his Fathers and his own benefits bestowed on him he prevailed with Justus so as to come in but himself alone So opening a Port Ferdinand suddenly at his entrance stab'd him to the heart in the midst of his Souldiers the Warders dismayed with his look at his Command let in all his followers the day after whose departure from Naple's Castle Charls was received with such triumph by the Neopolitans as if restored to perfect liberty and soon after that Castle with all strong holds thereabouts were yielded to the French all the Princes and people submitting unto Charls his power All being lost Ferdinand from Aeuaria departed to Sicilie the House of Arragon losing that Kingdom in lesse than 5 moneths about 63 years after it was taken from the French by Alphonsus the Elder When the Turks saw the French Ensigns displayed on the Walls all along Calabria and Salern's Coast many of them along Epirus and Macedonia's Coast forsook their charge for fear of the Christians in Greece beginning to lift up their heads chiefly the wild Acrocerauni in Epirus borders who taking Arms refused Turkish Tribute Both Christian Princes and the Turk doubted whither Charls his greatness would grow many thinking he affected the Roman Empire and Monarchy of Italy Pope Alexander and Maximilian then Emperour being troubled Bajazet also fearing the turning of his forces into Epirus or Greece and Ferdinand of Spain no lesse car ful for Sicilie Sfortia also shortly after Duke of Millane the occasion of his comming and great aider began to doubt of the King who little reckoned of his promise so he might enlarge his Dominions and the Venetians who had stood as Newters doubted to lose some part of their own Territory before hoping to share something for themselves by the Arragonians and French weakening each other Wherefore the said Christian Princes concluded a strong League among themselves that if any one should warre on any Prince to do it on their own charge but if invaded by others every one of their own charge to send four thousand Horse and ten thousand Foot to aid their Confederate the league being for twenty years and if it pleased Bajazet as other Princes especially who for fear had offered ayd to the Venetians by Sea and Land against the French whose King the League troubled more although pretended for their own safety onely wherefore placing Garrisons in all strong holds of Naples and Mompenser his Viceroy he returned with the rest purposing by the way to terrifie the Bishop if possible from the League and then to deal with Sfortia as he might but being come to Rome Alexander was fled to Perusium Charls stayed 3 dayes violating none but those of the Arragonian faction Thence marching to Pisa and passing the Alps he was set upon by Gonsaga Duke of Mantua General of the Venetians and Sfortia to stop his passage who being in great danger lost his Tents with all his rich spoil yet repulsing his enemies with great slaughter got safely home this was at the River Taurus about which time Ferdinand returning to Naples was joyfully received by the Citizens and by help chiefly of Gonsalvus sent by Ferdinand of Spain recovered the Kingdom within a year and dying without issue left it unto his Uncle Fredericus the chief Government of this one Kingdom being six times changed in lesse than threee years Fredericus being as unfortunate as the rest and Charls the French King soon after suddenly dying as he came from Tennise but twenty seven years old leaving France with Naples its Title to Lewis who with great trouble conquered it and with greater grief lost it But Bajazet now delivered of feares by Bali-beg Sanzack of Silistra invading Podolia and Russia part of the Polonians Kingdom did great harm carrying away many Prisoners but comming the second time in like manner Winters extream cold being come on they were in return denyed passage and Victuals by Stephen Prince of Moldavia so that going all along the Sea-Coast many straglers were cut off by the Moldavians the rest perishing by cold want and waye 's fowlness so that very few came home 40000 being reported to be lost He sending also Cadumes into Illyria spoyling it with a part of Croatia 9000 Croatians and Hungarians under Francopaine encountring them were worsted above 7000 being slain and drowned in the River Morava the rest fleeing thorow Woods and Mountains the overthrow was imputed to the General who would fight in field though entreated by Torquatus to keep the Straits for advantage Torquatus lost all his Horsemen whose Horse being killed he fought on Foot till he was slain The Bassa sent all the Noses of the Christians put on strings as a present to Bajazet Lewis the 12th of France writing himself Duke of Millan as discended of John Galeatius resolving to warre upon Sfortia and seeking above all others to draw the Venetians into a fellowship made a firm League with them promising them for their ayd the City Cremona with all about Abdua which was afterwards performed Sfortia farre too weak tryed to set Maximilian with the States of Germany upon the French King which not sorting he offered to hold his Dukedom of the King for a yearly Tribute all meanes being in vain proved he certified Bajazet of the confederation that their intent was he being oppressed and some other Italian States to invade his Dominions c. The Duke hoping to busie the Venetians by bringing the Turk upon them the Florence Embassadors also pricking the Turk forward for malice against the Venetians who protected the Pisans against their oppression Bajazet calling to minde the former injuries of the Venetians in aiding John Castriot and Chernovich and denying his Fleet to put into Cyprus promised as glad of an opportunity to do what they requested wherefore in 1499 greatly preparing by Sea and Land he caused Scander-Bassa with 12000 Horse too break into Friuli on Italies frontiers who passing great Rivers and entring burned and destroyed as farre as Liquentia carrying away all the people but being come to late for the French and Venetians had before unresisted driven out Sfortia he at Tiliaventum put 4000 prisoners to the Sword and so returned laden with spoil Bajazet setting forth a greater Fleet than any of his Predecessors marched himself with a great Army along the Sea-coast of Morea so that what they could they kept in sight of each other the Venetians also setting sorth a Fleet under Grimani their Admiral for strength skill c. superiour though in number inferiour whom the Turks braving yet durst not at first joyn battel but crept along the Coast the Venetians troubling them never departed from them accounting it good service if they could but keep them from landing in any place of their Territory The longer they thus sailed the more was the State of Venice offended with their Admiral delaying to fight suffering them to draw nearer and nearer to their Territory while all expected some great exployt to
