and that there is diuers opinions amongst the Doctors of it And although that in Spaine there is great seueritie vsed for the preseruation of the ancient faith yet neuerthelesse so it is that about this time in this Prouince certaine were apprehended who were conuicted by their Confession to hold and follow this new doctrine of Zwinglius and the punishment which was inflicted vpon them being accompanied with great ceremonies that they adde therevnto for a greater terror to the assistances I am willing to write the order thereof although it be from the discourse of this historie but seeing it falleth out so fit to our purpose and that in another place it may be I shall not haue the like commoditie nor occasion to set it downe in writing I desire the reader to take this in good part and to thinke that I adde and sometimes entermixe strange discourses the rather to recreate his minde then to content my selfe euen as the eye doth more delight it selfe to see in a fayre medow diuersitie of flowers then one onely kinde of colour in a corne field This exemplar punishment was performed in the towne of Valladolid in which for it there is appointed a great Scaffold by the Councell house and another adioyning thereto wherein the Princes must be About this place were also raised other Scaffolds vpon which must bee present the Councellors and persons of qualitie officers of iustice and Gentlemen not onely of the towne but almost of all the realme The abundance of people that was there was so great that in mans memorie the like was not heard of About ten of the clocke the 21. day of May the Princesse Ioane Gouernesse of Spaine and the Prince Don Charles went forth of the Palace accompanied with the Archbishop of S. Iames the great Constable and Admirall of Castile the Marquesse of Astorgne of Denigne and of Sarmia Comptroller of the Princesses house and the Counts of Miranda of Orsen of Nieua of Modecgne of Sardeigne of Zibadea of Andrade of Don Garzia of Toledo Gouernour of the Prince and of many other great persons Before them marched two Vshers with their Maces two Heraulds with the armes of Spaine the Count of Bondie carrying the Sword in his hand and all this companie conducted the Princes to the lodging which was prepared adioyning to the said great Scaffold Vpon the Scaffolds were alreadie the Archbishop of Siuill generall Inquisitor with those who were of the Councell of the Inquisition Roderic Bishop of Ciuidad the royall Councell the Inquisitors the Bishop of Oran and the Bishop of Palence The Princes being present at the windowes of their lodgings they began to carrie a Crosse couered with blacke with the Ensigne of the Office of the Inquisition and after marched the Clergie and prisoners who had bin receiued to penance and after them those who were condemned to death This procession departed from the Inquisition house by a high raised way made of purpose going vnto the said Scaffold where being all arriued and euery one set therevpon Frier Melchior who afterward was Bishop of Canaria being of the Iacobins Order began a Sermon and that ended the Archbishop of Siuill rising vp went to the Princesse and Prince and caused them to make vpon a Crosse such an oth as followeth It being ordained by the Apostolicall decrees and by the holy Canons that the Kings ought to sweare to carrie all fauour to the Catholike faith and Christian religion you conforming your selues to this holy ordinance your Highnesses sweare in the name God in the name of S. Marie and by the holy Euangelists by the signe of the Crosse vpon which you haue put your hands to yeeld all fauour and giue all necessarie helpe to the holy office of the Inquisition and ministers of the same against Heretikes and Apostataes and against all those who fauour and defend them and against all manner of persons who directly or indirectly hinder the progresse of this holy office and to constraine all your subiects to obey and obserue the constitutions and Apostolike letters giuen and published for the safetie and defence of our holy Catholike faith against Heretikes and against those who beleeue them receiue or defend them Vpon these speeches the two Princes made answer that so they would sweare And the Archbishop added these words Because of your holy oth our Lord prosper your royall persons and the Estates of your Highnesses for many and long yeeres By and by after one of the Registers who is there present demaunded of the companie whether they did not sweare the like oth They all made answere I. Then they began to reade the condemnations and iudgements giuen against them all and especially against those who were condemned to the fire And these were Doctor Augustine Cazagia his Maiesties Chaplaine and Preacher Francis d'Viuero Dame Betrix d' Viuero Dame Elenor de Viuero Alonso Perez a Priest Antonio Herrezuolo a bachelor Christopher de Occampo a Licentiate Francis de Herrera a Licentiate Iohn Garzia Christopher de Padillia Izabella de Straba Ioane Velasques Gonzala Vaes a Portugall Catherin Roman and Dame Catherin d'Ortegua These assoone as their iudgement was read were throwne into the fire But it being not possible but that some would desire to know what manner of proceeding this Inquisition is I minding therein to satisfie euery one principally in that which may bring some vtilitie with delight to the reader will here write of it as it is practised in Spaine seeing it is lesse knowne then the name thereof in other kingdomes This office was first inuented by Ferdinand King of Aragon who after he had chased or at least subdued the kingdome of Granado which as almost all the rest of the kingdomes of Spaine was for many yeeres in the hands of the Mores or Sarazins who had tamed Spaine from the time that Count Iulian called them thither to reuenge himself of the rape and forcement wherof K. Roderic of Spaine of the Gothish religion had vsed against his daughter Cana. Ferdinand hauing by ten yeeres warre reduced this kingdome vnder his puissance and permitting the inhabitants thereof to liue in their Mahometane religion afterward fearing following the aduice of his wisest Councell that this permission would bring some annoyance to the Christian religion by the frequent fellowship that these inhabitants should haue with his other subiects resolued himselfe intirely to purge this kingdome either by preachings or force Some of them chused rather to passe the sea and retire into Africke then to chaunge their religion Others by effectuall reasons or else preferring their safetie before their religion were baptized This charge to conuert them was giuen to the Iacobins These imployed their time therein with great care But seeing that their paines seemed vnprofitable to many they found a way to search out the meanes hoping that by feare they should keep them in the obseruation of the Christian faith which otherwise they
