the Provinces to apprehend him which made him gather a great Power but being discomfitted by Andronicus the Eldest Son of John Ducas he was forced to resign his Claim to the Empire nor were his Enemies content with that but afterward put out his eyes in such sort that he died miserably To revenge which by reason of a perpetual League made at his dismission the Sultan with great Forces invaded the Roman Provinces whereupon several Battels were fought with various Success in which the Caesar and Roselius the Emperor's Lievtenant were taken but both ransomed the former by the Emperor the latter by his Wife The Affairs between the Empire and Sultan of Persia being at this pass gave Cuthu Muses opportunity to strengthen himself insomuch that resolving to cast a Hazard for the Persian Dominion he drew his Army into the Field near the City of Ere 's to encounter which the Sultan likewise drew forth his but fatal to Christendom just as they were about to give Battel the Caliph of Babylon who as Priest of Mahomet was held in great Esteem amongst the Infidels came running between either Army and conjured them not to weaken the Religion of their great Prophet by shedding each others blood but rather stand to his award the which they having consented to do he instantly decreed that the Sultan should quietly enjoy what ever he possessed and that his Couzen aided by him should possess in himself and Posterity whatsoever should thenceforward be gained from the Christians upon which the Christians were on all sides invaded by the Turks and Sarazens their own Divisions in many Parts rendring them easie to be subdued So that the Turkish Empire spreading wide the Christians were grievously oppressed especially in the Holy Land which caused them to send a Letter filled with Lamentations by one Peter a Hermit to Pope Vrban the Second who taking their sufferings into consideration called a Council at Charemont in France at which were present upwards of three hundred Bishops besides several Princes when to stir them up he caused the Patriarch of Jerusalem's Letter and other Letters to be publickly read as likewise ordered the Hermit to relate the deplorable state of the Christians suffering under the cruelty of the Infidels which with such Eloquence and feeling commiseration he delivered that it moved the hearts of all present nor was the Pope himself wanting to exhort them to stir up the Christian Princes to undertake a War for the deliverance of the Eastern Christians which was so effectually ordered that within a short time an Army of 300000 men were raised wearing on their breasts red Crosses under the Lead of Godfry of Bulloin Duke of Lorrain and his two Brothers Eustace and Baldwin Hugh the French King's Brother Raymond and Robert Earls of Flanders Robert Duke of Normandy Son to the Conqueror Stephen Devalois Earl of Chartiers Ademar the Pope's Legate Bishop of Podie with many other honourable Princes and expert Warriours who passing through part of the Greek Empire with a Promise from Alexus the Emperor that they should be from time to time provided with necessaries they passed over the Hellespont with their Armies covering the Shores of Asia to the great Terror of the Turks and Sarazens who notwithstanding to oppose the Tempest of War which from Europe threatned their overthrow they gathered huge Forces and falling upon part of Peter the Hermit's Army which was too far advanced before the rest of the Princes and consisted of forty thousand men raised in the Territories of the Church they cut them off and caused him with the remainder to betake himself to Civite a Town before abandoned by the Turks where he stayed till the Arrival of Duke Godfry This Loss inspired the Christians with rage and desire of revenge so far that they made a terrible destruction in all places when in their Progress they had notice that Cutlu Muses the most politick Prince of the Turks was dead and had left large Dominions to his Son Solyman of the Proceedings during whose Reign I shall treat in the following Chapter CHAP. III. The Reign of Solyman Son to Cutlu Muses his Wars with the Christians their taking of Jerusalem from the Infidels their various Success in the Holy Land against the Turks Sarazens c. CVtlu Muses Nephew to Tangrolipix having as aforesaid accorded with the Sultan by the means of the Babylonish Caliph he by his Aid won many Provinces from the Christians which were now left in the possession of his Son Solyman The Christian Army resolved to recover them again if possible and he as obstinately to defend what he had in possession So that gathering huge Forces with which he approach'd Nicea where the Christian Army lay in Leaguer Anno 1097. and after on the Fifth of July took it having spent fifty days in the Siege but were well recompensed by the rich Booties they found in it and amongst the rest Solyman's Wife and two Children which they sent Prisoners to Constantinople yet the bad Success put not a stop to the advancement of Solyman with the whole power of the lesser Asia consisting of 60000 Horse and Foot So that within a short space the Battle began with great fury on both sides the Christians eager to revenge their Fellows so lately slain and the Turks to secure their Country made horrible slaughter but after a long and obstinate fight where nothing but blood and slaughter appeared nor nothing but cries and dying groans to be heard the Turks were put to flight the Christians following the Execution so that 40000 of them fell in the Battel and pursuit Though Solyman flying with the remainder of his broken Army gave out that himself had Victory on his side the less to dismay his Subjects yet so far the Terror of the Christians wrought that the Infidels fled into fenced Cities leaving the Villages desolate whereupon they besieged Antioch which with little difficulty they subdued being joyfully received by the Christians there dwelling next Iconium and Heraclea two Cities of note surrendred upon Summons Solyman still flying before the Victors and duly sending Letters to his Couzen Axan the Persian Sultan for Aid but he not being able to supply him against such powerful Opponents the Christians recovered all that had been torn from the Greek Empire the which according to their Contract made with the Emperor they restored The Princes thus Victorious in Asia called a Council in which it was decreed that an Oath should be administred as well to the Princes Commanders as to the common Soldiers that none should return till they had won Jerusalem which was joyfully embraced And now the Turks perceiving they were no ways able to oppose the Christians in open fight endeavoured to surprise and cut off as many as they might by Ambushment and therefore sent several stragling Troops to face Antioch upon which the Flemins sallied and followed hard till within the danger of the Ambush where they had been
inevitably lost had not the Citizens who were Christians timely come in to their assistance and put the Turks to flight and then the Armies drawing forth marched as far as the River Orontes before they met with any resistance but there the Turks had fortified the Bridge and Banks on the other side but being overwhelmed with showers of English Arrows sent from the Squadron commanded by Robert Duke of Normandy they soon gave ground and left the Passage open and so the Princes passing the River came to the other Antioch in Syria of which one Cassianu was Governour to the Relief of which the Turks came with an Army of 100000 Horse and Foot but were repulsed by the Christians and returned with 20000 less than they brought so that the City on the third day of June 1098. was secretly and contrary to the knowledge of the Governour delivered by one Phirrus to Prince Bohemund of Tarentum who furiously entering a dismal slaughter ensued insomuch that the Streets run with blood The Governour upon notice of what had hapned fled but falling into the hand of the Armenians that were expelled Jerusalem he was slain The loss of Antioch being made known to Corbanus the Persian Sultan's Lievetenant as he lay before Edessa he raised the Sige and with all his Forces marched towards Antioch resolving to put all upon the Hazard of a Battle against whom the Princes drew out their Strengths leaving the Earl of Tholous with a competent number to secure the City from a revolt by reason the Turks still held the Castle and after a long and doubtful fight overthrowing with such incredible slaughter of his men that all the Valleys were filled with blood and bodies of the slain 100000 Turks being adjudged to fall in that Battel and not above 4000 Christians and the next day they took 5000 Cammels with their lading as also a new Castle built but the year before by the aforesaid Lievtenant And thus conquering they passed on taking several Cities of note till they came within the view of Jerusalem upon sight of which they shouted so loud that all the Country resounded with the joyful Acclamations and with their hands and eyes extended towards Heaven they called upon the name of Jesus and many in humility to the place where our Blessed Lord had so often preached his Gospel fell to the Ground and kissed it with great Affection making fresh Vows never to leave the City till they had delivered it from the Infidels but their strength was much impaired by reason of a Pestilence that had the Autumn before hapned in the Army yet in a Council of the Princes and chief Commanders it was resolved that the Siege should immediately be begun and carried on with all the vigour imaginable The Governour having notice of the Christians approach and what was intended delayed not to prepare all things that might conduce to the making a strenuous defence having a little before received a strong recruit of able Soldiers and a supply of all things necessary yet the Christians after having got what knowledge they could of the state of Affairs within the City sat down before it on the North for towards the East and the West the broken Rocks and shattered Hills render it very incommodious Next the Wall incamped Godfry Duke of Lorrain with his Germans and Lorainers near unto him on the right pitched their Tents Robert Duke of Normandy and the Earl of Flanders before the West Gate lay incamped Tancreed and the Earl of Tholous Bohemund and Baldwin being absent the one remaining King at Antioch and the other Governour of Edassa The Christians having refreshed themselves it was concluded amongst the Princes that the fifth day the Assault should be given which accordingly was done with such bravery that the Turks were beaten from their Defences and miserably slaughtered by the shot of the Archers but they wanting scaling Ladders and the weather being exceeding hot the retreat was sounded but being desirous of nothing more than winning the City five days after they gave it another fierce Assault which made the Walls to tremble nothing that Policy or Valour could afford being wanting on the part of the Christians but scarcity of Water afflicting them with drought and the excessive heat of the Weather frustrated this second Attempt for the Enemy had either stopped up or poysoned all the Wells about the City unless that of Siloe whose Water had worked out the Poison and was become wholesome but that yielded not half enough to suffice the Army During the time that the Christians besieged Jerusalem a Fleet of Genoeses arrived at Joppa where having notice that a far greater Fleet of the Egyptian Sultans lay at Ascalon with an intent to relieve the besieged they after having taken out all things necessary sunk their Gallies and marched over land to the Camp where they became very serviceable in making Engines for Assault and moving Towers covered with raw Hides to prevent their being fired one of which