shew themselves but they were set off with great Ordnance yet Calderomus a Spaniard seeing some viewing that part of the wall most battered at the Castle-Bulwark sallied out but was presently slain with a bullet which did the more incense not terrifie the rest so that when they saw the enemy busie in filling the Ditch 100 Knights and Souldiers sallying forth made the enemy betake himself to flight slaying 80 and losing ten men 2 being Knights whose Heads next day the Turks set on spears upon their Trenches The same day they of Melita at night made many fires discharging great Valleys of small shot c. done only to shew their cheerfulnesse and keep the Turks in suspence who for all that filled up the Ditch at the Castle-bulwark whereby they might without stay passe unto the over-thrown Wall with 2 great peeces from a High Mount cast up playing upon the Castle shooting at first shot in Castilia's Loupe a Spanish Knight being there slain with a small shot on which day a Spanish Souldier fled out of the Town to the enemy assuring them they should by a fresh assault win the Town there being but 400 alive in it and they he said almost spent with labour and wounds Wherefore Aug. 7. they at one instant assaulted the City at the Castle-bulwark and the Castle at the Breach with an exceeding multitude the noise of Warlike Instruments and cry of men on both sides being exceeding confused and great which the Knights in Melita hearing and seeing the smoak fearing the worst All the Horsmen issued forth to avert the Turks from the assault by setting upon those at Aqua Martia who fled these hardly pursuing them with bloudy execution who pittifully cryed for help whereby the other gave over the assault to rescue their fellows having lost 1500 besides those slain in chase the Defendants in both places losing above 100 and almost as many wounded Valetta going that day and certain others to the Temple to give publike thanks for that Victory Garzias was advertised that some ships with men and warlike provision were coming from Constantinople to Malta who sent 2 Noblemen with 5 Galleys to meet them who met only one Frigot and a Galliot taking the one the other escaping to Malta Mustapha commanded his Souldiers again to assault the Breach at Michaels Castle where they were with no small slaughter soon repulsed He gave so many assaults more to shew valour and satisfie Solyman than for hope of Victory who had commanded either to win the Island or to lose all their lives Mustapha also sent in haste to Solyman shewing the state of the Fleet the Armies difficulties their small hope to win how well the Christians were provided c. The 2 Galleys aforesaid going out of the Haven of Syracusa met with a Maltese coming from Pozalo in a boat sore wounded telling them that landing by night with one Companion he was requested by 2 Sicilians to rest there that night and 5 Turks breaking into the House killed his Companion carried away the Sicilians wounding him thus who hardly escaped by benefit of the night Moreover that the Sicilians told the Turks two Galleys were come into that Port bound for Malta whereby they perceived their coming would be discovered yet they kept on their course as far as Pozalo whence they certified the Viceroy what had happened and the South-wind blowing stifly against them they returned to Syracusa expecting his further direction which was to stay for the coming of the whole Fleet ready shortly to passe to Malta but Salazar in his little boat from Pozalo soon arrived at Malta and came to the City and in Turkish Apparel with a Companion who could speak their Language by night got into the Turks Camp where they perceived there was scarce 14000 Souldiers in all many being wounded and sick the rest but unserviceable and feeble So they returned to the City whence Salazar with one Paccius a Spaniard went to a place nigh the Watch-Tower of Muleca which they curiously viewing Paccius was there left that observing the signes from Gaulos and Melita he might give knowledge to the Viceroy at his approach Salazar himself returned to Messana in his little boat declaring to the Viceroy all he had seen and affirming the Turks Fleet was far unable to encounter with 10000 Christians one of the 2 Frigots sent to Malta returning with another Spaniard and a Turkish fugitive and 4 Galleys coming in with 14 Turks taken about Malta confirming the same and saying that the Turks seeing the Christians invincible courage and skill in shooting repented that ever they took in hand that expedition many stealing away especially the ãâã of the Christian Faith c. There was in the Castle one Givara Captain of the Vaunt-guard who about 10 foot from the Wall beaten down drew a Curtain 50 foot-long and 5 foot-thick with Flankers at both ends a great help to the besieged the enemy the while began a Mine under the Corner of the Town-ditch defeated by a counter-mine As a fugitive was swimming to the ãâã he was taken by the enemy which much grieved the besieged Now part of the Turks assailed the Castle and part thought to have blown up the Castle-bulwark but many were in both places slain and some baggs of powder taken from them in the Mine Mustapha and Piall disappointed of their hope consulted with the other great Captains whether to continue that desperate siege or depart most thinking it was best betime to depart yet Mustapha said He would stay till the Galliot were returned from Solyman and the while by force and policy to seek after Victory which he did too often either for his Armie's or the besieged's estate bringing all to such perfection in short time as might have carried a stronger place had not the Defendants valour far exceeded all his devices Robles Governour of the Castle viewing by night the Walls-ruines was struck in the Head with a ãâã shot and slain A man for his many good parts beloved In whose stead Valetta sent an expert and resolute Colonell who so vigilantly discharged his place that the Turks were repulsed with losse so oft as they attempted the place Two Galleys with a Galliot ãâã by the 2 Galleys of Malta told Piall The Christian Fleet was ready to come forth Wherefore he caused 70 Galleys to be in readinesse keeping himself by day in the Port Maior nigh the shoar putting to sea by night expecting their coming but after long looking when he saw none he landed his men again taking out of every Galley most of the powder for the Bassa ãâã land After which they with a greater fury battered the Walls of both Towns especially with Basilisks whose shot was 7 hands about the Walls of Michaels-Castle being ãâã flat and the Castle Bulwark of St. Angelo was almost fallen quite down Wherefore Aug. 18. at noon they fiercely assaulted both Towns being thrice repulsed and still coming on afresh yet at length
it saultable and Septemb. 24. swarming up up the Hill furiously assaulted it for 5 hours with invincible courage by the Christians endured many valiant ones falling on both sides for they came to handy-blows even in the Breaches thrice were the Turks forced to retire and still brought on again so at last 900 Christians ãâã slain with Count Oetingen their Chieftain and his Lievt mortally wounded the Turks entered the Fort slaying those few whom they found yet breathing and whence they carried certain great pieces to help batter the City and planting 30 great pieces against the Low or Water-Town they most terribly battered it which being environed with a Palisado of Wood the Turks by firing brush-Faggots stuffed with powder and brimstone burnt down making their way even to the Walls which they incessantly battered till they had made a large Breach and then not regarding the showers of Bullets matched hand to hand the Janizaries especially had undertaken this service who with their great Musquets cruelly gauled the Defendants the great Bassa was also present at the assault encouraging his Souldiers with terrour and comfort the fight was ãâã and terrible few Bullets falling in vain among such a multitude howbeit after 4 attempts most of the Christians being slain the Turks forced the rest and gained the Breach ãâã both dead Turks and Christians under ãâã to get into the City Which won and those that were left put to the Sword and the Town rifled the Turks attempted the High-Town hoping in so great confusion of the Defendants to have carried that also yet were they at present notably repulsed Wherefore underminining it their Mines in few dayes perfected violently blew up Walls Men c. smothering and burning many which Breaches so made that the Christians could not shew themselves without danger of their lives the Turks forthwith came to the assault whom the Christian Captains preparing to withstand found their Souldiers as ãâã at his most need found his not willing in any wise to sight so that none would come nigh the Walls yet the Captains prayed exhorted and sometimes threatned them with death to stir them up but all in vain during which time the Turks had without any great resistance gained the foot of the Breach Whereupon the cowardly Souldiers compassing in ãâã Dampierre the Governor would by reasons have perswaded him to yield and by threats have feared him from further resistance Howbeit he enraged continued firmly resolved his courage ãâã in this mutinous storm and by divers Expressions minded them of their Duties and perswaded them saying For his part he was resolved rather there to die with Honour than to be beholden to his Enemies for an infamous and miserable life Wherefore he besought them to follow him in this ãâã Action carrying with it ãâã the Trophies of their precedent Ones who had oft assisted him in many actions of less worth and much more dangerous But these Degenerate Souldiers stood with their hands behind them without any Weapons in them and the while some of them conceived their cowardly requests and reasons thereof into writing which they sent to the Governour which he having read tore in pieces in their fight and ãâã under his feet going himself to the Breach with some few to defend it but they now threatned to deliver him with the place to the Enemy to save their lives if he would not by Treaty save them from those eminent perils who being deaf to their requests or threats they laying hands upon him put him in prison then craved parley with the Bassa who sending in Haly Bassa it was soon agreed they to yield up the place upon safe departurewhither they would with bag baggage Ensignes frilled up and fire in their matches leaving behind them all their Ordnance Warlike provision Which Composition was now by the Turks faithfully kept among many other-like before by them broken for it being yielded Octob. the 3d. they safely conducted these Cowards within a League of Comara helping them to carry their sick and wounded with their Fardels which the Turks oft carried upon their own shoulders their Governour was also sent out with them Many Inhabitants who had there dwelt by leave remained there still the rest which would not might depart whither they would Thus famous Strigonium holden 10 years and one month by the Christians fell again into the power of the Turks These base Souldiers with their Governour come to Comara were spoiled of Honour and Arms and sent back to Presburg where being detested of all and chiefly of the revolted Hungarians themselves the chief of them were imprisoned and after some time convicted of great damnifying Treason for which they were according to the quality of their offences diversly ãâã Capt. Schleker having his right hand cut off his tongue drawn out at his neck and both nailed to the gallowes was to be hanged yet through the intercession of many he was beheaded 5 other Captains were to have their right-hands cut off and nailed to the gallows and then to be hanged but by the intercession of Count Mansfield their hands were not cut off another was to be quartered alive but by the Count's intercession beheaded then quartered 12 others were only hanged another was to serve as a common Souldier 2 years without pay but by Mansfield's means one year was pardoned divers others who fled or stayed still at Strigonium had their names set on the gallows and being caught some to be quartered others hands to be cut off nailed to the gallows then hanged But as the Sultan received the pleasing news of the winning of Strigonium in Hungary so also the melancholly report of the overthrow of his great Armies in Asia with the loss of Damasco the greatest City in Syria for first The King of Persia invaded by Cicala and hearing that the Bassa of Caramania was with all speed to ãâã to him with a great supply of Souldiers presently with a puissant Army set forward against Cicala by his unexpected coming overthrew him and took all his Ordnance Cicala with 300 Souldiers with much ado escaping to Adena which City the Persian shortly after straitly besieged upon which news Achmat forthwith wrote to the Bassa of Trebesond speedily to ayd Cicala who with a great Army set forward Whereupon Cicala being with 10 trusty Souldiers secretly by night let down over the walls came to the Bassa keeping on his way with him to joyn Battel with the King as nigh the City as he could for he had ordered that so soon as they perceived the Battel to be joined to sally out upon the backs of the Persians which the King doubting left one part of his Army to continue the siege went himself with the other to meet the Bassa falling upon him before he could put his men in ãâã made of the Turks such an exceeding slaughter that few escaped Cicala but with 2 or 3 much ãâã escaping in a small
not proud of thy fortune but consider the uncertainty of worldly things taking by me example c. Young Andronicus moved herewith entred the pallace humbly saluting embracing and comforting his Grand-father Straight way carrying away the Patriarch Esaius kept in the Monastery in a Chariot restoring him to his Dignity who spared not fully to revenge himself of the old Emperour's friends One might have seen all the Nobles wealth that took his part carried away and their houses overthrown especially of Metochita whose wealth not onely in his house but layd up with friends by notes in his study was a prey to the people and the rest confiscate being brought with wife and children to extream beggery in one day many to increase his grief saying All that treasure was the blood and tears of the poor subjects brought to him by them he made rulers of provinces c. that he might stop them cruelly dealt with by them from complaining to the old Emperour and that the Revenger's eye was now awaked c. He was confined to Didymoticum whence after a while he was sent back to Constantinople where having nothing to relieve him he went to the Monastery of Chora repaired by him in his prosperity therein shrowding himself and not long after dying But Niphon sometime Patriarch meeting the young Emperour the same day asked How they would deal with his Grand-father Who answering Emperour-like was by him inflamed for Niphon bare a special grudge against the old man for that he being by the Clergy outed of his Patriarchship for his shameful extortion was not defended as he looked for and dreaming his taking out of the way was a step to the same Dignity Wherefore he said If thou desirest to Reign without fear c. cast haire cloath on him and clap him in prison or exile him to which ungracious counsel other Nobles consenting much changed the young Emperour's minde that he could not endure his Grand-father a Companion in the Empire Whereupon it was decreed the old man should retain the name and ornaments but meddle with nothing nor come abroad with 10000 duckets yearly for his maintenance Of which shameful decree ãâã the Patriarch was a furtherer rejoycingly wresting this Scripture The just shall rejoyce when he seeth the Vengeance But the old Emperour thus shut up humours distilling through grief first lost one eye and shortly the other being often mocked not by his guarding enemies onely but by his own servants The young Emperour not long after falling very sick Catacuzene and the rest yet doubtful of the old blind man put him to choice either to put on him the habit of a Monk or to take dear exile or perpetual imprisonment At which hard choice he oppressed with woes lay on bed a great while speechlesse for being encompassed with barbarous Souldiers none was left to direct him where to go or stand But would he or not they shaving and polling him cast a Monks habite on him changing after the manner his name to Anthony the Monk of which Esaeias was glad as now no hope to recover the Empire nor cause for himself to fear Yet seeming to be very sorry but indeed deriding him he sent two Bishops to know of him how he would be remembred in Church-prayers To which fetching a great sigh he answered As in poor Lazarus appeared a double miracle that dead he rose and bound walked so in me in a contrary manner who alive am dead and loose bound my tongue also wherewith I might at least bewaile my woes and wrongs to the Aire c. But shame hath closed my mouth my brethren abhorre me and the light of mine eyes is not with me c. As for him that sent you I chose and preferred him to the Patriarchship before many worthy men never before preferred or famous c. But in my Calamity he joyned with mine enemies more cruel than any other feigning him to be much like the Crocodile of Nile ignorant and sorry for me But if I should answer to his catching question to be remembred in the Church as an Emperour I shall forthwith be slain If I say as Anthony the Monk it will be taken that of mine own free will I put on this habite which was never in my thought Thus he sent them away and sitting down said My soul return to thy rest c. neither spake he one word more in declaring his grief and so against his will passing over his sorrow in silence as astonished before the humorus gathered into the brain could be difsolved into tears But the Patriarch decreed he should be remembred before his Nephew in Church prayers as the most Religious and Zealous Monk Anthony the better to colour the matter as if weary of the world he voluntary took it on him Yet in four daies Synadenus understanding the people secretly to mutter at the hard dealing with him Ecclesiastical Laws enforcing none against will to enter Religious orders sent to exact an oath of him in writing that he should never seek after accept of or substitute any other in the Empire and to fear him of his life upon refusal setting barbarous Souldiers over him so yielding he signed the Oath with a red and black crosse another guiding his hand Thus living two years on Feb. 12th towards night a day dedicated to St. Anthonies Vigil certain friends had accesse to him amongst whom was the Prince of Servia's widow his daughter and Nicephor as Gregoras Authour of this History with whom he entred discourse till past mid-night then bidding them farewell pleasantly saying To morrow they would end their discourse no signe of sicknesse appearing They gone he eat of a shell-fish after which as his manner was when he felt inward heat he drank cold water then feeling a great pain in his Stomach and afterwards very sick fell into a loosenesse and going often to a house of Office in an inner Chamber not able to recover his own bed and none to help him he dyed before day sitting on a homely bed fast by having Reigned 43 years whose death was by strange signs and accidents foretold a great Eclipse of the Sun just 43 daies before and after of the Moon an earthquake the day before the Sea rising above the bounds made breaches in the Citie-Walls c. Many Crosses and Pinacles with a great Pillar before the Church of the 40 Martyrs he having wished to live so long as it stood were overthrown He was honourably buried in the Monastery of Libe whose Obsequies 9 daies yearly were solemnly kept Thus the Reader may see the Greek Emperour's were not at leasure to look over into Asia At which time Othoman on one side in Phrygia and Bithynia and Aladin's Successours along Meander encroached as fast till the Greeks were thrust quite out But Othoman's 2 Garrisons built before Prusa having continued certain years brought the City to such ãâã that many Citizens and others died of famine The rest out of hope to
rich garment with some other gift telling them he inrended to recover his Fathers Kingdom in Europe or there to end his daies said The prey shall be theirs that win it a Horse Sword and Mace shall content my self So coming to Bosphorus Strait the Emperour transported his Army into Europe and feasted him in a Country Pallace who though he excused to joyn through age with him in that war yet assisted him with some Christian Companies who stood the Turks in grear stead marching to the River Wyzen where Eurenoses by the way advising him to march very circumspectly and not too much to hasten joyning battel counselled him also if by any means to allure Jegides ãâã Barac Beg and Siman Beg to follow him promising in good time to come himself He shortly marching to Hadrianople Cara Calile began to shew himself and presently put to flight by Michael Ogli besieging Hadrianople the Citizens sent to certifie him they could not through Musa's Garrison then deliver him the City but if by trying it in the field he should carry the victory they should be ready to yield themselves City and all to his pleasure Mahomet content raised the siege marching towards Zagora Musa is reported to come secretly into Mahomet's Camp disguised but perceiving himself too weak withdrew ãâã woods and strong places from thence to Philopopolis ãâã along the River Meritze where Jegides with two of Musa's Captains setting on ãâã rear were by Michael repulsed Mahomet ãâã to ãâã as he ãâã Muse shewed his Army from the Mountains not daring to come down to battel Mahomet marching to ãâã Jegides Barac and Siman perswaded by Eurenoses ãâã to him We are three young men having 3000 ãâã Souldiers of incomparable valour c. Draw near ãâã with what speed thou canst and thou shalt find us ãâã to come to thee He marching all next night came to the River Morava where the 3 Captains joyned unto him Old Eurenoses also with a great company of expert Souldiers Mark of Servia sent him aid also He began to march farther to Cossova his forces still increasing by the revolt of his Brothers Musa seeing none almost left but the Souldiers of the Court his best and faithfullest men thought best to attempt something before left alone seeking with 7000 to take his brother at advantage But Mahomet had a vigilant eye unto him At last he suddenly set upon his brothers Army but oppressed with multitude after a bloudy fight was put to the worst which he seeing sought death among the thickest of his enemies But Bajazet Bassa desirous to take him alive he was be-set and breaking from the midst of them fled But his horse falling into a muddy ditch or as some hoxed by his owu servant and himself wounded overthrew him and was there taken by Bajazet ãâã and Barac hardly persuing him Being brought hand-bound through the Army which grieved many most were glad hoping this long Civil war would now end Shortly after came Balta Ogli sent as they thought from Mahomet who after a bitter reproof for his cruelty to Solyman caus'd him to be strangled with a Bow-string Mahomet shed a few Crocodiles tears over his dead body He lyeth buried at Prusa by Solyman reigning 3 years 7 months Mahomet now taking on him the sole Government in Europe and Asia ãâã Turkish histories here begin his reign accounting ãâã ãâã time to Musa's death as a vacancy But ãâã Mahomet held all or most in Asia during this ãâã in the end the other part in Europe also I reckon ãâã Bajazet's Successour including all that intestine Tragedy wherein he was chief actor Mahomet busied against Musa in Europe the King of Caramania invaded his Kingdom joyning upon him in Asia burning and spoyling all before him Eivases his Lievtenant not able to withstand him and fearing his coming to Prusa made the Citizens bring most of their wealth into the Castle receiving so many of them as he could willing the rest to shift for themselves The King shortly came to Prusa not yet fully fortified burning it to the ground the second time and besieging the Castle gave it great assaults for 30 daies but was repulsed by Eivases comforting his Souldiers that Mahomet overcomming in Europe would come in few daies for relief Musa's dead body was then conveighing to Prusa with much people The Caramanian fearing it was Mahomet with his power speedily departed the Turks long jested saying If the Caramanian run for fear of the Othoman Kings dead body What would hââ had he come against them alive Solyman's Son a boy departed from Constantinople for the League made between the Emperour and Mahomet to go into Valachia by the way great numbers of voluntary Turks offered to spend their lives in his quarrel Mahomet marching hastily to suppress them they dispersed fled Orchanes being betrayed by his Tu or Zaganes Mahomet put out his Eys allowing him gâeat Revenues at Prusa c. This is he who some reckon among the Turkish Kings betrayed to his Uncle Moses etring I suppose in succession and name Now Mahomet assembled a great Army to revenge himself of the Caramanian King Isfendiar sending his Son Casumes for aid and commanding Germian Ogli to provide for victualling as he passed by he entred Caramania taking three Cities and besieging Iconium but through the rain then falling he made peace with the Caramanian News was brought him into Pontus that he renouncing his League was again in Arms. Wherefore returning to Iconium he overthrew the King taking him and his Son prisoners who redeeming themselves by many Cities and Castles concluded a peace receiving of him an Ensign as a token of Vassâlship Then passing over Danubius iu Europe he forraged Valachia Transal pina whose Prince sent him what tribute he demanded and his Son to serve in his Court. Then about happenned a great earth-quake in Prusa c. great troubles ensuing in Asia Yet Mahomet going thither kept all in quiet Isfendiar disinheriting his Son for that he would not return to him from Mahomet's Court and wars reserving Castamona with a little more gave Mahomet the rest who in lieu gave Cassumes other great possessions in his own Kingdom He sent Bedredin Musa's Cadelcher to Nice as exiled yet allowing him a great pension Bedredin having in his house one Burgluzes they laid their heads how to trouble Mahomet's peaceable Government Wherefore Burgluzes going into Aidinia pretending great zeal broached divers strange opinions by which he was shortly reputed a famous learned and devout man and had many followers c. Bedredin fled to Isfendiars Country from thence into Valachia and in a Forrest as some devout man allured to him a number of Out-laws and theives there living whom instructed he sent in religious habit into Zagora and other Mahomet's frontiers as his Disciples who published his doctrine c. and that he was by God appointed King of justice and Commander of the world set forth by Burgluluses and received in Asia
ãâã you though but few than if you were many Now they are come with innumerable Legions yet more than the Janizaries are no good Souldiers among them the rest as enforced serve them for fear c. We are not to fight for other mens houses and altars but for our own c. That God is able with his little finger if he will to destroy all the Turks in the World but he first makes proof of our courage for defence of his name that ãâã ãâã ãâã he may ãâã it with his own fight ãâã They fight for their Prophet Authour of all ãâã for spoyle and ãâã destruction of ãâã other mens Kingdomes enlarging their ãâã worldly ãâã But we contrary wise c. A little refreshing your selves with a repast as you stand on the ãâã given thrice calling aloud upon the name of Christ sight as ãâã you can with like ãâã that He fought for your redemption c. for Christ will be ãâã present with us who believe me and so hope will not onely deliver us this day out of the Turks hands but load us with their ãâã ãâã and so bring all home in safety with much joy and ãâã The Bassa encouraged his ãâã the ãâã former Victories not to degenerate from their Ancestours and themselves to whom ãâã the ãâã interpreter had foretold the Empire of the whole World c. He filled them with hope of great spoyle promising to the Valiant whole Villages c. with great ãâã as they should deserve He assured them of Victory their enemies being weak and themselves a great number if they would fight it out like men That ãâã overcome Huniades whom he had found the most Valiant and skillful Christian Captaine nothing should ãâã their farther conquests willing them above all ãâã to seek ãâã him promising to him ãâã killed him ãâã ãâã c. Both Armies being come within ãâã of a ãâã the signal given the battle began ãâã seeing the enemie cast his first battle in forme of a wedge the ãâã to divide them they in forme of a pare of Sheers were ready ãâã them where both sides encountred with a ãâã and outcry never more terrible They fought a while in the light horsemens wings with like hope but the Turks better acquainted with that kind of ãâã better appointed exceeding in number enforced the Christians to retire to the men ãâã force where was made a most terrible fight most of the Turks light horsemen were slain for they could not abide the men at armes force though but ãâã in Comparison of them so that the Turks in both wings began to faint But the battle yet wavering the Janizaries with men at armes and troopes of light ãâã compassed the Christian men at armes standing in the main battle where the old Janizaries with ãâã cut their horses legs asunder many of whom falling were made shorter by the head likewise the Janizaries were themselves trodden under foot Whereupon blood ran like Rivers most of the Janizaries being ãâã and many Christians also The Bassa yet in hope the Hungarians would faint with long fight came on with the ãâã ward and a number ãâã ãâã Souldiers left for guarding his baggage It was after four ãâã ãâã He commanded them to compasse in the Hnngarians c. vainly boasting it would be the last battle ever they would fight Haniadis suffering part of his men to be ãâã caused the ãâã to thrust in with armed Carts c. behind the enemies and afterwards with fresh supplies renewed the batele The fight was great and though the Turks slaughter great ãâã not much feeling ãâã ãâã multitude still ãâã ãâã desperately till the ãâã wing seeing themselves compassed with waggons and thence ãâã with shot c. fearing the danger ãâã shrunk from the fight The Hungarians now more ãâã ãâã their fainting enemies ãâã encouraging them in the waggons to approach them nearer the ãâã hardly ãâã and fighting disorderly first retired presently after fled They that were ãâã ãâã in c. all perished The lest wing discouraged ãâã likewise the Hungarians fiercely following The ãâã strucken with dispaire fled with some Janizaries kept for his persons safeguard whom so many ãâã ãâã ãâã followed the rest flying ãâã woods and ãâã either perished with hunger or ãâã by the ãâã flain ãâã half the Army ãâã over ãâã Huniades content with so great a Victory ãâã them not far but with their Campes spoyle greatly enriched himself and his Souldiers 5000 ãâã taken prisoners and ãâã Ensignes Huniades caused prayers with thanksgiving to be made for 3 dayes in ãâã those 3 ãâã and hanged up at Vascape where the battle was fought certain Turks Ensignes Trophies of Victory It was the ãâã ever any Christian ãâã obtained against the Turk Many Inhabitants ãâã their ãâã for a season for fear of infection by the Turks ãâã wherewith the ãâã covered Then ãâã ãâã ãâã in triumph he presented ãâã the ãâã ãâã c. which he ãâã receiving and highly commending his Valour its ãâã shortly ãâã ãâã ãâã Amurath a ãâã before ãâã a proud Embassage to ãâã offering peace on ãâã him ãâã or paying him a yearly ãâã the King upon the ãâã report of the Victory ãâã ãâã to the issue of matters he would shortly in person come and give him further answer And for ãâã ãâã power or desire of revenge ãâã the ãâã of his Kingdome with ãâã the Popes Legate sent ãâã thither to stir up the Hungarians against the Turks he propounded the danger ãâã and how it might be averted ãâã requested by the King to ãâã his ãâã first spake Since the Turkish ãâã began to rage in Europe no newes was more welcome to the ãâã Bishop c. than Uladistaus his being chosen King of Hungary for a fitter could not the Hungarians any where have found c. The Kingdom is by your force and valour my mediation and the Queen's death well pacified but yet the Turkish Tyranny c. is to be repressed c. If so great an Army was vanquished by one of thy Captain 's power but small what is to be hoped of thee most mighty King if thou shalt lead thine Armies in person under the Protection of Christ Jesus The eyes of all Christian Princes are upon thee c. And albeit the Common cause of Religion require thee to be a revenger c. yet Hungary and Poland's necessity no lesse enforce it of which one is miserably vexed with the Turke out of Servia and Dalmatia the other out of Moldavia and Valachia You lack not worthy Captaines money which shall be brought unto you from all part not lusty and couragious Souldiers not policy not for tune c. you want nothing but will It 's an Expedition necessary religious profitable and honourable wherein are all ample rewards in this life and the life to come Wherefore I beseech you by the faith of Christ by love of your Children health of your Kingdome c. with valiant
Arms who easily repulsed the Turks many were slain but far moe Turks not so well horsed and armed as the Christians Huniades much hurting them with the Artillery from the hill Amurath drew as close thereto as he could out of the danger whereupon Huniades coming down and sending supplies to both wings encouraged them with chearful speech and sometime with his valiant hand c. omitting nothing of a good General to be done whereby the battel became in every place fierce and terrible Amurath likewise presuming on his multitude hoped by continual sending fresh supplies to weary his enemies one battalian of the Hungarians being forced to weary 3 or 4 of the Turks who were that day put to the worst and often forced to retire yet was the battel still again renewed The night ending this fight both returned to their Trenches purposing next day to renew the batrel which began when scarce fair day the Hungarians not fighting with such courage as before for they had spent their strength the day before whereas almost 40000 Turks not fought at all or but lightly skirmished Huniades exhorted his Souldiers that remembring how many thousands of their enemies they slew the day before not now to give over for that they were to be thought worthy of honour not who began but who ended honourable actions wishing them to set before them the calamities like to ensue if they should as cowards be overcome c. Amurath also promising and threatning his perswaded them rather to endure any thing than by that daies overthrow to be ãâã out of Europe After some skirmishes it was fought with no lesse fury than the day before The slaughter being great and the Hungarians force not to be withstood the Turks began with fresh horsemen to delude their fiercenesse by turning their backs divers being slain by the eager pursuers And again on a signal given turning back upon them well revenged their fellows deaths wearying the Hungarians thus all day long Many Hungarians were slain and the Turks had the better that day so at night both returned into their Trenches By day dawn the battel was again begun Huniades his brother with his Light-horsmen first setting forward for some hours they fought with like hope the Hungarians being chiefly slaughtered Zechel Huniades Sisters Son was in the front the first of the leaders ãâã Marzalus and Bamffi there died also Amurath seeing Zechel's Ensigns taken and his Souldiers now di comfited turning their backs commanded all the fresh Companies to issue forth and overwhelm the few Christians ãâã ãâã 3 daies fight who breaking out overthrew both the Christians wings discomfited and put to ãâã the rest with a great slaughter Huniades seeing the battel quite lost fled also leaving all for prey who following the ãâã with cruel execution returned ãâã night to their Trenches The rest compassing the Camp were by the wounded Souldiers Waggoners c. kept out so long as they had shot but in the end were all slain two or three Turks in many places lying dead by one Hungarian Amurath to cover his losse cast most of his common Souldiers into the River Schichniza for which the Inhabitants long abstained from eating fish therein taken The plain laying covered for many years with mens bones could not be ploughed c. Though the Turks had the victory yet they lost 34000 at least for 8000 Hungarians yet themselves report The Christians lost 17000 and themselves 40000. There fell most of the Hungarian Nobility Many taken in chase were by the angry Tyrant slain of such as returned through Servia few escaped being either slain or stripped of all Huniades travelling 3 daies without maet or drink cast off his tired horse the fourth day and falling into the hands of two thieves they spoyling him of apparel strove for his golden Crucifix whereby laying hand on one of their swords he thrust him thorow then putt the other to flight Next day he lighted upon a sturdy Shepheard roaming for prey who strucken with his Majesty at first stood at gaze as did Huniades fearing his so great weakness after a while the Shepheard asked him of his fortune He craving something to eat the Shepheard moved and hoping of reward caused bread and water to be set before him in a cottage not far off with Onions who would often say in his banquets He ãâã fared better than with the Shepheard Being conducted to ãâã the ãâã caused him to be imprisoned who left he should deliver him to into Amurath's hands yielded that all the strong Towns detained when he was restored by ãâã should be delivered him his youngest Son ãâã marry the Despots daughter and other like requiring his eldest son in hostage for performance Huniades comming to Segedinum was honourably received by the Hungarians Raysing suddenly a great Army he invaded the Despots territorie in Hungary destroying and burning never resting till he got it into his power and presently entered Rascia where the Despots Embassadours met him with the hostage craving peace which at the Nobilities request he granted forgiving all wrongs so returning into Hungary Amurath exceeding wroth with the Despot for freeing Huniades sent in 1449 ãâã and ãâã with a strong Army to invade Rascia who fortifying Chrysonicum on the River Morava destroyed with fire and sword far and near The Despot dismaied and wisting not what to do yet had rather ãâã any thing than the Turks bondage again humbly and not without shame craved aid of Huniades which the courteous Governour easily granted And forthwith setting forward with a convenient power he joyned with the Despot's power in Rascia Marching on with expedition and in a thick mist he was the fourth day upon the Turks before they were aware who the mist breaking up discovering Huniades's dreadful Ensigns speedily fled whom the Light-horsmen followed with bloudy execution all the day Huniades with his men at Arms following in good order Fritzebeg with most of the best Commanders were taken Then Huniades entring Bulgaria burnt Budina its Metropolis to the ground So clearing the Country of the Turks and presenting all the prisoners to the Despot he returned with triumph to Buda to find no lesse trouble with the Bohemians and some Hungarian Nobles than he had with the Turks to the Christian Commonweales great hurt Mustapha lying still all this ãâã on Macedonia's borders a great quarrel arose betwixt the Venetians and Scanderbeg about the inheritance of ãâã Zachary murthered which laying in Epirus frontiers they claimed holding the City Dayna against him so that they were by him at the River Drine ãâã in battel wherefore Mustapha would fain have taken his opportunity to enter the Countrey but not daring to attempt it without his Master's leave he giving him intelligence from time to time of those troubles earnestly requested him to give him leave The suspicious Sultan at length discharged of fear of the Hungarians sent Mustapha Letters answerable to his desire that his own valour should give him
attempts Yet seeing in that hot season he could not so closely encamp but that some part would still be in danger he appointed ãâã with 15000 to attend Scanderbeg Then battering the Walls afresh he made greater breaches than before appointing next day for a new assault But perceiving no signe of courage in their heavy countenances c he calling them ãâã said Every weake Castle can hold out one assault but if they will draw these wild beasts out of their dens they must arme themselves to endure whatever shall happen that great Captaines have growne old under their enemies Walls c that they remember the glorious victory of Varna that all honourable things are brought to passe with adventure and labour and the end of this War depends on taking of Croia that fortune is to be proved and oft provoked of them that will wed her Yet that they must work warily with this enemy that they should weare them out if they kill but ten at a daily assault That peradventure fortune may find some unlooked-for mean as at the ãâã of Sfetigrade c. Early next morning began a valiant assault the Turks assaying vainely and desperately to break open the Gates Wild-fire being cast into many places of the City and the Artillerie oft discharged into the breaches many Turks were slaine together with the Christians who still repulfed their enemies Yet Amurath maintained the assault by supplies but grieved at heart to see them so slaine at last weary to behold it and perswaded by his Bassaes not wilfully to cast away his valiant Souldiers he ended the assault and thought good to prove what might be done by undermining daily alaruming the City to busie the ãâã Buying store of Corne of the ãâã of Lisia Scanderbeg slaying the convoy carryed it away dividing it among his Souldiers Yet he received abundance of provision from Macedonia and the ãâã Merchants furnished him with Corne Oyle Hony c. which Scanderbeg they being his secret friends would not hinder considering he might have had all the same from the further part of Macedonia Thracia Mysia c. 400 Souldiers sallying out the while chased divers Turks to the Campe Amurath hoping they would to their losse give the like attempt But the governour would not suffer them any more to sally Scanderbeg also encreasing his Armie with 2000 ãâã a part to Moses another to Tanusie a third to himself determining by night to assail the Camp in 3 places at once But Scanderbeg being discovered by their Scouts Souldiers were appointed diligently to guard that side Moses and Tanusie the while assailing in 2 divers quarters slew a number of Turks and made great spoile Scanderbeg discovered did not much harme and retiring sate down by faire daylight on a Mountaine's side in sight of the Turks that Moses and Tanusie might see to meet him again But the Turks thinking he stood to brave them divers craved leave that they might go and at least beat him out of sight which granted 7000 horse and 5000 foot presently set forward Scanderbeg seeing them retired a little farther up expecting Moses and Tanusies comming When the Turks well wearied and laboriously marching up the ãâã hills were come a great way and perceived by the dust some greater force and ere long saw the foremost of them they retired Scanderbeg pursuing through the grounds advantage slew many Moses also comming in beside ãâã took divers After which victory Scanderbeg retired into the Mountaines The late spoile with this overthrow much grieved the Tyrant but the mines ãâã to no good purpose for the Rocks hardnesse and the defendants discovery drove him to his wit's end Resolving now to prove if by great gifts and promises he could corrupt the Governour and ãâã he sent a dexterous Bassa commanding him if possible first to fasten rich presents on him in honour of his valiant minde and afterwards delivering his message to promise more than should be desired for giving up of the City The Bassa being with two Servants received into the City presented to Uranocontes the rich ãâã with much reverence and many magnificall words Uranocontes willed him first to declare his message whereupon he would either receive or refuse them The subtill Bassa nothing dismaied thus began That however they agreed yet they brought not these guifts to deceive any and though enemie's guifts are as he rightly said ever to be suspected Yet they durst not for shame come to so worthy a Governour empty handed neither ought he if he be what he seeme to refuse their courtesie c. That they went not about with filed speech and rich rewards to circumvent him whose invincible mind they had so oft in vaine proved with their forces That is it for which Amurath loveth him desiring to have his virtuous enemies with himself that he was worthy of another manner of Soveraign than Scanderbeg whom he condemned not and another manner of calling c that Scanderbegs destruction might be deferred but not avoided against whom Amurath conceiving implacable displeasure would never depart out of Epirus till he imposed a deadly yoake on his neck That the first of this misery beginneth at this City that his eyes would scarce behold the horrible spectacle of the men of Croia's miserable fortune c. Did they think Amurath would in the mid'st of this heat raise his siege and be gone No no if force will not prevaile they shall alwayes have these ãâã in their eves till long famine tame their courage Can Scanderbeg victuall them ãâã able to relieve his own misery or will the Venetians who daily brings them plenty of all necessaries Therefore they should repent of their over hardinesse and gather their wits together That they should find liberty rewards perpetuall rest with Amurath c. The Bassa expected some great motion in the Souldiers but perceiving his speech rather to fill them with anger than feare requested to talke in secret with the Governour which was granted who beginning cunningly to deliver his ãâã secret message Vranocontes interrupting him commanded him to depart and that if he or any other came from his Master to speak with him about any such matter he would returne them dismembred of hands noses and eares So the Bassa was with his presents turn'd out of the City though the Souldiers could well have eased him of that carriage Amurath understanding the Governours answer in great rage next day caused a furious assault to be given rather to satisfie anger than in hope to prevaile and with greater losse than before many Turks being slaine at the breach with their own great shot At length wearied he gave over returning to his Camp as halfe frantick or distract sitting all day full of melancholly passions ãâã violently pulling his beard and locks complaining that he lived so long to see those disgracefull dayes His Bassaes to comfort him recounted his many and glorious victories and producing examples of his like event But nothing
repoled great confidence He provided 200 Ships and Galleys that no relief should be brought to the City out of Hungary by the Rivers Danubius and Savius and landing his Souldiers farther up Danubius spoyled along the River side Shortly after encamping before it he at first terribly assaulted but finding greater resistance then he imagined he entrenched his Army and provided against sudden salleys then laying a part of the wall flat by the fury of his great Artillery the Defendants with great labour repaired it rather stronger than before Huniades the while sent a Fleet well appointed from Buda down Danubius which taking 20 sail of Turks and discomfiting the rest they ran on ground near their camps which were set on fire as not to come into the Hungarians power Hereby the Christians at pleasure conveighed all necessaries by water to Belgrade Huniades also with 5000 and a Minorate Fryar by whose perswasion 40000 Voluntiers were come to that war entred that way with their followers Mahomet resolutely bent determined next day to give a general assault but as they were preparing all things for the service Carazi Bassa his best man of war was slain from the Town Mahomet being exceedingly troubled herewith as ominous yet next day early he with the sound of Trumpets c. brought on his Janizaries to the breach who without great resistance entred there and in divers other places For Huniades ordered the Defendants upon the first charge to retire towards the City as discouraged on purpose to draw the enemies faster on to their destruction so that great numbers being entred the retirers at the sign appointed turning again fiercely charged them and Huniades issuing out ãâã oppressed the Turks that few escaped not being slain or taken the rest with exceeding slaughter beaten from the Walls Huniades with the Fryar's Souldiers presently sallying out so charged the Turks defending the great Ordnance that they with great slaughter left them to their enemies The Tyrant couragiously charging to recover them again was so repulsed and beaten with murthering shot from the City that he was glad when got into his Trenches A great part of the Army was in this hurly speedily transported over Danubius joyning with Huniades laying without the walls who now assailed their Trenches as if presently to enter their Camp which the Tyrant disdaining went out and valiantly beat him back to the Ordinance from whence he was again driven to his Trenches which manner of fight was indifferently maintained till the day almost spent Chasanes Captain of the Janizaries was herein slain and Mahomet himself sore wounded under his left pap and carried into his Pavilion for dead But comming to himself and considering his losse in that siege c. departed with great silence in the night still looking behind when the Hungarians should have pursued and troubled him Here were slain 40000. his best Souldiers besides Commanders so that he would shake his head c. wishing he had never seen that City where he and his Father received so great dishonor This notable Victory was August 6th 1456. Huniades shortly after died of a hurt in these Warres or as some of the plague then rife in Hungary who would in any case be carried to the Temple to receive the Sacrament before his departure saying the Lord should not come to his Servants house but the Servant to the House of his Lord. He was the first Christian Captain shewing the Turks were to be overcome obtaining more great Victories over them than any before him He was honourably buried at Alba Julia in St. Stephens Temple greatly lamented of all good men Mahomet soon after the taking Constantinople putting a great Fleet to Sea surprized divers Islands in the Aegeum and hardly besieged Rhodes At which time Calixtus the 3d Pope aided by the Genowayes for the grudge of Pera taken put to Sea sixteen tall Ships and Gallies under Patriach Lodovicus who recovered ãâã from the Turks with other small Islands and encountring them near the Island Rhodes sunk and took divers forcing them to forsake the Rhodes spoyling for three years after at pleasure the Turks frontiers along the Sea coast of lesser Asia terrifying the effeminate people and returning with many prisoners and much spoil Mahomet after that began diligently to prepare against spring to subdue the Aegeum Islands chiefly those near Peloponesus Embassadors from Usuncassanes the Persian King arrived the while with divers rich presents among which were a pair of playing Tables whose men and dice were of inestimable prerious stones and workmanship found in the Persian Kings Treasures that Usun had ãâã and bereft and left there by Tamerlane Their Embassage was that those two mighty Princes might joyn and live in amity and that David Emperour of Trapezond being forced to pay Mahomet a tribute by his Asian Lieutenant he should not now look for it seeing that Empire after Davids death belonged to him in his Wives right Davids elder Brothers Daughter requiring him not to molest him so should he be his faithful confederate otherwise his mighty enemy Mahomet envying the Persian rising and now disdaining his peremptory requests dismissed them with this answer He would ere long be personally in Asia to teach Usun what to request of a greater than himself This was the ground of the mortall Warres ensuing between these two Mahomet now altering his determination for the Aegeum Isles most under the Venetians protection sent his Admiral with one hundred and fifty Sail into the Euxine now the black Sea to anchor before Paphlagonia's chief City to expect him with his Army by Land who was come thither before he was looked for Ismael a Mahometan Prince governing all thereabout on whom Mahomet bent his forces as being in league with Usun though he had 400 great Artillery Pieces and 10000 Souldiers for his defence yet doubting how to endure the siege yielded to him the City with all his Dominions in lieu of Philopopolis in Thrace with the adjoyning Country This was the last of the Isfendiars long reigning in Pontus Thence he marched to Trapezond in Pontus where the Constantinopolitan Emperours had their Deputies whilest commanding as farre as Parthia but it declining one Isaac fleeing from Constantinople and taking the Government of Trapezond with Pontus and Cappadocia c. was first called King but afterwards he and his Successors Emperors David Comnenus then raigned Mahomet hardly besieged Trapezond for 30 dayes by Sea and Land burnt its Suburbs as at Sinope The fearful Emperour offered to yield his whole Empire to him on condition of taking his Daughter to Wife and for some other Province yielding a sufficient yearly profit Mahomet perceiving his enemie's weakness attempted the City by force which not sorting they again parled at last it was agreed the Emperour on the Turks saith for his return should meet him without the City for some good attonement who as soon as he came out Mahomet faith not to be kept with Christians detained him a prisoner