Transiluania vnder the Turks gouernment also willing him that in the meane while he would send such a man as might bee capable and haue authoritie to manage such affayres because it might so fall out that that which he had often desired might be effected to wit that Queene Izabella should wholly and intirely yeeld to him the possession of that kingdome but with this condition to obserue such couenants as he had before offered and concluded with King Iohn which if he did execute and performe then he did not onely promise but also liberally offer giuing him quiet possession of all the places and Fortresses which were in his gouernment to vse such meanes that he should be thereof absolute Lord and King and swearing not to faile him in this he greatly importuned him that he should quickly resolue Now Ferdinand although he knew well the mutabilitie of the Friers disposition and that he might not repose any great credence in his words well remembring how many times before he had cunningly deceiued him and that he apparantly saw that he was not moued to doe him so good a deede for that purpose which he propounded vnto him but only for his owne priuate interest and commoditie and that hee might mount to the top of that which he alreadie had imprinted in his circumuenting braine and execute his deseignes neuerthelesse seeing on the other side if he did not take hold and credit his words hee should let him slide out of his hands in respect whereof he would by no meanes contradict him especially holding it alwaies for a thing commendable in himselfe not to bee reproached nor blamed of any for not doing his vttermost abilitie which belonged to a true and Christian King to hinder and withstand that the kingdome should not come vnder the Turks gouernment and that they should not report of him that by his fault or negligence he should leaue the ports open to Infidels and bring into seruitude not only Austria and the rest of Hungarie but also ruinate and burne Germanie with other Prouinces Thus vpon these considerations he tooke vpon him the charge of this honourable and godly enterprise and respecting not the inconstancie of Frier George but the trauaile and perill which might circumuent him if he deferred time presently sent to the Frier 1000. Hungarish horse payed for foure moneths and certaine peeces of Artillerie to maintaine and defend himself vntill he might send him such a man with a puissant armie as he demanded assuring him that there should bee no fault nor want of any thing which before he had promised and offered willing him to perseuer in his good opinion which he had manifested to the world Behold now the state wherein this poore and miserable Transiluania was which as a man may plainly perceiue from the death of King Lewis vntill now was tormented with so many discords ciuill warres and assaults that it was ruthfull for any Christian to behold seeing of the one side the Turke and on the other side Ferdinand and the Lords themselues of the countrie bandying themselues with one and then against the other continually practised al manner of crueltie in it vsing against it such rigour and violence that oftentimes one would iudge it to be almost lost and quite ouerthrowne by her owne euill misfortune not counting the great losses and damages which she receiued in euery vaine and corner as well in the fauour and behalfe of Iohn as in that of Ferdinand as it oftentimes happeneth in such broyles where surely the fauour that men beare to the victorious is no lesse hurtfull and offensiue to either part then the disgrace into which he vanquished falleth because that neither the one nor the other receiueth any thing but with the losse and damage of the very inhabitants and naturals of the countrie Ferdinand with a resolute determination willing to prepare a remedie for so many mischiefes and to vnfold and vntagle himselfe from those who had been the cause thereof and not to omit the occasion which fortune so fauourably presented vnto him for the conquest of that kingdome which iustly by succession by election and by an agreement appertained to him determined to vndertake this enterprise and therein to employ his vttermost endeuour with all his skill and force And for that this expedition required a man that should bee very wise and circumspect and one who had good experience in martiall affayres and who should be vigilant and warie in resisting and apposing himselfe against the Turkish ambushments and be able to auoyde and preuent them as occasion should require and such an one also as should be able to behaue himselfe with that circumspect modestie in this busines with the Frier that he should giue him no occasion of any new inuention to practise his inconstant wickednes And besides seeing that at that time he had none such with him as the Frier demaunded he determined to write to his brother the Emperour Charles the fift that it would please him to assist and not to faile him in this so important busines and withall to send him so sufficient a man who could with good discretion conduct this warre to a glorious