must of necessi y fight His Battel was ranged all in length and his Horse placed here and there by Troops among his Foot lest the Turks should with their multitude compass them for Solyman was come with all his Army Tomoreus placed a choyse Troop nigh the chained waggons inclosing the Tents to defend the Kings person against all events but at the first encounter the Hungarians though not hurt by the Turks Artillery being mounted too high most of the Guuners being Christians were easily overthrown as oppressed by multitude Tomoreus with the rest of the Prelates and Nobles being almost all slain together and the Horsmen slain or put to flight the Turks assailed the Camp hardly defended by the weak Garrison whom the Kings Guard-Troop would needs go to help the King seeing himself forsaken fled but passing over a Fenny-ditch his Horse plunging out fell backwards upon him where being loaded with Armour he was miserably drowned in the filthy ditch some few Horsmen escaped the rest were slain or taken This woful Battel the ground of that Kingdoms miseries was fought Octob. 29. 1526. Solyman after this marching to Buda the regal City it was delivered him with the Castle on condition to violate no man or goods and to leave it again to the Hungarians all which he performed he much commended the Castle but lodged not therein but in his Camp the Turkish Emperour being forbidden by their Law to lodge in any walled place not his own He laying at Buda 7 heads of the Slain Bishops and Nobles were presented to him set on a wooden step his Courtiers bending with their right hands on their breasts and deridingly saluting them by name as valiant Popes whereat he smiled and enquiring particularly what they were he most detested Sal-canius Bishop of Strigonium who although abounding in wealth refused part thereof unto his Soveraign at his great need blaming Tomoreus of rashness who busied himself fo far in matters not belonging to his vocation commending Perenus Bishop of Veradium who sharply said in the Council when Tomoreus would needs fight with the Turks that he foresaw their friendlike General would thereby but effect one Holy-day more in the Christians Kalenders for 30000 Hungarian Martyrs slain by the Turks in unequal Battel He called George Sepusius and others rash fools for adventuring with so small strength to encounter so strong an enemy King Lewis and his Wives counterfeit being shewed him he said he was sorry it was his ill hap to have so unadvised Counsellours in so important a matter and that he came not to take away his Kingdom but to revenge the wrongs done him by the Hungarians and had he escaped he would have restoredto him the Kingdom as content with a smal Tribute c. All which he commanded to be told to Mary the Queen who was fled to Possonium and he did shortly after give the said Kingdom to John Sepusius not royally descended and he then retaining the mind of a very enemy After that he took away three goodly Brass-Images placed by Matthias in the entrance of the Kings Pallace Representing Hercules with his Club Apollo with his Harp and Diana with her Bow and Quiver placing them in the Tilt-yard of Constantinople as a Trophy of Victory yet they were since taken away by the Mufties perswasion as against their superstition and Ordnance made of them Also he carried away 3 most curious Artillery Pieces and certain Brazen Pillars In his 20 daye 's stay at Buda to satisfie his cruel and greedy Souldiers he sent divers Troops by whom all the Country betwixt Rab and the River Tybiscus was so destroyed that above 15000 people were said to be slain or led Captive all 〈◊〉 being done he returned to Constantinople John Sepusius Vayvod of Transilvania coming too late to aid the King forasmuch as the King being dead without issue He was of greatest account among the Nobility of Hungarie he cunningly and instantly requested divers Noble men one by one at the next Parliament not to betray the honour of their Countrey in suffering the Royal Dignity to be transferred to a stranger c. for they ought to remember what calamities they had formerly received in chusing forraign Kings to rule over them and in following their unfortunate Ensignes against the Turks saying there remained of the Nobility of Hungarie men honourably descended of most antient Houses worthy of the Kingdom c. Among whom said he I would not be accounted so base or heavy-headed though many for honour of house and wealth may seem to go before me that I will therefore confess any to be better then my self for conducting an Army or Government of a Kingdom He had hereby won many of their good wills and the easier for that Steven Bator was gone into Bohemia to King Ferdinand then greatly busied in procuring the Nobilitie's favour and Commons of that Realm against the time of the Parliament wherein he was shortly after chosen King Lewis his dead body after Solyman's departure being found by the demonstration of Cotriscus quire of his Body present when he was drowned was buried with great solemnity at Alba Regalis amongst the Sepulchers of the Hungarian Kings which ended the general Military Parliament by whose Voyce the Kings were antiently chosen was called where John the Vayvod was by the great Applause and Consent of all there present chosen King to whom Perenus 〈◊〉 the ancient Crown of the Kingdom which was in his keeping and he being orderly Crowned was consecrated by the hands of Paul lately chosen Bishop of Strigonium and Steven Bishop of Vacia whom he chose his Secretary giving unto Gybachus Bishop of Veradium the Vayvod-Ship of Transilvania But whilst he was thus rewarding his friends and strengthening himself in his Kingdom he heard that Ferdinand his Competitour was chosen King of Bohemia who ont of the old controversie betwixt Matthias and Frederick the Emperours great Grandfather alleadged great claim to that Kingdom derived from the time of Ladislaus reported to be poysoned at the solemnization of his marriage through the ambition and malice of Pogibracius who shortly after obtained the Bohemian Kingdom And now it seemed that Férdinand made greater herewith and strengthened by his Brother Charls the Emperour might on good ground claim the Hungarian Kingdom belonging to him as he pretended ever since Albertus the Emperour's time neither wanted he the furtherance of divers Nobles of Hungarie besides Bater who were in his Court and 〈◊〉 at the Vayvoá's preferment By whose perswasion he trusting to his strength in Austria Bohemia Rhetia Stiria and Corinthia marched towards Buda Whereat John being exceedingly troubled as not having sufficient strength nor greatly assured of his Subjects fidelity departed from Buda exhorting his Captains to follow him And by long marches passed over Tybiscus encamping at the strong Castle of Tocai Ferdinand obtaining Buda without resistance and staying a while consulted whether to pursue John or not It was soon resolved he was
