departs 203 a b. his Speech to the Senate at his return ib. b. W. WAldeck General of the Lunenburg and Brunswick Forces in Candia slain there 206 a. Earl of Winchelsea sent Ambassadour to the Port 97 a. his Answer to the Captain-Pasha proposing to him to hire some English Ships to serve in the Wars against Candia 166. a. Wirtemberg slain at the Siege of Newheusel 315 b. Wisozki Ambassadour from Poland to the Port his insolent behaviour there 232 â— Y. YAmboli a famous Hunting of the Grand Signior there 159 a. Z. ZAtmar besieged by Abaffi 281 b. Forced the City but could not take the Cittadel ib. b. Taken by Tekely 283 a. Zechelhyd revolts from the Emperour to Apafi Prince of Transylvania 146 a. The End of the TABLE S. Paul Rycaut many years Consul of Smyrna now his Brittanique Maj ties Resident at Hamburgh and Fellow of the Royall Societie THE HISTORY OF THE TURKS BEGINNING With the Year 1679. Being a full Relation Of the Last Troubles in Hungary with the Sieges of Vienna and Buda and all the several Battles both by SEA and LAND between the CHRISTIANS and the TVRKS until the End of the Year 1698 and 1699. IN WHICH The Peace between the Turks AND THE Confederate Christian Princes and States was happily Concluded at Carlowitz in Hungary By the Mediation of His Majesty of Great Britain and the States General of the Vnited Provinces With the Effigies of the Emperors and others of Note Engraven at Large upon Copper which Compleats the Sixth and Last Edition of the History of the Turks In Two Vol. in Folio By Sir PAVL RYCAVT Kt. Eighteen Years Consul at Smyrna now his Majesty's Resident at Hamburg and Fellow of the Royal Society LONDON Printed for Robert Clavell in St. Paul's Church-Yard and Abel Roper against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet M DCC TO THE King's Most Excellent MAJESTY WILLIAM III. King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. Great SIR THE Dedication of this following History of the Turks may most justly be Addressed to the Clemency and Patronage of Your Majesty for Two Reasons First Because the greatest Part of this Treatise was Writteâ— at Hamburg whilst I was actually employed for the space almost of Eleven Years in the Service of Your Majesty the which I hope will not be looked upon as a Point of my Demerit or Neglect in my Duty to have taken out so many Hours as this Work might Require from the Service of Your Majesty For I can safely say and that Your Majesty's Secretaries also in England and Abroad can Attest for me that I have been diligent in my Office and have neglected nothing therein which my Duty and Services to Your Majesty might require and expect from me for it was Written at my Vacant Hours when nothing of my other Services could give me the least Avocation But what may chiefly oblige me farther to this Dedication is the Healing Powerful and Successful Hand which Your Majesty hath Applied by Your Ambassadors in making that Peace at Carlowitz between the Christians and the Turks which will ever be remembred in Future Ages and which as Your former Actions shewed the World You were a great Captain in the Arts of War so this will give good Proof You were a Wise and Prudent Governor in the Exercises of Peace And may deserve to have that Motto inserted in Your Escocheon Beati sunt Pacifici And so may Your Majesty be always Blessed and Prosperous in this Life and Your Great Good Works Rewarded in Heaven Which are the most Devout Prayers of Your MAIESTY's Most Obedient Subject and most Humble Devoted and Dutiful Servant Paul Rycaut Hamburg Jan 15. 1700. THE PREFACE TO THE READER Courteous Reader I Would not have Thee entertain a worse Opinion of this History by Reason of the Place where it was Wrote and Finished being at a far distance both from Constantinople and Vienna Though perhaps it might have been more lively had its Colours been laid on in the Places themselves where the Actions were performed and at a time when the Humour of the Turks and the Idea I conceived of their Actings had taken so strong an Impression in my Mind that whilst I was upon the Place I could suffer nothing to pass my Pen without its due Observation Being thus accustomed to such Contemplations as these in my more Youthful Days I could not let pass the continual News and the constant Intelligences I received from Hungary and other Parts which were the Seats of War between the Christians and the Turks without making some Reflections thereupon After which I might justly challenge the Privilege of an Exauctorate or of a Miles Emericus And I think I need not Blot any more Paper for the future on any Subject relating to the Turks for having arrived at that great Period of the last Wars concluded between the Emperor of Germany and all his Allies against the Turks It may appear how much the Ottoman Force is able to avail when it is put into the Scale and Ballance against all Christendom It hath been an ancient Custom and Policy amongst the Turks in the time of their prosperous Successes by which their Empire was enlarged never to continue a War longer than for three Years in which time they always advanced considerably and would make no Peace with their Neighbours until their Triumphs and Acquisitions would answer the expences and effusions of their Blood and Treasures After which they commonly fixed Twenty Years for the Settlement and Security of those new Conquests and Plantations in which time many young Soldiers being Born and Bred up in Arms they not only took those Habitations for their Native Soil but esteemed them also to be by the Mahometan Religion obliged ever to defend and maintain them But these last Wars have quite put the Turks out of their Ancient Methods for instead of maintaining a War no longer than Three Years they have been forced to continue it for more than Twenty to the great Ruin and Destruction of their Empire I have always been of Opinion That the Turks could never maintain a VVar for longer than Three Years I mean with benefit and profit to the advancement of the Ottoman Empire of which I once made very perspicuous Observations Whilst I was in the Camp with them I found the Timariots very poor and wanting at the end of that Term so that they stoal from each other their Bridles and Saddles Lances and all other necessaries of War and would excuse themselves by saying that they could not do otherwise in so long a War of more than their Three Years And in like manner the Janisaries by their ancient Constitution might challenge a Privilege to quit the Service at the end of the Month of October and in case they were not called they might then Disband themselves on St. Demetriu's Day which is the 28th Day of October at which time the Janisar Aga could not without
observantiae vinculum accipiet inducet cum omnia singula quae de Confiniis suprà recensito modo ultrò citroque promissa acceptata sunt tam de distinctionibus limitum quà m de evacuationibus demolitionibus plenarie in effectum executionem deducta fuerint ita ut absolutae designatione limitum in unoquoque Consinio statim subsequatur demolitio aut evacuatio quod ut quam câ—lerrimè succedat designentur ad limites terminos Confiniorum ponendos distinguendos ex utraque parte Commissarii qui die Aequinoctii scilicet 22. mensis Martii aut 12 secundum veterem Stylum Anni Millesimi Sexcentesimi Nonagesimi noni in locis inter Commissarios consensu Gubernatorum utriusque Confinii determinandis mediocri pacifico Comitatu conveniant atque intra spatium dúorum Mensium si possibile sit aut etiam citius ubi fieri poterit Confinia limitibus terminis manifestis per superiores articulos constitutis distinguant separent determinent Statuta inter legatos Plenipotentiarios utriusque imperii accuratissimè citissime exequantur XIX Has vero conditiones articulos ad formam hic mutuò placitam à Majestatibus utriusque Imperatoris ratihabitum iri atque ut solennia ratificationis Diplomata intra spatium triginta dierum à die Subscriptionis vel citius in Confiniis per Illustrissimos Excellentissimos legatos Plenipotentiarios Mediatores reciprocè recteque commutentur legati Plenipotentiarii utriusque imperii sese infallibiliter obligant atque praestituros compromittunt XX. Duret Armistitium hocce extendatur favente Deo ad viginti quinque Annos continuè sequentes à die qua ejusdem subscriptio facta fuerit quo Annorum numero elapso vel etiam medio tempore priusquam elabatur liberum esto utrique partium si ità placuerit Pacem hanc ad plures adhuc Annos prorogare Itaque mutuo libero consensu quaecunque stabilita sunt Pacta inter Majestatem Serenissimi Potentissimi Ramanorum Imperatoris Majestatem Serenissimi Potentissimi Ottommannorum Imperatoris Haeredes eorundem imperia quoque Regna ipsorum Terrâ item marique sitas Regiones civitates urbes subditos clientes observentur sanctè religiose ac inviolabiliter demandâ—tur seriò omnibus utriusque partis Gubernatoribus Praefectis Ducibus Exercituum atque Militiis quibusvis in eorundem clientela obedientiae subjectioni existentibus ut illi quoque praedeclaratis conditionibus clausulis pactis articulis sese adaequatè conformantes omnibus modis caveant ne contra Pacem amicitiam hanc sub quocunque nomine aut praetextu se invicem offendant aut damnificent sed quolibet prorsus inimicitiae genere abstinendo bonam colant vicinitatem certò scientes quod si eatenus admoniti morem non gesserint severrisimis in se poenis animadvertendum fore Ipse quoque Crimensis Chanus omnes Tartarorum Gentes quovis nomine vocitatae ad Pacis hujus bonae vicinitatis reconciliationis Jura ritè observanda adstricti sint nec iisdem contraveniendo hostilitates qualescunque exerceant erga quasvis Caesareas Provincias earumque Subditos aut Clientes Porro sive ex aliis Exercituum generibus sive ex Nationibus Tartarorum si quis contra Sacras Imperatorias hasce Capitulationes contra Pacta Articulos earum quidpiam ausus fuerit is poenis rigorosissimis coerceatur Incipiat verò modo dicta Pax Quies Securitas subditorum utriusque Imperii à supradata die Subscriptionis cessent exinde atque sustollantur omnes utrinque inimicitiae Subditi utriusque partis securitate tranquillitate fruantur Eoque fine quò magis per summam curam ac sedulitatem hostilitates inhiberi possint transmittantur quà m celerrimè Mandata Edicta publicandae Pacis ad omnes confiniorum Praefectos cumque spatium aliquod temporis requiratur intra quod officiales in remotioribus praesertim Confiniis istam conclusae Pacis notitiam obtinere valeant statuuntur viginti dies pro â—ermino post quem si quis hostiâ—e â—uidpiaâ—â— alterutra ex parte admittere praesumpserit poenis superius declaratis irremissibiliter subjaceat Ut demum Pacis Conditiones Viginti hisce articulis conclusae utrinque acceptatae debito summòque cum respâ—ctu inviolatae observentur Si quidem Domini Plenipotentiarii Ottomannici vi concessae iisdem facultatis Imperatoriae instâ—umentum Turcico sermone exaratum subscriptum legitimum validum nobis exhibuerint Nos quoque vi Mandati Plenipotentia nostra propriis manibus propriis Sigillis Subscriptas Signatas haâ—ce Pactorum literas in Latino Idiomate tanquam legitimum validum vicissim Instrumentum extradidimus THE INSTRUMENT OF THE Treaty of Peace BETWIXT THE GERMAN and OTTOMAN Empires Subscrib'd Ianuary 26. 1699. FOR the perpetual Memory of the Thing Be it known to all whom it may Concern That after a cruel and pernicious War had for 17 years been carried on with the Effusion of much Blood and Desolation of many Provinces between the most Serene and most Potent Prince and Lord Leopold Elect of the Romans and Emperor of Germany always August King of Hungaria Bohemia Dalmatia Croatia Sclavonia Arch-Duke of Austria Duke of Burgundy Brabant Styria Carinthia Carniola Marquis of Moravia Duke of Luxemburgh of the Upper and Lower Silâ—sia of Wirtemberg and Tecka Prince of Swevia Count of Hâ—bsburgh of Tyrol Kyburgh and Goritia Marquis of the Sacred Roman Empire of Burgovia of the Upper and Lâ—wer Lusatia Lord of the Marquisate of Sclavinia of the Port of Naon and the Salt Mines on one part And between the most Serene and most Potent Prince and Lord Sultan Muâ—â—apha Han Emperor of the Ottâ—mans and of Asia and Greece and his Glorious Predecessors on the other Part. These two most Potent Emperors out of a just Sense of Compassion towards their afflicted Subjects at length resolving to put an End to these Mischiefs every Day encreasing with Destruction to Mankind the Divine Goodness brought it to pass that by the Endeavours and Mediation of the most Serene and most Potent Prince and Lord William III. King of Great Britain France and Ireland and the High and Mighty Lords the States General of the United Belgic Provinces that Solemn Treaties of Peace were set on foot at Carlowitz in Sirmium upon the Confines of both Empires and there brought to a Conclusion There Meeting at the said place on the part of his Sacred Caesarean and Imperial Majesty of the Romans as his Plenipotentiaries the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lords Wolfang Count d'Ottingen of the Sacred Roman Empire Chamberlain of his Sacred Caesarean Majesty and Privy-Counsellor and President of the Imperiaâ— Aulic Council and the Lord Leopold Schlik Count in Passaun and Weiskirchen of the Sacred Roman Empire Chamberlain of his said Caesarean Majesty Captain General of the Guards and Colonel of the
Clementia Dei perpetua stabilis firma inconcussa permaneat conservata atque custodita sit ab omni turbatione mutatione confusione violatione uno eodemque tenore firmissimè perseveret constantissimè continuet ut omnes omnino hostilitates amoveantur atque sustollantur quà m citissimè notitia praebeatur in Confiniis Praefectis Gubernatoribus ut sibi caveant ne imposterum transgressiones fiant nevè altera pars alteri damna inferat Verùm enimverò omnes utrinque sincerè amicè sese praestent juxta istam almam Pacem Ut autem omnibus cognita comperta sit istius almae Pacis Conclusio triginta dies pro termino ponantur post quem nullus praetextus nullaque excusatio acceptabitur sed in eos qui adversabuntur editis Edictis exactam obedientiam merentibus severissimè animadvertatur Post Subscriptionem autem Instrumentorum utriusque Partis Ablegatus priùs à Polonia missus ad Fulgidam Portam veniens juxta antiquam consuetudinem afferat Regias publicas Literas Ratificationem Pactorum Instrumentis declaratorum continentes atque Literas Imperatorias ratificatorias item accipiat deducat Postea verò ad solennem confirmationem Pactorum Pacis perfectionem reciprocae sinceritatis absolutam terminationem mutuae Amicitiae dispositionem ac digestionem reliquarum rerum juxta laudatum veterem morem adventurus Magnus Legatus quamprimùm commodè fieri poterit moveat ac proinde undecim numaero Pactis conclusa juxta istas conclusiones alma Pax ab utraque Parte acceptetur atque colatur Cùm verò altè memorati Illustrissimi Excellentissimi Domini Excelsi Imperii Plenipotentiarii Commissarii existentes Legati vi suae Facultatis auctoritatis Tuâ—cico Sermone exaratum legitimum validum instrumentum tradiderint ego quoque vi Facultatis Deputationis meae propriâ manu subscriptas Sigillo sigillatas à me praesentes Pactorum Literas tanquam legitimum validum Instrumentum tradidi THE TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN The Most Serene and Most Potent King AND Republick of POLAND AND The Sublime OTTOMAN Empire Made at Carlovitz in Sirmium in a General Congress of the Confederate Plenipotentiaries In the Name of the most Holy and Individual Trinity TO the perpetual Memory of the Thing Be it known to all and every one whom it may Concern Whereas there has been a long War between the Kingdom of Poland and the Sublime Empire to stop the Effusion of humane Blood and with Desires of Restoring a mutual Quiet the most Serene and most Potent William III. King of Great Britain France and Ireland and the States General of the United Provinces in order to set on foot this Treaty of a happy Peace have interpos'd their Mediation all the Duties and Conditions of which Mediation have with great Study and Industry been perform'd by their Excellencies the Plenipotentiary Ambassadors to the Fulgid Port on the behalf of his Britannick Majesty by William Lord Pagett Baron de Beaudesert in the County of Stafford Lord Lieutenant of the said County and on the part of the States General by Lord Iacob Colyer which War through GOD's Blessing by Reciprocal Inclinations on both sides has been Compos'd and wholly Extinguish'd at Carlovitz on the Confines of Sirmium where according to the Designment of the Illustrious Mediation a Congress of the Plenipotentiary Ambassadors was appointed and Treaties of Articles of Peace begun with the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lord Mehmet Effendi Creat Chancellor of the Sublime Empire and the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lord Alexander Mauro Cordato of the Noble Family of Scarlati and Privy-Counsellor of the Sublime Empire Ambassadors Extraordinary for the Treaty of Peace and after some Sessions at length by the Divine Goodness this Business of a happy and desir'd Peace was Digested into Terms agreed on both sides and a most entire Friendship and Peace was Perfected and Concluded Restor'd and Renew'd between the most Serene and most Potent Emperor Sultan of the Musulmen Sultan Mustapha Son of Sultan Mehmet and the most Serene and most Potent King Augustus II. my most Noble Lord and the Republick of Poland which Peace is to be Religiously observ'd betwixt both Dominions and is Digested into Eleven Articles which follow one by one I. BY the Help and Blessing of God Hostility with the High Empire founded on Eternity having for some time ceas'd and now the Ancient Friendship Agreeable to the Nature of Reconciliation and good Neighbourhood reviving that all Acts of Hostility may be prevented and the Subjects enjoy their Ancient Security Quiet and Tranquillity the Ancient Limits shall be establish'd and restor'd to what they were before the two last Wars and the Confines of the Provinces subject to Poland shall by these Ancient Boundaries be separated and distinguish'd as well from the Imperial Confines of Moldavia as of those of all other Countries subject to the Sublime Empire nor shall there on either side be any Pretension or Extension made but the Ancient Limits without Change or Disturbance shall as Things Sacred be Religiously observ'd and maintain'd II. Whatsoever Fortifications or Places great or less which before the War before this lay within the Limits of Moldavia and have hitherto been in the Possession of Polish Masters the Polish Garrisons shall be withdrawn and they shall be Evacuated and the Province of Moldavia shall remain as free as ever and in the same peaceable State it was before the last War. III. The Fortress likewise of Caminiec being before the two last Wars situated within the Ancient Limits towards Poland shall be Evacuated and the Musulman Garrison withdrawn and shall be entirely left Nor shall the Sublime Empire hereafter make any Pretensions upon the Provinces of Podolia and the Ukrain and the Deputy of the Ukrain Cossacks who goes by the Title of Hatmannus now residing in Moldavia shall be remov'd And considering the Ancient Limits of Poland and Moldavia are very plain if the Season permits the Evacuations on this side shall be begun by the beginning of the ensuing March and the Polish Troops shall be withdrawn out of Moldavia as soon as possible and tâ—e Fortifications and Places shall be Evacuated and Moldavia left free And at the same time from the beginning of Maâ—ch the Evacuation of Caminiec shall Commence and the Business of the Evacution shall without Hesitation Neglect or Delay be put in Execution as soon as it can be perform'd and the said Evacuation of this Fortress of Caminiec shall at farthest be compleâ—â—ed by the 25th of May and that the Evacuation of the said Fortress may be perform'd with Speed and Ease The Poles shall as much as possible in order to the Lading and Carrying away of Goods assist the Transportation with Carriages and Cattle and on all hands the Evacuation shall be carry'd on with Security and Safety In all which Evacuations of Fortresses and other Places in
corrispondendo con previi avisi faranno la loro congiunzione in luogo conveniente con comitiva di Gente militare bensì mà pacifica e quieta d'ugual numero é coll ' ajuto d'Idio cominciaranno la loro funzione dal giorno dell ' Equinotio de'i 22 12 Marzo dell ' anno corrente adopraranno ogni diligenza nella distinzione dell ' uno e dell ' altro Confine delle sudette parti affinche con prestezza finiscano nel termine di due Mesi e più presto se si può fare XII Quanto più è desiderata la fermezza dell ' amicizia e la quiete delli Sudditi di ambe le parti tanto più devono essere ugualmente abominati quelli che portati dal reprobo loro ò genio ô costume anco nel tempo di Pace con ladronecci altri ostili essercizii intorbidano la tranquillità del Confine perciò ne dall ' una parte nè dall ' altra si darà ricetto o fomento à tali forusciti di qualsivoglia sorte mà saranno perseguitati presi e consegnati acciò che ad essempio di altri siino col meritato castigo puniti e sarà per l'avenire proibito l'appoggio il mantenimento di questi mali Huòmini XIII A cadauna delle parti sia lecito di risarcire riparare e fortificare le posseduto Fortezze mà non già di fabricarne di nuovo altre Fortezze appresso il Confine ò le Fortezze demolite dalla Republica di Venezia nelle Sponde della Terra ferma Per la commodità però de'i Sudditi sia lecito di porre Borghi e Villaggi per tutto osservandosi trà di loro pacificamente ogni buona corrispondenza e vicinanza e contenendosi nelli proprii termini e se à caso succedesse frà lora alcuna differenza subito convenendo li Prefetti del Confine d'ambe le parti amichevolmente e con ogni giustizia levino l'occasione di qualsivoglia contrasto XIV Tanto per la Religgione e par la libertà e permuta degli Schiavi quanto per il Traffico si osservarà lo Stile e tenore delle antecedenti Capitolazioni e sarà lecito all' Ambasciatore della Republica di portarne le sue ulteriori istanze al Soglio Imperiale Intanto circa il Traffico siano confermati anco per questa Pace li sacri commandamenti concessi peravanti alla Republica il Traffico haverà da godere la sua forma che haveva avanti questa ultima Guerra e li Mercanti della Nazione Veneta tutti li Privileggi che le sono stati concessi XV. Sin' al giorno delle immediate Sottoscrizzioni frà li Plenipotenziarii dell ' Eccelso Imperio e della Republica di Venezia dal giorno della Sottoscrizzione delli Plenipotenziarii di Sua Maestà Cesarea e di Polonia dell ' accordato per la Republica deve cessar ogni ostilita d'ambe le parti tanto per Terra quanto per Mare osservarsi ogni buona corrispondenza affinche li Rettori di ogni Confine habbiano la notizia di questo Armistizio si pone per le parti di Bosnia Albania e Dalmazia il termine di trenta giorni e per le parti dell ' Isola di Candia e di Morea e gli altri Confini di quelle parti si pone il termine di giorni quaranta doppo e dentro quali termini al possibile dal canto dell ' Eccelso Imperio e dal canto della Republica di Venezia non si contravenirà ad alcuno di questi Articoli che si potranno osservare Si concede inoltre alli Sudditi una vera universale amnestia e qualsivoglia loro fatto ò delitto commesso in tempo di Guerra passando in totale oblivione nissuno di essi come delinquente sarà per l'avenire castigato e molestato THE TREATY of PEACE BETWEEN The Sublime OTTO MAN Empire AND Most Serene Republick of VENICE THE Treaty of Peace between the Sublime Ottoman Empire and the most Serene Republick of Venice concluded in the Congress of Carlovitz in Sirmium under Tents the 26th Ian. 1699. The Ambassadors there present on the part of the Sublime Empire were the most Illustrious and most Excellent Signiore's Mehmet Effendi Great Chancellor and Alexander Mauro Cordato and on the part of the most Serene Republick the most Illustrious and most Excellent Signioâ— Charles Ruzini Kt. The Mediators the most Illustrious and most Excellent Signiore's William Pagett Ambassador of his Britannick Majesty and Iames Colyer Ambassador of the High and Mighty States General of the United Provinces besides the most Illustrious and most Excellent Signiore's Ambassadors Plenipotentiaries of his Caesarean Majesty and of Poland c. I. THE Morea with all its Cities Fortresses Castles Lands Villages Mountains Rivers Lakes Woods Ports and ev'ry thing else that is found within the Circumferâ—nce of it now in the Possession of the Republick of Venice shall remain peaceably in the Possâ—ssion and the Dominion of the said Republick as it stâ—nds Bounded by Sea and by Land by that Line where remain the footsteps of the Antient Wall so that from within the Morea that I and shall not be Extended any farther towards the Terra Firma nor on the side of the Terra Firma shall they exceed these Limits of the Morea II. The Tâ—rra Firma that is in the Possession of the Sublime Empire shall remain entirely in the Possession and Dominion of the said Empire exactly in the State it was in in the beginning of the last War. The Fortress of Lepanto shall be Evacuated by the Republick of Venice the Castle of Rumelia on the side of Lepanto shall be Demolish'd and likewise the Fortress of Preveza shall be Demolish'd and the Terra Firma on that side shall be left in its first intire State. III. The Isle of St. Maura with its Fortress and that Entrance upon the Bridge call'd Peracia without any farther Extension of it towards the Terra Firma and the Island of Leucade adjoyning to St. Maure shall remain in the Possession and Dominion of the Republick of Venice IV. The Evacuation of Lepanto and the Demolishment of the Castle of Rumelia and of Prevesa shall be perform'd immediately after the Separation made of the Limits of Dalmatia and in the mean time to prevent all Hostilities and all Occasions of Complaint the Garrisons of the Three said Places shall keep themselves at Home and shall not make any Excursion into the Terra Firma nor any Demand upon what pretence soever and the Inhabitants of the said Places may either stay behind or go away without any Violence to be us'd towards ' em V. The Gulphs that are betwixt the Terra Firma and the Morea shall remain in Common and each Party does oblige it self to Clear and Preserve 'em free from Robbers VI. The
the upper hand but without any notable loss also yet not without great slaughter of theirs and would to God I had had such strength as that not only the conditions of Peace but even the Enemies themselves might have been in my power But when we were oftentimes come to parle they still requiring the same and so at length unto Conditions of Peace if such were given them as whereby this only Kingdom had without the wrong of any other been delivered from so great and sudden a danger what reasonable man could find fault therewith if we should have preferred the health and welfare of our Country whereunto all good men owe all they have before other mens Profits But now these things were so done as that it was no less provided for the good of the neighbour Christians yea and happily not the least for theirs who for the same slander this Kingdom unto your Holiness the fury of Sinan Bassa was by this means repressed who whilst he feared to be shut up in the Straits by our Army now come into Moldavia and expected the Tartars coming spent almost all the rest of the Summer idly and without any thing doing The Tartar himself was not only turned from the Bowels of Christendom whereinto he had purposed as the year before to have entred we having with our own Breasts received his force and fury but being brought unto Conditions was expresly enjoyned in a most short prefined time and without any more harm doing to return again into his Country by the self same way he came and by no other whereby it is come to pass that until this day Christendom hath not this year yet felt the Tartars Weapons But unto Transilvania and Hungary what a space and power was given for them to gather their Strength and Forces together and out of the same places to oppose them against the Enemy whenas our Army kept them safe at their Backs and eased not only Moldavia but Valachia and Transilvania also of that care Whereas if this cause of delay had not been objected unto the Turks first and after unto the Tartars not to say any thing of the Turks the Tartars at the very self-same time that the Transilvanian Army was gone into Valachia against Sinan might have broken into Transilvania before it could have returned home or else marching directly towards that Army might have met with it out of Transilvaniâ— As for Moldavia which together with the Memory of the Christian name yet left in it had utterly perished it was most manifestly preserved by the coming of our Army Which what end it would have had if the Enemy might at his Pleasure have raged as he did in the farther Valachia those most bitter remembrances in it yet at this day smoking do well declare out of which it is well known more thousands of Christian Captives to have been carried away into most woful Captivity than almost out of any other Province in all the time of these miserable Wars Which altho it be thus yet boast we not thereof neither send we any triumphant Letters unto your Holiness nor brag we of our good Service done for the Christian Common-weal contenting our selves with the Conscience of the thing it self In the mean time we are accused unto your Holiness but for what cause If any man complain for the taking of Moldavia I will not say it was by them before willingly forsaken whilst I was yet in the Frontiers thereof but that this Kingdom hath a most antient Right unto it and such a Right as that when our Kings being busied in their Wars against the Muscovite the Cruciat Teutony Brethren or others some others also troubling the state thereof it for a time became a Prey unto the Turkish Tyrants yet in all the Leagues made or renewed betwixt this Kingdom and them was still excepted That all such things as the Palatine of Moldavia was of duty to perform unto the King should by him still be performed Which Kings of Polonia and namely Augustus himself the last of the Iagellonian Race appointed divers of those Palatines themselves Which altho they be things most manifest yet having more regard unto the welfare of that Province as a Christian Country than of our Right we restored the same into the same state wherein it hath been for many Years before these Wars Wherefore if any man think any thing done whereby the Enemies of the Cross of Christ might be eased or strengthened or the Defenders of the Faith hindred it is so far from any such thing to be done that rather as is before declared the Enemies force is repressed and averted and greater means given unto the Christians afront to impugne them the Enemy being at their Backs by us shut from them But I fear that they have not fully informed your Holiness how these things were done who have reported unto your said Holiness not only the Name of the Turks to have been proclaimed together with the Polonians in Moldavia but also the Name of the Tartars the proper Enemies of the Polonians and by the Power and Decrees of them three as it were confederate together things to have been ordered in Moldavia Which their Complaint if it tend to that end as if a confederation were made with them I frankly confess certain Conditions to have been given them but such as whereby is provided not only for the quiet and security of this Kingdom but no less also for the whole Christian Commonweal as is before declared All which things for all that altho they were done for the good of this Kingdom and all Christendom in general yet were they so done that they were all by me referred unto the King's Majesty and the States of the Kingdom so that at this present the Kingdom is at free liberty either to joyn in Confederation with the rest of the Christian Princes or if that cannot upon certain and indifferent conditions be agreed upon yet with no mans injury or hurt to ratifie this joyned with the health and good of a great part of the Christian Commonweal only God grant that the Christian Princes may seriously think both of this so Christian a Confederation against the common Enemy and strive also all together against the enemy with their weapons and not with Misreports and Slanders one against another They are not to assail the enemies feet but his throat neither is the seat of the war to be placed in the borders of Polonia where it concerneth themselves much to have all things rather peaceable behind them but let the War be undertaken with no less charge preparation than if the enemies royal seat were to be assailed which standing in an open and plain Country shall always without much ado be his that being strongest can take it This have I written at large as my purpose was all which I most humbly beseech your Holiness with your divine Wisdom to consider of and with your wonted Clemency to
various Commotions and Disturbances in this State sufficient to attract the eyes of the Turks and encourage the Cosacks in their intended Revolt At length Prince Michael Korebut Wisnowieski being elected King it seemed agreeable to reason that all Verania should have returned to obedience of him to whom the best part of that Country did by right of patrimony year 1662. and natural inheritance belong but the success thereof fell out contrary to all expectation for Dorosensko then General designing to usurp that Government proposed the project of uniting Verania to the Body of Poland as a member of the Crown by which means that Province would not only become free from its Vassalage to the Nobility but obtain equal suffrages in the Diet with all the other more free and priviledged Countries and in this manner he might not only compel Poland to condescend to his designs but confirm himself in the absolute and supreme Authority of the Cosacks This proposition therefore seemed so insolent and savouring of Rebellion to the Polish Court that a severe and menacing Message was dispatched to Dorosensko threatning to take from him his Bulaua or Truncheon of General if ever he entertained any such imagination so highly derogatory to the Majesty of the Polish State he therefore thought it his time to cast himself wholly into the Protection of the Sultan and accordingly dispatch'd Ambassadors to the Port to signifie their submission begging to be received into the Arms of the Ottoman Power and as an assurance thereof that he might receive the Tough which is the Ensign of Authority carried by Pashaws The Vizier at the first motion hereof reflecting on the evil consequences in case the Grand Signior's honour should be foiled in this action suspended a while a compleat answer thereunto but at length being instantly sollicited and perceiving the Disorders and Factions of Poland to encrease the Cosacks were received for Subjects of the Empire and obliged to wage War against all Enemies to the Ottoman Power Duke Michael being elected King the first Act he perfoâ—med was to send an Ambassador extraordinary to the Grand Signior with no other Design than to acquaint him of his Election to the Crown only in case an opportunity presented then to move for a ratification of the Articles concluded at Choccin This Amâ—â—ssador called Wisozki being of a haughty and proud spirit became the Author of all the mischief which ensued for being of a temper which could not equally bear the honour of his important Office lanched out into matters beyond his Commission and instead of imparting his Message would become sole Arbitrator of all the differences between those two powerful Princes for he being unacquainted with the Power or Affairs of the Turks supposed nothing in this World comparable to the number riches and valour of his own Nation and therefore gave himself that liberty of arrogant Language that by way of Command and Menaces he rather seemed to act the part of a Governor or Umpire in the differences of State than of an Orator or Suppliant for peace In his conceit the Turks wanted both courage and power to invade Poland and therefore supposed he might safely brave them into a ratification of former Articles especially when he mentioned a hundred thousand Horse which he undertook before the Vizier to be able on his own acâ—ount to conduct as far as the Walls of Adriâ—nople It was a strange humor of Rodomontado that inspired these two last Ambassadors year 1672. and if from them we may take a pattern of the disposition of the rest of the Polish Nobility it will be no wonder to hear and read the Destractions that are amongst them that they carry themselves with disrespect to their Prince are emulous and factious amongst themselves and that their pride and ignorance which have flattered their humour and triumphed amidst their Tenants and Vassals should betray them to all those evils which we may fear may be the consequences thereof The Great Vizier considering the confidence which this person used in his Discourse imagined that the differences in his Country might be composed and therefore in compliance with his desire offered in general terms to confirm the peace made at Choccin without Addition of any new Article in reference to the Cosacks being a business of that nature which admitted of no present determination this he said was his ultimate resolution which if the Ambassadour approved not he might then advise it home and expect a farther result of their Counsels Wisozki being really possessed in his fancy of the Turks weakness gave way to his passion and with little judgment replied That he approved not of the Proposition nor needed he to transmit any such advice into Poland he himself being a Plenipotentiary of as full a Power as the King and Council for being a Nobleman he was by consequence that necessary Member of the Republick that nothing could pass without his Suffrage The Vizier amazed at this extravagant way of discourse the which he supported with moderation and contempt dispatched away a Chiaus into Poland with Letters desiring that this Ambassadour should be recalled as being a Person unable to manage matters of the least concernment and if they supplied his place with an other he should be received with due respect and a plain way laid open to conclude his Negotiations to the satisfaction of both Parties Wisozki abounding in his own sense and humor represented matters in a far different manner into Poland alledging That the Law of Nations was impeached by the violence offered to his Person being imprisoned and the usual Tain or Allowance of Ambassadours withheld from him both which were not absolutely true for the maintenace he refused as too mean for his Quality and Office and for his Imprisonment it was no other than Confinement to the City of Constantinople with a prohibition only from passing over unto Pera where formerly in a house he had taken he committed a thousand irregularities and disorders which caused the Vizier to recal him again over to Constatinople denying him the liberty of passing more to the other side These were the injuries which he complained of into Poland still fancying That if the Nobility were assembled to consider of these matters the Turk would be so affrighted at it as to condescend unto any terms he should propound These reports of Wisozki took that impression with the Court that esteeming all authentick which he said or wrote without farther examination issued out Orders for a general Insurrection and that all people should prepare for the War rendring the Vizier no other answer than that when their Ambassadour was set at liberty and had licence to depart the like should be permitted unto theirs and in the mean time the Chiaâ—s was committed to safe custody The Grand Signior highly angred at this obstinate misunderstanding immediately ordered that Wisozki should depart and at the same time commanded his whole Militia to rise and follow him to
the Christian Reader what I was glad to seek for out of the confused Labours of many A Work so Long and Labourious as might well have deterred a Right Resolute and Constant Mind from the undertaking thereof being as yet to my Knowledge not undergone or performed by any Wherein among such Variety or more truly to say contrariety of Writers I did content my self as a blind man led by his Guide happily of no better sight than himself to tread the steps of this or that one man going for a while before me and by and by leaving me again stumbling in the Dark But out of the Learned and Faithful Works of many according to my simple Iudgment to make Choice of that was most probable still supplying with the perfections of the better what I found wanting or defective in the Weaker propounding unto my self no other Mark to aim at than the very Truth of the History as that which is it self of Power to give Life unto the Dead Letter and to cover the Faults escaped in the homely Penning or compiling thereof Which the better to perform I Collected so much of the History as possibly I could out of the Writings of such as were themselves present and as it were Eye-witnesses of the greatest part of that they Writ and so as of all others best able most like also to have left unto us the very Truth Such is the greatest part of so much of the History of the Greek Empire as I have for the better Vnderstanding of the rising of the Turks in this History set down gathered out of the Doings of Nicetas Choniates Nicephorus Gregoras and Laonicus Chalcocondiles all Writing such Things as they themselves saw or were for most part in their time and near unto them done Such are the Wonderful and almost Incredible Wars betwixt old Amurath the Second and his Foster-Child the Fortunate Prince of Epirus of the Turks commonly called Scanderbeg and by that wayward Tyrant at his Death together with his Kingdom delivered as it were by Inheritance unto his Son the Great and Cruel Sultan Mahomet all Written by Marinus Barletius himself an Epirot and in all those troublesom Times then living in Scodra a City of the Venetians joying upon Epirus Such is the Woful Captivity of the Imperial City of Constantinople with the miserable Death of the Greek Emperor Constantinus Palaeologus and the Fatal Ruine of the Greek Empire Written by Leonardus Chiensis Archbishop of Mytilene being himself then present and there taken Prisoner Such is the Lamentable History of the Rhodes taken for most out of Ja. Fontanus his Three Books de bello Rhodio a Learned Man then present and in great Credit with Villerius the great Master at such time as that famous Island after it had by him and the other Worthy Knights of the Order been most wonderfully of long Defended was to the great ruth of Christendom taken by the Great Sultan Solyman Such is the most Tragical History of Bajazet Solymans youngest Son Collected out of the notable Epistles of Augerius Busbequius Legationis Turcicae he himself then lying Ambassadâ—r for the Empiror Ferdinand at Constantinople and present in Solymans Camp at such time as he himself in Person went over with his Army into Asia to Countenance his eldest Son Selymus who Succeeded him in the Empire against his Valiant yonger Brother Bajazet and beside well acquainted with the Great Bassaes Achmet Rustan Haly and others oftentimes mentioned in the History following Such is also the History of the taking of the antient City of Tripolis in Barbary from the Knights of Malta by Sinan the proud Bassa Written by Nicholas Nicholy Lord of Arâ—euile present at the same time with the Lord of Aramont then Ambassador for the French King unto Solyman So might I say also of the miserable spoil of the Fruitful and Pleasant Islands of the Mediterranean made by Lutzis Bassa Solyman his Brother in Law and Great Admiral with the submitting of the Island of Naxos to the Turks Obeisence Written by John Crispe at that time Duke of the same Island And so likewise of diverse other parts of the History too long to rehearse But forasmuch as every Great and Famous Action had not the Fortune to have in it a Caesar such as both could and would commend unto Posterity by Writing that whereof they might truly say They were themselves a great part many Right Excellent Generals contenting themselves with the Honor of the Field and their Glory there Won leaving the Honorable Fame thereof to be by others reported for lack of such most certain Authors or rather as I before said Eye-witnesses I gathered so much as I could of what remained out of the Works of such as being themselves Men of Great Place and well acquainted with the Great and Worthy Personages of their Time might from their Mouths as from certain Oracles Report the undoubted Truth of many most Famous Exploits done both by themselves and others As might Pau. Jovius from the mouth of Muleasses King of Tunes from Vastius the Great General from Auria the Prince of Melphis Charles the Emperor his Admiral and such others Or else out of the Writings of such as were themselves great Travellers into the Turks Dominions and withal diligent observers of their Affairs and State as were the Physitians Pantaleon Minadoie and Leunclavius of all others a most curious Searcher of their Antiquities and Histories unto which great Clerks and some others of that Learned Profession we may Worthily attribute the greatest Light and Certainty of that is Reported of a great part of the Turkish Affairs But these in the Course of so long a History failing also as by conferring that which is hereafter Written together with their Histories is easily to be perceived to perfect that I had taken in Hand I took my refuge unto the Writings of such other Learned and Credible Authors as of whose Integrity and Faithfulness the World hath not to my Knowledge at any time yet doubted Yea for these few late Years I was glad out of the German and Italian Writers in their own Language in part to borrow the Knowledge of these late Affairs As also from the credible and certain Report of some such Hâ—norable minded Gentlemen of our own Country as have either for their Honors sake served in these late Wars in Hungary or upon some other Occasions spent some good times in Travelling into the Turks Dominions but especially unto the Imperial City of Constantinople the chief Seat of the Turkish Empire and Place of the Great Turks abode Amongst whom I cannot but deservedly remember my kind Friend and Cousin M. Rog. Howe unto whose discreet and curious Observations during the time of his late abode at Constantinople I justly account my self for many things beholden In which Course of my Proceeding if the Reader find not himself so fully satisfied as he could desire I would be glad by him my self to be better informed
