removed to Bethlem a Town about the mid way betwixt Ioppa and Ierusalem But winter now coming fast on and want of Victuals like enough to increase the King changing his mind for the Siege returned with the greatest part of the Army to Ascalon which he that Winter new fortified the Walls thereof being before by Saladin in his dispair demolished the Duke of Burgundy with his Frenchmen all that while quietly wintring at Tyre In the mean time the power of the Christians was thus greatly diminished some one way departing from the Camp and some another The Italians for the most part with them of Pisa who in these three years Wars had striven with the Venetians for the Honour of their Service were now returned home as were the Venetians themselves also Nevertheless Winter now past and the Spring time come King Richard took the Field again and came to Bethlem where by the way he met with an exceeding great number of Camels charged with great store of Victuals and Munition sent by Saladin out of Egypt to Ierusalem all which he took but purposing to have gone on to the Siege of Ierusalem he was by the backwardness of the French glad to change his purpose and to return to Ptolemais for the Frenchmen perswaded by the Duke their General who well knew the French Kings mind that if any thing worth remembrance were done it was to be done by them and that the glory thereof should wholly redound unto the King of England as there in person present and to his Englishmen shewed themselves so unwilling to the Siege as that therein was nothing done to the great grief of that worthy Prince At which time also news was brought unto King Richard how that Philip the French King forgetful of his solemn promise made before his departure out of Syria had now invaded the Country of Normandy and excited Earl Iohn the Kings Brother a man of an haughty and aspiring nature to take upon him the Kingdom of England in his absence as had before in like case William the younger Brother served Duke Robert his eldest Brother then absent at his Father the Conquerors death in the first sacred expedition under Godfrey of Bulloin Wherefore King Richard beside the present difficulties fearing lest while he was so far off in Wars for defence of the Christian Common-weal he might lose his Kingdom at home thought it best to grow to some good end with Saladin and so to make his return but the politick and wary Sultan not ignorant of the discord of the Christians and that their Forces daily decayed in Syria either of the troubled Estate of the Kings affairs at home in his Kingdom or of his desire to return would not hearken to any other conditions of Peace but such as might both for the present weaken the Forces of the Christians in Syria and discourage others that had a mind to come thither afterward when they should see that for nought they should travel to conquer that which they must of necessity restore again The conditions he offered were That the Christians should forthwith restore whatsoever they had won in those three years Wars Ptolemais only excepted and from thenceforth for the space of five years the Turks should not in any thing molest the Christians but to suffer them in peace to live by them which hard conditions for that no better could be had the King was glad to accept and so concluded a Peace Whereby the labour and travel of the two great Kings and so many Nations with them were all become frustrate and vain having now to no purpose lost their Men their Mony their Time their Hope their Blood their long Travel to gain that they must now in one hour forego nothing more left unto the poor Christians in Syria than the Cities of Antioch Tyre and Ptolemais This done King Richard leaving the affairs of Asia unto the charge of Henry Count of Champagne his Nephew shipping the greatest part of his People with his Wife Berengaria first for Cicilia and from thence for England where they in safety at length arrived followed shortly after with some few himself where by the way by extremity of Weather he was in the Adriatique driven to land upon the Coast of Histria where travelling with a small retinue homewards in the Habit of a Templar he was discovered and taken Prisoner by Leopold Duke of Austria whom he had before disgraced at the winning of Ptolemais as is before declared who now glad to have him in his power made prise of him and sold him to Henry the Emperor for forty thousand pounds by whom he was kept Prisoner by the space of a year and three months and then ransomed for the Sum of an hundred and fifty thousand pounds About this time died the great Sultan Saladin the greatest terror of the Christians who mindfull of mans fragility and the vanity of worldly honours commanded at the time of his death no Solemnity to be used at his burial but only his Shirt in manner of an Ensign made fast unto the point of a Lance to be carried before his dead body as an Ensign a plain Priest going before and crying aloud to the People in this sort Saladin Conqueror of the East of all the greatness and riches he had in his life carrieth not with him after his death any thing more than his shirt A sight worthy so great a King which wanted nothing to his eternal commendation more than the true knowledge of his Salvation in Christ Jesus He reigned about sixteen years with great honour and dying left nine Sons which were all murthered by Sephradin their Uncle excepting one called also Sephradin Sultan of Alâ—ppo who by the Favour and Support of his Fathers good Friends saved himself from the treacherous practises of his Uncle Of this Sephradin the Uncle descended Meludin Sultan of Egypt and Coradin Sultan of Damasco and Ierusalem Saladin his great Kingdom being by them now again rent in pieces The death of Saladin in short time bruited abroad with the discord among the Turks and Sarafins about his Dominions put Celestinus then Pope in good hope that the City of Ierusalem might in that change and hurly be easily again recovered and that Kingdom established But when he had in vain dealt to that purpose with the Kings of France and England then altogether busied in their Wars the one against the other he perswaded Henry the Sixth then Emperor to take the matter in hand who for that he well could not or else would not himself in person undertake that long expedition sent Henry Duke of Saxony his Lieutenant with a great Army into Asia unto whom were joyned two Legats Conradus Archbishop of Mogunsia another of the Electors and Conradus the Bishop of Herbipolis At which time also may other great Princes took upon them that holy War namely Herman Lantgrave of Thurin Henry Palatine of Rhine Henry Duke of Brabant Conrade
and all the chief Commanders of the Souldiers of the Sacred War appointed him Governor of the Kingdom reserving unto himself only the Title of a King with the City of Ierusalem and a yearly Pension of ten thousand Ducats all which was done to the great disgrace and discontentment of the Count of Tripolis the old Governor It was not long but that Saladin having breathed himself a little after so great Labours came again into the Holy Land where he took many Castles and did infinite harm insomuch that the Country people were glad for fear to forsake their Houses and to fly into Cities The Christian Army in the mean time lying fast by at Sephor not once moving although many a fair occasion were offered for the chief Commanders affectionated unto the Count of Tripolis and envying the Preferment of Guy the new Governor were unwilling to fight but finding one excuse or other suffered the Enemy at his pleasure to spoil the Country and so in safety to depart which he had never before done in those Quarters Within less than a month after Saladin with a great Army well appointed with all the Habiliments of War needful for the besieging of a City or strong Castle came again into the Land of Palestine and passing through the Country beyond Iordan sate down at last before Petra in hope by the taking thereof to have made his passage between Egypt and Damasco more safe Of which his purpose King Baldwin having knowledge and taught by the evil success of late to what small purpose it was to commit the managing of his Wars unto a General so evil beloved and less regarded as way Guy his Brother in law sent against him with his Army Raymund the Count of Tripolis the old Governor whom he had again restored unto the Government and displaced Guy Of whose coming Saladin hearing raised his Siege after he had lien there a month and so departed A little before this Expedition the King still growing sicker and sicker his foul Disease still increasing by the common consent of the Nobility appointed Baldwin his Nephew by his Sister Sybilla a Child but of five years old to succeed him in the Kingdom and the Count of Tripolis to have the Government of the State during the time of his Minority This Sybilla the Kings Sister was first married to William the younger Marquiss of Mont-Ferrat who dying within three months after left her with child with this his Posthumus Son Baldwin now by his Uncle deputed unto the hope of the Kingdom After whose death she was married to Guy Lusignan Count of Ioppa and Ascalon the late Governor who taking in evil part this the Kings designment especially for the Government of the Kingdom by the Count of Tripolis departed from the Court as a man discontented unto his City of Ascalon whereof the Patriarch and the Princes of the Sacred War fearing and that not without cause great danger to ensue came to the King then holding a Parliament in the City of Acon most humbly requesting him for avoiding of further danger and the safety of his Kingdom to receive again into his Favour the Count Guy his Brother in law and to make an atonement betwixt him and the Count of Tripolis But this their request sorted to no purpose so that the Parliament was dissolved without any thing for the good of the Common-weal in that point concluded After that time the Kindgom of Ierusalem began still more and more to decline In the old King Baldwin sick both in body and mind was almost no hope in the young King yet unfit for so great a burthen much less and the dissention betwixt the two Counts Guy and Raymund with their Favorites was like enough to bring great harm unto the State. Besides that the Count of Tripolis fearing the Power of Guy his Enemy was thought to have secret Intelligence with Saladin the Turk insomuch as the King was almost in purpose to have proclaimed him Traytor Wherefore the King now rested only upon the Counsel of William Archbisâ—op of Tyre and the Masters of the Knights of the Sacred War by whose advice he sent Hâ—raclius Patriarch of Ierusalem Roger Molins Master of the Knights of St. Iohns and Arnold Master of the Templars Embassadors unto Lucius the Third then Pope unto Frederick the Emperor Philip the French King and Henry the Second King of England to declare unto them the dangerous State of that Christian Kingdom and to crave their Aid against the Infidels These Embassadors coming to the Council then holden at Vâ—rona with great gravity and diligence in the presence of the Pope and of the Emperor declared the hard estate of the Christians of the East with their humble Request unto them for Aid in such sort that they moved them with all the Princes there present to Compassion From thence they were by the Pope directed unto Philip the French King with whom having dispatched their Affairs they from him passed over into England and afterward into Germany and had at length brought their Negotiation to so good pass that in every place great preparation was made for a great Expedition to be made against the Turks for the Relief of the Christians in the East with which good News the Embassadors returning to Ierusalem filled the sick King with the hope of great matters But greater Quarrels shortly after arising betwixt the Pope and the Emperor and sharp War likewise betwixt the French King and the King of England and the other Christian Princes also being at no better quiet the notable Expedition that had with the expectation thereof so filled the World was again laid aside and quite dashed Whereof King Baldwin understanding both by Messengers and Letters from his Friends oppressed with grief and heaviness more than with the force of his Disease a man for his prowess and painfulness not inferiour to any his Predecessors died without Issue the 16 th day of May Anno 1185. being but five and twenty years old year 1185. whereof he had reigned twelve His Body was afterward with the general mourning of his Subjects solemnly buried in the Temple near unto the Mount Calvary together with his Predecessors the Kings of Ierusalem King Baldwin thus buried Baldwin the Fifth of that name yet but a Boy was Crowned King. But then began the Sparks which had of long lien raked up and hidden in the ashes to break out into a great fire for Raymund Count of Tripolis contended the whole Government of the Kingdom and tuition of the King to be due unto him by the appointment of the late King and consent of the Nobility and did so much that he had almost obtained it to have been confirmed unto him in open Parliament But Sybilla a woman of a most haughty spirit Sister unto the late King and Mother unto the young King yet living prickt forward her Husband Guy in no case to give place unto his Competitor Raymund and so animated
