received his fatal overthrow he had a second conflict with the Turk whom he put to flight with great slaughter and took the City of Philomela and put the Inhabitants to the sword for executing his Messangers he sent to treat with them about delivering it peaceably and then entring â—â—â—â—enia the less he took the City of Melitene and subdued all the Territories round about and there gave the Turks an other fearful overthrow which Army was no sooner vanquished but another not inferiour to â—â— appeared under the heading of Saphadine Saladin the Sultan's Son which with an undaunted bravery he charged and put to rout with incredible slaughter but the joy of Victory was soon turned into Mourning for the good Emperor zealous for the Christian Cause following hâ—â—d upon the flyers his Horse floundered in the River 〈◊〉 and threw him out of the Saddle with his right foot hanging in the Stirrup after which manner e'r he could be relieved he was drag'd through the River and hitting by the way on certain Stumps so bruised that when he was taken up he was heard to say no more then Lord receive my Soul e'r he gave up the Ghost in the seventieth year of his Age and of his Reign 38. Anno 1190. Whereupon his Body was carried to the City of Tire and there in the Cathedral with all Solemnity interred This Heroick Emperor being dead his Son Frederick Duke of Suevia then in the Army was saluted Emperor and General by the consent of the great Commanders but now the Country being purposely destroyed before them pale Famine began to stare them in the face yet on they marched and charging Dodequin Saladius General sent to oppose their Passage gave him a great overthrow and had all the Cities rendred as they passed till they came to Ptolomais where the power of the Christians in Syria were incamped headed by Guy late King of Jerusalem who for a great Sum had obtained his Liberty Upon the Arrival of Frederick the Christians gave a fierce Assault to the City on all Parts and had taken it by Storm had not Saladine the Egyptian Sultan who lay hovering aloof with his Army fallen upon their Camp and thereby in the hottest of the Assault obliged them to draw off to defend the same and having forced him to retire with the loss of a few men they returned again to the Siege expecting the Arrival of Richard the First King of England and Philip the Second King of France who were upon their way with great Forces but they wintering in the Isle of Sicilia the French King out of Envy to the Glory of the English and an old grudge having been formerly about King Richard's refusing the French King's Sister and marrying the Daughter of the King or Navar the French King not long after returned home and withdrew his Army to the frustrating the whole design of recovering Jerusalem yet at present he dissembled the matter and loosing first from the Port of Mesina arrived at Ptolomais where the Christians lay still incomped after whom King Richard shortly followed but sayling by Cyprus his Fleet was dispersed by a Storm and two of his Ships falling on ground on that Coast the Islanders spoyled them and when the rest of the Fleet put in there they rudely withstood their landing which so inraged King Richard that he landing by force seised the Island and took the King thereof Prisoner and sent him bound in Chains of Silver to Syria The King having secured the Island to his use disanchored and sailed to Ptolomais where he was joyfully received of the Christian Princes upon whose Arrival the City after a hot Assault and a great breach in the Wall was surrendred upon condition the Garrison might depart with safety for which they were likewise to pay a great Ransom to deliver they Holy Cross they had in possession and a certain number of them to remain as Hostages that the Saladine should deliver such Christian Prisoners as he had in his power whereupon the Germans of Austria entered first the 〈◊〉 and advanced the Standard of their Duke upon the Wâ—ll as if by their only valour the City had 〈…〉 which so offended King Richard that he 〈◊〉 the Standard to be thrown down and trampled on which indignity the Duke resented so heinously that 〈◊〉 great hindrance of the Wars in Syria he retuâ—â—◠〈…〉 his Forces into Austria as likewise did the 〈◊〉 France with the greatest part of his Army under 〈◊〉 he did it for want of health in so hot a Clime 〈…〉 out of secret Envy to King Richard Salâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of the lessning of the Christian Army and that there still remained amongst them discontent refused to pay the money for the Ransom of the Hostages or deliver up the Christian Prisoners but threatned that if any Extremity was used by the King towards them he would behead all the Christian Prisoners the which notwithstanding the Hostages were not hurt he most barbarously performed in return whereof the King commanded 2500 of the Hostages to be executed in the sight of the Infidels Camp and resolved to give him battel which he perceiving raised his Camp and departed along the Sea Coast ruining the strong Towns to prevent their falling into the hands of the Christians who leaving Ptolomais strongly fortified followed close at his heels resolving to besiege Jerusalem which he perceiving and taking such advantage as the time and place would afford faced about So that both Armies meeting about Noon a dreadful conflict began which continued with great slaughter especially on the part of the Turks till Evening at what time the Victory fell to the Christians who had the Execution of the Infidels for seven miles but Winter coming on they disposed of the Army till Spring in the Towns that Saladine had ruinated repairing and fortifying them stronger than before but when Spring came upon must'ring the Army they were found greatly decreased by diseases and absenting and at the same time the King found the Duke of Burgundia under whose command the French King had left part of his Army still to cross his purpose as desirous to return home having received such Orders privately from the King his Master who was contrary to his Oath taken at his departure warring upon the Normans then King Richard's Subjects and that others were of the like mind found himself altogether too weak to besiege Jerusalem and hearing how the French King had incited his younger Brother John to take upon him the Government of the Kingdom of England fearing lest while he was warring abroad he might loose his Kingdom at home he resolved to make such conditions with the Sultantain as might be best for the advantage of the Christians in Syria and so imbarque for England which the crafty Infidel understanding and finding his power daily to decay would hearken to no other Proposals than that the Christians should surrender all the Towns they had taken Ptolomais excepted and in consideration
Christendom now worn out with the toyls of War fell sick and although his Disease was grievous yet desirous to receive the blessed Sacrament he would be carried to the Church saying it was not fit that the Lord should come to the House of his Servant But that rather the Servant should go to the House of his Lord and after his being brought home his Sickness Increasing he gave up the Ghost to the Grief of all the Christian Princes and was buried in the Church of St. Stephen in Alba Julia. Mahomet hearing of the Death of this great Captain who opposed the Torrent of his Victories greatly rejoyced and now resolving to extend his Dominions as well by Sea as Land Equipped a great many in the Port of Constantinople with which he invaded the Islands in the Egean Sea reducing several of them to his obedience and Landing his Army straightly besieged the famous City of Rhodes but Calixtus the third then Bishop of Rome being greatly displeased for the loss of Pera a City belonging to his See aided by the Genoways sent out a great Fleet under the Conduct of Lodonicius Patriarch of Aquilla fought with the Turks Gally sunk and burnt most of them And by that means recovered the Islands they had taken which so inraged Mahomet that he prepared an other Fleet against the Spring the which whilst he was doing Ambassadors came from Vsun Cassanus King of Persia with many rich Presents desiring that he would enter into League with the mighty Prince his Master and remit the Tribute payed him by the King of Trepezond that Kingdom as he said after the Death of the then Reigning King revolving to his Master in right of his Wife Daughter to the said King which Peremptory demand so inraged Mahomet that he not only refused his Presents but dismissed his Ambassador with this Answer That he would himself e'r long be in Asia to teach Vsun Cassanes what to request of one greater then himself and thereupon Commanded the Fleet he had prepared for the Invasion of the Isles in the Egeum incontinently to sail to Sinope the chief City of Paphlagonia and to expect his coming thither with his Army by Land which City and Country being under the Persian King he resolved to besiege it on no other Account then to raise a ground of Quarrel which City being but slenderly fortified and not able to indure the Force of the Ordnance it was delivered by Ismaele the Prince of Paphlagonia into his Hands who putting a Garrison therein proceeded to the Siege of Trepezond which he had in like manner yielded to him who sent the Emperor together with his Empress Sons and Daughters Prisoners to Constantinople dispeopling the City and thrusting thereinto a Garrison of his Janizaries by that means bringing the whole Country into Subjection and for ever ruining that Christian Empire And now hearing that Waldus Dracula Prince of Valachia his Tributary went about to joyn with the Hungarians his mortal Enemies he sought by all means to get him into his Power to effect which he sent Chamuzes Bassa and his Secretary accompanied with several others to invite him to Court but the Prince understanding the Design upon his Life hanged the Bassa and Secretary and impailed the rest alive and then invaded his Country with Fire and Sword which so inraged Mahomet that he in Person with a great Army invaded Valachia ruining all with Fire and Sword till at length driving the Prince out of his Country he gave it to his younger Brother who in lieu thereof became his Tributary and upon his return invaded the Islands in the Egeum as he had before purposed and Landing on the Isle of Mittylene took the strong City from whence the Island take its name after twenty seven years Battery with the great Ordnance and then for non-payment of Tribute invaded the Kingdom of Bassan which subdued he by that means incompassed Epirus he having all this while according to his Directions of the Father by one or other of his Bassas maintained War against Scanderbeg but with such bad success that he thought more then Convenient to make Peace with him but such were his Proposals that Scanderbeg with scorn rejected 'um whereupon Mahomet sent Amasa Bassa with 12000 Horsemen to wast Epirus but Scanderbeg incountering with 6000 put his Army to flight and took him Prisoner and worse faired Debreus Bassa who soon after was sent with 14000 Horsemen for ingageing with Scanderbeg's Forces his Army was overthrown and himself slain Mahomet grieved his Affairs prospered no better and finding that by force he could not prevail against Scanderbeg he dealt underhand by giving great Rewards to his Captains thinking if he could cause them to revolt Scanderbeg would easily be subdued and so effectually he wroght with Moses his chief Captain and a great Soldier that in hopes of the Kingdom of Epirus promised by Mahomet when Scanderbeg should be subdued and a great mass of Money he found means to escape to Constantinople and after him Amasa another of Scanderbeg's Captains who were sent by Mahomet with great Power to invade Epirus but being overthrown by the invinsible Prince they received such cold Comfort at their return that fearing their Lives which indeed the Turk had a design to bereive them off Moses fled and humbling himself at the Feet of his Compassionate Prince he notwithstanding his Treachery received him again into his Service who afterward served him faithfully in his Wars but Amaze being overthrown in his expedition with Isaac Bassa with the loss of 20000 Turks upon his return was by the Command of Mahomet as most Conjectured poisoned after which Scanderbeg concluded a Peace with the Turks for a year and was afterwad continued for a longer time during which great War happened between the Turks about the seizing the Islands in the Egeum and thereby hindering the Traffick in the Mediteranian to the great impoverishing their Signiory Wherefore entering into a Confideracy with the Princes they Arme both by Sea and Land into which League they with many perswasions drew Scanderbeg notwithstanding his League made with Mahomet was not expired The Princes thus Confedrated raising great Forces when in the mean time Mahomet sent Scremet Bassa against Scanderbeg to keep him from joyning with the Venetians whose Duke Christopher Maurus was coming to him with ten Gallies appointed with which Bassa Scanderbeg fought and put him to flight with the loss of ten Thousand of his Men taking the Treasurer of the Army and six others of Account Prisoners who were speedily Ransomed at 40000 Duccats and greater things had been done had not the Duke of Venice dyed of a Fever upon whose Death his Army returned home Victor Capella the next year with the Venetian Fleet seized Athens Aulis Chalchis Larsum and the Isle of Himber But attempting to recover Patras was overthrown Hungary being destitute of such a King as might defend them against the Power of the Turks elected Matthias Corroinus
he would not make a League with the Bohemians tell he was assured of the Grand Signeours assistance in case his affairs required in whereupon he sent his Ambassador to Constantinople who so dealt with the great Bassa's of the Court that by their advice Osman swore to protect him and because the Oath for the strange wording of it will not be amiss to be recited I shall here insert it verbatim Sultan Osman BY the Grace of God unconquerable Turkish Emperour Swears by the highest Almighties and Almighty Gods Holiness by his Kingdom by the substance of the Heavens the Sun the Moon and the Stars by the Earth and all under the Earth by the Brains and all the hairy scalp of my Mother by my Head and all the strength of my Soul and Body by the Holy and great Mahomer and by my Circumcision That I thee my Brother and Son Bechlem Gabor succeeding King of Hangaria in no manner of way in thy great and weighty affairs will leave though it be to the overthrow of my Kingdom to be brought to nothing until there shall be no more left but my self or four or five Turks at the most yet will I be still obliged to desend thee and all those that do any ways appertain unto thee and if thou shalt have need of me I shall be always ready to go with thee and in case this my promise shall in any wise be frustrated then let Gods Justice fall upon my Head and destroy me and my posterity and wipe away whatsoever belongeth unto me and gather it together into a Rock of stone or substance of Earth and that the Earth may cleave insunder and swallow me Body and Soul Dated at Constantinople the 5th of Jan. 1619. The Transilvanian by this Oath assured of the Grand Signeours favour sent his Ambassadors to Prague where meeting with the Commissioners sent thither for that purpose by the States of Bobemia a perpetual League was concluded and in June following the Prince assembled the Estates of Hungary at Newhausell where he proposed to them the necessity of raising an Army to defend the Provinces against the Forces of the Imperialists who by their great preparations made it visible that they would no peace till they had destroyed all the Protestants to this motion the Estates consented when at the same time came their Ambassadors from the Grand Signeour the Venetians and Polonians all which made in the names of the respective principals a League with Gabor which so much pleased the Estates of Hungary willing to shake off the Imperial yoke that by the advice of their Palatine the Transilvanian was proclaimed King of Hungary upon which raising an Army of Fifty Thousand Horse and Foot he subdued almost all Austria Carinthia and Stiria before the Emperours Forces could take the Field in any fit number to make head against him at what time such a fear was brought upon the great City of Vienna that with the Emperours consent the Protestants remaining therein sent their Deputies humbly to beseech him that he would spare the City and Countrey for theirs their Wives and Childrens sakes About this time a strange apparition was seen in the Air over Medina Taluabi in Arabia where Mabomet the Impostor lyes buryed which terrified all the Countrey thereabouts and was as followeth about the 20th of September at midnight there happened a terrible Tempest accompanied with such prodigious Thunder and Lightning that many thinking the dissolution of all things was at handâ— leaped out of their Beds to gaze on the Element at first seeming all on Fire and then covered with thick darkness after which all was serene and calm when in Arabian Characters these words appeared in the Firmament viz. O why will you believe in lies and soon after a Woman beautiful to behold arrayed in white and incompassed with rayes of Light appeared holding in her hand a book coming from the North and opposite against her were seen Armies of Turks Persians and other Mahometans being so conjectured by their garbs ranged in Battalia ready to charge her but she keeping her standing no sooner opened the book but they all fled upon which a suddain murmur as of a Whirlwind troubled the Air and immediately the lamps that were placed about Mahomets Tomb went out and in this manner the Prodigy appeared for several nights together whereupon a Dervice or Religious Turk undertaking to expound the meaning of that unusual sight and declaring that it foreshewed the overthrow of the Mahometan superstition he was therefore miserably put to death calling to the last upon the Woman with the Book to save him and he had no sooner given up the ghost but a fearful Tempest insued Anno 1620 Gasparo the expulsed Vayvod of Moldavia assisted by the Polish Cossacks and such other Troops as he could raise invaded Moldavia in which the Suitan had placed another Vayvod and in revenge of a design the Turks had to strangle him during his Vayvodship made great spoil putting all the Turks he found to the Sword and reducing great part of that Province to his obedience which caused the Sultan to raise a great power drawing all his choice Forces out of both the Asia's to the number of Two hundred thousand and caused a great Fleet of Gallies to put to Sea which spoiled the Coast of Sicilia and Landing Five Thousand Turks in the Kingdom of Naples surprized the strong Town of Manfredonia carry 1500 Christians into miserable Captivity and then joyning with the Pirates of Argier they made a descent upon the Island of Janisa near Majorca possessed by the Spaniards which Island they took making great spoil putting to the Sword and carrying into Captivity all the Inhabitants The Turks thus successful at Sea made them the less doubt their success by Land therefore having found an occasion of quarrel with the Polonian King for that the Cossacks in revenge of the injury they sustained by the Tartars had manned out many small vessels and spoiled the Turks Sea-Coast Towns upon the Bosphorus giving an overthrow to their Gallies and brought away great spoiles Osman in person at the head of 300000 men passing through Moldavia which he again reduced to the obedience of the new Vayvod he entered Podalia Anno Dom. 1621. where he found the great Chancelour of Poland and the Prince Son to the Polonian King strongly intrenched with an Army of 50000 resolute Souldiers and because he could not draw them out of their strengths he with his multitude inclosed their Camp So that by the frequent attacks and sallies that were made a great number were slain on both side but especially of the Turks during which the Tartarian Prince then assisting Osman with 30000 light Horsemon marched into the heart of Poland burning and destroying all before him in a most terrible manner and upon his return to the Camp besides other spoils brought with him 25000 Prisoners of the poor Countrey people which his ravenous crue had scraped together but