Graecian name were utterly extinguished by the Latines This his Speech fitted of purpose unto the humour of the Seditious was received with the great outcry and applause of the windy headed People Some cryed out that he and none but he was to be made chief of the Common-weal that was by them to be established othersome cried as loud to have him made General of the Armies and Forces of the State but the greatest cry was to have him chosen and created Emperor whereunto the rest giving place he was by the general consent of the tumultuous People without longer stay chosen and proclaimed Emperor Alexius the Traitor by no lawful Election or rightful Succession but only by the fury of the tumultuous People thus created Emperor was of nothing more careful than how to break the Forces of the Latines of whom only he now stood in dread And therefore to begin withal he first attempted by certain Gallies filled with Pitch Flax Brimstone and such like matter apt to take fire to have burnt the Venetian Fleet which Gallies so set on fire and carried with a fare gale of Wind among the Fleet had been like enough to have done great harm had it not by the wariness of the Venetians been prevented who being good Sea men and not unacquainted with such devises easily and without danger avoided the same by keeping themselves aloof one from another in the Sea. This fineness sorting to no purpose he to colour the matter sent certain Messengers to the General and other Commanders of the Army to give them to understand that that which was done for the firing of the Fleet had been done without his privity by the malice of the tumultuous People and that for his part he would be glad of their Favour and Friendship assuring them likewise of his and promising them to aid them both with men and mony and whatsoever else they should have need of in their Wars against the Infidels Whereunto an answer was given by Dandulus the Venetian General that he would believe it when Alexis the Son of the Emperor Isaac whom the Latines had placed in the Empire should assure them thereof and intreat for the People upon whom the fault of that outrage was laid which answer the more moved the traiterous Tyrant to rid himself clean of the fear of the young Prince by taking him out of the way to the intent to hinder the People of the hope and great desire they had to grow to some peace with the Latines by taking him out of Prison and receiving him again for their Emperor For the People by nature mutable and not desirous of the good of themselves but according to the occurrents present without any great regard of that they had already done or ought to have done begun now to repent themselves of that they had done against the young Emperor Alexis in Favour of the Tyrant and commonly said That they must find some means whatsoever it were to remedy their fault together with their troubles Wherefore Murzufle fearing the sudden mutation of the People with his own Hands most villanously strangled the young Prince Alexis in Prison having as yet not raigned much above six months and immediately after caused it to be bruited abroad That the said young Prince despairing or his Estate had as a man desperate hanged himself The Tyrant in vain having thus attempted the burning of the Fleet and still fearing the revenging Sword of the Latines resolved now by plain force to meet them in the field and there to dare them to battel So having made ready and armed the whole Strength of the Imperial City he with chearful speech encouraged his Souldiers requesting them valiantly to maintain and defend their Country of Greece the Monuments of their Fathers the Glory of their Ancestors their present Honour and the future Hope of their Posterity that having before their Eyes the Walls of their City within which they were born nourished and brought up in hope of great matters they would have pity and compassion of their Temples their Wives their Children and in no case to suffer them to fall again into so miserable and wretched a Servitude but rather to die a thousand deaths And the more to grace this his enterprise taken in hand for the defence of his Country as he would have the world to believe it with the colour of a superstitious Devotion also he caused the Priests in their Ecclesiastical Attire and Ornaments to march forth in the Army with an Ensign having in it displayed the Picture of the Virgin Mary So couragiously marching forward he first charged that quarter of the Camp where Baldwin the Count of Flanders lay where at the first was fought a right fierce and doubtful Battel But afterward the Alarm running throughout all the Camp of the Latines and new supplies coming in on every side the Greeks were put to the worse and inforced again to retire into the City having lost a great number of men together with their superstitious Ensign It was a wonderful thing to see with what rare agreement the Latines being of divers Nations continued this expedition undertaken against the Greeks Seventy two days was this City of Constantinople straightly besieged by the Latines both by Sea and Land without giving any time of rest or repose day or night to the besieged fresh men coming still on to the Assault as the other fell off and in such sort troubled the Greeks in the City that they knew not well what to do or which way to turn themselves The Venetians unto whom was committed the charge to assault that side of the City which was toward the Haven upon two great Gallies made fast together built a strong Tower of Wood higher than the Walls and Rampiers of the Town out of which they both with Shot and Fire-works much troubled the Defendants wherewith they in the time of the assault approaching the Wall by their sine devices fired that side of the City by the rage whereof a great number of Houses were burnt with many other stately Buildings and ancient Monuments of that famous City and had at that present gained a great Tower near unto the Port destitute of defenders had not the Tyrant himself in good time come with new Supplies to the rescue thereof In like manner the French with the rest assayled the other side of the City by Land where they were to fight not against the Defendants only but against deep Ditches high and strong Walls and Bulwarks also nevertheless such was the Valour and Fury of the Latines with the desire of Victory as that they were not with any difficulties to be dismayed but pressing still on by a thousand dangers at length after a most sharp Assault they gained one of the greatest Bastilions on that side of the City called the Angels Tower and so by plain force opened a way both for themselves and the rest into the City Whereof Alexius
Wrath but struck as it were to the heart with a remorse of Conscience and oppressed with heaviness with tears running down his Cheeks and fetching a deep sigh said Why provoke you me to punish so just a man Whereas if I would my self have lived without reproach and infamy I should have kept my Imperial Majesty unpolluted or stained But now sith I my self have been the cause both of mine own disgrace and of the Empires I may thank mine own deserts if of such evil seed as I have sown I now reap also an evil harvest After the death of this good Emperor Theodorus his Son born the first year of his Fathers Reign being then about three and thirty years old was by the general consent of the People saluted Emperor in his stead who in the beginning of his Empire renewed the League which his Father had made with Iathatines the Turkish Sultan And so having provided for the security of his affairs in Asia he with a puissant Army passed over the Straight of Hellespontus into Europe to appease the troubles there raised in Macedonia and Thracia by the King of Bulgaria his Brother-in-Law and Michael Angelus the Despot of Thessalia who upon the death of the old Emperor began to spoil those Countries not without hope aâ— length to have joyned them unto their own by whose coming they were for all that disappointed of their purpose and glad to sue to him for peace But whilst he was there busied he was advertised by Letters from Nice that Michael Paleologus whom he had left there Governour in his absence was secretly fled unto the Turks with which news he was not a little troubled The cause of whose flight as Paleologus himself gave it out was for that he perceived himself divers ways by many of his Enemies brought into disgrace and the Emperors Ears so filled with their odious complaints so cunningly framed against him as that they were not easily or in short time to be refelled and therefore fearing in the Emperors heavy displeasure to be suddenly taken away to have willingly gone into exile if so happily he might save his life from the malice of them that sought after it At his coming to Iconium he found Iathatines the Sultan making great preparation against the Tartars who having driven the Turks out of Persia and other the far Eastern Countries as is before declared and running still on did with their continual incursions spoyl a great part of their Territories in the lesser Asia also and now lay at Axara a Town not far off from Iconium against whom the Sultan now making the greatest preparation he could gladly welcomed Paleologus whom he knew to be a right valiant and worthy Captain commending to his charge the leading of certain Bands of Greeks whom he had retained to serve him in those Wars as he had others of the Latines under the conduct of Boniface Moline a Nobleman of Venice and so having put all things in readiness and strengthened with these forreign Supplies of the Greeks and Latines set forward against his Enemies the Tartars who at the first fight of the strange Ensigns and Souldiers were much dismaied fearing some greater force had been come to the aid of the Turks nevertheless joyning with them in Battel had with them at the first a most terrible and bloody conflict wherein that part of the Army that stood against Paleologus and his Greeks was put to the worse to the great discomfiture of the Tartars being even upon the point to have fled had not one of the greatest Commanders in the Turks Army and a nigh Kinsman of the Sultans for an old grudge that he bare unto the Sultan with all his Regiment in the heat of the Battel revolted unto the Tartars whereby the fortune of the Battel was in a moment as it were quite altered they which but now were about to have fled fighting like Lions and they that were Victors now glad to turn their Backs and flie in which Flight a great number of Turks fell the fierce Tartars most eagerly pursuing them Paleologus with the General of the Turks hardly chased by the Tartars and glad every hour to make a stand and to fight for their lives with much ado after many days flight recovered a Castle of the Generals neer unto Castamona and so saved themselves The Tartars after this so great a Victory wherein they had broken the whole Strength of the Turks and brought in hazard the whole State of their Kingdom without resistance forraged all the Countries and Provinces subject unto the Turkish Sultan making Spoil of whatsoever they light upon insomuch that the Sultan discouraged and having now no Strength left to oppose against them fled unto the Greek Emperor Theodorus for aid who most honourably entertained him with all his Train and comforted him with such small aid as he thought good then to spare him which for his more safety he sent home with him under the leading of Isaacius Duâ—as sirnamed Murtzufle a man in great credit with him In recompence of which kindness the Sultan gave unto the Emperor the City of Laodicea whereinto he presently put a strong Garrison Nevertheless it was not long before it fell again into the Hands of the Turks being a place not to be holden by the Greeks Yet for all this the Sultan finding himself still to weak to withstand the continual invasions of the Tartars and weary of the harms he dayly stustained by the advice of his chief Councellors made a League with them yielding to pay them a certain yearly Tribute thereby to redeem his peace From which time the Tartars accounted of the Turks as of their Tributaries and Vassals Not long after this Michael Paleologus was by the Emperors kind and gracious Letters called home with his faithful promise also before given for his security who before his return bound himself also by solemn Oath to be unto the Emperor and his Son always loyal and from thenceforth never to seek after the Empire or give cause of new suspect for such matters as he had been before charged with but for ever to yield unto the Emperor his Son or other his Successors in the Empire his dutiful Obedience and Fidelity Upon which conditions he was again made great Constable and so received into the Emperors Favour and lived the rest of his Reign in great honour and credit with him Now Theodorus the Emperor having reigned three years fell sick and died leaving behind him his Son Iohn then but a Child of six years old to succeed him in the Empire whom he upon his death bed together with the Empire commended to Arsenius the Patriarch and one George Muzalo his faithful Councellor as to his trusty Tutors to see him safely brought up and the Empire well and peaceably governed This Muzalo was a man of mean Parentage but for his familiar Acquaintance and civil Behaviour of a Child brought up in the Court with the
the Castle of In-Ungi requiring to have Othoman fortwith delivered unto him Where among the Souldiers there in Garrison with the Captain began to arise divers opinions some wishing for the averting of the present danger for which they were now unprovided to have him delivered and other some abhorring so treacherous a fact willing rather to endure all extremities In the end after much consultation honesty prevailed and it was generally resolved that he should be defended who could not without their great infamy be delivered But Othoman terrified with that diversity of opinions which had even at first shewed it self and thinking it not for his safety to commit himself unto the trust of such wavering men entred into a deep conceit of a matter of great adventure which was by a sudden sally to make himself way through the midst of his Enemies Wherewith having made his Brother Iundus and those few his followers there present acquainted and thereupon resolved he fiercely sallied out and by plain force brake through the midst of them and so took his way towards Suguta still notably repulsing them that were sent to pursue him But being come into the Frontiers of his Fathers Territory and the report of his dangers known and that being but weakly accompanied he was by a great number of his Enemies pursued presently all the lusty youths and such as loved him well took horse to come to his rescue who meeting with the Governours Souldiers that had Othoman in chace in a sharp conflict slew divers of them and put the rest to flight Of whom some were also taken Prisoners and amongst the rest one Michael Cosse a Christian Captain of a little Castle in that Country called Hirmen-Caia or the Rock of Ormeni Of whom Othoman taking compassion freely pardoned him that offence With which unexpected curtesie he was so moved that ever after he took part with him and did him great service in his Wars whose Posterity hath ever since even until this our age continued next unto the Othoman Family most honourable and famous amongst the Turks by the name of Michael Oglies that is to say the Sons or Posterity of Michael Ertogrul now spent with age shortly after died in the year of our Lord 1289. having lived 93 years and thereof governed the Oguzian Family after the death of his Father Solyman 52. His death was of all his Tribe and Kindred generally lamented and his body after the Turkish manner honourably buried at Suguta where he had of long time lived After whose death these plain Oguzian Turks in a general Assembly consulting whom they might chuse for their Lord and Governour in stead of old Ertogrul casting their eyes especially upon two stood in doubt of which of them to make choice For although most men were of opinion that Othoman for the rare gifts and vertues as well of body as of mind was to be preferred before the rest of his Brethren the Sons of Ertogrul yet were there some and they also men of great gravity and experience who had in suspect the young mans age as of it self slippery and for the most part prone to vice especially in the liberty of great power and therefore thought it better to make choice of Dunder Ertogruls Brother and Othomans Uncle a man of far greater gravity judgment and experience But Dunder himself being indeed a wise man and far from all ambition perswaded them in that choice not to have any regard at all unto his honour or preferment but to consider what were best for their State and Welfare in general For he providently foresaw in what danger the Oguzian State stood exposed on the one side to the mortal hatred and treacheries of the Greeks grieved to see themselves spoyled by the Turks and naturally hating them for the Mahometan Religion and on the other side not surely backt by the Sultans of Iconium brought in thraldom to the Tartars and dayly grown weaker and weaker Unto which inconveniences and dangers he said an old weak and overgrown body as his was could give no help or remedy at all but required the help of a wise politick vigilant stirring and valiant man such as they all well knew was Othoman his Brothers Son. Thus before he came unto the election he in privat declared his mind unto the chief of the Oguzian Family and afterward at their request coming to the general Assembly all mens minds and eyes now fixed upon Othoman he first of all by his example to encourage the rest for the good of the Oguzian Tribe his ancient House and Family saluted him their great Lord and Governor promising unto him all Loyalty with the utmost of his service whereunto by and by ensued the great applause of the rest of the People as unto a Governour sent unto them by God unto whom they joyfully wished all happy success with long life and a prosperous Government Thus with all mens good liking was Othoman made the great Governor of the Oguzian Turks and so become among them a great Commander and honoured with the Title of O Esman-Beg or the Lord Osman Yet was this his honour included in a small circuit plain and homely without any great Pomp or Shew as commanding amongst rough and rude Heardsmen and Shepheards not acquainted with the curtesie of other more civil Nations for as yet they were the same homely Scythian Nomades that they were before and could not as yet be perswaded to forsake their wonted rude and uncivil manners by long tradition received from their Ancestors and so best agreeing with their Nature and Calling Amongst which rude Heardsmen this new Governor himself not too far exceeding the rest in civility commanded much like unto another Romulus of whom also the Turks report many such things as do the Romans of their Founder which for brevity I thought good to pass over Now it fortuned that Othoman even in the beginning of his Government fell first at odds with one Hagionicholaus or S. Nicholas Captain of Einegiol a Castle there by for that he had oftentimes of purpose troubled and molested these Oguzian Heardsmen in passing to and fro with their Cattel by his Castle For which cause Othoman was inforced to request the Captain of Bilezuga another Castle there by also his Neighbour and Friend that his people in passing that way to the Mountains might with their Goods and Cattle as occasion should require take the refuge of his Castle which the courteous Captain well acquainted with old Ertogrul Othomans Father easily granted yet with this proviso that none should with such Goods or Cattle have access into his Castle but the Turks Women only which his courtesie Othoman refused not So was the Castle of Bilezuga from that time forward a refuge unto the Turks Women who passing that way and there shrouded with their Goods and Cattle usually presented the Captain with some one homely Country Present or other which afterwards was the loss of the Castle Yet was
or at leastwise give him such Aid as might keep him out and so cut off all his hope for obtaining of the same At which also there was great want of Victual in the City he with his Army having shut it up on the one side by Land and the Venetians with their Gallies on the other side by Sea who then at odds with the Genoways dwelling at Pera kept all that strait Sea betwixt Europe and Asia in such sort as that neither Victuals nor Merchandize could be brought that way either to Constantinople or Pera. The young Emperor coming to Constantinople attempted at his first coming to have entred the City in hope without any great resistance to have been received but repulsed by the Defendants was glad to get him further off About this time came also unto the City three thousand Horsemen the appointed Aid of the Bulgarian Prince unto the old Emperor who although he wanted men and was right glad of their coming yet remembring the harms he had before received by foreign Aid and not now daring to trust them too far suffered not them to come into the City more than their General and some few others of their Commanders with him Now the young Emperor upon the coming of this Aid lest some great harm might betide either the old Emperor or himself to the utter subversion of their State secretly sent unto his Grandfather requesting him to be well advised how he trusted â—hose foreign people too far offering himself to do whatsoever he should Command rather than so great a harm should happen unto either of them as was from them to be feared But the trust the old Emperor had conceived of this Bulgarian Aid had so confirmed his mind as that he little listned unto his Nephews request besides that how could he well trust him that had so oftentimes deceived him Wherewith the young Emperor much grieved and now again almost despairing of his further Success dislodged and drew near unto the place where these Bulgarian Horsemen lay encamped from whence he sent certain Embassadors with great Gifts and Presents unto the General and the rest of the chief Commanders promising them â—ar greater if they would without further troubling themselves return home again whereunto they wilâ—ingly granted and so were of him honourably feasted and the next day after conducted upon their way homewards It fortuned that the young Emperor returning back again from the Bulgarians and incamped in the place where he before lay two of the Watchmen of the City the one called Camaris and the other Castellanus both Smiths fled secretly unto him who admitted to his Presence and all others commanded to depart excepting Catacuzenus offered to betray the City unto him so that he would under his hand writing assure them of such a sum of Money and such Possessions as they required which he easily granting and the hour and manner of performing of the same being by them declared and agreed upon they by and by without longer stay for fear of suspition returned again into the City But the Emperor staying four days in the same place caused certain Ladders to be made of great Ropes such as they use in great Ships But the appointed night being come the two Traytors having before provided great store of good Wine liberally gave the same by way of courtesie unto the Watchmen their Companions near unto them who drank so plentifully thereof that not able any longer to hold up their heads they fell into so sound a sleep as that but for breathing they differed not much from dead men About midnight came certain Souldiers of the young Emperors with the foresaid Ladders which the Traytors by and by drawing unto them by a Rope cast down and making them fast unto the top of the Wall received by the same eighteen armed men who being got into the City without more ado brake open the Roman Gate whereby the young Emperor with his Army presently entred no man letting him But it is worth marking how things appointed to befal us are by no means to be avoided although we be thereof before never so plainly forewarned For the same night the City was surprised immediately after the setting of the Sun the Gates being shut a certain Country man came running in all hast from out of a Village there by and knocking hard at the Gate called Girolimna required to speak with some of the Souldiers who being come he told them how that a little before he had seen a a great number of the young Empeâ—ors men marching towards the City by the way that leadeth unto the Roman Gate which being told unto the old Emperor did not a little trouble him And therefore thought it good to send out certain Scouts to see if all were clear along the Walls toward the Land from Sea to Sea which his purpose Metochita his chief Counsellor letted saying It did not beseem a couragious mind to be upon so light an occasion so much moved for that either the rumor was false or the endeavour of so few vain the Walls and Gates of the City being so filled with armed men which happily he said not so much upon ignorance of Martial Affairs as blinded by a certain commanding Power that the supernal Decree given by God himself against the old Emperor might at length take place And again the third part of that night yet scant past divers other Countrymen came running unto the said Gate Girolimna and told the Watchmen upon the Walls that a great number of men were met together at the Roman Gate whereof the Emperor hearing was therewith much more troubled than before insomuch that sharply rebuking Metochita he said unto him Thou seemest to be strangely metamorphosed into a man of Iron which art become so secure as not to have any feeling of the danger wherewith we are inclosed Seest thou not that the matter requireth not that we should thus sit still and take our rest For the noise of my Nephew soundeth in mine Ears as the sound of a great Drum and disquieteth my mind I feel a Sea of Calamity broken out against me which overwhelmeth and drowneth my heart and courage Nevertheless he firm in his former Opinion made no reckoning of those Reports and therefore rose to go to bed to shew indeed that he accounted nothing of them but as false alarms But the Emperor left alone and no body with him unto whom he might break his grief laid him down upon a Pallet not putting off his Clothes but as if he had together with them put on extream desperation lay tumbling too and fro as a man in mind troubled with divers many and heavy thoughts In the mean time he heard a great noise at the Court-Gate and the report of the entring of the young Emperor his Nephew with a great clattering of Armor for there were above eight hundred Souldiers entred with him and withall they of the City on every side saluted him
Turks were by the Christians slain in the entrance of the Camp with their Booties in their Hands and presently the Turks Trenches were now by Scanderbegs Souldiers couragiously assaulted and the Turks beaten from the top of them They having won the Trenches prevailed still upon the Turks filling all their Camp with fear and slaughter There was no use of Shot in that medly by reason of the straitness of the place for they were now come to pell mell Mustapha seeing his Souldiers put to the worst and that the Camp was not long to be defended took horse and fled by the Port which was furthest from the Enemy The rest of the Souldiers fled also making such poor shift for themselves as they could In this Battel five thousand Turks were slain and but three hundred taken for the Christians inraged with the Spoil of the Country revenged themselves with the slaughter of the Turks Scanderbeg lost in this conflict but twenty Horsemen and fifty Footmen The rest of the Turks Army dispersed in the Country hearing the tumult in the Camp misdoubting the fortune of their Fellows fled also yet many of them were in that Flight pursued and slain After this overthrow Mustapha returning to Amurath the better to excuse the misfortune of himself and the other Captains before sent greatly commended the invincible Courage of Scanderbeg and his wonderful skill in feats of Arms perswading Amurath either to send a greater Power against him or else none at all saying That to send such small Armies was but to minister matter to the increase of his Glory and the Infamy of the Turks and to use Policy against him the Master of Policy was but meer Folly. It grieved Amurath to hear the Praises of his Enemy although he knew the same to be true by the continual Fortune he had always against his great Captains Alis Bassa Ferizes and Mustapha wherefore he determined for a time not to provoke him further but to suffer him to live in Peace yet commanded Mustapha to renew his Army for defence of the borders of his Kingdom towards Epirus against the innovation of Scanderbeg but straitly commanding him in no case to invade any part of Epirus neither upon any occasion offered or conceived hope of Victory to join Battel with Scanderbeg for fear of such evil success as before At this time also the Grecians of Peloponâ—sus now called Morea having before fortified the Strait of Corinth from Sea to Sea with a perpetual Wall which they called Hexamylum and deep Trenches about six miles in length had also built five strong Castles in the same Wall of purpose to take away all passage by Land into that rich Country and began now not only to deny the yearly Tribute they were wont to pay unto the Turkish King but also to invade such Princes of Achaia their Neighbours as were content to remain still the Turks Tributaries among whom Neceus Prince of Athens and Turacan Governor of Thessalia for Amurath ceased not by continual Complaints to incense him against them of Peloponesus Who having his Army in readiness although it was now Winter and he himself very aged set forward from Hadrianople and marching through Thessalia came into Achaia where most of the Grecians were before fled for fear into Peloponesus So passing on with his Army he came to the Strait commonly called Istmus where the famous City of Coâ—inth sometime stood and there incamped his Army near unto the strong Wall and Castles lately before built hoping that the Grecians of Peloponesus terrified with the multitude of his Army would without resistance submit themselves but when he perceived them to stand upon their guard and to trust to their Strength he laid battery to the Wall four days and having made it assaultable brake through the same with his Army The Grecians having lost the Wall their chief Strength fled some to one strong Hold and some to another as their Fortune led them the Turks at their pleasure spoiling and destroying that rich and pleasant Country sometime the Nurse of worthy Wits and famous Captains where they found wonderful riches and took Prisoners without number in so much that they were sold among the Turks at a most vile Price There Amurath for his pleasure cruelly sacrificed six hundred Christian Captives to the hellish Ghost of his dead Father Mahomet and afterwards imposing a yearly Tribute upon the Peloponesians and other Grecian Princes now yielding again unto him as an induction to their further Slavery under the Turkish Tyranny he returned taking in his way the two famous Cities of Patras and Sicyone Thus the rich Country of Peloponesus and all the rest of Grecia sometime the Fountain of all Learning and Civility became tributary to the barbarous and cruel Turks in the year of our Lord 1445. Old Amurath now clogged with years and wearied with long Wars was content to take his rest at Hadrianople during which time Bajazet the Son of Mahomet was born in the year 1446. year 1446. who afterwards of long time with great Glory governed the Turkish Empire at Constantinople as in his place shall appear The Hungarians after the Calamity of Varna wherein they had together with Uladislaus their King lost most part of their Nobility also in a general Assembly of their States made choice of Ladislaus the Posthumous Son of Albertus and then in keeping of Frederick the Emperor for their King. But forasmuch as he being then but a Child of five years old and chosen King more for the remembrance of the Emperor Sigismund his Grandfather and Albertus his Father and the good hope conceived of him than for any other thing presently to be expected from him it was thought more than necessary to make choice of some notable and worthy man unto whom they might during the time of the Kings Minority commit the Government and Protection of that so great and turbulent a Kingdom Many there were in that honourable Assembly well thought of both of themselves and others but such was the Glory and Valour of Huniades and so great the remembrance of his worthy deserts both of the Kingdom of Hungary and of the Christian Common-weal in general as without his seeking procured unto him the general Favour and Suffrages of all yea so far that even they which most envied at his Honour as overshadowing their own were glad to hold their Peace for that without him it was commonly thought the state of that shaken Kingdom could not long stand So by the general consent of all the States there assembled he was with the great applause of the People chosen and proclaimed Governor as of all others most fit for so great and heavy a charge wherein he quietly spent some few years in deciding of civil Controversies in composing the quarrels of the Nobility not forgetting in the mean time the indifferent administration of Justice to all men ending many controversies far from the place of Judgment and
advice of his Bassaes encamped fast by the Sea-side and there presently began to build a great strong Castle close unto the Straits of Bosphorus near unto Propontis on Europe side directly over against the other Castle in Asia For the speedy accomplishment of which work he assembled thither all the workmen he could possibly get out of Europe and Asia apportioning unto his Captains and Souldiers of his Army part of the work also by whose industry and labour that great building was in shorter time brought to perfection than was by any man at the first expected This Castle which for the greatness thereof is of most Writers reputed for a City was by the Turks named Genichisar and of the Grecians Neocastron or New Castle and also Laemocastron or Castle upon the Straits and was there by the Turks built as well for the safety of their own passage too and fro as for to hinder the passage of the Christians through those narrow Straits they now possessing the strong Forts on both sides and thereby also to distress the City of Constantinople from whence this Castle was not above five miles distant When Mahomet in the second year of his Reign had finisht this great Castle with some other small Forts about the same and also repaired the other Castle in Asia over against it he placed therein strong Garrisons and furnished the same with Attillery in such sort that no Ship could pass through the Strait of Bosphorus into the great Euxine or Black Sea but she was in danger to be sunk whereby the rich trade which the Marchants of Venice Genoa and Constantinople had to Caffa and other places lying upon the Euxine were almost quite cut off to the great hinderance of those Estates Now Mahomet by Nature ambitious and withal desirous to do some such thing as the glory whereof might far pass the Fame of his Predecessors thought nothing more answerable to his high conceipts than to attempt the winning of Constantinople and the utter subversion of the Greek Empire whereupon his Father Amurath and his great Grandfather Bajazet had before in vain spent their Forces Besides that it grieved him to see that goodly City the ancient Seat of the Christian Empire to be so commodiously situated as it were in the midst of his Kingdom and not to be at his Command Hereunto the small power of the Greek Emperor himself and the other Christian Princes at the same time at mortal discord among themselves ministred unto his greedy desire no small hope of success and served as Spurs to prick him forward unto so great an enterprise Wherefore all the Winter he caused great preparation to be made of shipping and other warlike provision both for Sea and Land and gave out Commissions for the levying of a mighty Army to be in readiness against the next Spring But whither he would imploy the same no man could certainly tell some guessing one thing and some another as the manner of men is when such extraordinary preparation is at hand Constatinus the eighth of that name then Emperor of Constantinople a Prince of a mild and soft Spirit fitter for the Church than for the Field hearing of the great preparation made by the Turkish King and fearing lest that tempest then growing should upon the suddain break forth upon himself first made such preparation as his own small ability would extend unto And then sent his Embassadors unto other Christian Princes earnestly craving their Aid and Assistance in that his dangerous Estate But that labour was lost and all his suit vain for they being at variance one with another and having more care of private revenge than how to repulse the common Enemy of Christianity could not or would not afford him any help at all Nicholas the fifth of that Name then Bishop of Rome with Alphonsus King of Naples and the State of Venice promised to have sent him thirty Gallies but none for all that came There were by chance at Constantinople certain Ships and Gallies of Venice Genoa Crete and Chios of whom the Emperor made stay at which time also it chanced that Iohannes Iustinianus an Adventurer of Genoa who had been scouring those Seas came to Constantinople with two tall Ships and four hundred Souldiers where he was entertained by the Emperor And forasmuch as he was a man honourably descended and supposed to be both of great Courage and Direction was by the Emperor appointed General of all his Forces next unto himself He also entertained six thousand Greeks which with three thousand Venetians Genowaies and others whom he had made stay of joyned unto the Citizens was all the weak Strength he had to relie upon for the defence of his State and Empire Against the beginning of the Spring the Turkish King had in readiness a great and puissant Army of three hundred thousand men of whom the greatest part were taken out of Bulgaria Servia Rascia Thessalia Macedonia and Grecia which as yet were called the Christian Countries and were themselves either indeed Christians or else such Renegates as had not long before forsaken the Christian Faith unto these also were joyned divers other Christians which came out of Germany Bohemia and Hungary to serve the Turk in his Wars This hath been none of the least means whereby the Turkish Kings have grown so great and their Kingdom so mightily inlarged by inforcing and alluring Christians to fight against Christians to the utter confusion of themselves Among the great multitude of the Europeian Christians were mingled his effeminate Souldiers of Asia and his natural Turks and Ianizaries which were in number fewest and yet commanded all the rest With this great Army well appointed with all warlike provision came Mahomet the Turkish King from Hadrianople and the ninth day of April in the year 1453 encamped before Constantinople and with the multitude of his Army filled all the main Land before the City from the Sea side of Bosphorus unto the place where the same Sea compassing in the City on two parts and running far into the Land betwixt Constantinople and Pera maketh there a goodly Haven betwixt them This City of Constantinople called in ancient time Bizantium is in form of a Triangle situated in Europe in the pleasant Country of Thracia upon a point of the main Land shooting out towards Asia called of Pliny and Solinus the Promontory Chrysoceras where the Sea of Propontis joyneth unto that Strait of Sea which divideth Asia from Europe called in ancient time Bosphorus Thracius sometime the Strait of Pontus and the mouth of Pontus and of the modern Writers the Strait of Constantinople and about two hundred years past or more S. George his Arm. This point of the main whereon the City standeth lyeth about two Italian miles more Northward than doth the ancient City of Calcedon on the other side of the Strait in Asia more than thirty miles distant from the Euxine or
Lords his Confederates and the Embassadors of the Venetians into his Bed-Chamber Where after he had at large with greater pain notably discoursed of his troublesome life led among them than he had before passed the same and carefully forewarned them of the dangers like to ensue he earnestly exhorted them to continue in Unity and Concord and valiantly to stand in defence of their Religion Country and Liberty And afterwards turning his Speech to his Wife and his Son commended them both with his Kingdom to the tuition of the Venetians who by the Articles of the Confederation betwixt him and them were in honour bound to protect his Son and Kingdom during the time of his Minority and afterwards peaceably to place him in the same In fine he willed his Wife after his Death to pass over with her Son into Apulia where they might in safety and quiet live upon such Possessions as he there held by the Gift of King Ferdinand And so after he had with most fervent prayer commended his Soul into the hands of Almighty God departed in peace the 17 th day of Ianuary in the year of our Lord 1466. when he had lived about 63 years and thereof raigned about 24. His death was worthily lamented of all Christian Princes but especially of the Venetians and Princes of Albania who had now lost their most careful Watchman and invincible Champion the sorrow of his Subjects is not to be expressed every man bewailing him as the only stay of the Common-weal and as if with him they had lost all their hope His dead Body was with the general Lamentation of all Men royally buried in the Cathedral-Church of St. Nicholas at Lyssa where it rested in peace until that about nine years after the Turks coming to the Siege of Scodra by the way took the City of Lyssa and there with great devotion digged up his Bones reckoning it some part of their happiness if they might but see or touch the same and such as could get any part thereof were it never so little caused the same to be set some in Silver some in Gold to hang about their Necks or wear upon their Bodies perswading themselves by the wearing thereof to be partakers of such good fortune and hap as had Scanderbeg himself whilst he lived which is not unaptly by Gabriel Fairnus of Cremona thus in Verse expressed Turcarum clades Othomanni nominis horror Epiri tutela illo jacuere Sepulchro Quo quondam invicti cubuerunt ossa Georgi Nunc membra viri dissectum in frustra sepulchrum Interijt sparsi manes conscisa vaguntur Ossa nec in gelida nunc saltem morte quiescunt Namque ut is assertum toties cum laude paternum Imperium exacta moriens aetate reliquit Illicet immanes tenuerunt omnia Turcae Tum clari Herois venerati nobile bustum Ossaque marmoraque invictum condentia corpus Abstuierant sibi quisque in partes secta minutas Tanquam ijs bellica vis Martiuss ardor inesset Et genium praestare bonum sortemque valerent Sic quae alijs tumulum virtus parat abstulit illi Atque cadem diro venerandum praebuit hosti In English thus The bloody Bane of faithless Turks and terrour of their Name Epirus strong defence and guard lay buried there with fame Within that Tomb wherein long since Great Castriotus lay But now those Limbs and Tomb defac'd are carried quite away The remnants of that worthy Wight out of his grave were torn And being dead could find no rest but were for Jewels worn For after he far spent with age gave place to fatal Doom And left his Fathers Kingdom got and kept with great Renown Forthwith the cruel Turks prevail'd and all things there possest Who worshipping his stately Tomb and place of quiet rest Dig'd up his Bones and brake the Tomb wherein he did remain And glad was he that could thereof some little part obtain As if in them some Martial force or vertue great had been Or fortune rare such as before in him was living seen So Vertue which to others gives a Sepulture and Grave Bereft it him yet forc'd his Foe in Honour it to have Most part of the times of those Wars betwixt Mahomet and Scanderbeg the Venetians by Sea and the Hungarians by Land kept the Turks throughly busied Mathias Corvinus King of Hungary according to his promise made unto the Venetians entred into the Kingdom of Bosna where by force he overthrew the strong Forts which the Turks had built for the defence of their Frontiers and manfully drave them out before him until he came to Iaziga of some called Iaitze the chief City of Bosna which he at length took and following the course of his Victory scarcely sufferd the Turks to breath until he had by force wrested all that Kingdom out of their hands Wherewith Mahomet being exceedingly grieved in great fury came with a strong Army into Bosna and laid hard Siege to Iaziga which was by the Christians right valiantly defended until Mathias with a puissant Army came to the Relief thereof who so troubled the Turks Camp with continual Skirmishes on the one side and they of the Town with desperate Sallies on the other that at length the proud Turk was driven to such extremity that he was glad secretly to steal away by night with all his Army into Servia and for hast to leave behind him both his Tents and great Ordnance which the Turks Histories report he caused to be cast into the River because it should not come into the hands of the Christians Mathias after he had thus valiantly put to flight his Enemies and relieved his City followed the Turks into Servia and took part of that Country alâ—o which together with Bosna he united to the Kingdom of Hungary In these Wars Mahomet had such proof of the Force and Power of Mathias and the Hungarian that for a good while after he had no great stomach to provoke them farther for why the name of Mathias was now become unto the Turks no less dreadful than was sometime the name of his Father the valiant Huniades The Venetians at the same time also with their Gallies scoured the Seas and landing their Men sometime in one place sometime in another did great harm in many places of the Turks Dominion near unto the Sea coast Amongst other their Generals at divers times sent from that State one Nicholas Canalis succeeding Lauretanus whom we have before spoken of as soon as he had received his Charge came with his Fleet into the Bay of Salonichi and landing his Men burnt divers Towns and Villages alongst the Sea side And afterwards returning into Peloponnesus he fortified the Town of Legosticium in the Gulf of Patras which work the Turks with their often Skirmishes laboured to have hindred but in despite of all they could do it was brought to perfection and a strong Garrison therein left for the defence thereof which