loath to stay the course of his Victory by the Valour of the Defendants resolved there to spend their lives he departed thence and marched directly unto Ierusalem the chief City of that Kingdom and approaching the same gave summons thereunto perswading the Citizens yet whiles they had time to yield themselves together with the City unto his mercy Which they refusing to do he inclosed the same with his Army and by the space of fourteen days laid hard Siege unto it leaving nothing undone or attempted that might help for the gaining thereof At which time the Citzens considering the danger they were in and that the Strength of the Kingdom with the Flower of their Chivalry were in the late Battel lost and that they were not now to expect any forreign aid agreed upon certain conditions to yield up the City which were That such Christians as would might remain still with their Liberty and Goods and that such as would not might in safety depart with so much of their Goods as they could carry upon their Backs These Conditions being by Saladin granted the Holy City was unto him delivered the second of October in the year 1187. after that it had been by the Christians holden from the time that it was by Godfrey of Bulloin and other Christians won about 89 years Saladin entring into the City prophaned first the Temple of the Lord converting it unto the use of his Mahometan Superstition the other Churches he used as Stables for his Horses only the Temple of the Sepulchre was by the Christians for a great sum of Mony redeemed and so kept undefiled The Latine Christians he thrust out of the City yet with leave to carry with them such things as they were able themselves to bear who travelling with heavy Burthens but much more heavy Hearts some to Tripolis some to Tyre some to Antioch for only these three Cities were now left unto the Christians in Syria were by the false Count of Tripolis by the way lightened of their Burthens to the increasing of the heavyness of their Hearts most of them being by him and his Followers spoyled of that little they had by the mercy of their Enemies saved in the ruin of their State. Unto the other Christians that were natural Syrians Greeks Armenians Georgians and such like Saladin appointed certain places of the City for them to dwell in where some of their Posterity were long time after to be found All the Monuments of the Christians were by the barbarous Mahometans and Turks defaced only the Sepulchre of our blessed Saviour Christ with the Monument of Godfrey of Bulloin and his Brother Baldwin for the reverence of the mâ—n were by them spared In these so great troubles above twenty Thousand of the Christians perished amongst the rest the Count of Tripolis was shortly after found dead in his bed and as some say circumcised a manifest token of his Revolt not from the King only but from the Christian Faith also Ierusalem thus won Saladin returned again to the Siege of Ascalon which after he had by the space of ten days most straightly besieged was unto him by composition delivered wherein amongst other things agreed upon for the safe departure of the Citizens was comprised also that he should freely set at liberty Guy the King and Gerard Master of the Templars both before taken Prisoners as is before declared which he afterward performed Thus the victorious Turk still urging his good fortune departing thence attempted to have taken Tripolis but having made some proof of his own Forces and the Valor of the Defendants he was glad to give over the Siege and to depart as he came Marching thence with his Army because he would leave no place unattempted he laid Siege unto the City of Tyre where Conrade Marquess of Mont-Ferrat was a little before arrived with Isaac Angelus the Greek Emperors Fleet and a supply of certain Companies of good Souldiers Unto which place were come great numbers of the poor distressed Christians fled from Ierusalem and other places so that the City was full of Men. This City Saladin most furiously assaulted but was by the Christians notably repulsed not without the great loss of his best Souldiers At which time also the Admiral of Sicilia discomfited his Fleet at Sea and landing his Forces came unlookt for upon the back of him so that having his Hands full before by them of the Town and charged behind by these new come Enemies he was glad to retire in such hast as that he leâ—t his Tents with all that therein was unto the Spoyl of the Christians Within a few days after Saladin having again repaired his Army invaded the Country about Antioch with Fire and Sword destroying whatsoever was subject to his Fury even to the gates of the City but knowing that so strong a City was not without great charge and long Siege to be won he thought it good to make proof if it might by policy or corruption be gained Wherein he so cunningly dealt with the Patriarch that he had by his means the Castle otherwise almost impregnable for gold betrayed unto him By means whereof he in short time became Lord and Master of that famous City about nineteen years before hardly gained by the whole power of the Christians after eleven months Siege and with it five and twenty Cities more that depended on the fortune thereof with all the Provinces belonging thereunto always deemed to have been the third part of the Kindom of Ierusalem The loss of so great a City together with the Ruin of the whole Kingdom had in a short space filled every corner of Christendom with the heavy Report thereof Wherewith the Christian Princes of the West namely Frederick the German Emperor with Frederick his Son Duke of Suâ—via Philip the French King Hâ—nry the Second King of England Otto Duke of Burgundâ— Lâ—â—poâ—â— Duke of Austria with many other gâ—eat Princes and Prelates of Germany Italy and other places not a little moved as also with the pitiful complaints of the Embassadors at the same time sent from the distressed Christians and the effectual perswasions of Clement the Third then Pope promised and all or most part indeed made great preparations which they afterwards though not all at once as letted by other occasions but at divers times imployed for the most part with the danger of their own Persons against the Turks for the relief of the poor oppressed Christians and recovery of the Holy Land but with what success shall hereafter God willing be declared Of which so great preparations made against him Saladin not ignorant set at liberty Guy the King of Ierusalem who contrary to his promise made at Ascalon he had now detained a year in Prison yet before his inlargement exacting of him an Oath Never by force of Arms afterwards to seek to recover his Kingdom or to revenge the wrongs he had sustained hoping thereby to stay the coming of the other
rested upon the coming of the two mighty Princes Philip the Second of that name King of France and Richard the First King of England who having agreed betwixt themselves with their combined Forces to relieve the distressed Christians of the East and again if it were possible to repair the broken State of the Kingdom of Ierusalem were now met together at Marseilles in Provence From whence the French King first departing with his Fleet for Cicilia and with a prosperous gale for certain days holding on his course and now come nigh unto the Island was by force of a furious tempest suddenly arising so tossed and tumbled in the deep that many of his Ships there perished eaten up of the Sea others by force of Weather driven upon the Sands and Rocks were there broken all to pieces and the rest some with their Masts broken some with their Tacklings and Sails rent and all in general sore Weather-beaten with much ado arrived at Messana the desired Port. At which place King Richard afterwards but with better fortune arrived with his Fleet also Both the Kings now met together resolved there to winter the French King enforced by necessity so to do for the repairing of the late Losses he had received as well in his People and Provision as in his Shipping all which was to be relieved by new Supplies out of France and the King of England staying to take Order for the Dowry of his Sister Ioan Widow of William the late King of Cicilia with Tancred the base Son of Roger that had now aspired unto the Kingdom of that Island About which matter great Stirs arose betwixt King Richard the Queens Brother and Tancred the new King insomuch that it was like to have broken out into open War had it not to the good contentment of King Richard been otherwise taken up and so the Controversie ended But whilst these two great Kings thus wintred in this fruitful Island and oftentimes as good Friends met together sometime for their disport and sometime to confer of their so weighty Affairs the way as was thought to have appeased all former displeasure and to have increased love it fell out clean contrary jealousie and distrust not only reviving the old but also still raising new Quarrels betwixt them to the great hindrance of the common good by them intended which may serve for a warning to all great Princes willing to continue in Amity and to hold a good Opinion one of another never to see one the other or coming so to an interview not to converse or stay long together which as it is not often done without the danger of their persons so can it not possibly be long continued but that it will engender in themselves as well as in their Followers Jealousie envy hatred and mistrust aâ— we have before said and hereafter in the coursâ— of this History may appear There was an old 〈◊〉 betwixt these two great Kings Richard â—nd Philip about Adela the French Kings Sister whom Richard having before his Father yet living affianced had now rejected as her whom his aged Father Henry the Second had too familiarly used and in stead of her to the great disgrace of the French espoused the Lady Berengaria Daughter to the King of Navar which Indignity with divers others then arising betwixt the French and the English as then with great heart-burning smouldred up in respect of the common Cause then in Hand afterwards brake out again to the shameful overthrow of this most honourable Expedition and lamentable disturbance of both Realms Winter past and the Spring now come the French King not altogether the best pleased first loosed from Messana and with his Fleet in safety arrived at Ptolemais where he was by the Christians now the third year lying at the Siege so joyfully received as if he had been to them sent with Succours from Heaven After whom shortly after followed also King Richard of whose Fleet by force of Weather sore beaten and dispersed two Ships by the rage of the Tempest driven aground upon the coast of Cyprus were by the Island people spoiled and the Men that in them had hardly escaped the danger of the Sea with most barbarous Inhumanity some slain and some taken Prisoners the rest of the Fleet arriving there also were with like Incivility forbidden to land the Cipriots ready at hand in all places to keep them off With which so great an Indignity the King justly moved and by force landing his people with incredible Celerity and Success over-ran the whole Island never ceasing until he had made a full Conquest thereof and taken Isaac Comnenus commonly called The King of that Island and of some for what reason I know not Emperor of the Griffons Prisoner yet was he indeed neither King nor Emperor but being a man of great Nobility and Power and of the honourable Stock of the Comneni had in the troublesome Reign of Andronicus Comnenus the Emperor his Cousin laid hold upon that fruitful Island and there tyrannized as a reputed King until that now he was by King Richard taken Prisoner and for his unfaithful dealing sent fast bound in Chains of Silver into Syria The King thus possessed of the whole Island there at Limozin married the Lady Berengaria the King of Navars Daughter brought thither by Ioan late Queen of Cicilia the Kings Sister And so disposing as he thought best of all things for the safe keeping of the Island set forward again with his Fleet towards Syria Where by the way he light upon a great Ship of the Sultans laded with Victuals and other War-like Provisions for the relief of the besieged all which became a Prey unto him So holding on his course he at length arrived at Ptolemais where he was by the French King and the rest of the Christians there lying most honourably rereived Now had the City of Ptolemais been three years besieged by the Christians and notably defended by the Turks during which time many an hot Assault and bloody Skirmish had passed betwixt them And now the eyes of all men were fixed upon the two Kings of England and France unto whom all the rest offered their Obedience and Service The Christian Camp was great composed especially of Englishmen Frenchmen Italians and Almains not them that were left of the Emperor Frederick his Army for they were for the most part dead or else returned home again into their Countries but of such as moved with the Zeal they bare unto this Religious War came daily in great numbers thither as did also many others of divers Nations desirous in some measure to be partakers of so honourable a War. These Religious and Venerous Christians thus lying at the Siege had with much painful labour undermined one of the greatest Towers of the City called the accursed Tower with some part of the Wall also by means whereof they were in hope to find a way into the City Wherefore all things being
