut in those same Gallies with a great Chain drawn cross the River where it was narrowest betwixt them and the Sea but in doing thereof the Venetians out of their Gallies slew five hundred of the Turks and wounded divers others and so returned again to Sea. It was afterward attempted by the aforesaid Admirals if a new supply might have been put into the City but the Enemy had so beset the same that it was not possible to be done In the mean time Matthias King of Hungary receiving a great yearly portion of the Venetians for the defence of their Countries against the Turk hearing that Scodra was besieged began to make such Spoil in the Turks Dominions bordering upon him that Mahomet was glad to call home the great Bassa from the Siege of Scodra to defend his own Frontiers So the Bassa after he had lien three months with his great Army at the Siege and lost fourteen thousand of his men whereof the greatest part died of Sickness taken by long lying in the rotten moorish ground near unto the River by commandment from his Master rose with his Army and departed The Venetians also which lay all that while thereabout in their Gallies were toucht with the same contagion Triadanus Grittus died thereof and Mocenicus the other Admiral fell thereof dangerously sick but being somewhat recovered returned home and was shortly after for his good service chosen Duke of Venice Marcellus the old Duke being dead With this dishonour taken at Scodra Mahomet was so discontented that he appointed a yearly Fee unto one to put him in mind dayly of the Siege of Scodra year 1476. The same year that this great Bassa Solyman had in vain besieged Scodra he was afterward sent with a great Army into Valachia where he was so intangled in the Woods and Fens by Stephanus the Vayvod that he lost all his Army and with much ado escaped himself by the wonderful swiftness of a Mare whereon he rid The year following which was the year 1476 Mahomet sent out a great Fleet to Sea under the conduct of Geduces Achmetes his chief Counsellor and Man of War whose very name was dreadful in all places where he came in hope to have by Treason surprised the Island of Crete but that Plot was in good time by the Venetians perceived the Traitors executed and he of his purpose disappointed Whereupon he changed his former purpose for Crete and sent the same Achmetes with his Fleet into the Euxine or as the Turks call it the Black Sea to besiege the rich City of Caffa This City was in ancient time called Theodosia situate in the Country of Taurica Chersonesus fast by the Sea side and had of long time been in possession of the Genowaies and was a place of exceeding great Trade until that this great Emperor Mahomet having taken Constantinople and falling out with the Venetians had by his strong Castles built upon the Straits of Hellespontus and Bosphorus taken away both the traffique of Merchants into those Seas and all possible means for the Genowaies to send Succour to that City yet it is credibly reported that one valiant Captain undertook to carry his Company in number not above one hundred and fifty men by Land from Genoa to Caffa not much less than two thousand miles and worthily performed what he had undertaken Achmetes coming thither with his Fleet enclosed the City both by Sea and Land which divided in it self by reason of the diverse disposition of the Inhabitants being of divers Nations some Genowaies some Greeks some Armenians but most Tartars could not long hold out but was in short time given up to the Bassa upon condition That the Genoway Merchants who were there both in number many and exceeding rich might in safety depart thence with their Wealth Which promise the Bassa performed not but when he was possessed of the City sent such as he thought good to Constantinople and commanded the rest upon pain of death not to depart thence or to convey away from thence any part of their Substance In short time after the whole Country of Taurica Chersonesus yielded unto the Turkish Obeisance At which time also the Tartar Princes namely the Precopenses and Destenses terrified with the greatness of the Turk cowardly yielded themselves as Tributaries unto him ever since which time they have lived a most servile and troublesome life subject to every command of the Othoman Emperor for whom they have done great service many times in their Wars against the Persians the Polonians the Hungarians Transylvanians and Germans as in the process of this History well appeareth and as the aforesaid Nations their Neighbours with others also further off have even of late to their great loss felt Although the Venetians had in these late Wars lost the great and fertile Island of Euboea year 1477. with the strong City of Chalcis the surest harbour for their Gallies yet held they still divers strong Towns and commodious Havens by the Sea-Coast both within Peloponnesus and without as Methone Corone Tenarus Naupactum and others which standing as it were in the bosome of his Empire Mahomet sore longed after And therefore to satisfie his ambitious desire sent Solyman the great Bassa of Europe with a strong Fleet into Peloponnesus Who entring the Gulf of Corinth at his first coming laid Siege to Naupactum now called Lepanto a City standing in the Gulf of Corinth in the Country of Ozolae near unto Locris over against Peloponnesus Antonius Lauretanus for his late good service done in defending of Scodra made Admiral for the Venetians came with speed to Naupactum and in despight of the Enemy so furnished the City both with men and whatsoever else was needful that the Bassa now out of hope to win the City rose upon the suddain with his Army and in a great fury departed after he had lien there four months In this fret returning towards Constantinople he put certain Companies of his men to shore in the Island of Lemnos in hope to have upon the suddain surprised the City of Coccinum but as they were about to have entred they were contrary to their expectation manfully resisted by such Christians as by chance were next the Gate
together most miserably slain The rest of the Citizens whose hard fortune it was to escape the Sword as people reserved to more misery were afterward shipt over into Grecia and there sold for Slaves The landing of the Turks in Apulia with the taking of Otranto brought a general fear upon all Italy insomuch that Sixtus Quartus then the great Bishop of Rome forgetting all things save himself was about to have forsaken the City for fear Now after the Turks had at their pleasure ransackt Otranto Achmetes caused the same to be strongly fortified as the sure footing of the Turks in Italy and victualled for eighteen months and there leaving eight thousand of his best Souldiers in Garrison returned himself with the rest to Vallona and so by Land to Constantinople to know his great Masters further pleasure but purposing with himself with the first of the next Spring to have returned with greater forces again to Italy for the prosecuting of his former Victory Which if he had done it was grealty to have been feared that all that goodly Country sometime Mistris of the World but then and yet also rent in sunder by the discord and ambition of the Christian Princes had in short time become a prey unto the barbarous Turk for ever But whilst the great Tyrant in his life time the great scourge of Christendom thus proudly plotteth the ruin and destruction of fair Italy God in whose hands the hearts of Kings are 〈◊〉 an hook in the great Tyrants Nose and led him quite another way For at the same time the Caramanian King aided by the Persian and the Sultan of Egypt had in a great Battel overthrown Bajazet Mahomets eldest Son then living and slain most part of his Army in revenge whereof Mahomet with great expedition raised a great and puissant Army and taking Achmetes with him as his chief man of War rejecting the Wars of Italy unto a more convenient time passed over into Asia where upon the way about a days journey short of Nicomedia a City of Bithynia at a place called Geivisin he fell sick and there for the space of three days grievously tormented with an extream pain in his Belly which some supposed to be the Colick died but being indeed as most men thought poysoned when he had lived about 52 years and thereof reigned 31 in the year of our Lord 1481. year 1481. His Body was afterwards magnificently buried in a Chappel near unto the great Mahometan Temple which he himself first built at Constantinople The death of this mighty man who living troubled a great part of the World was not much more lamented by those that were nearest unto him who ever living in fear of his Cruelty hated him deadly than of his Enemies who ever in doubt of his greatness were glad to hear of his end He was of stature but low and nothing answerable to the height of his mind square set and strong limmed not inferior in strength when he was young unto any in his Fathers Court but to Scanderbeg only his complexion was Tartarlike sallow and melancholy as were most of his Ancestors the Othoman Kings his look and countenance stern with his Eyes piercing hollow and a little sunk as it were into his Head and his Nose so high and crooked that it almost touched his upper Lip. To be brief his countenance was altogether such as if Nature had with most cunning hand therein depainted and most curiously set forth to view the inward disposition and qualities of his mind which were on both parts notable He was of a very sharp and apprehensive Wit learned as amongst that Nation especially in Astronomy and could speak the Greek Latine Arabick Chaldee and Persian Tongues He delighted much in regarding of Histories and the Lives of worthy Men especially the Lives of Alexander the Great and of Iulius Caesar whom he proposed to himself as examples to follow He was of an exceeding Courage and thereto very fortunate a severe punisher of injustice in them especially to whom he had committed the administration of Justice Men that excelled in any quality he greatly favoured and honourably entertained as he did Gentil Bellin a Painter of Venice whom he purposely caused to come from thence to Constantinople to draw the lively counterfeit of himself for which he most honourably rewarded him He so severely punished theft as that in his time all the ways were safe and a Theef scarcely to be heard of But these good parts were in him obscured with most horrible and notorious Vices for why he was altogether irreligious and of all others most perfideous ambitious above measure and in nothing more delighted than in blood insomuch that it is probably gathered that he was in his time the death of eight hundred thousand men Craft Covetousness and Dissimulation were in him accounted for tollerable Faults in comparison of his greater Vices In his love was no assurance and his least displeasure was death so that he lived feared of all men and died lamented of none He had issue three Sons Mustapha dead before him as is before declared Bajazet and Gemes or rather Zemes of some called Zizimus Competitor of the Empire with his eldest Brother whom he exceedingly troubled in the beginning of his Reign so that he could not well attend any other thing but him which opportunity by God himself no doubt offered for the safeguard of Italy Alphoâ—sus Duke of Calabria King Ferdinand his eldest Son taking hold upon with all the power he could make in Italy besieged the Turks in Otranto with whom he had many sharp skirmishes wherein he lost divers of his great Captains and Commanders as the Count Iulio de Aquaiva Loys de Capua and the Count Iulio de Pisa with others and was still by the strong Garrison of the Turks put to the worse until such time as being strengthned with Aid out of Spain and Portugal but especially with certain Companies of most valiant Souldiers sent from Matthias Corvinus out of Hungary whose Forces the Turks most feared he began to cut them short and straitly besieged the City both by Sea and Land until at length the besieged Turks hearing of the death of their great Emperor and now hardly pressed with the dangers of a strait Siege no longer expecting the return of Achmetes their General then ready to have come to their rescue with five and twenty thousand Souldiers yielded up the City unto the Duke upon composition before made That they might with bag and baggage in safety depart thence which they did after they had to the great terror of all Italy holden that strong City by the space of a year And so was that rich Country rather by the mercy of God in taking away the great Tyrant preserved than by the strength or policy of the Inhabitants which was then in great danger to have for ever given place unto the power of the great Tyrant had he longer lived yea and
commandment honourably buried at Pamphilona But to return again from whence we have something too long with this troublesome Body gone astray The French King having thus lost both his great Hostages Zemes the Turk by death and the Cardinal Borgia by escape held on his journey towards Naples and with wonderful success prevailed as he went all places yielding unto him without any great resistance Alphonsus seeing himself destitute of such aid as he had in vain requested both of the Turkish Emperor and of the Venetians and now almost beset with his mighty Enemy to whom so many strong places had in shorter time been delivered than any man had before imagined and withal considering with himself how that he had lost the hearts of his Subjects the strongest defence of Princes for that most of the Nobility and especially the Neapolitans hated him for his too much severity in punishing the Offenders in the late Rebellion wherein the Princes of Sarne and Salerne were chief and the common People were no less offended with the grievous and heavy exactions required of them for the maintenance of these Wars insomuch that their murmuring Speeches came oftentimes to his own hearing as oftentimes it falleth out That the hatred of the Subjects against their Princes which hath for fear of long time been dissembled during their prosperity more frankly and fiercely breaketh out in their declining estate for these causes Alphonsus fearing to be forsaken of his People as a man in despair with abundance of tears openly in the sight of all the Neapolitans resigned his Kingdom of Naples to his son Ferdinand when as he had as yet scarcely reigned one whole year after the death of Ferdinand his Father and with four Gallies passed over to Mazerea a City of Cicilia His Son Ferdinand a Prince of rare perfection and singularly graced with all the vertues of true Nobility and thereto dearly beloved of all the People was to the wonderful contentment of the Neapolitans with great joy and acclamations saluted King and so having performed all the Ceremonies belonging to his Coronation returned presently to his Army By this time the French King with all his Forces was entred far into the Kingdom of Naples and having taken by Assault certain Cities which trusted too much to their own strength struck such a general terror into the minds of the Neapolitans that they thought no place now strong enough to abide his batteries or power sufficient to abide his Forces Ferdinand the young King with his Army had taken the Straits of the Forrest of S. Germane thereby to impeach the further passage of the French King. But whilst he was there busied he was suddainly advertised that Fabritius Columna with a great power of Frenchmen had by the Appenines broken into Campania and so was marching towards him wherefore doubting to be shut up betwixt two strong Armies of the Enemies he retired speedily to Capua a strong City situate upon the River Vulturnus purposing there by means of that deep River to stay the French from passing farther But whilst he lay there news was brought unto him That all the City of Naples was in an uprore and that the Citizens were all up in Arms as men in doubt which way to turn themselves Ferdinand not a little troubled with these bad news commended the charge of his Army and the defence of the City of Capua to his chief Captains and rid himself in post back again to Naples It is a strange thing to tell what a suddain alteration ensued upon his arrival there for suddainly all the tumult was appeased every man laid down his Arms and welcomed him with a general gratulation for he was a man of a great and invincible Courage and of so comely a Personage as might easily with the hearts of his Subjects insomuch that when he earnestly requested them that they would not traiterously betray him to his barbarous and cruel Enemies being their natural King or rather their Brother born and brought up amongst them they all with one consent answered That they would spend their Lives and Goods in his quarrel so long as he should keep his Army whole and defend the City of Capua but if it should so chance that the Aragonians should be overthrown or else for fear abandon that City and the French King as Victor to approach the City of Naples he should do both against reason and equity if by exacting Fidelity and Allegiance of his Subjects apprehended with so just a fear he should so expose that noble City with the fruitful Country thereabout to be spoiled and destroyed by a merciless and cruel Enemy Whilst Ferdinand was thus busied in appeasing and confirming his wavering Subjects at Naples the French King had taken divers Cities and was come before Capua The Citizens of Capua although they were alwaies well affected to the Aragonian Kings yet seeing the French King as a most violent Tempest to bear down all before him began now to consult amongst themselves of yielding up the City whereunto they were the more prickt forward by the suddain revolt of the great Captain Trivultius with his Followers as also by the departure of Verginius and Petilianus two great and famous Commanders who seeing themselves forsaken of Trivultius fled with their Companies unto the City of Nola. In this discomfiture of King Ferdinands Army the Frenchmen had entred into the Suburbs of the City which thing Gothfredus and Gaspar two valiant German Captains beholding sallied with their Companies out of the City of purpose to abate the pride of the French and to confirm the doubtful Citizens These worthy Captains when they had with exceeding Valour repulsed the French and thought to have again returned into the City could not be suffered to enter but were by the Citizens shut out of the Gate in danger to have had their Throats cut by the Eenmy In which perplexity they were glad upon their knees to intreat the cowardly Citizens standing upon the Walls not in such traiterous manner to betray their Friends ready in their defence to bestow their lives and with much intreating at length obtained of those heartless men that they they might by ten and ten in a Company be received in at one Gate of the City and so put out at another farthest from the danger of the Enemy in which sort when they had passed through the City they took the way towards Naples and upon the way met with the King at Aversa unto whom they declared all that had hapned in his absence at Capua who although he saw his Army dispersed and all things now desperate yet went he on forward and came to the very Gates of Capua and there called upon divers of the chief men of the City requiring to be let in But when he saw there was none to give him answer and an Ensign of the French King displaied upon the Wall in token that the City was become French he returned to
and thirty Paces hindred by the Blocks we have laid in his way and will not cease continually to lay if we be wise Men and mindful of our former Valour Destroy me you heavenly Powers before I see with these Eies these sacred Knights to yield up this famous City of the Rhodes the ancient Bulwark of Christian Religion unto our merciless Enemies polluted with the infamous Superstition of Mahomet who besides the insatiable thirst they have of our Blood how faithless and mischievous they are by Nature if we know not we need not make example of our selves but we may take example by the calamity of Constantinople the late misery of Euboea and that which later was of Methone as also by the Mamalukes at Caire miserably slain contrary to the League contrary to the Faith and Promise by the Turkish Emperor himself before given What do you â—ot remember how the Death of the most noble Captains at Belgrade was of late procured by the falshood craft and deceit of the same faithless Miscreants Let us then being Men of Wit and Understanding trust these mad Beasts let us give our selves into their power which hâ—ve no regard of right or reason of Religion or any thing else whose Covetousness and Cruelty it is hard to say which it greater which for these many years have plotted and laboured nothing more than how by policy or force they may utterly root out the Name of the Rhodians which they so deadly hate They keep us shut up and besieged now the sixth Month feeling together with us extream dangers and endless labour slain by heaps before our Walls and Fortresses and cannot be removed hence with Thunder Lightning Storms Tempâ—sts and all the Calamities of Winter a time which giveth intermission to all War both by Sea and Land so desirous they are of Revenge and greedy of our Blood and that not altogether without cause for we have also shed theirs and gladly would still so do if it lay in our power But seeing it seemeth good unto God otherwise and that we are surprized with inevitable necâ—ssity yet let us whilst we are at liberty and have power our selves by honourable death amongst the Christian Ensigns eschew the Torments and Reproaches which our cruel Enemies hope to inflict upon us so shall we enjoy eternal Fame and Glory prepared both in Heaven and Earth for such as honourably die in defence of their Prince and Country which Honour it becometh not them to envy unto thy most noble Name and Vertue worthy Grand Master which having for many years enjoyed the commodity and profit of Peace and greatly enriched by Bounty of this sacred Military Order refuse now to bear this last burden of War. At these words an ancient Greek for his Wisdom and Discretion of great Reputation both with the Greeks and Latins perceiving his Countrymen wrongfully touched and the desperate holding out of the City vainly perswaded took hold and interrupting this young Gallant in answer of that he had said spake as followeth That grief of mind and desperation can make Men rather Eloquent than Wise as you have many times heard before this so you might this day perceive also most valiant Gentlemen for advised modesty never falleth into obloquy neither confoundeth falshood with truth it desireth not the slaughter of the Citizens it perswadeth not fury nor exhorteth Men to madness but it is by nature so engraffed in many that when they cannot by their own Wisdom and Policy deliver themselves from their troubles they yet seek to draw others into the fellowship of the same danger so greedy have malice and misery always been of company But if you worthy Commander will give me also leave to speak a Man amongst his Countrymen not of meanest Place and Authority which thing both the present Calamity and urgent Necessity might of you easily obtain I would alledge such reasons and lay down such matter as should not only refel the copious and glorious words of this sharp witted Orator scrap'd together of purpose to flourish out the matter but also such as might stir your mind to that which is honest profitable and necessary expulsing hatred fear trouble or despair This Gentleman whom we all know not only to be a vehement Orator but somtime a Man most terrible whereas for all his great words he is by nature mild and so mild that he never had the heart to kill nay not so much as lightly to wound any one of them whom he calleth barbarous mad cruel whose perfidious dealing he detesteth whose cruelty he accurseth whose manner of living he exclaimeth against as altogether without Law without Reason without Order without Regard and now in time of Truce and whilst the Showers of Arrows Iron Bullets Fire and Stones doth cease creeping out of his Cave maketh much ado and keepeth a great stir and not knowing in what danger he is doth now with glorious words call upon death whereof he hath hitherto shewed himself too much afraid and all forsooth as he said lest he should be enforced to endure the mocking and scorning of the Enemy But this is meer Pride not Christian Fortitude or Humility But our Enemy neither threatneth nor purposeth any such matter nothing so perfidious or cruel as he would make him rubbing up the slaughter at Caire Euboea Methone and Constantinople Cities taken either by Force or warlike Policy and not yielded by composition upon faith given betwixt the besieger and the besieged who because he would spare us will not suffer us to do that whereby we should undoubtedly perish But whereof proceedeth this new found Clemency This unwonted favour toward the People of the Rhodes I am not of the Tyrants Privy-Counsel neither ever curiously sought after the reason of another Mans Bounty but am glad to receive it when I need it Yet for all that I will not dissemble w hat I think in a matter so doubtful he is willing as I suppose in this Siege and Conquest of the Rhodes to shew unto other Nations whom he purposed to invade both his Power and his Patience lest always satisfying his cruel Nature he should make desolation in places he would Reign over and so for ever alienating the Minds of Men he inforced to fight with all Men with Fire and Sword by which Rigour he hath not so much hurt his Enemy as himself For this cause as I suppose he leaveth unto us life and goods lâ—st whilst he in going about to take them from us by force and we seeking to keep them by desperatness we should both fall into great destruction no less lamentable unto the Conqueror than to the vanquished Besides that if he should kill all here truly he might then enter the Breaches of the City on the Bodies of the dead no Men now left alive to resist him But Lerus is shut up Arangia is strongly Fortified Lyndus is by Situation impregnable here he knoweth are Weapons Armor and Men here he must begin
if it had been but to look to his charge when he was come as near as he could to Alis without mistrust thought good to assay if he could by policy bring that to pass which he was otherwise with great danger to attempt by force Wherefore feigning himself to be extream sick he sent Embassadors to Alis requesting him as a friend to vouchsafe to come unto him being at the point of death unto whom he had many things of importance from the great Emperor to impart and would if he should die leave with him all his charge until Solyman should otherwise dispose thereof Alis who from his youth had always honoured the Turkish Emperors and faithfully served them mistrusting no harm came to the Bassa accompanied with his four Sons whom the faithless Bassa without regard of infamy caused presently to be put to death with their Father and so reducing all that Country into the manner of a Province under Solymans obeisance came to him with twenty thousand Men about the time that the City of the Rhodes was yielded up This is the faithless dealing of the Turks not with the Christians only but with them of their own superstition also using it as no small policy utterly to extinguish the Nobility of all Countries subject to their servile Tyranny Solyman after he had thus subdued the Rhodes and disposed of the Island as he liked best returning to Constantinople brake up his Army and for the space of three years after followed his pleasure not doing any thing worthy of remembrance During which time and many years after the rich and flourishing Country of Italy sometime Mistress of the World was miserably afflicted and rent in pieces by Charles the Fifth then Emperor and Francis the French King the one envying unto the other the glory of the Empire and he not content therewith seeking with immoderate ambition to make himself Lord of all Italy most of the other Christian Princes and States being at the same time either by the one or by the other drawn into the fellowship of that War to the great trouble and sore weakning of the Christian Common-weal Whereupon Solyman waiting all occasions that might serve for the enlarging of his Empire and annoying of the Christians thought it not a fit time for him to set his foot into Hungary whereunto he had already laied open a way by the taking of Belgrade He knew right well that Lewis then King of Hungary was but young altogether unacquainted with the Wars commanding over his headstrong Subjects especially his rich Prelates and Nobility no otherwise than pleased themselves being himself rather by them altogether overruled besides that he was in good hope that the other Christian Princes near unto him either carried away with regard of their own Estate would not or else before unto himself by League fast bound could not afford unto him any great aid or succour the Germans he knew would make small hast unto such Wars as should yield them much danger and but small pay As for the Princes of the House of Austria Charles the Emperor and Ferdinand his Brother although they were joyned unto the young King with the nearest bonds of Alliance Lewis having Married Mary their youngest Sister and Ferdinand Ann King Lewis his Sister yet was there as he thought small help to be expected from them Charles having his hands full in Italy and Ferdinand altogether careful of himself and that Sigismund King of Polonia would for the young Kings sake break the ancient League he had with the Turkish Emperors he could hardly be perswaded As for other Christian Princes farther off he stood not in any great doubt year 1526. Thus having with himself singled out this young Prince the Hungarian King whom he had in his greedy mind already devoured he set forward from Constantinople and was come on his way as far as Sophiâ— in Servia with a mighty Army of two hundred thousand men before that the Hungarians had any knowledge of his coming so blind and senseless was that State which now sleeping in security had long before lost those Eies which ever watcht and never spared cost or pains to keep the same in safety in stead of whom were others come in place sharp of sight and too too provident for that concerned their own advancement but blind as Beetles in foreseeing this great and common danger wherewith they were shortly after all quite overwhelmed until it was now brought home unto their own Doors The young King of himself but weak by reason of his youthful years and nothing strengthned by them for whom he had most done and should have been his greatest stay was wonderfully dismaied with the fame of the approach of so mighty an Enemy yet the better to withstand him he sent Embassadors with all speed unto the Christian Princes his Neighbours requesting their Aid against the common Enemy but all in vain In the mean time after the ancient manner of his Country he gave out general Summons for the Assembly of his Counsel for the Wars whether his great stipendary Prelates of duty bound to appear came with their Troops of evil appointed Horsemen and not half full who also delivered in less sums of Mony by far than of right they should have done towards the maintenance of the charge of that common War. And the temporal Nobility forgetting the warlike Discipline of their famous Ancestors as fresh-water Souldiers which had seen the Turkish Emperor in his strength and but little acquainted with some light skirmishes or small invasions in their vain bravery made light account of the Turks proudly vaunting That although they were in number but few yet they would easily overthrow the great numbers of them if ever they came to handy strokes But above all the rest one Paulus Tomoreus Archbishop of Colossa sometimes a Minorite who had before been in divers light skirmishes against the Turks with great insolency did so confidently brag and boast of the Victory he vainly dreamed of that in his Sermons unto the Souldiers and in open talk with the Nobility if he could have done so much as he vaunted of it should seem that he himself had been enough to have overthrown the Turks whole Army But when all the Kings Army was assembled and a general muster taken there was hardly found five and twenty thousand men in all horse and foot So that the foolish hardiness of Tomoreus and others so forwards to give the Turks battel was of most wise men disliked The old Souldiers and men of great experience said plainly That it was meer folly and madness with such a handful of men to give battel unto the Enemy who would bring eight times so many more into the Field as they were Wherefore some wished that the young King should be withdrawn from the eminent danger among whom Stephanus Verbetius a noble Captain of all the rest best acquainted with the Turkish Wars gave Counsel
Bethlis understood certainly where the Turks lay weary of their long travel as men without fear keeping little or no Watch in their Camp Whereupon he determined in the dead time of the night following to assail them in their Camp and by secret Messengers gave knowledge both of his coming and of this his purpose to the Captain of the Castle of Bethlis requesting him at an appointed hour upon sign given to be ready to sally out with his Garrison upon that side of the Turks Camp which was towards the Castle Which his venturous designment was so furthered both by the darkness of the night and the abundance of rain which fell at the same time as if it had been wished for that he was got with all his resolute Followers within the Turks Camp before they were aware of his coming where the Persian Souldiers as Wolves amongst Sheep did such speedy execution amongst the sleepy Turks that the two great Bassaes and Ulemas had much ado to get to horse and save themselves by flight And such was the fury of the Persians and the greatness of the sudden fear increased by the darkness of the night that the Turks not knowing which way to turn themselves or what to do were slain by thousands some sleeping some half waking some making themselves ready to fight and some to fly few of all that great Army escaped the Sword of the Persians Of the five great Sanzacks which were in the Army three were slain and one taken Eight hundred Janizaries seeing themselves forsaken of their Chieftains laid down their Harquebusies and other Weapons and yielded themselves upon Delimenthes his word The fierceMountain people also who in former time had suffered great injuries of the Turks after the death of Aladeules their King had now joyned themselves to the Persians and notably revenged their Wrongs to whose share all the Baggage of the Turks Camp fell for a prey It might then well have been said of the Turks which the Poet speaketh of the night wherein Troy was sackt Quis cladem illius noctis qui funera fando Explicet The slaughter of that night was so great that it is of the Turks until this day accounted amongst their greatest losses and the Victory so welcome to the Persians that in Memorial thereof they kept that day which was the thirteenth of October as one of their Solemn Holidays for many years after Delimenthes returning all bloody with the slaughter of the Turks and loaded with their Spoils was of Tamas joyfully received and honourably rewarded This Overthrow reported to Solyman by the two great Bassaes and Ulemas as men that had hardly escaped Ship-wreck so daunted his proud conceits that he resolved in himself to return home and no further to prosecute that unfortunate War the evil event whereof his Mother as he said had more truly presaged than had the cold Prophet Mulearabe but secretly in mind displeased with Abraham the great Bassa by whose perswasion he had taken in hand that dangerous Expedition By the way as he went he was met at Iconium by Barbarussa and Sinan Bassa sirnamed the Jew a man for his skill at Sea in reputation next to Barbarussa These two great Personages lately come from Algiers to Constantinople with the remainder of his Fleet met him so far by Land to shew their joyfulness for the Conquest he had made of Mesopotamia and Assyria and to excuse themselves for the loss of the Kingdom of Tunes which won by Barbarussa in the beginning of the Persian War was before the ending thereof again wrung out of his hands by Charles the Emperor and restored to Muleasses as shall be hereafter declared They with great humility declared unto him the whole process of that War and with what Success they had endured the force of Charles the Emperor himself in Person shewing plainly unto him that there wanted neither valour in the Souldiers nor direction in them the Commanders but only Fortune which as it mightily reigneth in all mens actions so especially in matters of War. Solyman graciously accepted of their excuse and courteously took them up prostrate at his Feet commending them for their valour in their evil haps in a Plot so well by them laid more than he did the Victory of others got by good Fortune not grounded upon any good reason willing them to be of good chear saying That that he would in short time find occasion for them to recompence that disgrace and again to shew their approved valour After long travel he came to the Strait of Bosphorus where Abraham the Bassa going before him had in token of Triumph caused the Shore all along the place where he should go aboord the Gally provided for his Transportation to be covered with Persian silk for him to tread upon from whence he passed with much Triumph over to his Palace to Constantinople Envy the fatal and cruel Companion of Princes immoderate favours had with her prying Eyes quickly discovered in Court Solymans changed countenance upon the great Bassa and began now to shew her gastly Face They which before were most ready to do him all Honour possible yea to have laid their hands under his Feet sought now by all secret means to work his Disgrace and Confusion But of all others the two great Ladies Solymans Mother and the fair Roxolana ceased not by daily Complaints to incense Solyman against him the Mother for that he had by his perswasion contrary to her mind and her superstitious Observations drawn her Son into the dangers of the Persian War and Roxolana for that he most honoured and sought the Preferment of Mustapha Solymans eldest Son by another Woman whereas she above all things laboured by all subtil means to prefer Bajazet her own Son to the Empire after the death of Solyman his Father which her designment she perceived to be much crossed by the Credit which the Bassa had with her Solyman and therefore did what she might both to bring him out of Favour and to work his Destruction But that which most impared his credit with Solyman was the common report raised of him by his Enemies That he being in heart a Christian did in all things favour the Christians a thing most odious among the Turks and had for that cause craftily perswaded Solyman to take in hand the unfortunate Persian War. And that which more increased the suspition was That he about that time had caused one Mark Nicholas a Venetian Merchant who had not without suspicion of some oftentimes come unto him with Letters and secret Messages whilst he lay at Babylon to be taken in the night and murdred at Constantinople and cast into the Sea because he should not discover any thing that might be hurtful unto him Abraham thus brought in disgrace with Solyman was after the manner of the Turkish Tyranny bid to a Solemn Supper in the Court about the fourteenth of March after which time he was never more seen It