he had recovered that Kingdom he would forthwith from thence invade the Turks Dominions in Grecia Which great attempt the haughty King was enduced to take in hand by the perswasion of divers of his Nobility but especially the solicitation of Lodovious Sfortia Duke of Millan whereby the whole state of Italy was in short time after sore shaken and Sfortia himself Author of those troubles at last carried away by the French miserably ended his days as a Prisoner in France Alphonsus the Neapolitan King doubting the greatness of the French King his Enemy entred into a confederation with certain of the States of Italy against the French but especially with Alexander the Sixth then Bishop of Rome for the better assurance whereof he gave his base Daughter in Marriage to Godfrey Borgia the Bishops Son and made him Prince of Carinula his other Son Francis he entertained also in great pay to serve him in his Wars And by his Embassador Pandonius Camillus lately returned out of France gave Bajazet to understand what the French King had purposed against them both requesting him to aid him with six thousand Horsemen and as many Foot against their common Enemy promising to give them honourable entertainment during those Wars And to futher the matter Alexander the great Bishop sent George Bucciard a Ligurian skilful in the Turkish Language Embassador to Bajazet to declare unto him with what great preparation both by Sea and Land the young French King desirous of honour and the enlargement of his Kingdom was about to invade Naples and then with what great power after he had dispatched his Wars in Italy he purposed to pass over into Grecia and that he had to that end earnestly travelled with him to have Zemes his Brother delivered into his hands whom he desired to use as a most fit instrument for the troubling of his State and Empire by reason of his many Friends yet that his Holiness having the French in distrust as a proud and ambitious People as also careful for the danger of the City of Rome and of the State of Italy in general had entred into a confederation with Alphonsus King of Naples with their united Forces to withstand that proud Nation both by Sea and Land wanting nothing more for the accomplishment thereof than Mony by which means only Bajazet might as he said provide for the safety of his Kingdom in Grecia if he would put to his helping hand to furnish them with Mony for the entertainment of Souldiers forasmuch as the City of Rome and the Kingdom of Naples were the surest Walls of that side of the Othoman Empire if he not altogether refusing the charge would not spare for a little cost to maintain the War rather in that forreign Country than to receive it brought home to his own door concluding That it were much more commodious and easie with his Treasures to repress his Enemies in a strange Country afar off than by dint of sword and plain battel in his own A thing by experience well known That they which have neglected and set at nought remote dangers for sparing of charge have afterwards been inforced with greater danger to receive the same into their own bosoms when as they were become desperate and past remedy Bajazet who both by his Espials and often Letters and Embassadors from Alphonsus knew all this to be true gave great thanks to the Bishop by his Embassador for that he sitting in so high place did so friendly and in so good time admonish him both a Stanger and of a contrary Religion of things of so great consequence yet for answer he willed him to return again unto his Master with one Dautius his Embassador who should carry with him both Mony and other his secret resolutions concerning those matters Among other things given him in charge was an Epistle written in Greek wherein the barbarous King with great cunning perswaded the Bishop to poison Zemes his Brother as a man of a Religion altogether contrary to his for indeed of him alone for his great Vertues Bajazet stood in fear and doubt lest he should by some chance escape out of Prison to the troubling of his State. For the performance of this his request he promised faithfully to pay unto the Bishop two hundred thousand Ducats and never after so long as he lived to take up Arms against the Christians Otherwise than had his Father Mahomet and his Grandfather Amurath done who both as deadly Enemies unto the name of Christians never ceased by continual Wars to work their woe But George the Bishops Embassador and Dautius travelling towards Italy and having now happily passed the Adriatick as they were about to have landed at Ancona were boarded by Io. Rovereus Brother to Iulianus the Cardinal a man of great account in those quarters and clean quit of their Treasure and whatsoever else they had aboard Rovereus pretending for the defence of the Fact That the Bishop did owe him a great sum of Mony due unto him for his good service done in the time of Innocentius his Predecessor for which he now paid himself Neither could the Bishop much troubled with that injury ever after recover one part thereof although he threatned vengeance with Fire and Sword and also sought for recompence of the Venetians whom it concerned to save the Turks harmless in those Seas for why Rovereus bearing himself upon the French which were now upon coming whose faction he followed kept the Mony and set at nougt the Bishops thundering Curses and vain Threats Dautius himself Bajazets Embassador being set on shore was glad to go on foot to Ancona and so from thence passing up the River Padus came to Franciscus Gonzaga Duke of Mantua of whom for the ancient Friendship betwixt him and Bajazet he was courteously entertained and furnished both with Mony and Apparel and so spoiled returned into Grecia to carry news unto his Master how he had sped When Bajazet understood by Dautius the evil success he had in his late journey he forthwith sent Mustapha one of the Bassaes of the Court unto the great Bishop Alexander with like instructions as he had before given to Dautius who with better hap arrived in Italy and came to Rome in safety where he forgot no part of that was given him in charge by his great Master But amongst many other things the life of Zemes was that he most sought for at the Bishops hands At the same time which was in the year 1495 the French King Charles the Eighth of that name year 1495. passing through the heart of Italy with a strong Army against Alphonsus King of Naples and taking his way without leave through the City of Rome so terrified Alexander the Bishop who as we have before said altogether favoured and as much as in him lay furthered the cause of Alphonsus that he was glad to yield to all such Articles and Conditions as it pleased him then to demand not purposing
Dominion which was afterwards accordingly performed Sfortia understanding of this compact madâ— against him and knowing himself far too weak of himself to stand against so puissant Enemies attempted first to set Maximilian the Emperor with the States of Germany upon the French King. But that not sorting to his desire he sought to agree with the King by offering to hold his Dukedom of him by paying him a yearly Tribute After he had thus in vain proved all the means he could devise to have appeased the French King and provided for his own safety he by his Embassadors sent of purpose certified Bajazet of the confederation betwixt the French King and the Venetians and that their purpose was after they had oppressed him and some other of the States of Italy then with their united Forces to invade his Dominions and that therefore it were good for him in time to look unto it and to give aid against those which would in short time become his most dangerous Enemies By this means the Duke was in good hope so to busie the Venetians by bringing the Turk upon them as that they should stand the French in small stead At which time also the Embassadors of Florence did what they could to prick forward the Turk to make Wars upon the Venetians for the malicâ— they bare against them for protecting them of Pisa against the oppression of the Florentines Bajazet perswaded by the Embassadors and calling to remembrance the injuries before done him by the Venetians first by giving aid to Iohn Castriot the Son of Scanderbeg and Iohn Chernovich another Prince of Epirus whereby he lost a great part of that Country and was also further enforced to yield to such conditions as altogether stood not with his honour and again by denying to give his Fleet leave to put into their harbours of Cyprus in the time of his Wars against the Sultan of Egypt all which he was glad then to endure for fear lest that his Brother Zemeâ— then living should by their means be set up against him promised now to do what the Embassadors had requested glad in his mind that the discord of the Christian Princes had presented unto him so fit an opportunity of Revenge Hereupon he made great preparation both by Sea and Land against the Venetians year 1499. and upon the suddain caused Scander Bassa his Lieutenant in Illyria with twelve thousand Horse to break into the Country of Friuli part of the Venetian Territory upon the frontiers of Italy The Bassa as he had in charge passing over divers great Rivers at length entred the Country burning and destroying all before him as far as Liquentia carrying away with him all the poor Country People Prisoners But when he was come to the Banks of Tiliaventum and understood that he came too late to pleasure the Duke of Millan for why the French with the Venetians had before without resistance driven him quite out of Italy and Germany he there with more than barbarous cruelty put four thousand poor Prisoners to the Sword and so having filled the Country with mourning and with blood returned from whence he came loaded with spoil of that rich Country At the same time also Bajazet put to Sea such a Fleet as none of his predecessors had before set forth and with a great Army in person himself marched alongst the Sea Coast of Morea in such sort as that his Army by Land and his Fleet at Sea as near as they could kept even pace the one within sight of the other Neither were the Venetians unmindful of themselves but set forth a strong Fleet under the charge of Anthony Grimani their Admiral in number far inferior to the Turks but for Equipage Strength skilful Mariners and all other manner of warlike provision much superior For which cause the Turks although defied and braved by the Venetians yet durst not at the first joyn with them in battel but still kept alongst the coast of Morea not daring to put further off into the Sea. In this their course the Venetians troubled them exceedingly sometimes making shew as if they would have constrained them to fight and otherwhiles giving them chase never departing far from them wisely accounting it right good service if they could but keep that huge Fleet from landing in Italy or other place of the Venetian Territory Most men were in good hope that if those great Fleets should have joyned in battel the Venetians should have had a notable Victory for that the Enemy as afraid kept so dangerous a course and so near the main The longer they thus sailed the more was the State of Venice offended with their Admiral that he contrary to all expectation delayed to fight and still suffered the dangerous Enemy to approach nearer and nearer their Territories and there were none which had not rather he should have set all upon the hazard of one battel than to protract by delay a long and doubtful War. Whilst all mens minds were thus in expectation of some great exploit to be done upon the Enemy news came to the City that the Turks Fleet had put into the Haven Sapientia in the Island Sphraga to water and was there embaied by the Venetians This report was of most men joyfully received as if the Victory had been already assured and so much the more for that it was vainly supposed that it would be gained without any great loss But others which better knew the place deemed of the matter far otherwise saying That the place wherein the Enemy lay was such as that he might safely at his pleasure depart thence Yet forsomuch as the Turks Fleet was more subject unto danger in putting out of the Harbor than in the wide Sea there was no man but was of opinion That the Venetian Admiral would set upon them as they should come forth again Whilst men were thus divining too and fro and the Venetians attending the coming forth of the Enemies Fleet it fortuned that Andreas Lauredanus and Albanus Armerius two valiant Gentlemen but a little before come fâ—om Corcyra of purpose to be present at the battel were the first that began the fight and with their two nimble Ships after they had changed a few Bullets boorded a tall Ship of the Turks being of such beauty and burthen that she seemed rather a Castle than a Ship whereof one Baruch of Smyrna a notable Pirat was Captain who after a long and cruel Fight perceiving that he must either yield or by force be taken desperately set fire on his own Ship by the rage whereof both she and the Venetian Ships fast grapled unto her were all three together burnt down to the Water Many of the Men to shun the violence of the Fire leapt over boord into the Sea where some of them were taken up by the other Ships and some perished Some few other of the Venetian Fleet couragiously assailed the Turks at their coming out and doing great harm put the Turks
out but was presently taken with a Bullet and slain which mischance when it might seem of right to have terrified the rest from attempting the like did indeed the more incense them so that when they saw the Enemy exceeding busie in filling the Ditch they resolutely set down to offer themselves to most assured death rather than to fall into the hands of the merciless Enemy agreed to sally out by night and to meet with his designs Whereupon an hundred part Knights part other Souldiers sallying forth caused the Enemy to forsake the Ditch and betake himself to flight of whom they slew about fourscore and lost of their own ten men amongst whom were Ioannes and Manicrinus two Knights whose heads the Turks the next day set up upon two Spears upon their Trenches that they might be seen by the Christians The same day they of the City of Melita at night made at one instant a number of fires and as if it were in triumph discharged great Vollies of small Shot with many other tokens of joy which as well the besieged as the Turks thought verily to have been done upon discovery of the Christian Fleet or else the landing of such Forces as were come to remove the Siege whereas indeed it was neither but done only to shew their chearfulness and to keep the Turks in suspence with the novelty of the matter who for all that were not slack in their business but with Earth filled up the Ditch at the Castle Bulwark whereby it came to pass that they could not be hurt by the Flankers made in that place to scour the Ditch but might thereby as upon plain ground without stay pass unto the Wall now opened and overthrown with their continual battery and with two great Pieces which they had planted upon a high Mount which they had newly cast up on the right hand the Bulwark Savoire they began to play upon the Castle and at the first shot shot into the Loupe where Franciscus Castilia commanded Ioannes Bernardus Godinetius a Spanish Knight was there slain with a small shot The same day Franciscus Aquilates a Spaniard one of the Garrison-Souldiers perswaded by fear and hope in dangers two evil Counsellors fled out of the Town St. Michael to the Enemy perswading the Turks Colonels to give a fresh Assault assuring them that they should without doubt win the Town because there was but 400 Souldiers left alive in it and they as he said almost spent with labour and wounds all the rest being dead Which the Turks hearing and seeing fair breaches both in the Walls of the new City and of the Castle of St. Michael wide enough for Carts to go through they determined with all their Forces to assault both places at once and to prove if there were yet so much strength left in those Holds as again to repulse them so the 7 th day of August at one instant they assaulted the new City at the Castle Bulwark and the Castle St. Michael at the breach with such a multitude that all the Earth seemed to be covered with men round about The thundring of the great Ordnance the noise of the small shot with the clattering of Armor and noise of Trumpets Drums and other War-like Instruments with the cry of men on both sides was so confused and great as if Heaven and Earth should have been confounded together Which when the Knights in the City Melita heard and saw the Heavens obscured with smoke fearing that the Turks as at the Castle St. Elmo would never give over the Assault until they had won both the Town and the Castle presently all the Garrison-Horsemen issued out of the City and to avert the Turks from the Assault set upon those Turks which lay at Aqua Martia who all surprised with sudden fear fled the Christian Horsemen hardly pursuing them with bloody Execution and they in their flight pitiously crying out upon their Fellows for help Whereby it came to pass that they which were assailing the City and Castle to rescue their discomfited Fellows were glad to give over the Assault so with great slaughter foiled on both sides by the Christians they returned to their Trenches when they had lost about fifteen hundred at the Assault beside them which were slain in the chase by the Horsemen of Melita Of the Defendants of both places were slain above an hundred and almost as many wounded This fight endured about five hours Valetta delivered of so great a danger that day and certain others caused publique Prayers to be made and went himself with the multitude of the Citizens to the Church to give Thanks to Almighty God for that Victory Whilst these things were in doing Garzias the Vice-Roy was advertised from Calabria that certain Ships laded with Men Victual and other provision necessary for the Wars were coming from Constantinople to Malta wherefore he forthwith sent Alâ—amira and Gildandrada two Noblemen with five Gallies to meet them who being come within thirty miles of Malta met with no such Ships but only one Frigot and a Galliot the Frigot they took but the Galliot escaped to the Enemies Fleet at Malta Mustapha the Turks General now thinking no man so strong which might not with continual labour and watching be wearied and overcome resolved not to give unto the besieged any time of rest but commanded his Souldiers again to assault the breach at the Castle of St. Michael where they were by the valour of the Defendants with no small slaughter quickly repulsed neither did the Bassa give so many assaults for the hope he had to win those places but rather to perform the duty of a valiant General and to satisfie Solymans pleasure who had expresly commanded either to win that Island or there all to lose their lives He also sent a Galliot in hast with Letters to Solyman wherein he shewed him the state of the Fleet with what difficulties the Army was distressed what small hope there was of winning the places besieged how well the Christians were provided with many other such things In the mean time those two Gallies of Malta which we have before spoken of departing from Messana came to Syracusa where they stayed a day The next day after in going out of the Haven they met with one of Malta in a small Boat coming from Pozalo sore wounded he being demanded how he was so hurt told them That landing by night with his Boat and one Companion he was requested by two Sicilians which dwelt there to rest there that night which they doing about midnight five Turks brake into the house upon them killed his Companion carried away the Sicilians and he wounded as he was hardly escaped by the benefit of the night moreover he said That the Sicilians had told the Turks that two Gallies were come into that Port with Souldiers and other War-like Provision bound for Malta Whereby the Knights perceived that their coming would be discovered unto the Enemy
further attempts and proceedings of the furious Enemy The eighteenth of September the Turks with all warlike Provision upon the sudden by Night assaulted the strong Castle of Toccay in the upper Hungary in hope to have surprised it but finding it a matter of more Difficulty than they had before imagined they departed thence and attempted the lesser Comara which standing in a marish Ground was also easily defended At which time also the Bassa of Buda with his Power entred into the Frontiers of the Christians but having well viewed the Cities Towns Castles and Forts upon those Borders and finding nothing for his purpose he without any thing doing returned again to Buda The six and twentieth day of September Hassan the Bassa of Bosna incamped with his Army betwixt the Rivers of Kulp and Sauus and in the Darkness of the Night passing over part of his Army into Turopolis with Fire and Sword most miserably spoiled all that pleasant and fertile Island the Lord of Bonny to whom the keeping thereof was committed labouring in vain to defend the same About the end of this Month the Bassa of Ziget with the Sanzacks of Mohas Koppan and Quinque Ecclesiae and other Turks of great name came with a strong Army and encamped between Ziget and Rodesto And shortly after News was brought to the Emperours Court that Kanysia a City of Stiria not far from the River Zala was hardly besieged by the Enemy and that the Turks in coming thither had taken many Christian Captives whom they had sent to be sold at Constantinople and that there was in the Turks Army about an hundred and sixty thousand men But forasmuch as the Christian Army daily increased also and was now grown to the number of threescore thousand men began to hope well that the Enemies Rage would be stayed from any further proceeding About the same time Ernestus the Arch-duke appointed General of the Army with the Marquess Son to Ferdinand the Arch-duke his Lieutenant came both unto the Army In these Preparations about the beginning of October heavy News was brought unto the Emperours Court how that 7000 men whom he but a little before had sent into Croatia under the Conduct of Thomas Artelius Beane George Gleichspacher and Dionysius Denke to hinder the Course of the Turks Proceedings being incamped betwixt Wihitz and Carolstat and having the twelfth of September discovered from an high Hill certain Companies of the Turks which were indeed of purpose come thither to view the Army of the Christians sent out fifty Horsemen to discover the Turks Army where it lay and what it attempted Who finding no more of the Turks than those whom they had before seen from the Mountain returned again unto the Army with such simple Intelligence whereunto the Christians giving Credit became secure in their Tents as Men out of Fear of the Enemy and so kept but negligent Watch. But in this so great Security the Enemy on a sudden came upon them and with an hundred thousand men brake into their Trenches where the Christian Foot-men for all that for the space of four hours maintained a notable fight wherein many were on both sides slain But the poor Christians being beset round and oppressed with the Multitude of their Enemies were slain almost all yet the Captains seeing the Danger by speedy flight saved their Lives for which their Cowardise and careless Negligence they were afterwards apprehended and beheaded Almost all the common Souldiers were there slain yea such as fell alive into the hand of the Enemy were most cruelly cut in pieces The spoil also of the Tents of the Christians fell unto the Enemy wherein beside the abundance of other things they found sixty thousand Dollars brought but two days before from the Lintz for the Souldiers pay The Turks after their barbarous manner in Ostentation of their Victory laded fourteen Waggons with the Heads of the slain Christians which they sent unto divers places thereabouts This was indeed a great Victory but gained by the Turks with much Blood for the Christians fighting as men desperate slew of their Enemies about twelve thousand and died themselves as men rather with number oppressed than with true Valour vanquished The Night following the Turks upon the sudden in the dead time of the Night surprised the Castle of St. George and without respect of Age or Sex cruelly put to the Sword all them that were therein except an hundred and fifty Persons whom they carried away Captives and so setting the Castle on fire departed At the same time divers Companies of the Turks were seen about Siseg who led away with them about six hundred Christians into most miserable Captivity And that nothing might be wanting unto the Calamities of this so miserable a wasted Country three hundred Waggons charged with all manner of Provision sent out of the Provinces thereby for the Relief of the Garrison Souldiers in Croatia were all intercepted by the Turks and so â—arried away The Emperour considering these Proceedings of the Turks and that their Strength daily increased gave notice by Writing to all the Princes and States of the Empire what Incursions the Turks had of late made into Croatia and the Frontiers of Hungary with other Places near unto them and that the Beglerbeg of Graecia with the Bassaes of Bosna Buda and Temeswar without regard of the League yet in Force had taken divers Cities Towns Castles and strong Places and so extended the bounds of their Dominion above forty German Miles having slain or carried away into Captivity the poor Inhabitants of those Countries and now to be grown to that height of Pride that except their farther Proceedings were with like Forces repressed they would in short time set Foot into Germany it self and possessing themselves of Stiria and Carinthia would from thence daily more and more incroach upon the Empire which to hinder was not in his Power only but required their help in general Wherefore he requested them now at length in so publick a Danger to open their Coffers and to send out their Forces against the common Enemy Which Request of the Emperour with the due Consideration of so great a Danger moved not only the Princes and States of the Empire but others also farther off to yield liberal Contribution unto so necessary and general a Carse The Turks now hearing of the great Preparation of the Christian Princes beside the Army which was already in the Field and that they had made a strong Bridg over the River of Drauus which they had also fortified thereby in safety at their Pleasure to transport their Army without further delay furnished such Places as they had gotten with strong Garrisons and so withdrew themselves into their own Territory which they did the rather for that the Plague then raged sore in Constantinople insomuch that there died a thousand a day Which Contagion had also taken hold of the Turkish Army so that the Christians for fear of
as if all these Crimes did not bind him to serve him with his Person for ever were it even but for fear of Punishment from them whom he had so grievously offended In the mean time the Succours sent from the Vayvod of Valachia were upon the Borders of Transilvania under the Conduct of Marsa the Vayvod's Lieutenant and Basta was gathering together his Forces to recover again his former State expecting every hour the coming of two thousand Horse-men out of Silesia with which united Power he was in good hope to discomfit the Rebel and to recover his former Losses All which Moises by his Espials knew right well and for the Remedy thereof resolved to march with thirty thousand men to meet with the Valachians and to cut them off before they could come far into Transilvania or joyn their Forces with Basta For the furthering of which his Purpose he had learned the Place whereby they were to enter their Number and the way they were to hold the better to conduct his Army against them and being in number more than three to one already assured himself of the Victory All which fell out according to his Desire for the Valachians coming on being in number but eight thousand fell as it were a Prey into his Mouth For needs fight they must or die therefore altho the Number were unequal for that to fly was more dangerous to the Valachians having the Turks and Tartarian Horse-men at their Backs than manfully to fight it out Necessity gave Courage unto the weaker side and Fear caused them to perform more than they would have done had they had liberty to have fled yet for all that the greater number at length prevailed against the less so that after a great and mortal Fight wherein a great number of the Turks and Tartars were slain the Valachians in the end were inforced to leave their dead Companions their Honour and their Tents with all their Baggage in the Field and to betake themselves to flight but not all in rout as fresh water Souldiers but with often making stands as men disdaining by true Valour but only with Number oppressed to be overcome The Rebels proud of their Victory and now fearing no more harm forthwith gave themselves to the rifling of the Enemies Camp divided the Spoil and filling the Heavens with the noise of their Trumpets publishing thereby the Trophies of their Victory Which Disorder the Valachians perceiving and thereof conceiving hope of some good to be done turned head and serred close together courageously thrust themselves into the midst of these proud and triumphant Victors Which unexpected thunderclap so dismayed them and troubled their Wits that surprised in disorder with their hands full of Spoils instead of Weapons they could neither recover their Courage nor put themselves again in order Such Confusion maketh men oftentimes to feel the blows of Death before they are aware of the Army that giveth the same so of these men so confounded some stood as men amazed othersome ran away to save themselves and othersome stood upon their defence but all were alike slain so that in fine this great Army was for the most part cut in pieces and the rest put to flight Moyses himself was there among the rest slain worthy for his Treason to have been reserved to a more shameful Death Of this Victory the Vayvod by Letters certified Basta to whom he sent five and twenty of the Enemies Ensigns for an honourable Present with this joyful news of the Death and Overthrow of the Rebel whose Body as the Vayvod writ was found dead among the midst of the dead slain even at the first Charge wherein his Gaurd was overthrown And for that it was commonly believed that he was not yet dead neither present at that Battel as some had given it out to manifest the contrary unto the World and by his Example to terrifie others his Head was upon a Lance set up at Carolstad for all men to behold a Preferment well beseeming such an ambitious Head as had made so great Troubles and been the death of so many Christians This Rebel suppressed another by and by start up called Albert Nage who gathering together the Rebels of Transilvania mingled with certain Turks Tartars Cossacks and Moldavians all together amounting to the number of six thousand made head towards Lippa Against whom Basta with all speed sent forth three thousand Haiducks well acquainted with the Country which sometimes served them to better purpose than their Arms for that the Rebels sought not so much to come to a set Battel and to try the matter by true Valour as by taking the Advantages of Places to delay the time and gain Purchase the chief end of their Rebellion These Rebels the Haiducks surprised near unto a Castle called Ferre where they meant to have lodged and charged them Who so upon the sudden overtaken and ignorant of their Enemies Power supposing them to have been more in number than indeed they were made small Resistance but as a many of Rascals gathered by Villany and without trusting of one another by flight provided every man for himself as he might In which Flight the greatest number of them were slain and their Chieftain with much ado saved to be at another time for his evil Deserts justly executed Basta by these good haps and the aid of the Vayvod of Valachia being again become Master of the Field in very short time after had again reduced all Transilvania under the Emperour's Obeisance unto whom he together with the Vayvod for an honourable Present and a Testimony of their good Service sent to Vienna and from thence to Prague an hundred Ensigns gained from the Rebels All which with some other rich Spoils the Master of the Ceremonies in great pomp and triumph led together with Moyses the late Rebels Horse exceeding richly furnished with Furniture of pure Gold and was for his Pains by the Emperour rewarded with a Chain of Gold sent unto him by the County Fustenberg The Troubles of Transilvania thus once again quieted Basta resolving again to besiege Temeswar with his Power marched towards Lippa there to meet with the Forces of the Vayvod of Valachia the better to undertake and perform the intended Exploit His Army consisted of twenty thousand men strong carrying with them five and twenty Pieces of great Ordnance furnished with all things necessary And of the Enterprise it self every man had good hope as well for the sufficiency of him the General that had undertaken it as for the want of Relief that was not any way like to be brought unto the besieged But while he so lay at the Siege thereof his Souldiers too greedily and excessively feeding upon Fruit whereof there was that Year great store fell so into the bloody Flux and thereof in such number died although he had given most strait Command That none should be eaten or upon great Penalties be brought into the Camp
all the Dogs and Cats Mice and Rats that they could get fell to eating of dead Horses and the loathsome Carrion of other hunger-starved Beasts It is reported also That one man should eat another and that at Hermanstat a Woman having six Children did among them eat one another until they were at length all six devoured and to the contrary that two men did eat their own Mother yea Thieves and other Malefactors hanged for their Villanies were by the poor and miserable hungry People cut down from the Gallows and devoured the People generally living upon nothing but upon the Roots of Weeds green Herbs and the leaves of Trees For remedy of which so extream Miseries it was on all Parts agreed That a General Assembly of the States of the whole Province should be holden at Dewa wherein it was accorded That all Hostility set apart the Gentlemen of Transilvania having by their Rebellion forfeited both their Lives and Lands should be pardoned their Lives with three fourth Parts of their Lands reserved unto them and that for ready Money they might of the Emperour redeem the fourth part also But concerning the Moveables of such as were dead in the time of these Troubles and already confiscate unto the Emperour they should so remain and that they should pay their Dismes or tenth part of their Wine and Fruits unto the Emperour And farther That there should be no farther exercise of Religion permitted unto them but only the Romish Religion and that thâ— Towns of Cronstadt and Clausenburg should within the space of three Weeks pay the one twenty thousand Dollars and the other eight thousand and the Magistrates of those Towns should deliver the Keys of their Towns with all their Power into the hands of the Emperour's Lieutenant and that the Gentlemen of these Towns which would not be accounted in the number of the Rebels should for the safety of their Persons take Letters of Pardon for their Rebellion of the General of the Army This Pacification gave some little time of breathing unto this poor distressed Country which bared of all strength and as it were upon the Graves brink had now but even the last Gasp to give and the Country People began again to give themselves unto their wonted Labours in hope at length to reap the profit thereof themselves but alas all in vain for why the ravening Souldiers inured to Prey after their wonted manner made havock and spoil of all things leaving nothing unto the poor Country-man but his labour for his Pain and time enough to bewail his manifold and remediless Miseries the Causes whereof were the Nobility and Gentlemen themselves who not liking to be governed or rather as they took it oppressed by the Germans and having not upon any desire that they had of Peace but rather by necessity inforced yielded unto the Pacification aforesaid ceased not still under-hand to incite the Souldiers ready enough of themselves to do mischief and in what they might to trouble the Government of the State by the Germans being unto them as they accounted of them but Strangers All which their doings Basta the Emperour's Lieutenant well perceiving caused three of the greatest of the Gentlemen of the Country and whom he most suspected to be the Authors of these Troubles to be apprehended and fast mured up betwixt two strong Walls in an old ruinous Monastery whither their Friends afterwards coming to have visited them and finding them starved to death were therewith much abashed as were also other their Complices assoon as they heard thereof But leaving them to work themselves farther Troubles let us again return unto the Turks Affairs Now was all the hope of Peace betwixt the Christians and the Turks become desperate the Turks making thereof no more account seeing that according to their Desire they had provided Alba-Regalis Agria and Buda of their necessary Provisions They had in four Waggons put into Agria the Pay due unto their Garrisons so that their Affairs being now in good estate and their Courages revived they began to scoff and jest at our Credulity to believe that they had had any purpose to conclude upon any thing that was not agreeing with their Profit how far soever it were differing from their Honour or from their Faith so that now these faithless men began again to renew their wonted Incursions and Pillages upon the Christians with all other manner of Hostility and that in more cruel manner than ever before and our Hussars on the other side well requited them with the like being as well contented as they with these manner of doings their whole Fortune depending upon the points of their Weapons and ever ready to the Service of their Prince for their Pay Now it fortuned that fourscore of the Turks going forth to seek for Booty chanced to meet with certain of these Hussars who finding themselves too weak to encounter with our men and betaking themselves to flight were certain of them taken Prisoners and so brought unto the General unto whom they upon Examination confessed That the Turks much marvelled at the Simplicity and Foolishness of the Christians to believe that they were desirous of Peace and not to have discovered their so manifest Intentions to the contrary tending only to the pleasuring of themselves and the annoying of them their Enemies to the strengthning of themselves and destruction of the Christians as by Proof it appeared so soon as their Desires were accomplished unto the prejudice of their Enemies and that their young Emperour was always against this Treaty of Peace whatsoever shew he had made to the contrary constrained thereunto by the Victories and Conquests of the Persian King all his Wishes and Desires aiming at no other mark than at the general Ruine of Christendom Our Garrisons also seeing themselves charged by the Turks took up Arms likewise and requited them with like Outrages as they did They of Pappa and Vesprinium were the first which began these Broils after the Treaty of the Peace who having joyned their Forces together and making head toward Alba-Regalis met with a number of Turks driving of Sheep and Cattel thither whom they surprised and together with their Cattel carried them away with them Prisoners Which good hap was seconded with the Liberty of twenty Christian Prisoners from Buda who one night seeing their Keepers oppressed with Sleep and with Wine cut their Throats and so happily escaped over the River to Pesth Now while these Troubles betwixt the Christians and the Turks after the Treaty of Peace broken off thus began again in Hungary the Turks beside the Rebellion in Asia were together by the Ears in the Province of Bosna Zellaly having by force joyned with Policy driven Zeffer Bassa as is aforesaid out of Bosna and possessed himself of that Province thought himself now sure enough within the strength of his Government although he being by the great Sultan sent for to Constantinople had
besieged With which unlucky news Sultan Achmat much troubled forthwith writ unto the Bassa of Trebezond with all speed to send aid unto Cicala who taking unto him some other of the Turks Commanders with a great Army set forward on his Journey Of whose coming Cicala hearing the better to direct the Bassa in his proceeding caused himself with ten of his Souldiers whom he best trusted secretly by Night to be let down over the Walls of the City And so coming to the Bassa together with him kept on his way to joyn Battel with the King as near unto the City as he could for that he had taken order before he came out of the City that so soon as they should perceive the Battel to be joyned they should forthwith sally out upon the backs of the Persians and so by holding of them with a doubtful Battel to further the Victory All which the Persian King hearing of the Bassa's coming wisely doubting and not willing to forsake the Siege divided his Army and leaving one part thereof to continue the Siege went himself with the other to meet the Bassa wherein he used such Expedition and Speed that with all his Power falling upon him before he could put his men in order or range his Battel he made of the Turks now confusedly and without all order fighting more for the safeguard of their Lives than for any hope they had of Victory such an exceeding great Slaughter that few of them escaped but were there almost all slain Cicala himself but with two or three more having much ado by getting into a little Boat and so by passing over the River to escape the danger After which Victory so easily gained the King returning again to the Siege after many sharp and great Assaults thereunto given and many Men on both sides lost had the same at length yielded unto his mercy Now with this news of the loss of his Armies and of the Victories of the Persian King Sultan Achmat enraged caused Cicala Bassa's House at Constantinople full of Treasure and Wealth to be rifled after the manner of the World deeming of the doings of him so great a Captain according to the event and evil success thereof though not in his power to have been remedied nevertheless shortly after he caused great sums of Money to be delivered out of his Treasures and new Forces raised for the renewing of the War against the Persian King. Unto which Service now become unto the Turks dreadful when as many of the Janizaries were to be appointed they after their proud and insolent manner all arising up in Mutiny said flatly That they would not stir one foot out of Constantinople except they were both before hand payed and assured also to have their Wages increased complaining grievously withal of the Bassa of Damasco the Great Sultan's high Treasurer that he converting the Sultan's Treasures to his own use did not pay the Souldiers their wages due For the appeasing of which Mutiny and Tumult the Sultan caused the same Bassa to be apprehended and his Head strucken off and so with the price of his Blood again appeased them But leaving the Persian King triumphing in his Victories and the Great Sultan grieving at his Losses let us turn aside into Syria to see the Troubles the Turks had even amongst themselves to the weakning of their State and the increasing of the Great Sultan's Cares and Grief The two Bassaes of Damasco and Aleppo had as is before declared been at great Discord and Variance betwixt themselves and the Bassa of Aleppo in field overthrown and in his City besieged glad to make Peace with the other Bassa by yielding unto all such things as it pleased him to demand Which two Bassaes for all that being diversly affected unto the State long agreed not he of Damasco continuing faithful in his Allegiance towards the Great Sultan and the other of Aleppo secretly inclining unto Rebellion Which the Bassa of Damasco perceiving and joyning unto him the Bassaes of Tripolis and Gazare with their united Forces went against the Bassa of Aleppo leading with them 60000 good men with purpose to have besieged the Bassa of Aleppo his Enemy in his City But he betimes advertised of this his Design and not unprovided for his coming quickly called together his Forces and had in very short time raised an Army of thirty thousand valiant men whom he encouraging and finding them willing to follow him whithersoever he would lead them marched directly towards his Enemies with whom he meeting readily joyned Battel with them which was fought with such fury and hideous noise as if it had been two thunder-claps opposing each other in one Cloud striving of themselves which should burst out first being like People like Arms and like order of fight The medley for a great time continued sharp and furious the number of the one side countervailing the valour of the other and the others valour ballancing the others great number howbeit in the end the one Bassa overcame the other three and the smaller number the greater and putting them to flight remained sole Victors of the Field Now the victorious Bassa as wise to use the Victory as he was valiant to obtain the same so eagerly pursued them that without giving them leave to breath he besieged Tripolis the Bassa whereof at his coming abandoned the same and carrying with him all his Treasure fled into Cyprus which made the taking of the Place unto the victorious Bassa easie who rifled and ransacked the same and not content with this Conquest forthwith besieged the great and strong City of Damasco resolved to die in the Plains thereof or to become victorious within the Walls of the same During which Siege the Bassa of Tripolis had out of the Provinces and Countries of the Turks thereabouts raised another great Army and was coming to raise the Siege and to rescue the City Whereof the Bassa of Aleppo hearing rose with the greatest part of his Army and meeting with him gave him battel and therein the second time overthrew him and put him to flight Which misfortune so dismayed the Minds of the besieged that despairing of all Succour and Relief they by consent of their Governour fell to Parley with the Enemies and so upon certain Capitulations yielded unto him the Place Whereinto the Bassa entring found therein great Treasure raised of the Turks Tributes whereupon he seised and by the means thereof resolved to make himself master of all Syria the chief City whereof he had now in his own Power whereunto he gave free Access and Traffick unto all the Merchants of Persia and of the Indies Now in the time of this his Prosperity News was brought him That the Beglerbeg of Natolia bad sent his Lieutenant with a great Army against him who knowing that Diligence was the Spirit of Conquest and that to conquer was to little purpose without a vigilant care for the Preservation