in bonds wherewith the Citizens discouraged yielded themselves and City into his power who entering it and taking his Daughter and all his Children with all Nobles he found sent them forthwith by Sea with the Emperour to Constantinople as in triumph choosing what Citizens he pleased for his own service bringing up 800 Christian Children for Janizaries many Citizens sent captives to Constantinople dividing the beautiful Women to his friends and men of Warre he sent some choise ones to his Sonnes The other Towns shortly submitted to the Turkish thraldom wherein they have since miserably lived he appointed Janizaries for the Castle and his Admiral to govern the common Souldiers in the City So Mahomet having in few moneths subdued Paphlagonia Pontus and a great part of Cappadocia c. returned in great triumph Afterwards Usuns Queen seeking to get some of her Uncles children possibly by her Husbands power to advance to her Fathers Empire Mahomet cruelly put to death David with all his sonnes and kinsmen rooting out all the Family of the Comnens but George the youngest Sonne who at first turned Turk and whose Sister was afterwards one of his concubines This Empire was by Mahomet subverted in 1461. The year following Ulanus Prince of Valachia resolving to joyn to the Hungarians Mahomet thought to circumvent this his tributary before wholly fallen from him wherefore he sent Catabolinus his Secretary to bring him to Court promising him greater promotions than ever and commanding by him Chamuzes Bassa Governour of Bidina c. to do his utmost for entrapping of Uladus promising him great rewards Chamuzes devised the Secretary to give him notice of the day of his return from the Prince when 't was like Uladus would bring him on his way of himself or at least being by the Secretary requested the Bassa passing with Troops over Danubius should lay close in ambush on the way The Secretary forced his wit to perswade the Prince to go to Court c. But he obtained no more from him wary than good words and in courtesie to conduct him unto Danubius side The Secretary giving Chamuzes notice he lay where the Secretary must needs passe comming at the prefixed time to the place Chamuzes suddenly assailing the Prince slew divers But Uladus being of great courage and better appointed than the Bassa supposed slew many Turks and at length took Chamuzes with the rest whose hands and feet he cutting off thrust their bodies on sharp stakes fastned in the ground hanging the Bassa and Secretary on a Gibbet much higher than the other And gathering his forces passed Danubius burning along the River side killing man woman and Child so returning into Valachia This newes set Mahomet into such a rage that he commanded Bassa Mahometes telling him of it to be cruelly whipt But when he surely understood rather worse than the Bassa reported it is not to be expressed into what a rage he fell Wherefore assembling speedily his Souldiers to Philopopolis he soon raised such an Army as had not been against Constantinople sending also 25. Galli s and 150 small Vessels to land in Danubius and joyn with the Podolian who for a grudge against Uladus promised to aid the Turk who before Mahomets comming with the Polodians help had burnt Prailaba the greatest Trade-Town in Valachia then besieging Cebium awhile with some losse the Podolian departed into his Country the Admiral to his Fleet. Mahomet got over burnt c. making havock of all in his way taking but few Prisoners for the Valachies had retired all unfit for Warres into strong Cities or Woods or high and rough Mountains The Prince kept the Woods and Mountains following the Turks as near as with safety and cutting off straglers many times yet being but a handful durst not shew himself in field Mahomet roaming up and down and not reckoning of so weak an enemy pitched in open plains not entrenched Uladus understanding thereof furiously assailed in the dead of night the Asian quarter of the Camp slaying many in their Tents the rest terrified fled to the European Souldiers whom the Prince following did great harm in that quarter also so fearing the Turks in generall that they were on the point to flee Yea Mahomet fearing the Hungarians had joyned with the Prince had fled had not Mahomet Bassa perswaded him and by Proclamation none on pain of death to forsake his place enforced a head against the Prince which Uladus perceiving after great slaughter and spoil of the Asians Tents retired into the Woods It being day Halybeg with select Companies pursuing them took one thousand putting the rest to flight who were presently put to the Sword After that Mahomet entrenched every night keeping better Watches and Ward in every quarter Who as he marched came where the Bassa and Secretary hanged and the dismembred Turks on stakes with which he was grievously offended Passing fu ther he came to a plain almost one mile broad and two long full of Gallows Gibbets and Stakes c. hanging full of dead men women and children deemed about twenty thousand Some their limbs broken on wheels with many horrible kinds of death All which the cruel Prince jealous of his estate had for desert or suspition put to death his Souldiers had their goods executing the whole Family sometime the whole kindred with the offender Mahomet though by nature fierce and cruel wondred Yet said onely Uladus knew how to have his Subjects at command Then sending Josephus to skirmish with the Valachies he was put to the worst But Omares comming in they were overthrown and two thousand heads brought on launces into the Camp for which Omares was by Mahomet made Governour of Thessalie Mahomet seeing it to no purpose to hunt after his fleeing enemy returned to Constantinople leaving Haly-beg with Vladus his younger Brother called also Vladus to prosecute that Warre with a party This younger Dracula was of a little youth brought up in Mahomets Court who for his comely feature sought first by fair words and gifts to corrupt him at last to force him The youth enraged drew his Rapier to slay him grievously wounding his thigh and fled yet being drawn back he was pardoned and reconciled becomming his Ganymede and being long beloved and honoured was now set up for a Stale to ãâã the Valachies into rebellion divers of whom comming to Haly to ransom their friends taken in those Warres young Vladus declaring the Turks great power and as lamenting the Countries endless miseries imputed them to the disordered Government of his cruel Brother assuring speedy relief if the Valachies forsaking his Brother would cleave to him as their Soveraign By whose lively reasons c. they present perswaded and others by them soon all forsook the elder and chose him the younger who by Mahomets consent took on him the Government yet holding it as his vassal Vladus thus forsaken fled into Transilvania where he was laid fast by the Hungarian King at Belgrade for cruelly and unjustly
now turning withstood their enemies at which instant those in ambush came down the hill with such violence and clamour that the Venetians being on every side beset were all slain except a few who yielded themselves Many also of the other two battalions being in flight slain The Count himself and Sonne with half the Horsemen were lost The Turks encouraged spoiled all Friuli betwixt Sontium and Tiliaventum So burning the Country that 100 Villages were to be seen on a light fire at once So laden with spoil driving before them great numbers of Captives they returned to Sontium and passing the River that all thought them to be quite gone they returning passed the River Tiliaventum no lesse harming on that side than before on the other So returning the way they came This overthrow being accounted among the greatest they received from the Turks Next year about Harvest 1478. they passing Sontium came before the Forrs with a far greater power offering to draw Fortebrachius into the field but he wary stood on his Guard expecting to take them at advantage wherefore the Turks durst not disperse for spoil So going about 4 miles they turning up into part of the Alps towards Germany grievously spoiled those people strangely passing those abrupt and high Mountains with their Horses then returning home another way about Mahomet determining once more to engage his whole forces for the winning of Scodra gave order both in Europe and Asia for assembling his best Souldiers seldom or never having a stronger Army first he sent Aly-beg with 80000 Achanzij towards Scodra who are Horsemen that having Lands for life from the King are bound to serve on their own charge as forerunners when he besiegeth a place who burning and spoiling till they come to the appointed place may depart or stay when all the Army is come Scodra's Governour fortifying night and day provided all necessaries for a long siege sending forth the aged c. into safer places and taking in many able men about the Countrey among whom were many Marriners or others who got their living on the River and lake of Scodra The Mountains North from the City the while shining with fires and the smoak drawing nearer and nearer soon after the Countrey people with what they could carry came running to the Cities by the Sea side crying out The Turks were come And next day May 14. Aly Beg with his Achanzij encamped in the Suburbs that none could go in or out Scander-Beg Governour of Bosna and Malcotius the Majesty of whose countenance and resplendent beames of his eyes were of such piercing brightness that none was able with fixed eye long to behold them with 7000 Horse joyning unto him of which Horsemen the Christians with often sallies and shot slew many with little or no losse Ten dayes after came Taut Bassa of Constantinople with 25000 men and about 12000 Came's most laden with metall to make Ordnance c. whose stately Purple-Tent was pitch'd on a hill where Solyman had layn about 4 years before his Army encamping between that and the Town Taut was born in Epirus of mean Parentage and for his wit and activity was thus promoted and suspected he would have aspired the Empire Whilest the great Ordnance were casting the Bassa made a great Bridge over the River to passe at pleasure The busied Christians the while were so vigilant that no Turk stirred within shot but he was slain June 13. Mustapha Viceroy of Asia came with 30000 Asians to the Siege personable men but not accounted so good Souldiers as the Europeans whose rich green Pavilion was pitched in a Vineyard about a mile from the Town Mustapha propounding a reward to whomsoever durst touch the Cities walls two Souldiers well mounted hastening thither were both slain from the wall one of whose bodies being recovered by a salley his Head was set on a Launce upon the Wall 's top June 15. 5600 Janizaries comming to the Camp the Bassaes wellcommed them with a wondrous shout 3. dayes after came two other great men with many followers desiring safely to speak with the Governour and Captains of the City Which granted the Elder after setting forth his Master's power and what he had done to others perswaded them to yield assuring them of all kind usage with rich rewards otherwise to expect nought but extreme misery and death in whose name Pagnanus answered They feared not Mahomets greatness c. that he should find it hard to enforce them impossible to perswade them c. concluding they should expect no answer to any such motion hereafter but from the Cannons mouth At this time Croia having held out a yeares siege for lack of Victuals was yielded to the Turk on condition that the hunger-starv'd defendants might safely depart at pleasure who not withstanding put them all to the sword the Scodrians being much grieved but not discouraged thereat The Watermen comming often down the River by night and much hurting the Camp they builded some Gallies to keep them in who yet stealing on them much troubled ãâã who June 22 mounting 2 great Ordnance on the ãâã hill one carrying a stone Bullet of 300 l. the other of 400 battered the Town four dayes then planting a third piece at the Hills foot bearing a bullet of 400 l. and next day they planted a 4th piece about the middle of the Hill carrying 650 weight The while came 8000 Asapi into the Campe and shortly after came Mahomet with all his Army to the River Drinon where the two Bassaes pompously met him Who July 2 comming to the Campe after viewing Scodra's Scituation is reported to have said O what a stately place hath the Eagle chosen to build her nest and hatch her young ones in Round about his divers rich Tents lay the Janizaries whereinto was but one entrance most strongly guarded about the Janizaries all the rest of the Army encamped and still more resorting daily thither it was deemed Mahomet to have in all 350000 men Against which terrour the defendants were notably encouraged by one Bartholmew who being somtimes Scanderbegs Souldier was become a Preacher July the 5th the Turks mounted two other great pieces one like the former but the other discharging a 1200 pound shot being called the Prince's piece and wherewith the Turks had from the beginning threatned the besieged Next day a 7th piece carrying 550 pound was planted on the same Bassaes Mount they casting in Fire-balls out of Morter-pieces by night to fire the City but divers Citizens uncovering their houses and by men watching the fall of the fire works c the Enemie's device took no effect Then also they casting huge stones out of short Mortar-pieces which falling from on high crushed what ever they lighted on wondrously troubled the defendants Few dayes after they mounting three other piece's one was bigger then the Prince's carrying 1300 weight So battering the City daily with 10 such pieces as hath been seldome heard of Arrowes falling like haile showers
behind Selimus setting forward with his foot and Janizaries neither the couragious barbed Horses nor their Riders could abide their force for with their harquebusiers and pikes they so strongly be set their front that nothing could stand where that linked body swayed yet this cruel battel continued doubtful fromthe fourth hour till Sun setting every part of both Armies with divers successes enduring the fury of that fight both victors and ãâã fighting as prodigal of their lives c. So that their bodies wearied and weakened with wounds supported with anger seemed sufficient to mantain that Battel till next day if the darkness coming on had not ended that dayes slaughter Tomombeius fearing to be utterly ãâã first sounded a retreat that his Mamalukes might not seem to be put to ãâã for the fortune which deceiv'd his first hopes seemed to promise better success if as not discouraged he should renew the War The Turks enjoying their enemies tents and Ordnance pursued them till midnight It was fought Jan. 24. 1517. The Diadare was taken in flight mortally wounded and valiant Bidon having his knee broken with a ãâã his Horse being therewith slain both whom Selimus next day commanded to be slain either for their wounds thought uncurable or to revenge Sinan's death which he wondrously lamented The Turks Armies was greatly impaired even in their fortunate Battels the fourth part was consumed by sickness and Sword that day tyring many Horses besides their former long journey Wherefore not yet experiencing the ãâã disposicion nor certainly understanding where Tomombeius stayed or what he resolved staying four dayes at Matharea and Rhodania he provided for his wounded and burying his dead but not his enemies Then for more commodious watering he came into the plains between old Caire and Bulace Tomombeius encamping between new Caire and Nilus with his collected ãâã Aethiopian slaves ãâã so is and ãâã also Jews and Arabians having opened the old Armory ãâã for a ãâã War than before but having lost his ãâã with many of his ãâã Horsmen and desiring to protract the War till heat of Summer he thought not good to adventure another ãâã but resolved by night to ãâã the Turks Camp and if possible to ãâã on fire that he might attempt some notable exploit before the enemies should perceive his weak ãâã and before grown into contempt with the ãâã Aegyptians expecting but some fit occasion to ãâã also by benefit of the night to avoid the danger of their great ãâã But Selimus by some ãâã who daily ãâã him understanding hereof making great fires in his Camp kept most careful watch whereby next night Tomombeius ãâã ãâã with no small loss of his first Troops unadvisedly going on too far and misdoubting the unwonted fires called back his hasting Troops marching into the very mouth of the ãâã ãâã on ãâã Tomombeius his chief Captains now ãâã him with his whole strength to man Caire and keep the Turks from entring wherefore the Mamalukes coming thither furnished all their ãâã and flat roofs of their Houses with all ãâã of Weapons requesting the Egyptians to take arms against their antient and ãâã enemies not to suffer themselves to be slain their goods spoiled and their wives and children to be miserably captivated since the merciless enemy if they overcame would not spare them though they stood as newters c. Many of the wealthiest as they thought the charge would be hurtful to their trades and wealth so were they ready to help their old Lords But many of the middle sort and far moe of the basest vulgar having little or nought to lose hoped to gain by others losses and remembring their about three hundred years slavery under the proud Mamalukes kept close expecting the last event secretly rejoycing that their cruel Masters should now be justly punished and the more that the revenge should be by the hazard of others lives with which they hoped shortly to fill their eyes Tomombeius with much labour and care fortified all the gates and entrances of that great and ancient City for it was not compassed with any walls appointing to every street a Captain in every publike ãâã encouraging the people and omitting nothing that could be done or devised making cheerful shew of greatest hope in so great a danger The Mamalukes also strivingly according to every ones devise caused great ditches or Timber-logs to be cast along the streets some setting up sharp Stakes in covert Trenches that the enemy falling on them unawares might be engaged others furnished the windows and fronts of their Houses in the greatest streets with Harquebusiers and all with many moe with such speed that none refused to put his hand to any labour The broadest street came strait from the East gate to the Castle and middle of the City the rest were so narrow and crooked that no great Artillery could be brought by them or Souldiers enter without great danger into this especially Tomombeius conveighed his chiefest strength for the enemy must needs come in that way but the innermost part where the Castle stood was kept with very great strong and valiant Garrison thence on all occasions to come for relief for why that greatest City could not with his then so small power be in every place sufficiently defended Selimus certainly understanding hereof drew nearer to the City with his Army exhorting them now a little to force themselves for gaining of the Rewards due to their former labours and Victories which he said would be more and greater than they had imagined telling them there was but few good Souldiers left with the desolate Sultan c. making them believe he was sent for by the Aegyptians promising to assail the Mamalukes whose name they hated upon occasion out of their houses yet saying they were not to be accounted quite overcome which lived in hope with Weapons in their hands possessed of the chief City therefore to think that in that day's fortune rested the good or bad estate of their lives honour and fortunes assuring them it would be but small labour to bring it to an end if in that new kind of fight as in other Battels they would but resolve to overcome This speech enflamed the Souldiers but hope of such prey much more So that Selimus entring by the gate Bassuela thrust in his Horse at divers places at once but brought in his Janizaries by the largest street At first Horsmen with Horsmen bloodily fought in the narrow streets but the Foot discharging their Culverings and Falcons before them among the thickest enemies cleared the street but coming to the BÃ racadoes and ãâã and to remove Timber-logs c. by force they fought with force and obstinacy on both parts never in mans memory more cruel for they were not ignorant that 't was as well as for their lives and Empire as for honour Here the Turks received great losse for running on the hindermost on the formost they tumbled by heaps into the covert Trenches and were impailed
patience endure and since the place was no longer to be kept c. They should valiantly break into the utter Castle there to die and live with God for ever saying He would go out first they to follow like men So with Sword and Targuet calling thrice on the Name of Jesus he issued out of the Gate with the rest where valiantly fighting on the Bridge slaying some Janizaries he fell down dead with a shot in the Head being first wounded twice with small shot the Turks crying for joy Alla the rest fleeing back were all slain but a few whom some Janizaries for their valour by putting their Caps on their Head saved from the others fury The Turks reported they lost 7000 Janizaries 28000 others beside Volunteers not enrolled and three Bassaes. Serinus Head was cut off and next day with the other Heads set upon a pole then by Muhamet sent tothe Bassa of Buda who sent it to Count Salma in the Camp at Rab covered with a fair linnen-cloath with a few quipping words in a Letter Whose death was much lamented of all the Army and his Head honourably buried with many tears by his son among his Ancestours Solyman purposed before his return to Conquer both the remainder of Hungary and to attempt Vienna again To which end he sent Parthau Bassa with 40000 Turks to help the Bassa of Temesware and the Tartars besiege strong Giula in the Vayuods behalf not far from whence Swendi in Aug. before had slain 10000 ãâã called in by Solyman to ayd the Vayuod He then also sent Mustapha of Bosna and Carambeius with a great power who with the Bassa of Buda should busie the Emperour whilst he besieged Zigeth Parthau was still notably repulsed by Keretschen the Governour before Giula having some of his Ordnance taken from him and the rest cloyed but this brave Captain was at last perswaded by his Kinsman Bebicus from whom Swendi had taken some Castles for revolting to the Vayuod for a great summe to deliver up the Town the Souldiers all to depart with bag and baggage who were not gone past a mile but they were all slain by the Turks but a few who crept into the Reeds in a Marsh. Keretschen himself being carried in Bonds to Constantinople where upon complaint how hardly he had used some Turks taken he was by Selimus's command rolled up and down in a closed Hogshead stuck full of Nails with the points inward till he died with this inscription Here Receive the reward of thy avarice and Treason Giula thou soldest for Gold If thou be not faithful to Maximilian thy Lord neither wilt thou be to me Many hot skirmishes passing between the Emperours Camp at Rab and the Bassa of Buda and Bosna at Alba Regalis Septemb. 5. The Turks came in great number out of the Camp lighting on a few Forragers slaying some the rest fleeing and raising an Allarm whereupon some issuing out pursued the Turks and slew divers Thuriger descrying the Governour of Alba Regalis never left him till he took him and presenting him to the Emperour he was Knighted and rewarded with a Chain of Gold When a Spaniard charged the prisoner before the Emperour that he heard him say openly at Constantinople He with his power only could vanquish the Germane King as the Turks term the Emperour The Turk answered him such is the chance of War Thou seest me now a prisoner and able to do nothing Muhamet Bassa repairing strongly Garrisoning and placing a Governour in Zigeth call'd back the dispersed Forces and retired towards Belgrade carrying Solymans body sitting upright in his ãâã ãâã he having been many yeares so carried whose fortunate presence though he could do nothing the Janizaries still desired The Life of Selimus the Second fifth Emperour of the Turks SElimus hasting from Cutai in Gallatia was from Scutari conducted over the Strait to Constantinople by Bostanges Bassa where he was conveighed into the Pallace Septemb. 23. 1566 and by the Janizaries saluted Emperour a man unconstant hasty wholly given to wantonness and excess never going to Warres himself contrary to his Grandfather's charge to Solyman of which he was alwayes mindful Next day he came abroad in his Majesty causing prayers and Sacrifices to be made for his Father in the Temple of Sophia then giving 100000 Sultanies to the Janizaries with promise to augment their wages and setting forward Septemb. 27. he met the Army a little from Belgrade Octob. 20. gallantly coming from Sigeth with Solyman's dead body whom the Souldiers supposed to be alive Selimus coming in mourning attire to the Horse-litter looked upon and kissed the dead body weeping over it as did the other great Bassaes and to make known his death the Ensignes were trailed on the ground a dead march sounded and a heavy silence commanded Shortly after Selimus was with great applause proclaimed Emperour his Ensigns advanced and all the great Commanders admitted to ãâã his hand So returning to Constantinople Novemb. 22 and thinking to enter the Pallace or Seraglio he was by the discontented Janizaries demanding a greater Donative and the confirmation of all their priviledges prohibited against which presumption the Visier Bassaes and Aga opposing and seeking to ãâã them were fowly intreated and well rapped about the pates with the Stocks of their Collivars chiefly Muhamet and Partau as chief Authours that their Lord dealt no more liberally with them Selimus not a little troubled demanded of the Aga the cause of that mutiny who with teares told him 't was for money which he promising them with the confirmation of their liberties and the Aga with fair words and heavy countenance entreating them and assuring them to content them to the full of their desires all was ãâã and Selimus into the Seraglio received yet Muhamet chief Visier kept himself close for certain dayes for fear of greater mischief Selimus now buried his Father with all royal solemnity in a most stately Chappel which he had in his life-time built with a Colledge and an Hospitall for maintenance whereof the Revenues arising about Sigeth were given Fast by Solymans side is the Tombe of Roxalana and certain of his murthered Children and by him hangeth his Scimitar in token he died in the Warres That great Army withdrawn by Solyman's death somewhat asswaged but not wholly appeased the troubles of Hungary Maximilian on the one side and the Vayuod with the Turk's Captains on the other renting it in pieces The Vayuod hardly besieged ãâã Castle in his Frontiers lately taken from him by Swendi and brought it to great ãâã though notably defended by Raminger but the Tartars whom he had called in to his ayd burning and destroying his Countrey so that the people were glad to take up Arms against them he left the Siege and after much bloud-shed overcame them with much adoe ridding himself of them Swendi the while had taken the Castle of Zackmar and had Muncatz Castle yielded unto him then besieging Husth so that the Vayuod craved
his grief by flight he with the strange and unusual valour of so few Christians joyned a most cruel battel with that great Army yet the Turks with a huge number of swords and spears so prevailed upon them that they were brought to a great extremity yea Simon himself having his Horse slain fell to the ground and was very nigh bein graken prisoner with his Lievtenant and many others but while the battel was even at the greatest heat Resvan discovering the 2 Bassaes with the 10000 sent by Ferat thought them as did his Army to be Persians whereby being surprised with fear they became now very doubtfull of the Victory so that the battel was also intermitted and the Georgians especially Simon had the opportunity to escape leaving behind them most sure signes of their valour among the Turks but when Resvan discovered the Bassaes to be his friends he fretted exceedingly at Simons escape yet he went to Tomanis in great triumph drawing Simons Standards on the ground and carrying many of the Georgians Heads upon Lances to the great Joy of Ferat to whom he delivered all the prisoners taken and Daut-chan who of a Christian was first become a Persian and now disploding their superstition had yielded to the Turks vanity and made himself a slave to Amurath Every man fearing Winters approach the Generall determined to draw into places of more safety So appointing Hassan Bassa of Tomanis with 8000 select Souldiers he resolved not to return to Chars or Erzirum till first passing into Manucchiers Country he had most cruelly revenged those notable injuries received from him and arriving at Triala in 3 dayes such a death and scarcity of all things arose chiefly of Victuals that 5 Bushels and a half of Wheat was sold for 500 Duckats While Ferat was raising his Tents to go on towards the Country of Manucchier Veis Bassa of Aleppo told him 't was not good now to spend time in wandring about those Countries both for the season of the year now full of Snows Frosts and Tempests the want and scarcity of all necessaries and the Georgians who by a common uniting and perhaps ayded by the Persians might notably mischief the Army Ferat was so offended herewith that he bitterly reproved Veis telling him He well perceived he was brought up among Villages and of a Villaine upon some superfluity of grace or foolish importunity advanced to be a Bassa Wherefore he should not have presumed even to think it lawfull for him so impudently malepartly to advertise him but rather to have held his peace and hearkened to the command of his Superiours c. So he passed to Archelech burning destroying the Country before him though it was confederate with the Turks but those of Archelech had for fear abandoned the Cityand withdrawn into the Mountains Ferat staying here 4 dayes among the rocky Brags and in a barren soyl for man and beast the Souldiers for those 4 dayes space endured patiently unspeakable miseries but a huge snow falling so greatly encreased their griefs that all the Janizaries Spaoglans of Constantinople arose in a tumult and in despightful contemptuous manner very haughtily and resolutely asked him Where was his due pitty which he a rustical and unreasonable Captain ought to bear towards the Vassals of his Soveraign twitting him with his fat harlots delicate Viands Sugars spices Conserves Meat and precious Wines mixt with pleasant Water provided for him by Doyters and also brought him from far whilst others lived in misery saying It would be no longer endured c. Wherefore he should return towards Erzirum or they should be forced to do that which would breed him more displeasure then any man alive He in a great agony calling a Council They concluded to send their strong Sumpter Horses to Ardachan and the rest to follow him into Manucchers Country onely to take the spoyl and booty thereof to refresh his afflicted Souldiers This they readily obeyed because he promised them a speedy voyage and desired the sacking of Altonchara other of Manucchiers Territories So holding on his way with great Famine and scarcity he came to Clissa belonging to Manucchier whose Inhabitants with Wives and Children and all their best stuffe were fled into remote and safe places in the adjacent fields of Corn Cattel and Fruit he refreshed his whole Army determining to erect a Fort in that place and commanded Resvan to set up an Ensign on the top of the Tower with Proclamation That he would in Amuraths name there erect and fortifie a Fort as he had in other places Resvan with the Bassa of Caramania set up an Ensign or two which being ãâã those Janizaries and Spaoglans thinking themselves too much abused ran up in a rage to take down the Ensigns and taking them in their hands rapt Resvan once or twice on the pate sharply rebuking him with a 1000 injurious and despightfull words and returning to Ferat now come thither to continue the action with despightful and disdainfull gestures with many shamefull terms they protested unto him They were not come to the Warres to exercise the occupations of Masons and Dawbers c. Wherefore if he loved his Head he should resolve to leave the new Buildings and Designments and to have due care of their common desires and necessities One more bold then the rest did not stick to assault him and threaten to wreak his fury upon him which haply had bin done had not the Bassa of Caramania with his own Horse conducted him to his Pavillion yet they still pursued him and sharply accused him for his stay then after many reproachful speeches expresly told him if next morning he removed not out of those quarters he should without fail lose his life for it Yet Ferat disdaining to yield to them and seeking by all means to stay long enough to build a Fort that would so much offend Manucchier answered them He accompted not of their threatning of him of his life which he alwayes offered to lay down for any security of his King but if they cared not to serve him in this new-building they might go but he was resolved to obey his Lord in whatsoever he commanded for whose Honour they all ought to think their lives very well bestowed Upon this answer were divers railings and cursings against the King the Generall and them all every man betaking themselves to their Weapons wrathfull whisperings and grumblings in every corner a great fear of some dangerous event but greater suspition of the Generals life every man had withdrawn to the guarding of those things he most esteemed and in a trice all the Pavillions fell down to the ground all the coards thereof being cut in funder by the wrathful Souldiers by whom also all the Cattel for the Generall and Bassaes ordinary use were seized on and guarded with all diligence and turning afresh upon Ferat now in a maze and deadly fear they threatned him if he did not forthwith
and give the Enemy battel so was also the Lord Rederen the rest were of a contrary mind because the strength of the Christians were too weak therefore they thought it better to retire in time c. whereat Avarsberg at first much moved afterwards plainly set before them a necessity of the cause with lively reasons chearing up the fearful Croatians and notably perswading them all in generall to put their whole trust in God to whom it was as easy to give Victory by a few as by many With these other words he so prevailed that they all resolved to go against the enemy and to do what they could to relieve their Friends so the whole Army not above 4000 hasted on with great speed and being come within a Mile of the Enemies Camp put themselves in order of Battel Whereupon the Turks brought all their Horsmen over Kulp by a Bridge which they made and came on in order to joyn Battel with the Christians the Croatians and Hussars in the Van-guard gave the first charge but having for a good ãâã made a good sight they discouraged with the Enemies multitude were about to flee but Aversbeg the General comming on both restored the ãâã and so charge the Turks main Battel that the Bassa first retired then fled after whom all the rest followed the Christians keeping their array pursued them with great speed and coming to their Bridge before them took that passage the Turks seeing their miserable slaughter and no way to escape ran some into the River Odera some into Culp and were most drowned the rest were all slain the Christians resolved to take no prisoners The Turks at the siege hearing of this overthrow set fire on their powder and provision and in great fear fled Whose tents the Christians took with 9 great Ordnance and good store of great shot with the Bassaes Pavillion and much other rich spoil which was all carried into the Monastery Most Writers agree that 18000 Turks were ãâã and drowned Hassan himself being one found near the Bridge and known by his sumptuous Apparrel and near unto him Mahomet beg and Achmet beg In other places was also found the dead bodies of Saffer beg the Bassaes ãâã with 4 other Begs and the Bassaes chief Counsellour and Master of his Houshold but above all the death of Sinan-beg Amuraths Sisters only Son sent to learn the feats of War under Hassan was most lamented The Christian Army ãâã thrice about the Monastery every time falling all on their knees giving hearty thanks to God for this miraculous Victory and afterwards made all shew of joy possible Siseg thus delivered the Christians with all speed laid siege to the strong Fort of Petrinea most ãâã battering it for 5 dayes but hearing that the Beglerbeg of Greece or Romania was comming with a great power to relieve the Fort they raised the siege every man returning to his wonted charge The mean while a Post coming from Constantinople brought the first news of the overthrow to Buda Wherefore the Bassa called him diligently examining him of the truth thereof who told him that upon the way as he came he ãâã with divers Horsmen who escaped from the slaughter who told him the Bassa was slain and his Army destroyed the Bassa replyed He was happy in his death for if he had escaped he should for his indiscretion have undoubtedly suffered some more shamefull death at Court Newes of the Victory being brought to Prague the Emperour commanded publike prayers with Thanksgiving to be made in all Temples sending a Letter to Amurath to know how he understood those insolent proceedings chiefly the late Expedition of the Bassa of Bosna and his Complices contrary to their League He sent also the Lord Popelius with the yearly Tribute yet with this charge that being come to Comaro in the borders of Hungary he should stay till the return of the said Messenger who if he brought tidings of peace then to proceed on to the Turks Court otherwise to return with his Present as he did for Amurath enraged at the losse at Siseg and prickt forward with the tears and prayers of his Sister to revenge her sons death he proclaimed open War against the Emperour Aug. 7th both at Constantinople and Buda the managing whereof he committed to Sinan Bassa the old Enemy of the Christians Who departing from Constantinople with 40000 men 5600 being Janizaries being brought by Amurath and the great Courtiers a mile on his way with charge from him by the assistance of the Bassaes and other his Commanders in that part of his Empire to revenge his Nephews death and the dishonour received at Siseg His denounciation of war against the Emperour was proud cruel and blasphemous threatning to besiege his chief Cities to burn destroy kill and with the most exquisite torments they could devise to torture to death and slay such Christian Captains as should fall into their hands or to keep them as Dogs Captives in perpetual misery to impale upon stakes their fairest Sons Daughters and to kill like dogs the women great with child and the children in their bellies for he was now fully resolved to bring him that ruled but in a small Country into subjection and to keep from him his Kingdom As also to oppress root up and destroy the Keys See of Rome with its golden Scepter and he would prove how their crucified Jesus would help them as theirs perswaded them Trust in him still said he and see how he hath holpen his Messengers which have put confidence in him for we neither believe nor can endure to hear that he can help who is dead so long ago which could not help himself nor deliver his own Country and Inheritance from our power over which we have so long raigned Sinan kept on his way towards Buda but the Beglerbeg of Greece with a far greater power marched towards Croatia both to relieve their distressed Forts and again to besiege the Castle of Siseg which he compassing about overthrew the walls giving no rest to the Defendants which Breaches they valiantly defended and notably repaired the very Women bringing Tables Stools and whatsoever came to hand to keep the Enemies out A great number being slain at length Septemb. the 3d. the Turks entred by main force putting all the Souldiers to the sword 200 being Germans some of whom they cut in pieces and threw the rest into the River Kulp the religious man there found they ãâã quick and cutting him in small pieces burnt them to ashes so taking all the spoil and leaving a strong Garrison there they passed over Savus burning the Country and carrying away about a thousand into captivity These Invasions caused the Emperour to crave ayd both of the States of the Empire and other Princes farther off by some easily granted but not so speedily performed About this time Peter Lehussar who commanded the Horsmen whom the Hungarians call Hussars Captain of Pappa by the
strong and valiant Garrison who lustily bestowing their shot slew a great number yet the Christians having for 2 dayes and 2 nights most furiously shaken the walls entred by plain force Novemb. 26. and put to the sword all the Souldiers except those that had retired into a more inward Castle who being 800 with Wives and Children without hope of relief and the Canon bent against them set out a white Ensign and upon Parly it was agreed they should depart with life and what goods e-every one could carry whereupon the Castle was yielded the 28 day and the Turks safely conveyed to the place desired Here they found great booty with much warlike provision but of Victuals ãâã store The Generall with the Captains fell on their knees in the Castle and with Hearts and Hands lifted up thanked God for the recovery of that strong City but chiefly for delivery of so many Christians out of Thraldom for 't is reported there were above 800 Villages subject to the jurisdiction of Fileck the Christians forthwith repairing ãâã every place left a sufficient Garrison in the City Castles departing with about 20000 towards Sodoch 6 miles off but upon the way the Generall heard that the Turks for fear had abandoned the Castles of Diswin and Somosk Who sending out some Companies to take in those places they found them indeed forsaken but yet many Ordnance and other warlike provision there left About the end of November the Generall marched towards Sethchine a strong Town in the Diocess of Agria but the Turks having sent their wives children the best of their substance to Hatwan Buda hearing of the approach of this Army fired the Town fled the Christians entring saved a great part of the Town from the fire so leaving there a fit Garrison he hasted to Blavenstine which the Turks fetting on fire fled The Christians next day Decem. 4th found a great part yet unburnt leaving a strong garrison so marching to Sallek they took it being forsaken by the Enemies putting into it a strong garrison The General was very desirous to have prosecuted so happy a course of victory but through the foulness of the winter-weather he could not travel with his great Artillery and his Army in that wasted country began to feel want so that many had withdrawn unto their Habitations Then also the Lord Palpey finding Dregel and Palanka forsaken furnished both places with Garrisons other strong places were also this Month recovered and as much Territory gained by the Christians as was thought to equalize the lower Austria This joyfull newes of Victories and Recovery made great Rejoycing at Vienna and Prague Wherefore publike prayers with thanksgiving were made in both places with many tokens of triumph both there and in other places But the dead bodies of the Turks slain at Alba not being buried so noysome a smell rose thereabouts that none could abide to come near the place to the great trouble of the Inhabitants round about At length 350 Turks out of Buda and Alba meeting to have buried those Carcasses a Captain of the Hussars lighting on them left most of them there dead carrying away the rest prisoners The Bassa of Buda causing the Zanzack of Palotta to be strangled upon suspition of Intelligence with the Christians another coming with 600 Turks to possess his place was by the way by Peter Lehushar with the Souldiers of 2 Garrisons slain with most of his followers 35 being taken with the Zanzacks ãâã furniture Also the Turks of Petrinia Siseg Castrowitz and other places about 3000 passing over Savus Decemb. 19. began to spoil those Frontiers but by the Lord Graswin and the Borderers 500 of them were slain divers of good account taken almost all the rest drowned in the River towards the end of which Month great numbers of Souldiers being taken up in Saxony and other places were sent to Prague and Vienna and in Hungary the Christians encreased with new supplies In Austria also was a new Army raised and 22 great pieces sent down Danubius to Comara and preparation every where made against the next year Amurath going out of Constantinople Jan. the 11th 1594 to muster the Army prepared against the Christians a Tempest of Wind and Rain suddenly overthrew his Tents and Charriots yea his Horses and Men had much adoe to withstand it whereat he as with an ominous prodigie exceedingly troubled returned with his Army into the City and oppressed with melancholy cast himself upon his Bed where falling asleep he dreamed he saw an exceeding tall man standing with one foot upon the Tower of the City and the other over the strait in Asia who stretching out his Arms held the Sun in one and the Moon in another whom whilest he wondered at the Man with his foot struck the Tower which falling down overthrew the great Temple and Pallace he awaked as he thought with the noyse and much troubled sent for all his ãâã and Interpreters to know the meaning of so strange a dream who answered him that since he had not with all his force impugned the Christians their Prophet Mahomet threatned thereby to overthrow the Religion and Empire of the Turks which vain Interpretation so moved the superstitious Tyrant that he sware from thenceforth not to give over War till he had done what he would with all his forces to subdue the Christians which Dream Interpretation and solemn Vow was read in the Temples of Transilvania with many exhortations to the people by prayer and all good meanes to avert so threatned thraldom Of the rich spoyl taken from the Turks in the Victory near Abba regalis the Captains sent a Present for the Emperour and the arch-Duke his Brother by the Lords Gall and Brun which they presented unto them Jan. 11th at Vienna in a pompous order and being rewarded by the Emperour with Chains of Gold and other gifts returned unto the Camp and though it was now deep Winter yet many sharp skirmishes daily passed upon the Borders betwixt the Turks and Christians The 15th of this moneth 2000 Turks were making an inroad about Fileck but Lord Teuffenbach laying in waite for them slew and took 1500 of them Matthias the arch-Duke Governour of Stiria Carinthia and the Countries thereabout Ernest his Brother being lately by Philip of Spain made Governour of the low Countries was now also made Generall of the Christian Army who to further the new Warre departed February the 26 from Vienna to Rab the forces newly raised in Germany and Hungary daily following him and by the perswasion of Teuffenbach sent Count Schlike with an hundred Horse to Fileck for the more safety of that place and the Country so lately gained About this time a Turk taken and brought into the Camp confessed among other things that in Novigrad a strong Town but three miles from Buda was left but about eight hundred Souldiers who were in great fear to be besieged wherefore the Turks had brought thither much
Governour of Comara set upon the Turks Rear slaying a great number of those that had charge of the Victuals taking 120 150 Camels men and 300 Mules laden with Rice and Meal which they carried away Sinan comming towards Rab encamped within a mile thereof It is populous and was accounted the strongest Bulwark of Vienna being from it about 12 German miles standing on the south-side of Danubius whence the River maketh a most fertile Isle called Schut in whose East-point standeth strong Comara Count Hardeck had the keeping thereof with 1200 choise Souldiers to whom were lately joyned some Italian Companies who with the Citizens made up 5000 men July 31. Matthias about Sun-setting ãâã out of Rab into Schut Island Sinan came and beset it round so speedily casting up Trenches Mounts and placing whatever was necessary for so great a siege that it was thought most strange Aug. 2. he furiously battered the City bringing his Trenches within Musket shot of the walls at which time 4000 Tartarian Horse swam over Danubius between Rab and Comara 6000 Turks following them who suddenly surprizing a Fort next the River discharged five great pieces found therein upon the Christian Camp who terrified with the sudden accident hardly charged them and slew many chiefly those that were dispersed for booty forcing the rest to take the River wherein most of them perished About 5 dayes after the Tartars swam over again and burning a Village in the Island slew some Christians in their Tents but they were easily overthrown by Horsmen and many slain the rest forsaking Weapons and Horses ran into the River whom the Christians hardly pursuing slew about 2000 therein Sinan the while thundred with 60 great pieces against the City without ceasing but as yet had made no breach for entrance but the towers and high Houses were hurt and the Camp by random-shot fleeing over the Town The Janizaries in a great rain furiously with a horrible cry assaulred an outer Bulwark which the Christians forsaking for fear had retired into the City so that the Janizaries had there set up 3 Ensignes but the Christians ashamed forthwith sallied out again and couragiously charging them ãâã many and recovered the ãâã Sinan was now ãâã up a great Mount which whilst he daily surveyed he fell sick appointing a Bassa in his siead to oversee the work who walking to and fro ãâã the work was slain with a shot out of the Town Aug. 15. Some Turks early getting over the River in ãâã ãâã a Fort which the Souldiers presently forsook which John de Medices perceiving came with his Italians and driving the Turks out of the Fort slew divers forcing the rest into the River where they were all drowned At which time 5000 Tartars in another place passing into the Island were by ãâã and his Hussars without much resistance put to flight slaying many the rest hoping to get over the River but other Turks meeting them in the River would have beaten them back and stayed their flight but the Tartars opposing them made a most cruel fight so that of the 5000 Tartars few returned to their fellows Now began great scarcity in the Turks Camp so that the Souldiers eating unripe fruit c. had the Bloudy-flux and many Diseases which did wondrously consume the Army Besides many were slain from the City one being Sinan's Son in law upon whose death he is said to have fallen sick for grief but soon recovered again The Tartars passing into the Island Aug. 19. 3000 were there slain some Turkish Companies having also ãâã passed over assailed the Christians Camp and other Tartars got over not farre from Comara hoping at length to perform some great matter but finding the Turks overthrown before their comming and the Christians ready for them they were ãâã 2000 slain in which conflict 3 Zanzacks and many of great account perished Shortly after the Christians sallying out of Rab slew many Turks retiring with small loss Many now perswaded the Bassa to raise his siege and to remove to some other more wholsome and plentisull place but he would not hearken to any ãâã In the mean time Maximilian the Emperour's Brother took Cragstowitz a ãâã upon ãâã Borders of Croatia and put all the Turks to the sword Then he besieged the exceeding strong Fortress of Petrinia by whose and his Souldiers industry they so terrified the Turks with continuall battery and Mines that firing the Fort they fled away by night shifting for themselves whereupon they of Sifeg firing the Castle left it to the Christians So did they of Gara by which success all Croatia was for that time freed of a great trouble and danger Aug. 28. 20000 Christians passing the River by a Bridge and joyning with them of the Town fallied out upon the Turks Camp The Hungarians in the front at first onset beating the Turks out of two Bulwarks and cloyed their Ordnance but they returning with more power forced the Christians to retire and recovered their Bulwarks many were slain on bo h sides Thouhause and Hardeck's Lievtenant came in boates with 1500 Foot to help their fellows but landing too late they were by the Turks forced with such speed to retire that many not able to recover the boats were drowned Geitzhofler himself perishing and Thonhause deadly wounded yet the Christians assembling under the very walls gave them a second assault the Foot being foremost were easily repulsed by the Turkish Horse but Lord Rinsberg comming in who at first onset was slain the Turks were forced to their trenches except a few divided ones who being found hid in Vineyards were all flain Lord Palfi was much wounded in his thigh 400 Christians were slain and about 2000 Turks These conflicts endured from 7 in the morning till noon the Christians then retiring and returning carried away besides other spoiles 17 Turks Ensignes daily skirmishes passing Septem 9. 10000 Turks getting over into Schut Island suddenly set upon the Christians sleeping in security slaying 2000 and after a small fight put the rest to flight so that Matthias himself with the other great ones had much ado to escape The ãâã the while took their Tents Ordnance Ammunition and all the money lately brought for the Souldiers pay with 1000 Waggons and 200 boats loaden with provision and 10 Galleys containing 120 piece of Ordnance the loss being valued at 500000 Duckats And though the Turks lost 2500 men yet by this Victory they roamed far and near unresisted and burnt some Villages not far from Vienna so that for many miles the Towns were for fear forsaken some people being slain some carried captive and some with what they had getting farther off into more safe places and shortly after the Tartars passing Danubius sacked and burned Weisenburg with certain Towns thereabouts but adventuring to go further they were with loss forced to return Cicala Bassa the Turkish Admiral the mean time landing his men in divers places of Italy did exceeding harm chiefly in Calabria where surprizing
