Citizens opened their Gates to the Turks whom they were no wayes able to resist yet notwithstanding at the Commandment of Solyman the City was sacked the Kings Palace and other stately Buildings levelled with the Ground and a great number of the Citizens lead into miserable Captivity and thinking himself sufficiently revenged he resolved to return with his Army into Mesopotamia but having notice that the Persian was following even at his heels he divided his Forces leaving the Bassas of Cair and Syria with Vlemus the Fugitive Persian with Eighteen Thousand to follow in the rere of his Army to repel the assaults of the Fore-runners of Tamas's Army he marched with the rest by speedy Journeys to Amida now called Caraemida In the mean while Tamas coming to Tauris with his Army being the flowr of Parthia Media Iberia and Armenia and beholding what desolation the Turks had made in that famous City was so inraged thereat that he would have pursued them with all his Army to revenge the injury at the hazard of a Battle but being perswaded they were gone too far to be overtaken and the Gentlemen of which his Army chiefly consisted seemed altogether unwilling to undertake so tedious a march he was content to stay at Tauris and send Delimeuthes a Noble Man of Persia who freely offered himself to undertake it with Five Thousand swift Horse to follow them and as he saw his advantage to cut off the Enemies rear the which he so speedily performed that surprizing the Eighteen Thousand under the Command of the two Bassas and Vlemas as they lay securely near the Castle of Belthis that being assisted with the Garrison Soldiers he put them almost all to the Sword the Bassas and Vlemas hardly escaping upon their swift Horse to tell the news for which service he was highly rewarded by Tamas These reiterated losses greatly perplexed Solyman so that calling to mind the presages his Mother had made of his evil success in that expedition of that he was wholly lead thereto by the Council Ibrahim Bassa he therefore conceived such a displeasure against him as ended in his destruction for upon his Arrival to Constantinople he gave such countenance to those that brought complaints against which before they durst not do that at the earnest Request of Roxoâ—anaâ— whose Son Bajazet the Bassa hindred from aspiring to 〈◊〉 Empire and rather favouring Mustapha Solymâ—◠〈…〉 another Woman that he consented to his 〈◊〉 made away and by reason he had sworn never to injure his person whilst he lived he caused for the saving of his Oath an Eunuch to cut his Throat whilst he slept which Jesuitical Evasion he learned of the Musti or Chief Mahometan Priest who being consulted on the matter gave his opinion that Men only are alive when they Move Act and Enjoy their perfect Sences and that sleep depriving them of their reasonable Faculties rendered them as dead Men. Some there are that report the fall of this great Man who whilst he stood high in his Masters favour in effect ruled the Turkish Empire to be caused by his too much favouring the Christians who having in his younger years been brought up in that profession still continued a Christian in his heart and that to spare the shedding of Christian Blood as much as in him lay He turned the Emperors Forces against the Infidels yet however it happened his Body with a great weight fixed to it was cast into the Sea and all his Wealth which was inestimable except a small portion alotted for the maintenance of his Wife and Children was seized to the behoof of Solyman Tunes as aforesaid being taken by Barbarussa and all the other Cities obliged to submit to the Turkish obedience Charles the Emperor who was likewise King of Spain not liking so potent a Neighbour leavyed great Forces solicited thereto by Muleasses the Exil'd King and in revenge of the Injuries sustained by Barbarussa resolved to drive him out of that part of Africk when appointing Alphonsus D'valus Vastius General of the Footmen he with Seven Hundred Sail of great and small Ships and Galleys stood with the African Coast when dubling the Promontory of Carthage came to an Anchor before a Castle which by reason of a great Well beneath is it called by the name of Aquaria or the Water Castle whose unexpected arrival so terrified Barbarussa dreaming of nothing less that he was about to have fled with all his Turks but then fearing to fall into Solymans displeasure which to do he knew was certain death upon second thoughts though he resolved to make all the defence he was able against so powerful an Army as the Emperor lead after him and thereby get him the name of a valiant Soldier though he despaired with the Forces he had to keep either the Cities or Castles whereupon he did what he could to incourage his men with many vain-glorious-speeches and into the strong Castle of Guletta standing upon the bottom of the Bay of Carthage upon a point of Land incompassed almost round with the Sea and the great Lake he thrust his most resolute Captains and Janizaries himself remaining in Tunis to expect supplyes out of Numidia at what time the Emperor having with his great and small shot obliged those that guarded the shoar to retire He landed his men and intrenched them every Nation by themselves during which they had â—equent skirmishes with the Numidian Horsemen nor were they less molested by the Garrison who sallyed as often as they saw their advantage when one dayes sallying under the Command of Salaciaâ— Arch-Pirate they came up to the Mount near the Castle commanded by Count Serney a man famous both for the Honour of his House and great Exploits in War who not using to be so braved descended with the Italians under his Command to drive them back by force but the Enemy being far superiour in number and the Spaniards who were intrenched next him looking on and not coming out to succour him he there fighting valiantly was slain but the Spaniards though they secretly rejoyced at the overthrow of the Count who had so often eclipsed their Glory fared not better for the next day Tobacches another of the Turks Captains sallying out charged them in their Trenches killing many of them and taking what they found therein These Losses made the General sharply reprove the Captains of their neglect of duty in watching to prevent the dangerous attempts of so politique an Enemy which so wrought with the Captains and Soldiers that to regain their credit they vowed to shun no danger nor were they inferiour to their promise for Giaffer Captain of the Janizaries sallying out against the Spaniards was himself slain together with most of his Men whom the Christians pursued even to the Gate of the Castle and had entered with those that fled had not those that were entered shut out a great number of their Fellows to prevent it who were all slain or taken Prisoners after which the
