that he was glad to rise with his Army and be gone Whilst this was in doing the County Solmes lying in Garrison at Carolstad took upon him to surprise Wiscenbourg and setting forth but with four hundred Souldiers of his Garrison with wonderful Diligence surprised the Place and without any great Resistance became Masters thereof But the Citizens over-grieved with the insolent Outrages of these men of War opened the Gates of their Town unto the Rebels of Transilvania even then fled from the late Overthrow who full of Revenge took the Place and being too strong for the County and his Souldiers made such slaughter of them in the Streets they of the Town out of their Windows and from the tops of their Houses helping them that of all those which the County brought with him there were but sixty left alive who all taken were together with the County thrust into a strong and loathsome Prison Now the bruit of the coming of the Turks great Army into Hungary had awaked the Christian Forces to assemble themselves together and to do their endeavour to withstand the same so that a number of Companies were raised in Germany who came into Hungary marching towards Strigonium where the Army was to be assembled The good success of things past the Opinion men had of the Turks Troubles with his Rebels and the great Promises of the Emperour drew many into these Lists of Honour in such sort that there were come together an Army of five and twenty thousand Foot and ten thousand Horse all good and brave Companies well appointed and well conducted Of this brave and gallant Army the Lord Russworm was for this Year appointed General who therewith marched within the sight of Strigonium to assure the Inhabitants of Relief if the Enemy should chance to besiege them as the News then went About three Weeks this Army lay thereby incamped attending the coming of the rest of the Forces which were to strengthen and make up the same during which time the General disposed of all things necessary for the keeping of Strigonium and put into the Fort of Saint Andrew near unto it three thousand Lansquenets for relief of the City which done he removed with his Army toward Pesth and incamped within a League thereof toward the West resolved so to cross the Designs of the Enemy if he should attempt to besiege this Place as it was doubted he would and in hope that the Preservation thereof might in time be a cause for the winning of Buda and a means to impeach the Enemies Forces The Turks Army within a few days after upon a contrary Design conducted for the winning of Pesth and resolved to raise the Christians Camp in number an hundred thousand men came and face to face incamped within the sight of the Christian Army on the other side of the River Danubius In the mean time whilst they so lay certain cowardly Souldiers of Pesth more in love with their Bellies than with their Honour by stealth fled out of their Garrison in Pesth to the Turks over against them in Buda shamefully craving of them Victuals whom the Turks themselves being almost in as great want yet bounteously relieved Besides that the Bassa of Buda to corrupt the rest of their Fellows caused these renegade Fugitives to be entertained with double pay who therefore gave the Bassa a thousand thanks extolling his Bounty unto the Heavens and from the Walls invited their Companions to do as they had done and so to become Partakers of such Bounty and Pleasure as they were Howbeit these Fugitives nothing profited the Bassa either by their Perswasion or Example for albeit that they from the Mouth of the Bassa promised unto their Companions plenty of Victuals good Entertainment and four Months pay more yet was there not any of them which hearkened or gave Ear unto their Allurements but rather the more to assure their Commanders of their Fidelity of themselves offered to be sworn again unto their Allegiance unto the Emperour and to dye in the place rather than to forsake it Yet was the want of Victuals then in Pesth great and the Garrison therewith extreamly pinched fed almost as much with hope as with that little which was left them Neither was it long after but that according to their desires the fifteenth of May a great Ship arrived there laden with Wine and Victuals sufficient for the relief of their present Necessities Of the coming of which Ship the Turk having heard attended the Passage thereof in the Isle to have intercepted it Of which their purpose the Garrison Souldiers of Pesth having knowledge and armed with Necessity sallied out upon them and killing a number of them inforced the rest to quit the Place This Ship was but the fore-runner of greater Succours for shortly after followed a number of other Ships which arriving at Pesth laden with Victuals and other Necessaries filled the Place with as great plenty as there had been want before Which supply was conducted unto Pesth by 500 Harquebusiers of Strigonium the Turks from Buda looking on but not daring or not able to stay the same It fortuned at the self same time that a Captain of the Turks fled from Alba-Regalis to Rab shewed unto the Christians there the way and the means how they might come to the Suburbs of Alba-Regalis and take the spoil of the same yea and happily as things might fall out find occasion to surprise the Town it self also offering himself to be the Guide in the same Action And albeit that this Turk was an Enemy to be feared and distrusted yet the Christian Souldiers as men desirous both of Honour and Prey and induced also with the Probability of the attempt gave credit unto him and imbraced the same Neither failed he of his Promise neither the Christians of their Devoir in performance of the Exploit For the two Garrisons of Rab and Strigonium assembled together by the leading of this Turk surprised the Suburbs of Alba-Regalis slew all them that made resistance rifled them on all hands set them on fire and so laden with Riches and Spoil returned home again in safety At the same time also the Christians on the other side Danubius gathered an head together to conduct another Convoy of Victuals into Pesth with a Resolution to march with the same through the plain field at noon time of the day even in the Eye of the Enemy so to brave him And to this purpose the Lord Nadasti was there present with a good number of Hungarians Collonel Mesbourg with a Regiment of Almaines and the County Thurn with a number of Hussars all good Souldiers and Men of Courage desirous to have made proof thereof upon their Enemies This Convoy with the Trumpets gallantly sounding bravely maâ—ched over the Plain at mid Day the Turks from the Walls of Buda beholding the same but not daring to adventure upon it And so Pesth for want of Victuals before
when it was resolv'd that the War should be carry'd into Hungary which Resolution was first taken in the Year 1681. then the Vizier concluded a Truce with the Moscovites for twenty Years upon Conditions which the Czars sent by way of their Ambassador residing at the Court of the Tartar Chan call'd Baucha Sarai whose chief Business there was to Redeem and Exchange Prisoners the which Letter directed to the Grand Vizier was to this effect AT the instance of the Tartar Chan We have wrote to the Czars that he would be pleas'd to grant you a Peace as desir'd by you In answer unto which he hath given us to understand that he will consent thereunto provided that besides Kiovia you renounce all Title and Pretence to Tripol Staiki and Vasikow which have always been Dependences thereupon And that you farther promise that your People shall not Inhabit nor hold Fairs Commerce or Markets on our side of the Nieper but that all that Country shall remain desert and waste as it is at present And that from the Towns of Tripol Staiki and Vasikow to the Isles of the Cosacks Zoporoges you renounce all your pretensions unto us This is what we demand and without these terms we shall conclude nothing with you The Vizier having resolv'd on a War against the Emperor receiv'd these Propositions with full satisfaction and immediately return'd Answer thereunto in a Letter wrote to the Czars full of their usual sublime Expressions and of high and fulsom praises of their Wisdoms and Grandeur Signifying that in the Name of the Grand Seignior he did accept and confirm all the Conditions propos'd desiring him to send an Extraordinary Ambassador to confirm the Treaty But lest the Czars should refuse to send a new Ambassador before the other then residing was return'd the Vizier about six Weeks afterwards gave License for his Departure and accompanied him with Presents of greater value than those which the Grand Seignior had formerly bestow'd upon the Czar Of all these Particulars Kaunitz who Resided at Constantinople in the Place of the Secretary Hoffman lately there Deceas'd gave Intelligence to the Emperor signifying also that after the Moscovite Ambassador was arriv'd with Ratification of the Peace the Grand Seignior would soon afterwards remove to Adrianople in Order as was most probable and in all appearance to a War against Hungary This Matter was acted in the year 1681 which we have anticipated that we might not abruptly break off the Treaty with Moscovy the nature of which may be best understood when it is carried forward in one Piece which having done we must look back again to the year 1680. and to the Actions of the Malecontents Tekeli was very active all this time in Recruiting his Army and preparing for War and having compos'd a Body of four thousand Transilvanians he march'd with them to the General Rendezvous intending as he had done the year before to take upon him the Command of the Army But when he came thither he was strangely surpriz'd to find the same refus'd to him by Count Wessellini Son of the late Paul Wessellini deceas'd who so resolutely contended for the Chief Command that nothing could decide it but the Sword. In short both Parties drew out into the Field and charg'd each other and after a long Dispute Tekeli got the Victory and put Wessellini and his Forces to the Rout and having pursuâ—d them with a Detachment of his Forces the Competitor Wessellini was taken and brought Prisoner to Tekeli who causing him to be tied on his Horse sent him to Prince Apafi in Transilvania after which Tekeli without a Rival took upon him the sole Command of the Army The Emperor besides a War against his Râ—bâ—l Subjects was under great Mortifications and Troubles his Imperial Palace at Vienna was burnt the Plague Rag'd violently in his Hereditary Countries and in his Army of which the Baron de Kaunitz year 1680. and other principal Officers died And at the same time nine hundred Paisants of the Circle of Braslaw in Bohemia arose in Arms against the Counts Galas and Bredaw their Lords pretending that they were treated like Slaves and refus'd to pay the Contributions which were demanded for the Emperor Howsoever to make the Justice of their Cause appear they sent four Deputies to Prague to make known unto his Imperial Majesty their many Aggrievances which were so Tyrannical and Burthensom as could not longer be sustain'd and therefore they desir'd that Council might be assign'd them to plead their Cause against their Lords at the Bar of Justice But instead of hearkning to the Petition of these distressed Paisants the Deputies were Imprison'd and to stifle this Tumult in the beginning two Regiments under the Command of Count Piccolomini were sent to reduce them upon the appearance of which the Mutineers dispers'd and fled every Man to his own home But this Combustion was not long suppress'd before it burst forth again in a more violent and outragious manner than before for four thousand of these discontented Paisants were got together in a formidable Body Conducted by several Reformed Officers with Colours flying and Drums beating and with Mottos on their Ensigns which serv'd to incite others to joyn in their Rebellion They at first attempted a Castle belonging to the Count de Thun who was Envoy about that time in England for the Emperor where they expected to find Arms but missing thereof they proceeded on other Designs but were interrupted and stop'd by Count Piccolomini who was sent with Forces to reduce them to Obedience Whereupon these Rebels made a second Experiment of sending their Deputies to represent their Aggrievances who were as before clap'd into Prison But Advices coming that some other Counties were up in Arms in like manner and for the same Cause the Deputies were set at Liberty and a General Pardon Granted to all those who would lay down their Arms and remit their Pleas to be Treated at the Tribunals of Justice Upon this Declaration five thousand submitted and return'd to their own Habitations And the Emperor himself upon hearing the Cause between the Lords and the Paisants did determine that the Paisants should be oblig'd only to Labour three days for their Lords whereas formerly they were constrain'd to the Service of five Days in the Week having but one single Day allow'd them for the Care and Support of their Family In the mean time the Resident for the King of Poland at Vienna press'd very instantly to have the League between his Master and the Emperor against the Turk to be Compleated and Sign'd to which at length this Answer was given That so soon as the Poles had drawn the Moâ—covites into an Union with them and that the Turks had also declar'd a War that then the Treaty which was already drawn should immediately be Sign'd Tekeli on the other side offer'd New Propositions of Peace and in the mean time desir'd a Cessation of Arms. Upon
and Henry the Third then reigning in England that they both promised them aid Whereupon Lewis a man of a great devotion and always forward in that service against the Infidels took upon him the Cross the cognisance of the sacred War causing his three Sons Philip that succeeded him in the Kingdom sirnamed the Fair Peter Count of Alangon and Iohn Count of Nevers sirnamed Tristan for that his Mother was in her greatest heaviness for the taking of her Husband delivered of him in Egypt and most of the Nobility of France to do the like unto whom also Theobald King of Navar his Son-in-Law Alphonsus his Brother and Guydo Earl of Flanders joyned themselves And so having put all things in readiness took his way to Marselleis and from thence embarking himself with his Army in the Genoway Ships hired for that purpose set forward the first of March in the year 1270. But being at Sea he was by force of Weather constrained to land in Sardinia year 1270. and there to stay a while departing thence he at length arrived at Carthage the place by him desired where in the entrance of the Haven he surprised certain of the Enemies Ships but landing his men and assaulting the Town he was there notably repulsed This is not that antient great and famous City which sometime mightily strove with the proud Mistress of the World for Soveraignty but another built long after in the ruins or at least not far from the ruins of the same In the besieging whereof the Frenchmen found such resistance as well put them in remembrance of the antient glory of the Carthaginians One day it fortuned as the King thus lay at the Siege that the Defendants made a great and fierce Sally out upon the Frenchmen who before commanded so to do by little and little retired to draw their Enemies further on betwixt whom and the City the Constable with a great power coming in and charging them behind and they which before retired now standing close unto them they were on both sides hardly beset who for all that as became valiant men worthily defended themselves and made there a great fight though not without extreme peril which they in the City beholding gave out a most hideous and piteous cry a certain sign of their hard estate within astonying with the suddenness thereof both their Friends and Enemies But whilst they of the Town betwixt hope and despair stood thus beholding the fight at Land the Frenchmen by Sea approaching a Bulwark on that side of the Town took it without resistance which so dismaied them without that they began forthwith to flie of whom the greatest part casting away their Weapons were by the Kings commandment taken to mercy and they likewise of the Town upon promise of their lives yielded the same unto the King. Carthage thus won the King laid Siege to Tunes the chief City of that Kingdom being not far off where by the way he was encountred by the King of the Countrey who having there lost ten thousand of his Moors betook himself to flight with the rest Who thus overthrown resolved no more to tempt Fortune but to keep himself safe within the Walls of the City if happily so he might as it oftentimes falleth out more weaken his Enemies by lying still and protracting the time than by open Force and Valour Which their purpose King Lewis perceiving resolved not to stir from thence until that he were become Master of the City which as it seemed could not hold out for want of Victuals considering the multitude of People that were got into it Nevertheless thus besieged both by Sea and Land and so straightly hemmed in on every side as that no relief could possibly be brought unto it yet held it out by the space of six Months After which time Wants daily more and more increasing amongst the besieged Embassadors were sent out to the King to intreat with him of peace But whilst these Embassadors go to and fro and reason upon the capitulations of the desired peace behold a great and furious Plague arose in the French Camp which began to cut them down by heaps there dyed Iohn Tristan Count of Nevers the Kings youngest Son born in the first expedition that the said King his Father made into the Holy Land even at such time as he was taken Prisoner which Tristan died the five and twentieth day of August in the year of our Lord 1270. The good King having yet scarcely performed the Obsequies of his Son fell sick of the bloody Flix whereof he there shortly after died also About which time arrived there Charles King of Sicily the French Kings Brother with a great number of fresh Souldiers whose coming lightned somewhat the Frenchmens hearts heavy for the death of their King and daunted the Moors before brag of the same Shortly after whom arrived there also Prince Edward King Henry the Third his Eldest Son who travelling through France and taking shipping at Aquesmort not far from Marseilles was now in ten days with a brave Company of Englishmen come to Tunes and thereof the other Christian Princes namely of Philip the French King his Father Lewis being now dead of Charles King of Sicily and of the two Kings of Navar and Aragon joyfully received But these Princes had a little before his arrival concluded a Peace with the Moors King and the Infidels upon condition that he should pay a yearly Tribute of forty thousand Crowns unto the King of Sicilia and to suffer the Christian Religion to be freely preached in his Dominions by such devout persons as should be there left for that purpose and that unto such as should by their preaching be converted unto the Faith in Christ Jesus it should be lawful for them to be baptized and to profess the Christian Religion Of which Peace Prince Edward understanding did what he might to have disswaded them from the same saying that the War was by them all taken in hand against the Infidels as Enemies to the Cross of Christ with whom they were not to have Peace and for the recovery of the Holy City But say what he would and do what he could the Peace to his great discontentment was now concluded which they might not as they said again break and thereupon with the first fair Wind hoised sail and returned towards Sicilia with purpose the next Spring to have gone into Syria which their determination was shortly after by the hand of God disappointed For being come upon the Coast of the Island not far from Drepanum most of the great Princes and other Nobility in their long Boats went on Land the rest of the Fleet lying at Anker about a League off for that being for the most part Ships of great burthen they were not able to put into the Harbor But as they so lay by force of a sudden and violent Tempest then arising some were eaten up with the rough Sea some falling foul one on
found the Cardinal Iulian with Frank one of his chief Captains and others overcharged with the Turks which had again made head against that part of the Christian Army and there yet fought couragiously by reason of their multitude being also backt by the Ianizaries which all this while had stood fast with their old King as his last and most assured refuge but were now come in There began a most cruel and fierce Fight in the success whereof the Turks well saw the whole state of their Kingdom in Europe to consist many were there slain on both sides the Turks feeling their loss less than indeed it was by reason of their Multitude and the Christians by reason of their Courage A great while the Victory stood doubtful insomuch that at length the Turks began to shrink back in that part of the Battel where the King and Huniades fought But in the left side they prevailed so upon the Christians that they were even ready to have fled Which when Huniades having a vigilant Eye unto every part of the Army perceived he with speed made thither and there again with his presence restored the Battel almost before lost Which done he returned again towards the King who in the mean time had most valiantly repulsed a great number of the Turks and now was come unto the Ianizaries Amurath his last hope There was to be seen a thousand manners of death whilst both the Armies fought more like wild Beasts in their rage and fury than wary and politick Souldiers In this confused medly the young King Uladislaus with greater Courage than Care of himself brake into the Battel of the Ianizaries at which time Amurath himself was by a valiant Frenchman a Knight of the Rhodes first wounded with a Pike and after assailed with his Sword and had there ended his days but that he was speedily rescued by his Guaâ—d by whom this worthy Knight after great proof of his Valour was there slain in the midst of his Enemies Uladislaus being got also in among them valiantly performed all the parts of a worthy Souldier till such time as his Horse being slain under him he was forthwith oppressed by the multitude of his Enemies and slain his Head being struck off by Ferizes one of the old Ianizaries was by him presented unto Amurath who commanded it presently to be put upon the point of a Launce and Proclamation to be made that it was the Head of the Christian King which was afterwards so carried through the principal Cities â—f Macedonia and Grecia as a Trophy of the Turks Victory Huniades after he had in vain given divers brave attempts to have rescued the Kings Body retired with a few Valachian Horsemen and seeing no hope of better hap for all the Christians being discouraged with the death of the King had now taken themselves to flight gave place to necessity and reserving himself to his future Fortune fled over the Mountains into the thick Woods from whence with much difficulty he got over Danubius into Valachia and was there as some write by Dracula Prince of that Country taken Prisoner In revenge whereof after he was inlarged by the Hungarians he so aided Danus against Dracula that in fine Dracula and his Son were both slain and Danus placed in his room Iulian the Cardinal flying out of the Battel was found by that worthy man Gregory Sanose lying in the desart Forrest by the way side mortally wounded and half stripped by whom he was in few words sharply reproved as the wicked Author of that perfidious War and there left giving up the Ghost Many of the Christians which fled out of that Battel fell into the Enemies hands and so were slain but greater was the number of them which were drowned in the Fens or that by Hunger and Cold perished in the Woods or else after long and miserable travel finding no passage over Danubius fell at length into the Turkish Slavery This great and mortal Battel as it was with diverse fortune fought so was also the present report thereof most uncertain for the Turks that were at the first put to flight reported in the Towns there by as they fled that the Battel was lost and they which had all the day endured the Fight not altogether assured of the Victory and not knowing whether the Hungarians had retired themselves whilst they suspected some deceit in the Kings Camp by reason of the great silence therein staid two days before they durst adventure to take the Spoil thereof The number of them that were slain in this Battel as well on the one side as th' other was great as the Mounts and little Hills raised of the Bones and Bodies of those that were there buried do yet at this day declare Howbeit the certain number was not known some reporting more some fewer Yet in this most agree that of the Christian Army being not great scarce the third part escaped and that the Turks bought this Victory with a far greater loss although it was of them less felt by reason of their multitude made less by that slaughter as they that report least thereof affirm by thirty thousand Which may well seem rather to be so for that Amurath after this Victory neither farther prosecuted the same nor shewed any tokens of Joy at all but became very melancholy and sad and being of them about him demanded Why after so great a Victory he was no merrier answered That he wished not at so great price to gain many such Victories Yet in memorial thereof he erected a great Pillar in the same place where the King was slain with an inscription of all that was then done which as they say is yet there to be seen at this day This bloody Battel was fought near unto Varna in antient time called Dionisiopolis a place fatal unto many great Warriors and therefore of them even yet abhorred the tenth day of November in the year of our Lord Christ 1444. Some maliciously impute the loss of the Battel of Varna and the death of the King to Huniades who as they said fled out of this Battel with ten thousand Horsemen but this report agreeth not with the noble disposition of that couragious and valiant Captain but seemeth rather to have been devised to excuse the foul dealing of the Clergy who as most Histories bear witness were the chief Authors both of the War and of the lamentable calamity ensuing thereof From the Battel of Varna Amurath returned to Hadrianople having lost the greatest part of his best Souldiers and there with great Solemnity buried the body of Carazia Vice-Roy of Europe slain in that Battel and then calling together all his Nobility again resigned up his Kingdom unto his Son Mahomet retiring himself unto Magnesia where he lived a solitary and private life having before vowed so to do in the great fear he was in in the Battel against Uladislaus but after he had a short time performed these his Vows
as God his judgment set apart wonderful and shameful it is to consider how it was by this Turkish King Mahomet so quickly taken and the Christian Empire of the East there utterly overthrown which happened on the nine and twentieth day of May in the year of our Lord 1453. Constantinus Palaeologus the Son of â—elena and last Christian Emperor being then slain when he had reigned about eight years Since which time it hath continued the Imperial Seat of the Turkish Emperors and so remaineth at this day The Potestates and Citizens of Pera otherwise called Galata a City standing opposite against Constantinople on the other side of the â—aven and then under the Government of the Genoways doubting to run the same course of misery with their Neighbours sent their Orators unto Mahomet the same day that Constantinople was taken offering to him the Keys of their Gates and so to become his Subjects Of which their Offer Mahomet accepted and sent Zoganus with his Regiment to take possession of the City Who coming thither according to Mahomet his Commandment there established the Turkish Government confiscated the Goods of all such as were fled and used the rest of the Citizens which staid with such Insolency and Oppression as that their misery was not much less than theirs of Constantinople and because it was doubted that the Genoways might by Sea give Aid unto the Citizens if they should at any time seek to revolt he caused all the Walls and Fortresses of the City which were toward the Land to be cast down and laid even with the ground Thus is the fatal period of the Greek Empire run and Mahomet in one day become Lord of the two famous Cities of Constantinâ—ple and Pera the one taken by Force the other by Composition At which time the misery of Pera was great but that of Constantinople justly to be accounted amongst the greatest Calamities that ever happened to any Christian City in the World. Mahomet had of long time born a secret grudge against Caly-Bassa sometimes his Tutor for that by his means Amurath his Father in the dangerous time of the Hungarian Wars had again resumed unto himself the Government of the Turkish Kingdom which he had before resigned unto him then but young But forasmuch as he was the chief Bassa and had for many years ruled all things at his pleasure to the general good liking of the people during the Reign of old Amurath and was thereby grown to be of such Wealth Credit and Authority as no man had at any time obtained greater under any of the Othoman Kings Mahâ—met in the beginning of his Reign before he was established in his Kingdom durst not take Revenge of that Injury as he deemed it but yet still kept it in remembrance warily dissembling his deep conceived hatred as if he had quite forgot it Nevertheless sometime for all his wariness words fell from him whereby the wary Courtiers which as curiously weigh their Princes words as the cunning Goldsmith doth his finest Gold easily perceived the secret grudge that stuck in his stomach against the Bassa and thereby divined his fall to be at hand So it hapned one day that as Mahomet was walking in the Court he saw a Fox of the Bassaes tied in a chain which after he had a while earnestly looked upon he suddenly brake into this Speech Alas poor Beast hast thou no money to give thy Master to set thee at liberty Out of which words curious heads gathâ—red much matter concerning the Kings disposition towards the Bassa This ominous surmising of the Courtiers which oft-times proveth too true was not unknown unto the Bassa himself but troubled him much wherefore to get himself out of the way for a season more than for any devotion he took upon him to go in Pilgrimage to visit the Temple of the great Prophet as they term him at Mecha which amongst the Turks is holden for a right Religious and Meritorious Work hoping that the young Kings displeasure might in time be mittigated and his malice asswaged But Mahomet perceiving the distrust of the Bassa and whereof it proceeded seemed to take knowledge thereof and with good words comforted him up willing him to be of good chear and not to misdoubt any thing neither to regard the vain Speech of foolish people assuring him of his undoubted Favour and the more to put him out of all suspition continually sent him rich Gifts and heaped upon him new Honours as if of all others he had esteemed him most Until that now at the taking of Constantinople it was discovered by Lucas Leontares that he had Intelligence with the late Emperor of Constantinople and his Letters produced For which cause or as the common report went for the old grudge that the Tyrant bare against him as also for his great Wealth he was by Mahomets commandment apprehended and carried in bonds to Hadrianople where after he had with exquisite torments been enforced to confess where all his Treasures lay he was most cruelly in his extream old age executed After whose death his Friends and Servants which were many for he was a man greatly beloved in Court in token of their grief put on Mourning Apparel so that in the Court appeared a great shew of common sorrow wherewith Mahomet being offended caused Proclamation to be made That all such as did wear such Mourning Apparel should the next day appear before him at which time there was not one to be seen about the Court in that heavy Attire for fear of the Tyrants displeasure After that Mahomet was thus become Lord of the Imperial City of Constantinople as is aforesaid and had fully resolved there to place his Imperial Seat he first repaired the Walls and other Buildings spoiled in the late Siege and by Proclamations sent forth into all parts of his Dominions gave great Priviledges and Immunities to all such as should come to dwell at Constantinople with free liberty to exercise what Religion or Trade they pleased Whereby in short time that great and desolate City was again well peopled with such as out of divers Countries resorted thither but specially with the Jewish Nation which driven out of other places came thither in great numbers and were of the Turks glady received So when he had there establisht all things according to his hearts desire he took upon him the Name and Title of an Emperor and is from that time not unworthily reputed for the first Emperor of the Turks Now among many fair Virgins taken Prisoners by the Turks at the winning of Constantinople was one Irene a Greek born of such incomparable Beauty and rare Perfection both of Body of Mind as if Nature had in her to the admiration of the World laboured to have shewn her greatest skill so prodigally she had bestowed upon her all the Graces that might beautifie or commend that her so curious a Work. This Paragon was by him that by chance had taken her
he came not himself because the Infirmity of his Body would not suffer him Wherewithall Mustapha rested satisfied and leaving the City of Zaghen on the right hand caused the Messengers of Alexander to guide him the way to Teflis which they so directly did that within the space of three days they conducted him thither with his Army without the feeling of any annoyance from whence they returned being well rewarded for their pains by the General Who now come to Teflis found the Garrison he had there left for the keeping thereof so hardly pinched with Famine that they were glad to eat Cats Dogs Sheep-skins and such like unwonted food for neither durst they for fear of the Enemy go out of the Castle to provide for themselves neither if they had so done had it any thing availed such was the carefulness of the Enemy in keeping of his things but now by the coming of the General they were relieved with Meat Money and plenty of all things Having stayed there two days he put himself again upon his way and with Fire and Sword destroyed whatsoever came in his way in the Champains subject to the said City only the Sepulchres of Simons Progenitors Lord of that Country were left untouched by the Turks Fury The next day they travelled over rough and ragged Mountains full of a thousand difficulties which were the more increased by wonderfull great Snows that were fallen by reason whereof many Souldiers Horses Camels and Mules perished In which distress the Army continued two days during which time the Souldiers were fallen into such disorder that forgetting the feat of the Enemies Country wherein they were â—very man without regard took up his several loâ—â—ing apart some here some there where they might find either some thick Bush or some small Cottage or some quiet Valley to shelter themselves in from the Wind the Snow and the Storms Of which disorder certain Georgian Lords understanding by the Scouts which from time to time waited upon the Turks Army joyned themselves together and in the Night secretly approached unto it expecting the Opportunity of performing some notable Exploit and having observed that Hosaine Bey had withdrawn himself with his Regiment from the rest of the Army under certain Mountains to defend himself from the Storm and Wind they took the Occasion presented and so assailing him slew his Slaves and all his Squadrons took a great booty of many loads of Money and Apparel led away with them all his Horses and whatsoever else they could find and scarce gave him liesure to save himself by flying into the Tents of Beyran Bassa The next morning the Turks removed and in the Evening came to a Castle called Chiurchala where they stayed a whole day to make provision of Victual which was attempted by sending abroad many of their Slaves into the Fields conducted by them of the Castle who were all miserably cut in pieces by the Georgians From this Place the Turks Army departed in great hunger over divers rough places of the Georgians where they were oftentimes fain to rest themselves and at last came to the Confines of Dedesmit of her called the Widows Country In the entrance whereof they must needs pass thorough a narrow Straight between certain Mountains where the River Araxis windeth it self with a thousand turnings in the low Vallies a dangerous place and so narrow that no more but one man alone could at once pass through it Between this Straight and a very thick and hilly Wood they lodged upon the Bank of the said River and from thence they removed the next morning and travelled over very steep Mountains and rough Forrests over Ice and Snow more hard than Marble and over other hanging Rocks in such miserable sort that many Camels Mules and Horses tumbling down headlong into the River there miserably perished Through these ruinous Crags and divers other Miseries they marched all the next day and after that another day also as miserable to the Army as the former and so at last being sore afflicted with hunger spoiled of the Enemy tormented with the hard season of the Year and scituation of the Place they arrived in the Territories that lay under Altunchala or golden Castle the princely Widows Palace where they had all manner of Relief for all the Miseries they had endured since their departure from Chiurchala by the space of six days which if it had been a fair common travelled way might have been performed in one only days Journey The Widow with Alexander her eldest Son came down from her Castle and went unto the Pavilion of Mustapha offering him divers Presents and promising unto him all faithful Obedience whom Mustapha courteously received declaring unto her what honourable entertainment he had given to Manucchiar her younger Son there present who had been with him in all the Expedition into Siruan And for the present dissembling the privy displeasure he bare against Alexander whom he thought to have been one of them that spoiled the Sorians in their return from the Camp he embraced him courteously and prayed her to be content to leave him also there with him giving her farther to understand that he would send both her Sons to Constantinople to Amurath with Letters of Credence for their yielded Obedience for their Favour shewed to his Army in giving it so secure Passage and so many Helps and lastly that for their good Deserts they might be of the said great Sultan both honourably entertained and rewarded The aged Lady although her Mind was herewithall so retroubled yet outwardly in her Countenance shewed her self pleased and seemed courteously to yield that she was of necessity constrained to grant as well for that he was already possessed of one of her Sons as also for that both herself and her whole state were now in his Power and as it were at his Devotion and therefore leaving both her Sons behind her she returned her self heavy to her Castle In this Place Mustapha having refreshed his Army two days departed thence toward Chars and after many days travel at last arrived at Erzirum to the great rejoycing of the whole Army which was there presently discharged by the General without any mustering at all and leave given for every man to return into his Country Mustapha settling himself in Erzirum dispatched Posts with Letters of plentiful Advertisements to his great Lord and Master of all things that had passed not forgetting to magnifie his own Exploits above Measure He certified him of the Battels he had had with the Persians the Obedience he had received of the Georgians and Siruanians the mutiny of his own Souldiers the Fortress he had built at Ere 's the Garrisons left in that City with Caitas Bassa and in Sumachia with Osman Bassa and in brief whatsoever else had passed and whatsoever he had taken from the Enemy Neither did he fail to propound unto Amurath what he thought convenient to be attempted the
best Souldiers whose notable Valour in holding out of this siege was both of their own People and their Enemies much commended whatsoever was beaten down by Day that they again repaired by Night and still relieved with Victual and things necessary from Buda did what was possible to be done for defence of the City About the same time certain Turks chancing upon a Troop of German Horsemen in fight slew about fifty of them and put the rest to flight whereupon an alarm being raised in the Camp many ran out to the rescue of their Fellows taking with them certain small Field-pieces Which the Turks perceiving began to flie whom the Christians eagerly pursuing were suddenly assailed by other Turks sallying out of a Fort fast by and inforced shamefully to retire and to leave their Field-pieces behind them Which the Turks seizing upon cloyed them brake their Carriages and made them altogether unserviceable All this while the Lord Teuffenbach lying at the siege of Hatwan about this time requested Aid of the Archduke for that his Power was with often Conflicts Hunger and other Difficulties always attending long sieges so much weakned as that he had scarcely six thousand sound Men in his Camp to whom the Arch-duke forthwith sent twelve hundred Footmen being loth to spare any more for too much weakning of his own Army Amurath disdaining to see the Frontiers of his Empire in so many places impugned by the Christians and daily to receive from them so great Harms sought by all means to be reverenced wherefore beside the great Power of his own which he was now about to send with Sinan Bassa into Hungary he had also procured from the great Tartar a wonderful number of those rough and savage People to be sent into Hungary there to joyn with his Army These wild People to the number of seventy thousand according to direction given breaking into Padolia Walachia and Moldavia gathered together an incredible number of Oxen and Kine to this end and purpose that driving them before them they might both be assured of Victuals and the safer travel through a part of Polonia But when they were come unto the Borders of that Country and there found the Power of Samoschie the great Chancellor and the Polonian Cossacks in Arms they easily perceived that they could not pass that way without great loss Wherefore they placed the aforesaid Heards of Cattel some before some behind and some on each side of the Army and so inclosed round about with those Cattel as with a Trench marched on But when they were come near unto the Polonians this rude Device served them to no other purpose than the overthrow of themselves for the Polonians discharging their great Ordnance so terrified the Cattel that they turned upon the Tartars and overthrowing whomsoever came in their way did exceeding much harm whom the Polonians immediately following and hardly charging the confused Army armed only with Bow and Arrows after some small fight put them at last to flight and obtained of them a notable Victory with an exceeding rich Prey Of the Polonians were lost about eighteen hundred but of the Tartars were slain thirty thousand The rest retiring into Podolia and passing the River Nester by the way of Transilvania where they did exceeding much harm came to Temesware and so afterwards further into Hungary unto whom the Turks sent seven hundred Horsemen to conduct them to the Army But to return again to the siege of Strigonium The fourteenth day of Iune the Christians between eight and nine of the Clock in the Morning with great Fury assaulted the Town in three places which assault they most notably maintained until it was almost three a Clock in the Afternoon Nevertheless the Turks so valiantly defended themselves that at last the Christians were glad to give over the assault and with loss to retire The Archduke from an high place beholding the assault had one of his Foot-men slain fast by him with a small shot Many of the Turks were also slain in this assault and amongst them one of the three Sanzacks that defended the City The Night following there arose a most horrible Tempest with such raging Wind and abundance of Rain that many thought they should never have seen day with the Violence whereof the Archdukes Tent was overthrown and divers others blown down or rent in sunder were in the Air carried from Place to Place About the same time the Lord Palfi within the sight of the Castle cast up a notable Fort with high Mounts and strong Trenches even in the self same place where Solyman lay about fifty years before when he besieged and won Strigonium by which Fort so built the Enemy was embarred to convey any thing up the River for the relief of the City to the great discomfiture of the besieged for to have hindred the which work the Enemy oftentimes sallied out but to no purpose This Fort being brought to Perfection the Christians took also another Fort in an Island on the further side of the River which the Turks had but few days before taken from the Christians and cloyed the great Pieces therein which Fort the Christians now again repaired furnished it with a sufficient Garrison and other great Ordnance These things thus done the Castle and the lower Town were in five divers places out of the new built Fort the old Town and the Island so battered with continual shot that a man should have said that one Stone would not have been left upon another but that all should have been beaten down and laid even with the Ground The seventeenth of Iune one of the Christian Canoneers so dismounted one of the great pieces in the Castle that the piece together with the Turkish Canoneer that had charge thereof fell down out of the Castle into the Ditch And the same day a Mason that fled out of the Castle into the Camp among other things reported That many of the Turks were slain with this continual battery and often assaults and that not past an hour before forty of them were slain in one Chamber and now acknowledged themselves to be indeed besieged and to have resolved that when they were brought to the last cast then desperately to sallie out upon the Christians and so either to return with Victory or to make shift every man for himself as he might Which his report seemed not altogether feigned for about Midnight a thousand of the Turks sallying out of the Castle upon the Fort newly built upon the River in hope to have surprised it were by the Christians therein notably repulsed and inforced to retire in which conflict fifty of the Turks were slain and many more wounded and taken Prisoners And the same day toward Evening eight Turks of good sort being taken and brought into the Camp confessed That but six days before they had seen seven Boats full of wounded and dead men sent down the River from Strigonium to Buda Whereby it
commandment was given thro' the Camp That every man upon sign given should be in readiness to follow his Leaders for that the County had determined forthwith to remove yet whither the Army was to be removed few or none knew more than certain of the chief Commanders As for to go to Strigonium few there were that so much as dreamed thereof all was kept so secret yet was it the Counties purpose even from the beginning to attempt the winning of that City which the Arch-duke had in vain the last year besieged The next Night being both dark and foul the County rise with all his Army and the next day being the first of Iuly came to Strigonium they of the City not hearing of his coming before they saw him under their Walls Wherefore the Turks in the Suburbs called the Rascian City and they in the Fort under St. Thomas Hill despairing of the keeping of those Places setting fire on the Houses and defacing the Fort so much as in that sudden fear they possibly could fled into the lower Town The next day the County without resistance took the foresaid Places forsaken by the Turks which he manned with certain Companies of Wallâ—ns and made a Bridg of Boats over Danubius cast up certain Mounts and did many other things for the furtherance of the Siege In three days he had again repaired the Fort under St. Thomas Hill abandoned by the Turks and therein placed four great pieces of Artillery wherewith he began to batter the lower Town and in other Places to straiten the besieged more than they had been the year before The Bassa of Buda not ignorant of the want both of Men and Munition in the besieged City and the rather for that they had but a little before sent part of their Garrison with Shot and Powder to Rab and Dotis attempted thrice as he did many times after during the time of the siege to have by the River put new Supplies both of Men and Munition into the City but was still by the Diligence of the Christians excluded and inforced with loss to return In short time the lower Town which they call Wasserstat or the Water-town was with continual battery sore beaten so that scarcely any House or Building was left whole and a Counterscarf made the last year beaten down Whereunto certain Wallons were sent only to have viewed the bredth and manner of the Ditches after whom certain Companies of the Hungarian Heidons presently followed without any Command of their Captains who with great Courage got to the top of another high Counterscarf and there set up some of their Ensigns Which the Turks beholding and coming on close together by plain force inforced them with loss to retire Among these Hungarians were divers also of the Wallons slain with some others of good Name and Place to the great Grief of the County being not a little offended with that disordered Service yet Day and Night the Battery ceased not and the Christians out of their Trenches with their Musquet-shot slew many of the Turks upon the Walls receiving little or no hurt again the Turks still shooting sparingly for fear of wanting Shot and Powder at their greater need yet that they spent they bestowed so well that amongst others they had slain four of the Christian Canoneers and one Wallon Captain About the midst of Iuly the County with continual battery had made the Water-town as he thought assaultable and therefore sent certain Companies to begin the assault who having passed the Counterscarf found the Ditch full of deep Mud and but newly cut broader certain paces by the Turks so that it was thought scarce possible to be passed without a Bridg behind which Ditch was an high Wall with strong Bulwarks and within all this was another new cast Ditch and upon the very brink thereof a thick and high Parapet all which for all that certain Companies of Wallons with great Labour and Danger adventured to pass but such was the Valour of the Defendants and the small number of them that came on to the assault with the Disadvantage of the Place wherein they stood that at length they were glad to retire with the loss of many of their Fellows The Christians in the beginning of this Siege had taken a little Island in the River before the City which was kept with some few Companies of the Lord Palfi's Heidons whereof the Turks having Intelligence at Buda with three Gallies and certain other Vessels landed in the Island 3000 Souldiers which slew the Heidons unto whom no Succour could be suddenly sent and so recovered again the Island wherein they left a sufficient Garrison for the keeping thereof furnished with all things necessary and so departed About three days after the former assault the Christians in hope of better Success the second time assaulted the Water-town in which assault the chief Leaders were the Lord Greis and Anthony Zinne a famous Captain had he not stained his Honour with County Hardeck at Rab but being pardoned by the Emperour did now together with the rest appointed to that Service most courageously assault the Breach but were again by the Turks notably repulsed and inforced at last to give over the assault and so to retire with the loss of 150 men among whom Zinne himself was slain with one Captain Ruger and some of the Counties own Guard the Lord Greis was wounded in the Head and the younger Lord Schuendi with divers other Captains grievously hurt The next day after 600 of the Mountain People came into the Camp unto the County with Supplications to request him Not to give over the siege until he had won the City promising him in the Name of those Towns and Villages from whence they were sent of their own Charges to repair for him what harm soever he should do in the City for the taking thereof yea though he should lay it even with the Ground for why the Harms they daily received from the Garrison of that City were wonderful At the same time also he was advertised by his Espials of whom he maintained many for the Discovery of the Enemies doings that Mahomet the Turkâ—sh Sultan had writ unto the Bassa of Buda carefully to provide that his beloved City of Strigonium took no harm and not to spare either for Men or Money in time to relieve it and therein to do nothing without the Advice and good liking of his old and faithful Servant Alis Beg who of long time had governed and also defended that City and to the intent that nothing should be wanting for the performance hereof that he had sent Alexander Aga of the Ianizaries from the Court whose Service he might ill have spared whose approved Counsel and Help he might also use in all things for that he had rather lose some other whole Kingdom than that one City And that therefore he should beware that it were not won by the Enemy or by any Composition yielded
the filling up of the Ditch of the old Castle with Faggots Earth and such like matter for the hastening of which work Mahomet himself spared not to ride up and down in all places of his Army with his Presence and cheerful Speech encouraging his men in that desperate Work. But whilst the Turks are thus busie in fulfilling his Command the Christians sallying out upon them made great slaughter of them and put to flight Ibrahim the great Bassa with such as were about him after whom they so eagerly followed that he in the flight lost his Tulipant for haste and was there very like to have been taken Nevertheless the work went still forward and was now at length with the restless labour of so great a multitude brought to such perfection that the Turks thought it now no great matter by assault to enter the Castle and thereupon the tenth of October gave unto it four desperate Assaults one upon another being still with greater slaughter of his men repulsed But coming on again the fifth time with fresh Supplies and greater fury than at the first they prevailed and so entring put to the Sword all they found in the Castle in number about eight hundred four hundred of whose Heads one of the Turks Captains caused to be carried unto Mahomet in the Camp in the beholding whereof he is said to have taken great Pleasure as in the undoubted Signs of his Victory The old Castle thus taken nothing remained but the new Castle against which the Turks converted their whole Forces wherein they reposed not so much hope altho their Battery were very terrible and their Power great as in the secret Mines wherewith they had in fourteen places undermined the Castle and were now almost ready to be blown up Which the besieged perceiving and withal considering the state wherein they stood and not hearing any thing of relief resolved amongst themselves without the consent of their chief Commanders no longer to hold out but to yield And thereupon altogether as if it had been but one man rise up in a Mutiny against their two Governours Paul Niari and Tersky who at the first by all the reasons they could devise dissuaded them from such Cowardise putting them in mind of the Oath they had taken which not prevailing they afterwards upon their knees requested them as men to hold it out yet a while in hope of speedy relief yea Tersky with his hands cast up intreated them that if they would no longer hold it out but needs yield then they should first kill him with their own hands that he might not live to see so great a Dishonour But what availeth Persuasion with men possessed with so great fear And in the mean time 250 of the common Souldiers among whom were many Italians secretly escaping out of the Castle fled into the Camp of whom divers became Renegades and turned Turk which added to the former fear so much discouraged the minds of the rest that they forthwith required to come to parle with the Enemy and so agreed That they might with Bag and Baggage and their Swords by their sides in safety depart the great Sultan giving his Faith for the performance thereof with Hostages delivered on either side So the thirteenth of October about Noon the Garrison Souldiers came out of the Castle in number about 2000 but they were not gone far but that they were in a great Plane set upon by the Turks and Tartars and there cut in pieces some of them were flain quick and some other of them otherwise shamefully dismembred the Turks in the mean time upbraiding them and saying That Faith was not to be kept with them that had so cruelly before dealt with them of Hatwan This perfidious dealing much offended divers of the better sort of the Turks insomuch that some of them complained thereof unto the Sultan who as is reported caused some of the chief Authors thereof to be put to death and afterward by open Proclamation commanded that if any of the Turks or Tartars had taken any of them Prisoners they should forthwith set them at liberty Thus is the famous City of Agria of long time a Christian Bishops Seat now become a sure Receptacle for the Turks and Infidels Whilst Mahomet thus lay at the Siege of Agria the Bassa of Bosna with certain other of the Sanzacks thereabouts having raised a great Army came and besieged Petrinia in the Borders of Croatia which he at his first coming so furiously battered by the space of seven days that it was of many thought not possible for it to hold out two days longer In the mean time the Lord Herbenstein and Leucowitze with all the Power they could make out of Croatia and Windismarch came towards Petrinia but having no means in so great haste to make a Bridge over the River of Kulp they retired towards Siseg there to pass over The Turks hearing of their retire and supposing them to have fled for fear put six thousand Horsemen over the River to pursue them upon whom the Christians turning and charging them home overthrew them and having slain many of them drave the rest headlong into the River where most of them perished The Christians nevertheless keeping on their way to Siseg there the next day by a Bridge passed over the River and so marching towards Petrinia and being come near unto the Town were encountered by eight thousand Turks whom they also put to flight and by certain Prisoners there taken understood that the Bassa the day before was risen from before the Town and gone which they at the first believed not but coming thither found it so to their own good Contentment and the great Joy of the late besieged Maximilian the General marching on fair and softly from Strigonium at length the seventeenth of October came to Cassovia four days after that Agria was lost and there met with the Transilvanian Prince who was come thither with eighteen thousand men and forty Field-pieces to aid him of whom eight thousand were mercenary Horse-men fifteen hundred were of the Nobility of his Country and the rest Foot-men The next day after they setting forward from Cassovia joyned themselves with the rest of the Army led by the Lord Teuffenbach and Palfi and so of all their united Forces made one Army consisting now of 32000 Horse-men and 28000 Foot who drew with them an 120 Field-pieces and 20000 Waggons wherewith they every night enclosed their Army as with a most sure Trench So orderly marching they kept on their way towards Agria with a full resolution to give the Turks Battel whereof the whole Army seemed to be very desirous By the way at length they came to a fair Heath two miles long and four broad where they were to pass over a certain River the Passage whereof Giaffer Bassa had before taken with 20000 Turks and Tartars the rest of the Turks Army lying still not far from Agria Now the purpose of