commanded it writing to each other many Blasphemous Letters in commendation of their Impostor whom they stile King of Kings and Lord of all Lords attributing to him many other vain Titles nor was it long e'r he became Hydra headed for other despicable Jews finding the cheat take so effectually took up the deceiving Trade which caused the Turkish Ministers to nip them e're they grew too popular by confining the Ring-Leaders to divers Prisons and amongst other things the Jews being ashamed that so many Missias should at once appear procured the Imprisonment of some of them themselves by accusing them of Adultery and other heinous Crimes as for Sabati he finding his fraud too apparent renounced the Judaism and turned Mahometan and drew many of his Nation to follow his Example being for that purpose set at Liberty and allowed a pension for his Maintenance in the Turks Seraglio About this time the Embassadors of either Empire exchanged that is the Turks Embassador returned from Vienna to Constantinople and the German Embassador from Constantinople to Vienna during which the skirmishes between the Venetians and the Turks grew hot Hostilities being on both sides maintained with great fury both by Land and Sea though with various success sometimes on side prevailing and sometimes another till at last in was resolved by the Marquess D' Villa and the Admiral of the Gallies that by reason of the great Inundations occasioned by the incessant rains that the offensive War should be laid aside and the Forces for better security incamp near the Walls of Candia as being the Metropolis of the Island whilst the Gallies divided into two Squadrons scowred the Seas and hindred any new succours from Landing but e're they were incamped Two Thousand Turks sallying from their Trenches set upon the out Guards beating them from their Post and pursuing even to the enterance of the Camp but being reinforced the Turk were obliged in disorder to retire yet the Turks not contented made another attempt but with no better success than the former though the Loss was considerable on either side yet the Turks Camp was greatly annoyed by the shot from which played furiously upon their â—renches but the Marquess D' Villa having notice of the approach of greater Forces thought it wisdom to remove his Camp to a place of more advantage till new aids came to his assistance the which after â—illing up the Trenches and blowing up the Forts that they might not profit the Enemy was performed During this Action the Great Visier with a numerous Army Imbarqued on the Gallies at Constantinople and after touching at Thebes arrived at Candia though by the way Twelve of his Galleys fell into the hands of the Venetians mostly laden with Provision and Ammunition taken near the Gulf of â—olo by the Cavalier Grimani Captain of the Gallies the Visier upon his arrival went to take a view of the City of Candia that Bulwark then of Christendom and finding the taking of it would require much time and labour he returned to Canea to consult the measures used in carrying on the siege when in the mean time the Princes of Christendom being at discord amongst themselves were not so ready in sending the promised succours as was expected only the Pope and Great Duke of Tuscany kept their promise and some few private men out of their proper Treasury sent a supply of Money and Provision insomuch that the juncture did no ways promised success to the Venetians Anno 1667. The Tartars in the depth of Winter entering Poland layed a great part of it desolate carrying away One Hundred Thousand Christians into miserable Bondage which made the Polonian King exhibit a grievous complaint to the Grand Signior but with all desirous to renew the League between them In order to which he sent his Embassador with many rich Presents to the Port but he being too peremptorie in his demands upon his Audidience and receiving no answer agreeable to his expectation uttered such Speeches as caused the Grand Signior to confine him to his own House and a Guard to be set upon him which so increased his fury that growing high it casted him into a Fevour of which he dyed when as his Secretary took upon him the character of an Embassador expecting a reply to what had been proposed and within a while after had an Audience of the Chimacam but in the end could obtain no other answer then that no compensation or pretence should ever after be demanded for the damage sustained by the Tartars in Poland nor that the Polanders should make War upon the Cossacks now revolted from the Obedience of that Crown but that they should immediately make War upon the Muscovite and permit the Turkish Merchants to Trade in their Countrey with this answer the Secretary was obliged to depart though it proved nothing grateful to the Poles who did not vouchsafe to return thanks for this unesteemed favour yet by reason of the differences amongst themselves warred not on Tartary though some of the bordering people with any Authentick Commission joyning with a considerable party of Muscovians entered Tartary and running with Fire and Sword even to the Walls of Coffa their chief City burnt Three Hundred Villages and brought away a great booty of Prisoners Cattle and the like About this time the Bassa of Basora revolted from the Grand Signior and with displayed Insigns marched with an Army of Forty Thousand Horse and to the great terror of those Countreys which he pretended were of right his Legal Inheritance descended to him by his Ancestors but the Bassas of Erzirum Aleppo and Damascus going against him routed his Forces and for the preservation of his Life obliged his to fly to the King of Persia The Venetian Galleys coasting the Island of Candia to hinder what in them lay the Landing of Forces on that Island encountered with Twenty Ships of the Turks laden with Men and Provision most of which they burnt sunk or took and a while after had one of the Turkish Galleys brought to them by the Slaves who had by stratagem taken it from their Masters but these proceedings seemed small to what afterwards happened for by this time the Visier having layed his siege to one of the strongest City in the World fortified by the most industrious of men as far as Humane possibility could render it impregnable dismal things insued The Town was fortified with seven great Bastions viz. the Sabionera Vetturi Jesus Martinengo Betlem Panigra and St. Andrea all incompassed with a large and deep Ditch of which were the Revelin of Spiritto the Revelin of Panigra flanked to the right with the Half-Moon of Mecenigo next thereunto was the Revelin of Batlem bordering on the work of St. Maries which to the left had the Revelin of St. Nicholas and this joyned to the Fortification of de Palma next whereunto was the Revelin of Priuli with the redoubt of Crepa Cuore and over all was the Royal Fort of St.
ILLUSTR PRINCEPS SULTAN MAHOMET HAN MAG TURCARUM IMPERATOR C. Sultan Mahomet Han the present Emperour of the Turks Aged 34 years c THE HISTORY Of the TURKS DESCRIBING The Rise and Ruin of their first Empire in Persia the Original of their Second CONTAINING The Lives and Reigns of their several Kings and Emperors from Ottoman its first Founder to this present Year 1683. BEING A Succinct Series of History of all their Wars Forreign and Domestick Policies Customs Religion and Manners with what else is worthy of Note in that great Empire LONDON Printed by Ralph Holt for Toomas Passenger upon London-Bridge William Thackery in Dack-Lane and Toomas Sawbridge in Little-Brittain 1683. TO THE READER SInce the late Alarms the Port has given to Christendom I have thought it both Profitable and Convenient to describe the Original of that Great Empire which now spreads over near half the World and to demonstrate by what means it aspired to its Immensity and by what Policies maintained as in the Series of this History it is fully and at large discoursed not so only but the Turks various Successes in their Wars at Land and Sea Including their Religious Customs Manners and extent of that Empire as it remains at this day being deduced from the Original of the first and second Empire for the space of six hundred years attended with Circumstances too tedious here to be recited So that all may plainly comprehend how easily those Infidels might at first have been hindred from Incroaching and how often had not the Divisions of the Christians upon which they founded their Empire they might have been brought low but as God in whose Eternal Wisdom all Affairs are centered has not of late permited and should they extend their Arms as at this time they threaten yet a hearty Unanimity in the Empire and the Kings and Princes of Christendom may through God's blessing impede the growing Greatness of this great Monarch and hinder the Effusion of Christian Blood Here you have an impartial Account of their Rise and Ruin in the first Empire and the Continuation of the second to this present time Faithfully Collected which I hope will prove to the Satisfaction of the Ingenious Reader which is all desired by Your Friend I. S. The Heads of each Chapter or Division contained in the History directing to the Revolutions of the Turkish Empire and Reigns of their several Kings and Emperors CHAP. I. THE Original of the Turks according to the opinion of Sundry Learned Authors with the means by which they acquired their first Monarchy in Persia together with the Reign and Death of Tangrolipix their First King Page 1. Part 1. CHAP. II. The Reign and memorable Atchievements of Axan the Second Turkish King or Sultan of Persia The Division of the Turkish Monarchy and the Expedition of the Christians to the Holy Land in order to regain it from the Turks page 8. part 1. CHAP. III. The Reign of Solyman Son to Cutlu-Muses his Wars with the Christians Their taking Jerusalem from the Infidels their various success in the Holy Land against the Turks Sarazens c. p. 11. part 1. CHAP. IV. The second Expedition of the Western Princes for the recovery of the Holy Land p. 28. part 1. CHAP. V. The ruine of the Turks first Kingdom in Asia by the Tartars p. 33. part 1. CHAP. VI. The rise of the powerful Empire of the Turks under Othoman it's first Founder with his Life and Actions p. 57. part 1. CHAP. VII The Life and Actions of Orchanes otherwise Urchan Second King of the Turks in Asia p. 68. part 1. CHAP. VIII The Life and Actions of Amurath the First of that Name and Third King of the Turks p. 74. part 1. CHAP. IX The Life of Bajazet the First of that Name and Fourth King of the Turks his Wars and Captivity p. 80. part 1. CHAP. X. The Life of Mahomet the First of that Name Fifth King of the Turks and the Restorer of their Kingdom ruined by the Tartars p. 87. part 1. CHAP. XI The Life of Amurath the Second of that Name and Sixth King of the Turks his Wars Victories and Defeats p. 93. part 1. CHAP. XII The Life of Mahomet the Second of that Name Seventh Monarch and the First that took upon him the stile of Emperor of the Turks who for his many Victories was Surnamed Great p. 108. part 1. CHAP. XIII The Life of Bajazet the Second of that Name and Second Emper or of the Turks his memorable Exploits Victories and Death p. 132. part 1. CHAP. XIV The Life of Selymus the First of that Name Third Emperor of the Turks his bloody Reign and woful Death p. 153. part 1. CHAP. XV. The Life of Solyman the First of that Name and Fourth Emperour of the Turks who for his many great Exploits or rather lofty Carriage was Sirnamed the Magnificent p. 181. part 1. CHAP. XVI Selymus the Second of that Name and Fifth Emperor of the Turks his Life and Actions p. 45. part 2. CHAP. XVII The Life Reign and Memorable Transactions of Amurath the Third of that Name and Sixth Emperor of the Turks p. 73. part 2. CHAP. XVIII The Life of Mahomet the Third of that Name Seventh Emperor of the Turks p. 123. part 2. CHAP. XIX The Life of Achmat the Eighth Emperor of the Turks and first of that Name p. 162. part 2. CHAP. XX. Mustapha the First of that Name Ninth Emperor of the Turks his Life and Actions p. 196. part 2. CHAP. XXI The Life and Actions of Osman the First of that Name Tenth Emperor of the Turks p. 198. part 2. CHAP. XXII Mustapha reinthronized with an Account of his proceedings till his second deposing p. 214. part 2. CHAP. XXIII The Life and Reign of Morat or Amurath the Fourth of that Name and Eleventh Emperor of the Turks p. 222. part 2. CHAP. XXIV The Life of Sultan Ibrahim the Twelfth Emperor of the Turks p. 256. part 2. CHAP. XXV The Reign of Mehomet or Mahomet the Fourth of that Name and Thirteenth Emperor of the Turks who now Reigneth p. 272. part 2. CHAP. XXVI A Description of the Power Policies Forces Revenues Religion and Greatness of the Ottoman Empire and by what means it subsists and maintains its Grandeur c. p. 378. part 2. FINIS THE HISTORY OF THE TURKS DESCRIBING The Rise and Ruin of their first Empire in Persia the Original of their Second CONTAINING The Lives and Reigns of their several Kings and Emperours from Ottoman its first Founder to this present Year 1683. BEING A Succinct Series of History of all their Wars Forreign and Domestick Policies Customs Religion and Manners with what else is worthy of Note in that Great Empire WITH A Continuation of the History to this present time Containing the Remarkable Siege of Vienna for Sixty dayes the raising of it by the Imperial Forces and the King of Poland The Ruine of their Army before it and a Second Fight
inevitably lost had not the Citizens who were Christians timely come in to their assistance and put the Turks to flight and then the Armies drawing forth marched as far as the River Orontes before they met with any resistance but there the Turks had fortified the Bridge and Banks on the other side but being overwhelmed with showers of English Arrows sent from the Squadron commanded by Robert Duke of Normandy they soon gave ground and left the Passage open and so the Princes passing the River came to the other Antioch in Syria of which one Cassianu was Governour to the Relief of which the Turks came with an Army of 100000 Horse and Foot but were repulsed by the Christians and returned with 20000 less than they brought so that the City on the third day of June 1098. was secretly and contrary to the knowledge of the Governour delivered by one Phirrus to Prince Bohemund of Tarentum who furiously entering a dismal slaughter ensued insomuch that the Streets run with blood The Governour upon notice of what had hapned fled but falling into the hand of the Armenians that were expelled Jerusalem he was slain The loss of Antioch being made known to Corbanus the Persian Sultan's Lievetenant as he lay before Edessa he raised the Sige and with all his Forces marched towards Antioch resolving to put all upon the Hazard of a Battle against whom the Princes drew out their Strengths leaving the Earl of Tholous with a competent number to secure the City from a revolt by reason the Turks still held the Castle and after a long and doubtful fight overthrowing with such incredible slaughter of his men that all the Valleys were filled with blood and bodies of the slain 100000 Turks being adjudged to fall in that Battel and not above 4000 Christians and the next day they took 5000 Cammels with their lading as also a new Castle built but the year before by the aforesaid Lievtenant And thus conquering they passed on taking several Cities of note till they came within the view of Jerusalem upon sight of which they shouted so loud that all the Country resounded with the joyful Acclamations and with their hands and eyes extended towards Heaven they called upon the name of Jesus and many in humility to the place where our Blessed Lord had so often preached his Gospel fell to the Ground and kissed it with great Affection making fresh Vows never to leave the City till they had delivered it from the Infidels but their strength was much impaired by reason of a Pestilence that had the Autumn before hapned in the Army yet in a Council of the Princes and chief Commanders it was resolved that the Siege should immediately be begun and carried on with all the vigour imaginable The Governour having notice of the Christians approach and what was intended delayed not to prepare all things that might conduce to the making a strenuous defence having a little before received a strong recruit of able Soldiers and a supply of all things necessary yet the Christians after having got what knowledge they could of the state of Affairs within the City sat down before it on the North for towards the East and the West the broken Rocks and shattered Hills render it very incommodious Next the Wall incamped Godfry Duke of Lorrain with his Germans and Lorainers near unto him on the right pitched their Tents Robert Duke of Normandy and the Earl of Flanders before the West Gate lay incamped Tancreed and the Earl of Tholous Bohemund and Baldwin being absent the one remaining King at Antioch and the other Governour of Edassa The Christians having refreshed themselves it was concluded amongst the Princes that the fifth day the Assault should be given which accordingly was done with such bravery that the Turks were beaten from their Defences and miserably slaughtered by the shot of the Archers but they wanting scaling Ladders and the weather being exceeding hot the retreat was sounded but being desirous of nothing more than winning the City five days after they gave it another fierce Assault which made the Walls to tremble nothing that Policy or Valour could afford being wanting on the part of the Christians but scarcity of Water afflicting them with drought and the excessive heat of the Weather frustrated this second Attempt for the Enemy had either stopped up or poysoned all the Wells about the City unless that of Siloe whose Water had worked out the Poison and was become wholesome but that yielded not half enough to suffice the Army During the time that the Christians besieged Jerusalem a Fleet of Genoeses arrived at Joppa where having notice that a far greater Fleet of the Egyptian Sultans lay at Ascalon with an intent to relieve the besieged they after having taken out all things necessary sunk their Gallies and marched over land to the Camp where they became very serviceable in making Engines for Assault and moving Towers covered with raw Hides to prevent their being fired one of which they set to the Walls and from it greatly annoyed the besieged which they perceiving prepared to set it on fire but the wind favouring the Christians drove iâ— full in the besiegers face insomuch that the Duke of Lorrain with his German Foot getting upon the Engine beat the Turks and Sarazens from the Wall with great slaughter and leaping thereon fixed his Standard keeping his Ground though the Enemies shot flew as thick as Hail which venturous Attempt so encouraged the rest of the Princes that they pressed on with great fury insomuch that a terrible slaughter ensued the Souldiers in their rage sparing neither Man Woman nor Child which made the most couragious of the Turks Sarazens and Jews retire to Solomon's Temple in the Entrance whereof they maintain'd a bloody and obstinate fight spreading all the Pavement with the bodies of the slain and bedewing it with streams of blood and so eager were the Christians to charge the Infidels that they for haste thrust one another upon the Enemies Weapons yet after great slaughter they gave back and betook them to the Vaults on the top of the Temple from whence they defended themselves till the fury of the Christians was over and a Trumpet sounded to give Quarter upon which they yielded and had their Lives spared Thus was the Famous City of Jerusalem retaken by the Christians in 30 days Anno 1099. after it had remained in the hands of the barbarous Infidels for the space of 409 years and so great was the joy conceived by the Christians who inhabited it and had suffered miserable Persecution under the Turks that they embraced the Souldiers weeping for gladness and every where singing praises for their deliverance Things being at this pass the Princes consulted amongst themselves whom to constitute King of the Holy City and after some deliberation thought none fitter than the valiant Duke of Normandy but he hearing of his Brothers death declined it as desirous to return and take possession of