they set to the Walls and from it greatly annoyed the besieged which they perceiving prepared to set it on fire but the wind favouring the Christians drove iâ— full in the besiegers face insomuch that the Duke of Lorrain with his German Foot getting upon the Engine beat the Turks and Sarazens from the Wall with great slaughter and leaping thereon fixed his Standard keeping his Ground though the Enemies shot flew as thick as Hail which venturous Attempt so encouraged the rest of the Princes that they pressed on with great fury insomuch that a terrible slaughter ensued the Souldiers in their rage sparing neither Man Woman nor Child which made the most couragious of the Turks Sarazens and Jews retire to Solomon's Temple in the Entrance whereof they maintain'd a bloody and obstinate fight spreading all the Pavement with the bodies of the slain and bedewing it with streams of blood and so eager were the Christians to charge the Infidels that they for haste thrust one another upon the Enemies Weapons yet after great slaughter they gave back and betook them to the Vaults on the top of the Temple from whence they defended themselves till the fury of the Christians was over and a Trumpet sounded to give Quarter upon which they yielded and had their Lives spared Thus was the Famous City of Jerusalem retaken by the Christians in 30 days Anno 1099. after it had remained in the hands of the barbarous Infidels for the space of 409 years and so great was the joy conceived by the Christians who inhabited it and had suffered miserable Persecution under the Turks that they embraced the Souldiers weeping for gladness and every where singing praises for their deliverance Things being at this pass the Princes consulted amongst themselves whom to constitute King of the Holy City and after some deliberation thought none fitter than the valiant Duke of Normandy but he hearing of his Brothers death declined it as desirous to return and take possession of
into the ruins of an old Town which a little before he had razed and therein strongly Fortified himself round about which next day the Turks incamped but perceiving that it was not onely difficult but dangerous to assault him in his strength they sent Messengers to him to perswade him to yield to Mercy and not expose his own Life and the lives of so many of his Subjects to the fury of the inraged Souldiers or miseries they would be shortly reduced to by Famine offering the Oaths of all the chief Commanders for his own security and the security of his people to which proposals he being perswaded to hearken he in consideration that the Cossacks might be permitted to return with their Horses and Armes into their own Countrey that himself might be alive conveyed into the presence of Selymus there to make his defence and that his Subjects might return to their respective homes or take service with the Turks agreed to come out of his strength and submit himself to which his demands Capucius Bassa General of the Turks Army consented and himself with the rest of the great Commanders swore seven times a usual custom amongst the Turks for the solemnly obliging themsleves to fulfil his request Whereupon he came forth onely accompanied with Osmolius a Polonian Captive but after four hours continuance in the Turks Camp the perfidious Bassa sending for him unexpectedly with his Scimiter struck him cross the face and afterwards wounded him in the Belly upon which signal the Janizaries present took him and cut off his head which they fixing upon the point of a Lance carrying it in derision through the Camp nor satisfied with barbarous and base indignities they at the commandment of the Bassa tore his body in pieces with Camels and soon after put all the Christians whom they had allured out of their strength to the Sword who yet fell not unrevenged for the Cossacks perceiving the hard plight they were in sered together and with their weapons in their hands made a great slaughter of the Enemy but being few in number except their Captain and some other men of note they were all slain After this shameful Murther the Turks over run all Moldavia and Valachia recovering in a short time the strong places that were possessed by the Vayoods Garrisons after which Selymus intent for the recovery of the Kingdom of Tunis in possession of the Spaniards sent 300 sail of Gallies under the command of Sinan Pial and Vluzales his chief Bassa's to reduce it to his obedience who after the loss of 30000 Turks with great difficulty took the strong Castle of Guletta and the new Castle built at the Commandment of Don John in his late expedition against the Moorish Rebels which strong hold lost Tunes surrendered without making any considerable resistance and in it was taken Mahomet the late invested King whom the Turks sent Prisoner to Constantinople But Selymus long survived not this victory over the Spaniards but being spent with Wine and Women to whom he had given his greatest strength he died on the 9th of December anno 1574. having lived 51 years and thereof Reigned eight he lies buryed at Hadrinople leaving his Empire to Amurath his Eldest Son who succeeded him by the name of Amurath the Third as will appear in the series of his Life and Reign CHAP. XVI The Life Reign and Memorable Transactions of Amurath the Third of that Name and sixth Emperor of the Turks SElymus dead and his Death kept secret from the Janizaries for the space of twelve dayes at the end of which Amurath arriving at Constantinople was received into the Seraglio and took possession of the Empire when having pacified the unruly Souldiers with great liberality he caused according to the Turkish policy Mustapha Solyman Abdula Osman and Tzihanger his five brethren to be strangled with how strings even in his sight the reason of which strangling is because they would not spill any of the Othoman sacred blood as they term it on the ground upon the death of whom the Mother of Solyman overcome with grief and dispair stabbed her self to the Heart with a Dagger at which Tragical sight it is reported that Amurath wept as not delighted with such unnatural crâ—elty but that the manner and nature of his Government so required for that by reason of the largeness of the Ottoman Empire if many of the Princes of the blood lived at one and the same time they would probably with civil dissensions rend it in pieces Anno 1575 Amurath established many wholsom Laws altered the Coin and bountifully relieved the poor and albeit he was of a mild and peaceable nature yet that he might seem like to his Predecessors he prosecuted his Fathers Wars and aided by the Tartars entered into Ruscia part of the Territories of the King of Polonia where he burnt and destroyed 200 Castles besides a great number of Towns and Villages putting multitudes of the poor people to the Sword and carrying as many into miserable Captivity but the Tartar had little joy of their success for whilst they were busie in Ruscia the Cossack brake into their Kingdom and destroyed all before them for the space of 100 miles That which gave the Turks encouragement to enter the Territories of Polonia was the division amongst the nobility for Henry D' Valoys their King upon notice that his brother Charles the Ninth French King was dead secretly departed to take upon him the Kingdom of France to which he was rightful Heire whereupon one party was for Electing Maximilian the German Emperour and the other strongly opposing them would have introduced the great Duke of Muscovy Of which Amurath having notice and supposing that to which soever of them it fell he would prove a troublesome Neighbour he sent a Letter to disswade the Nobility and Counselors of the Kingdom to chuse neither but to Elect a King amongst themselves or else Stephen Buttor Prince of Transylvania and in so doing they should find him their constant Friend or in refusing to comply with his desire to expect all the calamities that attend on War In this Letter the proud Turk stiled himself God of the Earth Governour of the whole World the Messenger of God and faithful servant of the great Prophet Yet so it effectually wrought with the Polonian Nobility that notwithstanding Maximilian the Emperour was by the Arch Bishop of Gnesna and some others Elected King yet was that their Election by the great part of the Electors disannulled as also the great Duke of Moscovy rejected and the Noble Princess Anne of the most Honourable Jagelionian house chosen Queen of Polonia upon condition that she should Marry Stephen Prince of Transylvania which she afterward performed as in the series of this History will appear Amurath upon the afore-mentioned conditions having drawn his Army out of Ruscia and taking advantage of the discord arising in the Kingdom of Persia upon the death of Tamas resolved to bend his
the Turkish Religion and Empire which vain and fictitious Interpretation so moved the superstitious Tyrant that having first asked pardon of his Impostor Prophet he swore from henceforth to turn all his Forces upon the Christians and not to give over War till he had done his utmost to subdue them These vain threats did not in the least dismay the Christian Princes yet to ingage a sure Friend on their side they caused publique prayers to be put up in all Churches and that people might perceive on what slender and impious grounds the Tyrant had resolved the prosecution of the War had the vain Dream and the vainer Interpretation read in the Churches of Transylvania and most of the Churches of Hungary The Christian Army having taken the Field and a Present of the Turks spoiles taken some time before sent to Rodolphus the Emperour the Arch-Duke of Austria besieged Novograde which after several assaults was delivered by capitulation in consideration of Life and Liberty which strong Town after it had been Turkish for the space of 60 years was by the Arch-Duke committed to the care of Lord Rebei a Noble Hungarian and the Turkish Governour upon his arrival at Buda was by the Bassa's Command imprisoned Whilst these things were in doing the Emperour sent his Embassadors to the great Duke of Muscovy the King of Poland and Prince of Transilvania in all whose Courts their Negotiation proved successful nor in the mean time was the young Count Serinus idle for that he with 300 Harquibusires and certain Troops of Horse and Companies to the number of 10000 took the Castles of Bresenza Sigesta and Babostcha by the recovery of which strong holds he opened a safe passage even to Ziget the Bassa of which standing at that time in no small doubt to be besieged These things perplexing the Turkish Tyrant who was preparing great Forces for the securing his Province on this side the Danubius he in the mean while sent a Fleet into the Adriatick to besiege Zegna an Imperial City scituate upon the Sea Coast in the Bay of Quernero called in antient time Flanaticus Sinus in order to the prosecution of which he sent his Ambassador to the Venetians to require the use of their Ports in those Seas and that his Gallies might pass and repass without any molestation from the Gallies of that State but the Senate doubting the fidelity of the Turk and loath thereby to disoblige the Christian Emperour would by no means consent yet used the Ambassador honourably and sent him away without obtaining his purpose In the Upper part of Hungaria the Lord Tenffenbeck Commanding as the Arch-Dukes Lieutenant with an Army of 2000 Horse and Foot besieged Hatvan a strong Town of the Turks lying about six miles from Buda Fortified with a Triple Ditch and Bullwarks of exceeding strength to the relief of which the Bassa of Buda came with fifteen thousand Souldiers thinking at unawares to surprize the Christian Camp but was frustrated in his project for the Lord Tenffenbeck drawing off from before the City