King of Poland upon the breaking off of the Match between their Queen and the King of Poland Amurath resolved upon the Conquest of that Kingdom invaded Hungary laying close Siege to Belgrade often in vain assaulting it and now the Queen of Hungary being Dead leaving Ladislans a Child in the Cradle to succeed her who not able to take any Measures about opposing the Turk and the Kingdom in likely hood to be overrun the Nobility concluded to Elect Vldislaus King of Poland a man of great Fame and no less courage their King which done Ambassadors were sent to Amurath still lying at the Siege of Belgrade but they were nothing more able to prevail as to his raising the Siege nor procuring a peace till such time as in divers assaults half his Army were lost overwhelmed with Wild-Fire and strangled in the mines nor then tho he raised the Siege would his haughty mind condescend to a Peace in his return hegreatly troubled the Countries of Servia and Bosan causing the Princes in lien of saving them from the Spoil to pay a yearly tribute of 25000 Ducats Vldislaus being setled in his new Kingdom and having frequently intelligence of the incursions of the Turks into Transylvania the better to resist them on that side Created John Hunides Vayvod or his Vicegerent in that Country who putting all things in order gathered such an Army as he might and upon news that Isa the great Bassa and one of Amuraths most Renowned Captains was returned with a great power and spoiled the Country he went against him incouraging his Soldiers to Fight Couragiously for their Lives Country Wives and Children and then setting upon the proud Bassa after a hard foughten Battle put him to Flight with the loss of 20000 of his men This Victory nothing daunted Amurath but pushed him forward more eagerly to revenge the disgrace whereupon early in the Spring he sent Melites Bassa his Viceroy in Asia with a great Army who spoiling the Country took a great Booty and many Prisoners but in his return being pursued by Huniades he overthrew him Slew the Bassa his Son By that means recovering all the Prisoners and Riches together with the Turkish Camp and many Turkish Prisoners of note which caused the Hungarians and Transilvanians greatly to rejoyce part of the Spoiles with the Head of the Bassa and his Son he sent to King Vldislaus the other part he converted to religious uses and what remained freely bestowed it amongst his Soldiers not reserving any part to himself Upon Bruit of this Victory and the Fame of the Valiant Huniades Moldavia and Valachia before Tributary to the Turks revolted which so inraged Amurath that he sent yet another great Army to reduce them to their former obedience which with great pride under the leading of Schech Abedin Bassa consisting of 80000 Fighting men amongst which were a great number of Janizaries came on wasting the Country with Fire and Sword as they passed to oppose which the great Huniades marched with 15000 Hungarians and Transilvanians and finding them still Plundering near Vascape bid them Battle where after both Armies were put in order and both Generals by moving-Oration had incited their Souldiers to Fight to the utmost Extremity a dreadful Fight began where after six Hours dealing Death on every side the Turkish Army broken and disordered by the Christians were put to Flight with the loss of 30000 Horse and Foot And their rich Camp which became an acceptable Prey to the Souldiers The many Victories gained by Humiades over the Turks made Amurath more inclinable to peace then before yet in his pride he demanded in consideration thereof the delivery of Bellgrade and many other places in Servia upon which King Vldislaus called an Assembly of the Estates of his Kingdom where after many had given their opinions it was resolved that the Pious War should be carryed on with all Vigor Imgainable and that the Christians following their good Fortune should invade the Turkish Countries whereupon a great Army was raised and passing the Danubius lead by the King and Humiades they wasted all the Kingdom of Bulgaria and having intelligence that the Turks were with a great Army coming down against them Humiades drawing out 10000 of the most expert Horsemen having notice where they lay incamped in the Night Broke in amongst them and put 'um almost all the Sword returning the next Day with great Spoil where the King lay incamped where he was received with great Joy This easie Victory wherein there fell 30000 Turks and not past 300 of the Christians so lightned the Souldiers that they desired nothing more then to be lead forward but coming to the great Mountain Hemus and finding all the passages stopped and being greatly afflicted with Hungar and Cold their Courages began to abate and they to conceive a desire of returning home the which whilst they were about to do the Turks under the leading of Caramby Bassa Amuraths Brother in Law came down from the Mountains and fell furiously upon the Rear of the Army commanded by Humiades and the Despot of Servia the King with the Van being a Days march before but after a sharp Incounter were overthrown and the Great Bassaw taken by a common Souldier who being demanded of Humiades what he would have for his Prisoner he asked only 10 Ducats yet Humiades ordered him 400 and the same Night sold him again to the Despot for 40000 Ducats In this Battle but as some say in that Fought near Moravia the famous Scanderbeg found means to fly the Turkish Servitude and leading Amurath's Secretary with him commanded him in the Name of Amurath to Write to the Governour of Croia to deliver him the City that being the Metropolis of Epirus the which when he had done he slew him and as many Turks as were with him to prevent its coming to the knowledge of Amurath before he had accomplished his design And thereupon with several of his trusty Friends Posting away had the City as he wished for put into his possession whither he sent for Prince Amaza his Kinsman and many other of his acquaintance informing them what he intended viz. that he resolved to recover his Rightful inheritance and deliver his Subjects from the Tyranny of the Turks which made them not a little rejoyce and greatly incourage him to proceed in so honourable an undertaking Things being at this pass and the design known great was the resort of the Epirots to their Lawful Prince who for the delivery of his Country from Servitude had set up his Standard Such Cities as conveniently could daily revolting to him as Petrella Petra Alba and Stelusa other he reduced by force and having possession of the greatest part of Epirus he raised what forces he could and the more to provoke the Turk passed into Macedonia spoiling the Country before him and putting the Turks to the Sword Amurath hearing this unexpected news sent 40000 select Souldiers under the leading of Alis