and to bring them to a Compliance the good Emperor desired the Lattins to retire to their Camp which was performed but â—re he â—ould prevail with the Citizens to pay the Tax 〈◊〉 he through loss of Sight and other Infirmities 〈…〉 had the Prince his Son Saluted Emperor in his 〈◊〉 who desirous to perform his Promise with the Lattins proceeded where his Father lest off but â—o no purpose for when he pressed the raising of the 〈◊〉 before 〈◊〉 they rose in Armes and 〈◊〉 like a Torrâ—â— to the Palace threatned to 〈…〉 of his Life and Empire if he did not 〈…〉 him that he sent to the 〈…〉 part of his Army privately into the City at a 〈◊〉 which he would deliver 〈…〉 intention of the Emperors 〈…〉 privy Surnamed for his 〈…〉 by the Emperors Father had been 〈…〉 a low condition to the 〈…〉 and thinking to opportunity more 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 to Empire after which he had a long 〈…〉 then the present â—â—â—â—â—ion he gathered 〈…〉 and imâ—â—â—â—ed them what was inâ—ended and then under a Simile of Friendship came to the young Emperour and seizing upon his Person caused him to be Imprisoned and by insinuating himself into the good liking of the Mobile procured himself to be proclaimed which was no sooner done but he strangled the Emperor and attempted to sire the Venetian Gallies which so inraged the Christians that they resolved to lay close Siege to the City the which after the overthrow of the Usurpers Army under its Walls they did and firing it in divers Places entered upon which the Tyrant fled The City of Constantinople thus taken the 12 of April 1204 or as some will have it 1200 the Citizens Lives at the request of the Religious were spared but their Wealth became a prey to the Souldiers so now those that refused to part with a little at the request of their Natural Lord for the support of his Honor and their Safety were now obliged to part with all After the Sack of this City most of the Cities of the Empire yeilded whereupon the Princes assembling chose Baldwin Earl of Flanders and Hanault Emperor and amongst the other Princes was the Empire divided into Provinces each holding his Principality in fee of the Emperor as their Supream Lord. Things being at this pass news came that Theodorius Lascaris had fortified Adrâ—anoâ—le and raising forces for the recovery of the Greek Empire which â—â—nsed the Latins under the leading of their Emperor to March against him who upon news of their Approach retired into the City which he strongly fortified expecting no less then a Siege which accordingly was lay'd at what time John King of Bulgaria otherwise called Mysia a large Kingdom lying between the great Mountain Emaus and Danuâ—ius aided by the Scythians a Barbarous People came with a great power to raise the Seige against whom the Emperor drew out his strengths but following too eagerly the Scythian Horsemen sent out to Skirmish on purpose to â—â—ain him into an Ambush he â—ell in with the Kings power amongst the Woods and Mountains where being over wearyed with the tedious 〈◊〉 he was overthrown himself taken Prisoner and his Army for the most part Slain nor susâ—iâ—ed it the Barbarous King to have him in his Power but after an Inhumane manner cutting off his hands and feet cast him yet living into a deep Valley where he miserably perished and thus died the first most Valiant Emperor of the Lattins in 〈◊〉 e're he had Reigned a full year The Emperor Bâ—â—hrin being dead Henry his Brother was chosen in his stead who to revenge his Brothers Death aided by the Lattin Princes Marched against the 〈◊〉 who hightened with their Success were â—â—r advanced wasting with Fire and Sword all they 〈◊〉 in their way and after many notable 〈…〉 â—iven drove them out of all the places 〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉 During thâ—se proceedings Alexus 〈◊〉 〈…〉 falling into the hands of the 〈…〉 Eyes put out and in that manner being 〈…〉 was Condemned to be thrown 〈…〉 angling the young Emperor which 〈…〉 a reward of his Treason was put in Exception And the other Alexus commonly 〈…〉 who deprived the Emperor Isaac of his Sight 〈…〉 him hearing that his Son 〈…〉 desire â—s of his Kingdom went to the Court of 〈…〉 Sultan 〈◊〉 〈…〉 holding 〈…〉 had shewed great 〈…〉 his 〈…〉 by his Brother 〈…〉 there so prevail 〈…〉 Sultan raised 〈…〉 with it lay'd 〈…〉 part of 〈…〉 Kings 〈◊〉 of which he had no 〈◊〉 notice but with what Forces he could raise on the sudden he posted thither and 〈◊〉 â—â—riously upon the Sultans Army slew him in the 〈◊〉 thereof which so discouraged the Turks that â—â—â—â—â—thstanding Victory inclined to their side they 〈…〉 the City free In this battle was taken Alexus the Author of the War whom his Son-in-law notwithstanding used with great respect though contrary to his desert In the mean time the ten years Truke between the Christians in Syria and the Turks drew to a Conclusion And Almeriâ—â—s King of 〈◊〉 and Titular King of Jerusalem refusing to assist them with Provisions and the like the great Mâ—sters of the Knights Templers and Hospitalers sent to complain thereof to the Pope and to inform him that there was yet living one Mary the Daughter of the Marquess of Mont-Ferrâ—â— a Lady of incomparable Beauty who they as her Tutor had brought up in hope of the Kingdom and were now ready to bestow her upon â—â—â—â—h a Person as he should think worthy of her together with her Right and Title to the Kingdom of 〈◊〉 upon which the Pope 〈◊〉 Almericus of the Title of King of Jerusaâ—â—â—n and gave it to John Coâ—nâ— D' Brenne of the 〈◊〉 in Trance A man of great Fame and Courage and then in Arms amongst the Lattin Princes who upon notice thereof committing his Earldome to the care of his Brother failed with a competent number of his followers to Tyre where he espoused the Lady and not long after the Pope viz. Pope â—â—â—ocent the third calling in a general Council so dealt with the Princes and Prelates thâ—â— great Forces were again raised for the relief of the 〈◊〉 in the Holy Land who setting fall 〈…〉 Towns and Castles on the â—â—â—-Coast 〈…〉 with a great Fleet and an Army by Land 〈…〉 formerly called Pelusium situate upon the Bank of Nâ—â—â— resolving to begin first with Egypt that Palestine might follow where building Towers of Wood upon Gallys they fought with those that kept the Walls at even hand and after great slaughter on both sides took the Suburbs wherein they found not only store of Provision but infinite Riches being the Merchandise of Persia Arabia India and Egypt that being the chief Scale of Trade in those parts During this Transaction the Sultan lay hovering aloof with his Army not daring to ingage the Christians and so long he continued that Want began to rage in his Camp insomuch that he was obliged to send away one part of his Army The
and so marching against the Enemy a dreadful Fight began the Turks charging with great Courage putting the Right-wing to flight and disordering their main Battalion So that Victory began to declare her self in favour of them when one of the Sultans chief Commanders out of some former grudge fell with the Squadron of Persian Horse under his Command to the Enemy and by that means turned the Scale of War so that the Turks who even now were Conquerors fled for their Lives nor durst the Sultan stay in his own Country but fled to Constantinople where of the Emperor he was kindly received and aided with what Force he could spare under the leading of an experienced Captain for which kindness he gave the Emperor the City of Laodicea Not long after this was Palelogus received into Favour and restored to his Dignity upon his solemnly swearing to be true and Loyal to him and his Sons which had not long been done â—'r the Emperor fell sick and dyed Reigning only three years and in his stend was Crowned his Son John a Child of six years old who was by the Emperors last Will bequeathed to the Tutorage of Arsenius the Patriarch and George Muzâ—la the letter of which being of mean Birth having raised for his Vertues and good parts by the departed Emperor which caused him to be greatly envyed by the Courtiers whereupon he assembling together desired to be rid of his Charge but every one seeming unwilling to undertake it he still continued with much Integrity but several having conspired against him of which Paleologus was Chief they during the Obsequies of the defunct Emperor slew him and several that they supposed Favoured him even at the Altar and in a short time Paleologus usurped the Empire not in the least regarding his former Oath About this time Mango the great Cham of Tartary stirred thereto by Amonius the Armenian King of whom he had received the Christian Religion Sent his Brother Haalon with a powerful Army against the Turks and Sarazens in Syria and the Land of Palestine who in the space of six Months over-run all Persia with the Countries adjoyning and came at length into Syria and took the great City Babylon at that time commanded by the Caliph putting all the Inhabitants to the Sword inriching his Soldiers with the spoil and passing from thence through Mesopotamia took the City of Rhoais and there being supplyed with fifty two Horse and Foot entering Syria he rased Aleppo and other strong Towns and soon after won Damasco when as the Sultan with his Wife and Children came and fell before him desiring him to spare his Country but in vain for he wasted all before him but being about to pass on to Jerusalem News was brought him of his Brothers death upon which he returned home yet at his departure for the good Will he bore the Christians he left his Son Abiga with 20000 Horse to aid them in Wars but Abiga hearing of his Fathers Troubles about his Establishment in the Empire departed with 10000 of the 20000 leaving the rest under the Command of Guirboca a valiant Captain who by some affronts put upon him by the Christians became their mortal Enemy yet letted not give battle to the Sultans Army of ten times to the number and not being aided by the Christians was overthrown wherein himself fighting couragiously with greater part of his small Army were slain and thereupon Antioch and most of the Towns holden by the Christians were taken by the Sultan Bandocador By this time the Tartars warring in the lesser Asia had driven Jathanites out of all his Dominions whereupon he fled to the Greek Emperor for aid or Refuge but ingrateful as he was not regarding the Kindness he had received at his Hands when he fled from Theodorus the Emperor he committed him Prisoner at large to the City of Aenus in Thrace appointing several to watch him so narrowly that he should not escape When Paleologus had Reigned at Nice two years he sent Alexus Stregopulus against the Despot of Epirus who raised Tumults in the West this man in his passage with a small Army by the Treachery of the Greeks dwelling in Constantinople found means to surprize that City and again annex it to the Greek Empire After it had been in the hands of the Latines fifty eight years for which service Alexus triumphed in Purple Robes wearing a Crown of Gold commanded that for one year following his Name next to his should be mentioned in all publick Prayer Psalms and Hymns But now the Son of Theodorius whose Right this Emperor had usurped coming to years of Discretion it bred much jealousie in him that lest any discontented Person espousing his Quarrel should pluck the Crown from off his Head and place it where it ought to rest Whereupon to render him unfit for Government he like a barbarous Wretch deprived him of his sight which his Aunt Queen of Bulgaria no sooner understood but with many Arguments stirred up her Husband to make War upon the Usurper and at the same time being solicited by the Sultan Jathanites to deliver him from his Confinement he with a great Power of Scythians his own Subjects entered the Empire wasting all before him with Fire and Sword hoping to surprize the Emperor in his return from his Expedition against the Despot of Servia but failing of him he turned to Aenus and took thence the Sultan the Citizens gladly delivering him to save their Lives and contenting himself with the spoil of Thracia he passed over Ister and returned into his own Country Jathanites the Sultan being set at Liberty by the King of Bulgaria for Grief of his great loss dyed not leaving any Dominions to his Children Yet not long after Gazan the great Cham of Tartary as his Vassals two of his Kinsmen of the Zelzuccian Family viz. Mesot and Rei-Cubades they in acknowledgment thereof paying him a yearly Tribute placed them in part of his Dominions and thus fell the Turkish Empire in the lesser Asia being Rent in pieces by the Tartars who afterward seized upon a great part of the Greek Empire they and the Fugitive Turks together possessing themselves of the Countries from Pontus and Galatia unto the Lyeian and Carian Seas and the River Eurymedon Anno 1270. King Lewis of France aided by Henry the Third of England and divers others resolved upon a second Expedition into the Holy-Land the years Truce being exspired he set out from the Haven of Marseilles with a great Fleet of Ships and coming before Carthage he found in the Port a great number of the Enemies Ships which he seized and after some light Skirmishes with those that kept the shoar Landed his Men and laid close Siege to the City which after many desperate though unsuccessful Sallies of the besieged sarrendered upon Condition to depart Carthage being won the King laid Siege to Tums to relieve which the King of Fez with a great Army of the Moors came down but
without being Assaulted So that all the Fruitful Island of Euboea fell into the Hands of the Turks who infinitely inriched themselves in taking the Spoil The Turks thus Triumphing over the Ocean Islands the Christians thought it no ways convenient to be lookers on but in time to oppose them whereupon the Venetians aided by Ferdinand King of Naples Sextus the fourth Bishop of Rome and the Great Master of Rhodes set out a powerful Navy under the command of Petrus Mocenicus a Valiant Venetian Gentleman and the better to Amate him both by Sea and Land drew Alymbeus Vsan Cassanes the great King of Persia into a League with them and so at once by Sea and Land invading the Ottoman Empire took many strong places and Loaded the Fleet with the Spoil which Fleet consisting of 85 so terrified Mahomet that he durst not ingage them nor once oppose their proceedings but in revenge thereof turned his whole force upon Epirus and Dalmatia which Countries having lost their Champion the renowned Scanderbeg growing Weak he mightily wasted with Fire and Sword till he had made an absolute conquest over them and the easier by Reason of the discords that arose amongst the great Commanders during the Minority of the King but ere Mahomet had well setled himself in those so much desired Countries he had news that the Persians with a great Army invaded his Countries in Asia which made him begin to consider how to defend his own rather then further to proceed in Conquering what appertained to others so that increasing his Army with no less then 320000 men he passed over the Helespont and after several Days marching came within a League of the Persian Army lead by Vsan Cassanes their King who after some debate gave the Turks Battle near the Mountains of Armenia in which one of the great Bassas together with 40000 Turks were Slain and the rest put to Flight which so discouraged Mahomet that had not his great Captains used many Arguments to perswade him to the contrary would have returned without attempting any thing further but being roused by their reproofs lest he should be suspected of Cowardise he resolved to try the Fortune of another Field in order to which he drew up his forces in Battalia near to the Straights of the Mountains and so fortified his Camp with Waggons and other cumbersome Carriages that it seemed a Walled City when in the midst of his Army he placed his great Artillery the which upon the first joyning of Battle his men opening to the Right and the Left played so furiously upon the Persian Horse-men that they soon began to Disrank by Reason their Horses upon hearing the unwonted Thundering of the Cannon would know no Ruler but with Head-strong fury Floundered first one way then another and by that means put all things into confusion of which Mahomet taking the advantage commanded his men furiously to charge upon the Enemy as flyers To resist whose fury and to stay the Flight of his men Zeinal Vsan Cassanes Eldest Son Labouring was Slain with a small Shot which more and more discouraged the Persians so that from retreating they betook themselves to plain Flight yet so great was the loss of Mahomet that he contented himself only with the Spoil of the Enemies Camp not thinking it convenient to persue them for it was generally Rumoured that in that Battle he lost 40000 men and the Persians 1000 only after which Mahomet returning home and Vsan Cassanes leaving his second Son with his Army for the defence of Armenia Ambassadors were sent by the former to Treat of a Peace the which to the great dislike of the Christians his Confederates the Persian concluded with the Turks After the Expedition into the Persian Territories Dyed the Couragious Prince Mustapha as some say of a Surfeit but others say that he was strangled by the Commandment of his Father for Ravishing Bassa Achmets Wife a Lady of Incomparable Beauty and Daughter to Isaac Bassa one of Mahomets chief Favorites Mahomet desirous to revenge the wrong done by the Venetians sent Solyman Bassa with 80000 Soldiers to besiege Scodra a strong City then in the possession of the Venetians and an Inlet into Epirus Dalmatia and Albania who Anno 1475 set down before it and having raised his Batteries gave it a furious assault but was repulsed by Antonius Lauretamus the Valiant Governour with great loss when a while after the Venetian Gallies coming up the River Boliana on whose Banks the City standeth and as the Turks were busie in laying a Chain across slew many of them and forced the rest to retire to their Camp out of which soon after Matthias King of Hungary drove them with the Terror of his approach the Bassa being glad after the loss of 14000 of his men to raise his Siege Anno 1476. Mahomet growing impatient to be thus hindred in his progreess of Victory by the Christians confederates set out a great Fleet under the conduct of Geduces Achmetes who did great harm to the Islands in the Mediterranean and hoped by Treason to have surprized the Island of Creet but was prevented by the Venetians who discovering the Plot Executed the Traitors before his arrival yet sailing into the Euxine he Landed his men in Taurica Chersonesus a Friutful Country belonging to the Genoways in hopes to have surprized the rich City of Caffa Scituate near to the Shoar but was repulsed with a great Slaughter of his men but being reinforced by fresh Troops he lay'd Siege to it which by Reason of the Turkish Garrisons all along the shoars of Bosphorus and the Hellespont could have no relief by Sea after a stout resistance surrendered and soon after all the Country to it appertaining most of the Merchants contrary to the promise of the Faithless Bassa being plundered of their Riches Mahomet thus conquering on grew dreadful to the Tartar princes Namely the Precopenses and Destenses who for fear of being invaded Voluntarily submitted themselves and became Tributaries having ever since been greatly serviceable to the Turks in their Wars who now impatient that the Venetians held several strong Towns in the Heart of the Ottoman Solyman Bassa with a great Fleet entering the Gulph of Corinth lay'd Siege to Naupactum now called Lepanto a strong City near Locris over against Pelopennesus but upon the arrival of Antonius Lauretanus with the Venetian Gallies after he had layn 4 Months before it and gave many unsuccesful assaults in a great fury raised his Siege in order to his returning to Constantinople and by the way Landing his men on the Isle of Lemnos in hopes to have surprized the City of Coccinum but were Valiantly repulsed by such Citizens and Merchants Strangers as were then near the Gate and amongst the rest one Merulla a Maiden of the City seeing her Father Slain took up his Weapon and with it made great Slaughter of the Turks that were entering the Gate upon which bad Success the Bassa departed for Constantinople