passed through with much difficulty the River Sagijvay when setting upon the Bassa's Army after a hard fight he put it to the Rout having the execution of the Turks for many miles so that about Ten Thousand of them were slain and taken Prisoners with a great Booty of Provision and Ammunition after which the Christians returned to the siege yet finding the hazards and difficulty that they should meet with in winning it by the directions of the Arch-Duke who with Forty Thousand Men at the same time besieged Strigonium the Siege of Hatvan was given over yet upon the raising thereof the Lord Tenffenbeck discomfited the Bassa of Buda a second time as he was again coming to the relief thereof in which conflict Five Thousand Turks were slain Strigonium after a long siege and the burning of the old Town being relieved by the coming of Sinan Bassa with a great Army the Arch-Duke thought it not yet convenient to let him take breath but on the 28th of June passed Danubius to expect the motion of Sinan Bassa with his huge Army composed of Turks and Tartars and by frequent onsets daily weakned his Camp nor were the Rascians slow to revolt from the Turkish obedience So that having raised a confused power to the number of Fifteen Thousand they took many strong Places and obtained two notable Victories one over the Bassa of Temeswar in which himself and three of his Sanzacks and about Nine Thousand Five Hundred of his Turks were slain And the other over another Bassa that succeeded him upon which they sent to the Arch-Duke to receive them and their Countrey into the Emperours protection and that in consideration thereof they would maintain Ten Thousand Men in the Field whose Proposals were by the Imperial General accepted About this time the Emperour the better to consult the defence of his Provinces called a Diet at Ratisbone where in the assembly of the German Princes he declared how matters stood and repeated the manifold injuries he had sustained by the Turks contrary to the League made with Amurath and that amongst the rest he contrary to the Law of Nations had imprisoned Frederick Creckovitz his Ambassador first at Constantinople and caused the greatest part of his followers to be thrust into the Gallies and afterwards to have sent him with a few of his attendants to Belgrade and thereto have kept him in prison till he ended his dayes To revenge which indignities those daily offered and such as were like to ensue from the great Army at hand he desired the Princes to consider a most speedy way and not by delay to indanger the greatest part of Christendoms falling into the hands of the mercyless Enemy To which the Electoral Princes after a due consideration replyed That they had a regard to his Imperial Majesty and for the preservation of Hungary and others his Hereditary Countries as also for repressing the fury of the Turks yet by reason of the late dearth they were not capable of maintaining such Forces as might be expected yet besides their Annual Contributions they would for the space of six years grant such further relief as they well hoped would prove sufficient for the maintenance of a defensive War both for the present and for the time to come after which resolves of the Princes the Diet broke up and all diligence was used for increasing the Army and Fortifying the strong Holds in Hungaria Austria Styra and Carinthia Countries most obnoxious to the Incursions of the Turks Sinan Bassa all this while not ignorant of the Emperors proceedings lay with an Army of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Fighting men between Buda and Alba Regalis frequently sending out Parties to wast the Countries in possession of the Emperour yet with such indifferent success that he had no cause to boast which made the Bassa to raise his Camp and in sight of the Christian Army which still attended his motions battered Dolis
Tower overthrew the mortars sallying out at the same time and making a terrible slaughter of the enemy who were advancing to the wall with a design to enter the new breach recovering from them a Bastion of which they had possessed themselves and cutting in pieces all they found therein This bad success making it apparent that the City was not so easie to be taken as the Visier had supposed he commanded Arrows to be shot over the walls with Letters fastened to them containing his admonition to the besieged speedily to surrender and receive liberty in their persons a free exemption of their goods and such treatment as they should desire but if they refused and held out obstinately till the City should be taken by storm or reduced by famine no mischief should be left unpractised that wit or horror could invent but this device not at all prevailed but rather induced the besieged to contemn the besiegers whose weakness thereby they the better understood as observing from former acts of the like nature they never capitulate underhand till they despaire of obtaining their ends or grow weary of the siege All this while the Duke of Loraine lay close in his Camp within sight of the City the better to incourage the besieged daily increasing his number and as earnestly expecting the Polonian King who had sent the Prince Lubomirskie before him with six thousand horse and daily Curriers passed between him and the Emperor who with the Court was retired to Pashaw there to expect the great event on which the eyes of all Nations were fixed The increase of the Christian Camp did not a little trouble the Visier who well knew that if he could not make himself master of the City before the King of Poland arrived he must be obliged to give battle or raise his siege and that if he miscarried in the former it would greatly redound to his disgrace if not hazzard his life by rendring him obnoxious to the Grand Signiours displeasure whom he had assured of taking the City whereupon to hasten the enterprize he spared not his men but thrust them on even into the mouth of slaughter swearing by Mahomet that in whomsoever he found the least mark of cowardise or neglect of duty he should be put to death and thereupon he commanded the Cannon from all the Batteries to play without ceasing but such was the care and skill of the Christian Engineers that they with their great shot dismounted divers of them overthrowing their battery and burying such as were there posted in their ruins yet having made two breaches in the wall one near the red Tower and the other not far from the Imperial Pallace he commanded five thousand Janizaries and ten thousand other souldiers to enter the Breach but Count Staremberg having drawn his chief strength on that side to oppose the Torrent although as men desperate they came on yet the besieged sallying out and coming to hand strokes by plain force drove them back killing about three thousand and recovering the Raveling and Counterscarp of which they had strongly possessed themselves yet in this sally five hundred of the Imperialists fell and two hundred wounded This hot dispute over and the Turks beaten out of divers of their Trenches they lay still for two days not attempting any thing when on the third the Visier sent to the Count Staremberg for a Cessation or a five days Truce to bury the dead whose noisome smells greatly afflicted his Camp with sickness but the Count returned for an answer that he had no need of a Truce nor would he accord to any upon which under the shelter of the night the Turks in great numbers approached the walls but being discovered by lights thrown out for that purpose the shot from the Flankers and Battlements gabled them so desperately that they were obliged to return two thousand less than they came on when upon their retreat three thousand of the Imperialists sallyed and did great execution whereupon the Visier storming and finding the greatnes of the loss he had at divers 〈◊〉 sustained 〈…〉 unsuccessful attempts repaired his Batterie and planted as near as he could his Mortars to the wall with which he threw divers Granadoes and Bombies into the Town freeing some houses on fire and killing 〈…〉 the inhabitants the which he continued all the 21 and 22 of July but by the extraordinary diligence of the besieged who still countermured the breaches repaired what was shattered and earth behind to keep the Bullworks from renting and the wall from shaking by the force of the furious shot the Turks at that vast expence of powder and shot were little advantaged The Duke of Loraine having received another supply of five thousand men part of the Troops of the Circle and certain notice from the King of Poland that he was advancing with all diligence he the better to encourage the besieged sent a Fisherman to assure them of speedy succour commanding him to give him notice of his safe arrival by setting up a blew flag upon the battlements of the Tower and that the besieged if they were in danger should set up a red flag and that rather then the City should sall into the hands of the Infidels he would without the King of Poland endeavour to raise the siege though at the hazard of a Battle nor was it long e'r he safely arrived by swimming over the Danubius and gave the first signal but so far were the besieged from giving the second that they encouraged thereto by their renowned Governour the Count d' Staremberg sallyed early in the morning and finding the Turks advancing their Mines fell upon them with such fury that they overwhelmed the Miners and beat the Janizaries who were appointed to guard them insomuch that the noise arose so great that the Grand Vizier not well assured supposed the Christian Army had at that time attempted the relief of the City and for his own safety caused him to draw up his Army in Battalia Things being at this pass the Duke of Loraine in his Camp where he lay had notice that a Convoy of provision and Ammunition was on its way to the Turkish Camp and arrived within three Leagues thereof whereupon he commanded out a party to intercept it who accordingly performed his desire killing and taking prisoners and putting to flight those Turks who guarded it nor was the booty less worth then forty thousand Dollars On the 24 of July the besieged made a vigorous sally with five thousand horse and foot and charging the Turks in their Trenches with much bravery and resolution drove them thence thereby recovering though not without considerable slaughter on either part divers redoubts of which they had possessed themselves firing the bavins and planks with which they attempted to fill up the Ditch in order to a storm which the next morning was intended but seven thousand Turks being sent to reinforce those that were routed they with fresh fury returned upon