and happie end as he desired well knowing he had many a famous and renowned Captaine with him He hauing resolued vpon this conclusion dispatched one of his gentlemen with letters and besides commaunded his Ambassadour who was at Auspurg at the Emperours Court that he should throughly acquaint him with the discourse of this warre and whatsoeuer else should be giuen him in charge The Ambassadour as soone as the genleman was arriued diligently performed his Masters commaund The Emperour vnderstanding at large this enterprise and considering of what importance this warre was of and regarding the distrust which he had of Frederick Duke of Saxon and of Philip Lantgraue of Hesse whom as yet he held prisoners he could not of a sudden so well determine what to doe not willing to forsake those Commaunders whom he knew in all stirrings and tumults to be necessarie for him and further vnderstanding of certaine motions of warre that Henry King of France intended against him and besides the dislike of Duke Maurice whom he had in great ielousie for that he would not deliuer his father in law obseruing the promise which he had made to him before which was a thing that within short time after as in place conuenient wee shall at large more speake of procured him such hate and toyle as neuer in all his life time he endured the like Hauing well considered and weighed all these things and willing to helpe his brother in his necessitie specially against the Infidels determined in the end to send to him Iohn Baptiste Castalde Counte of Piadene whom he a little before created Marquesse of Cassan and who at that time was Master of his Campe and of the Councell for warre a man sufficiently experienced in all the former warres vnder the old Marquesse of
writ presently vnto him that he should not at that time stay about that enterprise vntill they were vnited together because that they two ioyning in one happely they might attempt some fortunate successe which on the contrarie they could not possibly obtaine if they were separated for that one was not sufficient to make that conquest but their vnion was likely to bee the cause of some good euent and the time should not be lost in vaine as it might happen if he himselfe would onely bee opinionated to stay there with daunger to lose it Besides aduertising him that if in case he would persist in this enterprise and that he saw the Basha of Buda attempted to succour that Castle yet by no meanes he should fight for feare of losing the battaile but that he should endeuour himselfe to retire the best he could it being now no time to hazard his men seeing he very well knew the great and present necessitie which himselfe had thereof He also writ to Ferdinand concerning the same desiring him that hee would cause Palauicin to depart from Drigal and that hee would commaund him presently to march and ioyne with him it being more necessarie then the taking of this Castle This reason although in it selfe it was sound and true yet was it not so apprehended by Ferdinand nor receiued by such due obedience of the Marquesse so that for not inclining to this counsell he fell into such calamitie as we shall hereafter speake of Mahomet who had not the heart to goe to besiege Lippa knowing it was very strong and that the garrison was of Spanyards Germanes and Hungars all chosen and approued souldiours hauing at this instant had newes that the master of the Campe Aldene had forsaken it and set fire on the Castle and not beleeuing that a Spanyard would commit such an indignitie and so vnfit for him sent the same day that Bartholmew Coruatte had drawne out the Artillerie to know the certaintie The Turkes who went thither approached so neere vnto it that they perceiued that the towne and Castle had not receiued very great damage and they began as well as they could to quench the fire and presently aduertised the Basha that this fire had procured no great detriment to that which was newly fortified and that although the Castle was broken and rift in many places the Bulwarkes and Curtaines neuerthelesse were sound and whole and very defencible onely that there was two old towers fallen downe but not any thing of that ruinated which was fortified within and that the Castle it selfe might easily be reduced into his former strength and made sufficient to defend it selfe The Basha vpon this aduertisement was so well content as if he had conquered the moitie of Transiluania and presently dispatched Cassombassa with 5000. horse to goe and enter into Lippa and defend it Presently vpon this Captaines arriuall there he commaunded certaine Turkes to goe and view Solimos thinking for certaine that he should spend more time in taking of it then he did and that it might proue so ill an neighbour to him that he shuld scarcely hold Lippa in peace because that although that Castle was very little yet it was inexpugnable for that it could neither bee battered by the Cannon nor yet assaulted and there was within the said Castle a Corporall of Aldenes squadron with 25. Spaniards and about some 100. Hungars which number was sufficient to defend it against all the world they hauing victuals for two yeeres and of Artillerie and munition as much as should suffice them But feare had alreadie possest euery mans heart insomuch that newes being come that Cassombassa was within Lippa the Corporall fearing the enemie would come directly to the Castle did resolue to leaue it to the hazard of fortune thinking that the former fault of others would excuse him from the reproach of any dishonourable act vpon which resolution he perswaded all the souldiours who were within to depart who alreadie were so discouraged for the passed accidents and for the faint-heart which they perceiued in him who commaunded them that they were presently induced without any vrgent perswasions to credit his sayings and began to goe forth at the instant when Cassombassa had sent 200. horse to summon them to yeeld who being arriued before the