if they themselves had been Victors and not vanquished The Tartars at the foot of the breach pressing now on without any great resistance entred the same and in a trice thirty thousand of them surprized the Christians at once loaded with prey fear and despair after whom the Turks entred also to partake of the spoil who besides their own booty quarrelled with the Tartars for some part of theirs but when there was no more pillage to be had the perfidious wretches fell to massacring the Christians so that all the City flowed with blood till by the coming in of the Bassa the slaughter was stayed whereby Count Isolan with some other Captains and Souldiers were saved three thousand Souldiers were slain besides not a few Citizens Isalan and the other Captains being led prisoners to Constantinople Howbeir he plainly shewed they were unjustly detained as taken contrary to the publick Faith to them before given and out of the actions of Warre Whereto it was answered that the Town when he was taken was yet still in his power that if he would by yielding challenge his liberty according to the Articles he ought then to have delivered it and not suffered it to have been taken by force c. that every Town which during the Treaty is ãâã force taken followeth the course of the latter condition to wit Death or Captivity and not of the former to wit Liberty for a man is not to expect of his mortall Enemy any other courtesie than what necessity caused him to promise which he may for his own good again violate c. With such quirks the Count deluded say what he could was carried away prisoner So the Bassa causing the breaches to be repaired and the City to be well furnished and leaving therein 6000 Souldiers over-ran all the Countrey as far as Strigonium and so retired to Buda where as he was making a Bridge betwixt Buda and Pesth and about to have gone to the Siege of Strigonium a Command came that he should speedily return to Constantinople for that Mahomet was for his valour now minded to employ him in his Wars against his Rebels in Natolia Whereupon the Bassa gave leave to all that had any charge to return to their places of Government appointing some others with 30000 Souldiers to go with Zachiel Moises into ãâã who was come ãâã Hassan offering with this ayd and the help of others in Transilvania to chase ãâã with his Germanes out from thence and reduce it again unto the devotion of the Othoman Emperors So the Bassa hasted with the rest towards Constantinople which he was thought the more willingly to do because the Sultan had put him in good hope to marry one of his Aunts a Woman of great Wealth and Honour if by the winning of Alba Regalis he should make himself worthy thereof But ere long the Imperials assembled at Comara to the number of about 30000 with twelve Nassadies and two Galleys some by water some by Land went down to Strigonium where they were all embarqued in twenty other Ships and conducted by Rusworme and others to Buda whose coming was so sudden and unlooked for that the Turks had no time to take any more help or provision into the City The Turks had lately built a Bridge upon Boats over ãâã for passage and carriage of things from Buda to Pesth which Bridge the Imperials thinking necessary first to break the more easily to besiege the one or other City by a strange device built a Ship which by force of the stream carried down and resting upon the Bridge should break the same which Ship the Turks seeing coming with the rest of the ãâã ran by heaps to the Bridge for defence thereof in the mean time Count Sultze on the Land side with a Petard blew up one of the Gates of the lower City and so entring and killing whom he lighted on came upon the backs of the Turks at the Bridge slaying some driving others into the River the rest fleeing into the City where both Souldiers and Citizens the Christians following them for fear took a speedy resuge into the upper City much stronger than the lower the Bridge being then also broken upon the River and because they of Pesth might with their Ordnance much annoy them in besieging the upper City and Castle of Buda they began with it first So Russworme with his Fleet making a great shew as if he would have entred on the Rivers side had drawn most of the Garrison unto that side of the City and the while Sultze and another Governour suddenly scaled the Walls on the Land side and gained them whereupon began a great out-cry the Turks especially now feeling the Christians Weapons before they knew they were gotten into the City In this so great amazement some fled into Towers others hid themselves in Cellars and the most secret corners out of which they were drawn and slain They also in the strong places of the City seeing the Ordnance bent upon them offered to yield so they might with Wives Children and life depart promising for that favour to perswade them of Buda to yield also Whereupon Nadasti with some other Captains were ãâã with some of these Citizens to Buda who coming thither with Wives and Children most earnestly requested them to yield as not to expect any further help and that by their obstinacy they should cause the death of them their friends Wives and Children unto whom also Nadasti promised that they should all except a few Commanders in safety depart howbeit they would not hearken In Pesth the Christians found great store of Wealth with one thousand serviceable Horses and much Warlike provision This done they returned to besiege the upper City and Castle of Buda undermining and battering the same and had planted some of their Ordnance so high that they could at pleasure shoot into the streets they thundered also at the same time with other batteries in divers places of the Walls both of Castle and City and hearing that the Turks Garrisons were coming for their relief they sent out their Horse and some Foot against them who gave them a great overthrow and so returned unto the siege where while the Christians lay in hope and had Octob. 12th planted certain notable Pieces near the Walls purposing next day with all their power to assault the City Hassan hearing as he was going toward Constantinople of what had hapned returned and unlooked for came and sate down before Pesth with but about five and twenty thousand men yet most of them expert Souldiers divers brave attempts being in both places made both on the one side and the other The besieged in Pesth one day under the Conduct of their brave Captains sallied out and coming with the Turks to the Sword disordered and forced them to flee pursuing them even to their Trenches whence a great Squadron issuing out constrained the Imperials to retire Count Martinengo doing what he might to have stayed the disordered ãâã
Garrison of Turks using the battering Cannon therein long scorned by the Persians as not beseeming valiant men wherewith as with skilfull Cannoniers the Portugalls furnished him whereby he soon again recovered this great City from the Turks Mahomet thus on every side beset with troubles and in mind much perplexed and struck as it were with a remorse of conscience and a firm belief that God did thus chastise and punish him for his offences considering that his Ancestours were never so troubled commanded publique prayers to be continually said in all Mosquies throughout his Dominions giving himself wholly also unto such Exercises and works of Charity sending withall two of his chiefest Priests bare-headed and footed on Pilgrimage to Mecha where their Prophet's chief Temple is wherin they believe to be most speedily heard to pray to him for their Prince his health and prosperity At the same time Amurat Rais an old Pirate and the Turks Admirall for the West part of the Mediterranean in his roaming lighted on a great Flemish ship which he forthwith beset with his Galleys the calmnesse of the weather favouring him The Flemmings after a great fight made slaying a number of Turks and sore renting divers Galleys yet losing many men not able longer to fight and being boarded by as many Turks as could well stand upon the Hatches and their Galleys hanging round about her laid all their powder left on a heap and fired it whereby the Turks were blown up themselves and ship tore in pieces with divers Galleys grapled unto her and exceeding harm done to the other Galleys near her Rais astonied at so great and desperate a resolution hasted to shoar to repair and so to put to Sea again where he had not long layen but he met with the Duke of Florence's Galleys accounted the best in the World and after many a Cannon on both sides discharged with the Turks apparent loss when they should have come to grapling and fight hand to hand which the Florentines most desired Rais suddenly fled whom they following amain sunk some Galleys and took others full of Riches So that this renowned Pirate for a great while after was little feared upon that Coast. But many a hot skirmish passed betwixt the 2 Armies in Hungary the Turks receiving the most hurt and loss A Troop of Christians going to seek Booty fell upon a like Troop of the Turks where after a sharp encounter on both sides the Turks at length fled leaving a number dead on the place losing 2 Ensignes with 130 serviceable Horses the Christians pursuing them hard drave a number more into Danubius wherein they perished taking many more prisoners above 80 being Italian Renegates who as Enemies to God were in a Court Martiall condemned and hanged saving the Captain who was beheaded Shortly after the Bassa came in the beginning of October and encamped nigh Buda both for preservation of the place and safety of his Army for it was known that in these conflicts the Turks had lost a number of their best Souldiers chiefly Janizaries so that the Bassa armed 6000 of his best Souldiers with Musquets and sâimitars in the rooms and pay of the dead Janizaries the rest of his Army being mostly bare and feeble raw Souldiers Besides instead of their wonted threats and bravery the Souldiers in all places sighed and bewailed the loss of their Brethren and Friends also the Christian Army being thought to be much greater and stronger than it was had so feared the Turks that they resolved Buda once Victualled to return home all their other designs for this year set apart The Turks being now encamped nigh Buda the Christians left Pesth as out of danger and encamped betwixt the Fort in the Isle of Vicegrade and Vacia staying there 4 dayes and then by a Bridge made upon Danubius they passed the River and came and encamped before the Fort of St. Andrew kept by the Lansquenets in the face of the Enemy The field was plain and open not to hinder the joyning of a set battel the encouraged Christians being come thither to seek it in so fit a place which the Turks sought as much to shun Nevertheless for very shame they put forth 5000 men into the field 5 dayes after which Battalion came marching near the Christians upon confidence of 10000 Horse and Foot which lay as close as possible a little out of the way whom the Christians not thinking of sent forth 1200 against these 5000 to skirmish with them till the whole Army were put in order even for a generall Battell that day whereunto the whole Christian Army was fully enclined with great chearfulnes marching on foot thinking those 5000 Turks to have bin the head of the Avaunt-guard sent to draw them out to skirmish till the comming on of the rest of their Forces Howbeit their design was only to train them out into their Ambushes whereof they gave sufficient Testimony because after 3 hours skirmish with loss on both sides the Turks Army appeared not and the 5000 Turks by little and little retired who it was not like would have given ground to 1200 if they had not had some secret meaning therein which caused the Christian Carabins not to be too earnest in their pursuit and more closely to serve together the better to endure the shock if they should charge them The Turks seeing their purpose discovered on a sudden made a stand came on and hardly charged the foremost Carabins who as men half surprized were not able so valiantly to receive the charge of so great a number but some few were overthrown and slain with some Hungarians among them yet they valiantly repulsed them slaying a good number The prease in this conflict was great on both sides but new supplies still comming in the Turks at last retited 300 being left slain and 100 Christians Now upon the retreat every man conceived a generall battell next day the brags of the Turks occasioning the Christians so to think for they seldom or never refused battel offered them by the Christians accounting that an eternal Infamy both for their confidence commonly had in their multitude and for their opinion of mens inevitable predestination to life or death being perswaded also that no mens souls go more readily to Heaven than of such as die in battell against the Christians yet at this time shewed that a strong apprehension of fear is able to prevail against all customs perswasions and accidents for the Turks came not forth according to promise they having besides almost all their Janizaries and valiant'st Souldiers lost also all their Erasbles desperate Souldiers fighting on Hors-back onely with a little piece of Tapestry on their Horses-backs by whose readiness they do long in one sort maintain their fight carrying Darts made of fair Canes strongly armed with Sables or broad Curtelasses the loss of these men who stood the Turks in great stead in receiving the Enemies charges much discouraged them Howbeit they in some
themselves yield resolving to begin the war at the City Damiata the first and commodiousest Port by whose taking they should enter Nile and command the Country thereabouts This rich and ancient City stood about a mile from the Sea somewhat distant from Nile environed with a navigable cut like an Island and compassed with 3 strong stone-Walls a strong watch Tower at the Cut's mouth a number of fair houses about it entrenched the Cut also was barred with a great strong iron chain The Christians by great strength coming with their Fleet brake the chain but they ãâã a greater stay at the Watch-Tower which strongly built and well stored the Souldiers overwhelmed them with shot fire stones c. The Christians had built high woodden Towers on Vessels for assault in the approach the Marriners and Souldiers hindred each other by crying they should draw nigher the Tower others ãâã cast ãâã the bridges for entry the enemy also with clamour encouraging one another In this hurly-burly the higest Tower over-charged with men fell with an exceeding noise crushing some to death the timber oppressing others being hurt and crying for help others hurt leapt for fear some into Nile some aboard ships crying out of arm leg head other part discomfiting the rest and giving over the assault King John the Armies General appeasing the tumult giving those that were hurt to Surgions and burying the dead bodies chearfully perswaded the Souldiers not to be discouraged this Towers fall being through wars chance not their cowardise or the enemies valour Meledine encamped in sight of Damiata to fill the besieged with hopes of relief often sending then by the River whatsoever they wanted skirmishes passing daily betwixt both The Christians had still the victory but could neither be drawn to battel nor kept from victnals it being conveighed out of upper Aegypt by Nile whereas the same River dividing into many arms c. gave our men a 1000 inconveniences therefore they resolved to besiege the Tower again framing a strong Tower on 2 fastned Vessels and bringing it near their Tower the rest of the Fleet following for assault others standing in battel range at Land to discourage the besieged and that the Sultan should not help them without hazzarding battel They of the subburbs valiantly defended a fierce and cruel assault for it being a publick Mart-City there ãâã in the ãâã not only Aegyptians but Arabians Indians c. who fought for defence of lives and goods our men being animated also as in religious quarrels so with the spoil of those rich Nations The Christians drew as near with their ships as they could to Land that they might fight hand to hand But the Barbarians soughr by shot c. to keep them from landing The enemy boarding by chance a ship running a ground and making a cruel slaughter a Souldier made a great hole under the hatches and drowned a great number of Aegyptians with the Christians which most feard them The high Tower also now mating the Watch-tower dismaied the Defendants as with a miracle forsaking the Tower and fleeing which thus taken the discouraged in the Suburbs fleeing many were wounded from the Watch-tower by the Christians Other ships then landing the Souldiers put all they found to the sword There was abundance of victuals but far more riehes Now they ãâã the strong Town Damiata but gaining nothing but hard blows and wounds they retired yet they lodged in the Suburbs lying betwixt the Sultan and the City that no supply should be brought the enemy being to their great losse oft hindered both from entring or sallying forth But now Nile swelling with an Eastern wind most of the Christians victuals were spoiled who through the Pope's Legat fasting and praying for 3 daies the wind falling and the River decreasing on the fourth day they prayed more earnestly thinking as the Almighty had feared so he had comforted them again Victual growing scant in the Sultan's Camp he sent away half his Army about Caire at which time ãâã sent Embassadours to the Princes of the Christian Army in his own and the Aegyptian Sultan his brothers behalf suing for peace and promising to restore whatever his Father Saladine had taken from them most liking that well saying They had taken up ãâã for recovery of that had been before gotten that all these things being restored there rested no further occasion of war c. Yet Pelagins the Popes Legat for the other ãâã dead King John Master of the Hospitallers and Templers Duke of Austria and the Germans were contrary in opinion alleading this sacred war was undertaken against the Infidels and Mahometan Superstition and they ought to impugn Aegypt as its chief seat whereby the Sultans large offers were rejected Whereupon Coradine fearing forthwith raced the Walls of Jerusalem ãâã down most of the stately buildings yet sparing David's Tower and Christ's Sepulchre at the humble intercession as is said of the Christians of divers Countreys The Plague arising in the Christians Camp at Damiata the great Commanders so many dying who would have ãâã the Sultans large proffers began to repent they had so much hearkened to the Legat. The Christians weary of a now 6 moneths siege and the Sultan but only the choice of his men having sent away the rest stood not so carefully on their guard as before whereupon the Sultan in the night hoped to send supplies to the besieged The formost Companies were already entred but the Christians perceiving them so assailed the hindermost that the enemy fearing they should enter in with them shut the gates where they were all cut to pieces The Christians hereby encouraged next day part of the Army presented themselves to give the Sultan battel who would not be drawn out of his trenches they especially the French-men attempted their rampiers but not with answerable successe The Aegyptians enforcing their small number to retire Gualter with others being lost the King also assailing the Camp lost many his face burnt hardly escaping with life After which they thought of nothing but the siege and the City now more streightly besieged and brought to extream ãâã assembled themselves to consult what to do one or other secretly fleeing to the Camp Had not the chief Commanders mured up the gates and commanded none to come on the Walls or Rampiers the City had been by the most yielded who searching especially Shops and Ware-houses divided the small store of Wheat among themselves the people eating whatsoever came to hand prolonged life with what they could find These not able to endure famins extremities were greatly slaughtered with the plague which so encreased that men were wanting not only to succour c. the sick but to bury the dead The dead bodies gave a horrible stink with infectious air they choosing rather to die than submit themselves to their enemies The Christians knew of the famine but not of the raging Plague among them They cast up Trenches and Baricadoes to keep in such
affairs and troubles gave good words but no help Some getting mony of their Subjects under that colour employed it to other uses the Pope entertained 1500 of his own charge to whom many voluntiers joyned who from Brundusium with 2 Masters arrived at Ptolemais in which were 50000 able men and about 40000 weaker among whom divers murders felonies c. were committed unregarded saving by the injured For all the chief Commanders were then at variance every one laying claim to the vain title of the Kingdom of Jerusalem Neither strove they lesse for the Government of the City The Popes Legat the Patriarch Templers and Hospitallers French and English King by their Messengers them of Pisa the Venetians the Germans and Florentines pretended a right to and endeavoured for the Government of the City But the greatest part were inclined to the Armenians and Tartars as most like to stand them in stead most of these deciding controversies in their own Laws and Courts where by the offenders removing their Suits as best served their turns every one might almost do what he list Thus were murders and many outrages c. done to the hastening Cod's wrath and grief of all good men The Souldiers of late sent thither were enforced for want of promised pay to take spoil in the Sultans frontiers contrary to the League the Sultan desiring restitution and the offenders to be delivered to him But in a dying Commonweale the Embassadours were not courteously heard Wherewith the the Sultan provoked sent Araphus with 150000 men to besiege the City who by a Mine had soon overthrown a piece of the Wall but was glad to retire from the breach Alphix now died at ãâã the Mamalukes choosing ãâã for their Sultan who was so far from raysing his siege that he more straitly beset it than in the 3 moneths before Peter Master of the Templers was chosen Governour of the City of great valour and experience unto whom and the Nobles the Sultan offered great things so they would now yield the City which offer he rejected telling him He learned not of his Ancestors to sell a City to Infidels bought with so much Christian blood c. Wherewith he enraged next day so furiously assaulted it as if he would have carried it yet having lost a number of men in assault and a sally he was forced to retire into his trenches again The Governour among other Christians lost was wounded with a poysoned dart dying 3 days after with whom the defendants courage fainted also Their weak and aged were sent away to Cyprus at first of the siege but now ãâã Captains c. discouraged conveighed themselves away a great number of whom were upon Cyprus coast with the Patriarch drowned 12000 remained for defence of the City who some report fled after leaving it to the enemy others that they valiantly defended it till most being slain or wounded the rest being driven to the Market-place defended themselves a while and fleeing to the ships were all cut off or drowned But however the Sultan giving the spoil to his Souldiers burned it to the ground and digging up all foundations left no sign of any City but purging it of rubbidge made it fit to low Corn in which he did to other Towns by the Sea coast that they should give the Christians no more footing there Thus was their name utterly rooted out of Syria and Palestine in 1291 about 192 years after the winning of Jerusalem Which losse as tending to a general disgrace not a little moved the greatest Christian Princes yet troubled with their affairs at home and neighbour Princes none stirred for redress Only Cassanes the great Tartar at the request of the Armenian Kings daughter his Wife a Christian and his Father in Law took it in hand and with 200000 fighting men the Armenians and Georgians overthrew ãâã the Aegyptian Lievtenant not far from Hama in Syria 40000 Aegyptians being reported to be flain sending Molais to secure him who chased him over the desart sands into Aegypt Then he took Hama dividing the ãâã treasures and the spoil among his Souldiers reserving but a Sword and a Casket of secret Letters to himself He took most Cities in Syria with Jerusalem repairing many places giving it to the Christian Armenians c. repairing thither to inhabit and returning Damasco was delivered to him But purposing to destroy Aegypts Kingdom he was certifyed of troubles in Persia and other parts wherefore he returned with most of his Army thither leaving Capcacus Governour of Damasco who had revolted to him from the Sultan and Molais of ãâã commanding them to re-edifie Tyre and to send to the Christian Princes to joyn with them for holding those Countries Tyre was repaired and garrisoned but the Embassadours coming to proud Pope Boniface 8th could obtain nought of him For he then by excommunication and discharging the Subjects loyalty to Philip of France had given his Kingdom to Albert Duke of Austria declaring him Emperor whereof great troubles arose And being also of the Guelphes faction was careful to extinguish the Guebellines especially the Family of the Columnii some of whom he had slain deprived imprisoned and exiled hereby not at leasure to further the Christians good but being suddenly taken prisoner at his Fathers house in Anagnia by Sara Columnius sent by the French King and Longarett a French Knight he was brought into St. Angelo Castle in Rome and in 35 daies died renting himself some report with his teeth and devouring his fingers for madness Cassanes was of a very short stature and hard-favour but the valour and vertue of his mind recompenced the want of his feature After whose departure Capcaeus considering no aid was to be expected from the Christian Princes revolted a new from the Tartar drawing Damasco and most of Syria after him Molais was about to go against him but Capcacus having compacted with the Aegyptian Sultan also as too weak he retired with his Tartars into ãâã exspecting supplies from Cassanes and the King of Armenia The Sultan the mean while took Jerusalem forsaken of the Inhabitants sparing only Christs Sepulchre at the suit of the religious Then he won all lesse Towns and raced all Castles and forts of the Hospitallers and Templers who of themselves held out almost a year most being slain the rest abjuring Syria for ever by Oath had leave to depart with bag and baggage who for 300 years had worthily defended the Christians and their Religion against the Infidels and now for ever ãâã out about 1300. Wherefore leaving Syria and the holy Land though 't were likely enough to be recovered again had not Cassanes died and the Tartars domestick troubles ãâã We will return to the Turks troubles in lesser Asia not thinking it good to break off abruptly but to make the reader partaker of its heaviness Mescot and Ceicubades kept in awe by the Tartar died as they lived almost buried in obscurity Mescot died without issue but Ceicubades left his
after surprized by night the Castle Chalce putting all the Christians to the sword The Christians adjoyning much grieved complained to the Captain of Carachizar that these Turks who were of pity received into that Country began now to lay hands on the Christians possessions which if suffered they would in short time drive both them and all the rest out of their native Countries c. The Captain being mooved speedily sent a strong company under his Brother Calanus to joyn with the Christian forces at Einegiol Whereof Othoman understanding marched to Opsicium in Phrygia where was fought a sharp battel Sarugatin his Brother with many Souldiers being lost Calanus was also slain whose intrails Othoman pulled out naming his burying place Mesari Repec that is The Dog-Grave His Brother he honourably buried at Suguta Aladin was very sorry for Othoman's losse gave him the City Paleapolis with the Territories belonging with leave to besiege Carachizar sending him Souldiers and Munition who streightly besieging it won it and slew all the Christians cruelly executing the Captain giving his souldiers the spoyl except the 5th part to the Sultan This was in 1290. This with other Castles was either in Phrygia the greater or in Bythinia and the confines of Mysia where the Christians lived mingled with the Turks at continuall jars till by them they were extinguished Othoman thus inconraged and by the Sultan supported cousulted with his Brother Iundus of the best way to subject the Christians Iundus advised him to urge his fortune with all speed and to invade them discouraged with Carachifar's loss But Othoman said The Castles c. must be kept with strong Garrisons elle they will be again recovered which Garrisons cannot be maintained if we dispeople the adjoyning Countreys I think better that we make a league with the Christians about us which we will keep or break as shall serve our purpose And he made a peace with all chiefly with Michael Cossi who became also a Mahometan This he did the rather for the envy of Germean Ogli a Salzuccian who as others sought by all means to hinder his greatnesse Who to strengthen his new Common-weal built a fair Temple in Carachizar for Mahometan Religion appointing Markets and granting priviledges to all that resorted to his great Towns using great Justice so that all sorts furnished Towns and Countreys with all necessaries but his aspiring mind had alwaies a greater care to enlarge his Territories whom Michael Cossi so politickly directed in his inroad into Bythinia that he returned with great spoil and more honour The Christians thereabouts were now loath to give him any offence lest he should spoyl them About his time the Captains of Belizuga Cuprichisar falling at odds he of Cupriehisar first invaded him of Belizuga who praying Othoman's aid he presently came with companyes of lusty Souldiers whereby he of Belizuga set upon his enemy and by Othoman's help the other fled to his own Castle divers being on both sides slain when Othoman besieging him took his Castle and slow him He of Belizuga was so proud of the victory though most gained by the Turks providing a great feast for him and his followers that giving Garments of great price to Othoman in token of his favour rewarding also his souldiers but all with a presumptuous grace he offered the Turk's common Souldiers his hand to kisse wherewith Othoman was so offended that he could scarce hold his hands from him yet he secretly imparted the disgrace to his Cousin Dunder inquiring of him how the Captain was to be corrected for it who being the Captain 's Lievtenant told him That seeing Germean Ogli was their enemy on one side and all the Christians would be in his neck if he offered him any wrong nothing was then to be attempted Othoman hereby perceiving his Cousin's affection to him and lest the mischief should by him be revealed or hindered slew him suddenly with his bow Michael Cossi not long after concluding a Marriage between a Gentleman and his daughter invited all the Christian Captains thereabouts thereto and the rather to grow in acquaintance with Othoman hoping that at that merry meeting all being made friends every one might possesse his own without fear of Othoman whose gifts exceeded all the other Guests giving also to the new married folks flocks of Sheep and Cattle so that the Captains saying Othoman's wealth portended some great matter c. they thought best secretly to compasse his death theexecution whereof they referred to him of Belizuga whose ill disposition though Othoman long perceived yet he in shew honoured him and debased himself in comparison But the Captain told Othoman that he intended to marry the Captain of Jarchiser's daughter requesting him to honour it with his presence c. a colour to bring Othoman into danger who neer the time sent thither fat Oxen and Sheep in Iundus his name certifying him Othoman himself would be present with such presents as his poor ability could afford The Captain now surely hoped his devised treachery would take effect and therefore requested Michael Cossi to bring Othoman to the marriage which he knew Cossi might easily do sending him by Cossi a present of gilt plate Cossi found him very willing to go but being moved with compassion he discovered the Captain 's Conspiracy against him willing him to take heed to himself for which Othoman greatly thanked him rewarded c. At thy return saith he tell him I am bound to him for many courtesies chiefly for protecting my goods and cattell within his Castle which I request may be continued for a year longer by reason of my wars with Gormean Ogli wherefore I will presently send to his Castle things I most reckon of and tell him further my Wife and her Mother desire to be acquainted with the Lady his Mother whom if he please I will bring with me to the Marriage When the Captain understood his request by Cossi he sent him back to hasten his coming and to bring what Guests he pleased Because the Castle was too little for the expected multitude there was another place appointed about 3 miles distant Othoman had accustomed to send his best things in packs to Belizuga Castle but now instead of houshold-stuff c. he thrust in armed men chargeing the carriages to come thither before twi-light Then he apparelled some of his best Souldiers in Womens apparel as his Wife and Mother in Law with their Women So contriving it that they and the packs might at one instant meet at the Castle The Captain thought his late coming was because the Turkish Women shun the sight of Christian men Othoman being come unto the marriage place requested the Captain that his Gentlewomen might lodge conveniently in his Castle apart according to their homely fashion lest the presence of such Gallants might put them out of countenance which the Captain granted saluting them afar off The packs and the disguised Souldiers came ãâã at a time where when they were
were about to return into Thracia But being informed that the Emperour had shut up the passage by a mighty wall at Christopolis from the Sea to the top of the Mountains they thus beset desperately resolved to break into Thessaly being above 8000 men to relieve their wants or towards Peloponesus there to seat themselves at least-wise to enter a League with some on the Sea coast and so return into their own Countrey They came in 3 daies to the Thessalian Mountains at the foot whereof finding plenty of all necessaries they wintred But Winter being past they came down into the Plains of Thessaly spending that year at pleasure havocking whatever came in their way That Countrey was but weak the Prince being but young and like to die c. And to avert these forreigners the Nobility offered their Commanders gifts and guidance into Achaia and Boetia Countries more commodious for them promising if they needed aid there to seat them Of which offers the Catalonians accepted So at Spring receiving their rewards and guides passing over the mountains beyond Thessaly and the straits of Thermopylae they encamped near Locris and the River Cephisus But the Duke of Thebes c. hearing of their coming with great pride and contempt denied them passage thorow his Countrey reckoning them but as loose wandring rogues c. wherewith they enraged resolved there to seat themselves or to die So they encamped not far from the River in Boetia 3500 horse 4000 foot But lying there they caused the ground where about they lay to be plowed up which they watered with cuts out of the River that it little differed from a deep Marsh. Hither comes the Prince with about 6400 horse and 4000 foot casting no peril coming bravely on with his horsmen but before he was come to the middle of the Plain his horses sinking deep lay with their riders for most part tumbling in the mire c. other-some sticking fast stood with their riders like very Images not able to move The Catalonians slew them at their pleasure and so speedily pursued the rest that they surprized Thebes and Athens so they having wone a goodly Countrey stored with all wealth there ended their travels and seated themselves not ceasing as saith Nicephorius Gregorias by little and little to extend their bounds unto this day There were 3000 Turks in the Catalonians Army of whom about 1100 were the Turcopuli under Melech the other came with Chalel out of Asia being sent for by the Catalonians All these when the Catalonians were about to invade Thessaly seek new fortunes partly distrusting their society and partly loth further to follow began to mutiny Whereupon Melech and Chalel requested of the General leave to return which he easily granted and so they departed proportionally deviding the captives and spoyls taken After which they divided into 2 parts the Turcopuli following Melech and the rest Chalel Melech having violated his Religion again and revolted despairing of the Emperour's friendship chose rather to go to Crales Prince of Servia by whom he was sent for with 1500 horse and foot but all his Souldiers delivering up horses and armour were to fall to Trades and not to bear Arms but when and so many as the Prince saw good But Chalel with about 1300 horse and 800 foot offered the Emperour quietly to depart his Countrey so he would give him passage by Christopolis and transport them and their substance over Hellespont The Emperour considering the great harm done desirous to be discharged of them sent Sennacherib to conduct them out of Macedonia to the straits of Hellespont Where the Greeks thinking it indignity to suffer them to carry such abundance of horses mony c. taken from the Greeks into Asia and in hope of so rich a prey they neither provided for them shipping nor cared for their safety purposing by night to destroy them Os which the Turk understanding surprized a Castle thereby which they notably fortified the Greeks were glad to get further off and to certifie the Emperour thereof who delayed the time to his enemies advantage who speedily sent over the strait for aid of the Turks in Asia which they presently sent them wherewith encouraged they oft times grievously wasted the Country round about The Greek Captains greatly discontented requested Michael with all his power to come to suppress these dangerous enemies For which not only Soldiers but the Country in general flocked to Michael with spades and mattocks as though they would have digged down the Castle Most part of whose followers not considering the danger in gaining it proceeded carelesly and disorderly in their ãâã that their enemies who before feared the very fame of their coming therewith much more encouraged bestowed all their wealth c. within their trenches themselves with 800 chosen horsmen sallyed out to the place of the Imperial Ensign with which sudden and desperate eruption the Grecians especially the rustical terrified began to flee after whom by little and little all fled The Emperour did what he could to stay them but in so general a fear Who regarded him wherefore he was glad to flee with the rest Yet many expert Captains ashamed making stands stayed the barbarous from further pursuit In which doing many were taken by the Turks Whatsoever was found in the Emperour's Tent yea the Imperial Crown it self became a prey also which they say Chalel putting on his head scoffed at the Emperour After this the Turks spoiled almost all Thracia so that for 2 years the people scarce durst go out of their Towns to plow and sow the Emperours exceedingly grieved all their hope was in forreign aid wherein they found many difficulties their Coffers being empty by reason of their Territories so long wasted yet Andronicus sent to the Prince of ãâã his Son in Law But he making no haste and the misery encreasing one Phites Paleologus the Emperour 's Kinsman undertook his Countries deliverance He had been brought up in Court c. beloved of all for integrity of life but altogether unskilful of wars being by nature weak and sickly and more given to devotion than worldly affairs He requested the Emperour that with some small power and a few Captains of his own choice he might go out against the Turks hoping he said to revenge the wrong and return with victory Whereunto he easily yielded saying God delighted not in any mans leggs but in a contrite heart c. For I have seen said he the swift not to gain the prize c. the simple to gain favour and the subtil to fall into disgrace So he furnished him with such conveniences as he desired which he receiving first he by all waies of courtesie encouraged his Souldiers perswading them to a temperare life promising the war ended rewards according to every ones desert and before setting forth understanding Chalel with 1200 horse and foot was forraging about Byzia he hasted to encounter them by the way laden with spoil
prevailing have possessed it to this day These Cities thus or as aforesaid taken Amurath seated his Court at Hadrianople as the most fit place for enlarging his Kingdom from whence a world of woe hath overflowed great part of Christendom drowning many Kingdoms in Europe the Greeks of all other most miserable The proud Sultan now presently sent Lala Scahin to invade about Philopolis with the Country Zagora toward Haemus and charging Eurenoses to subdue Ipsala's Territory who soon subjected them all wherein he shortly placed Sanzacks or Governours for better assurance thereof Cara Rustemes a Mahometan Doctor suggesting it Zinderlu Chelil their chief Justice afterwards Catradin Bassa by Amurath's command ordered every fifth Captive above 15 years old to be taken up as due by Law for the King and if under 5 to pay 25 Aspers a head as tribute Cara the deviser being chief Collector hereof numbers of Christian youths were by Zinderlu's Counsel distributed among the Asian husbandmen to learn the Turkish Religion language and manners where after two or three years painful labour they at Court the better sort were chosen to attend on and serve the Prince in wars where they practizing all activity are called Jannizaries that is new Souldiers This was their first beginning but increased under Amurath 2 and hath ever since been continued by that and some greater means being in time so great that they are oft dreadful to the great Turk himself and sometimes preferring that Son they best like to the Empire contrary to the will of the Deceased Sultan now the greatest strength of that Empire and being conrinual Garrisons of martial men not unlike to be the greatest cause of its ruin Amurath after a great while determining to return to Asia made Scahin Viceroy of Romania Eurenoses Governour of the marches Zinderlu President of his Councel calling him Cairadin Bassa that is the Bassa wel deserving Then returning he spent that Winter at Prusa Cairadin Cara once two Doctors as Turkish histories report first corrupted that Court with coverousness and bribery as yet of them much blamed Amurath thus in Asia hearing the Servians Bulgarians had gathered an Army to besiege Hadrianople he greatly prepared for aid in Europe taking Boga in his way putting all Christians that could bear Arms to the sword captivating the rest his Souldiers had the spoil which Town ere long they recovering gave them like measure and razing it yet it was rebuilt by the Turks in 1365. The Servian c. Army now near Hadrianople mutinied among themselves which the Turks espying set suddenly on them by night who through inward hatred joyned not against them being ready to turn their Weapons on each other whereby the Turks put to flight slew them with such a slaughter that the place is at this day called Zirf Zindugi or the place where the Servians were overthrown This notable news with the spoils fifth part and many Christians heads were sent to Amurath in Asia who then returned to Prusa this was in 1366. This year he triumphantly circumcised his Sons Bajazet and Jacup building Temples a Monastery two Colledges and a Pallace at Bilezuga Neapolis and Prusa Germean Ogli having alwaies envied as did the other Selzuccian Princes and fearing the Othoman Kings greatness might be dangerous to his Son after his death now very aged sent Isaac a Mahometan Doctor to Amurath with rich presents to offer his daughter Hatun in marriage to Bajazet promising with her divers great Cities and Towns as Cutai c. with their Territories Cutai being now the City where the Turks great Viceroy is resident as in the heart of lesser Asia Amurath liking it well contracted Bajazet unto her and preparing with great magnificence for the marriage invited most Mahometan Princes and commanding most of his Nobles to honour it with their presence The Aegyptians Embassadour had the highest place of all the others before invited who all presented Amurath with many great gifts beseeming their Masters At length Eurenoses one of his own Nobles besides many rich gifts presented him with 100 goodly Christian captive boys and as many maidens richly attired with a cup of gold with divers precious stones in one hand and a silver cup full of gold in their other the Embassad ours wondring at the richnesse hereof All which Amurath bestowed on them and their presents on Eurenoses None also of the learned and religious came thither so poor but he went away rich He sent divers Nobles with 100 Ladies c. 3000 horsmen to attend the brides coming whom Germean Ogli meeting saluted every man of account feasting them royally with Princely gifts in one of his Cities And delivering Hatun to two ancient Ladies one Bajazet's nurse sent her away with his wife Jenses and other Courtiers being most royally married at Prusa The dowry promised was delivered Amurath garrisoning the Cities and Towns Chusen-beg Prince of Amisum sold that Territory to Amurath at this marriage with many others doubring as was thought how to keep them Amurath being come so near him Amurath spending great time in Asia committing that Kingdom to Bajazets and Temurtases his Government returned into Europe with a strong Army marching from Callipolis towards Hadrianople soon winning Magalgara by the way whither Lala Scahin and Eurenoses coming he sent them to besiege Pherae which they took after few daies But leading his Army into Servia and forraging the Country 14 daies presently marched to Nissa the Metropolis and Key of that Kingdom winning it shortly by Jaxis Begs advice Lazarus the Despot was so danted hereat that for peace he offered 50000 li. tribute yearly and 1000 mens aid when he required it Amurath granted him peace and deparfed Then with much a do he won great Apolonia near Mount Athos the Christians departing with wives c. and goods not spoyled by the Souldiers Returning to Hadrianople Eurenoses left shortly took Berrhea c. Then also Scahin won Zichne and Seres in Macedonia's confines with many other upon Thessaly and Thrace who made his abode in Seres great numbers being sent for from Asia to inhabit thereabouts forsaken by the Christians Aladin advertised out of Asia that Aladin King of Caramania his son in Law invaded him with fire sword was exceedingly troubled Wherefore telling his Nobles c. what Aladin so getting all bonds of Religion alliance c. had done whilst he sought with honour the Mahometan sincere Religions increase in Europe from which godly wars said he I am forced to turn against men joyned with us in Religion and alliance he appointed Chairadin Basa his ãâã and his Son Alis one of his Councel so passing into Asia and so to Prusa he there spent that Winter To whom Aegyptian Embassadours then coming to renew former amity he thankfully sent them back with kind Letters and rewards At Spring in 1387 he levying a great Army to war on the Caramanian he prepared no lesse power to meet him associating to him
remain his in heart and to make it on the first occasion appear Wherefore he hoping time would bring some change determined to retire and departing with standing tears often said God was angry c. That he must needs suffer the overthrow of his Estate c. Yet he hoped to return and deliver his pecple from bondage c. Tamerlane staying long here sent Axalla to pursue him grieved he could not get him This bruite passing with Axalla into Lybia so feared all Africa that 22 Moores Kings sent thinking he followed to offer obedience the Sultan still flying off the nearest Tamerlane took hostages the rest faith given contented him After this Tamerlane desired to see his native Country the rather moved by his Wive's request his Father in-laws sicknesse his Own age and his wearied Souldiers desires The stay was Calibes his coming whom he for his deserts appointed governour of all his conquests in Aegypt and Syria who was making way along Euphrates for the conquest of Mesopotamia and Persia and being sent for came to Alexandria whither the whole Army was assembled Tamerlane leaving Zamalzan Cal bes his Lievtenant general Governour with 6000 horse and 10000 foot departed to Cair leaving Calibes 40000 horse and 50000 foot and instructing him how he would have those Kingdomes Governed dismissed him seeming very sorry to leave him So setting forward he with a few turned aside to Jerusalem tarrying 11 dayes visiting Christ's ãâã whom he called the Christians god and the ruines of Salomon's Temple wondring c. but grieved not to see them in their former beauty despising the Jews who so cruelly murdered Him that came to save them he commanded Jerusalem to be free from all subsidies and garrisons giving great gifts to and honouring the Monasteries Thence he came to Damasco which infected with Jezides opinion an arch heretique with the Mahometans and ill affected to him he razed digging up and burning Jezides his bones and filling his before-honoured grave with dung So marching and blasting the world as he went he passed Euphrates and conquering Mesopotamia with Babylon and all Persia he returned loaded with spoil to Samarchand Bajazet having layen 2 years in miserable thraldome did violently beat out his braines against the barrs of the iron cage inclosing him in 1399. Yet of his death are divers reports that he through sorrow died of an Ague that he poysoned himself the Turks affirming an unlikely report that first poysoned by Tamerlane he was freed dying 3 ãâã after His body at Mahomets request his son sent to Asprapolis was conveyed to Prusa and buried in a Chappel without the City Eastward where also Despina lyeth Tamerlane and Bajazet both began from the Tartars Bajazet being the 4th from Othoman and Tamerlane the 4th from great Zingis both of great power and like spirit c. above measure ambitious the ground of all troubles raised by them to the Worlds astonishment Yet Bajazet's virtues were much obscured by his Choler and waywardnesse c. He used commonly to say His treasures was his Childrens meat not his Souldiers pay which was by a Souldier cast in his teeth when he raged to see himself forsaken by them in the great battel Whereas Tamerlanes virtues were graced with divers of like nature no man more kind to his friends or more dreadful to his enemies c. Bajazet is to be accounted more fortunate than the Conquerour his enemie having ever since one lineally to succeed in his Kingdome and Empire as at this day Whereas Tamerlane's Empire divided by him among his sons shortly after his death decayed rent asunder by ambition and civil discord and not long after with his posterity rooted out by Usun Cassanes the Persian King The Life of Mahomet I. 5th King of the Turks and Restorer of their sore Shaken Kingdome SOme write Bajazet had 2 sons Orchanes or Calepinus ãâã in the 2d year of his Reign and Mahomet who possessed his Brothers Kingdom Others that Orchanes and Mahomet were Calepinus's sons who died Reigning 6 years that Orchanes slain by his Uncle Mustapha Mahomet in revenge slew him possessing the Kingdome Others reckon 7 sons of Bajazet with their uncertain succession I shall leave these divers reports with the History following to the credit they shall find with considerate Readers Neither the Greek Historiographers nor John Leunclavius a great traveller among the Turks do mention Calepinus or Orchanes But in mine opinion the great confusion of the Turkish Kingdome wrought by Tamerlane with the civil discord afterwards arising among Bajazet's sons for the restless Room of Soveraignity c. might give just occasion of such divers reports some reckoning such as never were to have succeeded in Government Wherefore leaving Calepinus and Orchanes c. I following the Turkish Historie's authority reckon this Mahomet a younger son of Bajazet 5th King ãâã Turks who after his fathers Captivity about 10 years was after great and dangerous wat 's solely invested in that Kingdome Bajazet as the Turkish Kings had by divers wives and concubins 7 sons Erthogrul the eldest was lost against Casi ãâã Mustapha slain against Tamerlane Casa the youngest a child when his father was taken and afterwards with Fatine his Sister died hostage to the Emperour Solyman conveyed out of the battle into Europe was saluted Sultan Mahomet fleeing to ãâã was Governour in his fathers time there Isa after ãâã departure seized on Prusa Musa was taken with his father and afterwards freed by Tamerlane Places about Aniasia with a great part of Cappadocia were so troublesome after Tamerlan's Victory that keeping watch and ward continually many wearied and despairing of better times voluntarily exiled themselves which much grieved Mahomet but 15 years old Wherefore consulting what course to take it was thought best to get farther off into stronger places and while their enemies departed not to cut them short by policy For though Tamerlane lay at Caria yet his Captaines ãâã and spoyled at pleasure over lesser Asia Hereupon he departed to Derby encountring by the way with Cara ãâã Isfendiars Kinsman whom he put to ãâã with great slaughter Thence going to Kereden he sent a sple into Tamerlan's Camp afterwards consulting of farther proceedings Some thought he were best withdraw into the mountaines of ãâã Asia till Tamerlan's departure Others thought those mountaines no places to trust to and therefore to return to Amasia there to live protecting his subjects and not leave them a prey to stragling Tartars which ãâã he following and ready to set forward the spie returned certifying of Bajazets health but for the straight guard over him he could not speak with him that Tamerlane ãâã all that part of Asia Mahomet had not long ãâã at ãâã but ãâã heard Caradulets Chach was with 20000 coming to spoile his Country given him by Tamerlane Wherefore he speedily sent a spie before his forces who hastily returning told him Cara lay at Aegiolus but with a small power having dispersed his Army to seek after