his Higness not to hazard any thing rashly This advice altered the former resolves especially upon notice of the near approach of the Polonian Horse yet the Scouts giving information that a great body of Turks and Hungarians were on their way to joyn with the Besiegers under the leading of the Bassa of Buda Prince Lubomirskie with the horse under his command and three Regiments of Imperial Dragoones advanced to meet them upon whom coming unexpectedly after a hot dispute he put them to flight with the slaughter of four or five thousand of them taking many prisoners and a great Convoy of Provision and Ammunition such as escaped flying to Gran New-haussel and other adjacent Garrisons The Prince was no sooner returned with these spoiles to the Camp but an Officer arrived from the King of Poland assuring the Duke of Loraine that the King was with thirty Regiments of Horse within twelve or fourteen hours of the Imperial Camp whereupon his Higness dispatched the Margrave of Baden to complement him upon his arrival and immediately drew up his Army in Battali◠to receive him at the head thereof resolving with all convenient speed to give the Turks a Camisado and withal sent an express to the Emperour lying at Pashaw to let him understand the Polonian Kings Aproach and his resolves to fight the Ottoman Army with the first advantage offered as also in what danger the City of Vienna had been and was in giving at the same time strait command to every officer throughout the Army to be in readiness to March upon six hours notice The Imperial Camp being put into good order and a resolution taken to fight the Infidels the King of Poland on the 29 of August arrived with all his Chivalry and was immediately followed by the remaining Troops of horse his foot being at the same time advanced ◠within 8 〈◊〉 German Miles of the Imperial Camp when upon his arrival having been by the Margrave congratulated first in the name of his Imperial Majesty and then in the name of the Duke and all the great Commanders of the Army he encamped about a mile on the left of the Imperialists and the next day a Tent Royal was pitched between both Armies where the King the Duke of Loraine the Electors of Bavaria Saxony and divers other Princes met and after passing the usual complements fell to debate about the necessity of their attempting to raise the siege and that no time was to be lost in that affair for that the Garrison Souldiers from twenty thousand were by divers distempers and the fire of the enemy reduced to five or six thousand nor were they slow in coming to a resolve upon the Method to be observed therein During these transactions the Turks incessantly Battered the City of Vienna labouring earnestly in their works as being greatly desirous to take it by storm and more especially to save the Grand Visiers oath who had sworn by the head of Mahomet to take it or dye under the walls though afterward it appeared he had not strength enough to acquire the former nor courage sufficient to keep his word in the latter for such was the courage of the besieged that sallying they beat the enemy once more out of all their works but by the former sallies and sickness as before mentioned they were exceedingly weakned insomuch that they despaired much longer to maintain the City against the assaults of such so numerous and restless enemies so that on the fourth of September Count Staremberg at the earnest intreaty of the Burghers caused it to be signified from St. Stephens Tower by setting up a purple slag the signal appointed that the City was in distress which being perceived by the Imperial Scouts they acquainted the King and Duke who thereupon drew up in Batalia and sent out four hundred horse to observe whether the enemy had possessed the Forrest and immediately set forward with the whole Army altogether full of courage and brave resolution desiring nothing more than to be in action with the Infidels when in the mean time the City being pressed by two successive assaults and a Mine sprung on the point of the Bastion the Besieged on the eight made another sign from the Tower of the great danger they were in and sent out two Enginiers to inform the Duke of Loraine thereof by word of mouth the better to hasten relief before the enemy had finished the new Batteries within Musquet shot of the Scottenburg Gate but one of them was taken by the Turks Scouts and the other supposed to be drowned in passing the Danube But the General having received sufficient notice and dreading of what evil consequence the least delay might prove in good order passed the Forrest of Vienna which the Turks to their great disadvantage had no where Fortified But coming to the hill of Calemberg on the 11th of October found it strongly possessed whereupon a squadron of horse and eight Regiments of foot ascended to Attack the enemy and remove them from their post who charged up with such bravery that after a hot dispute the Turks gave ground and retired in great confusion to a strong retrenchment made at the bottom of the hill towards their Camp where being reinforced they made a stand and again disputed it but being cut off in great numbers by the shot of the Imperial Cannon from the hill on which by this time they were planted and charged on the one hand by the Polonian horse and on the other by the Bavarian foot they after an hours dispute were driven thence leaving an open field to the Imperial Army which under the Duke of Loraine advanced in good order to charge the Bassa of Sielistra who as the forlorn with ten or twelve thousand men advanced though in some disorder by reason his Ranks were broken by the shot from the Hill which played furiously till the Dukes squadron of horse under the leading of the Margrave of Baden caused the Bassa after a sharp dispute to retire to the main Body when the Duke of Loraine with fifteen thousand horse taking the advantage fell into the left wing with such fury that the Turks in spite of the resistance they made began to fall into disorder when as the King of Poland charging on the Right where the Visier sought in person great was the slaughter till in the end the Turks as men discouraged and dismayed began to shrink together which the Margrave of Baden perceiving drew off to relieve the besieged and by six in the evening posted himself before the Sotch gate yet did not the Turks in the Trenches desist from assaulting the City but like men desperately resolved to lose their lives or win it but the scale of victory by this time turning apparently on the Christians side they being seconded by six thousand fresh horse made great slaughter though the Bassas laboured to encourage their men and restrain their flight in vain for by this time the King of
his Kingdom of England but at his return found it possessed by his younger Brother Henry who not only deprived him of his Kingdom but soon after of his Dutchy of Normandy And finally of his life by putting out his eyes which many held as a Judgment for his refusing the Scepter of Jerusalem Upon the Duke's declining the Princes unanimously chose Godfry of Bolloin Duke of Lorain who accepted the honourable and glorious Trust but at the time of his Inauguration refused to be crowned with a Crown of Gold saying that it became not a Christian to wear a Crown of Gold where Christ the Son of God had for the Salvation of mankind sometime worn a Crown of Thorns but long he had not injoyed his new acquired Dignity e'r News was brought that 100000 Turks Sarazens and Jews were upon their march to recover the City against whom the Christian Army advanced and gave them battle with so fearful an overthrow that all the Field and Plains for the space of ten miles were covered with the bodies of the slain and then passing on won many famous Cities every where putting the Infidels to the rout but not long after a great Mortality happening the Heroick Godfry King of Jerusalem died and was interred in the Church of the Sepulcher of our Saviour on Mount Calvery And Baldwin Count of Edassa his Brother succeeded him who with many Victories and Cities taken much inlarged the Territories of Jerusalem but besieging the City of Ptolemais he was in a Skirmish with those Turks wounded yet took the City and lived many years after but the wound being as was supposed given with an impoysoned weapon and not pertectly cured he died thereof in the eighteenth year of his Reign and was most favourably buried by his Brother his Sepulcher remaining yet visible After him succeeded his Couzen Baldwin Brugenses against whom the Caliph of Egypt aided by the King of Damasco and the Turks came with a great Army but they returned without effecting any thing yet not long after Gazi the greatest Prince of the Turks in the lesser Asia aided by the King of Damasco and Debeis King of Arabia came against Antioch with a great power and incamped at Aleppo against whom Roger Prince of Antioch advanced without staying for King Baldwin who was on his march with a great Army and unadvisedly joyning battel his Army was overthrown and himself slain but King Baldwin coming upon the Turks grown secure by reason of their new acquired Victory put them to the rout far and near filling all the Plains with the bodies of the slain but within a while after encountring with Balac General of the Persian Sultan's Army he was taken prisoner and his Army overthrown but after eighteen Months imprisonment for the Ransom of 100000 Ducats set at liberty and afterwards obtained many signal Victories over the Infidels and in his Reign was setled the order of the Knights Templers Hugh Paganus being the first great Master of that Order but King Baldwin the Second being tired and disordered with the many battels and having received many wounds after he had married Margaret his Eldest Daughter to Foulk Duke of Turin Anjoy and Mayn fell sick in the thirteenth year of his Reign Anno 1131. and constituting his Son in Law to succeed him gave up the Ghost and was buried in the Temple upon Mount Calvery near his Predecessors After the death of Baldwin Foulk was crowned King of Jerusalem viz. on the Sixth of September Anno 1131. by William the Patriark but the Devil envying the spreading of the Christian Religion endeavoured to stir up Division amongst the Christians in the beginning of this King's Reign for Pontius Count of Tripolis by force of Arms endeavoured to rend the City and Territories of Antioch from the Kingdom of Jerusalem and Hugh Count of Joppa being highly concerned in the Treason for fear of punishment joyned with the Sarazens that held the strong City of Ascalon but God prevented the mischief that thereby might have ensued by taking the former away by the Sword of the Turks and the latter being driven out of Ascalon died in Exile the very Heathens abhorring a Traytor These stirs were no sooner over but the Turks invaded Antioch with a powerful Army but the King coming suddainly upon them put them to flight with much slaughter and got in the plundring of their Camp great Riches After which John the Creek Emperor raised a great power to seize upon Antioch pretending it a part of his Empire but the Kings of Europe interposing he was content it should be holden by the present Prince the Earl of Poictou he paying him Homage for his Principality but being a man of a restless Spirit he soon after came again with a powerful Army thinking to have admittance into the City and so to surprize it but found his expectations frustrate for the Citizens would not admit him to enter unless with some few of his Followers in reveage of which he caused the Suburbs to be sacked and so returned into Cilicia where hunting a Boar whilst the furious Beast pressed on the Spear the Emperor held against him the Emperor's hand pressed upon the point of a poysonoâ—s Aâ—â—oâ—â— he had in his Quiver which entring the flesh the force of the poyson was such that in great pain he shortly died upon which Emanuel Elexus his Son was chosen in his stead Jerusalem by this means being â—t peaâ—e the King Queen and many great Commanders went without the Walls to take the Air when there â—â—â—nced a Hare to be started after which the King and those that accompanied him rid and he forcing his Horse he fell so that the King's head fell under him of which mortal bruise he in three days dyed in great torment viz. on the thirteenth of November Anno 1142. and was buâ—ied by his Predecessors greatly lamented of all good Christians and after him succeeded Baldwin his Son the third of that name he being about thirteen years of Age and in his Reign came Conrade the Third Emperor of Germany with a powerful Army to the Assistance of the Christians in Syria who by the way being opposed by the Turks at the River Meander gave them battel and overthrew them with the slaughter of 30000 of the Enemy so that the River for many miles ran 〈◊〉 and then marching forward without the least Impeachment came to Iconium the Chief Seat of the Tâ—â—kâ—sh Kings in the lesser Asia which he besieged but it being strongly fortified and Want increasing in the Camp a Mortality hapâ—ned which destroyed so many of the Souldiers that the Emperor was forced to raise his Siege and to return home The occasion of this 〈◊〉 was said to be occasioned by eating of Meal which the 〈◊〉 Emperor upon their passing through his Dominions had caused to be mingled with Lime 〈◊〉 no less envying the success of the Christians in Syria 〈◊〉 the Turks and by such like Treacheries he frustrated 〈◊〉 Expedition