upon pain of death take any Turk Prisoner although he yielded himself or charge himself with any spoil before the Battel were fully ended forasmuch as the Captains would afterwards divide the Spoil of the Enemy among the Souldiers This proclamation thus made through the Camp they set forward towards Exek and the third day they came to a certain Valley about three miles from Exek where they encamped The next day a Company of Turks shewed themselves which was by the great Ordnance repulsed The day following the Enemy sallied out of the Town and skirmished oftentimes with the Christians in which Skirmishes many were slain on both sides but more wounded of the Christians for that the Turks had politickly mingled certain Janizaries Harquebusiers and Archers with their Horsemen who used to that manner of fight sore gauled the Christian Horsemen For which cause the General forbad all such light Skirmishes as purposing to keep his strength whole against the general day of Battel commanding his Canoniers so to place the great Ordnance as might most annoy the Enemy if he should shew himself by Troops within the danger of the Shot which was so well performed that the Turks sallying forth received thereby great hurt the deadly shot flying through the midst of their Companies The same day Symon Bishop of Zagrabia came into the Camp with his Horsemen and a certain provision of Victual whereby the fear of the want before conceived was well eased Mahometes perceiving that the Christians were not longer to be drawn to those harmful Skirmishes but that he must bring his Men in danger of the great Shot to annoy them by another means sent many small Boats manned with Harquebusiers and small Pieces of Ordnance into the Lake near unto the Camp so to keep the Christians from watering there and with those small Pieces shot oftentimes into the Camp. Near unto the Valley where the Christians lay was a Hill whereupon stood a Village wherein were placed certain Companies of Turks to Skirmish as occasion should serve with the Christians for placing of whom the whole Army was put in order of Battel and the great Artillery bent upon them that they should not with their light Skirmishes after the manner of the Turkish fight touble the order of the Army Which thing the Turks perceiving and that they were not able to hold the place set fire on the Town and so retired to Exek The Christians keeping on their march came to the top of the Hill from whence they might see Exek stand about two miles off in a fair Plain near unto the Bank of Dravus all which low ground betwixt the Hill and Exek was so subject to the Castle that it was thought a matter too full of danger to attempt that way to batter the Castle and expose the Army to the inevitable fury of the Enemies shot Wherefore descrying a rising ground on the further side of the City equal with the top of the Walls they thought it best to remove their Camp thither and on that side to plant their Battery against the City But to come to that place was thought a matter of no small trouble for they must set a compass three miles on the right hand through a Forrest by a foul and troublesome way before they could come to the place they desired for the Army was not so great as to besiege the City round wherein were not as is reported above sixteen thousand Men neither was there such store of Victuals in the Camp but that the Army was like soon to feel the want thereof without a continual supply which would hardly be had the Enemy still besetting every passage and with their light Horsemen scouring about all the Country of purpose to keep them from Victual For which cause some were of opinion That it were best for them there to stay where they were until such time as both more Aid and better store of Victuals were come unto them but others of contrary mind said the Enemy was but barely stored with Victual himself and therefore could not long hold out which they said they understood by certain Christian Fugitives and that Mahometes had put his chief substance into certain Boats to be conveyed down the River as purposing to flie and would not hold out the Siege above three days as for the Forrest they thought it would well enough be passed through if they would couragiously set forward beside that the time of the year suffered no delay Winter coming so fast on that except some notable thing were done quickly they should be enforced by the very time of the year to return with shame without doing any thing This opinion was best liked of as more honourable and better beseeming Men of Valour than to lie still in one place whereupon the next day the Army removed and in good order marched through the Forrest Which thing Mahometes quickly perceiving presently sent forth a thousand light Horsemen and certain Companies of the Janizaries and Harquebusiers to trouble the Christians in their passage who by a nearer and well known way overtaking the Army suddainly charged the Rereward wherein the Italians and Bohemians marched The Bohemians quickly fled and the Italians with much ado endured the charge but being relieved by the Carinthian Men at Arms they notably repulsed the Turks and put them to flight So the Army with small loss passed the Forrest and came to the place they desired where after they had encamped themselves and in good order placed all things needful for the Siege they in seemly order offered unto the Enemy Battel but he keeping himself within the Town shot at the Christians with his great Ordnance and they to requite him with two great Pieces which they had placed upon the rising of a Hill shot through both the Walls of the Town and the Bulwark also to the great terror of the Defendants The Christians in the mean time having stood almost all the day in order of Battel in sight of the Enemy vainly expecting when he should come forth to give them Battel returned at night into their Camp for Mahometes upon great consideration kept in his Souldiers although they were most desirous to fight understanding right well of the want of Victual in the Christian Camp and beside that as the Fugitives reported being straitly commanded by Letters from Solyman that he should not upon pain of a most shameful death forsake the place but to defend it to the last Now the Christians desirous of Battel being thus delayed and deceived of their expectation had in a few days spent the small store of Victual they had and began to feel a general want neither was there any apparent means how they should be relieved so that every Man began to fear some general mischief to ensue When Balthazer Pamphilus a noble Hungarian and a Captain of great experience sitting in Counsel with the rest entred into this Speech Captains said he we do
bloody and terrible and many fell on both sides But after that they with wonderful obstinacy had a great while foughâ— with doubtful Victory so that forty thousand Turks lay there dead upon the ground at length the Victory began to encline to that side whereon stood the greater Strength the juster Cause and better Counsel Many of the Enemies being slain and many of his own People also lost Bajazet was enforced to retire which he did so leisurely and without shew of any fear that it seemed to the Beholders he had well near as well gained as lost the Field neither durst Selymus pursue him but stood still fast in the same place never more glad of any thing than to see his Brothers back But Bajazet after he had in contempt of his Fathers command thus run his own Course and satisfied his own desire though disappointed of his purpose and not able to perform the journey by him intended into Syria turned now his Course and began in good earnest to go to Amasia his appointed Province Solyman speedily advertised of the event of this Battel forthwith passed over into Asia for as the great Bassaes his Counsellors thought it not convenient for him to go over the Strait before the Victory so after it was certainly known they thought it not good longer to stay lest the overthrow of Bajazet might give occasion to such as secretly favoured his quarrel to shew themselves and so to raise greater Troubles Besides that the same of his passage over would as they said much avail both to the discouragement of Bajazet and the terrifying of his Friends and therefore it was by them thought good hastily to pursue him now overthrown and not to suffer him to gather Courage by the example of his Grandfather Selymus Solymans Father who had been more terribly vanquished than when he stood in his whole strength and might seem by that means to have especially prevailed for that he was at first unfortunately overthrown Neither were these things without reason foreseen for it is almost incredible what admiration and love this battel although unfortunate did get to Bajazet men wondred that he durst with so small a power and as it were but an handful of Men encounter with his Brother far better appointed and also supported by his Fathers Strength not fearing either the disadvantage of the place or the Fury of the great Artillery and to have behaved himself in the battel not like a young Souldier but an old and expert Commander Selymus might at his pleasure boast of himself as they said to his Father for the Victory but Bajazet was the man that deserved to have overcome and that Selymus might to any thing ascribe the Victory rather than to his own Valour These and such like Speeches as they made Bajazet gracious amongst the people generally so doubled they his Fathers cares and encreased his hatred to wish him the rather dead For why he was resolutely set down not to leave any other Heir of his Empire than Selymus his eldest Son always Loyal and Obedient unto him whereas the other he abhorred as Stubborn and Rebellious gaping after the Empire whilst he yet lived of whom he was therefore so much the more to stand in dread by how much he was reputed to be of more valour and for the aid he had now so openly given to Selymus For these causes he passed over the Strait into Asia with purpose not to go far from the Sea Coast but as it were a far off with his favourable aspect to countenance Selymus his proceeding doubting by coming too near with his Army to endanger himself by the suddain revolt of the Janizaries which he above all things feared I my self saith the Author of this History saw him departing out of Constantinople the first of Iune in the year 1559 when as within a few days after I my self was also sent for thither for the Bassaes thought it not amiss to have me in the Camp and to use me courteously as their Friend for which cause I was assigned to lodge in an Inn in a Village near to the Camp where I lay very well The Turks lay in the Fields round about but lying there three months I had good leisure and opportunity to see the manner of their Camp and in part to know the order of their Martial Discipline So I attiring my self in such apparel as the Christians commonly use in those places went up and down with one or two Companions at my pleasure unknown First I saw the Souldiers of all sorts most orderly placed and that which he would scarce believe that knoweth the manner of our War there was in every place great silence and as a Man may say dumb quietness no brawling no insolency no not so much as a word or laughter passing in sport or drunkenness Besides that wonderful cleanliness no Dunghils no Excrements that might offend either the Eies or Nose for all such things the Turks do either bury or carry them far out of sight They themselves so oft as they are enforced to discharge the burthen of Nature dig an hole with a Spade and bury it so is all their Camp without filth There was not to be seen any Drinking or Feasting no Dicing the great shame of our Wars the loss of Mony or time at Cards or Dice the Turks know not I met only with a rough Hungarian and his Companions a Souldier who heavy himself to the Lute rather houled than sung a doleful Ditty containing the last words of a Fellow of his dying of his wounds upon the green Bank of Danubius wherein he requesteth the River because it ran to the place where he was born to carry news to his Friends and Countrymen that he died an honourable death and not unrevenged for the encrease of his Religion and honour of his Country wherunto his Fellows sighing bare a Foot O happy and thrice happy Wight would Fortune with thee change we might For the Turks are of opinion That no Mens Souls go more speedily to Heaven than of such valiant Men as die in Battel for whose welfare their Maidens daily make Prayers and Vows I would also needs go through their Butchery where their Beasts were killed to see what Flesh was to be sold where I saw but four or at most five Weathers hanging ready dressed and that was the Butchery for the Janizaries which I deemed to be in that Camp not fewer than four thousand I marvelled that so little Flesh should suffice so many Men but I was answered That few of them did eat Flesh for that most part of them had their Victuals transported from Constantinople Then I demanding what it was they shewed me a Janizary sitting by who in an earthen Dish had killed a Turnep an Onion a Head of Garlick a Parsenep and a Cucumber all sauced with Salt and Vineger or more truly to say with Hunger whereon he fed as savourly as if
issued out at the Castle Gate with the rest following him where valiantly fighting with the Janizaries upon the Bridge and having slain some of them he was first wounded in two places of his Body with small Shot and at last struck in the Head with an unlucky shot fell down dead the Turk for joy crying out their wonted word Alla. The rest of the Souldiers in flying back again into the Castle were all slain by the Turks except some few whom some of the Janizaries in regard of their Valour by putting their Caps upon their Heads saved from the fury of the reâ—â— In this Siege the Turks as they themselves reported lost seven thousand Janizaries and twenty eight thousand other Souldiers beside many voluntary Men not enrolled in their Muster-Books and three of their great Bassaes. Serinus his Head was presently cut off and the next day with the Heads of the other slain Christians set upon a Pole for all the Army to gaze upon After that it was taken down and by Muhamet the great Bassa sent to Mustapha the Bassa of Buda his Kinsman who by two Country Men sent it wrapped in a red Scarf covered with a fair linnen Cloth to Count Salma in the Emperors Camp at Rab with this taunting Letter thus directed Muhamet Bassa to Eccius Salma Greeting IN token of my love behold here I send thee the Head of a most resolute and valiant Captain thy Friend the remainder of his Body I have honestly buried as became such a Man. Sigeth biddeth thee farwell for ever The death of this noble and valiant Captain was much lamented of all the Christian Army and his Head with many tears by his Son Balthasar honourably buried amongst his Ancestors in Tschacatâ—rna his own Castle Solyman at his coming with this mighty Army into Hungary had purposed before his return if he had not been by death prevented to have conquered both the remainder of the Kingdom of Hungary and to have again attempted the winning of Vienna For the accomplishing of which his Designs he at his first coming sent Parthaus Bassa with forty thousand Turks to help the Bassa of Temesware and the Tartars in the behalf of the Vayvod to besiege the strong Town of Guyla situate upon the Lake Zarkad in the Confines of Transylvania not far from whence Suendi had but in August before overthrown the Tartars called in by Solyman for the aid of the Vayvod and slain of them ten thousand And at the same time he sent Mustapha Bassa of Bosna and Caraâ—beiâ—s with a great Power to Alba Râ—galis who joyning with the Bassa of Buda should keep the Emperor Maximilian busie whilst he in the mean time besiegeth Sigeth as is before declared Parthaus Bassa coming to Gyula and laying hard Siege to the Town was still notably repulsed by Nicholaus Keretschen Governor of the Town insomuch that in a sally he had certain Pieces of his great Ordnance taken from him by the Defendants and the rest cloied But this brave Captain not to have been constrained by all that the Bassa could do was at last perswaded by his Kinsman George Bebicus from whom Suendi had a little before taken certain Castles for revolting from the Emperor to the Vayvod for a great sum of Mony to deliver up the Town to the Bassa which he did covenanting beside his Reward That the Souldiers should with Bag and Baggage in safety depart all which was frankly granted who were not gon past a mile out of the Town but they were set upon by the Turks and all slain except some few which crept into the Reeds growing in the Marish fast by and so escaped The Traitor himself expecting his Reward was carried in Bonds to Constantinople where afterward upon complaint made how hardly he had used certain Turks whom he had sometime taken Prisoners he was by the commandment of Selymus who succeeded Solyman thrust into an Hogshead struck full of Nails with the Points inward with this inscription upon it Here receive the Reward of thy Avarice and Treason Gyula thoâ—â—oldst for Gold if thou be not faithful to Maximilian thy Lord neither wilt thou be to me and so the Hogshead closed fast up he was therein rolled up and down until he therein miserably died The Emperors Camp then lying at Rab and the Bassa of Buda and Bosna with thirty thousand Turks not far off at Alba Regalis and many hot skirmishes passing between them it fortuned that the fifth of September the Turks in hope to have done some great piece of service upon the Christians came forth of the Camp in great number and by chance light upon a few Forragers of the Army of whom they slew some the rest flying raised an Alarm in the Camp whereupon the Hungarians and Burgundians with some others issuing out pursuing the Turks slew divers of them in which pursuit George Thuriger descrying the Governor of Alba Regalis a Man in great account and very inward with Solyman whilst he lived fiercely pursued him in the midst of the flying Enemies and never left him until he had taken him Prisoner and at his return presenting him to the Emperor was for that good service Knighted and rewarded with a Chain of Gold. There was by chance then present a Spaniard who had heard him say openly at Constantinople That he alone with his own power was able to vanquish the German King by which name the Turks commonly term the Emperor With which words when that the Spaniard hardly charged him in the presence of the Emperor still urging him as it were to say something for himself the Turk answered him in these few words following Such is the chance of War thou seest me now a Prisoner and able to do nothing All these troubles with many more like in short time to have ensued were by the death of Solyman within a while after well appeased Muhamet Bassa after he had repaired the Breaches and placed a Turk Governor of Sigeth with a strong Garrison for the defence of the place and commanding of the Country called back the dispersed Forces and rising with the Army retired toward Belgrade carrying Solymans dead Body all the way sitting upright in his Horse-litter carried by Mules giving it out that he was sick of the Gout which thing the Janizaries easily believed knowing that he had been many years so carried yet still wishing his presence as always unto them fortunate although that he were able for to do nothing Christian Princes of the same time with Solyman Emperors of Germany Charles the Fifth 1519. 39. Ferdinand 1558. 7. Maximilian the Second 1565. 12. Kings Of England Henry the Eighth 1509. 38. Edward the Sixth 1546. 6. Queen Mary 1553. 6. Queen Elizabeth 1558. 45. Of France Francis the First 1514. 32. Henry the Second 1547. 12. Francis the Second 1559. 1. Charles the Ninth 1560. 14. Of Scotland James the Fifth 1514. 29. Queen Mary 1543. Bishops of Rome
together was an hundred and seventeen Sail amongst which were twelve great Galeasses but all too weak to give Battel to the Turks as being themselves stronger in Shipping than in Men. Nevertheless the Admiral sorry and weary to see the spoil of the Venetian Territory and moved with the distress of the besieged in Nicosia rather than for any hope he had with that strength to do any good against the Turks Fleet departed from Corcyra towards Crete and the twelfth of August landed at Suda a Port of that Island In the later end of this month Columnius the Popes Admiral and Auria Admiral for the King of Spain arrived there also whom the Venetian Admiral welcomed with great joy and triumph The whole Fleet of the Confederate Princes now at length met together consisted of an hundred ninety two Gallies and twelve Galeasses beside Victualers and other small Vessels laded with Munition and other necessary provision for the Fleet. Of these Gallies the Pope had set forth twelve the King of Spain forty two the rest with the Galeasses were the Venetians In this Fleet were embarked thirteen thousand six hundred threescore Souldiers of whom the Pope sent eleven hundred the King of Spain three thousand nine hundred and the Venetians eight thousand six hundred and sixty These three great Commanders entring into counsel what course to take in their proceedings in this War after long discourse too and fro at length by the perswasion of Zanius the Venetian Admiral resolved to go directly for Cyprus and to give the Turks Battel in hope thereby to raise them from the Siege of Nicosia About the midst of September this great Fleet furnished with all things needful for such an expedition loosed from Crete and with a fair gale of Wind set forward for Cyprus in all their Course keeping such order as if they should presently have met with the Enemy In the midst of these troubles died Petrus Loredanus Duke of Venice leaving the rest of the care of that War to Aloysius Mocenicus who succeeded him in the Dukedom Whilst the Christians thus slowly proceed in their so weighty Affairs Mustapha in the mean time laid hard Siege to Nicosia and dividing his Army into four parts assaulted four of the Bulwarks of the City with greater force than at any time before from the beginning of the Siege The Assault was both long and terrible Fury and the very sight of the warlike General who was there a present witness and beholder of every mans forwardness or cowardise a matter of great moment besides their natural fierceness carried the Turks headlong without any peril or danger And on the other side the greatness of the danger the fear to lose both life and liberty with the hope of relief encouraged the Defendants to dare any thing so that the Turks could not approach the Walls or mount the scaling Ladders but they were presently slain or together with the Ladders thrown to the ground Many of the Turks were there slain but especially such as were most forward and of the Defendants were also more lost than stood with the safety of so small a number and forasmuch as few or none escaped out of that fight unwounded the poor Defendants were brought unto a small number Many skilful men were of opinion that the City might have been that day taken if the assault had by the Bassa been longer maintained by bringing still on fresh men but such was his loss as that he was glad for that time to give over the assault and so with dishonour to retire After this Assault it was by some of the Captains thought good that they should whilst they were yet of some reasonable strength in the City sally forth upon the Enemy so to make shew that they had yet some good hope in themselves and withall by so sudden an eruption to perform something upon the secure Enemy Of which motion Dandulus the Governor in no case liked as loth by such a dangerous piece of Service to diminish the number of the Defendants and so to give the Enemy an easier means to take the City Yet seeing all the Captains generally of another mind he yielded unto their desire So in the hotest time of the day when as the Turks least thought that the Christians would have sallied out certain Italian Companies under the Conduct of Caesar Plovianus of Vincentia and Albertus Scotus issued out by the Gate that leadeth to Famagusta and upon the sudden brake into the Enemies Trenches where they found the Turks some playing some sleeping but fearing nothing less than that the Christians whom they daily braved durst to have adventured to come forth At the first entrance the Italians prevailed and brought a great fear upon that quarter of the Turks Army and slew many But when the Turks awaked with the Alarm came running in on every side the Italians oppressed with the multitude were glad to retire in which retreat divers of them were slain and amongst them their two Leaders Caesar and Albertus so that this sally served to no other purpose than to weaken the Defendants themselves and to cause the Turks to keep better Watch and Ward against such sudden Eruptions All hope of long defending the City now almost lost and that the Defendants could hardly stand upon the Walls or shew their Heads without present danger they for want of better Counsel rather than for any hope of good Success sent out certain Scouts Men skilful of the Ways and Passages of the Country whom they had for great Reward induced to undertake the matter to crave Aid of the Country-people that were in great multitude fled into the safety of the Mountains and to tell them that if they came not in time to their Relief their Wives and Children whom they had before sent into the City must needs in short time fall into the Enemies hand or perish with hunger but these Messengers were by the vigilant Enemy intercepted and in the sight of the besieged tortured to death About the same time divers Letters were shot with Arrows into the City to perswade the besieged Christians to yield themselves for that in so doing they should find the Bassa a mild and merciful Conqueror whereas otherwise if they should by wilful holding out delay his Victory they were sure to indure whatsoever could be indured or suffered But when Mustahpa had thus in vain with hope and fear tried the minds of the Defendants he called forth to Parley certain Souldiers that were standing upon the Bulwark called Constantius of whom some were by the consent of the Governor sent forth unto him unto whom Mustapha by his Interpreter complained That no answer was given unto his Letters he set forth unto them the Glory Power and Greatness of the Turkish Empire and debased the strength of the Venetians then he perswaded them to yield propounding unto them the miseries that would fall upon them if the City should by
that no Man should go in or out Dandulus the Governor and Contarenus the Bishop of Paphos with the rest of the Nobility and better sort of the Citizens had got themselves into the Town-Hall and there stood upon their Guard unto whom Mustapha sent word that he would take them all to mercy if they would without further resistance yield themselves But while Messengers run to and fro the Turks violently brake in upon them and there slew them every man. After the death of these Noblemen the crued Enemy spared none and having slain such as they found abroad in the Streets brake into the Houses where they made havock of all things young Babes were violently taken out of the Arms of their Mothers Virgins were shamefully ravished and honest Matrons before their Husbands faces despightfully abused Churches were spoiled and all places filled with mourning and dead Bodies the Streets were in all places stained with blood for in the City was slain that day fourteen thousand eight hundred threescore and six persons Neither was there any end of the spoil until the greedy Enemy had carried away all the Wealth that long Peace had heaped up It is reported that the Prey there taken amounted to twenty hundred thousand millions of Ducats 200 of the most goodly and beautiful Youths were chosen out of purpose to be sent to Constantinople for a Present for Selymus In the City were taken also 250 Pieces of great Ordnance whereof some were by the Enemy carried away and the rest left for defence of the City Thus the famous City of Nicosia sometime the Regal Seat of the Kings of Cyprus fell into the hands of the Turks the ninth day of September in the year 1570. in whose Power it still remaineth Mustapha having as he thought best disposed of all things in Nicosia with the very terror of his name rather than by any force brought most part of the rest of the Towns in the Island under his Obeisance and by fair intreaty and promise of good usage brought back again unto their wonted dwellings the rude Country-people who upon tâ—e coming of the Turks were fled with all they had into the Mountains them as Men not to be feared he commanded to till and sow their Land as they were wont The City of Cyrene is strongly situated not far from the Sea and was then well furnished of all things needful for the induring of a long Siege Hither the Bassa sent one of the Sanzacks to Summon the City more to prove the courage of the Defendants than for any hope he had to have the City delivered unto him But Alphonsus Palacius then Governor of the City terrified with the loss of Nicosia no sooner saw the Enemy but that without any further deliberation or force used against him he delivered up the Town unto the Sanzack covenanting only in reward of his cowardise That he might in safety depart from thence with all his Garrison-Souldiers which was easily granted and the City surrendred Not long after Mustapha leaving a thousand Horsemen and three thousand Foot in Garrison in Nicosia marched with the rest of his Army to besiege Famagusta And the more to terrifie them of the City he by a poor Country-fellow whom he had for that purpose set at liberty sent unto them in a Basket the Head of Nicholaus Dandulus late Governour of Nicosia and at the same time sent before him divers Horsemen who upon their Horsemens staves carried the Heads of many of the Noblemen slain at Nicosia wherewith they rid as in Triumph about the Walls of the City Which thing he did in hope that they of Famagusta terrified with such a spectacle and the late overthrow of Nicosia would for fear of like misery yield themselves But deceived in this his expectation he encamped his Army about three miles from them City Afterwards having taken view of the City and well considered of the situation thereof he with wonderful celerity cast up divers Mounts against the same and at the same time caused Battery to be laid against the great Tower which defended the Haven he himself also in the mean while battering the Gate that leadeth to Amathus But perceiving by the desperate sallies of the Defendants their great courage and that he was like to have much more to do in this Siege than he had in the winning of Nicosia and Winter also now drawing fast on being about the later end of September he thought it best betime to provide that by lying there he hazarded not the honour he had with so much labour and danger before gained and the rather for that it was commonly reported that the Christian Fleet was at hand wherefore he rose with his Army and retired himself further off into the Country where he shortly after bilited his Souldiers in the Villages round about for that Winter The Bassaes at Sea Haly and Pial lying before Famagusta doubting the coming of the Christian Fleet which then lay at Crete sent out six Galliots to discover the doings of the Christians who returning with certain Prisoners taken in the Island of Crete declared unto the Bassaes what they had learned concerning the Christian Fleet and that it was already upon the way to Cyprus Upon which intelligence the Bassaes put their Fleet into the order of Battel and set forwards towards Limisso to have met with the Christians who with a prosperous Wind were coming betwixt the Island of Caprathoâ— and the Rhodes but there understanding by their Espials that Nicosia was lost and that the Turks were come to besiege Famagusta they called a Council of all the chief Commanders in the Fleet to consult what were best to do in so dangerous a case Columnius the Popes Admiral and then chief Commander in the Fleet with Zanius the Venetian Admiral were of opinion That it were best to hold on their course for Cyprus and to relieve Famagusta for that it was like that the Turks proud of their late Victory were for desire of prey for most part gon ashore into the Island and so left their Fleet but slenderly manned Beside that they alledged That the Venetian Senate had expresly decreed That they should give the Turks Battel But Auria the Spanish Admiral thinking it as indeed it was to be a matter of great difficulty and danger was quite of another mind saying That he could not but marvel how the Venetian Senators sitting at their ease in Counsel could before they knew their own strength and power of the Enemy the nature of the Country and purpose of their Foes determine what were fit for Martial Men to do unto whose actions no certain rule could be prescribed All the Shoars he said were kept with the Enemies Garrisons so that what need soever they should have they could neither come by Water or Wood or put into any Harbor Besides that the Enemy would give them Battel at his own pleasure and not at theirs for that they
now answerable to his desires he after the manner of the Turkish Policy most unnaturally caused the Heads of his eight younger Brethren to be stricken off and withall used such farther diligence that not only all those which were near unto them in Blood or Affinity were bereaved of their Lives but also all the Favourites of his late slain Brother Aidere were destroyed in that publick slaughter so that all the Streets of Casbin were defiled with blood and all the City resounded with mourning and complaints Which unexpected Cruelty altogether unworthy so worthy a thought King so altered the minds of his Subjects in general that all their former hopes were now converted into new fears and their joy into mourning But much greater and far more lamentable did the miseries grow as soon as it was given out That he would change the Religion of the Persians who with great devotion honour their foolish Prophet Aly into the Superstition of the Turks who with no less impiety observe and maintain the wicked Rites of Ebubekir Hanmer Osman and others by them supposed to be the most true Successors of their great Prophet Mahomet For by means of this uncouth novelty and unexpected change and by force of an Edict concerning that matter published by this new King many of his prophane Priests many of the Governours of his friendly and subject Cities too much devoted to their former Superstition were driven some into exile some clapt into prison some had their Eyes pluck'd out among whom was the Caliph of Casbin and not a few others in sundry sorts depriv'd of their Lives Yea many Ladies joyned in blood with Ismahel himself and divers others of his Kinsfolks to whom neither Sex nor Age nor Innocency could be a sufficient defence endured sundry torments and strange calamities so that in Persia was never felt greater troubles or a more dangerous change In this so great an Innovation and among these Tumults there went abroad withall a general rumour not in the Cities of Persia only but in the Regions of the Turks also even as far as Constantinople That Ismahel with a puissant Army of such as favoured this new proclaimed vanity was determined in person himself to go to Babylon now called Bagdat there to receive the Crown of the Empire at the hands of him that he should find to be the Successor of their great Calyph and in the chief place among their unclean Priests as had sometime Solyman the great Emperour of the Turks and the Persian Kings of ancient times In this world of troubles when as the fear of farther miseries increased rather than any hope of ancient quietness he was when he least feated by the help of the afore-named Lady Periaconcona suddenly bereft of his Life but whether overtaken in some of his own amorous practises or poisoned by his said Sister or that she as some probably affirm having secretly conspired with Calil Chan Emir Chan Pyry Mahamet Curchi Bassi being all at that time men of great account and as it were Presidents of the Kingdom who disguised in Womens apparel and brought in by her strangled him at such time as he had privately withdrawn himself amongst his Paramours is uncertain Howsoever it was sufficeth it that he by the help of the said Lady Periaconcona was by unnatural Death taken out of this World the four and twentiâ—th day of November in the year of Grace 1577 year 1577 to the exceeding joy of all those Nations who by his death thought themselves now freed of many great and dangerous troubles when he had reigned one year seven months and six days Ismahel thus taken out of the way the Lady began forthwith to persuade with the great Sultans the Ministers of Ismahels death that as they had for the general good of Persia contrived the death of the late King so now that they would take upon them the Protection of that great Kingdom with the preservation of the Majesty and Liberty thereof untill such time as it were known who should worthily succeed in that Crown which now remained in their Hands There was at that time many of the greatest Princes and Governours of that Kingdom assembled at Casbin there gaping after such Mutations of those troublesome times as might best serve their private designs Emir Chan burning in ambitious Desires was in hope by means of a match to be made with a Sister of Periaconcona who was already greatly inclining unto him to be exalted to the sovereignty of all Persia Mirizi Salmas the chief Sultan hoped on the other side to advance into the Estate either Mahamet Codabanda the eldest Brother of the dead King or else Hamze the eldest Son of the said Mahamet and by bestowing upon him his Daughter in Marriage as afterwards he did so to increase the glory of his House Others there were that thought they should be able to draw Abas Mirize the middlemost Son of Mahamet out of Heri and to make him King. Neither wanted the Infant Tamas his aspiring Friends whose Tutor waited likewise for some Opportunity to settle him in the Kingdom and so by means of his Greatness to make himself greatest amongst his Fellows A number of others there were that secretly waited upon every Occasion that time should present for their Preferment Howbeit in this so great variety of Thoughts the Sultans answered the Lady with one consent and promised her in most liberal Terms all the Protection that their Forces could afford or their Weapons procure and yet did every one of them both in Action and Word Clerk-like dissemble their several Imaginations whereunto their Minds were as prone and ready as their Hearts were cunning closely to conceal them Amurath the Turkish Emperour now wakened first at the Death of the old renowned Tamas and then at the Rumour of the desire Ismahel had to pass with an Army to Babylon as also at the fresh Report of the Turkish Superstition newly published in Persia and withall throughly instructed what harm this late King had done in Persia what Dissentions he had raised and how hardly the Provinces of that Empire had endured those Calamities began forthwith to think hereby a fair Occasion to be ministred unto him to take up Arms against the Persians and Matter sufficient suggested for him to put in Execution the great desire he had of some new Conquest For it is an ancient Custom which is grown to be as it were a Law among the Othoman Kings That they may not challenge their due Honours in their Life-time nor their proud Monuments after their Death unless they attempt some great and ambitious Actions and Enterprises and perform some Exploit conformable to their Majesty Amurath therefore bent upon these great stirs in Persia would not direct his Mind any other way or take any other War in hand untill he might first see what issue these marvellous Innovations in Persia would bring forth which in the Person of Mahamet the succeeding King