Charges But the first failing they met with a Venetian Ship laden with Merchandise to the value of one hundred thousand Crowns The Spaniards who commanded in the Gallies of Naples seised upon this Ship but the General of Malta would by no means consent unto it nor suffer any of the Merchandise to be put into his Gallies for that he would not unjustly violate the Friendship which was betwixt his Order and the State of Venice This Example did touch the Spaniards Consciences so as within few days they sent away the Venetian Ship but in courtesie they had unladen all the merchandise After this Prey of a Christian Ship the Fleet discovered two Sails at Sea sending presently after them they were two Barks the one coming from Candia laden with Wood and the other from Scarpanâ—e charged with Wine the which being brought unto the Generals gave them to understand that the Caravan of Aegypt was not yet past being advertised that fifty Christians Gallies attended them in their Passage Upon this advice the Christian Generals being out of hope to surprise the Caravan presently resolved to undertake a more great and glorious Enterprise and to surprise the Island and Castle of Lango in the Archipelague upon the Coast of Natolia and about seven of the Clock at Night they set Sail with a good Wind but being changed in the Morning they were forced to return to the Island of Porcherne from whence they parted again at eight of the Clock at Night and continuing their course in the Morning they discovered three Florentine Ships who told them that they had entred into the Isle of Nigropont with seven Gallies but having been discovered they could not effect any thing and that their Gallies were separated from them in the chace of four Galliots The Christian Fleet continuing their course they arrived about eleven of the Clock in the Morning at St. Iean de Seruaë where having cast Anchor there was a Council called in the Admiral where they resolved to Petard the Castle of Lango toward the Sea for the Execution whereof they should land two hundred men viz. thirty Knights and fifty Souldiers out of the Gallies of Malta and one hundred and twenty Spaniards out of the Gallies of Naples and that they should carry two Petards with them the one given in charge to Captain Beaulaigue in the Troop of them of Malta and the other was conducted by the Spaniards the rest of their Men which they should land should go and Assault the Town of Lango With this Resolution they parted from St. Iean de Seruaë with a good Wind and arrived at the Island of Lango on the sixth of Iune an hour after mid-night whereas they landed three miles from the â—â—wn they that were appointed for the Enterprise march'd on with their Petards according to direction but the Night being very dark the Troop of Malta straied from their Guide but their Valour brought them directly to the Walls of the Town where after many turnings and windings to find a fit place to plant the Petard notwithstanding that they were discovered and much shot at Beaulaigue set it to a Port next the Sea well flanck'd with the Castle the which he forced and his Men entring with fury went from Street to Street and put all to the Sword that made resistance The Spaniards on the other side made anothâ—r Breach with their Petard and entred the Town notwithstanding that at their first approach the Turks having discovered them plaid upon them with their great Ordnance and small shot The Troops being joyned together having cut all the Turks in pieces they met with they came to the place before the Castle which they thought to surprise but the Bridge was drawn and they lay open at the mercy of their shot so as there were fifteen Knights of Malta hurt one slain with a Spanish Captain and some six and thirty Souldiers of the Gallies of Naples and as many wounded Day being come the Bailiff of Venouge General of the Gallies of Malta came unto the Town with the foreward wherein were 150 Knights and 450 Souldiers the Marquiss of St. Croix followed him with the two Sons of the Viceroy of Naples and fifteen hundred Spaniards who spoiled the Town and Suburbs and took all that were living Captive but the Castle being well fortified they found it impossible to force whereupon embarking their Men and Spoil they resolved in their return to Malta and Naples to make an Enterprise upon some Towns of Albania but upon the way they wâ—re advertised That the Turks had discovered the Intelligence which the Spaniards and Knights of Malta had with the Grecians of the Country whereupon they took Revenge upon them putting many of them to death and amongst others a Patriarch who being accused to have practised the Christians revolt against the Turks was cruelly fleyd alive and his Skin sent to Constantinople So dangerous a thing it is to seek for Liberty with this Mahometan Nation The Caravan of Aegypt was still in the Port of Alexandria attending a Passage and to be freed from so many Christian Gallies which lay in wait for it and it staid the longer by reason of the great Plague wherewith Constantinople was afflicted But in the end of October Mechmet Bassa of Caire who would conduct it in Person having a Convoy of fifty Gallies well armed put to Sea and arrived at Constantinople without any Encounter At his Landing this Bassa caused to march before him sixty Mules every one laden with 20000 Sequins in kind being a whole years Tribute of the Kingdom of Aegypt the which he caused to be carried to the Sultan's Serail This Money was welcome to the Port for the former Wars both in Hungary Transilvania in Asia against the Rebels and in Persia had so wasted the Emperour's Treasure as it would hardly entertain one of his Armies The Bassa who had gathered this Tribute together faithfully and with great diligence was at his coming to the Sultan's Port honoured with the charge of Bassa of the Sea he who had it before being advanced to the Dignity of Visier and moreover the Sultan promised him his Daughter in marriage being but three years old News came to the Port that certain Ships Gallies and Galliasses of the Christians to the number of fifty came near unto the Hellespont which put the Turks in great fear and complaints being brought unto the Grand Seignior That certain Caramousals had been taken by the Christian Gallies he sent presently for the Captain Bassa or Admiral of the Sea demanding of him Whether the Report of these losses were true or no To whom he answered yes Why are not you then at Sea saith he He answered For that I can get neither Men nor Money Whereupon the Destorda or Treasurer was sent for who had lost his head had not the Aga of the Grand Seignior's Women intreated for him This Summer Constantinople and
use of it to the destruction of all such who might either endanger his Prince or himself that in two or three Years time he became Master of the Lives and Estates of the Grand Muâ—iniers confiscating their richess and fortunes to the use and security of his Master having in his time put to Death thirâ—y six thousand persons whom he proscribed in several Countries and privately strangled in the City by vertue of his absolute and uncontroulable Authority without giving the Offenders liberty of Processes or Pleas for their Lives or the solemnity of Scaffolds or applause of a Funeral Oration at the Gallows whereby to win the affections and compassions of the vulgar but went through with his bloody and tragical business without noise or rumour or knowledge almost of the Souldiery or the people whilst the great Personages whose rapine and pride had contracted them envy and hatred from their inferiours stood confused and amazed not having power to rebel nor Sanctuary to fly unto Such is the effect of an absolute and arbitrary power which is Master of times and affairs and rather fits and squares Enterprizes to Counsels than Counsels to Enterprizes Reges Hercule non liberi solum impedimentis omnibus sed Domini rerum temporumque trahunt Consiliis cuncta non sequuntur Liv. lib. 9. The Grand Signior in the mean time applauded the diligence and circumspection of his Minister and though yet trembling with the memory of late sollevations amongst the Janizaries yet being young and active addicted himself wholly to the delight of Hunting and to follow the Chace of fearful and flying Beasts whilst his Vizier so closely follow'd his game of Bloud that he left noPerson considerable in the Empire who was not a Creature made by or depending on him unless the Kahyabei or Lieutenant General of the Janizaries Mortaza Pasha of Babylon now called by the Turks Bagdat and the Pasha of Magnasia Men whose bravery and generous Justice or else their Guards or Fortune had only seated beyond the reach and Sword of this Tyrant This was then the State of the Turkish Affairs amongst themselves As to Foreign and Christian Princes the Emperor the King of England the French King and the States of Holland had their Embassadors and Residents at the Ottoman Court with whom as yet passed a fair and amicable correspondence excepting with the French whose Embassadour had then lately obtained his release from Imprisonment to which he was confined contrary to the Law of Nations and the Custom of the wisest and most generous People of former Ages and compelled to return into France an Agent being there setled by the Merchants to Negotiate their Affairs the occasions and grounds whereof we have at large signified in another place which unlawful treatment of a Person Sacred none will much admire who considers the humour of supream Ministers that judge themselves under no restraint or limits of Law either Civil or National This Embassador from France was call'd Monsieur le Haye the Father a Person excellently well qualisi'd having with success pass'd in that capacity for the space of 25 years until some misunderstandings passing between him and this Tyrannical Vizier he suffered many indignities from him which being added to the extream torment of the Stone under which he laboured made him willing on any terms to return to his own Counrâ—ey The Venetians notwithstanding the War had two Ministers there resident the Eâ—cellentissimo Capello Procurator of St. Mark a right worthy and noble Person and Signior Ballarino a Person vigilant and subtle who omitted no opportunities to advance his own Fortunes and with that the benefit of his Republâ—ck The Emperors Resident called Simon Renninghen a Person sincere free and open hearted agreeable to the Nature of the Germans had for some Years tho with some difficulty continued the Peace or rather matters from breaking out into an open War the Incursions on the Frontiers and other accidents always adminstring occasions of discontent and complaints to both parties But that the Series of this History may be continud with an even Thread and clear light to the Reader we must cast back our Eyes to the Year 1657. when the Ambition of George Ragotzki Prince of Transilvania began New troubles in his own Principality and laid the Foundation of a future War between the Emperor and the Turks For now Poland was so wearied with the incessant Wars of Muscovy the inveterate Enemy of that Crown with the frequent Rebellions of the Cossacks and the invasion of the Swedes whom the traiterous Vice-Chancellour and his Adherents had invited to the spoils of their own Countrey that King Casimirus was reduced to the ultimate extremity of his Affairs the publick Exchequer and private Treasuries were exhausted the Villages dispeopled the Fields uncultivated Traffick and Commerce ceased nothing but Wars Robberies and Confusion filled the Diurnals with News and the hearts of the Inhabitants with Sorrow and Calamities Wherefore Casimer King of Poland vexed on all sides and not knowing where or how to apply a remedy dispatched his Great Chancellor Albertus Pravesmoski in Quality of Embassador to demand assistance from Ragotzki promising in recompence thereof to adopt his Son to succeed him in that Kingdom No Message could arrive more grateful to ambitious Ragotzki who by so desired a proffer seemed to arrive to the Zenith of his Prosperity which like the Land of Promise being only shewed to his Father in a long Prospective seemed now as it were by Inheritance to devolve upon his Son in order unto which many days of Treaty and Conferences were held between Ragotzki and the Polish Ministers but Ragotzki insisting on certain particulars which were not in the Power of the King or his Commissioners to grant without the approbation of a Diet the Treaty was dissolved and Ragotzki remained displeased and angry pretending himself to have been deluded and slighted resolved to avenge the Affront and by his Arms gain to himself the Crown of that Kingdom so that raising a strong Army and joining himself in a Confederate League with Sweden he invaded Poland wasting all the Frontiers with Fire and Sword. The Ottoman Port growing jealous of the successes of these Affairs and not so much of the Advance of Ragotzki as of the growing greatness of the Swedes with whom unwillingly they would be Borderers issued an express Command That without contradiction or delay he should immediately give a stop to his March and return with his Army into Transilvania And though the Emperor of Germany and the Krim Tartar declared their dislâ—ke of his proceedings threatning to invade his Principality at home unless he retracted himself and desisted from this enterprize yet Ragotski having his understanding blinded with Ambition and the lust of Rule and Government stopped his ears to the menaces of his Enemies and the counsel of his Friends This Ragotski enjoyed a State most happy large fertile and populous in Power inferior to few superior to
each of other The noise of Cannon from the Forts raised by the Turks resounded continually in the Air and from the Town the shot were often so fortunately placed that daily besides great numbers of ordinary Soldiers many Persons of Note and Quality amongst the Turkâ— were slain But the Turks having before this Town a greater number of Soldiers than either could come to fight or what was thought necessary to sâ—bdue it the Vizier selected from his Army a very considerable Force to enter and spoil Moravia and Austria of these were Six hundred Tartars joinâ—ed to a strong Force of Turks who by the guidance of the Natives passing the River Waegh spoiled and destroyed all the Country round about carrying men women and children into slavery leaving what was not conveniently portable in ashes But in passing the River they incountred a considerable Body of Germans both Horse and Foot and being opposed by them were at firâ—t forced to retreat again over the River with the loss of about Eight hundred Janisaries but the next Day renewing the Fâ—ght with better courage and success passed the River in despight of the Imperialiâ—â—s whom they pursued almost as far as Presburg â—hese Turks were seconded by a greater Body of Tartars every one after the manner of his Country leading one or two spare Horses made Inroâ—ds within five miles of Vienna destroying and laying in ashes all places before them things there resembling Dooms-day consumed with fire and not so much almost left as marks or appearance of habitation These Troubles and Confusions in Hungary were the talk and amazement of all Christendom and indeed little more they were than talk for the Christian Princes farther distant as less concerned stood at a gaze expecting the issue of that Treaty which was between the King of France and the Pope and the Princes 〈◊〉 Geâ—many whatsoever was resolved at the â—ier like men surprized knew not what Succours to â—fford â—ome thought it now time to treat with tâ—e Emperor and recover the Rights and Priviledges tâ—ey thought their due and to condescend to â—o Terms oâ— confederaâ—e â—ssiâ—tance against the common Enemy unless with advantageous considerations to their State and all in general acted with that negligence and coldness as if only the State of Austâ—ia and not the common Cauâ—e of Germany had been concerned The Election of a General for the Imperial Army admitting long debate was another retardment to the Preparations for the War the Duke of Brandenburg was nominated and sollicited to accept the supream Command but the Title of being General of the Empire or the Imperial Army was a dispute undeterminable and a difficulty not to be overcome And though the Enemy had passed their Frontiers and triumphed in their Possessions and threatned the subversion of all Christendom yet Jealousies Nâ—ceties and aery Formalities took up all the time so that at length their Councils had no other result than an increase of Animosities and Difficulties amongst themselves The Emperor alâ—o â—eâ—â—ified with the Siege of Newhausel and the near In cursions of the Turks abandoned his City of Vienna carrying with him the Records and greatest oâ— his Richess to Lintz to the greater apprehension discouragement and fear of the whole Country in general and was an act which might have produced very fatal effects had not the Winâ—er approached and the progress of the Infidels been interrupted by the Valour Vigilance good Fortune and Conduct of Count Serini who in requital of those Incursions the Turks made into the Christian Territories entred the Turkish Borders near Komorra and there with Fire and Sword destroyed all before him defeated a Party of about Three thousanâ— Janisaries taking from them a good Booty of Money and Provisions designed for Relief of the Leagure before Newhausel During these varieties of success the Turks still continued the Siege and having now made a breach and almost filled the graft with rubbish Faggots and other implements attempted a second storm on the 28 th and 29 th of August but were repulsed with an extraordinary loâ—s by the couragious Gallantry of the Defendants On the 9 th of September was given another more furious Assault every Pasha leading his men in the Front so that the Action this Day was so violently and couragiously perâ—ormed that the Turkish â—nsign was advanced to the top of the Rampire of the Fort Frederick where both sides coming to handy blows the dispute continued a long time but the courage of the Defendants at length prevailing the Turks were driven headlong â—rom the Walls and their Colours wrested from them with the loss of about Five thousand men and Four hundred Christians Though the Turkâ— were much abated in their courage by this days work yet the Vâ—zâ—er obâ—tinaâ—ely continued the Siege preparing speedily for another storm in which he hoped to force the Christians to a Surrender In the mean time to facilitate the design of the Turks on the â—5 th of Sepâ—â—mber the chief Magazin of Powder none knows how took fire and blew into the Air by which blow fiâ—â—y Soldiers and several Officers were slain but the worst was that the besieged were deprived of all their Powder unless what remained in private houses which so dismayed the Inhabitants that immediately with one voice they demanded a Parly The Women also began a confused tumult crying out for a Surrender in which they were so impetuous and violent that they threw stones from their windows on the Souldiers Amidst of this confusion the Turks disposing their Companies to make another storm the Officers resolved upon a Treaty which concluded with these following Conditions First That the Commanders and Garison should marcâ— out on the Seventeenth of September with bag and Baggage and have safe conduct as far as Komorra And that for a convenience of the Sick and Wounded the Vizier should be obliged to provide Four hundred Carts and more if there should be occasion Secondly That as such as desire to abandon their dwellings may have liberty to depart so such as dâ—sire to abide may continue their habitations And that the Religious and Ecclesiastical persons may perform their Functions as in â—ormer times Thirdly That upon the Surrender of the principal Wâ—rks no Turk shall enter within the Tâ—wn until all such as intend to depart have quitted their statiâ—ns Fourthly That for performance of Articles two Aga's should be given fâ—r Hostages and that until the foâ—egoing Articles were â—ully accomplished all acts of Hâ—stility should cease Fiâ—thly Thâ—t the Garison might not be necessitated to march through the Turkish Camp the Turks themselves were obliged to make them a new Bridge or repair the old to pass the Niter These Articles though punctually observed by the Turks yet the Tartars who are of a faithless and barbarous nature upon certain pretences assaulted the Garison as they marched out and had doubtless moved the rest of the Camp Rabble to imitate their example had not
boarded the other commanded by Captain de Lescases who seeing no remedy to avoid being taken he leaped into his Boat and blew up his Ship howsoever could not escape his destiny for having his Arm broke he became a prey and a slave to his Enemy The News of this Victory was celebrated with so much the more joy by how much this person was feared and hated and was not only a subject of rejoycing to the Turks but also to the Christians whose Parents and Relations this Corsaire had pillaged and enslaved so that the Inhabitants of the Archipelago for the most part were pleased with the revenge and promised more security and quietness to their open Coasts With no less triumph was this News posted to the Grand Signior who rewarded the Messenger with two thousand Dollars gratuity and caused demonstrations of joy to be made through the whole Court so dreadful was grown the Name of so inconsiderable a person in respect of the greatness of the Ottoman Empire But the success of this advantage did not heighten the courage of the Captain Pasha to that pitch as to make him more bold with the Venetian Armata for in the month of Iuly having great Recruits of Men and Provisions to land and hearing that the Venetians lay before Canea having fortified a Rock called St. Todoro at the mouth of that Port he resolved for Retimo but pursuits or intelligence of the Enemies being in the way or his own fâ—ars still prevented him until at length he was forced to Gira-Petra a small and obscure place far distant from the City of Candia and the way thither by land rocky and almost unpassable for Beasts of Burden howsoever the Men and Ammunition were there landed with that haste and expedition that in less than thirty hours time the Captain Pasha was again upon his return for Scio leaving the Souldiery and the Ammunition he had disbarked to find a passage through the Rocks and Mountains At which the Vizier was so displeased that he sent the Captain Pasha this Message That the next time he should forbear to bring farther supplies until he could find a more commodious Port wherein to land them In this manner the Marine Affairs passed this year at Sea the Turkish Fleet having besides other succours transported Ibrahim Pasha of Damascus with eight hundred Spahees unto Candia whom we mentioned formerly to have been Pasha of Grand Cairo and married to the Grand Signior's Sister and being one with whom I had a former acquaintance and who was a great friend to the English Nation I made him a visit as he passed through Smyrna Whilst these matters were transacting at Sea on the 7 th of Ianuary arrived the new Proveditor General Bernardo Nani and Sergeant General Muteo Matei with five hundred Foot sent by the Pope who gave Licence for destruction of some Monasteries whose Orders were judged less necessary in the Venetian State that their Revenue might be applied to the service of this War after Arrival of which succours a general Muster was made of the whole Garrison and the number thereof reckoned to amount unto eight thousand fighting Men though soon afterwards continual action and exploits of War decimated the number and many of the brave Commanders being taken off every tenth man perished and rendred the place in a condition which required continual supplies For many and various were the attempts and actions performed on both sides under the Walls of Candia and first the Turks began to make appear a Battery which they had raised on the side of the Lazaretto which so offended tho Port that there was no harbour or access for Vessels On the contrary to which by the Fort of St. Andrea another Battery was raised which offended Tramata very much which was another small harbour capable only to receive Boats or Barks the passage to which was so annoyed now by the Enemies Cannon that no Vessel could go in or out unless in the Night and that too with some difficulty and danger The Turks gaining advantage on the side of St. Andrea applied their whole strength and diligence to that part and one dark Night passing undiscovered along the Seas they silently fixed a Cord to the Palisade of St. Andrea and with an Engine strained it so violently that they tore away several of the main Stakes of the Work without being perceived by the Centinels who paid for that neglect with the price of their lives upon which success they continued to advance their lines on that side which Marquess Villa perceiving resolved to hinder by some valiant sallies And first two hundred brave men selected out of several Regiments conducted by Sergeant Major Motta issued out from Panigra and taking their way along the Sea bravely mixed with the Turks and put them to flight and though the Alarm thereof brought a Concourse of Turks from all parts of the Camp yet the Christians stood so stoutly to it that they struck a terror to their Enemies and once forced them to a Retreat within their Trenches and at length after they had overthrown certain Redoubts and Traverses they gave back with good order returning with Victory and Glory which bravery the Captain General acknowledged to all and encouraged in the common Souldiery with a Present of fifty Zechins This success gave the besieged opportunity to finish their Platforms which they had raised on the side of the Ditch adjoining to the Bulwark of St. Andrea on which they planted two pieces of Cannon which carried fifty pound Bullet a piece which much disturbed the Enemies Traverses Howsoever the Turks with indefatigable pains and invincible patience battered the little Tower of Priuli the Curtain and Revelin of St. Andrea and employed all their power and attention to fill the Ditch with Faggots Earth and other Rubbish On the 29 th of February after the Christians had first made a Breach on the Enemies Redoubt which confronted the Revelin of St. Andrea and sprang five Mines one after the other a second Sally was made by a considerable Body of the besieged consisting of two hundred French and Savoyards three hundred Italians two hundred Germans and a hundred and twenty horsemen who issued forth with that Gallantry that driving the Turks under Covert advanced far within their Works with which Demonstration of honour the Captain-General being satisfied they made the smoke which was a Signal for their Retreat so that returning victorious without much loss that day was remarkable and numbred amongst the other days which were esteemed successful and fortunate in that Siege Howsoever the Turks with admirable patience and assiduity crept forward by their Traverses and help of their great shot on the Bastion of St. Andrea which whilst Aâ—gustine Rostayne Adjutant of Marquess Villa considered he was taken off by a Cannon Bullet and yet the Turks could not advance so fast but that the Engineer Maupassan gave some retardment to their progress by firing a Mine which
they stile all Representatives from Foreign Princes their pawns or pledges of Peace so had not the Turks in that conjuncture thought the interest of France worth the obliging they would never have deviated from their ancient Custom and given an example for other Ministers to demand a priviledge of the like nature But to return again to the designs against Poland the Sultan about the end of Iuly marched with such Forces as were then in a readiness towards the Confines of that Country and though he had not with him above fifteen thousand men yet it was concluded that the Fame and terror of the Grand Signior's motion would either abate and bring low the spirits of the Poles and induce them to dispatch an Ambassador with terms of Peace or at least this readiness of the Turkish Camp would be an early preparation for the designs of the next year and put the whole Empire into a timely motion and that uniting with the Forces of the Frontiers they might make a Body sufficient to resist any sudden Incursion This resolution being taken the Great Vizier led the Van and encamped on the Banks of the Danube near a place called Isacgee where he with all diligence built a Bridge of Boats to pass his Forces with the greatest facility to the other side on which lies the Country of Moldavia The Sultan about a days journey short of the Vizier fixed his Court and Camp at a place called Babadog with intention after some days to cross the River and proceed as far as Kemenitz that by the influence of his powerful Presence he might encourage his Army there and provide all things necessary for security of that Garrison But in the mean time advices coming that the Polish Army consisting of about twenty thousand men was roving about the Confines of Leopolis under the Command of General Sobieski and that a reconciliation was passed between the King and him and that Zircha Commander of the Cosacks joyned to considerable forces of the Moscovite and Calmuck Tartars had made incursions into the parts about Osac caused the Sultan to desist from his designed progress to Kemenitz and to pass no farther than over the River into Moldavia for hunting or other pastimes By these matters the Turks being fully convinced that the Poles resolved not to pay their promised tribute nor to send an Ambassador with propositions which were condescending or supplicating for Peace the Sultan himself dispatched away an Aga with Letters into Poland full of threats menaces and protestations of bringing all that ruine misery and destruction on their Country which always attends the most cruel and bloudy War if they did not retrieve their error by a speedy submission and compliance with those Articles which were the last year accorded And this was the last motion the Turks made towards a Peace which they were desirous to embrace on any terms honourable that so they might have opportunity to divert their Arms to the more mild Climates of Hungary where besides the entertainment they expected to receive from friends who invited them they should not be liable to half those inconveniences of Cold Frosts and Famine as they were probable to meet in the parts of Poland But the Poles were so much in earnest and so little esteemed the menaces of the Sultan that they anticipated his threats by some acts of hostility and showed that they so much scorned his anger that they were resolved to be the first Aggressors For the great Mareschal Sobieski with his Lieutenant General Wisnowitzki marched forward and boldly passed the Niester with fifty thousand select Souldiers The General of the Turkish Army Chusaein Pasha alarmed hereat immediately issued forth such Orders for preparing and fitting his Camp as were agreeable to a speedy Battel and that he might understand the state of his Camp he called the Prince or Vayvord of Moldavia to examine him concerning the state and condition of his Forces the answer he gave proving not satisfactory to the expectation of the Turk who was enraged at the approach of the Enemy with high and proud words insulted over the Prince giving him no better terms than Dog and Infidel and at length struck him over the head with his Pole-Axe notwithstanding which and the disgrace he put upon him imprudently that night committed unto him and to the Prince of Valachia the care of the Guards which consisted of three thousand Men. The Valachians as near Neighbours and Associates with the others seemed at first more grievously to resent the affront than did the Moldavians and therefore that Night took their Prince by force and carried him to the Polish Army The Prince that he might make a Vertue of Necessity complained of no force or violence offered unto him by his Souldiers but as if he had voluntarily revolted showed outwardly a fair and serene countenance towards the Poles until such time as with forty of his Men he found an opportunity to escape but being by next morning at break of day overtaken by five Troops of Polonian Horse his whole Retinue was slain by them expecting five of his men who with himself saved themselves by the swiftness of their Horses Howsoever the Prince received a wound on his left hand with a Sword with which presenting himself before the Great Vizier and by that testimony boasting of his Faith and Loyalty to the Ottoman House was conducted by him to the presence of the Sultan who in reward of his fidelity and valour vested him with a rich Coltan and restored him again to his Principality with addition of three hundred Aspers a day pay His Wife and Children which remained as Hostages at Constantinople being upon the News of the Princes Revolt clapt into the seven Towers were again released and conducted to their house with all imaginable honour and magnificence But the Moldavian Prince was more in earnest and heartily disdained the affront offered him by Chusaein Pasha towards whom and the other Turks though he carried a serene and calm countenance yet he nourished a secret flame and storm within himself to vent which and revenge the affront he maintained a correspondence with Sobieski giving him intelligence of all matters in the Turkish Camp how he might most easily surprize the Forces of the Pasha of Sivas and the four Generals of the Spahees of Alchaholick The Christians made use of this intelligence accordingly by making their assault on the Enemy on the weakest side when the Prince having reserved his anger until an opportune Season turned his face against the Turks and with a courage agreeable to his spirit and command he entered the Tabor or Intrenchment of Chusaein Pasha and wounded him with his own hand The heat of the Fight continued fourteen hours in which none behaved himself more valiantly than did Solyman Pasha the Beglerbeg of Bosna who though he was as brave and fought as stoutly as any man could having six Horses that day killed under him
big and sour of a barbarous Tyrant and it hath been known that the Ambassador hath been forced to interpose his own Person between the Fury of the Vizier and his Interpreter whose Offence was only the delivery of the words of his Master some of whom have notwithstanding been imprisoned or executed for this Cause as we have partly intimated in the foregoing Chapter The reason of which Tyranny and Presumption in these prime Officers over the Interpreters is because they are most commonly born Subjects of the Grand Signior and therefore ill support the least word mis-placed or savouring of Contest from them not distinguishing between the Sense of the Ambassador and the Explication of the Interpreter and therefore it were very useful to breed up a Seminary of young English Men of sprightly and ingenious Parts to be qualified for that Office who may with less danger to themselves Honour to their Master and Advantage to the Publick express boldly without the usual mincing and submission of other Interpreters whatsoever is commanded and declared by their Master The French Nation hath taken a very good course in breeding up Youths to make their Drugger-men or Interpreters some few Years past twelve were sent to Smyrna where being a while instructed in the Convent of Capuchins and there taught the Turkish and Vulgar Greek they are afterwards dispersed to the several Factories such as were of most pregnant Parts being placed with the Ambassador at Constantinople Such a provision of young Drugger-men at least twelve ought to be allowed for some of them die some grow weary of the Country and are desirous to return Home others not having a sufficiency of Parts nor Health answer not Expectation so that if two or three of such a Number happen to succeed well they are a great help to the Ambassador and the Consul where they serve The English Ambassador had once three Youths sent Aboard on this Design but they are now all three dead and one alone came into Employment It is certainly a good Maxim for an Ambassador in this Country not to be over-studious in prâ—curing a familiar Friendship with Turks a fair comportment towards all in a moderate way is cheap and secure for a Turk is not capable of real Friendship towards a Christian and to have him called only and thought a Friend who is in Power is an Expence without Profit for in great Emergencies and Times of Necessity when their Assistance is most useful he must be bought again and his Friendship renewed with Presents and farther Expectations howsoever this way of Negotiating by Presents and Gratuities is so much in custom amongst the Turks that to speak truly scarce any thing can be obtained without it but is the Wisdom of the Minister to dispose and place them with Honour Decency and Advantage For there are and have been always two or three powerful Persons in this Court which in all Times carry the principal sway and command of all these must necessarily be treated with Respect and often sweetned with Gratuities He that hath Mony may doubtless make Friends when he needs them and with that secure his Capitulation and his Privilege purchase Justice and if his Stock will hold out act any thing that can reasonably be imagined yet it is the most profitable and prudent way to refer something to Friendship and good Correspondence and not all to mere force and strength of Mony. CHAP. XXI How Foreign Princes in particular stand in the Esteem and Opinion of the Turks THE Turks as we have occasionally instanced before are naturally a proud and insolent People confident and conceited of their own Vertue Valour and Forces which proceeds from their ignorance of the strength and constitution of other Countries so that when the Danger which may arise from the Conjunction and Union of Christian Princes to the Mahometan Interest is discoursed of they compare the Grand Signior to the Lion and other Kings to little Dogs which may serve as they say to rouse and discompose the quiet and Majesty of the Lion but can never bite him but with their utmost peril They say farther as by an ingenuous Confession that they are unable to encounter the Christians at Sea to whom God hath given that unstable Element for Dominion and Possession but that the Earth is the Lot and Inheritance of the Turks which is demonstrable by that great Circuit of Empire obedient to the Mahometan Arms. These are the Thoughts and Apprehensions of the Commonalty concerning Christendom in general which I have heard often discoursed amongst them but the Opinion and Esteem whâ—ch knowing Men and Ministers frame of Foreign Kingdoms and States distinctly is for the most part according to these following Particulars Of all the Princes so for remote as England none amongst this People stands in better account than his Majesty of Great Britain not only for the convenience of the Trade which provides the Empire with many necessary Commodities but for the fame of His Shipping and Power at Sea which makes him though divided from all parts of the World yet a Borderer on every Countrey where the Ocean extends And this Esteem and Honour the Sultan bears towards His Majesty hath been evidenced in several Particulars and by none more than by the sâ—curity and freedom his Merchants live in in these Dominions and a readiness always in every reasonable Request to gratify His Majesty's Ambassadors As for the Emperor the Turk knows that his own proper and peculiar Force in it self is inconsiderable but that with the conjunction and assistance of the German Princes they are assured and have proved it to their experience in the Year 1664 that his Strength is equivalent to the Ottoman Power but yet they are not ignorant that the diversity of Religions and Sects in Germany abate much of that vigor and coalition amongst themselves which is requisite to the vigorous opposition of so potent an Enemy And it is evident that the Emperor 's unseasonable Severity against the Protestants in Hungary disobliging his whole Dominion there by depriving them of their Churches and exercising other courses for suppression of the Reformed Religion ripened the Turk's Design of War first laid in the Year 1663 conceiving in that conjuncture holding forth the specious pretence of Liberty in Religion and Conscience the Hungarians would either wholly desert the Emperor or very coldly and faintly apply themselves to his Succour The Effect of which was in the succeeding Wars plainly verified and known that the Hungarians were not only sparing in their Contribution and Supplies of Men in the Service of the Emperor but held secret Juntoes and Councils Whether it were not better to accept the Turk's Soveraignty on the Conditions proposed with Liberty of their Religion rather than to continue in Allegiance to the Emperor who neither afforded them freedom of Conscience which is the Destruction of their Spiritual Estate nor was able to withstand the Turk which argued insufficiency to
by a Vow to give such a quantity of bread a day to the Dogs of such a Street others bequeath it by Testament for they maintain their quarters from other wandring Curs and join together in a strange manner to preserve certain limits free from others that are not whelped and bred amongst them The Camel is another sort of Beast to which the Turks bear not onely a love but a religious reverence accounting it a greater sin to over burthen and tire them with too much labour than the Horse because it is the Beast most common to the holy parts of Arabia and carries the Alchoran in Pilgrimage that I have observed those who have the government of the Camels when they have given water to them in a Bason to take off the foam or froth that comes from the Mouth of the Beast and with that as if it were some rare Balsame with a singular devotion to anoint their Beards and thereat with a Religious sigh groan out Hadgi Baba Hadgi Baba which is as much as Oh Father Pilgrim O Father Pilgrim And thus having run through the most observable points of the Turkish Religion it will be now time to take a view of their Host and Militia being that by which their Empire is more supported than either by their Policy in Civil Government or Profession in Religion THE THIRD BOOK Wherein is Treated of The Turkish Militia CHAP. I. Of the present state of the Military Discipline in general amongst the Turks WHoever is acquainted with the state of the Turkish Empire and hath duly considered the premisses of this foregoing Treatise will easily judge that the main Sinews of the Ottomâ—n Kingdom consist in the force of the Spahees Ianizaries and the other Auxiliaries and that this Government being wholly founded upon Martial Discipline and the Law of Arms is most obliged to the Constitutions and supported on the Props related in this following Discourse for this People having neither entred into the Possession of this Empire as into an uninhabited and desart Land as Colonies of other Nations have done into Countries new found or discovered nor got admittance precariously from the Graecian Princes for the benefit of their Neighbourhood and Commerce but have opened their way to Possession and Government by meer force and power of the Sword whereby their Constitutions Laws Customs and Manners of living are wholly agreeable to the warlike Discipline of a Camp and to the quickness and ready execution of Martial Law. And if it be true in Morality as it is in Nature that things are conserved by the same cause by which they are produced it will necessarily follow that this Ottoman Empire which was begot by Arms and had Mars its onely Father will never be nourished by softness and the arts and blandishments of Peace But he that takes a view of the Ottoman Armies as described in various Histories renowned for their Chivalry and Discipline in the times of Sultan Selim or Solyman the Magnificent and designs thence to extract a draught or Copy for his present speculation will find himself much at a loss in framing true conjectures of the puissance of the Turks or the Rules of their Government by comparison of former times with this present age For that ancient sublimity and comely Majesty in the Empire is much abated the Forces by Land decayed and the Maritime power by ill success and unskillfull and slothfull Seamen reduced to an inconsiderable condition the Countries are dispeopled and the Royal Revenue abated nothing remains of those plenteous stores and provisions of War nor that Regiment and Discipline continued in peace none of that ancient observation of their Laws and Religion nor that love and respect to the Militia which is now become degenerate soft and effeminate nor is the Ottoman Court so prone to remunerate the services and exalt the interest of the Cavalry or maintain the reputation of the Ianizaries In brief there are no Reliques of ancient Justice or Generosity of discreet Government or Obedience to it of Courtesie or Concord of Valour or Counsel nor yet of Confidence Friendship or generous Fidelity But though this Empire hath many of these distempers and begins to grow factious and yet slothfull and desirous to avoid the occasions of War as all Governments have been which in their youth and first beginnings were eager active and provoked through Poverty in their riper years grown Rich and Luxurious with Plenty have declined afterwards as from the Meridian of their Greatness and Power yet the Turks maintain still the extent of their Dominions and if they have lost ground in one place like the Sea they have recovered it in another if in Asia the Persians have taken from them Rivan Schirvan Tibris Lyris and Ghenge it is but a recovery of their own Dominions if they are dispossessed in Ethiopia of Eden and other parts of Arabia Felix they have recompenced themselves in Europe by their footing in Candia and in Hungary by the late Conquest of Newheusel and Novigrade and in Transilvania by the additions of Ianova and Waradin But this Empire as vast and large as it is is yet dispeopled the Villages abandoned and whole provinces as pleasant and fruitfull as Tempe or Thessaly uncultivate and turned into a Desart or Wilderness all which desolation and ruine proceeds from the Tyranny and Rapine of the Beglerbegs and Pashaws who either in their Journies to the possession of their Government or return from thence expose the poor Inhabitants to violence and injury of their Attendants as if they had entred the Confines of an Enemy or the Dominions of a Conquered People In like manner the insolence of the Horse and Foot is unsupportable for in their marches from one Countrey to another Parties of 20 or 30 are permitted to make excursions into divers parts of their own Dominions where they not onely live upon free quarter but extort Money and Cloaths from the poor Vassals â—aking their Children to sell for Slaves especially the Bulgarians and Serviâ—ns and the people of Bosna and Albania which being ignorant of the Turkish Tongue and sold for Russians Hungarians or Moscovites so that rather than be exposed to much misery and licence of the Soldiery the poor people choose to abandon their dwellings and wander into other Cities or seek for refuge in the Mountains of Wâ—ods of the Countrey In fine though generally the Military Offices are in the same form and the Soldiery disposed according to the ancient Rule and Canon yet licentiousness and negligence have so prevailed in the Officers as to introduce that corruption which renders them wholly altered and estranged from their first Discipline For the Commanders upon every light occasion are contented to make Otoracks or Stipendiaries such as enjoy the pay and privileges of a Soldier and yet are excused from the Wars which they easily purchase with a small Sum of Money for a scratch or a flesh-wound gained in the Wars wholly against the