was quickly forced to retire with 10000 less then he brought but this Siege continuing long a mortal Pestilence happen'd in the Army the Kings youngest Son dyed and in the end himself with many of his prime Nobility which greatly incouraged the Moors but their joy lasted not long for soon after came thither Prince Edward Hemy the Third King of Englands eldest Son with sixteen Ships fraught with Valiant English Soldiers as also the King of Ciâ—ilia Navar and Arragon with great Forces upon which the Morish King making many large oâ—â—ers for Peace it was granted in the Name of all the Princes on Condition that he should pay a yearly Tribâ—â—e of 40000 Crowns to the King of Scicily and to suffer the Christian Religion freely to be Exercised throughout his Dominions in all its particulars which Articles being concluded on and ratified though contrary to the mind of Prince Edward they weighed Anchor and stood for the Isle of Scicily intending there to Winter and the next Spring to pass into Syria But coming into the Bay the Princes were no sooner got on shoar but a terrible Storm arose that most of the Fleet were broken to pieces only of Prince Edward's Fleet not one Ship perished in this wrack a great part of the Mariners and Soldiers were drowned and the Plague still raging amongst them in such sort that the French Queen the King of Navar and divers others of great Rank dyed which so discourag'd Philip the French King that he returned into France without Attempting any thing further and with him all the rest Prince Edward his English excepted returned into their Respective Countries but the Prince kept on his way till he arrived at Ptolomais and was received by the Christians with great joy where having rested himself for a while and inquired into the nature of the Country he with 6 or 7000 of his English took Nazareth and upon his return overthrew a great Army of Sarazens that supposed to have intrapped him and at another time overthrew them with great Slaughter near Cakhow a Village about 40 Miles from Pâ—olomais And so succesfull was he in all his undertakings that the Infidels extreamly dreaded him Insomuch that the Admiral of Joppa feigned himself to be converted to the Christian Religion sent one of his Servants to commune with the Prince about diverse Matters who being admitted in Private and seeming as if he would draw a letter out of his Bosom with an Impoisoned knife supposed to have Stabbed the Prince into the Belly but he being aware received the Wound on his Arm and with his foot Struck the Villain down and then wresting from him the knife Stabbed him during which buffle the Guards entered and cut him in Pieces as he lay on the Ground This Villain the Sultan sent to excuse Swearing by Mahomet it was not done with his privity nor consent but however such was the nature of the poison that it was not cured without great difficulty The Prince having a long time in vain expected the coming of the other Christian Princes thought good to return which accordingly he did having first concluded a Peace with the Sultan and shortly after his return his Father Henry dying he was Crowned King of England c. Anno 1273 〈◊〉 having been advanc'd by the Pope to the 〈…〉 upon promise to pass into the 〈…〉 himself for so tedious a Voyage sent his Son Henry Prince of Mâ—â—â—lâ—burg who aâ—â—â—â—ing at 〈◊〉 with a great Power wasted the Territories of Damasco with fire and Sword taking many Towns but at length being intercepted by the Mamaluâ—â—s he was taken Prisoner and a great part of his Army slain in which state he with one Servant remained 26 years no Ransom being accepted for his deliverance at which time a Runagado German coming to the Sultan set him at Liberty and sent him who upon his return was not known to his nearest Relations who supposed him long before silent in his Grave and indeed he lived not long after his return The Princes of the West growing weary of these tedious expeditions the Infidels thereby encouraged under the leading of Alphix or Elpis their Sultan rased Tripolis Sidon and Berythus putting most of the Inhabitants to the Sword the Christians having now nothing left but the strong City Ptolomais and yet they were at variance amongst themselves some for the Government of the City and some for the title of King of Jerusalem During the contest Sultan Araphius sent his Son to besiege Ptolomais who in vain assaulting it many times made large offers if he might have it delivered but they as little prevailed whereupon his Father being dead and himself chosen Sultan he drew down before it 15000 Horse and Foot assaulting it on every side filling up the ditches with his Multitude but the Christians from the Wall and by sallying killed so many of the Infidels that they were forced to retire to their trenches yet in the Skirmish Peter Grand Master of the Templars being Shot with a Poison Arrow died within three days and with him all the courage of the besieged for from that time such as could make their escape by Sea departed so that the City being in the end left destitute of Defendants was by the Sultan taken and rased all such as were found therein being put to the Sword so that the Christians were utterly rooted out of Syria this being the last City which had remained in the hands of the Christians for upwards of 100 years and was lost Anno 1291 just 192 years after the winning of Jerusalem by Duke Godfry And now the Christian Princes despairing to recover what they had lost Cassanes the Tartarian Prince moved thereto by his Wife and her Father the King of Armenia undertook the Enterprize and with a powerfull Army entered Syria wasting all before him when not far from the Mountain Amanus he met with Melsenoser the Sultan of Egypt's Lievtenant and put him to flight with the loss of 40000 of his Souldiers and drave him quite out of Syria sending Molais one of his Captains to pursue him over the desart Sands to the Confines of Egypt then taking in all the Cities as he passed and in the City of Hama lighting upon the Sultans treasure he divided it amongst his Souldiers and having fortified Jerusalem and Damasco he purposed in the Spring to have passed into Egypt and to have destroyed the Country but in the mean time receiving news that great tumults were risen in Persia his new acquired Empire he with part of his Army departed to allay them leaving Capcapus Governour of Damasco and his great Captain Molais of Jerusalem with order to send Embassadors to the Princes of the West but they being Imbroyled amongst themselves nothing could be obtained so that no aids coming from the Tartar nor King of Armenia the Towns were as easily recovered by the Egyptian Sultan as they had been taken from him by the Tartarian Cham. And thus taking my leave
dye and lose his Empire the empty name only of Emperor accompanying him to his grave And thus much for Osman Tenth Emperor of the Turks CHAP. XXI Mustapha Reinthronized with an Account of his proceedings till his second Deposing MVstapha having as has been related caused his nephew young Osman to be strangled in prison he made several new Bassas displacing such as had been made by his Predecessor least getting power they should revenge the death of Osman nor were there some wanting that both desired and attempted it especially Mechmet Bassa Governour of Erzirum in â—â—sia During the consternation of the Asian Turks at the death of their Emperor putting them in fear the Empire would be dissolved the Persian King was not idle but with a powerful Army recovered most places taken from him by the Turkish Sultans and the like might have been effected by the Christians had they not been at discord amongst themselves so that that much dreaded Empire would have been reduced into a small circumference which many afterwards though too late repented The new Sultan altogether governed by his Imperious Officer not yet supposing himself fast in the Throne consented to the making away the brethren of Osman and children to Achmat the late Emperor in order to Execute which bloody purpose the Capi-Aga or Major Domo of the Seraglio went to their Lodgings with a purpose to strangle them but the children crying out several of the Pages run to their rescue and falling upon the messengers of death slew the Capi-Aga and evilly intreated the others that attended him and thereupon sent word to the Janizaries and Spahis who approved of their proceedings commanding the body of the Aga to be hanged up in the Hippodrome as a terrour to those that should attempt the like for the future and in a rage went to the Pallace demanding Justice on them that had Councilled so wicked a purpose but the new Emperor who differed not much from an ideot solemnly protested he was altogether ignorant of the matter and if such command were procured it was gotten by sabreption which Protestation was easily believed yet Darut Bassa and the Emperors mother were vehemenly suspected when to appease the angry souldiers the Bassa was displaced from the Viziership Hazein Bassa placed in his stead and the Emperors mother hid in the Pallace till the Tempest was over which could be no otherwise allayed then by a showr of Gold Chequins After which the new Vizier protesting either to reform the affairs of the Empire or fall a Sacrifice did a little restore the face of Justice by making examples of some and terrifying others with threats insomuch that he was looked upon as a man fit for those boisterous times nor was that his only aim but he resolved when once settled in his place to remove Mustapha and place Morat brother to Osman in the Imperial seat not thinking himself safe under a man that was altogether governed by an imperious woman desirous of Rule and was no further capable of the passions of love and hate then they were infused into him During these troubles of the Ottoman Empire the Duke Sbaraskie lay upon the Frontiers and would not advance to ratifie the peace between the King his master and the new Sultan till such time as Sir Thomas Rowe his Majesty of Great Brittains Ambassador then resident at the Port had given him his faith for his security which done the Duke advanced and upon his arrival at the Port was magnificently entertained by the new Vizier yet e'r any thing was absolutely concluded a matter happened which had like to have turned all into nothing for on the 17 of June 1622 Prince Coreskie who had been taken in the late war between Osman and Sigismund King of Poland was strangled in prison at Constantinople which put all into murmur and deep consideration to what intent it was done when so great a ransom might have been had for his release but most believed it was done out of a Politick end for that the Prince being a mortal enemy to the Turks if he should have been set at liberty his restless nature would not have suffered the peace to have continued long inviolable yet the urgent affairs of Poland so requiring the Peace was concluded in nineteen Articles much to the advantage of the Polonian King the Turks greatly fearing at that juncture the Christians uniting against them might dismember their Empire The new Vizier by this time having won the affections of the Souldiers resolved upon his former purpose of Deposing Mustapba and setting up