the Soveraignty of so great an Empire howsoever it was got caused the young Princes Eyes to be most cruelly put out the usual practise of the Tyrants of the East upon such as they are loath or fear to kill and yet would make them unfit for Government Of which barbarous cruelty his Sister Theodora married to Constantinus Prince of Bulgaria hearing ceased not with tears and prayers and all other womanly perswasions to stir up her Husband in revenge thereof whereunto also Iathatines the Turks Sultan gave no small furtherance who weary of Exile and to be so in a corner confined as into a Prison from whence he might not start by secret Messengers intreated the Bulgarian Prince to make War upon the usurping Emperor promising him a great summ of Mony if by his help he might recover his former Liberty Wherewith he the rather moved with a great power of his own and above twenty thousand Tartars which then lay by the River Isther suddenly brake into the Emperors Territories and in shorter time than was to have been thought overran all the Country of Thracia even unto the Sea side leaving neither man nor beast in all that Country as he went in good hope also to have by the way surprised the Emperor himself even then returning from his Wars against the Despot in Thessaly who hearing of his speedy coming being got unto the Sea side and having no way left to have escaped by Land shipped himself into a Gally of the Latines which with another her consort bound for Constantinople by good hap put in there for to water and so in two days arrived safe at the Imperial City Thus disappointed of the Emperor all his care was for the delivery of the Turks Sultan Wherefore marching in hast to Aenum he so terrified the Citizens with his coming that they without farther delay delivered him into his hands so to redeem their own Peace In his return you might have seen the Souldiers especially the Tartars driving before them infinite numbers both of Men and Cattel in such sort as that in the open Country of Thracia for a space was hardly to be seen either Countryman or Beast it was so clean swept both of Inhabitants and likewise of Cattel Iathatines the Sultan by the Tartars carried over Ister and so by them set at liberty shortly after died In whose Kingdom succeeded not his Son Melicke as some write but two others as the Turks themselves report the one called Mesoot the Son of Kei-Cubades and the other Kei-Cubades the Son of Ferameine born also of the Selzucâ—ian Family as were all the other Turks Sultans but how near of blood unto the late Sultan Iathatines they say not Betwixt which two as his Vassals Gaza the great Tartar Cham by whom they were so preferred for the payment of a yearly Tribute divided the Turks Kingdom apportioning unto Mesoot the Cities of Amida in antient time called Amisus and Aminsus in Galatia Melatia otherwise called Melesine in the lesser Armenia Sivaste in antient time Sebastia and Harbarie before Satabrea both in Cappadocia with all the Country about them And unto Kei-Cubades Iconium the antient seat of the Turkish Sultans with all Rumilia Asiatica or the Countries of the lesser Asia alongst the Sea-coast which these two Princes held as the Tartars Tributaries as had the late Sultan Iathatines before them until such time as he was by the same Tartars again expulsed So that the Turks Kingdom which had of long time flourished in the Selzuccian Family in Persia in Syria Palestine and Egypt there quite overthrown by the Mamalukes and Tartars as is before declared and now brought underfoot in the lesser Asia also where only rested all the hope of that Nation was now at a low Ebb divided betwixt two weak Princes reigning but at the devotion of the Tartar. In which confusion of the Turkish Empire so rent not only divers men of greater Power and Authority amongst them shared unto themselves some one corner of the declining Kingdom and some another but many of the obscure and basest People also bearing with them nothing but their Bows and Arrows took the straight passages of the Mountains and from thence with their dayly Incursions did much harm in the Countries of the Christians joyning upon them which was no great matter for them to do the Garrisons which were wont to defend the same being for want of pay quite disbanded and the Castles upon the Frontiers by them abandoned which at the first as a thing of small importance neglected was at length unto the Greeks a great cause of the ruin and decay of the greatest part of their estate in Asia These mischiefs unregarded grew dayly more and more the Turks still gaining upon the Greeks what they lost unto the Tartars Whose invasions the Glory of their Kingdom only excepted was not so hurtful unto them as the cause of their much greater felicity afterwards At length it fortuned that a great power of these adventurous Turks meeting together in Paphlagonia were about to have invaded the Territories of the Christians against whom Michael Paleologus the Emperor sent out a strong and puissant Army to stay their further coming on lest breaking in that way they should without resistance at their pleasure forrage the Country before them Which Army conducted by unskilful Captains encountring with the Turks was by them in a great Battel overthrown and utterly defeated few or none of all that great multitude escaping for whilst the Greeks unadvisedly pursued the Turks retiring of purpose before them they were by them drawn into the danger of a greater Power lying in ambush for them and so entraped were slain with an exceeding great Slaughter After which so great a Victory the beginning of the misery of the Christians in the lesser Asia the Turks without let or stay overran all the Country unto the River Sangarius upon the Banks whereof the Greek Emperor was glad to fortifie divers Towns and Forts to keep them out of Bithynia Nevertheless they in short time after subdued all the Countries from Poâ—ntus and Galatia unto the Lycian and Carian Sea and the River Eurymedon which they divided amongst them into divers Toparchies little or nothing acknowledging the Soveraignty either of Mesoot or Kei-Cubades Whilst the Turks in the lesser Asia thus win from the Christians on the one side and lose to the Tartars on the other many an hard conflict in the mean time passed betwixt the Egyptian Sultans with their Mamalukes and the Tartars for the Soveraignty of Syria The poor remainder of the Christians all that while there in doubt both of the one and of the other from whom and from the Armenians then also much infested with the Mamalukes divers Embassadors were sent unto the Pope and the Christian Princes of the West to crave their aid and help in that their hard Estate whose prayers little prevailing with the rest yet so moved Lewis the French King and Henry the Third then reigning in England that they both promised them aid Whereupon Lewis a man of a great devotion and always forward in that service against the Infidels took upon him the Cross the cognisance of the sacred War causing his three Sons Philip that succeeded him in the Kingdom sirnamed the Fair Peter Count of Alangon and Iohn Count of Nevers sirnamed Tristan for that his Mother was in her greatest heaviness for the taking of her Husband delivered of him in Egypt and most of the Nobility of France to do the like unto whom also Theobald King of
the Mamalukes and others with a full purpose to have utterly rooted out all the remainders of the Christians in Syria and the Land of Palestine and so to have entirely joyned those two great Countries unto his own Kingdom But what he had so mischievously devised he lived not to bring to pass being in the midst of those his great designs taken away by sudden death After whom Alphix or as some call him Elpis succeeding him in the Kingdom and with a puissant Army entring into Syria laid Siege to Tripolis which he at length took by undermining of it and put to the Sword all the Christians therein except such as by speedy flight had in time got themselves out of the danger and rased the City down to the ground which calamity betided unto the Christians the ninth of April in the year 1289. Presently after he had the strong Castle of Nelesine yielded unto him year 1289. whereinto he put a strong Garrison to hinder the Christians from building again the late destroyed City In like manner also he took the Cities of Sidon and Berythus which he sacked and laid them flat with the ground And after that he removed to Tyre which aâ—ter three months straight Siege was by the Citizens now out of all hope of relief yielded unto him upon condition That they might with bag and baggage in safety depart With like good Fortune he in good time and as it were without resistance took all the rest of the strong Towns and Castles which the Christians yet held in Syria and the Land of Palestine excepting only the City of Ptolemais whereunto all the poor Christians fled as unto a Sanctuary to be there defended by the honourable Knights Templars and Hospitalers Nothing now leâ—t unto them more than that strong City the Sultan of his own accord made a Peace with them for the space of five years fearing as was supposed to have drawn upon him all the Christian Princes of the West if he should at once have then utterly rooted out all the Christians in those Countries together The Christians affairs thus brought to the last cast in Syria and yet faintly as it were breathing by the benefit of the late obtained Peace Peter Beluise Master of the Templars with the grand Master of the Knights Hospitalers suddenly passed over as Embassadors from the rest into Europe unto Nicholaus quartus then Pope craving his fatherly aid Who moved with so great miseries of the poor afflicted Christians solicited the other Christian Princes to have sent them relief especially Rodolph the German Emperor who then busied 〈◊〉 the affairs of the Empire and his Troubles nearer home as were the other Christian Pâ—inces also gave good words but no help at all Yet some of them under the colour thereof got from their Subjects great sums of Mony which they imployed to other worse uses only the Pope sent fiâ—teen hundred men at Arms whom with devout perswasion and much earnest Preaching he had induced to take upon them that sacred Expedition and entertained them of his own charge unto whom also many others out of divers Countries upon a Religious Zeal joyned themselves as voluntary men who meeting together at Brundusium and there embarked with the two grâ—nd Masters of the Templars and Hospitalers in safety at length arrived at Ptolemais There was then in the City a great number of People of all sorts of able men there was about fifty thousand and about forty thousand of the weaker sort amongst whom divers Murders Felonies Rapes and such other shameful Outrages all hastning the dreadful judgments of God were dayly committed and let pass unregarded more than of them that were injured For all the chief Commanders were then at variance among themselves every one of them laying claim not worth a rush unto the vain Title of the Kingdom of Ierusalem Henry King of Cyprus coming thither with a great Fleet charged the Templars to deliver him the Crown of that Kingdom which they had as he said wrongfully taken from Almericus and Guy his Ancestors And Charles King of Sicilia by his Embassadors laid claim unto the Title of that Kingdom as due unto the Kings of that Island and understanding it to be given unto Henry King of Cyprus caused all the Revenues of the Templars within his Dominion to be brought into his Treasuries and their Lands and Houses to be spoyled Hugh also Prince of Antioch laboured with tooth and nail to defend the overworn Right that his