which a fierce fight was begun and Atadeules fighting Courragiously at the head of his men forced the Turkish Horsemen to give ground which Selymus perceiving and that his Army was sorely Annoy'd by the Archers from the Mountains drawing out 2000 Harquibusiers out of his own Squadorn he sent them to reinforce his Horse and at the same time commanded the Janizaries to Mount the Hills which they doing charged the Foot with such Fury that they being sore distressed with the Harquibus shot not being used to such engins scattered and fled so that a great number of them were killed e're they could clamber up the steep Mountains and the Horse at that time being discomfited fled by well known ways into the fastnesses of the steep Rocks after whom Selymus followed burning all before him but finding he could not overtake the King who retiring before him had fortified himself amongst the Impregnible Rocks and there stored up much provision in hopes to weary the Turks with tedious delay Selymus having perfect notice of all that had passed by several Prisoners that he had taken thought it more fit to prevent his falling into necessity in so barren a Country to use Stratagems where force could not prevail whereupon understanding that there was no good meaning between Aladeules and Alis Beg his General by reason that the King had formerly commanded his Father to be slain upon suspicion he designed to seize his Kingdom he releasing the Prisoners sent them to Alis Beg with great rewards to incite him to deliver Aladeules into his hands and that in Lieu thereof he of his bounty would give him the Kingdom which so wrought with the treacherous General that not finding means to kill the King as he had purposed he caused all his Army to revolt to Sinan Bassa whom Selymus had sent to pursue him so that being left alone flying through many desolate places at length hid himself in a Cave where being discovered by a Country Peasant he betrayed him into the Hands of those that sought after him who presenting him to Selymus he caused his Head to be stricken off and carried all over Asia the less in manner of Triumph and afterward sent it to the Senate of Venice in token of his Victory Selymus having subdued the Kingdom of Aladeules as aforesaid and reduced it into the form of a Province making the Traitor chief Governour thereof returned to Constantinople having at the same time he was Waring against Aladeules by his Bassas invaded Hungaria and now having notice from his Correspondents in Christendom that Maximillian the Emperor Vladislaus King of Hungaria Sigismond King of Poland together with the Princes of Germany were entering into a League against him it caused him to make great Preparations for the defence of his Territories but in the end those Princes seperated without doing any thing worthy of their meeting So that being freed from that Fear he left a strong Guard upon the Fronteers of his Empire bordering upon Hungaria and departed to Iconium in Order to prosecute his War against the Persian but during his stay at that City he had certain notice that Campson Gaurus Sultan of Egypt with a great Army levied in Egypt and Judea was coming to Aid the Persian King his Confederate as hating Selymus for his Cruelty towards his Father Brethren and Nephews as likewise being jealous of his aspiring Greatness this News was Confirmed on all Hands Selymus greatly feared that if he should pass over the River Euphrates the Sultan might enter Asia and spoil his Dominions wherefore he thought it safe if possible to make him his Friend in order to which he sent the Cadelescher or great Doctor of the Mahomitan Law A man much reverenced amongst the Turks and Jachis one of his great Captains as his Ambassadors to desire the renewing the League sometime made between the Sultan and his Father Bajazet but the Sultan moved by the pittious Complaints of the Princes Aladine Son to Mahomet and the Son of Aladeules who as exiled Princes remained in his Court and incouraged by his great Captains to restore them to their rightful Possessions would have no Peace unless Selymus would leave off to invade the Persian and restore the Mountainous Kingdom to the young Aladeules which upon the Report thereof so inraged Sebymus that he resolved to lay aside his intended War against Hysmale and turn all his Forces upon the Sultan and therefore with words of incouragement having animated his Soldiers he passed with his Army over the Mountains in three places and so appointing a great Company of the Common Soldiers and Country people for the opening of the straight Passages he Commanded the rough and uneven ways to be made smooth and plain so that in five Days all his Ordnance and Carriages were come into the Plains of Comagena where he received News of Campson's Army from Alis Beg Governour of the Mountain Kingom which caused him to march towards him with all speed By this time Campson having notice of the approach whom he could not at first believe to have passed the huge Mountain of Amanus stood long in doubt what was best to be done whether to give the Tyrant Battle or to retire to Damasco and protract the War whilst fresh Forces could come to his Assistance In the latter Opinion Gazelles his great Counsellor and Governour of Apamia Concurred with him labouring earnestly to confirm him in that Opinion but Destiny so ordering it he refused the good and wholsome Perswasions of Gazelles and imbraced that of Cayerbeius which was presently to give the Turks Battle which Council he gave though he knew it to be Destructive that by such means he might be revenged on the Sultan who some years before had caused his Brother to be poisoned for designing to deprive him of his Empire Battle being resolved on and the Turks Army coming on Campson divided his Army into four Battles the first whereof he committed to Cayerbeius the Traitor the second to Sybeius the Governour of Damasco a man of singular Faith and Valour these two were appointed at once to Charge both Wings of the Turkish Army the third was lead by Gazelles and the last by Campson himself who stayed with it for the defence of the Camp Nor was Selymus Idle for he had placed the Asian Horsemen in the right Wing and the European in the left and in the middle the Janizaries and Artillery before whom between the two Wings he had placed his Pentioners all most expert and valiant Soldiers and in this Order the Turks always fight if the Ground will admit so to Marshall the Army Both Armies being thus set in Order the Charge was sounded whereupon Cayerbeius with his Squadron Charged the European Horsemen with great Fury but resolving to betray his trust by and by Wheeling off fell upon the Sullians and such other Slaves as kept the Baggage making some small slaughter that as a Valiant and cunning Traitor he might