Morat Brother to Osman then a child and the better to forward his purpose he caused the Aga of the Janizaries and several Officers of the Court to be seized as contrivers of the death of Coreskie whom himself had commanded to be strangled which raised another Tumult for the Janizaries running furiously to the Court demanded their Captain whom the Bassa had ordered to be put to death and had done great mischief had he not been delivered nor were they so contented but peremptorily demanded the head of the Visier solemnly protesting to facrifice him for the affront done to their order upon which escaping through the Emperors Garden he took boat and passed over into Asia whereupon they sacked his house and found therein great store of Treasure they likewise demanded the heads of several others but in the end all was hushed yet they proceeded to the Election of a new Visier making choice of one Mustapha a man of a soft nature and easily ruled who scarcely durst do Justice for fear of offending any man which proceeding of the insolent Janizaries nevertheless caused the wiser sort of men to retire from office and imployment and to the insufficient daily change and ruine for the Emperor durst not move but by the directions of the Souldiers whose creature he was so many insolencies were frequently committed and all Asia greatly endangered to be lost for at Bagdat antiently Babylon the Captain of the Janizaries killed the Bassa burnt the Mufti and gave his daughter in Marriage to one Assan Beg pretender to an Antient Inheritance of a bordering Province to cantonize that part nor Asia only stood in suspence what to do but the Dominions of the Turkish Sultan in Africk greatly wavered as doubting whom to obey On the 22 of August an Extraordinary Ambassador from Bethlehem Gabor Prince of Transylvania arrived at the Port who amongst other instructions had order to excuse his master and to declare the reasons why he had made peace with the Emperor without the knowledge of the Sultan which were that the war had continued three years in the Kingdom of Hungary and had so wasted the Country that it was impossible for him to stay longer in the field unless he would have exposed his Army to those wants that would have reduced him to have accepted of an inglorious peace or to have suffered a great part of his Souldiers to perish for want and
Port to excuse himself for so doing by shewing the necessity that induced him so to do But ere a Peace could be concluded as was intended Count Mansfelt and Duke Ernestus who were the greatest inciters thereto died so that nothing for a time was done therein but it was left in the power of the Prince and Bassa of Buda to War upon the Emperour as they found it convenient or most advantagious insomuch that they raised great forces intending to make Austria the seat of War but upon further negotiation that design was layed aside all Parties being more desirous of Peace then War and so matters were left doubtful About this time an Ambassador from the King of Persia with overtures of Peace arrived at Aleppo but could get no Audience of the Visier who remained there with his broken Army till an other Ambassador with presents arrived at Constantinople where he made such overtures that they were approved by many but the non-delivery of Babylon a little before taken by the Persians put a stop to the negotiation the Turks not being willing upon any other Terms to hearken to Peace for that their Army in Asia was by this time recruited and again entered into Persia to avert which the Persians besieged Achiska a strong City near Arzirum being incouraged thereto by Abassa Bassa to whom the Visier sent to draw out his forces and in conjunction with the Georgians to joyn with such forces as he should send him which were three thousand Janizaries under the leading of twelve Captains with whom he sent Provision and other necessaries but for the hatred the Bassa had to that order he commanded them to be set upon in the night and allmost all cut in pieces those that remained and were taken Prisoners he sent to the Persian King and then with such forces as he had Fortified himself in Arzirum The news of this disgrace coming to the ear of the Visier he drew down with all his forces toward the Rebel resolving to punish him if he could by any means get him into his hands Now the treaty between the Imperial Ministers those of the Grand Signeours and Transylvanian Princes growing ripe a Peace was concluded though severally for the Prince having understood that the King of Denmark who was coming to his aid had been overthrown by Walstain the Emperours General and that the Bassa of Buda bought with German Gold had crossed all his purposes at Constantinople and discovered his inmost Councils he grew jealous of his own state and therefore thought it best to make Peace whilst he was in a capacity to obtain honourable condition which Treaty comprised in ten Articles were Ratified at Presburg The chief points of which were That either side should cease from Hostilities and forbear directly or indirectly to assist each others Rebells and that all the City and Towns taken in the late War should be redelivered Nor were the Turks slow in finishing their Treaty as being no ways able to maintain an Army in Europe by reason of their troubles in Asia so that much to the same purpose as the former contained in eleven Articles the Peace was concluded at the Port to the great joy of all parties especially of the Turks who were now at leasure to recover their Towns and quell the Rebellions in Asia Anno 1627. Halil Bassa the great Visier and General of the Turkish Army in having for sometime besieged Abassa Bassa in Arzirum and finding his attempts to win the City vain by reason of the many inconveniencies in his Camp he was forced to rise which the Rebel perceiving sallied out and with all his forces followed hard after for seven dayes cutting off all his Rear and took his Treasure Cannon and Baggage which so discouraged the Souldiers that they mutined against their General and sought to stone him and long was it ere they could be appeased whereupon he wrote to the Grand Signeour informing him that there was no hopes of obedience unless the reverence of his person did revive it yet he rested at Tocat and for the better quieting disorders disbanded a part of his Army who almost naked to the great disgrace of the Visier came to Constantinople which gave Abassa Bassa opportunity to hold correspondence with the Poles Tartars and Cossacks whereupon Husseruph Bassa a Visier of the Bench and late Aga of the Janizaries was chosen conductor of the Militia and passed over into Asia with such forces as could be instantly raised and many great Ordinance cast for the service Gallies were likewise fitted out and all preparations made as far as the Treasure would extend and it was further concluded that Husseruph should march directly to Diarbecher to oppose the Persian and there remain as Bassa of the Province and that on his way to prevent charge the Seal should be sent him and he constituted great Visier in the room of Halil Bassa whose credit therein was had in regard for that he was not sent for home as in disgrace but in the head of the Army delivered up his charge and so retired to the Port there to continue one of the Council Visiers Anno 1628 about the 5th of April Hasseruph was declared Grand Visier and took upon him the charge of the Army with orders to march directly toward Babylon for of Abassa Bassa they had had enough the year before Yet he wrote to the Grand Signeour terming himself his slave promising him that he would hold the Province of Arzirum for him but if he sought to expeâ—â— him by force he would put it into the hands of the Persian but if he might possess it he would defend it against him and still hold him as the capital Enemy of the Turkish Empire nor should his forces be wanting to assist the new General in his Expedition for the recovery of Babylon and this was accepted as a plenary submission Whilst the Grand Signeour was thus busied to settle affairs of Asia and to reduce Abassa Bassa to obedience the Tartar Han was openly declared a Rebel and Enemy to the Turkish Empire and his Brother Schachin Geheray sent out of Persia to raise troubles on that side having exacted a Tribute of the Princes of Bugdania and Valachia he was overthrown by Count Emire a Tartar Captain who undertook to reduce him to the obedience of the Grand Signeour whereupon it was suddainly resolved that it should be once again attempted to restore Ghian Geray to that Kingdom and to expell Mechmet Han in order to which the Captain Bassa once more prepared the Fleet of Gallies so that for a year the Mediterranean was like to be incumbred and the Turkish Empire ingaged in so many troubles that every thing seemed to work towards its subversion but great bodies have strong Luctations and die not with one fit and such was the blindness and misery of the times that whilst the Christian Princes contended in ambitious and envious rather then just quarrels none of them had leasure to
the place where blood was spilt day and night where Gallant Men had forgot to sleep living in perpetual labours innur'd to intolerable sufferings and hourly dangers there being none secure in Church House or Street for Granadoes spouted fâ—â—e Cannons thundred out their Iron Globes Arrows and Stones fell like Hail so that there were none in that place but who quartered on the brink of the Grave Winter coming on Hostilities ceased not though their heat was somewhat abated and to the wonder of all men the Visier could not be perswaded to forsake his Trenches but proving when necessary he could to secure his Souldiers from the raging cold and prodigeous Rains he immediately dispatched Letters to the Grand Signeour and Divano to send him new supplies for that his Army was so wasted that of one hundred and fifty thousand with which he at first incamped not a third part of them remained adding that he was resolved to take the City or dye under its Walls which resolution was highly approved by the Grand Signeour and a speedy dispatch of Men Provision and Ammunition was made when to the Visier supposing to render the Officers of the City more negligent of their trusts sent to propose certain Articles of Peace and a flag of Truce but his design being perceived he drew in his hornes about which time arrived the new Proveâ—itor Bernardo Navi the other having been killed with a Musquet shot on the Fort of Panigara bringing with him five hundred Souldiers and Matteo Mattheus Serjeant General with recruits from the Pope as likewise three hundred Meddals to bestow upon such Worthies as should best deserve them Anno Dom. 1668. in the month of March a sharp ingagement happened between sixteen Venetian and twelve Turkish Gallies the latter not expecting such a number in those tho indeed they had been sent to surprize yet entering into a sharp dispute six of the Turks Gallies were sunk or taken and the rest much shattered escaped under the shelter of the night having lost most of their Souldiers and Commanders and soon after the Captain General of the Venetians lighting accidentally of six other Turkish Gallies took and sunk them all save one that run her self on shoar Spring being now come the Turks began to creep out of their Trenches having raised a Fort on the side of the Lazaretto which so offended the Port that there was no harbour or access for Vessels and the like they had erected on the other side near unto the Fort of St. Andrea which greatly offended Tramata another harbour on the left hand and in the night passing undiscovered of the Centinels they fixed a strong Cable to the Pallisado of St. Andrea and strained it so hard with an Engine erected for that purpose that