Militia is called Ianizar Agasi and is always elected from the Royal Chamber of the Seraglio because it being an Office of great charge it is thought necessary to be intrusted to one whose Education and Preferment hath made a Creature of the Court which Policy hath been the suppression of divers Mutinies amongst the Ianizaries the discovery of their Combination and an engagement to a stronger dependency on the favour of the Seraglio When this General either dies by a natural death or the Sword of the Grand Signior's Justice or Authority his Riches like that of other Pashaws is not confiscated to the Sultan's Exchequer but the Inheritance accrues to the publick Treasury of the Ianizaries which how dangerous it is to a State to have a Militia endowed with Revenues appropriated to their Officers as already we have declared they possess in some parts of Anatolia and a Bank of Wealth united to the maintenance of a licentious Sword the Ottoman Princes have by sad effects rather felt than able by virtue of their absolute Power to remedy The second chief Officer is the Kirbaia Begh Lieutenant-General The third is Seghban baschi the Overseer of the Carriage of the Soldiers Baggage The fourth is the Turnagi Bashee or Guardian of the Grand Signior's Cranes The fifth is the Samsongi Bashee chief Master of the Grand Signior's Mastives The sixth is the Zagargi Bashee Master of the Spaniels The seventh is the Solack Bashee Captain of the Archers or of such of the Ianizaries who go armed with Bow and Arrows The eighth is Subashi and Assasbashi who are chief of the Sergeants and Bailiffs and attend always at the Grand Signior's Stirrop when at any time on solemn occasions he shews himself to the people The ninth is the Peikbashi or Commander of that sort of Pages which are called Peiks who wear Caps of beaten Gold of which there are 60 in number who march at Solemnities together with the Solacks near the person of the Grand Signior The tenth is Mezurga or the head Baily of the Ianizaries These eight last arise from the order of the Ianizaries and have their several Commands in the Army though the Grand Signior to augment their Power and Honour the more bestows on them Titles and Wealth in other Offices The Ianizaries Chambers of which there are no others but in Constantinople are in number 162 of which 80 are of ancient Foundation and are called Eskai Odalar and 82 called Ieni Odalar or of the new Chambers over most of which is a Tchorbagi or Captain In these Chambers those that are not married enjoy their Lodgings and Habitation and twice a day find their Repast as we have before-mentioned And thus instead of Monasteries of Fryars the Turk maintains Convents and Societies of Soldiers who are trained up with all modesty and severity of Discipline The principal Officers of these Chambers are First the Odabashee or Master of the Chamber who in the Wars serve as Lieutenants of the Company Second is Wekilbarg or Expenditour for maintenance of the Chamber The third is Bairackter or Ensign-bearer Fourth is Ashgee or the Cook of the Chamber Fifth is Karakullukgee or the under-Cook Sixth is the Saka or the Water-carrier The Cook is not onely an Officer to dress the Diet and Provision of the Ianizaries but is also a Monitor or Observer of their good behaviour so that when any one of them commits a Crime the Cook is the Officer that executes the punishment The under Cook serves also for an Apparitor and is he who summons the married Ianizaries at their several Dwellings in Constantinople when their Officers command their attendance The greatest part of the Ianizaries consists of Batchellours or single Men for though Marriage cannot be denied to any of them yet it is that which determines their Preferments and renders their Seniority uncapable of claiming a right to Offices or Military Advancement for being incumbred with Wife and other Dependencies they are judged in a condition not capable to attend the Discipline of the War or service of the Grand Signior and therefore as to other duty in the times of Peace besides their appearance every Friday in their Chambers and presence of their Officers they wholly are dispensed with In the Wars this Militia is considered as the most valiant and best Disciplined Soldiery of the Turkish Camp and therefore are kept as a Reserve or march in the main Body of the Army In times of Peace their Quarters are many times changed to keep them in employment from one Castle or Garison to another as to Buda Kanisia Temeswar to Rhodes Canea and other parts some of them are appointed to keep Courts of Guard at all Gates and Avenues of Constantinople to prevent the Insolencies and Injuries their Companions are apt to offer to Christians Jews and others in the Streets who at some times being heated with Wine have in open Market forced Women whilst their Comrades have with their Daggers drawn stood over them to defend them from the people to prevent which disorders the Ianizar Agasi accustoms to ride the Streets attended with about 40 Mumigies or Bailiffs of the Ianizaries where meeting any guilty of such like Crimes or other Enormities he seizes them and carries them to his Court where after examination of their fault he orders them to be beaten or if their Crime be great to be strangled or sowed in a Sack and thrown into the Sea but always their punishment is inflicted privately perhaps because they are jealous of a Mutiny In every Province the Ianizaries have their Serdars who are Colonel or chief of all the Ianizaries within that Jurisdiction who greatly abuse their Office by taking into their protection any that present or pay them for this Privilege by which means they have grown so powerfull and rich that some time past the Command of the whole Ottoman Empire hath reposed in the hands of this Militia Their Arms are Musquets and Swords they fight confusedly in the Field and with no more order than the Spahees onely sometimes they draw themselves up into Cunei oberved amongst the Romans And thus much shall serve to have spoken of the Institution and Discipline of the Ianizaries We shall now proceed to declare how this Militia is decayed and upon what grounds it is not maintained in its ancient honour and flourishing Estate CHAP. VIII Whether the maintenance of an Army of Janizaries according to the Original Institution be now agreeable to the Rules of Polity amongst the Turks THIS Problem I find first moved by Busbequius once the German Emperour's Ambassadour to Constantinople who pretends to speak the Grand Signior's sense in this particular on occasions of difference which the insolent rudeness of the Ianizaries had caused between themselves and his Family For Rusan Pashaw then Prime Visier admonished him friendly to condescend to any terms of composition for that Law could not avail where
Chap. XII Of the Offices Dignities and several Governments of the Empire 23 Chap. XIII In what manner the Tartar Han depends on the Turk 26 Chap. XIV Of the Tributary Princes to the Turks viz. the Moldavians Valachians Transilvanians Raguseans c. 28 Chap. XV. The desolation and ruin which the Turks make of their own Country in Asia and the parts most remote from the Imperial Seat esteemed one cause of the conservation of the Empire 31 Chap. XVI All hereditary Succession in the Government as also the preservation of an Ancient Nobility against the Maxims of the Turkish Polity 32 Chap. XVII The frequent exchange of Officers as setting up one and degrading another a Rule always practised as wholesome and conducing to the welfare of the Turkish State 35 Chap. XVIII The several Arts the Turks use for increase of their People is a principal Policy without which the greatness of their Empire cannot continue nor be encreased 37 Chap. XIX The manner of Reception of Foreign Ambassadors amongst the Turks and the esteem is had of them 39 Chap. XX. How Ambassadors and publick Ministers govern themselves in their Negotiations and Residence amongst the Turks 43 Chap. XXI How Christian and other Foreign Princes in particular stand in the esteem and opinion of the Turk 44 Chap. XXII The regard the Turks have to their Leagues with Foreign Princes 46 The Second Book Chap. I. OF the Turks Religion in general 49 Chap. II. The Toleration in that Mahometanism in its Infancy promised to other Religions and in what manner that agreement was afterwards observed ibid. Chap. III. The Arts wherewith the Turkish Religion is propagated 52 Chap. IV. The Power and Office of the Mufti and the Turkish Government in Religious Matters 53 Chap. V. Of the Mufti 's Revenue and from whence it doth arise 55 Chap. VI. Of the Emirs ibid. Chap. VII Of the Endowments of the Royal Moschs and in what nature Tithes are given for maintenance of their Priests and Religion 56 Chap. VIII Of the nature of Predestination according to the Turkish Doctors 57 Chap. IX Of the difference of Sects and disagreement in Religion amongst the Turks in general 58 Chap. X. Of the two prevailing Sects viz. of Mahomet and Hali that is the Turk and the Persian the Errors of the Persian recounted and confuted by the Mufti of Constantinople 59 Chap. XI Of the ancient Sects and Heresies amongst the Turks 61 Chap. XII Of the new and modern Sects amongst the Turks 63 Chap. XIII Of the Dervises 67 Chap. XIV Of the Order of Ebrbuhare 69 Chap. XV. Of the order of Nimetulahi 70 Chap. XVI Of the order of Kadri ibid. Chap. XVII Of the order of Kalenderi 71 Chap. XVIII Of the order of Edhemi ibid. Chap. XIX Of the order of Bectasse 72 Chap. XX. Of the order of Hizrevi or Herewi ibid. Chap. XXI Of the Marriages Divorces and how far Concubinage is indulged amongst the Turks 73 Chap. XXII Of other parts of the Turkish Religion and first of Circumcision 76 Chap. XXIII Of the five necessary Points which are required to constitute a true Mahometan viz. 1. Washings 2. Prayers 3. Observations of the Ramazan 4. The Zacat 5. Pilgrimage ibid. Chap. XXIV Of the Feast of Bairam and the Ceremonies used at that time by the chief Officers and Ministers towards the Grand Signior 78 Chap. XXV Of the Prohibition of Swines Flesh and Wine 80 Chap. XXVI Of their Morality Good Works and some certain account of their Laws worthy observation ibid. The Third Book Chap. I. OF the present state of the Military Discipline amongst the Turks 81 Chap. II. Of the Turkish Militia in general 82 Chap. III. A Computation of the Forces arising from the Zaims and Timariots 83 Chap. IV. Of certain Customs and Laws observed amongst the Zaims and Timariots 86 Chap. V. Of the state of the Militia in Grand Cairo and Egypt and the Auxiliary Forces to the forementioned Militia of the Turks 87 Chap. VI. Of the Spahees 88 Chap. VII Of the Ianizaries 90 Chap. VIII Whether the maintenance of an Army of Ianizaries according to the original institution be now agreeable to the Rules of Polity amongst the Turks 92 Chap. IX Of the Chiauses 94 Chap. X. Of the other parts of the Turkish Militia viz. the Toptchi Segbans and Serigias Gebegee Muhlagi Besli and Delees ibid. Chap. XI Certain Observations on the Turkish Camp 97 Chap. XII Of the Turks Armata or Naval Forces of Sea 102 The Conclusion 104 FINIS A TABLE TO THE Turkish History Written by Mr. RICHARD KNOLLES wherein note that a. signifies the first Column of each Page and b. the second A AARON Vayvod of Moldavia suspected by the Transilvanian Prince to have Intelligence with the Turk with his Wife and Son sent Prisoners unto Prague 745 a. Abas Mirize by the practice of Mirize Salmas brought into suspicion with Mahomet his Father the Persian King 669 a. by his Ambassadors purgeth himself of the supposed Treason 680 a. Abdilcherai with his Tartars cometh into Siruan 664 a. taketh Ares Chan ib. b. spoileth Genge is himself overthrown and taken Prisoner by the Persian Prince 665 a. beloved of the Persian Queen ib. b slain in the Court ib. b. Abedin Bassa with a great Army sent by Amurath to revenge the death of Mesites spoyleth Valachia and so entreth into Transilvania 184 a. encourageth the Turks 185 b. in a great and mortal battel overthrown by Huniades at Vascape 187 a. Abraham otherwise called Pyramet last King of Caramania slain by Bajazet 304 a. Abraham Bassa his description 435 a. his bringing up in Court ib. b. his great credit with Solyman i. he perswaded him to make war upon the Persians ib. b. maligned by Solymans Mother and Roxolana 436 b. sent before by Solyman with an Army into Syria ib. b. hath the City of Tauris yielded unto him 437 a. in disgrace with Solyman 440 a. shamefully murthered in the Court by the commandment of Solyman ib. a. Abydus surprised by the Turks 127 b. Acanzii what they be 283 a. Achmetes Bassa Governour of Cyprus slain by the Ianizaries 690 a. Achmetes the great Bassa his notable speech to Mahomet to dissuade him from any more assaulting of Scodra 289 a b. landeth with his Army in Apulia 295 a. by Bajazet made General of his Army against his Brother Zemes 298 a. his death contrived by Isaac Bassa 301 b. in danger to have been put to death delivered by the Ianizaries 302 a. suddenly slain ib. b. Achmetes Bassa with his Army overthrown by the Mamaluks taken and sent Prisoner unto Caytbeius at Caire 305 a. Achomates politick and valiant but too much given to Pleasure 326 a. discontented 332 a. threatneth the Cadelescher sent unto him by his Father 332 a. entreth with his soâ—s into Rebellion ib. b. killeth his Fathers Ambassador proclaimed Traitor 333 b. secretly favoured by divers great men in Selymus his Army 341 b. overthrown in battel taken and by
the commandment of his Brother Selymus strangled 542 b. Achomates the great Bassa appeaseth the Souldiers up in Arms for the unworthy death of Mustapha 516 a. his miserable end 517 a. Achmat the great Sultan crowned 837 b his disposition 839 a. sick of the small pox 845 a. contemneth good counsel ib. b. his first son born 857 b. seeketh in vain to make peace with the Persian 881 a. makes Gambolat General of his Army into Asia and suddenly commandeth him to be slain 897 a. his extreme severity 905 b. beats his Sultana 907 b. in danger to be slain by a Deruice 908 a. cometh in state to Constantinople 912 a. admonisheth the Transilvanians to obey Gabor 920 b. commands all the Christians to be slain 933 b. entertains four Armies 942 b. his death and disposition 943 b. Adom Castle abandoned by the Haiducks 820 b. Agria in vain besieged by the Turks 511 b yielded unto Mahomet the Third 767 a. Aladin the son of Kei-Husreu of the Selzuccian Family driven out of Persia seiseth upon Cilicia 54 a. Aladin his Modesty about the division of his Father Othomans Inheritance and Goods with his Brother Orchanes 125 a. Aladin the Caramanian King hanged 144 a. Aladin Amurath's eldest Son slain with a fall from his Horse 197 a. Alba-Regalis yielded to King Ferdinand 472 b. besieged by Solyman 500 a b. the lake and ditches with incredible labor filled up by the Turks ib. b. the suburbs won ib. b. the miserable slaughter of the Christians in their â—light 501 a. yielded unto Solyman 501 b. besieged by Duke Mercurie 793 a. the suburbs of the City surprised by Lord Russworm ib. b. the City taken by the Christians ib. b. besieged by the Turks 799 b. terribly assaulted 800 a. won by the Turks ib. b. Alba-Regalis the suburbs by the Christians sacked and burnt 820 a. Aladeules his Kingdom 353 a. the battel betwixt him and Selymus ib. b. he flyeth into the Mountains ib. b. taken by Sinan Bassa and brought to Selymus is put to death 354 a. his head sent to Venice for a present and his Kingdom brought into the form of a Province ib. a. Albuchomar discovereth unto Selymus the power of Tomombeius and the treason intented by them of Caire 372 a. Aleppo in Syria betrayed and taken from the Christians by Saladin Sultan of Damasco 43 a. by the Tartars taken from the Turks and by them sacked and rased 79 b. by Cayerbeius the Traitor delivered to Selymus 361 a. Alessandro the Georgian submitteth himself unto Mustapha 660 b. Alexius the great President of Constantinople committed to Prison 32 b. his Eyes put out by the commandment of Andronicus ib. b. Alexius Comnenus otherwise called Prophyrogenitus succeedeth his Father Emanuel in the Empire 30 b. by the practice of Andronicus is deprived of his Empire and strangled 35 b. Alexius the young Prince craveth Aid of Philip the Emperour and the Latine Princes against his Vncle the Vsurper 54 a. cometh to the Army of the Christian Princes going towards the Holy Land 55 a. arriveth with a great fleet of the Latins before Constantinople ib. b. taketh land and after a hot skirmish forceth the old Tyrant Alexius to â—lie out of the City ib. b. seeketh to bring the Latins again into the City 56 b is betrayed and strangled by Murzufle 57 a. Alexius Philantropenus by Andronicus the Emperour made Governour of the frontiers of his Empire in Asia against the Turks 103 a aspireth ib. b. betrayed hath his Eyes put out ib. b. Alexius Strategopulus with a small power sent into Graecia by the Emperour Michael Palaeologus by the treason of two Greeks taketh the City of Constantinople from the Latins 80 b. 81 a. Alexander proclaimed Prince of Moldavia 930 a. sendeth Ambassadors to Sultan Achmat ib. a. another to Prince Michna 931 a a third to Bethlem Gabor ib. b. 800 of his Souldiers slain by their hosts for their Insolency 932 b. he receiveth new Aids some whereof are defeated 932 b. 933 a. treacherously forsaken by his General 936 b he and his confederates invironed by the Turks Army 937 b. taken Prisoner and carried to Constantinople 938 b. Algiers described 486 a. in vain besieged by Charles the Emperour ib. a. Aliculi Chan taken 668 a. in hope of liberty conducted Hassan Bassa through the straight passages of Georgia ib. b. cast in prison at Erzirum ib. b. escapeth from Ferat 685 b. by the Persian King to the great discontentment of the Turcomans made Governour of Tauris 686 a. killeth the Bassa of Maras and doth the Turks great harm and so flieth from Tauris 698 b. conspireth with Abas Mirize against the Persian Prince 704 a. being by the Prince sent against the Turks performeth nothing 705 a. Alis Bassa with a great Army overthrown by Scanderbeg 196 b. Alis Bassa sent by Bajazet with an Army ouâ— of Europe against Techellis slain 323 a. Alis Beg and his four Sons treacherously slain by Ferat Bassa 404 b. Alis Bassa of Buda by the commandment of Amurath strangled 706 b. Alis Beg Governour of Strigonium coming down into the lower Town is there stayed by the Ianizaries 748 a. his resolute answer unto the Message sent him from the Lord Palfi 750 a. slain with a great shot 757 a. Almericus Earl of Joppa after the death of his Brother Baldwin chosen the sixth King of Jerusalem 39 a. with a puissant Army entereth Egypt and in plain battel overthroweth Dargan the Sultan ib. a aideth Sanar the Sultan against Saracon Noradins General whom he overthroweth in Egypt ib. b. taketh Alexandria 40 a. winneth Pelusium ib a. dieth 41 a. b. Aloysius Grittus the Duke of Venice's Son sent by Solyman as his Lieutenant into Hungary to oversee King John 426 a. contemned by Americus causeth him to be murthered 427 b. besieged by the Transilvanians 428 a. taken and beheaded ib. b. the great Riches found about him ib. b. Alphonsus King of Naples sendeth aid unto Scanderbeg 252 a. with Alexander Bishop of Rome craveth aid of Bajazet the Turk against Charles the French King 307 a. Alphonsus resigneth his Kingdom of Naples unto his Son Ferdinand 309 a. Alphonsus Daualus Vastius lieutenant-Lieutenant-General of the Emperour's Land-forces in his Expedition for Tunes 441 a. his Speech unto the Spanish Captains 443 b. commandeth the Emperour 448 a. with Hannbaldus sent Ambassadors from the Emperour and the French King to the State of Venice for a confederation betwixt that State and them to be made against Solyman 468 a. his Oration in the Venetian Senate the Answer of the Duke the Senators diversly affected towards the Confederation 466 b. Alteration of Religion in the Greek Church the cause of great troubles 100 b. Althems Regiment in mutiny 841 a. Altensol yielded to the Hungarian Rebels 873 a. Amesa with his Turks overthrown and taken prisoner by Scanderbeg 249 a. Amesa employed by his Vncle Scanderbeg for the recovery of Croia out of the hands of the Turks 183 b
were of Opinion that it was absolutely necessary to re-establish the Charge and Office of Palatine according to the Ancient constitution of that Nation and that a General Diet should be conven'd to that purpose But when the Imperial Ministers of State as well Ecclesiastick as Civil came to Debate upon these Points they offer'd many Qualifications As that the the Authority of Palatine should be limited and restrain'd That the Emperor's Writs or Letters should be Imperative rather than Mandative that is that they should be penn'd in such a Stile as that they might appear rather Assertive of the Absolute and Imperial Power than to condescend unto more moderate Terms anciently us'd in that Kingdom And when they came to the Article about restitution of the Churches which was the main point on which the Malecontents insisted they Treated with such Niceties and with so many Provisoes and Savings that the Deputies believ'd that the Imperial Ministers came to speak for Colours and Subterfuges to evade and illude an Accommodation rather than with true and sincere affections to heal the breaches and compose the differences of the Nation Whilst these Matters were in Negotiation Count Paul Wessellini who was Brother to the late Palatine and General of the Malecontents died and then the Command of the Army was committed to Count Tekeli who as we have said had gain'd such great Reputation in the Court of Prince Apafi that he made him his principal Minister of State and tho' he was a young Man of about twenty four or twenty five years of Age yet he so distinguish'd himself by his Valour Prudence and Industry that the eyes of all Hungary were upon him as a Person in every respect agreeable to the present great Undertakings Tekeli being now at the head of twelve thousand Fighting Men well appointed and fitted with all Necessaries and a Train of Artillery of about twelve pieces of Cannon and four Mortars look'd on himself as in a Condition to undertake some great Enterprize And having joyn'd with the Forces of his Cousin Count Tekeli and supply'd himself with some of the Emperor's Money out of the Mint at Nagibania he held a Council of War and propos'd to Besiege either Caschau or Kalo Howsoever the Inclinations he had for the Daughter of Count Serini Widow of the late Prince Ragotski directed him in the first place towards Mongatz that he might if possible come to a sight of that Lady for whom he had so great a passion But upon the approach of these Troops her Mother-in-Law who was zealous for the Interest of the Emperor gave Orders to the Forces which were rais'd within her State to fall upon Tekeli whose Quarters were not far distant from Mongatz The Fight was bravely maintain'd on both sides till at length the Troops of the Princess were forc'd to give way and 200 of them being slain on the place and many Prisoners taken amongst which the Count Serini was one the rest were put to flight being entirely defeated With these Successes the Army of the Malecontents daily increas'd to which an additional Force of eight or nine thousand Tartars being added the Emperor thought it necessary to recruit his Army with a Regiment of Horse under the Command of Count Stirum and with some other Troops which were in Bohemia and Stiria EMERIC COMTE DE TEKELI The Emperor perceiving that he was very unable to resist the Forces which were now in open Field and in defiance against him had his Recourse to the Old Project of making New Propositions and Offers of Peace to the Malecontents But this was always so unluckily managed and with so ill a grace that it was no wonder if it found no better Success But now as if it were intended to make things more plain and satisfactory to the World without Disputes or Qualifications a Manifesto was publish'd by the Emperor's Command Granting and Indulging unto all a General Act of Pardon and Oblivion a Restoration to their Estates a Free Exercise of Religion and a Right and Privilege of being equally admitted into Places of Trust and Offices of Court with the Germans and others of the Roman Catholick Religion provided that within the space of three Months they lay down their Arms and submitted to the Clemency of his Imperial Majesty And as to those who should still stand out and obstinately persevere in their Rebellion he requir'd the States of Hungary and all his Loving Subjects of that Kingdom to joyn their Forces unto his for the subjection of such Rebellious Persons who were Enemies to himself and to their own Country But least these fair Offers should Operate any thing on the Minds of the People Tekeli at the same time to make the Embroils more confused sent a List to the Emperor of fresh Aggrievances for which he desir'd some Remedies might be consider'd All which the Emperor referr'd to the Examination of a Diet which was suddenly to Assemble And in Order thereunto the General Baragotzi sent Passports to the Chief of the Malecontents that they might freely come to the Diet and return without molestation Insinuating unto them that their Government by a Palatine should be restor'd and whatsoever they could expect to gain by force of Arms should now be more easily yielded and granted by Covenants of an Amicable Agreement But all these Hopes and Expectations were overthrown by the heats which arose between the Emperor's Ministers at Vienna and the Deputies appointed by the Malecontents to Treat and prepare Matters against the Meeting of a Diet. For one day when the Differences were in debate it happen'd that the Chancellor Oker unadvisedly said That the Hungarian Nation had always been Faithless and Rebellious against their Prince Which words being immediately catch'd at by the Great Chancellor of Hungary It is unjust said he to Charge the Crime of some particular Persons on the whole Nation To which Oker with more passion than before made this Reply That it would be happy for the Emperor if one in twelve were found that truly and sincerely adher'd to his interest At these words Count Palfi the Treasurer of Hungary not being able to contain himself longer burst out into a passion and call'd the Chancellor Traytor Knave and Rascal And Count Harcani another of the Deputies as Gouty as he was made a shift to get upon his Legs and perswade his Companions to break up the Assembly and be gone to avoid the noise of such Ribaldry and affrontive Language And as they were going out of the Room the Chancellor of Hungary and Count Forgatz added Know said they that we have never betray'd our King nor pleaded for our Kindred who were found guilty of base and perfidious Actions Consider that we have not forgot how far you Countenanc'd the Governour of Freibourg To all which Oker made no Reply but return'd to the Emperor to give him an account of what had pass'd at this Conference
Steeple to give notice unto the Duke of Loraine of th◠great distress of the City and of the daily advances the Enemy made upon them and the hourly diminution of the Garrison The nex day to confirm these Signals the Duke of Loraine received Letters from Staremberg and Capliers representing the sad and extreme misery of the City which could not hold out much longer but must if not speedily relieved be yielded to the Besiegers Howsoever they concluded with a Resolution to defend themselves to the last drop of their Blood. The 29 th the Turks fired the greatest Mine of any they had yet done but to so little purpose that they durst not adventure to second it by an Assault as they had formerly done This day about three a Clock in the Afternoon a Mine of the Turks over-threw a great part of the right Flanker of the first Retrenchment of the Ravelin which was still defended by the Imperialists thô the outward Retrenchment was possessed by the Turks The Christians lost only two Men by this Mine who were buried in the Earth but the Turks pressing forward were repulsed with loss of twenty of their Men who were killed The Turks to conclude this Month fired their Cannon and Mortars so incessantly that it was believed a General Storm would follow And having fired a Mine in the Morning they hoped to have become Masters of the Ravelin now as it were at its last gasp and Assaulted it with such Fury that it seem'd ready to yield But the Christians fought with so great Resolution that they kill'd Sixty Ianisaries upon the Ruins and recover'd all the third and part of the first Retrenchment And thô the Defendants were well assur'd that they should be Relieved in very few days yet not knowing what Accidents might occur which none could foresee they with all diligence made another Retrenchment at the Foot of the Court Bastion and at other places Towards the Evening it was discovered that the Turkish Miners were at work under the Ravelin in which to disturb them it was agreed the next day to make a brisk Sally and to burn the Galleries by which they passed to the Mine The next Day being the first of the Month the Sally was accordingly performed by three Hundred Men who descending into the Ditch of the Court-Bastion advanced as far as to the Galleries intending to burn and destroy them with Granadoes and diverse sorts of Fire-balls but the Works being deep and the Ianisaries pressing on them in great numbers the Defendants were forced to retire with the loss of about twenty Men thô with many more on the Enemy's side Towards the Evening the Fight was again renewed by a fresh Assault of the Ianisaries purposing with full resolution to become entire Masters of the Ravelin but the Christians being spirited with the hopes of speedy Succour so valiantly opposed them that at length they were forced to retire with great Slaughter Immediately after which the Besieged made another Sally with about four hundred and fifty Men burnt their Galleries and ruined those Works which they could not repair again in less than three Days In this Action the Citizens behaved themselves with much Bravery and Dexetity in the execution of their Fire-works and thô this Sally cost them Ninety Men yet it was attended with the death of above three Hundred Ianisaries The Day before was remarkable for the Encounter of the Duke of Loraine and the King of Poland the first going to Olbrun to meet his Majesty So soon as they came in sight of each other about the distance of twenty five Spaces the Duke descended from his Horse as did also the King and coming near they embraced The King in very affectionate Terms demanded after his Health and commended his Valour and Conduct by which he had sustained so long the force of such powerful Enemies Then he presented to him his Son Prince Alexander whom he said he had trained up betimes in War to serve the Emperor and did not doubt but he would improve much more by the Guidance and Example of so great a General To which the Duke returned answer That his Majesty had not only amazed him with the heroick and generous Act of so long and tedious a March but had astonished him with the excess of his Favour and obliging Expressions towards him That next to the Service of the Emperor he desired to live that he might perform something acceptable to his Majesty and to all his Relations That as to the Forms and Rules of War no Person alive was so well versed in them as his Majesty from whom all the Generals and Captains of the World might without discredit not be ashamed to learn the Lessons of Military Discipline After which the Generals of the Army the Nobility and Vice-Chancellor of that Kingdom came and paid their Respects to the Duke of Loraine And then being mounted on Horse-back the King having the Duke on the Right-hand and the Prince on the Left they enter'd into Discourse concerning the State of the War and continued the same until they came to the Camp where in the King's Tent a sumptuous Supper was prepared at a long Table the King sate in the middle on his Right-hand the Duke was placed and on his Left the Prince of Poland after which the King ordered all the Nobility who came with the Duke of Loraine to sit also The Supper being ended at which various Discourses passed but most relating to the present Enterprise the Duke of Loraine returned to his own Camp much satisfied with the Courtesie and Resolution of the King who dispatched Messengers with all diligence to the General who brought up the Rear to hasten the March of the Army with all convenient speed And the next day the King dining with the Duke of Loraine at his Tent resolved to meet the Emperor at Krembs on the second of September where the Interview was appointed and there it was where all things were to be concerted about the Passage over the Danube and Conjunction of the Armies Whilest these things were projecting Count Sciamburg came from Nayburgh bringing Advice That the Elector of Saxony with his Forces could not be at Krembs until the third or fourth of this Month upon which it was computed that the Relief of Vienna could not possibly be until the 12th Intelligence of all these Matters being carried to the Emperor the Presence of his Imperial Majesty was judged necessary at Krembs where the place of general Rendezvous was appointed both to animate and inspirit the Army and to accommodate compose and silence such Quarrels and Punctilio's as might arise amongst so many Princes of different Countries concerning Place and Precedency but the Emperor in his way thither being taken ill of some Indisposition in his Health proceeded no farther than Lintz where he remained until he received the happy News of the Relief of Vienna and the Confusion of his Enemies
In the mean time a general Council of War being held at Edendorf at which the Elector of Saxony was present the Duke of Loraine by his Prudence so ordered and disposed Matters that no Questions about Place or Precedence came into competion For so it was order'd That at a long Table the King of Poland should sit in the middle on his Right-hand the Elector of Saxony and next to him all the Generals of the Empire and on the Left the general Officers of Poland Over-against the King the Duke of Loraine took his Place who was to be chief Speaker at that Assembly in regard he was best able to render a true Account of the State of the War. The Council being sate in this form it was laid down as a general Rule That all Colonels with the Concurrence of their General Officers should give in writing to the King of Poland a true State of their respective Regiments and of the Places where they were Quartered and that from his Majesty they should receiue Rules and Instructions for their March to the Relief of Vienna It was farther agreed after some debate That the Conjunction of the Army with the Auxiliary Troops should be on the 5th of September in the Plains of Tuln That the Army of Poland should pass the Danube at the same place with the Emperor's Army That the Forces of Saxony should pass the River by way of the Bridge at Krembs And that all the Bavarian Forces which lay encamped with some German Troops under the Command of Count Lesly should March directly towards Tuln to joyn with the Imperial and Polish Forces The execution of these Designs was deferred until the 7th when the King towards the Evening began to pass the River and was forthwith followed by the Duke of Loraine at the Head of the Imperial Army having first made a Detachment of three Regiments which were to joyn with three Thousand Poles to cut off all Communication of the Turks and Malecontents with the Vizier's Camp. Colonel Heisler with his Regiment of six Hundred Horse was ordered to take his March by the way of Clossen-neuburg and to make Fires upon the Hills of Kalemberg to give notice unto the Besieged of their approaching Relief which was the Signal agreed between them But before we come to this glorious Atchievement let us see what was acting for Defence of the Town and Difficulties to which the Besieged were reduced In the Morning of this second day the Point of the Court-Bastion was overthrown which gave the Turks occasion to carry their Galleries farther to the utter ruin of that Fort. Count Staremberg believing that the remaining part of the Bastion could not be longer defended gave Order to Huiternian a Captain of his Regiment whose turn it was to mount the Guard that Night to abandon the Ravelin in case he found himself over-pressed by the Turks and under covert of the dark Night to make his Retreat But this stout Captain having taken this Post with fifty Men so bravely defended the remains of the tottering Fortress that thô the Turks burnt the Palisadoes which were his chief Fortification yet he repulsed them by the Fire of his Musquets with loss of twenty of his Men and remained on the place until the Morning having killed two Ianisaries with his own Hands Next day the Governour finding it impossible to maintain that Post any longer gave order to the Guards to retire and abandon it to the possession of the Turks who had little more to boast of than the acquist of that Ravelin after an Attempt of six Weeks continuance made thereupon The fourth was a bloudy day both to the Christians and to the Turks for the latter had sprung a Mine under the Court-Bulwark which not only opened a Breach of seven Geometrical Paces but shook the whole City with the violent concussion of the Air. Five thousand Turks immediately with Cemysters in their Hands mounted the Breach and sheltring themselves under some Sacks of Wool which they carried before them they mounted the Breach with their Cries Allah Allah and planted four of their Standards thereupon But not withstanding all this Fury of the Turks they were repulsed with equal Bravery by the Christians The Fight continued the whole day in which the Generals Captains and common Soldiers performed the Offices and Parts of valiant and stout Defendants who fearless of the Enemies Cannon small Shot Bombs Granadoes and Mines thô twenty of them were killed that day by one Bomb and thirty by the Mine yet still they remained resolute not to grant one Palm of Ground to the Enemy but what they gained with the Lives of thousands The Christians lost in this day's Conflict one Hundred fifty four common Soldiers besides some Officers but this Loss was recompensed with the slaughter of twelve Hundred Turks whose Bodies filled up the Ditch amongst which 't was believed that diverse were Men of Quality because their Corpse were carried off with much diligence and hazard by those who attended them at their fall The Turks enraged with these Repulses fired their Batteries incessantly against the Walls of the Town and towards the Evening a terrible Fight began in the Ditch at the foot of the Court-Bastion near the Breach in which the Turks were beaten off with much Bravery by the Defendants who not only repaired the Breach but retrenched themselves so strongly that the Turks durst attempt them no more on that side This day Arms were given into the Hands of four Hundred Inhabitants who had not as yet been engaged on the Walls having been employed in other Services On the 6th the Turks fired two Mines one of which was under the Lobel-Bastion and being extreamly deep it over-threw a great part of the Wall opened a Breach of nine Paces wide and blew up twenty four of the Defendants Howsoever the Turks did not immediately proceed to an Assault because the Mines had thrown up such vast quantities of Stones and Earth as had almost filled up their Trenches and buried many of their Soldiers Howsoever having breathed and considered a while they advanced to an Assault with their usual Multitudes which continued for two Hours till at length the Turks finding it impossible to prevail with drew from the Breach and fled with such fear that not regarding the way they took to avoid the Enemies Shot many of them came within reach of the Ravelin called Molk where they were so received by Cannon and Granadoes filled with Nails and old Iron and by small Shot from behind a Redoubt placed in the Ditch that whole Chambers of Ianisaries were destroyed in the Fight and greater numbers killed than had been in any of the Assaults the Loss having been computed at the least two Thousand Men. With this Success and with the daily hopes and expectations of Relief the Spirits of the Defendants were raised and exalted as the Courages of the Enemy with the many
entertain a Treaty and thô the gross of the Venetian Army was not within five Miles of them and had not as yet made any descent and the Turkish Forces under the Captain Pasha were much at the same distance from them Howsoever the Aga which govern'd the Place whether out of fear or affection to the Christians Surrender'd it at the first Demand on the 11 th of September The Garrison which consisted of Six hundred Men was embarked and guarded by a Convoy within a small distance from Calamata but the Aga fearing Death for his Cowardice or Treachery remained in the Venetian Camp where he was entertained by the Captain General with a Pension of Thirty Pieces of Eight a Month after he had received Baptism with Twenty other Turks who were consenting to the Surrender In this place were fifty one Pieces of Cannon Two hundred Quintals of Powder with great store of Bullets Ammunition and other Provisions After which Seignior Morosini put into the Town Two hundred and fifty Foot Soldiers under Command of the noble Venetians Bartholomeo Contareni and Angelo Emo Whilst these things were acting the Captain Pasha who was encamped about five Miles distant from Zarnata with Seven thousand Foot and Three thousand Horse upon News of the Surrender of the Fortress withdrew his Forces under the Cannon of Calamata This fear which the Turks shewed animated the Christians to adventure a Battle without which it was concluded at a Council of War that nothing could be enterprised either towards Subjection of Calamata or any other Town in the Maina upon which Resolution the Venetians landed their Forces on the Shoar of Agiasio which is situate at the entrance of the Province of Maina a Place secure and advantagious having on the Right-hand Mountains on the Left Woods and Ditches and on the Front several little Hills and Torrents of Water So soon as some of the Venetian Troops appear'd on the Shoar the Turks advanced to the tops of the Hills on which they planted forty or fifty Colours or Banners and about Five or Six hundred of their Horse placed themselves under the Hills in the Valley To dislodge these and secure their own Camp the Venetians had raised two Batteries of three Pieces of Cannon each at the appearance of which both the Horse marched away and the Colours were withdrawn The Christians taking this for an Instance of the Enemies fear the Captain General put his whole Army into Battalia with the Troops of Saxony conducted by General Deghenfelt an old and experienced Commander and marched towards the Enemy and at the same time about a Thousand Mainiotes flanked by Two hundred Morlaques appeared on the top of a Hill to the Right-hand In this posture the Christians remained all Night and the next Morning being the 14 th of September which was the Exaltation of the Holy Cross the General gave Orders to the Army to move and attack the Enemy But the Turks not thinking themselves safe under the Walls of Calamata set fire to their Magazines and quitted the Town making a Retreat with some small Skirmishes without much Damage to one side or the other This Retreat or Flight rather was so shameful that the Christians believed it at first to be some Stratagem and were cautious either to pursue the Enemy or enter the Town but at length a Party of Sclavonians and Mainiotes being commanded to advance to the Town they observed it to flame in diverse Places for the Inhabitants finding themselves abandoned by the Captain Pasha despaired of all Relief quitted the Town and set fire to their Houses And thus did the Christian Army enter Calamata without any opposition The News of these Successes encouraged the Mainiotes that they repaired to the Venetian Camp in great numbers a Party of which was presently sent in pursuit of the Enemy In the Castle were only found nine Pieces of Cannon and those nailed and rendred unserviceable the Ammunition was equal to the Arms and the Place of it self being esteemed inconsiderable and unfit for a Garrison was dismantled and the Walls demolished Calamata is situate on the River anciently called Pamissus or Panissus in the Province of Belvedere now Spirnazza The Town is not environed by Walls but defended by a Castle which was only tenable against some present Incursion and for that reason both the Turks abandon'd it and the Christians demolished it After Calamata was taken the Venetians seized on Porto Vitalo in which were fifty Pieces of Cannon ten of smaller Artillery with store of Ammunition After which the Captain General appearing before Chielifa the Garrison therein conceiving themselves in no Condition to make defence Surrender'd upon Articles Asan Pasha who was Governour of that place and of all the Province round was the first to lead the way out of the Town and being accompanied with a Thousand People carried the Keys to the Admiral Gally Three hundred and fifty of which were Transported to the Island of Cervi with their Goods and Moveables During this Summer Seignior Molino Commander of Twenty Sail of Ships employed as we have said to Cruise in the Archepelago Chased the Captain Pasha from place to place and at length drove him into Rhodes where he secured himself and his Fleet with a strong Chain drawn cross the Harbour not daring to adventure a-broad thoô the Venetians came often to brave him and challenge him to an Engagement Thus ending this Campaign with great Reputation and Glory to the Venetian Arms the Captain General Morosini Sailed for Corfu to take his Winter-quarters there The Troops of Brunswick were sent to Zant those of Saxony with the Dragoons to Santa Maura and other independent Regiments to Corfu all due care being taken to make Provisions for their expected Guests Whilst these Forces were drawn into their Winter-quarters to enjoy some â—ase after the labours of War the Seignior Molino Captain extraordinary of the Ships was appointed for a Guard to the Coast and with his Squadron to Cruise near Cape Sapientia and the Gulfs and Narrow Streights in those Seas But before the Captain General thought fit to lay up his Fleet until the next Season in Corfu he touched at Santa Maura and Prevesa to take a View and Survey of the State of those Places but in his way thither accidentally putting into the Port of Gomenizze with some Gallies he order'd the Proveditor with the rest of the Fleet to pass to the other side and bestow a few Shot upon the Castle which being done some Troops were landed and marched in Military form towards the Castle upon sight of which the Turks were become so Cowardly and Timorous that they fired one Gun and abandoned the Castle and fled into the neighbouring Mountains and Woods for Refuge So the Venetians took immediate Possession of the Fortress in which were Twelve Pieces of Brass Cannon This place of it self was of no great consideration but in regard