were returning home behold contrary to all hope Rab one of the strongest Fortresses of Christendom three Years before betrayed unto the Turks by County Hardeck was now by the Wisdom and Valour of Adolphus Baron of Swartzenburg the Emperour's Lieutenant in the lower Hungary again recovered to the great grief of the Turks and wonderful rejoycing of the Christians in such sort as followeth This noble Gentleman the Lord Swartzenburg of no less Courage than Experience then lying at Komara and still in doubt lest the Turks so near unto him at Rab should attempt something against him and his Charge provided for his own defence all that Winter-time with a strong Garrison keeping continual Watch and Ward altho it were as then no time for the Enemy with any Army to keep the Field So Winter passing and the Spring approaching it fortuned that the two and twentieth day of March about seven a clock in the night the Gates being shut were heard near under the Walls of the Town two men who by their Speech seemed to be Italians with great instance requesting for the safeguard of their Lives to be let in for fear of the Enemies Pursuit which by one of the Sentinels was forthwith reported unto the Governour who doubting it to be some subtil practice of the Enemy commanded them there to take their Fortune until the Morning at which time they were received into the City and being brought before the Governour prostrating themselves forthwith at his Feet pitifully requested him to have compassion of their Misery and to comfort them with his charitable Relief that so they might at length return again into their Country who at the first asked them What Country-men they were and from whence they came at that time of the night Whereunto they answered That they were Italians and that they had but even then escaped out of the cruel hands of the Turks at Rab. But desiring to know of them some News they after their manner humbled themselves shewing by their Gesture not to know any Yet would he needs understand of them the Particularities when and how they were taken by the Turks and the means they had used to escape out of that cruel Servitude in all order as had befaln them Where the younger of them beginning told him That now almost two years ago at such time as the Christians were overthrown by the Turks under Agria and every man in that confusion then seeking the best and nearest way to save themselves they having by flight now escaped the greatest danger of the Enemy and so travelling over the Country towards Vienna were to their great Misfortune by an hundred Turks come out of Rab to scour the Country and to seek after Prey taken Prisoners and as Slaves committed to the Chain where they had almost two years until now with great Patience served These two Fugitives by their outward appearance seemed to be men of good Spirit and Valour which caused the Governour the more desirous to know of them the means they had used for their escape So the younger proceeding in his Tale gave him to understand of the whole matter telling him That they had been three Months before still carefully devising how to recover their lost Liberty which now seemed to make some offer of it self unto them for that since the time that the Emperour's Army rise the last year from before the Town they were not kept so strait or looked unto as before but lay as men by the Turks not much regarded which caused them the more cheerfully to take the offer of the time and to resolve either the sooner to dye or to set themselves at liberty And that so one day as they were carrying certain Munition from the Palace of Giaffer Bassa for the Souldiers they secretly conveyed three pieces of Cord of some reasonable bigness therewith by night to let themselves down from the Wall and so make their Escape which stoln Cord that it should not be seen and so their purpose suspected they buried in the ground But the Night being come for them to effect in what they had so long desired and they roming up and down in the dark and still finding one let or other they were enforced for that time to stay and to deferr it until the night following which being come and choice made of a most convenient place they made fast the Cord above and so thereby slid down first the elder and then the younger who not knowing how to swim was yet by the good direction and help of his Fellow conducted over unto the farther side of the broad and deep Ditch and that so in the night so dark as that one of them could hardly see the other they were come by chance to Komara thinking to have taken the way to Vienna The Governour thus fully instructed of their Escape demanded of them further how the strong Town of Rab was by the Turks governed and guarded who told him very evil and with small care especially since the Departure of the Emperour's Camp and also that four Gates of the Town were filled up with Earth which if they were broken open would all fall into the Town-ditch and so further them that would attempt to enter with divers other Particularities Whereof the Governour having well considered thought with himself that if by some ingenious Device he might by night with some good strength upon the sudden enter the Town it might happily be so again recovered Upon which so great a designment he thought good to consult further with the Lord Palfi whom he requested in all haste and with as much Secrecy as was possible with 1600 Foot and as many Horse as he could make to come unto him to Komara Who upon this Advertisement staid not but presently giving order unto his men set forward by night and the 26 th of March before day with 1400 Foot and 120 Horse arrived at Komara where they were all joyfully received and the Gates after they were entred again fast shut and so kept for fear of the Enemies secret Spies of whom no man can be too wary be he never so wise Now whilst these Souldiers were refreshing themselves in the mean time the Governour with the Lord Palfi discoursed to the full concerning the intended Enterprise which resolved upon they found themselves upon the view of their men to have 2600 Foot of the Garrison Souldiers and 300 Horse all good and courageous men and well appointed for the intended Service who there staying two days after their coming and many of them in the mean time after the manner of their Religion confessing themselves and receiving the Sacrament were become so courageous as that they doubted not in the Quarrel of the Christian Religion to encounter a far greater number of the Turks than themselves And the more to stir them up the Lord Palfi at the same time delivered unto them a notable Speech not for all that telling them whither they were
contented that in despight and contempt of him that had sent him he should be put to the Bastonado only and so grievously threatned sent back again unto his Master Who having received this shameful Answer and in doubt of some farther matter from that angry King commanded new and strong Garrisons to be put in all his strong holds confining upon the Persian Kingdom This troublesome Year of Iubile thus past the Emperour much troubled with the loss of Canisia year 1601 and in doubt of worse to come albeit that Ibrahim Bassa whom for all that he trusted not did afresh intreat with him concerning Peace and seeing also the great need he had of greater Aid to withstand the mighty Power of the Turk with great instancy requested Aid of the Pope and of the other Princes of Italy who considering also how much it concerned the rest of the Christian Commonweal to have the Frontiers of Hungary defended condescended unto the Emperour's Request and so the Pope with the beginning of the Spring sent him eight thousand Souldiers in Pay under the leading of Io Francisco Aldobrandino his Nephew their General who with the like charge had now served ever since the Year 1599 King Philip also at the instance of the Emperour gave Order unto the County Fuentes to send into Croatia certain Bands of Dutches who by direction from him were forthwith conducted to Millain The great Duke of Florence also sent unto him two thousand Souldiers under the leading of Francisco de Monte with whom also by his Appointment went the Lord Io. de Medices whom Ferdinand the Arch-duke forthwith requested for to be Master of his Camp thither came also the Duke of Mantua with an honourable Company both of Horse and Foot being forthwith by the Arch-duke made his Lieutenant-General And so whilst these People assembled together into Croatia the Emperour sent also another good Army into Hungary drawn for most part out of Germany which under the leading of the Arch-duke Matthias his Brother and the Duke Mercury his Lieutenant-General went into those Parts to withstand the Turk A third Army he also made of the Imperials which strengthened with the Forces of Don Ferrant Gonzaga Governour of the upper Hungary joyned themselves with Basta for the Recovery of Transilvania out of which he had been of late driven as shall hereafter be declared And so whilst these Armies were in preparing many hot Skirmishes passed in Hungary betwixt the Christians and the Turks the loss falling sometime to the one side and sometime to the other But the time now come that Souldiers might well take the Field Ibrahim Bassa being now before dead at Belgrade whilst he was yet intreating of a dissembled Peace and Hassan one of the Visier Bassaes by Mahomet appointed General in Hungary in his place yet delaying his coming the Parle for Peace laid aside as never indeed by the Turks intended but only by them entertained to dally off the time to their own more advantage Duke Mercury General of the Emperour's Forces taking the offer of so fit an Opportunity came with his Army from Komara where he had lain expecting the Event of the Parle and laid Siege to Alba-Regalis one of the chiefest and strongest Cities of Hungary which seated in the midst of a Marsh was thought almost impregnable being hardly to be approached but by the Suburbs which strongly fortified and defended by the Marsh served the City instead of three most sure Bulwarks within which stood also the City it self well defended with a good Wall and a Ditch This City the Duke for certain days continually battered as if he had purposed at length to have taken it by assault but in the mean time certainly informed by a Fugitive but lately fled out of the City that the broad Lake on the other side of the City over against the Place where he lay was not so deep but that it was to be passed contrary to the Opinion both of the Turks Captives and of the natural Inhabitants whom he had upon that Point examined and that the Turks presuming upon the strength thereof and thinking themselves on that side safe had turned almost all their Care and Forces unto that side of the City which was now by him battered without regard of any great Peril to be from the other side feared he appointed the Lord Russworm with his Souldiers to make Proof if the Sigeth Suburbs for so they were called on the aforesaid side of the City so little regarded by the Turks were not to be surprised for that these Suburbs being taken the City could not long hold out for the undertaking of which Enterprise Russworm was both by the captive Turks and Country People thereby dwelling much discouraged they all with one consent affirming That albeit he should find no other Difficulties in the attempting thereof yet the Lake it self was not possible to be passed who nevertheless not altogether trusting them sent certain of his Men secretly to try the matter who having so done brought him word That the Lake was undoubtedly though with much difficulty to be passed Whereupon he with 1000 select Souldiers with every one of them a good Faggot on his Back beside his Arms to fill up the deepest of the Marsh by night entred the same wherein he had not gone far but that he almost with the danger of his Life found it much deeper and more troublesome than the Spies had unto him before reported but carried with an invincible Courage himself and his Souldiers moved by his Example he still went on they also following of him It is almost a thing incredible to tell what these adventurous men endured plunged in the deep Mud among the Flags and Bulrushes going still up in Water and Mud unto the Waste even where the Marsh was the shallowest where also if one missed but a step he was by and by over Head and Ears and in danger to be drowned if he were not by his Fellows presently holden yet at length by God's help having with the loss but of six or seven men a little before day got over the Duke by an appointed Sign advertised thereof with greater Stir and Tumult than at any time before assailed that side of the City where he lay as if even then and there he had only meant to have ingaged his whole Forces for the winning thereof When in the mean time the Lord Russworm on the other side with his resolute Souldiers with Ladders provided for the purpose scaled the Walls of the Suburbs and almost unperceived recovered the top thereof the Turks being at the same time wholly bent for the defence of the other side of the City where most stir and apparent danger was and so being got into the Suburbs with a great and terrible Cry assailed the Turks who surprised with an exceeding Fear and not well knowing which way to turn themselves without any great Resistance fled into the City the Christians following
he was near Kinsman unto the Bassa who being brought to Prince Alexander he received him very courteously and gave him a Garment fit for him having been stript of his own he also gave him a Horse and sent him back unto the Bassa with a good Convoy to whom he sent a Letter by the which he intreated him not to advance in favour of Stephano promising that if the Grand Seignior would suffer him to enjoy Moldavia quietly he would be most faithful unto him afterwards and pay him the yearly accustomed Tribute whereof the Bassa made no great account for he was wonderfully incensed both for his Sons â—ad success in this Enterprise and for the death of his Turkish Captain Upon the day of this Victory Prince Alexander sent fifteen hundred Horse to fortifie Prince Coresky whereof eight hundred were lodged in a certain Borough six Leagues from Ticouth whereas the Bassa and Michna were then with their Army being about five and twenty thousand men These eight hundred men neglecting their Guards did nothing but drink drunk and molest their Hosts with all kind of Insolencies and forcing their Wives and Daughters which made them take a Resolution to be revenged and to that end they called unto them certain Boyers out of the Country who chusing their time cut all their Throats when they were asleep and most of them drunk About the end of this Year Prince Alexander called a General Council whereas the Princess his Mother Prince Coresky and all the chief Noblemen and Captains assisted where it was resolved that they should retire to Cochina being thirty French Leagues off for that it was the strongest place and the best furnished of all Moldavia and withal they should be far from their Enemies and near unto Polonia According to this Resolution Prince Alexander parted the next day with his whole Army and came in four days march to Cochina in the extreamest cold Season that could be having lodged his Troops the Princes sent divers Gentlemen to all their Friends and Confederates to conjure them to come speedily to succour them and in the mean time they gave order to make provision of Victuals and of all other things necessary for their Army The Bassa being advertised of this Retreat he marched with Michna and Stephano towards Yas notwithstanding the extremity of the Cold which was so violent that many died upon the way whereupon they stayed untill the time was more mild In the beginning of March the Lord of Tischevich came unto Prince Alexander with 3500 Cossacks and within few days after arrived the Lord Potosky Nephew to him who had been taken at the first Battel and carried Prisoner to Constantinople who brought with him a Troop of fifteen hundred Polonians well armed there came also other Succours unto him so as by the end of that Month the Princes Army was ten or twelve thousand strong Foot and Horse Prince Alexander hearing of the Enemies approach sent forth 1000 Horse with his Company of French Cavaliers to discover the Enemies Army who staying to refresh themselves within half a League of the Town of Espanocha whereas Michna's Tartarians were lodged they were discovered and presently invested by them and by a great number of Turks and although that there were little hope to resist so great a Multitude yet Alexanders Men who had always been accustomed to vanquish behaved themselves very valiantly desiring rather to die than to yield basely without giving proofs of their Valour This fight continued from ten of the Clock in the Morning until Night and of the whole Troop there escaped but twelve seven Polonians and five French the rest were either slain or taken Prisoners among the which was the Captain of the French Company called Mountespin whom they would have sent with the rest unto the Grand Seigniors Gallies But Stephano preserved him upon promise that he would do him good Service Here Fortune which hath hitherto been favourable unto Prince Alexander began to shew her Inconstancy to teach Princes not to run rashly into Dangers although they have had some Advantage over their Enemies At Constantinople about the end of August this Year 1616 year 1616 Envy the most furious of all the Winds that shake the Affairs of the World stirred up a horrible Tempest whose violent Gusts fell dangerously upon the Jesuits setled at Pera by the Sultans Permission at the Perswasion of Henry the Fourth the French King and labours to cast them upon the Rocks where they might suffer Shipwrack shameful to their Order and prejudicial to the Christians which live in the midst of Mahometism And to ruine them without all hope of help or relief they accused them before the Grand Visier to be Spies to Spain to give Absolution to Renegadoâ—s to baptize Turks to conceal fugitive Slaves and to send them into Christendom and withal they objected the Doctrine of killing of Kings if they were Tyrants the which had been rashly written by a Spaniard of their Coat all which Crimes are commonly punished at Constantinople with Death They seised upon their Persons and lodged them in a Dungeon they were six in number that is to say Francis Bouton Denis Guilier Dominick Maurice of Chio and Iohn Baptista Iobert their Superiour all four Priests and two Assistants and with them a Franciscan Friar Vicar to the Patriarch of Constantinople A suspition of Danger in an Estate is easily believed upon the least accident In the mean time the Emperours Ambassador came to Constantinople to renew the Truce they entered with their Drums beating and their Ensigns displayed They which thought to erect Trophies to their Glory by their Ruine of the Jesuits made use of this entry and gave false Advertisements to the Seraglio that there were in Constantinople and at Pera many thousands of Christians disguised in the Habits of Greeks and Turks which came with this Ambassadour with an intent to put that in Execution which the Jesuits had projâ—cted Moreover they informed the Grand Visier and the Muphti that the Churches in Pera and the Ambassadors Houses were full of Arms and that now when as the Turks Estate and especially Constantinople was unprovided of Forces having employed their Armies in divers Places and at one instant as in Poland Persia and both the Seas that they meant to draw the Greeks into Rebellion and give an entry to the Cossacks by the black Sea. The Sultan and his Bassaes took an alarm they commanded every man to wear the Habit of his own Nation with a prohibition to wear any Hat except the Franks and they to wear a Grecian Habit they also enrolled all the Christians in Constantinople and Pera. But the Sultan did not think his City of Constantinople free from the danger of surprise by this diligent search but he would seek his assurance in the Blood of Christians so as he commanded that all the Franks should be slain without exception But yet this Commandment
his Master to Mr. Brent to be paid by Bill of Exchange at Constantinople and when advice came the Bills were paid the Goods should be delivered in the mean time they lie in Mr. Lancelot's Warehouse with some 40 Clothes 60 Barrels of Tin which Tin belongs to Mr. Sainthill and sealed up by the Neipe and us Before we had ended at this House the whole Town was in an Uprore being fomented by Jews and fome of the young Fry left behind and proclaimed in the Streets that the Town would be undone the Trade lost and go to wrack if this was suffered so that before the Consul's Door were so many of the scum of the Town the Streets were packed thick of them On the other side a more unruly Enemy threatned worse things the Master of the Golden Lion who had before given Barnardiston 9000 Dollars at Cambio and had no Goods in his Possession hearing how it would fare with them Lands forty Men at Barnardiston's House and vowed he would have his Mony or Goods or swore he would beat down the Town so likewise the Ionas got her Sails to Yards that the Kaddie's Son and the Chiouz desired to let it alone until another day for fear of worse Events So when they had made an end at Lancelot's House would stay no longer but promised to come another day The Estate before mentioned we carried away in spight of Envy and have put it up in a safe Cane As soon as this was done because the Captain would not come ashore I got Iordan to go aboard the Golden Lion and know the Master his Intent and to acquaint him with the Danger might ensue thereon all we could urge was nothing except he had satisfaction for his 9000 Dollars at last told him if we knew where his Estate lay we would endeavour to help him to it so he found it out and we delivered it to him and the Man was very well satisfied And now we hope to find little Impediment and to morrow Morning the Caddie's Son promiseth to come again and we doubt not the same day but to make an end If your Lordship saw the little regard these People bear to the Grand Signior's Commands the Caddie or ought else but their private Ends your Lordship would as we hope your Lordship will not blame us if we procured but the half of what your Lordship's Letter mentions To morrow if God bless us we shall send your Lorship more punctual Advice and for the present crave leave to subscribe our selves Smyrna June 16. 1646. Your Honours Most faithful most obliged and most humble Servants Iohn Hetherington Lorenzo Suma John Hetherington and Lorenza Zuma's Letter to Sir Sackvile Crow dated in Smyrna Iune 19. 1646. Right Honourable OUrs of the 16 th advised your Lordship how with the Caddie's Son his Niepe and Chia we had entred the House of Mr. Lancelott and taken into our possession the Goods we found therein not pretended unto by Strangers and how by the insolency of Nicholas Terrick Master of the Hopewell formerly the Golden Lion we were interrupted that day from proceeding any farther and how by the means of Captain Iordan we had pacified that young rash and undiscreet Man and that we hoped the next Morning to proceed without interruption but it fell not out so for the next Morning we went to Barnardiston's House thinking to make all sure there and when we had begun in comes the Master with a Crew of his own and said those Goods he had received were not sufficient to give him satisfaction and demanded of us the rest We answered We could not give him these Goods we had sealed up before he came into Port for what he demanded but assured him if he knew of any thing standing out we would endeavour the best we could for his Satisfaction Upon this as we understood since a young Man of the House whispered the Master in his Ear and told him if he were not satisfied before the Goods went out of the House all was lost he would never have a Penny of it Upon this away goes the Master aboard with this young Man in his company and loosed his Sails but threatned nothing Upon this comes in the Jews and told the Niepe and the Chia that the Master would shoot down the Town but for all our perswasions that he durst not away runs the Niepe his Company and leaves us there alone so we resolved to have done it our selves but the Merchants had so worked with the Hamalls that there was not one to be seen so being alone and seeing his Boat coming ashore well mann'd and fearing a surprize we presently repaired to the Chiouzes and desired him to go with us to the Caddies to see if we could have any better assistance from him By this time the Town was in a great Uproar and the People something too insolent the Caddie to prevent the worst presently caused the Shops to be shut up and immediately sent for all the chief Men of the Town who by Presents before we had made our Friends and there before them all and a great company of the Townsmen caused the Commands to be read and told them how much they were bound to see the Grand Signior's Commands put in execution and what dishonour it would be for one Ship to command the Town So after they had disputed the Business the Caddie sends an Officer aboard accompanied with the Druggermen to the Nation to know whether he would hinder the prosecution of the Grand Signior's Command or no and to know his Answer He presently denied he ever intended to shoot at the Town only desired his own So presently after the People were a little appeased we went to work again and so this day have finished all it being done in such confusion we cannot give your Lordship that exact Accompt you may expect within a day or two for then we will send your Lordship the Particulars with the Values in mean time we stand upon our Guard having some 20 or 30 of the Souldiers of the Castle to keep watch every night for my Lord here is no small Hubbub in the Town and threatning both of us and the Estate but we will secure both as well as we can We have sent your Lordship a rough Draught of what we have and what we have left sealed up and find it fall short far of what your Lordship expected the sooner your Lordship disposes of it the better for assure your self there is daily some Design or other hatching We should be very sorry after all this to have it miscarry therefore pray my Lord dispose of it to prevent the worst as soon as you may Your Lordship was pleased to inorder us to change our Lodging being too near the Water-side and in a Merchant's House which as soon as we can get a secure House we will but the farther from the Water-side the more dangerous if the People of the Country should intend us
sustained on either part shall be quiet taken away and forgotten and this Peace shall be in fâ—ll force and vertue and continue for ever And for all Depredations and Damages that shall hereafter be Committed or done by either side before Notice can be given of this Peace full satisfaction be immediately made And whatsoever remains in kind shall instantly be restored XXIII That whatsoever shall happen hereafter that any thing is done or committed by the Ships or Subjects of either side contrary to any of these Articles Satisfaction being Demanded therefore shall be made to the full and without any manner of Delay and that it shall not be Lawful to break this Peace unless such satisfaction be denyed and our Faith shall be our Faith and our word our word and whosoever shall be the Cause of the breaking of this Peace shall assuredly be punished with present Death Confirmed and Sealed in the Presents of Almighty God the fifth day of March Old Stile and in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ one thousand six hundred seventy five Being the last day of the Moon Zelheldga and the year of the Hegeira on thousand and eighty six WHereas there were several Articles of Peace and Commerce between the most Serene and Mighty Prince Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of Great-Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Christian Faith c. And the most Illustrious Lords Halil Bassa Ibraim Dei Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary lately made and concluded by the said Lords on the one part And by Sir John Narbrough Knight Admiral of his said Serene Majesties Fleet in the Mediterranean Seas on the other part and by them confirmed and Sealed in the Presence of Almighty God the fifth day of March Old Stile And in the year of our Lord Iesus Christ 1675 6 being the last day of the Moon Zelhedga And the year of the Hegeira 1086. Since which time of Confirming and Sealing the aforesaid Articles of Peace and Commerce The aforesaid Lord Ibraim Dei being fled away from the Government of the City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary Now we Halil Bassa Aga Divan Governors Souldiers and People of the aforesaid City and Kingdom of Tripoly have Choosen and Elected Vice Admiral Mustapha Grande to be Dei of the aforesaid City and Kingdom of Tripoly to succeed Ibraim Dei in the aforesaid Government And now we Halil Bassa Aga Divan and Governors Souldiers and People of Tripoly aforesaid having seen the aforesaid Articles of Peace and Commerce which were lately made and concluded as aforesaid And having seriously perus'd and fully considered all particulars therein mentioned Do fully approve of all and every the aforesaid Articles of Peace and we and every one of us do now by these presents consent and agree to and with Sir John Narbrough Knight aforesaid for the just and exact keeping and performing of the said Articles And do accept approve ratifie and confirm all and every of them in the same manner and form as they are incerted and repeated in the preceding Articles aforesaid hereby firmly engaging our selves and successors assuring on our faith sacredly to maintain and strictly to observe perform and keep inviolably all and every the aforesaid Article and Articles of Peace and Agreements for ever And to cause and require all our Subjects and people of what degree or quality whatsoever within the City or Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary or Dominions thereunto belonging both by Sea and Land punctually inviolably carefully and duly to observe keep and perform all and every the aforesaid Article and Articles thereof for ever And our Faith shall be our Faith and our word our word and whosoever shall at any time violate and break any part of the said Article or Articles of Peace they shall be assuredly punished with greatest severity and his or their heads shall be immediately cut off and forthwith be presented unto any Officer whom the most Serene King of Great Britain c. shall Authorize to make Demand thereof It is further agreed that the Subjects belonging unto the most serene King of Great Britain c. Trading unto the Port of the City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary aforesaid or to any Port or Place of the Dominions thereunto belonging in any Merchants Ship or other Vessel belonging to the said Serene Kings Subjects shall not pay so much Custom by one per Cent. for whatsoever Goods or Merchandize they sell or buy as other Nations do for the Customs of the like Goods or Merchandize notwithstanding whatsoever is Specified in the Second Article aforesaid to the contrary And that the most Serene King of Great Britains Consul residing in Tripoly aforesaid shall have Liberty at all times when he pleaseth to put up his said Serene Majesties Flag on the Flag-staff on the Top of his House and thereto continue it spread as long time as he pleaseth likewise the said Consul to have the same Liberty of puâ—ting up and spreading the said Flag in his Boat when he passeth on the Water and no Man whatsoever to Oppose Molest Disturb or Injury him therein either by Word or Deed. These and all other preceding Articles are to remain firm for ever without any alteration and in all other particulars not mentioned in any of these Articles the Regulation shall be according to the Capitulation general with the Grand Signior Confirmed likewise and Sealed in the Presence of Almighty God at our Castle in the noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary the first day of May Old Stile and in the year of our Lord Iesus Christ 1676 being the twenty sixth day of the Moon Zaphire and the year of the Hegeira 1080. Halil Bassa's Seal Mustapha Dei's Seal Aga's Seal Ally Admiral 's Seal A True Coppy Examined out of Sir John Narbroughs Thomas Fowler HAving thus related the original cause proceedings and conclusion of our War with Tripoly Let us Travel to Tunis which though since the year 1655 hath ever maintained Peace with England yet the civil dissentions among themselves have administred unto us Subject of discourse and more especially since it hath some relation to Hoffse-bey whom formerly we named as Mediator of the Peace between Us and Tripoly On the sixth of September 1675. Morat Bei General of all the Land Forces in the Kingdom of Tunis dyed the most Politick and Popular Person that ever mannaged that Office his Sons Ciddi Mehmet and Ciddi Ali by the general approbation and consent of the Souldiery joyntly succeeding him in that charge But the ambition of these two young Gallants would admit no union in the Government the Elder would know no equal and the younger no superior so that it was necessary for one to govern or both to be laid aside the decision of which was referred to a full Assembly of the Turks In the mean time Hoffsey-bey Brother to Morat deceased and Uncle to the two
known to the Turks and other Nations of the World. It being now resolved on all sides to make the Peace the Mediators who were to manage the Treaty were nominated and appointed and the most proper Persons esteemed to be the Ambassadors from England and Holland both of which having never been Engaged in the War on any of the sides but had always been true and ancient Friends to the Port the Turks could have no Objections to alledge against either nor had the Christian Princes any cause to suspect the Faith and Friendship of two such Ambassadors whose Offices and Persons were acceptable to the Turks and not displeasing to the Christians The Names of these Ambassadors designed to this so Necessary and Most Honourable Employment were the Lord Paget Ambassador for William King of Great-Britain and the Heer Colyer Ambassador for the Lords the States of the United Provinces All Matters being now ripe for Action and a willing mind for Execution the Turks moved with their Camp on the 11th of Iune 1698. commanded by the Grand Vizier the Grand Seignior still remaining behind in his Tent and with them also moved the two Ambassadors with their Equipages And to put every thing into a good posture and a way of Dispatch the Lord Ambassador's Secretary was dispatched away a second time as he had been the first on the 10th of May for Vienna from whence he returned on the 5th of Iuly to Sophia where on the same Day he there met with the Lord Ambassador Paget to whom he Communicated the good News of the Happy Inclinations of the Emperor and that Court towards the Peace But that no delay should be made therein the same Secretary was again dispatched away to hasten the Emperor's Ambassadors to the Place appointed and agreed upon for the Treaty and to procure and bring with him Passes and safe Conducts for the Turkish Plenipotentiaries who were the Reis Effendi Chief Chancellor or Secretary and Maurocordato who was the principal and first Interpreter to the Grand Seignior These two Persons together with the Lord Paget and the Dutch Ambassador set out from Sophia before the Camp on the 15th of Iuly and on the 24th they had passed 10 Hours beyond Nissa and on the 31st they arrived happily at Belgrade The Ambassadors remained at this place for the space of two Months that is of August and September the which passed soon away in regard that the Expectations of Peace had so filled Mens Hearts that nothing was heard in all Places but the Voices of Peace and Joy in all their Quarters At length the Month of October being entered the Proclamation of Neutrality was first published at Peter Waradin to the great Pleasure and Satisfaction of all People both Christians and Turks and afterwards at Belgrade On the 9 19th of October the Lord Paget and the Dutch Ambassador left their Camp near the City raised on an Eminence where was a good Air and a good Prospect over the Countries round about and upon the same Day early in the Morning they passed the Save a River which runs from Bosnia and falls into the Danube at Belgrade where it loses its Name In passing this River this Order was observed First went an Allai-Bey or the Marshal of the Show with about 50 Horse Then 60 Chiauses on Horseback A Guard of Janisaries being about 330 Men all on Foot. An Aga belonging to the Ambassadors with his own Servants and six Domestick Janisaries After which followed two Flags one with the English Coat of Arms and the other was a large Red Cross in a White Field Thenfollowed the English Ambassador's 6 led Horses covered with very richFurniture followed by the Gentleman of the Horse to my Lord Ambassador attended by a Giovane di Lingua or a young Druggerman or Interpreter Then came up the two Interpreters attending His Excellency the Lord Ambassador on each side of his Horse and they attended with two Heydukes in their own Country Habit and on both sides 10 Chiohadars or Servants who carry the Cloaks or Vests of the Great Men in White Vests with their Carbines on their Shoulders The Brother to the Lord Ambassador road afterwards with six Chiohadars Then followed the Secretary and Doctor with two English Gentlemen one from Aleppo and the other from Tripoli Also six Pages with the Lord Ambassador's Coach with a Turkish one which went before the Common Servants who marched all on Horseback two and two At their Passage over the Bridge of the Save which was lined with Janisaries three Guns were fired from the Castle and the Gallies Saicks and the Frigats as they passed fired each a Gun. About half the way to Semblin the Chiaus and others whom the Vizier had sent along with them made a Halt and having wished a good Journey to those whom they conducted returned back About an Hour after these Matters had passed the Dutch Ambassador followed and was used with the same Civility as those preceding The Emperor's Ambassadors because they sent Passports to the Turkish Ambassadors Signed by the Emperor's Hand desired to have others Signed by the Sultan But because it was considered that this exchange of Passports would take up a great deal of time the Mediators found out and agreed upon this Expedient That the Proclamation being made in both the Emperors Names no Passports should be delivered either from the Germans to the Turks or from the Turks to the Germans but that a Pleni-power should be given to the Midiators to grant Passports to People who were going up and down within the Limits of Neutrality agreed on both sides So the German Ambassadors resolved to go to Carlowitz within three Days time tho' their Wooden Houses were not arrived as yet The Mediators also agreed upon the same and to place themselves so that their Doors might be over against each other at a good distance whereby the Turks remained wholly on the Belgrade side and the Germans towards Peter Waradin The 11 21st the Venetian Ambassador arrived at Futack but the Muscovite Ambassador after their unthinking manner came directly the same Day to Peter Waradin without giving the Governour Notice of his coming by which Neglect of the Moscovite no Salutes were passed on him of which he complained to the Governour but that was easily answered by saying That he knew nothing of his coming down the River and therefore hoped to be excused In fine To Accommodate this Matter it was agreed That the Boats of the Moscovites should remove from the place where they first Landed and by a Signal given by the Ambassador's Trumpets the Guns should be fired which was done both from the Castle the Town and the Fleet. On the 15 25th of this Month of October the Turkish Ambassadors arrived at two Hours distance from the Tents of the Mediators but both sides having considered that the Days being short and that at such a distance from the Quarters of the Plenipotentiaries much time would be spent and lost in
could well spare The same Day that this Exchange was made the Plenipotentiaries from the Sultan not being used to sit upon Stools or Chairs but very uneasily caused a Safraw to be placed for them covered with rich Carpets and Embroidered Cushions upon which they fate Cross-legg'd after the Turkish Fashion After which the Company rising the Imperial Ambassador went to Dinner with the Mediators where having remained for the space of about two Hours they returned to the Conference about three a Clock which continued until half an Hour past four in the Evening The next Day being the 5 â—5 the Imperial Ambassador appeared at the place of the Conference in most Rich and Pompous Habit in Honour to the Day which was the Emperor's Birth-Day and which after the Conference was ended was honoured with a most splendid and stately Dinner and Entertainment The 6 16 the Plenipotentiaries again assembled about ten a Clock in the Morning which continued with much diligence until eight a Clock in the Evening The 7 17th the Venetian Ambassador came for the first time with a most splendid Equipage to the Conference in which that whole Day was entirely spent On the 7 17th the Turks made a Proposition to have the Principality of Transylvania to be restored to its pristine State and Condition but so as to remain under the Emperor's Protection but this Point was positively rejected by the Imperialists the which not taking On the 11 21 the Turks made another Offer about this Principality leaving it wholly in the Power and Possession of the Emperor stipulating howsoever That an Honorary Tribute should be paid unto the Port for the same but this was likewise rejected by the Imperialists For the truth is the Emperor would hearken to nothing which could give the Turks any Footing or Demand upon Transylvania which is the Entrance and the Lock and Key into the Upper Hungary and into Germany it self So on the 14 24 after long Debates on both sides the Point of Transylvania was agreed in the same manner as proposed by the Germans The 15 25th was entirely spent upon the Argument of the Limits in which things were so prepared that On the 16 2â—th a good progress was made about the Regulation of the Confines and before they arose or separated for that Evening it was agreed which of the other Allies should have their Business come next to the Conference and was agreed That it should be the Venetians which was the more easily assented unto because they had agreed with the Imperialists to treat upon the â—oot of Uti Pâ—ssidetis Accordingly on the 17 27 the Venetian Ambassadors met the Turks and had a long Conference with them but the Turks making some new Demands which the Ambassadors not being prepared to answer or to gratifie them in it ended for that Day without any Determination The 18 28th the Venetians renewed their former Conference where the same Difficulties offering and not removed all ended again without any farther positive Resolution The 10 29 the Moscovite Ambassador went to Conference in which having held a Discourse only in general Terms without entering upon Particulars nothing was concluded or determined for that Day The 20 30 was spent by the Mediators in going between thePlenipotentiaries to dispose them towards the ultimate Agreement The 21st of November or first of December the Imperialists had a Conference with the Turks in the Morning at which they proceeded yet farther in adjusting and setling the Limits of each Empire And the same Day in the Afternoon the Polish Ambassador went to Conference at which his Discourse was loose and general so that nothing was concluded for that time The next Day being the 22d of November or the 2d of December the Moscovite Ambassador had another Conference with the Turks who pretended the Cession or Demolition of the Places Conquered by the Czar but that Demand was rejected the Ambassador saying That he would neither give unto nor take any thing from the Turks but that his Master required the Fortress of Keres from the Cham of Tartary The 23d of November or the 3d of December the Ambassador of Poland began to abate and remit something of his high Demands which gave some hopes of an Accommodation between the Poles and the Turks in case an Equivalent could be found for the Town and Fortress of Caminieck The 24 4 in the Afternoon the Venetian Ambassador had a Conference which lasted until Night but could come to no satisfactory Resolution the Turks still adhering to their Demands that several places should be razed which are in the Possession of the Venetians which the Ambassador alledged that he had not power to grant The 25 5th the Polish Ambassador went again to Conference after which it was observed That the Turks dispatched an Express Courier to the Port thereupon The 26 6 in the Afternoon the Imperialists went again to Conference but concluded nothing for that time The 28 8 the Imperialists had another Conference with the Turks which held from nine a Clock in the Morning till five in the Afternoon during which time the Articles between the Emperor and the Sultan were for the most part agreed The 29 9th the Imperial Ambassador held another Conference with the Turks but that Day was for the most part spent in Debates without any conclusion The 30 20th my Lord Paget went to the Ottoman Ambassador in the Morning and to the Imperialists in the Afternoon endeavouring to dispose both Parties to a Peace December 1 11th the Imperial Ambassador had this Day the tenth Conference with the Turks at which the remaining Articles were debated and agreed so that little or nothing was wanting to perfect the Emperor's Treaty On the 2 12th the Moscovite Ambassador was at Conference from 10 a Clock to 12 at Noon At which the Turks required the Demolition and Restitution of Dogan Calusi and three other Forts which the Czar holds upon the Boristhenes to which the Moscovites would give no ear howsoever they relinquished their Pretensions upon Keres so that it was not doubted but that a Medium might now be easily found to compose Matters remaining The 2 13th was spent by the Mediators in trying to rectifie some Mistakes and Misunderstandings which might remove some Difficulties The 4 14th the Polish Ambassador was at Conference at which four Articles were drawn and agreed unto In one of which there was yielded unto the Turks the Castles which the Poles then had and possessed in Moldavia In another it was agreed That in Exchange for those Castles the strong Fortress of Caminieck and the Provinces of Podolia and Ukrania should be Surrendered into the Hands of the Poles The 5 15 was spent in preparing Matters for a farther Progress The 6 13 the Imperialists went to Conference with an Intention to reduce the Articles which were already agreed into order but the Turks not having fully finished the Translation of them it was deferred to another Convention On the 7
the Caesarean Dignity with the usual Marks of Preference They shall have liberty of Hiring their own Interpreters and their Messengers that come to the Fulgid Port or return from it to Vienna shall have free Passage going and coming with all convenient Favour and Assistance in their Iourney XVIII This Peace tho' it now stands concluded upon the present Conditions yet it shall then only be esteem'd to have and to receive its full force of Obligation and Effect when all and singular Conditions stipulated and accepted on both sides as well concerning the Distinctions of the Borders as the Evacuations and Demolishments shall be fully executed in this manner after the Limits are settled then shall the Evacuations and Demolishments of Places follow and that all this may as soon as possible be put in practice Commissaries to settle these Distinctions shall on both sides be appointed who at the Equinoctial S. N. 22. S. V. 12 of March A. D. 1699. shall with a moderate and peaceable Attendance meet at Places to be determin'd by the Governors of the Confines and these Commissaries shall within two months or less if possible by manifest marks describ'd in the former Articles separate and set apart these Confines and shall with all exactness and expedition execute all other things that shall be Agreed by the Plenipotentiaries of both Empires XIX The Plenipotentiaries of both Empires do mutually Oblige themselves and Promise that these Conditions and Articles thus reduc'd into Form shall be mutually Ratify'd by the Majesty of each of the Emperors and that within 30 days or sooner from the time of Subscription the Ratifications shall in Solemn manner be mutually Exchang'd in the Confines by the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lords the Plenipotentiary Mediaâ—ors XX. This Truce shall continue and God willing extend to full 25 years to be reckon'd from the day of the Subscription after the Expiration of which Term or in the middle of it it shall be in the Power of either of the Parties tâ—at so shall think fit to prolong it to a greater number of Years Therefore what things soever are here establish'd by the mutual and free Consent of the Majesty of the most Serene and most Potent Emperor of the Romans on the one part and the Majesty of the most Serene and most Potent Ottoman Emperor on the other and their Heirs shall be Religiously and Inviolably observ'd thro' all their Empires and Kingdoms by Land and Sea through all their Cities and Towns and by all their Subjects and Dependants and it is likewise Agreed that it shall on both sides be strictly enjoyn'd to all Governours Commanders Captains Generals to all the Soldiery to all under their Protection to all in Subjection and Obedience under them thaâ— they take diligent Care to Conform themselves to all the above-mention'd Conditions â—lauses Compacts and Articles that under what pretence or colour soever contrary to the Peace and Friendship thus establish'd the Subjects on either side do not offend or injure one another but abstaining from all sort of Enmity they are commanded to become good Neighbours to each other under the severest Penalties if after they are thus admonish'd they do not yield a ready Obedience The Tartar C ham likewise and all the Nations of the Tartars by whatsoever Names they are call'd stand engag'd to the Observance of this Peace Good Neighbourhood and Reconciliation nor shall it be permitted 'em in prejudice of these Agreements to commit any Hostilities in the Provinces or upon any of the Subjects or upon any under the Protection of his Caesarean Majesty Moreover if any one shall presume to Act contrary to these Sacred Imperial Capitulations Agreements or Articles whether he belongs to the Tartar Nations or to any other Forces by whatsoever Name call'd he shall be most rigorously punish'd This Peace Cessatiâ—n and Security of the Subjects on both sides shall commence from the Date of this Subscription and thence all Enmities on both sides shall cease and be extinguish'd and the Subjects on both sides shall enjoy full Security and Tranquillity and for that end and in order all Hostilities may be carefully prevented Mandates and Edicts for publishing the Peace shall as soon as possible be sent to all Governours of the Confines but considering some time will be requisite that the Officers in the remoter Confines may have notice of this Peace 20 days are for this purpose appointed after which if any one on either side presume to commit any sort of Hostility he shall without Mercy suffer the Punishments before declar'd In the last place that these Conditions of Peace contain'd in 20 Articles and accepted of on both sides may with great and due respect be inviolably observ'd The Lords the Ottoman Plenipotentiaries by Virtue of an Imperial Faculty granted to 'em for that purpose have deliver'd to us an Authentick and Instrument writ and subscrib'd in the Turkish Language are likewise by Virtue of a Special Order and by our Plenipotentiary Power have on our part deliver'd these Writings of the Articles Sign'd and Subscrib'd by our proper Hands and Seals in the Latin Tongue as a True and Authentick Instrument This Treaty between the Emperor being thus finished and agreed the next thing was to appoint Commissaries to regulate the Limits between Croatia and Bosnia as was concluded by the Treaty of Peace at Carlovitz to appear upon the said Limits on the 14 24th of March following in order to which Affair his Imperial Majesty appointed Count Marsilii for his Commissary giving him Orders to depart from Vienna in a Weeks time But the Ratifications relating to the Articles of Peace concluded on both sides were sooner dispatched for the Grand Seignior's Ratification of the Treaty arrived at Belgrade the 9th of March N. S. 1699. of which Advice was given the same day to the Secretary of the Imperial Embassy who waited at Peter-Waradin with that of the Emperors that the Exchange might be made on the same Day the which was accordingly done COPIA INSTRUMENTI TURCICI CUM MOSCOVITA Hic est Deus maxime aperiens omnia Potentissimus Firmissimus In Nomine Dei misericordis semper miserentis CAusa exarationis hujus veritate praecellentis Scripti necessitas descriptionis hujus realitate insigniti Instrumenti haec est Incorruptibilis Domini Creatoris immortalis Opificiâ— liberrimi arbitrii Domini Dei cujus Gloria extollatur extra omnem similitudinem paritatem aeternarum confirmationum ubertatis concessione gratiâ honoratissimae Meccae lucidissimae Medinae Servi Sanctae Hierusalem aliorum Locorum benedictorum Defensoris Rectoris binarum Terrarum Sultani Regis binorum Marium Dominatoris potentis Aegypti Abyssinarum Provinciarum ac Felicis Arabiae Adenensis Terrae Caesareae Africanae Tripolis Tuneti Insulae Cypri Rhodi Cretae aliarum Albi Maris Insularum atque Imperatoris Babylonis Bositrae Laxae Revani Carsiae Erzirum
by Nature and Art being compassed about with a double Wall the uttermost whereof was of hard stone and the other of brick with 460 Towers in the same and an impregnable Castle at the East end thereof whereunto was joyning a deep Lake coming out of the great River which watered the South side of the City Round about this strong City one of the most assured Refuges of the Turks although it were in circuit great lay the Christian Princes encamped except on that side which being defended with the high broken Mountains is not there to be besieged Upon whom the Turks out of the City during the time of the siege made many a fierce and desperate sally being still by the Christians most valiantly repulsed especially at the bridge which the Christians had made of Boats for their commodious passage too and fro over the River In this sort was the siege continued until the beginning of February with many a bloody Skirmish At which time such abundance of Rain fell as that hardly could a man find any place to lie dry in and the scarcity of Victual grew so great in the Camp that many horrible it is to say to asswage their hunger were glad to eat the dead bodies of their slain Enemies In these extremities many died of hunger and cold yea their horses also perished for want of meat so that in the whole Camp were scarcely left two thousand horses fit for Service the rest being either all dead or brought so low as that they were altogether unserviceable These miseries daily increasing divers men of great account whom no terrour of the Enemy could have dismaid began secretlâ— to withdraw themselves out of the Camp with purpose to have stoln home among whom were Peter the Hermit Author of this War and Tancred the Nephew of Bohemund who taken by the way and brought back with the rest as Fugitives were sharply reprehended by Hugh the French Kings Brother as Cowards and Traytors to their Brethren and fellow Souldiers and so inforced to take a new Oath for their Fidelity and Perseverance Bohemund in the mean time going to Arthusia a Town not far off by good Fortune cut off a great part of the Turks there in Garrison who after their usual manner sallying out to have cut off the Forragers of the Christians were now themselves caught tardy whereby the Country for a time was more open for the distressed Christian Souldiers to seek abroad for relief But this liberty so lately gained lasted not long when news was brought unto the Camp That the Turks in great number out of the Provinces about Aleppo and Damasco were coming unto the relief of their besieged Friends in Antioch Nevertheless the Christians trusting to their own strength and the strength of the place wherein they were incamped lay still and at their coming so incountred them that they slew 2000 of them and put the rest to flight In which conflict the Christians got great store of Provision and Victuals which the Turks had thought to have put into the City The heads of the slain Turks the Christians set upon stakes before the City to the more terrour of the Defendants This overthrow of the Turks wherein Cassianus had lost his eldest son with others of his best Captains so daunted the besieged that they requested a Truce for a time of the Christian Princes which granted they of the City came oftentimes into the Camp and they of the Camp likewise into the City Cassianus still expecting relief from the Persian Sultan Whilst the Christians Princes were thus busie in Asia the Venetians with a great Fleet of two hundred Gallies scouring the Seas under the conduct of Henry Contarenus the Bishop and of Vitalis the Dukes son meeting with the Gallies of Pisa at the Rhodes and falling out with them had with them a great fight wherein the Venetians having the upper hand took eighteen of their Gallies and in them five thousand Souldiers whom they seeing to be marked with the red cross the cognisance of the sacred War they presently set at liberty together with the Gallies detaining only thirty of the better sort as Hostages After that the Venetians sailing into Ionia took the City of Smyrna and spoiled all along the coasts of Lycia Pamphilia and Cilicia before for fear abandoned by the Turks The Truce before taken between the Turks and the Christians at the siege of Antioch being in short time after broken by the death of one Vollo a French-man slain by the Turks the War was again begun and the City more hardly laid unto than before At which time the Governor who in the time of this long siege which had now continued nine months had lost most part of his best Souldiers was glad for the defence of so great a City to use the Service of divers Christians then dwelling in the City Among whom was one Pyrrhus a Citizen of great Reputation unto whom he had committed the guarding of a Tower called the two Sisters but afterward St. Georges Tower. This Pyrrhus had secret Intelligence with Bohemund Prince of Tarentum with whom he agreed to give him there entrance into the City upon condition that he should of the other Christian Princes procure the Government of the City to himself and tâ—at he with the rest of the Christian Citizens in the City might be at his hands well used which thing being easily obtained all things agreed upon Bohemund with his Souldiers were by night by Pyrrhus let into the City who made way for the rest of the Army to enter The City thus taken many of the Turks fled into the Castle the rest were put to the Sword Man Woman and Child and among them also many of the Christians the furious Souldiers taking of them no knowledge Great wealth was there found but small store of Victuals Cassianus the late Governor flying out of the City to save himself in wandring through the Mountains fell into the hands of the Christian Armenians who lately thrust out of Ierusalem were fled thither for Refuge by whom he was there slain In the City were slain about ten thousand persons Thus was the famous City of Antioch which the Turks had long before by Famine taken from the Christians again recovered the third day of Iune in the year of our Lord God 1098. The poor oppressed Christians in Ierusalem hearing of this so notable a Victory year 1098. gave secret Thanks unto God therefore and began to lift up their heads in hope that their Delivery was now at hand Of this Victory the Princes of the Army by speedy Messengers and Letters certified their Friends in all Countries so that in short time the fame thereof had filled a great part of the World. Among others Bohemund Prince of Tarentum unto whom the City was delivered sent the joyful News thereof unto Roger his Brother Prince of Apulia whose Letters as the most certain Witnesses of the History before reported I thought it