be but Ambition and thirst of Christian Blood that drew this Bloody Monster with his numerous Host from such remote Countries Therefore I say rather let us dye like Men fighting it out to the last Drop of Blood then yield our selves to these Barbarous Infidels who know not how to shew Mercy whose Leagues Vows and Solemn Protestations are all but Wind kept no longer then they prove Advantagious to themselves I for my part have fixed my unalterable Resolution to defend this Place to the last Gasp resolving not to survive its loss This Oration spoken with great Earnestness plainly Demonstrating the Zeal of a brave General was seconded with loud shouts every one promising to Live and Dye with him in the defence of the City Whereupon it was resolved that the next Morning a Sally should be made upon the Enemies to give them a Taste of Christian Valour and how little they valued their Lives fighting in so good a Cause whereupon every one being dismissed went to his Quarters to give necessary Orders and take a View how the Turks lay incamped whose multitude covered all the Hills and Plains before the City The Watch being set the General went round the City attended by several Officers Carefully to survey each Quarter and to see that none neglected his Duty so that all things being in good Order about Midnight six Reigments drew up with a Resolution to fall upon the Enemies Camp but whilst Orders were in giving in what manner they should make their approach a Christian Captive having made his escape from the Turks came running almost breathless and begged to be received into the City Whereupon the Soldiers drew him up with a Pike who being questioned about the state of the Turkish Camp declared that every night since they came forty thousand men were driven up in Battalia to Guard the Camp which was not as yet well intrenched upon notice of which the General changed his Resolution as to the Sally During the preparation within Solyman was not idle having sworn to carry the City by force e're he departed if he could not have it otherwise but appointed to every man his station dividing his Army under Ibrahim the Great Bassa Michael Ogli and Becrambeius so that all things being in a readiness many salleys were made by the Christians with great slaughter of the Enemies though the Asapi and Janizaries from their Trenches poured showers of Arrows into the City for as yet the Turks great Artillery were not come up the Danubius but were dayly expected of which Wolfgangus Hoder a Valiant Captain understanding by several Turkish Prisoners sailed out of the Bay of Possonium and meeting with the Turks Galleys sunk those in which the Ordinance were taking a great Booty of which Solyman having notice was greatly inraged and finding that his small pieces did little other damage than beat down the battlements and over-jets made of wood in stead of Flankers he caused the Miners to be set to the Wall but this their chief hope which with wonderful labour attempted in thirteen places at once was not so secretly done but that it was by Drums layed upon the Ground Basons filled with Water and deep sounds perceived by the defendants who with Countermines not only defeated many of them but destroyed in them by Wild-fire and other Combustible matter Eight Thousand Turks when to prevent such discovery Solyman commanded continual Alarums should be given that so the Christians being imployed in defending the Walls might not regard the Miners which succeeded so to his wish that a great part of the Wall near the Gate that leadeth towards Carinthia was thrown down by the springing of a Mine at which the Turks in great numbers indeavouring to enter were miserably cut off with the Murthering shot bent against the breach for the purpose which no sooner ceased but they were furiously charged by the Germans and in despite of all resistance beaten back with incredible slaughter Not long after the Wall being blown up in two other places they again attempted to enter but were repulsed as before leaving heaps of slain in the Breaches and Ditch nor was their third Assault any more successful so that after three hours withstanding the fury of the resolute Defendants they retired to the Camp Ten Thousand less than they came A while after the Lord Regendorfe perceiving the Turks by parties scatter from their Camp came with a Company of German Horse set upon a Party of Five Thousand Three Hundred with such slaughter that not above One Hundred and Forty of them returned to tell the News Nor did other Commanders of the besieged less indamage the Enemies by frequent Salleys which so inraged the Tyrant that he animated to a fourth Assault promising them great rewards if they prevailed which so far prevailed with them that they resolved amongst themselves either to win the City or dye in the undertaking but when they felt the shot from the besieged like a tempest fall on them they were of a different opinion so that leaving many Thousands of the slain and wounded behind them they retire to the Camp which Solyman perceiving and fretting that his Honour had so much suffered by so great a loss of his Men and so many Repulses dissembled the matter as well as he could and that the Germans should not suppose he raised his siege because he despaired of winning it he caused several Prisoners to be richly cloathed and giving them store of Money sent them into the City to inform the Commanders that he came not to take the City of Vienna but to fight King Ferdinand and restore the Kingdom of Hungaria to King John therefore since he could not draw his Enemy into the Field to give him Battle he would remove thence to seek him wherefore they should do well to yield themselves the which if they would he promised not to enter into the City but to receive both the Citizens and Souldiers into his protection reserving unto 'um their Lives and Goods with perpetual freedom which offer coming to the knowledge of the Princes and great Captains of the Christians scornfully refused whereupon the Imperious Turk perceiving his desires not answered as he expected having caused all the Prisoners to be murthered in a great heat raised his siege and departed not staying till he came to Buda where having restored the Kingdom to John in consideration of his becoming his Tributary he returned to Constantinople yet plotting in his mind to disturb the Christians and revenge the disgrace he had received before at Vienna the next year viz 1530 he leavyed an Army greater than the former purposing with himself to over-run Austria Carinthia Styria and most part of the German Empire to effect which he allowed three years but was altogether deceived in his expectation for Charles the Emperor having ended his Wars in Italy was now at leisure to attend upon the Insolent Turk who calling together his Valiant Captains sent them into Spain