absence who was gone a dayes march before saw they could not shun battle yet Carambey coming down upon them put themselves in the best order they could c. Carambey sending his horse down a ãâã ãâã was made in which many on both sides were slain The ãâã men at armes with the Hungarian light horse men fought but as how ãâã to dye The Turks stood hard to it for a ãâã ãâã length being hardly laied to they began to give ground Carambey coming in with new supplies ãâã ãâã roughly sometimes perswading fairely ãâã them that were fleeing Huniades and the Despot when they perceived the enemy a little to faint cryed ãâã Victory c. And sent some companies of foot who climbing up among the bushes paunched the Turks horses with half pikes c. as they passed by them Here began the battle to decline the bolder ãâã which were come into the Valleys compassed with the men at armes hardly recovered the hill Carambey the while performed all the parts of a Valiant and worthy Captaine and couragiously fighting in the thickest of his enemies stayed for a time the lost battle At last deceived by the snow he fell into a bogge and was taken prisoner by a common Souldier Many great ones were taken besides Carambey but more slain and most in the flight few escaped but such as fled to the mountains to them that were left to desend the passage In the ãâã ãâã seeing such a man as Carambey though to him unknown led prisoner asked the Souldier ãâã would sell him who asked for him 10 ãâã Huniades giving him 400 sent him to his tent ãâã him with chearful words The Despot coming that night to the ãâã began to talk with him in the ãâã ãâã and guessing by his talk Who he was asked Huniades how he would ransome him who said he cost him 400 Duckats but he valued him at 40000 which the Despot offered to pay The ãâã report that Uladislaus was present and commanded as chief in this battle yet Hungarian writers whose credit we follow report as before Shortly after Huniades and the Despot confulted with the King for removing the Turks Garrisons left to keep the passages and to prosecute the War Uladislaus considering the Difficulty and his Souldiers necessity thought good ãâã with to return But they the one for honour the other hoping to recover his lost Kingdome said The Turks were in any ãâã ãâã be removed c. alleadging the ãâã ãâã courage of his Souldiers Whose valour lest the King should seem to distrust he commanded to set forward The Kings battle first mounted the hill often stayed by its roughnesse c. Huniades in searching found a crooked way whereby with his men he got to the top even with their enemies But being come to the desired place they found such a deep wide gaping rock ãâã as was not to be passed or filled up yet being very near they attempted by crossbow-shot c. to remove the Turks who were at first so annoyed and discomfited they were almost at the point to forsake the passe had not Alis Beg encouraged and taught them by shrowding under the broken rooks c. to save themselves from the shot Huniades had sent up other Companies by another more steep way who by too much disadvantage were easily rejected At length seeing the vain attempt and desperate danger he by the Kings command sounding a retreat retired down to the Turks rejoycing Next day the cold raging and wants increasing the King consulted with the ãâã for hasting their return into places of greater plenty whereunto ãâã now easily yielded the rest spake against it blaming them c. promising he would find money for all things needful So said the Legate also But the Souldiers could nor be perswaded to slay crying out It was not their Captaines c. but them that starved for hunger as for the Despot in hope of recovering his Kingdome he perswaded things impossible Need they said could not be vanquished but Winter past they would willingly return to the War The King sending his baggage before retired the way he came the Turks following and assayling them in the reare on both sides did and received harm The Army loaded with spoil could make no great hast and passing thorow a great thick wood full of bogs c. they left fome strong men at armes as a wall against the pursuers whom the Turks fiercely charging there was a great ãâã and tumult raised to which noise many ãâã returning in skirmishing fell into the bogs c. hardly ãâã ãâã out Besides there were many crooked turnings c. with so sleep deseents that their horses lay heeles overhead overthrown with their Rides that they were often forced to fight on foot About 80 men at armes were lost besides the Turks slain were taken a 120 all presently slain The King fearing his Army in so long and troublesome a march should be consumed with hunger c. caused all things of the carriages and ãâã serving rather for burthen than use to be burnt all ãâã of them whom he lost as of the enemy to be ãâã and all weak beasts of burthen to be killed So the Army marched more speedily nor so much subject to ãâã At length Uladislaus arriving at Belgrade stayed some daies well to refrésh thence passing the River Savus he came to Buda of all joyfully received The Legate and Huniades went on his right hand the Despot on his left c. Before the King at his coming to the City went the notable Turks ãâã Carambey next before him bound in chaines with them also the enemies Ensigns and saved spoyles Huniades came behind the King between the Legate and Despot in a triumphant robe as next to the King best deserving c. Before all went the Prelates and Priests singing Hymns c. Uladislaus alighred at the gate going on foot to a ãâã giving there ãâã thanks and hanging up the enemies Ensigns part of the ãâã in remembrance of so notable a Victory c. Then he went to his pallace in the Castle and duely commending ever man especially Huniades gave them leave to depart Thus the Hungarians report yet the Turks dissemblers of their losses call the Bassa overthrown Cassanes and the noble prisoner Mechmet Beg Sanzacit of Ancyra called of some Carambey after his Father's name Out of this Turkish slaughter escaped that Valiant ãâã George Castriot called Scanderbeg whose mind had long desired to break out of the Turks thraldome and be revenged of Amurath's intolerable injuries being often animated thereto by secret letters and messengers from Epirus but wisely dissembled the same un o Amurath till now under the leading of Carambey in such a confusion he took occasion to put in practise what he had long plotted Scanderbeg a little before imparting the matter to some ãâã Country men especially to Amessa his brothers son of great courage had a ãâã eye on the ãâã chief Secretaries flight
ãâã with Amessa and other friends he closely followed but getting the ãâã with a ãâã followers in place convenient he slew all the Turks carrying away the Secretary bound and with threats ãâã him to write letters as from the Bassa to the Governour of Croia ãâã in Amurath's name to deliver to Scanderbeg the charge of the City and Garrison cunningly enterlacing other things c. And then ãâã the Secretary and many Turks coming in his way that his doings might be the longer kept from Amurath's knowledge Who having with him 300 Epirot Souldiers that followed him out of the battle came with incredible celerity into Dibria about 70 miles from Croia where staying but a day he chose a few to waite on him to Croia as if his houshould servants the rest with other 300 come out of Dibria he appointed secretly to be led thorow woods and mountains till come so nigh Croia as possible unperceived When he drew near the City he sent Amessa before as his Secretary to certifie the Governour of his coming who framing his countenance and attire as a natural Turk he delivered his Message with so good grace and words that all was verily believed But Scanderbeg himself coming and delivered the great Commanders letters the Governour delivering him the Government of the City departing next day with his houshold towards Hardrianople Scanderbeg thus gaining the chief City of Epirus in the dead of the night received in the Souldiers come from Dibria placing most in convenient places he with the rest flew the Watch and afterwards many in their beds the Christian Citizens also helping in a few hours there was none of the Turks Garrison left except some few who were content to forsake their superstition many chose rather to die and as is reported to kill themselves than so to save their lives Seanderbeg now sending speedy messengers into all parts of Epirus to disperse the news and ãâã up the people for recovery of their liberty flying fame had already prevented the Messengers and the oppressed Epirots were in armes in every place greatly desiring leaders yet running by heaps they slew most Turks ãâã in the Country abroad No Turk could stir but he was slain c. the Governour of Croia with his retinue was by the way slain by the Country people and his goods a prey Scanderbeg commanded those he appointed Captaines speedily to repaire to Croia with all power they could possibly make divers Nobles also resorting to him with their followers in few days he had 12000 well appointed wherein marching to Petrella 25 miles from Croia and ãâã on a steep rocky mountain as the rest of the Cities be he sent a wise Souldier to offer the Souldiers of Petrella that if they would yield it they should choose to continue in Scanderbeg's service with bountiful entertainement or depart with bag and baggage with honourable reward The subtile Messenger declared to them That Amurath lately vanquished by the Hungarians and looking daily to be set on by Christian Princes had no leisure to look to Epirus willing them to consider the dreadful misery that befell the Garrison at Croia c. The Governour considering the matter gave up the City onely upon departure with such things as they had because it should not be said he sold the City Scanderbeg giving them both meat and money sent them out of Epirus safely with a Convoy Petrella thus gained he placed therein a convenient Garrison presently marching towards Petra Alba in great hast It is a City in Aemathia 3 miles from Petrella Scanderbeg scarce well encamped but the Governour terryfied offered to deliver the City on the same conditions granted at Petrella which Scanderbeg faithfully performed All things were there set in order he came without delay to Stellusa a strong City 50 miles from Croia where ãâã next morning he sent a messenger to the City with like conditions accepted of at Petra Alba which most of the Souldiers would accept of but the Governour ãâã with a few earnestly withstood But the greater part when they could not perswade him with those few to yield they delivered him and them bound to Scanderbeg and so yielded up the City Wherefore fearing to return to Amurath some remained with Scanderbeg others provided for or rewarded departed whither they would All other weaker places in short time yielded themselves on like condition onely Sfetigrade in Epirus frontiers placed as it were an Eagles nest remained in the Turks possession Scanderbeg coming hither began to assay it by composition causing his Embassadours to declare all that happened at Croia Petrella c. how courteously he used the Garrison of Stellusa which yielded to him and having the Governour with his partakers in bonds whom they should see executed if they forthwith delivered it not This troubled the Garrison chiefly the Governour seeing thereby what might happen to himself Wherefore first entertaining the Embassadovrs honourably he said to the Citizens and Souldiers Worthy and faithful men what is your pleasure we shall answer to our enemies demands A rough and bold spirited Souldier drawing his sword and shaking it on high answered Most Valiant Governour this and the like shall answer for us Nothing was to lesse purpose than to seek to terrifie Valiant minds with the fortune of Croia and Stellusa c. we prescribe them of Petrella or Stellusa no laws neither let them us brave mindes disdain to imitate others in honest actions much lesse in cowardise Let Scanderbeg kill the Governour and our fellow Souldiers before our faces do ye therefore think we shall die in their bodies c. But oh happy bodies ãâã c. which in defence of their liberty and faith have contemned Gold Silver Death and ãâã Wherefore carry back this answer from a common Souldier If thy Master seek to impose these conditions on us let him once more bare his Arme which men of courage fear not so much as he thinketh Yet Scanderbeg is not the ãâã we have heard him reported to be sor why holding the Governour of Stellusa in bonds doth he threaten him with death not deserving the same c Then the Suoldiers thronging about him beating their swords and targets gave a shout as approving his speech So the Governour returning the common Souliders answer appointed every man to his charge ordering all things for defence of the City Scanderbeg smiling at the common Souldiers answer said He is a Valiant Souldier if his deeds be answerable to his speeches but if my force fail ãâã I will make him happy among the happy Ghosts of Stellusa and commanding the Governour to be brought with the other some forsaking Mahometism were baptized ãâã with the rest were put to death in sight of the Garrison Souldiers shouting from the wall and railing on the Christians Winter now grown on he left ãâã ãâã with 3000 Souldiers to keep in the Turks at ãâã and defend Epirus borders till a more convenient ãâã ãâã to Croia when in a
little above a month he had recovered his Kingdom ãâã being also ere long delivered by composicion during this time he slept ãâã above 2 hours in a night fighting alwaies with his arme bare the blood oft ãâã out of his lips ãâã written he slew 3000 Turks with his own hands in his wars against them After he had wrung his inheritance from Amurath he overran part of Macedonia making incursions into the heart of the ãâã so ãâã his Souldiers that they desired no ãâã pay it beginning to be a proverb that the spoil of Amurath's Dominions was Scanderbeg's revenews Amurath troubled with ãâã wars at first seemed not greatly to account of it though inwardly grieved at the heart But seeing no end to be expected of these miseries he sent ãâã 's Bassa with 40000 ãâã Souldiers to subdue Epirus This replenished the Turks with such hope of Victory that the Souldiers before setting forth were contending for division of the ãâã Fame also filled Epirus with great fear of Alis his coming The Country fleeing into strong Cities fortyfied the same watching and warding the aged commended them and theirs to God and the Souldiers courage with ãâã Scanderbeg was nothing moved having as was supposed ãâã from Friends in Court of all Amurath's designes Out of all the ãâã that repaired to him at Croia in Epirus from ãâã Princes c. besides ãâã Voluntiers he chose onely 8000 horse and 7000 ãâã and placing some few in frontier Garrisons at which his friends yea and enemies marvelled With which ãâã marching to Dibria after encouraging his Souldiers he encamped in the ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã where the Bassa must needs passe In which wood he placed Gnee and Amessa with 3000 to stand close till he had joyned battle with the Bassa then ãâã ãâã forth upon his ãâã Who ãâã near ãâã ãâã that night making great shew of ãâã with great fires whereas in ãâã Campe all was silent and no shew of fire which made ãâã ãâã the more carelesse Next morning ãâã placing 3000 horse and foot in the left ãâã and the like in the right himself led the ãâã ãâã The ãâã ward was ãâã to ãâã ãâã then ãâã c. ãâã ãâã charged with a ãâã troope of ãâã who retired that the Christians hastily pursuing might disorder their battle But Scanderbeg perceiving the Bassa's meaning all was kept in good order So the wings beginning a ãâã Scanderbeg ãâã charged the Bassa with his main battle But those in the wood suddenly issuing upon the Turks rear made great slaughter and forced many to flee The Bassa's best Souldiers placed nearest himself renewed the ãâã almost lost Scanderbeg's fortune was even ãâã a ãâã till Uranocontes receiving the wearied into the reare brake thorow the Bassa's Army with fresh troopes brought thence with such slaughter that he made way for all the rest The Turks discomfited fled whom the Christians fiercely pursuing slew of them 22000 2000 taken prisoners 24 Turks Ensigns of the Christians were slain not past 120. Scanderbeg making his 7000 foot horsemen with the Turks horses entred far into Macedonia filling his Souldiers with wealth and sparing nothing from fire and sword Aliâ with the remainder returning to Hadrianople was charged by Amurath of cowardise and indiscretion Whereof clearing himself by rehearsal of his former Victories and the testimony of the Captaines present in battle he was again received into favour Amurath overthrown first by Hunuâdes now by Scanderbeg and elsewhere beset that he knew not which way to turn fell into such a Melancholy passion that he was about to execute himself had not Cali Bassa by whose perswasion he yielded to desire peace of Uladislaus using the Despot a mean therein comforted his dying spirits The Despot at first smally credited what the Embassadours told him till better perswaded he so wrought especially with Huniades that Amurath departing withall his forces out of Servia restored it to the Despot delivering him his 2 sons whom bereft of sight he had long kept in prison That thenceforth he should not claim Moldavia nor that part of Bulgaria lost in the last Wars Not to molest any part of Hungaria during the time and to pay 40000. Duckats for Carambey's ransome a Peace was for 10 years concluded and by solemn Oath on both parts confirmed This was the honourablest Peace ever before made with any Turk and most profitable had it been sincerely kept Amurath now converted all his forces against the Caramanian King injuring him whilst busied in the Hungarian Wars The Caramanian not daring to meet him nor trust to any his strong holds fortified himself in the mountaines Amurath made great spoile taking great booties in his Country at last hardly ãâã Iconium Whereupon he sent Embasladours with his wife Amurath's sister to intreat for Peace offering him the double tribute and his son in hostage Amurath granting him Peace returned In this War Amurath's Eldest son died with a fall from his horse hawking to his great grief Who old and thorowly wearied with Wars c. sending for his son Mahomet but 15 years old resigned to him his Kingdome appointing Cali Bassa and one ãâã his trusty Counsellours So with Hamze Beg departing to Magnesia he gave himself to a Monastery life amongst certain Turkish Monks Many Mahometan and Christian Princes sorry for the peace between Uladislaus and the Sultan thinking that War's prosecution would have been the utter ruine of the Turkish Kingdome sought by all means to induce ãâã to break the solemn league especially John the Greek Emperour remembring him of the confederacy made with other Christian Princes against the common enemy of Christianity that he rejecting divers offers of Amurath for Peace was ready with the other Princes to joyn his forces with his if he would which he could not do in a better time Amurath having drawn his greatest forces into Asia and betaken himself to a private life requesting ãâã not to leave them a prey to the Turk who when he thought himself safe from the Hungarians would invade them Then also letters came from the Cardinal of Florence General of the Fleet declaring how Amurath leaving almost none in Europe was gone into Asia that he was according to promise come to the straits of Hellespont to embarre his passage out of Asia Both these letters being ãâã in the Council the King with all the Hungarian Nobility were never more sorry or ashamed for any thing than the late league with Amurath c. whilst they stood wavering Julian the Legat an enemy to Peace and by his place next to the King disswaded them That they entred a League with the Turk an Infidel ãâã violate their faith with the Christians and break the holy League made with the great Bishop and other confederate Princes that they might recover ãâã long before destroyed verily a small and woful profit c. Did they not in his presence and he the Author willingly make a League with the Italians and Greeks that
exceeding harm Returning home he relieved many Hungarians and ãâã escaped from the slaughter and repairing to him providing to Ragusa thence to return into their Countries Thus was Scanderbeg by the Despot's treachery stayed from being at the bloudy battel of Varna to the unspeakable losse of the Christian ãâã Of the two Huniades was accounted the better Commander and the more politick for his greater years which was well countrevailed by Scanderbeg's good fortune and by experience afterwards gotten Amurath was exceedingly moved at Scanderbeg's proceedings and his great harms in Macedonia c. yet still dreading the Hungarians himself through years desirous of rest and the young years of his Son Mahomet with Scanderbeg's fortune and Huniades his malice he proved by Letters mixt with threats and feigned courtesies to draw him into some peace for a time to be the better revenged at leasure shewing that he never wanted preferments to ãâã on him most unkind Scanderbeg ãâã now he had so highly offended him he knew not what ãâã words to use unto him c. that it grieved him to rehearse his manifold and horrible treasons c. if his mind would suffer them to be covered with silence yet he thought good to advertize him lest his heat when he had lost himself should overthrow him with his unlucky Kingdom Did he think his late outrages should escape his revenging hands that he gracelesse man should amend and not farther expect whether his indignation will break out that the allurements of his good fortune should not so puff up his foolish desires c. that his misery afterwards may move even his greatest enemies or himself to compassion that he should remember his courtesies and make him no longer sorry that he so ill bestowed the same That letting passe his souls health which he esteemed as nothing and ãâã Laws by him despised What had he ever wanted at his hands of all things most delighting mens desires c. For all these benefits that he shewed himself but a very ãâã brought up in his own bosome But the love of his Countrey moved him which if he had asked would he have denied him which he often proffered unto him but he had rather gain it by treachery than receive it from him by ãâã That he now pardoned him all chiefly for that the time he faithfully served him was longer than the time of offending him That his Fathers Kingdom he gives unto him on condition of restoring him the other Towns of Epirus by himself honourably won That restoring all taken from the Prince of Servia and recompencing him for other harms and never violating any his friends or aiding his enemies he should eyer stand in his favour as before That he knew his strength and had before his eyes the Hungarian fortune That he might conferr with Airadin his trusty Messenger to understand more to write at large what he intended to do Scanderbeg knowing the old Fox wrought nothing simply of good meaning he called ãâã unto him and after many publick and private discourses to sound his meaning c. he shewed him the strength of his Camp that the crafty Messenger might not think he was afraid of his Master Then complaining of Amurath's dealing against his Father Brethren and himself he sent him away with such a writing That as Amurath had exceeded him in many courtesies so he would now exceed him in temperate speech that his Letters and Messenger gave him more occasion of smile than choller whilst at first accusing him of ingratitude and treason he presently seemed ãâã of his souls health himself being a defender of a most damnable errour and as a conquerour to a vanquished enemy propounding many conditions which he scorned to hear That he imputed his rayling to his great age way ward nature and conceived grief c. Yet wherefore did he so exclaim against him Did he call his needful departing a treachery his native Countrys recovering a villany That if Amurath's kindnesse toward him were compared with his miseries his good deserts would be overwhelmed with his greater tyrannies That he took away his Fathers Kingdom murdered his brethren vowed him to death when he little feared it c. How long did he think he would endure his insolent bondage which yet he many years endured not refusing his commands c. That simply believing his words and deeds to be void of fraud when his cankered malice began apparently to shew it self he also glosed with him till he found occasion ro recover his liberty yet these are but trifles to what he had laid up in hope and resolution therefore ceasing his threats he shou'd not tell him of the Hungarian fortune c. Amurath herewith and conferring with Airadin was filled with wrath yet to give no token of fear stroking often his beard as when thoroughly angry chearfully dissembling he said Thou desirest wicked man some honourable death We will give it thee Wee will be present at the burial of our ãâã child c. Thou shalt not complain thou diedst an obscure death And because of many then great occurrents he sent Ferises with 9000 choise horsmen to keep Scanderbeg in doing and spoyl his Countrey what he could For all whose haste Scanderbeg hearing thereof placed 1500 footmen in ambush on the mountains leading into the valley of Novea and 2000 horsemen as he thought most fit Ferizes descending those woody and bushy mountains by broken and stony waies was set upon by the foot suddenly arising 760 Turks were in this conflict taken a number slain and Ferises with the rest fleeing cryed still out Better some saved than all lost Scanderbeg pursuing him into Macedonia rewarded his Souldiers with its spoyl Amurath grieved presently sent Mustapha with a supply of 6000 to take Ferises charge in no case to enter far but to burn and spoyl Epirus frontiers accounting it good service if but the trees and fruits had felt his anger Mustapha by continual Scouts warily entred the Valley of Novea entrenching upon the rising of a hill placing espialls on the mountains tops to give notice of the enemy by signs reserving 4000 horse in his Camp he sent about 9000 to forrage and spoil charging every one on pain of death to retire thither upon sign given The Turkish Army making havock of all that fire and sword could destroy Scanderbeg drawing near the Valley was advertized by a wounded Epirot Souldier of all the enemies doings who considering Mustapha's wary proceedings resolved by force suddenly to afsault him in his trenches before his Souldiers could return to the Camp and speedily entring the Valley was discovered by the espialls giving a sign to the Camp whence it was given to the dispersed Souldiers most of whom being strayed and busied in spoyl heard or saw it not Scanderbeg's Souldiers following those that heard it and terrifying them with his name many were slain in entring the Camp with their booties and the Turks trenches presently assaulted and they beaten from
the glory of the wars he so desired which he granted him yet that he must deal warily with that enemy and not rashly take up Arms c. Mustapha entred into Epirus hoping in one battel to end the war Of which Scanderbeg hearing then at Dayna siege from his frontier Garritons commanded them to protract the time of encounter till his coming Then choosing 500 horse and 1500 foot old Souldiers he marched into the upper Dibria leaving Amesa at the siege Mustapha beginning to burn and spoyl when he understood of Scanderbeg's coming encamped at Oronoche within two miles of him Scanderbeg had in his Camp 4000 horse and 2000 foot 300 of whom he left in the fortified Trenches Whilst both Armies ranged in view of each other expecting the signal Caragusa a Turks man at Arms in gallant furniture issuing out challenged to fight with any one of the Christian Army At first Scanderbeg's Souldiers ãâã still looking one upon another till one Paul Manessi accounted the best man at Arms there with great courage and chearfulness requested Scanderbeg he might accept that challenge who commending him willed him to set forward for honour to himself and example of the rest Paul bravely armed mounted to horse and riding forth called to the Turk to make ready to fight Caragusa required to stay a while speaking unto him That ãâã he had the honour of the day he might by Law of Arms carry away his rich spoyls and dispose of his dead body But if he should fall under him he required the same right and power that none move out of either Army to better either of their fortunes Manessi answered he agreed to those conditions saying Where the fierce soul yielded all the rest ought to be Conquerours therefore he should fight fearlesse of any enemies but himself that if he would give his dead body to his fellow Souldiers tears yet Scanderbeg would not suffer a vanquished cowards carkase to be brought into his Camp Caragusa marvelled at his resolution Both Champions after confirmation of the combate-laws by the Generals being left alone betwixt the Armys with all eys fixed on them and withdrawing themselves for making their course violently running together Caragusa was at the first encounter strook thorough the head and slain whose head Manessi striking off returned with his armour and head victoriously to the Army and was honourably commended and rewarded by Scanderbeg Scanderbeg and his men hereby encouraged and the Turks dismayed set himself first forward towards the enemy and had charged them had not Mustapha with some disordered Troops opposed himself the Army faintly following and at first encounter driven to retire Mustapha earnestly calling on them to follow him fiercely charged Scanderbeg's front whom most of his principal Captains following ãâã battel was for a while renewed But Moses greatly prevailing in one part the Turks fled Mustapha with 12 chief ones being taken of the common Souldiers few saved 10000 Turks were slain 15 Ensigns taken but 300 Christians lost All their Camp became a prey yet Scanderbeg entring Macedonia burnt and spoyled all he could do Leaving 2000 horse and 1000 foot to defend his frontiers he returned to Dayna siege Amurath about the time of the Venetians making peace with Scanderbeg sent him presents with 25000 Ducats for Mustapha and the others ransome which he divided amongst his Souldiers and leading his Army again into Macedonia he made his Souldiers better pay with the spoyl and for the more harm divided it into 3 parts putting all the Turks coming in his way to the sword leaving the Christians no more than their lives utterly consuming the buildings with fire in all that part bordering upon Epirus that the Turks should find no relief to lay in Garrison or invade it it was thought there was not enough left to relieve the Turks Army for a day Amurath herewith exceedingly vexed resolved to go in person with an Army not to conquer Epirus but if need were to fill every corner of it None but the Bassa's of the Councel knew whither he imployed the same which made the bordering Christian Princes prepare for their own assurance But Scanderbeg easily perceived it to be made against him and the rather for Amurath's unaccustomed quietness as if he had been in a ãâã sleep It was thought also he had intelligence from suspecting Courtiers his friends wherefore setting all things apart he first advertized his neighbour Princes of that ãâã danger Amurath seeking the destruction of them all and therefore to stand fast on their guard Then he sent Moses and others to take the Souldiers and all provision possible himself not resting till he left nothing in the Countrey for the enemies cruelty Most of the people with their substance were received into the strong Cities the rest into the Venetian and other Princes Countreys till this sury was overpast all able to bear Arms were commanded to Croia out of which multitude Scanderbeg those only 1000 old Souldiers with whom he purposed to encounter the Turks as he saw occasion and placing 1300 in Croia whose Citizens were furnished with all weapons and provision to defend the City Proclamation was made that all aged men with women and children should depart c. Croia being the chief City Scanderbeg had the greater care for its defence All was full of weeping and wailing at the departure of this weak company no house no street no part of the City was without mourning c. In the midst of these passions commandement came from Scanderbeg That they must now depart that the Souldiers might take their charge Then began sorrows afresh with pitious screeching and tears and departing set their feet many times they wist not where for desire of looking back upon the City who were conveighed into Venetian Cities and other places whither all not before received into strong Cities resorted with their substance and nothing left in all Epirus but the ground After this Scanderbeg stored Croia with all needful things giving to every Souldier a small reward and placing vatiant ãâã Governour thereof And exhorting them in few words couragiously to endure the siege not listening to Amurath's charms departing to his Army within view marched towards Dibria Not gone far he met Moses with a gallant Troop coming from Sfetigrade which strong City was Scanderbeg's second care it standing first in the Tyrant's way Moses having there set all in like order placed politique Peter Perlat Governour with a strong Garrison chosen out of all Dibria accounted the best men of war in Epirus Scanderbeg delivering him prepared-forces sent him with divers others to take order for defence of other Cities and Castles every man having his charge Himself with a small Troop went to Sfetigrade where all the Souldiers assembled in the Market-place he spake unto them That a fairer occasion could not be presented unto brave minds than that which now caused them to take up Arms which they had hitherto borne for their Kingdoms honour
common Souldier to view how the enemy encamped Being informed that the Turks kept but negligent watch He the night following suddenly assaulted one of their Camps quarters which though discoverd by Scouts yet by his furious assault he slew 2000 before they could well arme carrying away 230 horse losing but 42 men whom the Turks in revenge next morning hewed in peeces Amurath upon these disgraces gave three fierce assaults to the City and was alwayes with losse repulsed But turning the ãâã with revenge he encouraged them to a fresh assault with ãâã promises than ever before in all his warrs appointing Feri Bassa with 12000 horse and 6000 foot to attend on Scanderbeg lest he should trouble the assault by assailing his Campe Feri Bassa glad ãâã lay as he was commanded boasting that he would seek Scanderbeg in the field and trie with him hand to hand Amurath next morning compassed the City round purposing to gage his whole forces on the taking thereof The battered Walls were not without Ladders to be assaulted through the places strength and the defendants still filling up with earth They first deliver ed their Arrowes and Bullers like a Haile shower And in this heate clapping Ladders to the Walls began desperately to Scale but the Christians with shot slew and wounded many yet others pressing up the assault was terrible in many places especially neere the Gate where with timber c raising as it were a wodden Tower for they fought with the Christians as upon even ground and prevailed so far that they had set ensignes on the Wall The Governour hastning with a fresh Company and repulsing the Turks sent their Ensignes into the Market-place Consuming the Wodden Tower with Wild-fire from the Walls and presently placing fresh Souldiers worthily defended the City Scanderbeg the while came with 9000 Souldiers to assaile their Campe Feri Bassa opposed against him Scanderbeg retired a little to draw him further from the Camp The Bassa withdrew 4000 horse to fetch a compasse and to set upon Scanderbegs reare c. But the expert Captaine perceiving ãâã leaving Moses with the maine battell with 2000. so charged these 4000 before well departed that they had now more cause to look to their own safety Scanderbeg here encountering with Feri hand to hand slew him Moses all this while stood fast receiving the assault expecting their Successe But Scanderbeg comming now in he set forward with such force and courage that the Turks fled many of whom were shine in chase yet not daring to follow them too far he retraited and having put his Army in order appointed some to take the spoile of the slaine Amurath hearing what hapned to Feri was so overcome that he could not for a while speak but afterwards he commanded some Ordnance to be placed on that side of the Campe most in danger Sending 4000 to joyne to Feri Bassaes for its defence charging them not to issue out of their trenches Continuing the assault all that day and no hope appearing he left the assault in which he lost 7000 and many dying afterwards of the Garrison but 70 were slain and 90 hurt Scanderbeg hoped Amurath would at length begone yet with 2000 he would oft shew himself on the Mountaines sides to draw the Turks out and take them at advantage But the King commanding none to goe out or speak of battell or assault on paine of death lay certain daies more like one besieged himself which Scanderbeg the more distrusted fearing he was hatching some mischiefe who thought good againe to prove if t were possible to overcome the Garrison Souldiers with gifts wherefore he sent offering to the besieged conditions with such large rewards as had not been heard offered to any All which being leightly rejected by common consent one base-minded fellow corrupted herewith secretly promised the Turks espialls that on assurance of the profered reward the City should be yielded He layed many plots but the first device served his purpose The Garrison Souldiers were of the upper Dibria exceeding superstitious putting nice difference between meats chusing rather to die than eate or drink of that which they deemed unclean Sfétigrade was watered but with one Well which sunk deep into the Rock The Traytor in the night cast the stinking Carcase of a dead dog therein In the morning the Garrison being drawn out of the Well the report was it was poysoned all were in an uproar to find out the Traitour The Citizens were very sorry but the Souldiers detested that loathsome water more than Turkish servitude protesting they would rather perish with thirst than drink thereof Some desiring to fire the City and break thorough the enemies or die They that thought best that it might be yielded up as ready to sue to Amurath for peace though on harder termes than the former The Governour troubled and astonied the better to pacifie the matter exhorted them in the Market place to continue faithfull and make small reckoning to use the water which would soon be brought to its wonted purity drinking in their sight a great draught whose example the Citizens followed But the Captaines and Souldiers refused to tast thereof as of some deadly poyson crying to give up the City wherefore many thought they were corrupted by Amurath Yet none but the Traitor did afterwards revolt or appeared richer The Governour seeing they were not to be moved by perswasion reward or any other meanes resolved with his chiefe Captains and best of the Citizens to yield the City to Amurath on condition that all might safely depart with Armour and other things that such Citizens as would stay might there dwell as under Scanderbeg the rest to depart at pleasure with bag baggage Glad was Amurath yet ãâã not that the Citizens should continue in the City but build their houses without the Wall The Garrison Souldiers quietly passing Mahomet earnestly perswaded his Father to put them all to the sword saying 'T was one of Mahomets chiefe commands to use all cruelty to destroy the Christians But the old King would not hearken therein saying People abhorre the government of a faithlesse and cruell Prince The Traitor had three rich suits of apparell 50000 aspers and a yearly pension of 2000 Duckats But after a few dayes he was suddenly gone and never seene or heard of supposed to be secretly made away Amurath detesting the Traitor though the Treason served his purpose Sfetigrades Walls being repaired and 1200 Janizaries put in ãâã Amurath September 1. departed out of ãâã having lost 30000 at the Seige much grieved that he could not ãâã the enemie Scanderbeg understanding of his departure speedily followed with 8000 horse and 3000 foot and taking advantage of Woods and Mountain-straites skirmished often with the Turks charging them everyway and slew many Amurath left the Viceroy of Romania with 30000 to attend on Scanderbeg who now ceased to follow Amurath fearing to be enclosed between both Which he seeing followed to Hadrianople Scanderbeg returning
him seemed so to detest Mahomet's Tyranny and Superstition that they were reputed to be what they would be accounted and learning the Christian Principles were baptized but these Traytors while watching an opportunity falling at variance let some words fall whereby they were suspected by some present whereupon being examined they at last confessed the design and were presently executed Mahomet understanding what was befallen to Balabanus and Jacup became almost frantiek and by his Bassa's advice resolved to go in person with such an Army as should for ever end his wars in Epirus raysing 200000 men whereof Seanderbeg being advertized fortified all strong Holds especially Croia leaving Balthazar Perduci Governour thereof and conveighing the people into places of refuge he left nought for the Turks to prey upon as he did before at Amuraths coming Balabanus entring Epirus with 80000 horse after two days ranging sat down before Croia on whom Perduci made many brave salleys Mahomet encamping there also who fummoning the City upon his own conditions the Governour returned nothing but continual shot for answer whereupon he planting Ordinance for battery cast other new ones there rather to terrisie the Defendants than for any great hope of taking the City by force Scanderbeg the while lying abroad in the Woods and Mountains with a small Army cut off the Turks forragers c. and breaking into one quarter or other of their Camp by night with great slaughter suffered them not to rest in quiet wherefore Mahomet seeing no hope and fearing his Fathers mischance leaving Balabanus with 8 expert Companies under him with a great part of his Army to continue the fiege departed with the rest to Constantinople and by the way took some small forts also by fair promises corrupting the Governour of Chidna and his faith given that all the Souldiers lying there corrupting the Governour of Chidna being 8000 and people should safely depart it was delivered unto him but having them in his power he cut man woman and child in pieces to Scanderbeg's great grief and weakning who never received such a losse before and finding himself unable to relieve Croia his Souldiers being sore wasted and his enemies warily encamping he sent to the Uenetians and other confederate Princes praying their aid at this his need c. all which promised him succours Also he passing disguised into Italy came to Rome craving Pope Paul 2 his aid who being honourably entertained yet obtained nothing of what he came for only his Treasurer had 3000 Ducats at departure who returning into Epirus found all the promised aid ready chiefly the Uenetians most drawn out of 4 of their Garrisons so that he had 13400 choise Souldiers wherewith marching towards Croia he suddenly came upon Jonima with some Troops by night who was bringing supply to his brother Balabanus taking Jonima with his Son Hedar whom he shewed in bonds to Balabanus Then returning to his Army and so to Croia he drave the Turks from the Mountain Cruina which Balabanus seeing he riding with some Troops even to the Cities gates perswaded them to yield making them promises in his Masters name but they sallying out and forcing him to retire he enraged came upon them with a fresh charge to drive them into the City but being shot quite thorow the throat he ran as fast as he could to his Camp where presently falling from his horse he dyed The Turks herewith discouraged and with Scanderbeg's coming rising that night silently retired to Tirana Plain about 8 miles off Scanderbeg entring their Tents found store of victuals which he conveighing into Croia followed himself in great triumph to the besieged's joy whom he both coÌmended rewarded and sending some Companies to take the strait passages out of Epirus the Turks by 2 Messengers offered to deliver up their Horses and Arms so they might depart with life which Scanderbeg propounding to his Captains himself at last answered That as they came into his Countrey without his command so they should not by his leave depart Whereupon the Turks in the dead of that same night brake thorow those straits by force yet not without their great losse for whose escape the Souldiers greatly murmuring were hardly appeased But Scanderbeg recovering all places taken from him and putting Mahomet's Souldiers therein to the sword he brake up his Army except 2000 Horse and 1000 Foot to defend his frontiers Mahomet hearing of this evill successe so fretted and grieved that he could neither eat drink nor take rest for a season At last he resolved to go again next Spring with a most puissant Army whereof Scanderbeg hearing provided for him as formerly who being entred Epirus first repaired or re-edified the ruinous City Valmes leaving a strong Garrison to trouble that part of the Country Thence he marching to Dirrachium now Durazzo a City not on the Sea-coast possessed by the Uenetians thought to have taken it unprovided but it being strongly fortified both by the Uenetians and Scanderbeg he having to his great losse in vain attempted it suddenly rising came again before Croia the chief cause being a perswasion that Scanderbeg was in Dirrachium because he had seen some of his men in his assailing thereof offering at first great things to the Citizens if they would yield otherwise threatning all warlike calamities vowing not to depart till he had it he receiving no answer but from the Cannon or brave Salleys Scanderbeg also every night molesting his Camp wherefore rising with his Army he marched to Kedon not far from Dirrachium and in spight razed Chiurili which Scanderbeg had begun to build Then seeking those Epirots retired into the Mountaines ' he was by them with great losse repulsed Scanderbeg at his heels daily cutting off part of his Armie So at last despairing of any good to be done he returned full of discontent to Constantinople After this Scanderbeg riding to view the state of his Kingdome came to Lyssa a City of the Vinetians to conter with the Legate and other Princes as in generall so how to take Valmes which much troubled that part of Epirus but he there falling sick of a Feaver and sending for his confederates and the Venetian Ambassadours and his Wife and Son after discoursing of his troublesome life and exhorting them in concord to stand in defence of their Religion Country and Liberty commending his Wife and Son with the Kingdome to the Venetians tuition according to the Articles of confederation willing them after his death to passe into Apulia quietly to live on possessions there held by King Ferdinands gift after prayer departed January 17. 1466. about 63 years old and raigning about 24 years His death was generally lamented chiefly of the Venetians and Albanian Princes who had lost their Watchman and Champion all his Subjects bewayling him as the onely stay of the Common-weale c. He was royally interred in Lyssa's Cathedrall which City the Turks about 9 years after taking in the way of the Siege of Scodra
bodies bringing in his Army at one of the Gates the Souldiers and Citizens being miserably slaughtered the Viceroy with his Wives and Children being taken and the stately Marble Pallace consumed with fire Techellis thought it was now no hard matter to take Prusa so to indanger the Turks whole Empire in Asia wherefore appointing when to set forward he prepared if he delayed not all necessaries for its taking being neither strongly walled nor garrisoned But a new Army being shipt over Hellespont into Asia he changed his purpose for Ba jazet had now sent Alis Bassa over with his European Army who though an Eunuch yet comparable in valour with the greatest Captains who with the choisest Horsemen and 7000 Janizaries passing into Phrygia sent to all Governours of the Turks Provinces in Asia speedily to meet him with their forces in Galatia Techellis now thought best to depart out of Pontus to re ire more safely lest he should be enclosed c. Wherefore calling together his Captains to consult it was thought madness or extream necessity to joyn battel with an enemy better knowing the Countrey than he and farre exceeding him in number and expertness of Souldiers So trussing up his prey he speedily returned thorow Galatia but the Bassa having almost daily intelligence thereof and of his way passing Sangarius came and encamped between Cutaie and Ancyra supposing it the enemie's passage Where resting and advertised Techellis had gone another way he after five dayes march overtook the enemie's wearied or wounded straglers putting them to the Sword Techellis causing Cartagoses carried along with him in chains to be impaled on a sharp stake fastned in the ground by the high way side but Alis nothing dismayed with his horrible death held on his and exhorted his Souldiers patiently to endure and strain themselves to take revenge of those rebellious robbers who destroying the Countrey spared not the Turks very Children nor Temples comming next day into Ancyra's plains to whom Achomates came with 10000 Souldiers Alis grieved that he could not overtake them with his whole Army leaving his Foot with Achomates followed them on the spur with 8000 Horse and overtaking their rears at Mount Olyga nigh Ancyra he hotly skirmished with them Techellis perceiving he should have to do onely with Horsemen and that in a place of advantage valiantly received the Turks impression at first repulsing them with their long Pikes and Arrows but Alis sending in a thousand Carbines who in order shot thick on the enemy many were slain and more wounded and their Ranks somewhat disordered so that the Horse breaking in overthrew with great slaughter Techellis his vauntguard Chasan himself being slain Techellis set in order a new battel of his readiest and best armed opposing them against the Horse commanding them by degrees to retire to the Mountain hoping the Turks finding the disadvantage of the place would leave assailing them so hardly but the Bassa exhorting them to urge the Victory c. himself with a Troop of his best Horse to animate the rest brake thorow the enemies battel which he attempting the second time was enclosed and slain The Turks now dismayed fought but faintly and at last fled Techellis his Souldiers having now thrust forward and with a terrible noyse crying Victory put them to flight who notwithstanding having lost many of his best Souldiers and the rest sore wearied refreshed them on the Mountain Oliga whence he marched to Tascia his old dwelling place thence to the City Celenis now Maras then the seat of King Aladeules Bajazet not long after sent Jonuses Bassa born in Epirus in Alis his stead who receiving the Army from Achomates came in few dayes to the City Tascia where burning and destroying the Countrey he encamped at Antitaurus's Foot he had above 40000 well appointed Techellis terrified nor lately receiving ayd from Hysmael and wanting great Artillery determined to keep the rough Mountain and thick Woods hoping for ayd from Hysmael and to take the Turks at some advantage who oft fetching a compasse by the easie rising of the Hills came to skirmish and Techellis his men sallying out of those places valiantly assailed the Turks at length the Turks perceiving two wayes to bring up their Army to the Mountain's top the Bassa caused the Janizaries to march up one way and the rest by the other who softly climbing up defended themselves what they could with their Targets for the enemy cast down on them great stones and shot without number But the Turks Field-pieces drave them from their standings the harquebuziers shrouding under the Targetiers thickly delivered their shot at whose approach Techellis retired farther off into higher Mountains and rougher Woods and next night he with great silence fled over the Mountains into Armania of the Persian Kingdom which when the Bassa by some wounded Souldiers taken by his Scouts when it was day-light understood he chafed that he had not presently beset the Wood and sending his Horse-men in vain to pursue them they brought back some few straglers to the Bassa Jonuses straitly inquiring thorow all Cities for those who had professed the Persian Religion put those who had born Arms to death with the greatest torments burning the rest in their fore-heads with a hot Iron whom with the Kinsfolks and friends of the executed or fled he transported and dispersed in Europe fearing a new Rebellion if Techellis should return with new forces but here ended this dangerous rebellion wherein all or most of the Turks Dominions in Asia might have been surprised if Hysmael had thorowly prosecuted the opportunity Thechellis his followers fleeing into Persia and spoiling by the way a Caravan of Merchants laden with Silks c. the Captains comming to Tauris were executed and Techellis burnt alive Next year 1509. Septemb. 14th through a great and terrible Earth-quake in Constantinople and thereabouts most of the Walls with many stately publique and private Buildings were overthrown and 13000 people slain so that the people generally lay in the Fields yea Bajazet very aged and gowty removed to Hadrianople but not safe there he lay abroad in his Tent. It lasted 28 dayes or a moneth with very little intermission accounted ominous as shortly appeared to the Othoman Family Then by a great plague the City was mostly unpeopled but it being asswaged Bajazet by Commissions took up 80000 Workmen who working at once in four moneths repaired Constantinople's ruines Bajazet had eight Sons and six Daughters Men and Women the Sons all Governours of Provinces yet Utrius a Genoway who lived long in Bajazets Court mentions but six Sciemscia for his towardlinesse deerly beloved of his Father the eldest died before him Alemscia also died whereof Bajazet advertised by white Characters in black Paper their way of writing heavy newes he casting away all tokens of Honour made a generall mourning in the Court and throughout Constantinople for three dayes all shops being shut up c making for some space solemne