his Hope and all his Protection did so greatly feaâ— his coming Wherefore to rid himself of that Fear he commanded twelve thousand Souldiers that changing their Weapons and Apparel they should go and lie in wait for Osman in the Borders between Cholchis and Iberia towards the Tartarian Nomades by which way he was to come and so making an assault upon him to bereave him of his Life Hoping that such an outrage once done could not or would not be imputed to his procurement but rather to the Tartar Nomades or to the Mengrellians or to the Georgians or to the Muscovites or to the Robbers by the High-way and to be short rather to any body else than to him This Commandment of the Tartar King was accordingly by the Souldiers put in Practice who without further stay joyned themselves together and so rode towards the Place appointed And now were the Messengers sent from Amurath come to Osman who presently put himself on his way towards Constantinople having left behind him at Derbent and Sumachia two Bassaes thought to be the most sufficient men in Seruania having also appointed very good orders in the same and an assured establishment of all those Countries and Places which Mustapha first had subdued and he himself had afterwards maintained under the Obedience of Amurath He had also provided for the safety of his own Person in passing those troublesome and dangerous Passages through which he was to travel by chusing out four thousand Souldiers which he had tried in divers Battels and brought up under his own Discipline through whose Valour he doubted not safely to pass through the Treacheries of the Albanians and the populous squadrons as well of the Tartarians as of the Mengrellians Thus departed he from Derbent and coasting along the Rocks of Caucasus that at all times of the year are all white and hoary with continual Snows leaving on his left hand Media Iberia and Cholchis and on the right hand the famous Rivers of Tanais and Volga even at his first entrance unto the Shores of the Euxine Sea he was by the above named twelve thousand Tartarians being apparelled like Theeves that lie upon those ways suddenly assailed and fought withall But like as an huge Rock lying open to Tempest and Waves standing fast and unmoveable in it self resisteth the thunderings and rushings of the great and fearful Billows so stood Osman fast and firm and couragiously sustained this treacherous assault turning the bold Countenances of his resolute Souldiers against the rebellious multitude of those traiterous Squadrons who as is their manner in the begining used great force but finding so stout resistance in those few whom they had thought with their only looks and shoutings to have put to flight they began at length to quail Which Osman quickly perceiving couragiously forced upon them and in a very short space and with a very small loss of his own put those Tartarians to flight killing a number of them and also taking many of them Prisoners by whom Osman was afterwards informed as the truth was that their King for fear that he had conceived lest when he came to Constantinople he would procure his Destruction from Amurath had sent this Army to seek his Death Of which Treason Osman caused a perfect process to be made together with the Dispositions of the Tartarian Prisoners which he sent the shortest way he could devise to Amurath at Constantinople with Letters declaring all that had passed inflaming him to revenge so dangerous an Injury and so wicked a Practice Amurath receiving these Advertisements from Osman according to the Necessity of the matter took order that Vluzales his Admiral with certain Gallies well appointed should pass over to Caffa to fetch Osman and withall to carry with him Islan a Brother of the Tartar Kings commanding Osman by Letters that he should to the terror of others put to death the treacherous King and place his Brother in his room This Tartar King was one of those mighty Princes who basely yielding to the Othoman Power led under them a most vile and troublesome Life as their Tributaries and Vassals always at command whose younger Brother Islan presuming of the sufficiency of himself and the favour of the People going to Constantinople became a Suiter unto the Turkish Emperour to have his eldest Brother thrust out of his Kingdom as a man for his evil Government hated of his Subjects and to be placed himself in his room Which his suit was so crossed by the Ambassadors of the King's Brother who spared for no cost in the behalf of their Master that the ambitious Youth was sent from the Turks Court to Iconium and there clapt fast up in Prison where apparelled like an Eremit he led his Life altogether conformable to his Misery with such a kind of external Innocency as if he had been void of all hope or ambitious desire of a Kingdom but rather like a forlorn and unhappy wretch with vain Affliction and impious Devotion to prepare himself to a laudable and honourable Death But whilst he thus lived sequestred from all worldly Cogitations upon the discovery of the King his Brothers Rebellion he was in more than post hast sent for to Constantinople and put into the Gallies bound for Caffa with Letters to Osman of the tenour aforesaid Now in the mean time Osman had by cunning means got into his hands this Tartar King being as is reported betrayed by his own Counsellors corrupted by the Turks Gold whom with his two Sons Osman upon the receit of the aforesaid Letters from Amurath caused to be presently strangled with a Bow-string and Islan his younger Brother to be saluted King in his Place yet as Vassal to Amurath This shameful death the usual reward of the Turkish Friendship was thought justly to have hapned unto his Tartar King for that he long before supported by Amurath had most unnaturally deposed his aged Father from that Kingdom just revenge now prosecuting his so great Disloyalty Osman embarked himself at the forenamed Gallies at the Port of Caffa passing over the Euxine Sea and entering into the Thracian Bosphorus arrived at Constantinople where he was received with great Pomp and singular significations of good Love. But with most evident and express kinds of Joy was he saluted by Amurath himself when by his own Speech and Presence he declared unto him every particularity of the matters that had hapned in his long and important Voyage and in lively manner represented unto him the Perils and Travels that he had passed and the Conquests that he had made in Siâ—uan After all which Discourses Amurath who longed after nothing more than to see the Persian King somewhat bridled and the famous City of Tauris brought under his own Subjection began to enter into Conference with Osman about that Enterprise and in the end would needs know throughly of him what issue he could promise him of this his desire and in what
prosecuting of any further War which at that time was most necessary for the Turks to be avoided as well for want of Money in the common Treasury as for the exceeding scarcity of Victuals Now the Persian Prince having made an end of the Outroads and Spoils before-mentioned retired himself to Tauris and so towards his Fathers Camp where the rest of his Army was now arrived to the number of about forty thousand of whom the Prince dispatched away the Souldiers of Heri to the number of eight thousand under the conduct of the traiterous Aliculi Chan their General and part also of the Turcomans under the leading of Emanguli Chan with special charge That they should by the way in places of most advantage meet and receive the Enemies Army and in those narrow and troublesome Passages to do them what mischief they possible could Which the Prince thus appointed thinking by this means to weaken the Enemies Forces and so at their arrival at Tauris to come upon them with all his Power and so utterly to destroy them Both these Captains departed accordingly making shew that they would with all Affection accomplish the Commandment of their Prince yet never was there heard any service of moment put in Execution by them for Aliculi full of Treason after their departure began to alledge many forced Reasons and Excuses Why they should surcease from meeting with the Turks and Emanguli as yet utterly ignorant of the wicked Purposes and mischievous Treachery of Aliculi suffered himself to be misled by him also By the Delays and Negligence of these two Persian Captains the Turkish General took leisure without any loss or hinderance at all to arrive at Tauris and to put the desired Succours into the Fort at what time the Persian Prince by good hap had got Knowledge of the Treachery of Aliculi and of the Designments which many of the Sultans had lately contrived for the betraying of him alive into the hands of the Turkish General Of which Suspition he being greatly afraid durst not only not trust himself to perform those Battels that he had before determined to have performed but quite abandoning this noble and honourable enterprise wholly employed all his Care and Study for the safety of his own Person and so left the Triumph of the Matter in the Power of the Turks And thus those great Hopes and Expectations which the Persians had conceived of great Exploits to have been done against the Enemy did not only prove vain and come to no good issue but contrariwise by this discovery were converted into most strange Disturbances and all Persia thereby endured sundry Alterations and Revolutions of most important Consequences For both Aliculi Chan and his Complices were pursued by the Prince as Rebels and Traitors and also Abas Mirize of Heri was manifestly discovered for a wicked and treacherous contriver of his Brothers Death whereby the common Mischiefs were encreased more than ever they were before and the publick Calamities yielded greater hopes unto the Turks than they had ever before conceived in all the course of these Wars When Ferat had thus relieved them in the Castle of Tauris leaving for the Custody thereof Giaffer the Bassa with his former Companies he returned towards Erzirum having first caused a Fort to be erected at Curchive Tauris a Place near unto Tauris another at Coy and the third at Cum in every one of which Forts he left a convenient number of Souldiers with all things necessary and sufficient for their maintenance and defence of the Places they were to keep He sent also Succours to the Fort at Teflis in Georgia which they had long expected and now most joyfully received But the Persian Prince having hunted Aliculi Chan out of the quarters of Tauris thought himself now wholly delivered from the great fear of Treason and Rebellion wherein he of late lived and therefore in as great hast as he could put himself on his Journey towards Genge in which place having gathered together a good number of Souldiers he determined to remove thence to intercept the Succours that were by the Turks to be brought to Teflis Now he had always found Emanguli Chan to be both faithful and wise and in him he reposed an assured Confidence for performing any enterprise that he had in hand and communicated with him every Device that he had conceived in these Wars And therefore he made head and joyned with him and lodging most familiarly in his City he stayed there for the setting in order and disposing of his aforesaid Designment being very desirous not to let such an Opportunity to overslip without Signification unto the World of some notable Novelty which might be correspondent to the Fame that of matters passed and performed the year before was now spread and published abroad over all the World. But when he was even at the very fairest to have put this his desire in Execution and least of all feared any Treachery or Treason upon a sudden in the Night-time as he slept upon a Pallat he was miserably strucken through the Body by an Eunuch of his that attended upon him and so the most resplendent and bright lustre that ever shined in Persia was utterly extinguished What was the occasion thereof and who procured his Death divers and sundry are the Opinions of Men. Some think that his Brother Abas Mirize of Heri who had before conspired to have had him betrayed into the hands of the Turkish General had now by force of Money and Gifts induced the wicked Eunuch thereunto Others deemed it not to have been done without the privity of his Father as more desirous to prefer Abas Mirize his other Son unto the Kingdom Divers others do diversly reason of the matter so that to affirm of a certainty that thus or thus the Death of so worthy a Prince was procured were great rashness and therefore we leave it with the further process of the Persian State unto the further discovery of Time the antient Mother of Truth Notwithstanding the League betwixt the Christian Emperour Rodolph the second and Amurath the great Turk many sharp Skirmishes oftentimes fell out betwixt the Christians and the Turks upon the Frontiers of their Territories and Dominions especially in Hungary Croatia and Stiria as now in the latter end of this year 1586. in the Month of December the Turks after their insolent manner making an inrode into the Borders of Croatia received a notable overthrow by the Christians being in number much fewer where amongst others the Bassa of Bosna with his Brother was slain whose Head with certain Prisoners was sent to Vienna to Ernestus Arch-duke of Austria the Emperours Brother This Bassa of Bosna and his Brother slain in this Conflict as we have said are reported to have been the Sons of Muhamet the late great Visier by one of the Daughters of Selymus the second Amurath's Sister For divers years following Amurath did no great matter worth the Remembrance
assault to be given unto the City which the Turks from time to time renewing continued all that Day and the next Night with some part of the day following also without ceasing so that the Defendants now much weakened and they also that were left so wearied or wounded as that they were not well able to make any longer resistance and the County himself who gave as it were life unto them all being now also carried away dangerously hurt in the Thigh with a Musquet shot there was a sign of Parley given unto the Enemy which the Bassa granting and the Fury of the assault staid certain of the chief Captains and Commanders in the City going unto the Governour put him in mind of the weakness of the place of the force of the Enemy of the number of his most valiant men slain of the want of the Defendants They had as they said done enough for their Honour having endured so many and so great Assaults in a place not defencible and enough to discharge their Fidelity having holden it out to the uttermost of their Power That they could do no more than they had done being not relieved and that the same Bond which bound them to defend the place bound the Emperour also to relieve them seeing that otherwise it was not in their Power to maintain it That they had with the loss of their Lives and Blood shewed their Fidelity unto the Emperour no sufficient Army appearing from him according to his Promise for their Succour That to fight any longer was but to increase the Glory of their Enemies and their own Losses seeing that after they had done what they possibly could exposed to a thousand dangers they should nevertheless be vanquished and the City taken That the same Consideration which carried valiant Minds unto the Effects of Honour when they are relieved with hope dissuaded them being out of all hope of any happy end of their Troubles and to lose themselves to no purpose was as great a sign of Folly as to let slip a fair Opportunity was a sign of Cowardise That they were to expect nothing but extream Misery if the Enemy should again force them the breaches being so broad as whereby they might easily enter and their own best men slain that should keep them out And that therefore he should do well to come to some good Composition with the Enemy whilst they had yet something to yield up unto him and that he stood in some fear of them and not to expect whilst they were spoiled of all means either to resist him by force or to bind him by Courtesie nothing remaining for them in the place but death if they should obstinately stand to the defence thereof nor no way left to save their Lives but by yielding With these Perswasions the Governour moved came to a Parley with the Bassa being right glad thereof as well knowing that a Town besieged coming to a Parley year 1601 is commonly more than half woon and glad by any means to gain it for that thereof depended the assurance both of his Head and Honour where after some short talk it was agreed That the County should yield the Town into the Hands of the Bassa with all the great Ordnance and other warlike Munition therein and that the County with his Garrison should with Bag and Baggage in safety depart with their Arms by the Suburbs leading toward Rab and with a good Convoy in safety to be brought half way thither This Capitulation agreed upon and by the Bassa and the County signed every man assured himself of the Bassaes Faith and thereon rested But what Faith is to be expected from a faithless man Upon the first brute of this Composition yea and before it was altogether well concluded whilst the Merchants in the Town were seeking for Waggons to carry their Merchandise and the Souldiers for Horses to carry their Baggage the scarceness thereof bred a great Confusion and stir among the People as commonly it falleth out in things done in haste but especially where men for safeguard of their Lives in their flight for haste fall into a thousand Errors so whilst some in this hurly burly were quarreling about their Horses and Carriages and other some were opening the Gates to be gone others were as busie in robbing and pilfering the Baggages of their Captains and Companions miserable men who all appointed for a Prey unto the greedy and merciless Turks yet fell to preying one upon another Which Disorders encouraged the rest of the Souldiers to fall to Pillage also some loading themselves with such Goods as the Merchants had for lack of Carriages left behind them and other some even with the Goods of their own Captains which the Souldiers appointed for defence of the breaches seeing left their charge and came thronging into the Town and thrust themselves in amongst the Pilferers as if the Pillage of the Town had been unto them by triumphant Victory assured and that they themselves had been Victors and not men vanquished The Tartars lodged at the foot of the breach seeing it forsaken and without any great strength to defend it let not this Opportunity slip but pressing on without any great resistance entred the same and so in a trice full thirty thousand of them thrust into the Town and there surprised the vanquished Christians at once loaded with Prey Fear and Despair After whom even by the same Breach the Turks entered also to be Partakers of the spoil so that in a moment the Town was full of Enemies both Turks and Tartars The Turks beside the Booty they took themselves fell to quarrelling with the Tartars for some part of theirs and so long as there was any thing that might please their Eyes or fill their Hands they abstained from slaughter and bloodshed busying themselves with that which for the present was more for their Profit but the pillaging ceasing by reason there was no more to be had then the perfidious Wretches fell to massacring of the miserable Christians the Sword devouring all that they could light upon so that all the City flowed with Blood. Neither was there any end thereof until that by the coming in of the Bassa the slaughter was stayed by which means County Ysolan the late Governour with some other Captains and Souldiers were saved having escaped the Enemies Fury In this Massacre were slain 3000 Christian Souldiers beside others of the Citizens in number not few The Captains that were spared were led Prisoners to Constantinople there to be fed with the Bread of Tribulation and with them the County Ysolan for his Valour and noble Courage unworthy of so hard a Fortune Howbeit that he by lively and pregnant Reasons shewed both himself and the rest to be unjustly detained year 1602 as taken Prisoners contrary to the publick Faith unto them before given within the assurance of the Capitulation agreed upon with the Bassa and out of
breathing from War gave great Contentment unto the poor Country People now with Wars almost exhausted and spent And now our Souldiers during this time of Truce laying their Arms aside ran by heaps with Spades and Shovels unto the places where our Armies had sometime lain incamped there to delve and search to find such things as the Armiâ—s rising in haste had haply left there buried In which Action they so busied themselves as if they had been Labourers in Harvest so that nothing was in the Fields to be seen but Men digging and removing of Stones and Earth A right foolish Business and yet so exceedingly pleasing the greedy Minds of these covetous men as that amidst their such moiling labour they accounted themselves at great ease The Turks also did the like mingled together with our Men and our Men with them without any injury doing one to another either by word or Deed. And no doubt it is but that there they found more Travel than Wealth the greedy desire which drew them into this Work deceiving them in effect And in this mad Labour both the Parties spent many days without any let or injury doing either on the one side or the other The Christians of Pesth also passing over the Danuby went into the victualling Houses of the Turks at Buda whereinto they were suffered to enter and at liberty to walk up and down the Town at their Pleasure And so the Turks of Buda likewise came over the River unto Pesth and there walked at their pleasure no man letting of them Which manner of living was very commodious and pleasing both for the one side and the other the Christians buying of the Turks such things as they needed and the Turks of them likewise Through which quiet and peaceable Intercourse and Traffick the People in general seemed even in that short time to have forgotten a great part of their forepassed Miseries this little time of Peace joyned with security having well asswaged the same But while these mutual and unwonted Courtesies thus passed betwixt the Christians and the Turks and the minds of most men were filled with the expectation of an assured Peace to have been forthwith concluded the Great Sultan Mahomet in the midst of all his Pleasures and Delights died in his Imperial Palace at Constantinople the News whereof being in the Evening brought to Buda by a Courrier of purpose sent from Constantinople the Bassa forthwith sent the Captain of the Sentinels of Buda to Collonel Geisberg at Pesth to assure him of the Death of the Great Sultan Mahomet and of the Succession of his young Son Achmat into his Empire now already both at Constantinople and other Places thereabout proclaimed Emperour By which Messenger he also wrote unto Collonel Althem to certifie him both of the Death of the Great Sultan and of the Succession of his Son as also that he was by him commanded to continue the Negotiation of the Peace and so if he could to conclude the same For the more evidence whereof behold the Copy of the Letters themselves The Letters of the Bassa of Buda to Collonel Althem OVR due Commendations remembred noble Lord Governour our dear Friend and right honourable Neighbour We have thought good to advertise you that the fourth day after your departure from this City we received Letters from Constantinople giving us certainly to understand of the Death of our Most Mighty Emperour Mahomet and of the Succession of his Son Sultan Achmat into all his Dominions and Empires whereby we were as his most humble Subjects summoned to yield unto him our Oath of faithful Obedience as unto our rightful Lord and lawful Successor of his Father into all his Estates and Dominions Moreover he particularly commandeth â—s to give him certain Advice and Knowledge concerning the Negotiation of the Peace begun betwixt Vs and You by the Commandment of his deceased Father promising to confirm and ratifie all whatsoever he shall find done and agreed upon concerning that Business without any Qualification at all And that if the Treaty be not yet concluded and ended that his Will and Desire was that it should be so according to the just Means and Assurances that we should faithfully and carefully together devise Whereof I should readily give him Advice and Answer which I have deferred to do until I have received your Answer which may instruct me what to resolve upon Which your Answer I attending have stayed the Courrier of Constantinople to the intent he may carry backward unto our Emperour what he is to hope for concerning this Business by the Answer that you shall give us These are now therefore to advise you as our dear Friend and a most valiant Governour to set down that which you shall think to be most fit and necessary in this Business giving you withal to understand that our new Emperour is a man of Resolution even in these his young Years wherein he now flourisheth hating Idleness deeming no loss greater and altogether irreparable than the loss of time If then you be still desirous that the Peace betwixt our Emperours should be made and confirmed I hope you will employ your whole endeavour with speed to determine this most happy Negotiation and so necessary for every mans good as also to avert far from our own Heads the Curses of the common People for whom it is most needful that the Peace should for their good and quietness be concluded seeing that the Fruit thereof is expected to be unto them happy and the Glory thereof for ever ours for having by our diligence and true endeavour concluded the same Which maketh me to hope that when you shall find your self ready to conclude this Treaty you will not bring with you Men Enemies unto Peace or such as shall dissuade the same but rather wise and grave men which to the uttermost of their Power may advance the same and find out good and reasonable means to assure an eternal and faithful Peace betwixt our Emperours unto which so general a good every one of us is in duty bound to imploy the uttermost of his Sufficiency and Power And this is that I have of Truth to write unto you at this time and so I bid you farewel Now these Letters although they most concerned the Continuation of the Treaty of Peace already begun and were too friendly from an Enemy to have in them any good meaning yet did they well assure the Collonel to whom they were written of the Death of the great and late Sultan Mahomet and of the Succession of his Son Achmat into his Empire to which end they are here set down This late mighty Monarch and now nothing but a loathsome lump of dead Flesh the great Sultan Mahomet departed this Life about the latter end of Ianuary in the Year of Grace 1604 according to their Computation which begin the year at Christmas when he had lived about 44 years and thereof reigned eight He was a man of no
of Joy returned to Buda the Instruments of Musick Trumpets and Drums on every side sounding about them with much glee and as it were witnessing unto Heaven and Earth the great Contentment they had received And yet was all this fair shew nothing else but deep Dissimulation mixt with most foul Treachery for a little before their departure they of Pesth were advertised That the Turks in great number well appointed were come out from Buda to surprise Pesth during the time of the Feast being in hope that the Christians all busied in this Action had left the Walls of the Town unfurnished of defence But they too well acquainted with their Treacheries to put any trust or confidence in their fair shews had as well provided for the Defence and Safety of the Town as for the Magnificence of the Feast abroad By which means the Turks disappointed of their intended purpose were in the attempting thereof repulsed and so glad to return as they came back again to Buda The next day after the Commissioners for the Emperour complained unto the Bassa and the rest of the Turks Commissioners of this so treacherous dealing who excused themselves as altogether ignorant thereof disavowing the Action for want of Success which had it been effected they would to the uttermost have shamefully maintained An ordinary course among the Great with Speech and Countenance in shew to condemn that for want of effect which they in Heart and Mind could for their own Profit have wished to have been performed Nevertheless the Turks the next day as if no such thing had been meant requested the Christian Commissioners to come to Buda as they had done to Pesth but they as well by Proof as by Report perceiving the evil meaning of the Turks excusing themselves returned to Strigonium as loth any more to adventure themselves into the Power of their faithless Enemies yet left they Geisberg at Pesth with Commission to continue the Negotiation for Peace with the Bassa of Buda if he should find him thereunto disposed or any hope of bringing the Treaty to good effect or issue Mahomet the late Sultan had a little before his Death as is before declared set at Liberty the County Ysolan carried away Prisoner to Constantinople after the taking of Alba-Regalis and sent him with Letters of Credence to intreat of a Peace to be made with the Emperour with promise to yield himself again Prisoner if he failed to obtain the same for whom the French Ambassador became Pledge He having now delivered his Letters of Credence unto the Emperour and commanded to say what he had farther in charge declared That the Great Sultan offered to deliver unto his Majesty the strong Towns of Buda Alba-Regalis and Canisia in exchange of Transilvania and Valachia whereunto he laid claim promising on his part to make a most firm and sure Peace with the Emperour for the time to come and to give thereof such assurance as should of him reasonably be demanded The Bassa of Buda also amongst other the fair Remonstrances of Peace had offered unto the Emperour's Commissioners to restore Canisia and Agria for Pesth Hatwan and Vacia together with the Remission of all such Payments and Tributes as were by the Emperour due unto the Great Sultan for the Kingdom of Hungary All which fair Shews and Offers though much unreasonable were nothing but windy Words to delay the time and subtil Baits to deceive the Christians for the Event and Issue which giveth life to all Actions with a form unto them agreeable hath by Experience taught the Christians That all the glorious and glozing Proceedings of the Turks in this business of the Peace so much wished and expected of the Christians were but Nets and Snares wherewith to intangle them with the vain hope thereof until that they in the mean time might fortifie their Towns with new Supplies of Men Munition Victuals and whatsoever else was needful the more easily afterward to annoy them at their Pleasure and so to laugh at their Simplicity and light belief For Mahomet being dead and Achmat his Son yet by reason of his Minority under the Tuition of his Mother and other the great Bassaes succeeding in his Place the Turks aggravated the Conditions of the Peace and propounded them so far from reason as that any man might see them now to have no more desire or regard of Peace after that they had dispatched that for which they seemed before desirous thereof insomuch that they sent a Messenger in Post from Constantinople unto the Bassa of Buda to forbid him upon the pain of his Head any farther to continue the Treaty of Peace but forthwith to renew the War. So this Peace so much expected and now of the People generally holden for as good as concluded suddenly vanished into Smoak nothing remaining of that Body composed of so many Wishes more than a vain Expectation now dispersed with the Wind of the Turkish Treachery And yet during the time of this Negotiation for Peace sought for by the Turks both by often Letters and Messengers many a solemn Oath had passed both from the Sultan Mahomet and from the Visier Bassa for their faithful and sincere dealing in the Treaty thereof as By the God of Heaven and Earth By the Books of Moses By the Psalms of David and By the Holy Evangelists Oaths much used of Turks and reserved for their greatest Solemnities and strongest Assurances of their Leagues and Promises all which for all that having served but as Baits and Trains to beguile the simple and well-meaning men lay now neglected and unregarded such is the faith and assurance which men have from faithless and untrusty men The Treaty of Peace thus broken off it was forthwith by some bruited That Achmat the Great Sultan under the Conduct of the Visier Bassa his Governour was himself in Person with a most huge Army about to come into Hungary some others in the mean time reporting that he was letted so to do by reason of the Persian Wars whereunto he was of necessity to send the greatest part of his Forces so that he would but only send one of his great Bassaes with the remainder of his so great an Army against the Christians in Hungary being before sworn never to return again unto Constantinople until he had brought the Countries of Transilvania and Valachia with the remainder of Hungary under the Obeisance of the great Sultan together with the Country of Austria and especially the strong City of Vienna the end of the Turkish Emperours Conquests and that to this purpose the Grand Seignior had with great rigour in all places levied great sums of Money upon his Subjects for the maintenance of his so great an Army It was by others reported also That only the Preparations for so great an Army should be made this year the Turks being resolved to do much therewith the next year and therefore willing to bestow much in
September was by the Turks given over the thirteenth of October the Janizaries insolently threatning to have slain the great Bassa their General if he had there any longer stayed Basta the Emperour's Lieutenant in the mean time awaiting all Opportunities failed not to take hold of so fit an Occasion but with his Horsemen following after the Turks Army slew of them a great number and took some other of them Prisoners And afterward returning unto their Camp found it void of men but full of Bullets with certain pieces of great Ordnance which the Turks had left there having not time to remove the same to Buda Upon this rising of the Turks Army the Commanders thereof were diversly affected unto the service that was further to be done as they had before been in the time of the siege Such of them as lay in Hungary or near thereunto desiring still to hold the field in hope of the spoil of the Country but they which dwelt farther off especially such as were come out of Asia desiring as much to be discharged their Horâ—es being almost all dead with faintness and travel and they themselves weary of the service Shortly after the rising of the Turks Army from Strigonium two Fugitives of the Turks most bravely mounted came unto Basta the Emperours Lieutenant and presenting him with a Ring of great value and a most fair Turkish Ensign told him most part of the Turks Army to lye then incamped in the Country near unto Pesth and the great Cham a young Prince of about twenty years old to be come thither with a great Power of Tartars to aid the Bassa and that the Turks by their coming incouraged were determined yet to make a great excursion for the spoiling of the Country All which shortly after was certainly known to be true the plain Country of the upper Hungary about Palanka Setschin and Villecamp being by them but especially by these new come Tartars all spoiled and burnt For remedy whereof Sigefride Collonitz opposing himself with his Hungarian Horsemen against these insolent Forragers so daunted them that ceasing further to spoil the Country they departed carrying away with them such Prisoners and spoil as they had there taken and leaving behind them a strong Garrison of three thousand good Souldiers for the repairing and keeping of Pesth but a little before cowardly as we said forsaken by the Christians But within some few days after viz. the four and twentieth of October the Visier Bassa by his Letters written unto County Althem Governour of Strigonium made a mention for a Treaty of Peace to be had for the comfort of the distressed People of that spoiled Country solemnly protesting most religiously on his part to keep the same if it should be once concluded and yet in the mean time with Fire and Sword spoiling all the Country by the way as he departed out of Hungary But now as this poor Country began to feel Relief by the departure of the great Bassa with his Army out thereof so the Country of Transilvania joyning thereunto was at the same time as much with Rebellion and Discord distressed Bethlin Habor the Rebel with his Bassa overthrown and driven out of Transilvania as is aforesaid the Lord Belgiosa Basta's Lieutenant in this Province thinking all things now at quiet was making himself ready with his Troops to have gone to aid the Lord Basta his General then incamped in the Plains of Strigonium to hinder the Turks Designs for the taking of this Town But as he was about so to have done behold even at the same time when he least feared a second Rebel there started up far worse than the first namely the Lord Istivan otherwise sirnamed Botscay or more truly Potscay who accompanied with great Troops of Men of War under the Protection of the Turk and stiling himself by the Name of the Prince of Transilvania entering that Province miserably burnt and spoiled the same For the repressing of which so sudden a Rebellion Belgiosa with a thousand Horse under the leading of Roscovitz and Peter Lastâ— marched toward Veradin and with his Troop coming to Ador a Country Village about a League distant from Veradin and meaning thither to assemble together his Army he sent to Petsie Governour of Veradin to put him in mind of his Duty and to crave his aid Which valiant Captain always prest and ready to do his Prince Service failed not now of his Duty calling together six Companies of Foot-men out of Romosa and joyning unto them four Companies out of Veradin together with the Silesian Horse-men of Schuet-Kenhut's Regiment whom by reason of his Sickness he was not able to lead and with them the Haiducks of County Tambier came unto the Place of the Rendezvous bringing with him all warlike Provision in token of his Fidelity With this Army Belgiosa marched against the Rebels who as resolute men attended his coming for why Botscay knowing the Haiducks of County Tambier secretly to favour him and his Rebellion more than they did Belgiosa and his just Quarrels stood in no fear of them but assured himself of them as of his Friends who failed not of his hope and expectation but even at the first joyning of the Battel turned themselves to his part with the going over of whom the number of the Rebels was much increased and Belgiosa's Power both in Force and Courage much weakned seeing themselves at once exposed both unto the force of their Enemies and to the Treachery of their Fellows who now with conjoyned Forces most fiercely assailed them who finding themselves now on all sides invironed with so great a multitude and not able with so small a number as was left to withstand the violence of their Enemies and the Treason of their Companions after they had to the uttermost of their Power performed all the parts of valiant and courageous men were there almost all cut in pieces and there buried in the Field of their Loyalty honoured with their own Blood and altogether embrued with the Blood of their Enemies In this unlucky and disloyal Fight were divers good and faithful Captains slain Petsie Governour of Veradin and Pallas Lippa both great Captains and grievously wounded were there taken Prisoners The Lieutenant of Petsie also having retired himself with some of his Troops into a place of good Strength there so valiantly defended themselves that Botscay out of hope to overcome them by force to get them into his Power promised them upon his Oath if they would yield themselves to suffer them in safety to depart But what Trust or Credit is to be given to him who hath before broken his Faith and Loyalty to his Prince this Rebel well shewed by the Death of these valiant and warlike men who after that they had upon his Faith and Promise yielded themselves were by his appointment cruelly slain and cut in pieces The Silesian Horsemen were there also all overthrown and buried in
being forbidden them and to the Insolency of the Germans who there at their pleasure commanded over them Upon which two Points be stood much labouring with many Words to persuade the King thereof and afterwards requesting him of his gracious Goodness and of the care which he together with other Christian Princes had for the common quiet of the Christian Commonweal in general and especially of those two distressed Countries lying as it were even in the Enemies Mouth to enter into Consultation how the same Evils might be remedied and those so great Troubles again appeased and to the effecting of so good a work to put to his helping hand Whereunto the King answered That the friendship wherein Botscay offered to joyn with him being but the renewing of the ancient Amity betwixt the Countries of Polonia and Hungary to be unto him pleasing howbeit he could not for all that as he said well like of Botscay's Revolt from that House and Family whereunto he was himself so near adjoyned in Affinity promising yet nevertheless that he would propound the matter unto his Nobility to be farther considered of which when he had indeed done it was by common consent agreed That no Aid should be given out of Polonia unto Botscay or the Rebels and that whosoever should from thence afford him any Aid should therefore lose his Head. With wâ—ich answer the Ambassadours returned to Botscay much discontented being now with a great Power again returned out of Transilvania to Cassovia About this Time the Lord Russworm sometimes General of the Emperours Army against the Turks in Hungary a Man of great Note and Valour and of whom we have before much spoken at Prague falling into words and from words to blows with Francis Count Belioiosa his Brother and their Men taking their parts on both sides it fortuned the said Francis the Earls Brother being grievously wounded to be there slain Belioiosa himself being also in five places dangerously hurt who so hardly prosecuted the Death of his Brother against the Lord Russworm that within a while after he was therefore by the Emperour condemned and at Prague beheaded and divers of his Men hanged with such Weapons hanging at their heels as wherewith they had slain the said Francis the Earls Brother Now was the time of the year come when as the Turks great Armies were wont to be seen even in the heart of Hungary howbeit such were their Troubles in Asia both with the Persian and their own Rebels that they were not at liesure now to send such great Forces as they had before used into Hungary neither could the Christian Emperour on the other side now raise such a Power as he had in former times done to oppose against them and to hinder their proceedings The Hungarians themselves his greatest strength in those Wars were now generally revolted from him and for most part followed the Ensigns of the Rebel Botscay The Princes wont to send him aid both out of Italy and out of Germany now afforded him little or none at all and his mercinary Souldiers or want of pay were now almost every where up in Mutiny ready to forsake his Service and to pay themselves with the spoil of his Countries even unto the Gates of Vienna So that had not the Turks been so busied in the East but at liesure to have turned their whole Power into Hungary as oftentimes they had before done it is hardly to be imagined what should have letted them to have over-run not only that which remained of Hungary but even all Austria with some good part of Germany also the Emperours Preparations being then so small and his Forces so weak as that they were not able to hold the field against his own rebellious Subjects much less against so puissant and dreadful an Enemy But God which with his Word hath set bounds unto the raging Sea beâ—ond which it cannot pass and by whose Power Kings do reign and Princes bear rule had by other means averted the greatest part of the Turks Forces Eastwards so that Serdar Bassa Sultan Achmat's Lieutenant General for his Wars against the Christians came this year but with a right small Army in comparison of those which the Turkish Sultans were wont to send into Hungary Howbeit with such Forces as he brought and with such Supplies of the Rebels in Hungary as came unto him he being grown fifty thousand strong and out of fear of the Emperours Forces came the nine and twentieth day of August to Strigonium and with his Army part Turks part Tartars and part disloyal Christians encamped in the self same place where the Turks Army had but the year before lodged having brought with him forty great pieces of Batter with all things else necessary for the Siege Neither were the Turks sooner encamped but that the Tartars which came with them to the Siege after their wonted manner more desirous of Prey and Booty than of Honour and Victory passing over the River of Gran into the Territory of the Christians there spoiled and burnt all before them as they went. The Turks in the mean time to deprive the besieged of all relief to be sent unto them down the River of Danubius made a great Bridge of Boats over the River well fortified at both ends thereof on each side the River with a strong Corps de guard for the defence thereof so that nothing could that way pass to or from the besieged City Which things much dismaied them in the City seeing no Preparations to be made on the other side for their Defence or Relief yea Basta himself General of such small Forces as the Emperour had then seeing the Enemy so strong and himself so weak began greatly to doubt of the Event of this Siege and yet nevertheless resolutely set down to employ both his Valour and his Wisdom for the safeguard of the Place he during the time of the Siege failed not to the uttermost of his Power to shew the Effects both of the one and of the other And now the Turks assisted with the Hungarian Rebels had performed an Exploit upon the Isle of Strigonium as well to take the same from the Imperials as for the spoil and pillage thereof The Inhabitants there had still remained faithful unto the Service of the Emperour whom the Rebels for all that had oftentimes sought both by force and by perswasion to have removed from this their Loyalty and just devoir Within this Isle were 200 Haiducks returned agaâ—n to the Emperours Service who were joyned unto the Islanders for the better defence both of them and of the Island But the Rebels knowing well the Passages and Entrances into the Isle upon the sudden surprised the same and in it these poor Haiducks whom they cut all in pieces which loss caused Basta to resolve to send the Wallons he had in his Army into the Isle for the defence thereof Which they of the Island understanding made request unto the