City were driven to such extremity that for want of Wood they were fain to burn many of the fairest Houses in the City in stead of Fewel Which done he returned again to Nice the chief seat of the Greek Emperors ever since that Constantinople was taken by the Latines Now reigned in Constantinople the Latine Emperor Baldwin the Second as is before declared a man of small courage and less power and therefore not much regarded either of the Greeks or Latines who for the maintenance of his State was glad to sell away the publick Ornaments of the City and to pawn his Son unto the Bruges Merchants for mony by whom he was left at Venice to be brought up which gave occasion for some Writers to report That he was pawned unto the Venetians About this time Mango the great Cham of Tartary stirred by Aitonius the Armenian King by whose perswasion he had also received the Christian Religion year 1260. sent his Brother Haalon with an exceeding great Army against the Turks and Sarasins in Syria and the Land of Palestine This Haalon converted also unto the Christian Faith by his Wife setting forward with a world of People following him in the space of six months overran all Persia with the Countries adjoyning excepting one strong place in the Mountains which some say was Samarchand afterward the Royal Seat of the great terror of the world the mighty Tamerlane which besieged by ten thousand Horsemen by him appointed for that purpose and so continued by the space of seven and twenty years after was then at length as Aiton himself writeth yielded by the Defendants only for want of Cloaths to cover their nakedness Haalon in whose Army those ten thousand left behind were not missed marching on and as a violent Tempest bearing all down before him entred at length into Assyria and there laid Siege unto the great City of Babylon then the Seat of the great Caliph whom all the Mahometan Princes honoured above all others as the true Successor of their great Prophet Mahomet and received from his mouth the interpretation of their Law as most divine Oracles Which great City Haalon won and putting to the sword all he found therein Men Women and Children with the Spoil thereof and the rich Treasures of the Caliph inriched his Souldiers The Caliph himself reserved for that purpose he commanded to be set in the midst of the infinite Treasure which he and his Predecessors had most covetously heaped up together and that he should of that Gold Silver and precious Stones take what it pleased him to eat saying by way of derision That so gainful a Guest should by good reason be fed with nothing but things of greatest price whereof he willed him to make no spare in which order the covetous Wretch kept for certain days miserably died with hunger in the midst of those things whereof he thought he should never have had enough which though they were in value great and with great care laid together yet served they him to now to suffice Nature best contented with a little Babylon thus sacked and almost rased the Tartar marching on through Mesopotamia by the way took the City Rhoais where Aiton the Armenian King and Author of this the Tartars expedition came to him with twelve thousand Horsemen and forty thousand Foot as reporteth Aiton the Armenian Kings Nephew then there present So entring into Syria in a few days took Aleppo which he sacked and rased in the year of our Lord 1260. with divers other strong Towns sometime belonging unto the Kingdom of Antioch Then was one Malacnesar Sultan of Damasco commanding over all Syria and the Land of Palestine who terrified with the loss of his Cities and the fear of farther danger with his Wife and Children came and humbled himself before the Tartar Prince in hope so to have saved unto himself some good part of his Kingdom Wherein he was much deceived being as some say carried away afar off into exile because he should not hinder the Tartars proceedings or as others report and haply with more probability being by him detained as his Prisoner and afterwards to the terror of his Son cut in pieces in his sight under the Walls of Damasco after-that it had in vain been twice assaulted by the Tartars which strong City for all that he afterwards took by strong hand and sacked it and by the perswasion of his Wife overthrew all the Mahometan Temples as he had before in every place where he came But purposing to have gone on forward to Ierusalem and to have conquered the whole Land of Palestine news was brought him of the death of his Brother Mango the great Cham whereupon he staid his journey and returned back again in hope of that great Empire having in this expedition spent almost six years Thus by the Tartars was the Kingdom of the Turks at Damasco overthrown At which time the broken affairs of the Christians in Syria and the Land of Palestine might easily have been repaired and those two goodly Kingdoms again restored to the Christian Common-Weal had the Christian Princes of the West then in time put to their helping hand on the one side as did the Tartars on the other but they then at fatal discord among themselves and busied with their Wars at home let slip that so fair an opportunity the like whereof they seldom or never had since Haalon the Tartar Prince in token of his good Will toward the Christians and their Affairs at his departure from Damasco left his Son Abaga there with twenty thousand Horsemen to aid them in their Wars if they should come as was expected for the recovery of the Holy Land who having there staied some while and hearing of his Fathers troubles at home followed himself after him but yet left behind him Guirboca a valiant Captain with ten thousand of his Horsemen to like purpose that his Father had him who by the insolency of certain Christian Souldiers in Garrison about Sidon was of a Friend together with his Tartars made a Foe These Garrison Souldiers having by chance fet in some booty out of the Tartars Territory not only refused to restore the same again but also fouly entreated such as the Tartar had sent for the demanding thereof Whereupon further quarrels arising it fortuned a Nephew of Guirboca's a valiant young Gentleman to be slain in revenge whereof he besieged Sidon and having taken it sacked it and burnt it down to the ground After which time he and his Tartars became utter Enemies unto the Christians doing them all the harm they could devise This discord betwixt the Tartars and the Christians gave occasion unto Melech the Egyptian Sultan now jealous of the Tartars nearness with a great Army of his Mamalukes and others to enter into Syria and to spoil the Country of Damasco against whom Guirboca with his Tartars although both in Strength and Number far inferiour went out But joyning Battel
from the Spoil of others as well Christians as Turks whereby it came to pass that the old Inhabitants which had for the most part forsaken the Country by reason of the great troubles therein repaired now again to their ancient dwellings and not only they but many other Strangers also supplying the places of them whom the late Wars had consumed So that by his good Government that wasted Country in short time grew to be again very populous The civil Government of his Country well established he besieged the City of Isnica in ancient time called Nice a City of Bithynia famous for the general Council there holden against Arius in the time of Constantine the Great This City he brought into great distress by placing his men of War in Forts new built upon every passage and way leading unto the same so that nothing could be brought out of the Country for the relief of the poor Citizens They in this extremity by a secret Messenger certified the Emperor of Constantinople under whose obedience they were in what distress the City stood and that except he sent them present relief they must of necessity either perish with Famine or yield themselves into the hands of their Enemies the Turks The Emperor moved with the pitiful complaint of this Messenger with all expedition embarked certain companies of Souldiers from Constantinople to relieve his besieged City But Othoman understanding by his Espials where these Souldiers were appointed to land in secret manner withdrawing most of his Forces from the Siege lay in ambush near to the same place where the Emperors Souldiers casting no peril landed who before they could put themselves in order of Battel were by Othoman and his Turks in such sort charged that most part of them were there slain and the rest driven into the Sea where they miserably perished Othoman having thus politickly overthrown the Constantinopolitan Souldiers returning to the Siege continued the same in straighter manner than before The besieged Citizens driven into great penury and now despairing of all help yielded themselves with the great and rich City of Nice into the hands of Othoman with the Spoil whereof he greatly enriched his men of War. Aladin the great Sultan of Iconium glad to hear of this good success of Othoman against the Christians in token of his Favour and Love sent unto him a fair Ensign with certain Drums and Trumpets a Sword and Princely Robe with large Charters That whatsoever he took from the Christians should be all his own and also that publick Prayers should be said in all the Turks Temples in the name of Othoman for his health and prosperous estate which two things properly belonged to the dignity of the Sultan These extraordinary favours gave occasion for many to think that Sultan Aladin having no Children intended to make Othoman his adoptive Son and Successor in his Kingdom The Presents and Charters sent him Othoman humbly accepted sending unto Aladin the fifth part of the Spoil of Nice taken from the Christians but the Princely Honours due to the Sultan only he used not during the life of Aladin intending not long after to have gone himself in person to visit the Sultan and so to have grown into his further Favour But having prepared all things for so honourable a journey at what time as he was about to set forward he was certainly informed of the death of Aladin and that Sahib one of his great Counsellors had taken upon him the dignity of the Sultan as is before declared which news much discontented the aspiring mind of this Oguzian Turk in good hope to have succeeded him in the Kingdom or at leastwise to have shared the greatest part thereof unto himself whereof he was now altogether disappointed Yet immediately after the death of Aladin he thought it now fit time to take upon him the Princely Honours before granted unto him by the Sultan in his life time which he for modesty sake had forborn Aladin yet living wherefore he made one Drusu sirnamed Fakitche that is to say a man learned in the Turkish Law Bishop and Judge of Cara-Chisar commanding the publick Prayers which were wont to be made for the health and prosperous Reign of the great Sultan to be now made in his own name which was first openly done by the said Bishop in the Pulpit of Cara-Chisar At the same time also he began to coin Mony in his own name and to take upon him all other Honours belonging unto a Sultan or King which was about ten years after the death of his Father Ertogrol year 1300. and in the year of our Lord 1300. unto which time the beginning of the great Empire of the Turks is under the fortune of this Othoman to be of right referred as then by him thus begun When Othoman had thus taken upon him the Majesty of a King he made his Son Orchanes Prince and Governor of Cara-Chisar promoting his principal Followers to be Governors of other strong Castles and Forts divers of which places retain the name of those Captains at this day He himself made choice of the City Neapolis about twenty miles from Nice to seat his Regal Palace in where also divers of his Nobility built them Houses and changed the name of the City calling it Despotopolis as who should say the City of the Lord or Prince For all this Othoman ceased not to devise by all means he could to augment his Kingdom and for that cause being accompanied with his Son Orchanes made many rodes into the Countries adjoyning upon him surprizing such places as might best serve his purpose for the enlargement of his Kingdom all which in particular to rehearse were tedious The Christian Princes rulers of the Countries bordering upon this new Kingdom fearing lest the greatness of Othoman might in short time be their utter confusion agreed to joyn all their Forces together and so to commit to the Fortune of one great Battel their own Estates with his according to which resolution the Christian confederate Princes which were for the most part of Mysia and Bithynia levying the greatest Forces they were able to make with Fire and Sword invaded Othomans Kingdom Who having knowledge beforehand of this great preparation made against him had in readiness all his Captains and Men of War and hearing that his Enemies had entred his Dominion in warlike manner marched directly towards them and meeting with them in the Confines of Phrygia and Bithynia fought with them a great and mortal Battel wherein many were slain on both sides as well Turks as Christians and after a long Fight obtained of them a right bloody Victory In this Battel Casteleanus one of the greatest Christian Captains was slain another called Tekensis of the Country which he governed in Phrygia chased by Othoman unto the Castle of Ulubad not far distant from the place where the Battel was fought was for fear delivered unto him by the Captain of the same Castle
Presents Tamerlane sent Hozza Mahomet one of his secret Counsellors Embassador to Mahomet of whom he was right honourably received and likewise entertained But having read the aforesaid Letters and thereby understood the cause of his coming he entred into Council with the great Bassaes about him whether he were best to go to Tamerlane or not Where his Counsellors were all clear of one Opinion that it was not good for him to adventure his Person to the danger of such a Journey or the mercy of so mighty an Enemy of whose Faith he had no assurance And if so be said they he therewith offended will by force seek to have you we at his coming will take the refuge of the Woods and Mountains and there shroud our selves until he be departed again for that he with his huge Army cannot here long stay in this bare Country for want of Necessaries Nevertheless Mahomet hoping that his Journey might be both for the good of his Father and his own Advancement contrary to the mind of all his Counsellors resolved to go and so having prepared all things needfull for the honour and safety of his Journey set forward But as he was upon the way in the Marches of Pontus Cara Iahia whom he had before overthrown understanding of his coming that way thinking now to be revenged and having got unto some of the Prince Isfendiars Forces set upon him by the way but with as evil Success as before most of his Men being there by Mahomet slain and himself glad shamefully to fly So travelling on further he understood that Alis Beg a great Lord in those Countries went about to intercept him also which caused him in such hast to go on that he was upon Alis before he was aware of his coming or well provided for him so that for fear he was glad to betake himself to flight Mahomet considering the danger he had escaped in that Journey and that the nearer he came to Tamerlane the more like he was to fall into greater although happily without Tamerlane his knowledge by the advice of his grave and faithful Counsellors resolved to go no further Wherefore calling unto him Tamerlanes Embassador he thus spake unto him You see the Dangers and Injuries I indure in this my Iourney and my mind forbodeth greater to ensue for which causes I may not go any further but here return Commend me therefore I pray you unto the most mighty Tamerlane with my Father and tell them what dangers have happened unto me upon the way which considered I hope they will have me excused For which purpose I will also send in your company an Embassador of mine own Mahomet at that time had with him a grave wise and learned Man called Sophis Bajazet sometime his School-Master whom he sent Embassador to Tamerlane and his Father to have him unto them both excused and so departed he homewards leaving the way he came for fear of further danger and they towards Tamerlane who honourably received Mahomets Embassador and Letters But taking pleasure in the man sent unto him gave him honourable Entertainment but would never after suffer him to return again unto his Master It was not long after but that old Bajazet died of impatiency as is aforesaid whose dead body Tamerlane left at Apropolis with the Prince Germean to be delivered unto his Son Mahomet with Musa his elder Brother who all this while had been kept Prisoner with Tamerlane if Mahomet should require them And so the mighty Prince Tamerlane after he had long time wasted Phrygia Caria Lydia with the most part of the lesser Asia and conquered all Syria Iudea Egypt and Persia with many other great Countries and Provinces returned at last into his own Kingdom unto the great City of Samercand which he wonderfully inlarged and beautified with the Spoils of a great part of the World before by him wasted where he afterwards in great Peace and Glory reigned no less honoured than feared of all the Princes of the East To the terror of whom and for the assuring of his Estate he kept always a standing Army of forty thousand Horse and threescore thousand Foot ready at all assays beside other his great Garrisons which he kept in Syria Egypt China and Cambalu as also against the Muscovite and Turks being commonly in every place threescore thousand strong though not still in field but as occasion required Until that at length hearing of the rising again of the Turkish Kingdom under the Othoman Princes the Sons of Bajazet with whom the oppressed Mamelukes of Egypt and the Greek Emperor as doubtful of his estate had now also for fear of him combined themselves he by the perswasion of Axalla then General of his Imperial Army made great preparation for a second Expedition to be made for the utter rooting out of the Othoman Family and the Conquest of the Greek Empire But having now all things in readiness and also given a good beginning unto these his intended Conquests one of the great Turks Bassaes being by Axalla his Lieutenant in a great battel overthrown and thirty thousand of the Turks slain he in the midst of these his great hopes as also of his greatest Power died of an Ague the 27 th day of Ianuary in the year of our Lord 1402. A little before whose death appeared a great and terrible Blazing-Star portending as it were to the World the death of so great a Prince He was a man of a middle stature somewhat narrow in the shoulders otherwise well limmed and of a great strength In his eyes sate such a rare Majesty as a man could hardly indure to behold them without closing of his own and many in talking with him and often beholding of him became dumb which caused him oftentimes with a comely modesty to abstain from looking too earnestly upon such as spake unto him or discoursed with him All the rest of his Visage was amiable and well proportioned he had but little hair on his Chin and ware the hair of his Head long and curled contrary to the manner of the Tartars who shave their Heads having the same always covered whereas he contrariwise was for the most part bare headed commanding his Son also to be so by his Tutors brought up his hair was of a dark colour somewhat drawing toward a Violet right beautiful to behold which his Mother coming of the Race of Sampson as he gave it out willed him to nourish in token of his descent the cause that made him to be the more respected of his Men of War most part of them believing that in those hairs was some rare vertue or rather some fatal destiny an old practise of many great Commanders of former Ages to fill the heads of their Souldiers with some strange Opinion conceived of them to be the more of them honoured as if in them had been some one thing or other more than in other men His great Empire by himself
Paul wrote two Epistles in the latter whereof he forewarneth them of a great Defection to come before the latter day Before this Christian City then in the Protection of the Venetians Amurath encamped his great Army of misbelieving Turks and laid hard Siege to it with most terrible Battery at which time he by secret means corrupted certain of the wicked Citizens to have betrayed the City by a secret Mine and to have let him in which Treason was by the Venetian Governors perceived and the Plotters thereof for safeguard of their lives glad to leap over the Walls and to fly into the Turks Camp. Amurath having greatly battered the Walls of the City the more to encourage his Souldiers promised to give them all the Spoil thereof if they could by force win it The greedy desire of this rich Prey wherein every common Souldier promised unto himself whatsoever his foolish fancy or unbrideled affection could desire so inflamed the minds of these barbarous Souldiers and especially of the Janizaries that giving a most terrible Assault to the City they by force entred the same and won it The Venetian Souldiers fled to their Gallies lying at Anchor in the Haven and so got to Sea but the infinite miseries which the poor Christian Citizens endured in the fury of that barbarous Nation no Tongue is able to express or Pen describe death was less pain than the ignominious Outrages and unspeakable Villanies which many good Christians there suffered heartily wishing to die and could not and yet the furious Enemies Sword devoured all the people without respect of Age or Sex except such as for strength of body or comeliness of person were reserved for painful labour or beastly lust which poor Souls were afterwards dispersed into most miserable servitude and slavery through all parts of the Turkish Kingdom The infinite Riches of that famous City became a spoil unto the barbarous Souldiers the goodly Houses were left desolate void of Inhabitants Thus the beautiful City of Thessalonica sometime one of the most glorious Ornaments of Graecia the late pleasant dwelling-place of many rich Christians was by the Tyrant given for an habitation to such base Turks as at their pleasure repaired thither to seat themselves and so is by them at this day possessed This Calamity happened to Thessalonica in the year of our Lord 1432. Thessalonica being thus taken Amurath returned to Hadrianople himself and at the same time sent Caratze with the greatest part of his Army into Aetolia Charles Prince of that Country dying a little before the coming of Amurath to Thessalonica and having no lawful Issue had divided the Country of Acharnania amongst his three base Sons Memnon Turnus and Hercules leaving all the rest of his Dominion to his Brothers Son called also Charles But shortly after such discord â—ell among these Brethren that Amurath sending his Turks to Aid one of them against the other as he was by them requested in fine brought all that Country of Aetolia into Subjection to Himself leaving nothing for the foolish Brethren to strive for more than the bare titles of imaginative Honour The other Grecian Princes of Athens Phocis Boetia and all the rest of Graecia unto the strait of Corinth terrified by their Neighbours harms were glad to submit themselves to the barbarian Yoke and to become Tributaries unto the Turkish Tyrant under which slavery they of long time most miserably lived if intollerable slavery joyned with Infidelity may be accounted a life Thus the Grecians lost their Liberty which their Ancestors had many times before to their immortal Praise worthily defended against the greatest Monarchs of the World and are now so degenerate by the means of the Turkish Oppression that in all Graecia is hardly to be found any small remembrance of the ancient Glory thereof insomuch that whereas they were wont to account all other Nations barbarous in comparison of themselves they are now become no less barbarous than those rude Nations whom they before scorn'd Which misery with a thousand more they may justly impute to their own Ambition and Discord At this time amongst the distressed Princes of Macedonia and Graecia one Iohn Castriot reigned in Epirus who seeing how mightily the Turk prevailed against the Princes his Neighbours and considering that he was not able by any means to withstand so puissant an Enemy to obtain Peace he was glad to deliver into Amurath his Possession his four Sons Stanisius Reposius Constantine and George for Hostages whom Amurath faithfully promised well and honourably to entreat But assoon as he had got them within his reach he falsified his Faith and caused them to be circumcised after the Turkish manner and to be instructed in the Turkish Superstition to the great grief of their Christian Parents and afterwards when he understood of the death of Iohn Castriot their Father he poisoned all the three elder Brethren and by Sebaly one of his great Captains seised upon Croia his chief City and all the rest of his Territories as if they had by good right devolved unto him But George the youngest whom the Turks named Scander-beg or Lord Alexander for this excellent Feature and pregnant Wit he always entirely loved as some thought more passionately than he should have loved a Boy Him he caused to be diligently instructed in all kind of activity and feats of War wherein he excelled all other his Equals in Amurath his Court and rising by many degrees of Honour came at last being yet but very young to be a great Sanzack or Governor of a Province and was many times appointed by Amurath to be General of his Armies in which Service he so behaved himself that he got the love of all that knew him and increased his credit with Amurath until at last he found opportunity by great policy and courage to deliver both himself and his native Country from the horrible slavery of the Turkish Tyranny as shall be afterwards declared Shortly after that Amurath had thus danted the Princes of Graecia he turned his Forces into Servia but the Prince of Servia unable to withstand so mighty an Enemy to procure his Favour sent Embassadors offering to pay him a yearly Tribute and to do further what he should reasonably demand Amurath beside the yearly Tribute required to have Mary this Princes fair Daughter in marriage and that he should not suffer the Hungarians to pass through his Country to invade him and further not at any time to deny passage unto the Turkish Army when he should send forth the same for the Invasion of the Kingdom of Bosna All which unreasonable conditions the Prince was glad to agree unto and fent his fair Daughter by Saratze who was afterwards married to Amurath About this time Iosephus and Machmutes Amurath his Brethren and Orchanes the Son of Solyman who had his Eyes put out by his Uncle Mahomet with many other Men of great account among the Turks died of the Plague at Prusa
had not been taught the same by mine own experience to my great loss and hearts grief We entred into Epirus and here encamped an hundred and threescore thousand men strong now if leasure serve you take view of them examine the matter you shall find a great want of that number The Fields could not contain our Regiments and the multitude of our mâ—n but now how many Tents stand empty how many Horses want Riders You shall go to Hadrianople with our Forces much impaired As for me the Destinies have vowed my Spirits to this Country of Epirus as unto me fatal But wherefore do I impute unto my self these impediments and chances of Fortune For then first began this seed of mischief in Epirus when the Hungarians with other the Christian Princes rose up in Arms against us at which time we fought not with them for Soveraignty but for the whole State of our Kingdom as the bloody Battlâ—s of Varna and Cossova still witness unto the World. So whilst I had neither leisure nor sufficient pâ—wer to take order for all my important Affairs at 〈◊〉 in the mean time this Enemy grew as you see But how or in what order you are hereafter to wage War against him you may not look for any directions from me which have in all these matters so evil directed my self Fortune never deceived my endeavour more than in this But happily thou Mahomet my Sâ—a maist prove a more fortunate Warrior against him and for so many Honours already given unto me the Destinies have reserved the triumph of Epirus for thee Wherefore my Son thou shalt receive from me this Scepter and these Royal Ensigns but above all things I leave unto thee this Enemy charging thee not to leave my death unrevenged It is all I charge thee with for so great and stately a Patrimony as thou art to receive from me it is the only Sacrifice that my old departing Ghost desireth of thee Shortly after he became speechless and striving with the Pangs of Death half a day he then breathed out his gastly Ghost to the great joy and contentment of the poor oppressed Christians He died about the midle of Autumn in the year of our Lord 1450 when he had lived eighty five years as most write and thereof reigned eight and twenty years or as some others report thirty about five months after the Siege laid before Croia Thus lieth great Amurath erst not inferior unto the greatest Monarchs of that Age dead almost in despair a worthy mirror of Honours frailty yeilding unto the worldly man in the end neither comfort nor relief Who had fought greater Battels who had gained greater Victories or obtained more glorious Triumphs than had Amurath who by the Spoils of so many mighty Kings and Princes and by the conquest of so many proud and warlike Nations again restored and established the Turks Kingdom before by Tamerlane and the Tartars in a manner clean defaced He it was that burst the heart of the proud Grecians establishing his Empire at Hadrianople even in the Center of their Bowels from whence have proceeded so many miseries and calamities into the greatest part of Christendom as no Tongue is able to express He it was that first brake down the Hexamile or Wall of separation on the Strait of Corinth and conquered the greatest part of Peloponesus He it was that subdued unto the Turks so many great Countries and Provinces in Asia that in plain Feild and set Battel overthrew many puissant Kings and Princes and brought them under his Subjection who having slain Uladislaus the King of Polonia and Hungary and more than once chased out of the Field Huniades that famous and redoubted Warrior had in his proud and ambitious Heart promised unto himself the Conquest of a great part of Christendom But O how far was he now changed from the man he then was how far did these his last Speeches differ from the course of his fore passed life full of such base passionate complaints and lamentations as beseemed not a man of his place and spirit but some vile wretch overtaken with despair and yet afraid to die Where were now those haughty Thoughts those lofty Looks those thundering and commanding Speeches whereat so many great Commanders so many Troops and Legions so many thousands of armed Souldiers were wont to tremble and quake Where is that Head before adorned with so many Trophies and Triumphs Where is that victorious Hand that swaied so many Scepters Where is the Majesty of his Power and Strength that commanded over so many Nations and Kingdoms O how is the case now altered he lieth now dead a gastly filthy stinking Carcass a Clod of Clay unregarded his Hands closed his Eyes shut and his Feet stretched out which erst proudly traced the Countries by him subdued and conquered And now of such infinite Riches such unmeasurable Wealth such huge Treasures such stately Honours and vain glorious Praises as he in his life time enjoyed his frail Body enjoyeth nothing but left all behind it O the weak condition of Mans Nature O the vain glory of mortal Creatures O the blind and perverse thoughts of foolish men Why do we so magnifie our selves why are we so puft up with Pride why do we so much set our minds upon Riches Authority and other vanities of this Life whereof never man had yet one days assurance and at our most need and when we least think quite forsake us leaving even them that most sought after them and most abounded in them shrowded oftentimes in the Sheet of Dishonour and Shame That his death is otherwise by some reported I am not ignorant The Turks saying that he died miraculously forewarned of his death at Hadrianople and some others That he died in Asia strucken with an Apoplexy proceeding of a Surfeit taken of the immoderate drinking of Wine But Marinus Barlesius who lived in his time in Scodra fast by Epirus whose Authority in report of the Wars betwixt him and Scanderbeg we follow setteth it down in such manner as is aforesaid Presently after his death Mahomet his Son for fear of some innovation to be made at home raised the Siege and returned to Hadrianople and afterward with great Solemnity buried his dead body at the West side of Prusa in the Suburbs of the City where he now lieth in a Chappel without any roof his Grave nothing differing from the manner of the common Turks which they say he commanded to be done in his last Will that the Mercy and Blessing of God as he termed it might come unto him by the shining of the Sun and Moon and falling of the Rain and Dew of Heaven upon his Grave He whilst he lived mightily enlarged the Turkish Kingdom and with greater Wisdom and Policy than his Predecessors established the same insomuch that some attribute unto him the first institution of the Ianizaries and other Souldiers of the Court the greatest Strength of the Turkish Empire
Lords his Confederates and the Embassadors of the Venetians into his Bed-Chamber Where after he had at large with greater pain notably discoursed of his troublesome life led among them than he had before passed the same and carefully forewarned them of the dangers like to ensue he earnestly exhorted them to continue in Unity and Concord and valiantly to stand in defence of their Religion Country and Liberty And afterwards turning his Speech to his Wife and his Son commended them both with his Kingdom to the tuition of the Venetians who by the Articles of the Confederation betwixt him and them were in honour bound to protect his Son and Kingdom during the time of his Minority and afterwards peaceably to place him in the same In fine he willed his Wife after his Death to pass over with her Son into Apulia where they might in safety and quiet live upon such Possessions as he there held by the Gift of King Ferdinand And so after he had with most fervent prayer commended his Soul into the hands of Almighty God departed in peace the 17 th day of Ianuary in the year of our Lord 1466. when he had lived about 63 years and thereof raigned about 24. His death was worthily lamented of all Christian Princes but especially of the Venetians and Princes of Albania who had now lost their most careful Watchman and invincible Champion the sorrow of his Subjects is not to be expressed every man bewailing him as the only stay of the Common-weal and as if with him they had lost all their hope His dead Body was with the general Lamentation of all Men royally buried in the Cathedral-Church of St. Nicholas at Lyssa where it rested in peace until that about nine years after the Turks coming to the Siege of Scodra by the way took the City of Lyssa and there with great devotion digged up his Bones reckoning it some part of their happiness if they might but see or touch the same and such as could get any part thereof were it never so little caused the same to be set some in Silver some in Gold to hang about their Necks or wear upon their Bodies perswading themselves by the wearing thereof to be partakers of such good fortune and hap as had Scanderbeg himself whilst he lived which is not unaptly by Gabriel Fairnus of Cremona thus in Verse expressed Turcarum clades Othomanni nominis horror Epiri tutela illo jacuere Sepulchro Quo quondam invicti cubuerunt ossa Georgi Nunc membra viri dissectum in frustra sepulchrum Interijt sparsi manes conscisa vaguntur Ossa nec in gelida nunc saltem morte quiescunt Namque ut is assertum toties cum laude paternum Imperium exacta moriens aetate reliquit Illicet immanes tenuerunt omnia Turcae Tum clari Herois venerati nobile bustum Ossaque marmoraque invictum condentia corpus Abstuierant sibi quisque in partes secta minutas Tanquam ijs bellica vis Martiuss ardor inesset Et genium praestare bonum sortemque valerent Sic quae alijs tumulum virtus parat abstulit illi Atque cadem diro venerandum praebuit hosti In English thus The bloody Bane of faithless Turks and terrour of their Name Epirus strong defence and guard lay buried there with fame Within that Tomb wherein long since Great Castriotus lay But now those Limbs and Tomb defac'd are carried quite away The remnants of that worthy Wight out of his grave were torn And being dead could find no rest but were for Jewels worn For after he far spent with age gave place to fatal Doom And left his Fathers Kingdom got and kept with great Renown Forthwith the cruel Turks prevail'd and all things there possest Who worshipping his stately Tomb and place of quiet rest Dig'd up his Bones and brake the Tomb wherein he did remain And glad was he that could thereof some little part obtain As if in them some Martial force or vertue great had been Or fortune rare such as before in him was living seen So Vertue which to others gives a Sepulture and Grave Bereft it him yet forc'd his Foe in Honour it to have Most part of the times of those Wars betwixt Mahomet and Scanderbeg the Venetians by Sea and the Hungarians by Land kept the Turks throughly busied Mathias Corvinus King of Hungary according to his promise made unto the Venetians entred into the Kingdom of Bosna where by force he overthrew the strong Forts which the Turks had built for the defence of their Frontiers and manfully drave them out before him until he came to Iaziga of some called Iaitze the chief City of Bosna which he at length took and following the course of his Victory scarcely sufferd the Turks to breath until he had by force wrested all that Kingdom out of their hands Wherewith Mahomet being exceedingly grieved in great fury came with a strong Army into Bosna and laid hard Siege to Iaziga which was by the Christians right valiantly defended until Mathias with a puissant Army came to the Relief thereof who so troubled the Turks Camp with continual Skirmishes on the one side and they of the Town with desperate Sallies on the other that at length the proud Turk was driven to such extremity that he was glad secretly to steal away by night with all his Army into Servia and for hast to leave behind him both his Tents and great Ordnance which the Turks Histories report he caused to be cast into the River because it should not come into the hands of the Christians Mathias after he had thus valiantly put to flight his Enemies and relieved his City followed the Turks into Servia and took part of that Country alâ—o which together with Bosna he united to the Kingdom of Hungary In these Wars Mahomet had such proof of the Force and Power of Mathias and the Hungarian that for a good while after he had no great stomach to provoke them farther for why the name of Mathias was now become unto the Turks no less dreadful than was sometime the name of his Father the valiant Huniades The Venetians at the same time also with their Gallies scoured the Seas and landing their Men sometime in one place sometime in another did great harm in many places of the Turks Dominion near unto the Sea coast Amongst other their Generals at divers times sent from that State one Nicholas Canalis succeeding Lauretanus whom we have before spoken of as soon as he had received his Charge came with his Fleet into the Bay of Salonichi and landing his Men burnt divers Towns and Villages alongst the Sea side And afterwards returning into Peloponnesus he fortified the Town of Legosticium in the Gulf of Patras which work the Turks with their often Skirmishes laboured to have hindred but in despite of all they could do it was brought to perfection and a strong Garrison therein left for the defence thereof which
together most miserably slain The rest of the Citizens whose hard fortune it was to escape the Sword as people reserved to more misery were afterward shipt over into Grecia and there sold for Slaves The landing of the Turks in Apulia with the taking of Otranto brought a general fear upon all Italy insomuch that Sixtus Quartus then the great Bishop of Rome forgetting all things save himself was about to have forsaken the City for fear Now after the Turks had at their pleasure ransackt Otranto Achmetes caused the same to be strongly fortified as the sure footing of the Turks in Italy and victualled for eighteen months and there leaving eight thousand of his best Souldiers in Garrison returned himself with the rest to Vallona and so by Land to Constantinople to know his great Masters further pleasure but purposing with himself with the first of the next Spring to have returned with greater forces again to Italy for the prosecuting of his former Victory Which if he had done it was grealty to have been feared that all that goodly Country sometime Mistris of the World but then and yet also rent in sunder by the discord and ambition of the Christian Princes had in short time become a prey unto the barbarous Turk for ever But whilst the great Tyrant in his life time the great scourge of Christendom thus proudly plotteth the ruin and destruction of fair Italy God in whose hands the hearts of Kings are 〈◊〉 an hook in the great Tyrants Nose and led him quite another way For at the same time the Caramanian King aided by the Persian and the Sultan of Egypt had in a great Battel overthrown Bajazet Mahomets eldest Son then living and slain most part of his Army in revenge whereof Mahomet with great expedition raised a great and puissant Army and taking Achmetes with him as his chief man of War rejecting the Wars of Italy unto a more convenient time passed over into Asia where upon the way about a days journey short of Nicomedia a City of Bithynia at a place called Geivisin he fell sick and there for the space of three days grievously tormented with an extream pain in his Belly which some supposed to be the Colick died but being indeed as most men thought poysoned when he had lived about 52 years and thereof reigned 31 in the year of our Lord 1481. year 1481. His Body was afterwards magnificently buried in a Chappel near unto the great Mahometan Temple which he himself first built at Constantinople The death of this mighty man who living troubled a great part of the World was not much more lamented by those that were nearest unto him who ever living in fear of his Cruelty hated him deadly than of his Enemies who ever in doubt of his greatness were glad to hear of his end He was of stature but low and nothing answerable to the height of his mind square set and strong limmed not inferior in strength when he was young unto any in his Fathers Court but to Scanderbeg only his complexion was Tartarlike sallow and melancholy as were most of his Ancestors the Othoman Kings his look and countenance stern with his Eyes piercing hollow and a little sunk as it were into his Head and his Nose so high and crooked that it almost touched his upper Lip. To be brief his countenance was altogether such as if Nature had with most cunning hand therein depainted and most curiously set forth to view the inward disposition and qualities of his mind which were on both parts notable He was of a very sharp and apprehensive Wit learned as amongst that Nation especially in Astronomy and could speak the Greek Latine Arabick Chaldee and Persian Tongues He delighted much in regarding of Histories and the Lives of worthy Men especially the Lives of Alexander the Great and of Iulius Caesar whom he proposed to himself as examples to follow He was of an exceeding Courage and thereto very fortunate a severe punisher of injustice in them especially to whom he had committed the administration of Justice Men that excelled in any quality he greatly favoured and honourably entertained as he did Gentil Bellin a Painter of Venice whom he purposely caused to come from thence to Constantinople to draw the lively counterfeit of himself for which he most honourably rewarded him He so severely punished theft as that in his time all the ways were safe and a Theef scarcely to be heard of But these good parts were in him obscured with most horrible and notorious Vices for why he was altogether irreligious and of all others most perfideous ambitious above measure and in nothing more delighted than in blood insomuch that it is probably gathered that he was in his time the death of eight hundred thousand men Craft Covetousness and Dissimulation were in him accounted for tollerable Faults in comparison of his greater Vices In his love was no assurance and his least displeasure was death so that he lived feared of all men and died lamented of none He had issue three Sons Mustapha dead before him as is before declared Bajazet and Gemes or rather Zemes of some called Zizimus Competitor of the Empire with his eldest Brother whom he exceedingly troubled in the beginning of his Reign so that he could not well attend any other thing but him which opportunity by God himself no doubt offered for the safeguard of Italy Alphoâ—sus Duke of Calabria King Ferdinand his eldest Son taking hold upon with all the power he could make in Italy besieged the Turks in Otranto with whom he had many sharp skirmishes wherein he lost divers of his great Captains and Commanders as the Count Iulio de Aquaiva Loys de Capua and the Count Iulio de Pisa with others and was still by the strong Garrison of the Turks put to the worse until such time as being strengthned with Aid out of Spain and Portugal but especially with certain Companies of most valiant Souldiers sent from Matthias Corvinus out of Hungary whose Forces the Turks most feared he began to cut them short and straitly besieged the City both by Sea and Land until at length the besieged Turks hearing of the death of their great Emperor and now hardly pressed with the dangers of a strait Siege no longer expecting the return of Achmetes their General then ready to have come to their rescue with five and twenty thousand Souldiers yielded up the City unto the Duke upon composition before made That they might with bag and baggage in safety depart thence which they did after they had to the great terror of all Italy holden that strong City by the space of a year And so was that rich Country rather by the mercy of God in taking away the great Tyrant preserved than by the strength or policy of the Inhabitants which was then in great danger to have for ever given place unto the power of the great Tyrant had he longer lived yea and
any corner of the Empire were it never so little But Corcutus and his Friends who had reposed all their hope and all their devices in the departure of Selymus with the Souldiers of the Court as if they had with great modesty contended on both sides again perswaded him yea and instantly requested him not to refuse that honour by general consent without any disgrace to his Brother given to him as to a worthy Chieftain of great experience in Martial Affairs So Selymus with wonderful cunning deluding Corcutus and his Favourites whilst he seemeth craftily to refuse the thing he most desireth is by the general consent of all parts chosen General of the Army to go against his Brother Achâ—mates which was no sooner made known unto the Souldiers especially the Janizaries and other Souldiers of the Court but they before instructed with loud Acclamations saluted him not for their General only but for their Sovereign Lord and Emperor also and so without further delay put themselves in Arms to defend and make good that they had done if any better disposed should seem to withstand them or dissent from them Selymus by the Souldiers thus saluted Emperor at first made shew as if he had been half unwilling to take upon him the Empire and so began faintly to refuse it as moved so to do by the due reverence and regard of his Father yet living But after a while he suffered himself to be intreated and then commending himself and his cause wholly to the Men of War to bind them unto him the father promised beside the particular favours he ought them to bestow a right great and general Largess amongst them which he afterward accordingly performed After that he requested the chief Bassaes and Commanders of the Army there present to go forthwith unto his Father and to take such order seeing it was the mind of the whole Army it should be so that the Empire might by his good Will without further trouble or tumult be forthwith transferred unto him Mustapha the great Bassa in whose wily head all this matter was to his own worthy destruction first hammered whether it were upon a new fineness of his own or that Selymus as it was given out had threatned to kill him except he would go and shew all the whole process of the matter to his Father coming as a man dismaied to Bajazet who awaked with clamour and tumult of the Souldiers was come out of his Chamber into the open rooms of his Palace in few words delivered unto him this most unwelcome Message as followeth Emperor said he the Men of War have in their Counsel saluted Selymus both their General and Emperor which their choice they râ—quire thee to ratifie being ready presently to break into the Court to kill us both if thou shalt refuse forthwith to resign the Empire They all with one consent request that of thee which they have already put into the hand of another Wherefore it is a thing of far more danger to seek to recover that thou hast already lost than willingly to yield that which is already taken from thee seeing it is not by any force or policy to be regained They in Arms in fury and now entred into Rebellion think upon some greater mischief Bajazet troubled with fear and choler and then too late perceiving the treachery of the Bassaes and how he had been by them betrayed pausing a while at the strangeness of the matter afterwards in fury brake out into these Words False and Forsworn do you thus betray me and with such monstrous villany requite mine infinite Bounty Why do you not also as Murderers take away my life which could not endure for a while to expect the dissolution of this my weak and aged body but deposing your just and lawful Sovereign must needs in post hast set up a most wicked and graceless man to reign over you But much good do it you with your desired Emperor the Contemner of God and Murtherer of his Father to whom ere it be long you shall full dearly pay the price of this your perfideous dealing and treachery against me And he himself beginning his Empire by most unnatural treason murder and bloodshed shall not I hope escape the heavy hand of God the undoubted and severe Revenger of so great Impiety and Treason Mustapha with Bostanges and Ajax as false as himself returning back again to the Souldiers speaking not a word of the sorrow and indignation of Bajazet told them how that he was well content to resign the Empire and so had appointed Selymus to whom both God and the general consent of the Men of War had already delivered the Empire to succeed him in the Empire When this their Speech was generally reported they whom Selymus had before corrupted began now to hold up their heads and look big on the matter and others who before stood doubtful what to do seeing now no other remedy in hast joyned themselves unto the same Faction Whilst all things were thus disorderly carried by the unruly Souldiers Selymus was by them mounted upon a couragious Horse and so with all Pomp conducted up and down most of the fair Streets of the imperial City and with the general voice and clamor of the People howsoever their minds were for most part otherwise affected saluted Emperor And the same day both the great Bassaes and the Souldiers in general were all solemnly sworn unto Selymus as their only Lord and Emperor Corcutus whether it were for grief of his hope now lost or fear of his life although Selymus had promised to give him the City of Mytilene with the Island of Lesbos secretly embarked himself and so returned to Magnesia Bajazet of late one of the greatest Monarchs of the World but now thus thrust out of his Empire by his Son detesting both him and the treachery of his Subjects and overcome with sorrow and Melancholy determined of himself before he were thereto enforced by Selymus to forsake Constantinople and to retire himself to Dymotica a small City wholesomely situated in Thracia not far from Hadrianople where in former time he had for his pleasure bestowed great cost and now as he thought best fitted his present estate Wherefore causing great store of Treasure Plate Jewels and rich Furniture to be trussed up he with five hundred of his Houshold Servants full of Heaviness and Sorrow with Tears trickling down his aged cheeks departed out of the Imperial City towards Hadrianople with purpose from thence to have gone to Dymotica Selymus brought him about two miles upon his way and so returning again to Constantinople took possession of the Palace Bajazet being then about seventy six years old or as some report full fourscore and beside his old disease of the Gout sore weakned with heaviness and grief of mind was not able to travel above five or six miles a day but was constrained by the extremity of his pain and weakness to stay sometimes
of the slain Footmen came in in good time for Selymus and with certain fresh Troops which had escaped the fury of Vasta Ogli restored the Battel before almost lost but especially by the invincible courage of Alis Beg and Mahomet his Brother descended of the honourable Family of the Malcozzij which for Nobility amongst the Turks is accounted next unto the Othomans both of them for courage resembling their Warlike Father Malcozzius famous for that woful expedition he made into Friuli against the Venetians in the Reign of Bajazet Selymus also not yet discouraged but still in hope commanded all the great Ordnance wherewith he was environed which he had reserved as his last refuge to be discharged by the violence whereof such slaughter was made as well of his own Men as of his Enemies mingled together that what for dust what for smoak and thundring of the Artillery having on both sides almost lost the use of sight and hearing and their Horses being so terrified with the thundring report of the great Ordnance that they were not now to be ruled the Battel was broken off the Victory yet doubtful The Turkish Histories to express the terror of this day number it amongst their dismal days terming it The only day of Doom Hysmael in this furious Battel having received a Wound under his left Shoulder with a small shot by perswasion of his friends withdrew himself to have his Wound searched which thing undoubtedly was the safegard both of Selymus and his Army for the Persians by and by following their King left the Victory now in all Mens opinion almost gotten But after that Hysmael perceived the Wound was not deep for that the strength of his Armor had so broken the force of the shot that it pierced not far into his Body he was about to have charged the Turks afresh but understanding of the death of Vasta Ogli in whom for his singular experience in martial Affairs he had reposed his greatest confidence and his Captains also perswading him not to make so light reckoning of his Wound the grief whereof he yet felt not being warm but to have regard to his own Health He in seemly order softly marched away in such sort that his departure had no resemblance of flight And passing by the City of Tauris willed the chief of the Citizens to open the Gates of the City to Selymus if he should come thither and to receive his Garrisons rather than by vain constancy to fall into utter destruction and so marched himfelf into the Confines of Media But the Turks intangled with many difficulties having no hearts for fear nor strength for weariness to pursue their Enemies yet coming to the Persian Tents took them without resistance where beside the rich Pavillions wrought with Needle-work of Silk and Gold and much other precious Furniture many noble Ladies and Gentlewomen were found which after the manner of the Persians had followed their Husbands in those Wars whom Selymus caused to be all freely set at liberty untouched excepting one of the Wives of Hysmael whom he detained and gave her in Marriage to one of his Bassaes. Some which were present at this Battel reported that amongst the heaps of them that were slain were found the dead bodies of divers Persian Women which being Armed and following their Husbands died with them in the Battel whom Selymus caused to be honestly buried Thus was that notable Battel fought in the Galderan Fields near unto the City of Coy betwixt these two great Princes the seventh day of August in the year of our Lord 1514. In which Battel Selymus lost above thirty thousand Men amongst whom was Chasan Bassa his great Lieutenant in Europe seven Sanzaks in which were the two Malcozzian Brethren who labouring the one to rescue the other were both together slain Bside his common Footmen of whom he made least reckoning he lost most part of his Illyrian Macedonian Servian Epirot Thessalian and Thracian Horsemen the undoubted flower and strength of his Army which were in that mortal Battel almost all slain or grievously wounded Selymus for all this great loss by the confession of his Enemies having gotten the Victory and receiving Embassadors from Coy and the Cities thereabouts and the great City of Tauris promising to relieve him with whatsoever he needed and to do what else he should command marched directly to Tauris desiring both to see and possess himself of that City as one of the chief Palaces of the Persian Kings This City is two days journey distant from Coy where the Battel was fought and is verily thought to be the famous City called in ancient time Ecbathana about an hundred and fifty Miles distant from the Caspian Sea. The Citizens were ready at the coming of the Turks and brought them great store of Victuals out of the Gates of the City where Selymus had lodged his Army in the Suburbs thinking it no safety to lodge within that great and populous City contenting himself to have the Gates thereof delivered unto him which he kept with strong Guard. Some report that Selymus durst not trust the Persians and therefore never went into the City but disguised in the Habit of a common Souldier Yet some others say that he did with great magnificence Banquet in the stately Palace of the Persian King and there had great discourse with them of Taurus concerning his late Victory But whilst he thus staied at Tauris and with himself purposed to spend that Winter in Armenia he called together his great Captains and Commanders of his Army to know how they liked thereof who fearing his displeasure wholly referred themselves to his own resolution Only Mustapha his chief Bassa chanced to say That it were good that the minds of the Janizaries and the other Souldiers of the Court should therein be known Which his Speech Selymus took in such evil part that he presently commanded him out of his sight and deprived him of his greatest Honour and the more to disgrace him sent one of his Jesters after him who in great scorn and derision coming behind him cut off part of his Tulipant that hung down as the Fashion was But the Janizaries understanding the matter and much offended with the indignity offered unto the great Bassa whom they dearly loved rose up all together in Arms and told Selymus flatly That they would not in any case Winter so far from home in the Enemies Country and therefore that it were best for him betime to consider of the matter for that they were resolutely set down to forsake him if he would needs stay and not with speed return Selymus much troubled with this insolency of the Janizaries and hearing daily that Hysmael with new supplies out of Iberia Albania and Parthia was coming upon him with greater power than before and considering withal with what difficulty and danger he had escaped in the late Battel preserved rather by his good fortune and force of his great Artillery