sacrifices for the health of his Soul giving 7000 Aspers weekly to the Poor his body being afterwards buryed at Prusa with great solemnity Tzihan and Mahomet were upon their Fathers indignation strangled Of his other four Machmot or Mahometes was of greatest hope not so voluptuous as Achomates his Elder Brother nor so bookish as Corcutus nor so cruel as Selymus but so lively witty bountifull and of Princely a carriage that he seemed to most worthy of a Kingdome wherefore Achomates yea Bajazet himself were jealous of his affecting the Empire soon the cause of his death which he hastened by meanes as he least feared Achomates and Mahometes had one Mother wherefore Mahometes more delighted in him than in the others though not answered with like love Achomates governed Amasia Mahometes Magnesia who desirous to see his Brothers life and government disguised himself with two faithfull friends as if they had been of the Religious order called ãâã who being most comely well borne cleanly though homely attired do wander up and down making large discourses of others manners and commonly playing on Silver Cymballs and singing duties they receive money as a devoutalms they are the corrupters of Youth defilers of others beds wholly given to ease and pleasure travelled up and down ãâã ãâã ãâã and so to Amasia where on a solemn holiday Achomates coming to the Temple passing by listened a while to their alluring harmony most skilfully devised and performed Their Musick ended Achomates spare-handed commands 5 Aspers that is about fix pence to be given them which Mahometes disdaining would not now discover himself as he determined but speedily riding to Magnesia he by taunting letters scoffed at Achomates's good husbandry sending him his 5 Aspers Achomates being never afterwards friends with him diverse also diversly deemed of his purpose therein Not long after Mahometes ãâã himself with some followers like seafaring men came in a barque to Constantinople diligently viewing Constantinople and Pera and noting how all things were governed Bajazet the while assembling his chief Bassaes at the Court Mahometes pressing in with his companions to see them with the fashion of the Court the Porters as rude ãâã kept them out wherefore buying a beautiful Christian Captive boy he came next day with two companions as Sea-adventurers requesting to be let in as having a present So being admitted to Bajazet's ãâã one of them as a Sea Captain reverently proffered him the present which he thankfully taking gave him his hand to kisse with a rich golden garment with two of less value to Mahometes and his fellow who stood afar off In their return they meeting with three Courtiers who knew Mahometes they had done him honour had he not by secret signs forbidden them so speedily returning to Magnesia The report hereof was at last brought to Bajazet which raised in him troublesome thoughts fearing some desperate and secret conspiracy wherefore after long discourse with the 3 Bassaes he resolved to take him away causing them to write to Asmehimedi near to Mahometes to poyson him with a poyson enclosed in the Letters with promise of great rewards c. from the Emperour charging him if he could not effect it without mistrust to conceal it c. Bajazet also knew Asmehemedi to bear Mahometes a grudge Mahometes disporting himself in his Gardens and being thirsty called for drink into which Asmehemedi conveighed the poyson which Mahometes drinking and ill at ease sent for his Physitians who thinking it a distemper with the cold drink in his heat perceived not he was poysoned till within 6 daies he died whereof Bajazet hearing could not but mourn commanding all the Court to mourn with him and prayers to be made in the Temples with Alms to be given for the health of his soul he being honourably buried at Prusa Asmehemedi was cast into prison and never more to be seen supposed there to be secretly made away Of Bajazet's 3 Sons left Achomates politick and valiant but given to pleasure Bajazet and most of the Court favoured above the rest Corcutus for his mildnesse and quietnesse was of most beloved but not thought fit for the Empire chiefly by the Souldiers whom they thought was drowned in the study of Philosophy yet Bajazet promised to restore it him of whom he had received it almost 30 years before But haughty Selimus not brooking a subjects life under his brethren and wholly given to Martial affairs sought by bounty courtesie policy c. to aspire to the Empire Him therefore the Janizaries c. with some chief Bassa's wished for their Soveraign Bajazet the while far worn with years and not able to help himself for the Gout for preventing future troubles determined while living to establish the succession in one of his Sons to represse the pride of the other And although he resolved on Achomates as the elder and for affection yet to try his subjects disposition it was said in general tearms he meant to make known his Successour without naming any one Son not the least cause that every one with like ambition thought only on the Empire Selimus Governour of Trapezond in 1511 with what Ships he could sailed thence to the City Capha thence coming by Land to Mahometes King of the Praecopensian Tartars whose daughter he had married without Bajazet's liking he besought him not to shrink from him his loving Son in Law great hope of the Empire being proposed to him by his faithful friends of the Court c. if he would but come nearer to his Father by fair means or fowl then about to transfer the Empire to some one Son The Tartar commending him speedily made ready store of shipping and arming 1500 horsemen delivered them to Selimus promising him greater aid upon occasion who passing Borysthenes and also Danubius at the City Cheliae had commanded his Flect to meet him at Varna in Bulgaria and Thracia's confines and levying more by the way pretended he purposed to invade Hungary But Bajazet before advertized of Selimus his coming into Europe Techellis his rebellion yet scarce quietted with forreign aid on his own head against the warlique Hungarians seizing also on the places nearest Thracia and keeping the Euxine Sea with a Navy suspected the preparation to be against himself and thinking it better with like dissimulation to appease his fierce nature than by sharp reproof further to move him sent him Embassadours declaring with what danger the Turkish Kings had formerly undertaken those Hungarian wars Mahomet his Grandfather being an example wherefore he should expect a fitter opportunity for better advice greater power and hope of victory Selimus answered He was forced to leave Asia by Achomates his injuries and therefore came into Europe to win from the enemies of Mahometanism a larger and better Province for that little barren and peaceable one which his Father had given him that he was not to be daunted for danger of the Hungarians yet thinking the ancient prowels of that Nation to be much changed
to regard his promise or what was right he would by Arms defend his honour and right and revenge the disgrace Bajazet answered him by the Cadalescher the Interpreter of their Law and so of greatest authority that he did neither well nor wisely to fall into such choler thinking to get that by force which was onely by love and loyalty to be gained whereas all should be surely kept for him if he marred not that by haste which by patience he ought to cherish the Cadalescher telling him he might learn by Selymus his Example what might be for his good c. Achomates enflamed with anger and grief while he was speaking sharply taunting him could scarce stay from violence threatning that his Father should dearly buy the change of his purpose and the Souldiers their treachery ãâã rising with his Army he cruelly spoiled in Bythinia in his return determining to invade the lesser Asia to use its wealth if he must try his right against either Brother and being at leastwise possessed of half the Empire he should thereby be readier for all events wherefore greatly complaining of Bajazets unkindness c. to his Sonnes Amurathes and Aladin he declared there was no hope left except they with him would arm to defend his and their own right easie to be done by a couragious surprizing of the lesser Asia seeing Pisidia Lycaonia Pamphylia and Ionia's Sea-coast had no Army or Navy and for Corcutus there was no great doubt but he would either sit still or in a just quarrel take his part however he might easily be thrust out doubting not but that the other Governours would yield to his Command or Fortune wherefore he willed them to pluck up their hearts c. These Gallants encouraged had soon raised a notable Army of Volunteers most being servile men But Achomates besides his old Army led against the Persian Rebels levied new forces with all the able men in Cities so running and proclaiming himself King of Asia prosecuting with his two Sonnes all who yielded not to him whereby many Cities for fear or constraint were delivered to him Then entring Lycaonia and Cilicia's borders he frequently requested Mahometes his Brothers Sonne governing there to ayd him in his just quarrel for the recovering of the Empire c And if Mahometes would ayd him with men and Victuall he promised he should finde a better Uncle then he had a Father in time to be most bountifully ãâã who answered he could not do it without Bajazet his onely Soveraign his Command ãâã not for him to judge whether he did right or not that in his life-time he would resign to his Sonne But this he knew he was to obey no other so long as he lived in possession of the Empire to whom both his Father Tzihan and himself had sworn loyalty Wherefore it were good to pacifie himself lest he wronged his Father and overthrew his hope and honour which of right should be great if he could have patience Achomates unexpectedly finding his requests more considerately denyed than were reasonably by him demanded entring his Province destroyed with fire and sword which Mahometes seeking by power to remedy was overthrown by Achomates who fleeing to Larenda not farre off was there besieged and at last with his Brother a Child delivered into his hands the City being yielded on Composition who put to death Mahometes his Councellors with his foster Brother supposing they had perswaded him so to answer c. Bajazet wroth and grieved in old age to be set upon by two Sonnes sent to him reproving his disloyalty commanding him to free his two Nephewes and without more stir to get him to Amasia and if not to denounce to him open Warre but he receiving this Message caused the chief Embassador frankly speaking to be put to death in his presence threatning the rest with the like if they voided not his Camp before Sun-set This unreverent outrage and against the Law of Nations highly offending Bajazet and estranging many from Achomates the Souldiers exclaimed in Bajazet's hearing that his insolence was forthwith to be repressed c. Mustapha also with Bostanges and others who had cunningly dispersed these things began as it were to wonder at the fact as condemning the deed but not the doer but when they saw Bajazet from sundry motives ready to seek revenge they bitterly inveighed against Achomates as a Traitor commending the Souldiers fidelity and courage who for their aged Emperour were most ready to expose all unto new dangers So Achomates being proclaimed Traytor t was ordered the Court-Souldiers with the European Horse to be with all speed sent against him but choice being to be made of some worthy Generall they all began to strain courtesie c. saying It were a great indignity for the Emperors Army to be led against his Sonne by a Servant and the Souldiers having their Lesson said they neither durst nor would draw Sword against his son Heir except conducted by one of the Othoman blood in person for so had his Brother long before and lately Selimus been both vanquished by Bajazet's own Conduct All this was that Selimus whom yet they durst not name but in way of disgrace might indirectly be reconciled to Bajazet whereby comming to Constantinople he might seize on the Empire for besides Bajazet and Corcutus who it was not probable would for age and study undertake those ãâã Selimus was only left all the young Nephews being as yet unfit Bajazet in a chase flung into his Pallace excusing himself but complaining that Corcutus following learning had neglected other studies better beseeming a Prince Mustapha the while having drawn him into a Discourse concerning that Warres proceeding craftily and destructively said himself though never so able must not passe into Asia personally lest Selimus should in his absence seize on Thrace Greece and the Imperial City nor if he should send his old Souldiers into Asia calling Corcutus with his Asians into Europe would said he Selimus fear these fresh-water Souldiers or their Philosophical Generall c. but if Bajazet should for defence of Thrace retain his most approved Souldiers he should see all Asia on a fire c. wherefore seeing t was his fate that two begotten of him should be adjudged Traitors why did he not set upon them as occasion should serve when they were by the eares betwixt themselves At present saith he dissemble thy grief and taking one in shew into favour imploy him against the other c. at pleasure to oppress him to whom he should commit his Army his trusty Souldiers being ever ready c. He scarce having don speaking the other Baslaes as before agreed perswaded Bajazet to call home Selimus and make him Generall saying It was like he now corrected would contain himself within compasse whereas Acho mates was not like to be brought to conformity till by force pluckt down as was Selimus Bajazet seeing Cherseogles sit silent hanging the head as not of that opinion
stood a while in doubt what to resolve on but the unfaithful Bassaes Cherseogles most instantly perswading the contrary so perswaded him as to write himself to Selimus that on hope of his loyalty he would receive him into his former favour making him Generall against his rebellious Brother Achomates if he would speedily repair to Constantinople Corcutus the while advertised of these things sailed to Constantinople in his Gallies where entring the Privy-Chamber with many friends humbling himself and kissing his Father's hand after much talk betwixt them is reported to have said that he above 30 years past being by a general consent chosen and proclaimed Emperour had chearfully and willingly delivered that glorious Empire unto him c. Neither did it ever repent him of that his singular kindness and duty done when as being contented with what he assigned him as with a Kingdom he thought that his Father's great Estate c. not comparable to the quiet of his pleasing studies those worldly things working no full contentment to the insariable desire of man and that surmounting vertue and most sweet meditation of heavenly things promised to his contemplative and ravished minde of farre more worth and Majesty than all the Monarchies of the World but whilest he was for devotion and desire of knowledge travelling to Mahomet's Altar and so to the Indians as more knowing and sincere men he drew him out of Aegypt by that Sultan into Phrygia c. as if he thought the time would come when for the ill disposition of some an innocent man devoted to study might be a stay to him and the Othoman Family Since which he had with all possible integrity discharged his charge and in the late Persian Warre defended his Frontiers from invasion But they being vanquished his unnatural Brethren having one assailed Bajazets person and Empire the other setting all that part in Asia on a broil he thought himself in duty bound to repair to his Majesty c. who having had too great proof of his Brethrens infidelity c. he humbly besought him before the coming of Selimus he hearing that his Father's Guard and chief Commanders did but expect a time when they might salute him Emperour whom he sore against their wills overthrew infidels to restore him the Empire due to him whilest it was yet in his power in that so momentary occasion then presented Bajazet moved with a Fatherly affection towards Corcutus whose teares stood in his eyes bad him be of good cheere discovering his ground of calling home Selimus and that he could be content to resign to him the Empire but it was not at present in his power for fear of the Court-Souldiers c. But by the plot now laid Selimus should under the Title of Honour with the Souldiers be drawn into Asia whither as soon as they were passed he promised to resign unto him which done although they wholly liked not yet he feared not that they who had lately defended him against Selimus should for his sake dislike Corcutus c. hoping rather that if Achomates and Selimus should joyn battel either one or both should justly perish Corcutus not much misliking his Fathers purpose c. returned to his Lodging not without hope and remaining many dayes at Constantinople he as a plain upright man neither by gifts nor promises strove to procure any ones good will Selimus his friends the while advertising him of Corcutus his comming to Court advised him with all speed to come to Constantinople c. whereupon he with certain Troops commanding the rest to follow came thither with wondrous speed Corcutus the Bassaes Courtiers and most of the Souldiers receiving him as their manner is at the Gates entrance with a kisse bringing him thorow the City the people running to see him who was welcomed with much thundring shot and joyful acclamation of all Ages and Sexes and next day comming to Court humbly in shew kissed Bajazet's feet craving pardon who smiling on this Crocodile courteously took him up saying His faults were so much lesse as finding speedy repentance therefore he the willinglier pardoned him henceforth to endeavour that God may be thought to have endued him with a good minde as with a notable courage which with his forwardness he might manifest by a martial matter worthy his hardinesse A Councel of Warre being called Selimus dissembled the Generalship not to be preferred before Corcutus for his years and discretion that he having his Fathers favour could be now content with never so little corner of the Empire Corcutus and his friends whose hope was in Selymus his departure with the Souldiers instantly requested him not to refuse that Honour without disgrace to Corcutus he being more experienced in Warre So he was no sooner chosen Generall against Achomates but the Janizaries and Court-Souldiers especially before instructed saluted him their Emperour also arming to defend their act Selimus at first shewed a half unwillingness as to reverence of his alive-Father but afterwards promised besides particular favours owing to the Men of Warre to bestow a great and general largess amongst them which he did Then he requested the Bassaes and chief Commanders to go and take Orders since t was their minde that the Empire might be transferred on him by his Fathers good will without farther trouble Mustapha whether on a new fineness of his own or that Selimus threatned to kill him if he did not coming as dismayed to Bajazet who hearing the Souldiers clamour was come into the open rooms most unwelcomly said Emperour the Men of Warre have saluted Selimus c. requiring thy ratification ready to break in and kill us both if thou refuse to resign they request that of thee which they have already put into his hand Wherefore it s farre more dangerous to seek to recover c. than willingly to yield c. they in Arms and fury thinking on greater mischief Bajazet troubled and perceiving the treachery after pausing furiously brake out False and forsworn do you thus betray me c. why not also take away my life who could not a while expect my dissolution but must in post-hast set up a most wicked man But much good may do you with him c. to whom ere long you shall dearly pay for this treachery And he beginning his Empire with unnatural treason and blood-shed shall not I hope escape Gods heavy hand Mustapha with false Bostanges and Aiax returning told them he as well content had appointed Selimus to succeed him then those corrupted began to look big and others standing before doubtful joyned themselves to that faction Selimus being mounted was in pomp conducted up and down the streets and generally by the people yet most otherwise affected saluted Emperour the Bassaes and Souldiers being that day sworn unto him Corcutus whether for grief or fear though Selimus promised him Mytilene with Lesbos secretly returned to ãâã Bajazet overcome with sorrow before he were enforced trussing up store of Treasure
him and do what he commanded he marched thither to see and possess himself of that chief City two dayes journey from Coy The Citizens being ready brought them store of Victuals into the Suburbs Selimus not holding it safe to lodge within that populous City only kept the Gates with a strong Guard Some say Selimus went not into Tauris but in a common Souldiers habit others that he banqueted in the Kings Pallace discoursing with the Taurisians about his Victory And purposing to winter in Armenia he asked his great Captains how they liked of it who for fear referred themselves to him Only Musthapha chief Bassa said t were good to know the mindes of the Janizaries Court-Souldiers wherefore Selimus commanded him out of his sight and degraded him sending a Jester after him in disgrace who cut off part of his Tulipant that hung down but the Janizaries much offended with the indignity rose in arms telling Selimus they would not winter so farre from home in the enemie's Countrey therefore he were best betime consider of it they being resolved to forsake him if he did not speedily return Selimus much troubled and hearing Hysmael was comming upon him with a greater power and considering with what difficulty and danger he escaped in the last battel c. and suspecting the fidelity of the Taurisians he resolved to return into Cappadocia wherefore exacting from them a great Masse of money against his promise he speedily retired towards Euphrates a longer way than he came carrying away 3000 Families the best artificers chiefly those skilled in making Armour and Weapons fearing to return by the head of Araxis c. for meeting the Albanian and Iberian Horsemen Hysmael followed him with such speed that he left his Carriages and such as could not endure such a march behind him yet he overtook no part of his Army till come to Euphrates where he was transporting his Foot in divers small Boats made many swimming over for haste upon bladders some on broken pieces of their Carriages burst in sunder to that end Selimus got over in a little Boat causing the Horsemen at once to take the River to break the streams force whereby his Foot and burthened Cammels got over lesse dangerously and some Field-pieces also with lesse difficulty yet the Georgian Horsemen coming in sight before all got over raised such a fear that 2000 Turks were in their haste drowned divers Ordnance sticking in the mud and much baggage carried away with the River The Georgians drew out the Turkish trash pursuing them no farther Hysmael rejoycing that chasing away his enemies he recovered much of the Ordnance that did him such hurt Selimus his passage was much more dangerous at Antitaurus than he thought of for Aladeules waiting for his prey had taken all strait passages of that Mountain-Countrey whose savage people assailing them every night robbed their Carriages so fleeing into the thick Woods rocky aud Mountainous Aladeules fraudulently excusing him self as if done by the people used to such robberies against his will yet saying he would chastise the Authours so soon as found And sending a little provision for some dayes he spoiled the Turks by night by his Souldiers upon advantage which Selimus could not prevent wherefore purposing to be in time revenged he with much adoe came to Trapezond thence to Amosia repairing his sore weakened Army that winter Thus Jovius reports the said Warres whom others since have mostly followed yet Manavinus a Genoway who served therein doth much otherwise report the same Selimus saith he with about 300000 coming to Euphrates the Bridge was broken down by Amurat and his enemies encamped on the farther side having new supplies from Hysmael so that the Persians were about 90000 Horse and Foot most having two serviceable Horses apiece neither could Selimus any way learn whether Hysmael were there of which he most feared raising greater forces Wherefore repairing the Bridge he sent over Casan and Sinan Bassa's who encamped as they thought convenient next morning Amurat two houres before Sun-rising suddenly assailed Casan in his Trenches discomfiting them and taking their Tents whereupon such a terror came on Sinan that his men swam over with great danger to the rest Selimus troubled hereat placed his Artillery along the hither most bank of Euphrates and to hide them ranged some Souldiers before them as if presently to passe over but upon a signall should withdraw from the Ordnance bent upon the enemy many of whom being over-charged burst in sunder slaying divers Turks also many Horses and Mules terrified with the noyse leapt into the River and were drowned with their Riders The Porsians also having great losse retired farther off for fear So Selimus passing over marched toward the enemy whom the Persians notably encountred The Fight was long doubtful and much blood shed on both fides and had not the nights approach broke it off the Persians through multitude rather then valour had been greatly overthrown but now they escaped the Turk's pursuit Selimus leaving his Carriages c. with his Foot marched with his Horse suddenly to surprise Tauris before the fame of the battel the Persians being as careful of their affaires The day before 10000 fresh Horsemen were comming to Hysmael who placing them in the Turks way commanded them upon their approach to flee Selimus in the morning descrying them supposing they were such as could not follow the rest exhorted them couragiously to pursue them of which being about mid day weary they stayed at a little River to refresh then again pursuing leaving those who could not follow hoping before night to ransack rich Tauris The Persian Horsemen in ambush set the while on the Turks Foot thought to be secure greatly slaughtering them taking all Selimus his Treasure and Artillery Which being by Posts made known to him about two at night and that the enemy was following him he wonderfully abashed began to retire The 10000 Persians now turning on the Turks charged them hardly who being enclosed before and behind received a great overthrow and losing their Ensigns brake out sidewayes and fled Selimus also fleeing and passing Euphrates brake down the Bridge fearing further pursuit and coming to Amasia with trouble and danger assembled the reliques of his discomfited Army such as could not follow in flight being all slain by the Persians The Genoway concludeth that Hysmael did not more rejoyce hereat than himself hoping now to free himself of thraldom as he did For fleeing into Trapezond he thence had passage to Hadrianople thence by Land to Salonica thence transported into Chios whence he returned to Genua after ten years captivity part as a page in jazet's privy Chamber the rest a Court-Souldier under Selimus Jonius compares these two great Princes together Hysmael and Selimus who for royal discent strength of body courage of mind riches power were equall thereby obtaining like fame and renown but in conditions and qualities of minde and Martial Discipline much differing for
subdued Belgrade he rested in great hope those fierce and obstinate Christians should not be able long to defend themselves in their Dens and lurking places The Captains making known the Emperours pleasure proclaimed the spoil of that rich City to the ãâã s a prey Solyman layd him down on his Pallet to take rest but Villerius all night in Arms viewed all the City encouraging his Souldiers to remember they watched for Countrey life and liberty A Christian serving a Turk secretly warning the Watchmen of a general assault next day Villerius calling his Knights to prevent rashness and fearfulness said He was glad the time was come when in one battel they might be justly accounted the defenders of the Christian Commonwealth the Turks presumed upon their multitude but if they measured valour not by number but courage a few resolute would overcome a multitude of cowards that they knew their manner of fight c. Wherefore remembring their birth and what opinion the Christian Common-wealth hath had of them they should furiously fight as if their slaves bore Arms against them necessity as well as wrong enforcing them for they were in an Island whence was no escape and in a City whose rent walls defended them not so much as their Weapons therefore to morrow should give them a joyful Victory or a most honourable death The enemies approach made him cease every one hastening to his charge they with a horrible cry fiercely assailed 5 stations 10000 Turks being appointed to a Place Mustapha calling on Mahomet and promising his men the spoil assailed the English whence he had been thrice repulsed Pyrrhus ãâã ed the Italian a cruel and deadly fight was in both places also Women Children and aged men bringing stones burning-Pitch-Barrels hoops with wild-fire scalding Oyl and boyling Pitch on whomsoever it fell so scalded them that ãâã down their weapons to tear off their Cloaths many rent off the skin and flesh besides the deadly shot which fell never in vain Villerius having well relieved the Italians station at first hardly distressed left Monterollus a Knight with company convenient and went to the English hardly laid to by Mustapha but having well relieved that place a cry ran that the Spanish Bulwark was possessed by the enemy at which heavy newes he leaving Gombaulus with a choyse Company hasted thither with his Guard which he found taken for some Turks at the first hiding for fear at the Bulwarks foot among the stones beaten down by battery Achimetes hotly charging the Spaniards on the right hand not medling with the Bulwark it self those in the Bulwark seeing their fellowes distressed fast by left the Bulwark and went to that place The hidden Turks ãâã ãâã silent over them secretly crawling up the battered walls got in ãâã before discovered suddenly slaying a few ãâã Souldier in removing a great piece and overthrowing the ChristiaÅ Ensigns which the Turks ãâã seeing made great hast thorow the Town-Ditch to get into the Bulwark but were so cut off by shot from the flankers that few got up Villerius nothing fearing resolutely scaled the same and Caponus a Spaniard with Menotius a Frenchman breaking in by a Gate not yet bolted whom they ãâã not they forced to mischief themselves for ãâã over the walls It was two ãâã in the enemies possession Villerius leaving there a sufficient number went with the rest where the Spaeniards sore charged by Achimetes had much adoe to hold out who encouraged with his sight valiantly repulsed their enemies It were long to tell the hard fight and adventures at the Avergnoys and Narbonenses stations but the Turks laying slain by heaps Solyman beholding it from his standing made of high Masts and no hope of Victory caused a retreat welcom to both sides to be sounded divers Knights with 150 common Souldiers were slain in this six houres assault and 2000 Turks Solyman was so much offended hereat that falling into a rage especially against Mustapha as an unfaithful Counsellour and chief perswader of that unlucky Warre commanded him to be put forthwith to death in his presence which sudden dreadful doom on so light occasion upon such a man struck such terrour in all present that none durst so much as sigh in pittying his case The Executioner ready Pyrrhus presuming of his great favour ãâã forth earnestly requested him to spare his life wherewith Solyman was so wrathful and for sending for him to Constantinople that he commanded him to be executed also All the rest seeing the danger fell down at the Tyrants feet craving pardon saying The enemies ground had already drunk too much Turkish blood c. Solyman at this general intercession pausing a little granted them their lives Pyrrhus for his age and wisdom and Mustapha for his Wife 's Solymans Sisters sake once Bostanges his Wife The Turks great Fleet all the while lay before the Haven not doing any thing for the Admiral no man of Warre seeing all fortified durst not try to enter or besiege the Castles suffering also Victual and Ammunition to be conveighed into the City ãâã though by Achimetes mediation Solyman spared him from a most cruel death yet on the poupe of the Admiral Galley he receiving an 100 stripes with a cudgel was thrust out of office The remembrance of so many unfortunate assaults c. so grieved Solyman that being ready to raise the siege he also lay ãâã speechless with fainting and a great while alter would not be spoken withall till Abraham his minion recomforted him and perswaded him to continue the siege time working that which the Sword could not suddenly subdue Solyman building a Castle upon Mount Philermus in sight of the City Letters were shot in the while revealing many of Solymans secretest Counsels and promising a great mans revolt which the Rhodians gathered to be Mustapha not forgetting the late injury but tyding coming that Cayerbeius was dead Solyman sent Mustapha to be Governour of Aegypt thereby pleasing him no letters coming into the City after that It now seemed that the Turks purposed by long siege rather than assault to take the Town yet the watchers in their Trenches would sometimes offer the Souldiers on the walls great rewards to yield sometimes threats and would politickly say Solyman desiring onely revenge upon the Latines meant no harm to the Greeks October was now begun Rain Thunder c. and mighty Tempests fell so abundantly that the wearied Turks were now discouraged the Admiral being forced for the Seas roughness to slip his Anchors and run his Gallies on ground In these troubles Achimetes one of his valiantest Captains comforted Solyman promising if he would continue shortly to make open way into the City who thereupon assembling his fainting-Souldiers ãâã his Pavilion thus ãâã that he knew what great things they had endured for his honour c. that the threatenings of the Heavens did perswade him to give them leave to lay down Arms but they were first to consider whether it were not a
sounds made in the Earth and so met withall by countermines that most were frustrated and 8000 Turks slain or buried quick therein Solyman that they might not so perfectly discover his Mines appointed his Army divided into four parts in order to give the Defendants a continual Alarum whereby his works went forward with all possible speed and one Mine was suddenly blown up shaking and overthrowing much of the wall nigh the Gate leading towards Carinthia whereat the Turks greatly shouting pressed in on all sides by the ruines of the wall charging the Defendants with shot and Arrowes very thick who resolutely standing in the face of the breach so received them with shot and push of Pike that they began to retire whereupon Solyman sent in new supplies but these also receiving a great overthrow retired without any sign of retreat The ground nigh the Town lay covered and the ditches filled with dead Turks Ere long the wall was blown up in two other places by which breach not very great they sought so desperately to enter that they thrust one another upon the point of their enemies Weapons who slew them without number being mostly without Armour enforcing them again disorderly to retire filling the breaches with their dead Carkasses Three dayes after another piece of the Wall not farre from the first breach was so suddenly overthrown that for eagerness on both sides throwing away Guns and Bowes they came to handy-blowes in midst of the breach the Turks with Scimitars the Germanes with long Swords as their Captains encouraged them with chearful perswasions so the Turks Captains forced them forward with words and wounds t was thought a more fierce and deadly fight was never seen for many Turks Horsemen thrust in on foot amongst the rest and fought most desperately At the last after three houres furious fight the Turks seeing no hope retired to their Camp many of their best Captains and Souldiers lying dead by heaps It were tedious to recount every assault in particular yet Lord Rogendorff is not to be forgotten who one day sallyed out with some Troops upon many stragling Turks with such violence that overthrowing them at first on-set and chasing them scarce 140 of 5300 escaped after which his name was terrible to the Turks Solyman exceedingly grieved with his vain assaults purposed to prove the utmost of his forces and calling his chief Commanders at first sharply reproved them as of no courage who had turned their backs in the breaches half won wherefore he counting it a great dishonour to forsake the siege they should resolve next day as Conquerors to take the City or as cowards to end their dayes Next day Octob. 15. they with all their sorces assailed the City thrusting their men by heaps into the breaches as if they would with very multitude have overborn the Christians being at handy blowes the fight was most terrible the Christians still repulsing them whose Ordnance also fitly mounted made such slaughter among the thickest of them that they shrunk back and chose rather to be slain of their own Captains as some were then to be rent in sunder by the murthering shot so that the Captains seeing no remedy retired leaving many thousands dead in the Town-ditches Next day Solyman despairing and fearing Ferdinand and the Count Palatine their coming winter also coming fast on determined to raise the siege to colour which dishonour he sent certain chief prisoners richly appareld and full of money to tell them of the City he came not intending to besiege or take Vienna but to revenge wrongs done him by Ferdinand and to fight with him for the Hungarian Kingdom whom since he could not draw to Vienna he would remove to seek for him wherefore they should yield promising not to enter their City but to receive them all into his protection reserving them their lives goods and freedom which they scornfully refused as proceeding of desperation Next night he slew all the prisoners in his Army which pittiful outcries they heard into the City not knowing what it should be till after his departure they found men women and Children wallowed in their own blood Solyman causing Abraham to shew himself in order as if to give a fresh assault rose himself the while with the rest returningin such ãâã that he neither garrison'd or demanded tribute of any places taken Abraham following him a dayes journey behind he arrived at Buda in five dayes 32 Germane miles from Vienna He is reported to have lost 80000 men his Lieutenant of Asia being one and many forward Captains Few or none of name of the defendants were lost but of the country above 60000 were thought to be slain and carried captive all about Vienna being miserably spoiled Solyman restored Buda to King John who by writing acknowledged himself his Vassall to whom he joyned Grittus as his legat to help him in providing for that Kingdoms defence While Solyman lay at Buda he was one day earnest with King John to receive the Bishop of Strigonium and Perenus who had taken part with Ferdinand into his former favour who shewing himself unwilling to be intreated said their mutable mindes would never contain themselves within the bounds of loyalty but find occasion to commit some fowler treason whereto Solyman straining his voice a little as somewhat moved replyed Can any thing happen better to thee in this life than for thy enemies by thy kindness to be accounted by all ungrateful c. when as in thee the commendation of a courteous Prince shall for ever remain So fearing the cold of approaching Winter he set forward to Belgrade thence to Constantinople All this while Charls the Emperour lately reconciled to Pope Clement 7th besieged Florence by Davalus labouring to bring them again under the subjection of the Medici's whereof Clement was chief which with much adoe he bringing to passe invested Alexander the Popes Nephew in ãâã Dukedom And giving him his ãâã Daughter in marriage forgetting his Brother Ferdinand the ãâã and Austria ãâã with Vienna endangered Next year 1520 Solyman with great solemnity circumcised his Sons Mustapha Mahomet and Selimus at Constantinople And hardly digesting the dishonour at Vienna and solicited by John against Ferdinand who with greater stomack still ãâã him but mostly from an exceeding unsatiable desire of enlarging his Empire he raised an Army purposing chiefly to conquer all Ferdinands Dominions and so all Germany prefining to himself but three years for accomplishment It was reported that he would oft say what belonged to the Roman Empire was of right his he being possessed of the Seat and Scepter of Constantine the great wherefore when he mentioned Charls he would as in disdain terme him King of Spain but never Emperour Christian Princes discord and great troubles then in Germany about Religion not a little encouraged him to his expedition Ferdinand sent him three Embassadors whereof Noble Negarola skilled in divers Languages was chief with rich presents and reasonable offers for
took 300 Janizaries left in those Ships by the sudden departure of their fellows Josuphus an old Captain of a 1000 being one to whom Auria at Corone gave a fair Suit and Chain of Gold freeing him without ransom to provoke the Turks to the like The Moor and the other Captains wondrously blamed Lutzis for not fighting then with the Christians but he said he had special charge from Solyman not to come to the hazard of a battel The besiegers by Land upon Auria's approach fled Mendoza taking great store of Victual and Warlique provision left behind them So Auria furnishing the City with store of necessaries committed its defence to Macicaus and his mutinous Spaniards comforting and exhorting the Greeks to patience in the calamities of war telling them the Emperour next Spring would free them from Turkish bondage by warring in Peloponesus by Sea and Land So embarking the old Spanish Garrison he came even braving the Turks Admiral before Modon but seeing he could not be allured out or assailed as he lay he departed to Corcyra and so to Messana in Sicilie Few dayes after which Assambeg waiting for Venetian Merchants Ships from Syria met with Canalis on Creet Coast and fighting a cruel battel by night of the Moors 13 Gallies 4 were sunk 3 taken the rest fleeing to Alexandria having lost most of their rowers 300 Janizaries going to Caire were slain and 1000 other Turks of all taken scarce one was saved the Moor wounded in the face was for safety glad to discover himself for the traffiquing Venctians shew least favour to Pirates then was care taken for his wounds and both Canalis and the Moor began notably to dissemble the matter to each other as mistaking c. yet the Venetians sought to excuse it to Solyman as done by error and mischance who accepted thereof saying Canalis had well done to repulse the wrong offered him Three of Auria's Gallies staying behind the rest were on Apulia's Coast carried away by Sinam surnamed the Jew a notable Pirate also In winter they of Corone beginning to want Victuals chiefly Wine and flesh the Turks having blocked up the City by Land the Souldiers requested Macicaus they not hoping for relief elsewhere before April to lead them forth to some service against the enemy but MaciÄaus mindful of his charge sought by many reasons to disswade them c. yet the matter was so urged by Touarres and Hermosilla great Captains and by a general importunity that they yielded to their desire protesting he did it against his will A forward man herein was one Barbatins a valiant Greek who speaking the Turks Language also best knew the by-wayes undertaking in dead of the night to bring them to the enemies undiscovered So Macicaus charging Liscanius and Mendosius not to suffer any to go out of the City lest the enemy should know set forward about 10 at night towards Andrussa resting all next day in a secret wooddy valley they set forward again at night and came to Andrussa before day in which Town of no great strength lay one Caranus with 3000 Foot half Janizaries and in the Suburbs Achomates with 1000 choise Horsemen Macicaus went directly to the Town to surprize it Hermosilla the while standing still with some Spaniards over against the Horsemen discovered them by their light matches who awaking the careless Watchmen an Alarum was raised in the Suburbs Hermosilla setting upon the Horsemen slew many before they could arm and firing the Stables many Turks perished with Horses and Arms. Through the terrible noyse especially of the Horses which burnt tied or breaking loose ran up and down with tails and mains on fire there was an Alarum in the Town the Turks getting to the Walls before the Spaniards could enter Macicaus striving to break in at a Postern was shot in the head and slain with divers others near him the Turks sallying out upon the small number forced them to retire to Hermosilla by whose direction they retired in so good order that those most forward to pursue caused others by their death to make least haste Achomates hasting thither also with 200 Harquebusiers taken up behind his Horsemen and too hotly pressing on to be revenged was slain with a Bullet so these Horsemen returned from further pursuit The wearied Spaniards and Greeks retiring still as ready to fight returned to Corone The Turkish Garrison presently after removing to Megalopolis now Londarium they of Corone came to Andrussa and buried their slain fellows burying honourably Macicaus's Head at Corone which the Turks had set on a pole Not long after the Plague growing hot with many other difficulties the Spaniards embarking themselves and Ordnance with such Greeks as would go in Ships come with Corn out of Sicilie left Corone empty to the Turks whilest the Emperour drawn diversly with consideration of his honour in keeping it and of his profit in giving it up stood too long in resolving yet thought not to be done without his secret consent and the rather because the deserters of the place received no disgrace thereby Solyman in 1534 purposing to turn his forces against the Persians having done him much hurt in his frontiers renewed his League with the Venetians and some other Christian Princes but he was most careful of his interest in Hungary it being reported that King John through his Subjects solicitation ãâã peace with Ferdinand so he might enjoy the Kingdom during life afterwards to remain to Ferdinand and his Heirs wherefore Solyman that nothing might be done unknown in his absence sent Aloyfius Grittus as his Lieutenant to be assistant to John and so as that without him he might conclude nothing in matters of State With this Commission Grittus entred Transilvania much about Solyman's going against the Persian with 7000 Attendants Batianus and Docia Hungarian Captains with their Companies being two also many being Janizaries At his first coming he sent out his Command to the Governours in that Province charging them to repair to him as Solymans Deputy c. Cibachus Bishop of Veradium was then Vayuod of Transilvania whose small ãâã to welcom him c. very much offended Grittus who so desired at his first entrance to have his Authority confirme in the mindes of the vulgar by the ready attendance of the Governour But it was ãâã that the Bishop upon a Christian Zeal detested the Turks friendship lest that fruitful Countrey should by some meanes fall into their hands Grittus at Baxonia heard that the Vayuod was coming with a great Train encamping about 10 miles off with divers gallant Troops of Horsemen insomuch as the Bishops Retinue made shew of a good Army which mooved Grittus exceedingly that he should be forced openly to parley with him as with an enemy When these two great ones had met together in the fields and dined without any shew of friendship Grittus covertly threatned to be revenged on all who should make so light of his Authority and departing
c. Many Turks were slain before aware the Citizens being numerous enough but not so well armed or conducted yet they swarmed up one of theeasi est Bulwarks of the Castle where the Turks had set upon an Ensign and with Darts and Arrows made them retire into a stronger place whence with their Artillery and small shot they wonderously slaughtered the naked Moors Barbarussa though alway acquainted with desperate dangers yet being suddenly shut upon in an unknown place and Victuals but for three dayes was not a little troubled which his care was much diminished by the enemies disorder'd fury and the known valour of his Souldiers chiefly seeing them fight still as full of hope and the Moors as half-dismayed ready to retire yet the double assault was twice as desperately renewed as at first by Muleasses and Dorax coming in in which danger Halis a runagate Spaniard said to Barbarussa that if he would save his Honour and hold that Fort they must salley out upon those which had never seen a set-battel c. Which motion generally approved of Barbarussa commanded Halis with other Captains to salley out at once at two Ports so that a multitude of Moors were soon slain Abdahar the Mesuar being killed with a bullet the assault being then given over and in the streets some hours was fought a most bloudy Battel at last the Citizens overcome took refuge of their Houses and wearied Halis with the rest returning with Victory 3000 Citizens were said to be slain and 9000 hurt Muleasses hardly escaping his enemie's hands by Dorax his Uncle's help fled with him over Bagrada River and came to Constantina then part of Dorax's Dominion and there protected till the coming of Charls the Emperour The ensuing both Citizens and Turks stood upon their strongest guard And next day the Citizens craved pardon excusing their rash attempt by the name of Loyalty offering faithfully to submit Whereupon Barbarussa granted a general peace by Oath confirmed on both sides the Citizens being bound to obey Solyman and Barbarussa as his chief Lievtenant All things set in order he won to him by gifts and rewards the fickle and needy Numidian Princes then sending an Eunuch and Halis to take in the other Cities of Tunis they were peaceably received except at Carvenna which holding out a while received them also for fear But let us return to the Wars at the same time undertaken by Solyman in person in Persia perswaded thereto by Abraham the great Bassa who being born in a Village of Epirus and taken from his Christian Parents by Turkish Tribure gatherers being a boy served Scander-Bassa in Selimus his time and there instructed in Mahometanism but giving himself to all manner of curiosity he was commended by his Mistress to her Husband as a fit Page to attemper his wayward and melancholly disposition wherein he excelling he gave him as a rare gift to Solyman with whom he was brought up as his companion and play-fellow by old Baiazet where he so framed himself to young Solyman's disposition that afterwards he wanted nothing of the Majesty of an Emperour but the Name only and commonly called the Great Commander of all Solymans Forces Also he partaked of Solymans secret Delights that if he were present all were well if away nothing pleased that 't was commonly said the soul of Solyman lived in Abraham whereat many great Courtiers repined chiefly Solymans mother and fair Roxalana his dearest Concubine This great Commander sought many times in his discourses with Solyman to perswade him to divert his Forces from the Christians over whom he had sufficiently triumphed and to turn them upon the Persians by whom he was daily injured and who were the wicked and irreligious impugners of the Divine Precepts of Mahomet also so famous in ancient time for their Martial Prowesse that the so oft vanquishing them by Alexander gave unto him the name of Great therefore he said 't was not so much to have destroyed the Mamrlukes by condition slaves as to subdue them Alleadging what a strong and Warlike people the Germans were and that it were not good to provoke Charls the Emperour of all Christian Princes the mightiest c. Solyman at length beginning to yield to his perswasions Abraham in himself greatly rejoyced for many thought he was only in shew a Turk and in heart a Christian and the rather because he very much favoured and protected the Christian Merchants and furthered by all means the Leagues of Christian Princes with Solyman labouring alwayes to turn his Forces from them upon the Persians insinuating into Solymans acquaintance one Mulcarabe of Damasco famous at Constantinople for holinesse and the Art of Magick who prophesied to him all happinesse in so religious a War and so much as he said pleasing to God Ulemas also a noble Persian who marrying King Tamasses's Sister was revolted from him to Solyman fearing to be call'd to account for extortion from the Counties where he governed furthered Abrahams purpose discovering to Solyman the power and State of the Persian Kingdom and plotting the easiest waies for conquering it he offered also to do his utmost So Solyman ãâã a mighty Army commanded them to be ready at Nice in Bythinia at a certain day His mother and Roxalana mightily impugned it as that which wholly proceeded from the Bassa but his credit was so strong that all their devices and prayers were by Solyman rejected and his Counsel regarded who with Ulemas was sent before him into Syria with a strong Army at Spring to invade the Persian wintring at Aleppo The Spring approaching Abraham sent Ulemas before with the light-Horsmen into Mesapotamia as his guide following himself not far behind and so came to Tauris unresisted great and rich but unwalled and of no strength The Persian King Tamas was then absent warring with Kezien-Bassa a Prince of the Corasine Hircanians so that the Citizens presently yielded Tamas hearing hereof drew nigh with his power expecting to take the Turks at some advantage as being too weak for a plain Battel which the Bassa perceiving speedily advettised Solyman of Iunis being taken and the enemies purpose and speedily to repair with his Army thither He was come far on his way on the right hand from Nice to Iconium and by Cesarea to Malathia where is the notable passage over Euphrates bursting out by the Valleys of Autitaurus whence Mesapotamia's plains then part of the Persian Kingdom begin to open through which he peaceably marched paying for what ever he took coming in 54 dayes from Nice to Coimini Armenia the greater But hearing such news aforesaid he soon after came to Tauris Tamas yet expecting the Georgian Light-horse men and hearing with what a multitude Solyman was coming that he might cut off his spent wanting and diseased people by advantages retired into Sultania about 6 dayes journey from Tauris which Solyman knowing departed thence without doing hurt following after Tamas to joyn Battel if possible leaving behinde him for haste