Bassa Vice-Admiral of the Turk upon his arrival landed 800 Horsemen and 1000 Foot who ranging up and down the Island did great harm by burning and destroying all before them till they came to the Suburbs of Corfu which they attempted to set on fire but were beaten off by the Garrison Souldiers who sallyed upon them with great fury killing a great number of them and amongst the rest Paphus Rays a man of great account causing the rest to betake themselves to flight who coming on board the Gally weighed Anchor and sailed to the Bay of Corinth otherwise called Lepanto having on board the Fleet 15000 Captive Christians taken in the Islands belonging to the Venetians The outrages of the Turks made the Christian Confederates hasten out their Fleet which met at Messina where the Admirals and other great Commanders called a Councel to consider what was best to be done in the management of the War against so powerful an Enemy not doubting the victory for why the Venetian Fleet consisted of 108 Gallies 6 Galliasses 2 great Ships and many small Galliots to whom were joyned 12 Gallies of the Popes Commanded by Columnius And with Don John General of Spain Base Son to Charles the 5th and Auria the Spanish Admiral came 81 Gallies of which three appertained to the Knights of Maita In this Fleet besides Mariners were reckoned to be 20000 Men an Army not onely most beautiful for shew as consisting of able Men but for the most part composed of old experienced Souldiers amongst whom were a great number of the Christian Nobility who came to serve against the Infidels of their own accord drawing after them a number of their Favorites whom they at their own charge maintained The chief of which were Alexander Farnesius Prince of Parma Franciscus Maria Prince of Vrbin and Paulus Jordanus Vrsinus of the Honourable Family of the Roman Vrsini All things being thus in a readiness the Venetian Admiral in the Counsel called to determine what was to be done vehemently pressed the General and the rest of the great Commanders instantly to give the Enemy Battle and was seconded by several others of Note as well Spaniards as Romans whereupon Commandement was given for putting the Fleet in order which by the three Admirals of Venice Rome and Spain being brought into the Ocean was martialed in this manner In the right wing which consisted of 53 Gallies was Auria the Spanish Admiral placed In the left wing Augustinus Barbadious with the like number of Gallies and in the middle Battle stood the General himself with 70 Gallies on the right hand of the General stood Columnius and on the left Venerius his Associates and thus with equal form the Fleet set forward as if they instantly had been to joyn the Enemy During this preparation of the Christians the Turks were not idle but calling a Council of the chief Commanders held a long debate whether they should give the Christians Battle or decline it but at length those that held it dangerous to give Battle being over-ballanced by those that were of the contrary opinion it was resolved that the whole Fleet should be put in order of Battle which at the command of Haly Bassa General of the Land Forces and Great Admiral of the Turkish Gallies coming out of the Bay of Corinth or Lepanto they were put into order of the Battle after this manner The middle Battle in number much like the Christians was conducted by Haly Bassa and Partau attended upon by Agan Master of the Turks Arsenal Mustapha Zelibi the Treasurer Achmat Bay with Mahomet his younger brother the sons of Haly Achmat Aga Governor of Teuthrania Assis Caiga Governour of Calipolis Caracoza Cassanes Son to Barbarossa Malamur Governour of Mytilene Dely Solyman Gider Captain of Chios Cassambeius Governour of the Rhodes Provi Aga Captain of Nauplium Giaper Zelibi President of Calabria Dordagnan Dondomeni with many others too tedious to recite The right wing was by the appointment of the Bassa's commanded by Mahomet Bey with 56 Gallies to whom were joyned many Captains of great Experience in Sea affairs The left wing was commanded by Vluzales Viceroy of Argiers an old experienced Pirate composed of 90 Gallies accompanyed with Cariolo and Araby his two sons attended on by a multitude of Pirates who entered into the War in hopes to get great spoil In the Rearward was placed Amurath Dragut with 30 Gallies and divers other small vessels Both Fleets being set in order of Battle about noon a fierce ingagement happened in the beginning of which God so ordering it the Wind turned about to the great advantage of the Christians driving the smoake of the great Ordnance and vollies of small shot in the face of the Infidels whereupon for a long time the fight continued with equal success victory inclining to neither side but after four hours space the Turkish Admiral being slain his Gally taken and about 40 others sunk and fired victory began to declare her self for the Christians Yet the desperate Turks as searing Selymus Anger if they should return vanquished fought desperately but true valour prevailing and all the chief Commanders except Vluzales slain or taken Prisoners and he resolving to reserve himself to his better fortune fled after 5 hours desperately fighting with between 30 and 40 Gallies into the Bay of Lepanto leaving the victory to the Christians who having pursued him as far as they thought convenient returned to take the spoil where it was a horrible spectacle to behold the Sea coloured with blood and covered with the bodies of the slain fragments of broken Ships and such weapons as were subject to float upon its surface The number of the Turks lost in this great overthrow could not be known by reason of the Multitude that were buryed in the Sea but Antonius Gnarnaerius writing the History of this war reported 32000 to have perished and amongst them these of Note viz. Haly Bassa General Mahomet Bey otherwise called Chiroche or Siroche Governour of Alexandria Cassanes the Son of Barbarossa together with his son Mulaune Governor of Mitylene Gider Governour of Chios Cassambaunes Governour of Rhodes Provi Aga Captain of Nauplium Mustapha Zelibi the great Treasurer Caracoza Viceroy of Argiers with many others The chief Prisoners taken in this Battle were Achmet and Mahomet sons to Haly Bassa and Nephews to Selymus who being afterwards sent as a Present to the Pope the Eldest died at Naples and Machmet Bey Governour of Euboea and of lesser note 3500 of the Enemies Gallies were taken 161 40 sunk in the fight and taken about 60 Galliots and other small vessels This notable Victory thus obtained Don John Venerius and Columna coming together friendly embraced each other and afterwards in a most Christian manner on their knees returned most hearty thanks to Almighty God for giving them so Great a Victory over the Enemies of his Name which pious example was seconded by all the Captains Mariners and souldiers of the Fleet