Father and Grandfather had unto that lost Kingdom And the Count of Tripolis laid in for himself That he was descended from Raymund of Tholous and that beside himself remained no Prince of the antient Nobility which had won that Kingdom out of the hands of the Sarasins and that therefore that regal Dignity did not of better right appertain unto any other than unto himself Neither did these four Princes more strive for the Title of the lost Kingdom than for the present Government of the City straightway about to perish The Popes Legate pretending thereunto a right also for that King Iohn Brenne had before subjected it unto the See of Rome As for the claim unto the City of Ptolemâ—is the Patriarch of Ierusalem challenged unto himself the Preheminence for that the Metropolitical City of Tyrâ— under which the City of Ptolemais was the third Episcopal Seat was under his jurisdiction even by the Decree of the West Church The Templars also and the Knights Hospitalers whose power in the City was at that time far the greatest pretended the Government thereof of best right to belong unto them as the just reward of their blood already and afterward to be spent in the defence thereof promising great matters if it might be wholly referred unto them Neither spared the French King or the King of England by their Messengers to claim the Soveraignty of the City by their Predecessors sometimes won And they of Pisa having still a Consul therein and by often Marriages with the natural Inhabitants grown into great affinity with them did what they might to get the Government into their Hands The Venetians also by their Authority and great Wealth laboured to gain the good Will of the People sparing therein no Cost And they of Genoa no less cunning than the rest supplanted the strongest Factions by giving aid both apertly and covertly unto the weaker that so having weakned the Faction they most doubted and hated they might by the joynt favour of the weaker aspire unto the Government of the stronger and so consequently of the City it self The Florentines also by their continual Traffique thither were not out of hope by one fineness or other amongst so many Competitors to find a mean to step up above the rest But the greatest part of the People for all that were most inclined unto the Armenians and Tartars as both for their nearness and power most like of all other to stand them in stead All
was once attempted against the Portugals at Diu and Ormuz the like whereof Alphonsus Albuquercius the King of Portugal's Viceroy in India attempted when as with his light Horsemen running through that Country he thought upon a sudden to have spoiled Mecha and to have robbed the Sepulchre of Mahomet as had hapned under the Empire of the Sultans and as Trajan the Emperour had long since in like manner attempted to rage and spoâ—l Those Places which he possessed in Affrick were as they said to be set upon and the Coast of Spain towards the Mediterranean to be infested so at length to gratifie the Moors his Subjects who still instantly requested the same that so they might more safely traffick and travel and that so the Moors might at length be delivered from the imperious command of the Spaniards of which exploit Sultan Selymus lately before dead was in his life time well perswaded but might now at this time be much more commodiously done for that the Moorish Nation was now greatly increased and much oppressed by the Spaniards and having got great Wealth by the Trade of Merchandise even by Nature or Religion had conceived a mortal hatred against the Spaniards whereunto might not a little avail the Ports in Affrick whereinto the Turks Fleet might at all times in safety retire And in brief that which was of greatest importance to the better success of this War the French King and the Queen of England had of their own accord promised the Continuation of their Wars and that the French King should invade Navarre and by force of Arms recover the right he pretended unto that Kingdom whilst in the mean time the Queen of England should not only trouble him in the West Indies and other Places of the Ocean toward the North and West but might also stir up new Broils in the Kingdom of Portugal where most part of the People with great impatience bear the proud command of the Spaniard as perswaded and that truly all their Prosperity and Quietness to have been lost together with their last King their true and lawful Sovereign For he at Peace with the Kings of France and England exceedingly thereby enriched his Subjects by Traffick whereas since they fell into the Hands of the Spaniard they daily complain of their new Losses and Dangers by Reason of his perpetual Wars Moreover that there was to be found great store of exiled Spaniards dispersed here and there which being malecontent and weary of the Spanish Government were fled not only out of Portugal but even out of Arragon and other parts of his Kingdom which now living in France England and Constantinople both secretly and openly liberally offered great helps the like whereof many of the Moors also promised All which together seemed to promise a most easie Expedition and certain Victory if any should upon the sudden invade Spain for that there was almost no use of Arms the Inhabitants at home seldom times exercising themselves therein neither in Places needful having any ordinary Garrisons and but few Horses fit for Service And that in fine it was to be considered Spain to be greatly bared of men which knew how valiantly and courageously to manage Arms for the often choice they make of them which almost most daily transported into the Indies Italy and the Low-Countries whereby the strength of his Country must needs be exceedingly impaired so that if they should be invaded with any strong and mighty Army they might seem hardly able to be holpen or defended by their own People but should need the Aid and help of the other near Provinces subject unto this Kingdom which if they should be either letted or stay to come in good time they should leave so much the more easie Victory unto their Enemies In the fifth place were they which went about to perswade Amurath to break his League with the Venetians using Reasons rather probable than true although they might seem unto the Turks less doubtful for that men easily and willingly believe such things as they themselves desire These men went about to prove no Expedition to be less difficult than this as judging of things present by the event of former Wars passed wherein the Turks had always taken something from the Venetians who to redeem their Peace were divers ways enforced to satisfie the Turks That the Venetian Common-wealth was afraid of the Turks and abhorred War was manifest they said in that that in all Actions it had propounded unto it self Peace as the end thereof and after the manner of their Ancestors never entred into Wars but enforced thereunto and would happily upon the first denouncing of Wars willingly depart with certain Places for fear of greater harm or to be utterly overcome as it appeared they did in the yielding up of Cyprus The Power and Force whereof was not so great as that it could alone stand against the great Sultan and to confederate it self with others would require no small delay for the great and many Difficulties which commonly used to arise in making of Leagues not being now so conjoyned with the Spaniard as in times past of whose aid it being of late destitute was constrained to make an hard Peace with Selymus And if so be the Spaniard would needs joyn himself unto the Venetians against the Turks yet that he could by no means afford unto them such Aid and Supplies as were of necessity to be required unto so great a War he himself being in his Wars otherwise so intangled as for all other Confederation they could make without him to be but weak and to no purpose That which the Pope could do herein to be but little for albeit he should according to his Duty exhort other Christian Princes to give Aid and to stir them up unto this War yet that beside some little supply of Money hardly drawn out of his own Coffers and the Ecclesiastical Revenues he could scarcely perform any thing more or when he had done his uttermost devoir could but joyn five Gallies of his own unto the Venetian Fleet which with the Gallies of the Duke of Savoy of the Knights of Malta and of the Florentines could but make a Fleet of some twenty Gallies which was but a small matter Besides that the Turks were perswaded that betwixt the Venetian State and the other Christian Princes was no such Friendship and good Agreement as the greatness of the imminent Danger of that War and as the necessity of the cause would require and that hitherto their Treasures had been so exhausted in paying the Debt they were run into in the last War and in building of Fortresses that happily they were not now so furnished with Coin as was requisite for the defraying of so great a War. And unto this War against the Venetians consented almost all the Visier Bassaes differing only in this Where or against what Place of the Venetian Territory this War were to be first begun some naming one place
Actions 971 a. Othoman of greater Courage and Spirit than his other Brethren the. Sons of old Ertogrul 90 a. amorous of Malhatun a Countrey of Muid 94 b. in danger for his Love 95 a. by general consent chosen Governour of the Oguzian Turks ib. b. surpriseth the Castle of Calce 96 a. fighteth a battel with the Christians at Opsicium 96 b. winneth the Castle of Cara-Chisar and killeth the Captain ib. b. setteth in order his little Common-wealth 97 a. killeth the Captain of Cupri-Chisar ib. a. his death contrived by the Captain of Bilezuga 97 b. turneth the treachery devised against him upon the head of the Captain that devised it whom he killeth and surpriseth his Castle 98 b. surpriseth the Castle of Jar-Chisar ib. b. taketh the Castle of Einegiol and cruelly executeth the Captain ib. b. by the good administration of Iustice strengthneth his Government 99 a. taketh the City of Nice ib. a. taketh upon him the Honour of a King or Sultan ib. b. maketh Neapolis his Regal Seat ib. b. in a great battel overthroweth the Christians 99 b. besiegeth Prusa 100 a. whilst the Greeks are at discord among themselves layeth the foundation of the Great Othoman Empire that now is 113 a. 116 a. dieth and lieth buried at Prusa 123 b. the Wealth he left unto his Sons Orchanes and Aladin 125 a. Orchanes his Father Othoman yet living manageth the Turks Kingdom 125 b. surpriseth the Castle of Tzupri-Chisar 125 b. fighteth a doubtful battel with Andronicus the Greek Emperour at Phylocrene 126 a. surpriseth Nice 126 b. hath Nicomedia yielded unto him 127 b. committeth the Government thereof unto his Son Solyman 128 a. first of the Turks that built Monasteries ib. a. subdueth the Country of Carasina ib. b. dieth 130 b. Orchanes and Mahometes two of Bajazet's Nephews overthrown by Chelife and Techellis the Rebels 321 a. Osman Bassa by Mustapha made Governour of Siruan taketh Sumachia 662 b. hath Derbent yielded unto him ib. b. by the Persian Prince driven out of Sumachia flieth to Derbent 665 a. kills Sahamal his Wives Father 666 a. is by Amurath sent for into Siruan 687 a. laid in wait for by Mahomet the Tartar King ib. b. overcometh the Tartars lying in wait for him ib. b. by Amurath made chief Visier and General of his Wars against the Persians 688 a. raiseth a great Army 697 a. wisely appeaseth his mutinous Souldiers unwilling to go for Tauris ib. b. cometh to Tauris 698 a. taketh the City ib. b. in thirty days buildeth there a strong Castle 699 a. giveth the City to be spoiled by his Souldiers ib. a. leaveth Giaffer the Eunuch Bassa of Tripolis with a Garrison of 12000 Souldiers Governour of Tauris 700 a. dieth 701 a. much lamented for at Constantinople ib. b. P. PAleapolis by Sultan Aladin given to Othoman 96 a. Palotta yielded to the Turks 721 a. Pallas Lippa beheaded by Botscay his Master 860 a. Pantogles with the Turks fleet cometh to the siege of Constantinople 233 a. displaced 234 a. Paphlagonia and Pontus with a great part of Cappadocia won by Mahomet the Great 245 b. Partau the Visier Bassa sent by Solyman against the supposed Mustapha brought him to Constantinople 520 a. sent by Solyman to have brought Bajazet to Amasia is by him with good words sent back again 522 b. standeth indifferent for giving or not giving of battel unto the Christians at Lepanto 593 a. encourageth his Souldiers ib. a. flieth himself out of the battel 595 b. Paradiser executed for yielding up of Canisia unto the Turks 792 a. The Patriarch of Graece â—layed alive 904 b. Peace concluded betwixt King Uladislaus and Amurath the Second 197 a. by the perswasion of Julian the Cardinal unfortunately broken by Uladislaus 198. a. Peace concluded betwixt Mahomet and