with the Pasha were slain at the Gates and within the Town which remained a rich Booty and Prize to the Conquerors for these Spahees lately come from their Homes were well furnished with Mony scarce any of them had less about him than Two hundred Hungarian Ducats in Gold with good Vests of fine Cloth well lined with Sables or other Furrs and their Horses of the best Breed of Asia well adorned with the Accouterments belonging to them all which became a Prey to the victorious Army besides the Town was well supplied with all sorts of Provisions in great abundance with which the Soldiers refreshed themselves year 1686. and for the space of four Days sacked plunder'd and welter'd in all sorts of Bestiality and Debauchery at the end of which they set fire to the Town and in a few hours reduced all to Ashes Those few Turks who escaped the Slaughter fled to Temeswar whereupon this News was so great a Consternation that the Pasha to prevent the like fate on his Town thought fit to burn the Suburbs to the great damage and ruine of the Inhabitants We have formerly mentioned that the ill Success of the Turks in Hungary had caused Mutinies in the Army and that one Aremzade a grave and wise Person was sent with a Sum of Mony to appease the Soldiery and enquire into the Cause of these Disturbances The Matter being examined a Report was made much to the Prejudice of Shaitan Ibrahim by reason of the disaffection of the Soldiers and Commanders to him for it seems impossible for a General to be unfortunate and beloved When the Report was come to the hands of the Grand Seignior the Capelar-kiasee or Master of the Ceremonies was speedily dispatched with a Command to take off the Head of Shaitan Ibraim and to make Apti then Pasha of Buda Seraskier or General in his place and Osman Pasha Ogli Pasha of Buda but Osman's Head was cut off by Ibrahim three Days before the Order came In return for which Shaitan Ibrahim's Head was brought to Adrianople the 6 th of December He had been in the greatest Employments of the Empire for the space of forty Years and render'd considerable and signal Services thereunto One might have thought that his brave and valiant Defence of Buda would have attoned for future Misfortunes or that his Marriage with the Grand Seignior's Sister deceas'd and afterwards with his Aunt would have been Interests sufficient for his Protection but the Grand Vizier feared him and therefore was willing to wreak upon him all the Misfortunes of an unhappy Campaign laying it to his Charge that he had converted the Soldiers Pay to his own Profit And so he fell about the Eightieth Year of his Age commiserated by all and according to the Character we have formerly given of him he might have deserved a milder Fate And so we shall put an end to the Martial Enterprises Wars and Confusions of the Year 1685. ANNO 1686. THE Grand Vizier being of a melancholy pensive Nature and much afflicted with hypocondriacal Distempers made his Thoughts more burdensom by suppressing them and not communicating his sad Apprehensions to other Friends At the Siege of Buda he was ill for the space of a Month but when good News came he recover'd again and his political Disease had its cold and hot Fits according to the changes and vicissitude of Times About the end of the last Year or beginning of this Soliman Pasha who was General of the Army against Poland had not only defended the Confines but worsted the Poles and returned to Adrianople with much Applause for it was now no less Glory for a General amongst the Turks to save his Army and not be Overcome than it was formerly to Conquer This was the Fortune and Honour of Soliman for having brought off his Army entire and unbroken which was a piece of Service so highly esteemed that the Grand Vizier received him upon his arrival with all Honour and Appearances of real Friendship sending the Chiausbashee and Chaouses to conduct him to his Presence where at the same time were the Mufti the Generals of the Ianisaries and Spahees and other great Ministers of State assembled and all congratulated the Honours and Glories he had acquired which Ceremonies being ended all these great Persons except the Mufti attended Soliman to the Seraglio where the Grand Seignior received him with much Kindness clothed him with a rich Vest of Sables entertained him with a splendid Banquet and presented him two Horses richly furnished According to which Example as is accustomary all the great Men made him their Presents for whom the Sultan will Favour the inferior Officers are obliged to Honour The next Day Soliman came to the Vizier's Palace held a Divan and acted all publick Business and in the Mouths of the Commonalty he was cried up for Vizier Azem And thô what Soliman Pasha acted was only as an Assistant or Coadjutor to the Vizier during his Weakness and Infirmity yet Soliman got so much ground in Esteem of the Sultan and of the People that the Vizier thought it time to rouze up his Spirits and to act every thing by his own Person And to secure himself from the danger of being supplanted by so powerful a Rival he addressed a Memorial to the Grand Seignior wherein he represented the Vertues and Abilities of Soliman in an eminent manner that he was a faithful experienced and a fortunate Minister and the only Person in the World fit and able to be General in Hungary and to conduct an Army in this dangerous and difficult War. The Grand Seignior entertaining a like sense of the Abilities of Soliman inclined thereunto and would have given him that Employment had not some Accidents intervened to prevent it For the Embrahor or Master of the Horse the Kuzlir Aga or Eunuch of the Women and the Sultana or Empress her self being all Friends and Confidents to Soliman advised him of the Plot which might bring upon him the like Fate which had befallen Shaitan Ibrahim and that the best way to avoid it would be to push at the Office of Vizier and demand the Seal Soliman encouraged by such powerful Abettors boldly cast himself at the feet of the Grand Seignior and told him That he was ready to lay down his Life either at Home or in Hungary for the Service of him his Master and sacrifice all to his Pleasure and Glory but to go into Hungary without the Seal which was without the power of Vizier would be of Prejudice and ill Consequence to the whole Empire for which he alledged many Reasons and being an eloquent or a well-spoken Man was seconded by others who represented the present Vizier to be a Person infirm and unfit for War. The Grand Seignior was prevailed upon and agreed to constitute Soliman his Vizier but the Execution thereof at the desire of Soliman was deferred until next Morning and in the mean time the Matter
was carried so secretly that the Vizier had no Intimation or Jealousie of the Resolution Next Morning being the time when the Pay of the Spahees was to be delivered out Soliman came to the Vizier's Chamber and pressed him very instantly that since he was now in better Health that he would be present at giving out the Pay unto the Spahees and that in case he were wearied or uneasy he would perform the remainder of the Trouble for him but the Vizier excused himself and would not come but desired Soliman to take the trouble upon him of that Day 's Office which as he was performing and had half done the Bostangibashee to the Grand Seignior or he who is Master of the Wardrobe came to the Vizier and demanded the Seal shewing him a Warrant for it under the Hand of the Grand Seignior The Vizier was so struck with the Surprise that he had scarce power and strength to put his trembling Hand into his Bosom to give it to him and Nature being weak in him he fell in a Swoun and so was left So soon as Soliman had finished the giving out the Pay a Capigibashee came to call him to the Grand Seignior to whom being come he had the Seal conferred upon him with the Character of the Supream Vizier and so was conducted to the publick Palace belonging to that Office from whence the former Vizier without other Ceremony or Warning was in a moment removed and being by his Servants put into a Coach was carried to a private House and four Days afterwards was order'd to retire unto Constantinople with a Pension of an Hundred and fifty Aspers a Day which may be about eight Shillings English Mony. This Ibrahim for so we must now call him having a House and Garden of his own upon the Bosphorus obtained leave to retire thither but not to go to Mecha as he instantly desired But he had not long continued there before a Command was issued to seize his Estate which was executed early one Morning by the Janizar-Aga and Bostangibashee who surrounded his House the latter of which went in to him and told him that he must go with him Ibrahim apprehending that his End was near asked him If he came for his Head and when he told him no he could not believe him until he had Sworn by his Law and by his Prophet being herewith a little comforted he was carried Prisoner to the Middle-gate of the Seraglio in the mean time his House was rifled and all his Servans and Pages of any fashion were taken into Custody and Examined for better Discovery of his Estate All the Mony found did not amount unto more than Five thousand Purses besides his Jewels and his great Revenues in Lands and Houses Being thus stripped of all his Estate he was on the 18 th of March put into a Gally and sent to Rhodes there to remain a Prisoner in the Castle Soliman Pasha now Vizier compassionating his Case and not knowing how soon it might be his own turn sent him Five thousand Dollars with a Vest of Sables and obtained a small Allowance for him from the Grand Seignior Nor was this Change only of the Vizier but attended with others at the Court for the Janizar-Aga or General of the Ianisaries was put out and one Hassan Aga Lieutenant General of the Ianisaries at Buda was put in his stead Zulficar Aga a vast rich Man one of the Pashas of the Bench was sent to command in the place of Mustapha Brother to the late Vizier Kupriogli who was recalled to Court and made Chimacam at Constantinople Ahmet Pasha nam'd for Captain Pasha last Year was made Seraskier or General in Hungary in the place of Shaitan Ibrahim and Apti Pasha whom we have formerly mentioned was return'd again to his Province of Pasha of Buda The Reis Effendi or Secretary of State was displaced the Reason not known and that Office supplied by a Relation of the late Vizier's who wrote his Letters for him a raw and an unexperienced Man. The Mosaip was continued General in the Morea and Missir-ogli was made Captain Pasha in the place of Mazzamama to whom as we have said the care of the Fleet was committed the last Summer These were the Changes with which this Year began in the Ottoman Court after which care was taken to Recruit the Army and make all Warlike preparations in Hungary for which the new Vizier Solyman was preparing and all the Court and People were full of hopes and expectations of mighty Successes under the auspicious Conduct of Solyman whose very Name had been Fortunate to the Turks Tekeli as we have mentioned before being set at Liberty and restored to his Command with Honour received Money from the Vizier to Raise Two thousand Men and was recommended by the Vizer to the new Seraskier to give all the encouragement and assistance he was able that so he might once more try his Fortune in the Upper Hungary Amongst the many ways and contrivances to raise Money one was to discover the hidden Riches of the Imprisoned Vizier for which whilst they made diligent Search in his Seraglio or Palace at Constantinople it came to be known that Three hundred Purses belonging to the Vizier Kara Mustapha who was Strangled at Belgrade were found in a secret conveyance of the House the Chimacam and Embrahore or Master of the Horse would be present at Sealing of the Baggs and had counted out Two hundred when it proving dark and late they deferr'd the remainder until the Day following but that Night by what Accident is not known the Palace took Fire and was Burnt to the Ground At Adrianople where the Court resided an Envoy arrived from Muscovy and another from the General of the Cosacks with Complaints against the Tartars and Governour of Asac a Fortress of the Turks on the Tanais for Incursions made upon them The Muscovites remain'd until this time in suspence whether to make War or confirm a Peace with the Turks but the Success of the Emperor and the Provocations received from the Tartars put that Business beyond all doubt and brought the Muscovites into a League with the Emperor and Poland as will shortly be made manifest by the Capitulations between them Amongst other Applications to the Ottoman Court a new Ambassadour from France arrived at Adrianople to assure the Sultan of his Master's Friendship and his Resolution to stand Neuter in this present War But the Turks who rely not with much confidence on the Word and Stories of the French gave them an ordinary Reception without Favours or any unsual Concessions denying to them the Guardian-ship of the Holy Sepulcher at Ierusalem which had formerly been granted to them This was the State of the Ottoman Court in the beginning of this Year 1686 when Count Caprara kept the Town of Mongatz Blocked up which is strongly fortified with a Castle Situate on the River Turza between Ungwar and Zatmar
was not wide enough for the Attack and because the Situation of the Place was such as made it almost inaccessible and too dangerous to the Soldiers to ascend over the Rocks and Ruines which lay in the way the Elector resolved to point all his Cannon against the Castle as also his Bombs of greatest weight with design to beat down the Walls and with the Ruins thereof to make the Ascent thereunto more easie and secure with which and some Mines which were blown up that ancient and stately Edifice was almost destroyed The News of the daily approach of the Vizier and his Army caused the Christians to be more watchful and vigilant than before and scarce gave the Generals any rest or repose by Day or Night free from Alarums which the Duke of Loraine sustained in a manner rather Miraculous than Natural for being scarce recover'd of a Fever the present state of Affairs required him to redouble his Cares and Vigilance which agitation of Mind was able to have droven a confirmed Health into the extremities of Heat and feverish Distempers but God who intended him for the glorious Instrument of subjecting this strong City gave him strength for his great Work so that notwithstanding the expectation of the Vizier hastning to the Relief a general Assault was made at every Breach which continued for the space of two hours in which the Defendants behaved themselves with such Gallantry that the Duke of Loraine caused a Retreat to be sounded rather than unprofitably to lose the Lives of his Soldiers of which they began now to be sensible of the great Abatement Howsoever something was gained by this Assault on the right side of the Tower adjoyning to the Castle at the corner of the inward Wall where they lodged forty Men. In this Conflict not many Men were killed but many were wounded both Officers as well as common Soldiers and particularly Count Leopold of Herberstein and Serjeant Major Bischoffshausen and on the Quarter of Bavaria the Prince of Savoy and Prince Lewis of Baden both slightly wounded By the motion of the Seraskier it seemed as if his Intentions were to enter his Succour and Relief into the Town by the Bavarian Quarters and some Thousands of Turks appearing on the rising Grounds and sides of the Hills put themselves into a posture as if they intended to Engage but the Trenches were so well guarded and fortified that there seemed to be little danger of forcing Succour by that way into the City Howsoever there happen'd daily Skirmishes in which diverse were killed on one side and the other and particularly a Turk well mounted and habited advancing with more than prudent Gallantry was laid dead on the Ground and being stripped by the Soldiery there were some Letters found about him from the Grand Vizier to the Pasha of Buda signifying that his Intentions were to force some Quarter of the Enemy and thereby introduce the Succours designed for Relief of the Place and that in the mean time with a Body of Eight thousand Tartars to stop the Passage of all Provisions to the Christian Camp between Strigonium and Buda Upon this Discovery the Duke of Loraine and the Generals resolved to guard their Trenches with Twenty thousand Men posted in the most advantagious Places and to draw out all the remainder of the Army into the Field to meet the Vizier and shew their readiness to give him Battle for thô the Turks were reported to be Seventy thousand strong they were not in reality above Forty thousand able to bear Arms against which the Duke of Loraine forming his Van-guard of Four thousand Talpatzes and Hungarian Hussars flanked by a part of the German Horse marched forth in view of the Enemy After some Skirmishes with loss of Men on both sides the Turks retired carrying away with them some Heads of Cattle which the Hussars endeavouring to recover were beaten back with the loss of thirteen Men. After this the former Resolution was changed and it was concluded at a general Council of War to keep within and guard their Trenches which were well fortified until they were certainly assured of what Strength the Vizier was according to which Resolution they continued to Fortify their Lines of Circumvallation with Redoubts on which they mounted several Field-pieces The 9 th of this Month the Turks appeared on the Hills opposite to the Bavarian Quarters in greater Numbers than before and after an Engagement with the advanced Troops made their Retreat as they had done the Day before and in the return to their Camp they met with a Party of about an Hundred and fifty Hungarians which were sent to discover the Enemy they cut them all off thirty only escaping of which most of them were wounded and at the same time the Besiged made a Sally on the Bavarian Quarter and killed about Eighty Soldiers besides some Officers On the 10 th the Bavarians had finished their Line of Circumvallation adjoyning to that of the Imperialists and had wholly guarded themselves from all Attempts of the Enemy by a very deep Ditch Howsoever things not being so secure but that the Enemy might be able to attempt the entring Succours by way of the River the Water of which was very low they fortified that part also with some Boats at a convenient distance from each other and with some Turn-pikes called Chevaux de Frise On the 11 th certain Intelligence was brought that the Grand Vizier was encamped about five Leagues off and the same Day Two thousand Turks appeared opposite to the Bavarian Quarter about the same place as before to discover which and their numbers a Detachment was sent but they were soon forced to retire in hast the Enemy descending in numbers which were too unequal a Match for them The three Mines on which much Work was bestowed being charged with Five thousand weight of Powder were now ready and on the 12 th were fired but not with such good effect as was expected having only shaken the inward Wall and some few of the Palisadoes so that it was believed that the Turks had discharged them of the greatest part of their Powder by which disappointment the Assault which was intended was countermanded and the Miners order'd to begin a new Work. The Afternoon of the same Day the Vizier appear'd and encamped on the Banks of the Danube being as some Deserters reported about Fifty thousand strong at the sight of which the Besieged being encouraged made a Sally with about an Hundred Horse and Foot upon Three hundred Horse of the Van-guard of the Imperialists who feigning a flight drew them at some distance from the Town and then returning upon them cut the greatest part of them in pieces On the 14 th the Turks drew out their whole Army into Battalia and Detached Six thousand Men under three Pashas amongst which were Two thousand Ianisaries with Orders to make their Way into the Town by the
not having done their Duty in the Fight had obtained a Hastesheriff or a Royal command to Strangle or Banish them as he judged most for Service of the Sultan but Soliman the Vizier being averse to Blood laid the Command by him without Execution of it which coming to the knowledge of these two turbulent Men they raised the Militia against him who offered to acknowledge Osman Pasha for their General provided he would undertake to kill the Vizier which Enterprize he readily accepted and enter'd the Vizier's Tents where he killed several of his Servants and Pages as he did also the Vizier's Kahya or Deputy who sent to appease the Mutiny but the Vizier himself escaped in a Boat down the Danube accompanied with the Testerdar or Lord Treasurer and Reis Effendi or Secretary of State upon notice of which the Soldiery elected Sciaus Pasha for their General laying Osman Pasha aside notwithstanding his late Service having been a Rebel and Robber in Asia Thus the Sedition being begun a great Revolution followed in the Empire which was not so much caused by the defeat of the Turkish Army as by the natural Temper of the Vizier and the Poverty of the Treasury which could not furnish Money sufficient for payment of the Soldiery For thô Solyman was a Man of dexterity in Negotiations and well qualified for a Court yet being of a mild Nature was not so proper to command a Camp wanting that Vigour and Martial Spirit which should make him severe so as to be fear'd and respected Besides having little experience in War and of an open and free Humour lent his Ear to every Adviser so that amongst diversity of Opinions he became confused and unresolved and instead of governing was governed and sometimes made to act against his own Judgment T is true the Vizier had by his care and industry gathered a powerful Army and good Troops for this Campaign for he had summoned all the Otoracks or Soldiers who had formerly been freed and exempted from the War and had long lived at ease and wiâ—h convenience at their own Houses to return again to the Camp and to the severities of Martial Discipline many of which had been Spectators or Actors in the Munities during the Minority of Sultan Mahomet and wanting now pay and their accustomed ease were soon incited to Sedition on the first occasion which now hapned upon these Misfortunes and the Flight of the Vizier The Sedition being thus begun we will leave the Mutiniers for a while and return to the Exploits of General Dunewalt and then relate at large the great Revolution which after this ensued at the Port. Dunewalt had continued his March for several days from Siklos and at length without any considerable Encounter he came to Turnovitz where he laid a Bridge and passed the Drave and being there relieved with Provisions he proceeded to the attack of Wuching a Castle well fortified and the Garrison lately reinforced with a Thousand Tartars and thô the Ways were deep and bad and the Weather rainy and wet yet nothing was impossible for a victorious Army which marched along the side of some Hills where the Ways were more hard and dry Count Lodron with his Regiment and Count Budiani with some hundreds of Hussars and a Sargent Major with Two hundred Dragoons were commanded to advance before to Invest Wuchin and to hinder all Succours which might be sent for its Relief until the Mortars and Cannon and the rest of the Army could come up At length the Bombs and Train of Artillery being with much labour and difficulty arrived Batteries were raised and the place summoned to Surrender to which at first a haughty and an obstinate Answer was returned but the Cannon being mounted and fired in the space of one day had made such a Breach that the Turks considering the Resolution of the Christians and the imposibility of being relieved displaid a white Flag and desired to Capitulate At first they demanded liberty to March out like Soldiers with Arms and Baggage but that being denied them with all other Conditions excepting only to yield at Discretion they were forced to submit to the Will of the Conquerour and lose their Freedom and Estates to save their Lives In the Garrison were about Three hundred Soldiers besides more than One hundred Women and Children The princâ—pal Prisoners of note were shared amongst the Generals and chief Officers of Horse and the others equally divided amongst the Regiments of Foot. After taking this Castle which is Situate on a Rock and in a pleasant and plentiful Country abounding with Trees and Fruit and well planted with Vine-yards and after refreshment given to the Army for some few days it was resolved to March to Walpo and there to remain in expectation of farther Orders from the Imperial Court During which time certain Advice was brought that the Grand Vizier with all his Army and Equipage was retired from Esseck to Peter Waradin and thence to Belgrade with intention totally to abandon the Fortress of Esseck Upon this News Dunewalt having refreshed his Army near Walpo for some days after a tedious March through a wasted and desolate Country full of Boggs and Marshes he ordered a party of Five hundred Horse under command of Count Hofkirchen Lieutenant Colonel of that Regiment to make an Excursion as far as Esseck and learn the State of that Garrison and the Forces of the Enemy thereabouts Hofkirchen had been out two days without any Discovery or giving advice of any thing to the General whom he found encamped under Walpo a place defended by Five hundred Turks who at first Summons seem-very resolute to defend themselves or at least not to yield until they had first heard that Esseck had submitted Hereupon Batteries were mounted which with frequent firing at the Castle gave an Alarum to the Country round about but whilst these Matters were in agitation intelligence was brought to the Camp by a Country Fellow that whilst Hofkirchen remained in the Woods to make Discovery of the Enemy's Motion the Garrison taking it to be the Van-guard of the Army were struck with such a fear that they immediately resolved to abandon the place and having laden the best of their Moveables and Goods on Boats the Garrison and all the Inhabitants forsook the place and fled to Peter Waradin General Dunewalt taking this Relation from the Country-man to be true commanded the three Regiments of Lodron Count Kisel and Hofkirchen to March unto Esseck and take possession of the place in case it were abandoned as before reported Accordingly these Forces being come near Esseck the day following they were met by a Turk and a Renegado Croat who having made humble instances for their Lives which were granted them they confirmed the intelligence of the Turks having abandoned Esseck to be true and likewise informed them that the Turks before they left the place had formed five Mines under the Walls which they
That the Burghers and Citizens shall be continued in their Privileges of guarding the Gates and the Keys of the City shall be committed to the hands of the Saxon Consuls the which Gates notwithstanding are to be shut and opened at all times when the Imperial Governor shall command These Articles being agreed and concluded between the Duke of Loraine and the Prince and Estates of Transilvania and afterwards ratified by the Emperor the Troops marched into their Winter-Quarters and it was hoped that Moldavia and Walachia being Neighbouring Provinces would follow the Example of the more powerful Principality This Year's Campaigne being thus gloriously ended to the great and lasting Honour of the Emperor and to the Welfare and Safety of the Empire and of all Germany and as we may justly say of all Christendom The Emperor the Empress the Arch-Duke and the Arch-Duchess Elizabeth his Sister on the 26 th of October left Vienna attended only with their ordinary Guards and Ministers and Officers of their Court and began their Journey towards Possonium at which place against this time circular Letters had been sent to convene a General Diet of the Nobles and States of Hungary This August Family were met on their way near that City by Two thousand of the Hungarian Nobility all well mounted with a splendid Equipage in the Plains of Chitzé not far from Possonium as also by two Imperial Regiments which attended their Majesties to the Gates of the City where the Recorder met them and having Complimented their Majesties with a most florid Oration offered the Keys of the City to the Emperor in the Name of the People who with loud Acclamations and firing all the Cannon on the Walls testified the Joy they conceived for the appearance of the most August and Illustrious Family The day following after the Mass was Celebrated the Assembly of the States of Hungary were convened where after divers Points were debated all Difficulties were overcome and agreed to the common satisfaction and with the general consent That the Hereditary Succession of that Kingdom should descend to the Eldest Son of his Cesarean Majesty and from him to all those who shall spring or be derived from him and for default of Issue in case that Line should come to fail which God forbid then the Crown should descend unto the Family of the King of Spain The day appointed for the Coronation being come the Emperor and Empress attended with ◠Noble and an Illustrious Train came to the Temple of St. Martin where the Ceremony was to be performed and at the Gate thereof were met by the Archbishop of Strigonium Primate of that Kingdom assisted by all the Bishops who were Twelve in Number besides Fourteen Priors and Abbots clothed in their Pontifical and Canonical Habits who with the Sound of all sorts of Musical Instruments conducted their Imperial Majesties habited in their sacred Garments wearing their Crowns attended with a most pompous Train and with all the Signals of Empire unto the Altar and there seated them on their Thrones After which the Bishops and other Prelates returned to receive the new King before whom first marched the Heralds of the Kingdom of Hungary in their Coats After them followed the Guards next went the Lacquies and Pages all clothed in new Liveries these were followed by the Bishops and Chief Officers of that Kingdom with Ten Hungarian Knights each carrying a Standard in his hand representing the Ten Kingdoms anciently appertaining to the vast Dominion of Hungary After all which came the King clothed in the Hungarian Habit accompanied with Prince Esterhasy the Palatine and the Counts Stephen Ciaky Lord Chief Justice Nicholas Erdeody Ban or Prince of the Kingdom of Croatia Iohn Drascoviz Steward of the Royal Houshold and Adam Zrini Marshal of the Kingdom the King himself being between Two Bishops was conducted to the Throne prepared for him not far from the High Altar at which Mass was Celebrated by the Archbishop of Strigonium Lord Primate of Hungary the which being ended all the Nobility did Homage to the King who having made profession of his Faith before the Altar he was Blessed and Consecrated by the Archbishop and Anointed in the Palm of his Right-hand on his Arm and Shoulders and then the Palatine holding up the Crown in his hand asked them with a loud Voice saying Coronabimus Iosephum Archiducem Austrioe in Regem Hungarioe which is Shall we Crown Ioseph Arch-Duke of Austria King of the Romans which being done Three times and answer made as often Coronetur or let him be Crowned the Crown was delivered by the Palatine to the Archbishop who set it on his Head and was clothed by him with the Royal Mantle of St. Stephen Then was the Sword delivered to one Hand and the Scepter to the other and thus being adorned with all the Ensigns of Majesty he was Proclaimed King with the sound of Drums Trumpets Acclamations of the People and all sorts of Musick the Cannon being at the same time Fired round the Walls and in the Fortresses Then was the King conducted again to his Throne and Te Deum sung In the mean time the Mass was continued by the Archbishop who being come to the Gospel the Emperor himself arose and taking the Scepter in his Right Hand and the Globe in his Left he held the same in that manner until the Gospel was ended and then the Young King received the Sacrament All the Ceremonies being ended the King descended from his Throne and walked in Procession habited in his Royal Garments the Bishops and all the Orders of State marching before him to the Church of the Franciscans discalced all the Streets being hung with White and Red and Green Cloth and crouded with an infinite Number of Spectators Being come into the Monastery several Ceremonies were performed and the King having conferred the Honour of Knighthood on divers Gentlemen he was entertained with a Dinner and some Refreshments after the Solemnities of Four hours in the Refectory of the Convent After which the King mounted on Horse-back and being attended with aNobleCavalcade ofmost of the Nobility of the Kingdom and always accompanied by the Prince of Salm his Tutor under Title of Lord High Steward of his Houshold he was conducted through the Gate of St. Michael to a Theatre erected against the Monastery called the Brothers of Mercy on which the King ascended and being Seated under a Canopy all the Guns from the Walls of the City and Fortresses were Fired and then the King in the face of all the People took an Oath to conserve all the Privileges of that Kingdom as lately agreed by the Estates in several particulars After which the Palatine turning to the People cried with a loud Voice Vivat Rex Hungariae Then the King descended and went in like manner as before to another Theatre raised on a little Hill near the Fish-gate where unsheathing his Sword he therewith made Four Crosses towards the
quality and such as were Venetians were promoted to Offices and places of Trust in the State and some to the Patrician Dignity Thus whilst all things were Triumphant at Venice the Morea was filled with Slaughter and Consternation of the Turks who terrified with the entire Defeat and Flight of the Seraskier and the Surrender of Lepanto Patras and two other Castles of considerable Force resolved to give way to Fortune and to quit and abandon the Kingdom of Morea For indeed the loss which the Turks had sustained was far greater than it was computed at first for besides those which were Slain in the Field of Battle above Two thousand were found dead in the High-ways in Ditches and under Rocks And divers Soldiers Adventures who to get many Slaves were so bold as to Rove about in the Country reported that in the Fields and Villages every where they met with dead Bodies and wounded Men. To pursue this Victory and follow the Foot-steps of Fortune which so fairly presented it self the Captain General leaving the great Vessels of his Fleet at the two Castles of Rumelia and Lepanto enter'd farther into the Gulf of Lepanto with his lighter Gallies and coasting along by the Land-side he so affrighted the Turks that carrying away with them what Goods were portable they followed the Foot-steps of their flying Army And being mad and enraged to leave their native Soil they carried away with them whole Families of Christians into Slavery But the Peasants or Country People alarumed hereat and encouraged by the Successes of the Christians arose in Arms against them and recovered back the greatest part of their Wives and Children as they were leading them into Captivity killing and taking many of the Fugitives The Noise hereof served still to amaze and confound the Turks so that Mustapha Pasha fled with all Precipitation without so much as being pursued by the Enemy taking his March towards Salona not far from which place he encounter'd with Ishmael Pasha who had with him a Thousand Soldiers which he brought from Salonica alias Thessalonica These two Commanders with fear and uncertainty what to act remained some days at Salona for considering that in case they should remain there they should lie exposed to the Attack of the Enemy and then in case they should march and joyn with the Seraskier at Corinth they were in danger of being strangled by him for having been so tardy in their March and so backward in coming to his assistance wherefore they took a Resolution to become a Convoy to those Families of Turks who in great numbers with Women and Children had quitted the Morea and were going to plant themselves in the upper parts of Greece In the mean time the Captain General Sailing with Victorious Arms and a prosperous Gale by the Shoar of the Gulf of Lepanto came in a short time to take a full view and prospect of the ancient City of Corinth in the Road of which they came to an Anchor with all their Fleet of Gallies and Galeots But because that Gulf is commonly subject to bad and tempestuous Weather and the Navigation in those Seas very dangerous there being no Port on the Morea side within a Hundred Miles and on the other no shelter besides a small Nook or Creek which is narrow and not capable to receive many Vessels and the Water shallow therefore the Captain General proceeding with due caution according to Military discipline dispeeded some of his lighter Vessels to Fathom the depth of the Waters and to take a survey of the State and Condition of the Enemies Camp. The affrighted Turks seeing the Venetian Fleet in the Road of Corinth did of their own accord set Fire to all the Villages and Houses round about and also to the Town it self blowing up all the Ammunition and destroying the Provisions which they could not carry with them and so quitted and abandoned that anciently famous City leaving it a Prey to their Enemies at a cheep rate without the least drop of Blood and thence possessed with a Panick fear marched away to Thebes there to make their place of Rendezvous for their scattered Troops to unite The Captain General being informed that the Turks had deserted the City or Village rather as it now remains and reduced as much as they could of it unto Ashes returned with all speed imaginable to the Castles of Rumelia and Morea where he had left the most considerable part of his Forces encamped as also some Gallies and Vessels belonging to his Fleet And there taking aboard the greatest part of the Infantry whilst the Cavalry marched by Land with some Regiments of Foot under the Command of Count Konismark they all came to joyn near the Town of Corinth and thence in order of Battle took possession of the place where they scarce found a House or Lodging wherein to cover or shelter themselves such havock and destruction had the Turks made of every thing besides the Walls The Gates also of the Fortress were found open and an easy entrance thereinto which being possessed by the Companies of Colonel Bonetti and Count Vertoua the Standard of St. Mark was displaid on the Walls The City of Corinth was anciently the Metropolis of all Achaia and therefore called by Lucius Florus Achaiae Caput Greciae Decus After it had fallen under the Government of the Roman Commonwealth many Battles were fought near the Walls of that City under the Command of several Generals such as Critolzus Metellus and Mummius The Corinthian Brass is famous over all the World for the admirable mixture of it with divers others Mettles amongst which there was some proportion of Gold which enter'd into the Composition The Art of making this Brass is now entirely lost and the quantity thereof not much at present in the World for all the ancient Statues of famous Men of Greece erected at Corinth of this sort of Brass were by Wars and Alterations in the State melted down and carried to Rome which afterwards being worked into Plates served to cover the Roof of the Pantheon now called the Rotondo at Rome and thence by order of the Barberini were ripped off and an Altar made thereof consecrated to St. Peter and St. Paul in the great Basilicon of St. Peter the Over-plus of which was turned into a Cannon and placed in the Castle of St. Angelo which gave occasion to that saying Quod non fecerunt Babari fecerunt Barberini The Situation of Corinth is in a rich and fertile Country and in a sweet Air and so near the Sea that it enjoyed the benefit and use of all the Elements rendring it a place of Plenty and Luxury which gave occasion to that saying Non cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum Near this place is the Mount Parnassus and the Fountain of Helicon From the Romans Corinth descended to the Grecian Emperors one of which called Emanuel over-threw Roger King of Naples who invaded the
he capable of any for when any thing was propounded to him He answered Yes or No or with some very short Reply after the manner of Laconick brevity and then presently turned away to read the Alchoran He was at first reputed after the manner of his Father to be impotent as to Women but afterwards taking five or six into his Embraces he gave the World cause to conceive another Opinion of him He sat as aukwardly on Horse-back as his Father that Exercise being uneasie to him his chief Divertisements were his Books which we may believe he ill understood and sometimes taking the Air on the Water and in Chiosks or Garden Houses on the side of the Bosphorus he passed his pleasant time Yeghen still continued to Ravage the Country between Sophia and Belgrade as his Comrade Yedic that Arch-robber did in Anatolia And the Government being too weak to suppress two such Thieves or Highway-Men how much less was it able to contend with the German Troops They were forced to dissemble and give way to the present Extremities by making Yeghen Seraskier in Hungary whilst Hassan Pasha was forced to give way and fly privately out of the reach of his Competitor The News hereof flew with great hast to the Thieves in Anatolia who being encouraged with the Success of Yeghen under whose Government they all fancied to be made Pashas or Grandees came over in great numbers to joyn with him Amongst which one Temac Boluckbashee a leading Man with Four hundred of his Robbers passed boldly over from Asia to Constantinople and Yedic their General was not only pardoned but made a Pasha To this hard Plight and Extremity was the Ottoman Empire reduced when the Turks placing their greatest hopes in the Tartars dispatched away an Aga to Apafi Prince of Transilvania with a Patent to confirm him in his Principality and with Orders to demand of him in consideration thereof a round Sum of ready Money wherewith to Succour and pay the Garrisons on the Boristhenes and to provide for the Maintenance of Caminiec which was in want of Ammunition and all things necessary And to persuade Apafi hereunto he told Stories very improper and unfit to compass his ends for he rehersed all the Tumults of the Zorbas at Constantinople and that the Grand Seignior was forced to create Yeghen who was their Chief and Leader to be Seraskier in Hungary That in Constantinople there was want of every thing even to a Famine caused by the Seditions and Mutinies of the Soldiers and that for the appeasing these Tumults and for the Donative unto the Soldiers which is usually given by the Sultans at their Inauguration the Exchequer had been drained of Twenty Millions of Dollars wherefore he urged the States of Transilvania to grant him his Demands in failure of which he threatned them with the Incursions of the Tartars who had already passed the River Prut and were enter'd into the Neighbouring Provinces where they had left sad Marks of their cruel and miserable Devastations And that Sultan Galga and Noradin with a mighty Army were marching to oppose the Emperors designs upon Belgrade General Carafa having notice of these Practices upon Transilvania went with all hast thither and in a short time not only defeated this Aga in his Negotiations but also so well disposed Apafi and the States of Transilvania with entire Devotion to the Emperor that in despight of the Message brought by the Aga they absolutely renounced all Obedience and Duty to the Ottoman Port The which Renuntiation follows in this manner We Michael Teleky de Szek General George and Alexius de Bethlem Laodislaus Szekel of Boroszeno Valentine Frank one of the Iudges Christian Zato Consul of the City of Hermanstadt Counsellors to the Illustrious Prince of Transilvania As also Nicholas of Bethlem Stephen Appor Peter Alvinzy and John Starosy Principal and publick Notaries Michael Filstrick Iudge of the City of Braslavia Plenipotentiaries deputed by the Prince aforesaid and by the States of the Kingdom of Transilvania do hereby declare and make known unto all the World desiring that these Presents may remain upon Record for a lasting Testimony unto all Ages With great Reason may this present Age remain astonished and envious Eyes become dazled with the Splendor of the Divine Clemency which not suffering its beloved Christendom to Groan longer under the Yoak of Barbarous Pride nor remain in Bonds to Tyrannical Servitude nor longer to be overwhelmed and drowned after so many Wars in a Sea of Innocent Blood hath at length out of his great Compassion been pleased to exert the strong Power of his Omnipotent Arm to Rescue so many Kingdoms and Provinces from an unsupportable Slavery under the Turks who transported with senseless Fury had rendered themselves formidable to the World ruinous to their Neighbours and Despisers of all People besides their own But behold How the God of Hosts being justly displeassed with these vain Boastings hath thrown his Thunder-bolts amongst them and dispersed them making the most August Emperor Leopold the First an Instrument of his Vengeance and having showred Flouds of Blessings on his Glorious and Triumphant Arms hath encompassed his Royal Head with Wreaths of Victorious Laurel whilst the Ottoman Throne is dressed up with Mournful Cipress Such were the astonishing operations of the Divine Power made manifest to all the World. For when the barbarous Tyranny was in its full Career and was in the Trail of a hot Scent after Christian Blood then was God pleased to stop them in their Course and reduce their unstable and depressed Fortune to the doubtful Terms of Hope and Fear It is now near an Age that unhappy Transilvania hath been depressed by the unsupportable Ottoman Yoak and bewailed the loss of her lawful King and Lord And after having been Turmoiled tossed with Storms of War with Fire and Sword and Civil Dissentions all things have been so confused and defaced that scarce any thing hath remained on the Registers of it's ancient Glory only since the Dominion of the Turk gained by the intestine differences of it's own Princes some Memorials are written and reserved to represent to the World a History of a most direful Tragedy But now the maligne Influence of the Stars being either abated or entirely exhausted and the Ambitious Pride and Designs of private Men defeated Transilvania embraces the Paternal and Powerful Protection of the most August Emperor of the Romans Leopold the First and Hereditary King of Hungary and of all his Successors and particularly of the most Serene Prince Joseph King of Hungary whose Life may God long continue and of his Heirs after him according as it hath been concluded and agreed in the year 1687 at the last Diet at Possonium with full Consent Approbation and Concurrence of all the States of Hungary who have for a long time poured out their Prayers and Tears and Sighs before God that at length through the Divine Mercy they might