other Articles whereas that was not inserted saying That the Sultan would faithfully perform those and no others pressing the Ambassador Negroni to sign them the which he refused to do so as Nassuf used some Threats to terrifie him but Negroni replied That he was in their Power and that in this case he had rather lose his Life and die gloriously for the good of his Masters Affairs than to have it taken from him at his return to Vienna with Shame and Infamy having signed those Articles Finally he promised to advertise his Imperial Majesty and to certifie them of his Pleasure which promise for this time ended the Contention In the beginning of this year Sultan Achmat after the Reception of the Persian Ambassador and the stately entry he made into Constantinople went to lie at Adrianople where his Janizaries and Spahies began to mutiny spurning at their Bread and Rice which was given them for their daily Entertainment and being dâ—manded the Reason of this their Insolency they answered that no Emperor before him had so carried out his Men in the depth of Winter which answer did much incense Nassuf Bassa This Visier was in such Credit with the Grand Seignior as during his abode at Adrianople he came three times in Person privately to visit him who grew so powerful over his Masters Affections as he obtained a priviledge That it might not be lawful for any Man to speak with the Grand Seignior privately but himself Being returned to Constantinople there happened a great Fire in which there were five hundred Houses burnt The Visier Nassuf coming to see it quenched and finding some Janizaries more careful to break open Locks and rifle Shops than to do any good Service he struck out the Brains of one of them with his Mace and brake the Arm of another It had been an ancient Custom in Constantinople that the owner of the House with all his Family where the Fire began should be put to death for their Negligence but it happening that the Emperours own Serail in the time of Mahomet Father to Achmat being set on fire Cicala Bassa presented a Petition unto him that this Custom might be abolished holding it unjust that other Men should be put to death and the same let pass in the Emperours own House whereunto he yielded holding it reasonable And soon after there happened another great Fire at which the Visier caused many of the Janizaries to be hanged finding them too busie in rifling Houses and he went up and down the Streets with his Scimitar in one Hand and a Janizaries Head in the other which he had cut off The Grad Seignior sent Holy Water unto the Visier wherein he had dipt a piece of Mahomets Garment the which being poured into the Fire the Turks said it ceased presently yet by the Report of visible Witnesses it burned four hours after The Grand Visier Nassuf was a cruel Enemy to the Janizaries of whom he sent sixteen thousand away into Asia and would not suffer any more to be made but only Spahies and over such Janizaries as remained be made his own Servants to be Churbagies and Agaes or Captains over fifties and hundreds fortifying himself by all the means he could devise against the future time to prevent his sudden Ruine but all this could not preserve him from a shameful fall as you shall hereafter hear In the mean time let us pass unto Affrick to observe the Troubles which fell in the Realms of Fez and Morocco the Quarrels betwixt Prince Xerif Muley Cidan and the Xerif Muley Achmet Ben-Abdalla his Nephew and the Victories of Cidan against Abdalla The Family of the Xerifs Princes of Fez and Morocco took its beginning some hundred and four years since from Mahomet Xerif born at Tigumedet in Dara at this present one of the Provinces of Morocco he was Alfaqui or Preacher of Mahomeâ—'s Law who seeing the Divisions betwixt the Soverign Princes of those Realms and that the Portugals had seized of the chief Forts of Morocco he began with three of his Sons Abdalla Hamet and Mahomet to lay the Foundation of a new Monarchy supported by three Pillars that is to say by a counterfeit Piety and disguised Religion upon a godly Pretext to make War against the Portugals Christians which were in Affrick and upon a passionate desire to retire the Mahometan Moors which were in their Pay to the end they might by that means weaken them and chase them with more ease out of the Territories of Morocco The King who at that time held the Scepter of Fez seeing nothing but the out-side of the Xerifs Designs suffered his three Sons to display their Standard against the Christian Portugals in the Realm of Morocco Innovations and Novelties are commonly pleasing to the common People At this beginning these three Leaders were followed by a great number of Souldiers they vanquished in many Encounters and the bruit of their new Victories flying into the Realm of Morocco retired the Moors from the Portugals Service whom they defeated soon after with their Commander Lopes Bariga True it is that it was to their loss for Abdalla the eldest of these three Brethren lost his Life in this Combate But they seised upon the great Town of Taradente in the Province of Sus and of the Provinces of Herra Idevaca Vbidevaca Cus Guzule and in a manner of the whole Country betwixt Morocco and Mount Atlas settling their Principality in Taradente whereas the Xerif their Father carried the Name of the Governour of the Province of Sus. The King of Morocco fearing the Greatness of these new Conquerours dissembled the desire he had to bring them under assuring himself that Time would present him some good occasion so suffered them to enter into Morocco but they prevented him they took away his Life by Poyson and seised upon his Realm The King of Fez who had by an indiscreet Simplicity suffered them to take Arms and by that means to open the way to a great Fortune he saw a far off the Tempest of these unjust Spoilers to fall upon Morocco and other Places The fear of the like Calamity did much afflict his Mind but the Xerifs entertained this idle Prince with fair shews they abused his Bounty and with the fourth part of the rich Spoils which they had taken in so many Towns and Provinces they lull his distrust asleep moreover they send him the Tribute due for the Realm of Morocco Hamet takes upon him the Name of King of Morocco Mahomet that of King of Sus in the Town of Taradente and by a good Intelligence betwixt them they make themselves fearful to all those Countries so as they have nothing more to fear than the Threats and Vengeance of Heaven They then began to contemn the King of Fez and plainly to deny the Tribute of Morocco pretending for their Reason that they were issued from the Line of Mahomet This Contempt made the King of Fez to
willed them to sit down by him telling them that he was sent from Heaven to purge the World from evil and to prepare the Law of God to expel Cydan out of his Kingdom and to restore Peace unto the World wherefore he advised them not to have any commerce with Cydan nor to assist him in any sort They observed many marks upon his body he had one blue Tooth all the rest being white Hair upon either Shoulder a red Circle in the Palm of his right-hand and the proportion of a Spur upon his right foot Having gotten some Victories against Cydan and taken the Town of Morocco in the end his devillish Art failing him he was slain as you have heard Such were the Affairs of Africk in the Realms of Fez and Morocco But in Algier a wonderful drought had caused cruel Combustions it had so devoured the fruits of the Earth before their Maturity as there followed a wonderful Famine throughout the whole Land. The Turks attributed the cause of their Misery sometimes to their Sins then to the coming of the Moors who had been expelled out of Spain as a pernicious Vermin and sometimes to the licentiousness of Christians which lived in those Places Wherefore in the beginning of May this Year the Judge of the Town ordained That all the Turks should make their devout Prayers to Mahomet their Prophet to obtain Rain so necessary in that Country that the Moors should depart the Town within three days upon pain of death and that all the Christians as well free as bond-slaves should cause their Heads and their Beards to be shaven this was speedily executed for the Turks Decrees require a prompt Obedience But the miserable Moors which could not get out of Algier within their three days prefixed detained either by Sickness or some other Impediment were all cut in pieces For thirteen days there was nothing seen within the Town but Processions of Turks without Turbants crying and howling after their manner to obtain Rain from their false Prophet but he which commands Sovereignty over times from whose hand proceeds fair Weather and Rain and which makes the Earth fruitful held the Pipes of Heaven yet stopped to open them at more religious and holy Vows than the superstitious Clamours of these Infidels For Bernard Murroy of the Order of the Redemption of Captives hearing that the Turks meant to revenge their Miseries upon them and to ruine a little Chappel which the Christian Slaves had in the Prison for the pious Exercises of their Religion obtained by the means of Bius Consul of the French in Algier permission from the Dovan or Turkish Judge to make Processions and to pray unto God to send them the dew of Heaven which was so necessary for them All the Christian Slaves which were Prisoners continued their Devotions for the space of five days but on the fourth day being the Eighth of May there fell such abundance of Rain upon Algier as these poor Christians seeing their Prayers heard in the midst of the Enemies of their Faith gave infinite Thanks unto God for his great Mercy and Grace These miserable Christian Slaves were still detained in Irons and cruel Servitude by this Accident This Murroy of the Order of the Redemption of Captives accompanied with two others of the same Order had redeemed to the number of one hundred thirty and six but when he was ready to embarque them their evil Fortune would have it that the Gallies of Genoa running along that Coast landed some men near unto Algier where they took the Bassa's Son of that Town with many other Turks and amongst this number a Virgin of Algier of a very noble Family and of as rare a Beauty for the misery of these Slaves for that when as the Bassa's Son and the others were redeemed by a Frigot which the Father had sent the fair Algerian Virgin was still detained by a Captain of the Genowayes who had retired to Calvy an Island adjoyning there to satisfie his Desires with more ease upon the frail and fading perfection of this fair Slave which had deprived him of his Liberty In the mean time the Bassa of Algier seeing his Son returned with the other Turks and not the Algerian Virgin commanded that the hundred thirty and six Slaves should be put again into Irons with the three religious men which had redeemed them Thus this feminine Beauty or rather the Passion of this Genoways who holds the Possession so dear makes a great number of Christian Souls to suffer by insupportable Servitude howsoever they of his Nation flattering his disordered lust say that his Desire to win her to God and to make her a Christian caused him to keep her so carefully These suffered in Algier the loss of their Liberty but a Capuchen Friar a Florentine by Nation endured at Tunes the loss of his Life by the Cruelty of the Moors chased out of Spain and retired into those Countries This religious Man being a Slave among the Turks attended daily from Florence or from some other place money to redeem his Liberty but it happened one day disputing in a Barbers House with a Morisque concerning Christian Religion the Zeal of his Faith transported him so far as to say among divers Turks That his Religion was better than that of Mahomet's These Words took criminously in that place were reported by the Morisques to the Cadi or Judge of the Town whom they prest with such horrible Clamours and Cries as he pronounced Sentence of Death against this Capuchen He was delivered unto them and they stripped him naked leading him with Infamy through Tunes some spitting in his Face others casting Dirt at him and so they led him out of the Town where they tied him unto a Post and they being cruelly incensed by a Speech which a Morrabour or religious Turk said unto them That he among them that gave him not one Blow with a Stone should be no good Turk stoned him to death where afterwards they burnt his Body and threw the Ashes into the Wind. The Martyrdom of this Capuchen was followed by the constant Confession amidst the violence of Torments of a penitent Renegado a Florentine by Nation and Captain of the chief Gally of Chio Four French-men being Slaves in the Island of Chio in the Patron or chief Gally belonging to the Bey or Governour of the Island they resolved to recover their Liberty with the hazard of their Lives to return into France and carry into some Port of Christendome that Gally being the best appointed in the whole Haven They drew unto their Party the Captain which commanded being a Florentine Renegado Their Enterprise should have been executed when as they should go to Land to cut Wood. But whether that the Scribe were treacherous to his Companions or transported with some rash Indiscretion being on Land he spake these Words aloud the which overthrew both the design and them that projected it Ho
many Places and a certain Arabian had revolted against him and usurped the Title of King having drawn unto his party fifty thousand Rebels the which did over-run and spoil the Country which yielded Obedience unto him threatning his Dominions with a greater Ruine Moreover the Portugals and Spaniards had made many Incursions upon his Places joyning to the Red-Sea and had taken and spoiled Aden a Place of importance so as all these Disorders hastened his return into Thrace to send Forces against his Turkish Rebels and his Spanish Enemies But approaching near unto the Imperial City of Constantinople the Plague was so violent as he stayed at Adrianople until the end of this year when as that horrible Contagion ceased He then came unto the City whereas he made a very stately entry before him there marched his ordinary Guard of five and twenty or thirty thousand Janizaries all the Bassaes of the Court followed him in very great Pomp and before him there marched on Horseback two of his Sons the Pillars and hope of his Affairs the eldest being about seven or eight years old Passing before the Mosques the Talismans or Priests of his Law made Sacrifices in his Presence for his Prosperity they slew Sheep and Oxen upon Altars erected for that purpose then they cut them in pieces and gave them unto the People The Grand Seignior being returned to Constantinople after the great Plague notwithstanding the Turks hold a firm Opinion of Predestination and that they shall not die before their appointed time and that the time of their Death is written in their Fore-heads yet apprehending the Infection by the Advice of some about him he commanded all the Dogs in the City of Constantinople to be transported unto Scutary in Asia a Town antiently called Chrisopolis and for the due Execution thereof every Housholder was to bring his Dog first to the Cadi which is the Judge of the Place and to receive from him a Tuscary or Ticket for his Passage or else he was to pay four Chequines by which means there were transported to the number of fifty thousand Dogs The reason of his sending them away was for that reading the Acts of his Father he found that thirty years before he had sent away all the Dogs for fear of the Infection The Sultan commanded allowance of Bread and Flesh to be carried every day to sustain them which not sufficing the Inhabitants were much oppressed and ready to fall into Mutiny but by the Advice of his Muphti they were at length transported from thence to an Island that was not inhabited some sixteen miles from Constantinople where they all perished Before their sending away the Grand Seignior had propounded to his Muphti to have them all slain who made answer That every Dog had a Soul and therefore it was not fit to kill them The Turks are wonderful glad when they win any one to their Religion and seek by all means to seduce Men either by Force or by fair Perswasion whereof you may see an assured Proof by a Jew who being turned Turk soon after buying of Grapes of another Turk fell at variance with him about the weighing of his Grapes from words they fell to blows and the Jew-Turk beat the other which he endured very patiently to encourage him as it seemed in his new Religion Soon after another Jew came to the Turk who had been beaten and demanded of him why he had suffered himself to be so abused Who answered You shall beat me as much if you will turn Musulman so zealous they are to win Proselites This year in October the Turks observing their Feasts of Bairan which is our Easter the which they observe twice a year a Turk having drunk Wine too freely the drinking whereof is forbidden amongst them although they love it well and drink in private was apprehended and carried before the Grand Visier who seeing the fact verified inflicted this Punishment upon him to have boiling Lead poured into his Mouth and Ears the which was speedily executed Bethlem Gabor as you have heard was seated quietly in the Principality of Transilvania the Sultan supported him and had sent Sarder Bassa with an Army against Gabriel Battori who was then in Possession but weak both of Men Money and Friends he was not able to make head against them so as being abandoned of his Friends and hated of his Subjects for his Tyranny he grew into despair and was slain by his own Souldiers Whereupon the Country yielding Obedience to Gabor Sarder Bassa retired out of Transilvania with his Turks Yet afterwards some neerly allied to Battori desiring to revenge his death caused some alterations and others seeking to get the Province from the Emperour had surprised Hust and other Places in his Name The Sultan hearing this wrote his Letters to the Noblemen and States of the Province They were not ignorant he said that since the time that Transilvania yielded obedience to his Predecessors and him they had always lived in peace under his Protection and had often desired and obtained Succour against their Enemies That when as Botscay had been annoied by the Germans assisting him with great Forces he had shaken off the Yoke That when as Battori his Successor had lived after his own Will they sent Bethlem Gabor with Complaints to his Court by their general consent and did easily obtain Forces to free the Province from Tyranny He being taken away now a wished day began to shine the Clouds of Tribulation being all dispersed That he had held Bethlem worthy to succeed Battori and to enjoy that Province Wherefore he had commanded all the Noblemen to submit themselves unto him and to enjoy a wished Peace That Bethlem had sent to advertise him of the new Practices of the Germans wherefore he had given charge to the Bassaes of Temeswar and Agria and to the Prince of Valachia to be watchful to repell all these Injuries admonishing the Noblemen to yield speedy Obedience to Bethlem to which end he had sent them those Letters that upon the sight thereof they might be admonished of their Duties and if the Germans should attempt any thing they should make resistance until the coming of his Forces and following Bethlem in all things they should acknowledge him for their true and lawful Prince and continue constant in their Fidelity lest they should provoke his wrath against them and draw upon themselves some great misery writing much more to the like effect concluding That he had fully purposed and resolved not to spoil any one Village or any Fort in Transilvania nor to do any wrong to any man nor suffer it to be done by any other but would defend that Province from all oppression Wherefore he would have the Emperour advertised that if he meant to have the Peace inviolably kept he should cause the said Places of Transilvania to be presently restored unto the Prince or signifie his mind unto him by Letters Of
concluded betwixt them and afterwards concluded at Prague where among other Articles it was concluded that forasmuch as Necessity did chiefly require that a Peace should be concluded and inviolably kept with the Turk therefore a new Ambassie should be sent to the Grand Seignior from all the confederate Kingdoms and Provinces and that Bethlem Gabor should take upon him the chief care of that business but yet in such sort as the Bohemians and incorporated Provinces should send their Ambassadors with the Hungarians and bear their shares of all that should be disbursed as well for the Presents as for the Ambassadors Charges In Iune following Bethlem Gabor went to an Assembly of the Estates of Hungary at Neuhusal where he propounded divers heads unto the States That he desired nothing more than to restore the Kingdom of Hungary so miserably afflicted to Liberty and that they might enjoy their Religion and Priviledges That he had spared no cost for the lawful defence of the Country and for a Testimony that he desired Peace he had refused the Crown which the Estates offered him at Presburg That the ground of Peace was to maintain the League which they had begun with the Bohemians That he had always desired Peace with the help of other Princes so as it were sincere and without Fraud or Deceit for the obtaining whereof he had assisted his Confederates miserably afflicted That he knew for certain the Emperour desired not Peace but War having suffered the Cossacks to enter into Hungary and to spoil many Places with Fire and Sword and denied passage for the Ambassadors of Bohemia and Austria for this cause they were not now to treat of Peace but of War and to consult how it might be begun and maintained for the levying of Money which is the sinews of War for the furnishing of their Forts upon the Frontiers and for the speedy sending of Ambassadors to the Turkish Emperour lest being engaged in an intestine War there might be some attempts made upon those bordering Forts Having delivered his Mind unto the Estates there came divers Ambassadors thither from Bohemia Austria Silesia and Lusatia Venice Poland and Turky The Venetian Ambassador was content their Common-wealth should enter into the League and the Turk made offer to conclude a perpetual League with them On the five and twentieth day of August Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania was proclaimed King of Hungary by the Palatine at the instance of the Turkish Ambassador and with the consent and applause of most part of the Estates of the Country After which he levied a great Army of thirty some say fifty thousand Horse and Foot and made many Ensigns with divers Emblems and Devices which being known the Protestants of Vienna with the Consent of the Emperour wrote unto him humbly entreating him to spare the City and Country for their innocent Wives and Childrens sakes but in the mean time all the Citizens were commanded to make Provision of Victuals for six Months There came News to Constantinople of a strange Apparition or Vision which was seen at Medina Talnabi in Arabia whereas Mahomet their great Prophet was buried to visit whose Tomb the Turks use to go in Pilgrimage but they must first go to Mecha which is some few days Journey off and there they take a Ticket from the Grand Seigniors Beglerbeg else they are not allowed to go to Medina This Vision continued three Weeks together which terrified the whole Country for that no Man could discover the truth thereof About the twentieth of September there fell so great a Tempest and so fearful a Thunder about Midnight as the Heavens were darkned and those that were awake almost distracted but the Vapours being dispersed and the Element clear the People might read in Arabian Characters these words in the Firmament O why will you believe in Lies Between two and three in the Morning there was seen a Woman in white compassed about with the Sun having a cheerful Countenance and holding in her Hand a Book coming from the North-west opposite against her were Armies of Turks Persians Arabians and other Mahometans ranged in order of Battel and ready to charge her but she kept her standing and only opened the Book at the sight whereof these Armies fled and presently all the Lamps about Mahomets Tomb went out for as soon as ever the Vision vanished which was commonly an hour before Sun rising a murmuring Wind was heard whereunto they imputed the extinguishing of the Lamps The antient Pilgrims of Mahomets Race who after they have visited this Place never use to cut their Hair were much amazed for that they could not conceive the meaning of this Vision only one of the Deruices which is a strict religious order amongst the Turks like unto the Capuchins among the Papists and live in contemplation stepped up very boldly and made a Speech unto the Company which incensed them much against him so as this poor Priest for his plain dealing lost his Life as you shall hear The sum of his Speech was this That the World had never but three true Religions every one of which had a Prophet first God chose the Jews and did Wonders for them in Aegypt and brought them forth by their Prophet Moses who prescribed them a Law wherein he would have maintained them if they had not been obstinate and rebellious and fallen to Idolatry whereupon he gave them over and scattered them upon the face of the Earth Then presently after he raised a new Prophet who taught the Christian Religion This good man the Jews condemned and crucified for a seducer of the People not moved with the Piety of his Life his great Miracles not his Doctrine Yet after his Death the preaching of a few Fishermen did so move the Hearts of Men as the greatest Monarchs of the World bowed to his very Title and yielded to the command of his Ministers But it seems they grew as corrupt as the Iews their Church being dismembred with the distinction of the East and West committing Idolatry again by setting up of Images with many other idle Ceremonies beside the corruption of their Lives so as God was weary of them too and not only sent divisions among them but forsook them dispossessing them of their chiefest Cities Hierusalem and Constantinople yet God is still the Governour of the World and provides himself of another Prophet and People raising our great Mahomet and giving way to our Nation so as no doubt we shall be happy for ever if we can serve this God aright and take Example by the fall of others But alas I tremble to speak it we have erred in every point and wilfully broken our first Institutions so as God hath manifested his Wrath by many evident signs and tokens keeping our Prophet from us who prefixed a time to return with all happiness to his People so as there are now forty years past by our account Wherefore this strange and fearful Vision
his two Sons Ali his eldest he ordered with twelve thousand Men a thousand of which were Maronites and two thousand Druzes to march to Saphet for hindering the conjunction of the Emirs of Feruc and Therabith and the Pasha's of Gaza and Damascus whose Forces being joined together did not compose a greater Number than that of Facardin Ali entercountring with them and being a brisk and hot-metled Prince engaged and charged them so whom that he defeated them and killed eight thousand of their Men but such a Victory as this not costing him less than seven thousand of his Men was in effect his own Overthrow for being the next day charged again by the Enemy both sides fought with that obstinacy that as is reported there remained not above an hundred forty six of all the Souldiers which followed Ali and he himself having his Horse mortally wounded under him and being out of Breath Weary and Faint yielded himself to a common Souldier who promised him Quarter but afterwards having him in his power he strangled him with his March and cut off his Head and his little Finger on which he wore his Seal-Ring and so presented both to the Pasha But this proud Conquerour refused to accept this Present without Ceremony until first the Head had been perfumed with Sweet Waters the Beard combed out and covered with a rich Turbant and having kept this Trophy for some days by him he sent it afterwards to Constantinople But before the News of this Defeat reached the Ears of old Facardin the Captain-Pasha with his Fleet of Gallies arrived at the Port of Tripoli to whom Facardin being desirous to shew all Friendship and profess Loyalty to the Grand Sâ—gnior he caused his Army to retire into the Parts of Mount Libanus whilst he himself with about three thousand Men between Domestick Servants and his Guards went to Seida from whence he sent two Caramosauls laden with Provisions and Refreshment to the Captain-Pasha for a Present assuring him that he was an humble Vassal to the Grand Signior and was ready to obey all his Commands and because the Sultan may probably have received sinister Reports relating to the Arms he had taken up he assured him that they were no otherwise designed than to suppress the Robberies of the Arabs and the Incursions of their Kings and that he was ready to conduct his Army to any Place where his Master the Grand Signior should think fit to employ them But these fair words could not divert the Captain-Pasha from his Resolutions to enter the Port of Seida nor from his Instructions of demanding and upon refusal of forcing possession of the Castle which as it was the most considerable Fortress and the most pleasant Seat of all his Dominions so he could not without much regret and sorrow hearken to such a Proposition wherefore that the Pasha might not persist in this Demand he secretly proffered him an hundred thousand Zechins as a Bribe to himself and his Son Mansour to be carried for a Hostage and Earnest of his Faithfulness to the Grand Signior The Captain-Pasha liked well the hundred thousand Zechins and the Hostages but still required the Surrender of the Castle with them on which whilst Facardin deliberated News came of the Death of his Son Ali and the Destruction of his Army with which losing all Courage he yielded his Castle of Seida to the Captain-Pasha retiring himself to his City of Barut nor could he rest quietly at that Place for being pursued he was forced to quit it and retire with his Maronites and Druzes into the Mountains lest being inclosed within the Walls of a City he should fall alive into the Hands of his Enemies And now all good Fortune forsaking unhappy Facardin the Maronites and Druzes his Subjects revolt to the Pasha of Damascus his Palaces and Gardens of Pleasure were all ruined his Friends forsook him his two remaining Sons were lost one carried to Constantinople for a Hostage and the other slain in Fight his Towns of Gazir Saphet St. Iohn d' Acria and others were surrendred to the Pasha of Damascus only some few strong Places in the Mountains remained to him where living in League with Reba a King of the Arabs he committed all the Spoils he was able on the Lands belonging to the Pasha of Damascus But being hunted from one Mountain to another and from one Cave to another he was at length forced to surrender upon Conditions that he should have liberty to proceed unto the Grand Signior with his own Equipage of three hundred Men and Trumpets sounding and that he might carry with him all his Treasure consisting of a Million of Zechins all in Gold together with other Riches which were carried by fourteen Camels and that he should not be conducted as a Prisoner in Triumph but that he should with freedom approach the Presence of the Sultan like other Pasha's who are in Grace and Favour These Proposals being granted Facardin with his two young Sons began his Journey to Constantinople and being about two days journey from thence he dispatched eight Chests of Gold before him to prepare and make his way to the Grand Signior who being pleased with the Gold and greatly rejoyced to receive the Submission and Homage of one who had so long stood out in Rebellion he went out in a Disguise and Habit of a Pasha to see and discourse with that Person of whom there had been so general a Rumor and having accordingly encountred with the Emir he sate down in his Tent with him desiring him to relate the Story of his Life with the several Particulars of his late Misfortunes Emir Facardin well knew the Person of the Grand Signior but feigning as if he was unacquainted with whom he discoursed and that he took him for some Pasha began to recount the Course of his Life the Reasons why his Enemies falsely suggested evil Reports of him to the Grand Signior how he was forced for defence of his Life to take up Arms and what ill Success accompanied his Affairs all which he represented with such Quickness and Eloquence that the Grand Signior pitying his Misfortunes promised to be his Advocate and mediate with the Grand Signior in his behalf The day following Facardâ—n made his Entry in a Triumphant manner and received a most favourable Audience from the Grand Signior and all the Pasha's and great Men in conformity to their Master and in hopes of sharing some part of his Gold shewed him a like kind favourable Countenance and Aspect But finding afterwards that Facardin increased daily in the esteem of the Grand Signior and that the old Rebel was become a new Favourite and that he was likely to over-top and out them they generally conspired together taking the Mufti on their side to accuse him of many Crimes and more particularly that he was a Christian and an Apostate from the Mahometan Faith. This Point of Religion so sensibly touched the Grand Signior that
and Honour The Turks excited with a desire to welcome the new Guests made three desperate and furious Assaults on this Fort but were with equal Valour repulsed by the Defendants at which Disgrace and Foil being highly enraged they resolved on a fourth Attempt which they pursued with that Courage and Success that the Venetians were forced to give way to their Violence with the slaughter almost of all those which defended this Fort until the Cavaliers of Malta who having no greater Glory nor readier Will than to spill their Blood for the Christian Cause rallied all the Force they were able and made so prosperous an Attaque upon the Fort that they recovered it again with the Blood and Destruction of all those who defended it year 1650. but they enjoyed it not long before the Turks regained it with the like success and slaughter which variety of Fortune the Venetians being sensible of and that they could not bear such costly Interchanges with the Turks had recourse to their ultimate Remedy of Mines which succeeded so happily that the whole Fort was carried into the Air and therewith two thousand good Souldiers of the Turks with which Destruction and other Repulses in divers places they were so weakned and discouraged that they raised the Siege on the fifth of October new Stile In this Interim the Tartar Han called the Krim demanded the Guardianship of the young Sultan as of right belonging unto him but the Council answered hereunto That their Master was already in better Hands than those into which they desired to transfer him and that his Grandmother and the Divan wanted neither Wisdom nor Fidelity to direct his Affairs with which answer the Tartar being forced to remain satisfied was able to revenge himself no farther than by exciting the Cossacks to infest the Seas which gave some diversion to those Arms which otherwise had all been employed against the Venetians But these Designs from Tartary did little trouble the Council in comparison of that Spirit of Discord which was arisen between the Spahees and the Janisaries for both Parties being emulous of each others Greatness endeavoured on all Occasions to elevate their Chief Commanders to the highest and most profitable Places of the Empire which Dissention touching the principal Ministers of State who were all engaged on the one side or the other administred great Troubles and retarded the execution and success of all the grand Designs of the Empire Nor was it of less importance and dishonour to the Divan that their Fleet was hindred passage by the Venetians who blocked up the Mouth of the Dardanelles whereby all intercourse with Candia was interrupted but being resolved to remove this Obstacle they commanded the Captain-Pasha to force his Passage which he accordingly performing was so warmly received that he quickly lost two Gallies and after much Blood and loss on both sides was forced at length to retire again within the Streights But what was of worse consequence to the Turks was the inveterate Discord between the Spahees and Janisaries who having been unadvisedly embarked promiscuously together came oftentimes to Words and then to Blows which ended not without the Blood and Death of divers of each party These mischiefs increased the rage which the Turks at Constantinople conceived against the Venetians who were all thereupon not excepting the Bailo Soranzo nor his Secretary Ballarino interdicted the Territories of the Grand Signior and sent back into their own Country The Captain-Pasha that he might be in a capacity to make a second Attempt to force his passage sent to Constantinople for new Recruits when News came that the Siege of Candia was raised and that the Turks had lost the Fort of St. Theodoro which so angred the Spirit of the Queen-mother against the Vizier that she immediately deposed him from his Charge and therewith had taken away his Life had not the Faction of the Janisaries protected him in this Extremity The Pasha of Buda was introduced into his place a Person of a turbulent and ambitious Spirit who to increase his Favour with his Mistress the Sultana evidenced his Heat and Zeal against the Venetians and to that end sent immediately express Orders to the Pasha of Bosna to invest Clissa with all the Power he was able and therewith he presented him with a Cimeter and a Halter the former to be his Reward in case of good Success and the latter to be his Punishment in case of Misfortune But this furious Vizier continued not so long as to experience the Issue of this Command for he was in a few days laid aside and Chusaein Pasha the General of Candia was placed in his stead howsoever his Orders were to remain with the Army by which means much Emulation and Contest was prevented which might otherwise have happened between the Spahees and Janisaries at the Election of a new Vizier and thereby all excuses taken from the Souldiery of absence from the War who could now pretend nothing of Reason to withdraw themselves on score of attendance on the Vizier's Person and to supply his Authority at the Regal Court a Chimacam was substituted to administer Justice in place of the Vizier which is usual on such Occasions Notwithstanding all which Affairs succeeded not extraordinary well for the Turks in Candia for being straitned for Provisions in Canea by the near approach of the Christians the Turks were forced to make a Diversion by appearing in great Troops before Candia which they were enabled to do by the Supplies they had lately received with the arrival of their Fleet of Gallies for the Winter Season approaching the Venetians were constrained to abandon their station before the Dardanelles and to leave the Passage open for the Enemy And so this Year ended rather with Advantage than Disgrace to the Christians ANNO 1651. WIth these great Succours and Supplies sent to Candia by the Turks Affairs must necessarily have succeeded prosperously to their Designs had not intestine Discords at Home interrupted their proceedings which arose from a Jealousy and Emulation between the Grandmother and Mother of the young Sultan For each of them pretending to the tuition or guardianship of the Emperor during his Minority divers Parties and Factions formed at Constantinople from whence all that Trouble and Combustion arose which we have at large related in the third Chapter of the Present State of the Ottoman Empire So that now it was no time to talk to the Souldiers or People of a War in Candia For the first thought themselves engaged to contrive a Settlement and Determination of Disputes at Home and the latter being irritated with a new Tax laid on them for want of Mony in the Treasury exclaimed and talked loud and at length instead of paying broke out into open Rebellion which by assistance of the Souldiery was appeased under no less Terms than the Death of several principal Ministers of State. During these Divisions the Venetians had time to arm out a very considerable