in good time came in with his Horsemen by his coming for that he had been but lightly charged by Cayerbeius the Traitor and had brought with him many fresh Troops of Horsemen the fury of the Mamalukes was repressed the Turks again encouraged and the Victory shortly after wrung out of the Mamalukes hands the great Artillery being by the commandment of Selymus at the same time discharged amongst them by the terrible thundering whereof the Mamalukes Horses somewhat troubled could not so well as before be ruled neither could the men themselves although they were of wonderful Courage much prevail being on every side oppressed with the multitude of their Enemies Yet in that distress being nothing dismaied although they were by Cayerbeius and their good fortune forsaken they were not to seek either of courage or direction but setting themselves close together they brake through the midst of their Enemies with great slaughter of the Europeian Horsemen and hurt of the Pensioners and so with speed fled towards the Camp and City After whom followed Sinan Bassa with the readiest and freshest Troops of his Horsemen for Selymus who that day in the extream heat for his wonderful pains courage and direction seemed undoubtedly greater than himself riding up and down called earnestly upon his Souldiers to urge the Victory and with all speed to pursue their flying Enemies Campson had now his Destiny so leading him set forward of purpose to come to the relief of his men sent before or if the Turks should be overcome to be partaker of the Victory when upon the way he understood by them that fled That Cayerbeius was revolted his Army overthrown and the terror so great as that the flight of his Souldiers was not now possibly to be staid beside that to augment the fear it was reported That the multitude of his Enemies and Force of their Artillery was so great that they were not then to be encountred With which heavy News the proud old man who in the perpetual course of his good Fortune had never tasted of evil hap was ready for sorrow and grief of mind to have sunk down to the ground And forthwith his own men and the Enemy pursuing them coming upon him who in their headlong course without regard overthrew whomsoever they met every man making shift for himself without respect of others harm he being a corpulent man of great years and beside the heaviness of his Armor troubled also with a Rupture overcome with heat and grief of mind fainted in that great press and so falling down was without regard trodden to death after he had with great Majesty governed the Kingdoms of Egypt Iudea and Syria many years The valiant Tetrarchs of Damasco and Tripolis whilst others fled for life either to the Camp or to the City of Aleppo labouring in the hindermost of their flying Troops to repress the force of their pursuing Enemies were both fighting honourably slain Selymus erecting a few Tents in the same Field wherein the Battel was fought and keeping most part of his Army in Arms slept not all that night but stood fast as a man not yet assured of his Victory or good fortune fearing lest men of so great Valor as were the Mamalukes should in the covert of the night return and set upon him in his Camp for he knew right well that they were overcome and put to flight rather by the Treachery of Cayerbeius and fury of his great Ordnance than by the Valor of his Souldiers But Gazelles and the other Mamalukes after they certainly understood of the death of Campson having given their Horses a short bait departed in hast from Aleppo to Damasco The next day Selymus removing with his Army took the rich Tents of his Enemies full of all princely store which he gave unto his Souldiers for a Prey and marching from thence to Aleppo had the City peaceably delivered unto him by Cayerbeius where he favourably took the Citizens into his protection and the more to win their hearts granted unto them greater Priviledges than they had in former time enjoyed In this Battel were slain not above a thousand Mamalukes but of their Servants and followers a great number more being slain in the Flight than in the Fight when as their Horses fainting for heat and dying under them for thirst many of them were inforced to betake themselves to their feet and so were easily slain of every base Horseman For a great number of goodly Horses died there which being foggy fat and delicately brought up in cold Stables could not endure the vehemency of the heat and that unacquainted travel for that day all things were burnt with the scorching heat of the Sun. This famous Battel was fought the seventeenth of August in the year of our Lord 1516 the very same day which is strange to tell whereon but two years before he had obtained the Victory against Hysmael the great Sophi in the Chalderan Fields Selymus lost in this Battel three thousand Horsemen whereby it may easily be gathered That he had there received a notable overthrow of his Horsemen if Sinan Bassa in the left Wing which by the Treason of Cayerbeius â—scaped with small loss had also happened upon his Sybeius as the other General did The dead body of Campson found two days after without any wound appearing thereupon was by the commandment of Selymus laid forth in open place for all men to behold that such as believed him yet to live and to be gone to repair his Army at Caire might be out of all hope of his return and others that were already revolted might thereby be the more confirmed as now out of all fear of him Not long after when the dead Body began to putrifie and grow noysom and to convince the fame of his escape had lien open to the view of all men by the space of three days it was without any funeral Pomp or solemnity simply buried in the most ancient Temple of Aleppo Of the rising and fall of this great man Ianus Vitalis hath written this Elogium or Epitaph Fortuna caeca surda vere diceris Et mente una praedita Ad alta tollis scamma in imo conditos Ut mox cadant profundius Morosa tu mortalium appetentium Votum omne fulmine ocyus Fugas deinde te nihil petentibus Benignitate prodigis Campson ut ille Gaurius nil ambiens Nil te proterva flagitans Invitus imperator orae Egyptiae Tumultuosa militum Ex fece plebis factus insolentia Supra volabat nubila Inter receptus altiora syderae Mox excidens altissimus Absumptus armis hinc hinc rebellibus Gravis senectae pondere Fit ludus atrox impotentis alea Tuaeque pervicaciae Amisit cum vita opes quas maximo Cum regno habebat maximas In English thus Fortune well call'd both deaf and blind And thereto fond withal Thou setst the beggar up aloft To work his greater fall
which he assured him to be no better but that if he thought it good he might bring them to such order and agreement as he would himself Upon whose perswasion calling in the Governour Vallier after he had rigorously reproved his rashness said unto him That forasmuch as he had once given his word if he would pay the charges of the Army he was content to let them go with Bag and Baggage otherwise he would discharge but two hundred Whereat the Governour greatly moved answered That that was not according to his last promise unto the Knights before sent But when he saw it would be no better he requested him that he might again return to the Castle to know the minds of the rest which the false Bassa would by no means grant but only permitted him to send back the Knight that he had brought with him to make report of these hard News to the besieged as for the Governour he was sent to the Gallies with Irons on his Heels When they of the Castle understood what had passed betwixt the Bassa and the Governour they began exceedingly to fear the mischief then at hand yet took no other resolution but to return the said Knight to the Bassa to know whether they should expect from him no better answer Who as soon as he was come before him the Captain of the Castle was brought in of whom the Bassa asked Which of the two he would chuse either to pay the expences of the Army or else both he and all the rest to remain his Prisoners Whereunto the Governour answered That a Slave had no other authority than that which by his Master was given him and that having lost besides his liberty the power to command if any thing were yet reserved in him could not counsel him to command others to agree unto any thing but that which was concluded with them which were before sent Which thing the Bassa hearing for fear that such a resolute answer should come to the knowledge of the besieged and cause them to become desperate having taken counsel with his other Captains he took the Governour by the Hand and with a smiling and dissembling Countenance told him That he would without any doubt let them depart as he had promised and that therefore without fearing any thing he should cause them all to come out of the Castle But the Governour because he had been before deceived would not trust to his word but said unto him That he might command him that was come from the Castle for that he knew they would now do never a whit the more for him So the Bassa turning towards the other Knight commanded him forthwith to go unto them in the Castle and to cause them to come forth swearing again as before by the Head of his great Lord and his own That they should all be delivered and set at liberty according to the conventions first agreed upon Which the Knight believing went to report to them this good news which they received with such joy that without further care or consideration of their mishap so near they ran in haste with their Wives Children and best Moveables striving who should first get out But they were no sooner issued but they were by the Enemies spoiled of all they had and taken Prisoners part of the Knights were sent to the Gallies and the rest to the Bassa Who being by the Governour put in remembrance of his Faith twice given answered That there was no Faith to be kept with Dogs and that they had first violated their Oath with his great Lord unto whom at the giving over of the Rhodes they had as he said sworn never more to bear Arms against the Turks The Castle was forthwith taken and spoiled and about two hundred Moors of that Country that had served the Knights cut in pieces and thereupon a great Peal of Ordnance discharged with great cries and shouts in sign of their Victory Thus the strong Castle and ancient City of Tripolis in Barbary was delivered unto the Turks the fifteenth day of August in the year 1551. Whilst the Bassa lay at this Siege the Lord of Arramont who had many years lien Embassador from Francis the French King at Constantinople and was now sent again by Henry the Second came to the Turks Camp being requested so to do by the great Master of the Rhodes to have disswaded the Bassa from that Siege wherein he nothing prevailed Yet now grieved to see how the faithless Turk contrary to his Oath most villanously intreated the Governour and the other Knights lying at his feet as Men half desperate was so bold as to put him in mind of his promise confirmed by his Oath which if he would not keep that yet at the least according to his own voluntary offer he would release two hundred of them but he excused himself as before saying That no Faith was to be kept with Dogs which had first broken their own Faith. Yet afterwards he condescended that two hundred of the eldest and such as were most unfit for service amongst whom was comprehended the Governour and certain other old Knights should be set at liberty who were forthwith sent aboord the French Embassadors Gallies and by him transported to Malta where they were but hardly welcome for that they had so cowardly surrendred a place which they might much longer have defended The next day after the Castle was delivered which was the sixteenth of August the proud Bassa for joy of this Victory made a solemn Dinner whereunto he invited the French Embassador and Vallier the late Governour which they refused not to come unto in hope to recover some more Prisoners This great Feast for the more Magnificence was kept in the Castle-Ditch against the Breach where were set up two stately Pavillions the one for the Bassa and the other for the Embassador and his Company where he was honourably Feasted with wonderful plenty both of Flesh and Fish and good Wines which they had found in the Castle which service was done with Musick of divers sorts and Officers in number above a hundred apparelled for most part in long Gowns of fine Cloth of Gold Tuffed or Fringed and the other of Velvet or Damask The Bassa was no sooner set down but all the Ordnance of the Fleet were discharged with such a noise and thundring that it seemed the Heavens and Skies did shake The Table being taken up the Embassador and the late Governour Vallier entred into the Pavillion of the Bassa and beside the two hundred Men which he had promised obtained twenty more upon the Embassadors promise That he should for them cause to be released thirty Turks taken at Malta at the landing of the Army there The Turks having in their hands an ancient Gunner of the Castle called Iohn de Chabas born in Daulphine to the end that this triumphant Feast should not be unfurnished of some cruel sacrifice of the Christian Blood
Alla and the Christians answering them with the Name of Jesus The seventh of August the Turks cast up a great Mount and thereon planted certain great Pieces of Ordnance The next day following they began most terribly to batter the new Town in three places and with incredible Labor cast up a Mount in the midst of the Marish as it were in the Town Ditch from whence they the next day with certain Pieces of great Artillery day and night battered the inner Castle of the Town without any intermission and did great harm both to the Castle and the Defendants The Count perceiving the new City to be now so laid open with the fury of the Turks Battery as that it was not possible to be defended caused his Souldiers to set it all on fire and to retire into the old The tenth of August the Turks furiously battered the old Town in three places and brought their Ordnance into the new Town and with Timber Earth and Rubbish made a Bridge the more commodiously to go over the Marish For the speedier accomplishment whereof all the Turks were compelled to lay to their Hands and to carry Wood Fagots Earth and such like things without ceasing There might a Man have seen all the Fields full of Camels Horses and of the Turks themselves like Emmets carrying Wood Earth Stones or one thing or other to fill up the Marish so was there with wonderful Labour two plain ways made through the deep Fen from the Town to the Castle where the Janizaries defended from the great Shot with Sacks of Wool and such like things did with the Multitude of their small Shot so overwhelm the Defendants that they could not against those places without most manifest danger shew themselves upon the Walls So that what by their vigilant Industry and the fury of the great Artillery the Turks though not without great loss by force entred the old Town the nineteenth of August using in their Victory such celerity that they slew many of the most valiant Defendants before they were able to recover the safeguard of the Castle Both the Towns thus lost and so many worthy Men slain not without cause brought great heaviness upon the rest which were in the Castle with the Count. The Turks possessed of the old Town the next day planted their Battery against the Castle in four places and with Fagots Rubbish and Earth made two plain ways unto it still filling up the Marish and having with continual Battery made it assaultable the nine and twentieth day of August they began fiercely to assail the Breaches but when they had lost many of their Men and done what they could they were enforced with shame to retire In this Assault amongst many other of their best Souldiers was lost one of their great Bassaes also Whilst these things were in doing Solyman far spent with years and distempered with his long travel fell sick of a Loosness in his Belly and for the better recovery of his Health retired himself the Siege yet continuing to Quinqâ—â— Ecclesiae a City near to Sigeth where shortly after he died of the Bloody Flux the fourth day of September in the year of our Lord 1566 when he had lived seventy six years and thereof reigned forty six He was of Stature tall of Feature slender long Necked his Colour pale and wan his Nose long and hooked of Nature ambitious and bountiful more faithful of his Word and Promise than were for most part the Mahometan Kings his Progenitors wanting nothing worthy of so great an Empire but that wherein all happiness is contained Faith in Christ Jesus Muhamet the Visier Bassa who commanded all in Solymans absence fearing the insolency of the Janizaries and lest some Tumult should arise in the Camp if his death should be known concealed it by all means and to be sure of them that were of others best able to make certain report thereof caused his Physicians and Apothecaries to be secretly straâ—gled and by a trusâ—y Messenger sent in Post certified Selymus Solymans only Son and his Father in Law then lying in Magnesiâ— of the death of his Father willing him in haste to repair to Constantinople to take possession of the Empire and that done forthwith to come to the Army in Hungary But this could not be so secretly done but that the Janizaries began to mistrust the matter which Mâ—hamet Bassa quickly perceiving caused the dead Body of Solyman in his wonted Apparel to be brought into his Tent sitting upright in his Horse-Litter as if he had been sick of the Gout his wonted disease and so shewing him to the Janizaries both deceived and contented them and so went forward with the Siege The Janizaries having in the last Assaulâ— lost many of their Fellows began now to undermine the greatest Bulwark of the Castle from which the Defendants with their great Ordnance did most annoy them wherein they used such diligence that the fifâ—h of September they with Gunpowder and other light maâ—ter provided for that purpose had set all the Bulwaâ—k on a light fire and by that means possessed thereof with all their force assailed the Bulwark next unto the Castle Gate from whence they were with great slaughter twice repulsed by the Count. But the raging Fire still increasing he was enforced with those which were yet leâ—t alive to retire into the inner Castle wherein were but two great Pieces and fourteen others of small force Thus the Turks still prevailing and taking one place after another the seventh of September they furiously assaulted the little Castle whereinto they cast such abundance of Fire that in short time it caught hold on the Buildings and set all on fire The Count thus assailed by the Enemy without and worse distressed with the Fire within which still increasing left no place for him in safety to retire unto went into his Chamber where putting on a rich new Suit of Apparel came presently out again with his Sword and Targâ—et in his hand and finding his Souldiers with chearful Countenance and their Weapons in their hands attending his coming spake unto them these few his last words The hard Fortune of this sinful Kingdom hath together with our own overtaken us but let us noble Hearts with patience endure what is to us by God assigned You know what we have before promised which hitherto God be thanked we have accordingly performed and now let us with like resolution perform this last The place you see is not longer to be kept the devouring Fire groweth so still upon us and we in number are but few wherefore let us â—s becometh valiant Men breakout into the utter Castle there to die in the midst of our Enemies to live aftewards with God for ever I will be the first â—hat will go out follow you me like Men. This said with his Sword and Targuet in his Hand without any other Armor calling thrice upon the Name of Jesus he
Consultation do last four hours long so long are they to continue standing without moving The Embassadors having stayed two days at Buda were by the Bassa dismissed sending with them his Checai the Steward or Governor of his House a man of great Reputation and Becram the Chiaus the same that came to meet them at Comara with a sufficient Guard and certain Janizaries sent for their more safe travelling and to provide for them from place to place all things necessary for their Diet as also for their Horses at the Turks charges And thus accompanied they imbarqued the tenth day of the aforesaid month towed up the Turks Gallies which holpen by the swiftness of the River carried them down in eight days to Belgrade where they arrived the eighteenth of Iuly So having staid at Belgrade and there leaving their Boats and taking their Coaches they set forward by Land the twentieth of the said month and with great pains travelling through Rascia Bulgaria and Thracia and passing a part of the great Mountain Scardus and after that the Mountain Rhodope so by the way of Philippolis and Hadrianople the two and twentieth of August gathered fast upon Constantinople where many of the Spahies and Chiauses of the Court with a number of the Janizaries and other Souldiers for their greater Honour came to meet them a great way without the City By whom the Embassadors honourably mounted on Horseback were by them conducted to their Lodging appointed for them about the midst of the City where the Lord Albert de Vuis the Emperors Embassador Lieger not long before inlarged having long looked for their coming now most joyfully received them It was then Friday the Turks Sabbath and a day of them above all other days in the week regarded and about ten of the Clock two hours before Noon at which time the Embassadors were no sooner alighted but that Selymus going to hear the Ceremonies of his Religion in the Moschy of his Father Solyman as his manner was sometime to do passed along before the Gate where the Embassadors lay with the whole Train of his Court and peradventure somewhat more than ordinary to shew the Magnificence of his Power and State to the end that the Embassadors above the former opinion by them conceived might hold him in the Reputation of a most puissant and mighty Monarch He passing by vouchsafed not once to give them a regard or so much as to cast his eye aside upon them although they were strangers and but even then arrived but with a Countenance as if he had known not so much as any thing of their coming held on his way as it lay But Muhamet the chief Visier Bassa with the other Bassaes and great Courtiers in most gracious manner as they passed by cast their eyes upon them all the courtesie they could then shew them Six days after being the eight and twentieth of August the Embassadors all three went to visit and salute Muhamet or as the Turks call him Mehemet the chief Visier Bassa as the manner was presenting him from the Emperor with four Cups of Silver all gilt of most fair and curious Workmanship of which two of them being greater than the other were three spans high the other two being not so high by a span but having in them two thousand Ducats of Gold beside which they gave him also a Clock being a most curious piece of Work and all over double gilt After which Greetings and Presents delivered besides the contents of his Majesties Letters they declared unto him in general points the cause of their coming and the mind of the Emperor well disposed to a Peace and what great benefit would arise thereby to both Parties and lastly turning over the blame of the late Wars and laying the fault thereof to the charge of others sweetned thereby the sower of their former dealings Neither was the Bassa likewise for his part to seek for goods words but answered them in Turkish by the mouth of Hibraim the chief Dragoman who delivered his mind to them in Latin or Italian according as the Embassadors had before uttered theirs which Parle so ended certain of the chief of the Embassadors Followers were admitted into the Divano to kiss the proud Bassaes hand The same day the Embassadors also saluted Partau the second Bassa and Ferat the third in Order and Authority To Partau they presented two Cups of Silver all gilt beside a Clock of the same making with the afore named and two thousand Dollars and the like to Ferat The next day they went to visit the other three Bassaes Achomat Pial and Muhamet presenting every one of them with two fair Cups and a thousand Dollars These were the six Visier Bassaes to Selymus then lying at Court with him men that for Wealth and Authority went before all other in the Turkish Empire as in the course of this History may appear And so having visited them in general the Embassadors to set their Affairs on foot the fourth of September closed with Muhamet to whom the ordering of Estate-matters was especially committed Yet after this first Conference because it was necessary before so weighty Affairs were broached first to do the Turk Reverence and to deliver the Presents with the Emperors Letters to him written for some few days there was not any Point at all of the Embassadors business handled Selymus not long after the Embassadors were arrived went out for his disport and pleasure on hunting so that in the mean time after the Presents were given to the Bassaes matters stood still altogether unadvanced until the 21 of September and that day Selymus being now returned from his Disport it was appointed that the Embassadors should have Audience at the Court. Whereupon they made choice out of their Followers of those that should attend upon them which were not in all above twelve persons for they to whom this Charge was committed said it was neither the manner nor yet meet that any great Train should come before so great a Prince and that they might not bring with them above that number whereupon they appointed but six a piece to attend them and of fifteen Cups of Silver and gilt being most curiously and cunningly engraven one of the fairest among the rest was given to each of those twelve to carry and they ordered to go by two and two before the rest that came after in order with the rest of the Presents which was two exceeding precious Clocks like in bigness to them before given to the Bassaes but far above them in value and 45000 Dollars for the Tribute behind and yet unpaid The greatest of those Cups was six Spans and a half and the least two Spans in height some of them being double Cups after the High-Dutch manner The Embassadors whose coming a great multitude of Janizaries attended below at the Gate of their Lodging besides made of the Spahies and Chiausies and others of good sort which were come
together in a great heat and all be-bloodied urged their happy and fortunate Victory But Mustapha who perceived all that had passed and staied waiting till the fight was at the hottest and the medly at the thickest that so the flight of the Enemies might breed their greater disorder and now seeing that his People could no longer endure the fury of the Enemies Rage even as if it had lightned and thundred and as though the Earth had shaken with such Cries and Acclamations as the Turks use in their Assaults for the more Terror of the Enemies exciting his Army ran as it were headlong upon his Adversaries and so renewed a most terrible Battel The Persians wonderful Courage endured this unexpected and dreadfull Assault and with incredible signes of Valour in that little time of day-light that was left for the Night began now to approach continued their manifold slaughters and at last being favoured by the darkness of the Night withdrew themselves with as little loss as possibly they might Neither durst Mustâ—pha any longer pursue them but was glad by Night to return to his Camp. Of the success of this Battel the Persians certified their King as also of the greatness of the Turkish Army with their further purpose for the annoying thereof And by the Turks also were presented to Mustapha who had already sent away Posts with News to Amurath 5000 Heads which by their Colour Countenance and Beards bewraied themselves to be Persians and 3000 Persians alive Of this Victory Mustapha greatly rejoyced and to make it seem the greater seeking by all means to conceal his own Losses and to raise a greater Terror by the Fame thereof amongst his Enemies caused the Heads of those three thousand that were brought before him alive to be presently cut from their Shoulders and gave order that of those Heads there should be framed a Bulwark in those Fields for a most horrible and uncouth Spectacle The same day that Mustapha imployed himself about this barbarous and cruel work there came unto him certain Messengers from Manucchiar the younger Son of the Georgian Widow Dedesmit a great Prince in that Country who told him That with his good favour and leave Manucchiar their Lord and Master was comming to salute him and to offer himself unto him as his obedient and devoted Servant At which news Mustapha redoubling his Joy gave commandment That all the Bassa's and Captains of the Army with all solemn Pomp with Trumpets Drums peals of Ordnance and all other signs of munifical and joyfull Entertainment should go forth to meet the said Manucchiar and to acompanie him to his Presence Which they did accordingly and so encountering him with all signes of Honour conducted him to the great Pavilion of Mustapha who there caused him again to be saluted with like Triumph Manucchiar dismounted from his Horse and against his Will beholding the strange and uncouth pile of Heads all pale and filthie to behold and indeed imagining what the matter meant yet notwithstanding before all other things having done his due Reverence to the great Bassa and according to his degree placed himself next to his side after he had presented him with such Gifts as his Country yielded he gave him to understand That for the Honour and Estimation which he bare to the Turkish Valour he was always devoted to the House of the Othomans and as he had oftentimes desired to spend his Goods and Life in their Service so at this present time moved by his ancient desire allured by the strange fame of this victorious and wonderful Army and stirred up by a particular fantasie to learn the painful and hard Precepts of the Art Military under such a General Commander of other Commanders he offered him all Devotion and Service more than ever he had done to any heretofore and himself having nothing in the World more deare unto him consecrated his own Life to his Commandments desiring that the same might be imployed in the conflicts of War under his Banners among Warriers and Souldiers of Fame and Renown and therefore besought him to accept of him in the name of Amurath whose obedient Vassal he vowed himself to remain for ever Graciously did Mustapha receive all this Discourse from Manucchiar and having shewed him again the pile of Heads together with his Battels Armour and Provision of War told him That as all these Forces are the Gift of God who always favoured the righteous Counsels of the Othoman Emperours in such sort that they lord it over all the World even to the astonishment of all that live in the World at this day so had he for his particular chosen the better part in comming now to yield himself and to submit his Obedience to his Lord although it had been better if he had done it before And as concerning the desire he had to be his Companion and Fellow in these warlike Affairs he did very friendly accept of his comming and promised him all good Entertainment and assured Safety And so in exchange of the Presents which he brought with him he apparelled him in Cloath of Gold honoured him with a Battel-axe and Targuet wrought with Gold and Ammel and never permitted him to go from his Pavilion without a train of his Slaves following him This Georgian Prince thus solemnly entertained the General gave order thorough the Camp That they should the next Morning remove from those Mountains and now every man was putting himself in readiness when as there rise a most terrible Tempest of Wind and Rain mixt with Thunder and Lightning which continued with such Violence by the space of four days together as if the Heavens had been dissolved into Waters Whereby it came to pass that out of the dead Carkasses and Heads before mentioned issued a most horrible stink so that thereby and by the foulness of the Weather with the other Annoyances always attending upon so great a Camp the whole Army was exceedingly troubled and divers Diseases arose among the Turks But at the last the Weather breaking up Mustapha rise with his Camp and set forward toward Teflis and being not able by reason of the foulness of the way to pass any further that day stayed in the Plains where the Lake Chielder Giol standeth and there refreshed his sick and wounded Souldiers removing thence the next day about Noon he came to the Castle of Archicheleck sometime a Castle of the Georgians but taken from them by Solyman in his Wars against Tamas and ever since holden by the Turks Here Mustapha surveyed his Army and by diligent account taken found himself to want 40000 of his Souldiers whereof some were slain in the Battel some were dead of Sickness and many wearie of so long and perillous a Journey were by Night stolne out of the Camp and returned to take their ease at home From thence the Army removed and lodged at Night near the marish called of the Turks Peruana Giol or
Lake of Slaves and the next day came to Triala where at this day are to be seen the Ruins of a great City and of many Churches whereof some are yet repaired and maintained by devout Christians the Reliques of those happy and religious Forces that with so great and faithful zeale passed the Seas and Mountains through those barbarous Nations into the Holy Land Men worthy of eternal Praise The next day the Turks ascended the high and craggie Mountain that standeth upon Teflis from the top whereof descending the day following they seised upon a Castle of the Georgians called by the Turks Giurgi Chala Departing thence and lodging in certain Plains the next day they came near to the River that runneth by Teflis But in these four days march from Archichelec where Mustapha took view of his Army many of the Turks who in feeking for Victuals for themselves and their Horses had straggled from the Army were cut off by the Georgian Captains who with a number of their own Country Souldiers secretly followed the Turks Army and well acquainted with all the ways of the Country lay in ambush upon such Places as the Victuallers were to pass through and so suddenly setting upon them spoyled them at once both of their Goods and Lives Mustapha comming to Teflis found that Castle empty for that Daut Chan Lord thereof hearing of the comming of the Turks forsook the same and betook himself to the Fields providing better for himself in so doing than by staying still in the Castle to have been there taken Prisoner This Castle for the convenient Scituation thereof Mustapha caused to be repaired and fortified and planted therein an hundred pieces of Artillery and appointed Mahamet Bassa General Governour of that Place with a Garrison of six thousand Souldiers which done he departed for Siruan At which very time those of Soria which had brought a thousand loads of Rent-Corn to the Camp from Aleppo being themselves in number a thousand Persons with five hundred others of Omps in ancient time called Hus the City of the patient Iob and other places of Soria men neither of Duty bound nor of themselves willing to follow the Camp returned homewards towards their own Country but upon the way they were set upon by Alessandro Giusuf and David three of the Georgian Lords and all slain except some few who by the swiftness of their Horses escaped with Nassardin their Captain Now after that Mustapha had passed the descent of the steep Mountains of Teflis the next day he incamped in certain low Plains where the Ambassadours of Alessandro surnamed the Great Son of Leuent a Georgian Prince came unto him and told him That their Lord was ready if it so pleased him to come unto him to do him Reverence and by word of mouth to promise him that Devotion he had always in mind borne to the Othoman Emperours With a glad Heart and chearful Countenance did Mustapha receive these Ambassadors and presently sent them back to will their Lord to come and to tell him That his friendship should be unto him most dear and acceptable And after their departure took order with all the Commanders of his Army to receive him with all the signes of Joy that might be which at his coming was accordingly by them performed Who after he had presented unto the General the rich Gifts he had brought with him he offered his Obedience to the Bassa with the most lively Speeches he could possibly devise calling Amurath his Lord seeming to take it in evil part that he passed not through his Territory where he should as he said have had plenty of all things for the relief of his Army yet hoping that in his return from Siruan he would take it in his way whereas he should find him most ready to bestow all that he had in the Service of his Lord telling him moreover That although he could not for many urgent respects go with him into Siruan yet he would always accompany him in Mind and continually pray unto the Creator of all things for his Prosperity and most happy Success Courteously did Mustapha receive both his Presents and Submission and in exchange thereof bestowed upon him certain Gifts after the Turkish manner and in magnifical Terms gave him answer promising him in his return to pass through his Country and so dismissed the Persian Duke with like Honour wherewith he was entertained at his coming Mustapha holding on his Journey toward Siruan through moorish and troublesom ways in twelve days after he departed from Teflis came into the Confines of Siruan near to the River Canac and there rested on this side the River one day At which time they of the City of Sechi bordering upon the Siruanians and Georgians four days Journey from Sumachia came to offer themselves to Mustapha as Subjects to the Turks Of whose Submission the General graciously accepted promising to them his assured Protection The Turks Army over-wearied with the continual travel of twelve days march but yet far more afflicted with hunger not finding in those Parts so much as one wild beast to assuage their greedy desire of Meat sought by all means every man for himself to get something especially when they understood their General would pass the River into a Country unto them all unknown where they were altogether uncertain what to find for their relief So whilst they were inquiring among themselves who were able to conduct them to some such place as where they might supply their wants behold certain Persians were taken who being straitly examined on that point after much resistance at last told them that not far off after they had passed certain Marishes where Canac dischargeth it self into Araxis they should find many Fields full of Rice and Corn in the blade and a little farther certain fat heards of Cattel sufficient to relieve the whole Army Of this News was the General certified who although he greatly doubted the subtilty of his Enemies yet to gratifie his Souldiers and to make them more willing to follow him into Siruan he licensed every man that had a desire thereunto to go and provide himself of Victuals and so suffered all that would to go freely Whereupon there went of themselves and were sent by their Captains about ten thousand servile Persons with Camels Horses and Mules to fetch away this provision of Corn and Cattel but the Event answered not to their desires For Tocomac with the other Persian Captains and the rest of the Souldiers that were escaped from the overthrow given them in the Plains of Chielder having gathered together the remainder of the Army and recovered such places as they thought safe and friendly for them carefully attended the marching and passing of the Turkish Army And being certainly informed by them of Reivan and Georgia what way they kept and that of necessity they must arrive at the Banks of Canac they began to devise how they might in some measure
further attempts and proceedings of the furious Enemy The eighteenth of September the Turks with all warlike Provision upon the sudden by Night assaulted the strong Castle of Toccay in the upper Hungary in hope to have surprised it but finding it a matter of more Difficulty than they had before imagined they departed thence and attempted the lesser Comara which standing in a marish Ground was also easily defended At which time also the Bassa of Buda with his Power entred into the Frontiers of the Christians but having well viewed the Cities Towns Castles and Forts upon those Borders and finding nothing for his purpose he without any thing doing returned again to Buda The six and twentieth day of September Hassan the Bassa of Bosna incamped with his Army betwixt the Rivers of Kulp and Sauus and in the Darkness of the Night passing over part of his Army into Turopolis with Fire and Sword most miserably spoiled all that pleasant and fertile Island the Lord of Bonny to whom the keeping thereof was committed labouring in vain to defend the same About the end of this Month the Bassa of Ziget with the Sanzacks of Mohas Koppan and Quinque Ecclesiae and other Turks of great name came with a strong Army and encamped between Ziget and Rodesto And shortly after News was brought to the Emperours Court that Kanysia a City of Stiria not far from the River Zala was hardly besieged by the Enemy and that the Turks in coming thither had taken many Christian Captives whom they had sent to be sold at Constantinople and that there was in the Turks Army about an hundred and sixty thousand men But forasmuch as the Christian Army daily increased also and was now grown to the number of threescore thousand men began to hope well that the Enemies Rage would be stayed from any further proceeding About the same time Ernestus the Arch-duke appointed General of the Army with the Marquess Son to Ferdinand the Arch-duke his Lieutenant came both unto the Army In these Preparations about the beginning of October heavy News was brought unto the Emperours Court how that 7000 men whom he but a little before had sent into Croatia under the Conduct of Thomas Artelius Beane George Gleichspacher and Dionysius Denke to hinder the Course of the Turks Proceedings being incamped betwixt Wihitz and Carolstat and having the twelfth of September discovered from an high Hill certain Companies of the Turks which were indeed of purpose come thither to view the Army of the Christians sent out fifty Horsemen to discover the Turks Army where it lay and what it attempted Who finding no more of the Turks than those whom they had before seen from the Mountain returned again unto the Army with such simple Intelligence whereunto the Christians giving Credit became secure in their Tents as Men out of Fear of the Enemy and so kept but negligent Watch. But in this so great Security the Enemy on a sudden came upon them and with an hundred thousand men brake into their Trenches where the Christian Foot-men for all that for the space of four hours maintained a notable fight wherein many were on both sides slain But the poor Christians being beset round and oppressed with the Multitude of their Enemies were slain almost all yet the Captains seeing the Danger by speedy flight saved their Lives for which their Cowardise and careless Negligence they were afterwards apprehended and beheaded Almost all the common Souldiers were there slain yea such as fell alive into the hand of the Enemy were most cruelly cut in pieces The spoil also of the Tents of the Christians fell unto the Enemy wherein beside the abundance of other things they found sixty thousand Dollars brought but two days before from the Lintz for the Souldiers pay The Turks after their barbarous manner in Ostentation of their Victory laded fourteen Waggons with the Heads of the slain Christians which they sent unto divers places thereabouts This was indeed a great Victory but gained by the Turks with much Blood for the Christians fighting as men desperate slew of their Enemies about twelve thousand and died themselves as men rather with number oppressed than with true Valour vanquished The Night following the Turks upon the sudden in the dead time of the Night surprised the Castle of St. George and without respect of Age or Sex cruelly put to the Sword all them that were therein except an hundred and fifty Persons whom they carried away Captives and so setting the Castle on fire departed At the same time divers Companies of the Turks were seen about Siseg who led away with them about six hundred Christians into most miserable Captivity And that nothing might be wanting unto the Calamities of this so miserable a wasted Country three hundred Waggons charged with all manner of Provision sent out of the Provinces thereby for the Relief of the Garrison Souldiers in Croatia were all intercepted by the Turks and so â—arried away The Emperour considering these Proceedings of the Turks and that their Strength daily increased gave notice by Writing to all the Princes and States of the Empire what Incursions the Turks had of late made into Croatia and the Frontiers of Hungary with other Places near unto them and that the Beglerbeg of Graecia with the Bassaes of Bosna Buda and Temeswar without regard of the League yet in Force had taken divers Cities Towns Castles and strong Places and so extended the bounds of their Dominion above forty German Miles having slain or carried away into Captivity the poor Inhabitants of those Countries and now to be grown to that height of Pride that except their farther Proceedings were with like Forces repressed they would in short time set Foot into Germany it self and possessing themselves of Stiria and Carinthia would from thence daily more and more incroach upon the Empire which to hinder was not in his Power only but required their help in general Wherefore he requested them now at length in so publick a Danger to open their Coffers and to send out their Forces against the common Enemy Which Request of the Emperour with the due Consideration of so great a Danger moved not only the Princes and States of the Empire but others also farther off to yield liberal Contribution unto so necessary and general a Carse The Turks now hearing of the great Preparation of the Christian Princes beside the Army which was already in the Field and that they had made a strong Bridg over the River of Drauus which they had also fortified thereby in safety at their Pleasure to transport their Army without further delay furnished such Places as they had gotten with strong Garrisons and so withdrew themselves into their own Territory which they did the rather for that the Plague then raged sore in Constantinople insomuch that there died a thousand a day Which Contagion had also taken hold of the Turkish Army so that the Christians for fear of
author and deviser of these Broils ceased not for the increase of his Credit to work what mischief he could against the Christians that bordered upon him This great Bassa mortally hated the Governour or as some call him the Abbot of Siseg a strong Castle scituate upon the borders of that part of Croatia yet holden by the Christians where the River Kulp falleth into the famous River of Sauus or Saw and was indeed the very Bulwark of that Countrey the cause of which his hatred is reported to have been this The year before the Bassa had sent a Messenger to this Abbot to require him to deliver the Castle or Monastery unto him which Messenger for certain days the Abbot entertained with many honourable Speeches learning in the mean time of him so much as he possibly could of the Bassaes intention with what Power in what Place and with what Engines he had determined to besiege the Castle In the mean time it was discovered that his Steward had long before plotted with the Turk to have betrayed the Castle and had for certain years past received of him a yearly Pension Upon which occasion the Abbot caused both the Messenger and his own Steward to be apprehended and so fast bound hand and foot to be cast out at a Window of the Castle into the River of Saw. The Bassa seeing his Messenger not to return sent another to the Abbot grievously threatning him if he did not send him back again his Messenger Whereunto the Abbot answered That he had dismissed him certain days before and therefore marvelled if he were not as yet returned nevertheless concerning his demand That he was resolved to yield the Monastery unto the Bassa against whose Forces he saw himself unable to hold it requesting only that it would please him to send some men of account to receive it at his hand for that it would be no small dishonour unto him to deliver it up unto common Souldiers The Bassa glad of this message sent forthwith certain principal men of great account hoping now without any loss to have that strong Place yielded unto him which had so long time stood in his way Three days after certain Troops of Horse-men sent from the Bassa came to the Monastery as was appointed and finding the Gates open entred first the Noblemen and after them five hundred others or thereabouts who were no sooner within the Gates but that the Portcullis was let fall and certain murthering Pieces secretly placed in the Court for that purpose discharged with the violence whereof the Turks that were already entred were most miserably rent in pieces their Heads Arms and Legs flying in the Air when presently the Garrison Souldiers starting out of their lurking places made a quick dispatch of all them that had escaped the fury of the great Artillery The rest of the Turks shut out hearing the noise and cry of them within turning their Horses betook themselves to speedy flight The great Bassa hearing of this slaughter of his men and how he had been deceived swore in great rage by his Mahomet to raze this Monastery down to the ground and to pluck the Abbot's skin over his ears and so by threatning Letters gave him to understand as followeth Hassan Bassa of Bosna unto the Abbot of Siseg It is not to thee unknown how often we have sent unto thee our Messengers with Letters declaring unto thee our Love and good Will requesting thee in friendly sort and without further resistance to yield up unto us thy Fortress of Siseg not longer to be by thee holden Vnto which our Request thou hast hitherto most wilfully at thy Pleasure opposed thy self not without the slaughter of our men and in so doing hast given cause unto the great Sultan to overthrow and raze that thy Fortress whereof thou for the Emperour wilt needs be the chief Thinkest thou it will â—e for thy good or yet well taken that thou hast so shamefully and perfidiously circumvented and slain our Ambassadors and Servants sent unto thee Nay assure thy self that if Mahomet grant us Life we will never give over the siege of that thy Fort wherein thou so much trustest until I have before thy Face overthrown it and if thy God shall give thee alive into my hands have pluck'd thy Skin over thine Ears to the great reproach and shame of the Christians for I am fully resolved not to depart from this place but to continue the siege thereof until I have it Let a little time yet pass and thou shalt see thy self on every side besieged thy Fort with more and greater pieces of Artillery than ever battered and our Power strong enough to constrain thee Thou hast hitherto put thy greatest hope and comfort in the Banne Erodius for whom by the help of Mahomet we are too much strong In brief we are of nothing more careful than how to get thee into our Power which if we do look not for any Mercy at our hands Neither was the Bassa unmindful of his Promise or of the loss he had received but now in the beginning of Iune with an Army of thirty thousand Horse and Foot came and besieged the Fortress of Trenschiin which with continual Battery and often Assaults he at length took sacked the Town slew most part of the Inhabitants except 800 or thereabouts of the younger sort which he carried away with him into Captivity And being proud of this Victory removed thence by a Bridge which he had made passed over the River and so the twelâ—th of Iune came and incamped before the Monastery of Siseg and after vain summons given to the same the next day caused his great Ordnance to be planted and with great Fury thundering against the Walls in short time overthrew the new Tower in the fall whereof two of the Christian Canoneers perished This furious Battery he maintained by the space of ten days wâ—thout intermission giving no time of rest unto the besieged so that it seemed not possible for the Monastery to be any long time defended if it were not with speed relieved The Bishop of Zagrabia and Rupertus Eggenberg General of the Emperors Forces that then were at Zagrabia gave knowledge thereof to Andrew Lord Aversberg Governour of Carolstat craving his aid and counsel who calling together his own Forces raised a good number of good Horse and Foot and called also unto him the bordering Horsemen of Karnia and Carainia who the 17 th day of Iune met all together not far from Instawitz and there tarried that night The next day passing over the River Sauus near unto Zagrabia they joyned themselves with the Emperors Forces and matched the 19 th day in good order to Sceline where they expected the coming of County Serinus The 20 th day Peter Herdelius with his Hussars and the Lord Stephen Graswein came into the Camp with many of those light Horsemen whom the Hungarians called Vscocchi The 21 st day they lodged at
his Army and departed thence the fifth of November and returned to Rab. Not long after Christopher Lord Teuffenbach the Emperours Lieutenant in the upper part of Hungary who lay encamped at Cassovia with his Army of fourteen thousand Souldiers removed thence and marching along the Country two days came and laid siege to Sabatzka one of the Turks strongest Castles in those quarters out of which they usually did much harm among the Christians This Castle of Teuffenbach battered in three places and having at length made it assaultable took it by force the nineteenth of November and put to the Sword all the Turks there in Garrison in number about two hundred and fifty and instead of them left a strong Garrison of his own whereby all the Country thereabouts was restored to great quietness Sabatzka thus taken the Christian General removed with all speed to Filek a strong City of the higher Hungary which Solyman the Turkish Emperour took from the Christians in the year 1560 and placed therein a Sanzack under the command of the Bassa of Buda The General encamping before this City the next day after planted his Battery and in most terrible manner without intermission thundered against the Walls and Gates of the City The Sanzack Governour thereof considering the Power of the Christians got out secretly by Night with a few Souldiers to acquaint the other Turkish Sanzacks his Neighbours with the coming of the Christians and the number of their Army and further to consult with them how the City might be relieved The Bassa of Temesware with the Sanzacks of Giula Hadwan Scantzag and Scirme undertook the matter and thereupon the Bassa sent for eight hundred Ianizaries of late left by Sinan Bassa in Garrison at Buda and Alba Regalis who all flatly refused to go to this Service saying That they would not be led as Beasts to the slaughter as were their Fellows but a little before at Alba Regalis nevertheless they enforced the Armenians whom Sinan and his Son had brought thither to go but of Buda Alba Regalis and Scamboth were sent only fifteen hundred common Souldiers For all that the Bassa with the Sanzacks his Followers firm in their former Resolution for the Relief of the distressed City having made great Preparation and raised an Army of 18000 strong with many Field-pieces by Night drew near unto Filek and staied within two miles of the City But the General of the Christians with Stephen Bathor and the other Captains understanding of their coming with 7000 good Souldiers chosen out of the whole Army went out presently against them and the one and twentieth of November suddenly assailing them in their Tents overthrew them and put them all to flight whom the Christians fiercely pursued with a most terrible Execution In this fight and flighâ— there was slain 6000 Turks and but few or none taken The Bassa himself with the Sanzack of Filek and many others of great Name were â—ound amongst the Bodies of the slain Turks This Victory gained with little or no loss yielded unto the Christians a rich Prey many gorgeous Tents and fair Ensigns much Cattel and 29 Field-pieces with 200 Waggons laden with Victual and other Provision all which they carried into the Camp at Filek and so more straightly besieged the City than before The same day the Lord Palfi and Martin Lasla came to the Camp with six thousand Souldiers and forthwith three Trumpeters were sent to them of the City That if without further resistance they would forthwith yield the City they should have leave in safety to depart with Life and Goods although the Turks had of late in like case broken their Faith with the Christians at Palotta but if they refused his Grace and would needs hold it out to the uttermost then to denounce unto them all Extremities For all this the Turks nothing dismaied refused to yield whereupon the battery began afresh and in more terrible manner than before so that though the City was most strongly fortified both with Walls and Rampiers yet had the Christians in three days space with continual battery made a fair breach into it whereby they in despight of the Enemy entred without any notable loss the four and twentieth of November ransacked the City and burnt a great part thereof The same day they also took the uttermost Castle wherein the Sanzacks Palace stood This Castle standeth upon a very high hill strengthned both by Art and Nature and had in it a strong Garrison of valiant Souldiers who spared not lustily to bestow their shot amongst their Enemies of whom they slew a great number Nevertheless the Christians after they had for the space of two Days and two Nights with a most furious battery shaken the Walls by plain force entred the Castle the six and twentieth of November and put to the Sword all the Garrison Souldiers except such as had in good time forsaken this Castle and retired themselves into another more inward Who being in number eight hundred with their Wives and Children without hope of Relief and seeing the Cannon now bent upon them set out a white Ensign in token of Parley which granted it was agreed that they should depart with Life and so much of their Goods as every one of them could carry Upon which Agreement the Castle was yielded the eight and twentieth day of November and the Turks with a safe Convoy brought unto the Place they desired In this Castle was found a great booty many pieces of Artillery and much other warlike Provision but of Victuals small store The General with the rest of the Captains entring the Castle fell down upon their Knees and with their Hearts and Hands cast up to Heaven thanked God for their Victory and for the recovery of that strong City but especially for the delivery of so many Christians out of the Turkish Thraldom for it is reported that there were above eight hundred Country Villages subject to the Jurisdiction of Filek the poor Inhabitants whereof were now all freed from the Turkish Servitude by the taking of this only City The Christians forthwith repaired the Walls Bulwarks and Trenches and strongly fortified every place against the Enemy and so leaving a sufficient Garrison in the City and Castles departed with their Army now in number about twenty thousand towards Sodoch six miles from Filek But as they were upon the way News was brought unto the General how that the Turks had for fear abandoned the Castles of Dijwin and Somoske whereupon he sent out certain Companies of Souldiers to take in both those places who coming thither found them indeed forsaken by the Enemy but yet many pieces of Artillery and other warlike Provision there still left In the latter end of November the General marched with his Army towards Setschine a strong Town in the Diocess of Agria but the Turks in that place had two or three days before prepared themselves to flie and sent their Wives their