casting about how to withstand his puissant enemy he first of all calling to Council his Sea-Captains in whom he most confided shewed them that they as valiant men and acquainted with dangerns were not to doubt of the Victory since he saw it as good as already gotten having before for the same reasons perswaded himself that if Charls had not be in half mad he would not have undertaken so desperate and doubtful a Warre and encouraging them in a short speech most earnestly required this one thing that they should most valiantly defend the strong Castle of Guletta as the most assured defence both of the City the whole Kingdom and especially their Navy which lay there in safe harbour c. They all answered they would most chearfully perform what ever he pleased to command nor to do any thing unbeseeming most valiant men Guletta Castle stands in the bottom of Carthage-Bay on a point of Land where the Sea on the side by a narrow strait runneth into Tunis-Lake but now the Castle is parted on the West side also by the Sea begun by Barbarussa but perfected by others commanding both sides He now put into it strongly fortified Sinan of Smyrna a Jew of greatest account Haidinus for his fury surnamed Caccia Diabolo Salec of Ionia Tabacches of Laodicea and Giaffer a Captain of the Janizaries most expert and resolute Captains The Emperour commanded his men to be landed with all speed which was so done that the Moores terrified with their cry and not able to abide their shot were beaten from shoare suffering them to land quietly first the Spanish then the Italians and last the Germanes whom Vastius caused presently to encamp strictly charging none to straggle till the Horse and Ordnance were landed the Emperour chearfully landing also Vastius the while sent out some to view the neer places and se k out the Cisterns and Fountains of waters once serving Carthage with whom the Moores chiefly the swift subtile and painful Numidian Horsemen oft skirmished and though but naked yet on all advantages furiously assailed them with Arrows and Darts unawares and overloaded with Armour sparing none that fell into their hands two of whom were Spinnula a Ligurian Captain and Noble Carectus slain by Vastius's side as they viewed notwithstanding Charls himself would needs with a small Troop view the places even in sight of the Numidians every where pricking up and down though he was often perswaded not to expose himself to endanger his person and the common safety Vastius brought the Army nigh the Castle casting up a rolling trench as he came to defend his men which was done by all sorts yea many Captains set to their hands for the Emperour was a beholder and chearful commender of labour and forwardness and the busie enemy ever ready to take advantage oft sallying out and defying them even at their very Trenches When all Commanders were to be appointed to their several charges the Count of Sarne requested Vastius to have the Mount neerest the Castle a place of most danger but of greatest honour whereat the Spaniards much repined he set up his rich Tent on the top of the Mount in the enemie's sight there laying with his Italians Ere long Salec with some Companies salsied forth upon that Mount as if he would have assailed it raising a great Alarm yet after Vollies of shot on both sides he retired as if constrained whereupon the Count bitterly in rage reproving some Captains not so forward to pursue them ran furiously down the rest for shame following him slaying divers enemies Salec now turning about said to his Souldiers The wished advantage is now offered c. wherefore shew your selves valiant not letting one of these proud fresh-water Souldiers escape alive or unwounded which said they making a stand so hardly charged the Italians that they fled The Count fighting valiantly with his Kinsman was slain with many others and others slain in flight the Turks entring so far into the Trenches that they carried away the riches of the Count's Tent No Spaniard once stirring out of their places to help the Italians His Head and right hand Salec sent to Barbarussa Vastius comforted the grieved Italians imputing that losse onely to the Count's rashness for which he had worthily payd the price but he sharply reproved the Spaniards as merciless men c. The Turks by often great shot shewed joy for this Victory but Tabacches soon after sallying out in day-dawning got to the top of the Spaniards Trenches before they were aware slaying some sleeping some idly sitting others arming themselves who with their sudden cry made the rest which lay near to flee out of their Trenches where the Turks taking their trash slaying and wounding many with Mendosa a Captain carried away Sarmentus's Ensign on the top of the Trench The Alarm caused the Emperour to come running in his Armour sharply reproving them who forsook the place and greatly offended with those who kept such negligent watch against such an enemy This disgrace of the old Spaniards well comforted the Italians The tumult appeased Vastius calling their chief Captains into his Tent said He was sory and ashamed to say it They who elsewhere alwayes valiant were grown wholly out of order and heartless c. the Italians worthily laughing at their negligence who yesterday smiled at their unskilful forwardness Wherefore he exhorted and straightly commanded them speedily to prepare their Minds and Weapons for atchieving some new honour c. They all answered they would so behave themselves that he should not desire greater courage c. in men desirous of honour and commendation 'T was not long but Giaffer of exceeding courage and strength issued forth with Janizaries and Moorish Archers about noon assailing the utmost Trenches hoping in that broyling heat to find them unprepared The Spaniards then kept such negligent Watch that they discharged their shot and Arrows on them from the rampiers top before they were well aware but the Drum striking up some Harquebusiers brake out in two places at once as Vastius had commanded seconding them with Halbardiers keeping his Squadrons to rescue his Harquebusiers if they were forced to retire The Skirmish was valiantly maintained on both sides till Giaffer desperately fighting among the foremost Janizaries was slain with two Bullets at once for whole body the Janizaries most cruelly fought many being slain on both sides upon the carcase at length being forced to flee they were so fiercely followed that they of Guletta shut out almost a fourth part of their own men lest the Christians should enter with them Abila an Ensign-bearer advanced his Ensign to the top of a Rampier and was slain but his Ensign was saved by a Souldier Upon their retreat they lost most for the Turks discharged their shot on them very fast which they could not before for their own men This abated the Turk's pride and gave hope the Castle would be gained without great losse perceiving being nigh
it 't was not so strong as they supposed The Emperour after few dayes consulting and preparing things resolved without delay to assault it with all his forces for many reasons chiefly for that his men began to grow sickly scorched as it were all the day and almost starved with cold by night and exceeding dewes commonly wetting them to the skin neither was there good water or fresh Victual to be had in that sandy and barren Soil other than out of the Fleet for the water was so unpleasant and brackish that sick and whole were glad of a Crab to quench extream thirst yet much relief was timely sent from Sicilie and Naples the Bisket also chiefly in the Spanish Gallies was grown hoary and unwholsom about July 15th he began to place his battery defended with Gabions and Caske of Sand. Aurias divided his Gallies into three Squadrons which should by turns beat on the Castle his great Ships at Anchor thundred from their fore-Castles with great Ordnance Vastius divided Spaniards Italians and Germans apart for assault There was never strong place since Guns were invented assailed with greater force preparation or industry The Earth seeming not onely to quake but even by and by to swallow them up the Sea beginning to rage and foam as in a great storm the Air became thick and dark with smoak from day-break till noon the Cannon and Culvering never ceased so that the Vamures were beat down the Castle saultable and many Turkish Cannoniers and Cannons buried in the Walls ruines which being perceived upon a Signal given the Artillery ceasing the breach was assailed and the Walls scaled and with such resolution that the Turks having done what was possible by casting down Darts Wild-fire c. upon them climbing up at length as despairing fled Sinan and the other Captains fled forth at the further side by a Woodden Bridge and so by Land to Tunis which way most of his men followed him The rest were slain or driven into the Lake where they were slain coming to Land by Horsemen or in swiming shot by the Harquebusiers the Lake being even covered with dead bodies This Castle with all its Warlike Provision and all Barbarussa's great Fleet his and his Pyrates greatest grief Charls gained with small losse Barbarussa troubled and terrified sternly and scornfully received Sinan and the rest reviling and calling them faint-hearted Cowards so soon giving over so strong a place Sinan answered when they were to withstand the Devil and his furies c. it ought not to seem strange if they sought to escape Neither did they count it a disgrace as men that minded again to fight from which danger if himself had been present he would have accounted it very good discretion to escape Hairadin now began more temperately to request every one of them couragiously to stand fast to him well hoping that the great supply of Moorish foot and Numidian Horse at hand once come the enemy should not long joy in taking Guletta Then he wholly indeavoured to prepare things needful for Warre bountifully bestowing his Treasures among the Moores and Numidians to confirm the well-affected and to win the doubtful Muleasses the while with a small retinue came into the Emperour's Camp he sitting royally in his Pavilion who being admitted with a Myter and a green and blew silk Garment he tall and manly tawny so squint-eyed that he seemed to look spitefully kissing Charls his hand sat down with his legs close under him upon a Carpet on the ground after his Countries fashion speaking unto him by an Interpreter that he was come thither not by any desert of his their different Religion so requiring yet he verily thought not but by the appointment of the most high God whom both did with like devotion worship to take revenge of the most perfidious cruel Tyrant and Pyrate whom he saw as good as vanquished Guletta and his Navy being taken c. which would be the more to his comfort hoping thereby to be restored by him into his Fathers Kingdom which he most humbly requested of his justice and honour not refusing to pay him tribute and to acknowledge himself his Vassal of which the remembrance of so great a benefit never to be forgotten of him and his Posterity was a most great assurance he abhorring the name of unthankful and experimentally finding how much his State and People might be assured to him by his near Garrisons in Sicilie and Sardinia The Emperour answered he was come into Africk to revenge the injuries done oft by Barbarussa upon his Frontiers and to root out the most mischievous Pirates which by his Saviour's goodness had taken such effect that he doubted not soon to obtain a perfect Victory and then he would grant him what should stand with the convenience of his affaires c. so he would not falsifie his faith which he might well suspect if he specially trusted not that such a benefit would alway remain in his heroical mind being assured that that power which restored him his Kingdom could take it from him if his unthankfulness deserved it Muleasses before the Emperour used a full gravity and grace in his Speech but exceeding courteous to the Generall and other Captains riding up and down with them and shewing himself a very good Horseman and of great activity He would also reason with learned men after Averroes of the nature of things the Heavens motion and Starres power he had a Tent appointed him and honourable allowance Vastius courteously brought him when desirous into all places of the Camp to see all things and orders there demanding of him whether that puissant Army brought to his great good he judged sufficient to subdue the enemy Muleasses chiefly wondered at the number and order of the great Ordnance next at the wondrous plenty of things and the Souldiers quietness in buying them Ere long they learned of him many things well serving for their better proceeding which things orderly reported to the Emperour confirmed his former hope of the desired Victory so that carefully forecasting he resolved forthwith to besiege Tunis But whilest he was preparing they daily skirmished with the Numidians once like to come to a Battel for the Moores planting Field-pieces among the Olive Gardens shot continually into the Camp wherefore the Emperour leaving enough to keep his Camp and Trenches went forth with his Horsemen and the rest sending Montegius General of the Spanish Horsmen before who were most but raw Souldiers These skirmished a while with the enemy but seeing themselves hardly charged and Montegius greatly wounded they fled in the Emperour's sight to the men at Arms coming after them The enemy at first would desperately charge then retire to avoid their enemies force and by and by turn again with a fresh charge the light Horsemen fleeing Charls came on couragiously with his men at Arms whereby they were put to flight and their Field-pieces taken Here the Emperour standing formost gave the Signal crying
in so great danger fail to ayd his brother and the General 's firm resolution upheld their fainting minds The Turks from the higher ground and out of Cepelia perceiving the Germans in the little Island as carelesse agreed at once to assayl divers of their Forts landing at break of day so closely and suddenly that they slew 600 ere well awake or armed the rest fleeing to the Camp in such haste that many fell beside the bridge were drowned The whole Camp was wondrously troubled the Turks with hideous cries raising the Alarm in divers places at once yet Herbestulfe the Camp master perswading some German-companies and Souldiers in the Fleet not to suffer the Ensignes and Ordnance to be so shamefully carried away and Marius then landing divers Companies in the Island they drave the Turks again to their boats receiving no lesse losse themselves than had the Germans before It was said the Turks Fleet might have been quite overthrown if the Christians had couragiously pursued them and landded with them yet 4 Turks Pinnaces were sunk 3 taken and many Turks slain or drowned in the River Shortly after the Turks did so assayl the Camp on every side that they left them almost no time of rest so that they almost despaired long to defend it for the Bassa at Belgrade taking to him the sick and wounded sent fresh men still in their stead and Valentinus with Harquebusse Janizaries had driven Perenus with the Hungarian Horse out of the upper Camp so that the nether Camp was hardly beset yet the great Artillary from Pesth much troubled Valentinus assayling it on that side Some say Valentinus did privately wish Perenus speedily to provide for himself and his Hungarians for there was a great Beast coming which at one morsel would devour them all This was Solyman coming in haste with a great Army Wherefore Perenus told Regendorff Except they would presently depart with the Army he would in time shift for himself Country-men at last they agreed it was best next night to pass the River to Pesth only the General said he would not depart from Buda without Ferdinands command so sending the Count of Salma swiftly up the River to Vienna to know his pleasure Perenus fretting at their long stay 't was resolved next night when the Moon was down to passe over in 4 Convoys for 't was not so easy to make a bridge over Danubius as was supposed which being almost planked such a wind and tempest arose and the River was so rough that the bridge was loosed and broken many of its boats being carried away with the streams force The 2 first Convoys passed well over for though the Budians and Turks seeing by day the Fleet drawing into one place might suspect yet could they foresee nothing of their sudden departure but the vigilant eye was not long deceived and the less for that 2 Fugitives then discovered to the Bishop their flight who presently certifying the Bassaes thereof they eame to assault the Christians in their Camp with a horrible cry assayling their Trenches The Germans began to quaile yet with the Bohemians a while notably resisted All the Camp was filled with confusion every man at the River-side striving to get aboard disorderly Regendorff's Authority through the nights darknesse so great noise of people and Ordnance being as nothing who then lay in bed wounded in the shoulder by a Faulkon-shot falling in his Tent as he was writing Letters to Fordinand striking a chest in sunder The Foot-Captains envying at the Horsmen so well escaped faintly resisted the enemy the upmost Tents were first taken and the German-Foot chased all over Gerrards Mount. They of Buda also entred the Camp on the Cities side burning the Tents a little before forsaken and the Bishop firing a great stack of straw nigh the Rivers side it gave such a light that one might plainly see over Danubius to the Walls of Pesth whereby their flight by water and confusion by land was discovered Then was the Ordnance from every place discharged upon the Fleet Cason the Turks Admiral with his light-boats setting on the ships crossing the River taking divers boats laden with Souldiers sinking others with his Ordnance After the Janizaries brake into the lower Camp the Germans fleeing over the bridge into the little Island were slain without mercy by the pursuers many leaping into the River and perishing 300 sayl of all sorts were mingled together covering the River as with a Bridge but the Christian Fleet cleering themselves and beating the Turks back with their Ordnance got up to Comara The other Land-Forces enduring the same fortune in the Camp the Bohemians died there in fight Many were slain or saved by the Budians as they fell into the hands of a merciful or mercilesse man But the Sun rising plainly discovered the slaughter and the Victory About 3000 taking a little Hill by Gerards Temple stood on their guard till above 2000 were slain the rest yielding in hope of life were reserved for a grievous spectacle Cason coming to the shoar of Pesth so feared those escaped thither only with the cry of his Souldiers and noyse of the Artillery that the Horsmen for haste to get out were like to over-run each other leaving behind them whatever good thing they had yet some Hungarians stayed behind rifling the Merchants shops for Pesth was now become a notable Mart-Town as of more safety than other Cities but Cason entring it slew some of those greedy Hungarians sparing neither man woman or child except some few reserved for the Turks lust or slavish labour Above 20000 Christians being one way or other reported to be slain in this War There was taken 36 great battering pieces Field-pieces 150 and wondrous store of Arms and Ammunition and Victual Regendorff was against his will carried aboard a Pinnace by his Physitian and Chamberlain and so was conveighed to the Island Comara wherefore he shortly after partly for his Wounds but more through grief died in the Village Samarium Solyman still doubting the coming of Charls and Ferdinand to Buda was coming in such haste that he caused his Janizaries to march as fast as his Horsmen but hearing of the Victory he came more leisurely to Buda in August encamping on tother side of the City the dead bodies laying yet unburied and making one huge Camp of both Armies He especially commended the two Mahometes making him of Belgrade General of all his European Horse the Victory being gotten chiefly by his means rewarding the other Captains as they deserved and augmenting their pay After which he commanded the prisoners about 800 to be brought forth and led in long ropes all along the raunged Army in derision then to be slain by his young Souldiers sternly saying they were worthy of such death who had waged war while entreating a peace There was one Bavarian exceeding tall whom in despight of the German Nation he delivered to a little dwarf to be slain his head being scarce
Turks Captains great presents receiving the like Lastly his Letters seeming to promise some Hungarian Captains greater entertainment than agreed with his estate all which Ferdinand hardly conceiving ill of the Germans but any thing of Strangers soon believed Perenus being come near the Gate of Vienna hearing Torniellus with other brave ones were come to meet the Admiral requested he might speak to them out of the close Coach being opened wherein he rode which was easily granted he seeming to those who had charge of him unworthy of such suspition he made a lamentable speech unto them concerning his being apprehended saying As for the Kingdom of Hungary he might well have affected it and easily have deserved it of Solyman when Ferdinand John being dead was preparing for that war at which time his friends followers with the Hungarians love toward him might have ministred no unreasonable or unseasonable hope to have drawn a man into courses not wholly beseeming a Christian wherefore saith he I have and will while I live fight against the Turks if King Ferdinand shall shew himself an indifferent Judge in this accusation falsely surmised by the malice of mine enemies The Admirall Medices perswaded him to hope well in the most just King's clemency and soon after he and Torniellus entreated the King while hunting to deal favourably with him Yet Perenus could not obtain an open hearing but was committed to perpetual imprisonment either for surprision of new Treason or for his old inconstancy This end had the Warres undertaken by general consent of the Germans against the Turks in 1542. Ferdinand ãâã spent in vain a masse of Treasure and lost the opinion before conceived of the strength of Germany Polinus in 1543. ceased not by all meanes to solicit Solyman to ayd his Master against Charls in Italy Sicily and Spain but he was so crossed by Solyman then Visier that he almost despaired for the ãâã being a great Seaman envied the honour of Barbarussa protesting in Councel he saw no cause why Solyman ãâã send out such a Fleet but to serve Barbarussa's own turn but Solyman decreed according to his promise to send his Fleet to the French King by Barbarussa two dayes after which Polinus was ãâã by Rustan Bassa and Solyman the Eunuch for it was their Master's pleasure both joying of him for the friendship confirmed betwixt the two Princes So after divers ãâã bestowed on him and his chief followers Solyman at his departure gave him great charge of his Navy after the service done to be again returned delivering him Letters to King Francis to the like purpose telling him all things should ãâã out according to both their desires if he took heed that Charls did not again deceive him with the motion of a deceitful peace Polinus returned from Hadrianople where Solyman then lay to Constantinople finding Barbarussa ready to put to Sea with 110 Gallies and 40 Galliots so setting forward April 28. 1543 he arrived first at Caristius in Euboea thence to Malea and cast by contrary winds into Lacedemon Bay staying nine dayes ere he could double the Cape Metapanium Then from Methone he came to the Strait of Messana where in sight of Rhegium they began to land their men wherefore they of the City fled forth for fear but the Castle was kept by Gaietane a Spaniard who refusing parley slew certain of the Turks with shot wherewith the rest enraged fired the desolate City sore against Polinus and Barbarussa's will who sought for the Authours to punish them Ordnance being planted against the Castle a few shot so terrified the Captain troubled with his Wives outcry that he yielded it with all therein to the enemy to whom with his Wife and Children he granted life and liberty ãâã up the rest and giving the spoil to his Souldiers there was about 70 Spaniards and many more Citizens all carried away prisoners Old Barbarussa becoming amorous of one of the Captains very beautiful Daughters entring her into Mahometanism made of her as his Wife bountifully entertaining the Captain as his Father in Law who came to see her at Hercules Port in Tuscany Barbarussa came to Ostia in the mouth of Tiber so frighting them of Rome that they were ready to forsake the City had not Polinus by his Letters to Rodolph Pope Paul's Legate in the City in part stayed the sudden tumult The Bishop was then at Buxetum travelling in shew with ãâã Emperour to make peace betwixt him and the French but secretly labouring to buy of him the ãâã of ãâã for Octavius his Kinsman Charls's Son in Law As Polinus comforted up Rodolph the Cardinall so also them of ãâã and Ostia so that they brought the Turks all manner of Victuall and sometimes four Sheep or two Oxen redeemed a Prisoner of Naples yet many of the weaker sort fled out of the City by night though the Magistrates did what they could to stay them Barbarussa laying there three dayes and watring passed along Etruria and Liguria without doing harm and so sailed to Marselles where we leave him for a while Solyman came with a great Army into Hungary for the more assured possession of that Kingdom sending Amurathes and Ulames to besiege Walpo strong and scituate upon Dravus not far from Exek after whom followed Achomates with his European Horse This Town Perenus's possession was by his Wife and her friends worthily defended three moneths at last delivered to the enemy by the Souldiers who when they could not perswade their General to consent to a yielding took him perforce delivering him with the Town to the Turks who received him with all courtesie but the traiterous Souldiers were all put to the Sword the other Citizens being well used the Bishop and chief men of Quinque-Ecclesiae not far off now fled for fear the meaner sort willingly yielding it to the Turks Next strong Town was Soclosia belonging also to Perenus which divers Gentlemen encouraging the Citizens to stand on their defence held out a while but after much harm on both sides they retired into the Castle hoping to save themselves by yielding but Amurathes was so offended that promising them onely to come forth at their pleasure as they came out slew them all to terrifie others Solyman giving those Towns to Amurathes departed from Buda to besiege Strigonium kept by Liscanus and ãâã two Spaniards with ãâã Souldiers Paul the Bishop got away betimes despairing of mercy who by Solyman's interposing had been reconciled to ãâã ãâã again revolted to Ferdinand The Castle stood on a high Hill overlooking Danubius underneath it the Walls were built after the old manner before Guns were invented wherefore Vitellius and Torniellus sent the year before to view the place thought the City could hardly be defended if besieged by a strong enemy being also subject to a Hill not far off so that the old Garrison cast up new Bulwarks and Fortifications and making great boast seemed to wish for Solyman's coming but when he had with his
God had given Grace rightly to consider these things and striving against the Vanities of this world and to embrace an upright Life had surely a place prepared in Heaven where they should at length enjoy life and ãâã eternal This answer very much satisfied his troubled mind foreseeing as it were his end approaching and so hastening towards his Father pitched his Tents in the open field not far off from his Camp But this his hasty coming the more encreased the ãâã Rustan craftily encreasing the same For he caused the Janizaries and chief men to go meet Mustapha as if for Honours-sake and the while with troubled countenance came in haste to Solyman falsly telling him that almost all the best Souldiers of the Army were without leave gone to meet him he fearing what would ensue Whereat he became pale for fear and going out of his Tent finding them gone he easily believed all to be true Mustapha also the 3d. day before his setting forward falling asleep in the evening seemed to see Mahomet in bright Apparel to lead him by the Hand into a most pleasant place with most glorious Pallaces and delicate Gardens and pointing to every thing with his finger to say Here they rest for ever who have led an upright and godly life c. Then on tother side to have shewn him 2 great and swift Rivers one boyling with water blacker than pitch and in them numbers of men tumbling some up and some down crying horribly for mercy saying There are all punished who have been malicious workers of iniquity the chief being great men of the world He awaking asked his Doctor what it might signifie who musing a great while full of grief answered This Vision was to be feared as ãâã the extream peril of his life and therefore requested him to have great care of Life and Honour but he stoutly replyed Shall I suffer my self to be terrified and overcome with childish and vain fear Why rather haste I not c. and the more boldly because I know I have alwayes reverenced his Majesty never turning eyes or foot against his Royal-Seat much lesse affecting his Empire except God had called him to a better Life nor then without the general choice of the Army that I might without murder bloud and tyrannie well and justly reign and in love and peace inviolate live with my brethren c. So he came as was said to the Camp all in white in token of Innocency and wrote Letters as the Turks superstitiously do when going to any dangerous place and putting them in his bosom came with a few trusty followers with great reverence towards his Fathers Tent to kiss his Hand and remembring his dagger girt about him entred not till he had put it off being come into the inner-Rooms he was sutably received by Solymans Eunuch's but seeing but one seat he perplexed stood a while musing then asking Where his Father was who answered He should by and by see him and looking aside he saw 7 Mutes strong men bereft of speech whom the Turks hath alway ready for the more secret execution of their Butchery coming toward him saying no more but Lo my death and arising was about to flee but he was caught hold of by the Eunuchs and Mutes and being drawn to the appointed place they cast a Bow-string about his neck he striving and requesting to speak but 2 words first to his Father All which the Murderer heard and saw by a Travers on tother side saying to the Villains with a most terrible Voyce Will ye never dispatch what I bid you will ye never make an end of this Traitour for whom I have not rested one night this ten years in quiet Whereupon they threw the poor Innocent on the ground and withthe Eunuchs help drawing the knotted string both wayes strangled him he doing the like to his Son shortly after But presently commanding his Bassa to be apprehended and beheaded in his presence Then sending for ãâã the crooked bid him in sporting-wise go meet his Brother Mustapha which he ignorant hasted to do as glad of his coming but when he came to the place where his brother lay dead on the ground he was beyond measure tormented Solyman sent to him offering him all Mustapha's wealth with his Government but Tzihanger calling his Father ungodly Caint and Traitour and most highly commending Mustapha said Himself would provide that none should so shamefully triumph over a poor crooked wretch stabbing himself with his dagger and shortly dying Whereat the old Tyger exceedingly grieved His Body being Honourably buried at Pera. He forthwith commanded all Mustapha's riches to be brought into his Tent which the Souldiers hoping for hasted to perform but Mustapha's Souldiers not knowing what was become of him ãâã such a multitude thrust into their Camp without order notably repulsed them not without much bloud-shed The rest of the Kings Souldiers hearing the stir ran to help their fellows so that in short time 2000 were slain and more wounded neither had the broil so ended had not Achomat Bassa a grave and experienced Captain of no small Authority kept back the Janizaries and likewise appeased the rage of Mustapha's Souldiers by gentle and mild words and courteous perswasions whereby they were so mollified that they suffered all that was in Mustapha's Tent to be carried into Solyman's but when Mustapha's death was blown about the Camp another worse tumult arose They in a rage breaking into Solymans Pavilion with drawn swords which so frighted him that he was with extream peril about to flee ãâã being holden by his Friends and making a Vertue of Necessity he went forth of his Tent but with a pale countenance speaking unto them What broil is this c. What means your fierce and angry looks know ye not your Soveraign Have ye resolved to stain your own and Ancestours invincible Honour with the bloud of your Lord and Emperour They boldly answed He was the man whom they had long before chosen but they had got and preserved for him a large and mighty Empire that he should govern them virtuousty and not lay his bloudy hands on every just man c. and that they came thither armed justly to revenge the death of guiltless Mustapha for which he had no just cause to be angry protesting they would never lay down weapons till the Accuser of him for treason appeared commencing his accusation judicially upon pain of the like punishment if he ãâã in proof The late hainous fact made every man the while to shed tears so that Solyman seemed to be sorry for his murder promising the Souldiers whatever they required yet lest he should slip away and deceive them of what he had promised they kept most diligent watch and ward Wherefore to appease them he deprived Rustan Bassa of all Honours and of his Seal which he delivered to Achomates But Rustan now in no safety in his own tents secretly asked Achomates what course best to take in so
to Messana where the King's Fleet was providing But the Turks resolved to prove the utmost before the slow Christians strength were ready assuring themselves more easily of the rest Elmo Castle being once taken wherefore they began again to batter it furiously for four dayes without ceasing the night following giving a great assault almost gaining the top of the wall the Defendants driving them down with such force that they never durst set Ladder to the wall till the last conflict Dragut's Souldiers the while upon a bravery went to Martia Scala betwixt the Gallows and ãâã Thomas Road as if to do more than the rest but they of St. Angelo sallying forth they were glad after a great losse to retire whence they came Bonnemius one of the Knights and 7 others being slain Monferratus was then sent into Elmo Castle as Governour instead of Brolia sick through watching and pains taking who had oft written to Valetta that he thought it unpossible to be won The Turks not discouraged battered the Castle with greater fury than before and presently gave an assault having made a Bridge over the Ditch that ten men might go abreast placing 4000 Harquebusiers about the Ditch with their Fleet at Georges shoare not far off And hoping even presently to win the Castle Beragamus a Knight and Medranus a Spanish Captain with others ran to the Bridge with great admiration opposing the multitude the fight hand to hand being on both sides terrible a Turk advancing an Ensign on the Bulwark Medranus laid hold on it who in striving together were both slain wth a Turks Bullet Some of the 400 sent in a little before thrust Barrels of Gunpowder under the Bridge some cast down Wild-fire Stones c. on the enemy others gauling them with Harquebusses So the Bridge was burnt and blown up overwhelming 800 Turks in its fall the rest retiring most being wounded The Defendants having plucked down Mustapha's and Dragut's two Ensigns set upon the very Battlements of the Walls Toward the South-west some Turks got up to the top of the highest Rampier whom they of Angelo Castle thinking to beat off slew seven Defendants thereon but at the next shot they rent in sunder four Turks Captains and twelve the most forward Souldiers other Turks casting up a Trench on that side toward St. Angelo they were soon driven forth by fire c. cast down upon them They retired having lost 2000 of their best Souldiers almost 100 Christians were slain and as many wounded The same day Valetta had a sight Brigandine carried over Land to Martia Scala thence to send into Sicily to certifie by Letters the Viceroy and Pope what was done and the danger requesting speedy relief saying to the Viceroy Our lives lay in thy hands on whom next unto God resteth all our hope wherefore we most instantly request thee not to forsake us Garzias greatly moved seemed desirous to bring forth his whole Fleet against the Turks but seeing the supply of Ships from Genua and Spain was not yet come he sent Cardona with 4 Galleys joyning Robles Camp master with a choise Company of Spaniards also 80 Knights went wth them staying at Messana for a fit time to passe over who letted by Tempest and otherwise came not before Elmo Castle was lost yet served they in great steâd The Turks desperately renewed the fight first thundering day and night with their Ordnance on the Castle then assaulting the breaches with an exceeding multitude and force five houres endured that most terrible assault at length the Turks repulsed retired yet the night following they did so beat the Defendants with their Ordnance that they had much adoe to keep them from scaling the Walls the Christians lost two hundred and the Turks an exceeding number Dragut himself dying two dayes after of a blow in the Head with a stone whose body was buried at Tripolis The Turkish Commanders more and more enraged with the Christians valour and their own slaughter commanded their Fleet to compass the Castle purposing by Sea and Land to send in fresh supplies till they had taken it with great industry preparing what ever was needful for the assault which Valetta perceiving and fearing they should not be able longer to endure such a fury called his Knights together requesting them to declare what they thought best to be done for their safety whose ãâã ãâã delivered a Decree was made that 12 Pinnaces should be sent to fetch them away But first 3 Knights were sent thither the night following to tell them what was agreed on and carefully to consider the state of the Castle which if the Defendants thought was to be abandoned then to poyson the water and clay the Ordnance The Knights oftentimes shot at by the Turks got into the Castle declaring the care taken of them who all gave thanks therefore saying if they considered the places straightness the few Defendants and the enemies multitude they should well perceive the danger they were in if such assaults should be ãâã renewed yet since they had hitherto felt the help of God present c. they for all the most manifest danger of their lives would keep it to the last man for perhaps the like honourable occasion to shew themselves in ãâã never be offered c. requesting the great Master not to be too careful of them but promise himself of them what beseemed resolute men The Knights having diligently viewed the Castle returned to Valetta who with his Knights heard the answer of the besieged and would needs hear the three Knights Opinion Castriot thinking the place was still to be defended c. But Recca was of another minde saying If Julius Caesar were alive he would not suffer so many valiant Souldiers to be lost but reserve his men to further service Medina said he thought it not good the place should be so easily forsaken since the Ditches and Bulwarks were yet defensible and there being so great a consent among the Defendants So it seemed good to the greater part that they should for certain dayes hold out that the enemy might see his pride abated for the Knights used not easily to abandon their strong Holds But the Turks June 23. in the dead of the night battering the rest of the Walls yet standing presently gave a most terrible assault the Defendants beating down repulsing and slaying Great were the outcries on both sides mixt with exhortation mirth and mourning it was now the third houre of the day when still the Victory stood doubtful but the very Rock bared of Walls and Defendants above four hundred being slain a man could scarce appear but he was struck in pieces Montferratus the Governour and Garas of Euboea were both slain with one shot yet the rest fought with greater force than before overthrew the Turk's Ensigns set up slaying the Ensign-bearers Captains and Colonels by which time it was noon very hot and men exceeding ãâã the Ordnance never ceasing and the enemy sending in fresh
Foot and 1000 Horse raw Souldiers commanded by the Gentlemen of the Countrey The greatest hope being reposed in 1200 Italian Foot and 600 Horse the whole number of Souldiers in Garrison were deemed about 8000 Horse and Foot too weak a Company against so fierce and strong an enemy under an old and expert General The Venetians having ever great care of Cyprus as remote oft intended to have fortified it but lest they should seem to distrust or dread the Turks left it still undone Nicosia stands in a Champain Countrey about five miles in circuit magnificently built and for its wholsom and commodious scituation notably peopled the Venetians had fortified it lately with new Walls thick Rampiers 11 strong Bulwarks and 3 great Fortresses for defence of the Wall which they did well furnish with Men and Warlike Provision yet they found that Fortifications are strengthened by Defendants rather than Defendant by Fortifications July 22. the Bassa encamped within a mile and half of the City the Turks issuing out rode before the Walls and Gates and with often and lowd out-cries upbraided the Defendants whose silence was taken as a token of fear Mustapha also coming and fully viewing its Walls and Scituation shortly after they drew nearer filling with their Tents the lower part of the Hill Mandia setting the Bassaes Tent upon the Hill to the terrour of the Defendants and encouragement of the Turks who brought their Trenches from far casting up a few Forts but as their Army increased many more which they raised above the Walls making the City more dangerous to defend There with 70 great Pieces they battered the City day and night without ceasing many being slain with the shot and the pieces of stones beaten out of the walls Never such a fear as then within Nicosia the enemy with restless labour bringing his Trenches to the very brim of the Town-ditch which had not been well scoured Being so nigh they first skirmished a farre off with small Pieces but afterwards they battered with their great Artillery and overwhelmed the Defendants with thick small shot Arrowes and stones to drive them off the Wall and Rampiers Not onely the Curtains betwixt three Bulwarks were soon ãâã down but all places thereabouts lay full of the dead bodies of Assailants and Defendants These through desperation joyned with necessity besides defending their Walls with small shot stones c. oft made great slaughter of them with their Artillery and murthering Pieces dismounting also many of their great Pieces and with Feather-beds Sacks of Cotton-Wooll making up the breaches which the Turks laboured to burn with Pitch Barrels and Pots of Wild-fire and after long fight entring the Ditch made two wayes to the Walls which they so fortified on both sides that they were safe from the loups of the Bulwarks flankering the Ditch presently setting up Scaling Ladders filling the Ditches and were digging down the Foundation of two Bulwarks The Christians in the first assault struck many down dead climbing up the Ladders and soon ãâã more than themselves were forced the rest to give over the assault in these first and hard conflicts a number of Souldiers were lost and most of the Cannoniers slain After this assault both parties were busied a while in ingenious devices The Venetians had in good time put their Fleet to sea but being too weak they lay still about Jadera expecting the coming of the Spanish Admiral with his Galleys Two moneths were past and no news thereof so that the Venetians speed and industry was marred by the Spaniards delay and lingring besides the plague at length grew so hot in the Fleet that there was neither Marriner nor Souldier left in many Galleys 20000 dying thereof among whom were many of great account The plague well ceased and Zanius weary of expecting the Spanish Admiral collecting his dispersed Fleet sailed to Corcyra where he met with Venerius who had lately taken from the Turks Suppoto a sea-Town over against it All their Fleet was now 117 sayl 12 being Galleasses but too weak for the Turks they being weakly manned yet the Admiral sorry for Cyprus's spoil and the distresse of Nicosia landed at Suda in Creet Aug. 12. In the latter end whereof Columnius for the Pope and Auria for the Spanish King arrived there also welcomed with great triumph so that there was now 192 Galleys 12 Galleasses ãâã Vessels laden with provision and Ammunition c. The Pope set forth 12 Galleys the Spaniards 42 proportionably manned The 3 Commanders after long consulting by Zanius's perswasion about the midst of Septemb. with a fair gale of wind set forward for Cyprus keeping such order as if they should presently have met with the enemy Loredanus Duke of Venice died in these troubles leaving the rest of the care to Moscnicus his Successour While the Christians slowly proceed Mustapha dividing his Army into 4 parts assaulted 4 Bulwarks of the City with greater force than before the presence of the General besides their natural fiercenesse carrying the Turks head-long without peril and the fear of life and liberty with hope of relief encouraging the Defendants to dare any thing many Turks were slain and their Ladders overthrown the poor Defendants being brought to a small number few or none escaping unwounded many thought the City might then have been taken if the Bassa had still brought on fresh men but his loss was such that for that time he gave over the assault After this some thought good whilst they had some reasonable strength to salley forth upon the enemy which Dandulus in no case liked as loath to diminish the number of the Defendants yet he yielded to the desire of the Captains so in the hottest time of the day some Italian Companies under Caesar and Albertus issued forth and suddenly brake into the enemies Trenches where the Turks were playing and sleeping At first the Italians brought great fear upon that quarter and slew many but the Turks running in on every side they were glad to retire divers being slain and their 2 Leaders so that this salley only weakened the Defendants and caused the Turks to keep better watch and ward All hope of long holding out now almost lost the Defendants scarcely shewing their Heads without danger They sent out skilful Scouts to the Country people who in great multitudes had ãâã ãâã the Mountains to tell them if they came not in time to their relief their wives and children sent into the City must shortly fall into the enemie's Hands or perish with Hunger but these being intercepted were in sight of the ãâã tortured to death When divers Letters were shot into the City perswading the Christians by mild promises and extream threatnings to yield but in vain Mustapha called forth certain Souldiers on a Bulwark to parley some being sent to him who complained that no answer was given to his Letters setting forth the power of the Turkish Empire propounding great miseries and shewing the profit of yielding up the
After few dayes the Conditions were agreed on The Inhabitants safely to enjoy lives liberty and goods with free exercise of the Christian Religion the Governour Captains and Souldiers to depart safely with bag and baggage with 5 great Ordnance and any 3 Horses they should choose the Turks to conduct them to Creet with Victuall and shipping which things conceived in writing and by Oath confirmed the Governour requested he might come to see the Bassa and deliver him the keyes of the City Leave granted himself with Baleonius Andrew Bragadine Theupolus Earl of Paphos Quirinus Martinengus with many other Captains came into the Camp delivering their weapons before they entred the Bassaes Pavilion who at first entertained them courteously extolling their valour and courage saying He was glad to know them by face whose valiant minds before he knew by their most valiant deeds but after a long discourse the false Bassa complained that some of his men taken at the siege had been against all reason and order slain which they utterly denying he started up as in a rage urging the fact commanding them to be cast into bonds brought them forth and in sight of the Army caused them to be slain Bragadine and Theupolus were oft commanded to lay down their Heads yet was their execution deferred for a more exquisite punishment and torture for next day Bragadine having his eares cut off was brought forth to be wondred at and dispoiled of Jewels and Attire he was forced to carry baskets of earth to repair the Rampiers as he passed by the proud Bassa insulting to have him kisse the ground at his feet And so buffeted with their fists and spurned with their feet he was asked Whether he hoped Christ would come to help or not whose comly countenance and long beard even in that extream misery added to him a certain grace The Christians could neithis well stay tears nor let them fall fearing the Turks displeasure but the cruel and foresworn Bassa caused that noble and worthy Bragadine to be set in a Chair and his skin to be flain off quick in which horrible torture he was not heard to let fall any unbeseeming word but calling on Gods mercy and detesting the Turks perfidious treachery he breathed out his life the Tyrant setting his Head on a spear on high to be beheld and hanging up his skin stuffed with chaffe at the yards arm so to be carried about 2 dayes after Theupolus first most shamefully entreated was hanged in the market-place of the mean sort of Citizens some he slew chaining some in the Galleys and carrying away the rest into bondage 300 Citizens and Souldiers who came forth with the Governour to see the Camp being there slain one Nestor Martinengus being hidden by an Eunuch of the Bassaes by help of a Greek Fisherman got to Leptis and so to Venice from Creet where he reported to the Duke the whole process of the War and that in 70 dayes there was above 140000 great shot discharged against the City Such chief ones as escaped lived afterwards a banished miserable and vagrant life though some were credibly reported to be well maintained by the Venetian State The Countrey people and Artificers were generally spared This was the fatal ruine of Cyprus sometime a Kingdom and now a Province of the Turkish Empire ãâã Mustapha lay against Famagusta Partau and Haly Bassaes about mid May arrived in Eubaea with 230 Galleys whither divers notable Pirates with galleys resorted to them who departing toward the Rhodes 30 Galleys more adventurers met them then leaving some to lay before Famagusta they June 13. in the Bay of Suda in Creet landed 12000 men This Island now called Candia had once 100 Cities therein as witnesseth amongst others Seneca now only 3 Candia Canea and Retimo It 's 520 miles in circuit fertile Hilly Wherefore the people much delighted in hunting It hath no Navigable River nor venemous beast and is now famous from it's abundance of good Malmesey and great plenty of Cyprus-trees for shipping The Turks ranging up and down burned and spoiled all as they went till Justinianus lately come thither with 100 men and now joyning with the people slew many they being dispersed for prey forcing the rest to retire to their Galleys Next day landing again in great number they burnt divers Towns ransacking Setia and Retimo and carrying away many prisoners but loaded with booty dispersed and fearing nothing Valiant Michael slew 2000 of them ritiring with loss of booty and prisoners to their Galleys Then sailing to Cythera Zante and Cephalenia besides other harms they carried away captive 6000 Christians Thence coming to Suppolo before taken from the Turks they now recovered it Then coming to Dulsigno which the Turks besieged by Land because it 's Governour and of Antivari another Venetian-Town agreed with 300 Epirots to stir up a Rebellion and revolt to the Venetians who promised them 6000 Souldiers to make head They raising most of Epirus in Arms one Company of the Italians was at first sent them but vainly expecting the promised ayd being hardly beset they yielded to the mercy of Achmetes Bassa Lieutenant of Greece coming thither with 80000 Turks They of Dulsigno hardly beset by sea and Land delivered the Town to Partau upon safe departure The Governour and Garrison being in 4 ships conveyed to Ragusium promise being kept with the Citizens after the Turkish manner They took also Buda and Antivari which though strong and a good Garrison in it yet Donatus the Governour no Souldier through fear yielded it to the enemy for which cowardise the Senate confiscated his goods put him out of the Senate and exiled him After this the Turks going into the Bay of Catharo hardly besieged the strong Town so called by sea and Land planting 9 great pieces upon 2 great Bulwarks but the Defendants by a resolute salley put them from their Ordnance forcing them to their Galleys Uluzalis Carracossa got leave the while for 10 days with 60 Galleys to spoil the Venetian's Islands there abou ts who coming to assanlt Curzola in the Isle so called Contarenus the Governor fled away by night into Rocks and safer places the Townsmen following not above 20 men 8 women being left who came armed to the walls but while the women with stones fire and weapon swere beating the Turks off with more courage than was in their sex to be expected a great tempest suddenly arising from the North so tossed the Galleys that théy were glad to give over the assault and sailing along they spoiled Lysna Bracia and Lisa small Islands upon Dalmatia's coast carrying away 1600 captives They roaming up down took a ship bound from Messana to Corcyra and in ãâã it found Letters to the Governor certifying him of the late League concluded among the Christian Princes which they sent in post to Selimus Who wrote to his Admiral 's to infest any Dominions of the Confederates The Turks Fleet brought great