Scanderbeg 263 b. betwixt Bajazet and Caytbeius 306 b. betwixt Bajazet and the Venetians 315 a. betwixt the Venetians and Solyman 468 b. betwixt the Venetians and Selymus the Second 613 a. betwixt Amurath the Third and Mahomet the Persian King 707 b. Peace concluded betwixt the Emperour and his discontented Subjects in the upper Hungary 876 b. between him and the Turks 878 a. betwixt the Georgians and Turks 925 a. between the Turks and Persians 950 a. Peloponesus described 240 b. made tributary to the Turk 241 a. subdued by the Turks 242 a. Pera yielded unto the Turks 237 b. Perenus the noble Hungarian upon the suspition of aspiring apprehended 494 b. matters surmised against him 495 a. He Valentinus and Maylat three of the chief of the Hungarian Nobility unworthily kept in perpetual Prison 496 a. Persecution in the Greek Church for matters of Religion 101 a. Persians better Horsemen than the Turks 351 b. The Persian King's Success 845 a. he enters into the Province of Babylon 897 a. his cruelty against the Armenians ib. b. Pesth distressed for want of Victuals 806 b. victualled 820 a. again victualled ib. b. shamefully abandoned by the Christians 849 a. taken by the Turks ib. b. Pesth taken by Cason Admiral of the Turks fleet upon the Danubius 478 b. besieged by the Marquis of Brandenburg 493 a. in vain assaulted 494 a. the siege given over ib. b. taken by the Christians 802 a. Peter a French Hermit going on Pilgrimage to Jerusalem observeth the miseries of the Christians under the Turks and Sarazens 9 a. in the Council of Claremont delivereth his message in the behalf of the poor distressed Christians 10 a. he with Gualter Sensavier the first that set forward in the great Expedition of the Christians into the Holy Land ib. b. loseth greatest part of his Army 11 a. discouraged about to have stoln home brought back and inforced to take a new Oath for his fidelity and perseverance in that War 13 b. Peter Damboyse Grand Master of the Rhodes a careful Governour 291 b. his chearful speech unto the rest of his Knights and Souldiers 292 a. Peter Emus for his barbarous Cruelty beheaded at Venice 689 b. Petralba yielded to Scanderbeg 194 b. Petrella yielded ib. b. Petrinia taken by the Christians 753 a. Petrinia in danger to have been betrayed to the Turks 848 a. Philaretas the Greek Emperours Lieutenant put to flight by the Turks 6 b. Philadelphia taken by Bajazet 140 b. Philes a devout man but no Soldier undertaketh the defence of the Greek Empire against the Turks 109 a. in plain battel overthroweth them 109 b. 110 a. Philip the Second of that Name the French King in going towards the Holy Land suffereth Shipwreck upon the Coast of Sicilia 48 a. arriveth at Ptolemais 48 b. his speech unto Richard King of England and the other Christian Princes in his sickness ib. b. he sweareth unto King Richard not to invade his Territories in France and so returneth home 49 b. Phocas by killing of Mauritius the Emperour with his Children possesseth himself of the Greek Empire 15 b. slain afterwards by them of his own Guard 16 a. Pial Bassa Solyman's Admiral sent to
persuasions might have with his Transilvanian Friends and those of his Faction inviting them to cast off the Yoke of Germany from their Necks and reassume their Ancient Liberties and to that end he wrote this following Letter Ad Capitaneos Directores Magistratus Inclyti Regni Transilvaniae Omnia bona det Deus Regno Transilvaniae vigile Ingenium oculos Incolis ejus opto Nolim Ingratitudinem vestram quâ Caesaream amplexi fuistis protectionem respicere imò potius certiores vos facere commune facere velim vehementer volens Regnum Transilvaniae in tantis afflictionibus exactionibus versari Non dubito quin satis perspexeritis hucusque iniquas Germanorum Machinationes Volunt se in regnum intrudere ut vos ex regno expellant Vos peribitis illi manebunt Pellite itaque corrigite ceaecitatem vestram Ad Arma currite omnes Nobiles Libertini Subditi pro felici Patria certate certe vos libertatem consecuturos quam turpiter perdidistis ad Comam usque Nisi omnes audacter insurrexeritis peribitis vos filii vestri Nobilissimum Regnum in manibus barbarorum manebit Valete et vigiliate vobis Patriae vestrae Datas trans Danubium proximè ad Transalpinas And to leave no Stone unturned he sollicited the Ottoman Port for new Succours promising mighty Successes in case the Tartars would invade Transilvania the which accordingly was designed and had taken effect had not the Cosacks made an unexpected Irruption into Tartary and thereby obliged those Barbarians to quit their design that they might attend to the safeguard of their own Country All places in Bosnia being now subdued and brought under the power of the Emperor Bertzka only excepted situate on the Save Prince Lewis after he had fortified Proot and Gradisca marched against it being a place of such importance as secured all the River from thence to Belgrade The Turks having advice of the approach of Prince Lewis with Terror and terrible Consternation abandoned that vast City pleasant for its Situation in a delicious Country abounding with all sorts of Provisions and Fruits both for the sustenance and delight of the Inhabitants into this Commodious Dwelling made void by the flight of the Turks a Garrison of Two thousand Germans was lodged which served them for Winter-Quarters wherein to refresh themselves after all the fatigues dangers and tedious Marches of the passed Campaigne and to secure this City so plentiful of all sorts of Provisions a regular Fortification was Erected on the rising of a Hill which served to cover and very much to strengthen the City Now in regard Advices were brought to Bertzka that the Pasha of Bosnia was making Levies of men and recruiting his Forces in the Neighbouring parts General Piccolomini was dispatched to Vienna to render an Account of the State of that Country and to press for Forces immediately to be dispeeded for security thereof it being a Province inhabited by many Christians who with encouragement and protection would be ready to submit and do Homage to the Emperor Piccolomini so well Negotiated his Affairs at Vienna that he soon procured Orders directed to the General at Belgrade to reinforce Prince Lewis with a considerable Body of men But because the French were now in motion and had already entred Germany with a formidable Army to oppose which there was need of the Counsel and Direction of the best and most Experienced Captains who had lately with such auspicious Fortune conducted the Imperial Forces against the Turks it was resolved to recall Prince Lewis of Baden to Vienna and to commit the Charge of Bosnia to the Courage and Conduct of Piccolomini year 1688. So soon as Piccolomini was returned to Gradisca Prince Lewis took Post for Vienna having some few days before his departure taken possession of Oliva and Sbornich or Swornich a City and Castle of considerable importance of the latter of which the Charge was committed to Major Thomas Stracharta a Scotch Gentleman who bravely maintained it against Two Assaults of the Turks These places were situate on the River Drine After which this Valiant Prince departed leaving most manifest Evidences and Proofs behind him of his Courage assisted with Fortune for that in the space of about Nine Weeks he had subdued all the Province of Bosnia defeated the Pasha with double Numbers taken Proot Gradisca Bertzka and divers Castles with no more than Eight thousand Germans Hungarians and Croatians Tho' it was now time to end this Campaigne yet still the Blocades of Sigeth Canisa and Grand-Waradin were continued year 1688. the Defendants tho' reduced very low remained howsoever very obstinate and resolute to maintain the Garrisons to the last extremity in hopes rather that their Ambassadors would succeed in the Conclusion of a Peace than in any apparent probability there was of rescuing themselves by their own force or other expected Succours And indeed the Turks might then on very good Grounds have hoped for a peace since that they readily offered to have quitted all pretensions to the Conquered places and suffered the Emperor to remain in quiet possession of all whereof he had made himself Master which had been a vast advantage to the Empire at that time when the French were entered into Germany with a formidable Army burning laying waste and destroying all the Palatinate threatning War on the Empire which continued for several Years with such fury that had not King William of England joyned with Spain Holland and some of the Princes of Germany opposed this terrible Foe all the Empire and other Countries had sunk under the weight of the Arms of France But God knows by what Fate the Emperor refused to hearken to those fair Propositions of Peace which that they might not be urged or pressed on his Counsellors the Turkish Ambassadors were committed Prisoners to the Castle of Puffendorf where they passed some Years under a tedious restraint and loss of Liberty contrary to the Law of Nations And tho' the Turks may be much blamed for this kind of Violation of the Law of Nations and disrespect to the persons of Ambassadors which in all Countries have been esteemed sacred yet it is a new thing to be so practised by Christian Princes especially by the Austrian Family which is Renowned over all the World for their Piety Justice and Clemency As there was at that time no Reason or Sense for not closing with the Turks in a Peace so afterwards the Folly and Misfortune was so apparent that the Court of Vienna hath often lamented the unhappy Consequences of that evil Counsel which the Ministers of State to throw off from themselves have cast on the prevailing Faction of the Jesuits and Clergy which have ever carried a great sway in that Counsel And thus having by God's Assistance finished the Wars in Hungary by a full and ample Relation of all that passed in that miserable Country during the Course of the
Monsieur de Chateau-neuf the present residing Ambassador at which according to the usual Custom of the French at all their Audiences their Business was to extol the Greatness and Power of their Master and to report unto the Turks That their King had furnished King Iames with a Mighty Fleet and 30000 Men to Invade England which were all ready at the time of his Departure to Embark and consisted with Men of War and Transport Ships of more than 600 Sail the which joyning in England with the contrary Party to that which then Governed would no doubt carry all before them in that Country and consequently cause great Confusions in Holland and amongst all the Allies Moreover that his King was ready to enter into the Field in Person with a most formidable Army as he had promised the Sultan against the Emperor of the Success of which they would speedily hear from their fortunate King who had ever been Prosperous in all his Enterprises Moreover he added That all these great things the King had done were to support the Ottoman Empire which would certainly have been staggering under that Mighty Power of the Allies had it not been supported by the French and their Forces diverted from the Ottoman Dominions in Hungary all which the Grand Vizier heard with Pleasure and Attention assuring the Marquis and the Ambassador that he never had any Design or Imagination of making a Peace with the Emperor without the Concurrence of the French. Howsoever the Marquis not knowing how constant and firm to their Resolutions the Turks might be in case that things should succeed ill in the Turkish Army or that the Imperialists should take Belgrade he obtained Licence from the Vizier to accompany him to the War during this Campaign where he might be ready at hand to oppose all Proposals tending to a Peace in case any Endeavours should be made therein And in this manner the Grand Vizier departed the 30th of Iune from Adrianople towards Belgrade having pointed out 32 Days March from one Place to the other besides Days of Otoâ—ack or Days of Repose But before the Vizier's Departure two Mirzes or Tartarian Noblemen with six other Tartars arrived at Adrianople bringing News That Batter Gherei one of the Sultan Tartars had entered into Volhinia a Province belonging to Poland and had carried away Captive above 30000 Souls which Rumour was spread abroad to encourage the Turks when in truth there were not above 2000 taken and farther to give Life to the Soldiery it was reported That Adil Gherei the Younger Brother was remaining within the Confines of Valachia attending his Elder Brother that they might with a joynt force March into Hungary Howsoever to secure the Tartars the Grand Vizier before his Departure from Adrianople dispatched away three Capugi-Bashees with pressing Commands to the Han of Budziack to march with all speed to Belgrade and not to delay their time as they had done the last Year and that they should have