Treason And at the same time politickly caused to be published in Writing how that the Germans had in the farther side of Hungary got a notable Victory over the Turks for joy whereof he commanded Bonefires to be made and the great Ordnance to be in Triumph shot off with many other signs of joy and gladness and withall caused a notable Banquet to be prepared whereunto together with others were invited also all the chief of the Conspirators of whom even as they were at Dinner and least feared any such matter he commanded fourteen to be apprehended and committed to Prison and the next Morning caused five of them to be Executed in the open Market-place The Principal of whom who had undertaken to have himself slain the Prince after three or four light cuts in the Neck he caused to be drawn in pieces with four Horses the other four namely Alexander and Gabriel Gengi Gregory Diaco and Ladisâ—aus Sallentz were beheaded and their dead Bodies all that day left in the Market Place for the People to behold the rest were also afterwards worthily executed and Balthazor Bator whom the Conspirators had intended to have exalted strangled Having thus revenged himself upon his Enemies he by a publick Edict divulged through all his Dominion gave leave to all his Subjects in general of their own charge to take up Arms against the Turks and whatsoever they could take from them to have it to themselves as good prise gotten from their lawful Enemies By which unwonted Liberty the Transilvanians encouraged as with a great Bounty armed themselves on all hands to the number of forty thousand who being mustered and sworn to hold together against the Turks made their first Expedition towards Danubius where at their first arrival by good hap they light upon certain of the Turks ships laded with Provision for the Camp and Merchandise of all sorts and much Treasure of which rich â—hips they at the first Onset took seven but the eighth being indeed the Admiral escaped their hands In these Ships they took an exceeding rich booty slew many of the Turks and in token of the Victory carried back unto the Prince seven of the Turkish Ensigns This Victory caused great Joy in Transilvania every man of so prosperous a beginning conceiving good hope of most happy Success It is reported that Sinan Bassa hearing of this loss should say That if this Provision had come to him in safety he could with that Treasure more easily have bought Vienna in Austria than he had Rab in Hungary After this Victory the Prince laid siege to Temeswar but hearing of the return of the Tartars from the Turks Camp and that they were coming toward Transilvania as is before said he left Temeswar to look to the defence of his own Country Not long after about the two and twentieth of December a Tumult rise among the Ianizaries of the Court at Constantinople which grew to such an height that in the heat thereof one of the Bassaes was by them slain with some others of good account and one of Amuraths Sons sore wounded and with much ado saved Upon conceit whereof Amurath for Anger and Grief fell into a fit of the falling sickness whereunto he was much subject and was therewith for the space of three Days and three Nights so grievously vexed as if he should have presently given up the Ghost so that the City was filled with heaviness and fear and the great men of the Court were even ready to think upon a new Lord. This Tumult of the insolent Ianizaries many supposed to have been the cause of Amurath's death which shortly after ensued his Grief and Malady increasing daily by the evil News still brought unto him both by Messengers and Letters especially out of Transilvania where the Prince waiting upon every occasion was still at hand with the Turks cutting them short in every place and in sundry Roads which he made upon them this Month took many of their Castles and Forts from them He had at that time in the Field in divers places three Armies one under the conduct of Gesty Ferens in the Country of Lugaâ— near unto Temeswar another under the leading of Michael Horwat on the side of Danubius to intercept the Turks coming to Buda and the third commanded by Caspar Cornoyse in the Country near to Giula unto whom came shortly after fifteen hundred Horsemen out of the upper Hungary The Transilvanian Prince Sigismund Bator thus lately revolted from the Turk year 1595 for the strengthning of his State thought it best betimes to enter into Confederation with his Neighbours of Valachia and Moldavia who moved by his Example shortly after in like manner also cast off the servile Yoke of the Turk but especially with the Christian Emperour Rodolph For which purpose he sent Ambassadors honourably accompanied who coming to Cossovia in Hungary the fourteenth of December arrived at Prague the twelfth of Ianuary with twenty Waggons and an hundred and fifty Horse where they were by the Emperours appointment most honourably received and royally entertained and after a few days having delivered unto the Emperour the sum of their Embassage which was for a Confederation to be made between the Emperour and the Prince after much grave Consultation and serious Discourse it was fully concluded and agreed upon the chief Points whereof I thought it not amiss here in brief to set down for the satisfying of such as desire to know in what terms that worthy Prince next Neighbour unto the Turk then stood with the Christian Emperour First it was agreed upon That the Emperour for himself and for the States of Hungary should promise to proceed in his Wars begun against the common Enemy and not to conclude any Peace with him without the knowledge and good liking of the Prince And that in all Conclusions of Peace to be made betwixt him and the Turk the Countries of Transilvania Valachia and Moldavia should be always comprised in regard whereof the Prince likewise promised for himself and the States of Transilvania to prosecute the commenced War and not to enter into any League with the Turk without the knowledge and consent of the Emperour and the Nobility of Hungary and this to be confirmed by solemn Oath on both sides Secondly That the Province of Transilvania with all the Parts and Confines thereof hitherto possessed by the Prince of Hungary should remain unto the said Prince Sigismond and to his Heirs Male with all the Profits arising thereof in such sort as they had done in the time of Iohn Stephen and Christopher his Predecessors to have therein a most free and absolute Authority yet so as that they should acknowledge his Imperial Majesty and his lawful Successors for their lawful Sovereigns unto whom they should always swear their Fealty but without any Homage doing and that to be performed by his Successors at the time of the change but by the Prince himself presently after the confirming
more but to have his Life spared fearfully promising a large ransom for himself and those few which were yet alive with him Howbeit the Vayvod mindful of the manifold Injuries by them done unto him and his Subjects and nothing mitigated or moved with the rich Spoils thrust upon him or the large Promises the Turks had made him commanded all those his Enemies now in Power to be slain every Mothers Son of whom his Souldiers had a wonderful rich spoil although much more was lost in the fire and so giving thanks unto God for the Victory rested with his People a while at quiet Yet within less than a Month after he sent Albertus Kiral his Lieutenant with an Army to Phloch a great open unwalled Town on the farther side of Danubius equally distant from Vrosczok and Nicopolis from whence the Turks oftentimes passing over that frozen River into Valachia had there done great harm which Town not inferiour unto a good City he suddenly surprized and sacked it and put to the Sword all the Inhabitants thereof except such as were before his coming fled And shortly after the more to annoy the Turks marching again over the frozen River to have surprized Hersowa a walled City but one days Journey from Brailoua he was by the way encountred upon the Ice by the Turks whom he there in a great conflict overthrew and having slain many of them and put the rest to flight holding on his intended Journey took that rich City which he rifled and burnt down to the Ground all except the Castle which was yet by the Turks valiantly defended and so with the spoil of the City returned again over the River there to refresh his Souldiers wearied with Labour and the Extremity of the Winter weather And yet not so contented within six days after passing again over the River and having upon the side thereof in a great Battel overthrown the Turks Garrisons took Silistra a great City of Macedonia built by Constantine the Great being the Seat of one of the Turks Sanzacks and well inhabited with rich Merchants which fair City he ransacked and having slain most part of the Inhabitants burnt it down to the Ground as he had the other no less Terror than Grief unto the Turks But whilst the aforesaid Confederation betwixt the Emperour and the Transilvanian Prince was yet in hand and the Troubles in Valachia thus arising Amurath the great Sultan grievously troubled with the Stone and attainted with the falling Sickness his wonted Disease and inwardly also tormented with the late Insolency of the Janizaries and Revolt of the Countries of Transilvania Valachia and Moldavia no small hinderance to the proceeding of his Wars in Hungary as a man both in Soul and Body tormented with great Impatiency and Agony of Mind departed this Life the eighteenth day of Ianuary in the year of our Lord 1595 when he had lived one and fifty or as some say two and fifty years and thereof reigned nineteen At the time of his Death arose such a sudden and terrible Tempest at Constantinople that many thought the World should even presently have been dissolved His dead Body was not long after with great Pomp and Solemnity buried by Mahomet his eldest Son in a Moschy which he himself had before built at Constantinople Christian Princes of the same time with Amurath the Third Emperours of Germany Maximilian the Second 1565. 12. Rodolph the Second 1577. Kings Of England Queen Elizabeth 1558. 45. Of France Charles the Ninth 1560. 14. Henry the Third 1574. 14. Henry the Fourth 1589. Of Scotland James the Sixth 1565. Bishops of Rome Gregory the XIII 1572. 12. Pius the V. 1585. 5. Urban the VII 1590. 12 days Gregory the XIV 1590. 10 months 10 days Innocent the IX 1591. 2 months one day Clement the VIII 1592. 〈…〉 le virtus non ingens copia rerum 〈◊〉 saâ—iunt magnum non 〈◊〉 dextra potens Maximuâ—â—t Superunt 〈◊〉 qui terriâ—at Orbem 〈…〉 â—ibi gloria tota manat 〈…〉 alia Sceptra paravit 〈…〉 maxima quaeque dedit 〈…〉 multumâ—e beatus 〈…〉 terror et ira Dei. 〈…〉 superbis inani 〈…〉 miseris numinis ira premat 〈…〉 magniâ—ni vis SuccuÌ„bere magnus 〈…〉 ponderâ— pressa ruunt 〈…〉 â—empâ—ra longa 'T is not thy vertue nor thy dread command That makes thee great nor thy victorious hand Ther 's an almighty God who makes thee so From him these glories Achâ—et on thee flow He in thy infant hands the Scepter plac'd And he thy vigorous youth with honours grac'd Not for thy merittâ— he exalted thee But that his Scourge of Vengeance thou shouldst be Boast thou not then of what is not thine owne For he that sett thee up may pull thee downe Be humble in thy most triumphant State For great things sink deprest by their owne weight Nor feed thy self with hopes of endless daies For at Fates Summons thou must goe 〈◊〉 waies THE TURKISH HISTORY The Second Uolume Beginning from MAHOMET III. And Continued to this Present Year 1687. THE SIXTH EDITION LONDON Printed for Tho. Basset at the George near St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet MDCLXXXVII Si quid in humanis magnum te reddere possit Quid prohibet magnis nomen inesse â—uum Qui subjecta vides tot dissona regna tot urbes Et nulli cedens sceptra superba geris Cum tamen ignores quid sit Sapientia Christi Omnia quae jactas sunt Mahomete nihil If any thing on earth can make man great Great as the greatest art thou Mahomet Who overlookst the World from thy bright Throne And seest the largest part of it thine owne But since the Christian Law thou dost disdeigne Thy labours to be truely Great are all but vaine THE LIFE OF MAHOMET The Third of that Name Seventh Emperour of the Turks year 1595 THE Death of the late great Sultan Amurath was not forthwith made known in the Court but with wonderful secresie concealed not onely for fear of the Ianizaries who in the time of the vacancy of the Empire always do whatsoever pleases themselves but also for that the People having in distrust the fierce Nature of Mahomet Amurath's eldest Son were generally better affected to Amurath the younger Brother a Prince of a more mild spirit and courteous disposition unto whom they in heart wished those stately honours which could by no means without the great wrong and prejudice of his elder Brother and danger of the whole State be given unto him Ten days after came Mahomet in post from Amasia to Constantinople and was there by the great Bassa's and other his mighty Favorites saluted Emperour which done he presently after caused all his Brethren to be invited to a solemn Feast in the Court whereunto they yet ignorant of the death of their Father came cheerfully as men fearing no harm but being come were there all by his commandment most miserably strangled and at once to rid himself of the
Ensigns of the Turks with fourteen most goodly Horses of the Turks for a Present The next day after this Battel the County sent the Lord Palfi with an Interpreter unto the City to demand it to be yielded who having Audience declared unto the Turks in what danger they were that the help they looked for was now quite overthrown new relief could not but in long time be sent unto them and that therefore it should be good for them whilst yet they might to be well advised and betime to bethink themselves of yielding up the City lest haply when they would it then would not be accepted promising to intreat with the General that they might in safety depart and with sure Convoy be brought unto such place of safety as were convenient Whereunto the besieged Turks answered That the Christians had now five Weeks layn at the Siege and must yet lye three Weeks longer and that whereas of late some few of their Friends came to have relieved them and had failed therein there was yet an hundred thousand more to come after them who if they should not be able to perform that they came for yet that they would not for that deliver or forsake the City before they were ready to be drawn out of it by the heels and that yet they would then take three days to resolve thereupon Now had the Christians with long and continual Battery sore beaten both the upper and the lower Town which Battery they now maintained with greater fury than at any time from the beginning of the Siege and within the City their wants increased daily having nothing left to live upon but a little Wheat and Barley with some Horse-flesh unto whom thus distressed the Lord Palfi by the commandment of the County to try what confidence they yet had in themselves the Ninth of August sent two Gentlemen to the City to do a Message from him to the Governour who advertised thereof being a very aged and courteous man accompanied with the Aga of the Janizaries came to the Walls to hear what they had to say where one of the said Gentlemen in few words delivered him this short Message MY most gracious Lord the Lord Palfi most worthy Governour greeteth thee well and knowing thee to be a Captain both valiant and wise and one that hath always courteously used such as have fallen into thine hands hath Compassion of thy desperate Obstinacy and therefore whereas thou art to look or hope for nothing else but present Death and Destruction he as thy Neighbour and a Lover of thy Vertues adviseth and exhorteth thee if thou wilt save thy self and thine from most undoubted and imminent Death and utter Confusion without delay to deliver up this City which thou canst not longer hold Unto whom the old Governour thus without stay courteously answered THY Speech my Friend and thy Masters Advice are unto me both vain Tell the Lord Palfi in my Name that I cannot pleasure him with the least stone in this City One foot I have already in the grave and will with Honour carry these my gray Hairs into the same and am yet comforted with a most certain and undoubted Hope that my most dread and mighty Sovereign and my Lord Sinan Bassa will not forsake me yea and that if they should write unto me that they could find no means or way to relieve me which I am sure they can yet would I well and at leisure consider whether it were fit for me to deliver up this City or not seeing that of the defence thereof dependeth all mine Honour and Credit Besides that what Reward they have on both sides that so easily deliver over the Cities they have in charge all the World doth see With this Answer he sent them away All this while the Aga of the Janizaries standing by spoke not one word but sighing in silence and grinding his Teeth declared by his Countenance his Indignation and inward Grief In the mid-way between Buda and Strigonium in the midst of the River of Danubius lieth a little Island called Vizze wherein many rich Clothiers dwelt this Island the Hungarian Heidons spoiled and in returning thence met with twenty four Wagons laden with Corn going to Buda which they took with eight and twenty Prisoners which they brought into the Camp. The lower Town being with long and continual Battery made assaultable was by the Christians the Thirteenth of August in three divers places at once assaulted The Bavarians were by lot to give the first Charge who in the performing thereof beginning to faint for that they were notably repulsed by the Turks but seconded by them of Reitnaw and Suevia pluck'd down a great Palisado filled the Ditches removed whatsoever stood in their way and so long fought with the Turks in the breaches that by the coming in of the Marquess of Burgawe with six Ensigns of fresh men they prevailed upon the Enemy and so all together brake into the Town In the midst of this dangerous Fight was the Marquess himself who both with his Presence and chearful Speech so encouraged his Souldiers that they as men fearing no peril ran headlong into all danger until they had entred the Town there might a man have heard a most miserable Cry especially of Women and Children throughout the City whenas the Christians breaking in on every side slew whosoever came in their way without respect of Age or Sex sparing neither Woman great with Child neither the little Children hanging at their Mothers Breasts Yet did not all that were entred so much attend the present Execution as some of them did the Spoil and Prey and especially the Hungarians unto whom all was good Booty even the very Hinges of the Doors and Windows whereby many escaped into the Castle and upper Town with the Bassa and Alis-Beg the old Governour The Christians had not many hours possess'd the Town but that divers fires began to break out in divers places but by what means was not at the first known at last it was found out that the Turks doubting the loss of the Town had before where they thought best left Gun-powder which taking fire by Matches left burning for that purpose should at a certain time set all on fire by which means many most horrible Fires were raised in the Town which consumed many goodly Buildings and other things which might have stood the Christians in great stead and could hardly in a day or two be quenched This so joyful a Victory saw not he by whose good direction next under God it was gained the worthy County for he a few days before being fallen sick of a Fever taken by drinking too much cold drink in his Heat with immoderate pains taking in the late Battel and so afterwards falling into a great flux with a Fever was by the counsel of his Physicians for the better recovering of his Health removed to Komara as a place of more quietness having before his
Departure sent for the Arch-duke to come into the Camp and for Blankemier into Bavaria to supply his own room But his Disease still increasing became at last desperate so that the Physicians themselves now despaired of his Health Yet lying thus drawing towards his end he almost every hour enquired how the Army did and whether the City were yet taken or what hope there was of the taking thereof But when it was told him a little before his Death that the lower Town was won he thereat greatly rejoyced and the next day being the Fourteenth of August towards night quietly departed this World to the great loss of the Christian Commonweal and the exceeding grief of the whole Army A Man even from his Child-hood brought up in Arms of Stature great but of Courage greater and painful above measure not the least cause of his untimely Death All the time of this Siege he took little Rest either by day or night scarce so much as to lie down upon his Bed in two or three nights together The little Meat he did eat he most part eat it standing or walking yea and sometimes on Horse-back He was a most severe Observer of Martial Discipline which caused him to be of his Souldiers both beloved and feared His Bowels were with due Solemnity buried at Komara where he died but his Body was brought back again to Luxenburg there to be honourably interred with his Ancestors About which time Theodore the great Duke of Muscovia heaâ—ing of the Wars betwixt the Emperour and the Turk sent two Ambassadours with Letters and Presents to the Emperour which Ambassadors coming to Prague the sixteenth of August accompanied with two hundred and fifty Horse were by the Emperours appointment honourably received and entertained And afterward having Audience first delivered the Letters of Credence from the great Duke reported to have been of this purport YOur Majesty hath sent unto us your Ambassador Nicholas Warkotsie requesting our brotherly Aid against the hereditary Enemy of all Christianity the Turkish Sultan Wherefore we also desiring to live with you our dear and well beloved Brother in all perpetual Amity and Friendship send unto you by our faithful Counsellor and Servant Michael Iwanowitze and John Sohnie Aid out of our Treasury against the said Enemy unto whom we have also given other things in charge to be propounded to your Majesty requesting you to give unto them full credit in all things Given in the great Court of our Power at Musco in the year of the World 7103 and from the Nativity of Christ 1595 in the Month of April What things in particular these Ambassadors were sent for was not commonly known but among others it is said That the Muscovite requested the Emperour to send an Ambassador unto the Persian King to draw him also into the League with them against the Turk which Ambassadour should first come into Muscovia and that way to pass into Persia. The Presents which the great Duke sent unto the Emperour were an hundred and fifty thousand Florens of Gold great store of most rich Furs and precious Perfumes deemed to be of exceeding value two white Faulcons and three Leopards alive And Iwanowitze the Ambassador himself presented unto the Emperour of himself certain rich Turky Persian and Babylonian Hangings and Carpets certain Timbers of Sables with other rich Furs no less precious than Sables so many as eight Porters could hardly carry These Ambassadors tarried at Prague until the seven and twentieth day of December and then taking their leave returned with the Emperours answer to the Duke But to return again unto Strigonium The Christians now possessed of the lower Town bent their whole battery upon the higher Town where it fortuned the fourteenth of August that the old Governour Alis-Beg whilst he was carefully walking from Place to Place to see where most danger was had his Arm struck off with a great shot of which huâ— he presently died He was as man of great Gravity about the Age of fourscore years and had of long time notably both governed and defended that famous City the loss whereof was like enough to have been unto him greater Grief than was the loss of his Life there Much about the same time also died the Aga of the Ianizaries being before mortally wounded Both the chief Commanders thus slain the Ianizaries with the other Souldiers and Citizens made choice of the Bassa of Natolia who as is aforesaid escaped out of the late Battel into the City for their Governour who with heavy chear took upon him that forlorn charge The Christians not ignorant of the death of these two worthy Men in whose great and approved Valour they supposed the chief Defence of the City to have rested were in good hope that now the rest would the more readily hearken to some good Composition and therefore sent a Messenger to demand if they would yet whilst there were some Mercy left yield the City Who though they had lost their chief Commanders with the greatest part of the Garrison and were in great wants both of Victuals and all Things else necessary for their Defence yet their Answer was in few Words That they would hold it out even to the last man. The greatest cause of which their obstinate Resolution was the strait charge the Bassa of Buda had given them for the defence thereof besides that they accounted their City holy as won by their magnificent Emperour Solyman whom the Turks generally yet have in a devout remembrance and therefore thought it a great Impiety to deliver it up unto the Christians The next day after came Matthias the Arch-duke into the Camp who after he had well viewed the whole Army and the manner of the siege he called together into his Tent the chief Commanders namely the Marquess of Burgaw his Cousin Iohn de Medices the Florentine and the Lord Palâ—i the Hungarian to consult with them what was further to be done for the winning of the City Shortly after he commanded the City to be assaulted in two Places at once which was by the Walloons and Germans couragiously performed but such was the Valour of the Defendants that when the Christians had done what they could they were glad at last to give over the assault and with loss to retire About this time came the Duke of Mantua with the three Counties his Brethren to the siege and now the Turks began again to draw together near unto Buda there to make head for the relief of Strigonium and to be revenged of the loss they had there before received Whereof the Arch-duke having Intelligence sent out against them eight thousand chosen Souldiers out of the Camp who suddenly setting upon the Turks in their Camp before the rising of the Sun made a great slaughter amongst them and took certain Prisoners of whom the Sanzack of Copan was one and so with Victory returned to the siege The besieged Turks in Strigonium understanding of this overthrow
the Bassa was to have enlarged the Passage of the River and so to have made way for the whole Army to have afterwards passed to the other side as most commodious for many purposes especially for Water whereof they so might themselves have had plenty and yet kept the Christians from it But of this his purpose by the coming of the Christians he was quite disappointed for the next day being the 23 th of October they skirmâ—shed with him in divers places especially at the Passage of the River where at the first Encounter he lost 300 of his men and in the end seeing himself too weak to withstand the whole power coming on fled to the Sultan having lost two of his Ensigns and 20 field-pieces but of his men not many both for that he fled betime and the approach of the night hindered the pursuit of the Christians who were now become Masters both of the passage of the River and of the place where the Bassa lay which they finding not so commodious for them as they had at the first supposed especially for lack of Wood the Weather being then extream cold as also hearing of the approach of the Sultan with his whole Army they forthwith forsook the same and retired again over the River to the place where they lay before inclosing themselves with their Waggons as if it had been a City strongly inclosed with wooden Walls The next day which was the 24 th of October towards night Mahomet with all his Army shewed himself unto the view of the Christians and sent 3000 Tartars to pass the River of whom the Christians slew a great number with their great shot and put the rest to flight Both the Armies were populous and strong and covered a great deal of ground a most goodly sight to behold both drunk of the same River as well the Men as their Horses and therefore kept continual watch all that night on both sides of the River especially at the Passage In the morning betwixt six and seven a clock Mahomet with his Army ranged in order of Battel came within sight of the Christians his Squadrons as it were covering all the Country on that side of the River as far as the Christians could well see and now again sent part of his Army over the River with whom the Christians skirmished from morning till night both the Armies parted but by the River all this while standing fast and as it were facing the one the other But being at length on both sides well wearied and many slain the Turks retired again over the River to the Camp in the mean time as if it had been by consent they resolved on both sides the next day to try the fortune of a Battel and so Commandment was given through both the Armies for every man against a certain appointed time to make himself ready So the next day being the 26 th of October Mahomet brought forth his Army again out of his Camp which was not far from the Christians and began now to draw down towards the River Near unto this place were the ruines of an old Church where Mahomet placed certain Companies of Janizaries and 24 field-pieces and commanded 10000 of his select Souldiers to pass the River which they readily did The Christians also ready for Battel and now thinking it time upon the coming over of the Enemy to begin with part of their Army thereunto appointed so fiercely charged the Turks that were already come over that they quickly overthrew them and not them only but certain Companies of Tartars also that were in another place come over the River and not so contented but following them they had in chase put to flight them also that stood on the farther side of the River of whom they slew a great number and by the coming on of the rest of the Army took from them an 190 great pieces of Artillery whereoâ— so great a fear rise in the Enemies Camp that Mahomet with Ibrahim the great Bassa seeing the discomfiture of the Army fled in all haste towards Agria shedding some tears by the way as he went and wiping his eyes with a piece of Mahomet's Garment which he for reverence carried about him as a Relique It drew now towards night and the Arch-duke was about to have caused a Retreat to be sounded and that day to have done no more But the Transilvanian Prince the Lord Palfi and the rest persuaded him in that so great fear of the Enemy to prosecute the Victory and the rather for that the Turks began again to make head and to repair their disordered Battels Wherefore the Christians still keeping their Array charged afresh the Front of their Enemies restored Battel consisting of 40000 men and that with such violence as that they in short time had slain the most part of them and put the rest to flight and with the like good fortune charging the body of the main Battel forced the discouraged Turks with great slaughter into their own Camp. Now Commandment was before given throughout the Christian Army that no man upon pain of Death should in seeking after spoil break his Array or forsake his Place before the Victory were assuredly gotten But they in this hot pursuit breaking together with the Turks into their Tents and there killing a great number of them and seeing in every place great store of rich spoil contrary to the aforesaid Commandment left the pursuit of the Enemy and disorderly fell to the spoil of the Tents until they came to the very Tent of the great Sultan But here began all the mischief with a most sudden change of Fortune For here these greedy disordered men not now worthy the name of Souldiers light upon a strong Squadron of resolute men with good store of great Ordnance ready charged which they discharged amongst the thickest of their Enemies and rent in sunder a number of them and after that came on resolutely themselves when in the mean time Cicala Bassa with his Horse-men yet untouched brake in upon them also and with the terror of his coming brought such a fear upon them that they began amain to fly especially the Hungarians and Germans most busied in the Spoil Neither could they in that fear by any threats or intreaty of their Commanders be persuaded to make a stand or so much as once to look back or to shew any token of true Valour which their hasty flight was the overthrow not of themselves only but of others also that would have fought for whilst they fled head-long upon the Spur and could not be staid they over-ran their own Foot-men and so furthered the Enemies Victory Thus for want of good order thro the greedy covetousness of a sort of disordered men the most notable Victory that ever the Christians were like to have had over the Turks was let slip out of their hands Many noble Gentlemen and Commanders in seeking to stay the flight of their own
men were here slain and altho the Enemy followed the Chace scarce half a mile yet were the Christians possessed with such a fear that they fled amain all over the Country with greater shame than loss no man pursuing them The Arch-duke himself seeing all desperate fled to Cassovia The Transilvanian of all others most orderly retired himself towards Tocaii having not lost in this Battel above 200 men and of them never a man of name All this loss he imputed to the Covetousness of the Hungarians and Cowardise of the German Horse-men The Lord Bernstein having charge of the great Artillery fled also and made shift for himself as did Palfi and in fine all the rest Neither was the fear less amongst the Turks a wonderful thing to be spoken than it was among the Christians for the Night following they for fear of the return of the Christians trussing up the best of their things fled also towards Agria And it was afterwards known that the Turks great Ordnance Tents and Baggage flood three days in their Trenches either altogether unguarded or so slenderly guarded as that they might have been easily taken by the Christians if they would but have made head again Yea Mahomet himself is reported oftentimes to have confessed the danger and fear he was then in to have been taken and all his Army destroyed if the Christians had as they should pursued the Victory and not so basely run after the Spoil by which danger he then warned afterwards ever shunned to adventure his Person to the like Peril in the Field In this Battel of Karesta for so it is of a place thereby called and at the Siege of Agria were lost of the Christians about 20000 and of the Turks 60000. Mahomet aâ—ter this Victory fortified Agria and for the keeping thereof left in it 10000 Souldiers and so returned to Belgrade The Bassa of Buda persuading himself that the Christians after so great an Overthrow could not this Year to any purpose recover their Strength came with all the power he was able to make and the fourth of November besieged Vachia in hope to have easily carried it but finding there greater resistance than he had before imagined and hearing that the dispersed Christians in the upper part of Hungary were making head for to come to the relief of the Town he more afraid than hurt brake up his Siege and so returned to Buda for indeed the dispersed Reliques of the late Army of the Christians were drawing together but unarmed and unserviceable as having in the late flight shamefully cast away their Arms and therefore could have done the Bassa small harm if he had continued the Siege Mahomet thinking it Honour enough for him to have thus won Agria and driven the Christians out of the Field divided his Army into two parts at Belgrade whereof the one he billeâ—ed in the Country thereabout to be ready for all Events and with the other he returned to Constantinople but by the way he was set upon by Barbelius Ianuschy the Transilvanian Prince's Lieutenant and the Vayvod of Valachia who with a great Power both of Horse and Foot being got over the River Danubius and secretly favoured by the Country People lay in Ambush for him in places of advantage and still following in the Tail of his Army cut off 7000 of his men before he could be rid of them and so with much trouble arrived at length at Constantinople where we will for this Year leave him until we hear of him more Maximilian with a small Retinue arrived at Vienna in the latter end of November where he found the Viscount of Burgaw Swartzenburg and some other of the Commanders of his late Army most of the rest especially the Italians being slain The small remainder of this unfortunate Year was spent with often Skirmishes and Inroads one into anothers Frontiers as the manner of War is without any other great thing done worth the Remembrance Rodolph the Christian Emperour notwithstanding the late discomfiture of his Army not far from Agria made choice again of his Brother Maximilian the Arch-duke for the managing of his Forces for his next Years Wars against the Turk Whereunto the Pope by his Legaâ—e Fran. Aldobrandino promised of his own charge to send him 10000 Italians under the Conduct of the Duke of Mantua as did also the German Princes their wonted aid with some others All which slowly at length meeting together near unto Possonium and Altenburg in the Months of Iuly and August departing thence marched to Pappa which after eight days hard Siege they took and so again retired to Altenburg where they took a general Muster of the Army and afterwards in the beginning of September shewed themselves before the strong Town of Rab where the Lord Bernstein approaching too near the Walls was with a Shot slain Nevertheless the rest there stayed until that hearing of the coming of Mahomet Bassa the Turks General with a great Army they left the Siege and the twenty fourth day of September passing over the River Danubius into the Island Schut towards Comara there on the North-side of the River encamped Where they had not lain past eight days but that the Castle of Dotis standing upon the South-side of Danubius was by the Bassa before their Faces and as it were even under their Noses besieged and taken the whole Army of the Christians in the mean time as idle Beholders looking on but not daring to relieve their distressed Friends but afterwards arising marched to Vachia where hearing of the Turks coming against them from Pesth they set fire on the Castle and so retired along the North-side of the River until they came over against Vicegrade a Castle of their own on the farther side of Danubius where by the good direction of the Lord George Basta a most expert Captain and Lieutenant-General of the Army they encamped so strongly as that the Turks after many brave Attempts given to have forced them in their Trenches were glad with some loss to depart Neither went things this Year better forward with the Christians in other places than in this side of Hungary for Sigismund the Transilvanian Prince by his Chancellor besieging the strong City of Temeswar in October was by the valour of the Defendants and the unseasonableness of the Weather inforced to raise his Siege and with dishonour to depart Michael also the Vayvod of Valachia who moved with the example and persuasions of the Transilvanian Prince had revolted from the Turks and done them great harm as is in part before declared now wearied with their often Invasions and the spoil of his Country almost brought to utter Desolation many thousands of his Subjects being by the Turks and Tartars carried away Captives and his Towns and Castles for most part razed to give his People a time of breathing submitted himself again unto the Turkish Obeisance solemnly receiving at the hands of one of the Turks Chiaus for that
Rebels being by chance taken Prisoners by the Imperials and brought to Rab were not only apparelled but also trimmed after the Turkish fashion as men not desiring longer to be accounted Christians the rest of their Fellows in the Town also imitating the Turks fashions as well in their Apparel as in their manner of Service yet for all that would not these metamorphosed Monsters yield the Town unto the Turks before they had the full sum by them agreed upon the Bassa of Bosna being commanded from the Grand Seignior in all haste to provide it for them and so to receive of them the Town Nevertheless for their more strength and more credit with the Turks they received into the Town one Ensign of the Turks with certain Wagons of Victuals brought thither with so strong a Convoy as that the Imperials durst not meddle therewith in which Wagons being discharged they sent in Bonds six hundred Hungarians and Dutch Men Women and Children Prisoners to Alba-Regalis being all of them glad to be so sent away in hope to find more Favour and Courtesie at the hands of their Enemies than they had found with these renegate Christians So shortly after these Rebels sent out certain Messengers unto the Governour of Alba-Regalis to know his full Resolution which Messengers conducted by certain Turks of great account were upon the way by the free Haiducks all intercepted and the Messengers taken with an hundred Turks more In the mean while Michael Marotti before imprisoned by the Rebels in Pappa by Letters secretly advertised the Lord Swartzenburg of a certain place whereby he might as he said easily enter the Town and the rather for that the Rebels were at variance amongst themselves Who thereupon the twelfth of Iuly came to Pappa with nine thousand Horse and Foot but disappointed of his purpose for entering the Town hardly nevertheless belayed the same upon whom the Mutineers many times desperately sallied out and right valiantly encountered them albeit that they were still without any notable loss by their Enemies too strong for them beaten back again into the Town In one of which sallies it fortuned one of their Captains to be taken who to the terror of the rest was presently â—lain quick and his Head and Skin upon a Pike set up before the Town for his Fellows to behold But the Lord Swartzenburg still more and more prevailing upon them they sent secretly for Aid to the Turks whereof he for all that getting Intelligence sent also for three Regiments of Souldiers more to come unto him to the Siege by whose comming he well strengthned and bringing his approches nearer the Town took from the Rebels the Mill a strength which they very unwillingly lost as in hope thereby to have the more easily received Aid from the Turks who having made preparation to have relieved them were letted so to do by the rising of the Water which had spoiled all the Provision for their relief at the Bridge of Esseg as also hindered them for marching forward At length the Imperials were come with their Trenches even to the Town Ditches out of which they had let out all the Water where some of the Townsmen escaping out of the Town declared how that the mutinous Souldiers within laboured both day and night to fortifie the Town but to be in their work much letted by the continual assaults of the Imperials as also that they now had neither Bread nor Wine nor other Victuals left more than a little Salt and threescore Horse of which they had already begun to eat and that although they were not altogether so valiant yet that they had resolved to die by the Hands of the Souldiers as men expecting no other Mercy Yet shortly after viz. the nine and twentieth of Iuly they desperately fell out upon the Trenches of Maspurgisch a Dutch Captain of whose Souldiers they slew many being drunk and driving the rest out of their Trenches raised a great Alarm Which the Lord Swartzenburg hearing hasted thither to the Rescue where with an unlucky Musquet-shot he was struck in the Head and slain whereof the Rebels got knowledge the same evening and Del la Mota their General in reward of that Service gave unto them that had made that Sally a thousand Dollars to be divided among them The dead Body of that so worthy a man as had done great Service for the Christian Commonweal was afterwards with great Solemnity brought to Rab and there honourably interred The like desperate Sally they made again the next day and slew of the Imperials an hundred and thirty and took certain Prisoners and in retiring back again into the Town cried aloud That when they lacked meat rather than they would yield the Town they would eat Christians whereof Marotti should be the first The Lord Swartzenburg thus slain the Government of the Army was by Matthias the Arch-duke committed to the Lord Redern a Noble man both valiant and learned who although he were very sickly came unto the Camp before Pappa the eighth of August where understanding that the Rebels now brought unto Extremity had a purpose by night to fly away and so be gone he caused a more vigilant and strong Watch to be kept when lo according to his Expectation the next night after about two hours before day they began to issue out whereof the Watch giving knowledge to the General they were indeed suffered to go out as unperceived but presently after at their heels were sent out the Lord Nadasti and the Earl of Thurn with 200 Hussars and after them the chief Collonel and County Solms with part of their Horse-men also who in three divers places overtaking them near unto a great Wood called Packem slew most part of them Del la Mota their chief Captain or Ring-leader being slain by the chief Collonel because he would not yield and his Head afterwards by him presented unto the General in the Camp 200 Wallons the Hussars under the leading of the Lord Nadasti County Solmes and County Thurn found out in the Wood who albeit that they for a space made great resistance yet in the end were inforced to yield and so with their two Ensigns were brought into the Camp. The Hussars also upon another Passage light upon other 200 more of these rebellious Wallons who because they stood strongly upon their Guard and were more desperately set than the rest the General sent out other 200 of the Collonels Horse-men upon them by whom and the Hussars they were almost all slain divers others of them also were slain in coming out of the Town and in the Marishes thereabouts Their General 's Lieutenant with such other of their principal Commanders as were taken were by the Lord Rederns Commandment delivered unto the Provost Martial the rest of the rebellious Traitors he at the request of the Souldiers divided into divers parts of the Army there to the terror of others to be executed from whom the Souldiers could hardly
forthwith calling together the States of Enseric declared unto them all that was done in the Assembly at Presburg And for as much as that Assembly was chiefly to that end appointed That the Kingdom of Hungary should not altogether be pluck'd away from the Empire and that after the revolt thereof the greatest harm to be done by the Incursions and spoyling of the Enemies would lie upon the Countries of Austria he advised them so to look unto themselves and carefully to provide for the Common-weal as that having Money always in readiness to maintain an Army they might with all convenient speed go to meet with the Haiducks if haply they would not conform themselves unto the Articles of the Pacification but again raise new Broils that so they might defend and preserve their Country from their Outrages About the beginning of this Spring when as Ierome Prince of Valachia was dead leaving behind him a Son but thirteen years old the Emperour admitted him as yet not capable of the Government under Tutors unto the Succession of his Heritage Which thing the Valachians being by no means willing to endure and bearing themselves upon the help of the Turks went about to make choice of another instead of their Prince of late dead For which cause the Princess Widow by Letters certified Polloscie her Son in Law of this Outrage and Injury of her Subjects and having obtained of him a great sum of Money and therewith raised an Army of ten thousand good Souldiers went forth against the Valachians and in open field overcame them in so bloody and terrible a Battel that having slain five thousand of the Valachians and Turks she had over them a notable Victory and by that means preserved the Principality of that Country for her Son. The Great Duke of Florence had hitherto done great harm with his Fleet unto the Turks in the Mediterranean Sea for which cause a Messenger about this time coming unto him in the Great Sultans Name promised him great Matters if he would from thenceforth forbear to hurt and pursue the Turks Gallies Which his Request served the Turks to no other purpose but as it were to put Oyl unto the Fire For the Duke afterward caused new Gallies to be made and his Fleet increased and therewith did more harm than formerly he had done Now although that after the ending of the Assembly at Presburg Illishascius and George Turson had delivered unto the Haiducks the Articles of the Pacification and commanded them from thenceforth to keep themselves quiet yet for all that could they not yet be perswaded to hearken unto such their Counsel for that they being Men still accustomed to the Wars and living by their Swords could not endure to fall to Husbandry and such other Labours For which cause they of the Country about Gymeric writ unto them which dwelt in the Country about Nusol Letters to this effect That forasmuch as they being divers times certified of the miserable estate of their Neighbours had refused to come to aid them they should yet now remember how necessary a thing it were with their conjoyned Minds and Forces to help one another for that the Haiducks having now passed the River of Teise were broken into that Province and were run as far as Budnoc neither were they minded so to stay but to rob and spoil all the Country before them if they were not with speed encountred And the rather for that but a few days before they had received thirty thousand Hungarian Duckats from the Turks whom they now acknowledged for their Lords with Horses and other Gifts to be divided among their Leaders and Captains and moreover daily expected Aid from the Tartars who in great Numbers lay about Belgrade Wherefore seeing it could not be expressed what great harm and loss was by the Haiducks done as well unto the Noblemen themselves as to the common Country-men that they should therefore thereof give their Neighbours to understand and with all speed to take up Arms against the same rebellious Haiducks Not long after about the latter end of March Proclamation was made by the Commandment of Matthias the Arch-duke throughout all Austria That every man should provide himself to take up Arms. The cause whereof men diversly suspected howbeit that unto this Proclamation was this Reason joyned That the Arch-duke was determined himself to go about the fourteenth of April into Moravia and there to gather together all his Power as well Hungarians as Austrians and Haiducks for the War he was to take in hand There were also Letters in the Arch-dukes name sent unto the Vassals of Austria to give them to understand That whereas they were not ignorant what for the obtaining of Peace and Defence of these Countries had of late been decreed at Presburg and that all the States of Enseric had approved the report thereof received from their Deputies and so promised their help and aid unto the Arch-duke as if that he himself would take in hand any Expedition they would joyn themselves unto him and together with him to live or dye yet that there were some which being more desirous of War than Peace did not only not rest upon the former Pacification but gathered an Army also in the Borders of Moravia with a purpose to make an inroad as well into Moravia as into Austria it self For which cause the States of Moravia also were enforced for defence of themselves to raise an Army and to crave help from their Neighbours And that therefore seeing the Arch-duke mindful of his promise for the common Defence of the Countrey was resolved to bestow his Life and all his Fortunes and in his own Person to undertake an Expedition unto those Places from whence the greatest danger was to be feared to fall upon those Countreys necessity then required that the States themselves also should suffer nothing to be wanting on their behalf but every one of them together with their Servants forthwith to joyn themselves unto the Arch-duke and to the uttermost of their power to endeavour themselves to deliver them and theirs from death and destruction That God in whose name this Expedition was by them to be taken in hand as by the lovers of Peace might so in short time make an end of all tumults and grant unto those Countries wished Peace and quietness And that therefore they were to be admonished That according to the tenor of the Decree made at Presburg they with such a number of Horse and Foot as they could upon the sudden raise at a day to be shortly after named unto them should joyn themselves unto the Arch-duke and not to suffer any thing to let them in so doing So that if haply any chance or sickness should happen unto their General yet notwithstanding that they should send their Power under the leading of some other man seeing that the Arch-duke himself spared not to adventure his Life and Fortunes and if God should see
Cherbanne who came with one hundred and fifty Horse to Prince Alexander to assure him that his Master was coming to his aid with five or six thousand men was pursued by the Turks near unto Yas whereas he thought to have found the said Prince and of all his Troop only himself and one more escaped so as the Prince could have no certain news of the said Cherbanne Prince Coresky who had remained with two thousand five hundred Horse not far from Cotnard was also encountred by a great Troop of Turks and Tartarians which he could not well discover by reason of a little Mountain that covered them the Prince seeing some of them appear charged them but finding that as he defeated one Troop a fresh succeeded in his place he was forced to make his Retreat with this advantage that he had almost slain six thousand of his Enemies having not lost above two hundred and fifty of his own men But the Prince was wounded with two Arrows one in the Thigh and the other in the Back which was a great disaster for himself and for the whole Army He which commanded this Troop of Turks being much amazed at this unexpected Encounter having gathered his men together and joyned them to fifteen thousand others whom the Bassa had sent he being yet at Yas he caused this Army to approach within a quarter of a League to the Polonians where having encouraged his men in what he could he told them that to shew his Affection unto the Sultan's Service in this occasion he was resolved to send a Challenge to Prince Coresky whom he confest to be the most valiant of all the Polonian Army so as he presently dispatched one of his Captains to go unto the Prince and to call him in the behalf of his General The Captain coming to Alexander's Camp demanded to speak with Prince Coresky who being brought unto him delivered the Charge he had from his General The Prince although he were neither able to stand nor to sit on Horse-back by reason of his Wounds yet would he needs have accepted this Challenge if Prince Alexander and the chief Noblemen of the Army had not conjured him to excuse himself by reason of his Indisposition letting him know that the event of such a Combat did not only import him but all those of his Party who had their chief hope in him whereunto the Princâ—sses added their instant Intreaties and among others his dear Spouse who was much afflicted for his Wounds The Lord of Tischeuich a brave and valiant Gentleman being then present intreated Prince Alexander to give him leave to accept of the Challenge for Prince Coresky his Cousin the which was willingly granted so as he sent a Gentleman with the said Turk to know if the General would yield thereunto which he did willingly not being ignorant of the Quality and Valour of the said Tischeuich It was agreed that the Combate should be betwixt both Armies lying in a plain open Field within a quarter of a League one of another with promise that neither Party should be assisted These two brave Warriours having taken leave of their Friends came to the place appointed in view of both Armies The Turks General being about fifty Paces from his Army caused Water to be brought with the which he washed his Mouth Eyes Nose Ears and Privy Parts believing according to his Law that this washing would serve as a purifying then turning toward the East he made his Prayer after which he went to Horse-back being richly armed and furnished and then marched softly towards his Adversary who attended him well mounted and armed and so they began their Combat their chief Arms being Bows and Arrows which they spent without hurting one another till at last Tischeuich having a Peâ—ronel shot the Turk thorow the Body and overthrew him who striving to rise again Tischeuich passed over him with his Horse and wounded him in the right Arm and at the next blow slew him after which he cut off his head and carried it to Prince Alexander The Polonians were very joyful of the happy Success of this famous Combate and the Turks being much amazed advertised the Bassa and Michna that it was necessary they should bring the rest of their Army and their Cannon if they would be revenged of the Polonians In the mean time the Traitor Bicho who had abandoned Prince Alexander with a Troop of two thousand Tartarians and Moldavians found means to get before the Polonian Army and to cut off the way betwixt Cotnarde and the Town of Bothocan six Leagues off The Valachians and Transilvanianâ— led by the General of Michna's Army invested them upon the right hand and the body of the Turks Army followed behind so as there remained nothing but upon the left hand a Wood of Timber-trees which might favour their Retreat Skinder Bassa hearing the Success of the Combate commanded his Army to advance presently with sixteen Cannons The Princes seeing themselves environed by so many Enemies they resolved to fortifie themselves with their Carts and Carriages and to defend themselves but what could five or six thousand men prevail against two or three and twenty thousand for so many were thought to be in the Turks Army True it is they expected daily Prince Cherbanne and the Lord Bossi who were within two days Journey and brought with them ten or twelve thousand men This made the Bassa and Michna to advance to force the Polonians to yield or fight Coming near unto their Camp and seeing them invested on all sides but towards the Wood they approached their Cannon which had been able to have spoiled their Camp but it was not their design they only desired to take the Princes and Princesses Prisoners with the chief Noble-men Whereupon they sent to summon the Polonian Army to deliver into their hands the said Princes and Lords promising that the rest of the Army should depart with Bag and Baggage whereunto they would not yield but made an Answer all with one consent That they would rather dye than commit such Baseness and Treachery This being reported to the Bassa and Prince Michna they commanded that some of their Cannon should be charged with small Bullets and discharged through the Polonian Army whereby there were a great number slain and wounded The Princes who had but some small pieces made certain Vollies but to small purpose neither had they any more Bullets left and little Powder for that by ill chance part had been burnt some few days before so as all things seemed to foretell their ruine at hand The Lord of Tischeuich having judiciously observed that remaining in that inclosure he could not escape Death or at least Captivity resolved with five hundred Horse the most valiant among the Polonians to force through three or four Squadrons which were set in guard by the Wood side to the end none might escape that Place being most suspected to the Turks the which they