Turkish General to betray Emir Hamzes the Prince into his hands whose death so unfortunately happening caused great miseries to befall the Persian State Christendom having thus long been Exempted from the fury of the Turks who had their hands full of the Persian war now as it were destiny so ordering they having time to breath by reason of the divisions in Persia turned their restless Arms upon Hungaria which storm the Christians perceiving to hang black over their heads resolved to provide against it and therefore to show the Tyrant that they dreaded not his utmost indignation seized on the Castle of Coppan in Hungary not far from the Lake of Ballaton over which being hard frozen they passed undiscovered to requite which the Turks drawing five thousand horse out of several Garrisons entered the Christian Territories and destroying seventeen Villages returned laden with great spoils and many miserable Captives whereof George Count Serine Son to the renowned Count of that name slain at Ziget having knowledge raised such Forces as the time would give leave which exceeded not two thousand and laying the wayes by which the Turks must pass encountred them ere they could recover any strong hold and put most of them to the sword recovering all the booty and Captives amongst those that were made prisoners the Sanzack of Quinque Ecclesiae son to Haly Bass slain in the Battle of Lepanto the Bassa of Ziget Sanzack of Koppan and divers others Sinan Beg Sanzack of Mohaz endeavouring to escape and his horse sticking fast was shot through the head of the Turks horses were taken fifteen hundred and of the Turks five hundred besides three thousand slain This bad beginning so discouraged Amurath that in a rage he caused the Bassa of Buda to be strangled for that he had began the hostilities in Hungary and by that means violated the League between him and the Emperor at what time a great fire happened at Constantinople which consumed seven Temples twenty five great Inns and fifteen thousand houses with their warehouses and shops kindled as was supposed by the Janizaries a little before in a tumult for want of their pay due since their last Persian Expedition which was the rather believed for that it being their duty to endeavour the extinguishing any fire that should happen in the Imperial City They not only refused to put their hands thereto themselves but hindred such as attempted it These things hapning in Anno 1587 and 1588 the year following to prevent tumults which are usual where the souldiers are unimployed in the wars the new Bassa of Buda with Amuraths good liking having drawn to him a strong power invaded the upper Hungary but being encountered by Claudius Russel General of the Christians in those parts he received a great overthrow three thousand of his Turks being slain and drowned in the River Seago upon which the General pursuing his good fortune broke into the Turks Territories and took from them the Castles of Blavestine Gestes and several Forts in the upper Hungary upon which Sinan Bassa of Buda was called home and Ferat the late General against the Persians appointed Bassa in his stead Amurath having not a little been terrified with the great preparations of King Phillip of Spain in 1588 wherewith he invaded England and now understanding that he had received a fearfull overthrow with the loss of thirteen thousand of his Marriners and Souldiers and most of his ships and Gallies he sent a Letter to Queen Elizabeth to congratulate her happy victory and to intreat her not upon any terms to make peace with the Spaniard in which Letter he stiles her the most honourable Matron of the Christian Religion Mirror of Chastity adorned with the brightness of Soveraingty and power amongst the most chief women of the people which serve Jesus Mistris of great Kingdoms reputed of Greatest Majesty and Praise amongst the Nazarites Elizabeth Queen of England Anno 1590 the Tartars having broken into the confines of Polonia and taken a rich booty were driven out by the Cossacks who making of them great slaughter recovered all which Amurath taking in evil part as done to his confederates but indeed seeking occasion to war upon the Christians that had not the Queen of Englands mediation prevented it he had turned his Arms upon Polonia yet impatient of Peace he called his Bassas to consult what war was most expedient to be taken in hand amongst whom there were eight sundry opinions whereof the first was that the wars against the Persians should be renewed the second for the Invasion of the Kingdoms of Fess and Morocco the third was for a war to be taken in hand against the King of Spain The fourth for the besieging of Malta The fifth to war upon the Venetians The sixth to invade Italy the seventh to war upon Sigismund King of Poland The eighth and last to invade the Territories of Rodolphus the Emperor all which being patiently heard by Amurath with the sundry reasons of the Bassas at length the eighth opinion was confirmed and the Tyrant resolved once more to turn his Forces towards the West Whereupon he caused great preparations to be made resolving if possible to annex the remaining part of Hungary and Austria to his other Territories having by this time and for this purpose concluded a war with the Persian King wherefore he commanded his Garrisons on the Frontiers as they saw occasion to molest the Christian Frontiers with fire and sword which they letted not to do prone enough of themselves to act any great wickedness nor was it long e'r they surprized Willitz the Metropolis of Croatia and committed therein many outrages and their Army still increasing they upon an unexpected advantage inclosed 6000 Foot and 500 Horse of the Christians who had taken the Mountaines Woods and Straight passages and so hardly beset them that few of them escaped those that were slain the Turks cut off their heads and therewith loaded six Waggons Upon this Alarum the Christians drew forth their Armies and to put a stop to the Infidels who by reason of the unexpected breach of the League had seized upon many Castles and Strong holds in that security unprovided of such necessaries as would have rendered them impregnable and least Aâ—â—rath should alledge that those Hostilities were committed without his knowledge the Emperour sent to him by his Ambassadors to understand the reasons that induced him to break the League but being able to get no satisfactory answer he thought it high time to stand upon his guard and caused all his power joyned with Forces of the German Princes to march directly into Hungary under the Command of Rupertus Eggenber his General who approaching the Enemy consulted with his chief Commanders what was best to be done who were all of opinion that to give speedy Battle was most convenient thereby to prevent the Enemies for joyning the other Forces coming to their Aid so that upon a sign given the whole Army in number