a care not to deceive him for that he depended much on their Forces but herein the Vizier was not well informed for the Budziack Tartar could not furnish more than 3000 Men and as to the Noghai Tartar they were Numerous but withal they were such a sort of Salvage Creatures Rebellious and Disgusted by the Turks that no great account could be made of them Nor yet of Sultan Galgha Prince of Crim Tartary who was engaged in a War against the Cossacks and had enough to do to defend himself against such a Stout and an Active Enemy Moreover to make the Assistance of the Tartars the less considerable this Year the Tartars rebelled against their New Han in their March towards Belgrade At first this Mutiny appeared only in some Dislikes which the Principal Tartars showed against their New Sultan the which daily increasing came to such a heighth that the whole Army forsook and left him and returned in a Body back to Budziack and were followed soon after by the Han himself with some of his Menial Servants the News hereof being brought to the Grand Seignior and Grand Vizier they knew not how to carry on the War for this Year so that all the Remedy which remained was to re-establish the Old Han Selim Gherey in his Place the which tho' it pleased the Soldiers better yet by this time the Season was so far spent that nothing of moment could be expected to be put in Action for that Year Some small Matters indeed the Turks did attempt but always with loss in Iuly they Attacked a small but a strong Fortress called Portsea near Peter-Waradin the which was so well defended by a Garrison of Rascians that the Turks were several times repulsed and at last hearing that some Imperial Heydukes and Dragoons had passed the Save and had cut down great Numbers of Turks they quitted their design on Portsea and returned back to Belgrade Howsoever upon better consideration concluding that the Place was of so high importance that they might be called into question for quitting the Siege they returned back again and on the 5th of August made another Attack upon the Place and resolved to carry it by force of Arms but News coming That a strong Body of the Imperial Troops were sent to relieve the Place and were already in their March they quitted the Siege and being Attacked in the Rear they left many Dead and Wounded Men behind them About the same time the Vice-Ban or Lieutenant-General of Croatia having got together a strong Body of 5500 Croats and Rascians made an Incursion towards Meydan in which Expedition he not only had the good fortune to release 400 Poor Christians who were Condemned to Die and should have been executed the next Day had they not been seasonably relieved by the Croatians but to return back with a considerable Booty of Cattle and Moveables together with some principal Turks of Quality and Note whose Houses and stately Buildings they Burnt and Destroyed little or nothing more remarkable farther passed all this Campaign unless it were a Matter of two considerable Convoys sent to Temeswaer the latter of which consisted of several Thousands of Turks conducting 100 Waggons and many Camels laden with all necessary Provisions and so having provided the Town for the whole Winter they returned back to Belgrade At the same time a Body of Rascians broke into the Morava and there attacked and beat another Turkish Convoy which carried 200000 Dollars to the Turkish Army which was a brave Booty for the Rascians for tho' the Grand Vizier upon the News thereof had Detached a Body of 10000 Arnauts after them yet the Prey had given them Wings and they escaped safe into their Towns and Garrisons of Refuge Some later Actions passed besides but none of great consequence expecting that the Turks having a mind to look big and put a good Face on it towards the latter end of the Campaign passed the Save to
hunc Principem sibi devincire enititur His nos uberrimae Sacrae Caesareae vestrae Majestatis gratiae committentes sumus conatu summo Serenissime Potentissime Invictissime Caesar Imperator semper Auguste Sacrae vestrae Caesareae Majestatis Humillimi Devotissimi Servi H. HEEMSKIRK COLYER Adrianop 31 May 1693. All thoughts of Peace and Treaties being thus laid aside the Government employed its utmost Endeavours and Counsel were taken in Matters and Contrivances tending to the War It was reported That the Grand Seignior Sultan Achmet had resolved to go as far as Sophia where he would pass the Summer being nearer to Belgrade and the Frontiers in Hungary but the Physicians perswaded the contrary as being prejudicial to the Health of the Sultan who was already affected with the Dropsie the fatal and common Disease of that Ottoman Family for Cure of which many Consultations were held by the Physicians who in regard that they found as yet a Schirrus only upon the Liver they gave great hopes of his Recovery howsover the People took occasion from hence to discourse That in case this Sultan Achmet were Dead he would be succeeded by Sultan Mustapha his Nephew and Son to the late Sultan Mahomet who had been Deposed which would be a happy Change for the whole Empire he being Young and Brave and as to all appearance of a Martial Spirit and a Lover of Justice To forward the Preparations for the War with all Expedition possible strict Orders were given to provide 〈…〉 with Provisions 〈…〉 â—ood for want of which the 〈◊〉 laboured under the greatest Extremity Letters also and Commands weâ—e dispatched to all Parts in Asia to hasten the March of the Janisaries and Spahees and to enroll new Janisaries a Method not used in former Times by which taking every Pitiful Fellow that offered to come in they composed such a Band of raw Soldiers not only unexperienced in War but Poor and Feeble and Old that scarce one half of them were judged able to hold out a March to Belgrade The Turks also dispatched away 2000 Janisaries to reinforce the Garrison at Negropont likewise they reinforced Canâ—a with Men and Provisions as they also did their Army in and about the Morea and strengthned their Castles at the Dardanelli with Soldiers Gunners and Engineers under Command of Husaein Pasha who had formerly been Chimacam with the Grand Seignior but the Troops designed for Hungary marched slowly These Preparations being much retarded by the late Change of those two great Officers namely the Grand Vizier who as we said voluntarily resigned and the Tefterdar or Lord Treasurer called Ismael Effendâ— Matulled or put out Disgraced and Exiled tho' some reported That he was secretly Strangled which was a strange and an unseasonable Policy at such a time as this to put all things backward by the Death of two prime Officers of State who perhaps were Innocent and Good Ministers But under such a Government as this it is not sufficient to be Wise Honest and Industrious but you must also be Successful and free of Enemies which are things not in our power By these Changes place was made for other Officers for Osman Pasha a Cunning Knavish Candiot as most of that Nation are was made Chimacam in Adrianople Mustapha Pasha who had been Chimacam and Seraskier on the Danube was declared Grand Vizier and Cantemir the Son of Dica Bey who had for 30 Years past been Prince of Moldavia was made Successor to his Father This Grand Vizier before he could be warm in his Place or provided with things necessary for the War or acquainted with his Souldiery and the Chief Commanders which were to fight under him was commanded to be gone with all expedition to the Army which he prepared to do with what speed was possible And in regard that all intentions for Peace were laid aside the Mediators were dismissed from their further Attendance and Mr. Heemskirk was licensed to return to Vienna tho' some difficulties arose thereupon at the instance of the French who suggested that Heemskirk was an Instrument and Spye of the Emperor and a German and not sent as a Mediator from the King of England whose true Minister my Lord Paget was And this colour had like to have cost Heemskirk dear had not my Lord Paget own'd him for a Minister of the King and unridled the Secret of the two Ambassadors In like manner my Lord Paget had leave to go to his House at Pera near Constantinople which is the usual place of the English Ambassadar's residence But as to the French Ambassador he continued still at Adrianople and when the Vizier marched he sent Fontaine his Dragoman or Interpreter with him to attend all the Motions of the Vizier and his Camp. Whilst these things were in Action the news from Asia was unpleasing and administred Matter for serious Consideration at the Ottoman Court where it was reported That the Army of Bassora under their New Arabian Prince did daily increase and that the Pasha of Sivas or Sebasse on the Frontiers of Persia were in Arms and that such was the confusion in those Eastern Countries as obliged the most powerful of the Asiatick Spahees to remain at home on the guard of their own Country and Estates so that the present Ottoman Force was inferiour to that of the preceding year and by reason of the forementioned Changes to which we may farther add that of the Seimen Pasha who was Lieutenant General of the Janisaries and advanced to be Aga or General of the Janisaries in the place of Ismael Pasha Likewise divers Captains who had been Creatures and Favourites of the late General were deprived of their Commands least they should make Desturbances or raise Factions in the Army all which as it diminished and enfeebled their Force so it hindered the early appearance of the Turks in the Field But the Preparations at Sea against the Venetians proceded more briskly than they did at Land for in the Month of May 22 Sail of Gallies and 13 Great Men of War were provided and fitted out of the Arsenal at Constantinople and ordered to sail down to the Castles of the Dardanelli there to join with the Gallies of the Beyes of the Archipelago to which some Ships of the Barbarouses being added they computed that they might form a Fleet of 24 Sail of Men of War besides Gallies Things proceding thus slowly by Land for the Causes before-mention'd the Vizier did not begin his March from Adrianople towards the Christians until the 26th of Iune Old Style designing at first for Belgrade when on a sudden express Orders were given to the Army to change the course of their March and leave the Road to Belgrade and take that for Valachia and through that Country to enter into Transilvania This alteration was the more surprising to the Germans who expected not the Turks on that side because it was not known above a Week or 10 Days
Aegypt to Damasco Galilee spoiled and the Castle of Burie taken by the Turks Berâ—â—us in vain besieged by the Turks Saladin invading Mesopotamia is himself invaded by the King of Jerusalem Aleppo betrayed unto the Turks Petra in vain besieged by the Turks 〈◊〉 in the Court of Jerusalem King Baldwin sendeth Embassadors unto the Châ—istian Princes of the West for Aid Guy the Ninth and last King of Jerusalem Saladin upon the discord of the Christians taketh occasion to invade the Holy Land. Ptoâ—omais besâ—eged by Saladin Guy King of Jerusalem taken prisoner Jerusalem besieged Jerusalem taken by Saladin The death of Raymund the traiterous Count oâ— Tripolis The famous City of Antioch betrayed unto â—he Turks Frederick the Emperor seteth forward towards the Holy Land. Frederick the Emperors Son chosen General of the Christian Army A great battel betwixt the Turks and the Christians Ptolemais assaulted by the Christians An old grâ—dge betwixt Philip the French King and Richard King of England King Richard revengeth the injury done to his people by the Cipriots King Richard arriveth at Ptolemais The French King sweareth to King Richard in his absence not to invadâ— his Territoriâ—s in France King Richard marcheth with his Army towards Jerusalem A notable Battel fought betwixt King Richard and Saladin King Richard purposing to have besieged Jerusalem is by the backwardness of the French inforced to retire King Richard glad upon hard comnditions to conclude a peace with Saladin King Richard returning out of the Holy Land taken Pâ—isoner by Leopold Duke of Austria The Turks overthrown bâ— the Christians Joppa repaired by the Christians The German Princes return home Kingdoms after the manner of other things have but their time to flourish in and so again decay The Turks driven out of Persia by the Tartars The beginning of the Aladinian Kingdom in the lesser Asia at Sebastia and Iconium Alâ—xâ—us the young Prince craveth aid of Philip the Emperor and the Latine Princes against his Uncle the Usuâ—per Great preparations made by the Christians for an Expedition into the Holy Land. Alexius cometh unto the Army A great Fleet of the Latines before Constantinople The Latines by force enter the Haven of Constanâ—â—â—nople A hot skirmish betwixt the