blood to men as well as sap and moisture unto Vegetables These Reasons being represented with all humility to the Grand Signior he seemed to rest satisfied and his heat of visiting Adrianople for the present allayed And in the mean time that the design against Germany might be the more covertly carried it was given out that the preparations were intended against the Venetian Territories in Dalmatia viz. Zara Sebenico and Cataro and Proclamation was made that all Souldiers should prepare themselves for the Wars against the next Spring In which Interim no accident intervening which might bring matters to an accommodation and better understanding the daily Skirmishes on the Frontiers made the Controversie every day more difficult to be reconciled and the breach the wider The Count Serini also proceeded in finishing the Fortification he had lately raised near Canisia and the other Commanders of the Cesarean Army seeing the great progress of the Turks in Transilvania secured Claudiopolis Somoswar Sechilhid Clewar alias Coloswar and Betlem with some other Towns and Fortresses The Turks on the other side under the Command of Ali Pasha penetrate into the very Center of Transilvania and conceiving a jealousie of War from the passages before mentioned lost no time to take their advantages so that the Pasha of Varadin not contenting himself with that Country and limits formerly prescribed for maintenance of his Fortress adjoined to his Jurisdiction what Villages and Towns he thought fit the whilst the poor Prince Michael Apafi though made by the Turks durst not lift a hand or interpose the least Obstacle or Impediment to his quiet progress or peaceable possession which so harrassed the People of the Country and wrought that misery and destruction therein that the Prince deprived of his power in Government and disabled by oppression to pay his Annual Tribute had no hopes of redress but from the assistance of Divine Providence governing the hearts of Christians and Turks to compassionate the misery of his Country Wherefore he craved the assistance of the Emperor and of the King of Poland acquainting other Christian Princes more remote of the sad estate of the Christian Cause he sent also his Ambassadors to the Port with most submissive Letters to the Vizier complaining against the Pasha of Varadin and craving his Commands for retirement of his Army within their due and ancient bounds Letters were also directed to the Publick Representatives of Christian Princes residing at Constantinople one of which was directed to the Earl of Winchelsea his Majesties Ambassador which being that which may conduce to the more full understanding of the present deplorable Condition of Transilvania I thought fit to be here mentioned Excellentissime Domine Amice observandissime AFflictiones Regni Transilvaniae quibus per complures annos justo Dei Iudicio castigatur toti Orbi Christiano manifestae sunt nec possumus non fateri inter duos Potentissimos Monarchas adeo indies hoc Regâ—um coangustari ut nisi extraordinaria Dei clementia aliquod subsequatur levamen vix immo ne vix quidem diu duraturum credamâ—s Sed ut ad rem proximius collimemus Potentissimus Imperator per Legatos Regni nostros nunc reduces Clementissimum suum patrocinium pollicetur interim autem Passa Varadinensis non contentus Villis ac Pagis ad dictam Arcem pertinentibus usque ad meditullium plane Transilvaniae metu Mortis integras ad deditionem cogit Regiones quae nunquam eidem Arci applicatae fuerant nec possible est Principatum Transilvaniae iis ademptis ulterius persistere Tributumque annuum persolvere posse Qua de re tam Potentissimum Imperatorem quam Supremum Vezirium denuo requirere cogimur vestram quocirca Excellentissimam Dominationem confidenter rogamus eo quo convenientius putaverit modo continuo nostro Oratori opitulari eaque qua pollet Authoritate Caâ—sam promovere ne gravetur rem non saltem Transilvaniae verum quoque Christianitati perutilem factura nosque ad vincula amicitiae arctissâ—me devinctura cui felicem vitam precamur manemus indubitati Datum in Castris ad Pagum Koozard positis die 26 Septembris An. Dom. 1662. Excellentissimae Dominationis vestrae Amicus Benevolus Michael Apafi In English thus Most Excâ—llent Lord and most worthy Friend THe Miseries of Transilvania with which for many years by the just Judgment of God we have been afflicted are manifest to all the Christian World nor can we but confess how between two most Potent Monarchs our Principality is so daily straitned that unless through the extraordinary Mercy of God we obtain some relief we believe not our selves longer able to subsist But to come nearer to our Business The Most Potent Emperor by his own Ambassadors and ours now lately returned hath promised us his most Gracious Protection yet notwithstanding the Pasha of Varadin not content with the Towns and Villages appropriated unto his Castle hath entered into the very middle of Transilvania and hath compelled for fear of death those Provinces entirely to yield themselves which never before were belonging to his Fortresses which being taken away it is impossible for the Principality of Transilvania longer to subsist and pay its annual Tribute wherefore we are constrained again to beseech the most Potent Emperor and the Supream Vizier as also we confidently desire your Excellency in that manner which your Excellency judges most convenient to be assistant to our Agent and with your Authority to countenance our Cause in which your Excelleney will not only perform a matter beneficial to Transilvania but to all Christendom and oblige us for ever with the Bonds of friendship and praying for all happiness of Life and Prosperity to your Excellency we remain your undoubted Friend Given in our Camp at the Village Koczard the five and twentieth day of September 1662. Your Excellencies Loving Friend Michael Apafi This Letter was received by His Majesties Ambassador with that humanity as was agreeable to his Noble Nature and with that sense of the Christian Cause as became a Religious Minister of the Faith's Defender and an Answer returned thereunto full of affectionate Piety and Compassion But it was feared that the time was elapsed and the Disease proceeded too far to admit a gentle Cure for it could not probably be expected that the Vizier should upon fair words or perswasions or by the force of passionate and Rhetorical expressions be induced to let slip the fair opportunity of an intire and total subjection of Transilvania And the truth is herein lay the ground of the great Quarral between these two Emperors for ever since the Defeat of Chimianus or as the Transilvanians call him Kemenius the Turk swallowing in his thoughts the intire subjection of that Country designed to reduce it to the Government of a Pasha rather than of a Christian Prince though elected at the Ottomon Port and in order thereunto advanced beyond the Limits of the ancient bounds and
as other Nations who leave a sufficient number behind to cultivate their Country and perform all other Offices and Imployments in a Common-wealth But these making their chief livelihood and subsistence on the prey and robberies they make on their Neighbours as many as resolve to eat Bread and live who are men not old or impotent able to bear Arms betake themselves to their Horse and Bow so that when their Army is abroad their Towns and Villages are only inhabited and defended by their Women But the Turk whose desires are never satisfied with reasons or withstood by words or with any thing besides the execution of his Commands dispatched another Message more full of threats and resolution than formerly carried by the Embrahor or Master of the G. Signiors Horse menacing nothing but Fire and Sword and Destruction to the Han and his Country if he longer delayed to perform his Duty But by this time the Harvest being almost gathered and their fears against the Cossacks partly extinguished the Tartar promised with all expedition an Army of Seventy Thousand men under the Conduct of the Prince his eldest Son who whilst they were putting themselves in order and assembling for the War reports were murmured as if the Turks were in a Treaty of Peace with the Emperoor and matters in a fair likelihood of composure At this news the common Souldiers amongst the Tartars were not a little startled fearing that they who are free Booters and have no other pay than their purchase should by such a Treaty be forced to return empty and therefore before they would proceed sent to advise the Sultan of these their fears supplicating him that if he should think fit to conclude a Peace and so oblige them to return into their own Country that be would not take it amiss if upon their march home they should make themselves good upon his Subjects of Moldavia and Valachia whose persons and Estates they resolved to carry with them as a just prey and recompence for their loss of time and labour The Sultan who sets a small value on the Lives and Estâ—tes of his Christian Subjects judged this Proposition but reasonable so long as upon these terms he might obtain the benefit of the Tartars assistance who are the best Horse to forage destroy and make desolate a Country The Story of Asan Aga the Mosayp or Favourite and other instances of the uncertainty of the Turkish Richess and Glory THE Great Vizier being by this time arrived on the Frontiers with a very considerable Army the G. Signior at Adrianople continued his usual pleasures in Hunting Riding throwing of the Gerit or Dart and in other pastimes and sports of this nature at which time casting his Eyes upon one Asan Aga a sprightly youth of his Seraglio a Polonian by Nation to be more forward and active than any of his Court took an affection to him so sudden and violent as might be judged neither well founded nor long durable for the Grand Signior having heard that there were examples amongst the Emperors his Predecessors not only in the absence but in the presence also of the Vizier of maintaining and constituting a Favourite in Turkish called Mosayp did own publickly the Election of this person for his Friend and Companion so that this Minion was on a sudden so highly ingratiated in the favour of his Prince that he always rode equal with him Cloathed as rich and mounted as well as the Sultan himself as if he had been his Coadjutor or Companion in the Empire The Queen Mother the Kuzlier Aga and other rich Eunuchs of the Seraglio the Chimacams of Adrianople and Constantinople with all the Great Officers and principal Ministers were commanded to make Presents of Money Jewels and other Sacrifices to this rising Sun whom now every one so courted and adored that he became the only talk and admiration of the whole Town no other discourse there was but of Asan Chelabei Asan the fine accomplisht Gentleman Asan the only Creature of Fortune and Idol of the whole World. This high and sudden promotion of this Youth greatly displeased the Queen Mother Kuzlier Aga who had Creatures of their own to perfer and by their means became the Envy and Emulation of the whole Court so that there wanted not such who posted the news to the Vizier as him on whom the growing greatness of Asan might have the most dangerous reflection But the Vizier duly considering that the deep impressions this Youth had made in the affections of his Master were not to be removed by plain dealing but by some more occult Artifice and dissimulation took occasion to write to the Grand Signior in favour of Asan Aga extolling the prudence of his choice of so compleat and hopeful a Youth for his Favourite but that it was pity so pregnant parts as â—hose with which Asan was endued fit to promote his Masters Service and Interest should be Encloistred and Buried in the softness and delights of his Seraglio and thereâ—ore his Counsel was to have him preferred to some government and degree of a Pasha to which his Abilities and Education in the Nursery and Discipline of the Court had abundantly accomplished him Pessimum genus inimicorum laudantes Nor were the Queen Mother and Kuzlier Aga all this time wanting in their contrivance to undermine him but not with a design spun with so fine a Thread professing themselves openly his Adversaries For which Courtly Policy the Vizier only received a check and some few verbal reproofs for intermedling with what so nearly concerned his Masters Fancy and Affection But the Kuzlier Aga was by one word from Asan whom he had discovered to be his Enemy deprived of his Office and had therewith lost his Life had not the Queen Mother powerfully interceded for him and gained an exchange of his punishment from death to banishment in Grand Cairo in Aegypt The Baltagibashee also who is the Captain of that part of the Grand Signiors Guard who carry Hatchets and are empyloyed in cutting Wood for the use of the Seraglio being discovered to be a Confederate in the same Plot against the Favourite was condemned to the same punishment and immediately both of them dispeeded away to the place where they were to spend the remainder of their days Grand Cairo hath always been the place of Banishment for unfortunate Courtiers or rather of such who have with much greatness plenty and contentment sometimes enjoyed the Fruit of their great Richess gained in the Sun-shine and summer of their Princes favour To this City also was this Kuzlier Aga exiled who in the enjoyment of his Office for several years had amassed a most vast Wealth incredible to be spoken and much to be wondred that a Negro whose hue and person is contemptible amongst all whom God hath created of a Colour different from those who partake more of Light and are of nearer similitude with the Sun and Nature
sustained on either part shall be quiet taken away and forgotten and this Peace shall be in fâ—ll force and vertue and continue for ever And for all Depredations and Damages that shall hereafter be Committed or done by either side before Notice can be given of this Peace full satisfaction be immediately made And whatsoever remains in kind shall instantly be restored XXIII That whatsoever shall happen hereafter that any thing is done or committed by the Ships or Subjects of either side contrary to any of these Articles Satisfaction being Demanded therefore shall be made to the full and without any manner of Delay and that it shall not be Lawful to break this Peace unless such satisfaction be denyed and our Faith shall be our Faith and our word our word and whosoever shall be the Cause of the breaking of this Peace shall assuredly be punished with present Death Confirmed and Sealed in the Presents of Almighty God the fifth day of March Old Stile and in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ one thousand six hundred seventy five Being the last day of the Moon Zelheldga and the year of the Hegeira on thousand and eighty six WHereas there were several Articles of Peace and Commerce between the most Serene and Mighty Prince Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of Great-Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Christian Faith c. And the most Illustrious Lords Halil Bassa Ibraim Dei Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary lately made and concluded by the said Lords on the one part And by Sir John Narbrough Knight Admiral of his said Serene Majesties Fleet in the Mediterranean Seas on the other part and by them confirmed and Sealed in the Presence of Almighty God the fifth day of March Old Stile And in the year of our Lord Iesus Christ 1675 6 being the last day of the Moon Zelhedga And the year of the Hegeira 1086. Since which time of Confirming and Sealing the aforesaid Articles of Peace and Commerce The aforesaid Lord Ibraim Dei being fled away from the Government of the City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary Now we Halil Bassa Aga Divan Governors Souldiers and People of the aforesaid City and Kingdom of Tripoly have Choosen and Elected Vice Admiral Mustapha Grande to be Dei of the aforesaid City and Kingdom of Tripoly to succeed Ibraim Dei in the aforesaid Government And now we Halil Bassa Aga Divan and Governors Souldiers and People of Tripoly aforesaid having seen the aforesaid Articles of Peace and Commerce which were lately made and concluded as aforesaid And having seriously perus'd and fully considered all particulars therein mentioned Do fully approve of all and every the aforesaid Articles of Peace and we and every one of us do now by these presents consent and agree to and with Sir John Narbrough Knight aforesaid for the just and exact keeping and performing of the said Articles And do accept approve ratifie and confirm all and every of them in the same manner and form as they are incerted and repeated in the preceding Articles aforesaid hereby firmly engaging our selves and successors assuring on our faith sacredly to maintain and strictly to observe perform and keep inviolably all and every the aforesaid Article and Articles of Peace and Agreements for ever And to cause and require all our Subjects and people of what degree or quality whatsoever within the City or Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary or Dominions thereunto belonging both by Sea and Land punctually inviolably carefully and duly to observe keep and perform all and every the aforesaid Article and Articles thereof for ever And our Faith shall be our Faith and our word our word and whosoever shall at any time violate and break any part of the said Article or Articles of Peace they shall be assuredly punished with greatest severity and his or their heads shall be immediately cut off and forthwith be presented unto any Officer whom the most Serene King of Great Britain c. shall Authorize to make Demand thereof It is further agreed that the Subjects belonging unto the most serene King of Great Britain c. Trading unto the Port of the City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary aforesaid or to any Port or Place of the Dominions thereunto belonging in any Merchants Ship or other Vessel belonging to the said Serene Kings Subjects shall not pay so much Custom by one per Cent. for whatsoever Goods or Merchandize they sell or buy as other Nations do for the Customs of the like Goods or Merchandize notwithstanding whatsoever is Specified in the Second Article aforesaid to the contrary And that the most Serene King of Great Britains Consul residing in Tripoly aforesaid shall have Liberty at all times when he pleaseth to put up his said Serene Majesties Flag on the Flag-staff on the Top of his House and thereto continue it spread as long time as he pleaseth likewise the said Consul to have the same Liberty of puâ—ting up and spreading the said Flag in his Boat when he passeth on the Water and no Man whatsoever to Oppose Molest Disturb or Injury him therein either by Word or Deed. These and all other preceding Articles are to remain firm for ever without any alteration and in all other particulars not mentioned in any of these Articles the Regulation shall be according to the Capitulation general with the Grand Signior Confirmed likewise and Sealed in the Presence of Almighty God at our Castle in the noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary the first day of May Old Stile and in the year of our Lord Iesus Christ 1676 being the twenty sixth day of the Moon Zaphire and the year of the Hegeira 1080. Halil Bassa's Seal Mustapha Dei's Seal Aga's Seal Ally Admiral 's Seal A True Coppy Examined out of Sir John Narbroughs Thomas Fowler HAving thus related the original cause proceedings and conclusion of our War with Tripoly Let us Travel to Tunis which though since the year 1655 hath ever maintained Peace with England yet the civil dissentions among themselves have administred unto us Subject of discourse and more especially since it hath some relation to Hoffse-bey whom formerly we named as Mediator of the Peace between Us and Tripoly On the sixth of September 1675. Morat Bei General of all the Land Forces in the Kingdom of Tunis dyed the most Politick and Popular Person that ever mannaged that Office his Sons Ciddi Mehmet and Ciddi Ali by the general approbation and consent of the Souldiery joyntly succeeding him in that charge But the ambition of these two young Gallants would admit no union in the Government the Elder would know no equal and the younger no superior so that it was necessary for one to govern or both to be laid aside the decision of which was referred to a full Assembly of the Turks In the mean time Hoffsey-bey Brother to Morat deceased and Uncle to the two
with Women in Turkey is but strange and unfamiliar yet not to be guilty of this discourtesie I shall to the best of my information write a short Account of these Captivated Ladies how they are treated immured educated and prepared for the great Atchievements of the Sultan's Affection and as in other Stories the Knight consumes himself with Combats Watching and Penance to acquire the love of one fair Damsel here an Army of Virgins make it the only study and business of their Life to obtain the single nodd of invitation to the Bed of their great Master The Reader then must know that this Assembly of fair Women for it is probable there is no other in the Seraglio are commonly Prizes of the Sword taken at Sea and at Land as far fetched as the Turk commands or the wandring Tartar makes his Incursions composed almost of as many Nations as there are Countries of the World none of which are esteemed worthy of this Preferment unless Beautiful and undoubted Virgins As the Pages before mentioned are divided into two Chambers so likewise are these Maids into two Odaes where they are to work sew and embroider and are there lodged on Safawes every one with her Bed apart between every five of which is a Kadun or grave Matron laid to oversee and hear what Actions or Discourse passes either immodest or undecent Besides this School they have their Chambers for Musick and Dancing for acquiring a handsome Air in their carriage and comportment to which they are most diligent and intent as that which opens the Door of the Sultan's Affections and introduces them into Preferment and Esteem Out of these the Queen-Mother chuses her Court and orderly draws from the Schools such as she marks out for the most Beauteous Facetious or most corresponding with the harmony of her own Disposition and prefers them to a â—ear attendance on her Person or to other Offices of her Court. These are always richly attired and adorned with all sorts of precious Stones fit to receive the Addresses and Amours of the Sultan over them is placed the Kadun Kahia or Mother of the Maids who is careful to correct any Immodest or light Behaviour amongst them and instructs them in all the Rules and Orders of the Court. When the Grand Signior is pleased to dally with a certain number of these Ladies in the Garâ—en Helvet is cry'd which rings through all the Seraglio at which word all People withdraw themselves at a distance and Eunuchs are placed at every Avenue it being at that time death to approach near those Walls Here the Women strive with their Dances Songs and Discourse to make themselves Mistresses of the Grand Signior's Affection and then let themselves loose to all kind of lasciviousness and wanton Carriage acquitting themselves as much of all respect to Majesty as they do to Modesty When the Grand Signior resolves to chuse himself a Bed-fellow he retires into the Lodgings of his Women where according to the Story in every place reported when the Turkish Seraglio falls into Discourse the Damsels being ranged in order by the Mother of the Maids he throws his Handkerchief to her where his eye and fancy best directs it being a Token of her election to his Bed. The surprised Virgin snatches at this Prize and good Fortune with that eagerness that she is ravished with the Joy before she is deflowered by the Sultan and kneeling down first kisses the Handkerchief and then puts it in her Bosom when immediately she is congratulated by all the Ladies of the Court for the great Honour and Favour she hath received And after she hath been first washed bathed and perfumed she is adorned with Jewels and what other Attire can make her appear Glorious and Beautiful she is conducted at Night with Musick and Songs of her Companions chanting before her to the Bed-chamber of the Sultan at the Door of which attends some Favourite Eunuch who upon her approaching gives Advice to the Grand Signior and permission being given her to enter in she comes running and kneels before him and sometimes enters in at the Feet of the Bed according to the ancient Ceremony or otherwise as he chances to like her is taken in a nearer way with the Embraces of the Grand Signior This private Entertainment being ended she is delivered to the care of the Kadan Kahia or Mother of the Maids by whom she is again conducted back with the same Musick as before and having first washed and bathed hath afterwards the lodging and attendants that belongs to Hunkiar Asa-kisi that is the Royal Concubine if it be her good Fortune to conceive and bring forth a Son she is called Hasaki Sultana and is honoured with a solemn Coronation and Crowned with a small Coronet of Gold beset with precious Stones Other Ladies who produce like Fruits from the Grand Signior's Bed have not yet the like Honour but only the Name of Bash Hasaki Inkingi Hasaki the first and second Concubine and so forward The Daughters that are born from the Grand Signior are oftentimes at four or five years of Age wedded to some great Pasha or Beglerbeg with all the Pomp and Solemnities of Marriage who from that time hath care of her Education to provide a Palace for her Court and to maintain her with that State and Honour as becomes the Dignity of a Daughter to the Sultan At this tenderness of Age Sultan Ibrahim Father of the present Grand Signior married three of his Daughters one of which called Gheaher Han Sultan hath had already five Husbands and yet as is reported by the World remains a Virgin the last Husband deceased was Ishmael Pasha who was slain in the passage of the River Raab and is now again married to Gurgi Mahomet Pasha of Buda a Man of 90 Years of Age but rich and able to maintain the greatness of her Court though not to comply with the youthfulness of her Bed to which he is a stranger like the rest of her preceding Husbands After the death of the Grand Signior the Mothers of Daughters have liberty to come forth from the Seraglio and marry with any Person of Quality but those who have brought forth Sons are transplanted to the old Seraglio where they pass a retired Life without Redemption unless the Son of any of those Mothers by death of the first Heir succeeding release his Mother from that Restraint and make her sharer with him in all his Happiness and Glory CHAP. X. Of the Agiam-Oglans WE have hitherto spoken of the Ichoglans or Pages Mutes Dwarfs Eunuchs and the Feminine Court it will now be necessary to speak of the under Officers and Servants called Agiam-Oglans who are designed to the meaner Uses of the Seraglio These are also Captives taken in War or bought of the Tartar but most commonly the Sons of Christians taken from their Parents at the Age of ten or twelve Years in whom appearing more strength of Body than of Mind they are
the commandment of his Brother Selymus strangled 542 b. Achomates the great Bassa appeaseth the Souldiers up in Arms for the unworthy death of Mustapha 516 a. his miserable end 517 a. Achmat the great Sultan crowned 837 b his disposition 839 a. sick of the small pox 845 a. contemneth good counsel ib. b. his first son born 857 b. seeketh in vain to make peace with the Persian 881 a. makes Gambolat General of his Army into Asia and suddenly commandeth him to be slain 897 a. his extreme severity 905 b. beats his Sultana 907 b. in danger to be slain by a Deruice 908 a. cometh in state to Constantinople 912 a. admonisheth the Transilvanians to obey Gabor 920 b. commands all the Christians to be slain 933 b. entertains four Armies 942 b. his death and disposition 943 b. Adom Castle abandoned by the Haiducks 820 b. Agria in vain besieged by the Turks 511 b yielded unto Mahomet the Third 767 a. Aladin the son of Kei-Husreu of the Selzuccian Family driven out of Persia seiseth upon Cilicia 54 a. Aladin his Modesty about the division of his Father Othomans Inheritance and Goods with his Brother Orchanes 125 a. Aladin the Caramanian King hanged 144 a. Aladin Amurath's eldest Son slain with a fall from his Horse 197 a. Alba-Regalis yielded to King Ferdinand 472 b. besieged by Solyman 500 a b. the lake and ditches with incredible labor filled up by the Turks ib. b. the suburbs won ib. b. the miserable slaughter of the Christians in their â—light 501 a. yielded unto Solyman 501 b. besieged by Duke Mercurie 793 a. the suburbs of the City surprised by Lord Russworm ib. b. the City taken by the Christians ib. b. besieged by the Turks 799 b. terribly assaulted 800 a. won by the Turks ib. b. Alba-Regalis the suburbs by the Christians sacked and burnt 820 a. Aladeules his Kingdom 353 a. the battel betwixt him and Selymus ib. b. he flyeth into the Mountains ib. b. taken by Sinan Bassa and brought to Selymus is put to death 354 a. his head sent to Venice for a present and his Kingdom brought into the form of a Province ib. a. Albuchomar discovereth unto Selymus the power of Tomombeius and the treason intented by them of Caire 372 a. Aleppo in Syria betrayed and taken from the Christians by Saladin Sultan of Damasco 43 a. by the Tartars taken from the Turks and by them sacked and rased 79 b. by Cayerbeius the Traitor delivered to Selymus 361 a. Alessandro the Georgian submitteth himself unto Mustapha 660 b. Alexius the great President of Constantinople committed to Prison 32 b. his Eyes put out by the commandment of Andronicus ib. b. Alexius Comnenus otherwise called Prophyrogenitus succeedeth his Father Emanuel in the Empire 30 b. by the practice of Andronicus is deprived of his Empire and strangled 35 b. Alexius the young Prince craveth Aid of Philip the Emperour and the Latine Princes against his Vncle the Vsurper 54 a. cometh to the Army of the Christian Princes going towards the Holy Land 55 a. arriveth with a great fleet of the Latins before Constantinople ib. b. taketh land and after a hot skirmish forceth the old Tyrant Alexius to â—lie out of the City ib. b. seeketh to bring the Latins again into the City 56 b is betrayed and strangled by Murzufle 57 a. Alexius Philantropenus by Andronicus the Emperour made Governour of the frontiers of his Empire in Asia against the Turks 103 a aspireth ib. b. betrayed hath his Eyes put out ib. b. Alexius Strategopulus with a small power sent into Graecia by the Emperour Michael Palaeologus by the treason of two Greeks taketh the City of Constantinople from the Latins 80 b. 81 a. Alexander proclaimed Prince of Moldavia 930 a. sendeth Ambassadors to Sultan Achmat ib. a. another to Prince Michna 931 a a third to Bethlem Gabor ib. b. 800 of his Souldiers slain by their hosts for their Insolency 932 b. he receiveth new Aids some whereof are defeated 932 b. 933 a. treacherously forsaken by his General 936 b he and his confederates invironed by the Turks Army 937 b. taken Prisoner and carried to Constantinople 938 b. Algiers described 486 a. in vain besieged by Charles the Emperour ib. a. Aliculi Chan taken 668 a. in hope of liberty conducted Hassan Bassa through the straight passages of Georgia ib. b. cast in prison at Erzirum ib. b. escapeth from Ferat 685 b. by the Persian King to the great discontentment of the Turcomans made Governour of Tauris 686 a. killeth the Bassa of Maras and doth the Turks great harm and so flieth from Tauris 698 b. conspireth with Abas Mirize against the Persian Prince 704 a. being by the Prince sent against the Turks performeth nothing 705 a. Alis Bassa with a great Army overthrown by Scanderbeg 196 b. Alis Bassa sent by Bajazet with an Army ouâ— of Europe against Techellis slain 323 a. Alis Beg and his four Sons treacherously slain by Ferat Bassa 404 b. Alis Bassa of Buda by the commandment of Amurath strangled 706 b. Alis Beg Governour of Strigonium coming down into the lower Town is there stayed by the Ianizaries 748 a. his resolute answer unto the Message sent him from the Lord Palfi 750 a. slain with a great shot 757 a. Almericus Earl of Joppa after the death of his Brother Baldwin chosen the sixth King of Jerusalem 39 a. with a puissant Army entereth Egypt and in plain battel overthroweth Dargan the Sultan ib. a aideth Sanar the Sultan against Saracon Noradins General whom he overthroweth in Egypt ib. b. taketh Alexandria 40 a. winneth Pelusium ib a. dieth 41 a. b. Aloysius Grittus the Duke of Venice's Son sent by Solyman as his Lieutenant into Hungary to oversee King John 426 a. contemned by Americus causeth him to be murthered 427 b. besieged by the Transilvanians 428 a. taken and beheaded ib. b. the great Riches found about him ib. b. Alphonsus King of Naples sendeth aid unto Scanderbeg 252 a. with Alexander Bishop of Rome craveth aid of Bajazet the Turk against Charles the French King 307 a. Alphonsus resigneth his Kingdom of Naples unto his Son Ferdinand 309 a. Alphonsus Daualus Vastius Lieutenant-General of the Emperour's Land-forces in his Expedition for Tunes 441 a. his Speech unto the Spanish Captains 443 b. commandeth the Emperour 448 a. with Hannbaldus sent Ambassadors from the Emperour and the French King to the State of Venice for a confederation betwixt that State and them to be made against Solyman 468 a. his Oration in the Venetian Senate the Answer of the Duke the Senators diversly affected towards the Confederation 466 b. Alteration of Religion in the Greek Church the cause of great troubles 100 b. Althems Regiment in mutiny 841 a. Altensol yielded to the Hungarian Rebels 873 a. Amesa with his Turks overthrown and taken prisoner by Scanderbeg 249 a. Amesa employed by his Vncle Scanderbeg for the recovery of Croia out of the hands of the Turks 183 b
b. joyneth a great and mortal battel with Tamerlane 151 a. forsaken of his own Souldiers ib. b. overthrown and taken Prisoner by Axalla 152 a. brought to Tamerlane ib. shut up in an Iron Cage like a beast ib. b. dieth miserably 157 a. his issue as also his immediate Successor uncertain 159 a. his true posterity 159. b. Bajazet the Second excluded from the succession in the Turkish Empire by his Son Corcutus commeth to Constantinople 297 b. by the mediation of the Great Bassaes obtaineth the Kingdom of Corcutus 298 a. goeth against his Brother Zemes up in Rebellion against him ib. a. in doubt to have been betrayed by his Souldiers 300 a. reviled by the Ianizaries 302 a. putteth some of them to death 302 b. purposeth their utter destruction 303 a. glad to dissemble his purpose and to reconcile himself unto them ib. a. sendeth Dautius his Ambassador to Alexander Bishop of Rome 307 a. glad to hear that divers of the Christian Princes had combined themselves against the French King 310 b. in danger to have been slain by a Deruislar or Turkish Monk 315. b. Bajazet by nature peaceable ib. b. his Children 324 b. sendeth Ambassadors with presents unto his Son Selymus 327 a. seeking to prefer Achomates his eldest Son to the Empire himself yet living is mightily withstood by the Souldiers of the Court before corrupted by Selymus ib. b. he forbiddeth Selymus to come unto him and threatneth him 328. b. fearing to lose Constantinople departeth from Hadrianople ib. b. his resolute speech unto the Ianizaries and other Souldiers of the Court 338 a. in plain battel overcometh his Son Selymus at Tzurulum 331. a. willing the second time to have resigned his Empire to Achomates is again withstood by his men of War 332 a. his resolute answer unto Mustapha and the other traiterous Bassaes after that Selymus was by their practise by the Souldiers of the Court saluted Emperour 337 a. poysoned by Hamon his Physitian a Iew ib. b. dieth 338 a. Bajazet Solyman's younger Son seeketh to aspire unto the Empire his Father yet living 519 a. setteth up a counterfeit Mustapha to make an head to his intended rebellion ib. a. the subtile and crafty dealing of the supposed Mustapha to deceive the People ib. a. forsaken of his followers is taken and brought to Solyman at Constantinople 520 a. secretly with his complices drowned Bajazet sent for by his Father goeth unto him in fear ib. b. in few words comforted by his Mother 521 a. sharply for his disloyalty reproved by his Father and so by him pardoned ib. a. returneth again to his charge ib. b. after the death of Roxolana his Mother raiseth new stirs ib. b. admonished of his duty by his father 521 b. unwilling to go to Amasia the Province appointed him by his Father seeketh delays 522 a. by a Chiaus requesteth his Father not to intermeddle betwixt his Brother and him 523 a. making shew as if he would go to Amasia stayeth at Ancyra and there raiseth his forces ib. b. his quarrel generally favoured of the Souldiers 524 a. his purpose ib a. he goeth against his Brother towards Iconium ib. a. fighteth a bloody Battel with his Brother Selymus wherein were forty thousand Turks slain ib. b. put to the worse retireth and so goeth to Amasia ib. b. more commended by the Souldiers in his overthrow than was his Brother in his Victory ib. b. seeketh again for his Father's favour 525 b. despairing thereof flyeth into Persia deceiving by the way the Basa of Sebastia and Erzirum 526 a. at the first well entertained by the Persian King 527 a. his Followers by the cunning of the fearful Persian dispersed and slain ib. b. he himself with his Sons imprisoned ib. b. his miserable estate in Prison 528 b. with his four Sons at the instance of his Father by the Persian strangled 529 a. Bajazer Bassa sent by Amurath against Mustapha the Rebel forsaken of his Souldiers yieldeth 173 a. upon a false surmise executed ib. b. Baldwin County of Edessa and Brother to Godfrey second King of Jerusalem 18 a. winneth Caesaria from the Infidels ib. a. overthroweth the Turks hard by Rama ib. a. besiegeth Ptolemais and in retiring thence is mortally wounded ib. b. besiegeth it again and hath it by composition yielded unto him ib. b. after many sharp Assaults winneth Berythus ib. b. taketh Sidon by Composition and in vain besiegeth Tyre ib. b. maketh an Expedition into Aegypt and near unto Laris dieth 19 a. Baldwin sirnamed Brugensis County of Edessa besiegeth Carras and there taken Prisoner after five years Captivity redeemeth himself 18 a. after the Death of Baldwin the First chosen King of Jerusalem and called Baldwin the Second 19 a. overthroweth the Turks and joyneth the Principality of Antioch to his own Kingdom 19 b. by Balac the Persian Sultan overthrown and taken Prisoner after eighteen Months Captivity for the ransom of 100000 Duckets set at liberty 20 b. in three notable Battels overthroweth the King of Damasco 20 b. Dieth 21 a. Baldwin the third of that name crowned King of Jerusalem 22 a. hardly distressed by Noradin the Turk ib. a. he fortifieth Gaza and taketh Ascalon by Composition 24 b. in a set Battel overthroweth Naradin the King of Damasco at the Castle of Sueta 25 b. falleth sick and dyeth ib. b. Baldwin the fourth of that name seventh King of Jerusalem 41 b. with a great slaughter overthroweth Saladin invading his Kingdom ib. b. putteth him with his great Army again to flight 42 b. resigneth the Government of his Kingdom to Guy Lusignan County of Joppa and Ascalon 43 a. sendeth Ambassadours unto the Christian Princes of the West and immediately after dyeth 443 b. 444 a. Baldwin the fifth of that name yet but a Boy was crowned eighth King of Jerusalem and within seven Months after dyeth 44 a. Baldwin County of Flanders and Henault chosen by the Latines Emperour of Constantinople and so solemnly crowned 59 a. subdueth Thracia and besiegeth Hadrianople ib. b. overthrown in a Battel by the Scythians and taken Prisoner is by the commandment of their barbarous King most cruelly put to death 60 a. Baldwin the second of that name fifth and last Emperour of the Latines in Constantinople 68 a. pawneth his Son unto the Bruges Merchants for money 79 a. flyeth out of the City of Constantinople being surprised by Alexius Strategopulus sent from Michael Paleologus the Greek Emperour 81 a. Balabanus sent by Mahomet against Scanderbeg 269 b. put to flight taketh divers of Scanderbegs best Captains Prisoners at Alchria 270 a. with his Army overthrown at Oronicheum the third time overthrown in the Battel at Sfetigrade 270 b. overthrown by Scanderbeg the fourth time in the Battel at Valcha 271 b. left by Mahomet to continue the Siege of Croia 273 a. slain ib. b. Barbarussa succeedeth his Brother Horruccius in the Kingdom of Algiers 429 b. his wonderful success ib. sent for by Solyman ib. b. envied in the Turks Court