night gave a general assault with all their Forces to the Bastions of Panigra Sabionera and St. Andrea together with the great Fort of St. Demetrius but the besieged were armed with all caution and vigilence against surprize and with that conduct and valour that they gave the Enemy three gallant repulses with much slaughter and confusion but yet this success was diminished by the loss of the Count de Maur an experienced Venetian Captain who after proofs of an invincible courage lost his Life in defence of the Christian cause but not long after the Marquess Cornaro and the Barron Spar arriving with a recruit of three thousand men as if they intended to requite the Turks last assault made so resolute and successful a sally that they killed about two thousand Turks amongst whom were divers Commanders of note About this time whilst the Grand Signeour was at Larissa news came of the near approach of the Excelleâ—â—ssimo Abuisse de Molino Ambassador from the Venetian Republique with Propositions of Peace but the haughty Turks before they would admit him to a nearer approach then a days journey would first be resolved whether or no he brought with him the Keys of Candia to which it was replyed by the Interpreter that he was not capable of giving them satisfaction in that particular being but a menial Servant to whom the secrets of State and resolutions of great men were not committed his office being only to render faithfully the words and sense of his Master and not to enter into the private thoughts and Cabinet of their Councils To which the Chimacam proudly and barbarously replyed That he should go tell his Master that unless he brought the Keys of Candia his head should pay for it and that he presumed not in person to approach nearer unto the Court So the Ambassador remained at a distance till he received orders to pass over into Candia there to treat with the Visier who weary of the tedious siege willingly gave him Audience hoping that he came to treat about a surrender of the City which in any case he desired as fearing notwithstanding his bravadoes he should be forced to raise his siege without success but he only offered Suda and a considerable summe of money which not redounding to the glory of the Visier by reason that might have been had ere the War began he would come to no agreement for the Ambassador insisted that Candia being maintained by the Armes of Forreign Princes it could not without their consent be surrendered but that all the rest of the Island should be the reward of their blood and labour and although the Visier afterwards proposed in lieu thereof the Venetians should have free Licence to rebuild Paleo Castro yet the final answer of the Ambassador was that Candia was capable of no conditions but what were imposed on it by force of Armes About this time the French King by reason of the many indignities put on him in the person of his Embassador recalled him without daigning to send another to negotiate his affairs at the Port which greatly amused the Turks as judging he intended to revenge the affronts received at Constantinople upon the Ottoman Forces before Candia as indeed in some measure he did and might have been the preserver of that important Bulwark of Christenaom to this day had not the Caprice of such as commanded his Forces sent there obstructed it About this time likewise the Earl of â—inchelsea Ambassdor for his Majesty of Great Brittain having had his Audience of the Grand Seignior at Salonica returned into England and was succeeded by Sir Daniel Harvy Anno 1669 The Turks finding a great cheat through their Empire by light and false Moneys introduced by the French Dutch and Italians for in Turky the Money of all Nations in currant to a certain value they complained to the Cadies or chief Judges who with the consent of the Grand Seignior called it into the Mint allowing no more for it than it was in true value to the infinite loss both of Turks and Strangers and soon after the Grand Seignior being greatly fearful that the people growing weary of his Government might place one of his Brothers in the Throne to secure any danger that way sent an Officer to the Queen-Mother under whose Tuition they were to demand their heads and bring them to him at Larissa but she upon sight of his mandate abhorring the Fact secretly gave notice thereof to the Janizaries to whom she had sworn the protection of the Young Princes which unexpected News blew up such a flame as had like to have turned all into confusion and wrote worse effects than any the Grand Seignior had before causelesly imagined but in the end with large promises and larger Donations the Tempest was alayed Spring approaching the Turkish Army which for the most part had layn immured all Winter twixt the Walls of earth crept forth as Worms out of the ground and again began to run their Trenches towards the Walls of Candia before which Mountains and confused heaps of rubbish and Mold lay which had been thrown up by the Mines and Frencellos which so loosned the nerves and pores of the Earth that all about it seemed hollow insomuch that light appeared often out of one Mine into another which gave either side frequent opertunities of stealing ponder out of each others Mines the Turks like Moles working still underground so that the strongest City in the World was rather reduced to extremity by such as knew no use of any thing but of the Spade and Mattock rather than by force of Armes for many were of opinion that all the Forces of the Ottoman Empire could not otherwise have taken it by this means being so near advanced that their Granadoes could easily be slung into the City they did great mischief wounding and killing many of the Prime Commanders and beating down houses in abundance when amongst the rest a Cannon shot fell into a Magazine of Fireworks and striking upon a Granado shell that was filled with powder fired that firing about a hundred more containing thirty barrels of powder which beat down most of the adjacent houses and did great hurt to the Garison and on the 28th of May the Turks sprung 5 Mines in the mouth of the breach they had made on the Fort of St. Andrea and pressed hard to carry it now weak and almost turned into a heap of rubbish which caused the Captain General the Marquess of Montburn and all the chief Officers to take up their quarters on that side The City of Candia thus in danger the Princes of Christendom were not slow in relieving it but above the rest Pope Clement the 9th Expressed his zeal for the defence of this place not only sending succours himself but inciting and stirring up others to do the like and mostly the present French King who was best able to send a strong power who was not wanting to comply for the defence of