at Vienna for hastening the Campaigne and forwarding the Troops and drawing a Scheme for managing the War of this Year many and various were the Opinions At length strict Orders were given to Mareschal Caprara immediately to go to Oseck and there consult with Count Apremont Governor of that place on such methods as might best contribute to the Service of his Imperial Majesty both as to the Enlargement of the Conquests and Subsistence of the Soldiery In order unto which great Numbers of Boats were laden with all sorts of Provision and Ammunition and dispeeded down the Rivers of Danube Vagus Tibiscus and Drave for undertaking some considerable Enterprize Orders were also dispatched from the Council of War to General Caraffa in Transilvania That having committed the command of the Upper Hungaria to Nigrelli and of Transilvania to General Veterani and having also satisfied the Quarters of his own Militia he should forthwith march along the Banks of the Danube but with such Caution and Vigilance as might secure him and his Forces from the Surprizals of Tekely who since the surrender of Agria and Mongatz had made frequent incursions from Temeswar as far as Lippa Iulia and sometimes from Ieno to Waradin It being judged almost impossible to conserve Peter Waradin by reason of the nearness thereunto of Illock where the Enemy maintained a numerous Garrison it was resolved to draw forth the Troops and Provisions from thence Howsoever Caprara being desirous first to take a view of Illock he conveyed himself privately before the place with some Horse of the Regiment of Palfi and about Two hundred Dragoons on Foot and seized on a Mosch before the Gate year 1688. but being discovered by the Turks they Fired such a Volly of Shot upon him that several of his Dragoons were killed and he received Two Musquet-shots through the Folds of his loose Coat with which he retired without other hurt or loss But of more concernment it was to General Caprara to defeat the Camp of the Turks which they were forming in the open Plains of Salankement to which end he prepared Boats and Barges and Bridges to Transport over the Drave the Forces which were on their march from the Upper Hungary But the Waters by excessive Rains had so swollen the Rivers beyond the Banks of their right Channel that both Horse and Foot were constrained to make a stop at Darda to which place the General passed over in a Boat and there remained until the Waters were fallen as did also some Bavarian Troops designed to repass the Danube near Buda on their march to Erdeodi where having raised a Bridge over the Danube and Six more over the Moors and Fenns they joyned with other Forces and marched in a Body towards Illock In the mean time year 1688. whilst the Imperial Court was enjoying the pleasures of the Country at Luxemburg the Duke of Loraine falling sick put the Court into some discomposure for that the Season of the Year being now ripe for Action the want of the General 's presence would be a necessary retardment to the Proceedings of the Campaigne howsoever that was happily supplied by the coming of P. Lewis of Baden who every day entred into consultation with the D. of Loraine in what manner they might best carry on the War on the other side of the Save which being agreed P. Lewis proceeded to the Camp where with Mareschal Caprara the Imperial Forces were for that time commanded and with them it was concluded to pass the Save But now some of the Transilvanians being allured by Succours and great Assistance promised them by the Tartars to renounce their sworn Allegiance to the Emperor the City of Stephanopolis refused to receive a German Garrison which Design was chiefly carried on at the persuasion of the Valachians who considering that by the Submission of Transilvania their Province lay open to the Germans and through that an easie passage into Tartary they both joynned to persuade the People of Stephanopolis to refuse to take in a Garrison of Germans But General Veterani immediately marched to the City with the Regiments of Pace Taff and Stirum and by surprize Attacked the Suburbs in three places and being come within Pistol-shot of the Walls the Dragoons dismounting from their Horses and raising some Barricadoes to cover them from the Enemies Cannon they began to throw Bombs into the Castle by which and by help of the Regiments of Baden and Schaffemberg who brought with them two Pieces of great Cannon and four of small they batter'd the Town to the Terrour and Consternation of the Inhabitants so that with common consent they cried out for Quarter which was granted to them by General Caraffa at Discretion and the City yielded as also the Castle into which five Companies of the Regiment of Baden were admitted In the mean time General Caraffa with like diligence Marched with a Body of an Army to Lippa and having Summoned the City he was answer'd by their great and Small-shot from the Walls Upon which the General without any delay raised two Batteries by which beating down part of the Wall he made an Attack on the Breach from whence thô he was repulsed at the first time by the Bravery of the Defendants yet renewing the Assault again with grater Force and Resolution they enter'd the Town by Storm with the Death of Five hundred Turks the rest giving Fire to their Houses and Magazines retired into the Castle which they maintained a while with good Resolution But Caraffa raising two new Batteries fired incessantly from them and threw Bombs into it with such good effect that the Defendants terrified therewith displayed a white Flag and submitted unto Terms of being made Prisoners to the number of Six thousand Persons Two thousand of which being Men capable to bear Arms were made Slaves but the Women and Children were freed and with a Convoy were sent in safety to Temeswar year 1688. The Surrender of Lippa was of great consequence to the Germans having thereby opened all the Country between the River Maros and the Tibiscus This Success was soon followed by the Surrender of Lagos a Castle four Leagues distant from Lippa which after a small resistance yielded to Colonel Pace on Articles according to which about Two hundred Soldiers with One hundred and Eighty Rascians and Valachians marched out together with the Inhabitants of the lower City and about Six hundred Women and Children Within was only one Mortar-piece and eight Pieces of Cannon but no Victuals or Ammunition The like Fortune had succeeded at the great Castle of Caranzebes had not the Attacks been disappointed by an excessive Rain of four or five days which forced Colonel Pace to return back to General Carafa who remained still in expectation of his coming to Lippa The Indisposition of the Duke of Loraine increasing and little hopes of his Recovery to such a state of Health as was requisite to Conduct an
persuasions might have with his Transilvanian Friends and those of his Faction inviting them to cast off the Yoke of Germany from their Necks and reassume their Ancient Liberties and to that end he wrote this following Letter Ad Capitaneos Directores Magistratus Inclyti Regni Transilvaniae Omnia bona det Deus Regno Transilvaniae vigile Ingenium oculos Incolis ejus opto Nolim Ingratitudinem vestram quâ Caesaream amplexi fuistis protectionem respicere imò potius certiores vos facere commune facere velim vehementer volens Regnum Transilvaniae in tantis afflictionibus exactionibus versari Non dubito quin satis perspexeritis hucusque iniquas Germanorum Machinationes Volunt se in regnum intrudere ut vos ex regno expellant Vos peribitis illi manebunt Pellite itaque corrigite ceaecitatem vestram Ad Arma currite omnes Nobiles Libertini Subditi pro felici Patria certate certe vos libertatem consecuturos quam turpiter perdidistis ad Comam usque Nisi omnes audacter insurrexeritis peribitis vos filii vestri Nobilissimum Regnum in manibus barbarorum manebit Valete et vigiliate vobis Patriae vestrae Datas trans Danubium proximè ad Transalpinas And to leave no Stone unturned he sollicited the Ottoman Port for new Succours promising mighty Successes in case the Tartars would invade Transilvania the which accordingly was designed and had taken effect had not the Cosacks made an unexpected Irruption into Tartary and thereby obliged those Barbarians to quit their design that they might attend to the safeguard of their own Country All places in Bosnia being now subdued and brought under the power of the Emperor Bertzka only excepted situate on the Save Prince Lewis after he had fortified Proot and Gradisca marched against it being a place of such importance as secured all the River from thence to Belgrade The Turks having advice of the approach of Prince Lewis with Terror and terrible Consternation abandoned that vast City pleasant for its Situation in a delicious Country abounding with all sorts of Provisions and Fruits both for the sustenance and delight of the Inhabitants into this Commodious Dwelling made void by the flight of the Turks a Garrison of Two thousand Germans was lodged which served them for Winter-Quarters wherein to refresh themselves after all the fatigues dangers and tedious Marches of the passed Campaigne and to secure this City so plentiful of all sorts of Provisions a regular Fortification was Erected on the rising of a Hill which served to cover and very much to strengthen the City Now in regard Advices were brought to Bertzka that the Pasha of Bosnia was making Levies of men and recruiting his Forces in the Neighbouring parts General Piccolomini was dispatched to Vienna to render an Account of the State of that Country and to press for Forces immediately to be dispeeded for security thereof it being a Province inhabited by many Christians who with encouragement and protection would be ready to submit and do Homage to the Emperor Piccolomini so well Negotiated his Affairs at Vienna that he soon procured Orders directed to the General at Belgrade to reinforce Prince Lewis with a considerable Body of men But because the French were now in motion and had already entred Germany with a formidable Army to oppose which there was need of the Counsel and Direction of the best and most Experienced Captains who had lately with such auspicious Fortune conducted the Imperial Forces against the Turks it was resolved to recall Prince Lewis of Baden to Vienna and to commit the Charge of Bosnia to the Courage and Conduct of Piccolomini year 1688. So soon as Piccolomini was returned to Gradisca Prince Lewis took Post for Vienna having some few days before his departure taken possession of Oliva and Sbornich or Swornich a City and Castle of considerable importance of the latter of which the Charge was committed to Major Thomas Stracharta a Scotch Gentleman who bravely maintained it against Two Assaults of the Turks These places were situate on the River Drine After which this Valiant Prince departed leaving most manifest Evidences and Proofs behind him of his Courage assisted with Fortune for that in the space of about Nine Weeks he had subdued all the Province of Bosnia defeated the Pasha with double Numbers taken Proot Gradisca Bertzka and divers Castles with no more than Eight thousand Germans Hungarians and Croatians Tho' it was now time to end this Campaigne yet still the Blocades of Sigeth Canisa and Grand-Waradin were continued year 1688. the Defendants tho' reduced very low remained howsoever very obstinate and resolute to maintain the Garrisons to the last extremity in hopes rather that their Ambassadors would succeed in the Conclusion of a Peace than in any apparent probability there was of rescuing themselves by their own force or other expected Succours And indeed the Turks might then on very good Grounds have hoped for a peace since that they readily offered to have quitted all pretensions to the Conquered places and suffered the Emperor to remain in quiet possession of all whereof he had made himself Master which had been a vast advantage to the Empire at that time when the French were entered into Germany with a formidable Army burning laying waste and destroying all the Palatinate threatning War on the Empire which continued for several Years with such fury that had not King William of England joyned with Spain Holland and some of the Princes of Germany opposed this terrible Foe all the Empire and other Countries had sunk under the weight of the Arms of France But God knows by what Fate the Emperor refused to hearken to those fair Propositions of Peace which that they might not be urged or pressed on his Counsellors the Turkish Ambassadors were committed Prisoners to the Castle of Puffendorf where they passed some Years under a tedious restraint and loss of Liberty contrary to the Law of Nations And tho' the Turks may be much blamed for this kind of Violation of the Law of Nations and disrespect to the persons of Ambassadors which in all Countries have been esteemed sacred yet it is a new thing to be so practised by Christian Princes especially by the Austrian Family which is Renowned over all the World for their Piety Justice and Clemency As there was at that time no Reason or Sense for not closing with the Turks in a Peace so afterwards the Folly and Misfortune was so apparent that the Court of Vienna hath often lamented the unhappy Consequences of that evil Counsel which the Ministers of State to throw off from themselves have cast on the prevailing Faction of the Jesuits and Clergy which have ever carried a great sway in that Counsel And thus having by God's Assistance finished the Wars in Hungary by a full and ample Relation of all that passed in that miserable Country during the Course of the
secure the Bridge he marched his whole Army on the 2d of August over the same with design to pursue the Enemy and either force them to a Battel or to abandon all their Magazines at Nissa The Turkish Army under the Command of the Seraskier did not then consist of above 40000 good fighting Men and disciplin'd Soldiers the rest were raw and unexperienced Fellows fit rather to follow the Plough or Plunder than to fight a Battle The Army of Prince Lewis consisted of about 12000 Germans and 6000 Hungarians and Hussars besides some of the Country People who were got into a Body in hopes of Booty and Plunder being animated thereunto by the Success of the Caesarean Arms. Notwithstanding this great disadvantage in Numbers the Germans being Spirited with Desires of farther Glory and the meaner sort of them with hopes of Prey and Booty and all confiding in a continual Course and Run of Fortune boldly proceeded on their March having the Turks in Contempt whom they had so often overthrown and defeated The truth is the Turks were in a bad Condition both at Home and Abroad the Grand Vizier himself durst not appear in Person in the Field least his Enemies at home should suggest Matters to the Sultan in his Absence which might cost him his Head or the Loss of his Office And indeed the Army was so inconsiderable this Year that it seemed beneath the Dignity of a Grand Vizier to appear in the Field with other than a Royal Army which was ever reckoned at 100000 Men to which it was much inferior and scarce did arise to half the Number For the Tartar Chan excused his joyning with the Turkish Army this Year by reason of the Alarms given them by the Muscovites who in vast Numbers threatned their Country and were on the Frontiers ready to enter with Fire and Sword. The Militia also of Aleppo Damascus Arbekier and others of the more Eastern Countries of Asia which always compose a great Nerve of the Ottoman Arms began to mutiny for want of Money not being able longer to support and maintain themselves Upon their Remonstrance of which to the Grand Vizier Answer being returned That the Royal Treasuries were empty and exhausted and that they were obliged by the Constitutions of the Empire to maintain themselves out of their Timarlucks or Lands given them for that Service The Reply was so displeasing that great Disorder would have followed had not the Torrent of the Soldiers Anger been seasonable stopped by paying the Spahee's or Timars five Dollars apiece which qualified and appeased the Mutiny and Sollevation which was ready to break forth into an open Rebellion Whilst Prince Lewis was on his March News was brought to him that Heisler had demolished Orsoua and retired to some other Quarters of which the Turks having received Advice they entered into it and having strengthned it with some Palisadoes they put a Garrison into it At which Prince Lewis was so displeased that he sent immediate Orders to that General that he should forthwith return thither and endeavour again to recover the place and with all possible speed repair the Fortifications and conserve that Post as the most convenient Situation whereby to transport Victuals and Ammunition and cut off all the Succours and Correspondences on that side by which the Turks might bring in Succours and Relief to Temeswaer and other places which had been for some time streightned by Blockades But in regard that General Heisler was much indisposed by Sickness and forced to retire to Hermanstadt for recovery of his Health Orders were given to the General Count Herbeville to execute that part which was to be acted by Heisler and accordingly having dispatched Sempsai with his Hussars in the Van it was his Fortune to encounter a Party of Turks from whom he carried 30 Heads made 25 Prisoners and took three Colours The General following with the rest of the Army and being come near to Orsoua another Party of Turks appeared which had newly passed from the other side of the Danube in small Boats and these being Attacked by Herbeville between the Fortress and the River the whole Body was in a moment either cut to pieces or Drowned or made Prisoners of which 50 Horse were taken and one Standard After which the gross Body of the Imperial Army being advanced under the Fortress the place was observed to be well fortified and on the other side of the River they discovered an Army in their Trenches well defended and guarded with Cannon and on the Shoar side many well armed Gallies and 100 Vessels laden with all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions the which according to Report was said to be the Army of Tekely joyned to the Forces of the Pasha of Silistria and another Pasha Howsoever the General being desirous to make trial of his Fortune advanced with his Forces near the place and having posted themselves under shelter of Banks and Sacks of Earth to take a view of the Enemies State and Condition they were so warmly receiv'd by their Cannon and Granadoes that they were forced to retire towards Caransebes and at the same time News came that Tekely had killed 100 Rascians and taken some Boats with the Hussars which were in them and advanced with resolution to carry Succours and Relief into Temeswaer In the mean time Prince Lewis was on his March towards Nissa but finding the way very bad and difficult by reason of the thick Woods and Marshy Grounds and much Rain so that it was almost impossible to draw their Cannon and Waggons laden with Provisions which began already to be wanting it was resolved to retire to Semendria And here it was that Prince Lewis altered the Course of his March and being come into the Parts of Ressava the Foot advanced a Day before and the Horse following â—hem the next they joyned at Gabrovitz where a Survey being taken of the Situation of the Place along the Banks of Morava by several Engeniers and particularly by Count Marsigli they fixed on a place the most commodious for casting a Bridge over the River which was effected in a few Hours and the same secured with 16 pieces of Cannon mounted on a Redoubt which they newly raised and defended by 500 Men. The Germans having passed all their Forces over the River a strong Detachment of the Enemy appeared and surprized the Centinels and Out-guards of which the Tartars killed some and pursued the others until the Imperial Troops who were always ready upon the first Alarm gave a stop to the Career of the Tartars of which they killed some and took two Prisoners from whom they received intelligence that a great Body of Turks and Tartars under Command of Sultan Galga Son of the Chan of Tartary had passed the Morava near Iagodina with design to attack the Germans on that side of the River near Passarovitz And moreover that the Seraskier was on his March
of October a Battery he plied the Castle so hard that the Turks spread a white Flag and came to Capitulations which were soon agreed upon Terms That the Garrison and People therein might march forth with all their Goods for Carriage of which 30 Boats were to be assigned them but in regard Boats were not to be procured 200 Carts were provided in the place thereof So that on the 19th of October 2559 Soldiers all Armed with about as many Inhabitants marched out of the place which were Convoyed by 200 Dragoons towards Nicopolis and the Hostages being committed to safe Custody five Companies of the Regiment of Dunghen were placed therein for a Garrison Upon the Report only of the march of the Imperialists towards Widin Tekeli abandoned the City tho' he had a stately House therein and very well furnished yet so debased was he in his Courage that he fled before the Battle towards Nicopolis from whence he came with a sad Countenance and Tears in his Eyes to meet the Garrison and People expelled from the Town and Castle Howsoever he showed a courteous Aspect to the German Soldiers who were appointed for Convoy to the People of Widin and in a Friendly manner treated them with Wine and a plentiful Entertainment As Widin was a great loss to the Turks so it was of high advantage to the successful Arms of the Emperor for by taking this place all the Conquests made by the two last Victories namely the Territory of Nissa and other Places possessed on the Way to Sophia were all covered and the Way secured for importing Forage and Provisions and all Necessaries for support of the advanced Troops under Piccolomini posted for guard and defence of the Conquered Countries and free Communication and Correspondence with the Neighbouring Principalities And on the contrary the Turks of Temeswâ—er and other Garrisons maintained in the Upper Hungary were all greatly streightned and annoyed thereby without any hopes of being succoured or relieved and thereby Tekeli also was dislodged from those Parts in which he had perswaded the People by his fair Words and Promises to remain constant and faithful and stand by the Grand Seignior with their Lives â—nd Fortunes It being now towards the end of October it was judged high time to give refreshment end â—ase to the wearied Soldiery by putting them into warm and commodious Quarters during the Winter Season The Province of Walachia was a Country near to them abounding with all sorts of Provisions and there it was intended to Quarter a great part of the Army Upon which Resolution Prince Lewis dispatched to the Prince of Walachia these following Propositions requiring an immediate Compliance therewith otherwise that he would do himself Reason with his Sword giving him only six Days time to return an Answer The Propositions made to the Prince of Walachia and the States of that Province dated the 28th of October were as followeth Propositions made by the Prince of Walachia WHEREAS it hath pleased Almighty God to give many signal Viâ—tories unto His Imperial Majesty whereby several Cities Countries and Provinces have been recovered out of the Barbarous Possâ—ssion of the Turks and thereby â—lâ—o Wâ—lachia secured from Servitude and Slavery in consideration whereof it was demanded from the Prince and States that Winter Quarters be given for the space of seven Months for 15000 Men Horse and Foot according to the Rules and Proportions which have been setled by the Imperial Decrees in former times both in Hungary and Transilvania That is to say from the first of November 1689 to the last of May 1690 in the manner following I. That two Pounds of Bread shall be provided for every Man per Day with a Pound of Flesh and a Measure of Wine besides his Bed Salt Candle Wood and all other Necessaries for support of Humane Life That four Bushels of Oats a Month eight Pounds of Hay a Day with two Bundles of Straw a Week shall be allowed for every Horse II. That the Prince and States shall pay unto the Soldiers 800000 Florins within a certain time III. That the Prince and States shall find 1500 good Horse to mount those Cavaliers who have lost their Horses and also shall find them Armour within a certain time according as hath been practised in Hereditary Kingdoms and Provinces the Arms for Cuirasiers shall not be valued at more than 30 Dollars for every Horse-man and 25 for every Dragoon the which shall be defalked out of the Sum of the ready Money which is to be paid IV. That the Deputies sent by the Prince and States shall return to them again and in the space of six Days shall come back to the Imperial Camp with the positive Resolution of what shall be performed in this Matter and shall bring with them Commissaries who shall allot to the Soldiers their respective Quarters V. That the Prince and States shall appoint and ordain Hostages namely two Barons of the chief Nobility in the Province who shall remain with the Imperial General as Guarantees for performance of the Treaty and that the Prince may have liberty to change and relieve them every Month if he pleases with two others VI. That in case the â—rince and States shall punctually comply with these Propositions they are hereby assured in the Name of His Imperial Majesty That neither the Emperor's General nor any other Officer or Soldier shall bind or oblige them to any other Conditions nor shall they in the least manner be farther oppressed or damnified but to the contrary they shall be succoured defended and protected in the free Exercise of their Laws and maintained in their Rights Privileges and Possessions Given in the Imperial Camp under Fetislau the 28 th of October 1689. Signed Lewis of Baden About this time the Express which Prince Lewis had dispatched lately to Piccolomini returned back with this following Letter Count Piccolomini to Prince Lewis IF Your Most Serene Highness shall be pleased to return me back all Your Army I can here give them Quarters and good Subsistence The Albanians of Clementa have sent their Deputies to me with Proposals to submit unto the Emperor with whom I am now in Treaty The Albanians under the Turks have done the like and have offered to surrender unto me all their Castles I have summoned all the Greek Communities to come unto me and I have sent the Draughts of the Imperial Escutcheon or Arms which I brought painted from Vienna to be affixed and set up in every Town and City And I hope speedily to bring all the Countries from Scutari to Novibassar under subjection Upon these Successes I hear that Mamut Pasha is fled and I have sent to seek for his Horse-Tail which the Vizier gave him The City of Prisseren being abandoned by its Inhabitants I intend to make use thereof Ten Thousand Rascians with Arms in their Hands are come in to me without any Head or Commander with intention to rob and live
two Venetian Gallies one Commanded by Pietro Dona and the other by Henrico Pappafava both Venetian Noblemen taken by the Corsairs of Tripoli on the Coast of Sapienza This Advice was very surprizing to the Doge it being a loss which had not happened with so much Disgrace for many years to the Venetian Arms and the more strange it was in regard That Francesco Dona was on Board the Galley a Person of great Experience in Maritime Affairs and yet suffered himself to be deceived by two white Streamers or Pendants which the Enemy had put forth to be esteemed French by which the Gallies were decoyed so near as to be out of all possibility of Escape The Doge having laid Siege to the Town of Malvasia both by Sea and Land a certain Slave who had been Captain of a Tartana having made an Escape from the Fortress gave an Account of the State and Condition of the Town and Castle relating that the Garrison consisted only of 700 stout Soldiers with which and with the Inhabitants they might amount to about 2000 Souls Women and Children all resolved to defend themselves as appeared by the Sequel The Commanders in Chief were Mustapha Disdar or Governor of the Castle an antient Man who carried great Authority and Resolution in his Face and Actions And Assan Aga who Commanded the Town who upon approach of the Enemy caused their Galleots Brigantines and smaller Boats and Vessels to be drawn close under the Wall of the Town for their better security That the Houses of the Town were strongly built and that the principal Persons thereof had filled all theiâ— upper Rooms with Earth to cover them from the Bombs but that the Streets for the most part were very narrow That the Turks were then at work in drawing their Cannon to such parts of the Wall from whence they might most annoy the Bridge That the rich Inhabitants were well supplied with Provisions of which they were forced to Communicate some part to the poorer sort That the Garrison was not paid but that consisting for the most part of Natives of the Country and Seamen inured to Hardship and Pyracy were contented to suffer and undergo any Trouble and Want for the Sake and Defence of their Native City And in shorr That besides the Garrison there were about 160 Greeks who kept Watch and Ward and underwent all the Duties of a regular Militia This Information gave some Retardment to the formal Siege and Attack of the place for it was resolved to attend the arrival of the several Convoys and Auxiliary Gallies shortly expected and that in the mean time the Town should be kept under a strict Blockade and the Guards placed in all the Avenues and Passages to the Town where the Duke de Guadagne the General should judge most proper to dispose them and to lose no time all the Troops were drawn into a Body that a particular Review and Account might be taken of the Numbers and Condition of the whole Army Whilst these things were acting the eight Gallies of Malta began to appear being then Doubling the Cape of St. Angelo Commanded by Fra. Carlo Spinelli who was Bali of Armenia a worthy Soldier and a Religious Commander whose Fortune being to joyn the Venetian Fleet on St. Iohn's Day their Tutelar Saint added very much to the Joy and Festivity of the Day And what farther increased the Satisfaction both of the Fleet and Army was at the same time to see the happy arrival of a Convoy Commanded by Pietro Bembo bringing 72000 Zechins in Gold for Service of the Army upon which also arrived the Prince de Harcourt and Count Enea Rapetta Serjeant-Generals besides several select Companies of Foot to the number of 455 Soldiers with Provisions of all sorts for their Support and Maintenance as also the Regiments of Hisy and Simon Famfogna both Colonels of Croatia consisting of about 700 Foot as also a Regiment of Dragoons of the the same Country under the Command of Colonel Strel After the Entrance of these several Gallies and Vessels into Port and having cast Anchor in their orderly Divisions and the Salutes made and returned by Cannon and Vollies of small shot according to the customary Civilities of the Seas the Admiral of Malta attended with his Followers of Knights and Gentlemen went to pay his Visit to the Doge after the same manner as he had done the year before which happened then to be on the 16th of Iuly the Ducal Galley remain'd with it's Anchor a-Pique in an open place having the Galleasses for Antiguards with their Anchors also a-Pique and with Streamers and Colours flying as is usual in such Solemnities The Doge received these Generals below on the Deck and afterwards conducted them into the Poop where having entertained one the other with Discourses of their respective Voyages and of the present state of the Camp before the Town and passed other Civilities and Compliments they took their leaves and returned to their several Vessels The next Day the Doge sent his Lieutenant-General Andrea Pisani to return the Compliments in his Name with the like Ceremony and to deliver unto those Generals the several Ordinances of War and the Instructions both for Fighting and Navigation After which a Council of War was called at which the Doge the General of Malta the Duke of Guadagne and all the General Officers both of Sea and Land were present to Consult and take such Measures as were most agreeable to the present Exigencies There were four Propositions made for employing their Arms and four Designs offered but they were all of so different a Nature that they could not come to any Determination at that Meeting but at length after various Reflections made on the necessity there was of coming to a Resolution it was concluded That General Guadagne should with his Cavalry take a view of the Streight of Corinth which is that Neck of Land which joyns the Morea to Greece and upon a Survey thereof to make a Calculate how many Men would be required to Maintain and Defend that Pass in case the Turks should endeavour to force their entrance that way into the Morea it being of great importance to fortifie that passage and not leave it open and undefended to the Incursion of the Turks whilst the Armata should be employed on other Enterprizes Whilst things remained under these Uncertainties News was brought by an Express from Salona That Liberachi had wrote a menacing Letter to the Bayliffs and principal Men belonging to the Villages and Parts adjacent that they should come and pay their Respects to him and bring their Carach or Poll-Money with them or otherwise he would come and punish them according as their Disobedience should deserve To which they unanimously made Answer That he might come when he pleased that they feared him not and that he should find their Scimetars to be as keen and sharp as his Liberachi
they were so over-powered by them that after a long and bloody Fight they were put to the Rout In this Action General Nordquermes Tolecki Von Wald Springfelt and Winckler with some Captains and 500 common Horsemen were killed General Magni escaped and saved himself in the Church of a Village called Hansberg where a Peasant killed him with a Pitchfork and buried him under a Dunghill General Heusler having his Horse killed under him was taken Prisoner by Tekeli's Men and Marquis Doria and Major Fisker by the Tartars Lieut. Col. Rainiâ— with several Captains Lieutenants and Ensigns and 32 common Soldiers were made Prisoners by the Turks The Enemies also gained four Pieces of Cannon 29 Standards and three Waggons with Ammunition but lost 3000 of their Men in this Action the remainder of the German Horse being about 1200 Men with 13 Standards retreated under Hermanstadt After the Fight was ended Count Tekeli being desirous to rescue as many Prisoners as he could out of the Hands of the Tartars he bought Marquis Doria for 60 Rix-dollars and many other Officers for a small Matter and afterwards sent away the Marquis Doria with the following Letter to his Lady at Vienna written in Latin GOD Almighty comfort thee and also me with a more happy time After many Misfortunes I have been comforted with a Victory over my Enemies having had the good Fortune to make General Heusler my Prisoner and Marquis Doria which with several other German Officers have hunted after my Life This Accident may give an occasion for thy Releasement to which end I have sent the said Marquis unto thee for whom General Heusler remains Security and with him I have sent my Servant Michael for a Companion to the end that he being an Eye-witness of my State and Condition may render thee a true Account and Information thereof God grant that he may bring me good News from thee Live well Yours Emericus Tekeli This Letter being delivered to the Princess by the Hand of Marquis Doria an Answer was returned in Latine as followeth I Wish thee Health and all Blessings from God whose Name be praised for giving me the happiness to see the proper Hand-writing of my beloved Husband and therewith his remembrance of me Marquis Doria hath acquainted me with the Love which thou professest towards me I doubt not but Marquis Doria will inform His Imperial Majesty with the Answer I have returned to thy Letter viz. That I depend on Almighty God's Providence and the Emperor's Clemency and as to other Matters I am ready to give sufficient Security that if leave should be permitted me to go and meet my Emericus Tekeli according to my Nuptial Duty that I will return again at the time appointed as to what the Imperial Court will do about the Prisoners the Marquis will acquaint you to accept or reject the Conditions will depend much on your Affections towards me The Marquis having earnestly sollicited his Business hath gotten an early Dispatch he says as much in short as is enough and you may believe him I have spoken with your Servant who hath been sick but now is better Perhaps my Emericus thought me to be some Lady in a Nunnery because he gives me not the Name of his Wife perhaps it might be to try me whether I desire to be so called Gold is tryed in the Fire which Tryal I willingly suffer from my Beloved expecting impatiently another Letter God deliver the Prisoners and comfort all afflicted Minds which I heartily wish Amen Your Dutiful Wife Helena Zrinin From Vienna Septemb. 24. But let us here leave Marquis Doria returning with his Answers to Tekeli whilst we discourse a while concerning what the Turks are farther acting before Nissa in Servia now straitly besieged by the Grand Vizier himself An Attempt was made at the same time on Widin by the Turkish Fleet which they expected should take the Place without any Land Forces but they being beaten off and four of their Ships sunk the Vizier commanded that the Place should be Besieged both by Land and Water accordingly the Lines were finished and the Batteries raised by the 24th of August In like mannâ—r the Germans had perfected a Fort which they had raised on an Island near Orsoa called Carolina after the Name of the Emperor's second Son and therein a Garrison was put of 400 Germans and 1000 Rascians with 24 Pieces of Cannon and all other Necessaries required for maintenance of the Place Whilst things were in this doubtful Condition and the Christian Army commanded by General Veterani lying at Iagodina under some Discouragement by reason of the near approach of the Grand Vizier Prince Lewis of Baden arrived to the great Joy of the Camp bringing with him a Regiment of Hussars The Prince had taken a view of the Camp and entered into a Council of War touching what was to be done when the unhappy News arrived of the total Defeat of General Heusler in Transylvania which altered all the Measures before agreed and new Resolutions were taken to march thither with the greatest force of the Army of which Generalâ— Aspremont was to lead the Van by way of Semendria where care had been taken to erect a Bridge for Passage of the Troops and for the better security of the Ships laden with Provisions and with Sick and Wounded People The Horse remained on an Eminence until all were Embarked and Orders were sent to the Governor of Crassowitz to demolish that Fort and with the Germans National Troops and the Country People who were with him to march towards Belgrade By this time all Intercourse with Nissa was cut off the Vizier having encompassed the City on all sides with an Army as was reported of 30000 Foot and 50000 Horse besides 15000 Tartars daily expected the appearance of which was enough to have affrighted the Place to an immediate Surrender as was expected by the Grand Vizier but contrary thereunto he met with a most vigorous Resistance to the great loss of his Men and a second time which was the last of August they made another more violent Attack with fresh Troops and were still repulsed with greater loss At length the Turks for saving their Men made a trial of some Mines which they sprang in divers Places but most commonly they reversed to the greater Damage and Mischief of the Turks themselves The Grand Vizier having understood that Prince Lewis was on the Retreat and had withdrawn his Forces from Widin and Semendria detached a part of his Army to Widin the which Garrison consisting of no more than 800 Men it was not probable that they should be able to withstand any long Siege and therefore being sensible that no Succour was to be expected they rendered themselves up to the Enemy on the 29th of August before any Breach was made or the Enemy advanced within 40 Paces of the Walls despair of Succour put them upon this Resolution whereby they
one or the other So soon as the Day-broke the Garrison sallied out and entered the deserted Camp in which they found great Spoils three pieces of Cannon 100 Bombs and other warlike Instruments which the Turks had left behind in their affright which possessed them with such pannick Fear that they stopped not or looked behind them till they had passed the Bridges at Walcowar where they stayed no longer than only to break them down to secure their flight The Story hereof was pleasantly related by a certain German who had three years before been taken by the Turks and had for his skill in the Turkish Language been received into Service of the Pasha's Secretary This Man during the flight had thrown himself into a Cock of Hay and Straw where he lay hidden until the Turks were gone and then creeping out escaped to Esseck and there told the Duke That the â—asha was a dull old timorous Fellow who when he heard all the Drums beat and the Trumpets and Bagpipes sound he was struck with so much Fear that he trembled his Hands and Feet shook his Knees knocked one against the other and his Legs were not able to support his Body and he farther said That the Pasha had been ordered by the Grand Vizier that so soon as he had made himself Master of Esseck that he should not stop there but should make Excursions round the Country ruining and destroying all with Fire and Sword but this Stratagem so well succeeded that the People and Country were freed of the Turks and the Ruin which they threatned The Siege being thus raised Lieutenant Colonel Lyon was dispatched with the News to the Imperial Court which so much rejoyced the Emperor and the whole City that all the former sinister Successes of the Campagne seemed forgotten and fwallowed up in the Joy of this Action for which the Duke of Croy and General Staremberg were so cryed up that never any thing seemed comparable to this Stratagem and gained them not only the Fame of valiant but wise Generals This News was the more wellcome because it was surprizing and unexpected for the Town was so ill fortified that the Soldiers would never have been perswaded to hold out had not the Duke liberally distributed his Money in the Garrison and treated the Soldiers plentifully at the Rate of a Pound of Flesh and a Quart of Wine for every Day And indeed there was a necessity thereof in that moist Country which is nothing but marshy and wet Places and in that Season of the Year subject to Rain Fogs Frost and all extremities of the Weather Thus this Siege being happily raised Te Deum was sung in Esseck and all the Trenches of the Enemy being levelled the Duke committed the Command of the Town to General Staremberg and returned himself to Vienna In the mean time Prince Lewis continued his march for Zatmar where he arrived the first of December having been Complimented all along in his march by the States of Transylvania particularly at Enget where Thanks were particularly returned him for having delivered them from the Tyrannical Government of Count Tekeli Which poor Prince after many Difficulties being come into Walachia 300 Zecklers which had followed him did then Desert him but marching home without leave were pursued by some of his Troops and cut down in such manner that none of them escaped The Walachians also unwilling to have their Country ruined by the Rascians who designing to make their Winter-quarters there caused great Fears so that he laboured under perpetual Troubles and Hardships At Zatmar Prince Lewis was forced to continue for some Days for Refreshment both of his Soldiers Horses and Mules the which were so extreamly tired by their long Marches especially the Beasts which had carried the Baggage that they would not stir nor rise until they put fire under them In the mean time the Turks under the Command of the Grand Vizier's Son continued to over-run and spoil all the Country on the other side of the Theysse and sent a Summons to the Governor of St. Iob to Surrender the place to them but he answered That the Place being a Fortress belonging to the Emperor of which General Nigrelli had the Keys he was not capacitated to comply with their Desires Hereof News being brought to Prince Lewis at Zatmar who had not with him above 2000 good Horse the Enemy being 15000 strong did not think himself in a Condition to fight them but sending to Colonel Schick who with his Regiment was quartered near Zolnock and to the Hussars who were in those parts to joyn as speedily as they could possibly with him and to put themselves into a posture to meet and fight the Enemy Whilst things were forming and contriving for this Action a certain stout Fellow who used to go out upon Parties named Kis Ballad had a Rencounter with the Tartars in the Parts adjacent of whom he killed 100 and took 50 Prisoners Of this Body those that escaped carried News to the Turks and Tartars that the Prince had quitted Transylvania and lay encamped near Zatmar upon which Advice 12000 Turks made an Excursion into that Country But Prince Lewis having now got together 4000 good Horse adventured to seek the Enemy and on the 20th of this month came to Claussenburg where two Days before the Turks had been and summoned the place to make a Surrender but the Summons being rejected the Turks having burned the Suburbs returned to Enget and in their march passing in sight of Claussenburg they burnt and destroyed all Places in their way and attacked the Foragers and advanced Guards took some few German Prisoners with the loss only of about 50 of their Men and so marched directly towards Temeswaer But Prince Lewis having been joyned by General Nigrelli with 2000 Horse by which and his own he made a Body of 4000 well armed and accoutred he pursued them so closely at the Heels that the Enemy entirely quitted Transylvania with the greatest haste and confusion imaginable and falling in with their Rear cut down about a 1000 of their Men took three pieces of Cannon with a great many Camels and Horses and most of their Baggage and hasting away with all the speed possible more in the Nature of a Flight than a Retreat they at length arrived at Temeswaer but with much diminution of their numbers caused by toilsome and long Marches and the excessive Colds in the Night whereby some were frozen to Death and others seized by Catarrhs and Rheums which made them uncapable of farther Service After this the Island of Orsoua surrendred to the Turks for want of Ammunition the Governor upon the Articles granted desired to be conducted to Belgrade not knowing but that it remained still in the hands of the Germans and tho' the Turks told him the contrary yet not believing them he still persisted so earnestly to be Convoyed to Belgrade that the Turks at length