Greeks and the Latines at their landing Isaac the old Emperor taken out of prison and again saluted Emperor together with young Alexius his son Alexius seekâ—th to bring the Latines again into the City The Constantinopolitans again in an uproar Murzufle attempteth to burn the Venetian Fleet. Murzufle encourageth his Souldiers Constantinople hardly besieged Constantinople set on fire Nicetas Choâ—laâ—es annalium â—ol 180. The Greek Empire divided amongst the Latines The beginning of the Empire of Trapezond by the Comneni Hadrianople besieged by the Emperor Baldwin Henry second Emperor of the Latines in Constantinople Antioch besieged by Jathatines Jathatines the Sultan slain by Theodorus Lascarâ—s the Greek Emperor John Brenne by Innocentius the Pope appointed King of Jerusalem Corradiâ— and Meledin divide their Fathers Kingdom betwixt them The situation of Damiata in Egypt A desperate act of a Christian. Damiata in vain assaulted A fair Offer evilly refused Succours sent unto the besieged Damiata without resistance taken by the Christians Damiata unpeopled by the Plague Pelagius the Legate perswadet the Princes of the Christian Army to proceed for the conquest of Egypt The Christians entrapped within thé Sluces of the River Nile The misery of the Christians in the drowned Land. The death of Henry Emperor of Constantinople Peter Emperor Robert Emperor of Constantinople An horrible outrage committed upon the person of an Empress Baldwin the last Emperor of the Latines in Constantinople John Batazes made Emperor of the Greeks in Asia Plenty ensuing of peace An Imperial Crown bought with Egg-money 1227 1228 Frederick the Eâ—peror Crowned King of Jerusalem The unfortunate Expedition of the King of Navar into the Holy Land. The Christians by perswasion of the Templars break their league with the Turks Jerusalem taken and rased by the Turks King Lewis setteth forward toward the Holy Land. The Citizens of Damiata set fire upon the City and ran away by the light A fair Offer â—ondly refused Earl Robert in flâ—ing drowned The Earl of Salisbury valiantly fighting slain The Governour of Caire apprehended The beginning of the Mamalukes and their Kingdom The ruine of the Turks Kingdom in Egypt The Emperor in love with Marcesina Marcesina the Emperors Concubine shut out of the Church Theodorus Lascaris chosen Emperor The death of Theodorus the Greek Emperor Enâ—y in Court. Muzalo traiterâ—usly murdred in the Church Michael Paleologus aspireth Michael Paleologus crowned Emperor by Arsenius the Patriarch Haalon the Tartar sent with a great Army against the Turks Aleppo rased by the Tartars Damasco won The Egyptian Sultan invaded Syria Antâ—och taken from the Christians Paleologus the Greek Emperor taketh possession of the City of Constantinople Paleologus jealous of his State. Paleologus causeth the young Emperors Eyes to be put out Jathatines died in Exile Carthage besieged by King Lewis Carthage won The Christian Princes returing from Tunes suffer shipwrack upon the coast of Sicilia Prince Edward arrived at Ptolemais Prince Edward wounded Rodulph the Emperor taketh upon him the Cross. Henry the Prince taken prisoner and sent to Caire Tripolis won and rased by Elpis the Egyptian Sultan Sidon and Berythus rased Tyre yielded The miserable â—state of a City abouâ— to perish Ptolemais besieged Ptolemais in vain assaulted by the Sultan Cassanâ—s the Emperor invadeth Syriâ— Jerusalem taken and repaired by Cassanes The description of Cassanes The City of Jerusalem with all Syria again recovered by the Egyptian Sultan The death of Mesoot and Cei-cubades The Turks Kingdom rent in sunder by themselves The Turks Anarchie Caramaâ—ia Saruchania Carasia Aidinia Bolli Mendesia Othoman none of the Selzuccian Family All worldly things subject to change The greatest Kingdoms have in time taken end and so come to nought Solyman Sultan of Machan forsaketh his Kingdom for fear of the Tartaâ—s Romania Asiatâ—ca The Sons of Solyman and their first adventures The Christians of Cara-Chisar fall out with the Turks Small things in time of trouble yield unto the Wise great content Othoman amorous of Malhatuâ— a Country Maid A folly common unto Lovers No friendship in love Othoman besieged and in danger for his Love. The Oguzian Turks in doubt of whom to make choice for their Governor The Castle of Chaâ—ce surpâ—â—sed by Othoman The Christians complain of the wrong done unto them by the Turks Othoman consulteth with his Brother Jundus what course to take for the oppressing of tâ—e Christians his Nâ—ighbours Othoman sâ—ttâ—th in order his little Commonweal Michâ—eâ— Cossi â—nviâ—eth Othomâ—n 〈◊〉 the marriage of his Daughter The Captain of Bilezuga treacherously seeking the death of Othoman is by him himself slain Othoman by administration of justice strengtheneth his government The City of Nice besieged by Othoman Neapolis the first Regal City of the Othoman Kings
Michael The Turks forced to retire The Christian Fleet driven by Tempâ—st to the Island Aegusa The Christian Fleet cometh to Gaulos A fugitive discovereth the enemies purposes to the Great Master The Vice-Roy arriveth at Malta and landeth his Forces The Turks forsake the Siege The Turks overthrown by the Christians fly to their Gallies The Turks depart from Malta The carefulness of the Great Master The Great Masters Letters to the Grand Prior of Almaine concerning the manner of the Turks proceedings in the Siege of Malta The Island of Chios taken by the Turks The Turks surpâ—ise Towns in Hungary Great troubles in Hungary The good success of the Emperors Captains A great Prey The Turks with much labour make a Bridge over the great Rivâ—r of Dravus The Turks â—ncamp bâ—fore Sigeth Count Serinus his comfortable and resolute speech to his Souldiers Solyman cometh into the Camp at Sigeth The defendants burn the new Town The Turks win the old Town Solyman dieth of the bloody Flux Muhamet Bassa concealeth the death of Solyman The great Bulwark undermined and set on fire by the Ianizaries The little Castle set on fire The last speech of Count Serinus to his Souldiers Serinâ—â—s slain Serinus his Head sent to Count Salma The Bassaes quipping Letter to Count Salma Nicholaus Keretschen corrupted for mony betrayeth Gyula to the Turks A Traitor well rewarded The Governor of Alba Regalâ—â— taken The Turks sharp answer to thâ— Spaniard The Turks Army returneth with the Body of Solyman to Belgrade Selymus saluted Emperor of the Turks in the year 1566. Solymaâ— buried Troubles in Hungary The Bassa of Buda desirous to farther the Peace Maximiâ—â—an and Selymus both desâ—rous of Peace Maximilian the Emperor sendeth Embassadors to Selymus The Embassadors come to Buda Presents given by the Emperors Embassadors unto the Bassa of Buda The Emperors Embassadors honourably received by the Turks at Constantinople Prâ—sents given by the Emperors Embassadors to the great Bassaes Presents send unto Selymus by the Emperor The Emperors Embassadors honourably conducted by the Tâ—rks unto the Court. The first Gate of the Great Turks Palace The second Gatâ— A homely Fâ—ast given to the Embassadors Followers in the Turks Court. The third Gate The Embassadors brought in unto Selymus with the manner of the Entertainment of them and their Followers Iâ—â—nerario Di. Marc. Antonio Pigafetta ca. 5. The principal Point whereupon the Embassadors differed from the Turks in the Treaty of Peace The â—hief Capitulations whereon a Peace was concluded betwixt Maximilian the Emperor and Selymus Embassadors sent from Tamas the Persian King to Selymus * Schach â—uli Soltâ—â— was not the proper name of this Embassador but a Title of Honour and signifieth as much as a Prince Servant to the King. * Sayms are Souldiers of greater honour than the Spahi having for their Stipend yearly 2000 Aspers at the least out of the Revâ—nues of â—certain Towns and Villages * A Mescali is four drams †Tumenlich is in value as much as the Turks Aspâ—r * December The Persian Embassador honourably entertained by the Turks at Hadrianople The Persian Embassador in going to visit Muhamet the Visier Bassa in danger to have been slain The rich Present sent by the Persian King unto Selymus The Embassadors Present to Selymus An honourable allowance Muhamet Bassa disswadeth Selymus from the invading of Cyprus Selymus sendeth Cubates his Embassador to Venice Hard to trust upon Confederations The Turks Embâ—ssador homely â—ntertained at Venice Cubateâ— the Turks Embassadors spâ—ech in the Senate at Venice The effect of Selymus his Letters to the Venetians The answer of the Venetians to the Turks Demands The Turkâ— Embassador sent away in secret from Venice The resolution of the Senate for War diversly liked and disliked of others The Emperor the French King and the King of Polonia entangled with their Leagues refused to aid the Venetians against the Turks What Christian Princes promised to aid the Venetians The description of Cyprus King Richard in England How the Kingdom of Cyprus came to the Venetians Sabellic Eâ—nead 10. lib. 8. Selymus invadeth the Venetians Pial Bassa sent against the Venetians Mustapha Bassa his Letters unto the Venetians Mustapha Bassa goeth for Cyprus The Turke Fleet descried in Cyprus The Turks land in Cyprus Mustapha Bassa marcheth towards Nicosia Nicholaus Dandulus Governour of Nicosia The desâ—ription of Nicosia The Turks before Nicosia Nicosia battered and assaulted and by the Christians valiantly defended The Venetian Fleet of an hundred and seventeen Sail at Corcyra The Christian Fleet setteth forward toward Cyprus The Christians sally out of the City upon the Turks Scouts sent out of the City taken by the Turks and executed Letters shot into the City Mustapha Bassa in vain perswadeth them of Nicosia to yield Mustapha encourageth his Souldiers Nicosia most terribly assaulted by the Turks The Turks gain the Bulwarks and Walls of Nicosia Nicosia taken by the Turks A great slaughter Cyrene yielded unto the Turks Famagusta besieged Mustapha raiseth his Siege The Turks at Sea advertised of the coming of the Christian Fleet prepare themselves for Battel The Commanders of the Christian Fleet of divers opinions for giving of the Turks Battel The Christian Fleet returneth upon the foul disagreement of the Commanders Zanlus the Venetian Admiral discharged of his Office and sent in bonds to Venice A desperate Fact of a Woman The strong Castle of Chymera taken by Venerius Quirinus taketh a Castle of the Turks in Peloponnesus Quirinus a valiant Gentleman Negligence severely punished by Selymus Muhamet Bassa a secret friend unto the Venetians puts them in hope of Peace The Venetians send an Embassador to Selymus to entreat with him of Peace Ragazonâ—us the Vâ—netian Embassador cometh to Constantinople The conference betwixt Mohamet the great Bassa and Ragazonius The Pope and the King of Spain fâ—aring lest the Venetians should make Peace with the Turk hasten the confederation The Venetians resolve to accept of the League with the Pope and the King. A perpetual League concluded betwixt the Pope the King of Spain and the Venetians Tâ—e proportioning of the charge of the Wars against the Turk and the other Capâ—tulations of the League The League proclaimed The Venâ—tians the more to trouble the Turk seek to stir up Tamas the Persian King to take up Arms against him Alexander the Venetian Embassador hath audience with the Persian King. The answer of Tamas the Persian King unto the Venetian Embassador Mustapha Bassa â—etuâ—neth to the Siege oâ— Famagusta The descripâ—ion of Famagusta The number of the Defendants of Famagusta Famagusta assaulted and notably defended by the Christians Famagusta again assaulted by the Turks Bragadinus encourageth the defendants Balâ—onius a valiant Captain The Turks sâ—â—k to undermine â—he City The breaches notably defended They of Famagusta blow up one of their own battered Bulwarks with six hundred Turks thereon Famagusta hardly assaulted The Citisens of Famagusta request the Governor in time to yield up the City A