him yearly 8000 Duccats that they might have leave to Traffick in the Euxine-Sea by the Straights of Bosphorus Hellespontus and Thracius and that the Citizens of Scodra and the Garrison contained therein should upon the Delivery of the said City be at their Choice free to Live in the City under the Turkish Government or depart whither they pleased with their Goods c. These Articles concluded on Notice thereof was sent to the Governour who assembling the Citizens related it to u'm as he had received it from the Ambassador who then together with the Venetian Admiral Rode at Anchor in the Mouth of Boliana when after some Debate it was agreed that they would leave the City and not expose themselves to the Mercy of the Tyrant at all times whereupon at a certain time prefixed the City was put into the Hands of the Bassa and the Citizens marching out Bag and Baggage went on Board the Venetian Gallies who carefully Transported them into their other Territories of Italy and thus was this City surrendered Anno 1478. after a years Siege before which 100000 Turks had lost their Lives Mahomet having gotten what he sorely longed for sent Achmetes Bassa with his Gally to take in the Islands of Neritus Zacynthus and Cephalenia upon which he seized without any Resistance Lenord Prince of the same upon the Arrival of the Turks hasting with his Wife and Children into Italy where he was kindly received of King Ferdinand his near Kinsman after that he sent three of his Bassas with a great Army to invade Transilvania Whereupon Stephanas Batore the Vayvod fled to Matthias King of Hungary to crave Aid who at the same time lay sick of the Gout yet he ordered his two Captains viz. Stephanus Cherepetnus and Palus Rivisus to march with his Army who incountering the Turks near Alba Julia in a great and bloody Fight overthrew the Army with the Slaughter of 30000 of their best Men together with Isa Bassa their chief Commander and of the Christians there fell 8000 only Mahomet possessing most of the Islands in the Mediterranian Sea began to be very desirous of the Famous Rhodes and to further his Design at the same time a Fugitive Knight of the Order named Antonius Meligalus residing in his Court gave him a Plat-form of the City informing him in what place the City was easiest to be Assaulted and how the Island might be best subdued Whereupon a great Fleet was fitted out and this Traytor to his Country put on Board with a Command that his Directions should be followed but he by the way falling sick of a loathsome Disease so infected the Ship with his noisome Smell that the Marriners in a great rage threw him Over-Board whilst he vainly Cryed to them for Mercy and thus he received the reward due to his Traiterous Intention The great Master of Rhodes having notice that Mahomet intended to invade his Territories was like an experienced Captain wanting nothing that might conduce to a resolute Defence and having certain Notice that Misistes Bassa had Landed his Power and was marching towards the City he assembled his Captains and with many Christian and Soldier-like perswasions admonished them to fight the Battle of the Lord Jesus against his Enemies which so wrought upon them that they all resolved to Live and Dye in his defence By this time the Bassa had set down his Camp and began to raise his Batteries according to the Directions of one Demetrius another Fugitive Knight who in the first Skirmish according to the Merits of his Treason having his Horse slain under him was miserably trampled to Death most of the Ordnance now bent against the Wall the Bassa sent out a part of his Army to seize upon an Orchard possessed and intrenched by the Christians which those that possessed it not being able to defend against so powerful an Enemy slighted it and retired to the City leaving the Ordnance behind them Out of this Orchard by the advice of one George Trapain a Christian Runagado the Turks battered the Tower standing about 300 paces from the City with great Fury and having made a Breach indeavoured to have entered but were beaten off with great loss after which they framed a Bridge upon Boats over a frith of the Sea fastening by Ropes so indeavouring to besiege the Tower both by Sea and Land the which was no sooner fastened but the Ropes were all cut in sunder by one Garvais Rogers a most expert English Sea-Captain and after that attempting to make another Bridge and plant pieces of Cannon in Lighters and foists the Bridge was broken and the Lighters sunk by Anthony Damboise the great Masters Brother who with his Artillery planted for that purpose on the Bastions beat them to pieces but it had not been long e'r Caly Bassa the younger Arriving in the Camp it was noised that Mahomet was coming with an additional Army of 100000 Turks which so terrified the Spaniards for the Garrison was Composed of all Christian Nations that they desired to be Shipped out of the Island and to return home but for such their Cowardize being sharply reproved by Peter Damboise the great Master a most expert and Valiant French man they as ashamed of what they before proposed begged Pardon and afterwards notably defended the City during the Siege Mesues perplexed that he could not carry the City by Force though with his Artillery he had levelled the Walls in many places which were as soon repaired he resolved by Treachery to perform what otherwise he could not Effect and therefore made large Offers to several discontented Rhodians to poison the great Master which some of them undertook to bring to pass but e'r any thing was done in Relation thereto the wickedness was discovered and the undertakers worthily Executed upon notice of which the Bassa more perplexed then before and yet not knowing without loss of Honour how to raise the Siege sent several Messengers to the great Master in his Name to promise him extraordinary Matters if he would surrender to him the City and to denounce all the Miseries of War upon his Refusal To which the Heroick Old man returned Answer that he would not willingly in his surest Estate use the Council of his Enemy neither in his greatest distress refuse Cheerfully to yeild his Life unto Almighty God to whom he did owe it and that with far better Will then to surrender the City upon any Conditions bear they never so fair a shew of Honour or Profit The Messengers perceiving this constant Resolution of the great Master by other Arguments indeavoured him at least to become Tributary to the Emperor paying a small matter yearly for his Peace but he knowing that to be the ready way to be brought under the Turkish Slavery utterly refused upon which the Messengers returned greatly discontented to him that sent 'um who thereat greatly perplexed gave another general Assault battering the City for four days without Intermission but not prevailing
of War into the Turks Dominions and so with a great Army he Commanded Vsbeg to pass into Cilicia where not far from Tarsus he found the Turks incamped under the command of Chersogles Vice-Roy of Greece a most Valiant Captain whereupon a mortal Battle begun and many thousands Slain for the Sultans Army consisting mostly of Mamalukes such an obstinate Fight was fiercly maintained between them and the Turkish Jannizaries that Victory stood doubtful for the space of 2 days at the end of which the Turkish General having lost 60000 of his men in the Night left his Camp and fled nor was the loss in the Sultans Army much inferiour but the Turks loss still proved greater for Flying through Aladules Country that King had so beset the way that most of the remaining part were Slain and the General taken prisoner nor fared Bajazet's Fleet at Sea better for Anchoring in the mouth of Orentes within sight of Antioch it was by a Tempest beaten to pieces all which losses coming one upon the Neck of another caused Bajazet to send his Ambassadors to the Sultan to require peace which was accorded to and all the Prisoners set at liberty when shortly after the Sultan who of a Circassian Slave by the favour of the Mamaluke's his Fellows become a mighty Monarch dyed Peace being concluded in Asia the Christian Princes stirred up thereto by Pope Alexander the Sixth that Firebrand of discord all Christendom was in a Flame at what time Charles the French King seized upon the Kingdom of Naples taken from his Father by Ferdinand the first whereupon the Pope and Alphonsus the exiled King of Naples solicited Bajazet to send them 6000 Horse and as many Foot for the recovery of the same laying before him like special Christians what danger the Mahometan Religion would be in if the French prevailed the Pope promising him also to Poyson Zemes his Brother if he would pay him well for so doing these Admonitions and large overtures so prevailed with the Infidel that he had great store of treasure but as it was designed for evil purposes it prospered accordingly for the Vessell in the Adriatick Sea being boarded by John Roverius a Venetian he seized the cash before it came to the Popes fingering yet his Holyness loath to break his Word nevertheless contrary to his Oath made to the Ambassadors from the great Master of Rhodes Poisoned Zemes by putting Poison amongst the Sugar which he was wont to mix with his Water to the great Scandal of the Christian Religion and reproach of St. Peter's pretended Successors nor was God slow in revenging the dishonor done to his name for Alexander having a Bastard Son named Caesar Borgia a Profligate Wretch who after many Outrages and Murthers committed being about to Poison several of the Cardinals at a Supper in the Vattican by a lucky mistake of the waiter in taking up the wrong flaggon poisoned his Father who notwithstanding his infallibility was not Poison proof nor did this ungracious Son long escape for fighting under the standard of the King of Navar he was slain with a hargubus shot Notwithstanding the death of Pope Alexander yet he left Christendom in such a blaze that the flame of discord was not in a long while after quenched for whilst the Emperor of Germany and Princes of Italy were Bandising against the French King and shedding Christian Blood the Turks invaded Podolia and Rassia spoiling the Country and sacking several walled Towns but by reason of the Excessiveness of the Winter through Hunger and Cold most of the Army Perished yet not dismayed by the Loss sustained he the next year sent Cadumes Bassa into Illyria who spoiling the Country was incountred by 9000 Croats and Hungarians near the River Morava under the leading of Count Bernard Francopain where after a cruel and Bloody fight the Christians were put to the worst and 7000 of them slain and drowned in passing the River the noses of which being cut off and hung upon strings were sent to Bajazet as a Barbarous present Charles the French King being dead Lewis the 12 Succeeded him in the Kingdom of France who laying claim to the Dukedom of Millain made a league with the Venetians whereupon Sfortia the Duke in possession sent to crave aid of Bajazet laying before him the danger his Empire was in daily to be invaded if the French grew strong in Italy preferring Ambition and revenge before the advancement of the Christian Religion Bajazet by this means stirred up resolved to render the Venetians unserviceable to the French by keeping them busie nearer home whereupon he commanded Scander Bassa his Lievetenant in Illyria to break in upon the Fruitful Country of Friuli part of the Venetians Territories on the borders of Italy the which he did with 12000 Horse destroying all before him as far as Liquentia driving before him a great number of Captives the which when he came to the Banks of Tiliaventum and understanding that the French and Venetians had driven the Duke of Millan out of his Territories he barbarously caused to be put to the Sword After the Seisure of Millan the Venetians set out a great Fleet under the charge of Anthony Grimani who set upon the Turks Fleet far Superior in number as it was coming out of the Bay or Haven of Sapientia in the Island of Sphraga but through the Cowardice of the Admiral in not permitting half his Fleet to come up those that were ingaged retired after a sharp dispute and the Turks kept their course to Naupactum now called Lepanto where they found Bajazet already arrived with his Land Army so that after a few days Siege the Citizens dispairing of Succour Surrendred the City wherefore the Venetian Admiral upon his return was Banished by a decree of the Senate to one of the Absytidies Islands upon the Coast of Liburnia Bajazet by this means having got firm footing in the Venetian Territories the year following viz. 1500 entered the straights of Corinth with an Army of 150000 and passing through Peloponnesus lay'd Siege to the strong City of Menthon now called Modon and took it by surprize putting all the Inhabitants to the Sword upon which several other Cities belonging to the Venetians yielded by composition but after the taking of many Cities on either side with great Blood-shed both by Sea and Land A peace between Bajazet and the Senate of Venice was treated and finally accorded upon consideration first that the Venetians should deliver up the Islands of Neritos and Lucadia the which during these Wars they had taken from the Turks reserving to themselves only the Island of Cephalenia And that in consideration thereof Bajazet should restore all such goods as had been taken from the Venetian Merchants in the late Wars and that it should be lawful for them as they were wonted safely to trade and traffique into the Euxine Sea and to Constantinople and there to have their Conful or Governour as they had in former time and lastly
Italy Flanders and other Countreys to leavy Forces which they did in such abundance to oppose the common Enemy that upon the Muster of the Army there were found Ninety Thousand old experienced Foot Souldiers and Thirty Thousand Horsemen well appointed all the flower â—â—â—ermany Italy Bohemia and Hungaria as likewise One Hundred and Forty Thousand of less experience the whole Army consisting of One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Men the approach of which so terrified Solyman that after he had in vain besieged Gonza and harazed the Countrey though with the loss of Ten Tousand of his Men he returned to Constantinople carrying with him into miserable Captivity Thirty Thousand poor Christians taken in divers Countries through which he passed and to appease his fury put no less a number to the Sword And now had the Christian Army composed of divers Nations pursued the Turk by Land and Sea as the Emperour earnestly desired they might have driven him quite out of Europe but Emulation arising amongst the Commanders and the Soldiers frequently mutining this great Army effected nothing more than to oblige Solyman to retire The Empire mindful of the damage sustained by the Turks in Austria Hungary and other Countries to revenge the same early the spring following set forth a Fleet consisting of Thirty Five great Ships and Forty Eight Galleys under the Conduct of Andreas Aurea a most expert Captain who sailing to the Bay of Ambracia thought there to have met with the Turks Admiral who had under his Command Sixty Galleys but he having notice of his coming from the Venetians who stood Newters was sailed to the strong Haven of Calcide whereupon Auria directed his course to Corone a strong City upon the Coast of Peloponesus and had it yielded unto him upon condition that the Garison might depart with bag and baggage where leaving a Garrison of Spaniards he sailed to Patras another City in the same Tract took it and ransacked it permitting the Garrison nevertheleless to march out in safety after which he took all the Castles that guarded the straight of Naupactum without any hindrance which gave Saluiatus General of the Malta Galleys opportunity to waste the Coast of Corinth and take great booties which done he returned loaden with spoils to Naples and from thence to Genoa the place of his birth and residence The Turks grieving at their great loss early in the Spring Anno 1533 lay'd siege to Corone both by Sea and Land of which Mendoza the Governour by Letters advised the Vice-Roy of Naples craving speedy aid with all assuring him he would defend the Town to the utmost extremity upon which Auria was sent with a well appointed Fleet the terror of whose coming so frighted the Turks that they left the siege having lost many Men before it and for haste left all their heavy Carriages which became a Prey to the Garrison Soldiers which exalted their courage to that degree that they requested Macicaus the Governour to lead them forth to the siege of Andrusa a Garrison of the Turks not far distant from Corone but their coming being discovered they could not surprize it as they intended yet ransacked the Suburbs and made great slaughter of the Turk Horsemen quartering therein though with the loss of Macicaus the Governour and divers others yet not long after they took the City being abandoned by the Garrison as not tenable but upon their return to Corone the Plague began to rage so fearfully that fearing if they stay they should all perish and fit opportunity offering it self by reason of the Arrival of several Galleys from Sicily with Corn all the Spaniards together with as many Greeks as would imbarqued