speedily to be pursued before he should gather greater strength c. Ferdinand committing his Army to the Hungarian Nobles his Friends they with all speed passed Tybiscus on a bridge made of Boats brought with them coming to the Castle of Tocai John terrified and debating with his 〈◊〉 of the danger they perswaded him to withdraw a 〈◊〉 out of the Battel and if things fell out contrary to reserve himself to better fortunes but they would resolutely fight against those traiterous Fugitives c. Bodo was chief of the Kings Army to whom he delivered his Ensign with his own hand who stood himself in the main Battel with the Hungarians placing the Transilvanians in the wings Turacous led Ferdinands main Battel strengthened on one 〈◊〉 with the Stirian on tother with the Austrian Horse but Bachitius well acquainted with the Turkish Wars lay a good distance off in ambush with light-horsmen to take his advantage upon occasion The Ordnance discharged they joyned Battel the wings fighting with divers fortune The Stirians were worsted by the Transilvanians and Bodoes left wing being mostly 〈◊〉 Souldiers were likewise overthrown by the Austrians The main Battels almost all Hungarians fought most eagerly with equal courage but Bodoes right wing being now put to 〈◊〉 by a fresh charge all his Army was put to flight Bodo labouring to restore the Battel and save the Kings Ensign was by Bachitius s coming in taken All the Kings Artillery and Ensignes being taken also himself fleeing into Polonia Ferdinands Captains entring Transilvania all the Province submitting to Ferdinand to whom all the Noble prisoners with the Ensignes being sent when Bodo could not be perswaded to renounce his Oath to King John and bear Arms against him He was cast into a dark Dungeon where soon after he miserably died Ferdinand was by common consent of the Hungarians saluted King and crowned with the same Crown that John was Crowned brought to him by the same Perenus Anne his Wife Lewis his only sister being Crowned with him and all at Alba Regalis Ferdiuand leaving Bator and the revolted Bishop of Strigonium his Deputies for Government making Berethsaxius Secretary and Tursonus a Moravian Treasurer returned into Bohemia John thus thrust out of his Kingdom fled to Lascius of great fame amongst the Polonians who frankly promised him his own wealth for recovery of his Estate and more than that the utmost of his Device which was accounted wonderful in great matters Lascus's entertainment of John was not unpleasant to Sigismund King of Poland though not to offend Ferdinand his Alliant he seemed to forget himself in shewing so small kindness to John whose Sister he had married After almost a moneths debating Lascus rested on this one point that ready help in so hard a case was only to be hoped for of the Turkish Emperour Solyman thinking that he would not reject his humble prayers especially if being by him restored he could be content to hold his Kingdom as of the Othoman Kings bounty And ere long upon this resolution with the King Lascus went as Embassadour from John to Solyman It was reported that Sigismund gave him his safe conduct with Letters of Credence who being come to Constantinople he soon won the favour of the Bassaes other Courtiers presenting them with gifts for Rareness rather than value as might be most pleasing to theit Wives Abraham was then Visier or chief Bassa and keeper of the Emperours Seal doing whatever pleased himself and commonly said to be the Commander of Solymans thoughts Lascus for that he could speak the Slavonian tongue the Turkish Courtiers familiar speech earnestly solicited the Kings cause wondrously commending him for having saluted Solyman he was turned over after the manner of the Turkish Court to the Bassaes which his request with the particular motives and Arguments thereof being sharply delivered and by the Bassaes reported to Solyman who at a secret Window had before heard them heclared by Lascus It was no great labour to perswade him again to undertake the Hungarian War and grant John his request according to the success of the Victory so he would faithfully perform what he had promised not shew himself unthankful Ferdinand the while fearing no force but the Turks sent John Oberdanscus a Hungarian Embassadour to Solyman with gifts for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by shewing to him his ancient Title and claim to the Kingdom of Hungarie 〈◊〉 desire his Friendship and joyn with him in League upon Ladislaus his Son Lewis and Sigismund of Polonia their very conditions but though he was courteously received by Solyman and patiently heard yet in conclusion Solyman said it was far from the manner of his Ancestors to receive them into favour who had injured the Othoman name Ferdinand having done impudently to invade 〈◊〉 Kingdom and to think to hold it seeing his old Claim was lost by the Law of Arms by his late Victory against King Lewis wherefore instead of Friendship and League he denounced unto him all the calamities of War commanding Oberdanscus speedily to depart from Constantinople who coming to Vienna and telling the Kings Lievtenants that Solyman would shortly come thither with his Army he was not believed but reputed a vain man wherefore he hastened to Ferdinand then at Spires hoping to be chosen King of the Romanes at the Assembly of the States of the Empire at hand for crowning his Brother Charls This news not a little troubled Ferdinand even fore-seeing what would happen knowing he should come in an ill time to crave help of the Germanes especially his Brother Charls being busied in his Wars in Italy and himself wanting money The Spring come Solyman set forward from Hadrianople with 150000 men Abraham and Achomates conducting the Europeian Horse Michael Ogli General of the Acanzij Becrambeius following him with his Asians himself in the middle with his Janizaries and Court-Souldiers 〈◊〉 in 15 dayes to Belgrade where John with Lascus and other Hungarian Nobles came to him and doing him all honour requested him to proceed to revenge his quarrel Solyman 〈◊〉 and yet friendly gave him his right hand protesting nothing was better to him or he more desired of God than to relieve distressed Princes chiefly those wrongfully 〈◊〉 by his enemies willing him to be of good comfort promising to bestow on him what in that warre he won by the Sword John obtained this by Bassa's mediation whom Lascus had so won by gifts and requests Grittus the Duke of Venice his Son born and brought up in Constantinople then following the Turk's Camp and in great reputation among the Turks and so favoured by Abraham that he could perswade him to any thing especially helping him herein The fame of Solyman's coming so terrified the Citizens of Buda that they almost all fled to places further off so entring Buda unresisted he besieged the Castle whose Captain was Nadastus of great account among the Hungarians who perceiving his Souldiers as dismayd willing to surrender forbad them to