Castle and finding it open although they suspected some deceit yet they boldly entered in and without any resistance made themselues masters thereof and considering that the garrison could not be farre off vnderstanding that the night before they were within presently they set themselues forward to follow them and they had not gone farre but that they ouertooke and so intrapped them with such an assault as wolues commonly giue to amazed sheepe being in flight and put them all to the sword except the Corporall whom they led prisoner to Cassombassa and thus was the desert of their shamefull cowardise duly rewarded yea euen at the time when seeking their owne safetie they then found death which then had not ended their daies if they had remained within the Castle and valiantly employed themselues for the defence therof which men expect for at the hands of resolute souldiours for thus in keeping Solimos they might thereby with good securitie haue defended Lippa Castalde at that time alwaies remained about Sassebessa with that small force which wee haue spoken of daily expecting the arriuall of the Marquesse Sforce and assuredly beleeuing that the Basha would not omit to attempt the enterance into the kingdome and that so much the more boldly because he saw himself Lord without any impeachment of the place which he esteemed of most importance he was attentiue to see what he would determine of because that vntill then he could neuer vnderstand the drift of his intention but onely then when he was at Themesuar he heard that hee durst not enter into Transiluania because it was reported that Castalde was therein with a good number of men and that daily he expected more and that if he should then enter there he could not so easily retire himselfe as he would This opinion of the Basha was grounded vpon certaine policies and stratagems which Castalde Andrew Battor and Thomas Nadasily had vntill that time vsed deceiuing thereby his Spies causing his people daily to bee newly mustered and stretching their squadrons at length to the end that they might seeme double as great as they were adding thereto very great Salues of the Artillerie and Harquebuziers hauing caused their Campe to be largely lodged to the end that it should seeme greater then it was further reporting that daily they expected ayde and that Duke Mauris would shortly arriue with 20000. men and Ferdinand in person with a great armie By such and other like inuentions Castalde greatly helped himselfe in the necessitie wherein he then was supplying therein by his owne industrie that which he knew was wanting by reason of the smalnes of his armie and not being able
punishments which they haue merited For wee haue sworne to God almightie that there shall not remaine in Transiluania one stone vpon another that all the men shall be put to the sword the women and children shall bee led captiue and wee will that all be throwne downe and leauied with the ground whereof wee thought it fitting first to aduertise you as it belongeth to a most inuincible and victorious Emperour to the end that the losse of so many soules should not bee imputed to vs. We haue before times sent you the like Edicts which you haue neglected But if to this last Mandate you are not tractable and obedient attribute to your selues and not to vs the crueltie and ruine which in short time shall be inflicted vpon you Aduisedly then consider in time on all things for wee leaue the rest to bee duly examined by your wisedomes Giuen at Constantinople the 7. day of the Moone of October This Letter did so much daunt the mindes of euery one that it little wanted there followed not a generall reuolt as well for that Vayuode Battor was not there in person he being absent in respect of sicknes as also by reason that there was a speech of the returne of King Iohns sonne and of his mother Castalde who was yet at Albe-iula where he was lodged the better to passe a good part of the winter hauing receiued letters by which he was certified of all this matter and aduised to come with all speede to take order therefore further intimating vnto him that the Transiluanians did no longer affect him and that the most part of them would adherre to the Turke and recall Iohn to bee their King he presently departed from Albe-iula the 2. of December not respecting the rage and violence of the winter which then was extreame and with great iourneys came to Wasrael arriuing the same morning that the Diet should haue been concluded and that euery man should haue deliuered his opinion His arriuall greatly troubled the minds of the principallest amōg them and stayed them a little for that time hindering that the conclusion was not so presently performed which neuerthelesse was alreadie wholly resolued among them and counselled them to thinke further thereon The day following the better to expell from them this feare and to reassure and confirme them in the deuotion and amitie of Ferdinand he reproued the pride and vanitie of this said letter causing them all to be called to the Diet and he spake to them in this sort I know not O you Lords and Peeres of Hungarie Saxonie and Sicilia vpon what occasion you are so suddenly astonished and so much amazed that I cannot but extreamely maruaile thereat seeing that if for such vaine boasting words you are so discouraged and in a manner halfe dead what I should thinke of you if it happened to come to deedes for dread of which you can doe no worse and for feare of the mischiefe which the Turk denounceth to you you should with such cowardlines yeeld your neckes subiect vnder the yoke of his tyrannicall Empire minding vpon so light an occasion to defraud your selues of this glorie which partly hath been seene to bee achieued by you vntill this present and which in many armies hath shined euery where not considering that some will boldly say that your feare hath been in part the cause that such iniurious writings and horrible menacies should haue the force with you to