Christian Captain contendeth with a Turk his Prisoner for his ransome 250 a. is afterward slain 252 b. Mustapha the supposed Son of Bajazet raiseth Rebellion against Amurath 173 a. being in fear flyeth 174 a. is shamefully hanged ib. b. Mustapha the younger Soâ— of Mahomet raiseth new Troubles against Amurath 175 b. is betrayed and strangled ib. b. Mustapha Bassa sent by Amurath against Scanderbeg 206 b. being aâ—â—aulted in his Camp flyeth ib. b. desirous to redeem his former disgrace craveth leave of Amurath to enter into Epirus and obtaineth it 212 b. Amurath's Letters of advertisement to Mustapha ib. b. fighteth with Scanderbeg the second time 213 b. is overthrown and taken Prisoner ib. b. and afterwards ransomed 214 a. Mustapha Bassa perswadeth Solyman to the besieging of the Rhodes 383 a. upon the evil success of the siege falleth into disgrace with Solyman 393 b. in danger with Pyrrhus Bassa to have been executed 396 a. made Governour of Caire ib. b. by Solyman sent as General of his Army to Malta 536 b. landeth at the Port Marza-Siroc in the Isle of Malta 538 a. besiegeth the Castle Saint Elmo ib. a. assaulteth the Castle ib. b. in vain giveth a second assault 539 a. with loss assaulteth it the third time ib. b. in most furious manner battereth it by the space of eighteen days and assaulteth it the fourth â—ime 540 a. with great fury giveth the fifth and most terrible assault unto the Castle 541 a. with all his Army giveth the sixth and last assault 542 a. winneth the Castle ib. b. exerciseth most barbarous cruelty upon the bodies of the slain Knights ib. b. in vain assaulteth the Castle Saint Michael 546 b. at one time assaulteth the new City and the Castle Saint Michael 547 b. he by Messengers certifieth Solyman of the success of the siege 548 a. leaveth nothing unattempted 549 a. at once assaulteth the Towns Saint Angelo and Saint Michael and in both places notably repulsed ib. b. giveth a fresh assault and entreth the new City 550 a. with a great slaughter driven out again ib. b. desperately assaulteth the Town of Saint Michael 551 a. repulsed raiseth his siege 552 b. put to flight by the Christians ib. b. having lost above four and twenty thousand of his Turks at the siege departed from Malta ib. b. he with Pial Bassa impugneth the Counsel of Muhamet the chief of the Visier Bassa's and perswadeth Selymus to invade Cyprus 567 b. for his hatred against the Christians made general of his Army for the invasion of Cyprus 572 a. his Letters unto the Venetians in the Isle of Cyprus ib. b. he landeth his Army in Cyprus 573 a. besiegeth Nicosia 572 a. in vain perswadeth them of Nicosia to yield 575 a. he encourageth his Souldiers and giveth a most terrible assault ib. b. winneth the City 576 a. besiegeth Famagusta 576 b. raiseth his siege 577 a. returneth again to the siege 584 a. after many assaults hath the City by composition yielded unto him 586 b. shamefully and contrary to his faith before given murthereth the valiant Governour Bragadinus 587 a. tyrannizeth upon his dead body ib. b. by Amurath made General of his Army against the Persians 657 b. cometh to Erzirum 658 a. mustereth his Army in number an hundred and ten thousand strong ib. a. relieveth his Soldiers distressed by the Persians 659 a. maketh a Bulwark of the Heads of the slain Persians ib. a. he surveyeth his Army at Archicheleck and lacketh forty thousand of his men 660 a. fortifieth Teflis ib. a. loseth ten thousand of his forragers 661 a. revengeth their deaths ib. b. his notable answer unto his mutinous Soldiers ib. b. loseth eight thousand of his men in passing the River Canac 662 a. famine in his host ib. b. he fortifieth Ere 's ib. b. sendeth Osman Bassa to take in Sumachia and Derbâ—nt ib. b. relieveth his distressed Garrison at Teflis 663 a. his Army in great misery in passing the streights of Georgia ib. a. cometh to Erzirum and dischargeth his Army ib. b. maketh preparation for the next years Wars 666 b. assembleth his Army at Erzirum 667 b. in three and twenty days fortifieth Chars ib. b. sendeth succor to Teflis ib. b. returneth to Erzirum and there dischargeth his Army 668 b discharged of his Generalship and called home to Constantinople 669 b. maligned by Sinan ib. b. dealeth warily with the Messengers sent of purpose to have strangled him 670 a. appeaseth the displeasure of Amurath ib. b. dieth suddenly 672 a. Mustapha Solyman's eldest Son in great estimation with the People 512 a. sent Governour into Caramania ib. b. maligned by Roxolana ib. b. in danger to have been poysoned 513 b. sent for by his Father and warned of his present danger 514 a. conferreth with his Doctor ib. b. troubled with his melancholy dream 515 a. cometh to his Fathers Tent ib. b. in the sight of his Father most cruelly strangled ib. b. his Son Mahomet strangled also ib. b. a Proverb taken from his death 517 a. Mutius Tortona a Spanish Captain raiseth a mutiny in the Christian fleet at Paxo 591 b. Tortona and his Antient hanged ib. b. Muzalo by Theodorus the Emperour appointed Governour to his young Son John 77 a envied by the Nobility is traiterously murthered in the Church 78 a. N. NAdasti his great Vertues 834 a. Nassuf the Great Visier his fall foreshewed 921 b. the whole course of his Life and Fortune described 922 a. his Throat cut ib. b. his great Treasure 923 a. another discourse of the manner of his death ib. a. Naupactum otherwise called Lepanto in vain besieged by the Turks 281 b. yielded to Bajazet 312 b. Neapolis the first Regal Seat of the Othoman Kings 99 b. Negligence severely punished 529 a. Neocastrum built by Mahomet the Great 230 b. Neritos now called S. Maura taken by the Venetians 315 a. Neuhuse hardly assaulted and valiantly defended 865 b. distressed ib. b. yielded to the Rebels 872 b. restored to the Emperour 880 a. Neusol surprised by and recovered from the Haiducks 860 b. by them again taken 863 a. Nice taken by the Turks 99 a. recovered again by the Christians 125 b. again surprised by the Turks 126 b. by Orchanes made the regal Seat of his Kingdom 128 a. Nicholaus Catalusius Prince of Mytilene turneth Turk and is executed 248 a. Nicholas Karetschen corrupted betrayeth Giula to the Turks 557 b. the Traitor justly rewarded ib. b. Nicephorus Botoneatus displaceth his Master the Emperour Michael Ducas and taketh upon him the Empire 8 b. Nicomedia yielded unto the Turks 127 b. Novigrade yielded unto the Christians 724 b. O. ODenburg besieged by the Rebels and by Basta relieved 165 a. Osman proclaimed Sultan 949 a. his Oath to Bethlem Gabor 952 b. greatly inraged at the Emperour 964 b. taketh a Wife contrary to the will of his Council 965 b. desirous of Peace with the Polack 969 a. strangled by Daout Bassa 970 b. discourse of his Life and
Eunuch Bassa dealeth treacherously with the Kings of Arabia 451 b. Solyman hardly perswaded that his Father was dead 581 a. saluted Emperour by the Ianizaries ib. b. his Letters to Villerius Great Master of the Rhodes 384 a. his Oration to his men of War declaring his purpose for the besieging of the Rhodes ib. b. he maketh great preparation for the siege 385 a. his threatning Letters unto them of the Rhodes 388 b. cometh himself in Person to the siege 392 a. his cholerick Oration to his Soldiers ib. b. displaceth his Admiral and punisheth him like a slave 396 a. about to have forsaken the siege ib. b. comforteth his discouraged Soldiers perswading them with patience to continue the siege 397 a. his Letters to the Great Master and the Rhodians sent by their own Ambassadors 399 b. his speech unto the Great Master at his coming to yield up the City 403 a. he entereth into the Rhodes upon Christmass-day in the year 1522 404 a. Solyman upon the discord of the Christian Princes and disordered State of Hungary taketh occasion to invade that Kingdom ib. b. cometh into Hungary against King Lewis with an Army of two hundred thousand men 405 a. overthroweth him in battel at Mohatz ib. b. cometh to Buda 406 a. Solyman in the quarrel of King John against King Ferdinand cometh into Hungary with an Army of 150000 men 410 a. without resistance entreth into Buda and besiegeth the Castle ib. b. layeth siege to Vienna 411 a. without ransome releaseth certain Christian Prisoners 412 a. loseth his great Ordnance upon the Danubius ib. b. burieth 8000 of his Turks in the Mines 413 a. having lost 80000 of his Turks raiseth his siege and returneth to Buda 414 a. he restoreth the Kingdom of Hungary unto King John ib. a. returneth himself to Constantinople ib. b. maketh great preparation for the subduing of the Territories belonging to the House of Austria as also for the Conquest of Germany with the short time he prefixed unto himself for the performance thereof ib. b. Solyman with a mighty Army cometh again into Hungary 416 b. besiegeth Gunza ib. b. his proud Letters to Charles the Emperour 417 a. shunneth to meet him at Vienna and so turneth out of the way into Carinthia 418 b. the causes moving him so to do ib. b. returneth towards Constantinople 420 a. Solyman perswaded by Abraham Bassa resolveth to go against the Persians 436 b. cometh with his Army to Tauris 437 a. followeth Tamas the Persian King into Sultania ib. a. his Army strangely distressed by Tempest ib. b. hath Babylon with the Countries of Mesopotamia and Assyria yielded unto him 438 a. he ransacketh Tauris ib. b. discouraged by the harm done him by Delymenthes giveth over his Wars in Persia and returneth to Constantinople 439 b. he with a wonderful charge prepareth a great Fleet at Suetia against the Portugals in the East-Indies 451 a. Solyman by the French Ambassador incited to invade Italy with an Army of two hundred thousand men cometh to Aulona 452 a. sendeth Lutzis Bassa and Barbarussa with his Fleet before him into Italy ib. a. converteth his Forces prepared for Italy against the Venetians 453 b. in danger to have been slain in his Tent in the midst of his Army ib. b. invadeth Corcyra ib. b. carrieth away above sixteen hundred Prisoners and doth good Iustice upon such Turks as had violated their Faith at Castrum 454 b. Solyman angry with the secret Consederation between King Ferdinand and King John 468 b. promiseth to protect the Queen and her Son 473 a. with a great Army cometh to Buda 478 b. sendeth for the young King into his Camp 479 a. courteously receiveth him ib. a. craftily surpriseth the City of Buda 479 b. detaineth the Nobility of Hungary ib. b. diversly perswaded by his Bassa's for the disposing of that Kingdom ib. b. he sacrificeth after the Mahometan manner in Buda 481 a. pronounceth the doom of Hungary and converteth it from a Kingdom into a Province of his Empire ib a. his proud answer unto King Ferdinand's Ambassadors 482 a. he returneth to Constantinople ib. b. sendeth his Fleet to Barbarussa his Admiral to aid the French King against the Emperour 496 a. Solyman with a great Army cometh again into Hungary 497 a. taketh Strigonium 498 b. entereth into the City and there setteth up the Mahometan Superstition 499 a. winneth Alba-Regalis 501 b. returneth to Constantinople ib. b. by the Instigation of Dragut the Pyrate sendeth out Sinan Bassa with a great Fleet to revenge the wrong done unto him by Auria 509 a. Solyman amorous of Roxolana 512 a. manumiseth her 513 a. marrieth her ib. a. by her persuaded resolveth to put to death his eldest Son the noble Mustapha ib. b. goeth himself with a great Army into Asia to kill his Son 514 b. sendeth for Mustapha who coming is cruelly strangled in his sight 515 b. his stout Speech unto the Ianizaries up in Arms for the unworthy death of Mustapha 516 b. he glad to yield unto the Ianizaries ib. b. Solyman desirous with as little stir as might be to appease the grudges betwixt his two Sons Selymus and Bajazet sendeth Partau and Mehemet two of his Visier Bassaes to bring them to the Provinces by him appointed for them 322 b. maketh preparation against Bajazet and sendeth Aid to Selymus 323 a. for countenancing of Selymus goeth himself in person with his Army over into Asia 525 a. dissembleth with Bajazet 526 a. seeketh to stop his flight into Persia deceived of his purpose procureth to have him and his four Sons strangled in prison in Persia 529 a. Solyman by his Ambassador Abraham Strotza confirmeth his League with Ferdinand the Emperor for eight years 533 a. his proud Letters unto the Emperor Ferdinand ib. a. his Presents sent unto the Emperor 534 b. he maketh preparation against the Knights of Malta 535 a b. his Oration unto his Captains for the Invasion of Malta ib. b. his Fleet arriveth at Malta 537 a. with shame returneth 552 b. Solyman purposing now the seventh time himself in person to invade Hungary causeth a Bridge of a mile long with incredible labour to be made over the great River Savus and the deep Fens toward Sigeth 555 b. besiegeth Sigeth ib. b. cometh himself with a great power into the Camp 556 a. winneth the old Town ib. a. falleth sick and dieth of the bloody Flux at Quinque Ecclesiae ib. b. his Death by Muhamet the Visier Bassa concealed and the Siege continued ib. b. his body with great solemnity by his Son Solymus buried at Constantinople 559 b. The Spahies and Ianizaries mutiny 809 b. their proud Speech to Sultan Mahomet 810 a. their Insolency justly punished 807 a. The Spaniards rejoycing at the Overthrow of the Italians by Salec are themselves foiled by Tabacces 443 b. The States of Bohemia their Requests to the Emperor 888 a. Stellusa with Desdrot the Governor thereof delivered to Scanderbeg 194 b. Stephen Rozwan instead of Aaron by
the Transylvanian Prince placed Vayvod of Moldavia 745 b. thrust out by Zamoschy Chancellor of Polonia 756 a. taken Prisoner and put to death ib. b. Stephen Vayvod of Transylvania upon the commendation of Amurath chosen King of Polonia 652 a. Stephen made Vayvod of Moldavia 910 a. his Tyranny and troublesome Government 927 b. c. turneth Turk 936 a. Strigonium in vain besieged by King John 415 b. besieged by Solyman 497 b. divers times by the Turks in vain assaulted 498 a. the strength thereof by a fugitive Christian discovered ib. a. yielded unto the Turk ib. b. besieged by the Christians 726 b. five times in vain assaulted with the loss of five thousand men 727 b. the Siege by Matthias the Archduke given over 729 a. besieged by County Mansfelt 747 a. twice in vain assaulted ib. a. the lower Town taken 750 a. yielded unto the Archduke Matthias 751 b. Strigonium besieged by the Turks 850 a. shameful Treason of the Haiducks there in Garrison 852 b. the Siege given over 853 a. again attempted to be surprised 858 b. again besieged 867 a. the insolency of the Garrison-Soldiers inforce the Governor to yield the Town 870 b. Styria and Austria spoiled 864 a. Styria forraged by the Turks 791 a. Suguta by Sultan Aladin given to Ertogrul 93. b. Samuchia taken by Osman Bassa 662 a. recovered by the Persian Prince 665 a. Swartzenbourg by two Italian Prisoners flying out of Rab informed of the state of the Town 770 a. consulteth with the Lord Palfi 771 a. surpriseth that strong Town ib. b. in vain attempteth to have surprised Buda 776 a. cometh to Pappa to appease the French and Wallons there in mutiny 780 b. besiegeth the Town 781 b. slain 782 a. Syrgiannes appointed by Andronicus the Emperor to observe the doings of young Andronicus his Nephew treacherously discovereth the same unto him 111 a. cunningly coloureth his Treason ib. b. contemned of the younger Andronicus revolteth again unto his Grandfather 113. b. apprehended imprisoned and his House rased 115 a. T. TAmas the Persian King hearing of the coming of Solyman to Tauris flieth into Hircania 438 b. in fear of Bajazet killeth his Followers and imprisoneth him with his Sons 527 b. sendeth Ambassadors with Presents to Solyman 528 a. the cause why he would not by any means let Bajazet go out of his hands ib. b. his Answer unto the Venetian Ambassador persuading him to take up Arms against the Turk 584 a. Tamerlane his reasonable and modest Answer unto the other Mahometan Princes craving Aid against Bajazet 145 a. in their behalf sendeth Ambassadors with Presents to Bajazet ib. b. provoked by the proud answer of Bajazet the sollicitation of the oppressed Princes and the perswasion of Axalla resolveth to make War upon him ib. b. his honourable Parentage and Ancestors 146 b. the causes why some report him to have been a Shepherd or Heardsman 147 a. he himself not delighted in Blood ib. a. marrieth the Daughter and Heir of the Great Cham of Tartary the ground of his Greatness ib. a. setteth forward against Bajazet 148 a. his great Camp still like unto a well govern'd City ib. b. the number of his great Army 149 a. he taketh Sebastia and burieth all the People quick 194 b. stayeth the coming of Bajazet 150 a. disposeth of the order of his battel 151 a. fighteth a great and mortal battel with Bajazet 151 b. taking him Prisoner causeth him like a wilde Beast to be shut up in an Iron Chage 152 b. refuseth the Empire of Constantinople offered him by Emanuel the Emperours Ambassador 153 a. goeth privately himself to Constantinople 154 a. much delighted with the scituation and Pleasures of that City ib. a. spoileth the Turks Dominions in Asta ib. a. restoreth unto the poor Mahometan Princes oppressed by Bajazet all their antient Inheritances ib. b. in a great battel overthroweth the Sultan of Egypt near unto Aleppo ib. b. winneth Damasco ib. b. cometh to Jerusalem 155 a. taketh Damiata ib. a. assaulteth Caire 155 b. driveth the Sultan out of Caire 156 a. pursueth him to Alexandria ib. b. chaseth him into Lybia ib. b. leaveth Calibes to govern the Countries of Egypt and Siria 157 a. conquereth Mesopotamia and Babylon with the Kingdom of Persia ib. a. returneth to Samarcand 158 b. the great power he continually kept 162 a. his death ib. a. Tangrolipix the Turk sent to aid the Persian Sultan 3 b. by consent of the Soldiers chosen Sultan of Persia ib. b. first Sultan of the Turks ib. b. having slain Pisasiris Calyph of Babylon in battel joyneth his Dominions unto his own ib. b. invadeth the Greek Emperors Dominions 4 a. putteth to death his Brother Habramie ib. b. Tancred created Prince of Galliley winneth Apamea and Laodicea 18 a. after the death of young Bohemund created King of Antioch 19 a. Tarsus in Cilicia yielded unto Bajazet 304 a. Tartar-Han's Letters unto the King of Polonia 758 a. Tartar-Cham why so ready to serve the Turk in his Wars 846 ib. dieth 887 b. The Tartars spoil many places in Hungary 813 a. repressed by Count Serini 813 b. defeated by the Hussars 814 a. defeated by the Cossacks 928 b. defeated by the Troianoski 935 b. Tauris taken from the Turk by the Persian 825 a. Tauris yielded to Selymus 548 b. who contrary to his promise exacteth a great sum of Money from the Taurisians and so departeth ib. b. sacked by Solyman 438 b. taken by the Turks 698 b. hath a new Castle therein built by the Turks in six and thirty days 699 a. miserably spoiled ib. a. Taurica Chersonesus with the Tartars Praecopenses and Destenses subdued by the Turks 281 b. Techellis invadeth the Turks Dominions 319 a. oveâ—tâ—roweth Orchanes and Mahometes Bajazet s Nephews 321 a. discomfiteth Caragoses the Viceroy of Natolia ib. b. killeth Alis Bassa 323 a. flyeth into Armenia 324 a. robbeth a Caravan of Merchants and therefore burnt at Tauris ib. a. Temeswar taken by the Turks 511 a. Temurtases Bajazet's Lieutenant in Asia taken Prisoner by Aladin the young King of Caramania 144 a. again set at liberty hangeth the Caramanian King ib. a. Teuffenbach taketh Sabatska 722 a. winneth Fileck ib. b. beâ—iegeth Hatwan 725 b. overthroweth the Bassa of Buda ib b. giveth the same Bassa a second overthrow 729 b. Theobald King of Navarre maketh an unfortunate Expedition into the Holy Land 70 a. with Lewis the French King goeth against the Moors 83 a. in his return dieth of the Plague in Sicilia ib. b. Theodorus Lascaris flieth into Bythinia and possessing himself of many Countries taketh upon him the Name of the Greek Emperour at Nice 59 b. he killeth Jathatines the Turkish Sultan 61 a. Theodorus Lascaris Son to John Batases chosen Emperour 76 b. aideth the Sultan of Iconium 77 a. falleth sick and dieth ib. a. Theupulus Earl of Paphos unworthily hanged by the faithless Bassa Mustapha 587 b. Thracia spoiled by the Turks 173 b. Tockai taken by the Rebels 875 b. Tomombeius
by the general consent of the Mamalukes chosen Sultan of Egypt 362 a. maketh great preparation against the Turks and seeketh to entrap them 365 b. his devices discovered ib. b. he fighteth a great battel with Selymus and is put to the worse 367 a. raiseth new Forces at Caire ib. b. fortifieth Caire 368 b. fighteth a great battel in the City 370 b. overcome flieth 371 a. driven out of Caire raiseth new Forces in Segesta 372 a. distresseth the Turks in passing the Bridg made over Nilus 373 a. giveth a notable attempt to have gained the Bridge ib. b. repulsed and put to â—light 374 a. taken and brought to Selymus ib. a. tortured and shamefully put to death ib. a. Totisa yielded to the Turks 865 b. Transilvania miserably distressed 840 a. the troubles secretly maintained by the Nobles ib. a. new Troubles 843 a. the Rebels surprised and slain ib. a. the miserable State of that Province 843 b. new Troubles raised 901 b. Transilvania given by Solyman to the Child King John's Son 483 b. Trapezond yielded to Mahomet the Great 245 b. Treachery of the Polonian General 936 b. Tripolis in Barbary besieged by Sinan Bassa 509 a. battered ib. a. the weakest places thereof and fittest to be battered by a fugitive Christian discovered to the Turks ib. b. upon hard Conditions yielded to the proud and faithless Bassa 511 a. Troubles in Moldavia 902 a. new Troubles 908 b. in Transilvania 910 a Tumult at Pera 933 b. Tunes besieged by Lewis the French King 83 b. yielded to Charles the Emperour 449 b. by him upon an easie Tribute again restored to Muleasses 451 a. again yielded to the Turks 620 b. Turks their original Beginning diversly reported 1 a. descended from the Scythians 2 a. the causes why they left their ancient and natural Seats in Scythia to seek for other in Countries more Southerly ib. b. where they first seated themselves in Asia after their departure out of Scythia ib. b. their first Kingdom erected in Persia by Tangrolipix their first Sultan 3 b. the Turks first called into Europe by the Catalonians 106 a. they differ not from the Persians about the Interpretation of their Law but about the true Successor of their false Prophet Mahomet only 314 b. They raise an Army 804 b. cowardly retire for fear of the Christians 805 a. carrying a Convoy of Victuals to Buda overthrown by the Christians ib. b. the Convoy recovered by the Turks 806 a. again taken from them by the Christians ib. a. overthrow the Garrison of Pesth ib. a. bathing themselves at Buda by them of Pesth surprised and slain ib. b. seeking to surprise Palotta are overthrown 807 a. three of their Spies taken ib. b. overthrown by Collonitz ib. b. together by the ears among themselves 811 b. defeated by Collonel Sultze 823 b. again overthrown 825 b. their Army stealeth by night out of Hungary 828 b. overthrown by the Vayvod of Valachia 834 a. the manner of their burials 836 b. treacherously seek to surprise Pesth 838 a. seek in vain to surprise Lippa 842 a. overthrown by them of Pesth 843 a. their unreasonable demands for Peace 848 b. troubled with Civil Wars 857 b. betrayed by the Haiducks 864 a. thinking to surprise others are themselves surprised 877 a. repair to Buda in Multitudes 882 a. their Army for Transilvania 917 a. threaten War in Hungary 920 a. their courses there 923 b. defeated at Vasselloy 932 a. the Greatness of their Empire and their beginning 955 a. Turqueminus chosen Sultan of Egypt 111 b. Tzihanger refuseth the noble Mustapha his Brothers Wealth and Treasure offered him by his Father Solyman and for sorrow killeth himself 516 a. V. VAcia shamefully betraied by the Haiducks 558. b. Valachia spoiled by the Tartars 847 a. the Vayvod expelled his Country by Battori 901 b. Valachia when first spoiled by the Turks 140 b. invaded by Mahomet the Great 247 b. oppressed by the Turks 737 b. in great Troubles 798 b. Valmes fortified by Mahomet the Great 274 a. Valetta the Grand Master of Malta advertised of Solyman's purpose for the Invasion of him and his Knights 536 a. his effectual speech unto his Knights ib. a. his great preparation against the Turks coming ib. a. his whole strength 537 b. he certifieth Garzias of Toledo Viceroy of Sicilia of his Estate 538 a. sendeth a new supply into the Castle of S. Elmo â—wice before assaulted by the Turks 539 a. disappointed of a supply to have been brought him by his own Gallies ib. a. his Letters to Garzias the Viceroy of Sicilia 540 b. he sendeth three of his Knights to know the sâ—ate of them in the Castle S. Elmo 541 b. encourageth his Soldiers after the loss of the Castle 542 b. his Christian-like Letters to the Governor of the City of Melita 543 a. his resolute answer to the Messengers sent unto him from the Great Baâ—sa ib. b. he receiveth a small supply from Sicilia 544 b. maketh hard shift to send News of his distress to the Viceroy of Sicilia 546 a. his comfortable speech unto his Soldiers at such time as the Turks were entred the new City 550 a. his great carefulness 552 b. his Letters to the Grand Prior of Almaine concerning the manner of the Turks proceedings in the Siege of Malta 553 a. Venerius the Venetian Admiral and Barbadicus their Proveditor perswade the rest of the Christian Confederates to give battel unto the Turks at Lepanto 590 a. coming to the relief of Don John is encountered by Partau Bassa 595 b. in danger ib. b. at the request of the Spaniards displaced but not disgraced 601 b. The Venetians with a great Fleet spoil the Coasts of Lycia Pamphilia and Cilicia 13 b. in the division of the Greek Empire amongst the Latines had for their share all the rich Islands of the Aegeum and Ionian with the famous Island of Candy or Crete 59 a. enter intâ— Confederation with other Christian Princes against the Turk 265 b. they with their Confederates do the Turks great harm 277 b. receive a great overthrow from the Turks at the River of Sontium 282 b. their Merchants in Syria imprisoned by Campson Gaurus the Egyptian Sultan 321 a. their Senators diversly affected towards the Confederation with the Emperour and the French King against Solyman 467 b. they refuse to yield up Cyprus unto Selymus demanding the same 569 a. make great preparation for their own defence and crave Aid of the other Christian Princes 570 a. what Princes promised them Aid ib. a. weary of the delays and cross dealings of the Spaniards their Confederates conclude a Peace with Selymus without their Knowledge 613 a. Veradinum besieged by the Turks 773 b. relieved by the Lord Basta 774 a. Vesprinium taken by the Turks 721 a. Vesprinium yielded to the Rebels 864 a. Ufegi Bassa taken Prisoner 340 a. put to death ib. b. Vicegrade taken by the Christians 752 a. Vicegrade yielded to the Turks by the Haiducks 859 a. Victor Capella
with a notable speech perswadeth the Venetians to take up Arms against Mahomet the Great 264 a. At Vienna a strange Accident of two Citizens 842 a. Vienna by Solyman besieged 411 a b. badly fortified ib. b. the Walls blown up 413 a. thrice aâ—saulted ib. a. worthily defended 413 b. Solyman glad to forsake the siege 414 a. Villerius chosen Great Master of the Rhodes 382 b. his Letters to Solyman 384 a. his careful provision for defence of his City 385 b. 387 a. his notable speech unto the Rhodians ib. a. his worthy Commendation 390 a. in vain craveth Aid of the Christian Princes ib. b. recovereth the Spanish Bulwark from the Turks 395 b. his resolute Opinion concerning Solyman's demand for the yielding up of the Rhodes 399 b. his answer unto Solyman offering unto him most honourable entertainment 403 a. he departeth from the Rhodes with his Knights upon New-years-day 404 a. Visnovisky a valiant Prince poisoned by a Priest 932 a. A Vision in the Air at Modina Talnobi 953 b. Uladislaus King of Polonia chosen also King of Hungary 178 a. sendeth Ambassadors unto Amurath lying at the siege of Belgrade 179 a. goeth himself in Person against the Turks 188 b. taketh Sophia ib. b. spoileth Bulgaria 189 a. highly commendeth Huniades for his good Service ib. b. enfâ—rced with the Difficulty of the paâ—â—age of the Mountain Hemus retireth with his Army 190 a. by the perswasion of Huniadâ—s and others retireth and in vain seeketh to have opened the Mountain passage 191 b. in his retreat much troubled with the Turks 192 a. in great Triumph returneth to Buda ib. b. upon most honourable Conditions concludeth a Peace with Amurath for ten years 197 a. by solemn Oath confirmeth the League he had made with Amurath ib. a. absolved of that his Oath by Julian the Cardinal of S. Angel resolveth for the prosecution of his Wars against the Turks 199 a. by his Ambassadors and Letters craveth Aid of Scanderbeg ib. b. setteth forward against the Turks 201 b. fightetâ— the great and unfortunate battel at Varna 202 b. is there himself slain 203 a. Ulusales in the battel of Lepanto taketh twelve of the Venetian Gallies 590 a. seeing the rest of the Turks fleet discomfited flieth himself ib. a. is by Selymus the next year sent out with two hundred Gallies against the Venetians and their Confederates 602 a. meaning nothing less maketh shew of battel 604 b. cunningly retireth ib. b. flieth from Navarinum into the Bay of Modon 607 a. returneth with his weak Fleet to Constantinople 612 a. Uranacontes by Scanderbeg appointed Governor of Croia against the coming of Amurath 220 b. with chearful speech encourageth his Soldiers 221 a. rejecteth Amurath's Presents and threatneth the Bassa by whom they were sent 225 a. The Uscoques what manner of People they are 943 a. Uâ—trof Bassa of Van inciteth Amurath to make War against the Persians 654 b. by Amurath commanded to begin the War which he readily performeth 655 b. Usun-Cassanes the Persian King sendeth Ambassadors with Presents to Mahomet the Great 344 b. marrieth Despina the Daughter of Calo Johannes Emperour of Trapezond 278 b. in a great battel overthroweth Zenza the Persian King and killeth Cariasuphus his Son the last of the Posterity of the Mighty Tamerlane 279 a. in a great battel overthrown by Mahomet the Great 280 a. his death ib. a. W WAlpo treacherously yielded unto the Turks and the Traitors justly rewarded 497 a. The Walloons overthrow the Turks and Haiducks at Presburg 864 a. War betwixt the Grand Seignior and the King of Poland and the cause why 963 a. War in Barbary 900 a. Wars by Amurath the Third proclaimed against the Emperor Rodolph 86 b. Waswood an old Ianizarie his presumptuous speech unto Mahomet the Great Sultan 745 b. taken out of Prison by the rest of the Ianizaries 746 a. Water dear sold 447 b. The Wife of Prince Coresky being Prisoner in Tartary sendeth a Messenger to seek her Husband 941 b. who brings her Tidings of him 942 a. and ransoms her ib. b. Wiglase in vain attempted by the Haiducks 861 b. Wihitz the Metropolitical City of Croatia taken by the Turks 714 b. William King of Sicilia invadeth the Tirant Andronicus's Dominions taketh the City of Dyrrhachium passeth through Macedonia and spoileth the Country meeteth with his Fleet at Thessalonica which he also taketh by force and spoileth 36 a. William Long-Espie Earl of Sarisbury with a band of tall Soldiers goeth into the Holy Land 72 a. his stout answer unto Earl Robert the French Kings Brother 73 b. valiantly fighting is slain ib. b. Wladus Prince of Valachia putteth Mahomet the Great in fear 246 b. Wladus cruel 247 a. dieth in battel against the Turks ib. b. Wine for a space running down the Streets of Constantinople as if it had been Water after a shower of Rain 798 a. Wolfgangus Hoder upon the Danubius doth good service against the Turks 412 b. X. XAycus Pay-Masâ—er of the Rhodes intrapped by the Turks and sent Prisoner to be tortured at Constantinople 386 b. Xene the fair Empress the young Emperour Alexius's Mother maliciously accused of Treason and so wrongfully condemned 34 a. by the commandment of Andronicus sâ—rangled in Prison and so poorly buried 34 b. Xerif troubleth the Kingdoms of Fez and Morocco 914 a. his beginning ib. a. his Children grow potent ib. a. they kill the King of Morocco ib. a. fâ—ared by the King of Fez ib. a. dissention between the Brethren and eldest taken Prisoner by the younger ib. b. Xerif Mahomet assaults the King of Fez ib. b. Xiphilinus by Alexius sent over to Andronicus dealeth unâ—aithfully in his Message 32 a. Y. YOland Daughter to King John crowned Queen of Jerusalem and after by her Father given in marriage to Frederick the Emperor 67 b. Z. ZAcharias Groppa fighteth a Combat with Alhemaze a Turk 254 a. Zachel Moyses the Transilvanian Prince's Lieutenant in battel overthrown by Basta 798 b. â—lieth unto the Turks 800 a. Zacynthus Neritus and Cephalenia taken by Achmetes Bassa 291 a. Zamoschie the Great Chancellor of Polonia staieth the Tartars from the invading of Moldavia 755 b. invadeth Moldavia himself 756 a. his Letters unto Clement the Pope in defence of himself and of that he had done in Moldavia 759 a. driveth Michael the Vayvod out of Valachia and placeth another in his stead 788 b. Zanius the Venetian Admiral with a Fleet of 117 sail cometh to Corcyra 574 b. he with the Confederates setteth forward towards Cyprus ib. b. upon the foul disagreement of the great Commanders returneth 577 b. discharged of his Office and sent in bonds to Venice 878 a. Zeffer Bassa recovereth the Government of Bosna from Zellaly and shortly after dieâ—h 841 a. Zellaly formerly a Rebel in Asia reconciled to the Grand Seignior cometh into Bosna 832 a. defeateth Zeffer Bassa the Governour of that Province and seateth himself therein ib. a. by the Grand Seignior sent for to the Port 832 b. refuseth
Venice 124 a. Cara Mustapha See Kara Mustapha Caramosauls what 22 b. Carrisia a strong Garison allarms all Croatia 277 a. Caschaw surrendred 315 a. Casimir King of Poland resigns his Crown and how Affairs then stood there 231 b. Count Cesâ— French Ambassador at the Port 27 b. Cheâ—tan Ibrahim Seraskier condemned to lose his Head for the Defeat at Gran Newheusel c. 318 a. Chirfaleas a courageous Captain 145 b. is slain near Serinswar 152 a. Chusaein the Great Vizier advances Sultan Amurat to the Throne who soon deposes him from his Office and afterwards causes him to be strangled and why 2 3. Chusaein Pasha General of the Turks in Candia 82 a. is made Great Vizier but to reside still in Candia 84 a. is discharged from the Office of Great Vizier 86 a. is put to death by the Great Vizier Kuperlee 92 b. Chusaein Pasha of Buda besieges Leventz 154 b. is routed by Count Soise 155 b. Another Chusaein Pasha is made Governor of Caminiec 233 b. Claudiopolis besieged by the Turks but not taken 111 a. yeilds it self to Apafi Prince of Transilvania 147 b. Clissa taken by Foscolo the Venetian General 76 a. the Turks endeavour to regain it but are beaten off 82 b. it is described 172 a. Count Coligni Commander of the French Troops in Hungary joyns Montecuculi 154 b. his Valour at the great Battel with the Turks on the Raab 158 a. having received Honours of the Emperour he returns homewards with his Army 161 a. Constantinople a terrible Fire there in 1634. 25 b. a great Plague there in 1661. 111 b. an Insurrection there on the account of the Grand Signior's Brothers 211 a. another Plague there 315 a. Great Disorders there 315 a. 318 a. Corban what 2 a. the manner of it among the Turks 144 b. Andrea Cornaro General and Inquisitor in Candia 60 b. is slain in the defence of Retimo 61 b. Another Andrea Cornaro Captain-General of the Venetians 186 a. being made Proveditor General he is slain at Candia with a Granado 212 a. Coron taken by the Venetians 317 a. Cosacks their Boats described 4 a. in them entring the Bosphorus they make great spoil on the Turkish Coasts ib. a. they infest the Black Sea 11 a. again more numerously 14 b. their Country described 36 a. the ground of the War betwixt them and the Poles 36 a. b. they again infest the Black Seas 82 b. they infest the Tartars 133 a. great numbers of them carried into Captivity by the Turks 241 b. they assassinate their General 311 b. they give the Turks and Tartars a great Defeat 308 a. Cross. The Vayvod of Valachia caused a prodigious Cross to be erected before his Tent in the Camp at Vienna 298 b. Sir Sackvile Crow's difference with the Turky Company 62 c. Curdi or Cordiaei their Country described their Religion and Manners 118 a. Cyrillus the Patriarch strangled at the false and malicious suggestions of the Iesuits against him 38 b. Czecherin a great Battle there between the Turks and Moscovites where the Turks being worsted after rallied assaulted and took the Town at last are forced to retire for want of Provisions 280 a. b. D. DAlmatia one seat of the War betwixt the Turks and Venetians 75 a. after Candia was surrendred Commissioners are sent hither by the Turk and Venetian for determining the differences of the Confines 227 b. all the Particulars adjusted and the War between the Turk and the Venetian ended 228 a. Damascus revolts to the Persian 6 a. Clipt Dollars called in by the Great Vizier 130 a. his Steward's Treasurer put to death for disobeying this Command ib. a. Dorosensko General of the Cosacks revolts to the Turks 232 a. Dunelma or a Festival among the Turks how celebrated 144 b. The Dutch Resident unjustly sentenced to make satisfaction for Goods belonging to Turks on board a Dutch Vessel surprized by Venetian and Maltese Corsairs 136 a. E. EGypt the Government there at present rather Aristocratical than Monarchical 259 a. Elia Pasha rebels in Anatolia but being first beaten in the Field and then besieged in Magnesia surrenders himself upon fair promises but at his arrival at Constantinople is strangled 19 b. Elmas a Village in the Upper Hungary near which the German and Turkish Ambassadors use to be exchanged 184 b. Embrahore that Office what 263 a. The Emperour sends an Envoy to the Port who disputes with the English Ambassador for Precedence 47 a. He craves aid of several Princes against the Turks 283 b. He and the King of Poland make a League Offensive and Defensive 286 b. He comes to the head of his Army 287 a. He leaves Vienna and retires to Lintz 289 a. His Army retires to their Winter Quarters 306 b. He publishes an Act of Oblivion 308 b. His Army with the Confederates rendezvouse at Barkam 318 b. The Empress Crowned Queen of Hungary 282 a. English Trade first introduced into Turky when 96. what befel the Nation and Trade in Turky in the Year 1662 128 b. the Custom endeavoured to be raised at Aleppo and Scanderone in 1665. by the Custumer 172 b. the Scale also threatned to be removed from Scandarone to Tripoli in Soria by the Lord Treasurer but both without effect 173 b. An English Factor in Smirna designing to cheat several Principals in England of 215 fine Cloaths and a considerable Summ of Money turns Turk but without succeeding in his Knavery 239. b. Ephraim Bassa kill'd by a Cannon 309 a. Francesco Erizzo elected by the Venetians Doge General of the Sea at the beginning of the War in Candia 60 b. but hindred by Death from executing that Office ib. b. Erzirum siding with the Rebel Abassa is besieged by the Turks who are beaten off 10 b. but is surrendred voluntarily upon Abassa's Reconciliation 12. a. Esperies surrendred 115 a. Esseck Part of the Bridge burnt by Count Lesly 316 a. the City of Esseck taken ib a. F. FAcardin an Arabian Prince his History 21 b. 22 a. Festivals how celebrated among the Turks 252 a. b. Filek taken by the Turks 283 a. Sir Iohn Finch English Ambassadour at the Port 239 b. Fire hapning in Vienna at the time of the Siege much endangered the Magazine of Powder 290 b. Five-Churches taken by the Imperialists 335 b. Count Forgatz overthrows a Party of Turks making Incursions into Hungary 82 b. being Governour of Newhausel at the Turks invading Hungary in 1663. advising a Sally is with his Party routed 141 b. Leonardo Foscolo his success against the Turks in Dalmatia 75. b. his success in Bosna 82 b. he is sent into Candia with the Title of Generalissimo in the room of Mocenigo 84 a. Marquess Frangipani with others offer themselves to the Turk in 1670. 221 a. they find not the protection desired but are overtaken by the hand of Iustice 230 b. The French force the Tripolins into the Haven of Scio 283 b. French Ambassador inprisoned 20 a. his Interpreter impaled