Zanius was Admiral Noble Singliticus was sent with 1000 Footmen into Cyprus who led also all the Horsemen in the Island Martiningus promising to follow with 2000 more Their strong Cities were new fortified and provided with all necessaries for defence of their State earnestly soiiciting the Christian Princes to give them ayd against the common enemy but Maximilian excused himself by the 8 years League made with the Turk as also Charls the French King and Sigismund of Poland upon the same account yet seeming very sory for the breach betwixt them yet Charls offered to be a Mediator if they pleased betwixt them and Selymus Sebastian also of Portugal made an excuse from the great Plague that had lately raged in his Kingdom also that he was to maintain Sea-Warres against the Turks in the East 〈◊〉 Onely Pope Pius the 5th and Philip of Spain with the Duke of Savoy Duke of Urbin and Duke of Florence and Knights of Malta promised them and performed their ayd Selimus was with the Venetian's short answer and Cubates's contemptuous usage farther enraged they also having in their Letters omitted his glorious Titles wherefore he imprisoned their Embassador and all the Christian Merchants of the West throughout his Empire staying their ships under Arrest setting himself wholly to prepare things needful for the intended Warre Cyprus layeth in the farthest of the Cilician Sea between Syria East Pamphylia West Aegypt South and Cilicia now Caramannia North. It is in length after Strabo 175 miles in breadth 65 in circuit 427. It abounds with what ever is needful for the sustentation of man sending forth great abundance and craving no help again The people generally lived so at ease and pleasure that the Island was dedicated to Venus who was there chiefly worshipped and thereof called Cypria Marcellinus saith that Cyprus is of it self able to build a tall Ship from the Keel to the Top-sail and put it to Sea furnished of all things needful In the heart whereof stands Nicosia sometime its Mother-City and in the East end thereof Famagusta the chief and onely Port of all that most pleasant Island It came first into the hands of the Venetians as hath bin before declared by Catherine Cornelia the Wife of James the King thereof and adopted Daughter of the Senate who her Husband being dead by the perswasion of her Brother George Cornelius all the Island being ready to revolt after the death of her young Sonne a Posthume coming to Venice and with the greatest honour received in the Senate-House before the Tribunal of Duke Barbaricus laid down her Crown and Scepter and as a loving Daughter resigned up her Kingdom to the great honour and profit of her Countrey in one thousand four hundred seventy three then paying to the Sultans of Aegypt such yearly Tribute as James did and afterwards the same to the Turk by Law of Conquest But now this Selimus the 2d made no account of the accustomed Tribute but of the fruitful Island itself who in the beginning of February 1570 sent a great power into Epirus and the Frontiers of Dalmatia to forrage especially about Jadera to withdraw the Venetians from the defence of Cyprus so far off and in April following he sent Piall who was a Hungarian born of mean Parents with 80 Galleys and 300 Galliots to keep the Venetians from sending ayd to Cyprus who coming to Euboea so lay certain dayes as if he would give them battel but understanding that they grievously visited with the Plague and slowly relieved by friends were not like in haste to come out he sailed to have taken the Island Troos from them stronger by the Defendants industry than by nature who though far from Christian Countries could neither for fear or danger be removed from Christian Religion or submit to the Turks Government as most of the Cyclades had done Piall by fair meanes and fowl perswaded the Inhabitants to yield their Town but getting nothing from them but fowl words again he valiantly assaulted it two dayes but seeing how little he prevailed and the Defendants resolution he abandoned the Island sailing towards Cyprus for Mustapha a hater of the Christians was made General who appointed Piall to meet him at the Rhodes where he that came first should tarry for the other to sail together to Cyprus Mustapha having sent a great part of his Army by Land into Pamphylia departed in a royal and wondrous great Galley together with Haly Bassa General of the forces at Sea and the rest of the Fleet from Constantinople May 26 meeting with Piall at the Rhodes and to colour so manifest a wrong according to the Turkish manner a little before his arrival at Cyprus sent Letters to the Venetians that Cyprus together with Aegypt which was conquered by the Turks was become of right a part of the Othoman Empire which they came to challenge leading after them 200000 valiant Souldiers c. And if they should prefer their vain hopes before the wholsom Counsel of leaving the Island without resistance they were to expect all the calamities of War c. he giving them a moneths space to bethink themselves The whole Fleet consisted of 200 Galleys divers Galliots and small Men of Warre with divers Vessels for transporting of Horses whose coming the Islanders from their Watch-Towers first discovered at the West end whence on the right hand passing the promontory of Del legate they landed divers of their men who burning and spoyling some Villages with spoil and prisoners returned to the Fleet which coming to Salinae a place so called from abundance of Salt there made they came to an Anchor in an open Road landing their Army on a plain shoare unresisted which exceedingly encouraged the Turks thinking they should not have so done without a bloudy Fight but the Christians all whose hope was to have 〈◊〉 them from landing either terrified with the greatness of the Fleet or prevented by their celerity to their great hurt omitted so fair an opportunity The Bassa entrenching his Army sent the Fleet to transport his other forces out of Pamphylia into the Island and Scouts to take some prisoners of whom they might learn many things of concernment but the greatest question among themselves was whether they should first set 〈◊〉 Famagusta or Nicosia Famagusta standing low and wholly subject to the then scorching heat the Bassa for fear of Diseases thought it better to begin with Nicosia So put ing all things in order and well viewing the Countrey he set forward it was about 30 miles distant being the chief and richest City of the 〈◊〉 The spreading Army the neerer it came the greater was the 〈◊〉 of the people and the number of prisoners but the Enemies approaching a general fear possessed all men there being in the City no renowned Captain nor any strong Army without to oppose the enemy Dandulus was Governour of the City too weak for so great a burthen being brought up in civil Affaires who had taken up 4000