kill you and cause you to dye as men without seeing any sword But if it be your minde that men should not so thinke of you and that indeede you would not giue any occasion thereof why like women or children doe you suffer your selues to bee so amazed Are you not men like vnto them Haue you not the like equall courage force and vigour which they haue Or what I pray haue they more then you What maketh you thus so suddenly to feare you whom in times past haue so many times beaten and ouerthrowne them Doe you not manage and beare the same armes and ride you not on the same horses with which you haue often forst them to many labours and toyles so that they haue more occasion to feare you then you thus to lose your courage in respect of them What blame and disgrace will this be to you I say who so many times haue been victorious and often haue defeated and chased the Turke out of this kingdome to agree now to him by reason of the brauado of a simple vaine letter which by force of armes you would neuer heretofore haue condiscended vnto and thus sillily like simple lambes to throw your selues into the wolues mouth Shall not this trow you bee a perpetuall dishonor to you all It behoueth you therefore to haue this constant opinion that before you fall into this great indignitie and calamitie that you expose your owne liues for your religion countrie children brothers wiues sisters and kinsefolkes rather then remaining aliue you should become a laughing stocke to all the world For those shall alwaies be esteemed glorious and worthie of all praise who fighting for the libertie of their countrie and common good shall not refuse an honourable death to auoyd a miserable and dishonest life It is apparant to you that the Turke hath alreadie sounded all violent meanes and not being able to ouercome you by force he now goeth about by these his other subtelties to subdue and bring you vnder to the end that you might proue by this his horrible crueltie that which his owne naturall children are fallen into And beleeue me he that is cruell against his owne flesh and blood cannot bee milde and mercifull to others as assuredly he will not be towards you at any hand but he will carrie himselfe so seeing the dissentions of you all not very well accorded amongst your selues as he and his predecessours behaued themselues then when they saw the dissentions betweene the Christian Princes which haue thus increased this Empire vnto them as with griefe too apparantly is seene at this day And assure your selues he will doe with you as he hath done in Greece which for her last refuge took a like resolution to this of yours the end of which ought to be more manifest and euident then euer heretofore by reason of the experience you haue had of former miserie And on the contrarie if you will consorte in a good and friendly vnion these loftie and furious speeches cannot any way hurt you For a generall vnion and setled concord doth alwaies feare and terrifie the enemie and on the contrarie discord and dissention giueth him hope to ouercome whereas by the meanes of a mutuall vnderstanding and amitie among your selues you may bee assured he shall not haue the power to flesh himselfe in your blood nor glut himselfe amongst you with all kinde of incontinencie as his predecessors haue done in the principall houses of Greece Now seeing it is naturally giuen to all to be more
time after durst not come to doe iniurie to the Transiluanians for that they still distrusted themselues of some intended stratagems By this defeate which was all the good that happened this yeere 1552. the arrogancie and rashnes of the enemy was bridled but not that of Ferdinands souldiours which daily increased hauing no respect neither to Generall Colonels Captaines nor any diuine or humane thing minding by their disloyaltie to make themselues masters of their phantasies and to goe euery where without expecting the appointment and commaund of his Maiestie or the leaue of Castalde as more amply we shall treate of in the successes which happened in the yeere 1553. The end of the sixth Booke THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF HVNGARIE THE ARGVMENT OF THE SEVENTH BOOKE THe Transiluanians solicite Queene Izabella to returne into Transiluania and Castalde for the remedie thereof appointeth a Diet at Colosuar The Spaniards mutinie and seeke to depart Transiluania Aldene is brought to Vienna whither Castalde by Ferdinands appointment also commeth vpon whose departure out of Transiluania the Transiluantans rise in armes in the behalfe of the Queene Aldene condemned but is saued by fauour Castalde leaueth the seruice of Ferdinand and returneth againe to the Emperour Charles The historie of the death of Mustapha eldest sonne of Solyman Albe-iula and all Transiluania yeeld to the Queene Charles the 5. renounceth the Empire to his brother Ferdinand and his letter to the Cardinall of Mentz his arriuall in Spaine and the place where he retired himselfe to end his daies Ferdinand crowned Emperour The Turke commandeth Izabella to expell all new sects out of her kingdome The death of the Emperour Charles for whose death Philip his sonne King of Spaine made sumptuous funerals at Bruxels THe winter was now alreadie in a manner at the extreamest towards the end of Februarie in the yeere 1553. when the Peeres and Lords of Transiluania not minding any longer to suffer the Germanes and Spaniards amongst them nor hauing now no more meanes to victuall them as vsually they had done they began secretly to send Ambassadours to Queene Izabella to negotiate with her concerning her returne into this Prouince whereunto Peter Vicchy Chendy and others were greatly assisting Castalde hauing notice of all this and being thereof well assured gaue present aduertisement thereof to Ferdinand who also presently did not forget on his part to vse all diligence to withstand and preuent these practises sending Alphonse nephew to Castalde to the King of Polonia and to Queene