for their Chief A Person of a most sordid and Mercenary Soul immersed in Covetousness and Gluttony guided by his Lust and Interest unless some times restrained by the Authority of the Divan and the fear of popular Insurrection This Ramadam according to his Promise before recited summon'd us the day following being the Twenty-fourth to the Divan which consists in all of Twenty-four Bulluck-bashees who are Officers of the Souldiery each commanding Twenty-four Souldiers under him Twenty-four Jiabashees and Eighteen Ancients or grave Seniors Though for that present there appeared no more than Forty-five the others being at Sea or abroad Ramadam was placed in the Chair or in a Seat at the upper end and the Aga sate by him the others stood on their feet and put themselves into Two Files or Ranks and then Ramadam began with a loud Voice to cry The English are come to treat a Peace with you and have brought Letters from their King and from their Ambassadour now aboard going for Constantinople which very words every one distinctly pronounced and repeated them carrying the Voice from the lower to the upper end I fancied that it was after the manner of our repeating Syllogisms in disputations that so no mistake might be and that the Respondent might have time to consider and weigh the argument Then Ramadam demanded whether they were pleased to enter into Treaty with the English which words being repeated as before and answered in the Affirmative the Letters were read in the Turkish Translation with the Articles of Peace proposed which were as followeth I. THat the English shall be obliged to protect all Passengers belonging to Algier aboard their Ships to the utmost of their power against any of their Enemies And in like manner all forreign Passengers Merchants and others their goods and Estates embarked and laden on English Ships shall pass free and be protected from the Ships of Algier and be suffered to pass without molestation II. No Shipwrack of English on the coast of Algier shall become prize nor their goods forfeited nor their men made Slaves but the People of Algier shall do their best endeavour to save both them and their goods III. That neither the Consul nor other Englishman shall be obliged to satisfie the Debts of another Englishman unless he hath been bound or become Security for him IV. That no Englishman in matter of difference shall be subject to any Iudgment but that of the Divan V. That the English in differences amongst themselves shall be subject to no determination but to that of the English Consul VI. That either side are to furnish men of War with all necessaries their Ports afford at the Market rates without paying custom VII If any grievance happen neither party shall break the Peace until satisfaction be denied These Articles being read were all approved except the first for they declared that they would have a Liberty to search our Ships and take out the Goods and Persons of Strangers for that otherwise we having this priviledge might carry away the Trade of the whole World in our Shipping and that French Spaniards Italians Dutch and all other Nations had no need of other protection and safeguard for their Persons and Goods than to put them under the English colours And that then their men of War might rove the Seas to no purpose their City become poor and their Souldiers starve when they returned home We on the other side being sensible how prejudicial and dishonourable such an Article as this would be and how ruinous to our Navigation and having his Majesties Command to the contrary absolutely refused to assent or agree thereunto Whilst we were thus arguing a great fat Turk appeared with two young men his Slaves one a Frenchman and the other a Dutchman requesting Ramadam to recommend him to us for passage to Smyrna and having performed his request to him by kissing his Hand Ramadam made it his request to us in behalf of that his Kinsman recommending him to our care and protection and conjuring us thereunto by that Sacred league of Peace that was between us We readily assented thereunto and at the same time took hold of the Example to represent the reasonableness of that Article on which we insisted For shall we said we protect your People and will you require and impose it upon us as a matter Just and Sacred And shall not the greatness of our King have a Liberty to dispence the like Priviledge to other Nations his Neighbours and Allies governed by Kings and Princes who are Christian and of his Kindred and near Relations But neither this nor any other argument was Reason or Sence to them nor did they care to answer it by other arguments than that of their own disadvantage thereby and that if they assented thereunto their Ships might better rot in the Mould than to venture them out at Sea with expectation of booty They told us also stories of English Ships which had delivered some Algerines to their Enemies and one particularly who had sold a Hundred Turks to the Venetians In answer hereunto we assured them that upon complaints and proofs made hereof to our King his Justice was such as that he would not suffer a piece of such Treachery to escape unpunished And as to that argument which they urg'd that in this Case none would be employed besides English ships we largely represented the necessity of employing French and Dutch and the Ships of other Nations But these People being Deaf and Blind to any Reason but that which agrees with their interest we concluded nothing for after a long and loud discourse and repetition of the same things over and over again we at length told them that it was not in our Commission to conclude on these terms but that we should inform the Lord Ambassadour of their desires and resolution and that we would return the next Day with his peremptory Answer not but we knew that the Instructions from his Majesty extended not so far but that we might have occasion to leave matters as it were in suspense and part fairly from them at the present For as to my own particular I did not like to remain with such Company not knowing how far the perfidiousness of that People might transport them to a Barbarity against the Laws of Reason and Nations The wâ—nd blew all this day so hard at West that our Shâ—p drove and a great Sea went so that there was some difficulty for me to get aboard howsoever in regard it was necessary to render his Excellency an account of the proceedings of that Day I eased the Pinnace of all Provisions and unnecessary Company and so by God's Providence got safe though wet aboard that Evening I did not faâ—l immediately to render an account most exactly how every thing passed to the Lord Ambassadour letting him know what fruit was to be expected by a farther Treaty with this People Wherefore it was thought fit rather
to keep the business in suspence than to come to an open rupture with them and rather than to use long discourse to them or perswasions to little purpose to write them this short Letter the superscription of which was to Ramadam their Governour in Chief and to the rest of the Divan WE are sorry that there should be still one difference in our Treaty relating to the search of Shipâ— and delivering up Merchants Forreigners and Strangerâ— goods This is an Article which the King my Master did not think you would have insisted upon because it was granted to others who were Uâ—uâ—pâ—rs and his Subjects and therefore did not impower me to conclude with you in it Howsoever I shall acquainâ— the King my Master of your earnest Desiâ—es and Resolves in this Business and doubt not but what is Iust and Reasonable will be assented unto Wherefore in the mean time we must desire you whilst his Royal assent is expecting to your proposals that the Peace may continue on the same Terms that it now stands Let your Friend and Kinsmâ—n comâ— abâ—ard as is desired and he shall be welcome and we shall protect him to the uttermost of our power And on this Promise and word of ours yâ—u may rely on as of a Christian and a true Englishman Our desire also farther is that the Lord Obryan may remain in the Consuls House until such time as his Ransom comes And so we wish that a hearty and long Peace may be continued between the two Nations Given aboard the Plymouth Frigat November 25 1660. Winchelsea Upon delivery of this Letter it was concluded that the former Articles should stand in force only that difference about searching our Ships should remain in suspence and be specified as not fully agreed on Howsoever they would search our Ships and it should not be accounted a breach of our Capitulations until the King should intimaâ—e his dislâ—ke thereof And that when Notâ—ce should come from his Majesty to Algier that he approved not thereof then it should be lawful for both sides to break into Acts of Hostility This moderate course we thought to be less prejudicial to us for the present than an open and sudden War For by this means we gained the releasement of two small English Ships which their Men carried in thither and had time to give notice to our Merchants in all Ports and places of the true state of our business with Algier On the Twenty-seventh of November we departed from the bay of Algier with a prosperous and steddy Gale steering N.E. and N. N. E. for Messiâ—â— from whence we intended to dâ—spatch Letters unto all places rendring advices to his Majesty and the Merchants of the State and Condition of our Affairs and Negotiation at Algier And whilst we pleasantly sail'd with a prosperous wind on a sudden a cry was made of Fire in the Ship which astonished us all with a great amazement For the Cooper it seems going into the Steward's Room to stave a Cask which formerly had some Brandy in it by chance a Snuff of the Candle fell in at the bung which put the whole Vessel into a Flame But the same Man immediately stopping the Bung soon smothered the Fire and therewith extinguish'd thatand our fears As to other Matters our Voyage to Messina was speedy and happy for we arrived there on the Second of December Some Days passed before we could get pratick for having touched at Algier a place always suspected for the Plague great scruple was made of admitting us to free converse in the Town Until the Lord Ambassadour gave under his Hand and Seal an assurance of the Health of our Ship on confidence of which we received Pratick and the Palace called Paradise where commonly the Vice-Kings are lodged was appointed to receive his Excellency and his Retinue and the Furniture thereof ordered by D. Francisco de la Villa Padierna a Spaniard who was Stratago which is as much as Commander in chief of all the Castles and Forts in and about Messina So soon as his Excellency landed this Stratago made him a Visit and at his departure left his Guard with him in a Complement but in the mean time the Iurati who were six in number chose as I think every year or every third year by the Citizens for Government of the City were wanting in the like civility towards our Ambassador four of which are chosen out of the Burgers and two out of the Gentry for they took no notice of him nor sent him any message until the hour that he was about to depart when his Excellency refused to receive their visits excusing his neglect of attendance to matters of Ceremony at a time when business urged his departure whence this omission on the Jurats side proceeded may in probability be deriv'd from the antipathy they have to the Spaniards and their Government always running contrary to that unto which they find the Spanish Ministers most inclined During our abode at this place his Excellency having returned his Visit to the Stratago accompanied with D. Ioseppe de Luna a Cavalier of Maltha and having wrote a Letter to the Conde de Ayala then Vice-King of Sicily residing at Palermo he gave advices unto all places of the doubtful state of our affairs with Algiers that so Ships might be cautious of that people and how they adventured themselves abroad without Convoy and having compleated these Dispatches we again returned aboard on the ninth of this Month when the Stratago abounding in all points of civility sent an honourable present of all sorts of fresh provisions aboard Ship and soon after came himself in person to bid Farewel to his Excellency At his coming aboard we gave him nine Guns and at his going off fifteen and so soon as our Anchors were away and our Fore-top-Sail filled we bid adieu to the Town with twenty one Guns more which they returned by firing all the Guns of the five Castles under command of the Stratago which is an honour they seldom pay to any other than the Generalissimo of Spain the Vice-King and the Popes Admiral We had so fair a Wind and so prosperous a passage that we arrived at Smyrna on the 14 th of December where we found the Prosperous and Smyrna Factor the Merchants Ships which we had lost in the Storm happily arrived Here we remained for some days to order and settle several affairs according to Instructions given by the Turky Company And on the sixth of Ianuary being Sunday and Twelfth-day we returned aboard to prosecute this Ultimate stage of our Voyage to Constantinople our Frigat the Plymouth Anchored near the Town within the very Port of Smyrna from whence sailing with a fresh Easterly Wind from the shore we were carried without the Port and out of command of the Castle where the wind sailing and being wholly calm we Anchored until the next morning when with a gentle gale at South-East we proceeded forward and
being as high as Cape Caraborno towards night the Wind came about to the N.E. with so strong a Gale that with some difficulty we weathered the Cape and making over for the Island of Mytilene and bringing our Ship under a main course we intended to pass the night under the shelter of that Isle All this night the wind so increased one hour more than another that in the morning it was grown to a perfect storm and the Sea into a breach the sky was so black and thick and the Sun so red and louring as signified the continuance of it and the spray of the Sea was so â—orcibly carried by the wind over the Ship that Masts Yards and Decks were querned with a white Salt. This extremity of weather made us think of some Port or Harbour wherein to secure our Ship. The Island of Ipsera lying S. B. W. about eight Leagues from Mytilene was judged by our Master to be the most convenient and safe place wherein we might spend the fury of this storm wherefore putting before it with our Foresail and our Mainsail in the Brailes the wind was so forcible that it carried away our Foresail like Paper from the Yard and bringing another in the place thereof it had the misfortune to be foul of the flook of our Anchor and so became as unserviceable as the former being thus deprived of the benefit of our commanding Sails we set our Spritsail and Main-course and so steered in between the two Isles of Ipsera the greater and the less Being shot within and keeping as near aluff as we could to the shore we on a sudden stuck upon a Rock which astonished us all with a strange amazement the Ship fetched five Sallies or Seeles upon it with such violence that we expected to sink immediately into the deep and indeed if we consider the forcibleness of the wind the turgency of the Sea and the weight of our burden having four hundred persons aboard and sixty Guns mounted it will appear little less than a Miracle that the Ship brake not into more pieces than our numbers were aboard I stood then by the Mate when he fathomed our depth of water by the Lead and Line and we had then seventeen foot and a half by the side but the Ship drawing eighteen foot we began to fear a total ruin and shipwrack and with cast-up eyes and stretched out arms thought now of no other than of our last and ultimate Port. But in the midst of this horrid consternation and distress it pleased God who was our best Pilot and guided us to the edg of the Rock to bring us clear of it when we soon espied some of our sheathing to swim upon the Sea and running down to the Well of our Pumps we perceived a great increase of water but not so much but that Pumping once every half hour we kept our Ship in a condition of safety Being thus by Gods Providence come to a convenient place of Anchorage being well furnished with ground-Tackle we rode â—or two days in a stress of wind with two Anchors a head of which our sheet-Anchor was one and with our Top-masts and Yards stuck Afterwards the wind abating something of its late fierceness though continuing in the same quarâ—er we had opportunities to go ashore and to make some Provisions of Wine of which that Island yields an admirable sort and as rich as any in the Archipelago though the people 〈◊〉 as poor or rather more miserable than their Neighbours In three or four days by the sullage and weeds which the Leak had sucked in the water began to stop and our Ship became so perfectly tight that our Captain judged it not necessary to enquire when we arrived at Constantinople into the damage which we had received from the Rock and the Ship afterwards by Gods Providence arriving safe in the River of Thames was brought into the Dock at Woolidg where upon search was discovered a great piece of the Rock as big as a mans head struck into the bilge of the Ship and so firmly fixed as if it had been riveted within which seemed so strange a thing that the Shipwrights before they would take it from thence first thought fit to acquaint the King thereof who was pleased in person to go and see it which appearing a strange and almost a miraculous accident His Majesty commanded it to be taken out and as I am informed it is kept in his Closet And now for the better description of this Rock and for the avoiding of it Seamen may observe and take notice of it in this manner The shallow water or the Rock whereon we struck bore N. N. W. ½ N. from the place where we anchored on the North of Great Ipsera and lyes about half a mile from the shore The mark is the falling away of the South end of the first gray-cliff with a gall upon the foot of the high hill on which is a house there is also a white sand by the gray cliff the longest way of the Rock is N. W. and S. E. and the length not longer than the Ship the water in the shallowest part thereof is about thirteen or fourteen fooâ— with a Northerly wind and seventeen foot or more in the deepest which is the place where we struck yet as the people of the Island report it hath six foot more with a Southerly wind so that it is not strange that our Master though he had frequented this place with the Venetian Fleet should not have knowledg of it for such a depth of water is seldom noted in Waggoners for a place of danger There is also another Rock near the Town about half a mile distant from the shore bearing N. B. E. of the Point the neat fluff point E.N.E. the Northermost point of little Ipsera N. W. B.N. the Southermost point of little Ipsera S. W. ½ W. the Southernly point of Great Ipsera S. E. â— S. upon it there is not above four foot water We rode here until the 14 th day when between one and two in the morning the wind sprang out of the W.S.W. with an easie gale with which we weighed our Anchors and put to Sea the next morning early being the 15 th day we were up with the Island of Tenedos and towards Noon we entered the Hellespont with a fresh gale which was necessary to stem the strength of the current and about three a Clock we passed the Castles of Sestos and Abydos from whence came off a boat with a Druggerman and Janizaries bringing Letters from Sir Thomas Bendish then Ambassador at Constantinople congratulating the Arrival of his Excellency and soon returned again ashoar to carry the news of our entrance within the Castles On the Seventeenth Day about Noon being just Three months since the Lord Ambassador with his Family embarked we came to an Anchor near the Seven Towers from whence we gave notice to St. Thomas Bendysh of our near approach and
was sitting on Cushions in a little Room with a Fire and his Feet covered several Pashaws Pages and other Officers standing by him His Excellency and Sir Thomas Bendysh were seated on Two Velvet stools where first the Earl of Winchelsea having presented the King's Letters to the Vizier wrote in Parchment and put into a bag of Cloth of Gold Sir Thomas Bendysh began to inform the Vizier that this was that honourable Person of whom he had formerly acquainted him was coming to reside for Ambassador in his place That he was of that Nobility and relation to our King that had not his Majesty intended highly and in an extraordinary manner to Honour and oblige the Grand Signior he would not have exposed his Kinsman and a Person extraordinary to the hazard of a Voyage so long and dangerous as this Then the Earl of Winchealsea began to speak and relate the happy restauration of the King his Master to the Throne of his Ancestors extolling his Power Greatness and Clemency in pardoning all but such who were engaged in the Blood of his Father That in his passage to Constantinople he had by Command of the King touched at Algier endeavouring to renew the former Articles of Peace and release an English Lord meaning the Lord Obryan taken Captive by them contrary to the Articles of Peace but without success not being able to reduce them to any Terms of Reason or Justice And enlarging in his Complements with assurances of the friendship which the King his Master desired to conserve and maintain wiâ—h the Grand Signior as a token thereof he acquainted him that he was the first Ambassador sent abroad by his Master since his happy return before he had designed or appointed any to Christian Princes The Vizier readily answered That it was but Reason it should be so since the Grand Signior was an Emperor and they but Kings and he the greatest and most Soveraign Potentate of the World And that as to the Business of Algier he would take care of it and do him Iustice. This having passed Two China dishes with Sherbet were brought forth and given to the Two Ambassadors and Two larger bowles of the same to their Attendants Then the Present was brought forth and laid before the Vizier consisting of Twenty Vests Four of them were of fine English Cloth of several colours Four of several coloured Velvets Fourof several flowred Stuffs with Gold and Silver Four of watred Tabbies and Four of Sattins In recompence hereof both the Ambassadors were vested with Six others which Vests are of no great matter of use or value more than that they are evidences and badges of the Vizier's favour After this his Excellency with Sir Thomas Bendysh arose and departed wearing these Vests until they were passed without the Gates of the Viziers Palace and then they delivered them to be carried by their Servants as the others did and so his Excellency returned to his House at Pera with an appearance of a fair Correspondency and with assurances that the Capitulations and friendship should be maintained and conserved with a strict and inviolate Faith. The day of giving pay to the Janisaries drawing near the Ambassador's Audience with the Grand Signior was deferred until that time for with that occasion the Court would appear in the most solemn manner and the attendance of the Soldiery would render all things more great and powerful In the mean time the Grand Signior often took a view from his Seraglio of the Plymouth Frigat and frequently rowed round her in a Boat and some say he once came Incognito aboard to see her at length he was so pleased with her that he fancied her to be a very proper Vessel to carry Soldiers and Ammunition for Candia but proposing his Thoughts and intentions to the Vizier he was disswaded from the demand or constraint of the Ship being admonished that this was a matter unpracticable and uncivil towards a Prince who on confidence of Amity and Alliance with him had adventured his Ship within his Port. The Twenty sixth day of February being Pay-day of the Janisaries the Lord Ambassador had Audience of the Grand Signior which was performed in this manner His Excellency with Sir Thomas Bendysh departing from his House with his retinue on Horse-back by break of day in the Morning was met on Constantinople side by the Chaous-Bashee and his Chaouses and by them conducted to the Seraglio We rode through the first Court which was very spacious and then we alighted from our Horses and walked through another Court leading to the Divan or place of Judicature at the upper end of which the Great Vizier was seated on his right Hand sate Five Viziers of the Bench of which the Captain-Pasha or Admiral of the Seas was one on the left were the Two Kadileschers or Chief Justices one of Anatolia and the other of Romelia and by them the Tefterdar Pasha or Lord Treasurer with Three other Pasha's The floar of the Divan was covered with Carpets and on them a richer covering of Bags of Money for payment of the Janisaries The Two Ambassadors with about Six or Seven of their retinue amongst which I was one being admitted in and placed at the lower end their Excellencies approached toward the Vizier and were seated near unto him on Two stools covered with Crimson Velvet and some Discourse and Complement having passed between them they retired to another part of the Room that they might give way to Business In the mean time the payment of the Soldiers went forward every Churbagee or Captain taking from the heaps the Pay of his Soldiers and laying the Bags on their Shoulders made up to the Viziers and having kissed the Hem of his Vest on his Knees he retired with great Humility and hast from him passing away with his side towards him it being very unseemly amongst them to turn their backs to Personages of that Dignity The Payment being over Three small Tables were brought in the first of which was covered with a Silver Voyder at which the Two Ambassadors sate with the chief Ministers but the Great Vizier by reason of his Age and Weakness retired into another Room The other Two Tables were covered with a mixed Mettal which served in the place of a Table-Cloth at which the others sate We had no Knives Forks nor Plate but only Wooden Spoons were laid for us which was sufficient in that manner of eating for their Meats are most boyled and conveniently received by the Spoon or are so well roasted that they are easily parted with the Fingers The dishes were served in by one at a time but so fast that we had scarce tasted of one before it was snatched away to make place for another and I think there might be about Twenty several changes in this manner at the end of all to conclude our Feast a great Bowl of Sherbet was brought in and we drank of it as large draughts as we pleased Being risen from
People which would trouble that good Correspondence which hath been so long established between Vs and our Empires And as we have cause to believe that Your Highness desires much to continue this friendship and good understanding upon what hath been wrote Vs on Your Part and to concur with You herein we desire much likewise to continue to maintain an Ambassador at Your High Port in place of the said Sieur de la Haye And since We have none of Our People that is more intelligent than the Sieur de la Haye the Son in what concerns the Affairs and Functions of this Embassy We have elected him for this employment to which we We shall willingly dispatch him if We may be assured of the good usage and kind reception which shall be given him This is that which We expect from Your Highness reserving a more particular information to be sent by the Sieur de la Haye the Son of the good Correspondence which We desire always to have and maintain with You. And hereupon We pray God That You may be most High c. as above in his Holy and Worthy Protection Written at Paris the twelfth day of Ianuary 1662. Your true and perfect Friend LOVIS De Lomenie The Viziers Answer to the foregoing Letters TO the most Glorious amongst the Sublime Christian Princes chosen amongst the Great and Sublime of the Religion of the Messiah Mediator of the Affairs of all the Nazarene Nation Lord of Majesty and Reputation Master of Greatness and Power Louis Emperor of France the end of whose days be happy The Salutations which respect Friendship and are desired from Love and Affection being premised Your Majesty shall know that the Letter which was sent to Your Friend by the Honourable du Pressoir and Fountain hath been delivered me by the Sieur Roboli Agent and Attorney of the Embassy at the High and Imperial Port the Contents whereof We have apprehended to be as Your Majesty gives to understanstand touching the intire Amity and good Correspondence Certainly Your Majesty knows that the Augmentation and daily Encrease of that Amity proceeds from the protection and honourable Observance of Conditions and Capitulations between both Parties By the Grace of the Most High GOD the Sublime and Imperial Port of the most Happy most Puissant most Valarous most Magnificent and most Strong Emperor Support of the Mussulmans My Lord whose Arms God prosper with double Force is always open for our Friends and others without any Obstacle as all the World knows and particularly for Your Majesty Who is our Friend and hath been long in Amity with the most Serene Ottoman Family whom Gâ—d establish until the day of the Ballance It being a most certain Truth that there hath happened neither on one side or other any Action contrary to the promised Faiâ—h And now since Your Majesty desires for a new Ornament of the Ancient and Good Correspondence and to the end that the Agreement and Conditions thereof be honoured as they ought that the considerable Person amongst the Nâ—bles of the Court of Your Majesty the Sieur Denys de la Haye Son of the late Ambassador a Subject of Reputation Your Gentleman of Credit whose Days may they conclude in happiness be sent to reside at this Happy and Imperial Port for Your Majesty according to the ancient custom to the end that the Intention of Your Majesty may be performed We have exposed it at the High Throne of the thrice Happy most Mysterious and most Great Emperor My Lord Who with an Imperial regard of courteous Demonstration hath accepted the said Demand with willingness and therefore in signification of his Pleasure We write You this Our present and friendly Letter and if it please God according to the ancient Custom when the said Embassador shall arrive at this High Port with the Letters of Friendship from Your Majesty he shall be honoured on the Imperial part and entertained according to the ordinary custom the Imperial Capitulation shall be renewed the Ornament of Affection on one side and the other shall be confirmed and for an efficacious Confirmation of a good Peace between both Emperors an Imperial Letter shall be sent to Your Majesty whose health be happy and prosperous From the Imperial City of Constantinople The Poor Hamet Pasha In Answer to the Kings Letters the Grand Signior made no reply but only by his Vizâ—er by reason that in all the Ancient Turkish Registers and Archives there was no example found that the Grand Signior ever wrote to any King who had not an Ambassâ—dor actually resident at his Port. But this Negotiation about a French Ambassador took not effect until some time after in which other Letters and Messages intervened as will appear by the following â—equel of this History It was now towards the beginning of Winter when the Season of the Year compelled the Turkish Fleet of Gallies to return according to custom to the Port of Constantinople The whole Summer before they had for the most part passed in some Harbour or Creek amongst the Greek Islands having afforded nothing of Convoy or succour towards the safe Conduct of the Fleet of Grand Cairo but suffered them to fall into the hands of the Enemy as before mentioned and indeed for several years the Marine Affairs of the Turks have always gone decaying in Fame and Force and the preparations of the Armata every Spring have been of Form and Course rather than with hopes of success correspondent to the expence In their return home near Constantinople they encountred a fierce storm so that three Gallâ—es were cast away at Ponte Piccolo by the Turks called Cucuccheckmage about four Leagues distant from Constantinople Howsoever the Weather clearing the remainder of the Fleet got into Port entring with Joy with Vollies of great and small Shot with Streamers flying Pipes sounding and all other sorts of their Country Musick bringing with great Ostentation a small Flyboat which had been a â—â—gornese Man of War taken by them as she was cruising singly in the Arches of Pelago which was brought in with so much Ceremony used in toaing her into Port decking her with Streamers and Pendants with such signs oâ— Victory and Triumph as if they had led Captive the whole Venetian Armaâ—a But I must not omitâ—the relation of what befel one of the Beghs Gallies designed with the reâ—t to rendezvous at Constantinople whilst she loitered amongst small Isles in the Gulâ— of Nâ—comedia It was a Gally the Commander of which had newly received as the Portion of his Wife being a Young man lately married who entertained great thoughts of raising his Fortunes by the spoils and prize he was to make At these isles several of the Officers and Levents went on shore where whilst they entertained themselves with Wine and merriment the Slaves made an insurrection in the Gally seized the Captain cut off his Head and threw his Body into the Sea and so becoming Masters
true apprehension of the injustice of this Pasha encouraged and pricked forward these abused and oppressed Christians in their complaints and the next day presented his Memorial to the Vizier containing all the particulars of the late passages at Aleppo Which with the other Crimes alledged the Day before so moved the mind of the Vizier that he promised the Ambassador to send a Kapugibashee of the Grand Signior to enquire into the Truth of these Allegations and that he might be satisfied of his real intentions to do him justice he advised him to send a Messenger in company with this Officer who might witness the reality of his proceedings The Kapugibashee being in this manner dispatched and arriving at Aleppo made the Pasha refund the Money he had unjustly taken from the poor oppressed Christians of that Country in which good action my Lord Ambassador had been an useful instrument having encouraged the Agents of those Christians at Constantinople year 1663. counselled them what Course to take and introduced them by his Chief Interpreter to the Presence of the Vizier for which he received the thanks of the Greek and Armenian Patriarchs who gratefully acknowledged to the English Consul at Aleppo how much they were engaged to the charity and favour of the English Ambassador But whilst all mens eyes were in expectation what farther proceedings were designed against the Pasha in favour of the English the Officer denied to have received any instructions therein and so returned to Constantinople without taking notice of the English Concernment The Ambassador judging himself herein slighted sent to the Viziers Kahya to know the mystery of this neglect for the Vizier and himself having pawned his word and promises to do him justice against the Pasha of Aleppo it seemed strange that his assurances should vanish into nothing and that he so meanly esteemed his Quality and Office as to disparage it with so much disrepute and contempt as must necessarily befal him should this Pasha escape without exemplary punishment for then the World might with reason believe his Applications of no prevalency and his Merchants fear the insufficiency of his protection To which the Kahya answered That it was true that the Kapugibashee was not instructed in the Concernments of the English in regard a more solemn and eminent piece of Justice was designed for the Ambassador than any that could be performed by the Kapugibashee and that in twenty or thirty days at farthest the Pasha should be deprived of his Office. The next day following the Kahya advised that the Hattesheriff or Imperial Command for deposing of the Pasha was signed and that old Mahomet Pasha of Darbiquier was constituted in his place which News was highly pleasing to the Lord Ambassador in regard he had been an ancient Friend to the English under whom he presaged to our Nation at Aleppo all security and contentment By which Story it is observable That though the Supream Officers amongst the Turks are willing to satisfie Christian Ambassadors resident with them in the Care they have of their Welfare and maintenance of their Capitulations yet are not desirous to publish to their own People the punishment of their Grand Officers at the instigation or for the concernment of a Christian And that tho the Turks are apprehended amongst us for a People of great Morality and singleness in their Dealings yet it is observable in this as well as in other their actions that they have double Tongues and Faces and know how to act with as fine a Thread and plausible pretences as are accustomary in the most politick and refined Courts of Italy Anno Christi 1663. Hegeira 1074. THE Baron of Goez which at the end of the last Year arrived at Buda with several overtures of Peace had so far proceeded in his Treaty with Ali Pasha of Buda that all Articles seemed almost concluded and scarce any difficulty to remain unless the Surrender of Zekelhyd on the Confines of Hungary which also was afterwards accommodated by Agreement That the City should be resigned into the hands of the Prince of Transilvania as the most equal Condition between the Emperor and the Turk So that matters thus seeming to be composed all People talked of Peace with Germany and that the force and miseries of Wars were to be turned upon Dalmatia And though the Turks had no design less in their thoughts than this or any intentions towards a Peace as will be proved by the Sequel howsoever the German Ministers as men credulous of what they desire gave the Peace for certainly concluded in whâ—ch conceit the Turks so humoured and indulged their fancy that they perswaded Prince Portia the Chief Minister of State to the Emperor in that manner of the reality of their intentions that he neglected the necessary Provisions and Preparations of War. And though he was often adviâ—ed by the Resident at the Ottomon Port that all theâ—e Demonstrations of Peace were only Artâ—fices of the Turk to delude the Emperors Couâ—cil yet so tenacious was he of this Opinion that though it be but common reason and the vulgar Rule of Policy for a Prince to arm and suspect his Neighbour who puts himself into a Warlike posture yet this Great Personage though in other things profoundly wise and circumspect was so deluded that he replyed to the Residents Advices to this effect That it was the Office of a prudent and experienced Minister to discover with diligence the resolution of the Cabinet Councils of Princes and not to give ear or credit to what is the common Voice or vogue of the Vulgar The Spring drawing near the Vizier prepared all things for action nominating and appointing such who in his absence were to supply the Offices of State Ishmael Pasha then Pasha of Buda was designed for Chimacam or Governour of Constantinople and Mustapha Pasha Captain Pasha Brother in Law to the Grand Vizier by Marriage of his Sister and now the present Vizier was made Chimacam at Adrianople near the Person of the Grand Signior All other preparations for War went forwards Thirty pieces of Cannon from Scutari and fifty from the Seraglio most of a vast bigness and weight which had served in the taking of Babylâ—n with great store of Ammunition and Provisions of War were transported up the Danube to Belgrade and the Princes of Moldavia and Valachia had now Commands sent them to quicken their diligence in making their preparations of War and in providing Sheep Beef Rice and all sorts of Victuals for supply of the Camp and general Proclamation was made in all places That all Soldiers who received one Asper of pay from the Gr. Signior were to prepare themselves for the War. About the middle of February the Horse Tail was set forth at the Viziers Gate which is the usual signal of the Camps motion within the space of a Month so that none may excuse himself from the War for want of due and timely intimation And though the time for
always be a Plea in defence of the English Nation in Turky when at any time His Majesty provoked by the Injuries of those faithless and piratical Nations should take due Revenge upon them not only on the Seas but also on the Land subverting those very Cities and Fortresses which are the Nests of Piracies and the common Chastisement and Gaols of Christendom When these Articles came to the hands of His Majesties Ambassador the Earl of Wiâ—chelsea with Orders to have them ratified and subscribed in the manner foregoing the Turkish Court was then at Adrianople to which place on this occasion the Lord Ambassador made a Journey from his usual Residence at Constantinople and having acquainted the Chimacam with the whole matter and the Propositions rightly apprehended by him they were offered and the next day communicated in behalf of the Ambassador to the Grand Signior who readily promised compliance with His Majesties desires ordering the Articles and Conclusion of them to be ingrossed and prepared for the Imperial Assent Howsoever some considerable time ran on before they were delivered out in regard that being matters of State relating to War and Peace they could not be fully granted without Privity and Knowledg of the Grand Vizier who was the supreme Counsellor and therefore we were forced to attend thirty five days before an Express could go and return from the Frontiers with the Answer expected which was as easily granted by the Vizier as before it was entertained by the Grand Signior On August 5. the Confirmation of the several aforesaid Articles were consigned unto my self in presence of our Lord Ambassador by the hands of the Chimacam being my self designed in Person to deliver them for which Service a Frigat of His Majesties Navy attended at Smyrna so that very Evening I departed and arrived at Smyrna the 15 th of August In my Journy from Adrianople to Smyrna omitting the Geography of the Countries and the pleasent view I had from the top of a Mountain between Malagra and Gallipoli from whence I could survey all the Hellespont and at the same time take a prospect of the Propâ—ntick and Ionian Seas I shall only relate two passages which beâ—el me in this Journey not unpleasant to be remembred The first was at a small Village called Ishecle at the foot of the Mountain Ida not far from the Ancient Troy now named by the Turks Kauzdog which signifies the Mountain of Geese the People that inhabit here are of a rude Disposition great Thieves and of a wild and savage Nature at my entry thereupon I was advised by those that were with me that it was necessary to take Mules to carry my Baggage through the Mountains and to press the People to convoy me to the next Government by Virtue of a Command the Grand Signior had granted me for the security of my Travels so that arriving at this 〈◊〉 by break of day I went directly with all my Attendance being about eighteen or nineteen Horse to the Kadi's House where knocking hard at the Door a Servant looked out at the Window and spying so great a company wholly affrighted ran to his Master and awakening him with such dreadful news he had scarce any Soul or Life remaining to render an Answer for he was one of those who three times a day was used to take his Dose of Opium which gave him a strange kind of Intoxication or Drunkennesâ— during the Operation of which men have their Spirits violently moved and agitated that afterwards it leaves them so wearied and languid that in the morning when they first awake they remain like dead Stocks their Members are benumbed and can scarce turn from one side to the other In this condition the News of new Guests surprized this Kadi when wholly feeble he called to his Servant to reach him his Box of Opium of which when he had taken his usual Propotion and that it began to work his Life returned again to him and he began immedâ—ately to recover so that he had Courage to open his Gates and receive us in when he had read the Command and found no hurt in it the Man was transported with Joy and Opium and was so kind chearful and of a good humour that I could not but admire at the change he told me â—â—at he lived in a barbarous Country and was forced to use that for Divertisement and as a Remedy of his melancholly hours I easily perceived the effect it had upon him for he seemed to me like a Bedlam in which humour he called all his Neighbours about him and after a wise Consultation they provided me with two Mules and five Men on foot with rusty Muskets without Powder or Shot to guide and guard me through the Mountains I had not travelled two Miles before all my Guard were stollen aside and taking advantage of the Woods and Mountains were fled from me so that I found my self with no other than my own People in an unbeaten Path and a way unfrequented the man excepted who drove the Mules who for sake of his Beasts was obliged to a farther attendance We travelled in this manner through the Mountains about four hours when near a Village called Suratnee we met one of the Principal men on Horse-back carrying a flead Mutton behind him which upon Examination we discovered to be carried for a Bribe to the Kadi of Isheclee that so he would be his Friend and favour him in his Cause And further upon inquiry finding that our Entertainment was likely to be mean at Suratnee we forced the Gentleman to return with us and to sell us his Mutton at the market-price and so for that time we disappointed our Kadi of his Fee or Reward and being upon the rise of a Hill descending to Suratnee so that the People could see us at a distance they like true Sons of Kauz-dog forsook their Habitations and fled which we perceiving posted after them and catched two of their men whom we brought under Shart or the Country-mans Oath which they account very sacred and will by no means break to be true and faithful to us to serve and not leave us for so long time as we should remain in their Village and accordingly these men were not only serviceable but diligent so soon as they discovered me to be one who would pay justly for what I took and was not a Turkish Aga or Servant of Great men who harrass the People and take their Service and Meat on account of free Quarter the whole Village returned again from their places of Refuge amidst the Woods so that I neither wanted Provisions nor Attendance Another passage happened unto me of better Civility and Enâ—ertainment in the Plains of Pergamus where noâ— many Miles from that Ancient City I arrived about six a Clock in the Evening aâ— certain Tents or Cots of Shepherds being only Hurdles covered with Hair-cloth lined within with a sort of loose Felt a sufficient defence agâ—inst the Sun and
by His Majesty for Ambassador to the Grand Signior in the place of Sir Daniel Harvey who dyed in August 1672. at his Country-house not far from Constantinople His Excellency entred the City on the first day of Ianuary 1673 4. rejoycing the English Factory with the sight of their new Ambassador that Office having been now void for the space of sixteen months who was welcome also to people of the Country judging him fortunate for arriving at the Feast of their great Biram nor less pleasing was the News thereof to the Court especially to the late Pasha of Tunis whose Goods and Monies taken by one Dominico Franceschi out of an English Ship called the Mediterranean in her passage from Tunis to Tripoli this Ambassador had recovered from Ligorne and Malta which being an action without example was greatly admired and applauded by the Turks and esteemed an evident demonstration of that great Interest and Power which the Glory of our King hath acquired in Foreign parts and of the singular dexterity of such a Minister About the 18 th of March Sir Iohn Finch arrived at Constantinople being transported to the Dardanelli on his Majesties Fregat the Centurion and thence on a Gally hired at Smyrna for that purpose Some few days after his arrival the Grand Signior and Vizier being at Adrianople the Lord Ambassador had audience of the Chimacam whom he saluted with this speech I am come Ambassadour from Charles the Second King of England Scotland France and Ireland sole Lord and Soveraign of all the Seas that environ his Kingdoms Lord and Soveraign of vast territories and possessions in the East and West-Indies Defender of the Christian Faith against all those that Worship Idols or Images To the most Powerful and mighty Emperor of the East to maintain that peace which hath been so useful and that commerce which hath been so profitable to this Empire For the continuance and encrease whereof I promise you in my station to contribute what I can and I promise to my self that you in your will do the like But to proceed to the Wars The Pâ—landers being thus prosperous made use of their success and the sharp cold of the Winter-sâ—ason to make their Incursions and Winter-quarters through all the Principalities of Moldavia for they being born in cold Countries and accustomed to the Snows and Frosts were more patient and enduring of extremity of weather than were the Turks who were brought forth from more mild and moderate Climates so that neither could the Poles be driven out from those Countries nor Keminitz be relieved by them until such time that the Sun getting high and thawing the Snows and warming the Earth prepared a season fit for return of the Turks who marching according to their custom with an Army composed of great multitudes quickly compelled the Poles to retire For the Grand Signior and Vizier having both seated their Winter-quarters on the Banks of the Danâ—be were ready at the first opening of the Summer to enter their Arms into the Enemies Countries and having called the Tartars to their assistance did according to the usual custom make Incursions for depredation of Slaves Cattel and whatsoever else was portable in a running March. The Chan or King of this People was at that time greatly indisposed in his health of which he advised the Great Vizier as if he intended thereby to obtain a release from his personal attendance that year in the War But the Vizier who either supposed this excuse to be only a pretence or that he had a kindness for his Person immediately dispatched away his own Physician called Signior Masselini an Italian born a worthy Learned man a good Christian and my intimate Friend with whom maintaining a constant correspondence by Letters he wrote me That from the Grand Signiors Quarters which were at Batadog near the Banks of the Danube he arrived after seventeen days Journey in Chrim where he said he was received with singular honour and kindness by the Great Chan whom he found to be a Prince of admirable prudence gentleness and generosity but greatly afflicted with a Hypochondriacal Melancholy which being an infirmity of some years standing was with the more difficulty removed howsoever he was so far from being uncapable to follow his Army that he advised him to divert his mind with the thoughts of War which counsel having taken after thirty days abode in the Camp he found himself much more chearful than before and greatly relieved of that pressure of Melancholy and caliginous Vapours which offended his Brain We are now said he at Vssia at the Mouth of the Boristhenes which we have passed from the other side unto this where the River is nine miles brâ—ad from hence we are marching towards Bender upon the Niester to pass into Moldavid and there to joyn with the Ottoman Army The Poles have sent to demand Peace but with condition that Kemenitz be restored to them which Proposition was with great disdain rejected and will never be granted whilst this Emperour reigns These people greatly desired a Peace with Poland which the Election of Sobieski for King may probably facilitate for not only they but the Turks also dread a March into Poland and are so inveterately bent to take revenge on the Muscovites and Cosacks who lately became their Subjects that they could accept of any reasonable Terms of Accommodation with Poland I for my part found Tartary a very pleasant Country plentiful of all Provisions and the people much more courteous and obliging to the Strangers and Christians than those Turks with whom you and I have conversed Thus far Masselini writes in commendation of the Tartars and in farther confirmation hereof I have read in some Books That as to their Morals there are very few Nations to be found less vicious they are extremely severe and faithful they have no Thieves or false Witnesses amongst them little Injustice or Violence and live in union and great tranquillity the marvellous fidelity of the Captive Tartars in Poland is every day to be observed who never fail to return at the time appointed when they are licensed upon their word to go and procure their Liberties by the exchange of Polish Prisoners which they execute punctually or return themselves not failing a minute And it is observed That the Polish Gentlemen do rather trust the young Tartars which are in their Service with the keys of their Money and Jewels than any of their Houshold The time for Armies to draw out of the Winter-quarters and take the Field being now come the Grand Signior and Vizier with great numbers both of Horse and Foot passed the Danube and prosecuting their March to the Câ—nfines of Poland they relieved Kemenitz in the first place the Poles at the News of their approach rasing the Siege Thence they proceeded to Chuâ—zim a strong Fortress on the Niester taken from them in the last year by the Christians after the defeat given to Chusaein Pasha
goods and Mony taken on the Martin and Hunter should be made good to Sir John Narbrough in Mony or Goods and Slaves To which was adjoyned such a submission recantation and acknowledgment for their late offence and outrage as testifyed the sorrow of their true repentance as we shall see more at large in their following Articles And now the peace being concluded Sir Iohn Narbrough returned to Malta and soon after came back to Tripoly to receive the remainder of the monies and goods agreed for the Slaves being delivered already In this interim the six Ships which had foâ—merly broken out of the harbour and sailed to the Levant hearing of the peace returned to Tripoly where great feuds and dissentions arose the Souldiery accusing Ibrahim Dei nick named Misser ogli as the beginner and Author of the War and for continuing it so long with obstinacy until they were reduced to their last extremity In fine they threatned to cut him in Peices but at length they were contented to cashier him only from his Office after which he fled into the Morea and their Vice-Admiral Mustapha Grande was made Dei in his place with whom and with the Souldiers in general now returned Sir Iohn Narbrough renewed the Articles of Peace and dated them the first of May 1676 which are these that follow Articles of Peace and Commerce between c. Articles of Peace and Commerce Between the most Serene and Mighty Prince Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Christian Faith c. And the Most Illustrious Lords Halil Bassa Ibraim Dei Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary concluded by Sir Iohn Narbrough Knight Admiral of his Majesties Fleet in the Mediterranean Seas I. IN the first place It is Agreed and Concluded That from this day and for ever forward There be a true firm and Inviolable Peace between the Most Serene King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Christian Faith c. And the most Illustrious Lords The Bassa Dai Aga Divan and Governors of the City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary And between all the Dominions and Subjects of either side And that the Ships or other Vessels and the Subjects and Peace of both sides shall not from henceforth do to each other any harm offence or Injury in word or Deed But shall Treat one another with all possible respect and Friendship II. That any of the Ships or other Vessels belonging to the said King of Great Brittain or to any of his Majesties Subjects may safely come to the Port of Tripoly or to any other Port or Place of that Kingdom or Dominions thereunto belonging freely to buy and sell without the least Disturbance paying the usual Customs as in former times hath been payd for such goods as they sell And for the goods they sell not they shall have free Liberty to carry on Board their own Ships without paying any Duties for the same And when they please they shall freely Depart from thence without any stop hindrance or molestation whatsoever III. That all Ships and other Vessels as well those belonging to the King of Great Brittain or to any of his Majesties Subjects as also those belonging to the People and Kingdom of Tripoly shall freely pass the Seas and traffick where they please without any search hinderance or molestation from each other And that all Persons and Passengers of what Country whatsoever And all Monys Goods Merchandize and Moveables to whatsoever People or Nation belonging being on board any of the said Ships or Vessels shall be wholly free and shall not be stopped taken or Plundred nor receive any harm or Damage whatsoever from either Party IV. That the Tripoly Ships of War or other Vessels thereunto belonging meeting with any Merchant Ships or other Vessels of the King of Great Brittains Subjects not being in any of the Seas appertaining to his Majesties Dominions may send on board one single boat with but two Sitters besides the ordinary Crew of Rowers and no more but the two Sitters to enter any of the said Merchants Ships or any other Vessels without the Express from the Commander of every such Ship or Vessel And then upon produâ—ing them a Pass under the hand and Seal of the Lord High Admiral of England the said Boat shall presently Depart And if the Merchant Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels produce no Pass from the Lord High Admiral of England yet if the Major part of the said Ships or Vessels Company be Subjects to the said King of Great Britain The said Boat shall presently Depart And the Merchants Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels shall proceed freely on her or their Voyage And if any of the said Ships of War or other Vessels of his said Majesties meeting with any Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels belonging unto Tripoly if the Commander or Commanders of any such Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels shall produce a Pass Signed by the chief Governor of Tripoly and a Certificate from the English Consul living there Or if they have no such Pass or Certificate yet if the Major part of their Ships Company or Companies be Turks Moors or Slaves belonging to Tripoly Then the said Tripoly Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels shall proceed freely V. That no Commander or other Person of any Ship or other Vessel of Tripoly shall take out of any Ship or Vessel of his said Majesties Subjects any Person or Persons whatsoever to carry them any where to be examined or upon any other pretence nor shall use any Torture or Violence to any Person of what Nation or quality whatsoever being on Board any Ship or Vessel of his Majesties Subjects upon any pretence whatsoever VI. That no Ship-wrack belonging to the King of Great Brittain or any of his Majesties Subjects upon any part of the coast belonging unto Tripoly shall be made or become a Prize And that neither the goods thereof shall be seized nor the Men made Slaves But that all the People of Tripoly shall do their best endeavours to save the said Men and their Goods VII That no Ship or any other Vessel of Tripoly shall have permission to be Delivered up or to go to any place in Enmity with the said King of Great Brittain to be made use of as Cosairs or Sea Rovers against his said Majesties Subjects VIII That none of the Ships or other smaler Vessels of Tripoly shall remain Cruising near his Majesties City and Garrison of Tangier or in sight of it nor any other way Disturb the Peace and Commerce of that place IX That if any Ship or Vessel of Tunis Argier Tittuan or Salli or any other place being in War with the said King of Great Brittain bring any Ships or Vessels Men or Goods belonging to any of his said Majesties Subjects to Tripoly or to any Part or Place within that Kingdom The Governors there shall