established divers wholsom Lawes altered the Coyn and relieved the poor and because he would not seem to degenerate from his Progenitors he prosecuted his Fathers Warres by the Tartars Praecopenses in Octob. 1575 entring Russia of the Polonian Kingdom burning and destroying two hundred Noblemens Houses with a multitude of Towns and Villages making great slaughter of the people and carrying away great numbers of Cattel and prisoners bound in thongs of raw Hides but whilest they divided the spoil with Peter Vayuod of Valachia who had promised to give the Tartars no passage that way the Cossacks brake into their Countrey requiting them with like harm and bringing back a number of old Captives At this time the Polonians were at variance about the Election of their King Henry Valois after Charls his Brothers death stealing away from them into France to take on him the Kingdom some making choyce of 〈◊〉 the Emperour others no lesse inclining to the Duke of Muscovie and some unto others Amurath loath that either of those two great Princes should be strengthened with so great a Kingdom so near to him in the beginning of his Reign wrote to the Polonians to that purpose commending to them Stephen Bator Vayuod of 〈◊〉 for their King and threatning if they did otherwise to give all their Wealth and Goods Wives and Children for a prey to his Souldiers with the chief men of their Cities of Cracovia and Leptis which Letters so prevailed with them that both Maximilian and the Muscovite being passed over Anne of the Jagellonian House was chosen Queen of Poland yet so as to marry Stephen the said Vayuod who afterwards elected King worthily governed that Kingdom all his life and enlarging it with Territories by force of Arms gotten from his Neighbours especially the Muscovite Amurath would often boast and say he had given the Polonians their King The year following 1576 great and sore shaking troubles arising in Persia Amurath took opportunity to invade the same to the long quiet of the Christian Commonwealth Old Tamas the Persian King after above 50 years glorious Reign died May 11th 1576 leaving 11 Sons Mahomet the eldest of an infirmity in his eyes surnamed Codabanda being of a peaceable disposition was most delighted with a contented life Ismael the second Son was of a more fierce and troublesom nature whom his Father outwardly seeming to mislike of his youthful pranks aforesaid tending to the breach of the league betwixt him and the Turk sent to the Castle of Cahaca where he remained at the time of his death Aidere the third Son was as ambitious as Ismahel but not so valorous Tamas had by his last will appointed Ismahel to succeed him as of all his Sons the fittest for so great a charge which Mahomet seemed not much to dislike as contented with the honours bestowed on him by his Father Ismahel being sent for by the Sultans to take on him the Kingdom at Casbin there arose a great tumult in the City and Pallace for Aidere who in his Fathers sight when he lay drawing toward his end had presumptuously set the Crown on his head for which he was reproved now supported by Zalchan and other mighty favourites had so dealt with Periaconcona his eldest Sister and the other Sultans Counsellors of State that the succession could not be any longer kept from him but by some fine deceit Wherefore this Lady Periaconcona of great Spirit and deep conceit left in trust by her Father with the Sultans resolved with them upon a thorow-debate that Aidere in Royal Apparel in the great Gallery should attend the acclamation of the people and be there openly Enthronized as the very elected King which done she by their advice ordered the Gates of the Pallace to be presently locked and surely guarded with Souldiers wholly devoted to Tamas and Ismahel to suffer every man to enter in at the open Wicket save the known Friends of Aidere who is now in conceit a King but perceiving the prohibition of his best friends and moved with the great stir of Zalcan who discovered the deceit and crying upon King Aidere threatened the Lady the Sultans and the rest that waited on the feigned succession through fear and sorrow withdrew closely among certain Women of the Court hoping to find some way to escape In the meantime the cries and threatnings of Aidere's Friends so encreased that the Counsellours with the Ladie 's consent were enforced to take order that Aidere should be deprived of life Whereupon Sahamal his Uncle by the mothers-side after long search found him hidden amongst the Women who taking him by the Locks struck off his head and among the thickest press where Zalchan and the rest stood crying and threatning flung the Head all bloudy crying aloud unto them Behold there your King enjoy him at your pleasure Whereat every man burned in rage and anger and many vainly threatened most cruel revenge but at last perceiving Ismahel's succession inevitable and Aidere's death irrevocable every man departed scattering themselves as they thought best for their own safety Shortly after Ismahel arrived at Casbin where he was joyfully received and saluted King whose power being answerable to his desires he beheaded his eight younger Brethren and bereaved not onely those rear him in blood and affinity but all the favourites of Aidere of their lives so that Casbin was defiled with blood and filled with mourning and complaints which unexpected cruelty so altered the mindes of his Subjects that their hopes were turned into new feares and their joy into mourning but much greater did the miseries grow when 't was given out that he would change the Religion of the Persians into the superstition of the Turks for hereby and by force of an edict by him published many of his Priests and Governours of his friendly and subject-Cities were some exiled some imprisoned some as the Caliph of Casbin had their eyes pluckt out and not a few sundry wayes slain yea many Ladies and divers others of Ismahel's Kinsfolks endured sundry torments and strange calamities There went abroad withall a general rumour even as far as Constantinople that Ismahel with a puissant Army of such as favoured this new proclaimed vanity determined to go to Babylon there to receive the Crown of the Empire from him who should be the Successor of their great Caliph as Solyman the Turk and the Persian Kings had of old done The fear of further miseries incresing rather than otherwise he was by the help of the aforesaid Periaconcona whether through poyson strangling or otherwise taken out of this World November 24 1577 to the exceeding joy of all those Nations having reigned one year seven moneths and six dayes The Lady forthwith perswaded the Sultans that as they had for the good of all Persia contrived the death of Ismahel so they would take on them that Kingdom 's Protection till 't were known who should worthily succeed Emir Chan was in hope by meanes of a match with a