Bonna her mother and to Queene Ioane to intreate them to vse speedie meanes to diuert these clowdes which were thundring in the ayre Ferdinand also sent letters from Vienna to Queene Izabella by which he offered her to performe all that which was accorded betweene them and specially certaine other articles or demaunds made by her to which his Maiestie before would not accord And the better to effect this busines he writ againe to Francis Chendy and to Thomas Varcocchy desiring them to importune the Queene so much that she would content her selfe with that which was agreed vpon since that whatsoeuer was done was not but to the profit of her and her sonne Iohn and to the increasing of both their commodities These two Lords made semblance as though they allowed it and faining to shew their vttermost abilitie for Ferdinand did altogether to the contrarie And the Queene on the one side gaue good words and on the other she hastened her affayres as well as she could the Turke hauing alreadie commaunded the Vayuode of Moldauia that he should prepare himselfe with all his best meanes to enter into Transiluania and to Cassombech to doe the like leauing as many men as he could in the low countries and to fauour and assist the Queenes affayres and to vse their vttermost abilitie to reinstall King Iohn into his kingdome adding to his commaund that if he could not compasse the effect of this enterprise yet at the least he should vse the meanes to increase in this Prouince his Sangiacship promising him succours from Buda Castalde being aduertised of all these deuises that he might the better remedie them and not suffer them to take further footing appointed that the principall Lords of the kingdome should vpon the 15. of March next bee at the Diet of Colosuar to acquaint them with that which Ferdinand had commaunded them Before the meeting of this Diet Andrew Battor who againe was confirmed in the estate of Vayuod and withall was made Counte of Zalmar and Zalboc hauing assembled a good troupe of men among the neighbour townes and Castles and hauing vnderstood that certaine companies of Turkish Caualarie made some incurtions pilling and burning all the villages and minding to expulse them hee caused his people to goe into the field and to march towards the enemie But in the end comming to handie strokes not farre from Agria he was so hotly charged that some of his people quitted the place and others remained there either slaine or taken prisoners and amongst others some of his household seruants and familiar fauourits were taken to redeeme whom Castalde was forced to giue to the Basha of Buda a Chiauss a Mahometaine Priest who were taken at the death of Frier George and detained prisoners in the Castle of Wiuar and to exchange them by Ferdinands commaund with the said fauourits who by this meanes recouered their libertie By reason of this disorder the Vayuod intreated Ferdinand that he would giue him the meanes and inable him to entertaine 1000. light horse of the number of those which he payed in Transiluania which was wholly granted to him and besides 1000. foote that so he might be the better able to affront the Turkes forces in those quarters Ferdinand also gaue him charge to conclude an end of a discord among the people called Cumans who hauing been vnder the iurisdiction of Zaluoch would not seeing that this Fortresse was reduced vnder the Turkes puissance be vnder that of Agria but rather vnder that of Varadin In the end by the diligence of Castalde and the Vayuode they were content to be obedient to Agria Now whilest that the Turke was greatly busied by the Sophy and that he conuerted his forces for the defence of Amasia into which the Persians were entered they began againe by the meanes and interposing of Haly Chlauss to negotiate the truce betweene Ferdinand and Solyman there being safe conduct graunted both from the one and other to send Ambassadours to either partie There being for this purpose some appointed on both sides it was in the end perceiued that nothing else was done but to entertaine the Transiluanians in some hope whilest that the Turkes should dispatch their other intangled affayres that afterwards they might assaile them according to their accustomed manner For they had aduertisement how Cassombech at the instance of the Queene had assembled about him many Sangiacchs and that with the troupes which
to take his life from him and he on the other side assaied to defend himselfe the most cruel and abominable father who was on the one side of the Pauilion very attentiue to see the end of so horrible and inhumane a tragedie putting forth his head spake with choler to these executioners Haue you not yet taken away the life from this Traytor who for certaine yeeres together hath not suffered me to sleepe in quiet At these words the Muets and Eunuches taking courage threw him on the ground and by force drawed and stretched the corde which strangled him there dying in this manner the most liberall and magnificent Lord that euer was of the Ottoman house a man truly both of minde and bodie very noble and who by his vertuous qualities merited not to haue giuen to others so horrible a spectacle of himselfe as hee gaue by the deceit and treacherie of his enemies This cruell act being thus committed the Turke caused presently to bee taken the Basha of Amasia and a Venetian of the house of Michely who was taken a child in the iourney of Preuesa and who then with great credit bore the Colonels Ensigne and presently caused their heads to be publikely cut off calling afterward to him Zeangir the crookbacke who yet knew nothing of this enormious crueltie to whom he commanded to goe see his brother who was in the Pauilion and who was but lately arriued He hauing vnderstood of his brothers arriuall ranne with a pleasant countenance to goe and imbrace him and entering where the poore vnfortunate Mustapha lay thus euilly intreated strangled on the ground beholding him with great teares Solyman