content to yield on reasonable conditions ãâã the great Commanders of the Turks would seven times ãâã swear to perform them they willed him to set them down which were that the Cossacks might safely depart with Horses and Armour that they should send him alive and in good safety to Selimus to ãâã his own cause covenanting nothing for the Moldavians whose injury he said tended to the hurt of the Emperour himself and of him that should be Vayuod these ãâã being seven times confirmed by Oath accordingly the Vayuod brought all his Army out of their Trenches taking with heavy heart his last leave of them to their ãâã dividing his money and Jewels among them and disarming himself went onely with one Polonian like a Suppliant to the Turk's Camp talking four houres with the great Commanders till at last Capucius Bassa with his Scimitar struck him a great blow acrosse the face and another acrosse the belly whom yet but half dead the Janizaries took and cut off his Head which was set on a Lance for all to behold they tearing his body to pieces having bound his feet to two Cammels and happy was he that could get any little piece thereof or embrew his Sword in the least drop of his blood The Turks forthwith set upon the Moldavians and slew them down-right whereupon the Cossacks thrusting in among the thickest of the Turks and valiantly fighting were all slain except a few of the better sort Suiercevius being one who were afterwards for great sums redeemed when they could by no meanes be perswaded to turn Turks The Turks over-running all Moldavia put all the Nobility with many Countrey people to the Sword sending great numbers in Colonies into the farthest parts of the Turkish Empire and placing strong Garrisons in the Towns and Castles Thus all Valachia was by Selimus joyned to the Turkish Empire in 1574 opening also thereby a fair and easie way for his Successors to enter into Podolia or Russiayea and into Poland it self Selimus not a little grieved with the losse of the Kingdom of Tunis cast in his minde how to recover the same and thrust the Spaniards out of Guletta Castle of no small moment which with Malta served as two most sure Bulwarks against the Turks and Moores adventures by whose meanes they many times came short home wherefore Selimus having made great preparation commanded Sinan Piall and Uluzales speedily to passe over with his Fleet into Africk to besiege Tunis and Guletta before which they came with 300 Galleys July 13. Other Turks men of Warre from Alexandria Algiers c. ãâã unto them At first they besieged the water-Tower wherein were 800 Souldiers well provided who maintained the place till most were slain by often assaults the rest retiring by Command into the Castle the Turks losing 3000 men in taking of it Then besieging the Castle of Guletta they from divers Mounts most terribly battered it whence the deadly shot was sent again among them not sparingly but after many surious assaults and much harm done on both sides the Turks took the Channel of the Lake of Tunis and to hinder the ãâã relief assaulted them day and night without ceasing yet some Companies sent from the New ãâã got in after which the besieged sallying out Aug. 20 repulsed them with an exceeding slaughter but the Bassaes without ceasing still bringing on fresh Souldiers after a most terrible assault all day about two houres before Sun-set they took the Castle Aug. 23. scarce 200 Souldiers being alive therein who with the other weak people were cut in pieces whatever other wealth the Turks there found they had great store of Victualls Armour Ammunition and 400 Pieces of Ordnance They forthwith laid siege to the new Castle betwixt Guletta and Tunis not yet wholly finished wherein Serbellio and Salazar lay with 4000 good Souldiers Serbellio answering the Bassaes first summons Aug. 24 that he had promised the King his Master to give him a better account of the place and being also very old could not endure the Turks yoak but would hold it out to the last man which by sallies and repulses they truly persormed But the Turks little feeling or regarding the losse of men to gain the place at length Septemb 13th after six houres furious assault with all their force slaying most of the Defendants took it Serbellio shot with two Bullets would have ãâã in the midst of the Turks but by Piall's hasty coming in both he and Salazar were taken alive all the rest were put to the Sword The Bassa in his rage struck Serbellio causing his Son to be murdered in his sight yet the Turks lost above 30000 men in lesse than three moneths space Then they marching to Tunis easily took it overthrowing its Fortifications because it should no more rebel Mahomet the young King being sent with Carrera Captain of Guletta in bonds to Constantinople The Bassaes departing thence came with 400 Sail Octob. 4th within sight of Malta nevertheless they turned aside sailing directly to Constantinople Shortly after Selimns spent with Wine and Women died Decemb. 9th 1574 51 years old reigning eight buried at Hadrianople of a mean Stature heavy disposition his face swollen much like a Drunkard of least valour of the Othoman Kings leaving his Empire to Amurath his eldest Sonne more temperate but not much greater in courage The Life of Amurath the third Sixth Emperour of the Turks SElimus's Death was for fear of the Janizaries concealed by the Bassaes till Amurath speedily advertized thereof arrived at Constantinople out of Asia about 12 dayes after taking possession of the Empire in the Seraglio Decemb. 25 being about 30 or as some 27 years old of a manly Stature pale and corpulent his beard thin and long not of so fierce a countenance as the Othoman Princes being of a peaceable disposition loving justice and in his superstition very zealous reforming the riot and excesse grown by his Fathers ill example by his own and the severe punishment of notorious Drunkards yet he is reported to drink oft plentifully of Wormwood-Wine much subject to the Falling-sickness and sore troubled with the Stone and yielding more to the counsel of his Mother Wife and Sister than of his great Bassaes which many imputed to him for simplicity To appease the murmuring of the Janizaries disappointed of the spoil of the Christians and Jewes he besides the usual largesse augmented their wages and granted their Sons at 20 years old to be enrolled among the younger Janizaries and partake of their immunities whereby he won their favours exceedingly And to rid himself of all competitors he caused his five Brethren Mustapha Solyman Abdulla Osman and Tzihanger to be strangled in his sight Osman and Tzihanger to be strangled in his sight Solyman's Mother overcome with sorrow struck her self to the heart with a Dagger at which Amurath is reported to shed some teares as not delighting in such cruelty but that his State and Government so required At first he
he had not long stayed but newes was brought that Mustapha to whom Amurath had sent 30000 Duckats by 2 Capigi and 2 Chiaus for him to convey to Teflis was revolted from the Turkish Obedience having left that Fortress in manifold danger to yield Ferat exceedingly troubled to know the certainty called for all the Messengers of this misfortune who certainly informing him that Mustapha with the Capigi Chiaus being upon their way with the Treasure guarded with 500 of his Souldiers met with his Cousin Simon who perswaded him to return to his ancient Religion which to the great perill of his soul he had abandoned and to shake off Amuraths service which would yield him but some infamous Captivity and in the end some fraudulent death So that Mustapha had beheaded Amuraths Messengers and dividing the Treasure with Simon had vowed a perpetuall Confederacy laying in wait for succours brought to Teflis Ferat in a fury sware that he would not return to Erzirum till he had put all Mustapha's Country to fire and sword yet first he thought it ãâã to relieve Teflis Wherefore he assigned to Hassan Bassa 40000 Duckats with other provision appointing him 15000 of his most choyse Souldiers to conduct the same who went and came from Teflis in 10 dayes losing but some few men in his many skirmishes with the Georgians After this he sent Resvan Bassa with 6000 Souldiers to spoyl the ãâã of the Rebell Mustapha who over-run all his Territories burnt his Towns and committed most uncouth outrages which extended to the very Trees and carried away much corn and Cattell and so came to Ardacan to the General but Winter approaching they retired to Erzirum whence all the Souldiers were licensed to depart and a memorial sent to Amurath of all actions especially of Hassans good service for which he again Honored him with cloth of Gold a Battel-Axe and guilt Target About this time Amurath in revenge of an outrage by the Cossacks against the Turks whereof he had then newes stayed 4 Podolovians a Pelonian in his return home sent by his King to buy certain Horses in Anatolia with the Great Turks leave and pass all his men 34 in number being slain except one boy who escaped into a Wood himself being beheaded the 24 goodly Horses he bestowed some into his own Stable the rest among the Bassaes who pointed at them with fingers in derision of the Polonian King Novemb. 29 of this year died Itama Chadum the mother of Amurath who layeth buried by her Husband Selimus and his 5 Sons strangled by Amurath Ferat from Erzirum summoned the Souldiers of all the accustomed Cities against next Spring 1584. collecting more Pioneers and Engineers then ever had bin in these Wars before and gave it out that he would do great matters at Nasivan whereat the Persians cast many things in their heads but especially the King who began to fear they would this year pass to Tauris or at least to Nasivan and build new Fortresses to the great danger of the Persian Empire Wherefore retaining his Forces brought from Heri and commanding as many more as he could to follow him to Tauris his comming thither with so great an Army made the world expect great matters would be done by him against the Turks so that Ferat advertised Amurath that his desire was to go to Nasivan and build Fortresses there but the Persian King being come to Tauris with a huge Army and resolved to encounter him he thought it his duty not so to do without his express command Amurath wrote back he should not go to Nasivan but assure the passage to Tomanis and Lori that so the Fort of Teflis might next year be relieved by some small Band. Ferat kept this secret to himself encreasing the rumor of his going to Nasivan more and more that so deluding the Persians he might with less danger build the Forts intended for assuring those passages upon which resolution he removed with his Army from Erzirum towards Chars where he stayed ten dayes to take a new survey of his Souldiers and provision So setting forward towards Lori he sent Hafsan before him with 5000 Light-Horsmen to scour the Country and learn what he could of the Enemie's purposes and the state of Georgia which Hassan did even to Tamanis without meeting with any more then certain Robbers upon the high-Way whom he slew setting their Heads on the tops of their Lances and so returned recounting all that had happened in his excursion Ferat encamping at Lori which sometime belonged to Simon seized upon the High Castle there enclosed with very deep Ditches and a thick Wall almost a mile about which he repairing placed thereon Ali Bassa of Greece with 7000 Souldiers and 200 small pieces of Ordnance and so departed toward Tomanis commanding Ali at some fit time to fortifie the Castle Saitan about ten miles off with a convenient Garrison and Artillery The General made 4 dayes work of going from Lori to Tomanis being ordinarily but one to take the spoyl of those rich Fields of Corn Cattel and Fruit. At Tomanis was a Castle of Simons but now by him abandoned after many discourses where to erect their Fortress they concluded not to fortifie in that Castle as being too far from the Strait but to fortifie upon the very mouth of the Strait So marching forward at the very entrance of the narrow-passage they found the ruines of another steep Castle so compassed round with a thick Wood that their Ordnance could not avail them to whom the defence thereof should be committed Wherefore Ferat commanded every man to lay his hand to cut down that Wood the receptacle of a 1000 dangerous Treacheries which was done in a very short space the plot of the old Castle was encompassed with a Wall of 17000 yards in the midst whereof was erected strong Lodgings and Chambers and 200 pieces of Ordnance distributed upon the Walls Then Ferat sent Resvan and the Bassa Charaemit with 20000 choyse Souldiers with succours to Teflis who in one day arriving at the Fort with their supplies substituted one Bagli in the Governours room Whilst Resvan lay at Simon 's Brother who at the coming of Mustapha had fled out of Teflis came with all his Family offering himself a Subject and Vassall to Amurath whom Resvan entertained with great promises and large assurances Simon ãâã newes that Ferat had sent Resvan with a far less number to Teflis then indeed he had without delay with but 4000 partly of his own and partly of Manucchiars subjects went against him but the while Ferat fearing the worst had dispatched away 2 Bassaes with 10000 Souldiers at all adventures to make Resvan the stronger Simon found Resvan encamped with 6000 at the foot of a Hill the rest of his Army laying behind it And charging upon him those behind the Hill were ready also to receive him who now repented himself of his rash assault but since he could not but encrease
thither he found all quiet again so that his presence was for a peace-making amongst them rather then for prosecuting any further Warre which for want of money and exceeding scarcity of Victuals was then most necessary for the Turks to be avoided Now the Persian Prince retired toward his Fathers Camp where the rest of his Army was arrived being about 40000 of whom he dispatched away 8000 Souldiers of Heri under the conduct of traiterous Aliculi and part also of the Turkomans under Emanguli Chan with special charge that they should in places of most advantage meet the Enemy and do him what mischief they could thinking hereby to weaken his forces and so at their arrival at Tauris with all his power utterly to destroy them Both these Captains made shew of all affection to accomplish his Command but Aliculi after their departure alledged many forced reasons why they should surcease from meeting the Turks and Emanguli as yet ignorant of the treachery of Aliculi was mis-lead by him also by which negligence Ferat took leisure without any hindrance at all to arrive at Tauris and put succours into the Fort at which time the Prince had got knowledge of the treachery of Aliculi and of the designs contrived by many Sultans for betraying him alive into the hands of Ferat so that he quite abandoned this noble Enterprize as not daring to trust himself to perform his determined Battels and imployed all his study for the safegard of his own person who pursued Aliculi and his complices as Rebels and Traitors and Abas Mirize of Heri was discovered for a contriver of his Brother's death whereby the common mischiefs were increased more then ever and yielded greater hopes to the Turks then they ever had in all these Warres Ferat having thus relieved the Fort returned towards Erzirum having first erected a Fort at Curchive-Tauris near to Tauris and two others at Coy and Cum leaving in them all convenient Garrisons with all things necessary he sent also succours to Teflis which they had long expected and now most ãâã received but the Persian Prince having hunred Aliculi out of the Quarters of Tauris thought he was now delivered from the great fear of his life wherefore he journied in haste towards Genge where having collected a good number of Souldiers he determined to remove to intercept the Succours that were to be brought to Teflis He had alwayes found Emanguli to be both faithful and wise putting confidence in him for performing any enterprise and communicated unto him all his ãâã wherefore he joyned with him and lodging in his City he stayed there to set in order and dispose of his aforesaid designment which when he was even at the farthest to put in execution and least of all feared any treachery he was suddenly in the night as he slept upon a Paller struck by an Eunuch of his that attended on him and so the most bright lustre that ever shined in Persia was extinguished some think that his ãâã Abas of Heri had now by money and gifts induced the Eunuch thereunto others deemed it not to be done without his Fathers privity as most desirous to prefer Abas Miriz to the Kingdom divers others do diversly reason of the matter wherefore we leave the certainty thereof with the further process of the Persian State to the further discovery of time For all the League betwixt the Emperor Rodolph the second and Amurath many sharp skirmishes oft fell out betwixt the Christians and Turks upon their frontiers especially in Hungary Croatia and Stiria And in December 1586 the Turks making an inroad into the borders of Croatia received a notable overthrow by the Christians though much fewer where amongst others the Bassa of Bosna with his Brother reported to have been the Sonnes of Muhamet the great Visier by Amuraths Sister was slain whose head with certain prisoners was sent to Vienna to ãâã arch Duke of Austria the Emperours Brother Amurath divers years after did no great matter worth remembrance contented it seemes with what he had already got from the Persians and holding his League in some reasonable sort with the Christians yet many a bloody broil tending at last even to the breach of the League passed betwixt them which we will briefly set down In February 1587 the Christians provoked by the Turks outrages surprized the Castle of Coppan in Hungary not farre from the Lake of Babylon then frozen in which there was three Sanzacks and about 1000 Turks of whom 190 of the better sort with 70 Women besides some of the meaner sort fell into their hands the rest saving themselves by flight or creeping into corners 100 serviceable Horses were taken also and a booty reckoned worth 40000 Duckats Alis Sanzack of Coppan was taken and afterwards presented to the Emperour another was smoothered in a vault standing in his defence the third escaped by flight but was the same year taken with divers others For Aug. the 8th following four Turkish Commanders in Hungary the Bassa of Ziget the Sanzacks of Mohas and Quinque Ecclesiae and the new Sanzack of Coppan with 5000 Souldiers brake into the Christian Borders distroying 17 Villages about Limbath and carrying away all the Countrey people with the ãâã therefe wherefore George Serinus Sonne to that most valiant Serinus slain at Ziget Governour of Chanina speedily raised such forces as he could out of his Territory and calling unto his Ayd the Count Nadasty the Lord Bathian and some others that had the chargeof those frontiers took the strait passages whereby the Turks must needs return amongst the Marshes who being in the break of day hardly charged by them about a mile from Chanina were at length put to flight with such a slaughter that many yielded up their Scimitars crying for mercy others fled back into the Woods and many running into the Marshes perished or stuck fast in the deep mud crying for mercy and help of their Enemies the Sanzack of Quinque Ecclesiae Son to Haly Bassa slain in the Battel of Lepanto was taken the Sanzack of Mohas stuck fast with his Horse in the Marsh and being shot through the head dyed the Bassa of Ziget with the new Sanzack of Coppan seeing all lost fled away betimes but he of Coppan was next night after taken with others wandring in the Woods the Bassa of Ziget with great hunger and grief came on foot seven dayes after to Bresansa 1300 Turks were taken of whom many died of wounds about 2000 were slain and perished in the Marshes and Woods above 1500 Horses being takeÅ all the Prey with their Captives was again recovered there was but 1500 Foot and 500 Horse that performed this service eleven being slain but most of them wounded 400 heads of the slain Turks were carried for a shew to Canisia with 500 prisoners the Christians and Countrey people hunting after the Turks fled into the Woods found a great number divers also seeing no meanes to escape came forth
more oppressed by the insolent Turks he as he had promised called an assembly of all his States to consult what were best to be dene for remedy of such evils and preventing of greater not causlesly to be feared Where they all agreed rather to joyn with the Christian Princes than longer to endure the Turkish yoake Whereupon the Vayuod taking 2000 Hungarian Garrison-Souldiers secretly laid upon his Frontiers for that end and calling on the Name of Christ Jesus in one day slew about 2000 Janizaries who without his leave had seated themselves in Valachia with all other insolent Turks and traiterous Jewes he could come by in the open Country And to drive them out of their strong Holds also he within 14 dayes after set upon Dziurdzowa a great Turkish Town upon the Bank of Danubius which he burnt all but the Castle and having made great slaughter he returned to his chief Seat Bucaresta loaded with spoil But ere long he perceived the Turks in revenge thereof to seek his life though he seemed onely enforced thereto through the Turks insolence for the same Month a Turkish Emir or Lord descended of the Family of their false Prophet and then Cadilescher with 200 choyse Souldiers 50 of Amuraths Chamber and many Zanzii and Spahi suddenly came to Bucaresta under colour of refreshing themselves after long travel where they committed all kind of outrages demanded of Michael then at his Pallace without the City without any defence 1000 Florens for a Present with provision for his followers and the Emir hearing he was almost alone went on foot out of the City with 1000 Souldiers as if in courtesie to have seen the Vayuod who got him away betimes into the Camp of his Hungarians fast by the Turk deceived of his hope sent ãâã to know of him Why in time of peace he entertained so many Hungarian Souldiers Who cunningly answered They were first entertained to take Peter the Son of Alexander sometime Palatine of Moldavia who though he were apprehended and hanged on a Hook at Constantinople yet they were still there to be billeted till their pay could be provided The Turk commanded him forthwith to discharge them promising next day to lend him a Tunn of Gold to pay them Which feigned promise he seemed thankfully to take yet commanded them to stand ready to intercept the Turks if by him distressed they should flee He the while with his Courtiers and Souldiers secretly assembled came and unexpectedly encompassed the Turks Innes where they lay and firing them in 5 places notably forced them with fire sword yet the Turks for a while valiantly defended ãâã sought by force to escape thorow the midst of their Eenmies yea many tearing off their burning cloaths fought stark naked but most that could fled to the Emirs Palace there with him to die or live but the Vayuod with two great pieces opening a way for his Souldiers unto them the Emir now in despair threw out of a Window a great Chest of Gold and Jewels and precious Stones to appease his wrath humbly requesting but to have his life spared promising a large ransom for himself and those few yet alive with him Howbeit Michael commanded all those his enemies now in his power to be slain they having a wondrous rich spoyl though much more was lost in the fire and so giving God thanks rested a while in quiet Yet in less than a Month he sent Kirall his Lievtenant with an Army to Phloch a great unwalled Town on the further side of Danubius Whence the Turks oft passing over that frozen River had done great harm in Valachia which he suddenly surprizing sacked it and slew all the Inhabitants that were not sled And shortly after he marching over the Frozen-River to surprize Hersowa a walled City was greatly encountred by the Turks upon the Ice who having slain many and put the rest to flight he went and took that rich City which he rifled and burnt to the ground except the Castle which was valiantly defended and so returned over the River to refresh his Souldiers weary with labour and extremity of Winter-weather and within 6 days after having on the other side of the River overthrown the Turks Garrisons he took Sibistra a great City of Macedonia the Seat of a Zanzack and inhabited with rich Merchants which he ransacked and slaying most of the Inhabitants burnt it down to the grief and terrour of the Turks But Amurath vexed with the Stone and attainted with the Falling-sickness and tormented with the Janizaries insolency and revolt of the 3 said Countries departed this life Jan. 28. 1595. being 51 or 52 yeares old raigning 19 At his death arose a most sudden and terrible tempest at Constantinople his dead body being with great pomp buried in a Moschie which he before built The Life of Mahomet the third seventh Emperour of the Turks Amurath's death was with wondrous secresie concealed both for fear of the Janizaries and also because the people distrusting the fierce nature of ãâã the eldest Son were better affected to Amurath the younger more mild and courteous Ten dayes after came Mahomet in Post from Amasia to Constantinople where by the great Bassaes and other mighty Favorites he was saluted Emperour which done he invited all his Brethren to a Feast in the Court whereto they ignorant of their Father's death chearfully came and were all by his command strangled and the same day as is reported he caused ten of his Fathers Wives Concubines by whom Issue was to be feared to be drowned in the Sea The Janizaries and other Court-souldiers not before acquainted with Amurath's death nor of the choyce of Mahomet without their privity and offended to be disappointed of the spoils which they reckoned due to them in the Vacancy rose in a rage and made such spoil in the Imperial City as greater could not well have bin had no Emperour been chosen and were even ready to have ãâã the Court and to have violated Mahomets person in revenge of his cruelty on his Brethren Fathers Wives which they easily excuse by the name of State-policy Mahomet called to him some of the chief of these seditious seeking by fair perswasions and large promises to win them to him thereby to appease the rest but to little or no purpose till the Bassaes themselves with their followers with many fair perswasions grievous threats firm promise of a general pardon with much ado appeased the ãâã yet kept all the streets with strong watch ward A new Tent was now commanded by Mahomet to be set up before the Temple of Sophia in which on the right hand was placed his Fathers dead body and on the left the bodies of his 19 strangled Brethren as a Spectacle for the people who all ere long were with their Father buried with great solemnity and Mahomet about 29 years old was proclaimed great Emperour of The Turks and L. of all from the rising of the Sun
to flight and all the booty recovered Then also an Imperiall Colonel inroading about Alba-regalis with 1500 Horse slew 600 Turks and Tartars and took divers of their Captains 6000 other Tartars also now returning homewards out of Hungary were so set upon by the Cossacks near the Black-sea that many being slain the rest ran into the Sea leaving all their prey to their Enemies In the heat of these broils Lord Palfi died in his Castle of Biberpurg March 23. to the great grief of many chiefly the Hungarians his Countrymen the Emperour appointing Lord Swartzenburg Governour of Strigonium in his stead the fame still running that Ibraim would come thither with a great Army if the peace went not forward which was less and less hoped for by reason of his proud demands But while these and such like troubles passed in divers parts of Hungary 1200 French and Walloons in Garrison at Pappa mutined for want of pay Wherefore the chief Commanders thought good to have them removed but they knowing themselves too strong for the rest of the Garrison first resolved to thrust their own Captains out of the Town then laying hands on Marotti the pay-Master and other Hungarian and Dutch Commanders Souldiers disarmed them casting Marotti the Captains and some of the better sort of Souldiers into Irons exacting of the rest in number about 1000 1000 Duckats else threatning to deliver them up to the Turks and though Marotti offered 1800 Duckats for his own liberty they spoiled him and the rest of all furnishing the Turks their prisoners with their Apparel and Weapons and sending them away to Alba regalis and afterwards rifled every mans House compacting also with the Turks of Alba regalis and Buda for the pay which they said the Emperour owed them to deliver them the Town and promised if Swartzenburg came as he was to come with mony to the Town to deliver him and it into their hands or for more surety they might intercept him at the passage Zesnegkh whereby he must come and for their more credit they sent an Ensign to them to Alba-regalis who for all that did not altogether believe them yet they sent them 2 Chiaus as Hostages for whom they sent 2 other of the better sort of them concluding that June 25. at furthest the mony should be paid and the Town delivered June 10th Swartzenburg with 2000 Horse and Foot came within 2 miles of Pappa sending 24 Horsmen to disswade them from yielding the Town to the Turks telling them they should shortly have their pay who sent them back shamefully derided so that Swartzenburg retired again to Rab till some greater strength were come unto him Immediatly after Dr. Petzen Counsellour for the Wars was by Matthias conducted to Pappa with 400 Horse to see if by his discretion he could disswade them from their purpose whom they both refused to hear though he spake most kindly and also threatned to shoot him if he did not forthwith depart Shortly after 20 Hungarians imprisoned in a Cellar brake out and came to Rab telling them the French and Walloons were at variance about the yielding up Pappa So that they in the Castle and Town shot at each other and that they had already received ãâã Duckats with some Victuals and were shortly to receive the rest of the mony from the Turks and so to deliver up the Town Wherefore Swartzenburg Jun. 22. sent Lo. Sharpsenstein a French Col. with 3000 Souldiers some Petards and many scaling-Ladders towards Pappa whom they suffered peaceably to enter June 24. encouraging them to come on calling them Countrymen Brethren and shaking them by the hands telling them They desired but assurance of their pay but having received in so many as they thought good they shut the rest out cutting these all in pieces and then in derision called upon the High Dutch to come on Likewise 300 of these Rebels had then laid themselves in Ambush by a Mill without the Town were charged by the Walloons and Haiducks discovering them yet for the shot from the Town they could do no good upon them but retired having lost 300 men the Lievt Generall and the chief Engineer being 2 of them About 3 dayes after 3 of these Rebels being by chance taken and brought to Rab were not only apparrelled but trimmed like Turks their fellows also imitating the Turks fashions in Apparel and manner of service yet would they not yield the Town to the Turks before they had the full sum agreed on the Bassa of Bosna being commanded in haste to provide it and receive the Town but they received into the Town a Turkish Ensign with some Wagons of Victuals so strongly convoyed that the Imperialls durst not meddle therewith in which Wagons they sent in bonds 600 Hungarians and Dutch Men Women and Children to Alba Regalis whereof they were glad hoping to finde more favour at the Turks hands than they had with these renegate Christians Shortly after they sent Messengers to the Governour of Alba to know his full resolution who conducted by Turks of great account were by the way taken by the free Haiducks with 100 Turks more Marotti the while by Letters secretly advertised Swartzenburg of a place whereby he might easily enter and the rather for that the Rebels were at variance who July 12th came to Pappa with 9000 Horse and Foot but disappointed of entrance yet hardly belayed the Town on whom the mutiniers sallying out valiantly encountred them but were still without any notable losse beaten back again In one of their sallies a Captain was taken who was slain quick and his Head and Skin set upon a Pike for his fellows to behold But Swartzenburg more and more prevailing they sent secretly to the Turks for ayd whereof he hearing sent for three Regiments more to come to him whereby he well strengthned and approacling nearer took the Mill whereby the Rebels thought the more easily to have received ayd from the Turks who were letted to relieve them by the rising of the water that had spoiled all the Provision at the Bridge of Esseg and also hindered their march The Imperials at last came even to the Town-ditches with their Trenches having let out the water where some Townsmen escaping out declared that the mutinous within laboured day and night to fortifie the Town but were much letted by continual assaults also that now they had no Victuals left but a little Salt and sixty Horse of which they had begun to eat c. July 29 they desperately sallied out upon the Trenches of a Dutch Captain slaying many of his Souldiers being drunk and driving out the rest whereupon Lord Swartzenburg hastning thither to the rescue was with a Musquet shot struck in the Head and slain which the Rebeis knowing of Dela Mota their General gave the salliers 1000 Dollars in reward His dead body was honourably interred at Rab. The like salley they made next day slaying 130 Imperials and taking some and in their retiring
cryed aloud that when they lacked meat rather than yield they would eat Christians of whom Marotti should be the first The Government of the Army was now committed to the Lord Redern both valiant and learned who though very sickly came to the Camp Aug. 8th where hearing that the Rebels brought to great extremity purposed by night to flee kept a more vigilant and strong Watch next night about two houres before day they began to issue out and were suffered to go out as unperceived but Nadasti the Earl of Thurne and Count Solmes were presently sent after them who in three places overtaking them near the great Wood Packem slew most of them Dela Mota being slain by Solmes because he would not yield and his Head presented to the Generall The Hussars found out 200 Walloons in the Wood who though they made strong resistance a while yet at last were forced to yield The Hussars also upon another passage light upon 200 more of them who because they were more desperate than the rest the General sent ãâã Horse more upon them so that they were allmost all slain divers also were slain in coming forth and in Marshes about the Town Motta's Lievtenant and other chief Commanders were by Lo Redern delivered to the Provost Martiall dividing the rest at the Souldiers Request into divers parts of the Army to be executed from whom they could there scarce hold their hands But being brought to Rab and leave given to do what they would with them they impaled some brake some upon the Wheel cutting off some of their skins as it were into thongs so powring into the wounds Vinegar Salt and Pepper of some they cut off their privities some they roasted putting some upon the Tenalia on some they dropped molten pitch then burnt them to death with Gunpowder hanging others on Iron-hooks some they set in the ground up to the Chin bowling at their Heads with Iron Bullets the ãâã nothing but deriding them in all these torments the wretches the while confessing the hainousness of their offence and craving for death as a favour Whilest some were tortured others were brought to see the same misery to be by them endured One Peter Orsy caused one of these mutiniers to be sowed up in a Mare 's Belly with his Head hanging out and so to be roasted in which torment he lived 3 houres then was the loathsom body so roasted given to others starving upon the Wheel to eat At this time also many a hot and bloudy skirmish passed betwixt the Christians and Turks in one place or other of Hungary Amongst the rest one Horbath ãâã Lievtenant with 150 men and Thussi going to seek for booty Thussi hearing the Turks were abroad to surprize certain Haiducks stayed fast in a secret place Horbath going on another way now the Bassa of Sigeth by chance met with Horbath overthrowing him and slaying most of his men Horbath hardly escaping But Thussi hearing this skirmish and hasting thither found the Bassa in the Field on foot viewing the slain upon whom he came so suddenly and forcibly that the Bassa had much adoe disorderly to take Horse and without much resistance to ãâã whom the Hungarians fiercely pursuing slew many Turks and the Bassa himself whose Head Horbath sent to Serinus who by Thussi himself sent it to Matthias This Bassa about 36 years old was for his strength valour and experience of a common Souldier made a Bassa whose Head being shewn to the Bassa of Buda a prisoner at Vienna he demanded whether he knew it or not sighing answered he knew it well to be the Bassa of Sigeth his Head a braver man than whom the Sultan had not in all his Empire earnestly desiring to know how he was slain and ere long a great party out of Strigonium and other places having taken a great booty from the Turks at a Fair at Gombar and thinking to passe Danubius in hope of a greater 700 of them being passed over were by the new Bassa of Sigeth with 5000 Turks overthrown yet was the Bassa himself with two ãâã and 500 Turks slain and but 50 Christians left dead upon the place the rest disorderly retiring to their Boats being most drowned The free Haiducks also surprizing and firing Jula the Turks fleeing into the Castle for haste thrust so many from the Bridge into the Castle-ditch that one might have gone dry-foot over upon the bodies of the drowned They took there also 600 prisoners with much booty delivering 200 Christian Captives and though they were hardly pursued by other Turks yet they safely retired with their booty But Cardinal Bator being overthrown and slain and Transilvania reduced to the Emperour's obedience the Vayuod of Valachia forthwith certified him of all his proceedings and success also of his purpose to invade ãâã for it was commonly reported and believed that Sigismund ayded by Turks Tartars ãâã and Moldavians would now attempt some greater matter for recovery of Transilvania for divers of his Spics also being taken besides his Letters found about them to the Nobility and States perswading them to revolt from the Vayuod unto him who meant shortly to come with a great Army to repulse him confessed that Sigismund had been in Transilvania disguised to confer with divers friends about it The Emperour honourably receiving the Vayuods Embassadors confirmed unto him the Government of Transilvania sending him also divers Presents yet forbidding him to invade Moldavia for fear of raising a new and dangerous War against the Polonians also wherefore the Vayuods stayed his intended expedition yet he sent some good forces to the Frontiers of Moldavia for fear of Sigismund whom he heard even then to lay upon the same After a few moneths Husraim Aga with five other eminent Turks came to Cronsta where the Vayuod then lay as Embassadors from Mahomet with a great Retinue whom he with 4000 brave Horsemen went half a mile to meet the Foot standing on both sides of the street from the Gate of the City whereby they were to enter even to the Vayuods Lodging where stood his Guard in red and white silk So meeting they both alighted saluting each other the Embassador presently embracing the Vayuod ungirt his Scimitar and in the Sultans name put another about him most richly garnished with Gold and precious Stones He also presented him with a fair Plume of black Hearnes feathers mixt with some white which he would not put upon his Head in the Field though he most earnestly requested him causing it to be carried before him also with two very fair red ãâã likewise he gave him two exceeding faire Horses richly furnished with four others and a most fair Faulcon The Vayuod had 10 very fair spare-Horses led before him at whose entrance all the great Ordnance was discharged with great vollies of small shot so the Embassador riding on his left hand being brought to his Lodging six of his chief followers were presented with six rich Robes of Cloth
turned almost all their care and Forces unto that side of the City which he had battered He appointed Lord Rusworme to prove if those Zigeth-Suburbs were not to be surprized which being taken the City could not long hold out For undertaking of which enterprize he was by the captive Turks and Country people much discouraged who nevertheless sent certain of his men to try the Lake who brought word that it was undoubtedly though with much difficulty to be passed Whereupon he with 1000 select Souldiers with every one a good Faggot on his back beside his Arms to fill up the deepest of the Marsh by night entered it wherein he had not gone far but he found it much deeper and more troublesome than his Spies had reported but carried with an invincible courage these adventurous men going still up in Water and mud unto the waste where 't was shallowest where also if one missed but a step he was over head and eares and in danger of drowning if he were not by his fellowes presently holden They at length got over but with the loss of six or seven men a little before day Whereof the Duke being advertised by a sign with greater stir than at any time before assailed that side of the City where he lay and in the mean time ãâã with Ladders provided sealed the Walls on th' other side and almost unperceived recovered the top thereof and so being got into the Suburbs with a terrible cry assailed the Turks who not well knowing which way to turn without great resistance fled into the City the Christians following them with a great slaughter in which so great confusion the Duke took the rest of the Suburbs the Turks there also for feare forsaking them and retiring with all haste into the City The Christians besides other rich prey here took 14 great pieces with good store of shot and powder The Duke now again summoned the City whereunto the Turks gave no answer but by their pieces whereat the Duke much displeased sent them word he would send them other manner of Messengers to morrow and by Gods help sup with them in the City though unwelcome So next day having made two fair Breaches into the City he with great slaughter of the Enemy entered the same though the Turks cast downe upon the Christians Darts Wild-fire c. But seeing they must needs now give place they fled amain into their Houses there to defend themselves or die many whereof they had so undermined that they could easily overthrow them and as many as should come within danger of them so that the Temple-pallace with many other sumptuous buildings were left all rent and torn yet the Bassa upon promise of life yielded himself and was sent to the Camp the rest of the Souldiers being all or most of them put to the Sword The Walloons breaking by heaps into the richest Houses both took what themselves lighted on and stript the Germans of what they had gotten yea they opened the Tombs of the Hungarian Kings to spoyl the dead of such things as were for honours-fake long before enterred with them shewing themselves therein more barbarous than the Turks The Bassa of Buda then laying a prisoner at Vieuna hearing of the taking of this City fasted with his 2 servants a whole day prostrate on his face and praying to his Prophet Mahomet who had as he said all this year been angry with the Turks Now Hassan the Turkish Generall was comming to relieve Alba-regalis and though he heard by the way that the City was won yet taking with him the Bassa of Buda with the other Commanders thereabouts and having formed an Army of about 60000 but most raw Souldiers he held on his way thitherwards both to give some content to his angry Lord and hoping to overthow the Christian Army or at least to regain the City as yet unrepaired But the Duke had presently repaired the Breaches and put therein a strong Garrison of expert Souldiers and being himself about 20000 strong set forward to meet the Bassa beginning a hot and bloudy skirmish with him yet the Bassa next day sent away part of his Army to prove if the City might be recovered himself the mean while offering the Christians battel so to busie them But the Duke informed of the basenesse of the Bassa's Souldiers although he were in number far above him went out and encountred him and at the first onset disordering his foremost Squadrons sorced the Turks to retire with the loss of 6000 men among whom were the Bassa of Buda 6 Zanzacks and divers others of good place and note The Duke also took from them divers Ordnance and had not a great squadron of Tartars appeared at his back he had undoubtedly overthrown all the Bassa's Army but now contenting himself with the Victory already gotten he retired orderly into his Trenches having not lost above 300 men Whilst both Armies thus lay supplies repairing unto them and expecting a day of generall battel the Janizaries still murmuring that it was now no time of the year to keep the field enforced the Bassa to retire to Buda and disband his Army in which retreat many were by the Christians cut off in the Rear and many taken 50 being of the French mutineers of Pappa whom Matthias at the instance of Duke Mercurie pardoned They also who were sent to attempt Alba-regalis were so welcomed with shot and charged with often sallies that despairing to prevail they returned to the Bassa that sent them About the time that the Duke began to besiege Alba-regalis Ferdinand the Arch-Duke now 30000 strong by the advise of the Duke of Mantua his Lievt Gen. resolved to besiege Canisia the recovery whereof much concerned even Italy it self Whereupon he came and encamped before it Septemb. 10. And although the Turks in Garrison not past a 1000 with their often and gallant sallies much troubled the Christians and that other bands of the Turks came many times out of the strong Holds thereabouts to skirmish with them and to see if they could put any more Souldiers into the Town yet both in the one place and the other The Turks were to their cost still repulsed and put to flight losing also some small Castles and Forts The Christians found means to dry the Marsh a little that invironed the Town and to fill it up on one side and to come so near the Town that having planted 3 tire of Artillery against it they began furiously to batter it Yea at length they approached so nigh that they came with their Trenches even close to the Town-ditch perswading the Turks now whilst they might upon good conditions to yield and so save their Lives But they braving the Christians said They would keep the place for the Sultan in despight of all their Forces Whereupon it was resolved to give a general assault In the mean time the news of the winning of Alba-Regalis caused great Joy and Triumph in the Camp the Christians
also by fit men perswaded the Souldiers in Canisia to yield and not cast themselves into such danger as had their fellowes at Alba-regalis c. Whereunto they among whom the Renegate Walloons were chief contemptuously answered They little feared such weak Assailants scornfully commanding the Messengers to depart and oft-times discharging their great Ordnance as had the Christians in triumph the day before Now though the Walls were sore shaken and the Breaches almost laid open yet was the assault for a while delayed till Bridges might be made to be laid over the Ditch but all things now ready and the Florentines with some other Italians according to Lot comming forward the Bridge was found both too short and weak for them to get over by so that sinking under them both Souldiers and Commanders as ãâã were in great danger Where by and by the Enemies flanking murdering-pieces and their Musquetiers afront they were forced to retire 300 being slain Yet were not the Christian-Commanders at all discouraged but began to provide against the violence of the Winter-weather as also to hinder any Victuals from being brought to the Town And although already Horse flesh was dainty Chear with the Defendants yet they being again required to yield instead of answering them one word shook their Swords afar off at them But for all the Commanders resolution to continue the siege ãâã being a little before dead the Italians began first a few secretly to withdraw but afterwards by great numbers to depart alledging want of pay and ãâã But the rest hearing that the Turks were risen from before Alba-regalis and the rest of their Army disbanded also being informed of the weakness and wants of the besieged began afresh to make new Engines for approaching the Walls without danger of the Enemies flanking-Ordnance at which time also Novemb. 4th Rusworm came to them from Duke Mercury with 8000 Souldiers whereby they were the more encouraged to proceed Neither failed the Turks the while to trouble them by often sallies attempting especially to have fired their Tents but they were still with loss beaten back into the Town But whilst the Turks as it were with desperate hope thus defend the place lo in the latter end of November the raging North-wind accompanied with a deep Snow overthrew most of the Tents and Pavillions of the Christians burying as it were their whole Army in Snow and Ice so that in Ferdinands Camp were 1500 men with 300 Horses starved and frozen to death But those that came with Rusworm being wearied with the siege of Alba-regalis and as it were spent with dirty travell had not brought with them their Tents c. were enforced to lay abroad with whose miseries though their Generall was much grieved yet he with them right patiently endured Hereupon the Commanders thought it better to rise in time than longer to expose their Army to most certain destruction either of the Enemy or Cold which was done with such haste and confused tumult that they left behind them their great Ordnance with Tents and Baggage a common voice running they were well if they could but save themselves so that the Souldiers in fear to be pursued fled but accompanied with such Winds Snow and extream cold that many of them fell down frozen and never rose more not being to ãâã help from others every man having enough to do to look to himself so that upon the way lay 500 dead of cold besides 400 left sick in the Trenches who were thought afterwards to have bin put to the Sword by them of Canisia But Michael the Vayuod of Valachia not knowing well which way to turn himself thought it best now at last to submit to the Emperour if so at leastwise he might recover his Government in ãâã so Jan. 23. he arrived at ãâã with 35 followers and 6 Coaches where he was honourably received and his cost at the Emperours charge defrayed unto whom he excusing his severity used in Transilvania as enforced thereto by their stubbornness c. his excuse was admitted and he with all kindness used Now ãâã then laying in Transilvania as aforesaid he without fear one night the Watch being set went to bed where he had not layen long but certain Transilvanian Lords the Chiaki being chief came with their followers and surprizing the Watch entred the Pallace and breaking into his Chamber took him out of his bed and next morning going forth about 12 miles off met with Sigismund their late Prince secretly by them called in with whom they comming to Clausenberg there delivered unto him Basta whom he commanded to be cast into Irons and going to the Pallace gave like order for apprehending and safe keeping other of the Nobility who had taken part with Basta in behalf of the Emperour for one part of the Transilvanians now stood for him another part for Istuan Bator pretending the Soveraignty belonged to him but the third and far greatest part for Sigismund who now by means of the ãâã King reconciled to the Turk was joyfully received in the chief Cities of Transilvania who for the better assuring of his ãâã wrote to the Emperour what had happened requesting him to be content that he was ãâã of his love and favour promising for ever to keep good amity with him telling Basta also whom at the intercession of some great friends he had enlarged that he must forthwith depart his Principality as also to cease from ãâã his people now voluntarily returned to his Obedience The Emperour upon the first advertisement hereof took order with Michael who was troubled for his Wife and Son left as Hostages with Basta but now fallen into the hands of his mortall Enemies that returning speedily into Valachia where the people generally disliked the simple Vayuod set over them by the Polonian Chancellour and collecting what power he could he should joyn with Basta to whom he had sent many Horse and Foot for expulsing of ãâã and reducing Transilvania under his Obedience Michael assembling accordingly about 10000 expert Souldiers went and found Basta in the field with about 20000 Foot and 8000 Horse and so entred into Transilvania with united Forces where the Vayuod in disdain wasted all as he went with fire and sword not without the great discontent of Basta But Sigismund to hinder their further proceeding came from ãâã with his Army to meet them yet he would not come to tryall of a battel with them which they offered but fortified himself in his Trenches expecting the comming of the Tartars from the Chancellour of Poland as also 6000 Turks from the Bassa of Belgrade where hearing that the passage of the Tartars was stayed by ãâã Gonzaga and that the Turks would come no further than Giula without their pay beforehand finding himself too weak he rose purposing to have taken certain Straits whereby the Enemy must pass so by advantage to have holpen his weakness But Basta the Vayuod followed him with such speed that they overtook