500000 men and 300 Field pieces but smal ' For why Solyman by destroying the Country purposed to draw the Emperour to Bartel which report was confirmed by Ferdinands Embassidours whom Solyman granted to depart at Gunza with each of them a Velvet Gown and piece of Plate and Letters to Charls and Ferdinand proudly usurping the Titles of many Kingdoms saying he was come into Hungarie to revenge the wrongs they had done to King John his Friend and Vassal and would enter their Country with fire and sword and by God's and Mahomet's power would give them Battel if they durst meet him in one Battel to end that quarrel either by winning or losing the Empire of the World Solyman having a great while sharply assaulted Gunza and still with great loss repulsed He in 4 dayes cast up nigh the Town-ditch two great Mounts of Faggots and earth so high that they over-topped the highest Towers of the Town one was against the face of the Town the other at a corner to flanker the Wall whence he with his shot beat both them on the walls and those who went to and fro in the streets The Town-ditch being filled up and many Defendants 〈◊〉 or wounded the Turks most furiously assaulted the place before shaken the valiant Captain opposing all his strength left but the Turks with their multitude got up the walls with 8 Ensignes whence they had repulsed the Defendants who being all wounded or wearied shrouded themselves under their Pent-houses so that the Walls were now abandoned But such a sudden clamour was make by the Women and Children and other fearful people that the Turks on the Walls thinking the Town full of Souldiers stood as men dismayed whereupon the Defendants began again to shew themselves at whose sight they forsook the Wall and could by no means be brought on again The Town was then defended in all judgement by Gods power not mans strength Solyman exceedingly grieved to see so base a Town hold out so long oft in his rage threatned to leave no signe thereof remaining but Abraham Bassa waited a fit time when his choler was past told him it was not worth his name and greatness to spend his time and Forces upon so smal a Town of no importance by razing whereof he should get neither honour nor profit c. Wherefore 't were more honourable to raise his Siege and calling the Governour to give him the Town as of bounty than to spend so many good men in winning it by force The Bassa so prevailed that the Governour was by a Herauld sent for to Abraham who though grievously wounded yet refused to come to any parley except first assured by sale conduct and good Hostages for his safety and nothing to be exacted unbeseeming his Religion and Honour which stout answer made them think he was still able to hold out the Siege whereupon what he required was forthwith granted So he going forth was by Abraham honourably received and bid sit down by him in his Tent who courteously demanding whether he had recovered his old infirmity which he had when sent Embassadour to Solyman and whether his wounds were dangerous But last of all on what hope he alone had so long and obstinately withstood the mighty Solyman saying he marvelled why he reposed confidence in the bringing King Ferdinand Who modestly answered he was thanks be to God well delivered of his old Disease his wounds being without danger As for his holding out he knew he said it was the duty of a good Souldier valiantly to withstand his enemies nor to be discouraged with any chance of War c. That Ferdinand would ere long be there present with a great Army he not much marvelling he was not relieved before then since many lets might hinder the King's purpose considering Fortune's inconstancy in Martial assairs The Bassa wondring at his courage said Although Solyman might utterly destroy the Town with all therein yet being by nature most honourable and mild and a great lover of valiant men He had commanded him in his Name to give him that Town and all the lives in it as a Reward of his Valour yet so as to swear to him obedience and receive some few Turks into it in token of yielding The Governour knowing 〈◊〉 a third part of 800 Souldiers were left and them sore weakened thought it needful to make his peace in best sort he could and so cunningly used the matter that Abraham was content he should only receive a Captain with 10 Janizaries in at one of the gates for a while courteously entertained and then dismissed though he had neither Germane nor Spaniard then in the Garrison yet he told the Bassa he was much affraid the Turks would be ill intreated by them who deadly hated them So Solyman having layen at that Siege 28 dayes and to his great loss assaulted Gunza 13 times He rose with his Army glad of a little seigned submission for safety of his honour And leaving Vienna on the right hand where was most of the Christian Army he came into Carinthia and so to the River Mura thence to the City Gratia This put all fear out of the Christians minds for that Solyman a little before feared being repulsed at Gunza shunned his enemies at Vienna c. Which disgrace the Turks sought to cover as that Neostat lay betwixt him and Vienua not to be taken without great difficulty nor without danger left behind him Winter also beginning to approach But some were of opinion Solyman understanding that the Germane Princes had joyned Forces with the Emperour 's brought from Spain Italy and the Low-countries which at first he least feared and that the Christian Army great were mostly not inferiour to his best men of War chose rather to take the spoil of the Country with safety than to adventure person and state in a most doubtful Battel While this was doing Cason was sent with 15000 Acanzij to spoil all the Countrey between Danubius and the Alps Wherefore dividing his Horsmen into 3 Companies not far asunder he slew or carried away prisoners a multitude of all sorts of people as he went forcing thousands of men and women to run tied together as fast as their Horses burning down the Villages and in them the children of the Parents so that almost 150 miles every way was covered with smoak and fire within 3 mile of Lintz whence Ferdinand was glad to get to Strabinga to Charls the Emperour This cruel Turk loaded with spoil and prisoners began to return the way he came to Solyman either as he thought at Gunza or Neostat coming towards Vienna but the Christian Captains went out of the Camp to meet with them using such diligence in taking the passages it was impossible they should escape unfought withal 4 troops of Spanish and Italians under Valiant Coue first lighting on them nigh Neostat and charging them were most slain but Cason perceiving how he was on every side laid for the night