they tore away several of the main beams heightned with which success they continued to advance their Lines on that side to prevent which the General commanded two hundred under the leading of Major Motta to sally out upon them which they effected with such expedition and secresie that they slew a great number of them and put the rest that were running the Line to flight overthrowing their redoubts and filling up Lines for which good service the General bestowed amongst them fifty Zechins and commanded the platform to be finished from whence with his Cannon he greatly annoyed the Enemy and having destroyed several Redoubts by springing of Mines sallyed about eight hundred strong and made great slaughter of the Turks driving them out of their Trenches Howsoever the Turks with admirable patience crept forward under the shelter of their Bastion running their Traverses cross the Lines till Maupassau an Engineer by springing several Mines put a stop to their proceedings But now what was the greatest loss to this famous City the Duke of Savoy whose subject the Marquess D' Villa was recalled him home his urgent affairs so requiring notwithstanding many overtures were made for his continuance but in obedience to his Prince he imbarked and left his charge to the Marquess St. Andrea Montbrun a Noble man of France with whom the Venetian Ambassador at Paris by order of the Republick had prevailed to take upon him the defence and protection of that deplorable reduced now almost to its ultimate crisis The new General established in his place of trust took a diligent survey of the Forts and Walls of the City giving such necessary orders as he conceived most convenient nor was his diligence without reason for the Turks dayly pressed nearer to the Walls of the City raising many redoubts with such expedition that they could not be destroyed so fast as they were raised though the Miners ceased not to use their utmost diligence and from them playing with their Cannon many brave men were killed on the Walls and amongst the rest Providetor General Nani and Francisco Bataglia Brother to the Duke of Candia were slain with Musquet shots The long continuance of this siege drew thither many Worthies and amongst others Monsier La Fuillade Duke of Roanez The Count of St. Pauls The Duke De Carderousse The Count D' Villa Maur and the Duke De Chateau Tiery who came accompanied with six hundred Men most of them Gentlemen of note to try their valour in the field of Mars who like so many inraged Lyons by their frequent sallies killed a great number of the Turks beating them through their Trenches and terrifying them at that rate that they scarcely durst make their approach but these men came not to stay but only to see the Wars and so depart which after good service done such as escaped did when in their places several valiant Souldiers sent by the Dukes of Lunenburgh and Brunswick arrived under ther leading of several valiant Chiefs of which Count Waldeck was principle who in a sally venturing into the Enemies Trenches too far received several wounds of which he soon after died Between St. Andrew and the Ravelin of Spirito where the Turks had planted a Battery of three pieces of Cannon and raised several Doubts a Mine of one hundred sacks of Powder was sprung which not only overthrew the Battery and Redoubts but vast quantities of Stones and Timber it carryed into the Air destroyed a great number of Turks in their Trenches and thereupon the Christians sallying put them into a great confusion dismounting and spiking up their Cannon but by the loss of the Duke of Candia who was slain by a Musquet shot much of the joy for this success was abated yet three thousand Turks were slain and amongst them the Bassa of Canea and Major General of the Janizaries This slaughter for a while greatly discouraged the Turks but in the end recovering breath they made a strong assault upon one of the Forts of St. Andrea and gained it pressing on to the Bastion of Sabionera to the West with a force of ten thousand men having the advantage of three batteries each consisting of then pieces of Ordinance and the next
of Three Hundred Purses of Money each Purse being accounted Five Hundred Dollars yet the loss of these Ships wrought such effects that the Tripoles soon after concluded a peace with the French Matters being at this pass and the troubles increasing in Hungary Count Teckely still opposing himself against the Emperors Interest and useing his utmost endeavours at the Port to have himself proclaimed Prince of Transylvania the Emperor thought good to send an Ambassador to the Grand Seignior to put him in mind of the league between the two Empires desiring that it might be kept inviolable not any ways infringed by his giving countenance to his Rebels in Hungary which Ambassador upon his arrival had his Audience of the Grand Visier and a promise made him that a strict command should be sent to all his Beglerbegs and Sanzacks on the frontiers not upon pain of losing their heads to aid or countenance the Male-contents and being afterwards with the Grand Visier he assured him that the Grand Seigniors resolution should be maintained that thereby the peace and friendship Established between the two Empires might continue yet these specious pretences were to no other end intended then to protract time to make their own terms with the Rebels for soon after without the least provocation the Tables were turned and not only assisted them with all manner of Warlike provision but with Men and Money in consideration of several Towns to be put into their hands when taken They likewise made great preparations at Belgrade and Buda under pretence of deposing Abafti Prince of Transylvania and causing divers Janizaries to be attired like Hungarians and to serve Count Teckely as his guard The Turkish Pyrates of Argiers having broke the peace sometime since made with his Majesty of Great Brittain and taken several English Vessels and amongst others these by name viz. the Anne of London the John of Exeter the Thamar of Colchester the Post-horse of London the Rosemary of Yarmouth the William of London the amity of Plymouth the Fortune of London the Vnity of Barnstable and the Mary Land Merchant which last fought two Algerine Men of War almost one whole day but at last taking fire she together with most of her men perished To curb their insolency the Vice-Admiral Herbert with the Squadron of his Majesties Frigates under his command was appointed to cruze in those straights who with such success happened on those roving thieves that within the space of two years he took and destroyed forty of their Ships recovering a great number of Christian Captives and brought those Pyrates so low that not only they but those of Tripole and Sally were obliged to truckle and receive such terms of peace as the Victor would allow Amongst the many ingagements that happened during the space aforesaid this is remarkable on the 8th of April 1681. Captain Booth in the Adventure Frigate cruzing to the Leward got sight of a great Turks Man of War with a prize which she towed at her Stern the which upon a more full discovery proved to be the Golden Horse of Argiers mounted with upwards of Forty Guns and Five Hundred and Eight Men commanded by one Morat Raiza a Dutch Renegado with which about Ten in the Morning near Cape de Gal he began a sharp fight which continued till about Three in the Afternoon when the Algerine having her Main Mast shot by the Board and her Captains Thigh broken with a Musket Bullet the Turks were about to yield but seeing a fresh Ship with Turkish Colours which afterwards proved to be his Majesties Frigate the none-such Captain Wheeler Commander they took new courage and continued the fight with extraordinary Resolution till night at what time the Algerine had One Hundred and Twenty of her men wounded and near as many killed all her Masts shot by the Board and five or six foot deep of water in the Hold Captain Booth having likewise all his rigging cut in pieces and every thing out of order and apprehensive of ingaging in that condition with the said fresh Ship which he supposed to be an Enemy commanded the Calabash Fire-ship then attending him least the prize should escape to burn which of them she could most conveniently grapple which had been put in Execution had not the Fireships Boat been in the night time accidentally staved next Morning by break of day Captain Wheeler came up and being within half culvering shot put out the English Colours and bearing directly upon the Algerine siezed her without firing a Gun By this action thirty seven English Captives were redeemed and of Dutch and Spaniards One Hundred and Thirteen The Muscovite by this time beginning to dread the Tempest of War that was ready to fall upon him and not able of himself to resist such a power as the Grand Seignior had raised by reason of intestine troubles and despairing to be aided by the Polonians whom he had some years before deserted in their greatest necessity he thought it the safest to conclude a peace which by Presents and many intreaties he procured to be ratified for the space of twenty years It being the rather consented to by the Grand Seignior that he might be at leisure to turn his Armes upon Hungary in which so many of his Predecessors have been foiled Leopold the Emperor finding by experience that he had given too much credit to the Faithless Turks and it was but too apparent that they aided his Rebels He thought it convenient to call a Diet at Odenburg there to indeavour a Reconciliation and put an end to the intestine troubles which the Hungarian Nobility likewise urged and requested him to be present in the like Royal Robes as the Kings of Hungary were wont to apparel themselves in but he not consenting thereto after some debate and many particulars offered the Assembly broke up without concluding any thing whereupon Count Tecke'y siezed on several Garrisons on the Banks of the Waga and sent to the Bassa of Buda to hasten the Forces he had in a readiness for that he would have no peace with the Emperor unless his own proposals were granted upon receipt of which Letter Seventeen Thousand Turks passed the Danubius and made great spoil burning and destroying all the Villages for the space of Fourteen Miles till Teckely moved with the cryes of the poor Country people who fled like Sheep before them he sent an express to the Bassa that commanded them to restrain them from spoiling the Countries The news of these proceedings greatly troubled the Emperor then infested with the French who incamped upon the Rhine and had seized upon Strasburg a free City of the Empire yet like a prudent Prince he used many perswasions to reduce the Rebels to their former obedience publishing his declaration wherein he promised them all convenient liberty for the exercise of their Religion and that they should have a Palatine a native of Hungary offering likewise a general pardon for all that had passed but