the Soldiers Pay and Donative they were forced to Coin out of Plate and Silver and Gold taken off from the Horses Furniture belonging to the Seraglio Two hundred Purses in Gold and Sixty in Silver with which every one being satisfied all was quiet and calm again and the Spahees returned to their own Homes leaving six of the Chief Mutiniers to remain behind a◠Constantinople That is to say one Chief with two Assistants for the white Colours and the like for the red and Four hundred Captains called Bolucbashees Two hundred for each Colour or Ensign and these were appointed to hold the power in their Hands which their Mutinies and late Rebellions had gained for them About this time the Turks proposed at the instigation of the French Ambassador to send a Chiaus into France England and Holland to acquaint those Princes with the advancement of Sultan Solyman to the Throne of the Ottoman Emperors The which Embassy thô little desired by the other Ministers being a Complement insignificant in it self and which would only cost Money and Trouble was yet much pressed by the French who were then contriving to do something extraordinary to engage the Turk in a strict Alliance with them being at that time resolved to disoblige and enter into a War against the Emperor and all the Princes of Germany But by Troubles afterwards amongst the Turks themselves and by the revived Spirits of Mutiny amongst the Soldiery their thoughts were so taken up with their Seditions Forreign Enemies and other Misfortunes that they thought it not so seasonable to send such triumphant Messages in the declension of their Affairs as might have been in more happy and prosperous times Howsoever the French Ambassador and Merchants at Constantinople to evidence their good Affection to the Port freely supplied the late Selictar Aga now appointed Pasha of Grand Cairo with two Ships to Transport him and his Equipage to Alexandria and farther to oblige him lent him in Money and Goods to the value of One hundred and fifty Purses for security of which Pawns were given to remain aboard until the Debt was satisfied And now the Grand Vizier began to appear in publick with the usual Pomp and Equipage he made his Visit with great State to the Mufti and daily held the Divans in the Seraglio besides those at his own House The new Sultan had been so little a while in the Government that he could not as yet give many Indications of his Temper but as to what appeared of him at first he seemed very devout a strict observer of his Law and much addicted to reading so that he could not shake off his habitual retiredness nor enjoy the pleasures of a Court and of such a Throne as anciently cast off all the Cares of it on the Vizier and other Ministers for he neither conversed with Women nor took any publick Diversion In the mean time his deposed Brother Sultan Mahomet who had always used much Exercise began by an unaccustomed Confinement to be tainted with the Scurvy his Legs swelled and gave Symptoms of the Dropsy Wherefore he sent to his Brother the present Sultan desiring that some Physitians might be permitted to come to him for his Cure. But grave Solyman returned him answer That in case he should allow that and he miscarry the World would say that he was an occasion of his Death so that in lieu of the Physitians he would pray to God for him and he who sent the Sickness could give him a Cure. These civil Commotions and Mutinies amongst the Soldiers were more dangerous to the Ottoman State than all the Ruins Defeats and Losses they had received from the Enemy and gave the Imperialists an opportunity to act and succeed in all their Enterprizes in Hungary and march and rove with their Parties through the whole Country without opposition or controule But the Season of the year being too much advanced it was thought time to draw the Armies into Winter-quarters and to lodge them in the conquered Countries Thus Count Dunewalt after he had fortified and secured the Castles and Places which he had taken quartered his Army at Possega Valkovar and other places bordering upon Croatia Likewise the two Regiments of Palfy and Staremberg which had lately been detached from the Duke of Lorain's Army to attend the Emperor's service at Possonium on occasion of the Coronation of Ioseph King of the Romans joyned with some other Hungarian Troops near Buda attacked in their way thither the Fortresses of Ciocca and Palotta and took them by which the Garrison of Alba Regalis was much streightned and disabled from making Incursions so far as the Danube The Duke of Loraine marching as we have said towards Transilvania resolved to take Quarters for his Army in that fruitful Principality as yet not much wasted with the War and the better to prepare them dispatched away the Baron Huntschin with full Commission to Prince Apafi to Treat about the places which might be assigned with most convenience for the Soldiery and ease to the People Huntschin speedily returned with advice that he had been favourably received by Apafi who having assembled several of his Boyars or Noblemen together had resolved to send Deputies to the Duke of Loraine giving him to understand the great joy and satisfaction they had received by the happy Successes of the Imperial Arms by which they flattered themselves so far as to believe that they should now be freed from the Tyranny and oppression of the Ottoman Yoak and that as a Testimony thereof they had readily consented to afford all the succour and subsistence they were able to the maintenance of the Christian Troops during the whole Winter season But as to assign them places for Quarters within the Principality of Transilvania they instantly desired to be acquitted in regard that such a Concession would greatly offend the Port and lay them open to the Incursions and to the Fire and Sword both of the Turks and Tartars To this Message the Duke of Loraine made Answer in obliging but yet in general Terms and in the mean time the Army still advanced without farther Treaty it being well known that neither the Turkish Troops nor those of the Country were in a capacity to Dispute their Passage so that on the 11 th of October the Army arrived at Salone the first Town of Transilvania year 1687. where after having without many questions or complements put a Garrison of about a Hundred Men into the place they marched forward towards Clausembourg But on their way thither the Duke of Loraine was met by three Deputies from the Prince and States who repeated the same Offers which had been related by Baron Huntschin touching the Ammunition and Provisions with which they would furnish the Troops to which they added also an offer of some Money but as to assigning places for Winter-quarters it was a matter impossible and of the most dangerous consequence
given to these Ambassadors were much inferiour to those which had at other times been shown to Persons dispatched on the like occasions from the Ottoman Port yet the Concourse of the People who are fond of new Sights was not less numerous all the Streets Balconies and Windows being filled with Spectators who came to behold the mean Reception of the debased Turks who never came before to beg Peace but with a proud and haughty Behaviour to give the Conditions of it The next day the Ambassadors much in the same manner were conducted to Audience of Count Staremberg and in his Coach who was Marshal and Vice-President of the Supream Council of War in the absence of Prince Herman of Baden who resided at Ratisbonne in Quality of Plenipotentiary for his Imperial Majesty at the Diet. The Ambassadors being Introduced into a Chamber of his Palace and caused to Sit down at a Table opposite against him they delivered the Vizier's Letter to him which being Read after some Complements which passed on both sides they returned again to their Lodgings The Letters being afterwards Read and Observed contrary to the Custom of that Proud Nation to contain unusual Expressions of Submission and earnest Desires for Peace the Emperor appointed Four Commissioners to Treat with these Ambassadors Namely Count Kinnisek Great Chancellor of Bohemia Count Straatman Great Chancellor of the Court the Commissary General Count Caraffa and Marshal Count Staremberg These Commissioners being assembled together with Baron Razinsky Envoy Extraordinary from Poland and the Cavalier Frederico Cornaro Ambassador from the Republick of Venice to the Imperial Court with his Secretary Capello the Turkish Ambassadors were called to hold a Conference with these Ministers of the Allies at a Palace belonging to the States of the Province of Austria the which beginning about Ten in the Morning lasted until Three a Clock in the Afternoon After which several Conferences were held at which Maurocordato was the chief Speaker expressing himself in Latin and sometimes in Italian but in fine Debates ended without making the least step towards the Conclusion of a Peace for the Turks instead of yielding to any Proposal in favour of the Allies required some of the Conquered Places to be restored to them that Transilvania should pay a Tribute to the Ottoman Port as formerly and that the Bloccades should immediately be taken away from before Canisia and Great Waradin so that the Letters from the Grand Seignior and Grand Vizier containing nothing but General Terms which testified their Desires of Peace and their Negotiations and Proposals far from any particular Condescentions their Actions looked as if they designed nothing more than to gain time and to hear and observe what progress the French made by their Arms in the Palatinate and other parts of Germany Nor indeed were the Turks deceived in these Measures being supported by the French Promises and Arms and without which the Turks would have Condescended to any Conditions which the Emperor and his Allies might have offered Notwithstanding which the Faith of the French was so low in the Esteem of the Turks that had the Emperor in that Conjuncture proposed some little Advantages which might have kept up the Credit of the Ottoman Power amongst their own People a Peace would certainly have ensued which some Years afterwards by the Wiles and Artifices of the French could not be obtained nor the Turks inclined thereunto by foul or fair means by overthrows in Battle and loss of Towns and a long continued Train of Misfortunes nor by the Mediations of England and Holland offered by their respective Ministers to the Port as may hereafter be declared so that it is an unaccountable piece of Policy the blame of which the World is apt to Charge on the Clergy and the secret Partisans of France hidden in the Imperial Councels there being at that time no apparent Reason why the Applications and Overtures of the Turks were not Embraced and improved to a Peace For at that time the French had entered the Palatinate with Fire and Sword and their Armies committing all sorts of Hostility had entered the Archbishopricks of Mentz Cologne the Dukedomes of Iuliers Bergue and other Places of Suabia so that now it was manifest the Emperor had the Wars of two mighty Powers to sustain which had soon overwhelmed all Germany had not a firm Alliance been made between England Spain Holland and most of the Princes of Germany which was brought about by a most miraculous Providence which not being the Subject of this History we shall turn our Discourse towards the Wars against the Turks the Treaty with whom breaking off the Hostilities on both sides were carried on with the same Fierceness and Cruelty as before The Turks contrary to their Natural Temper were b ecome extreamly humble and Supplicant debasing themselves to so low and mean a Degree of Submission that the Imperial Ministers suspected that some Design lay covered under their fawning Expressions and over-acted Humility All which would have appeared real had not the French encouraged the Divan with Presents and Promises of recovering all Hungary back and something more if they would only reassume their Ancient Courage and patiently support the Inconvenience of a War for a few years longer to incline them whereunto the French sent the Turks a Minute Account of all the Victories they had obtained over the Germans what Cities and Towns they had destroyed what Devastations and what Incursions they had made into the very Heart of Germany with Fire and Sword by which they had already rendered all those Provinces on the Rhine so weak and miserable that it was impossible for them to resist the violent Course of the French Arms much less when united with the Puissance of the Ottoman Empire And to facilitate this Work several Engines were employed to Tamper with the Poles and Ambassadors sent to that King one of which was Monsieur de Bethune who was brother to the Queen of Poland and to quicken and give life to this Negotiation vast Sums of Money were sent sufficient to blind and corrupt the Mind of an Avaritious Prince and tho' these means were not productive of a Peace yet they begot such cold Motions of War as looked something like a Truce or an indifferent Neutrality And indeed several Campagnes after this were carried on with so slow a pace that the Arms of Poland came not into the Field until it was almost seasonable to retire from thence and such Negligence was practised in their Martial Discipline that they were commonly suprized by the Tartar and defeated And so little care taken to provide the Army with necessary food for Horse and Man that in the year 1691 as may hereafter bâ— made appear all the Horses of the Army died even in the very Stables of the King who was forced afterwards to return home in a Waggon drawn by Buffalo's and Oxen. Howsoever nothing was omitted