restored to Muleasses They declaring that whole war shewed there wanted neither valour nor direction but only fortune Solyman accepted their excuse taking them up prostrate at his feet commending them c. bidding them be of good cheer saying he would find occasion for them to recompence that disgrace c. Coming to Bosphorus strait Abraham had in sign of triumph caused along the shoar Persian-silk to be laid for him to tread upon as he went aboard the Galley whence he passed over with triumph to Constantinople Envy soon discovering in Court Solymans changed countenance on Abraham some now sought by all secret means to work his confusion especially Solyman's mother and Roxalana who perceived her design of preferring her own son Bajazet to the Empire after Solymans death was much crossed by him who most sought for Mustapha's preferment the eldest son by another woman but that which most impaired his credit with Solyman was a report raised that he in heart a Christian did in all things favour such and therefore perswaded Solyman to undertake the Persian war and to encrease the su pition that he about that time caused one Nicholas a Venetian Merchant who came to him oft while at Babylon with secret Letters c not unsuspected to be murthered in the night and cast into the sea because he should not discover that which might hurt him Abraham being bid to a supper about March 14. it 's said after supper Solyman fell into a great rage with him for mis-governing the State turning his Treasures to his own private and having traiterous intelligence with Christian Princes sternly shewing him for proof his own intercepted Letters often furiously asking him if he knew not that hand and seal all which he confessed craving pardon at his feet yet the same night as he was slumbering on a Pallare in the Court through heavinesse an Eunuch cut his throat with a crooked knife which Solyman himself delivered him He was murthered sleeping because Solyman had sworn to him he would never kill him whilst he lived the Mufty saying he might kill him sleeping being then accounted as dead c It s reported Solyman looking on his dead body bitterly cursed it causing it to be cast into the sea with a great weight tied on it His abundance of wealth being next day seized on and a small part appointed for his Wife the vulgar devising on him infamous songs and slanderous reports as of a Traytour defacing with stones and mire the Trophies of the Hungarian Victory which he had most statelily erected before his sumptuous House He was murthered March 15 1536 It was commonly reported and justly feared that Barbarussa would the next Summer with all his Forces invade Sicily Italics Garnerie and then attempt the Conquest of the Kingdom of Naples To represse which and for safety of the Christian's Frontiers much subject to the Rapines of Turkish Pirates Charls the Emperour whilst Solyman was busied yet in the Persian wars resolved in person with a puissant Army to passe into Africk and to dispossesse the Pirate of his new-got Kingdom of Tunis Wherefore he levying 8000 foot and 7000 Horse in Spain came to Barcelona before expectation Among many Nobles there was chiefly Ferdinand Duke of Alba whose forwardnesse with desire to revenge his Father Garcias's death slain by the Moors at Girapolis made his Countrey-men hope he would prove a worthy Chieftain as he did Auria the while alone knowing the Emperours full purpose had with speed rigged up a great Fleet of Ships and Galleys very well furnished joyning also 17 Galleys and 3 Galleasses of his own and embarquing therein the Flower of Genna and Liguria they cheerfully offering themselves and coming to Barcelona whither came also Lewis the King of Portugal's Brother whose sister Charls had married with 25 Caravels ships used in their Indian Voyages one being a huge Galleon wherein were 2000 Portugals besides Marrinets also 60 sayl of tall Ships out of the Low-countries with a number of condemned men spared to serve in the Galleys Also Pope Paul the 3d. sent 10 Galleys under Sursinus and the Master of Malta sent his Fleet also Then did Davalus Vastius the Emperour's Land-General take up 5000 new Souldiers in Italy led by the Count of Sarne and other famous Captains The old Spanish Garrisons in Lombardie were there left under Leva though the Emperour's best Commander he not daring so well to trust the French and Swissers who were so near that Countrey Then also came old Eberstern to Vastius with 8000 Germans to Genua divers serving voluntarily of their own charges With these and the Italians Vastius embarquing at Portus Veneris in Liguria had perswaded them patiently to endure the Sea and to comfort themselves with the hope of Victory in Africa c. So coming to Naples the Viceroy and divers Nobles had of their own charges built or furnished some one Galley some more for that service accounted sacred both the old Souldiers and lusty youths of that Kingdom won by Vastius's courtesie most cheerfully offering themselves but some mutinous Souldiers found fault with their wages and weary of the Sea fearing dangers in so long a Voyage perswaded the multitude to run away the Authors of which mutiny Vastius thrust into sacks and cast into the sea in their sight So from Naples he came to Palermo in Sicily The Emperour also came from Barcelona to Mago port in Minorca Isle thence to Caralis in Sardinia whither Vastius was a little before come Charls ere long passed with a Westerly wind into the Port Utica or Farina in Africk in entring whereof the Emperours Galley struck on the sand sticking fast which troubled him the more seeing his Father Philip was so like to be cast away on Englands coast sayling out of the Low countries into Spain yet by Aurias's direction they quickly got off to all their great joy So departing from Utica he doubled the Promontorie of Carthage anchoring before Aquaria or the Water-Castle so called of a Well beneath it The Moors who from Hills and Watch Towers had viewed the Fleet and its course advertised Barbarussa that the Christians were coming against him with an innumerable Fleet for they were almost seven hundred sayl 82 being great Galleys but he was most troubled hearing often that the most mighty Christian Emperour was personally there with such a world of people that Italy and Spain seemed to be left bare of able men which certain Mahometans slaves swimming ashoare in the night reported for the proud Turks never thought the Emperour would have so adventnred especially in an unknown barren and scorching Countrey c. wherein he was confirmed by Prefenda a German who was a prisoner at large in Tunis of whom Barbarussa 〈◊〉 him with hope of liberty if he would declare had learned many things but now in his rage he charging him bitterly that he had persidiously told him lies for truth concerning the Emperour commanded him to be execused Then forthwith