between the horse and foot and so render them unserviceable to each other The Duke sent away the Baggage under a convoy of six hundred horse towards Altemberg to seize upon which the Turks advanced with a party of three thousand horse so that a sharp dispute happened till the Turks by the courage of the Imperialists were obliged to a disorderly retreat but being reinforced by eight hundred fresh horse they rallyed whereupon the Duke of Lorrain and divers great Commanders with all convenient speed advanced and the Forces on either side encreasing the fight grew hot the Imperialists behaving themselves very resolutely but especially the Duke of Lorraine who with his Regiment of Guards charged through the thickest of the enemies squadron but the Turks power still increasing and the Imperialists not being so suddenly able to pass the River as the Action required after two hours resolute fighting those that convoyed the Baggage were most of them cut in pieces and to the value of forty thousand Guilders fell to the enemy and in the whole action twelve hundred Imperialists and seventeen hundred Turks were slain amongst the former the Prince of Savoy General Rabatta the Count d'Lamberg and Prince of Aremberg after which the Imperial horse having made good their retreat passed the River and joyned their foot who could not though they were speculators of the Action come up which gave the Turks this considerable advantage and so exalted their spirits that upon receiving a new supply of eight thousand foot they besieged Raab but received such welcome from the mouthes of the murthering Cannon that they were glad to draw off when having burnt some few Villages with what plunder they had got they marched to the Grand Visiers Camp upon which reinforcement he trussed up his Tents and marched directly towards Vienna the Imperial chief City scituate in Austria on the banks of the River Danubius burning and ruining all his way insomuch that the Imperial Army being found too weak to encounter him the Duke retired with it under the walls of that City to expect the Forces of the Confederate Princes whilst Count Staremberg Governour thereof who had been abroad with a party to observe the motion of the enemy was obliged to fight his way through the Vaunt-Corriers of the Turks Army to get into the City through which likewise the Duke of Lorraine passed when he had given such necessary orders as were convenient for maintaining a strenuous siege leaving therein eighteen or twenty thousand souldiers under the command of the aforesaid Count who sallying out fired the Suburbs dislodging and killing a great number of Turks that he found there plundering the houses and upon his return calling together the Chief Citizens he admonished them to behave themselves like men against the enemies or their Countrey and Religion from whom notwithstanding the specious pretences they might make they should receive little mercy at the hands of the Infidels if they became victors he likewise with speech and large promises of reward animated his Captains and souldiers whom he found resolved to live and dye with him in the defence of that City which is the glory of the Empire protesting rather to suffer the worst extremity then hearken to any surrender The Duke of Lorraine having passed through the City with his Army incamped himself strongly near Kremps resolving there to expect the King of Poland and the Troops of the Confederate Princess which were on their march and as opportunity offered both to encourage and succour the besieged whom by this time the Visier had with his Army consisting of one hundred thousand men blocked up being the flower of the Ottoman Empire running his Trenches with great celerity though to hinder it the Cannons from the walls incessantly played and the besieged frequently sallyed killing and repulsing the Infidels following the execution even to their Camp yet the number of their Pioniers increasing they under the shelter of the night and favour of their Cannon in two dayes lodged themselves running their works to a great depth leaving the earth arch-wise thinking so to reach the walls and blow them up by springing their Mines but such diligence was used by the German Enginiers that a great number of the Infidels were buryed in their works several poysoned by the stench of dead bodied they met with in their Subterranean Progress which had been buryed in the last plague which the 〈◊〉 perceiving commanded eight thousand 〈◊〉 to lodge themselves in the ruines and 〈◊〉 from six batteries containing thirty which Cannon he caused the City to be battered 〈…〉 without intermission and having thereâ—◠〈…〉 breach near the Carinthian Gate comâ—◠〈◊〉 his men to enter who in a desperate manner came on but were so warmly received by the besieged that after three thousand were slain upon the place they were obliged to retire which so enraged the Visier that he commanded them to make a second Attack which was done but with altogether as bad success as the former The City of Vienna thus straitned the Bishop of Aichstadt the Imperial Minister represented the danger it was in to the Diet for that purpose assembled at Ratisbone recommending it especially to the care of the Electoral Princes requiring them in the name of the Emperor to find out such effectual and speedy ways to raise men and money for its relief that it might not fall into the hands of the Infidels and thereby open a way for them to conquer all the Cities of Austria This matter being debated it was resolved that a fund of money should be speedily raised and all other necessaries provided for the subsistence and relief of the besieged and to stay the further progress of the Turkish Arms. Upon notice of which the Elector of Bavaria drew his forces into the field and ordered them to the number of ten or eleven thousand immediately to march and joyn the Duke of of Loraine whom they found encamped near Kreâ—ps Whilst these things were doing the Rebels under the command of Count Teckely made great spoil upon the borders of Croatia and Silefia besâ—eâ—ing and taking Budekim by storm ravaging and destroying all the pleasant places about it which put the adjacent Garisons into such consternation that several whether through fear or treachery iâ— uncertain put themselves under his protection whereby he was pussed up to that extravagance that he sent Summons to divers of the Nobility to attend him in Arms as their Prince under the Penalties of Confiscation Imprisonment and death which so afrighted divers that they came in but many there were whose Loyalty could not be shaken which so enraged the Rebel that he destroyed their Country dwellings and seized on whatsoever of theirs he could find By this time the Turks had far advanced their Trenches and began to throw their Bombs into the City whereupon the Citizens covered many of their houses near the wall with earth and with the shot of the Cannons from the
Buda which was performed in his Tent the Visier laying to his charge that he had basely and Cowardly suffered the overthrow of those Forces he was conducting to the Camp and had not afterwards taken timely care to recrait his Forces nor send provision and other necessaries to the Camp This Bassa thus made away one Hamet Chellif was made Bassa in his stead but long enjoyed not his honour for at the fight at Barkan he with divers other Bassas was slain as in the sequel of this History will appear The Visier having notice that the Christian Army had entred Hungary with a resolution to set down before some important place and that the Generals had eye upon Gran and New-Hassel he collected his scattered Forces to the number of twenty five thousand encamping near the walls of Stoel-Weissenburg but not thinking himself safe there retired before the Christian Army which marched with all diligence to find him out but the King and Duke having notice that the lower Hungary was intirely ruined and left desolate they repassed the Danube near Comora with a resolution to possesse themselves of Barkan 〈◊〉 Garison of the Turks covering the Bridg of 〈◊〉 and Pest over against Buda the better to secure their winter Quarters in the upper Hungary which the Visier mistrusting had posted there a body of ten or twelve thousand Janizaries and Spahies or Timarii whilst himself marched to Alba-Regalis to be at hand to joyn them in case they should be attacked and caused another small body drawn out of the Garrisons to possess the banks of the River Gran to hinder the Christians passing over But this letted not the progress of their Arms for the King of Poland by swift marches advancing a German mile and a half before the Imperial Army coming near Barkan the Turks came out in small parties to skirmish with whom and to attack the Garrison the King caused his Dragoons to alight who after some dispute caused the enemy to retire but their retreat proved only a design to draw the Poles into their Ambush for whilst the King furiously pursued six thousand Janizaries passing undiscovered behind a hill charged the Kings Battle so strongly in the Flank that piercing the Array they put it into some disorder the horse notwithstanding the King was present breaking rank and giving ground yet wheeling off he soon brought them to recover their order and continued the fight bloody and doubtful when being seconded by foot the Turks were slain in great numbers and about to fly had they not been reinforced by two thousand horse brought on by the Bassa of Buda who in the first charge was himself flain yet they obstinately maintained the fight which making the King doubt that the Visier with a greater power was at hand as having no certain intelligence of his march he sent an express to the Duke of Loraine to let him know he was engaged and to desire him to advance with all convenient speed which he did but not with such celerity as was expected by reason he had a long defile to pass but upon the first approach of his Troops the Poles retired to avoid the confusion they were falling into but being reinforced by six Regiments of Imperial Dragoons they again returned in good order and every where put the Turks to the rout following the execution to the Bridge of Barkan over which a few made their escape but the Bridge once broken and all hope of flight cut off they resolutely threw themselves into the River and their perished so that of the whole body a very small number escaped the sword and drowning unless eight hundred that were taken Prisoners amongst whom was the Bassa of Silestria and the Bassas of Buda and Aleppo fell amongst the slain which were not computed less then ten thousand upon which defeat the Garrison surrendred upon discretion in which was found a rich booty containing part of the spoils of Austria Croatia and Moravia In this Battle fought on the 9 of October thirteen hundred Poles and one hundred Imperialists fell the King himself was much indangered by the enemies shot and Prince Alexander his son had his horse shot under him none of note being killed on the part of the Christians but Kirotski a Polish Palatine This second overthrow greatly discouraged the Visier who was advancing to joyne this body but upon the news of the defeat he in great perplexity retired to Belgrade there to expect new supplyes whilst the King and Duke after thanks for this unexpected Victory returned to Almighty God kept on their way to Gran beating the stragling partyes appointed to let their passage and on the 18 of October coming near the City sent out a commanded party to burn the Suburbs the which after a hot dispute which such Turks as sallyed to prevent it in part they performed and thereupon prepared formally to besiege that important Garrison which no doubt will fall into their hands And now Tekely finding the ottoman sword too feeble to maintain his usurped Title and support him in his Rebellion sent his deputies to the King of Poland earnestly to implore his mediation with the Emperor to pardon his past offences and accept of his future obedience but that king not finding him real in his intentions refused to meddle in that affair And thus much Reader have I thought fit for your satisfaction impartially to recount and conclude with my hearty prayers to Almighty God that as the Christian Arms have been of late successful so may they continue till the haughty Infidels by sad experience know that the crucified God whom they impiously contemn blaspheme and revile is not only able to deliver his people from their merciless cruelties but in his just displeasure to break in pieces their aspiring Monarchy with a Rod of Iron FINIS