with the Cannon and what else they thought convenient leaving the Town to be again possessed by the Turks though not without the consent of the Emperor Anno 1534 Aloysus Grittus Son to the Duke of Venice and Solymans great Favourite being by him â—ade Leiutenant of Hungary inwardly envying at Ameriâ—us Vayvod of Transylvania at the instance of one Docia caused him to be murthered in his Tent which so incensed the Transylvanians that they Arming themselves to the number of Forty Thousand under the Leading Maylat a Valiant Gentleman and Kinsman to the Vayvod pursued the Murtherer who sled to Mega which the Transylvanians besieged and not without great difficulty took and in it Aloysus and Docia the former of which they beheaded and the latter tore in pieces taking the spoil of their Goods which was very great for about Aloysus were found as many precious stones as were esteemed worth Forty Millions Solyman thirsting after Glory and resolving not to let his Soldiers lye idle resolved to invade at once both Africk and Persia the charge of the first he committed to Barbarusa who of a poor Fisher-Boy became a Pirate and afterward King of Argire and then travelling to Constantinople was upon the recommendation of Achometes the Great Bassa made one of the Bassas of Solymans Council Whereupon he cansed all his Galleys to be in a readiness appointing the aforesaid Barbarusa Admiral of all his Sea Forces who had no sooner taken upon him the Command but sailing out of Hellespontus with Eighty Galleys leaving Amurath with twelve to transport Solymans Army in to Asia he shaped his course for Italy when passing the Straights between Italy and Sicily he brought such a fear upon the Inhabitants on either shoar that they fled with all their substance further into the Countrey after which he layed siege to Saint Lucidius formerly called Tempsas which he took putting most of the Inhabitants to the Sword from whence with a rich booty and many Prisoners he marched to Citrarium which he took and burnt together with Seven Galleys that lay in the Port and so sailing by Naples he seized upon Spelunca from which he marched over Land to Fundi ten miles from Spelunca on purpose as was thought to have seized on Jula Gonzaga a Lady of incomparable Beauty whom he intended to have presented to Solyman but she though half naked getting on Horseback fled to the Mountains yet he took the City and put most of the Inhabitants to the Sword and so coasting along Italy and taking many Cities Towns and Castles he brought such a fear upon Rome once Mistress of the World that many conjectured that if he went directly thither with his Fleet the Romans would have forsaken the City but then contrary to the expectation of most he shaped his Course for Africk resolving to invade the Kingdom of Tunes over which Reigned one Muleasses having a little before stepped into the Throne by treacherously causing to be Murthered all his Brethren except Roscetes and Abdemelech the former of which having tryed his utmost fortune for the recovery of the Kingdom in right appertaining to him as Elder Brother to Mueasses he for his safety was fled to Constantinople which opportunity Solyman laying hold on to advantage his Wars in Africk kept him as a
Emperor caused his Batteries to be mounted whilst Auria with the Fleet blocked up the Castle to the Sea-ward so that what from the Ships and the Mounts the great Ordnance in manner of an Earthquake so terribly roated that their continual 〈◊〉 made it seem as if the Earth would have â—ent in sunder and caused the Sea which before was calm to mount as if it had been inraged with a Tempest the Air likewise became thick and the Sky was darkned with smoak so that after ten hours incessant battery the Vamures and Walls of the Castle were in many places beaten down the Turks Canon and Canoneers lying buried together in the Rubbish so that the defendants utterly despairing longer to hold it fled over a wooden Bridge layed for that purpose who being fiercely pursued by the Christians were most of them slain insomuch that the Surface of the Lake was well nigh covered with dead bodies The strong Castle thus taken and most of the Turks Fleet of Galleys at Aâ—â—hor in the Lake yielded to the Conqueror upon notice of which Muleasses the Moorish King came to the Emperors Tent and humbled himself at his Feet promising to become his tributary desiring as his Vassal to be received into his protection swearing never to forget so great a Benefit with many the like expressions which so moved the Emperour that he promised to restore him without any other Tribute than yearly paying a brace of Falcons and a brace of Barbary Horses as likewise to maintain a Thousand Christian Soldiers to keep for him the Castle of Guletta and ever after to be kind to all Christians either Inhabiting or that should have occasion to pass through his Countrey telling him further that if he failed in any point those Armes that restored him could again depose him Matters thus concluded the Emperour marched against Tunis where Barbarussa with the remainder of his Forces were in Garrison who upon the approach of the Christians drew out his Forces consisting for the most part of Numidian Horsemen but scarcely endured the first charge e're he betook himself to flight and again entered the City of Tunis where in his mad mood he determined to kill all the Christian Prisoners and had put his bloody intent into practise had he not been disswaded therefrom by Sinan a Jew one of his chief Captains which turned to his great disadvantage for the Captives to the number of Six Thousand hearing in what danger they were in burst out of the Dungeons in the Castle where they lay in Irons and killing such Turks as they found therein barracaded the doors seizing on such Armour as came first to hand made signs to the Emperor from the Battlements that they kept the Castle to his behoof which Barbarussa perceiving and that all his intreaties for the rendition of it was in vain he in a great rage abandoned the City with such of his followers as would attend him and fled by Sea in Fourteen Galleys to the City of Bona. The Turks having deserted Tunis the Magistrates came forth with the Keyes to meet the Emperor who without any resistance entered the City which he laboured to save from the spoil but such was the fury of the Soldiers that they could not be restrained neither by the Emperor nor Vastius the General but seizing upon all they found killed such of the Moors as resisted them so that in a short time all was in a confusion and great riches carryed to the Ships and Galleys together with many Captives most of which the Emperor caused to be restored and the rest were redeemeâ— by Muleasses Barbarussa not thinking himself safe at Hippona upon the coming of Auria with the Fleet fled to Argier of which the Emperor having notice he placing Muleasses in the Kingdom of Tunesses and furnishing Guletta with all manner of Warlike Provision with a Thousand Spaniards to secure it returned in Triumph to Naples Anno 1537 when the same year Solyman envying at the Portugals trade in the East-Indies sent Solyman Bassa accompanied with Asau Beg a famous Pirate commonly called the Moor of Alexandria with a Fleet to molest them who sailing through the Red-Sea came as far as the River Indus where with all their power they assaulted Dium a Castle of the Portugals scituate upon the mouth of that great River but after many dayes siege both by Sea and Land having tryed their utmost force they were glad to retire leaving behind them for hast most of their great Ordnance when coming to Aden a rich City in Arabia Foelix they allured the King thereof on board their Galleys with promise of safe conduct but having him in their power contrary to their Oaths they hanged him up at the Yards Arm of the Admirals Galley and plundered the City the like they did to another City in the same Tract called Zibith and returned to Constantinople one by Sea and the other by Land at what time Solyman solicited thereto by John Forrest the French Kings Ambassador was preparing for the Invasion of Italy and having for that purpose raised Two Hundred Thousand Men sending before him Lutzis Bassa and Barbarussa with a great Fleet who landing at Otranto and conducted by one Troilus Pignatellus a Fugitive Italian seized on Castrum which contrary to their Faith given they plundered carrying most of the people Prisoners at what time Solyman had by night sent over several Troops of Light-Horsemen in great Palendars who running all along the Sea Coast from Tarentum to Brundusium for the space of Forty miles rummaged the Countrey carrying away a great booty and had been likely enough had Solyman as he intended seconded them with his great power to have overrun all Italy but providence so ordered it that by the wilfulness of Alexander Contarenus a Venetian Captain who meeting with the Admiral of Callipolis and he not vailing his top-sail nor in token of Reverence and Friendship discharge his great Ordnance offended with his proud insolency fiercely assailed the Squadron of Galleys under his command of which he sunk two the Admiral himself perishing in one of them and not long after for the like insolency the Venetian Admiral caused Junusbeus Solymans chief Interpreter passing by Coreyrae to be assailed when to save himself and his Turks he forceing his Galleys on shoar near unto the Mountains called Acroceraunii he fell into a worse danger for being taken by the Mountainiers most of his people were slain and himself hardly released for a great sum of money These Breaches of Peace as the Turks termed them so much incensed Solyman that he recalled his Forces then in Puglia resolving to turn his whole power upon the Venetians upon whose return Auria falling in with Twelve Galleys laden with Janizaries and chosen Horsemen of the Court after a sharp conflict to them all which proved a great weakning to the Tyrants Fleet yet he desperately bent against the Venetians resolving to take from them the rich Island of Corcyra but by
Prince of great hope to be chosen K. of the Romans who likewise the year following on the 8th of September with all solemnity Crowned at Presburg King of Hungaria to confirm which choice Solyman sent Ibrahim Bassa as his Ambassador to the Emperour as likewise to conclude in his name an eight years peace and the better to gain credit he sent his Letters of credence not usually done by the Turkish Emperors whose proud stile therein I think not amiss to insert which take as followeth I the Lord of Lords Ruler of the East and West who am of power to do and not to do whatsoever pleaseth me Lord of all Grecia Persia and Arabia Commander of all things which can be subject to King and Command the great worthy of these times and strong Champion of the wide World Lord of all the white and black Seas and of the Holy City of Mecha shining with the brightness of God of the City of Medina and of the Holy and Chast City of Jerusalem King of the most noble Kingdom of Egypt Lord of Jovia and of the City of Athens Senan of the Sacred Temple of God Zabilon and Bassio Rethsans and Magodini the Seat and Throne of the great King of Nashin Rettam and Lord of the Island of Argiers Prince of the Kingdom of Tartary Mesopotamia Media of the Georgians Morea Anatolia Asia Armenia Valachia Moldavia and of all Hungary and many other Kingdoms and Territories whereof I am Emperour The most mighty Monarch Sultan Solyman Son of the great Emperour Sultan Selym who hath power from God to rule all People with a bridle and strength to break open the Gates and Bars of all Cities and strong places into whose mighty hand are delivered all the ends of the World none excepted I Ruler of the East from the Island of Tsein unto the farthest bounds of Africa whom God hath appointed a mighty Warrior in the edge of Sword amongst whose most mighty Kingdoms the impregnable Castle of Caesarie is reputed the least and in whose Hereditary Dominions the Kingdom or Empire of Alexander the Great is accounted of us a trifle with me is the strength of the whole World and Virtue of the Firmament For as much as thou King Ferdinand c. Their audacious stile being read in the German Court moved some to indignation and others to secret laughter yet the necessity requiring it peace was concluded but kept no longer then the Emperour lived for upon his Death which happened two years after viz. 1564. new troubles arose in Hungary and several Towns and Castles were won and lost on either side whereupon Solyman resolved in person to come into Hungary but upon second thoughts he changed his mind and bent his Forces against the Island of Malta lying between Africa and Sicilia in length twenty and in breadth twelve miles exceeding fruitful and pleansantly scituate were it not in Summer time too much scorched by the Sun which deprives the inhabitants of their fresh water before which the Turks coming with a Fleet of Two Hundred Ships and Gallies after some loss sustained both by the Sea and Islanders Landed and layed siege to St. Michaels Castle which they furiously battered but it being defended by several Knights of the Order they received great loss before it whereupon they consulted amongst themselves to leave the siege of St. Michael and besiege the Castle of St. Elmo the which with the loss of 18000 of their men they took when in the mean while Valetta the Great Master fortified St. Michael both City and Castle sending to the Viceroy of Sicilia for aid but the Turks incouraged by the comming of the King of Argier with his Ships and a great supply of Victuals besieged St. Michaels Castle a second time as also the City Thundering against it for the space of eight days without intermission but such was the courage of the besieged that they either repaired the breaches or beat back the Assailants who made such slaughter of those that attempted to enter that their dead bodies filling the breaches served as a Rampire to keep out the rest and thus they continued furious to assault the City almost every day till upon notice of the Viceroy of Sicily's approach with a great power both by Sea and Land they raised their siege and departed to meet him near Melita where in a set Battle they were overthrown and most of them slain with the loss of 5000 Christians onely yet those that escaped in their return landed on the Island Chios and took it it being before almost deserted of its inhabitants by reason it lay always obnoxious to the fury of the barbarous Infidels Solyman inraged at this defeat resolved to revenge himself upon the Christian Princes and therefore with a great Army undertook his before determined War against Hungary solicited thereto by the Vayvod of Traâ—sylvania who hoped to be made King thereof but Maximilian being Crowned Emperour he railed a great power being aided by the German Princes and sent them under the leading of several valiant Captains but especially Count Serenus and Count Helffeustin whose good Fortunes proved such that within a short time the Turks were stripped out of most of their Garrisons and a great number of them slain for Maximillian the Emperour long before advertised of Solymans purpose had raised as is said a gallant Army consisting of 40000 Horse and Foot the flower of all Christian Nations besides a Fleet upon the River Danubius which hindered the Turks Provisions and other necessaries from being brought by water By this time Solyman coming to the River Dromus over which with infinite labour he caused a Bridge to be made for the passage of his Army which done he encamped before Sigeth of which Count Serenus was made Governour a valiant man and mortal Enemy to the Turks attended on by a Garrison of 2300 resolute Germans and Hungarians who like a brave Souldier with a most Christian Oration incouraged his men not to be dismaid at the multitude of their Enemies but to trust in God and be of good courage for he by his Almighty power was able by a few to confound the Armies of the proud Concluding that as for himself as he was a Christian and free born so he would by the Grace of God in the same Faith and Freedom end his dayes and that no proud Turk so long as he could hold up his hand should have power to command over him or the ground whereon he stood nor failed he in his resolves for after he had done all that man was capable of doing killing such numbers of Turks that the Plains lay scattered with the dead the Walls being for the most part beaten down and the Town fired about his Eares the Turks in great number entring every where and no relief coming to his assistance he called the poor remainder of his Souldiers about him with whom he was retired into the Castle and with an undaunted resolution spake these his last