Religion secretly encouraging the chief Captives with whom they were acquainted to lay hold on their liberty two of whom Francis a Spaniard and Caterus a Dalmatian Eunuch adventured to open the prison-doors giving Instruments to the poor prisoners who boldly brake off their chains and Gyves and so about 6000 Christians armed with what came first to hand chiefly with stones brake forth suddenly upon the Turks in the Castle Ramadas the runagate Captain stirred up with the terrible noise with a few Souldiers ran to the gate where a lusty Cicilian prisoner had with a bar thereof struck down one or two of the Warders and bolted the Gate Ramadas 〈◊〉 him went forth with his few followers carrying news to Barbarussa the Christians now loosed slaying divers Turks possessed all the Castle and breaking open the Armory gave signs from a Turret to the Christian Army by smoak and false fires of Gunpowder Lastly displaying Sarmentus his Ensign taken by Tabacches as aforesaid they were too far off well to perceive these signes yet by fugitives comming oft out of Tunis Charls and Muleasses were perswaded some great tumult was risen wherefore 2 Captains with their Companies were sent to discover the matter Barbarussa the while in his fury blaspheming his gods and bitterly curling the Jew came to the Castle-gate with tears in his eyes requesting the late-captives forthwith to let him in faithfully promising them liberty with a general pardon but they 〈◊〉 stones at him with many opprobrions words rejected him So that he enraged shot at them himse f betaking himself to flight 7000 Turks following him intending to flee to the Citty Hippona now Bona for there had Barbarussa left 14 Galleys against any mischance having laid up their furniture in the Garrison'd Castle fast by the Lake Charls hearing of his flight came to the gates the Magistrates being ready to submit only requesting that his Sculdiers might encamp without the City and not seek the utter ruine thereof promising they should want nothing there to be had Muleasses also earnestly entreating him in the Citizens behalf but he doubting not without cause the Moors fidelity they also delaying the Souldiers promised wages expecting the utmost of Barbarussa he could not be perswaded to promise them certain safety moved also by the Souldiers discontenred speeches Whilst the Emperour stood thus in doubt Vastius came with a few to the Castle gate and was joyfully received in by the Captives but whilst he viewed the wealth and provision a Ligurian-captive discovered to him a Well wherein Barbarussa had cast 30000 Duckats in bags which he easily obtained of Charls as well deserving them The Captives taking the Castle 's spoyl the Army would enter the City running after the spoyl the Citizens in vain calling upon the faith of Muleasses They slew many at first entrance the Spaniards and Italians seeking most after spoyl but the Germans filled all places with dead Mahometans not regarding sex or age their Temples swimming with the blood of those fled into them which continued till Charls through Muleasse's pittiful request proclaimed None on pain of death to hurt any Citizen or take prisoners For all that many young men and women were by the Marriners carried away to the Fleet many of whom Muleasses redeemed for a little money one of his Wives the dearest being ransomed for two Duckats The Emperour entring the Castle commended the captives giving them money promising them shipping and provision to bring every man to his own Countrey unto the manumissed servants he gave money and apparel learning of them of Barbarussas's purposes and secret disposition In the Castle 's spoyl Muleasses chiefly lamented the loss of the old Arabian books containing the interpretation of Mahomet's Law and his Predecessours Acts which losse he said he would most gladly if possible have redeemed with the price of a City then the pretious oyntments and perfumes with the great store of Ambetgreece Musk and Civet Lastly the rare and rich Colours for painting trodden under foot Here were divers Head-pieces and other Armour of the French laid up in memory of the Moors Victorie who with King Lewis had besieged it about 300 years before Barbarussa easily passed over the River Bagrada or Maior-dech though pursued by certain Namidian horse raised by Muleasses who dared not come near him for his Harquebusiers and Archers in the rear and so came to Hippona yet he lost Haiden of Smyrna in that passage who died on the bank with drinking so much resting his men two dayes He called them together comforting them with good words and perswading them c. for he determined he said to go with the Fleet he had to Algiers where he would being recruited undertake some Attempt answerable to their desires and his own credit It 's reported Never was vanquished Captain answered with a more cheerful acclamation than he then was Wherefore he most speedily weighed up those sunk Galleys furnishing them against all assayes casting upon the Lake's-brink a Mount with Artillary for defence of the Harbour not vainly conjecturing that the Christian Fleet would come to impeach his going out And indeed Adam a German Captain of no great skil yet the Admiral 's Kinsman was appointed with some Gallions and 14 Galleys to set forward towards Hippona hoping to purchase great honour of the unproviced enemy but being come near Hippona he was advertised what Barbarussa had done Whereat he greatly troubled upon good advice returned to the Fleet for more aid Barbarussa a while doubting whether to pursue them more in number than his own Galleys or to persist in his former purpose unto which opinion the Captains inclining he letting slip a fair occasion leaving a small Garrison in the Castle sayled to Algiers Adam being returned many great ones were exceedingly offended that by some's negligence and others unrulinesse going ashear without leave so fair an occasion was neglected for had those Galleys been sunk or taken Barbarussa could not have escaped it being verily thought the Numidians the Turks deadly enemies would in advantagious places have cut off him and his followers in his long and painful travail by land to Algiers Auria angry both with himself those entrusted yet not out of hope went to Hippona but Barbarussa gone he took the City overthrowing its walls but taking the Castle by force he placed Gometius with a Garrison and so returned This Gometius though valiant became so infamous for avarice towards enemy and friend that for fear how to answer such things he executed himself the Castle being afterwards razed as not without marvellous charge to be kept after which a Council being held touching Muleasses Charls placed him in his Kingdom to pay him yearly as tribute 2 Faulcons and 2 Numid an 〈◊〉 also ever to honour the Emperour and be a friend to all Christians and an utter enemy to the Turks and to defray the charges of above 1000 Spaniards left in Guletta whereby he as it were kept the Keys