Princes Lievtenant not able to endure or hear that the Province should again fall into the hands of the Germans went upon a sudden to assail Basta But he an old and xpert Commander perceiving even his first moving with great speed put his Army in order joyning Battel with him and with the losse of some 500 men overthrew Moyses with his Transilvanians Turks and Tartars slaying above 3000 and putting the rest to flight but Sigismund hearing what his Lievetenant had done went into the Camp to Basta excusing himself as done without his privity and against his will offering to perform whatever was by him to be performed according to the agreement and presently calling forth his Garrisons out of all strong places yet by him holden he surrendred them to Basta and so put himself on his way towards the Emperour after whose departure all that Province without more adoe yielded to Basta as to the Emperour's Lievtenant who calling an Assembly of all the Nobility took of them an Oath for their obedience and Loyalty to the Emperour But the mean while the Valachians not able longer to endure the great insolency of the Turks who after the death of Michael had made one Jeremiah Vayuod there took up Arms and proclaiming one Radoll the Emperours favourite Vayuod chased Jeremiah quite out of the Countrey who fleeing to Simon Palatine of Moldavia by his and the Turks help drave out Radoll again who now being with Basta with about 10000 Valachians earnestly requested him to help him for the recovery of Valachia who considering how much it concerned the quiet of Transilvania to have so near a Province a Friend gave him a great Regiment of approved Souldiers with whom at his entrance into Valachia the Moldavian meeting with a great power of his own and Turks there was fought a most bloudy Battel Radoll carrying away the Victory two Turks Bassaes being slain with a great number of others after which Radoll recovered his Government Shortly after with the same ayd cutting in pieces a great power of Tartars coming to ayd the Moldavians In Hungary the mean while passed many a hot skirmish for the Garrisons of Buda and other places attempting to surprize Alba Regalis were with great slaughter enforced to retire Then also Count ãâã suddenly setting upon 200 Turkish Wagons going to Canisia with Ammunition and Victualls slew and put to flight the Convoy and carried away the laden Wagons And shortly after the free ãâã of ãâã going in a great party towards Buda for booty returning homeward with sixty prisoners and hearing that Ali Governour of Pesth was coming but with a small retinue down the River to Belgrade there to meet the ãâã Bassa they slew all the prisoners and with two small Boats lay in wait for him who coming down accordingly they slew 14 of his 30 followers himself also being shot in two places was taken with a great booty whom they brought to Comara presenting him shortly after to Matthias at Vienna who certainly informing him that Hassan Bassa was coming with a great Army to besiege Alba Regalis presently sent thither Count Isolan the Governour who with much adoe getting into the City the Turks having already taken all passages and being a good Engineer caused all in the City to labour on the Rampiers so that it was soon so fortified that it seemed almost impregnable Ali was sometime the great Turks Butler but after the taking of Agria made Bassa of Buda being after 3 moneths by the envy and ambition of some displaced and made Governour of ãâã who offered for his ransom to the Haiducks 300000 Sultanines and had with him when taken 70000 Duckats Hassan Bassa by the Command of Sultan Mahomet coming to Buda by the way of Belgrade with 150000 men from thence came and encamped before Alba Regalis Aug. 12th where having well entrenched himself and planted his Battery he most terribly and furiously battered the same and because the Moorish and deep Ditches much letted his men from coming to the assault he had them filled up by the number of his Pioniers and so assaulted the Counterscarfe which Isolan had made before the City which assault though it cost him much blood yet the great number of the Turks prevailing the Christians were forced to retire into the City but they soon sallying out slew most of ãâã Turks in the Counterscarfe and forced the other out again whereupon multitudes of Turks came running thither and without regard of their lives desperately still pressing on fell twice as many as before so that the Christians weary and overwhelmed with their shot not without great losse abandoned the place with which skirmishes and divers others he Defendants were greatly diminished to keep a weak City as yet shewing the ruines of the late siege against so puissant an Enemy yet valiant Isolan the Italian not discouraged wrote to Matthias how things stood in the City requesting speedy relief or else it would be endangered many Souldiers being already slain and divers Hungarians daily fleeing to the Turks howbeit promising to do his utmost Whereupon the Arch-Duke ordered Lord Russworm to go to Comara and with such forces as were come thither to go and try if by any meanes they might put into Alba Regalis some fresh Souldiers who accordingly took the Field without delay with 12000 men but whilest by discord betwixt him and the other Colonels about the manner of relieving it the matter was too long delayed the Bassa Aug. 28. continued a general assault all that day and next night with some part of the day following without ceasing so that the Defendants much weakened and they that were left so wearied or wounded as that they could make no longer resistance and the Count himself being carried away dangerously shot in the thigh there was a sign of parley given to the Enemy which being granted some of the chief Commanders going to the Governour put him in minde of the weakness of the place the Enemies force and want of Defendants perswading him they not being relieved by divers reasons to yield the City wherewith he moved came to a parley with the Bassa who was right glad thereof wherein it was soon agreed that the COUNT should yield up the Town to the Bassa with all Warlike Ammunition therein himself with his Garrison with Bag Baggage and Arms safely to be convoyed half way to Rab. Upon the first bruit of this composition whilest the Merchants were seeking for Wagons to carry their Merchandize and the Souldiers for Horses to carry their Baggage the scarceness thereof bred a confusion and stir among the people so whilest some were quarrelling about these things and others were opening the Gates to be gone others were as busie in robbing and pilfering the Baggages of their Captains and Companions which encouraged the rest of the Souldiers to fall to pillage all also which the Souldiers keeping the breaches seeing left their charge and thrust themselves in among these pilferers as
in great fear of this young Achmat who in his behaviour and actions much resembled Mahomet the 2d and like a young Alexander occupied himself in all Exercises of War hating idleness c. So that it was greatly to be feared that he would have brought Christendom under his obeysance He soon put to death divers of his chief Nobles and domestick Servants with one Bassa also who was Governour of Pesth when it was wonne But let us return into Hungary taking Transilvania in our way which sometime renowned and plentifull Province was by civil discord and Rebellion against the Emperour not by ãâã invasion so wasted and spoiled by the Souldiers on all sides that many Inhabitants for want of food fell down dead in the streets and fields miserable wretches alwayes sowing but never reaping labouring but not profiting so that at length the fields lay untilled the Pastures unstored and neglected and all ãâã unmanured and quite out of course so that the poor Peasants having eaten up all the Doggs Cats Mice and ãâã they could get à te dead Horses and other hunger-starved Carrion they report also one man eat another And that at Hermanstat a Woman having six Children they ate each other till all six ãâã devoured and that two men did eat their own Mother yea malefactors hanged were by the hungry people cut down and devoured people generally living onely on roots of Weeds green Herbs and leaves of Trees whereupon all parties agreed a general Assembly of the States to be holden at Dewa where they accorded that all Hostility set a part the Gentlemen of Transilvania having by Rebellion forfeited life and Land should be pardoned their lives with 3 parts of their Lands and that for ready money they might redeem of the ãâã the 4th part also but the moveables of such as died in those troubles and already confiscated should so remain and they to pay their dismes or tenth of their Wine and Fruits to the Emperour and that no exercise of Religion to be permitted them but the Romish onely and that Constat and Clausenberg within three weeks to pay the one twenty thousand Dollars the other eight thousand and their MAGISTRATES to deliver up the Keyes of the Towns with all power into the hands of the EMPEROUR'S Lievtenant and the Gentlemen hereof that would not be accounted as Rebels to take Letters of pardon of the GENERALL which pacification gave some little breathing-time to this poor distressed Countrey whose people in hope began to give themselves to their wonted labours but alas all in vain for the Souldiers enured to prey made havock of all things the causes whereof were the Nobility and Gentlemen who as they took it oppressed by the GERMANES and being rather necessitated than upon any desire to yield to the said pacification still under-hand incited the Souldiers and in what they could troubled the GERMAN'S Government whom they accounted but as strangers which doings BASTA perceiving apprehended three of the greatest Gentlemen suspected to be the Authours of these troubles and mured them fast up betwixt two strong Walls in an old Monastery whose friends coming to visit them and finding them starved to death were much abashed as were their complices when they heard thereof Now the TURKS having provided ALBA REGALIS AGRIA and BUDA of necessaries and put into Agria in four Wagons the pay due to their Garrisons began to scoffe and jest at the CHRISTIANS credulity that they had any purpose to conclude on any thing not agreeing with their profit how farre soever differing from their honour or faith so that they renewed their wonted incursions and pillages in more cruel manner than ever the Hussars on the other side requiting them with the like being as well contented as the Turks with these doings Now eighty Turks going forth for booty met with these Hussars who being too weak fled some being taken and brought to the General who upon examination confessed that the Turks much marvelled at the simplicity folly of the Christians to believe that they were ãâã of peace and not to have discovered their so manifest ãâã ãâã the contrary c. and that young Achmat was alwayes against this Treaty whatever shew by ãâã of the Persian Victorie he made to the contrary aiming ãâã no other mark but the ruine of Christendom The ãâã of Pappa and Vesprinium first began the broils ãâã this ãâã who conjoyning met with a number of ãâã driving Cattel toward Alba Regalis carrying away with the Cattel them prisoners and one night 20 Christians prisoners in Buda cutting the throats of their keepers oppressed with Wine and sleep escaped to Pesth In the mean time Zeffer Bassa supported with the Sultan's Authority and desirous to be revenged with a great Army suddenly entred Bosna overthrowing Zellaly fearing no such matter and chasing him quite out of the Province recovered that Government again But short was his joy thereof for within few dayes after he died The Court-Bassaes loath now to lose such a Souldier as Zellaly who as distressed was shifting for himself or by hard ãâã to deterr the other Asian Rebels from coming in yet unwilling to trust him with so great a Government as Bosna made him Governour of Temeswar and Begedes Bassa before Governour there to succeed Zeffer Bassa But the States of Hungary appointing a generall Meeting at Possonium wherein Matthias was to sit as President to ãâã of meanes to maintain this years Warres as the Arch-Duke was about to enter the City among his Souldiers a sudden fire arose which consumed most part thereof which evil presage and woful Spectacle turned all men from his ãâã ãâã to the ãâã of the raging fire Besides which and the harms then done by the Turks in other parts of Hungary holden by the Christians Col. Althem's Regiment had so spoiled the Countrey where it lay that the people in generall grievously ãâã to the Emperour he caused the Authours of these g eat outrages to be brought prisoners to Vienna where ãâã were beheaded and some hanged and son e other Captains and Lievtenants derying the fact and others justifying what they had done as of extream necessity were for further tryall sent prisoners to Prague amongst whom was Althem's Auncient who had lately slain Neudercy a Gentleman and his fellow in Arms for which he was committed into a very high and strong Tower within the Castle till his Triall who through guilt of conscience and horror of that criminal place one of his Lacquies finding meanes to bring him a long Cord by straining himself out at a little Window whereby ãâã thought almost impossible for any man to get out got safely down and by two good Horses ready for him escaped his Keepers drunk over night being found in the morning yet sleeping Of the other Officers some were beheaded and some hanged the rest at the intercession of great men were pardoned yet so that they should pay their fines and serve the Emperour three moneths of
their own charge a few common Souldiers for terror sake had two fingers of their right hands cut off and then set up by the way side nailed to Gibbets Likewise Col. Meysberg's Regiment mutininging for pay encamped at Sneche about a League from Vienna threatning to destroy the Countrey and kill the chief men if they were not paid whose Captains entereated them and promised them pay but to no purpose yea the Colonel himself in the midst of them with most earnest prayers and hands cast up minded them of their duty and danger but they carried head-long with their fury presently chose another Chieftain under whom they resolved to rifle the Suburbs of Vienna thereby to pay themselves and so drawing near the City the Governours thereof moved resolved by plain force to repress and ãâã them many of whom for all ãâã were even against their wills carried away in this mutinous action as with the violence of a heady River Now besides the Town-Captains with their Companies and other sent-supply divers Burgesses were enforced to enter into this action also two of whom being counted very honest religious men laboured by lively reasons and the word of God to prove that they might not enter into ãâã against their Christian Brethren forced with extremities to forget their duty but Law or Reason cannot be heard among the clattering of Arms so these two men forced to go and much grieved in Conscience ãâã resolved rather to die themselves than to ãâã their hands with the blood of the innocent as they accounted them whereupon one of them oft calling upon the name of Jesus thrust himself thorow with his Sword the other throwing himself into the River and perishing also At last the mutiners being even ready to be charged and that with a stronger power layed down Arms craving pardon of the Arch-Duke who took them to mercy yet with condition of returning to their Garrisons and delivering up the ringleaders to be punished as they were afterwards The Turks the while were ready to take advantage of the Christians dangerous discord Zellaly having plotted the surprisall of Lippa came by night from Temeswar to Lippa with the greatest power he could make ãâã up scaling-Ladders and at the same time labouring to force the Gates and that with a most terrible out-cry being once discovered thereby to dismay the Christians who coming as awaked to the Walls so repulsed the Turks that they retired losing a number of their men on whom the Christians sallying out slew many in their disordered retreat and took many more prisoners yea Zellaly himself was glad he had recovered the Walls of Temeswar Some Turks taken said the Army this year to come into Hungary was like to be very great part thereof being come into Belgrade expecting there the comming of the Tartars and that by reason of the Warres with Persia the Sultan had commanded all able to bear Arms both in ãâã and that part of Hungary subject to him and in adjoyning places ãâã be ready to joyn with his Army in Hungary and that the Persian had overthrown ãâã taken his Son slain almost all his Troops confederated with Caracase chief Rebell in Asia whose great number of valiant men were resolutely set for the troubling of the Sultans estate About this time the Governour of Cassovia going forth with many of his Garrisons to appease the Souldiers in the Country mutinying for their pay shewing them the danger perswading them by the ill success of such actions to return to their duties they contrarily urging payment or leave to depart as not able longer to continue in his few days absence certain Turks ãâã in Cassovia brake their Irons and slew their keepers in hope to escape but being discovered and surprized and by torture examined how they thought to have escaped the Walls being still kept with Sentinels they confessed They intended that night to fire the City in divers places and then to have flain the Sentinels so to escape Whereupon some few were executed the rest more straitly imprisoned looked to than before But at the same time a Souldier of the Garrison of ãâã in the Cittadel there by neglect or mishap ãâã fire into the powder for the Castle 's store blew up the Citadel Towers Houses Walls made this place like another Rome burnt by Nero so that had any Christian Forces bin near they might easily have won the same both for the small resistance in so great astonishment as destruction thereof Now also 200 Turks of Buda sent to fetch in forrage a little from Pesth the Christians there sallied out and charged them in this action who right valiantly defended themselves a while but at length oppressed with number they were most slain and the rest taken so that the Bassa of Buda in his rage threatned to do unto the Christians what harm he could But men warned are half-armed There were the like or worse Calamities in Transilvania extream want of all things sore raging in both Countries so that hardly hath any misery been seen or read of which was not in those 2 Countries to be found and of many felt wherefore Basta had by diligence lately as was declared brought Transilvania into some good terms as was thought yet it proved far otherwise for the Nobility detesting the Germans and their Government rejected the decrees of the late Assembly for concluding of peace so that assisted by the Turks they had took some strong places in the Province appointing a place to meet at where the Turks and they might confer of the means to effect their designes Basta hearing secretly hereof sent many Haidusks to lay in wait for them on the way by which skilfull men in the passages of the Country the Turks and Transilvanians were altogether surprized and slain after which these and other Souldiers destitute of pay furiously fell upon the Province as if they had bin mortall Enemies seizing upon all mens goods in common for that which some few kept from them massacring all in their way chiefly the poor weak innocent people who called and cryed upon the Almighty for remedy of these evils and for revenge of so great and cruell wrongs No man could travell without danger to be spoiled by Theeves for the Haiducks living by prey and roaming up and down spared neither Turks nor Christians so that they hearing the Zecclers were bringing many Waggons laden with Victuals and many Cattle to Claudianople though they were of the same party lay in wait for them against whom they seeking to defend themselves were cruelly massacred and Waggons with the Beeves and other cattel carryediaway But hunger forceth men to all extremities The Famine now was such that the people lived mostly by Roots of Herbs and Weeds c. whereof great mortality ensued which caused Horwat Captain of these Haiducks being reproved for their outrages and charged to take order that no more such were done to answer It was not possible to keep
to take Belgiosa with a purpose to have used him most hardly The Visier Bassa to grace that little he had done this year in Hungary borrowed of Botscay the rest of the Ensigns with Petsie and the other Noble Captives and confidently afterwards had them presented to Sultan Achmat as taken by himself in recompence whereof he left three thousand Turks and Tartars with Botscay to ayd him Basta having set all things in order at Strigonium marched with 14000 men toward Cassovia with purpose to suppress the rebellion in upper Hungary ere it should spread further yet the Rebels being very much increased had took in most of the strong places there the people almost generally favouring their quarrel carrying the face of Religion with suppressing of the Germane Government and hearing that Belgiosa was fled into ãâã Castle they demanded him of Turson the Captain to be deservedly punished promising to do Turson no harm so he would take part with them which if he should refuse yet safely to conduct him whither he would out of his Castle so he would forthwith resolve but otherwise they threatned to spoil his Countrey kill his people raise his Castle and make himself an example howbeit he refused to deliver Belgiosa or accept of any of their offers Wherefore they laboriously repairing the broken way betwixt Cassovia and the Castle brought thence great Ordnance and straitly besieged it whom Turson with his thundring shot so welcomed that receiving great harm they with the greatest part of their Army resolved to go to Presburg to reform it and some other places by the way being perswaded that this Captain so shut up would at length yield of himself But while they lay at this siege some of them went to spoil a religious House there by but they returned almost empty-handed the Priests having for fear of them carried with them all their best substance into the Castle also upon the report of their coming to Presburg almost all the Priests and Jesuites there and thereabouts fled with their substance to VIENNA where they scarce thought themselves safe till six hundred men as a supply were put into that strong City Basta coming and encamping about three miles from Filek followed the Rebels toward Budnock who upon his coming retired from besieging divers strong places who also leaving Budnoc Castle gathered together in great number near Ramosambat intending to fight with Basta who by a Herauld courteously advised them to change their mindes and return to their former allegiance but finding them obstinate he marched forward forcibly charging certain Companies of them who kept the passage of Filek they at first valiantly defended it till oppressed with number and four hundred being slain they were worsted and fled Nemet their Captain being among others taken in flight whom Basta hanging up by the heels a while with the Ensigns he took set up about him had him taken down and beheaded 50 of Basta his men were slain also many more hurt among whom was Collonitz being hurt in his shoulder and foot Basta marching on met with other Companies of Haiducks with whom he had many a hot skirmish for three dayes together so that burning many of his Carriages Tents c. He was very careful how to get out of their hands yet he couragiously both endured their fierce and increasing assaults and also Novemb. 28. charged them again in order of Battel who ãâã a thick mist being not able to perceive their Enemies attempts and how to turn themselves were as dismayd easily put to flight whom Basta fiercely pursuing in lesse than three houres one thousand five hundred of them were slain with a few of Basta's men also Frederick Earl of Solmes being one and the Count of Erback wounded Hereupon the Rebels at the siege of Zipse Castle forthwith retired to Leusta but Basta going and recovering St. Andrewes and gartisoning it somewhat daunted and repressed the Haiducks in those quarters and through the unseasonable time of the year wrote to reclaim the Cassovians to their allegiance offering pardon for all past ãâã they would acknowledge their fault and admit of an Imperial Garrison So also he wrote to those of Eperia hoping by gaining those strong Towns safely to winter in them with his Army but the Cassovians having 6000 in Garrison and not fearing then to be besieged Botscay being also reported 40000 strong utterly refused Basta's motion wherefore he came nearer to the City seeking rather by fair meanes to perswade them than by force to constrain them but they obstinate and with their Ordnance troubling his Camp sending Count Hohenloh and Rotvitz before to Eperia to command them to receive in the Emperours Souldiers and relieve them what they could Decemb. 5th himself followed with the rest of his Army and after much talk with the chief of the City it was unexpectedly agreed that Basta assuring them of the free exercise of their Religion the good behaviour of his Souldiers and to defend them from the injury of their Enemies they should open their Gates to and relieve the Imperials and continue their allegiance as before a thing most welcom to the almost dead and starved Souldiers Leusta Barbeld and Zebena following the Example of Eperia Thither with great danger ãâã Sigefride Collonitz of great Authority in those parts to confer with Basta about appe sing these troubles who by Letters to the States and Nobility of Hungary in vain perswaded them to lay down Arms and return to the Emperours obedience For remedy of great wants in the Imperial Camp 30 Wagons loaded with money and Cloth had been sent from Vienna under the Conduct of Count Solmes and others to whom Tanhusar joyned 1500 Hussars for fear of the Haiducks but the Convoy being come into a thick Wood about two miles from Filek ãâã Hussars set upon the Wagoners and made great slaughter of those that were about to resist them so that Solmes had much adoe to get away so they drave away the Wagons to Botscay's Camp Tanhusar with such Hussars as had no hand in so foul a treachery pursuing them but recovered onely 10 Wagons of Cloth which the Traitors had left whose Horses they had put into the Wagons with the money reported 130000 Florens to make the more haste Botscay having received so great and unexpected sum divided it among his Souldiers for their further encouragement This newes at first filled the Emperours Souldiers with grief and disdain against the Hussars but afterwards with wrath against their own Commanders as deeming it a devised report to deceive them So that they were ready all to mutinie and forsake the service to the utter perill of their Captains and of the whole Province wherefore Basta strove by fair words and promises to appease them which not serving he with some thousands of Duckats and Wagons of Cloth taken up at Leusta and other Towns wisely contented them the old Souldiers being before half naked Shortly after the Imperials surprizing a Castle thereabouts
carried away many Hungarian Gentlemen prisoners to learn what they could of the Rebels proceedings and designs the Haiducks the while after many assaults took Sendra Castle putting all the Garrison to the sword and then departing rifled and burnt Filek They took also in upper Hungary besides six other Castles the strong Castle of Cabragetia whither those of Hatwan for fear of the Turks when they besieged Strigonium had carried their great Ordnance after all which the chief Captains of the Rebels exacted contribution of the Minerall Towns so called chiefly of Newsoli forcing them to sweare obedience to Botscay and take his part threatning fire and Sword to those that should refuse the like and going out to meet Collonitz who was coming thither to encourage or defend them they belaying all passages forced him to retire to his Castle of Lebentsia where he laying in great danger with his Wife then in Child-bed having ãâã 50 Germanes with him for he durst not trust his Hungarian Cossacks he sent in Post to Vienna most humbly requesting a new supply of Germanes for his relief and furtherance of the Emperours service c. While Basta lay at Eperia and thereabouts he daily received great harm from the Haiducks who slew his Souldiers fetching in Wood and other necessaries yea they oft troubled his Camp assailing his Souldiers in his Trenches and about the end of December they by night breaking into Charls Collonitz Copell and Pettinger their quarters slew Copell with almost all his Souldiers burnt Pettinger in his Tent Collonitz being hardly beset also till he by true valour forced them at last to retire ãâã the Woods whence they came having slain 14 with his own hand about which time a spie being taken one of Botscay's chief men discovered by one that knew him Basta after his Examination and Confession upon torture had him hanged and quartered to the terrour of others Cicala Bassa the Turks Generall against the Persians was this year by that King overthrown and put to flight and Babylon now Bagdat taken which newes being reported at Prague Octob. 22. by the Vayuod of Valachia's Secretary sent in Embassage to the Emperour was afterward confirmed by the Persian Embassador himself who having audience told the Emperour that his Master was not ignorant of his great and difficult War for many years against the Turk against whom he had taken up Arms so to avert some part thereof from his Majesty even upon himself and that he had already obtained many notable Victories and Conquests recovering a great Territory wrongfully taken from his predecessors by the Turkish Sultans and now he was very desirous to joyn in a perpetual League and Amity with him never to be dissevered or ever to make peace with the Turk without each others consent and that he was minded never to give over the Warre till he had driven him even into Constantinople so his Majesty would do the like it being impossible for him to hold out against them both requesting him withall to send back with him some grave Embassador with sufficient instructions for the more easie concluding of the said Confederation Unto these forrain Warres were joyned the Turks own ãâã and civil Warres also the Rebels being yet up in lesser Asia and the two great Bassaes of Aleppo and Damasco of late up in-Arms against each other so that he of Aleppo being in a great and bloudy Battel overcome was pursued by him of Damasco to his own City and so straitly besieged by him with 30000 men ãâã through extream Famine then in the City and a number ãâã his men slain whom he secretly sent out to seek for ãâã he was glad to yield to whatever the other Bassa demanded of him whereat the Court-Bassaes were much troubled young Achmat himself being the ãâã delighted with the pleasures of the Court and much rejoycing at the birth of his first Sonne The troubles of HUNGARY and Transilvania in one thousand six hundred and five yet more and more increased whose Natural Inhabitants divided both in ãâã and affection did themselves and Countrey more harm in a short time than had the Turks in many years before of which Belgiosa left by Basta as his Lievetenant was reported the first and chief Authour for whereas the Assembly of the Clergy at Possonium had without the knowledge of the States of Hungary published a Decree for the burning or perpetual banishing of those of the reformed Religion in Hungary against which those States solemnly protesting under the Seal of the Lord Palatine affirmed by Arms to defend themselves if they should be troubled for their Religion repeating the same Protestation at Galset yet Belgiosa cunningly seizing upon the reformed Churches at Cassovia would not suffer those Citizens either to have Sermons in their private Houses or to read in the Bible taking also to himself all their Lands and Goods and not suffering them to bury their dead within the City near the Monasteries and because Botscay denied to lend him some thousands of Crowns he caused his Souldiers to ransack two of his Castles and spoil him of all Wealth and Treasure therein Botscay hereat enraged proclaimed to give every Haiduck that would serve him four Crowns a moneth pay with all the booty they could get whereupon 6000 revolted from Belgiosa to Botscay encreasing daily but when Pallas Lipa had to this pay joyned also the defence of the reformed Religion the Haiducks resorted to him by heaps and all people where he came were ready to joyn with him against the Imperialls the Turks and Tartars also furthering him with men and money which he refused not Basta not able by force to remedy so great increasing troubles by Letters oft times advised Botscay to change his minde lay down Arms and to perswade with the rest of his followers to return to their wonted obedience who at length answered if himself alone might govern in Transilvania if a natural Hungarian might be still Lievt Gen. in Hungary if none but Hungarians should command all Garrisons in Hungary if the ãâã and French Souldiers might be shut out of Hungary if naturall Hungarians might thenceforth be regarded and provided of pay if every man might have free exercise of his Religion if the Authours of these troubles might be delivered to the HUNGARIANS for punishment if the Emperour should be personally present at the PARLIAMENT at Presburg if the GERMANE Garrison-Souldiers should make no excursions into places near them and not hurt the poor Countreymen he could be content so to have peace But Basta not liking thereof sent back the two Messengers without concluding any thing In the mean time some Haiducks and a number of Tartars in seeking booty surprized Gokara over against Strigonium where ãâã some Germane Souldiers and rifling the Town as they were about to fire it the Governour of Strigonium with his Garrison forced them to depart but Captain Bathian the Imperiall requited this losse by taking of Palantwar after a long and
son who was with some 1000 come to ayd him lay in wait for him and setting upon him slew a number of his men the Bassa himself being shot in the Breast as he was mounting up his Horse with whose dead Body the Turks about to flee were some ãâã some taken the rest ãâã escaping the exceeding ãâã Booty the Souldiers carried to Comara with the Bassa's head struck off with his own Scimitar which ãâã his Coat Pogramus the Governour sent as a Present to the Emperour This Bassa was the chief plotter and Author of all the late troubles in Hungary having before much confirmed Botscay in his Rebellion in Transilvania for he spake the Hungarians-Language naturally and was therein very Eloquent Now was the very name of the Germans become odious and contemptible to the potent Rebels in Hungary so that Basta offering to put supplies of Germans into Tyrna then in danger that Governour refused them and also to let them have any thing for mony saying They had Citizens enough to defend the same and as they needed not the Germans help so they would have nothing to do with them yet when Redeius came thither with his Army they presently received him in and were about to slay all the Germans being well nigh a third part of the Inhabitants but some of the wiser considering that they having long dwelt there were by Marriages in ãâã with the Hungarians they with them otherwise perswaded them lest they might seem cruell against their own blood and so it being referred to Redeius he by the Council of an Eminent Turk ordered the Germans lives to be spared but ãâã to use the Hungarian About May 24. the Turks Tartars and Rebels burnt 14 Villages about the Lake of Neusidler as many more towards Neustat putting most of the women children to the sword impaling divers upon stakes carrying the men away captive the cattel as a prey so leaving the Country as they went almost desolate and about the end of this month the Rebels surprized 3 Towns and a little while after Ginsium all which they rifled and spoiled as they did also Hogengoa and Niders-Prungia which they rifled and burnt by such terrour forcing all far and near to yield to them Only Alteoli and Cremnicz standing fast to the Emperour did the Rebels much harm About the beginning of June some Turks and Haiducks came again to Presburg whose Governour issuing out with 3 Troops of Walloons and some Companies of Harquebusiers made them retire but the Walloons riding about fell upon them when they thought themselves past danger slaying 500 and driving the rest into Danubius so that but 14 escaped 3 being Turks and one Fugitive Citizen whom with great spoil they brought into the City At which time the Citizens of Vesprivium rose in Rebellion also causing the Captain of the Castle his Lievt and the Keys to be carried to Botscay's Lievtenant with which revolt the Turks greatly pleased sent to and wished the Sultan to hast the comming of his Army for the passages were now open to his further Conquest and advising him more and more to encourage Botsoay And now the Rebels breaking also into Stiria ãâã and spoiled all as they went so that Serinus Lo. Nadasty and Budian seeing themselves and all they had in danger to be spoiled without remedy submitted to Botscay as did many other Nobles there also The Rebels thence making Head into Austria did like harm Thus was the State of Hungary and Austria at this time most miserable as appeared by the Letters of a Citizen of Vienna who was himself an Eye-witnesse of most part thereof declaring among other calamities by fire c. that the Rebels who lately forraged Austria carried away upon Horses little Boyes and Children who by reason of their tender years could not go whose pittifull lamentation might move the very stones to be sent into Turky yea many of them were by the way found dashed against the ground the Turks themselves being amazed at the Rebels cruel behaviour and whereas they pretended Religion their most cruel tormenting of a Minister did shew what lovers they were thereof complaining also that their own mutinous Souldiers excluded them of ãâã from all Victuals and in cruelty and hostility almost exceeded the very Enemies The Haiducks had most straitly besieged Odenburg assaulting it in 5 places at once upon whom Trautmanstorff caused some of his Horsmen to sally forth skirmishing with them 3 hours and then the Haiducks beginning to prevail himself with other Horse some Foot Citizens and 3 Field-pieces suddenly breaking forth put them to flight slew many and taking 12 Ensignes with many ptisoners but the Haiducks in revenge shortly after returning burnt the Suburbs of Odenburg and spoiled the Villages yet Basta approaching them but with a small power they rose and passing over Dravus carried away 2000 cattel many Captives The Turks having bin often in hand with Botscay to deliver Cassovia wholly into their hands the better to obtain it sent unto him three Waggons loaded with mony and other rich Commodities for a Present and to supply his wants by a Convoy of 400 Haiducks and some Turks which Haiducks secretly informed the Governour of Tokay of their comming that way and that if he would receive them they would with some small help deliver that rich Booty into his hands and continue his faithfull Souldiers who forthwith sending 400 of his Carrison to meet them they joyning and slaying every one of the Turks were with the Booty received into Tokay and courteously entertained Whence they ere long looking abroad met with some Companies of Botscay's men and slaying near about 500 of them took 7 Waggons of provision 30 Horses and much rich spoil But the Rebels encreasing more and more prevailed the Towns in upper Hungary especially daily revolting unto them as also ãâã did whence the Rebels sent part of their Ordnance with Relinger a German Governour of the Town and some other Germans there taken to Redeius Then besieging Newhuse with 30000 Haiducks and Turks who as they had oft-times sharply assaulted it so the Souldiers who protested to hold out even to the last man most notably defended it Wherefore Redeius having layen some months before it promised his men the whole spoil of the Town yet were the Turks oft kept back from assault lest if they should by force take it they would by force hold it to themselves as most commodious for conquering the rest of upper Hungary but Redeius with his Haiducks July 25. most furiously assaulted it advancing in great hope 10 Ensignes to the top of the Rampiers yet were they forced to retire leaving above 700 dead in the Trenches The Bassa of Agria came afterward to this siege with 3000 Horse and many Janizaries so that through Mines Shot and often Assaults scarce 200 sound men were left in the Garrison besides Victuals powder began to grow scarce yet armed with resolution they still valiantly held
Bassaes head besides the Bassa-ship in his Monarchy or in case the Bassa would submit all should not onely be forgiven and forgotten but he should be vested with any dignity he pleased to make choice of But the Bassa went on still in his design and whereas formerly he demanded the Prime Vizier's head now he demands further a reformation in the Mahometan Religion and have the Persian Womans son setled in the ãâã That young Prince being served in his Court as the Grand Seignior and honoured as the mighty Emperor and all respects given him as if indeed he were the great Prince of Turky The Turkish Chiaux had private audience of Arch-duke Leopold William March 19. 1659. having presented him with two Turkish Horses and other things his proposalls was That the Great Prince of Turky desired to prolong the peace with the Emperour which was granted The Bassa of Aleppo totally defeated the Grand Vizier again March 27. retiring Victorious to Trocaria with the Cannon and Baggage which he took Nevertheless the Grand Seignior caused the chief Vizier at his return to publish in Constantinople that the Rebell-Bassa had refused the combat but the truth being too much known to be concealed the carriage of the matter so discontented the people that they ran into great disorder which was not easily composed The Bassa of Aleppo made his head quarter in the Capitoll City of that country where he setled the pretended Son of Sultan Amurath as Prince with a Court and all Officers and Ministers of State about him having made new Laws more agreeable to the humours of the Turks and chosen a new Muphti as their chief Interpreter in matters of Religion by whom he made an Interpretation of the Alcaron which gave more liberty to the people He treated them with great humanity and indulgence severely punishing the Souldiers for any misdemeaner Declaring That he took up arms to reform the ill Government of the Empire And as the Caracan was passing from Alexandria to constantinople he defaced the Seals of the Passports given by the Grand Seignior causing his own to be given them And sent a Letter by them to the Grand Seignior wherein he lets him understand That the Son of Sultan Amurath being lawfully successour of the Empire he ought of right to have Natolia and if he refused that the said Bassa would make his way into constantinople by force of Arms Where if he should advance the standard of Mahomet to oppose him then the said Bassa would erect the standard of the Prophet Ali by which means he doubted not to draw the Persians to him The said Bassa had well nigh subdued all Asia and seemed to intend no lesse then parting Stake with the Emperour but the chief Visier being marched to Scutari April 7. with an Army of 20000 Horse and 30000 Foot and expecting 60000 more to joyn with him being Ordered to reduce him to Obedience He having notice of the strength of the chief Visier called a Council of his principal Officers where weighing their own inability they concluded to implore the mercy of the Grand Seignior by a timely submission To this end they sent a dispatch to complement the chief Visier and let him know That they had not taken Arms against their Prince but against certain persons that had abused his Trust and Favour Yet rather then tumults should be longer continued they humbly cast themselves upon the clemency of their Lord the Grand Seignior Of which when the Sultan was advertized he was so affected to see so grand a civil War so soon ended that he sent his pardon to the Bassa and his Complices But he with some of his Associates putting himself into the tuition of Mortaza Bassa who promised to obtain their pardon he caused them to be beheaded and sent their heads to Constantinople where 31 of the most eminent were perched on Poles before the Seraglio among whom was Keiman Bassa Brother to the Bassa of Buda Afterwards the said Mortaza falling upon a Party which were rallied in the Territories of Aleppo cut 3000 in pieces and dispersed the rest so that there remained not the least footstep of their undertaking April 20 1659. Ussaim Bassa heretofore General in Candia and then Bassa of Bosna being returned to Constantinople to give an Account of his Actions was imprisoned in the 7 Towers and was May 9. beheaded by Order from the Grand Seignior The German Emperour having concluded a Peace with the Turk upon Condition that the House of Austria should not meddle in Prince Ragotzies cause sent the Baron of Radolt to tell Ragotzi that his best way was to retire out of Transilvania into some safer place because he could not protect him without hazarding a War in Hungary He levyed 20000 stout men under the command of General Lamboy May 18. The Venetian forces in Morea had good successe May 15. The Infantry being landed and divided into 21 Battalions and the Horse in 4 squadrons drawing up within three Leagues of Calamata the Turks presently advanced thence in a great body and good order but were put to flight towards the said place and were so close pursued that the Venetians entred the City with them making a great Massacre and gained rich booty during which time the Turks that kept the Castle being terrified with the cries of their men and the Cities Flames quitting the place got over the River but some Horse and 1000 ãâã pursuing them they were most cut in pieces and the rest taken Prisoners Afterwards they passed to Milo where the Generalissimo having given a Moneths pay to the Souldiers and Seamen and furnished the men of War and Galleys with all necessaries he sailed towards Mitylene to encounter the Captain Bassa whose Armado was supposed to be thereabouts which consisted of twenty four Galleys four Galleasses and twelve men of War also the Gallions under their Captain Generall Contarini with a squadron of ãâã having run up and down about the Isles of the Archipelago and gained good prizes returned May the thirtieth to the mouth of the Dardanelles where all the Officers declared a high resolution to oppose the passage of the Turks which were to come that way from Constantinople The troubles in Asia were not quite extinct by the death of the Bassa of Aleppo because a Nephew of his who was Lievtenant of his Army had openly declared That he would revenge his death and recollecting new forces drew one Charan Bassa to his party a man of a Noble spirit Hereupon Assam ãâã who had a hand in executing some of the said Bassa's party which were his prisoners gave over that severity lest upon this stir it should provoke the people The Bassa of Bosna likewise having ãâã oppressed the people in his Government was complained of to the Grand Seignior whereupon the Sultan sent for him to Constantinople Which order he would not obey having a Guard of 6000 Horse But the Inhabitants of Mustar unable to endure his Tyranny put
ãâã now they must fight for their lives liberty c. That Amurath's first pastage would be this way that the first fruits of this war is theirs that if they bear couragious hearts they might beat down the haughty enemies strength and discourage his high conceits who will not lay long here except the way-ward old man will foolishly gage all his forces for such is the scituation and strength of this City that it may easily set at naught an angry enemy Therefore to resolve with themselves c. That it seldom chanceth fortune to fail sound advice or vertue and they had all things which politick care could provide sor their safety that they might be encouraged with the very sight one of another and himself would not be far off a silent beholder and encourager of their vertue where though he might not try this wars fortun in plain field yet he would trouble the enemies designs with many a hot skirmish that he will first feed their hardiness with his base Souldiers blood the easier to entrap and oppresse their rashness but his crafty devices are by great policy and consideration to be frustrated For that victory should be to him lamentable bought with Souldiers blood c. That if they suffered not themselves to be conquered of the Sultan he would praise and honour his subjects as conquerours Having thus encouraged their minds he visited other Cities returning to his Army near Croia Amurath the mean time his Army of 150000 was assembled at Hadrianople whereof many were pioniers c. He sending 40000 Light-horsmen before him to encamp before the City Scanderbeg with 4000 horse 1000 foot took his way towards Sfetigrade strongly encamping within 7 miles thereof whence with Moses and Tanusius he went by blind waies till from the top of a hill he might discover how the enemy lay encamped returning back he the night following drawing as near the Turks as he could placed his Army in the Woods and Valleys unperceived Then he sent Moses and Musache with 30 of the best horsemen as if but common Souldiers driving horses laden with Corne by a by-way and secretly to ãâã into the City Being discovered and set upon they fled on purpose but Moses seeing themselves ãâã but with a like number returning back he slew five chasing the rest to the Campe whose Genetall sending ãâã horse to pursue them they soon recovered sight of them Moses of purpose slowly hastening the Turks drawing nigh Moses leaving the Horses fled yet drawing them on till brought where the Army lay in ãâã by whom being with great slaughter put to flight 2000 were slain and 1000 Horses taken but 22 Christians being lost Amurath came 8 dayes after the beginning of May 1449. and encamping his baser ãâã at the foot of the Hill himself lay with his ãâã c. farther off After one day he towards evening sent a Meslenger to the City to speak with the Governour whom he requested the Souldiers might goe further off having something to say to him in ãâã Perlat merrily answering said He had not learned to hear any message from his Enemy by night not at any time else out of the Garrisons hearing tomorrow if thy Master please I will heare thee at large commanding him to depart from the Walls Amurath more hoping to gaine the City by large offers than by great force dissembled his wrath sending that Messenger with a grave ãâã ãâã in Epirus who with 5 men being received into the City and brought into Maries Temple where after insinuating eloquence he augmented the terrour of Amurath's power exhorting them to yield the City promising the Citizens to live in all respects as under Scanderbeg before that Perlat should have most honourable preferments with many rich gifts the Souldiers safely to depart whither they would and 300000 ãâã among them But the Governour replied That ãâã ãâã had not been delivered to resolute men it might ãâã have wrought some effect c. But since no ill ãâã of Scanderbeg's nor good desert of Amuraths ãâã ãâã a Stranger before their naturall Prince had passed c. his Master should first proceed in his action ãâã down their Walls make havock of their men c. But it were almost to be laughed at if they should cowardly accept of these conditions before any assault given c. that Amurath had better get back to Hadrianople to spend his old years in quiet and not provoke them his fatall enemies c that he would never forget his faith given to the last drop of blood 't was reward enough to him if living to defend the City or loosing life to leave his guiltlesse soule at liberty c. Then ãâã the Bassa he led him thorow the City on purpose to shew him the store of Victualls So sending him away much discontented to his Master who exceeding wroth ãâã the City three dayes together and making a small breach he gave a most terrible assault by his common Souldiers the Asapi thereby to give easier Victory to his Janizaries and better Souldiers whilst these are slaine by ãâã at the breach the Janizaries attempted the Wall in another place who first difficultly crawling up the steep Rock then mounting their Scaling ladders they were with huge stones c. ãâã down to the bottom and miserably slain Many with their Scaling ladders were thrust from the Wall carrying others behind them with them Some taking hold of the Battlements lost fingers hands most their lives Many farther off were wounded also with ãâã The Turks discouraged began to withdraw but the Captains by exhorting and threatning some and beating others the assault was renewed not with such courage yet no lesse slaughter the defendants shouting from the Walls Amurath sent Feri Bassa with 3000 chosen Souldiers to renew the fight who without regard of danger brought them to the Walls whom the defendants overwhelmed with Stones Timber Wild-fire c. Yet Feri Bassa slew divers and had not the Governour with a fresh company speedily come to the place had entered Amurath seeing the great slaughter and no hope retired into his Campe Yet not ceasing to give the like vaine attempt The Captaine of the Janizaries perceiving a part of the City seeming impregnable to be commonly but slenderly manned told Amurath he would assay it secretly by night wherewith the King pleased it was silently put in execution The Governour advertised hereof by the watch repaired thither with a great Company beholding the Turks climbing and helping up each other by that desperate way But being come to the top of the Rock they were suddenly overwhelmed and violently forced downe most being crushed to death and many of the rest slaine with shot wherewith Amurath was exceedingly grieved Scanderbeg still removing as best served his purpose brake sometimes into one quarter of their Campe sometimes into another and was straight way gone againe Being the latter end of June come within 8 miles he sent Moses like a