his siege and billeted his soldiers for that winter in certain villages adjacent nor was Fames rumour founded upon idle report for the Fleet set out by the King of Spain the Venetions and the Pope commanded by Auria Zanius and Columnius loosing from Crect had given the Turks battle had not Auria the Spanish Admiral opposed it and after him many of the Great Commanders for Zanius and Venetian Admiral and Commnius the Popes Admiral absolutely declared that they had express Command to fight the Turks but the other alledging the great disadvantage they should receive by fighting upon the Enemies Coast and the weakness of the Fleet by reason of the Pestilence that had destroyed the most expert Seamen abruptly departed for Messina leaving the other Admirals to shift for themselves who not able to contend with so powerful an Enemy returned likewise to Corcyra where by a Decree of the Senate Zanius the Venetian Admiral was discharged of his command and sent prisoner to Venice and Sebastianus Venerius Governour of Coroyra Commissioned Admiral in his stead The rich prey for the most part taken in Nicolia being put on board the Admirals Gally a Woman Captive taken there in a desperate Mood giving fire to the Gunpowder blew up the Gally and by that blow beat in pieces two others that lay near it destroying thereby a great number of Turks the Bassa himself narrowly escaping by being a little before gone on shoar The new Admiral of the Venetians to get him a name resolving to attempt something upon the Turks and having a fit opportunity offered he sailed into the Bay of Ambriaca and by the aid of the Mountain people inhabiting Acroceraunian took the strong Castle of Chimaera putting to the Sword and taking Prisoners 300 Turks there ingarrisoned and not long after Querinus the Vice-Admiral sailing along the Coast of Peloponesus Landed his men near the Bay of Maine and in five hours took a strong Castle of the Turks built to guard the pass and in it 500 Turks whom he caused to be put to the Sword and taking out the Ordinance caused the Castle to be razed The City of Famagustan being again blocked up by the Turks huge Camp the Governour sent Hieronimus Ragazonius Bishop of the City and Nicholaus Donaius to Venice they to make known to the Senate the danger the besieged were in and to require them not to delay sending them succour whereupon the Senators wrote to the Admiral to put a supply both of men and provision who commiting the care thereof to Quirinus the Vice-Admiral he as an undaunted Captain filling four Ships with all manner of Provision and 1700 select Souldiers waiting his opportunity with Twelve Gallies accompanyed them to the mouth of the Port which Ships the Turks that lay at Anchor beholding came forth in hope of a prize but being set upon by the Gallies were obliged to retire in great disorder and run themselves for the most part on shoar where they were beaten in pieces by the great Ordnance from the Venetian Gallies and then entring the Haven relieved the Citizens as he had in charge to their unexpressible joy when coming forth again and roaming about the Seas he took two of the Enemies Ships richly laden who were coming to the Camp in Cyprus and then wasted the Coasts of Pamphilia he returned to Venice the news of which coming to the knowledge of Selymus it so inraged him that he caused the Governour of Chios his head to be stricken off the Governour of Rhodes to be discharged of his Government and Pial Bassa to be turned out from being Admiral The Turks encroaching thus upon Christendom did not a little Alarum the Confederate Princes insomuch that they again consult how to withstand the barbarous Enemy and if possible to relieve the remaining Cities of Cyprus but were a long while ere they came to any conclusion In which space after many terrible assaults and the loss of 14000 Turks Tramogusta was taken and all manner of cruelties exercised contrary to the Faith of the Bassa before given on the Souldiers and Citizens and the same risque soon after run all the other Cities of Cyprus but by this time the Ambassadors sent by the Venetians to Tamas the Persian King to joyn in League with the Confederate Princes being returned with onely this answer that the Persian would not hastily enter into a War against the Turk but would for two years expect the success of the Christians Arms the King of Spain Venetians and Pope with several of the Italian Princes entred into a perpetual League and with all diligence prepared their Fleet against the spring every one being proportioned his charge in the War and to have proportion of the spoiles to be taken according to the number of Ships and Gallies set forth By this time the Turks having possessed themselves of the famous Island of Cyprus and not content therewith gaped for Crete now called Candia lying in the Mediterranean and once as Seneca and others witness possessed of 100 Cities being exceeding fruitful and then in the possession of the Venetians on which the Turks landing in great number did what harm they possibly could by burning and spoiling all they found in their way till at length they were incountered by Francisous Justinianus who but a little before their Landing came into the Island with a 1000 Souldiers and now joyning with the Islanders charged them as they dispersed to seek for prey with such fury that killing many of them he obliged the rest to make a swift though a disorderly retreat to their Gallies but the next day they again landing in greater number burnt divers Towns ransacked Setia and Rhetimo wherein they found much riches and carried away most of the inhabitants into miserable bondage But loaded with their booty dispersed and dreading no danger they were suddainly charged by Lucas Michael a valiant Captain 2000 of them slain and all the prey recovered together with the prisoners and they again forced to betake themselves to their Gallies after which they weighed Anchor and sailed along the Coast passing by Cythera Zazinthius and Cephalemia Island belonging to the Venetians doing much dammage in divers parts of them and carryed 6000 of the Islanders into Captivity and departing thence failed along the Coast of Epirus which the Venetians had stirred up to Rebel against the Turks but not sending them the promised Aid they were inforced to submit to the Mercy of their mercyless Enemies after which they recovered all the Castles and Towns the Venetians had taken on the Sea Coast which brought a great fear upon most of the Islands yet possessed by the Christians especially when that part of the Fleet which had done so much harm was augmented by the arrival of Haly Bassa and within a while after all the Fleet met at Aulona and on the 26 Aug. 1571. sailed directly to Corcyra which little Island seemed to be incompassed with their huge Fleet. There Partus
of the Christians in this bloody fight died about seven thousand five hundred sixty six the chief of which were John and Bernardinus of the Honourable family of Cordona in Spain Horatio Caraffa and Ferantes Bisballus Virginius and Horatius Noble Romans of the Venetian Nobility were flain Augustinus Barbadicus Benedictus Superantius Vincentius Quirinus Johanes Lauritanus Marinus Contarenus Catharinus Malepetra Georgius Andreas Barbadicus Marcus Antonius Laudus Franciscus Bonus Hieronimus Contarenus Antonius Paschaligus and Hieron Venerius all of the Order of the Senators besides divers other Honourable Gentlemen well deserving to be inrolled in the Records of Fame There were likewise many of note wounded and amongst the rest Venerius the Venetian Admiral by a small shot that passed through his foot This great and welcom victory published in the City of Venice caused such a General joy as the like was never till that time nor only did the Venetians alone rejoyce but likewise all Christian Nations for in this fight the Turks lost so many substantial Gallyes able Commanders Seamen that to this day that loss hath been a weakning to that so mighty Empire and such was the Griefe conceived by Selymus thereat that he retired himself for certain days not permitting any to speak with him and then in his fury passed a Decree for Massacring all the Christians within his Dominions which bloody and barbarous Edict had been put in Execution had not Muhamat the chief Bassa by many perswasions averted his wicked purpose yet that his loss might seem the less he dissembled it as well as he could giving strict orders for the speedy building of new Gallies to supply the place of those that were lost which he had the more leasure to do by reason that after this so signal a victory the Christian Fleet separated with a resolution to meet again the next spring at Coreyra yet the Venetians not satisfied for the loss of Cyprus spoiled the Turks Frontiers winning strong holds and amongst the rest the strong Town of Suppoto formerly taken from them which caused Selimus to put to Sea all the Gallies he had appointing Vluzales a Renegado Christian but now turned Turk Admiral in the room of Haly Bassa slain in the battel of Lepanto of which the Venetian Admiral having notice sent to Don John to come to his Aid but he bearing a grudge against the Venetians for hanging up one of his Mutinous Captains stood a long time in doubt whether he should send any of his Gallies to his assistance or not but at length being by his Captains perswaded that his honour would suffer if through his neglect the Christan cause should be prejudiced he sent Lilly of Andradu with twenty two Galleys to joyn with the Venetian Fleet then lying before Corcyra nor was the Pope slow in sending his Galleys insomuch that the whole Fleet consisted of 155 Galleys 6 Galliasses and twenty ships of war nor was the Turks inferiour in number lying about Maluasia in the entrance of the Bay called Sinus Argolicus of which the Venetian Admiral having notice resolved to give them battle what ever happened but the wary Pirate Vluzales could not be drawnthereto having before to his cost tryed the courage of the Christians lying still in the bay hoping thereby to gain some advantage without which he resolved not to fight but finding the Christians every day ready to charge him as he lay he for his better security found means to sail to Corona upon which the Christian Fleet retired to Cerigo not finding any opportunity of giving the enemy battle Whilst matters went thus Don John sent a Frigate to advertise the Venetian Admiral that he was arrived at Corcyra commanding him to meet him at Zacynthus there to consult about the carrying on the war but when they came thither the General not regarding his word delayed to meet them which did not a little trouble the Venetians but not staying there they sailed to Cocyra where joyning the ships newly sent to their Aid by several Christian Princes they resolved to seek out the Enemy and if possible to oblige him to fight whereupon they loosed Anchor and for the most part sailed by night thinking by that means to oppress the Enemy e'r he was provided to defend himself but this purpose being discovered by some of the Turks Scouts the Christians were prevented in their undertaking yet so resolute was the Venetian Admiral that he pressed the other Generals to enter the Bay and give them Battle even in the mouth of the Harbour but this his resolution though it had past doubt proved successful had it been put in execution was opposed by the Spanish General and Columnius the Popes Admiral as not seasonable but altogether dangerous even to the hazarding the Christian Fleet which as they alledge was the Bullwark of Christendom yet lying before Nauarinum they resolved to besiege the Castle of Modon both by Sea and Land which Castle lying in mouth of the Bay defended the Turks Fleet whereupon Sailing before it they landed seven thousand of their most resolute Soldiers and at the same time appointed several of the Galleasses and Gallies to batter it with their Great Ordnance the which more advantagiously to effect they joyned two Galleys together with Masts Ropes and other tackling in the nature of a floating battery on which they planted Baskets of Earth and several Pieces of Great Ordnance but being overcharged with too great a weight they became useless by reason of the abundance of water that entred them and at the same time having notice that a considerable number of Turkish horsemen had entered by night into the Castle they thought good to give over the siege which made the Turks so adventurous as to send several of their Galleys out of the Bay to seize upon a great ship of the Venetians that was coming from Zacynthus with provision for the Fleet but they were soon obliged to retire which all of them did in safety except Mahomet Nephew to Barbarussa the famous Pirate who to get him a name stayed on purpose to dare the Christians but being Grapled by the Marquess of St. Crux after a fierce Engagement he with almost all his men were slain and the Galley taken in the sight of the Turks Fleet they not daring to come to his assistance after which the Christians besieged the strong Castle of Nauariâ—â—m antiently called Pylus the charge of which was by General consent of the great Commanders committed to Alexander Farnesius Prince of Parma whom the Venetians furnished with Munition and Victuals for the better performance of that service which he no sooner received but landing 2000 Italians 1000 Spaniards and five hundred Germans with twelve Pieces of Ordnance did batter the Castles incessantly but not encompassing it as he ought in the night time a Great number of Turks having made their way through a pathless Forrest entered at an unsuspected Port whilst those of the Garrison were skirmishing with the besiegers
General to be inclosed within Walls upon notice of his approach after he had put that place in a posture of defence departed thence and after having received a supply of eight Thousand men from the Vayvod of Valachia he went to oppose the Torrent but ere he could prevent it the City of Claudinople fell into the Rebels hands who used the Citizens with all manner of cruelties Yet at length meeting with them before he was aware fell into their danger not expecting them to be above half the number he found them so that he not exceeding Nine Thousand and the Rebels not less then Thirty Thousand when he had done all that became a valiant Souldier retired in good order leaving his Baggage Tents and Artilery with the dead Bodies of One Thousand of his men as prey to the Conquerours but they more greedy of the spoil then to pursue him fell to plundering the Tents with such eagerness that he thereof advertized and turning his recollected Forces suddainly upon them who dreamed of nothing less entered amongst them unarmed as they were every one with his hands full of spoiles made such a slaughter that scarcely a third part of them escaped so that by their carelessness within less then four hours the vanquishers were vanquished and amongst the slain fell Moyses himself whose head was after fixed upon a Launce and set up upon the Walls of Carolstadt This Rebellion suppressed another Rebel aided by the Turks Tartars and Cossacks to the number of Six Thousand made head about Lippa but Three Thousand Haducks being sent out against him his Forces were defeated and himself for the safety of his own Life glad to fly after which good success One Hundred of the Rebels Insignes and the Horse on which Moyses fought traped richly with Gold and Pretious Stones were as a grateful present sent to the Emperour and afterward the Army under the Command of Basta being increased to Twenty Thousand he with Five and Twenty pieces of Cannon marched to besiege Temeswar but ere he long had lain before it by his Souldiers eating of green Fruit the Bloody Flux raged so in his Camp that death triumphing every where over his men he was forced to depart Spring being come the Christian Army in Hungaria being Five and Thirty Thousand strong took the Field under the Command of the Lord Rusworm who having carefully provided for the several Garrisons incamped near to Pesth at what time an Army of One Hundred Thousand Turks shewed it self on the other side the Danubius for fear of which several of the Garrison Souldiers of Pesth fled over to Buda and there were highly entertained by the Bassa who thought to use them as decoys to train their fellows over but this project failed though at that time their wants were great though not long for in spight of the Turks endeavours to hinder them two Convoys of Provision and other necessaries the one by Water and the other by Land were brought thither at what time a Turkish Captain upon some displeasure flying from Alba Regalis to Rab informed the Governour that if he would march thither he would shew him an easie way to surprize the Suburbs if not the City it self whereupon the Christian Souldiers giving credit to the Infidel by his direction succeeded in taking the Suburb as they wished and in it a great Booty but despairing in any further advantage returned with great joy to Rab. The Rebels in Asia being again in Arms Mahomet finding himself not strong enough to suppress them by Force laboured by his Ambassadors to reconcile them offering such advantagious terms of peace as should to all men seem reasonable but they not caring to trust the Tyrant rejected his offers and would have no peace whereupon what the Infidels refused he thought fit to offer to the Christians but on this side he demands so unreasonable viz. that in consideration of his delivering up Agria and Canisia he might have Transilvania Strigonium and Pesth that the Emperour would not accord to any peace upon such terms so that the treaty broke off upon which Hostilities that for a while ceased began afresh so that Collonitz with Six Thousand Imperialists falling upon the Rear of the Turks Army cut off seven Hundred men taking a great spoil and many Prisoners amongst whom was Saxur Beg a man of great repute amongst the Turks who upon Examination confessed the design Hassan Bassa had to besiege Strigonium and Pesth and the number of Turks and Tartars that were daily expected to joyn him of which General Rusworm being informed as also of the state of the Turks Army and also that upon some discontent the Tartars were returned into their own Countrey to the great weakening of the Bassa's Forces wherefore to prevent their putting a Convoy into Buda he caused several Forts to be built and permitting the Turks to pass ever the Danubius by a Bridge trained them into an Ambush layed in the Flags and Osiers for that purpose so that with little loss on the part of the Christians 10000 Turks were slain drowned in the River and taken Prisoners so that a great booty consisting of eighteen Ensigns two Cornets four Brass peices much rich Armour and many Waggons loaden with Provision fell into the hands of the Christians whereby the Turks were so much discouraged that they for a long while attempted nothing Affairs standing thus in Hungary Asia was still in a flame especially upon the revolt of one of Mahomets great Bassa's whom he had despightfully deposed from being General of which confusion the Persian King taking the advantage layed siege to Tauris a strong City taken by Amurath from his Father as is before-mentioned the which by the Aid of several Christians after a terrible battery made against it he took so that the Turk on every side beset was greatly perplexed in mind not knowing which way to turn himself nor fared he better by Sea for the Asian Rebels under pretence of a reconciliation and transporting themselves into Europe to serve him in Hungaria seized upon many of his Gallies sent to Transport them as also the great Duke of Florence's Admiral meeting with Amurat Rais an old Pirate and Mahomets Admiral overthrew his squadron of Gallies taking some and sinking others so that few escaped and his great Army in Hungary after the loss of Thirty Thousand Men in divers conflicts with the Christian atchieving nothing worth mention except putting a Convoy of Victuals into Buda returned to Belgrade under the covert of darkness in manner of a fearful flight which was no sooner perceived by the Lord Rusworm who had often in vain urged the Bassa to fight but he sent his Light Horsemen to pursue them who cutting off the Rearmost for many Miles returned with a considerable booty after which he layed siege to Hatvan and had it after several fierce assaults delivered into his possession the Garrison and Citizens as it was agreed on marching out were conducted by certain