Villages and thus ended the Campagne of this year ANNO 1682. year 1682. WIth this year the Scene of War began to open and the Turks to declare their Resolutions bent all their Forces against Hungary Nor would tâ—e Malecontents maintain the Truce made by Tekeli or be restrain'd from committing many Acts of Hostility For thô the Cessation of Arms was again confirm'd and renewed yet in despight of this Treaty and contrary to the Faith given the Malecontents seiz'd on all the Grane which the Emperor had bought on the Frontiers of Poland as it was carrying to the several Stores and Granaries where it was to be lodged And about the same time the Turks took many Carts laden with Soldiers Coats as they were carrying to the Imperial Army Howsoever Tekeli pretended to keep and conserve the Faith and Promises which he had given and during that Vacation made a Journey to Buda with a Guard of 3000 Men where he was received by the Pasha of that Place at the Head of his Ianisaries and conducted with great Magnificence and State to the Palace where the Pasha took off Tekeli's Cap and placed on his Head another after the Turkish fashion richly Embroider'd and beset with Precious Stones and Herons Feathers which some call a Diadem and say that with that Ceremony he was by the Turks created King of Hungary Howsoever it was so carried that the Emperor understood it not in that manner or at least would not so interpret it for at the same time he received a Messenger from Tekeli who came to desire his Majesty's consent that he might take the Widow of Prince Ragotski to Wife to which the Emperor readily assented knowing that the Marriage would succeed in case he refused and so making a Virtue of necessity he hoped by such a Gracious condescention to regain the Heart of Tekeli unless it were become obdurate beyond all possibility of being won either by Generosity or Compulsion Having thus gain'd the Emperor's Assent he speedily made a Journey to Mongatz where he consummated the Marriage with the Princess with great Joy and Solemnity and took Possession of all the Towns and Castles belonging to that Lady She was bred up by her Mother in the Roman Catholick Religion but her Husband converted her and made her a Protestant During the Life of her Mother she was restrain'd from this Marriage but after her Death she became an admirer of Tekeli's Bravery year 1682. and yielded to the Ambition and Flatteries of being a Queen which was whisper'd to her by her Husband who told her that the Cap which the Pasha of Buda had put upon his Head was no other than a Diadem after the Custom and Fashion of the Turks The Emperor who was a Stranger to these Matters believing that some use might be made of this Alliance whereby to gain the Mind of Tekeli employ'd Count Serini to his Sister the Princess to compass this Design but so far was Serini from answering the expectations of his Imperial Majesty that he enter'd into the Combination and Conspiracy with Tekeli himself About the beginning of the Month of Iuly year 1682. Count Albert Caprara Brother of General Caprara who resided for the Emperor at Constantinople advised That at length he had been admitted unto Audience with the Grand Vizier who declar'd That he would neither continue the Truce longer nor yet renew it but on these following Conditions That Hungary should be restor'd unto the Condition in which it was in the year 1655. That the Kingdom should pay the Annual Tribute of Fifty thousand Florins every Year unto the Grand Seignior That the Fortifications of Leopolstadt and Gratz should be demolished That Neutra Schultz and Eckof with the Island of Schultz neer Presburg and the Fortress of Muran be deliver'd and surrendred up into the Hands of Count Tekeli That a Geâ—â—â—al Pardon be given to the Malecontenâ—â— and that they be restor'd to their Goods and Estates and to all their Privileges and Immunities in such manner as if none of these Wars or Disturbances had happen'd But these Conditions were so hard and shameful to be imposed on any but a conquer'd People that it was adjudged by the Emperor's Council that an honourable War was much rather to be preferr'd before such an Ignominious and Scandalous Peace The time for the Cessation of Arms being expir'd to which the Malecontents had yielded only to gain time whilest the Turks were preparing their formidable Army Tekeli surpriz'd the Castle of Zatmar and put all the Garrison consisting of Eighty Men to the Sword and turning afterwards his Cannon on the City it was Surrender'd to him at Discretion Thence he Marched to Cassovia and laid Siege to it and at the same time the Transilvanians and Moldavians joyning with the Pasha of Buda laid Siege to Filek Whilest Tekeli lay before Cassovia he received a Recruit of Fourteen thousand Men which were supply'd to him by his Wife the Princess out of those Troops which were levied in her own Country and the Pasha of Agria came with Four thousand Horse more to his assistance The Town was notwithstanding bravely defended for several days by Lieutenant Colonel Lamb but being out of hopes of all Succours it Surrender'd at Discretion Many of the Garrison revolted to the Malecontents but Four hundred of them endeavouring to Retire and having given no intimation of a Mine which afterwards was Sprang with great loss and hurt of the Besiegers they were all put to the Sword The Governour was made a Prisoner of War and the Inhabitants to save themselves from Pillage and Plunder paid the Sum of 50.000 Crowns The Inhabitants of Esperies being affrighted at the misfortune oâ— Cassovia Surrender'd it self on Conditions without striking one Stroak the German Garrison being Two hundred in all were permitted to March out with their Baggage and had a safe Conduct as far as to the Frontiers of Poland and from thence License to March into Silesia nor were the Priests and Roman Catholicks permitted to remain in the City After which Tekeli by advice of the Pasha of Buda demolished the whole Town not being obliged to maintain a Garrison for it's defence In the mean time the Pasha of Waradin laid Siege to Filek and took it in despight of Strazoldo who left the Villagâ—s of the Mountains and marched with Three thousand Horse and Four thousand Foot for its Relief as also to the same end Count Caprara passed the River Waagh with Six thousand Men whilest Count Sâ—aremberg defended the Passage with Four or Five thousand Men and the Palatine Esterhasi was coming on the other side with Six thousand Men more yet notwithstanding the Art and Bravery of so many Generals the Town was taken in thâ—ir own Sight as if they had only come with design to be Spectators of the Success and Victory of their Enemies The Hungarian Souldiers who were in the Garriâ—on took part with the Turks but
the Grand Seignior to be aiding and assisting to them in this Work that it might be performed with all the quiet peace and silence imaginable All things being disposed by the Aga accordingly both he and the two Executioners went directly to the Vizier's Apartment who so soon as he had cast his Eyes on these new-come Guests thô they were really his Friends and had been his familiar Confidents formerly yet he suspected much the Import of their Message but being nothing surprized at what he had some time expected he chearfully gave them the usual Salams or Salutations demanding of them their Business which brought them to Belgrade To which the Janifar-Aga made answer That the Sultan demanded the Seal from him To which the Vizier reply'd Most willingly and putting his Hand into his Bosom he took the Seal out and resigned it What more said he is it that you require The Standard said the Aga which was immediately produced and delivered At last they produced the Command for his Head which he having read he said Oh Deceitful World After my Death the Grand Seignior will remember me and the whole Empire too late lament my Fall. He then after their usual manner washed kneeled down and prayed and yielded his Head to the fatal Cord Being dead the Executioner cut off his Head and the Skin being flead off it was stuffed with Straw and put into a Bag and carried away in post to the Grand Seignior and laid before the Gate of the Divan on the 7 th day of Ianuary 168◠4 ANNO 1684. IT is very seldom that a Grand Vizier falls into Disgrace or is put to Death alone but all his familiar Friends Confidents and Creatures incur the same Fate and either attend him to the next World or are banished into remote Parts and sometimes the whole Set of Officers and Ministers of State are changed with him This Man had a corrupted Court and was served by Instruments of the same Humour and Temperament like himself and which were either naturally ill-inclined or made so by his Example With him died the Testerdar or Lord Treasurer and several other Engines of his Rapine and Violence The Estates of these Malefactors were seized and converted to the Grand Seignior's Coffers which were esteemed in all to amount unto 14 Millions of Dollars to which Sum and a far greater it was believed that Estate only of the Vizier would have amounted unto but it is most certain he had disbursed vast Sums of Mony in this Expedition out of his own Treasure hoping to have had a return tenfold out of the Estates and Spoils of the Christians instead whereof his own Riches became a Prey to his Enemies all the Mony which as some Report amounted to above two Millions found in his Tent were all his own and as they had been Acquisitions obtained by Force and Rapine so they became the Booty and Spoil of the King of Poland passing from the possession of one Covetous Man into the Coffers of another The sublime Office of Great Vizier being now vacant the difficulty of the present Affairs required to have it supplied with a Person of Valour Wisdom and Experience this Office for which many Candidates pretended in former times did now appear so weighty and full of Thorns that the most ambitious amongst the Turks were willing to decline it or at least not seem to seek or affect it The Selictar Aga or Sword-bearer to the Grand Seignior called Soliman Aga an accomplished Person in Mind and Body a Man of good Sense being always in the Eyes of his Master and a Favourite was pitched upon as the most fit and proper of any for this Employment But he excused himself to the Sultan with this Complement That thô nothing in this World could be more desirable to him than this Office yet since the execution thereof must necessarily carry him from the adorable Presence of his Master under the Shadow whereof he desired always to live he could not withdraw himself from thence without much Reluctancy and Discomfort and therefore desired that the Seals might be conferred on some other Person more worthy than himself The Grand Seignior judging that these Expressions proceeded from a Heart truly devoted to him accepted of the Excuse and resoved to constitute Ibrahim Pasha then Caimacam with him at Adrianople commonly known by the Name of Kara Kaia in the Vizier's Office He had formerly been Kaia or Steward to Kuprioglee and after his Death was made Embrahose or Master of the Horse He was afflicted with a Distemper called a Serpentine or Cancer which some Years since was caused by an Erysipelas some said it was a politick Disease to excuse himself from going to the War. He was a close politick Man and become very weary and cautious by the Dangers and evil Fate of his Predecessors As one means to secure his Condition he frequently called and assembled all the Officers of the Divan and with them consulted all of the Methods in what manner the declining Condition of the Empire might be recovered concerning which speaking his own Sense he often declared That the Errors of the late Vizier were to be retrieved and a quite different Course to be steered for whereas he had contrary to the publick Faith broken the Truce with the Christians without just Reasons before the time was expired for which the Mussulmen had tasted the Displeasure of the Divine Vengeance They were now to appease the Anger of God by renewing the same Truce which had been injuriously violated with the Emperor and observing it for the future with such Faith as becomes the common Honesty of Mankind But this Proposal was in no manner agreeable to the Mind of the Grand Seignior for thô he was naturally a gentle and a peaceable Prince and disliked this War at the beginning Yet like an unlucky Gamester he was unwilling to give over with an ill Hand hoping that the Wheel of Fortune might once again turn in his Favour He had also promised Tekeli considerable Aid and Assistance against the next Campaign and was unwilling to forfeit his Promise and Reputation with him The Vizier finding a Disposition in the Grand Seignior to continue the War desired to be released from his Office which the weakness of his Body rendred him uncapable to discharge to which the Sultan reply'd That he was one of those who had opened the Gate by which much Dishonour and Mischief was entred into the Empire and now would with-draw his Neck out of the Collar but if he did not shut the Gate again he would hang him in all his Divan Robes The Turks indeed were then very low and reduced to such distress for want of Soldiers that from Selibrea which is about thirty Miles from Constantinople in all the Country of Romania except the Sea-coast all that were capable of bearing Arms were sent to the War but being raw Country People proved of little Force against
under these discouraging Circumstances the Attacks proceeded but slowly nothing being heard in the Camp but of the Death or Sickness of their great Men amongst which News was brought to the Doge that Signior Molino and Delfixo were forced to yield unto their sick Beds That the Engenier Ramagnato was killed with a Musket-shot whilst he was giving Direction about the Works in the Ditch That Signior Aurelio Marcelli was Dead of a Fever caused by his Wounds as was also Mattio Bon Patritii a Nobleman of Venice And that General Kenismark was Dead of a violent Fever having Breathed his last on the 15th of September to the great Grief and Sorrow of the whole Army but especially of his Lady Carlotta who with great Affection and Tenderness having been his Companion in all this Expedition was over-whelmed with Sorrow and confused Grief at his Death His Bowels were Interr'd the same Night with many thousands of Torches and Lights but his Body being Embalmed was afterwards designed for Strade a place in the Dutchy of Bremen there to be Interred in the Burial-place of his Ancestors The same Night two Engeniers were wounded and one killed and many common Soldiers killed and wounded by the Enemies shot from the false Bray whilst they were perfecting their Works in the Ditch And now it being the 17th of September the Florentines were the first to Demand a Dismission from the Camp and License to return home alledging that the Season of the year was far spent and the long Voyage they had to make unto their own Country The time also appointed by the Great Master of Malta unto his General for the Fleet to remain abroad being also expired Licence was demanded for their return but the Doge flattering himself with hopes of a speedy Surrender of the place persuaded that General to stay some few days longer to which he consented in expectation of taking part of that Glory which would belong to him by the Conquest of that place But it was not the Will of God that this Place should yield to the Christian Arms for that from this present time until the End of the Siege nothing but Misfortunes attended the Actions of the Venetians However The Courage and Constancy of the Generals was such as that they would not leave one Stone unturned which might tend to the Conquest of the place resolving not to desist from that Enterprize whilst any hopes appeared of becoming Masters thereof In order unto which the Doge Morosini considering with the principal Captains what was farther to be done to facilitate this Enterprize it was observed that the greatest difficulty was how to convey their Forces under the Wall for the Ditch was 30 Paces broad and washed at each end by the Sea to do which the Ingeniers found no other means than by a Traverse which was to be covered on the top and defended by Gabions filled with Earth which being considered and resolved it was put into immediate Execution all things necessary for that work being brought to the place with the Instruments for sixing the Miner to the Walls but the Waters so encreased in the Night that the Labour became much more great and the Design more difficult than was imagined they being forced to Work under the Enemies small shot by which the Engeniers Samuel Miller was killed and Renaldo Della Ruë and Antonio Captain of the Miners grievously wounded Howsoever not discouraged from the prosecution of this Design the Marquis of Câ—rbon Serjeant-General with some of his Dragoons undertook that work of the Traverse which notwithstanding found not the Success expected he being whilst he was giving direction about the Traverse wounded by a Musket-shot which passed his Lest-Thigh The Turks who were very vigilant and industrious to destroy the Work of the Traverse formed a Work in the False Bray by which they so annoyed the Labourers upon the Traverse by continual firing that it was not possible to proceed until the Enemy was droven out of the Counterscarp to perform which it was resolved to take a Bonnet which lay in the way which succeeded according to Desire But the Besieged having considered that that place was of great Importance they soon Assaulted it with such Vigour that the Venetians not being relieved by the farther advanced Line were droven out from thence with much Blood and Slaughter Thus all hopes failing of taking the Town Camillo Chigi Admiral of the Gallies of Tuscany having as we have said obtained his Discharge sailed away with his Squadron of Gallies by Night that the Turks might not observe his Departure leaving howsoever behind him two Ships and some Troops in the Service The Venetians resolving that the Turks should not remain in quiet Possession of the Bonnet attacked them again therein and drove them thence and fortified it in such manner that it would be very difficult for them to regain it Likewise a new Battery was raised of fifteen pieces of great Cannon which shot into the Houses of the Town and at the same time a Line of Communication was made for relief of the Bonnet During which Time and Actions Diseases increased in the Camp and Officers as well as common Soldiers â—ell sick by which and daily slaughters of Men in the Assaults made the Army was much diminished And tho' the Condition of the Turks in the Town was rather woâ—se than better yet their Spirits being supported by the Encouragements given by the Seraskier who promised speedily to relieve them and to send 2000 Horse into the Morea to make a Diversion they made several Sallies out of the Town which tho' not with much Advantage to themselves yet it showed a Vigour of Spirit and that they laboured not under any Fears or despairing hopes of Defence On the other side the Venetians failed not in their Industry and assiduous Projects every day in acting some Enterprize or other which might facilitate a general Assault and give that decisive blow which should put an end unto and terminate the Labours of that year But neither the Traverse nor the Batteries found the Effect desired and expected wherefore the Engenier Basignani who had long laboured under a violent Fever being now a little recovered projected a Subterranean Gallery under the Water of the Ditch to pass unto the Wall and there underneath to make a Mine which being sprang could not fail of making such a Breach as was requisite for an Assault but in the execution thereof there was found too much difficulty and almost an impossibility for the bottom of the Ditch was altogether Mâ—d for many yards deep and in sinking the Shaft to the depth required they met so much Water as wholly drowned out the Miners and put them by their Work and Basignani himself whilst he was giving Directions was shot by a Musket-Bullet in the Head which put an end to this Design which had it been practicable would yet have required more
His Character 299. Defeated 377. Hoffkirchen Count makes an Excursion as far as Esseck 249. Attack'd by Topal Pasha 306. Defeats him ibid. His Letter to the Duke of Croy 510. Holstein Prince of Commands the German Army 353. Hungarians complain to the Emperor 21 22. Their Deputies return dissatisfied 22. Treat with the Turks 23. Their Agents dismist from Candia by the Grand Vizier ibid. The Loyal part of them Petition the Emperor 27. They meet at Leusch and require the maintenance of their Privileges 30. Their Grievances 35. Zealous for their Religion 37. Hungary the Original of the Troubles there 15 and seq The Clergy disturb its quiet 34. A War breaks out ibid. Hussey Sir Will. chosen Ambassador from England to Turkey 397. His Death 412. I. JAnisaries demand the Head of the Grand Vizier 133. Chuse a new Aga 258. Assault their Officers 259. Jazlowitz taken 155. Ibrahim Pasha put to Death at Rhodes 255. Illock abandoned by the Turks 304. Imperialists revenge themselves on the Hungarians 34. Fight with the Poles Tartars and Hungarians 41. Overthrown 42. Fifteen hundred revolt ibid. Fall on the Pasha of Newhausel 44. Successful 53. Possess themselves of Bridges and a Fort built by the Turks 239. Defeated near Dragoman 352. Ill Conduct of their Army 532. Inclinations of the Turks towards a Peace 553. Instances of Peace promote the War between the two Empires 436. Job St. invested by Caprara is obliged to surrender 191. Joshua Col. revenges himself upon Strazoldo 49. Falls off to the Emperor ibid. His Death ib. Irrick surprized by the Christians and much Booty taken 395. Ismael made Vizier 286. Excuses himself from going to the War 288. K. KAlo besieged by Tekeli 92. Kanisia straitned 305. Kaposwar taken 220. Kara Kaia made Vizier 134. Proposes Peace which is disliked by the Grand Seignior 135. Lingers under a Distemper 186. Banish'd to Constantinople 188. His Estate seized ib. Kara Kiaja his Character 5. Karakowar taken 395. Kara Mustapha Vizier his Character 1. Marries his Daughter to the Grand Seignior's Hazna Kajasee 6. Treats the Christian Ministers contemptuously 7. Cuts off his Kaja and why 13 14. Meditates a War with the Emperor 15. Resolves upon it 39. His Death 134. Kops his Cruelty blamed 42. Kremnitz taken by Tekeli 48. Kuperlee Pasha sent for and kindly received at Constantinople 253. Laid aside 284. Sent to Canea 287. Kupriglioli the Grand Vizier dies 39. Kuzlir Aga's Counsel against Regeb 252. L. LAgos yields to the Germans 301. League concluded between the Emperor and King of Poland 96. Leslie Count Sen. sent to Krembs 105. Attends the Motion of the Seraskier 165. Expedition to the Bridge of Esseck 171. Leslie Count Iun. slain 108. Leventz taken 131. Liberachi encamp'd 357. Purposes to join with Bossina ibid. Alarms the Venetians 358 A Plot against him ib. Excuses his coming over to the Venetians ib. His Compliment and Advice sent to the Doge 359. Threatens the Villages near Salona 362. Fights and is defeated ib. Lippa taken 301. Surrendred to Gen. Veterani 426. List of such as were put to Death for a Conspiracy at Adrianople 527. Lists of the Imperial and Turkish Armies in the Plains of Salankemen 237. Lithuania the Forces thereof come to the Duke of Lorain 131. Loradin Marq. of arrives at Constantinople from France 442. Permitted to go to Belgrade ib. Lorain Duke of Feasts the Emperor and his Courtiers 98. He puts all his Foot into Vienna 103. Secures Presburg 106. Receives Letters from Vienna 110. Meets with the King of Poland 114. Marches after the Seraskier 150. False Letters deliver'd to him 163. Sick 211. Passes the Danube 247. Possesses himself of Alba Julia 262. His Character 299. Sick 300. Lubkovitz suspected and his Estate seized 36. Lugos taken 394. M. MAhomet Sultan goes to Constantinople 195. Is frighted at the tumultuous Meetings of the Turks and sends to them 221. Endeavours to appease his Army 255. Seeks to cut off his Brothers and Sons 256. Is prevented and loses his Authority ib. Is deposed 257. Mahomet Pasha put to flight 268. Betakes himself to Salona 269. Maina describ'd 223. Malecontents of Hungary assemble at Kivar 22. Chief of them cited to Newsol 25. Offer their Grievances to the Emperor ib. They fly into Moldavia 29. Repent too late 33. Their Obstinacy 35. Hold a Conference 37. Refuse to treat 39. Successful ib. and grow proud therewith ib. New Overtures made them 40. Obstinâ—te ib. Ioin'd by the Poles 42. Take a Convoy of Money and Provisions ib. Encrease in their Forces ib. The Emperor sends to treat with them ib. Propose to elect a King of their own 43. New Offers made them 49. They and the Turks intercept a great Convoy belonging to the Emperor 92. Put to flight 106. Some of them fall off to the Emperor 137. Maltese Gallies join the Venetian Fleet 361. Separate from them again 365. Malvasia block'd up 357. Particulars of the State thereof 360. Surrenders 389. Mamut Pasha flies upon a Report that the Christians were marching against him 352. Mantua Duke of comes to the Camp at Salankemen 243. March of the Christian Troops to the Rendezvous 400. Marsigli Count Secretary to Sir Will. Hussey 400. Himself and a Chiaus at Great Waradin 427. Marzamama takes the Command of the Turkish Fleet 184. Megara burnt 272. Memoirs of Sir Will. Hussey's Reception and Negotiation at Belgrade from 409 to 423. Mines sprung fired c. 111 112 115 c. Mitra surrenders to the Venetians 271. Modon attack'd surrenders 225. Mongatz block'd up 189. Besieged and tâ—â— Siege raised 192. Monticuculi his Counsel to the Emperor 53. Attack'd by the Tartars he makes his Escape with some Loss 367. Morlaques and Mainotes described 175. The latter worst the Turks 176. Morosini Gen draws into Winter Quarâ—â—â—â— 183. Elected Doge of Venice 313. His notable Exploits 388. Moscovites send an Ambassador into Poland and to Constantinople 49. Make Peace with the Poles 50. Fall from it and agree with the Turk ib. Send other Ambassadors to the Port 51. Inclinable to a League with the Venetians 136. Treat with the Turks 195. Moscovy Czar of sends Ambassadors to Poland 230. Mufti 's Letter to the Scheriff 520. Muran yielded to the Imperialists 29. Mustapha Sultan His Beginning Character and Humour 522 523. His Severities 529 530. Gains great Honour 532 Gives Orders for his return to Adrianople 533. Marches to Constantinople 534. He with the Queen-Mother leave Constantinople 538. Mustapha Aga arrives at the Imperial Court to renew the Treaty of Peace 353. Mustapha Pasha his good Qualities 521. Mutability of the Turkish Court 134. Mutinies at Constantinople 284. Mutiny against the Grand Vizier 128. One prevented in the Turkish Camp 340. N. NAdasti Count contrives how to poison the Emperor 22. Betrays Serini 28. Discover'd to be in the Plot 29. His Pardon deny'd 30. Try'd and Executed ib. His Estate forfeited to the Emperor 3â— Nagiferents a Confident of Wesselini seised 29. Napoli di Romania describ'd
Prusa besieged by Othoman Michael Cossi turneth Turk Alteration of Religion in the Greek Church Persecution in the Greek Church for matters of Religion Andronicus spariâ—g to maintain his Navy weakneth his Empire Immoderate bounty in great men dangerous Alexius Philanthropenus aspireth Libadarius opposeth himself against the proceedings of Philanthropenus Andronicus the Greek Emperor reposing more trust in foreign aid than in his own Subjects greatly hurteth his State. Ronzerius what he was Ronzerâ—us for want of pay spoileth the Emperors Subjects Ronzerius slain The Turks first called into Europe by the Catalonians The Turcopuli The unfortunate battel of Michael the Emperor against the Catalonians and Turks Cassandria The Catalonians shut out of Macedonia A notable stratagem of the Catalonians The Turks divided into two Factions The unfortunate battel of the Emperor Michael Paleologus with the Turks in Chersoneâ—us Thracia spoiled by the Turks Philes Paleologus requesteth of the Emperor that he might go against the Turks The Battel betwixt Philes and the Turks The Turks overthrown The causâ—s of the decay of the Greek Empire Syrgiannes his craâ—ty Seditious Speech unto young Andronicus Young Andronicus cometh secretly armed to his Grandfather Thracia revolteth unto Andronicus Articles of agreement betwixt the old Emperor and his Nephew The Greek Empire in Europe divided whilst the Grecians are at discord amongst themselves Othoman layeth the foundation of the Turks Empire and the other other Turks incroach upon them also The Island of the Rhodes was by the Knights Hospitalers recovered from the Turks in the year 1308. Andronicus the old Emperor seeketh for Counsel of the Psalter as of an heavenly Oracle and so seeketh to make peace with his Nephew Psal. 68. vers 14. A treacherous meeting The young Emperor sendeth Embassadors unto his Grandfather The Speech of the young Emperor to his Grandfathers Embassadors The Speech of the old Emperor unto the Patriarch and the rest of the Bishops and Nobility concerning the young Emperor his Nephew The Patriarch with divers of the Bishops conspire against the Emperor Thessalonica yielded unto the young Emperor Constantinople bâ—â—râ—yed unto the young Emperor The pitiful Supplication of the old Emperor to his Nephew Niphon incenseth the young Emperor against his Grandfather The old Emperor becometh blind Andronicus the old Emperor against his will made a Monk and called Anthony The notable answer of the old Emperor to the catching question of the proud Patriarch The death of the old Emperor The Turks Kingdom founded by Othoman in Asia at such time as the Greek Emperors were at variance betwixt themselves in Europe Prusa yielded unto the Turks The death of Othoman Othoman buâ—ied at Prâ—sa The wealth that Oâ—homan leâ—t unto his two Sons Orchanes and Aladin when that barbarous manner of murthering their Brethren first began among the Turkish Sultans The City of Nice with divers other Castlâ—s recovered from the Turks after the death of Othoman The Emperor wounded The City of Nice surprised by the Turks Abydus besieged by the Turks Nicomedia yielded unto Orchanes Orchanes remoueth his Court to Nice Orchanes invadeth the Country of Carasina The Country of Carasina yielded unto Orchanes The Castle of Maditus tâ—â—en by the Tâ—rks The death of Solyman Bassa Orchanes his eldest Son. The death of Orchanes Amurath succeedeth his Father Orchanes in the Turkish Kingdom Didymotichum yielded unto the Turks Hadrianople yielded unto the Turks Rhodestum surprised by the Turks Hadrianople thâ— Royal Seat of the Tâ—rkish Kings in Europe Boga taken by Amurath and recovered again and rased by the Christians Boga new built by the Turks Amurath invadeth Servia Nissa taken by the Turks Appolonia won 〈◊〉 the Turks Amurath and Aladiâ— prepare themselves for War. The death of Chairadin Bassa The great battel in the plains of Caramania betwixt Amurath and Aladin Aladin flieth to Iconium Iconium besieged by Amurath Lazarus the Despot by his Embassador craveth aid of the King of Bosna Amurath marrieth the Emperor of Constantinoples daughter The Castle of Sarkive with the City jâ—yning unto it taken by thâ— Christians and rased Lazarus slain Amurath slain Amurath buried at Prusa Bajazet invadeth Servia Servia the second time invaded by Bajazet Thessalia invaded by Bajazet Constantinople eight years besieged by Bajazet Constantinople the second time besieged by Bajazet Bajazet marrieth Despina the fair Daughter of Lazarus the Despot Temurtases Bâ—jazet his great Lieutenanâ— in Asia taken Prisoner by Aladin the younâ— King of Caramania Amasia yielded unto Bajazet Sebastia delivered to Bajazet Bajazet invadeth Isfendiar Prince of Castamona The Mahometan Princes of Asia oppressed by Bajazet disguised flie unto Tamerlane for aid Tamerlâ—ne his opinion concerning the diversity of Religions The base opinion some have concerning the Birth and Rising of Tamerlane Tamerlane honourably descended The cause why some have reported him to have been a Shepherd or Herdsman Tamerlane marrieth the Daughter and Heir of the great Cham of Tartary Prince Axalla in great credit with Tamerlane The number of Tamerlanes great Army Sebastia besieged by Tamerlane Sebastia yielded to Tamerlane A Shepherd more happy than Bajazet The Prince of Ciarcan dealeth politickly with the Forerunners of the Turks Army The great and mortal Battle betwixt Bajazet and Tamerlane The Prince of Ciarcaâ— slain The Turks overthrown Bajazet and his Son Musa taken Prisoners Bajazet 〈◊〉 bâ—sâ—e Tamerlane with his Pride Bajazet like a Beast shut up in an Iron Caâ—e Solyman set up in his Fathers steaâ— Prusa taken by â—â—â—lle Tamerlane goeth to Constantinople Tamerlane much delighted with the pleasures of Constantinople A great Battel fought betwixt the Sultan of Egypt and Tamerlane Damasco won by Tamerlane Tamerlane cometh to Jerusalem Damiata taken by Axalla Tamerlane marcheth towards Caâ—er Caier besieged by Tamerlane Caier assaulted by Tamerlane The Sultan flieth from Alexandria Tamerlane desirous to return into his Country The miserable death of Bajazet A comparison betwixt Bajazet and Tamerlane Bajazet in his Posterity more fortunate than Tammerlane Divers opinions concerning the Successors of Bajazet The true Posterity of Bajazet Mahomet Gâ—vernor of Amasia Mahomet â—â—ndâ—â—h Spies into Tamerlane his Camp. Cara Dulet slain Mahomet his 〈◊〉 to Inaâ—l Ogli the Tartar Prince Inall Ogli his answer to Mahomet Inall Ogli overthrown by Mahomet Mahomet his Speech to Tamerlanes Embassador The great power Tamerlane continâ—ally kâ—pt The death of Tamerlane The description of Tamerlane Mahomet goeth against his Brother The answer of Isa to Mahomet his Offers The body of Bajazet honourably buried at Prusa Good counsel Isa with a great army sent by his Brother Solyman into Asia against Mahomet Prusa burnt by Isa. Isa flieth into Caramanâ—a and there dieth in obscurity The Castle of Prusa besieged by Solyman Musa marrieth the Prince of Valachia his daughter Musa in the absence of Solyman received at Hadrianople as King. Musa goeth against Solyman Solyman flieth Solyman strangled by his Brother Musa This Solyman is that same whom some call Celebinus and other some Calepinus and reckon
Turks Mahomet maketh prâ—paration for the besieging of Constantinople Constantius the Emperor in vain craveth aid of the Christian Princes 1453. Vide Leonardi Chiensis Archiepiscopi Mitylen hist. de captivitate Constâ—ntinopoliâ—â—nâ— Mahomet encampeth beâ—ore Constantinople The situation of Conâ—â—antinople Constantinople built by Pausanias dâ—stroyed by Severus re-edified by Constantine the Great and now taken by Mahomet the Turk The magnificient Temple of S. Sophia The Frugality of the Turks in their private Buildings The Turks Fleet. Constantinople undermined by the Turks Seventy of the Turks Galliots brought eight miles over land by the deâ—ice of a Christian into the Haven of Constantinople A wonderful Bâ—idge made by the Turks over the Haven of Constantinople A notable fight between four of the Christians Ships and the Turks Fleet. The Citizens of Constantinople without cause murmur against the Emperor A bare shift for money Constantinople assaulted by the Turks The Christiaâ—s forsâ—ke the â—alls Conâ—â—antinople won by the Tuâ—ks Mahomet solemniseth his Feasts in Constantinople with the blood of the Grecian Nobility Pâ—ra yiâ—â—ied â—o the Turk Mahomeâ— notably dissembleth his haâ—red against Caly-Bassa Mahomet placeth his Imperial Seat at Constantinople and is worthily accounted first Emperor of the Tuâ—ks Thomas and Demetrius rebel against Mahomet and arâ— by him spoiled of part of their Dominion Mâ—homet câ—mâ—th again into Pelopoâ—nesus Demetrâ—us submitteth himself to Mahomet Peloponnesus subdued by the Turks The death of George Despot of Servia Servia yielded to the Turk Belgrade besieged The Turks Fleet overthrown by the Christians Carazias Bassa slain Belgrade assaulted by the Turks The Turks notable repulse Mahomet wounded and carried away for dead The death of the most famous Captain Huniades 1461. Usun-Cassan the Persian King sendeth Embassadors with Presents to Mahomet Mahomet invadeth Ismael Prince of Sinope Trapezond besieged by Mahomet Trapezond yâ—elded â—â—to the Tâ—â—ks The ruâ—ne of the Empirâ— oâ— Trâ—pezond Mahomet sâ—â—keth to entâ—ap Wladus Prinâ—â— of Valachia Chamuzes Bassa and the Turks Secretary hanged Mahomet himself in Person invadeth Valachia A most horrible Spectacle Two thousand of the Valachies slain The death of Wladâ—s Mitylene besieged Mitylene yâ—elded to the Turks The great Wars betwixt Mahomet and Scanderbeg are at large written by Marinus Barlecius in 13 Books De vita gestis Scanderbegâ— from whence this History is taken and were done betwixt the years 1450. and 1467. Vide Marinum Barletium lib. de vita gestis Scanderbâ—gi Debreas sent with fourteen thousand Horsemen to invade Epirus A skirmish betwixt the Christians and the Turks A Battel betwixt Scanderbeg and Debreas Debreas slain by Scanderbeg and his Army overthrown A pleasant contention betwixt Musachius and a Turk for his ransome The crafty proceeding of the Turks Messenger Moses corrupted Scanderbeg craveth aid of Alphonsus King of Napâ—es Alphonsus sâ—ndeth aid unto Scanderbeg Scanderbeg bâ—sâ—â—ngeth and disâ—resâ—eâ—h Belgrade Muscachius slain and the Epirots put to Flight Scanderbeg seeth his men slain and is not able to relieve them Scanderbeg flieth by night into Epirus Mahomet sendeth Moses with fifteen thousand select men to invade Epirus A Combat betwixt a Turk and a Christan The Battle betwixt Scanderbeg and Moses Moses contemned of the Turks Moses 〈◊〉 from Constantinople Amesa his first speech uâ—â—o Mahomet Amesa hohonourably entertained by Mahomet A notable speech of Scanderbeg unto his Captains how the Turks were to be withstood at their coming to Epirus The Epirots remove all their things out of the Country into the strong Towns before the coming of the Turks Amesa is by the Bassa created King of Epirus The Tâ—â—â—â— Camp buried in security Scanderbeg suâ—denly assaileth the Turks A notable Victory of the Christians The Speech of Amesa to Scanderbeg The answer of Scanderbeg to Amesa The death of Amesa A Peace for a year concluded betwixt Mahomet and Scanderbeg The Letters of Mahomet to Scanderbeg The answer of Scanderbeg to the former Letters of Mahomet The Letters of Mahomet to Scanderbeg for the concluding of a perpetual Peace betwixt them A Peace concluded betwixt Mahomet and Scanderbeg The notable Speech of Victâ—r Capella to peâ—swade tâ—e Venetians to take up Aâ—ms against Mahomet The Venetians take up Arms against the Turks The Venetians enter into confederation with other Christian Princes against the Turk The Letters of Maâ—omet to Scanderbeg Scanderbeg his Answer to the Letters of Mahomet Ten thousand Turks slain The Venetians attempting to win Patras receive great loss Mathias of a Prisoner chosen King of Hungary Mahomeâ— sendeth Balabanus to invadâ— Epirus Balabanuâ— goeth against Scanderbeg The Battel betwixt Balabanus and Scanderbeg Moses and other worthy Captains cruelly executed by Mahomet The Battel at Sfetigrade betwixt Balabanus and Scanderbeg Scanderbeg his Scouts traiterously flie to Balabanâ—s Jacuppe slain by Scanderbeg and his Army discomfited Mahomet cometh to the siege of Croia Scanderbeg surpriseth Ionima the Brâ—ther of Balâ—banâ—s and Hedar his Sâ—n. Scanderbeg falleth sick The death of Scanderbeg Scanderbeg huried at Lyssa The body of Scan-derbeg digged up by the Turks and of them greatly honoured Paulus Jovlus Illust viroâ—um Elog. lib. 8. Mathias King of Hungary takeâ—h the Kingdom of Bosna from the Turks Chalcis the chief City of Euboea besieged by the Turks Treason in the City Chalcis is taken by the Turks The fruitful Island of Euboea taken by the Turks The Veneâ—iâ—ns aided by King Ferdinand the Biâ—hop of Rome and the great Master of the Rhodes do the Turks great harm all alongst the coast of the lâ—sser of Asia Mahomet no less troublesome unto the Mahometan Princes than to the Christians Usun-Cassanes in a great battel overthoweth the King of Persia. Two huge Armies of the Turks and Persians in field together The death of the noble Mustapha Mahomet his eldest Son. Solyman Bassa besiegeth Scodra with an Army of eighty thousand men Matthias King of Hungary inforceth the Turks to forsake the Siege of Scodra Croia besieged by the Turk Contarenus the Venetian General slain The Turks shew themselves at the River of Sontium The Couâ—try of Frâ—ulâ— spoiled by the Turks Vid. Marinum Barletium de expug Scodrensi The poor Country People flie for fear of the Turks Two of the Turks attempting to touch the Walls of Scodra are both slain and one of their Heads sit upon the Wall. Mahomet in person himself cometh unto the siege of Scodra The order of Mahomets Camp. Mahomet purposing to give a general Assault incourageth his Captains and Souldiers thereunto The City of Scodra assaulted by the Turks the fourth time A most terrible Assault Twelve thousand Tâ—rks slain in the last Assault The Turks superstitiously reverence the new Moon Scodra again most fâ—riously assaultâ—d by the Turks The assault â—enewed again fiercely by the Turks A woful sight A doubtful Fight Lyssa taken by the Turks and the Bones of Scanderbeg digged up by them and had in great reverence A hard choice Scodra yielded unto the Turks Mahomet longeth after the Rhodes A death right