sent presently to him that he should take the Treasures Tents and Pauilions and the Prouince of Mustapha bestowing them on him for a gift But in stead of thanking those which brought him this message he spake vnto them these words O cursed treacherous dogge not a father but a most cruell Tyger enioy thou rather the Treasures Moueables Pauilions and the Prouince of Mustapha seeing this is fallen into thy inraged heart to put to death so vertuous a sonne and of so great hope and such a one as there was neuer his like neither yet shall be in the Ottoman house I pray God that I poore crookbacke liue not that thou maist doe the like to me Whereupon drawing a little poynard which he had by his side he thrust it into his owne breast so presently he died The King vnderstanding of this vnexpected newes fell into extreame sadnes And this was the trueth of the crookbacks deed although the world might not be filled with so vile an act and for the reuerence of the Ottoman house the Turkes say that he thus suddenly died of a Squinancie The Grand Seigniour hauing afterward commaunded that the Pauilions and moueables of Mustapha should bee carried with his while they whom he had commaunded to doe it went about to execute it many were moued and opposed themselues against it thinking that they meant to sacke them these valiant souldiours not yet knowing what was happened to their Lord and seeing a great number of men to come towards them fearing some sudden insolencie put themselues in armes repulsing those backe who were the formost not without great slaughter Those of the Kings Campe perceiuing the rumour which hourely increased running to succour their fellowes and the other part doing also the like both Camps reenforcing themselues with a terrible bruite they put themselues in armes and gaue a great assault where remained slaine vpon the place more then 2000. men and this skirmish had not thus ended if Achmeth Basha a graue man and of great authoritie for his renowned vertue generally knowne and greatly esteemed among the souldiours had not caused the Ianisaries to retire and if turning himselfe towards the souldiours of Mustapha he had not vsed to them such like gentle speeches What my brethren and children will you be of so bad a disposition and so bold to resist the commaund of the Grand Seigniour whose pleasure is that his sonnes treasure should be taken out of his Pauilions and carried to his I cannot beleeue that you who so long haue knowne your selues to be the most valiant and good Musulmans as truly you are would now shew your selues so insolent and perfidious to our common Lord hauing so long a time with such fidelitie warred amongst the Ottoman armies without being stained or defiled of any infamie for his preseruation as by your vertuous actions for his seruice you haue declared through all the world he being your Lord and mine Therefore now lay downe your weapons which are but too much sharpened for so vile an occasion These speeches of this couragious Basha had such force ouer them that they were appeased and as very obedient they suffered to bee carried to the Turkes Tent all whatsoeuer was in Mustaphaes But his death being within a little while after knowne amongst the Ianisaries and bruited through the Campe the occasion thereof and the distrust of him and because it was imposed vpon him they all tooke armes againe and making a great tumult mingled with infinit teares and weepings they approached very nigh to the Grand Seigniours Pauilion This second commotion put him into such a maze that losing his senses he would gladly haue fled but being stayed by his people not without great daunger to bee massacred in this furie he resolued constrained by necessitie to doe that which in an assured place hee would not haue done and standing at the entrance of his Pauilion although he was greatly pale yet he boldly spake to them Tell me quoth he what tumults are these here What commotion is this What insolencies do you thus inconsideratiuely offer to me Doe you not peraduenture know me Am I not your Lord and he that ought to rule and gouerne you Certaine of them answered him that they well knew him to be such a Lord who had a long time been chosen by them whom they had reuerenced and whose Empire they had by their vertue so greatly inlarged to this end notwithstanding that he should rule ouer them with iustice and not without occasion so inconsideratiuely and cruelly shed the blood of the good and cause the innocent to bee slaine and that these armes were iustly by them taken sharply to reuenge the death of Mustapha and to purge themselues from that treason which was imputed vpon them and that they would neuer lay them downe vntill the accusers should bee brought to iudgement and he conuicted them to be culpable and that then with all humilitie if it so fell out they promised as worthie of seuere chastisement to submit their liues to the most cruell and shamefullest death that could bee found and that for a finall resolution they meant that that should bee auerred in the same field These speaking so stoutly by reason of the griefe which they felt left not for all that to bathe their cheekes with