Dr. Alexandro Mauro Cordato the Viziers Interpreter who succeeded in the place of Panaioti deceased was nominated but he finding it too unweildy for him desired the assistance of a French Jesuit then at Scio skilful in the Turkish and Arabick Languages who was immediately sent for and therein employed and though it is thought that this business is above their Element and that it will soon cool and be neglected yet it seems to be the first step which the Turks have made unto Learning and therefore is the more observable And now the Festivals beginning on the 16 th of May we must for some days lay aside all business and observe with what order and form these Solemnities were performed In the first place On this day the Grand Signior with the young Prince his Son went to their Tents which were pitched very sumptuously in the Plain near the City and indeed were truly stately and magnificent all the great men as the Vizier Mufti and others having their Pavilions erected amongst which was raised a very stately Throne with a Canopy of Cloth of Gold extended under the shady leaviness of two tall Elms which set off with many Lamps in the Night represented a very pleasant and glorious Scene On this Seat of State the Sultan placed himself in the morning being accompanied thither by all the Pashaws then present and by the Rrepresentatives of those who were absent who according to their Degree in order kissing his Vest delivered in a Silk Purse a Note or Schedule of their Presents which were afterwards put into the Tefterdar's or Lord Treasurers hands to see and compare them with the particulars received which were so great and considerable that they far surpassed the Charges and Disbursments of the Solemnity Opposite to the Tents were several poles fixed between which at Night were hung Lamps of several shapes which being varied every Night made a very pleasing and magnificent Object by light of which in the Evening were exercised several tricks of Activity as Wrestlings Dancing and Singing and sometimes were acted Turkish Comedies which consist only of Farces and some ridiculous Dialogues and at last the divertisements of the night concluded with Fire-works which were so many that as reported 240 men were employed for four months time in the making of them and yet there are better made in Christendom only one seemed to excel the rest being a sort of Rocket which went up very high without any tail of fire like the common ones carrying only a small compacted Globe of red fire like a Star and making no noise in mounting but raised to its height breaks These were the pastimes of the Night in the day time all the several Arts and Trades some one day and some another passed before the Tents every one offering their Presents as they passed representing by some kind of Pageant and Procession their diversities of Trade this continued for fifteen days On the 25 th of this instant May was a solemn Cavalcade in which marched the Janisaries with all their chief Officers Chiauses and Mutafaracas c. And of the Great Men the Vizier Mufti and Kul-ogli the Favourite the first on the right hand and the second in the middle after them followed the young Prince who was to be circumcised extraordinary rich in the Furniture of his Horse and the number and largeness of the Diamonds which were on his Tulban◠and Breast In this Cavalcade were carried twenty four small Nachils and two large ones as high as the Mast of a Ship which were carried by a hundred Slaves and set before the Seraglio which are in form of triumphant Pyramids adorned with Tinsils in thirteen Divisions according to this following Form or Description On the 27 th being the day of Mahomet's Birth the Grand Signior rode publickly to the Mosch of Sultan Selim having no other attendance than the Retinue of his own Court his Pages were very rich in Cloth of Gold each carrying a Feather studded with a rich Jewel on his Head after the Grand Signior rode the young Prince who that Night was circumcised During this Festival a vast number of people was fed at the charge of the Grand Signior and about two thousand circumcised every one of which had a Quilt given him with a small pay of three Aspers a day for his Life This Solemnity for the Circumcision being ended on the 10 th of Iune began the Feast for the Marriage The Kuzlir Aga who is the black Eunuch of the Women was Bridegroom or Comparé to the young Princess and the Tefterdar or Lord Treasurer to Kul-ogli both which in the name of the Bride and Bridegroom went before the Lord Chief Justice called the Kadelescher and by him had the Articles of Marriage wrote and passed into publick Act which being done the Presents were sent and first those from the Bridegroom to the Bride which were these a great number of Beasts and Birds ill-favouredly made in Sugar thirty Mules laden with two Chests of Sweet-meats a piece and about their necks each carried a Vest of Sattin for the Muletiers then were carried a great many Pots of Sherbet then an hundred and twelve men carrying Vests of Silk Cloth Velvet and Cloth of Gold some had three some five or six at least wrapt up in Linen then went five Horses one with rich Furniture then followed a noble Vest of Cloth of Gold lined with Sables and nine Buttons and Loops on a side embroidered with large Pearl on the top of which on the one side was a very large Diamond and on the other a Saphire with Shoes Boots and Pattents for the Bagno all covered with Pearl likewise two Dressing-boxes with Looking-glasses and a Cap in form of a Crown a little Cabinet embroidered all over with Pearl eight Girdles set with Emeralds Rubies and Diamonds a large Diamond-ring a pair of Pendants of two great Emeralds with many other particulars which in passage were impossible to be remembred These Presents being thus performed on the part of the Bridegroom to his Bride the next Presents concerned the Grand Signior to his Daughter which were in place of her Dowry according to the custom of the Eastern Countries wherefore the 19 th of this month the Presents were ushered with a most solemn Cavalcade of all the Grandees of the Court to the House of the Bridegroom which were two Gardens made of Sugar forty little Nachils eighty six Mules ladèn with Houshold-stuff ten men with her Dressings as Boots Shoes c. embroidered with Pearl as the former then were carried her Jewels set in Girdles Bracelets c. promiscuously together not in that rule as those were which were sent her by the Bridegroom The Houshold-stuff was made up with coverts yet howsoever some parts were left open on the sides to shew that the Cushions were embroidered with Pearl and others were of Velvet embroidered with Gold. At last came twelve Coaches with Slaves and thirty six black
entertain a certain number of Souldiers at their proper charge and did The Great himself raised 400 men And the Ladies no less forwards raised great sums for the Expedition especially the Asseki or Sultan Queen His Highness being resolved to march in the beginning of the Spring to Belgrade sent the Emperour according to the Practise of the Sultans a to mark that he declared War against him The Great Visier being ready to move sent 1200 Camels loaden with Powder to Belgrade before him together with Orders to the Bassa of the said place to build a Bridge upon the Savus which was immediately put in Execution The Emperour received at the same time an express from Count Wallestin his Ambassador in Poland which informed him that he had concluded with that King a League Offensive and Defensive against the Turks This News did most sensibly affect the Imperial Court with Joy because they had doubted much of the Success of this Negotiation the King of Poland having shewed some Dissatisfaction in that the Emperour would never assist him nor enter into any concert with him whilst he alone supported a War against the Turks but Interest took place of Passion The King of Poland like a prudent Prince foresaw that if the Turks conquered Hungary and the German Neighbouring States he should be scarce able to resist so powerful a Neighbour which made him resolve to oppose his Designs and to joyn his Arms with the Emperours The Conditions of this mutual alliance briefly were that the Alliance should be not only defensive but also offensive against the Turks and last till both found their assured repose neither should make Peace without consent of the other his Imperial Majesty should entertain 60000 Men whereof 40000 should keep the Field and the rest be put in Garisons the King of Poland will lead 40000 under his own Conduct he shall be also obliged to recover his Places in Podolia Wallachia and Vkranis whilst the Imperialists shall do the same by those Places they left in Hungary The Poles shall furnish 6000 men to act against Tekely Other Articles not immediately regarding the present War are purposely omitted There had been ill observed Treaties and Cessations continued betwixt the Tekelists and Germans and now the first besiege the Castle of Donavisth in the County of Sepusa in upper Hungary C. Caprara having by message represented to Tekely that it was a violation of the Trevis He answered that he only did it because C. Iâ—anelli to whom the Place belonged had refused to come to the Diet of Cassovia so frivolous an excuse made it apparent to the Emperours Ministers that they were not too much to confide in the Promises of this Count and that he would take his advantages as often as occasions presented themselves Some few days after he had News that his Princess was brought to bed of a Son at Montcats whereupon he sent one of his chief Officers to Prince Abaffi to invite him to Christen the Babe which he accepted of and sent one of the principal Lords in Transilvania to supply his Place In the beginning of May the great Visier came to Belgrade with the Van of the Ottoman Army and more than 300 pieces of Cannon besides Mortars to throw Granadoes of a prodigious bigness At the same time the Troops that were to compass the Imperial Army began to draw towards Presburg where Count Rabata encamped them as they came according to the orders he had received from his Imperial Majesty who had chosen the great Plain of Kirtzer joyning to that City to take the general review of his Army which being drawn into Batalia in two Lines extended four Miles in length seventy two pieces of Cannon with the General of the Artillery Count Starenberg were placed at the head of the Infantry which was ranged in Batalions and in such order that they might be perceived on both sides they were numbered 20000 and the Horse in two Wings amounted to 12000 besides 5000 Hussars drawn up on the Right of the German Horse with fourteen field pieces The Emperour arrived in the Camp about Ten of the Clock preceded by his Guards and riding between the Dukes of Bavaria and Lorrain being followed by many other Princes and Lords and saluted with three Vollies of all the Cannon and Musqueteers of the Army After Mass the Archbishop of Strigonium read with a loud Voice the Bull of Indulgence accorded to such who should fight against Infidels and having given his Benediction to their Imperial Majesties who received it on their Knees and consequently to all the Army this Prince caused 500000 Livers to be distributed amongst the Souldiery which was no less acceptable to them The Command of the Forces being given to the Duke of Lorrain Generalissimo the Right wing was conducted by the Duke of Sax-Lawenburg the Left by General Caprara and the Infantry and Cannon by the Count of Starenberg With this Army thus composed most of the Emperour 's old and best Souldiery and under so expert a General as the Duke of Lorrain the Court hoped for somewhat extraordinary though as it will appear they were disappointed in their Expectation In the mean time a Council of War was held to see what might be done before the arrival of the Turks and after what manner they should act upon the Defensive when the Enemy did appear All agreed that for the Offensive there was nothing to be attempted but Gran or Newhausel and that as they ought to avoid those Enterprises which would cost much Blood and weaken the Army so they seemed to point at Gran as most easie though others were for Newhausel for several Reasons For the Defensive it was concluded they must endeavour to defend the Passages of the Rivers Raab and Waagh The result of this Council being referred to the Emperour he judged that for the Reputation of his Arms and other important Reasons not to suffer his Army to lye idle the space of two Months time which they had before the Enemy could take the field but left the choice to the Duke whether he would attempt Gran or Newhausel He only recommended to him that when the Turks advanced he should take care for the security of the Garrisons and oppose as much as in him lay the Enemies ravaging of the Hereditary Countries The Army being advanced near Comorra the Duke having no certain Intelligence of the condition of Gran resolved in person to take a view of the Place which he did but being upon the point to resolve its Siege he was advertised that the Turks were forming a Camp at Buda and judging that they might from thence relieve Gran by Water as the Bassa of Newhausel had already done upon the news of the Christians Design to attempt the place and perhaps cut off the Communication betwixt him and Comorra by posting themselves betwixt this Place and Gran he quitted the thoughts of that Enterprise resolving upon
the Algierines always amongst other Gifts present some Youths whom they have taken by Piracy the Policy herein is very obvious because the Sons of Christians will hate their Parents being educated with other Principles and Customs or coming from distant Places have contracted no acquaintance so that starting from their Schools into Government they will find no Relations or Dependences on their Interests than that of their great Master to whom they are taught and necessity compels them to be faithful In the next place these Youths must be of admirable Features and pleasing Looks well shaped in their Bodies and without any defects of Nature For it is conceived that a corrupt and sordid Soul can scarce inhabit in a serene and ingenious Aspect and I have observed not only in the Seraglio but also in the Courts of great Men their personal Attendants have been of comely lusty Youths well habited deporting themselves with singular Modesty and Respect in the presence of their Master So that when a Pascha Aga Spahee travels he is always attended with a comely Equipage followed by flourishing Youths well cloathed and mounted in great numbers that one may guess at the greatness of this Empire by the Retinue Pomp and number of Servants which accompany Persons of Quality in their Journies whereas in the parts of Christendom where I have travelled I have not observed no not in Attendance of Princes such ostentation in Servants as is amongst the Turks which is the Life and Ornament of a Court. And this was always the custom in the Eastern Countries as Q. Curtius reports Lib. 6. Quippe omnibus barbaris in corporum Majestate veneratio est magnorúmque operum non alios capaces putant quam quos eximiâ specie donare natura dignara est But these Youths before they are admitted are presented before the Grand Signior whom according to his pleasure he disposes in his Seraglio at Pera or Adrianople or his great Seraglio at Constantinople which is accounted the Imperial Seat of the Ottoman Emperors For these are the three Schools or Colledges of Education Those that are preferred to the last named are commonly marked out by special designation and are a nearer step to Degrees of Preferment and are delivered to the charge of the Capa Aga or chief of the White Eunuchs The Eunuchs have the care of these Scholars committed unto them whom they treat with an extraordinary severity for these being the Censores morum punish every slight Omission or Fault with extreme Rigour For Eunuchs are naturally cruel whether it be out of envy to the Masculine Sex which is perfect and entire or that they decline to the disposition of Women which is many times more cruel and revengeful than that of Men they will not let slip the smallest Peccadillo without its due chastisement either by blows on the soals of the Feet or long Fasting Watchings or other Penance so that he who hath run through the several Schools Orders and Degrees of the Seraglio must needs be an extraordinary mortified Man patient of all Labours Services and Injunctions which are imposed on him with a strictness beyond the discipline that Religious Novices are acquainted with in Monasteries or the severity of Capuchins or Holy Votaries But yet methinks these Men that have been used all their lives to Servitude and Subjection should have their Spirits abased and when licensed from the Seraglio to places of Trust and Government should be so acquainted how to obey as to be ignorant how to Rule and to be dazled with the Light and Liberty and overjoyed with the sense of their present Condition and past Sufferings passing from one extreme to another that they should lose their Reason and forget themselves and others But in answer hereunto the Turks affirm That none know so well how to govern as those who have learned how to obey though at first the sense of their freedom may distract them yet afterwards the Discipline Lectures and Morality in their younger Years will begin to operate and collect their scattered Senses into their due and natural places But to return from whence we have a little digressed These young Men before they are disposed into their Schools which are called Oda their Names Age Country and Parents are Registred in a Book with their allowance from the Grand Signior of four Aspers a day the Copy of this Book is sent to the Tefterdar or Lord Treasurer that so quarterly they may receive their Pension Being thus admitted they are entred into one of the two Schools that is to say into the Bojuck Oda which is the great Chamber or the less the former commonly contains 400 and the other about 200 or 250. These two Schools may be said to be of the same Form or Rank and what is taught in one is likewise in the other neither of them hath the precedency all of them equally near to Preferment Their first Lessons are Silence Reverence humble and modest Behaviour holding their Heads downwards and their Hands across before them Their Masters the Hogias instruct them in all the Rights Discipline and Superstition of the Mahometan Religion and to say their Prayers and understand them in the Arabick Language and to speak read and write Turkish perfectly Afterwards having made proficiency in the former they proceed in the study of the Persian and Arabick Tongues which may be of benefit to them if their Lot chance to call them to the Government of the Eastern parts and is a help to the Improvement of their Knowledg in the Turkish which being of it self barren is beholden to those Tongues for its copiousness and enrichment Their Cloathing is good English Cloth and Linen neither fine nor course their Diet is chiefly Rice and other wholsom Meats which become the Table of Scholars where there is nothing of superfluity as there is nothing of want Their Manners and Behaviour are strictly watched by the Eunuchs their careful Guardians so as they cannot be familiar one with another at any time without Modesty and respect to the Presence they are in If they go to perform the necessary Offices of Nature or to the Bath they are never out of the Eye of an Eunuch who will admit none of their nearest Relations to speak with them or see them unless special Licenee be obtained from the Capa Aga or chief of the Eunuchs Their Bed-chambers are long Chambers where all Night Lamps are kept burning their Beds are laid in ranks one by another upon Safrawes or Boards raised from the Ground and between every five or six lies an Eunuch so as conveniently to see or over-hear if there be any wanton or lewd behaviour or discourse amongst them When they are arrived to some proficiency and almost to Man's Estate and strength of Body fit for Manly Exercises they are trained up in handling the Lance throwing the Iron Bar drawing the Bow and throwing the Geâ—iâ— or Dart. In all these
set apart for labour and menial Services These are 1. Porters 2. Bostangies or Gardiners 3. Baltagies or Hatchetmen who cut and carry Wood. 4. Asgees or Cooks with all the Offices of the Kitchin. 5. Paicks and Solacks 6. Butchers 7. Holvagees or Confectioners 8. The Attendants of the Hospital of sick Pages And all other set apart for servile Offices These are seldom the Sons of natural born Turks but yearly collected as I said from the increase of poor Christians in the Morea and Albania by which means those Countries are greatly dis-peopled the yearly number of those thus collected amount most commonly as I am given to understand to about 2000 which being brought to Constantinople are first presented before the Vizier who according as his Humour directs him are placed in divers Stations either in the Seraglioes of Galata Okmedon or Adrianople others are put forth to learn divers Trades in the City others to be Seamen and learn Navigation others especially are placed in the great Seraglio where they are made to serve in the Stables in the Kitchin to dig in the Gardens to cleave Wood to row in the Grand Signior's Barge and to do what other Services they are commanded by the Superiors set over them called Odahashees who are Men of Ancienter standing than the rest having about fifteen Aspers a day Salary two Vests of Cloth a Year and two pieces of Linen Cloth for Shirts and Hankerchiefs c. and these are subject to the Bostangi Pasha who is the Head and absolute Commander of all those who have the Name of Bostangees or Gardiners of which there may be 10000 in and about the Seraglioes and Garden of the Grand Signior Of these Bostangees some are raised to a higher degree and called Hasaki which signifies Royal and attend only to Messages sent by the Grand Signior himself and are Men of special Authority Their Habit or Cloathing nothing differs from the Bostangees unless in the fineness of their Cloth. The Power of the Bostangi Pasha is very great for though he himself arose but from the Agiamoglans and wore a felt Cap yet he hath the command of all the Grand Signior's Gardens and Houses of Pleasure oversees all his Water-works and hath Power and Jurisdiction along the Bosphorus unto the Mouth of the Black Sea commands also the Country at a large distance from Constantinople having power to punish all Debaucheries and Extravagancies in and about the Country Villages and is capable by the Grand Signior's Favour to become Pasha of Grand Cairo Babylon Buda c. and of the first degree which is Vizier Azem The Agiamoglans who are designed to the Grand Signior's Seraglio are of the choicest amongst the whole number the strongest Bodies and most promising Aspects and are distributed into several Companies as they want to make up their Complement This Discipline is very severe and strict so that they are taught Obedience and readiness to serve with Watchings Fastings and other Penances Their Cloathing is of course Cloth made at Salonica anciently called Thessalonica their Caps of Felt after the form of a Sugar-loaf of a Hair colour Some of them are taught to Read and Write who are esteemed the most acute and fit to receive ingenious Learning but the most part are exercised in activity of Body in Running Leaping Wrestling throwing the Iron Bar and other Agility wherein the strength and activity of Body is best practised Their Lodgings are under several Pent-houses or Sheds built under the Walls of the Seraglio their Dyet is Flesh and Rice sufficient though not luxurious Out of these belonging to the Seraglio none are drawn out for Janisaries but are sometimes preferred to service of Pashaes for their Fidelity or good Deserts and by those Masters arise to considerable Riches and commodious manner of Livelihood others of these in great numbers are made use of for attendance on the Grand Signior's Tents when he gooes to the Wars and in other Journies are useful for the management of the Grand Signior's Carriages and travelling Necessaries Such Agiamoglans as we have said before that are distributed into other Quarters besides the Royal Seraglio are principally designed as they grow ripe and of strength of Body to be made Janisaries in the place of the deceased so that their principal Education is in order thereunto of whom we shall speak more largely when we treat of the Militia The Names of the Agiamoglans are written in a Book with the Places where they are distributed their several Pays of two three or five Aspers a Day which Book is under-written by the Grand Signior and consigned to the Tefterdar or Lord Treasurer who pays their Salaries every three Months being obliged at that time to enquire who is dead or removed and so accordingly to make a true report to the Grand Signior And thus I have given you a brief account of the Grand Siginor's Seraglio and the Regiment of it which if well considerd and weighed is one of the most Politick Constitutions in the World and none of the meanest Supports of the Ottoman Empire which Relation I had from the Mouth of one who had spent nineteen Years in the Schools of the Seraglio I must confess I have not treated so amply thereof as the Subject might require because the Rules and Oeconomy observed among the Women Mutes Eunuchs and other of the retired Apartments I conceive to be a kind of digression from my purpose my intention being principally to describe the Government Maxims and Polities of the Turk And therefore I proceed to treat of the diversities of Offices and Places of great Riches and Trust which remain in the power of the Sultan to confer on those Favourites Minions and Creatures whom thus at his own Charge he hath nourished like a Father from their Infancy to invest in their riper Years with great Honours for security of his own Person and flourishing Estate of his Dominions CHAP. XI Of the Vizier Azem or Prime Vizier his Office the other six Viziers of the Bench and of the Divan or place of Iudicature THE Prime Vizier called in Turkish Vizier Azem is as much as chief Counsellor he is sometimes termed the Grand Signior's Deputy or Representative or Vicarius Imperii because to him all the Power of the Sultan is immediately devolved there is no other Solemnity as I know of in the creating a Vizier than the delivery of the Grand Signior's Seal which he always carries about him in his Bosom on which is engraven the Emperor's Name by which he becomes invested in all the Power of the Empire and can without the formality and process of Law remove all Obstacles and Impediments which hinder the free sway of his Government It hath always been the Policy of the great Princes of the East to erect one as Superintendent over all the rest of their Ministers so Daniel was constituted by Darius over the Presidents and Princes because of the admirable Spirit and Wisdom that
Harpu Ezani Syureck Nesbin Chatenghif Tchemischekrek Seared Mufarkin Aktchie Kala Habur Sangiar otherwise Diarbekir which is the place of residence of the Beglerbeg Those Sangiacks which are entailed upon Families are Sagman Kulab Mechrani Tergil Atak Pertek Tchifakichur Tchirmek 4. Of Scham otherwise Damascus the certain Revenue of which is a Million of Aspers and hath under it Sangiacks seven with Has where the Contributions by the Beglerbeg's Officers are collected upon the Country and are Kuddescherif alià s Ierusalem Gaza Sifad Nabolos alià s Naples in Syria Aglun Bahura and Damascus the City where the Beglerbeg resides He hath farther three with Siliane for account of which he is paid by the King's Officers and those are Kadmar Saida Beru Kiurk Schubeck where are no Timariots but the Inhabitants are true and absolute Masters of their own Estates in the same manner as the Curdi are which we have before-mentioned the Castles here are for the most part demolished and scarce worthy our notice 5. Is of Siwas a City in Armenia Major hath a Revenue of Nine hundred thousand Aspers and hath under his Dominions six Sangiacks viz. Amasia Tchurum Buradick Demurki Gianick Arebkir the Castles of which are nineteen 6. Is the Government of the Pascha of Erzram on the Confines of Georgia hath a Revenue of a Million two hundred thousand six hundred and sixty Aspers and hath under his Government 11 Sangiacks viz. Karahizar Schà rki Kieifi Pasm Esber Hanes Tekman Turtum Mayenkerd Mamervan Kyzutchan Melazkerd and hath 13 Castles 7. Is the Government of the Pascha of Wan or Van a City in Media hath a Revenue of a Million one hundred and thirty two thousand two hundred and nine Aspers and commands 14 Sangiacks viz. Adilgiwar Ergisch Musch Barkiri Kiarkian Kisani Espaird Agakis Ekrad Benikutur Kalaibaierid Berdea and Edegick 8. Is the Government of the Pascha of Tchildir on the Confines of Georgia hath a Revenue of Nine hundred twenty five thousand Aspers and commands nine Sangiacks viz. Olti Hartus Ardnug Erdehamburek Hagrek Pusenhaf alià s Pusenhal Machgil Igiare Penbeck Pertekrek 9. Is the Government of Scheherezul in Assyria the Pascha of which hath a Revenue of a Million of Aspers and commands 20 Sangiacks viz. Suruikuk Erbil Kiuschaf Schehribazar Chahkiule Geblhamrin Hezurd Merd Dulchuran Merghiaue Haninudevin Agiur Neitutari Sepeuzengire Ebruuan Tauudan Badeberend Belkas Vicheni Garikalo Renghone 10. Is the Government of Halep or Aleppo hath Eight hundred and seventeen thousand seven hundred and seventy two Aspers Revenue and commands seven Sangiacks with Has and two with Saliane Of the first sort are Adana Ekrad Kelis Beregek Mearre Gazir Balis Of the other are Matick and Turman which is Turcomania of these at this day the Revenue is farmed and are not called Sangiacks but Agalik for in them are no Timariots but every Man is Lord and Master of his own Lands This Government hath five Castles 11. Is the Government of Marasch near the River Euphrates situated between Mesopotamia and Aleppo otherwise called by the Turks Zulkadrie hath a Revenue of 628450 Aspers and commands four Sangiacks only viz. Malatia Asab Kars and Samsad and hath four Castles 12. Is the Government of Kibros otherwise called Cyprus hath a Revenue of Five hundred thousand six hundred and fifty Aspers and commands seven Sangiacks viz. four with Has and are Itchili Tarsus Alaine Schis the other three with Saliane are Kenine Baf Mausa Lefkuscha or Larnica the place of the Pascha's residence is Nicosia 13. Is the Government of Tarabolos Scham otherwise Tripoly of Syria hath a Revenue of Eight hundred thousand Aspers at this place the Pascha resides and hath under him four Sangiacks viz. Hams Hama Gemele and Selemie and hath only one Castle in the Sangiack of Hams called Faslulekrad 14. Is the Government of Terbozan otherwise Trabezond encompassed with a ridge of Mountains according to a Poet born in that place Vertice Montano Trapezus inclusa recessit Formerly the Imperial Seat of the Comneni reigning over Cappadocia Galatia and the parts of Pontus founded by Alexius Comnenus who upon the taking of Constantinople by the Western Christians fâ—ed to this place which flourished until taken by Mahomet the Great it is situate on the Euxine or Black Sea and still a place of considerable Traffick especially made rich for the Fishing out of which and the Customs the Pascha though he hath no Sangiacks under his Government hath yet a Revenue allotted of 734850 Aspers with fourteen Castles to defend the City and the Dominions belonging thereunto 15. The Government of the Pascha of Kars a City near Erzrum hath a Revenue of Eight hundred twenty thousand six hundred and fifty Aspers and commands six Sangiacks viz. Erdehankitutchuk Gingewan Zaruschan Ghegran Kughizman Pasin 16. The Government of the Pascha of Musul otherwise called Nineve in Assyria hath a Revenue of Six hundred eighty one thousand fifty six Aspers and commands five Sangiacks viz. Bagiwanlu Tekrit Zerbit Eski Musul or old Nineve and Hurun 17. The Government of the Pascha of Rika hath a Revenue of 680000 Aspers and commands seven Sangiacks viz. Ghemasche Chabur Dizirhebe Banirabue Serug Biregek Ane These are all the Governments which are in Asia with Has let us now pass into Europe 18. Is the Government of the Pascha of Rumuli otherwise Romania which is the most honourable Turkish charge in Europe hath a Revenue of a Million and one hundred thousand Aspers the seat of the Pascha is Sofia and commands 24 Sangiacks viz. Kiostendit otherwise Iustiniana Mora otherwise Morea Skenderi Tirhala Silistra Nigeboli Vchri Awlona Iania Ilbrazan Tchirmen Selanik otherwise Salonica Wize Deluniia Vskiup Kirkkelisa Dukakin Wedin Alagehizar Serzerin Waltcharin Bender Akkerman Ozi Azak But it is to be observed that though Morea according to the ancient Canon was under the jurisdiction of the Pascha of Romania yet now it is divided and made part of the Revenue of the Valede or Queen-Mother where a Farmer of her Rents and Incomes now resides 19. Is the charge of the Kupudan otherwise Captain Pascha or as the Turks call him General of the White Seas hath a Revenue of 885000 Aspers he is Admiral of the Grand Signior's Fleet and commands as far as the Turkish Power by Sea extends and commands 13 Sangiacks viz. Galipoli which is the proper place of the Pascha's residence Egribuz otherwise Negropont Karlieli Ainebahti Rhodes Midillu or Metilene Kogia Eli Betga Sifla Mezestra Sakis or the Island of Scio Beneksche or Malvatia some others add Nicomedia Lemnos and Nixia 20. Is the Government of the Pascha of Budun otherwise Buda in Hungary hath a Revenue and commands 20 Sangiacks viz. Agri Kanysia Samandra Petchui Vstunubilgrad or Stultwissemberg Ostrogon or Strigonium Sekdin Chatwan Semutum Sirem Kupan Filek Sekitwar Sektches Setchre Novigrad Seksard Belgrade or Alba Regalis And now lately in the Year 1663 that Wiwar or Newhawsel was taken a new Sangiack is since added 21. The
but in kindness but treat them with all courtesie and abstain from all oppression or violence towards them If any Christian commit a crime or fault it shall be the part of the Mosselman to assist him intercede and give caution for him and compound for his miscarriage liberty shall also be given to redeem his life nor shall he be forsaken nor be destitute of help because of the Divine Covenant which is with them that they shall enjoy what the Mosselmans enjoy and suffer what they suffer and on the other side that the Mosselmans enjoy what they enjoy and suffer what they suffer And according to this Covenant which is by the Christians just request and according to that endeavour which is so required for confirmation of its Authority you are obliged to protect them from all calamity and perform all offices of good-will towards them so that the Mosselmans may be sharers with them in prosperity and adversity Moreover all care ought to be had that no violence be offered to them as to matters relating to Marriage viz. That they compell not their Parents to match their Daughters with Mosselmans Nor shall they be molested for refusal either to give a Bridegroom or a Bride for this is an act wholly voluntary depending on their free-will and pleasure But if it happen that a Christian Woman shall join with a Mosselman he is obliged to give her liberty of Conscience in her Religion that she may obey her Ghostly Father and be instructed in the Doctrines of her Faith without impediment therefore he shall not disquiet her either by threatning divorce or by solicitations to forsake her Faith but if he shall be contrary hereunto and molest her herein he despises the Covenant of God rebels against the Compact of the Messenger of God and is entred into the number of Lyars Moreover when Christians would repair their Churches or Convents or any thing else appertaining unto their Worship and have need of the liberality and assistence of the Mosselmans hereunto they ought to contribute and freely to bestow according to their ability not with intention to receive it again but gratis and as a good-will towards their Faith and to fulfill the Covenant of the Messenger of God considering the obligation they have to perform the Covenant of God and the Compact of the Messenger of God. Nor shall they oppress any of them living amongst the Mosselmans nor hate them nor compell them to carry Letters or shew the way or any other manner force them for he which exercises any manner of this Tyranny against them is an Oppressour and an Adversary to the Messenger of God and refractary to his Precepts These are the Covenants agreed between Mahomet the Messenger of God and Christians But theconditions on which I bind these Covenants on their Consciences are these That no Christian give any entertainment to a Soldier enemy to the Mosselmans or receive him in his house publickly or privately that they receive none of the enemies of the Mosselmans as sojourners into their Houses Churches or Religious Convents nor underhand furnish the Camp of their Enemies with Arms Horse Men or maintain any intercourse or correspondence with them by contracts or writing but betaking themselves to some certain place of abode shall attend to the preservation of themselves and to the defence of their Religion To any Mosselman and his Beasts they shall give three days entertainment with variety of Meat and moreover shall endeavour to defend them from all misfortune and trouble so that if any Mosselman shall be desirous or be compelled to conceal himself in any of their houses or habitations they shall friendly hide him and deliver him from the danger he is in and not betray him to his Enemy and in this manner the Christians performing Faith on their side whosoever violates any of these conditions and doth contrarily shall be deprived of the benefits contained in the Covenant of God and his Messenger nor shall he deserve to enjoy these privileges indulged to Bishops and Christian Monks and to the Believers of the contents of the Alchoran Wherefore I conjure my people by God and his Prophet to maintain these things faithfully and fulfill them in what part soever of the World they are And the Messenger of God shall recompence them for the same the perpetual observation of which he seriously recommends to them until the day of Judgment and Dissolution of the World. Of these conditions which Mahomet the Messenger of God hath agreed with the Christians and hath enjoyed the witnesses were Abu Bacre Assadiqu O mar ben-alcharab Ithman ben Afaw Atiben abi taleb with a number of others the Secretary was Moavia ben abi Sofian a Soldier of the Messenger of God the last day of the Moon of the fourth Month the fourth year of Hegira in Medina May God renumerate who are witnesses to this writing Praise be to God the Lord of all Creatures This Covenant or Articles with Christians howsoever denied by the Turks to have been the act and agreement of Mahomet is yet by very good Authours taken for real and to have been at that time confirmed when his Kingdom was weak and in its infancy and when he warred with the Arabians and fearing likewise the enmity of the Christians not to be assaulted by two Enemies at once secured himself by this Religious League made in the Monastry of Fryars in Mount Carmel from whence that strict Order have their denomination But mark how well Mahomet in the sequel observed this Law As soon as his Government increased and that by Arms and bad Arts he had secured his Kingdom he writes this Chapter of the Sword called so perhaps because the first words are often engraved on the Turks Cymeters made at Damascus and other their Bucklers and other sort of Arms And another Chapter in the Alchoran called the Chapter of Battel which is always read by the Turks before they go to fight and therein his modest words If you adore not what I adore let your Religion be to you and mine to me and other promises of toleration and indulgence to the Christian Religion were changed to a harsher note and his Edicts were then for bloud and ruin and enslavement of Christians When you meet with Infidels saith he cut off their heads kill them take them Prisoners bind them untill either you think fit to give them liberty or pay their ransome and forbear not to persecute them untill they have laid down their arms and submitted And this is that sort of Toleration the Turks give to the Christian Religion they know they cannot force Mens Wills nor captivate their Consciences as well as their Bodies but what means may be used to render them contemptible to make them poor their lives uncomfortable and the interest of their Religion weak and despicable are practised with divers Arts and Tyranny that their toleration of Christianity is rather to afflict and persecute it than
repetition of your Prayers that is after the Ezan that Curses and Blasphemies be proclaimed against these holy Friends and Associates of the Prophet Besides this your Books maintain and avouch it lawfull to pillage burn and destroy the Countries of the Musselmans to carry their Wives and Families into slavery and from a principle of malice and reproach to carry them naked through your Markets and expose them to sale to any Chapman Pagans themselves esteem not this honest nor decent by which it is apparent that you are the most mortal and irreconcilable enemies to us of all the Nations in the World you are certainly more cruel to us than the Sezidi the Kiafirs the Zindicâ—s than the Durzians and in brief you are the Kennel of all uncleanness and sin a Christian or a Jew may hope to become true Believers but you can never Wherefore by virtue of that Authority I have received from Mahomet himself in consideration of your misdeeds and incredulity I pronounce it lawfull for any one of what Nation soever that is of the Believers to kill destroy and extirpate you so that as he who slays a rebellious Christian performs a meritorâ—oâ—s action in the sight of God much rather he who kills a Persian shall obtain a reward seventy-sold from the fountain of Justice And I hope that the Majesty of God in the day of Judgment will condemn you to be the Asses of the Jews to be rode and hacknied in Hell by that despised people and that in short time you will be exterminated both by us the Tartars the Indians and Arabians our Brothers and Associaâ—â—s in the same Faith. CHAP. XI Of the Ancient Sects and Heresies among the Turks THERE are four Sects into which the Mahometans of the esteemed Orthodox belief are divided and those are these The first is called Haniffe which is professed in Turkey Tartary Eusbee and on the other side of Iehun Bactorus and Oxus The second is Shaffe whose Customes and Rules the Arabians follow The third is Malechee to which Tripoli Tunis Algier and other parts of Africa devote themselves The fourth is Hambelle of which are but few and is known onely in some parts of Arabia These four are all accounted Orthodox and are followers of certain Doctours as we may say amongst Christians Scholars of Augustine Thomas Aquinas Dominicus or the like and have onely differences as to ceremonies postures in their prayers washings diversities in some points of their Civil Laws and each maintains a charitable opinion of the other as true Believers and capable of entring into Paradise if their life and conversation be regulated according to their Profession and Tenets All Mahometans according to the Countries wherein they live come under the notion of one of these four preceding Professions but yet are nominated with other names and differences of Sects according as they follow the opinions which some superstitious and Schismatical Preachers amongst them have vented and those commonly known and marked with the names of ancient Heresies by the respective Opponents which may properly be called so because they are conversant in their Doctrines concerning the Attributes and Unity of God his Decrees and Judgments his Promises and Threatnings and concerning the prophesies and gifts of Faith are especially these which stand in opposition each to other viz. Moatazali To Septhatii Kadari To Giabari Morgii To Waidi Shii To Chawarigi From each of these Sects as from so many roots arise several Branches of different Doctrines as according to the Tenets of the Turkish Doctours complete the number of seventy two Moatazali signifies as much as Separatists the reason of which deâ—omination was from Alhasan the Scholar of Wasel Ebw Atâ— the Author and Master of this Sect to who the question being proposed Whether those who had committed a gross sin were to be adjudged condemned and fallen from the Faith the Scholar Alhasan instead of expecting the resolution of his Master withdrew himself and began to interpret his sense thereof to his other Fellow-Disciples from which withdrawing of himself they were afterwards denominated Moatazali which is Separatists But the name they give themselves is the Defenders of the Equity and Unity of God in declaration of the manner of which they so differ among themselves that they are divided into two and twenty Sects which are maintained with that passion on all sides that every party accuses his opposites of Infidelity But the principle in which their wrangling Sophisters accord in common is this That God is eternal and that Eternity is an Attribute most properly agreeable to his Essence but yet they reject the attribute it self saying that God is eternal wise powerfull and the like by his own entire and single essence but yet they say he is not eternal by his eternity nor wise by his wisedom nor powerfull by his power for fear of admitting any multiplicity in the Deity or incurring the like errour as they say of the Christians who divide and dishonour the Unity of God by the conceptions they frame of the three persons in the Trinity And if the Christians are to be blamed for introducing three Eternals how much more are those who frame as many Eternals as there are Attributes to the Deity Another sort derived from this Sect called Haietti hold that Christ assumed a true and natural body and was the Eternal and Incarnate as the Christians profess and in their Creed or Belief have inserted this Article That Christ shall come to judge the World at the last day and for proof hereof alledge an Authority out of the Alchoran in these words Thou Mahomet shalt see thy Lord return in the Clouds which though they fear expresly in plain terms to interpret of Christ yet they confidently affirm it to be prophesied of the Messiah and in discourse confess that that Messiah can be no other than Christ who shall return with the same humane flesh again into the World Reign Forty Years on Earth confound Antichrist and afterwards shall be the end of the World. Another sort of the Professours of the Sect of Moatzali are Isi whose first Author was Isa Merdad these maintain that the Alchoran was created contrary to the express word of Mahomet who Anathematizes all who are of this persuasion saying let him â—e reputed an Infidel who believes the Alchoran created for solution of which difficulty and to concur with the words of their Prophet they say that the Alchoran delivered by Mahomet was but a Copy transcribed out of that wrote by God and laid in the Library of Heaven and that when their Prophet denies the Creation of the Alchoran he hath no reference to the Original but to his own hand-writing which he had Copied and extracted from the first and infallible exemplar These also farther proceed to deny against the common Tenet oâ— the Mahometans the incomparable and Matchless Eloquence of the Alchoran asserting that were it not prohibited other Arabians might be found who
Turks were in great Confusion and Distraction not knowing which way to turn themselves sometimes it was thought necessary that the Grand Vizier should hasten to Belgrade to take the Care and Command of the scattered Troops which were now at a loss for want of a Chief Head and a Place whereunto to resort and take refuge Besides the Presence of a Vizier was esteemed of great encouragement to the broken Army and the only means to retard the Flight of those who were ready to break up their Camp and betake themselves to their own Habitations Whilst the Vizier was consulting hereof News came that the Army at Belgrade was all or for the most part dispersed that the small Number of the Janisaries which survived were resolved not to remain longer at Belgrade but were already on their March towards Adrianople in a Naked and Poor Condition without Money or Cloaths In like manner it was reported That the Spahâ—es who lately went to the War with a good Epuipage and well Mounted on Horse-back were now returning back on Foot miserably Despoiled and Poor without Money Horse or Arms Many of them who had Escaped with their Horses and Arms were passing the Dardanelli into Asia and thence travelling into their own Countries perhaps as far as Iconium Aleppo Damascus or some other more remote Countries other Spahees who had neither Horses or Arms were marching towards Adrianople there to demand the Donative which hath always been given by a New Sultan at his first Inauguration This Pretension of the Soldiery which amounted unto more than a Million stroke great Terrour into the Minds of the Chief Officers for the Exchequer being wholly empty and the Soldiery in the utmost Extremity and armed with Rage and Despair no Man knew what these Miseries might produce and the Soldiers approaching every Day nearer and nearer all People were affected with the same Consternation as if the Germans and the worst of Enemies had been at their Gates In few Days after the Aga of the Janisaries with the small remainder of his Janisaries arriving at Adrianople caused the Grand Vizier the Mufti Kadileschers who are the Lords Chief Justices together with the Prime Officers of the several Ogiacks to be convened and amongst themselves they held a long Conference At which they concluded upon several Particulars First It was resolved to Confirm and Maintain Sultan Achmet upon the Throne it being esteemed a thing unworthy of the Grandeur and Wisdom of the Sublime Port to change so suddenly and frequently the Person of their Sultans Secondly It was resolved That the Grand Seignior should Winter that Year at Adrianople Thirdly That the Mint should diligently Work Day and Night to make Silver Money for Payment of the Soldiery And Lastly It was resolved that cost what it would Great Waradin was to be Succoured and Relieved The which Resolutions especially that about Coyning Money for Payment of the Soldiery gave a stop to their Mutinies and Insurrections which were daily feared But what more sensibly consummated all the Miseries of the Turks was the want of Bread as well as of Money there having never been known in those Countries so great a Dearth of Bread as also of all sorts of other Provisions as at that time which joyned to all these Misfortunes farther News was brought That there had been another Grievous Earthquake at Smyrna And that an Express was come out of Asia That all that Country was over-run with Robbers and Murderers who were assembled in a Body near Sebaste the Ancient Nest and Nursery of Rebellion In the mean time the French Ambassador laboured by all means possible to give Heart and Courage to the Turks to continue the War assuring them That his King would the next Campaign go himself in Person to the War and continue the same as well in Winter as in Summer which would make such a Diversion in the Empire as that the Emperor should not be able to make Head nor so much as look the Ottoman Army in the Face Notwithstanding all which Assurances of the French Ambassador and Promises to furnish the Turkish Army with 30 able Ingineers the People or Rabble would give little or no Credence to all his Engagements and Assurances and scarce could the Great Men in the Government preserve him from the Violence of the Soldiery and People After the first Conference held as we have said by the Prime Officers another was called at which the Resolution to continue the War was confirmed by all there present except two Persons only namely the Kadilescher of Rumelia and the Chaimacam of Constantinople who dissented from the others being of an Opinion that a Peace was to be made by reason that the War could not longer be Maintain'd howsoever the major Party carrying it to the contrary Commands were sent by an Express into Albania to raise Forces in that Country it being agreed on all Hands that they were the best Soldiers in the Empire and had done extraordinary Service in the last Battle In like manner at this Congress great were the Complaints against Murad Ghirei Han who commanded the Forces of Tartary before Vienna and shamefully ran away the which being proved against him the Council chose another called Seffa Ghirei esteemed a good Soldier and a Valiant Man who was then at Iamboli not far distant from Adrianople and upon this Election he was immediately dispatched away to take Possession of his Government for the Grand Seignior hath a Power to Depose and Set up any Prince of the Crim Tartar provided he continues him in the right Line of Sultan Galga And for the Deposed Tartar to avoid all Disturbances and Contests he was exiled together with his Son into the Island of Rhodes and also Battir Aga who was the Chief Minister and General of the Deposed Tartar was Banished into the Island of Lemnos situate in the Archipelago After which divers Pasha's and Officers of the Army were called to this Congress by whom several Complaints were made and exhibited against certain Captains and Soldiers of the Army who in the last Battle had ill behaved themselves and Cowardly betook themselves to flight In which Accusations single Allegations were sufficient to Convict any Man and upon the sole Testimony of one Person many were proscribed and in the Night privately without Noise were strangled and in the Morning found Dead in their Beds and amongst the rest was the Kahya of the late Deceased Vizier put to Death at Belgrade upon a Suggestion that so soon as he had seen his Master Wounded he betook himself to flight and was followed by all the Pages of the Court who were well Mounted and Armed and might have done great Service had they not followed the Ignominious and Base Example of their Master The like Fate attended the Spahilar-Agasee or General of the Horse who was said to have been the first to turn his Back on the
Persons The Rais Effendi came into the middle of the Safra and read aloud Signior Heemskirk's Proposals which â—e owned This was done only to exasperate the Militia The Vizier said They must consider of them and give an Answer The 17th the Vizier was turned out and his Excellency finding the Vizier had his Design in Irritating the People by such Extravagant Demands went to the new Vizier Mufti Cadelesker and Ianisar-Aga telling them these Proposals read were none of â—is which was only one plain Proposition â—n a Uti posseditis which His Majesty â—hinking equal was willing to interpose his Offices thereon if the Port thought fit out of real Friendship The Vizier said They would consider of it and give an Answer The Mufti said Thâ— coming of three Embassadors had rais'd great Expectations in the People and they could do no less than make known what Proposals had been made They were very well satisfied of His Majesty's Friendship The Cadelesker and Tefterdar said Without Restitution of the Morea there could be no Peace Tâ—e Ianisar-Aga who was come from Constantinople said he had seen the Proposals That God would humble the Pride of the Enemy and chastize it he hop'd this Year But his Excellency Lord Paget had vindicated himself clearly to all Ministers as his Proposal was but the other was sent over all the Empire to preposses the People but Signior Tyles had set all right in three Days It is observable when Signior Heemskirk had no Intimacy with Tyles he wrote to my Lord Paget in January and to the Emperor there was no hopes of Peace but when he came into a Familiarity with Tyles he was Illuminated and in March wrote His Majesty the Peace was in a faiâ— way and he hoped to be himself the bringer of the News of it and yet now Tyles says to us in eight Months he has been here they have never done any thing and the Port will not have Peace nor were inclin'd to it Signior Heemskirk was much Embroil'd and pressed my Lord Paget much to sollicite the Vizier with Memorials but his Excellency had seen so ill Effects of his Writing that he thought it much better to seem Indifferent than Importune and to attend their Answer to his Proposal Extract of my Lord Paget's Letter to a Friend of the same Date with the preceding NOTWITHSTANDING all their seeming Reluctancies and high Words I am of Opinion the Turks may be perswaded to hearken to Peace especially if the Imperial Army do any thing to purpose this Summer The State here is shortly thus This present 7th of June N. S. the Ianisar-Aga is not yet gone into the Camp nor will he go as I think this 10 Days About a Week after him the Grand Vizier goes and about a Fortnight after that the Army will begin to March. It is not at present strong not of above 5 or 6000 Men but the Asiaticks and Tartars are to joyn them at Sofia How many they may be is very uncertainly reported the first however will not be Numerous they reckon upon 20000 Tartars that will be their greatest Strength and these altogether cannot be at Belgrade till the latter end of July at soonest so that if the Imperial Army be as strong and as ready as when I came from Vienna I thought it would be they will have time enough to attempt any thing before these Forces can appear to hinder them And such was the true State of Affairs at this time in the Ottoman Court in relation to a Peace The Ambassadors Heemskirk and Colyer's Letter to the Emperor touching the Peace Serenissime Potentissime Invictissime Caesar Imperator semper Auguste SACRAE Caesareae Majestatis submississimâ reverentiâ significandum censuimus quod abhinc quindecim diebus inter primum Visirium Caimacanum Janisserorum Agam Romeliae Cadelisquerium Tefterdarium in aedibus dicti Visirii circa Pacis Negotium alterum Consilium fuerit exquisitum ibidem nominatim discussum Quid de Dominis Legatis responsione ad Pacis proposita estlagitatâ promissâ denique statuant singulorum sententias enucleatim enarrare opportunum non arbitramur ne forsan informationis debitae penuriâ in uno altreóve erremus Verum ènimverò Caesareae vestrae Majestati indicandum hanc finalem fuisse conclusionem quippe cum variarum Regionum Ditionum Provinciarum desertione hic sit quaestio Regiminis Imperii participes super hoc deliberando tanquam maximi ponderis Negotio ullatenus negligere ipsis integrum non esse nominatim Tartarorum Hannum dicentes hunc ex Crimeâ quidem discessisse verum probabiliter in finibus Visirii exercitui sese additurum insuper excusantes responsionem Dominis Legatis tradendam eo usque esse protelandum porro existimantes grato animo officia conciliatoria Magnae Britanniae Regis Dominorum Ordinum Foederati Belgii acceptando satis signi datum fuisse dum modo aequis Pax fiat conditionibus sese non renixuros eósque id idcirco à nobis tam ardenter ad dictum responsum pronunciandum non oportere impelli quod parum prolationis aequae Pacificationis promotioni quam dissolutioni forsan conducet Quantum vero ad Dominos Legatos ab iisdem ex aequo efflagitari non posse ut omnes cum Visirio hinc ad limites proficiscantur Domino Paget idcirco Constantino polim esse petendum nec non Domino Colyer nisi hic mallet diutius commorari ast Domino de Heemskirk soli Visirium â—omitaturo dictam responsionem positive in scriptis in castris circa fines vel itinere extradituros His autem totis obsistere viribus nullatenus defuimus obnoxia incommoda planè edocendo verum frustrà illis ubique replicantibus leviora minoris momenti Negotia ubiquè cedere majoribus praedictas quoque locorum cessiones unicè non esse animadvertendas sed applausus approbationes universales ad Majorem Imperii ejusque gubernacula tenentium cautelam non minus reputandas quocirca immutabilem stare sententiam non abs re opinamur credimusque fore quod dudum praesagivimus nimirum inchoantibus bellorum operationibus eos hostium numerum forsan virtutes prius experturos quam quid stabilis fixi de Pace decernant interim tamen quaevis spes serius ocyus felicis exitus nostris non cecidir animâ—s Dominum de Heemskirk ante Vigesimum Mensis futuri iter facturum non suspicamur Vigesimo quinto alter juniorum Principum geminorum naturae vitam reddidit Caput Aly Pachiae abhinc parum plus anno Visirato privati in Rhodum proscripti nuper huc apportarunt Principi Moldaviae initio Hebdomadis futurae Jassum petenti Principatum occupandi animo mandatum est ut Tartarorum Hanni sub auspicio ardentissimè in id incumbat ut Polonorum Regem ad Pacem peculiarem statuminandam persuadeat Gallorum Legatus deseruit partem oppositam quà m non ita pridem fovebar novumque