40000 forthwith removed and with great speed hasted toward the Turks of which they having notice by their Espials put themselves in Battle Array and after their vain glorious manner dreamt of nothing but the spoil of the Christians whom they already concluded overthrown by reason of the disproportion of number they being indeed much inferiour in that nature to the Infidels Yet had the Emperours General so ordered his Battles that placing the Crotians and Hussars in the Vauntguard those of Carolstat and the Harquibusires of Keriva in the Left wing In the Right the Borderers of Carania all Horsemen in the main Battle the rest of the Souldiers with the Horsemen of Silesia under the conduct of Sigismund Paradise the Rereward was incompassed with three Companies of the Emperours Souldiers nor were the Turk idle but Marshalled their Battle in the best wise when as the Charge being sounded the Crotians and Hussars in the Vaunt-gard gave the first onset with such fury that being seconded by the Lord Anersburgh they after a cruel Fight obliged the Turks to give ground and with Hassan Bassa their General retire towards the River Odder after whom the Christians following furiously many endeavouring to save themselves by passing over were drowned and those that stayed in a fearful manner on the Banks overwhelmed by the continual Tempest of shot from the Flankers so that within three hours space all the Army was in a confusion every man seeking for his own safety insomuch that 18000 Turks perished either by the Sword or in the Rivers Odder and Kulp and amongst the rest Hassan Bassa Mahomet Beg Achmet Beg Saffer Beg Meni Beg Framatan Beg Curti Beg Operd Beg and Goschus the Bassa's chief Counselor together with Sinan Beg Amuraths Nephew the onely Son of his Sister after which signal victory obtained the Christian Army falling on their knees gave Thanks to God to whom alone they ascribed their miraculous preservation The news of which overthrow coming to the knowledge of Amurath he like a frantick man blasphemed the God of Heaven and perswaded thereto by the tears and intreaties of his Sister to revenge the death of her Son sent a proud and blasphemous denunciation of War to the Emperour Rodolphus wherein he stiled himself The onely Monarch of the World a great and mighty God on Earth an invincible Caesar King of all Kings from the East unto the West c. and proceeded to threaten the said Emperour and his People with all the miseries that attend on War impiously declaring that the Crucified God of the Christians long since dead and buried had not been able to deliver his own Countrey out of his hands much less the German Empire which in despite of him he was resolved to take knowing himself a subverter and sworn Enemy of the Christians and of all that called upon the name of Christ And thereupon the more to terrifie the Christians he sent a great Army under the Command of Sinan Bassa their implacable Enemy who upon his Arrival layed siege to Ciseg which he took putting all he found therein to the Sword and after that took several other places of lesser note yet not without considerable loss and breach of Faith to the besieged who finding themselves oft too weak to defend places of little strength against so powerful an Enemy would surrender them upon promise of Life and Liberty but falling into the hands of the barbarous Infidels seldom obtained either These proceedings of the Turks did not a little alarum the Christian Princes who having mustered 18000 Men under the Command of Count Hardeck Governour of Rab he with marching from Comara came before Alba-Regalis which by force of his Artillery he in a short time made saultable to the relief of which the Bassa of Buda sent Sinan Bassa with 20000 Horse and Foot but he being encountered by the Christians was put to flight with the loss of most of his men whereupon as victors the Christians returned to the siege but finding the season far advanced and a great number of Turks that escaped in the overthrow to be got into the City the Count raised his Camp and returned again to Rab but early in the Spring assisted by fresh supplies the Emperours Captains dividing the Army took the strong Castle of Sabatzka the City of Fileck the Towns of Seeteschiu Blanestine and Salleck the three latter being through fear abandoned by the Turks having first set them for the most part on Fire At the same time the Lord Palfie with a strong party marching to Dregel and Palanka found them likeâ—ise abandoned by the Turks the which having furnished with strong Garrisons of his own he took by force Ainacke Sellecke Westkee and divers other places so that the Turks were in a manner driven out of the Lower Hungary and new Buda and Alba-Regalis the onely Strong holds possessed by the Turks in those parts began to doubt their security for whilst a party out of the latter coming forth to bury the dead that lay scattered round the Walls and by their contagion infected the City they were so suddainly incountered by a Captain of the Hussars Commanding a Troop of Light Horsemen that near 200 of them were slain and 50 taken Prisoners These proceedings coming to the Ears of Amurath and he from all hands certified that the strength of the Christians daily increased he began to doubt his Empire in Europe and therefore to defend the same raised a puissant Army anno 1594. at the head of which he resolved to march in person a thing he had not done since his taking upon him the Government but on the 11th of January as the Army was upon its march not far from Constantinople such a terrible Tempest of Hail Rain Snow Wind Thunder and Lightning arose that by its impetuosity it overturned the Tents Chariots Waggons Horse and Men few being able to stand upright before it The which the Tyrant taking as ominous to his proceedings in great perplexity returned with his formidable Army to Constantinople where casting himself upon his bed after much tumbling and tossing falling asleep he dreamed that he beheld a man of exceeding Stature standing with one his feet upon the Tower of Constantinople and the other over the straight fixed on the Asian shoar who stretching out his Arms held the Sun in one hand and the Moon in the other at whom whilst he was wondering the Monster with his foot struck the Tower which forthwith fell down and in its fall overthrew the great Temple with the Imperial Palace whose Thundering awaking the Turk he much troubled with the strangeness of the dream imediatly sent for his Necromancers and Wizards to Interpret it who to curry favour with their Prince hypocritically answered That for as much as he had not with all his Forces as with a Tempest impugned the Christians their great Prophet Mahomet threatned by that dream to overturn the Tower Temple and Imperial Palace which by a symbolical meaning denoted