bee offered to this Captaine a very good offer if he would yeeld to him But these offers could nothing moue the faith which the Count had sworne to Maximilian Notwithstanding if the Emperour had had good Spies who would haue informed him of the trueth or if at least he had credited the reports which was made him it is without all doubt that with prosperous successe he should haue finished this warre for that then was taken a Turke of good qualitie who after he had requested libertie swore and affirmed vpon his head that Solyman was dead the which was confirmed by other demonstrations The Emperour notwithstanding would not beleeue any thing hereof iudging that if such a thing were happened it could not be possible that the Turkish armie should bee in such quiet nor so well gouerned But the prudence and marueilous industrie of Mehemet Basha a most wise Lord knew so well to manage this matter that not onely he concealed the death of his Lord but yet further assured the Empire vnto him to whom it belonged and which is of no lesse consequence contained so great an armie in militarie obedience repressed the furie and sedition of the Ianisaries preserued the treasure and obtained a notable victorie Solyman was come into Hungarie with a puissant armie of 150000. men which he diuided into many parts whereof one was towards Iula in the confines of Hungarie adioynant to Transiluania and another towards Sighet vpon the marches of Croatia In this was his greatest force and there was himselfe in person to the end that his presence should the more encourage the souldiours to the taking of this towne But being now of the age of 66. yeeres and being crazed in respect of the labours of so long a voyage and perhaps hauing his courage abated to see his people in so many assaults repulsed with so great a butcherie of them and it may bee this accustomed valour of minde being no longer in him with which he before had happely brought to end so many goodly enterprises the humours of his bodie being corrupted a bloody flux troubled him which within few daies took him out of this world And thus the prognostication which in the moneth of May before going had been made touching the anuall reuolution of this Prince by those that had been curious to know that which heauen did promise touching this warre fell out to be true This prognostication contained that the Emperour of Turkes should dye there if peraduenture he was not ouerthrowne and defeated by the Christians notwithstanding the great leauie of people which he made against them Mehemet Basha seeing his Prince dead and Sighet yet vntouched as it were and in possession of the Christians presently thought that it was expedient to keepe this death secret as well for the continuance of this siege and taking of the place as for the preseruation of the armie and treasure as also to inuest the new Sultan Selim in the possession of the Empire to whom of right it belonged Vpon this resolution he readily dispatched a messenger to the Basha of Constantinople to aduertise him of the fortune which was happened and he sent him word of that which was necessarie for him to doe Then with a singular subteltie knowing that the souldious would bee offended if they saw not their Lord he caused the bodie to be clothed with his accustomed habits and setting him in a high place within his Pauilion caused him a farre off to bee shewed to all without that any of them could know that he was dead This being thus well inuented Mehemet went forth of the Pauilion and taking occasion thereupon began to encourage the Ianisaries exhorting them to performe their last endeuour to the assault of Sighet But while he was speaking and calling to minde that his Lord was dead he could not for the griefe which he felt in his minde refraine from weeping And as this passion was pricking his wisedome to couer it was also very readie in such sort that presently remembring that his teares gaue to the souldiours some apprehension and assurance of the death of their prince vpon some little bruite which alreadie was spread in the Camp vsing a braue stratagem in wisely dissembling his inward griefe added to his speeches that he wept not for the death of his Lord as it seemed they iudged who thanks be to God was liuing and out of all daunger But that he wept for the miserable and pitious condition of all the armie for that their Prince had made an inuiolable oth laying hand on his breast and head that if within few daies Sighet were not taken he would put them all to death without remission with a cruell and strange kinde of death Mehemet by these speeches and many others animating euery one a singular desire of fight and also presently to returne to the assault possessed all the souldiours and aboue all the Ianisaries being all obstinate to performe therein their last endeuours or else to end their liues there Vpon this resolution after he had giuen order to that which appertained to such an assault all the souldiours running with great furie to the breach and skaladoe the 6. of September they were neuerthelesse repulsed with great losse both of the one part and other But the enemies hauing meanes to refresh them and continuing their blowes came againe for the last time the day following to the breach with a marueilous furie and a greater force then they had yet euer made and the one and other fighting betweene hope to ouercome and feare to dye there was seene a terrible conslict now on this side then on the other Count Serin performing then the dutie of an aduised and most valiant Captaine encouraging his people ranne here and there not being wanting either to himselfe or to his souldiours appeared greater then himselfe He seeing that the Artillerie of the enemie had set fire in the Fortresse and being astonished thereat caused the port to bee opened and hauing planted a Cannon charged with many little bullets at the enterance of it and giuing fire thereto more then 100. Turkes were layd on the ground by that shot and presently the Count aduanced himselfe vpon the bridge with his Courtlasse and Target being followed of his people who of 1200. were reduced onely to 500. and they all thronging in amongst the enemies fought valiantly Serin would neuer yeeld himselfe although the Turks desired him to doe it willing to haue him aliue into their hands but alwaies fighting couragiously in the middest of the enemies increased in himselfe an incredible valour and thus managing his hands with extreame courage was thrust into the breast with a pike But he fearing to abate the courage of his people concealed this wound as much as he could vntill in the end he was greatly wounded in the head with a blow which killed him And although that the souldiours desisted not yet could they not make such resistance as