50 to 80 Guns besides the increase of their Galiots and Brigantines on the Danube These and such like matters encouraging the Turks with the Expectation of a Peace with Poland which the French Ambassador fomented and forwarded so far that an Ambassador being sent from Varsovia to Adrianople to treat the same backed with the French Interest it was generally believed that the Peace was concluded but how true that was the Successes of the next Year will demonstrate unto us Anno 1694. THIS following Year of 1694. produced no greater Actions than the former year 1694. but yet continued still to be successful to the Emperor In the beginning of March the Grand Vizier was dispossessed of his High Office and succeeded by Ali Pasha of Tripoli the cause whereof was on a slight occasion which was this the Vizier being desirous to take some recreation with hunting Hares on a certain day his Enemies took the opportunity to bring the Sultan that way where he unluckily met with the Vizier's Dogs and a noise of hunting of which the Grand Seignior enquiring what it meant some Enemies to the Vizier answered that it was the Grand Vizier who might have employed his time in management of the Affairs of the Empire better than in Sports and Recreations reserved and more becoming the pleasures of his Master than his own but this as they added was no wonder it being his constant trade and practice With which the Sultan became so enraged that he immediately sent for him and taking the Seals from him he deprived him of his Office. Hereupon Ali Pasha was sent for being esteemed a Man of great Courage and Experience in all State Affairs and being Arrived at Adrianople in the beginning of May he immediately put forth the Horse-Tail which is a Signal that the Vizier designs his march for the Camp in 40 days afterwards and to shew his readiness and zeal for the Grand Seignior's Service he raised and equipped 3000 Men at his own Charge and out of his own Estate But here we may observe that before the former Vizier was depos'd Orders had been given that henceforward no Venetian Ships should be permitted to come into any of the Ottoman Ports under English or French Colours upon confiscation of Ship and Lading howsoever two Months were allowed for execution of the Penalty on those Ships which were already arrived within the Ports As the Grand Vizier was depos'd for the reasons aforesaid so also was the Chimacam called Calailicos Ahmet Pasha of Greek Extraction in danger of being strangled had not the Queen Mother and the Kuzlir Aga or Chief Eunuch procured the favour to have his Punishment altered and changed to an Exile into Egypt for the many Tyrannies and Cruelties he had committed and particularly for that he had taken away the Ancient Church called St. George at Constantinople belonging to the Patriarchate for some hundreds of Years before that time In his place Ieien Pasha a prudent Person and one very well practised in Affairs was constituted Chimacam and being the Nephew of the famous Kupriogli gave general satisfaction to all People and particularly to the Greeks and Christians to whom he always shewed much favour At this time as is usual there were two great Factions at Adrianople one in the Seraglio consisting of the Queen Regent the Kuzlir-Aga and other Principal Courtiers the other Party in opposition to these were the Mufti the Grand Vizier and Principal Officers of the Janizaries and Spahees To strengthen these after the Death of Osman Pasha the Selictar-Aga was chosen Chimacam being a Young Man a Chircassian by Nation of a very good understanding and for his years very well versed in Affairs This Person being promoted to this Office without the knowledge or consent either of the Grand Vizier or the Mufti but only by the Machination or Contrivance of the Kuzlir-Aga and Queen Mother rendred his Condition the more unsetled and uncertain And indeed not only the Court but all the Empire was in great Confusion by reason of the weakness of three or four Sultans successively of whom we have already given a Character and particularly of this Sultan Achmet of whom the best we can say is that he was a Good Natur'd Jolly Prince and feared no hurt nor wished it to any Person whatsoever But how the state of Affairs were in those days we may learn from a Letter which my Lord Paget wrote to a Person of Quality at Vienna dated April 24. N.S. 1694. Lord Paget's Letter SIR THEY so often change their Ministers here that an Ambassador can scarce come to treat twice with the same Person Since my arrival here at the Port they have had three Grand Viziers three Chimacams of Adrianople four Chimacams of Constantinople three Aga's of the Ianisaries three Tefterdars or Lord Treasurers two New Cadileschers or Iudges of Asia and Romelia and in short all the Great Officers of the Empire were changed the Mufti only excepted by which there was such a New Set of Idiots and Fools got into Places as would overturn the best settled Government in the World. For these Officers being only such as Chance offers it is a douâ—â—ful Wager whether he proves a Fool or a Wise Man and in case he should prove a Man of Parts yet he is suffered so short a time to remain in his Office that he is in no capacity to improve them Ambassadors unless it be at their first Audience and at that of Congedie have no Conversation or Access to the Grand Seigniors and then they affect such a sort of Grandeur as may best cover all their Thoughts by a Silence so that they give no place for any debate and a Man can never lay any foundation upon their Words For as their Ally of France scorns to be a Slave to his word so they hold it to be no dishonour to be open and esteem nothing for a Secret. It is true that very seldom or never a Minister shall receive a flat denial from a Turk for he shall train you on to the very last point and when you come to the last Argument and Upshot of all then a Sum of Money must make the Conclusion The disorders made by the Arabian Princes in the Countries about Aleppo did still continue which caused great fears and apprehensions at Constantinople it self but those Countries being far remote and distant made little alterations or noise at Court. The Negotiations of Poland at Adrianople had no success so that the Envoy was dispatched away re infectà Some few days afterwards the Tartar Han quitted the Court with dissatisfaction and all things seemed in much disorder however they talked high of great preparations for the following Campagne And to make some evidences thereof they dispatched away 1200 Janisaries from Adrianople to Belgrade moreover they sent away 32 Saiques for the Danube About this time the Grand Vizier arrived from Tripoli de Soria where he had been Pasha and
that were not in the Battle having been posted in several Flying Camps to joyn the Army which being refreshed were ordered to march again to observe the Enemy in their Motion This is the Account which the Turks themselves give of this Battle which being finished as here described both Armies thought it now to be the Time and Season to withdraw out of the Field and so the Elector withdrew out of the Field and came to Vienna by which it was judged that no farther Action would happen for that Year and in confirmation thereof the Turkish Fleet retired into Salankement without having done any thing of moment for this whole Year It is not to be doubted but that the Issue of this Battel turned to the Advantage of the Imperialists unless it be that they left 26 Pieces of Cannon in the Bushes The Season of the Year declining now towards the Winter and the Elector of Saxony withdrawn from the Field to Vienna the Sultan also following the like Example which displeased not the Turkish Army returned from Belgrade to Adrianople on the 17th of the last Month of October where being arrived they did not much brag or boast of their Success tho' to speak truly they had this Year withstood a greater Force of the Christians than they had for several Years before which they attribute in a great measure to the Pâ—rsonal Valour and Bravery of the Sultan himself whose Presence ever gives Courage to his Army And it is said That he kept all the time of the Battle in the Rear with 3000 Choice Men to kill all Persons whom he should find or meet turning â—heir Backs upon whom he did some Execution In all these Actions both in this and several other Years the French did great Services to the Turks both by their Counsels and Management of their Affairs and especially the Marquis de Lore was very Eminent and Signal in all his Behaviour tho' there was never any good Understanding between him and the Ambassador Monsieur Chaterneau This Year was not very signal on either side for any considerable Exploits at Sea or on the Watry Element Only that the Turks destroyed three of the Emperor's Vessels or Gallies on the Danube and took one of very good force After which all things remained quiet as to the Camp in Hungary and elsewhere except the great Preparations which were making for the re-taking of Asac from the Moscovites from whence five Gallies were about this time returned having left eight others with the Brigantines at Ozul On the first Day of November an Ambassador from Persia made his Entrance into Constantinople where a great Ship four Days after was Launched carrying 100 Guns four whereof would shoot a Shot of 24 Okes every Oke weighing two Pounds and a half with design to be fitted for the Service of the following Year with three others which were built in the Black-Sea much of the same bigness and sized with that which was built at Constantinople and now Launched for Entertainment of the Persian Ambassador who staid not long in that City before he proceeded to Adrianople where he arrived about the 20th of November with a Retinue of about 150 Attendants besides those which were appointed to serve him by the Turks whose Entrance was in this manner The Manner of the Persian Ambassador's Entrance About an Hours distance from the City at a Place called Solak Chisme the Ambassador was met by the Chiaus-Basha with about 60 of his Chiauses as also by the Lieutenant-General of the Spahees who with a great Retinue conducted him to his Lodgings in the Palace of the Treasurer Achmet Pasha who had Orders to assign him 250 or 300 Dollars a Day for his Entertainment for the Subsistence of him and his Retinue Besides which allowance was given for the Food of an Elephant and for Fodder for Camels and Horses and also a 100 weight of Sugar a Day for Sweetmeats for the Persians who are great lovers of that kind of Diet with Amber and Perfumes The Ambassador having remained about 12 Days at Adrianople and there well entertained he demanded Audience of the Grand Vizier to whom he delivered the Credentials from the King his Master and having been entertain'd in Discourse for about the space of three Quarters of an Hour he departed from the Grand Vizier having only received one single Vest which seemed very strange in regard it had been the Custom for other Ambassadors from Persia to receive 60 at least disposed between them and their Retinue Upon the 16th of December the Ambassador received his Audience from the Grand Seignior on a Tuesday which is the usual Day of the Divan when it was formerly the Custom to give out the Pay to the Janisaries and Soldiers at which time also there being an Appearance of the Chief Officers both Civil and Military renders all things the more stately and magnificent But it seems at this time contrary to all former Customs the Pay was not given out to the Janisaries and Soldiers because perhaps that the principal Officers of the Army were at Belgrade and upon the Frontiers of Hungary Howsoever as great an Appearance there was of the Chiauses as had been the Custom at the Audiences given to other Ambassadors And then the Presents were sent unto the Grand Seignior which consisted of The Presents from Persia. A Female Elephant covered with a Furniture of Cloth of Gold which came down to the Foot and on the place of the Saddle there was a Chair of State erected lined within with thin Silver Plates Besides which were six Camels each of which carried two Sapets or Hampers used in the Wars in which were contained the Royal Presents made up in little Bales with Coverings of Silk Moreover there were Ten Camels laden with Persian Hangings six of which were of fine Silks and four ordinary ones but very large and of a more than usual size As also three Camels laden also with Cloth of Gold. Upon the Ambassador's Arrival at the Grand Seignior's Seraglio the Janisaries were presented as running for their Porridge and Pilao or Rice being about Noon which was their Dinner time as was their Daily Practice as was shown to all Ambassadors The Place reserved for the Ambassador was the same as was prepared for others just over against the Grand Vizier that the manner how that Great Minister distributes Justice to the People might more plainly appear The Supream Vizier sate at the same Table with the Ambassador six of whose Gentlemen were placed at the Table with the Chimacam Chassan Pasha and six others at the Table with the Aga or General of the Janisaries And in regard the Companions of the Ambassador consisted of more than 40 Noble Men the Turks were obliged to place them at three other Tables leaving out the Pasha's of the Bench and other Officers so that it happened out that Day that no Place was left for the Kadileschers or Lords Chief Justices all
pass the Save upon the Return of the Imperial Army which happened to be on the 25th and 26th but Colonel Kyla staid as he usually did some time behind to burn and destroy every thing that remained as yet unconsumed And on the 27th they marched on until they came to the Camp which was before Seniza And on the 28th they entered into bad Defiles and at length into the Valley of Orohovitâ— where the Artillery and Waggons joyned again with the Army The 29th they Encamped near Schebze where Advices were brought to the Generals in what manner the Enemy was gathered into a Body near Belgrade consisting of several Thousands of Men. Lastly The Imperialists returned again over the Save carrying with them a great quantity of Turkish Cloth with many Turkish Women and Goods belonging to the saved Christians with a great quantity of small and great Cattle After the Return of the Christian Army under the Command of Prince Eugenius of Savoy from the Fortunate Successes in Bosnia the Troops were commanded on the 30th of October to march from Marga towards Caranzebes from whence on the very same Evening Lieutenant-Colonel Count of Herberstein was Commanded to March before with his National Militia of Rascians joyned with some Germans And the 31st was appointed for a Day of Repose and Rest for the whole Army and on that Occasion sufficient Provisions were made both for Horse and Man. When on the first of November the Body of the Army began to move from Caranzebes and in grievous Weather with Rain and Snow marched all the way so far as Soczan And then about two a Clock in the Afternoon they made a Halt near Gialuk in the Valley of Carassona And on the third they pitched near the deserted Village of Petrovizas From whence on the 4th Days March a Detachment was sent before to Invest the Fort of Vypalancha where the Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment of Rabutin Lord of Graser with a Body of 500 Horse had taken his Post or Possession and seated himself on the side of the Danube about 100 Paces from the River advancing to the Pallisadoes and there immediately began to fire upon the Place and to Entrench with so much diligence that in a short time they had opened the Trenches 200 Paces and having prepared the small Pieces of Cannon which they brought with them and one Mortar-piece they began therewith to make their Batteries The 5th Day in the Morning they set in order their Batteries and began also to throw Bombs into the Palanca which they found to be much more strong than it was believed at first for that it was encompassed with a double Ditch and treble Rows of Pallisadoes and a place of Retreat guarded with 400 Men and well provided of all things and for the better Security they had made some hundreds of Faggots and in the mean time the Turks in a great Body showed themselves upon another Stream of the Danube above and others at the Foot of the Mountain near to Rham together with Saicks and Frigats on the River Likewise on the other side of Belgrade near Kroska Semandria Columbas Isbeck and Gradiska which were all places so near that in 24 Hours time Succours might be brought from them at least to hinder if not totally prevent the Designs of the Enemy For which reason the General Count Rabutin resolved to lose no time but forthwith to make an Assault upon the Place and if possible to take it by force to which end he prepared 500 Germans and 200 Rascians to make the Attack upon the Place On the 6th with dawning of the Day appeared on the other side of the River a great number of the Turkish Boats battering with their Cannon as they had done all the Day before against the Christian Camp And in the mean time with the Break of Day the Attack began in two Places at the same time that is upon the left Hand of the Danube where the greatest difficulty was under the Command of Heer Viart Sergeant-Major of the Hanover Troops and then on the right Hand on the River Cerasse where the Soldiers to pass the Water Waded up to the Middle under the Command of Captain Beaumont of the Regiment of Rabutin And to give the greater Inconvenience to the Enemy they fired their Cannons continually without Intermission as also their Bombs besides Small-shot from 250 Men out of the Trenches but in regard that in the Night before certain Recruits were sent to reinforce the Place together with a Boat on Board of which were 100 Men from Columbas and Isbeck with new Ammunition so that they met with very much resistance besides they Storm'd without making any Breach and that in the sight of 20 or 30 Saicks and Frigats which appeared above and below the Place insomuch as things looked more doubtful and hazardous than with any promising Countenance of Success Howsoever General de Rabutin and Sergeant-General Count de Leiningen applyed all possible care and Industry to hinder and prevent the Enemies Succours from coming upon them by which the Soldiers at the appearance and so near an approach of their Enemies again reassumed new Courage and tho' they were at first well enough animated when they observed the Turks come upon them with their Cries of Allah Allah which they usually make upon their Charge and that 400 of their Horse remained for a Reserve the Vigour and Spirit was renewed on all sides and then with Axes and Hatchets they cutting down the Pallisadoes gained so much Ground that all things laid open before them So that after a doubtful Conflict of about an Hour and a half the Place was overcome and taken by the Valour of the Christians so that not only the Commander in Chief Hay Beigh but all the Garrison with the Inhabitants without any Exception were Killed or droven into the Danube All which was done and acted in a very short time which was well that it so happened for had it admitted of any farther delay the Christians would have encountred many more Difficulties for that the Turks were bringing over many Succours which would have caused very dangerous Diversions When on the contrary the Turks lost 800 Persons and the Christians only 10 which was almost a Miracle to consider General Rabutin was always present on the right Hand during the Assault and after it the better to Encourage the Soldiers he alighted from his Horse and having Commended and Praised every one publickly in his Place according to his Deserts and especially the Sergeant-General Count of Leiningen who had the left Wing under his Conduct and had done and acted as much as could be expected on such an Occasion and indeed both he and Sergeant-Major de Viart showed as much Bravery Conduct and Military Experience as could be desired of the greatest Captains in the World. But now in regard this Pass of Vypalancha was too far within the Territory of the Enemy to be any long time maintained for
17th the Moscovite delivered into the Hands of my Lord Paget the Articles which he had promised to consign to the Mediation And accordingly on the 6 16th he sent a Supplement thereunto which did not answer expectation so that Business remained for some time undetermined The next Day 9 19 the Polish Ambassador had another Conference with the Turks at which the remaining Points of the Treaty were agreed upon so that in a manner that whole Peace was agreed and finished The 10 20th of December the Venetian Ambassador communicated a new Commission and Project which he had received from the State of Venice to the Mediators And in the Afternoon the Moscovite Ambassador entertained a Discourse with the Mediators and Mauro Cordato but at that Meeting they cleared no Business With these frequent Conferences on all sides much time passed away until Christmas approached and then was the Season that Labours should give place to Devotion and Mirth and to the Solemnities of that Festival which continued until the Twelve Days were over and then all sides began again after the Plenipotentiary Ambassadors had passed their time very Jovially to renew again their Treaties Only the Turkish Ambassadors having little to do with the Christian Rites wished heartily that the Feasts were over and pressed heartily for an end thereof alledging That their Presence was required at the Port and that the Sultan would no longer allow of their Absence The first that betook himself to Business which was strange was the Moscovite Ambassador who on the 14 24th of Ianuary 1699 was the first who Subscribed the Instrument of Amnesty and the Treaties of the Peace of the Emperor and Poland with the Port were Signed on the 16 26th by their Ambassadors And the Venetian Treaty being very well adjusted and perfected all Parties appeared to be very well satisfied and the Venetian Ambassador as well as the others tho' for want of sufficient Power he could not then Sign his Instrument but supposed that Orders would come to him for doing the same before the Imperial Ratifications which were to be exchanged on the Line of Limits between Peter Waradin and Belgrade could be dispatched in which case the Mediators had Power to receive it Monday the 16 26 of Ianuary was appointed for the Solemn Day of Signature Monday the 16 26th of Ianuary was the Solemn Day of Signature the which having been passed in the Morning all the Ambassadors Turks as well as Christians with all their Attendants Guards c. with many Persons of Quality out of the Country making about 5000 Persons Dined at my Lord Paget's Quarters at whose Table the King of England's Health was the â—irst that was drank then the Emperor's and the lasting Continuance of the Peace which was Signed that very Day And then we may believe and fansie that most People there present were all heartily Merry with as much Solemnity as that Place could afford And amongst other things of Mirth it was observed That my Lord Paget had an Oxe Roasted whole for the Soldiers a thing never known before in those Parts On the 17 27th the Mediators Dined with the Emperor's Ambassadors where they were entertained with the like Rejoycings and in the Evening with Fire-Works Fountains of Wine Drums Trumpets Musick and with the Discharge of Great and Small Guns The 18 28th the Moscovite Ambassador took his leave of my Lord Paget with many Lofty Expressions of Civility and Acknowledgments The 19 29th my Lord Paget Visited the Imperial Ambassadors as he did the Turks on the 20 30th and 21 31st which was in return of that Compliment which the Turks had made to him some time after the first Conferences The 21st of Ianuary or the first of February the Turks were to visit the Imperial Ambassadors and to take their leaves of them On the 24 3th the Imperialists were to take their Leaves of the Turks and return their Visit. And on the 24 4th or 23 â—th in the Morning the Mediators and Turks designed to take their Journey towards Belgrade where the Mediators were to continue until the Exchange of the Ratifications The 26th at Night O. S. the Polish Ambassador departed by the Post after having passed many high Complements on my Lord Pagett expressing the Transport he was in for the Successful Assistances he had received from His Excellency in the Management and Conclusion of his Business The Muscovite Ambassador also declared That he would leave Peter Waradin on the 2 12th of February and in three or four Days after which the Mediators declared That the Place of Congress was likely to be quite cleared The House of Conference was bestowed by Count Ottingen on the Franciscan Fryars who at the same time declared That their Intentions were to make a Church thereof in memory of that Peace which had been there transacted For which God be praised which being of a High Concernment to all Christendom and to which the knowledge of the particular Articles may be useful to all Nations we have thought fit to add them hereunto in Latin and English as here followeth INSTRUMENTUM PACIS Caesareo-Ottomanicum Subscriptum Januarii 26. 1699. AD perpetuam rei memoriam Notum sit omnibus singulis quorum interest posteaquam per sedecim hucusque annos saevum exitiale multâ humani Sanguinis effufione cruentum adeò bellum cum plurimarum Provinciarum desolatione gestum esset inter Serenissimum Potentissimum Principem Dominum Leopoldum Electum Romanorum Imperatorem semper Augustum Germaniae Hungariae Bohemiae Dalmatiae Croatiae Sclavoniae Regem Archiducem Austriae Ducem Burgundiae Brabantiae Styriae Carinthiae Carniolae Marchionem Moraviae Ducem Luxemburgiae Superioris Inferioris Silesiae Wirtembergae Teckae Principem Sueviae Comitem Habspurgi Tyrolis Kyburgi Goritiae Marchionem Sacri Romani Imperii Burgoviae ac Superioris Inferioris Lusatiae Dominum Marchiae Sclavinicae Portus Naonis Salinarum c. ab una Et Serenissimâ—m atque Potentissimum Principem Dominum Sultanum Mustapha Han Ottomannorum Imperatorem ac Asiae Graeciae ejusque gloriosos Praedecessores ab altera parte misertique tandem afflictae Subditorum Sortis summè dicti ambo Potentissimi Imperatores finem tantis in perniciem Generis Humani indies augescentibus malis ponere seriò in animum induxissent factum Divinâ bonitate esse ut annitentibus Conciliantibus Serenissimo Potentissimo Principe Domino Guillielmo Tertio Magnae Britanniae Franciae Hiberniae Rege uti Celsis ac Praepotentibus Dominis Ordinibus Generalibus Unitarum Belgii Provinciarum Solennes ea de causa Tractatus Carlovizii in Sirmio propè Confinia utriusque Imperii instituti atque ad finem perducti fuerint Comparentes quippe dicto loco utrinque legitimè constituti Plenipotentiarii nomine quidem Sacrae Caesareae Romanorum Imperatoriae Majestatis Illustrissimi Excellentissimi Domini Dominus Wolffgangus Sacri Romani Imperii Comes ab Oettingen Sacrae
observantiae vinculum accipiet inducet cum omnia singula quae de Confiniis suprà recensito modo ultrò citroque promissa acceptata sunt tam de distinctionibus limitum quà m de evacuationibus demolitionibus plenarie in effectum executionem deducta fuerint ita ut absolutae designatione limitum in unoquoque Consinio statim subsequatur demolitio aut evacuatio quod ut quam câ—lerrimè succedat designentur ad limites terminos Confiniorum ponendos distinguendos ex utraque parte Commissarii qui die Aequinoctii scilicet 22. mensis Martii aut 12 secundum veterem Stylum Anni Millesimi Sexcentesimi Nonagesimi noni in locis inter Commissarios consensu Gubernatorum utriusque Confinii determinandis mediocri pacifico Comitatu conveniant atque intra spatium dúorum Mensium si possibile sit aut etiam citius ubi fieri poterit Confinia limitibus terminis manifestis per superiores articulos constitutis distinguant separent determinent Statuta inter legatos Plenipotentiarios utriusque imperii accuratissimè citissime exequantur XIX Has vero conditiones articulos ad formam hic mutuò placitam à Majestatibus utriusque Imperatoris ratihabitum iri atque ut solennia ratificationis Diplomata intra spatium triginta dierum à die Subscriptionis vel citius in Confiniis per Illustrissimos Excellentissimos legatos Plenipotentiarios Mediatores reciprocè recteque commutentur legati Plenipotentiarii utriusque imperii sese infallibiliter obligant atque praestituros compromittunt XX. Duret Armistitium hocce extendatur favente Deo ad viginti quinque Annos continuè sequentes à die qua ejusdem subscriptio facta fuerit quo Annorum numero elapso vel etiam medio tempore priusquam elabatur liberum esto utrique partium si ità placuerit Pacem hanc ad plures adhuc Annos prorogare Itaque mutuo libero consensu quaecunque stabilita sunt Pacta inter Majestatem Serenissimi Potentissimi Ramanorum Imperatoris Majestatem Serenissimi Potentissimi Ottommannorum Imperatoris Haeredes eorundem imperia quoque Regna ipsorum Terrâ item marique sitas Regiones civitates urbes subditos clientes observentur sanctè religiose ac inviolabiliter demandâ—tur seriò omnibus utriusque partis Gubernatoribus Praefectis Ducibus Exercituum atque Militiis quibusvis in eorundem clientela obedientiae subjectioni existentibus ut illi quoque praedeclaratis conditionibus clausulis pactis articulis sese adaequatè conformantes omnibus modis caveant ne contra Pacem amicitiam hanc sub quocunque nomine aut praetextu se invicem offendant aut damnificent sed quolibet prorsus inimicitiae genere abstinendo bonam colant vicinitatem certò scientes quod si eatenus admoniti morem non gesserint severrisimis in se poenis animadvertendum fore Ipse quoque Crimensis Chanus omnes Tartarorum Gentes quovis nomine vocitatae ad Pacis hujus bonae vicinitatis reconciliationis Jura ritè observanda adstricti sint nec iisdem contraveniendo hostilitates qualescunque exerceant erga quasvis Caesareas Provincias earumque Subditos aut Clientes Porro sive ex aliis Exercituum generibus sive ex Nationibus Tartarorum si quis contra Sacras Imperatorias hasce Capitulationes contra Pacta Articulos earum quidpiam ausus fuerit is poenis rigorosissimis coerceatur Incipiat verò modo dicta Pax Quies Securitas subditorum utriusque Imperii à supradata die Subscriptionis cessent exinde atque sustollantur omnes utrinque inimicitiae Subditi utriusque partis securitate tranquillitate fruantur Eoque fine quò magis per summam curam ac sedulitatem hostilitates inhiberi possint transmittantur quà m celerrimè Mandata Edicta publicandae Pacis ad omnes confiniorum Praefectos cumque spatium aliquod temporis requiratur intra quod officiales in remotioribus praesertim Confiniis istam conclusae Pacis notitiam obtinere valeant statuuntur viginti dies pro â—ermino post quem si quis hostiâ—e â—uidpiaâ—â— alterutra ex parte admittere praesumpserit poenis superius declaratis irremissibiliter subjaceat Ut demum Pacis Conditiones Viginti hisce articulis conclusae utrinque acceptatae debito summòque cum respâ—ctu inviolatae observentur Si quidem Domini Plenipotentiarii Ottomannici vi concessae iisdem facultatis Imperatoriae instâ—umentum Turcico sermone exaratum subscriptum legitimum validum nobis exhibuerint Nos quoque vi Mandati Plenipotentia nostra propriis manibus propriis Sigillis Subscriptas Signatas haâ—ce Pactorum literas in Latino Idiomate tanquam legitimum validum vicissim Instrumentum extradidimus THE INSTRUMENT OF THE Treaty of Peace BETWIXT THE GERMAN and OTTOMAN Empires Subscrib'd Ianuary 26. 1699. FOR the perpetual Memory of the Thing Be it known to all whom it may Concern That after a cruel and pernicious War had for 17 years been carried on with the Effusion of much Blood and Desolation of many Provinces between the most Serene and most Potent Prince and Lord Leopold Elect of the Romans and Emperor of Germany always August King of Hungaria Bohemia Dalmatia Croatia Sclavonia Arch-Duke of Austria Duke of Burgundy Brabant Styria Carinthia Carniola Marquis of Moravia Duke of Luxemburgh of the Upper and Lower Silâ—sia of Wirtemberg and Tecka Prince of Swevia Count of Hâ—bsburgh of Tyrol Kyburgh and Goritia Marquis of the Sacred Roman Empire of Burgovia of the Upper and Lâ—wer Lusatia Lord of the Marquisate of Sclavinia of the Port of Naon and the Salt Mines on one part And between the most Serene and most Potent Prince and Lord Sultan Muâ—â—apha Han Emperor of the Ottâ—mans and of Asia and Greece and his Glorious Predecessors on the other Part. These two most Potent Emperors out of a just Sense of Compassion towards their afflicted Subjects at length resolving to put an End to these Mischiefs every Day encreasing with Destruction to Mankind the Divine Goodness brought it to pass that by the Endeavours and Mediation of the most Serene and most Potent Prince and Lord William III. King of Great Britain France and Ireland and the High and Mighty Lords the States General of the United Belgic Provinces that Solemn Treaties of Peace were set on foot at Carlowitz in Sirmium upon the Confines of both Empires and there brought to a Conclusion There Meeting at the said place on the part of his Sacred Caesarean and Imperial Majesty of the Romans as his Plenipotentiaries the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lords Wolfang Count d'Ottingen of the Sacred Roman Empire Chamberlain of his Sacred Caesarean Majesty and Privy-Counsellor and President of the Imperiaâ— Aulic Council and the Lord Leopold Schlik Count in Passaun and Weiskirchen of the Sacred Roman Empire Chamberlain of his said Caesarean Majesty Captain General of the Guards and Colonel of the
Magno Cancellario Reis Mehmet Effendi cum Selectissimo Domino ab Intimis Secretis Alexandro ex Prosapia Scarlati Mauro Cordato altè memoratae suae Sultanicae Majestatis Plenipotentiariis Commissariis Extraordinariis Legatis ad Tractatum Constitutionem Negotii Pacis perfectâ Authoritate destinatis ac deputatis Mediationem inter Serenissimi Potentissimi suae Regiae Majestatis Magnae Britanniae Praepotentum Generalium Statuum Nederlandensium Hollandiorum Illustrissimorum Excellentissimorum Plenipotentiariorum Eorundem Extraordinariorum Legatorum Domini Wilhelmi Lord Pagett Baronis de Beaudesert c. Domini Jacobi Colyer c. ab utraque autem parte ad Pacem Inducias propensio inclinatio adhibita fuit attamen non facile fuit intra breve tempus sublatis difficultatibus res universas convenientes amicitiae vicinitati perfectè debitè in bonum ordinem redigere sed ne interrumperetur continuatio horum almorum Tractatuum quinimo deinceps perficiatur ad finem deducatur hac intentione utrinque per mutuum consensum id est à Die 25 Decembris anno 1698. à Nativitate Domini Dei Jesu Christi in futuros duos integros annos inter altè fatos ambos Magnos Dominos fiant Induciae in quibus almus hicce Tractatus in bonum ordinem reducatur atque inter suam Czaream Majestatem Moscoviticam Sultanicam Majestatem Turcicam Deo Altissimo secundante Pax perpetua aut in sufficientes annos Induciae concludantur vetus Amicitia restauretur Proinde in hâ—c constituto determinato unanimi consensu desinat omne praelium bellum pugna conflictus utrobique amoveantur tollantur hostilitates à Subditis suae Czareae Majestatis Moscovitis Cosaccis ac aliis Confiniis Musulmannicis Crimensibus atque reliquis suae Sultaniâ—ae Majestati subjectis Terris Subditis nulla incursio hostilitas fiat neque clam neque palam ullum damnum inferatur Pariter ex parte suae Majestatis Sultanicae adversus partem suae Czareae Majestatis nullius ordinis Exercitus potissimùm verò Crimensis Chanus omne genus Tartarorum Hordarum penitùs ullas incursiones faciant nec ullum damnum palam aut clam in Civitatibus Oppidis subditis Territoriis suae Czareae Majestati perpetrent Et si qui clam vel apertè motum aliquem dispositionem hostilitatem ac incursionem contra hanc constitutionem conditionem quae nos inter confecta est fecerint ex quacunque demùm parte tales contumaces reperiantur apprehendantur incarcerentur sine remissione indefense puniantur Hâc itaque praefatâ ratione tempore colendi observandi hujus Armistitii conflictatio hostilitas absolutè amoveatur tollatur ac ab utraque parte ad concludendam Pacem perfecta propensio plena inclinatio adhibeatur Crimensis Chanus ex munere suae erga Imperialem suam Majestatem Turcicam obedientiae subjectionis huic Paci adjungatur Quae omnia ut ab utraque parte acceptentur observentur quoniam altè memoratae suae Sultanicae Majestatis Plenipotentiarii Legati Commissarii vigore suae facultatis Authoritatis Turcico Sermone scriptum legitimum firmum Instrumentum ex eoque Latino Serâ—one propriis manibus Sigillis firmatam Copiam dederunt pariter ego facultatis Plenipotentiae mihi datae vigore manu propriâ subscriptum Sigillo firmatum hoc Scriptum Ruthenico Latino Sermone copiatum tanquam firmum legitimum Instrumentum tradidi Scriptum in Carlowiz Ann. 1698. Mense Decem. Die 25. A COPY OF THE Turkish Treaty WITH THE MUSCOVITE It is God the most Powerful the most Iust who brings all Things to pass In the Name of God the Merciful always Compassionate THE Reason of the making this Writing Refulgent in Truth and the necessity of the Description of this Instrument stamp'd with Reality is this The War betwixt the Sublime Empire of Mustapha by the Concessions of the Plenitude of the Eternal Confirmations of the Incorruptible Lord Creator and the Immortal Maker of most Freewill the Lord God whose Glory be extoll'd beyond Similitude or Equality and by the Grace of the most Honour'd Mecca and the Servant of the most Illustrious Medina Defender and Rector of the Holy Jerusalem and other Blessed Places Sultan of the two Earths and King of the two Seas Lord of Potent Egypt and the Abyssine Provinces and Arabia the Happy and the Land of Adenum and Caesarean Africk and Tripoly and Tunis and the Island of Cyprus and Rhodes and Crete and other Islands of the White Sea and Emperor of Babylon and Bosnia and Laxa and Revanum and Carsia and Erzirum and Sehresul and Mussul and Diarbekir and Rica and Damascus and Aleppo and Sultan of the Persic and Arabic Irachian Region and King of Ghiurdistania and Turchistania and Daghistania and Trapezuntum and Emperor of the Provinces of Rum and Zulchadria and Maras Emperor of the Regions of Tartary of Circassia and the Abastans and the Crimea and Desti-Capzac Emperor of the East and West and Anatolia and Rumelia Possessor of the Royal-Seat of Constantinople and Protected Prussia and Defended Adrianople and besides of so many the most large Provinces and of â—o many Climates and Cities and most Celebrated Governour Sultan of Sultans King of Kings most Serene most Potent most August Lord our Emperor the Refuge of Musulmen Sultan Son of Sultans Son of Sultan King Mehmet whose Empire God perpetuate and establish his Government to the Day of Iudgment And the most glorious amongst the principal Christians Director of the great Affairs of the Christian Commonwealths Adorn'd with the Robes of Greatness and Majesty Conspicuous with the Power of Greatness and Glory the Czar of the Muscovite Regions and Lord of all the Ruthenic Provinces and Possessor of the Lands and Cities Subject to them the Sublime Czar of Muscovy Peter Alexovic whose End let God crown with Salvation and Righteousness considering this War for some Years has been the Occasion of Calamity to the Subjects on both sides with an Intent that it might be chang'd into Friendship and Kindness that Affairs might be put into better Order and the State of the Servants of God might be reduc'd into a better Condition in the Congress of Sirmium in the Confines of Carlovitz upon Treaty with the most Illustrious and most Excellent amongst the Christian Grandees Lord Procopius Begdanoviz Vosniziri Plenipotentiary Commissionated by the Czar and Ambassador Extraordinary and Privy-Counsellor and Lieutenant of Bolchia Design'd and Deputed by the said Czar with full Powers to Treat and Conclude a Peace and the most Illustrious and most Excellent amongst the Christian Grandees William Lord Pagett Baron of Beaudesert c. and Lord Jacob Colyer performing the part of Mediators with great good Offices and Diligence Deputed so to do by the most Glorious amongst the most Illustrious Christian Princes and the Resort of
Christians taken and sacked The Turks for fear forsake the Castle of Boulouvenar The Turks fled out of the Castle of Boulouvenar surprised and overthrown Moyses by Basta overthrown flyeth unto his strong Castle of Solomose He with his Wife and Family flieth unto the Turks Basta besiegeth the Turks in the Castle Solomose The Castle of Solomose by the Turks yielded up to Basta Basta's Admonitions to them of Transilvania The Answer of the Transilvanians unto the Admonitions of Basta New Enterprises by the Rebel Moises in Transilvania He with Ensigns display'd entreth into Transilvania Wiscebourg besieged by Moises Wiscebourg yielded to Moises Moises in great favour with Mahomet A General besieged loseth his Reputation Basta prayeth Aid of the Governour of Cassovia The Vayvod of Valachia sendeth Aid to the Relief of Basta Moises raiseth his Siege The Bassa of Temeswar calleth home his Turks out of Transilvania for the repressing of the Haiducks Claudinople besieged by Moises Claudinople yielded to Moises Moises sendeth for his Wife and Family to Temeswar The Janizaries of Temeswar refuse to deliver Moises's Wife and Family The Valachians by Moises put to flight Moises with his Army by the Valachians overthrown and himself slain Moises's Head upon a Lance set up at Carolstad New Rebels in Transilvania discomfited An honourable Present by the L. Basta sent unto the Emperour County Solmes surprising Wiscenbourg is himself taken Prisoner A great Army of the Christians The Turks Army of 100000 men in Field The shameful â—light of certain of the Garrison Souldiers of Pesth unto the Turks at Buda Pesth victualled The Suburbs of Alba-Regalis by the Christians sacked and burnt Anoâ—her Convoy of Victuals by Land put into Pesth The Castle of Adom upon a vain fear forsaken by the Haiducks who had the keeping thereof Sultan Mahomet among his greatest Pleasures perplexed Mahomet in vain seeketh to makePeace with the Rebels in Asia Mahomet seeing his Offers rejected by the Rebels of Asia covertly seeketh for Peace with the Christians The Letters of Achmet Bassa to Collonitz concerning a Treaty of Peace to be had The Emperour advertised of the Turks motion for Peace giveth order to Collonitz for the entertaining thereof The Turks unreasonable demands break off all the Treaty of Peace A notable Enterprise of Collonitz upon the Avaunt-guard of the Turks Army Collonitz in good time relieved by the Haiducks The Turks Affairs and Designs made known unto the Christians by Saxar Beg by them taken Prisoner The Negligence of certain Christian Souldiers forgetful of divers Duties The great and brave Indeavour of Collonitz to have obtained the Victory over the Turks A great and rich Booty lost through the negligence of the Christians The Lord Russworm General of the Christian Army by his Espials certainly informed of the estate of the Turks Army The Turks overthrown by the Garrison of Strigonium The Turks defeated by Collonel Sultze The General of the Christian Army providently fortifieth upon the River of Danubius The Turks assailing one of the Forts of the Christians with loss repulsed The Turks made a Bridge over the River of Danubius A great Ambush laid for the intercepting of the Turks The Turks falling into the Ambuâ—h laid for them by the Christians receive a notable overthrow Sultan Mahomet much troubled in his Affairs The doings of the Rebels in Asia The great City of Tauris besieged and taken by the Persian King. Sultan Mahomet perplexed with the evil Success of his Affairs falleth to his superstitious Devotions A great fight of a Flemish Ship with the Gallies of Amurat Rais. The Turks in a Skirmish by the Christians overthrown Eghty Italian Renegades hanged The Turks Army greatly diminished and discouraged The Christians with their Army follow the Turks The Christians resolve to give the Turks Battel The Turks seek to draw the Christians into the danger of their Ambush A Conflict betwixt the Turks and the Christians The Turks refuse to come to a general Battel with the Christians Erasbles what manner of Souldiers they are among the Turks Collonitz in governing about to surprise the Turks with loss repulsed and himself indangered The Bridge of Lamascin taken and broken by the Governour of Stiria The Christians offer the Turks Battel The Turks â—â—â—use to â—â—â—ept of 〈…〉 them 〈…〉 The great Bassa having victualled Buda secretly by Night riseth with his Army and retireth out of Hungary The Christians after the departure of the Turks resolve to besiege Hatwan Hatwan taken and dismantled by Maxamilian the Arch-duke in the year 1594. Hatwan again fortified by the Turks Hatwan besieged by the Christians Grasold General of the Italians slain The Turks in Hatwan crave Parley Hatwan yielded unto the Christians The Lord Russworm breaks up his Army and sendeth the Ensigns gained from the Turks for a present to the Archduke Matthias Insolent Souldiers justly punished The Souldiers of the Regiment of the Reingrave evil billited by Extremities driven to provide for themselves The Peasants of Austria seek by force to stay the Passage of the Souldiers of the Reingraves Regiment into their Country The Churles of Austria overthrown Divers happy Conflicts of the Christians with the Turks and Tartars Beged Bassa thinking to have surprised the Lord Basta is himself by him surprised and overthrown Bethlin Habor chosen chiâ—f of the Rebels in Transilvania Basta's scornful Answer to the Messenger of Bethlin Basta sendâ—â—h for new Supplies unto the Emperour for the keeping of Transilvania Zellaly cometh into Bosna By Policy overthroweth Zeffer Bassa the Governour and possesseth it himself Sultan Mahomet sendeth for Zellaly to come unto him to Constantinople Zellaly refuseth to come to Constantinople at the great Sultan's sending for Commissioners appointed to confer upon a Peace to be made betwixt the Christians and the Turks The Causes which moved the Turks to encline to Peace The Bassa of Buda faileth to meet the Christian Commissioners according to his Promise An evil Presage of the future Peace The Christian Commissioners courteously entertained at Buda A Truce for twelve days agreed upon betwixt the Turks and the Christians Presents by the Turks given to the Christian Commissioners The true and just Commendation of the Lord Nadasti The Death of the Lord Nadasâ—i The Turks overthrown by the Vayvod of Valachia The small time of Truce yieldeth great contentment both unto the Christians and Turks in Hungary The Death of the Great Sultan Mahomet Mahomet why he was not regarded of his men of War Mahomet's Issue Mahomet how he lieth buried at Constantinople The Turks bury not in their Churches neither within the Walls of theirCities but in the Fields Achmat by excessive bounty procureth the favour of his great Courtiers and men of War. Achmat Crowned Emperour of the Turks at Constantinople Achmat removeth his Grandmother from dealing with matters ofState 1604 The Turks diversly conceited of their new Emperour The Treaty for Peace in Hungary continued The Turks honourably feasted by the Christianâ— near Pesth The Turks by Treachery seek
in the hearts of his People who now neâ—â—ed no farther Miracles to confirm them in theâ—r Faith. And thus was Sabatai exalted when no man was thought worthy of communication who did not believe him for the Messiah others were called Kophrim Infidels or Hereticks subjected to the Censure of Excommunâ—cation with whom it was not lawful so much as to eat Every man produced his Treasure his Gold and Jewels offering them at the feet of Sabaâ—ai so that he could have commanded all the Wealth of Smyâ—na but he was too subtle to accept their money lest he should render his design â—â—spected by any acts of covetouâ—ness Sabatai Sâ—vi having thus fully fixed himself in Smyrna and filled other places with the rumours of him declâ—red that he was called by God to visâ—â— Canstantinople where the greatest part of his work was to be accomplished in order whereunto he privately shipped himself with some few Attendants on a Turkish Saike in the month of Ianuary 1665 lest the crowd of his Disciples and such who would pâ—ess to follow him should endâ—â—â—â—r him in the eyes of the Turks who already began to be scandâ—lâ—zed at the Reports and Prophecies concerning his Person But though Sabatai took few into the Vessel wâ—th him yet multitudes oâ— Jews travelled over land to meet him again at Constantinople on whom all their Eyes and expectations were intent The Wind proving Northerly as commonly it is in the Hâ—llâ—spont and Prâ—pâ—ntiâ— Sabatai was thirty nine days in his Voyage and yet the Vessel not arrived So little power had this Messiah over the Sea and Winds â—n which time the News fore-running to Constantinople that the Jews Messiah was near all that people prepared to receive him with the same jâ—y and impatience as was expressed in other parts where he arrived The â—reat Vâ—zier then also at Constantinople being not â—et departed on his expedition for Candia having heard some rumours of this Man and the disorder and madness he had raised amongst the Jews sent two Boats whilst the Saik was detained â—y contrary Winds with Commands to bring him up Prisoner to the Port where accordingly Sabatai being come was committed to the most loathsome and darkest Dungeon in the Town there to remain in farther expectation of the Vizâ—ers Sentence The Jews were not at all discouraged at this ill Treatment of their Prophet but rather confirmed in their belief of him as being an accomplishment of the Prophecy of those things which ought to precede his Glory and Dominion which Consideration induced the Chieâ—est Persons amongst the Jews to make their Visits and Addresses to him with the same Ceremony and Respect in the Dungeon as they would have done had he then sate exalted on the sublime Throne of Iudah Several of them with one Anacago by name a Man of great esteem amongst the Jews attended a whole day before him with their Eyes cast down their Bodies bending forward and hands cross'd before them which are postures of humâ—lity and service in the Eastern Parts the undecency of the place and preâ—ent subjection not having in the leaâ—t abated their high thoughts and reverence towards hâ—s perâ—on For the Iews in Constantinople were become as mad and distracted as they were in other places all Trade and Traffick forbidden and those who owed Money in no manner careful how to satisfie it amongst which wild Crew some were indebted to our Merchants at Galata who not knowing the way to receive their Money partly for their interest and partly for curiosity thought fit to visit this Sabatai complaining That such particular Iews upon his Coming took upon them the boldness to defraud them of their right and desired he would be pleased to signifie to those his Subjects his pleasure to have satisfaction given Whereupon Sabatai with much affectation took Pen and Paper and wrote to this effect To you of the Nation of the Jews who expect the appearance of the Messiah and the Salvation of Israel Peace without end Whereas we are informed That you are indebted to several of the English Nation It seemeth right to us to enorder you to make satisfaction to these your just Debts which if you refuse to do and not obey us herein know you that then you are not to enter with us into our Ioys and Dominions In this manner Sabatai Sevi remained a Prisoner at Constantinople for the space of two Months at the end of which the Vizâ—er having designed his expedition for Candia and considering the rumour and disturbance the Presence of Sabatai had made already at Constantinople thought it not secure to suffer him to remain in the Imperial City whilst both the Grand Signior and himself were absent and therefore changed his Prison to the Dardanelli otherwise called the Castle of Abydos being on the Europe side of the Hellespont opposite to Sestos places famous in Greek Poetry This removal of Sabatai from a worse Prison to one oâ— a better Air confirmed the Iews with greater confidence of his being the Messiah supposing that had it been in the power of the Vâ—zâ—er or other Officers of the Turks to have destroyed his Perâ—on they would never have permitted him to live unâ—o that time in regard their Maximes enforce them to quit all jealousies and suspicions of ruine to their State by the death of the Party feared which much rather they ought to execute on Sabatai who had not only declared himself the King of Israel but also by Prophecies published fatal things to the Grand Signior and his Kingdoms With this Consideration and others preceding the Iews flocked in great numbers to the Castle where he was imprisoned not only from the Neighbouring parts but also from Poland Germany Ligorn Venice Amsterdam and other places where the Iews reside on all whom as a reward of the expence and labours of their Pilgrimage Sabatai bestowed plenty of his Benedictions promising encrease of their Store and enlargement of possessions in the Holy Land. So great was the confluence of the Iews to this place that the Turks thought it requisite to make their advantage thereof and so not only raised the price of their Provisions Lodgings and other necessaries but also denied to admit any to the presence of Sabatai unless for Money setting the price sometimes at Five sometimes at ten Dollars or more or less according as they guessed at the abilities and zeal of the Person by which gain and advantage to the Turks no Complaints or Advices were carried to Adrianople either of the Concourse or Arguments amongst the Iews in that place but rather all Civilities and Liberties indulged unto them which served as a farther Argument to ensnare this poor People in the belief of their Messiah During this time of Confinement Sabatai had leisure to compose and institute a New Method of Worship for the Iews and principally the manner of the Celebraâ—ion of the Day of his Nativity which he prescribed in this manner BRethren and my People Men of my
Religion inhabiting the City of Smyrna the Renowned where live Men and Women and Families much Peace be unto You from the Lord of Peace and from Me his beloved Son King Solomon I command you That the Ninth of the Month of Ab which according to our account answered that Year to the Month of Iune next to come you make a Day of Invitation and of great Ioy celebrating it with choice Meats and pleasing Drinks with many Candles and Lamps with Musick and Songs because it is the day of the Birth of Sabatai Sevi the High King above all the Kings of the Earth And as to matters of labour and other things of like nature do as becomes you upon a day of Festival adâ—rned with your finest Garments As to your Prayers let the same Order be used as upon Festivals To converse with Christians on that day is unlawful though your Discourse be of matters indifferent all labour is forbidden but to sound Instruments is lawful This shall be the method of your Prayers on this day of Festival After you have said Blessed be thou O Holy God then proceed and say Thou hast chosen us before all People and hast loved us and hast been delighted with us and hast humbled us more than all other Nations and hast sanctified us with thy Precepts and hast brought us near to thy Service and the Service of our King. Thy Holy Great and Terrible Name thou hast published amongst us And hast given us O Lord God according to thy love times of Ioy of Festivals and times of Mirth and this Day of Consolation for a solemn Convocation of Holiness for the Birth of our King the Messiah Sabatai Sevi thy Servant and first-born Son in love through whom we commemorate our coming out of Egypt And then you shall read for your Lesson the first second and third Chapters of Deuteronomy to the Seventeenth Veâ—se appointing for the reading thereof Five men in a perfect and uncorrupted Bible adding thereunto the Blessings of the Morning as are prescribed for Days of Festivals And for the Lesson out of the Prophets usually read in the Synâ—gâ—gue every Sabbath you shall repeat the Thirty â—irst Chapter of Jeremiah to your Prayer called the Mussaf used in the Synagogue every Sabbath and solemn Festival Instead of the Sacrifice of Addition at the returning of the Bible to its place you shall read with an audible Voice and clear Sound and with hâ—ly Harmony tâ—e Ninty fifth Psalm And at the first Praises in the Morning after you have sung Psalm Ninty one and just before you sing Psalm Ninety eight you shall repeat Psalm One hundred thirty two but in the last Verse where it is said As for his enemies I shall clothe them with shame but upon himself shall his Crown flourish in the place of upon himself you shall read Vpon the Mâ—st High after which shall follow the One hundred twenty sixth Psalm and then the One hundred and thirteenth to the One hundred and Nineteenth At the Consecration of the Wine upon the Vigil or Even you shall make mention of the Feast of Consolation which is the Day of the Birth of our King the Messiah Sabatai Sevi thy Servant and first-bâ—rn Son giving the Blessing as followeth Blessed be thou our God King of the World who hast made us to live and hast maintained us and hast kept us alive unto this time Vpon the Eve of this Day you shall also read the Eighty one Psalm as also the One hundred thirty two and One hundred twenty sixth Psalms which are appointed for the Morning Praises And this Day shall be unto you for a remembranee of a solemn Day unto eternal Ages and a perpetual Testimony between me and the Sons of Israel Audite audiendo manducate bonum Besides which Order and Method of Liturgy for Solemnization of his Birth he prescribed other Rules for Divine Service and particularly published the same Indulgence and priviledge to every one who should pray at the Tomb of his Mother as if he had taken on him a Pilgrimage to pray and sacrifice at Ierusalem The Devotion of the Iews towards this pretended Messiah encreased still more and more so that not only the chief of the City went to attend and proffer their service towards him in the time of his Imprisonment but likewise decked their Synagogue with S. S. in Letters of Gold making for him on the Wall a Crown in the Circle of which was wrote the Ninety one Psalm at length in a fair and legible Character attributing the same Titles to Sabatai and expounding the Scriptures in the same manner in favour of his appearance as we do of our Saviour Howsoever some of the Iews remained in their Wits all this time amongst which was a certain Cocham at Smyrna one zealous of his Law and of the good and safety of his Nation and observing in what a wild manner the whole People of the Iews was transported with the groundless belief of a Messiah leaving not only their Trades and course of Living but publishing Prophecies of a speedy Kingdom of rescue from the tyranny of the Turk and leading the Grand Signior himself captive in Chains matters so dangerous and obnoxious to the State wherein they lived as might justly convict them of Treason and Rebellion and leave them to the mercy of that Justice which on the least jealousie and suspicion of matters of this nature uses to extirpate Families and subvert the Mansion houses of their own People much rather of the Iews on whom the Turks would gladly take this occasion to despoil them of their Estates and condemn the whole Nation to perpetual Slavery And indeed it would have been a greater wonder than ever Sabatai shewed that the Turks took not advantage from all these extravagancâ—es to drain the Iews of a considerable Sum of Money and set their whole Race in Turky at a Ransome had not these passages yielded them matter of pastime and been the subject of the Turks laughter and scorn supposing it a disparagement to the greatness of the Oâ—toman Empire to be concerned for the rumours and combustions of thâ—s despised People With these Considerations this Cocham that he might clear himself of the blood and guilt of his Countrymen and unconcerned in the common destruction went before the Kaddee and there protested against the present Doctrine declaring That he had no hand in setting up of Sabatai but was an enemy both to him and his whole Sect. This freedom of the Cocham so enraged and scandalized the Iews that they judged no Condemnation or Punishment too severe against such an Offender and Blasphemer of their Law and Holiness of the Messiah and therefore with Money and presents to the Kaddee accusing him as disobedient in a Capital nature to their Government obtained sentence against him to shave his Beard and commit him to the Gallies There wanted nothing now to the appearance of the Messiah and the Solemnity of his Coming