worthy such a Traitor The oration of the Gâ—eat Masâ—â—r to the rest of the Knights aâ—d Souldiers to encourage them valiantly to withstand the Turks Eight hundred Turks slain Treason against the Great Master discovered and the Traitors executed Two thousand â—ive hundred Turks slain in the Assault The resolute answer of the Great Master A fair Breach made by force of the Turks battery The Bassa raiseth his Siege Achmetes landeth his Army in Apulia near to Otranto and spoileth the Country Otranto taken by the Turks Mahomet dieth at Geivisen in Bithynia not without suspition of poison He is buried at Conâ—â—antinople The description of Mahomet The Sons of Mahomet Mustapha Bajazet and Zemes Otranto yielded by the Turks upon composition Dissention among the Turks about the Succession Bajazet comeâ—â— Conâ—â—tinople Zemes riseth against his Brother Bajazet Bajazet goeth against Zemes Achmetes made General of Bajazet his Army Zemes flyeth in into Syria Zemes his Speech to Caytbeâ—us Sultan of Egypt Catâ—â—ius the Egyptian Sultan sendeth Embâ—ssadors to Bajâ—zâ—t The King of Caramania soliciteth Zemes to take up Arms against Bajazet Zemes flieth to Sea. Zemes his Letters to his Brother Bajazet Zemes flieth to the Rhodes The description of Zemes. Aâ—hmetes his death contrivâ—d Achmetes his Son stirreth up the Ianizaries to help his Father Bajazet for fear delivereth Achmetes to the Ianizaries Achmetes slain Bajazet purposeth to destroy the Ianizaries Bajazet invaâ—eth Moldavia Mary great Princes sâ—e to the Master oâ— the Rhodes foâ— Zâ—mes Bajazet invadeth Carâ—mania Tarsus in Cilicia yieldeth to Bajazet A long and terrible battel betwixt Bajazet and the King of Caramania Achmetes being discomfited is taken Prisoner and sent to Caire A long and terrible Battel betwixt the Turks and the Mamalukes The Turks flie away by night A Peace concluded betwixt Bajazet and Caytbeius Alphonsus King of Naples and Alexander Bishop of Rome crave aid of Bajazet against Charles the French King. Bajazet sendeth Dautius his Embassador to Alexander Bishop of Rome Jo. Roverâ—us robbeth the Turks Embassadors Zemes dieth poisoned by Alexander Bishop of Rome The evil life of Caesar Borgia The death of Caesar Borgia The French King invadeth Naples Ferdinand departeth from Capua to pacifie an uprore at Naples A most resolved act of King Ferdinand Charles the Frâ—nch King received into Naples A great League made by divers Christian Princes against the French King. Ferdinand recovereth his Kingdom of Naples from the French and dieth The death of Charles the French King. The Turks invade Podolla and Rassia and in their return are for the most part lost Friuli part of the Venetian Territory spoiled by the Turks A Fight at Sea betwixt the Turks and the Venetians Lepanto yielded to the Turks Methone besieged both by Sea and Land by Bajazet Methone taken by the Turks Corone Pilus and Crisseum yieldeth to the Turks Cephalenia taken by â—he Venetians Pylos taken from the Tâ—rks and again yielded unto them Dyrrachium taken by the Turks Mytâ—lene besieged The Siege of Mytilene broken up Neritos taken by the Venetians A Peace concluded betwixt Bajazet and the Venetians Bajazet in danger to have been slain by a Dervislar or Turkish Monk. Bajazet by nature peaceable The Turks and Persians diâ—â—er not about the interpretation of their Law but about the true Successor of their great Prophet Mahomet Haider marrieth Martha the daughter of the great King Usun Cassanes Haider Erdebil secretly murdred The beginning of the Cuselbassas Hysmael his behaviour in the time of his exile Hysmael retâ—rneth into Armenia and recovereth his Inheritance Sumachia taken by Hysmael Hysmael cometh to Tauris Hysmael taketh the City of Tauris and defaced the Tomb of his Uncle Jacup Hysmael goeth against the Persian King. Elvan the Persian King slain Hysmael goth against Moratchamus Hysmael exceedingly beloved and honoured of his Subjects Chasen Chelife and Techellis invade the Turks Dominions Hysmael sends Embassadors unto the Venetians to joyn in League with them against Bajazet Orchanes and Mahometes two of Bajazet his Nephews overthrown by Techellis The battel between Caragoses and Techellis Techelliâ— besiegeth Caragoses the Viceroy in the City of Cutaie Caragoses the Viceroy with his Wives and Children taken by Techellis in the City of Cuâ—aie Bajazet sendeth Alis Bassa out of Europe against Techellis The batâ—el betwixt Alis Bassa and Techellis Chasan Câ—â—life slain Alis Bassa slain Jonuses Bassa 〈◊〉 by Bajazet General 〈◊〉 his Army against Techellis Techellis burnt at Tauris A great Earthquake at Constantinople The Children of Bajazet Mahometes disguised as a seafaring man cometh to Constantinople and so to the Court. Mahometes poysoned by Asmehemedi Asmehemedi justly rewarded for his Treachery Selymus aided by Mahometes his Father in law riseth against his Father Bajazet sendeth Embassadors to Selymus Presents given to Selymus by his Fathers Embassadors Bajazet would appoint his Successor whilst he yet lived Bajazet seekeâ—h to prefer Achomates unto the Empire Selymus marcheth with his Army toward Hadrianople Selymus his dissembling Embassage unto his Father Selymus overtaketh his Father The chief men about Bajazet secâ—etly favour Selymus and disswade him from giving him Battel Cherseogles Bassa the only great man faithful to Bajazet pâ—rswadeth him to give Battel to Selymus Bajazet's Speech to the Souldiers and Ianizaries of the Court. The common sort of the Ianizaries faithful to Bajazet desire battel The battel betwixt Bajazet and Selymus Selymus his Army discomfited The â—stiâ—ation Selymus â—â—d of his horse whereon he escaped from his Father Bajazet willing to prefer Achomates to the Empire Achomates inciteth his two Sons Amurathes and Aladin to take part with him against their Grandfather Bajazet Bajazet sendeth Embassadoâ—s â—o Achomates Achomates killeâ—h hâ—s Fatâ—ers â—mbassador Achomates proclaimed Traitor The crafty oration of the great Bassa Mustapha to Bajazet for the bringing home of Selymus Corcutus cometh to Constantinople Corcutus his oration to his Father Bajazet Bajazet comforteth Corcutus and promiseth to resign to him the Empire aâ—ter that Selymus was passed over into Asia Bajazet his crafty Speech unto his Son Selymus The crafty dissimulation of Selymus The blunt speech of Mustapha to Bajazet persuading him to resign the Empire to Selymus The resolute answer of old Bajazet to Mustapha and the other Bassaes Corcutus flyeth Selymus practiseth with Haman a Iew Bajazet his Physitian to poyson him Bajazet poysoned by the Iew. The 〈◊〉 of Bajazet Selymus causeth two of his Faâ—hers Pagis to be put to death for mourning for their Master Haman the Iew justly rewarded for his treachery Paluus Jovius Illust. virorum Elog. lib. 4. Selymus going into Asia against his Brother Achomates Selymus murthereth five of his Brothers Sons Selymus seeketh after the lives of Amurat and Aladin the Sons of Achomates his Brother Ufegâ— Bassa taken Prisoner Mustapha Bassa shamefully murthered Ufegi Bassa put to death Selymus tâ—keth the spoil of his Brother Corcutus Corcutus taken The lamentable death of Corcâ—tus Treason against Selymus discovered Sinan Bassa discomfited by Achomates
forces with King Ferdinand against the Tâ—rk in Hungary The Marquess of Brandenburg cometh to Pesth with his Army The Turks sally out of Pesth and put the Christians to the worse The Turks sallying out again are discoâ—fited by Vitellius and Perenus Mauritius in danger to be slain A Breach made in the walls of Pesâ—h The Breach assaulted by the Italians The Germans stand still as lookers on whilst the â—alians give the Assault The contumelious Speech of a Turk against the Germans The Germans and the Italians retire with loss A notable skirmish betwixt the Turks and the Hungarians The Christians removing from Pesth are assailed by the Turks The Christian Army broken up at Vienna Perenus the notable Hungarian apprehended upon suspicion of Treason The uncourtesie of Liscanus the Spaniard in the apprehension of Perenus Matters surmised against Perenus The lamentable speech of Perenus to Tornieâ—â—us and the other Captains concerniâ—g his apprehension Perenus his râ—quâ—st of the Admiral and the râ—st of the Captaiâ—s Perenus Valentine and Maylat three of the greatest Nobility in Hungary kept in perpetual Prison Solyman granteth to send his Fleet by Barbarussa to aid the French King against the Emperor Solymans Letters to the French King. Barbarussa amorous of the Captain of Rheglum his Daughter The French Embassadors Letters to comfort Rodolph the Cardinal the Popes Legate in Rome Solyman cometh with a great Army into Hungary The Castle of Walpo treacherously yielded and the Traitors justly rewarded Solyman cometh with his Army to Strigonium The stout answer of the Captains The terrible battery of the Turks at Strigonium The Turks repulsed thrice at the assault of the Breach A Christian Fugitive discovereth the strength and state of the City unto the Turks Salamanca goeth out of Strigonium to parly with the Turks about the yielding up of the same Strigonium yielded to the Turks by Liscanus the Spaniard Liscanus the coveous Spaniard merrily stript of all his wealth by Halis Captain of the Ianizaries Solyman entreth into Strigonium and there setteth up the Mahometan Superstition A cowardly Captain worthily rewarded Solyman goeth to Alba Regalls The description of Alba Regalis The Citizens of Alba will not suffer the City to be destroyed The Turks with incredible labour fill up the Ditches and Lake and by plain force assault the Bulwark of the Suburbs towards Buda A notable Act of an Hungarian Woman The Suburbs of Alba Regalis won by the Turks The miserable slaughter of the flying Christians Embassadors sent to Solyman to entreat upon conditions for the yielding of the City Solyman entreth into Alba Regalis Solyman causeth the chiâ—f Citizens of Alba Regalis to be slain Solyman retâ—rneth to Constantinople Nice in Provence besieged by the French aâ—d the Turks The Citizens crave parly and after yield the City The Castle besieged Barbarussa in his rage threatneth to lay hands on Polinus and to return forthwith to Constantinople The Turks and French give over the Castle of Nice and set fire on the City Barbarussa derided by the Turks Captains His answer to their taunts Muleasses fearing the coming of Barbarussa departeth from Tunes into Italy to crave aid of Charles the Emperor Costly Dishes Amida riseth against Muleasses his Father and usurps the Kingdom of Tunes Muleasses turneth into Africk to Guletta Amida thrust out of Tunes Amida returneth and possesseth the Kingdom Muleasses going to Tunes by the way overthrown Lofredius slain Muleasses taken Amida put out his Fathers and Brthrens Eyes Touarres sends for Abdamelech Amida his elder Brother Abdamelech by Policy obtaineth the Kingdom of Tunes Abdamelech dieâ—h and Mahometes his Son is chosen King in his place Muleasses at the request of Touarres is sent to Guletta Amida recovereth the Kingdom of Tunes and takes revenge upon his Enemies Muleasses disdaineth to kiss the Popes Foot. Barbarussa his Leters to Appiadus Governor of Elba Appianus glad to deliver the Captive whom Barbarussa required Sinan the Iew dieth for joy Barbarussa in his return toward Constantinople doeth much harm upon the Coast of Italy Barbarussa arrived at Constantinople Mahomet Solymans eldest Son diâ—th The death of the famous Pyrat Barbarussa Vastius dieth Van yielded to the Turks Imirza murthred in Prison Solyman returneth to Constantinople Dragut a famous Pyrat of the Turks possesseth certain Cities in Africk Malta attempted by the Turks The Turks Flâ—et arriveâ—h at Tripolis in Barbary Tripolis battered by the Turks Hard conditions oâ—fered by the Bassa to the besieged More easie conditions offered by the Bassa which he confirmeth by his Oath The wary answer of the Governour to the Bassa The Castle yielded The shameless answer of the faithless Bassa to the French Embassador The Turks Triumph for the winning of Tripolis A shameful cruelty of the Turks Temeswar and Zolnok taken by the Turks George Bishop of Veradium murthred in his own House Agria besieged by the Turks The Turks give over the Siege of Agria Muâ—tapha Solymans eldest Son in great esâ—imation with the People Solyman becomâ—th amorous of Roxolana Mustapha sent to Govern Caramanâ—â— The malice of Roxolana against Mustapha Roxolana conspireth with Rustan Bassa her Son in Law against Mustapha Roxolana faineth her self Religious Solyman manumiseth Roxolana Solyman sends for Roxolana She excuseth her self and refuseth to come Solyman marrieth Roxolana Roxolana plotteth the confusion of Mustapha Mustapha in danger to have been poisoned by Roxolana Roxolana and Rustan together put Solyman in fear of his Son Musâ—apha Solyman sends Rusâ—an Bassa with an Army to take Mustapha The malicious device of Rustan Solyman goeth himself with an Army to kill his Son. He sendeth for Mustapha Mustapha perplexed in mind His talk with his Doctor Mustapsta cometh to his Fathers Camâ— The exceeding treachery of Bustan against Mustapha The melancholy Dream of Mustapha in coming to his Father Mustapha cometh to his Fathers Tent. Mustapha most cruelly strangled in his Fathers sight Mahomet Mustaphaes Son strangled also Solyman offereth to Tzihanger all Mustapha's treasure and Wealth Tzihanger for sorrow killeth himself A bloody tumult betwixt the Souldiers of Solyman and Mustapha The Tumult appeased by Achomat Bassa The Ianizaries up in Arms against Solyman for the unworthy death of Mustapha The stout speech of Solyman to the Ianizaries The fierce answer of the Ianzaries to Solyman Solyman yieldeth unto the Ianizaries Rustan disgraced by Solyman flyeth to Constantinople The miserable end of Achomates the great Bassa Zigeth besieged by the Bassa of Buda A terrible Assault Zigeth notably deâ—ended Solymans Letters to the Pope in behalf of the Iews Merchants * The ninth of March Ann. 1556. Haly Bassa besiegeth Zigeth again Haly Bassa overthrown Henry the French King soliciteth Solyman to invade the King of Spain his Territories The Guise Lord Grand Prior in France Admiral of Malta taketh certain of the Turks Gallies Solyman in nothing more unfortunate than in the proos of his Children Bajazet Solymans younger Son seeketh to aspire unto the Empire The crafty dealing of the
Christians taken and sacked The Turks for fear forsake the Castle of Boulouvenar The Turks fled out of the Castle of Boulouvenar surprised and overthrown Moyses by Basta overthrown flyeth unto his strong Castle of Solomose He with his Wife and Family flieth unto the Turks Basta besiegeth the Turks in the Castle Solomose The Castle of Solomose by the Turks yielded up to Basta Basta's Admonitions to them of Transilvania The Answer of the Transilvanians unto the Admonitions of Basta New Enterprises by the Rebel Moises in Transilvania He with Ensigns display'd entreth into Transilvania Wiscebourg besieged by Moises Wiscebourg yielded to Moises Moises in great favour with Mahomet A General besieged loseth his Reputation Basta prayeth Aid of the Governour of Cassovia The Vayvod of Valachia sendeth Aid to the Relief of Basta Moises raiseth his Siege The Bassa of Temeswar calleth home his Turks out of Transilvania for the repressing of the Haiducks Claudinople besieged by Moises Claudinople yielded to Moises Moises sendeth for his Wife and Family to Temeswar The Janizaries of Temeswar refuse to deliver Moises's Wife and Family The Valachians by Moises put to flight Moises with his Army by the Valachians overthrown and himself slain Moises's Head upon a Lance set up at Carolstad New Rebels in Transilvania discomfited An honourable Present by the L. Basta sent unto the Emperour County Solmes surprising Wiscenbourg is himself taken Prisoner A great Army of the Christians The Turks Army of 100000 men in Field The shameful â—light of certain of the Garrison Souldiers of Pesth unto the Turks at Buda Pesth victualled The Suburbs of Alba-Regalis by the Christians sacked and burnt Anoâ—her Convoy of Victuals by Land put into Pesth The Castle of Adom upon a vain fear forsaken by the Haiducks who had the keeping thereof Sultan Mahomet among his greatest Pleasures perplexed Mahomet in vain seeketh to makePeace with the Rebels in Asia Mahomet seeing his Offers rejected by the Rebels of Asia covertly seeketh for Peace with the Christians The Letters of Achmet Bassa to Collonitz concerning a Treaty of Peace to be had The Emperour advertised of the Turks motion for Peace giveth order to Collonitz for the entertaining thereof The Turks unreasonable demands break off all the Treaty of Peace A notable Enterprise of Collonitz upon the Avaunt-guard of the Turks Army Collonitz in good time relieved by the Haiducks The Turks Affairs and Designs made known unto the Christians by Saxar Beg by them taken Prisoner The Negligence of certain Christian Souldiers forgetful of divers Duties The great and brave Indeavour of Collonitz to have obtained the Victory over the Turks A great and rich Booty lost through the negligence of the Christians The Lord Russworm General of the Christian Army by his Espials certainly informed of the estate of the Turks Army The Turks overthrown by the Garrison of Strigonium The Turks defeated by Collonel Sultze The General of the Christian Army providently fortifieth upon the River of Danubius The Turks assailing one of the Forts of the Christians with loss repulsed The Turks made a Bridge over the River of Danubius A great Ambush laid for the intercepting of the Turks The Turks falling into the Ambuâ—h laid for them by the Christians receive a notable overthrow Sultan Mahomet much troubled in his Affairs The doings of the Rebels in Asia The great City of Tauris besieged and taken by the Persian King. Sultan Mahomet perplexed with the evil Success of his Affairs falleth to his superstitious Devotions A great fight of a Flemish Ship with the Gallies of Amurat Rais. The Turks in a Skirmish by the Christians overthrown Eghty Italian Renegades hanged The Turks Army greatly diminished and discouraged The Christians with their Army follow the Turks The Christians resolve to give the Turks Battel The Turks seek to draw the Christians into the danger of their Ambush A Conflict betwixt the Turks and the Christians The Turks refuse to come to a general Battel with the Christians Erasbles what manner of Souldiers they are among the Turks Collonitz in governing about to surprise the Turks with loss repulsed and himself indangered The Bridge of Lamascin taken and broken by the Governour of Stiria The Christians offer the Turks Battel The Turks â—â—â—use to â—â—â—ept of 〈…〉 them 〈…〉 The great Bassa having victualled Buda secretly by Night riseth with his Army and retireth out of Hungary The Christians after the departure of the Turks resolve to besiege Hatwan Hatwan taken and dismantled by Maxamilian the Arch-duke in the year 1594. Hatwan again fortified by the Turks Hatwan besieged by the Christians Grasold General of the Italians slain The Turks in Hatwan crave Parley Hatwan yielded unto the Christians The Lord Russworm breaks up his Army and sendeth the Ensigns gained from the Turks for a present to the Archduke Matthias Insolent Souldiers justly punished The Souldiers of the Regiment of the Reingrave evil billited by Extremities driven to provide for themselves The Peasants of Austria seek by force to stay the Passage of the Souldiers of the Reingraves Regiment into their Country The Churles of Austria overthrown Divers happy Conflicts of the Christians with the Turks and Tartars Beged Bassa thinking to have surprised the Lord Basta is himself by him surprised and overthrown Bethlin Habor chosen chiâ—f of the Rebels in Transilvania Basta's scornful Answer to the Messenger of Bethlin Basta sendâ—â—h for new Supplies unto the Emperour for the keeping of Transilvania Zellaly cometh into Bosna By Policy overthroweth Zeffer Bassa the Governour and possesseth it himself Sultan Mahomet sendeth for Zellaly to come unto him to Constantinople Zellaly refuseth to come to Constantinople at the great Sultan's sending for Commissioners appointed to confer upon a Peace to be made betwixt the Christians and the Turks The Causes which moved the Turks to encline to Peace The Bassa of Buda faileth to meet the Christian Commissioners according to his Promise An evil Presage of the future Peace The Christian Commissioners courteously entertained at Buda A Truce for twelve days agreed upon betwixt the Turks and the Christians Presents by the Turks given to the Christian Commissioners The true and just Commendation of the Lord Nadasti The Death of the Lord Nadasâ—i The Turks overthrown by the Vayvod of Valachia The small time of Truce yieldeth great contentment both unto the Christians and Turks in Hungary The Death of the Great Sultan Mahomet Mahomet why he was not regarded of his men of War Mahomet's Issue Mahomet how he lieth buried at Constantinople The Turks bury not in their Churches neither within the Walls of theirCities but in the Fields Achmat by excessive bounty procureth the favour of his great Courtiers and men of War. Achmat Crowned Emperour of the Turks at Constantinople Achmat removeth his Grandmother from dealing with matters ofState 1604 The Turks diversly conceited of their new Emperour The Treaty for Peace in Hungary continued The Turks honourably feasted by the Christianâ— near Pesth The Turks by Treachery seek
to surprise Pesth The Turks Commissioners disavow the Practice for the surprising of Pesth The Commissioners for the Emperour refuse any more to go to Buda The Message of County Ysolan from the Great Sultan to the Emperour The Turks in all the Negotiation for Peace did nothing but dissemble with the Emperour's Commissioners The Treaty for Peace with the Turks cometh to nothing Divers Reports concerning the Turks great Preparations and Designs Babylon reported to have been taken by the Persian King. The Turks wisely dissemble their Losses The great Opinion the Turks have of the Power of their great Sultan The Disposition of the young Turkish Emperour Fury and Tyranny the chief means whereby the Turkish Emperours command their Subjects The miserable estate of the Country of Transilvania An horrible Famine An Assembly of the States of Transilvania for the appeasing of the Troubles there The Troubles of Transilvania secretly maintained by the Nobility of the Country A severe and miserable kind of Punishment The Treaty of Peace betwixt the Christians and the Turks quite broken off and the War again begun Booties taken from the Turks by the Christians The Christians by the Turks Prisoners informed of their evil meaning in the Treaty of Peace Zeffer Bassa recovereth the Government of Bosna from Zellaly and shortly after dieth Zellaly made Governour of Temeswar The Miseries of the Hungarians The Regiment of Collonel Althem in Mutiny The Regiment of Collonel Meysberg in Mutiny A strange Action of two of the Citizens of Vienna The Turks in vain seek to surprise Lippa Cassovia in danger to have been burnt by the Turks The Cittadel of Canisia by chance burnt The Turks of Buda overthrown by the Christians of Pesth New Tumults in Transilvania The Rebels in Transilvania surprised and slain The miserable estate of Transilvania Captain Horwat's Answer in excuse of the Haiducks Two of the Turks Spies of Buda taken The Letters of the Bassa of Buda to the Governour of Strigonium Cicala Bassa with his Army overthrown by the Rebels in Asia Cicala Bassa again overthrown The Success of the Persian King. Sultan Achmat sick of the small Pox. Good Counsel taken in evil part by Sultan Achmat. Hassan Bassa appointed Lieutenant General of the Turks Wars in Hungary Hassan Bassa sent for to come to Constantinople Hassan Bassa continued General of the Turks Army against the Christians and Cicala appointed General of their Army against the Persians Cicala Bassa maketh shew as if he were unwilling to be General in the Wars against the Persians The Reasons why the Tartar Cham is so ready to serve the great Turk in his Wars against the Christians Hassan Bassa setteth forward with his Army toward Hungary Maximilian the Arch-duke sent Ambassador from the Emperour unto the Pope to crave his Aid against the Turk The Pope's Answer unto the Emperour's Demands Valachia spoiled by the Tartars Rodolph the Vayvod submitteth himself and his Country to the Emperour's Protection The Turks surprised by the Haiducks The Haiducks what manner of men they be and their outrageous Insolency The Turks in their Hearts meaning War make shew as if they were desirous of Peace The Castle of Reovin surprised by the Haiducks Petrinia in danger to have been betrayed unto the Turks The insolent and unreasonable Demands of the Turks for the concluding of a Peace with the Christians The Answer of the Emperour's Deputies unto the Turks proud Demands The Turks scorn and deride the reasonable Answer of the Emperour's Commissioners The shameful Cowardise of Iagenreuter Governour of Pesth Pesth most shamefully abandoned by the Christians Pesth taken by the Turks Iagenreuter for his Cowardise worthily committed to Prison The Bassa of Buda excuseth himself for the taking of Pesth Hassan Bassa cometh into Hungary Strigonium besieged by the Turks The Christians sally forth upon the Turks The careful Endeavours of Basta the Emperor's Lieutenant General for the Preservation of Strigonium The comfortable Speech of County Sultze Governour of Strigonium to his Garrison A notable Sally of the Christians out of the Fort of St. Thomas The Christians falling into an Ambush of the Turks lose one of their chief Commanders More than beastly Cruelty exercised by the Turks upon the dead Body of County Holenloth Hatwan most shamefully forsaken by the Christians Bethlin Habor the Rebel surprised and overthrown by the County Tambier Succours sent to the Rebel by the Bassa of Temeswar defeated by the County Tambier and the Bassa's Lieutenant slain The Visier Bassa seeketh â—o gain Strigoniâ—m by offering of the Christians Peace Depuâ—ieâ— appointed to entreat with the Turks of Peace The Treaty for Peace broken off The Cossacks depart out of the Turks Camp unto the Christians The Janizaries in Mutiny against the Visier Bassa The Reason of the Mutiny of the Janizaries against the Bassa their General The Fort of St. Thomas the second time assaulted by the Turks The shameful Treason of the Haiducks of Strigonium The Fort of St. Thomas the third time assaulted by the Turks The Turks seeking to undermine the Fort of St. Thomas disappointed of their purpose A Treaty for Peace The Treaty broken off and nothing concluded The Janizaries unwilling to continue the siege of Strigonium The Fort of Saint Thomas six times in one day assaulted by the Turks The siege of Strigonium given over by the Turks Basta pursueth the Turks Army departing from the siege of Strigonium The upper Hungary by the Turks and Tartars spoiled and burnt The Visier Bassa by his Letters maketh a motion for the Treaty of Peace New Rebellion in Transilvania raised by Istivan sirnamed Botscay * He was in scorn called Potscay which in the Bohemian Language signifieth â—arry or stay of the long delayes he by way of disgrace had before indured in the Emperours Court. Belgiosa goeth against the Rebels of Transilvania Belgiosa in a great Battel overthrown by Botscay the Rebel Botscay dealeth unfaithfully with such upon his faith given them yielded unto him Botscay in his Rebellion countenanced by the Great Sultan and called Prince of Transilvania Pallas Lippa Botscay's Lieutenant pretendeth the defence of Religion for the strengthening of Botscay in his Rebellion The great City of Cassovia yielded to the Rebel Botscay An impudent shift of the Visier Bassa for the saving of his Credit with the Great Sultan Basta goeth with his Army against the Rebels in the upper Hungary Belgiosa in the Castle of Zipze besieged by the Rebels The Priests and Jesuits for fear of the Haiducks fly from Presburg to Vienna Certain Companies of the Rebels discomfited and overthrown by the Lord Basta Blase Nemet one of the Captains of the Rebels taken and put to death Basta distressed by the Rebels The Rebels by Basta overthrown The Citiâ—â—ns of â—assovia reâ—uâ—e to submit themselves and to receive the Emperour's Souldiers into their City Eperia yielded unto Basta The Hussars traiterously spoil them whom they should have conducted Basta wisely appeaseth his Souldiers ready to forsake his Service
loves to slide not stand And leaves fortunes ice vertues firm land Honour had rather be with danger driven Than stay with vertue on the hand of Heaven THE REIGN OF MUSTAPHA The First of that Name Ninth Emperour of the Turks year 1617 OSMAN the eldest Son of Achmat being not above twelve years old Mustapha Brother to Achmat being five and twenty was drawn out of a Cell where he lived as it were religiously and in Contemplation and proclaimed Sultan Mustapha Chan. They write of him that he grew cruel causing young Osman to be kept under sure Guards putting to death his Brethren He also did many indignities unto the Christian Ambassadours and to confirm him in his Throne he gave great Sums of Money to the Janizaries and Spahies and sent a Messenger to Vienna to the Emperour to assure him that he would maintain inviolably whatsoever had been concluded betwixt him and his deceased Brother Achmat. But growing odious by reason of his Tyranny the Grand Visier came out of Persia with an Army and deposed him forcing him to return to his Cell setting Prince Osman at liberty and seating him in the Imperial Throne But for that it may seem strange that Mustapha should be preserved alive during the Reign of his Brother Achmat contrary to the custom of the Othoman Emperours who do usually kill all their Brethren at their first coming to the Crown thinking thereby the better to assure their Estates it shall be fit to make mention thereof Mahomet the third of that name dying in the year 1602 and leaving Achmat and Mustapha his Sons by the Sultana Flatra a Lady of Cyprus some say of Bosna Achmat the eldest was sent for speedily out of Magnesia by the Bassaes to take possession of his Father's Crown being the first Emperour of that Name And for that the custom of the Turkish Emperours was as we have said to have neither Brother nor Nephew alive unless they could save themselves by flight yet the Visier Bassaes and other Officers of the Court concluded in Council that it was not fit that Mustapha Brother to Achmat should dye grounding their opinion upon a good reason of State for that their Emperour being but fifteen years old they feared that dying in his Nonage without children able to govern the Empire might fall into Combustion and ruine it self by reason of Civil Wars Whereupon they decreed that Mustapha's Life should be preserved but with that caution and restriction that he should remain still a Prisoner in some Chambers of the Emperour's Seraglio at Constantinople During Achmat's minority and before he had Children there was no cruel Decree made against Mustapha but he only continued in his Contemplation without any liberty But when as the Emperour saw himself fortified with Issue and remembring the cruel Custom of his Predecessors year 1617 he many times propounded the putting of his Brother to death to his Council the which may seem very strange it took not effect having been often concluded Among others it is written that his Death was concluded one Evening and that it should have been put in Execution the next day But Achmat was so frighted in the Night with Apparitions and fearful Dreams as day being come he said Seeing that the only Resolution to put his Brother to death had so terrified him he did believe that his Torments would much increase if he should put it in Execution and therefore he commanded his Brother should live more in regard of the Terror of his Mind than for any brotherly Affection Another time Sultan Achmat being in one of the Windows of his Seraglio he beheld his Brother Mustapha who by his permission was walking in the Gardens with his Guard Some one of his Bassaes or other Officer that was near unto him and willing to flatter his Humor told him that it was a matter of dangerous Consequence to suffer him to have so great Liberty Achmat move with jealousie and distrust grew into rage at his Words whereupon he suddenly took his Bow and Arrow being a very expert Archer as all the Turkish Nation generally are and aimed at his Brother to kill him but at that very instant he felt so great a pain in his Arm and Shoulder as not able to let loose his Arrow nor to perform what he had intended he said with a loud Voice That Mahomet would not have Mustapha to dye This Prince had three Chambers in the Seraglio where he ramained a Prisoner fifteen years and spent his time in a Contemplative kind of Life after the manner of the Musulmans his whole delight was to read the Arabian Books of their Doctors in divers Sciences The Grand Seignior gave him leave sometimes to take the Air of his Gardens with his Guard and called him to consult with him of Affairs of Estate taking his Advice many times knowing him to be of a sound Judgment After a long imprisonment and a daily apprehension of death the Emperour Achmat falling grievously sick in November as you have heard his Bassaes and other Counsellors about him seeing the danger he was in perswaded him to take some good course for the succession of his Empire He had Children by the Sultana but they so young as they were not capable to govern the Empire Moreover this Sultana was dead and the Children left Friendless and none to speak for them But on the other side the Sultana Flatra Mother to the Emperour Mustapha was yet living who thought that if the Bassaes should undertake to govern the State during the minority of the Emperour's Children her Honour would be much eclipsed wherefore she favoured Mustapha and persuaded the dying Emperour to make him his Successor On the fifteenth of November Achmat seeing his End grow near he called for his Brother and told him That seeing Death approached he desired to provide for the Preservation of the Empire and therefore had made choice of him to succeed him intreating him to take the Government upon him presently after his death Mustapha was much amazed at his Speech and answered him with Words full of Fear and Humility That he might not accept of the Honour which he did him seeing that the Empire did rightly belong unto his eldest Son. Achmat disabled his Son for so great a Government both for his Age and Capacity being necessary for the maintenance of so great a Monarchy that he who was of ripe years and deep judgment should take upon him the managing thereof recommending the Children he had by the Sultana unto him intreating him to use them in the same manner that he had used him leaving the other Children which he had by Concubines being his Slaves to his Discretion Soon after these Words Achmat dyed and Mustapha was generally acknowledged for Successor to the Turkish Empire who at the first was so amazed as he thought he had been in a Dream to see himself advanced to so great a Power and Sovereignty from a straight Prison and
a daily apprehension of Death At his first coming to the Empire he caused the Persian Ambassador to be set at liberty whom his Brother Achmat had caused to be restrained contrary to the publick Faith for that News came unto the Court of some Combustions raised by the Persian After which he sent speedily to the Bassa of Buda in Hungary commanding him to entertain the Treaty of Peace made by his Predecessor with the Emperour inviolably Yet notwithstanding he carried himself during the small time of his Reign insolently and cruelly for violating the Laws of Nations he had ill intreated the Baron of Mole or Sancy Ambassador to the most Christian King setting Guards upon him as a Prisoner having caused his People to be put in Prison and tortured after their manner The reason of this Indignity which Mustapha did unto the French Ambassador and to his People grew upon an occasion which will require an ample Discourse for the better understanding of that which hath gone before After the Overthrow and taking of the Princes of Moldavia Prince Coresky as you have heard was brought by Skinder Bassa to Constantinople whereat the Grand Seignior was wonderfully well pleased for that he was held even by his Enemies for one of the most valiant and redoubted Princes of Christendom wherefore he was sent away Prisoner and confined to the Towers of the black Sea the which are distant five miles from Constantinople a place appointed for the guard of Prisoners of great Quality and Importance such as he was He was shut up with a French Captain called Rigaut in a little Chamber which was on the top of one of those Towers in which Chamber there was a Window capable for a Man to pass through and yet it had no bars for that the height of the place freed it from all suspicion This Prince was much sollicited by the Turk to become a Renegado as the Princes Alexander and Bougdan his Brothers-in-law had done but he resisted it with a generous Resolution resolving rather to die in that tedious Captivity than to commit so base an Act against God and his Conscience The which being made known unto the King of Polonia it moved him to compassion and made him write to the French Ambassador and to intreat him to be a means that this Prince might be put to Ransome and freed from Captivity at what price soever the which the Ambassador durst not undertake although he desired it much for that he had no Charge from the King his Master The Emperour's Ambassador did what possibly he could knowing how much the Liberty of this Prince might be available to Christendome for which Considerations the Turk would not yield in any sort to suffer him to be released so as the Friends of this Captive Prince were out of hope ever to see him at liberty But most commonly in such Extremities the Almighty works by the secret Instruments of his divine Providence and gives assistance unto them that fear him when as all humane help and hope fails as you may understand in the sequel of this History whence grew the Ambassador's Affront which he received About the same time there had been a Lady taken out of Podolia with a fair young Daughter of hers and a Maid-Servant by the Tartarians who sold them unto a Turk and he brought them unto Constantinople to make his Profit This Lady who was a Christian hearing nothing from her Husband for the space of nine months went accompanied with her Daughter to the French Ambassador's House which was at Pera to crave his Aid and Assistance where his Secretary who was called Martine moved with Compassion and Love promised unto them all Service and afterwards assured the Mother That if she would promise he should marry her Daughter he would endeavour to redeem them from Captivity whereunto the Ladies yielded and they passed their Promise in Writing to the Secretary whereupon he payed two thousand and five hundred Crowns for their Ransome and sent them home into their Country Being returned the Lady made her Husband and the rest of her Friends acquainted how they had been freed from Captivity and of the Contract of Marriage which was past between her Daughter and the French Ambassador's Secretary but the Father did altogether dislike of this Marriage for that Martine he said was no Gentleman and had not an Estate to entertain his Daughter according to her Quality The Mother advertised Martine soon after of the Father's Refusal protesting unto him That he alone was the hinderance and as for the Mony which he had disbursed for their Ransome they would send it unto him if he pleased to Constantinople with Interest Martine was much discontented and divers Letters and Expostulations past betwixt them but he could not obtain the Execution of his desire and their promise whereupon he grew full of Grief and Melancholy and thereupon went to visit Prince Coresky who was in the Black Tower to make his Complaint unto him and to take his Advice what course were best for him to follow He made his Excuse that he had been sent by his Master to carry the Prince some Money as he had done at other times who making the Prince acquainted with his Discontent for that he knew these Podolians and had formerly allowed of the Suit which he had made to this Virgin he comforted him saying That if he might by any means get out of Prison he would willingly supply the Defects which they objected against him and would maintain him against all that should oppose themselves against his accomplishing of his Desires year 1618 This made Martine study by what means he might free the Prince to the end he might bind him to succour him when he was at liberty and Love which is many times the Author of many goodly Inventions suggested one unto him which was very subtile and difficult to execute which was to send unto Prince Coresky a bottom of Packthread in a little Pye which he sent him with other meat advertising him by a Letter that upon a certain night concluded betwixt them he should put down the Packthread at his Chamber-Window whereunto a Ladder of Cords should be tied by the which he might descend from the Tower the which was afterwards punctually effected not by Martine himself but by a Greek Priest who lived in Constantinople to whom he had imparted his Enterprise and had ingaged him upon hope of great reward from the Prince In the mean time Martine doubting that he should be suspected to practise this Escape resolved to be gone and took leave of the Ambassador whom he gave to understand that he had some special urgent Affairs which did press his speedy Return into France and therefore he left the Execution of his Design to the Greek Priest who failed not at the time appointed to do as the Secretary had directed him The Prince having drawn up this Ladder of Ropes with the help of his Packthread