Letter to the Bassas of those two Cities to send their Commissioners to to the Port to answer to what was objected against them and at length to promise not any more to molest the English in order to the confirmation of which several Articles were drawn and delivered to Sir Thomas Rowe then residing at the Port with the Grand Seigneours Letter of command to the Dage Bassa and Divan of Argier and Tunis to forbear assaulting or in the least injuring any English ships or the Subjects of the King of England in what part of the Ottoman Empire soever they resided insomuch that the fear of punishment did for the space of five years deter those Pirates from molesting the English either by Sea or Land and the better to ingratiate themselves they delivered six hundred English Marriners which they had taken at divers times without Ransom but upon the Expiration of the years aforesaid they again robbed and spoiled the Merchants ships Trading in those parts but were frequently met withall by the English men of war that were sent into those Seas to secure the Traffick Anno 1624 on the 24 of March Ali Bassa the great Visier by whose means Morat was advanced to the Crown was sent for into the Seraglio where being questioned by the young Emperor about the affairs of the Persian Invasion and not answering to the satisfaction of those present he was then and there at the commandment of the Emperour beheaded and his body cast out into the street which caused much murmuring amongst his friends and one Creques Mechemet advanced to the Dignity of Grand Visier but he was not settled in his place before news came that the Roman Emperour had entered Hungary with an Army of Fifty Thousand Horse and Foot resolving to recover the Towns a little before take by Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania and that the Cossack with four hundred Boats were abroad in the Black Sea and had taken many vessels laden with Provision as likewise made great spoil upon the Coast To prevent which the Bassas of Buda Temeswar Bosna Canisa and Agria received Orders to joyn with the Transilvanian and several Gallies dispatched into the black Sea nor were the preparations against the Persians slackned who still marched on conquering for by this time Abassa Bassa upon the receipt of the Grand Signeours pardon had submitted himself and with the forces under his command marched towards the frontires to joyn with Hafis Achmet Bassa who made head on that side by which the suspicion of the Janizaries being removed they to the number of Thirty Thousand were mustered for the Wars and Forty thousand Spahi their rendezvous being appointed about Brussia and at the same time Biram Bassa was dispatched General of the frontires of Poland and Bugdania with Four thousand Souldiers and Orders to command all the Begs and Sanzacks to raise such forces as they could and joyn him to prevent the incursions of the Cossacks and more Gallies sent into the black Sea to transport Jean Gheray Han Prince of Tartary the year before deposed by Mechmet and to re-establish him in his Kingdom but Mechmet having notice of his arrival raised an Army of Sixty thousand Horse and drove him from the Land with the slaughter of many Turks which so inraged the Grand Signeour that as he said his honour being engaged he resolved to re-inthrone him for Mechmet was suspected of holding correspondence with the Persian to whose proceeding the Turks and Arabians had by this time put a stop but failed therein for the Captain Bassa with a great Army Landing the second time was routed two Bassas and about Five thousand Turks slain as many taken Prisoners and Twenty pieces of Cannon with much rich Furniture left to the Tartars who by that means found that they were able to deal with the Turks Things falling out thus in Tartary the Cossacks taking the advantage of the Turkish Fleets absence with Eighty Boats or small Barks entered the straights of Bosphorus where lying before Constantinople they brought a general fear upon that great City and after having plundered and razed several Towns upon the Sea Ceast they returned in Triumph unopposed which good success imboldened them with a greater number of Vessels to adventure a second time when as before they returned with a great booty the Turks not being able to prevent it About the same time the Pirates of Tunis and Argiers revolted from the Grand Signeours obedience and robbed many of his Ports in the Mediterranean taking such Ships as they found therein and setting fire to a great number of Storehouses so that the loss the Christian Merchants sustained by them in one Expedition amounted to 4 Millions of Ducates nor did they less harm by Land to such as bordered on their Country neither regarding Friends or Foes any longer then stood with their conveniency and profit being indeed Enemies to all men which intestine troubles obliged Morat to conclude a Peace with Mechmet the Tartar Prince dissembling the intentions he had to depose him laying all the fault of what had happened upon the Captain Bassa whose head had like to have gone off to have rendered his Masters story plausible such danger are those in that live under a Tyrant whose will is his Law not weighing Justice nor good deserts further then may serve his purpose Yet blood was not wanting for Huzein Bassa who sometime before fled being taken and brought to Constantinople where after in hopes to save his Life he had confessed his Treasure he was strangled Abassa Bassa notwithstanding the specious shews he made to march against the Persians linger'd greatly which gave the Janizaries a suspicion that he had contrived the matter only to draw them into his danger and then to destroy them as he had formerly purposed which opinion of theirs had turned all again into confusion had he not at that instance reconciled himself to the Grand Visier and protested that he would not hurt the Janizaries but use his Arms in defence of the Empire So that by swearing three times on the Alcoran that no violence should be done on either side all animosities vanished the Government of Arzirum being confirmed to him and he allowed a competent number of Souldiers to guard the frontires as likewise places of trust bestowed upon most of his chief Officers but upon the Janizaries putting many of his Friends to the Sword who had yielded themselves to the Grand Visier he in a rage fell into their quarter making slaughter of three or four thousand of them though not without the loss of as many of his own men but finding that the Visier had drawn up his Army in Battalia he sounded the retreat and marched to his Government and the Visier kept on his way towards Diarbecher to seek the Persian when in the mean time the Persian General treated with Abassa to deliver up the City of Arzirum to the King his Master promising in lieu thereof great rewards but
being performed afterwards occasioned the loss of Candia as shall in the Reign of Mahomet the fourth be discoursed of more at large Now the year 1644. beginning Rogotskie Prince of Transylvania who succeeded Gabor in that Principality being of a turbulent nature he so wrought with the discontented Hungarians and Austrians that he caused them to Rebel to whom he joyning his Forces drew after him fifty thousand Horse and Foot with which he took Solnock besieged Filek and Cassovia for suppressing of whom the Emperor caused his Troops to advance who in divers skirmishes worsted the Rebels and overthrew six thousand Turks who were coming to the assistance of Rogotski but at length both parties tired with the toiles of War on the 14th of August in the following year a Peace was concluded and soon after the Grand Signeors Mother ruling all in effect caused the Grand Visier to be put to death thereby to render her Authority more dreadful to the rest and caused her Son to appoint Mahomet Bassa of Damascus Grand Visier in his stead who was altogether at her devotion as being first promoted to the Bassa-ship of Damascus at her instant sute to her Son Morat Predecessor to this Emperor Whilst these matters were in agitation the Tartars forgetful of their late Peace made an incursion with thirty thousand men into Russia against whom Konispolski having made head with twenty thousand Horse and Foot defeated them killing twelve thousand and taking three thousand Prisoners pursuing the remainder to the Borders of Valachia in like manner Wisnowick a noble Polander happily encountering another party of Tartars as they were returning from the spoil of a part of Moscovia killed ten thousand of them and recovered a great booty sending the rest naked into their own Countrey The Polonians thus prevailing the Grand Signeour to curry favour with the Polonian King deposed the Tartar Han from his soveraignty which caused various discourses but upon the birth of the Grand Signeours fourth Son that wonder ceased nor was that all which changed the scene of admiration for about this time six Gallies of the Turks passing from Constantinople to Alexandria were taken by the Knights of Malta which greatly incensed the Grand Signeour against the Venetians who had it in charge according to the League concluded between that Signory and the Port to guard those Seas insomuch that under Pretence of destroying the Island of Malta this and former grievances induced the Grand Signeour to make great preparation for the Invasion of Candia formerly called Grete yet the Venetian Balio or Ambassador was caressed at such a rate as he suspected no such Treachery but the state growing jealous upon notice of the great Naval preparation provided cautiously for the safety of their Island During these preparations the Grand Signeor followed his Lascivious courses keeping his female Court in such splendor that his greatest Treasure was spent therein nor was all the Silks of Italy sufficient to suffice his Women but upon the false rumour that the design was against the Maltesians they were not idle but in the best manner Fortified their chief places of strength yet in the end the storm fell not there but upon Candia for the Fleet of a hundred Gallies and fifty great Ships with three hundered Saicks most of the latter being pressed for the transportation of Souldiers being arrived at Scio after refreshment of the Army consisting of seven thousand Janizaries fourteen thousand Spahies fifty thousand Timariots three thousand Pioners besides Cooks Bakers and other necessary followers set sail for Napoli Di Romagnia and having stayed there some time weighed Anchor and touching at divers Islands some belonging to the Venetians and others not they at length came to Candia having taken a Venetian Vessel laden with Ammunition and bound for Retimo by the way where no longer being able to hide their intentions they unmasked themselves by publishing the War both there and at Constantinople the latter of which was attended with the imprisonment of the Balio or Venetian Ambassador and giving order through all the Archipelago for the enslaving and destroying all the subjects of that Republick and here the Turk practised his usual beginning of War with more then ordinary caution for though with other Princes whose Territories border on him by Land he usually endeavours to strike at the same time when he gives the salutation of Peace Yet here being to contend at Sea where he was conscious his forces were inferiour to those of Venice he practised by a different method making many vows and protestations that no such thing was intended till he had safely Landed his Forces yet were not the Venetians so easie of belief but that they likewise Armed thirty Gallies seventeen English and Dutch Ships two Galliasses and several other Vessels of force raising a great power by Land to transport into that important Island imploring the assistance of divers Christian Princes who were not backward to their said sending their Fleet to Sea under the Command of Antonio Capello Francisco Molino being made Proveditor General whose good conduct in affairs caused him to be made Proveditor General and afterwards Duke of Venice and an express sent to Andree Cornaro Inquisitor in Candia to Arm out twenty Gallies from the Arsenal of Canea and to promote this design the better two English an one Dutch Ship then in the Port of Mallomocco were hired to carry Timber fitted and already squared for the compleating the said number of Gallies and Francisco Erizzo was appointed General of all the Naval Forces but he being stricken in years whilst he intended to crown the remainder of his dayes with glory was taken off by death leaving sufficiently graced with the memory of his past actions yet the Fleet was no ways obstructed but with a prosperous gale sailed to Corfu and from thence to Candia where the Turks were arrived before them and had landed without opposition occasioned by the difference that antient Remora amongst the Christian Princes Confederates with the Venetians about bearing the flag which was vigorously contended for by the Genoways and Florentines nor could it be reconciled though the Pope earnestly laboured therein advising them for the deciding the controversie at a time when the urgency admitted of no delay to wave Ceremonies yet ere they could come to the assistance of the Venetians the Turks had spoiled a great part of the Island and after divers skirmishes with much blood and slaughter took Canea the second City of importance and after that Retimo in defence of which Andrea Cornaro lost his Life by a Musquet shot Anno 1646. The opportunity was fair for destroying the Turks Fleet as it carelesly rod at Anchor near the Isle of Theodoro opposite to Canea where had the advantage been improved it might easily have been burnt but such was the contention amongst the Christian Commanders that nothing was attempted worthy of mention whereupon Molino General of the Venetian Land Forces was revoked
Age the Government was committed into the hands of the Grand Visier and the Queen Mother called by the Turks Riosem and of 12 Bassa's who were to manage all affaires with supream power during the Minority of Sultan Mahomet whose Reign I shall pursue in the following chapter CHAP. XXII The Reign of Mehmet or Mahomet the fourth of that Name and Thirteenth Emperor of the Turks who now Reigneth IBrahim deposed and murthered as in the foregoing Chapter is related Mehmet or rather Mahomet his Eldest Son of the Age of seven years supplyed the empty Throne during whose minority which was to continue ten years longer His Grand Mother the Grand Visier and twelve Bassa's took into their hands the Reins of Government and after many debates resolved to continue the War with the Venetians which Ibrahim designed to conclude the treaty of Peace in order thereto being far advanced and the Ambassador of that Signiory then at the Port impatiently expecting an end of his negotiation but whilst these affairs were in hand the unruly Spahi's not having received the Largess usually bestowed amongst them at the Installment of a new Emperour making it their pretence the better to colour their discontents that they were resolved to revenge the death of the murdered Emperour whose fall the Janizaries had occasioned insomuch that a great difference arose between those two orders the former being the best Horsemen and the latter the best Footmen and although many laboured to appease that Tempest which threatned the dismembering the Empire Yet many skirmishes happened between these contrary Factions in the streets of Constantinople in which some hundreds were slain but the Spahies being for the most part worsted at length abandoned the City These animosities and divisions amongst the Turkish Souldiers gave the Venetians opportunity to provide for their defence as expecting nothing less then a War for that their Ambassador had been clapped up on Prison for demanding Audience and chains put upon him but at the intreaty of the other Christian Ambassadors there residing he was set at Liberty Yet to affront him the Grand Visier caused his Dugerman or Interpreter to be executed and his body thrown out at the Castle Window which barbarous act is frequent amongst the Turks either to put a disgrace upon the Ambassador or to terrifie those Interpreters that they shall not dare to speak any thing after an Ambassador though upon his Audience that should be ungrateful to the Grand Signeour which causes them many times to mince their words and not render a true interpretation These matters widening differences between the Venetians and the Turks great preparations were made on either side the former with all diligence reinforcing Candia and the latter to hinder it so that many skirmished happened by Land and Sea till at length the Bassa Governour notwithstanding the Venetian Fleet blocked up the Dardaneles having received a recruit of 1500 men laid siege to the strong City Candia and battered it with many pieces of Ordinance till at length having taken a small Fort that flanked it he lodged his men therein just as 6 Gallies of Malta arrived with 600 Voluntiers and 60 Knights of the Order who beat out the Turks with great slaughter yet they retook it again and planted the Ottoman colours upon the highest Bullwark which so inraged the Christians that sallying with all their force they drove the Turks from the Walls with great slaughter regained the piece and caused the Bassa with shame and loss to raise the siege The Wars growing hot in Candia the discontents between the Spahi and Janizaries that was before supposed to be appeased grew hot again and much slaughter happened between those inveterate factions when to pacifie the latter the great Visier was deposed and executed Yet that little availed nor was that all for several of the Bassa's denyed to return the Tribute of their Provinces alledging they would reserve it till the Grand Signeour was of age and then be to him accountable both for principal and interest nor were the Wars in Bosna Dalmatia Foscolo and other places on the Venetian Frontires neglected but continued with doubtful success and great slaughter yet part of the Ottoman Forces on that side were diverted by the Cossacks who at the instigation of the Tartar Han covered the Black Sea with their Boats and committed many outrages insomuch that Constantinople trembled at their approach as fearing a sack by the hands of those resolute people but in the end having gotten a rich booty they returned to their station The Venetians finding the Turks resolute bent to make themselves absolute Lords of Candia in which Island they had got strong footing laboured as earnestly to expell them so that huge Fleets on either side were prepared that of the Turks consisting of 1100 Ships Gallies Galleasses Saiques Brigantines and lesser Vessels furnished with Bombes Mortar-pieces and Fireworks producing strange effects and in that order set forward from the Port of Constantinople with a strict command to give Battle of which Mocenigo the Venetian Admiral having notice with the same willingness bore up with them so that there began a bloody and for a long time doubtful Fight but the Venetians being better appointed than the Turks broke and disordered their huge Armado sinking and taking several Galleys and putting the rest to flight killing in one of them flying the Bassa of Anatolia who was sent to succede Chusadin Bassa who had been made Grand Visier in the General Ship of Candia yet the Turks having put into the Islands and conceiving it a shame for so great a Fleet to fly from one much inferiour in number resolved to hazard another Battle and therefore coming out of the several Harbours and ranging in the form of a Crescent the Captain Bassa fired two Guns a Stern in token he was ready to Ingage which Mocenigo perceiving bore up with him and began a second fight more dreadful than the former playing with his Canon so furiously that he broke off her Poop and killed 100 so her Men sinking two Galleys by her side and greatly disablihng several others nor were the Turks idle but used their utmost endeavour to blot out the disgrace they had sustained by their late flight but it availed not for by the Thundering shot and Fire-works the Venetians plyed them with they were evey where put to the worst so that flying in all parts the Venetian General following the advantage took 39 Galleys 23 Ships 3 Galliasses and 3000 Soldiers 40 Gallies Ships and other Vessels were burnt or sunk and in them and by the great and small shot 9000 Turks perished in both Ingagements the rest hardly escaping to Naxos This great loss made the Turks out of heart with marine Affairs and so far discouraged them that ever since they have layd aside building Vessels of Force as useless say that God hath given the Sea to Christians and the Land to Turks About this time came news to Constantinople that the
his Person and make as it were his Guard being under the Command of the Aga of the Janizaries all of them attired in Linnen-Garments hanging down beneath their Knees and over them quilted Wast-Coats with half Sleeves of Taffety Damask or Sattin and on their Heads Caps and Feathers carrying Bows and Arrows There are another sort of Foot-men called Peiâ—â—i wonderful swift of Foot whom he imploys in the nature of â—â—â—qâ—ies or Foot-Posts being attired in Cloth of Cold with 〈…〉 of the same tyed fast about them upon their Heads wearing Caps like Butter-pots with a Silver Pike standing out before in the nature of a Horn. The Porters of the Court that give Attendance there are four thousand and are attired like the Janizaries having over them three Capigi Bassa's The Grand Seignior's Power is so absolute and his Government so tyrannical that his Subjects term themselves his Slaves none of them being sure of his Life or Goods beyond his Pleasure for without any Tryal or Process he puts to Death whom it pleaseth him unless restrained by the Souldiers who often rescue their Minions out of his Hands and oblige him to pardon them Their Sutes are few and those very short they rarely being permitted the Favour of Advocates to procrastinate Matters from coming to a speedy Result tho' commonly he who can bribe most fares the best For the Turks are of all Nations the most Avaricious doing no Man a Kindness unless they are fee'd though they have the least Certainty of any People to keep what they have gotten all as is aforesaid being at the Disposal of the Prince They punish Crimes with great Severity and so speedily that it is observed that seldom any Theft or Murther is committed by any private Turk but what Outrages do happen in the City or elsewhere are committed commonly by the Grecians and those that are not of the Progeny of the Turks The Grand Seignior's Chief Councellor is the Great Vizier who wears his Signet and is stiled his Lieutenant every Divano-day giving him an exact Account what is said and done Nor dare he dissemble in ought for that the Grand Seignior has a Window from whence he can see and hear and yet not be seen himself which Window looks into the Divano When this Vizier is abroad which never happens unless to be General of an Army or upon some such like important Occasion at what time he appoints his Lieutenant to officiate in his Absence who is called the Chimacham Next unto the Bassa's of which there are many dispersed throughout the Empire to manage the Affairs thereof are the Beglerbegs or Lords of Lords They are Men of great Authority and have the Command of great Kingdoms and Armies under whose Obedience are divers Sanzacks which are sent as Governors into Provinces during the Princes Pleasure being Men of great Experience for the most part commanding over the Spahi and Timariots the Turks chief Horsmen whom they continually exercise to render them the more expert The Chief of these Beglerbegs is the Beglerbeg of Romania or Grecia under whose Command are twenty one Sanzacks next to him is the Beglerbeg of Buda who hath under his Command thirteen Sanzacks The Beglerbeg of Temeswar has under his Command eight Sanzacks The Beglerbeg of Bosna hath under his Command nine Sanzacks The Beglerbegship of Coffe or Capha who resideth in Taurica Chersonesus and commandeth over the Sanzacks near unto the great River Tanais and the Fenns of Maeotis which was at first but a Sanzackship and depended upon the Beglerbegship of Grecia and is indeed rather a Beglerbegship in Name than in Power These Beglerbegs or Lords of Lords great Governours of the Turkish Empire in Europe besides the Sanzacks have under their Command 257000 Timariots or Horse-men who are bound for certain Lands alotted them by the Grand Seignior out of his Conquests to serve in the Wars upon all Occasions The Beglerbegs or Great Commanders of the Turk's Empire in Asia are thirty in number under whom are a proportionable number of Sanzacks and not less than 400000 Timariots The Beglerbegs commanding the Turk's Empire in Africa are four and have under them fourteen Sanzacks and sixty two thousand Timariots Besides these Timariot-Horsemen there are the Spahi who are for the most part Europeans being such as were brought up in their Infancy or taken Captive As likewise Spaâ—hoglanians Silictarians and Olofagians who have likewise Lands or Annual Pensions assigned them for which they are bound to serve in the Wars for no Man in the Ottoman Empire can have any Lands or Yearly Revenues that way but must be ready or send others in his stead it being held that the whole Empire in Fee simple is the Grand Seigniors No Man being permitted to buy or injoy any Lands longer than it pleases his Prince Nor can any one claim a Propriety to a Foot unless by the Donation of the Grand Seignior or his Assignment and that last at longest but during the Natural Life of him to whom it is so given or assigned These Horsemen march under a white Banner being armed with strong Coats Bows and Arrows Culeverings Scymitars and Battle Axes Another sort of Horsemen there are called Caripices not exceeding eight hundred who still ride near the Grand Seignior as his Life-guard in the middle of the Battalion of the Janizaries and are the best Horsemen accounted of all others being for the most part Sons of the Great Commanders As for his Foot Forces the chief Strength consists of Janizaries who are Children taken from their Christian Parents and inured in their Youth to all manner of Hardship taught all the Use of Arms and trained up in all Warlike Discipline till they are adjudged fit to be inrolled for the War These are taken up in Europe no Children born either in Asia or Africa being admitted into their Seminary These Men always inclose the Person of the Grand Seignior at what time he marches with his Army and are the last that fight unless urgent Necessity require it They wear white Caps carry Harquibusses and sharp Scymitars who since their first Institution have been the chief Supporters of the Turkish Empire but of late they are much degenerated from their former Discipline giving themselves up wholly to Ease and Pleasure yet keep themselves in good order for the most part There remains twenty four thousand of them in Constantinople and a far greater number in divers Places of the Empire They are commanded by their Aga or Captain to whom nothing is so fatal as their Love for him for then the Grand Seignior has him in mistrust and well is it if he be not made away They sleep together in great Halls their Beds being placed on either side and all those of a Squadron feed at one Table the Younger ever serve the Elder And if any one of them be absent from his Lodging in the Night unless upon publick occasion then is he the next day severely câ—dgelled and
nevertheless obliged to kiss the Hand that beat him Their Imploys are different in time of Peace for some wait upon Ambassadors others upon Merchants and Consuls others again upon such as travel through the Turkish Empire They likewise arrest Malefactors and see good Order kept being feared of all Men insomuch that if they buy any thing they will have it at their own Price the Vender not daring to refuse it They have great Power in their Princes Election no Emperour thinking himself safe in his Throne till they approve of him So that to gain their good Opinion every new Emperour at his entring upon the Government distributes large Sums of Money amongst them and increases their Stipends Though the chief Strength of the Turkish Foot Forces rests in the Janizaries yet are there another sort of Foot-Men called Acouices which is a Forlorn Hope These receive no Pay but have free liberty to plunder so that they deliver the fifth Part to the Grand Seigniour Another kind there are called Asapi who are but of small Account and rather used as Pioneers than to encounter the Enemy yet are they often thrust into the Front of the Battle with their Bodies to blunt the Enemies Swords or to scale the Walls of Towns that by being slaughter'd their Dead Bodies may fill up the Ditches and so give the Janizaries opportunity on their Dead Carkasses to mount the Bullwarks The Grand Seignior keeps in continual Pay six thousand Gunners whom the Turks call Topegi and for the Guard of the Powder and Shot upon the March of the Army twelve thousand Men are kept in pay called Jebegi The Grand Seignior hath likewise certain Officers attending on him to the number of three thousand whom they call Chiaus which act in the Nature of Serjeants at Arms. These Men are well esteemed and are often employed in Embassies to Forreign Princes They also carry Letters or Commendations from the Grand Seignior or his Chief Vizier and are impower'd to apprehend Malefactors But never go to the Wars unless the Grand Seignior be there in Person They are commanded by a Chiaus Bassa who is of such Credit with all Men that when he is sent by the Grand Seignior to any Bassa Sanzack or Caddi to have any Man's Head cut off though he have no Warrant in writing yet his Authority is not disputed Thus have I set down the Land Forces of the Turkish Empire in number so great that in shew they should breed Confusion and ruin themselves yet such is the Order and Discipline that in that point they give place to none They live for the most part on a little Bread baked in the Ashes with Rice and Powder of Flesh dried in the Sun Wine is forbidden them by their Law though 't is often drunk by them in private especially the Great Commanders No Women are seen in their Armies In their March they observe a wonderful Silence and all the Soldiers are governed by the Beck of the Hand or Shew of the Countenance Quarrels and Thefts are severely punished When they March they dare not enter any Corn-field or Vineyard The Valiant are assured of Preferment and the Coward of Punishment As for the Grand Seignior's Naval Forces they are great he having of late for Gain-sake allured many Christian Carpenters and Shipwrights to his Arsenal and hath a great number of Men trained up in Marine Affairs by being continually imployed aboard his Gallies at Rhodes Cyprus and Mitylene and Alexandria He has also at his Beck the Pirates of Tunis Tripoley Sally Argire and other Places from amongst whom he chooses his prime Commanders in Marine Affairs To maintain these great Forces it is requisite a wonderful Mass of Money should be imployed which is the Sinews of War and without which so great an Empire could not be kept in frame though many are of opinion that the Grand Seignior's Annual Revenues exceed not eight Millions meaning thereby that which is collected of his Subjects and upon the account of Customs For which they give these Reasons First That the Turks have no care but of Arms the which do rather ruin than enrich a Country Secondly They consume so many Men in their Enterprizes that they scarce leave a sufficient number to manure the Land insomuch that the Subjects despairing to injoy their Wealth and necessary Commodities which they might get by their Labour and Industry employ not themselves to work nor traffick more than by necessity they are constrained For they argue 't is to no purpose to labour for another their Lives and Estates being daily exposed to the Mercy of their Prince And for this Reason many spacious Countries in the Turkish Empire lie waste which neglect frequently causes a Dearth A Third Reason that is given why the Grand Seignior's Revenues are no greater is for that when he Conquers any Country he assigns the Lands therein to his Timariots who serve in the Wars and are no otherwise liable to accommodate their Prince But although his ordinary Revenues amount to no great Sum in consideration of the large Circuit of his Empire yet his extraordinary Profits accruing by Confiscations Presents for no Stranger may approach his Presence empty handed and Mony raised upon Places and Offices of Trust amount to a far greater Sum than what has been mentioned Nor are the Sums small which he draws from the Princes their Tributaries that are not absolutely under his Jurisdiction as Moldavia Vallachia and Transylvania with many more So that in all moderate Writers affirm That his Coffers are yearly supplied with twenty Millions The Management of which is left to the Defterdari or chief Treasurer who has many Sub-officers under him Thus much having been spoken of the Forces Revenues and great Officers I shall now proceed to give the Reader a View of their Religion if it may without offence be so termed which they call the Law of their great Prophet As for their Religion it began in the time of Heraclius the Emperor at what time the Heresie of Arius and Nestorius spread it self to whose Infamous Proselytes Mahomet the Impostor born in Arabia joyned himself impiously denying the Divinity of Christ and proclaiming himself a Prophet sent from God drawing a Multitude after him Insomuch that such as would not receive his impious Tenents by fair means he compelled by force And the better to ingratiate himself with the lewd and licentious sort of People he tolerated all manner of Lust and Worldly Delights By the Law this Impostor left and that now has overspread two Parts of the World a Distinction is made between clean and unclean Meats to content the Jews who are the greatest Merchants in the Ottoman Empire They also maintain Circumcision but not at the Expiration of Eight Days according to the Jewish Custom but at the End of Eight Years when the Infant is able to make a Confession of his Belief and lifting up his Finger to speak these words in the Arabick Tongue viz.
Poland with his own Troops and such Imperial Auxiliaries as seconded him having broken and quite disordered the left wing pierced even to the flank of the right which the Visier perceiving and finding his Forces two weak longer to maintain the field fled with the formost whilst the Confederate Princes followed making great slaughter having the execution of the enemy even till night came on at what time they prudently weighing that the Turks as their custom is might Rally returned to charge the Turkish Camp in which were left almost all the Janizaries but the King of Poland breaking in with great fury after a hot encounter possessed himself of it putting such as he found there to the sword whilst the like success had the Margrave of Baden who perceiving the Turks Army in rout entred the Trenches and Works of which assisted by the besieged who at the same time sallyed he soon became Master cutting in pieces the Turks that were left to continue the siege and possessed himself of all the Cannon Mortars Powder and Granado shells entering the same evening the almost ruined City which was by sixty dayes close siege brought to such distress that the most couragious doubted to defend it against another assault which the enemy was about to make had they not been prevented for in it at the time it was delivered no more then four thousand five hundred fighting men were found and all the works so ruined that it was left in a manner open to the approaches of the enemy the Cannon spoiled the powder spent and the store of Provision brought to its ultimate Crisis This so great and memorable victory obtained over the daring Infidels on the eleventh of October and the City Vienna intirely lest at liberty all that night the Christian Army stood in Battalia in the enemies Camp to prevent any surprize and the next morning the King of Poland to whom the greatest share of plunder fell found besides the Tent-Moveables and horse of Caera Mustapha the Prime Visier the value of a Million of Crowns the greatest part thereof being in ready money nor did any souldier want to furnish himself with something there were likewise found 80 pieces of Cannon besides those on the Batteries three thousand Quintals of Powder and Provision sufficient for the subsistance of the Turkish Army for three moneths and immediately thereupon the Polish horse were sent out to pursue the flying enemy who upon their return brought into the Camp many prisoners some Camels laden with Tents and Provision and two great pieces of Cannon the one drawn by sixty the other by eighty yoak of Oxen having likewise cut off a considerable number of such as Marched in the Rear and pursued them almost as far as Alba-Regalis so that in this Battle the Turks lost ten or eleven thousand of their best men and by the bloody flux and fire of the besieged thrice the number The City of Vienna thus freed with the loss of not above three hundred Christians on the twelfth of October his Imperial Majesty who had resided at Passaw to give necessary Orders in all great and weighty affairs came to Cuisier-Newburg whither the Count Staremberg and the chief Officers of the Garrison went to pay their duty and were received with great respect when on the fourteenth the Emperor came up the Danube in his Barge and arriving at the Port Royal was received at his landing by the Electors of Bavaria and Saxony attended by their Guards By the Count d' Staremberg most of the great Commanders Magistrates c. the Garrison Souldiers being posted on the Bastion as they were during the Siege the Burghers in Arms and all the Cannon round the Town thrice discharged where his Imperial Majesty passing on took a view of the Bastion and other works ruined during the Siege and the several Retrenchments the besieged had made within the Town and so went to St. Stephens Church where Te Deum was sung after which he went to the Arch Dukes Pallace his own being so much indamaged by the enemies Cannon that it was not capable of receiving him where he gave Publick Audience and in the evening the Duke of Loraine arrived and was by the Emperor received in a most obliging manner and had a long Conference with him relating to the present war at what time the King of Poland sent his under Chancelor in his name to congratulate his Arrival and presented him with the Ottoman Imperial Standard richly Imbroidered and set with precious Stones to a great value the which together with two horse-tailes the usual signals of war amongst the Turks he found in the Visiers Tent as likewise the original Copy of a Letter signed by divers Hungarian Lords wherein they congratulate the Visier upon the successeful progresse of his Arms and encouraged him to undertake the Siege of Vienna and withal the Vice-Chancelor had it in charge to invite his Imperial Majesty into his masters Camp The day following the Emperor left the City and went to visit the Army which was encamped about 2 miles from thence the two wings reaching towards Ebersdorf and Laxemborough when coming first to the Bavarian Troops the Elector at the head of them saluted him with his sword and having performed his complements accompanied him to the Polish Camp where the King had drawn up his Army in Battalia at the head of which attended by the Great Marshal and divers Senators of Poland he advanced to meet the Emperor each approached the other on horseback expressing all possible demonstration of Reciprocal love and friendship and after a short interview the Emperor took a view of the Polish Army and then returned to Vienna whereupon the King of Poland decamped and marched to Wischa and was followed by the Imperial Troops under the Leading of the Duke of Loraine accompanied with the Electors of Bavaria Saxony c. resolving to strip the Turk out of his Garrisons in Hungary and now the Emperor as a signal of his love and respect to Count Staremberg made him great master d' Camp and the Magistrates of Vienna attributing their preservation next Heaven to his courage and conduct in recompence of so great service made him a present of two thousand Ducates and by a Publick act under their seal freed his house for ever of all Taxations or other duties to the payment of which it before was lyable The Grand Visier by this time having considered and well weighed the greatnesse of his loss and the excessive expence his master had been at in Levying and maintaining so vast an Army the conduct of which himself had undertaken ' promising at his setting out no less then the subversion of Austria Croatia Silesia and Moravia and now defeated without acquiring any thing memorable he greatly fearing his head must pay the price of his presumption the better to cast the blame upon another and thereby frame a plausible excuse he in a great rage sent to strangle the Bassa of