their Winter-quarters were drawn over to the opposite side where joyning with those of Buda they encamped at Souseberg Whilst these Troops were drawing together a Party of Rascians surprized and took Titul in which they found 400 Turks and put them all to the Sword. In this interim General Veterani received Intelligence That 300 Ships laden with Provisions under the Convoy of 4000 Men were speedily designed from Widin to Belgrade for subsistence of that place and hereupon the General sent Orders to the Colonels Pohland and Antonio to intercept them in their passage These two Braves having joyned their Forces making together 4000 Men lay in wait for the Enemy about two days and on the third seeing them begin to appear they drew their Forces so close together that they seemed not to make above 400 Men in all The Turks contemning so small a number detached a Party of 1000 Jannizaries to attack them which running upon them with fury and precipitation were so rudely treated by the Rascians that the Turks were forced to send a stronger Party to their assistance the which also were so bravely received that above 1000 Turks were killed on the place and many drowned in their retreat but the Ships betaking themselves to the other side of the River were saved Nor were the Rascians less fortunate some days afterwards having taken 400 Waggons laden with Ammunition and Provisions in their passage from Belgrade to Temeswaer besides several Prisoners amongst which were three Turks of good Quality Another strong Party of Rascians making an Incursion near Mitrovitz attacked Kathana Mustapha and killed 1500 of his Men on the place took several Prisoners four Guns and all his Baggage upon which the Turks quitting Mitrovitz the Rascians entered and possessed themselves of it These Successes being the Preludes to the ensuing Campagne were good Omens of a happy and glorious Victory the truth whereof will speedily appear by what is to follow before the Conclusion of this Year By all the Misfortunes which had attended the Turks in this War it was believed not only at Vienna but concluded as well in England as in all parts of Germany that the Turks were become weary of the War and that there was nothing now wanting to beget a Peace but a good Mediator acceptable to both the Emperor and the Sultan The Turks had already given Proofs of their Inclinations to a Peace by the Ambassadors which contrary to the Custom of the Turks and which had never been practised before had sent their Ambassadors in a manner to supplicate Peace with the Emperor and who remained still in the Imperial Dominions tho' confined to the Castle of Puttendorf in the nature of Prisoners the which was excused by the Austrians by the constant practice of the Turks who had for the most part Imprisoned Ambassadors or put Guards upon them at all times when their Negotiations succeeded not or that Propositions were offered not very pleasing to the Grand Seignior But be it how it will it being now evident that both Parties had need of a Peace no Princes appeared capable of the Office of Mediation but only William King of Great Britain and the States General of the United Provinces being both Friends to the Port and to the Emperor and his Allies About that time Sir William Trumball sent by King Iames II. to reside Ambassador at Constantinople being recalled Sir William Hussey one of the Members of the Turky Company was Elected by that Company according to their Privileges to reside Ambassador at the Ottoman Port And being afterwards presented to His Majesty King William to receive His Royal Consent and Confirmation he was accepted by His Majesty and received his Commission and Instructions accordingly by which he was appointed in the Name of King William and Queen Mary to Offer unto the Sultan Their Majesties Mediation For better effecting of which Sir William Hussey was appointed to take a Journey by Land to the Ottoman Port and in his way to call at Vienna there to receive such Directions about Treating this Peace as should be delivered him by the Emperor the King of Poland and the State of Venice then in an Alliance together Sir. William Hussey not leaving England until the latter end of the year 1690. and having his Lady with her Women in his Company he arrived not at Vienna until the beginning of the Winter when the Danube being frozen up and no passage without great danger by Land and the Instructions according to the slow Motions of the Imperial Court not formed nor delivered to the hands of Sir William Hussey until towards the Spring he arrived not at Adrianople till the Month of Iune wherâ— the Grand Vizier was still remaining and preparing for his march with the Army towards Belgrade But before he departed he first gave Audience to Sir William Hussey the English Ambassador at which little passing besides Ceremony no Judgment could be made of the Viziers Inclinations to a Peace whose Thoughts were taken up with the Contrivances for the War for the Turks being resolved to try the fortune of the following Campagne would not much hearken to Proposals of Peace especially being offered with an Uti Possidetis that is to make short work That both Parties should be contented with what they had in Possession and so an Amnesty to pass What the Vizier had in his Mind he was not willing to declare but by the Sequel it appeared that he resolved to Fight and to adventure his own Life with the Fortune of the Ottoman Empire on the hazard of a Battle esteeming it more glorious to die in the Field than poorly and meanly in a private Chamber by a Cord applied to his Neck by the Hands of two Executioners With these thoughts the Grand Vizier proceeded to Belgrade to Head the Army which was full of Hope and Assurance of Victory under the Auspicious Conduct of this Kuperlee Son of Old Kuperlee and Brother to that Prudent and Moderate Vizier who subdued Candia and put an end to the Venetian War which had lasted for 27 or 28 Years for the Turks attribute more to the Fortune of a Man and of his Family and the Stars under which he is Born than to his Wisdom Conduct and Experience And for this reason the Turks so often change their Ministers doing as Gamesters do with their Dice and Cards throwing them away in hopes by this Change to change their Fortune In this manner as we said the Grand Vizier marching hastily away to the Frontiers the Business of the Mediation went not forwards but this great Work being at a stand Sir William Hussey proceeded to Constantinople which hath for many Years been the usual place of Residence for the English Ambassadors On the 18th of this Month of Iune Sir William Hussey made a Solemn Entry into the City being met on the way by at least 50 of the English Nation all well and bravely mounted on Horseback
so altered on a sudden the manner of Traffick in Buying and Selling that none of the Copper-Money would pass in Payments under three or four for one by which Artifices and Projects he kept up and secured the Government to himself for some time To which we may add one thing more which reconciled the Minds of the Mufti and of the Ulama and Religious Votaries to him For whereas his Predecessor who was a Man of a Gentle Moderate Spirit and not so Cruel and Barbarous as this had granted Licences to the Christians to sell Wine by which a considerable Revenue arises to the Grand Seignior This Vizier to show his Hatred to the Christian Religion issued out most strict Proclamations against the use of Wine making it Death either to Sell or Buy or Drink it which much affected the Hearts of those who were the most Superstitious and Hypocritical and gained him great Credit in general with the Musselmen or Mahometan Believers About the time that the Persian Ambassador made his Entry into Adrianople and received his Audience of the Grand Seignior Count Tekeli arrived there also attended with 30 Officers of his own Creatures and Confidents he entered with great State and Pomp and was conducted to his Lodging in the Palace of Isaac Efendi where the greater Honours were shown him by the Instigation of the French Ambassador The Day following being conducted to his Audience with the Grand Vizier he appeared very Rich and Stately in his Habit wearing after the Hungarian Fashion a large Plume of Heron's Feathers on his Head the bottom of which where they were fixed being set and studded with Precious Stones of great Value he staid above an Hour in Conference with the Grand Vizier being treated with Caresses and Kindness beyond the Manner which is usual amongst Turks After which he received a Coftan lined with Sables as is given to the greatest Pasha's and with him 15 of his Officers were also Vested at this Conference Tekeli advised the Grand Vizier to provide two great Armies one to act on the Frontiers in Hungary and the other in Transilvania After this Audience which Tekeli had with the Grand Vizier the French Ambassador having first obtained License for the same from the Vizier made him a Visit at which the usual Ceremonies passed with great Protestations of Friendship and Promises of Assistance from the King his Master The Turks were very uneasie all this time during the Abode of the Persian Ambassador at the Ottoman Court least he should discover as we have said the Weakness of the Turks in Hungary and the Commotions of the Arabs against the Ottomans so that every thing was Whispered and Concealed with all the Secrecy that was possible and accordingly what Letters came either from Hungary or the Eastern Parts they were committed to some of the Renegade Christians to be read who having been Educated in all the Learning of the Seraglio were capable to Interpret them and being confined within those Schools had no means of Conversation with People without the Seraglio Tekeli and the Tartar Han having finished their Business at Adrianople and agreed on all the Methods they were to act for the ensuing Campaign they were dispatched away the first towards Hungary and the other to the Crim. It being now time to prepare and provide for the War several Changes and Alterations were made amongst the Officers The Captain Pasha was put out of his Office and the Treasurer of the Grand Seignior's Private Cash was put in his Place a Person wholly ignorant of Maritime Affairs but preferred as an Old Servant and for his Merits in other Employments and his Predecessor Missiroglu who had been always bred up a Seaman at Tripoli in Barbary was ordered for Hungary as was also the Chimacam of Constantinople The Aga or General of the Janisaries had also been deprived of his Office and being a Man of good Esteem amongst the Soldiery many adhered to his Party which began to create a strong Faction amongst the Soldiery to prevent the increase of which many Officers amongst the Janisaries were secretly Strangled in the Night whereby all those Plots were overthrown which were designed to promote that General of the Janisaries who had the Esteem for his Courage and good Conduct to the Sublime Office of Grand Vizier by which the Christians received a considerable Prejudice he being a Friend to the Peace and an Enemy to the French. But to keep the Turks fixed and steddy to the War the French Ambassador assured the Turks That his Master the King had dispatched already from France 200 Officers expert in the War who might arrive in very few Days and that amongst them were some famous Engineers skilful in throwing Bombs and Granadoes and making all sorts of Artificial Fire-works And moreover he assured them That every Day he expected two Men of War laden with Bombs and Arms and all sorts of Military Instruments with some Thousands of Muskets to Arm the Janisaries Moreover this Ambassador offered the Port in the Name of his Master to maintain three Regiments of Janisaries and to Cloath them all in Blew Vests but this piece of Generosity looking too mean and disagreeable to the Grandeur of the Turks was refused with some Indignation and Disdain Howsoever the French Engineers upon their Arrival were accepted and Enrolled amongst the other Gunners over which the Master of the Artillery was a Turk The Spring coming now forward great Preparations were making both by Sea and Land for the approaching Campaign At the Arsenal the new Captain Pasha was very diligent to forward the Naval Preparations of which twelve great Mahoones or Galleons and two new Galleasses were preparing with six new Frigats besides the Gallies belonging to the Beys of the Archipelago which are commonly 36 in number Moreover great Quantities of Bisket and Ammunition were preparing to be sent on Saicks by the Danube for the use of the Army Nor were the Preparations and Recruits for the Land Army neglected for a Door as they call it was opened for making Janisaries of which they pretended to form for this Year 25000 and to have a greater Army this Year than they had the last before the Battle of Salankement in which the Turks were the more animated and made to believe better of their own Condition than it really was by the Applications which the Christian Ambassadors made to Mediate a Peace believing that neither the Emperor nor the Venetians would press so hard for a Peace were they able to maintain the War. But what gave some stop to the Warlike Preparations were the Factions amongst the Turks themselves by which the Mufti was suspended and sent into Banishment and a Pitiful Decrepit Old Fellow who had been Imaum or Chaplain to Old Kupriogli put into his Place of whom we have given a Character before and that he was unconstant in all his Resolutions The Persian Ambassador still continuing
that should the Garrison be German or Rascian it would be too much exposed without any possibility of Relief the General Rabutin resolved to Slight and Demolish the Place and accordingly he gave all up to the Flames And on the seventh Day so soon as the Cannon were carried away it was put in to execution which was soon effected by the great Numbers of Country-men and Peasants employed upon that Work and the same Morning the Camp was removed nearer to the Palancha The Particulars of Men Killed and Wounded in the Assault of Vypalanca GERMANS Killed Men 10 Wounded Men 87 Horses 26 Horses 21 Of the ARTILLERY Killed 0 Wounded 1 RASCIANS Killed 4 Wounded 18 Found in the Place 16 Ensigns exposed round the Town 63 Turkish Prisoners and 32 Women 11 Pieces of Cannon of Copper carrying from two to eight Pound Ball. 200 Granadoes for the Hand some Powder and some few other Warlike Arms. About 200 Bushels of Grain with some Flour of Wheat Besides which all other things were given up to the Plunder of the Soldiers Besides which there were above 1000 Pieces of Rock-Salt which were brought from Valachia These Successes which the Christians had gained over the Turks in all Places through the whole Course of this Year 1697 put them into a kind of Despair of being any more Victorious but rather to yield to the Hand of God and to fix a Period to the Limits of their Empire which they believed by the Providence of God was no farther to be extended These Thoughts put all the Great Men and Governors of the Ottoman Empire into such a Melancholy that contrary to their usual Humour of Pride and Vain Imaginations of Riches and Enlargement of Empire as if the Ottoman Arms were never to be weakened or brought low all the Powerful and Warlike Men together with the Sultan concluded That after such a Series of Misfortunes both by Sea and Land God frowned on their Enterprises and would no longer favour their Martial Proceedings And therefore that until such time as God's Anger against them was appeased there was no safety but in a Happy Peace to be Negotiated by the only true Allies of the Ottoman Empire namely the Great King William of Great Britain and the Most Potent Lords the States General of the Low-Countries or United Provinces for whom at that time namely for the first the Lord Paget was then Ambassador at the Port and for the latter was the Heer Colyer both of them Persons qualified by their Offices and long Experiences in the Turkish Affairs to become Mediators and Ministers for their Powerful and Puissant Masters in Treating a Peace of the greatest Importance of any that hath happened in this or in the preceeding Age unless it be the General Peace in which all Christendom was so nearly concerned What farther moved the Turks to desire and promote this Peace was their Ill Successes at Bassora where that Pasha whom we have formerly mentioned had carried for some time all before him and tho' the Persians had often promised their Assistance to the Turks for Suppression of that Rebellion yet nothing was acted by them in reality until the Grand Seignior and the whole Government became sensible that nothing was to be expected of good either by War or Peace but by their own Negotiations in pursuance of which the Mediation so often offered was at length accepted and put into execution at the beginning of the Year 1698. Anno 1698. THIS Year was happily begun with a Resolution on all sides to make the Peace Howsoever at the beginning thereof things looked very frowningly without that gentle Prospect which is commonly the Fore-runner of a Peace For at the beginning of this Month three Aga's were dispatched from Adrianople to the Chimacam of Constantinople with Orders to facilitate their Passage into Asia by the most Expedite Posts that could be formed howsoever in their Passage they entered into Conferences with the Chief Ministers at Constantinople giving them to understand That they had Orders to Summon the Tartar Han to appear in Conference at Adrianople with the Sultan Mufti and Grand Vizier whose Opinions and Resolutions were at first to continue the War which they declared themselves very able to do for tho' it was true that they had lost the best part and the most flourishing of their Janisaries and Infantry yet their Cavalry was almost entire and able to Engage the Enemy with an Advantage and were able to form a better Army this than the last Year The Tartar Han declared That he did not fear the Muscovites so much as he did the Cossacks and the Poles but of them they are in no great Apprehensions neither for that the French Ambassador had promised and assured them That the Prince of Conti should so disturb the Affairs of Poland that no danger needed to be feared from that People And now to strengthen these Proposals the Sultan decreed That new Contributions should be required over all Asia and Men of great Authority were sent with Bands and Troops of Segmen and other Militia to raise the Money by force and power Orders were also sent to the Chimacam of Constantinople to put the Forges of Constantinople at work for founding great quantities of Cannon And that the Maritime Affairs might not be neglected Mezzo Morto was continued in the Office of Captain-Pasha or Admiral with Orders and Instructions to fight the Venetians Thus all things looked as if nothing had been intended besides a War. Howsoever the Great God of Hosts in whose Hands remains the Balance of Peace and War having designed otherwise and at length to give repose and rest after so long Wars to the Nations of the Earth was pleased in his Divine Providence to direct a Conference in the Month of May between the Great Vizier the Tartar Han and the Mufti at Adrianople who having considered of the many Difficulties under which the Mahometan Religion and the Ottoman Empire laboured gave it as their Opinions to the Sultan that there could be no safety to either but in a Peace for which they produced many Reasons but none of greater force than that for this Year no Assistance could be expected from Asia nor was it possible to recruit in one Years time the lost Body of the Janisaries which is the Nerve of the Ottoman Militia in which Opinion the Chimacam of Adrianople called Mustapha Pasha who had formerly been Grand Vizier concurred with the others and all of them joyning together in the same Opinion made their Applications to the Sultan giving him to understand That having duly considered of this important matter nothing seemed so necessary as a Peace which God had now pleased in his Goodness for the Comfort and Relief of the Mahometan Cause to offer unto them The which Declaration and Counsel of these Great Men made to the Sultan took so much amongst the People that the Report flew like Lightning and in five Days time was divulged almost
known to the Turks and other Nations of the World. It being now resolved on all sides to make the Peace the Mediators who were to manage the Treaty were nominated and appointed and the most proper Persons esteemed to be the Ambassadors from England and Holland both of which having never been Engaged in the War on any of the sides but had always been true and ancient Friends to the Port the Turks could have no Objections to alledge against either nor had the Christian Princes any cause to suspect the Faith and Friendship of two such Ambassadors whose Offices and Persons were acceptable to the Turks and not displeasing to the Christians The Names of these Ambassadors designed to this so Necessary and Most Honourable Employment were the Lord Paget Ambassador for William King of Great-Britain and the Heer Colyer Ambassador for the Lords the States of the United Provinces All Matters being now ripe for Action and a willing mind for Execution the Turks moved with their Camp on the 11th of Iune 1698. commanded by the Grand Vizier the Grand Seignior still remaining behind in his Tent and with them also moved the two Ambassadors with their Equipages And to put every thing into a good posture and a way of Dispatch the Lord Ambassador's Secretary was dispatched away a second time as he had been the first on the 10th of May for Vienna from whence he returned on the 5th of Iuly to Sophia where on the same Day he there met with the Lord Ambassador Paget to whom he Communicated the good News of the Happy Inclinations of the Emperor and that Court towards the Peace But that no delay should be made therein the same Secretary was again dispatched away to hasten the Emperor's Ambassadors to the Place appointed and agreed upon for the Treaty and to procure and bring with him Passes and safe Conducts for the Turkish Plenipotentiaries who were the Reis Effendi Chief Chancellor or Secretary and Maurocordato who was the principal and first Interpreter to the Grand Seignior These two Persons together with the Lord Paget and the Dutch Ambassador set out from Sophia before the Camp on the 15th of Iuly and on the 24th they had passed 10 Hours beyond Nissa and on the 31st they arrived happily at Belgrade The Ambassadors remained at this place for the space of two Months that is of August and September the which passed soon away in regard that the Expectations of Peace had so filled Mens Hearts that nothing was heard in all Places but the Voices of Peace and Joy in all their Quarters At length the Month of October being entered the Proclamation of Neutrality was first published at Peter Waradin to the great Pleasure and Satisfaction of all People both Christians and Turks and afterwards at Belgrade On the 9 19th of October the Lord Paget and the Dutch Ambassador left their Camp near the City raised on an Eminence where was a good Air and a good Prospect over the Countries round about and upon the same Day early in the Morning they passed the Save a River which runs from Bosnia and falls into the Danube at Belgrade where it loses its Name In passing this River this Order was observed First went an Allai-Bey or the Marshal of the Show with about 50 Horse Then 60 Chiauses on Horseback A Guard of Janisaries being about 330 Men all on Foot. An Aga belonging to the Ambassadors with his own Servants and six Domestick Janisaries After which followed two Flags one with the English Coat of Arms and the other was a large Red Cross in a White Field Thenfollowed the English Ambassador's 6 led Horses covered with very richFurniture followed by the Gentleman of the Horse to my Lord Ambassador attended by a Giovane di Lingua or a young Druggerman or Interpreter Then came up the two Interpreters attending His Excellency the Lord Ambassador on each side of his Horse and they attended with two Heydukes in their own Country Habit and on both sides 10 Chiohadars or Servants who carry the Cloaks or Vests of the Great Men in White Vests with their Carbines on their Shoulders The Brother to the Lord Ambassador road afterwards with six Chiohadars Then followed the Secretary and Doctor with two English Gentlemen one from Aleppo and the other from Tripoli Also six Pages with the Lord Ambassador's Coach with a Turkish one which went before the Common Servants who marched all on Horseback two and two At their Passage over the Bridge of the Save which was lined with Janisaries three Guns were fired from the Castle and the Gallies Saicks and the Frigats as they passed fired each a Gun. About half the way to Semblin the Chiaus and others whom the Vizier had sent along with them made a Halt and having wished a good Journey to those whom they conducted returned back About an Hour after these Matters had passed the Dutch Ambassador followed and was used with the same Civility as those preceding The Emperor's Ambassadors because they sent Passports to the Turkish Ambassadors Signed by the Emperor's Hand desired to have others Signed by the Sultan But because it was considered that this exchange of Passports would take up a great deal of time the Mediators found out and agreed upon this Expedient That the Proclamation being made in both the Emperors Names no Passports should be delivered either from the Germans to the Turks or from the Turks to the Germans but that a Pleni-power should be given to the Midiators to grant Passports to People who were going up and down within the Limits of Neutrality agreed on both sides So the German Ambassadors resolved to go to Carlowitz within three Days time tho' their Wooden Houses were not arrived as yet The Mediators also agreed upon the same and to place themselves so that their Doors might be over against each other at a good distance whereby the Turks remained wholly on the Belgrade side and the Germans towards Peter Waradin The 11 21st the Venetian Ambassador arrived at Futack but the Muscovite Ambassador after their unthinking manner came directly the same Day to Peter Waradin without giving the Governour Notice of his coming by which Neglect of the Moscovite no Salutes were passed on him of which he complained to the Governour but that was easily answered by saying That he knew nothing of his coming down the River and therefore hoped to be excused In fine To Accommodate this Matter it was agreed That the Boats of the Moscovites should remove from the place where they first Landed and by a Signal given by the Ambassador's Trumpets the Guns should be fired which was done both from the Castle the Town and the Fleet. On the 15 25th of this Month of October the Turkish Ambassadors arrived at two Hours distance from the Tents of the Mediators but both sides having considered that the Days being short and that at such a distance from the Quarters of the Plenipotentiaries much time would be spent and lost in
Islands of the Archipelago and of those Seas shall remain in the State they were before the beginning of this last War in the possession of the Sublime Empire and the Republick shall not pretend from 'em any Duties or Contributions or any thing else introduc'd in the time of the present War. VII For the time to come the Sublime Empire shall not pretend from the Republick of Venice or from the Inhabitants any Pension pass'd or future upon account of the Island of Zante The Island of Egina with its Fortress being adjacent to the Morea and in possession of the Republick of Venice shall in its present State remain in the Possession and Dominion of that Republick VIII In Dalmatia the Fortresses of Cnin Sing Ciclut and Gabella being at present in the Possession and Dominion of the Republick of Venice shall remain in the quiet Possession and Dominion of the same but because the Limits ought to be put into such a Form that Possessions may be distinguish'd and the Subjects of both Parties rest in Quiet and Tranquillity and that they may not come to any sort of imaginable Difference which might Disturb the Peace of the Confines it is agreed that a streight Line be drawn from the Fortress of Cnin to the Fortress of Verlika and from that to the Fortress of Sing and from that to the Fortress of Duare call'd Zadveria and from that to the Fortress of Vergoratz and likewise from that to the Fortress of Ciclut and Gabella a streight Line shall be drawn and thus the Confines shall be separated so that within the Lines towards the Venetian Dominion and the Sea all the Lands and Districts with the Castles Forts Towers and inclos'd Places shall remain in the sole Possession and Dominion of the foresaid Republick and the Lands and Districts which shall be without the said Line shall remain in the Possession and Dominion of the Sublime Empire with all the Castles Forts Towers and inclos'd Places that are there and for the time to come no sort of Encroachment Extension or Restriction on one side or other shall be permitted And the said Lines according to the nature of the Place shall be made plain and manifest by the Boundaries either of Hills or Woods or Rivers or Currents and where the place won't afford the evidence of such Marks there shall these Distinctions be made by Ditches or Pales or Pillars as shall be agreed by the Commissaries of both Parties by common consent design'd for this purpose and that these Fortresses might have in the Front of 'em a convenient space of Territory The Commissaries shall assign a quantity of Land of about one Hour about three miles to the Fortresses of Cnin Verlika and Sing Duare and Vergoratz and Ciclut to be measur'd either in a right or semicircular Line according as the Convenience and Circumstances of the Land will permit the Fortress of Cnin shall have its Flank towards the Parts of Croatia even to the Confines of the Caesarean Dominion without any prejudice to those Three Potentates the Boundaries of whose Dominions terminate thereabouts but the Rights accorded to each of these Three Governments by this Universal Peace shall always be observ'd The soresaid Line shall be observ'd by each Party but if in the Neighbourhood of it or within it there happens to be any Fortress belonging to the Sublime Empire which just behind it has an entire Territory belonging to it then shall it enjoy from the Front the quantity of Land of an Hour Circumscrib'd within Semicircular Circumference and as to the Fortress of Ciclut that shall likewise have from the Front a Territory of one Hour and in the Flank besides that Line the space of two Hours of Land to be measur'd by a right Line to the Sea. And in this Form and by this Regulation the Confines distinguish'd and the Limits settled and the Lands of each Possession separated shall be inviolably observ'd and without any alteration and if any one shall have the Boldness to violate these Marks for Boundaries or commit Trespasses on these Limits and even Officers that shall be wanting of a due Care in punishing Delinquents shall be severely punish'd as well on one side as on the ' tother And in Case the Commissaries shall meet with any Difficulty which they can't Agree they shall truly and sincerely inform their Patrons to the end that by the good Offices of the Representatives to the Fulgid Port of their Caesarean and Britannick Majesties and of the High and Mighty States General of the United Provinces the matter may be amicably determin'd and from any such like Difference about the Confines no Hostilities shall ensue nor shall the peace of the Subjects be disturb'd nor shall it be interpreted to break the Peace concluded with the Sublime Empire IX The Territory and Districts of the Signory of Ragusa shall continue joyned to the Territories and Districts of the Sublime Empire and all Obstacles shall be remov'd that may hinder the Continuation and Communication of the Lands of the said Signory with the Lands of the foresaid Empire X. All in the Neighbourhood of Cattaro Castelnuovo and Risano that is actually in the possession and Dominion of the Republick of Venice shall remain in the peaceable Possession and Dominion of the said Republick with all the Lands appertaining and this same is to be understood of any other Fortress on that side being now actually in the possession of the said Republick And the Commissaries that shall be appointed on one side and the other shall be Men of an Experienc'd Probity that they may without partiality and prejudice equally decide this important Affair And here two Separations shall be made by evident Signs that all occasions of Disturbance may be remov'd but good notice is to be taken that the said entire Continuation of the Lands of Ragusa be not interrupted XI The Distinction of the Limits on both sides in Dalmatia and about Cattaro being to be set on foot as soon as ever the Season will permit the Commissaries design'd for this work giving previous Advices they shall indeed have a Military Attendance but a peaceable and quiet one of equal number on each side and by the help of God they shall enter upon this Office on the day of the Equinox of this instant Year viz. 12 2â— March and shall in the foresaid Places use all their Diligence in distinguishing and separating one Confine from the other that they may with Expedition finish the matter in two Months and sooner if it be possible XII As the Continuance of the Friendship and Quiet of the Subjects on both sides is earnestly desir'd so ought those to be equally abominated who carry'd on by their own ill Disposition or Custom do in the time of Peace with Robberies and other hostile Acts disturb the Tranquillity of the Confines therefore no Reception nor Encouragement shall be given to these Banditti of what sort soever by either Party but they shall
for to consiâ—er of the slate of Candia Result of the Council The Conditions of Peace The War began in April 1645. Candia delivered The News brought to the Grand Signior at Negropont The Venâ—tians as Suda Serini and the Nobles of Hungary offer themselves to the Turk The G. Signior returns to Salonica and â—unts Sir Daniel Harvey his Majesties Ambassadour hath his Audience of the Grand Signior The G. Signior delights solely in his Queen The Vizier takes a survey of the whole Isle of Candia The Vizier departs from Candia and arrives at Scio. The Great Vizier perswaded to drink wine The Souldiers and other Turks drink Wine to excess A digression about Opium â—he Command against Wine The difference about Verpogly Mamut Pasha dyes A new Conference of the Com missioners Sultan Orchan put to death by his Brother A nâ—w Residâ—nt sâ—nt â—rom Genoua The Conspirâ—cy of Serini Frangipani and Nadasti The Turks deliberate of a War. The Câ—uâ—â—s of the Wâ—r witâ— Poland The unseasonable Address of the Moscovite Ambassadour The Alexandrian Fleet taken by the Malteses The Poles refuse to pay their promised Tribute The Rebels in Hungary renew their Petition to the Turks for assistance The rage of the Turks against Poland The French Ambassador obtains licence to travel The Turks resolve on a war against Poland The Poles pass the Neister The Prince of Valachia â—â—rried by â—is own Souldiers to the Poles The Prince of Moldavia revolts The Turks overthrow Chusaein Pasha imprisoned The King of Poland dies 1674 A Iourny into Tartary Kemenitz relieved Mahomet Pasha sent with a Fleet of Gallies into the Arches The Turks secludeâ—heir Conquest The difference between the Latines and Greeks at Jerusalem War with Tripoli Civil War at Tunis in Barbary The happy state of the Ottoman Court. The great Festivals in what manner celebrated at the Turkish Court. The manner of the Marriage of the Grand Signior's Daughter The Teâ—terdar put out of his Office. Ways for raising Money The Chimacam of Constantinople his Steward cut off The Trade of Genoua A Besasleen and new Custom-house and a Royal Chan built at Smyrna The G. Signior returns to Constantinople Conjectures concerning the reasons of the Grand Signiors return to Constantinople The History of Soltana Sporcha The Grand Signior returns again to Adrianople The Death of the Viziâ—r Achmet His Character Kara Mustapha â—â—de Vizier Alterations with the new Vizier The French force the Tripolins into the Haven of Chio. The Grand Seignior highly offended thereat But is appeased Fauâ—evil The Plague rages in Hungary All the Ministers of the Port contribute to the War of Hungary as also the Ladies Masse d'armes March 31. The Emperour and King of Poland make a League Offensive and Defensive Tekely breaks the Cessation May 3. Iune 3. Iuly 7. Iuly 8. 11. 12. 13. 14. 17. Leopolstat 25. 26. 27. Aug. 1. Aug. 22. Estani Aug. 24. Iun. 27. The Siege of Buda The Venetians declare War against the Turks St. Maura taken As also Prevezâ— And Narenta in Dalmatia The Poles take the Field Go into Winter Quarters The Cossâ—cks assassinate their General The state of the Ottoman Empire Newheusel besieged by the Christians Iul. 7 th Is taken by Assault Iul. 30. Gran besieged The Battel of Gran. Aug. 15. Gained by the Christians Esperies surrendred October 6. Novem. 25. Count Tekely betrayed by the Bassa of Waradin Caschaw surrendred Iuly 28. Aug. 9. Count Lesley burns part of the Bridge of Esseck The Affairs of Poland Aug. 11. Novem. Attempts for Peace prove fruitless Ian. 1686. Feb. 12. Disorders at Constantinople Ian. 23. The Christian Army Rendezvouz's at Barkam May 30. 1686. Iun. 10. The Siege of Buda The Castle is blown up Oct. 20. 1686. Oct. 22. No. 3. Disorders at Constantinople The Affairs of Poland Iuly 14. Iuly 24. Aug. 8. The Wars of Venice March 26. Iune 17. Navarino surrendred Iul. 7. Iuly 30. Aug. 6. Napoli di Romania surrendered Aug. 31 Mar. 18. Apr. 28. Sept. 23. O navis referent in marâ— te novi fluctus Hor. 14. Ode Lib. 1. Tacit. l. 3. An. Mâ— Esperati che gli hanno eche cominciano ad effere in veneratione c. Machi c. 6. del Prencipe The largeness of the Turkish Empire Qui libertatem publicam nollet eum projectâ— servientiuâ—â— patientiae tedebat Tac. Spahees the Turkish Horse * A Shout used by the Turks when they fight Bolzac de la Cour leur sterlleâ—e fait manudire leuâ— elevation Cardinal Richâ—â—â—u Magnaque est comitum aemulatio quibus primus apud principem suâ—s locus Principani cui plurimi acâ—rrimi cometes Haec dignitas hae vires Magno semper electoruâ— juvenum globo circundari in paâ—â— decus in bello prâ—sidium Oda signifies a Chamber The two Odaes Cloathing and other necessaries Their Retirement Bed-chambers Horsmanship Tâ—â— Dart or Gâ—rit The degrees of Successions greatly observed Dan. 6. An Asper is about the value of an Halfpenny Which signifies a free command * The great Character of the Emperor's Name affixed at the top of every Command Moldavia The word Vayvod signifies as much as Praefectus Militiae or the General of an Army It s Annual Tribute The Price of the Principality Every Oke is two pounds and an half English. The Tributaries of Georgia and Mengrelia The Marriage of a Pashaw with a Sultana The reason why Ahmet Pasha late Vizier sucâ—eded his Father Kuperlee in the Govâ—â—â—ment Lib. 1. â—usâ—eque Ep. 4. de Leg. Tur. Turkish History in the Reign of Bajazet the fourth King of the Turks Essay 29. Lib. 6. Apoth Essays Rom. c. 1. De Vita Agric. De Hâ—rusp responsis The Audience of Ambassadours Lib. 2. ann Grot. lib. de Jure Belli Pac. Tac. lib. 6. * Now called Rodesto Rom. 13. Mosselman sigâ—ifies a â—eliever and so tâ—e Turks call tâ—â—msâ—lvâ—s 2 Chapter so called The Wise of Mahomet so called That is when the people are called to Prayers from the Steeple Haietti Isi. Sephati Kadari Ebnol Athir Mr. Pocock de Moribus Arabum Iabari Morgi Waidi Chap. Chawarigi * One of the vulgar or râ—de sort amongst the Arabians †One of a noble family amongst the Arabians That called Zeidi is one of the latter edition Derived from the Moatazeli Malumigee Mezzachulia Iabaiah Kadezadeli Chupmessahi Muserin Potures a people of Bosna Their Superiuor Their Postures Their Cloathing Their Fasts Their turning round Their Profession Their Employment Ilahi Vid. Chap. 20. l. 1. Pocokii nota de Arabum moribus Ceremonies at the Circumcision Epist. 3. Lib. 12. Hist. Mr. Pocoâ—k Notae de Arabum moâ—ibus * Called in Turkish Mal-Mukarele †Gebegi * Topzi * In Turkish Tabl. Alâ—m †In Turkish Seratker Note Zaims is the person and Zaimets the Land for maintenance of the Zaim 80 Aspers makes a Dollar or a Piece of Eight * About 100000 Dollars at Cairo †Called Embra borc * In the month of Feb. 1664. Comparison of the
Poland proposes enquiries concerning the State of Gran. The Description of Gran. The King of Poland declines the Siege He is persuaded to it by the Duke of Loraine The Disposition of the Christian Army in the Camp before Gran Theâ—r Apâ—roaches The Besieged accept Conditions The Castle Surrendr'd Thanks returned to God. The Christian Army drawn into Winter-quarters Leventz taken Esseghet Probens and other places taken The Forcâ—â— of Lituania with the Duke of Loâ—ainâ— Sâ—tzâ—n tâ—ken 〈◊〉 the Poles The King of Poland and â—is Aâ—my return home Several Castles belonging to the Malecontents submit The Grand Vizier excuses his Misfortunes before the Grand Seiâ—nior And is acquitted The Queen Mother Dead Tekeli comes to the Gâ—and Seignior The Janisaries demand the Head of the Vizier His Death resolved TheVizier's Death The Mutability of the Turkish Court. Soliman Aga. Kara Kaia made Vizier The Vizier proposes Peace Disliked by the Grand Seignior A defensive War intended ASeraskâ—eâ— appointed The Soffraw granted to the Christian Ministers The Venetians declare War against the Turks The Moscovites inclinable to enter into the League 1st 2dly 3dly 4thly 5thly 6thly 7thly 8thly 9thly 10thly 11thly The Reasons which the Venetians had to make a War. Aids from Italy Some of the Malecontents fall off to the Emperor Their ill Condition A General Pardon Several revolt from Tekeli Tekeli puts forth an Act â—f Pardon Count Humanai put to Death The King of Poland recalls his Forces Tekeli Writes to the Pope The Seraskier comes to Belgrade The Turkish Army Fears from France That King makes a Truce with the Emperor The Siege of Buda intended Vicegrade The Crown of Hungary Hailewell Vicegrade battered And is stormed and taken The Casâ—l is also surrendred The Turks fall on the Baggage before Gran. Are put to flight A Fight near Witzen The Tuâ—kâ— are defeated Pest set on Fire by the Turks The Christian Army repasses the Danubâ— July The Seraskier Assaults the Christians He is repulsed and flies July The Siege of Buda formed The Pâ—sâ—â— of Marâ—â— ovâ—rtâ—râ—â—â— The Venetians prepare for War and noâ—â—nate their Officers Rendezvous at Corsu Santa Maura Summons sent to Santa Maura The Batteries The Turks parly and surrender Preveza attacked Preveza Surrendered Tâ—e Auxiliary and Venetian Forces return to their Winter quarters The Vizier of Buda slain He is succeeded by Shitan Ibrahim The Character of Shitan Ibrahim Sallies from the Town A Fight before Buda A Sally from the Town An Assault on lower Buda The lower Budâ— and Castle taken Two parties of Turks Deâ—eated Virovitz Surrendred The Proceedings at the Siege of Buda The illCondition of the Besiegâ—rs Sept. Sallies from the Town Summons sent to the Town The Vizier Answer His Cruelty The Christians make an Assault and are repulsed The ill Conâ—ition of the Leagueâ— Sallies made by the Turks The Vizier's Orders to the Seraâ—kier The Duke of Loraine Marches after the Seraskier The Bavarians advance their Works The Besieged take a Boat with Provisions The Seraskier endeavours to raise the Siege A Sally ouâ— of the Town A Sally out of the Towâ— Thâ— Serâ—skier â—eâ—ires The Difficulties of the Siege The ill Condition of the Christian Camp. Octob. The Christians receive a great Loss A Sally from the Town upon the Bavarians Alarums given The difficulties of gaining the Town Consultations about raising the Siege Nov. The Siege raised The Tartars take the Island of 〈◊〉 Andrews Ill Accidents after raising the Siege Winter-quarters assigned Vuâ—zia Attacked Five hundred Christians put to the Sword. Barsfeldt taken Aâ—d Stropko The King of Poland 's Actions this year Jazlowits taken A party of Tartars defeated The Turks censure of the Poleâ— And of the Venetians The Pasha of Candia put to Death The State of Christendom The Elector of Bavaria Marries with the Emperor's Daughter The Emperor's want of Mony. Treaties with the Princes of the Empire Auxiliaries of the Emperor The Pope gives Assistance The Turkâ— prepare for War. 〈◊〉 Tuâ—ks Foâ—ces at Sea. The Mosaip Admiral Lâ—vies made in Europe and Asia The Turks propose a Treaty A Chiaus sent to Vienna He is sent back A miserable Plague and Famin. 〈…〉 Newhaâ—sâ—l A Convoâ— brought thither Other Convoys Successes of Tekâ—â—â— Espeâ—ies Gutta taken * Five English Miles Successes of Colonel Heusler A party of Malecontents defeated The Pasha Erla and Novigrad strangled A Convoy sent to Relieve Esperies taken Another Convoy defeated The Turks slight the Poles The Poloâ— and Tartars Treat The placâ— of General Renâ—â—rvoâ—â— The Forces oâ— the Circles Care taken to supply tâ—e Army with Provision May. Newhausel streightned Ungwar taken Schultz â—orced to leave the Town A Council of War called June The state of Buda Novigrode Filse Letters delivered to the Duke of Loraine The Siege of Newhausel resolved Preparations thereunto July Heusler beats A Party of the Enemies Horse The Town Surveyed The Form of the Siege resolved and described The Swedes come to the Siege The Trenches enlarged The Siege formed Newhausel The Batteries make a Breach Leisly attends the Motion of the Seraskiers The Town on Fire A Sally from the Town The Ditch filled with Rubbish The difficulty of draining the Ditch Galleries prepared They are burned The Galleries and Batteries burnt The Elector of Bavaria comes to the Camp. The Turkish Army near Buda Their motion observed Strigonium besieged The Order of the Christian Army They are met by the Garrison of Vâ—câ—grade The Turks Civility to that Garrison A Relation of the Siege of Strigonium The two Armies in sight of each other The Christians Retreat And are followed by the Turks A Battle begun The Turks defeated The loss which the Turks sâ—staineâ— All â—â—ingâ— ready for an Assault upon Newhausel An Assault made The Town is taken The dismal Condition of Newhausel The illCondition of the Turkish Army The Expedition of Count Lesly to the Bridge of Esseck The Turks near Esseck defeated Esseck Taken by Count Lesly Esseck burnt Schultz before Esperies Capitulations made The German Soldiers belonging to the Garrison endeavour to Plunder Provisionâ— and Ammunition iâ— the Town Cassovia Caprara Besieges Cassovia Peterhasi relieves Cassovia Cassovia surrâ—ndred The Morlaques The Mainiotes The Mainiotes worsâ— the Turks Duare besieged and relieved The Venetian Fleet and Auxiliaries The Fleet Sails to Coron Coron described The Venetians land their Men and open their Trenches The Turks march to relieve thy Place Siaus Pasha Tâ—e Pasha of the Moâ—â—â— fortifies his Camp. Mines prepared Orders for an Assault The Turks take a Forâ— from the Venetians La Tour killed with many other Knights of Mâ—lta They regain the Fort. The bravery of the Forces of Malta 1685. Aug. The Venetians annoyed in their Trenches An attempt resolved on the Turkish Camp. The Turks defeated The Boâ—ty taken Preparatiâ—ns for a new Assault Aug. 11th A Mine sprung An Attack on the Venetian side An Attack on the side of Malta A Parly offered Coron taken by Storm Morosini applauds the Valour of his Officers The
for Protection into the Christian Dominions In short his Tyranny and Negligence in the Government hath exterminated the People and reduced this Garrison to utter Ruin where at present are scarce Three hundred Persons to be found And in fine he is a Tyrant and unfit to Govern with an absolute Authority One day I adventured to Begin a free Discourse with Achmet Aga the Bearer hereof touching all these Miscarriages in presence of Osman the Zagargibashee Governour of this place who therewith was so offended that he laid his Hand upon his Dagger and would have killed me I know not more what to say since it is the Will of God And I hope That what I have here declared will be kindly and graciously interpreted And so referring all to your Prudence I remain Mustapha Kadi of Alba Regalis Given at Alba Regalis in the Month of Ianuary 1688. The truth of these Matters was confirmed by a Christian who had lately made an Escape out of Alba Regalis with this farther Addition That the Commanders of that Town were so grievously importuned by the Garrison and Inhabitants that they were resolved to dispatch another party of Turks amongst which was one Ali Aga a subtle and dexterous Person who had been often a Prisoner and with one Wribech a Renegado with Instructions to represent the State of their Affairs at Belgrade and to hasten the desired and long expected Succours Besides which the Turks were not wanting with all Diligence Subtlety and Money to provide what Sustenance they were able an occasion for which in a short time offered unto them For Colonel Bisterzi Commander of Palotta designing to furnish Zioccha with some necessary Provisions laded four Carts therewith and dispeeded them away under the Guard and Conduct of Twenty four Musquetiers of which the Turks being informed by a treacherous Person detached that very Night a Party of Two hundred Men to lie in wait in a Neighbouring Wood attending the passage of the Waggons which so fortunately succeeded that they surprized them and brought them with Twelve Musquetiers of their Convoy into Alba Regalis About this time another Regenado arrived safely in the Town from Belgrade who gave new Encouragement to the Commanders to hold out with assurance that before he came away the Seraskier had already provided great abundance of Victuals and Money under a strong Guard which was on their way towards the City And moreover he reported That there were other Succours coming to them from Constantinople under such a powerful Convoy as needed not to fear the German Troops who being sensible of their own Weakness had abandoned part of their Conquests as Illoch Peter Waradin and other Villages both upon the Save and Danube so that the Turks having a free Passage had laid their Bridges over the Save and Drave designing not only to relieve Alba Regalis but likewise Sigeth and Canisa The News which this Messenger had brought was soon afterwards verified by an Incursion which some Troops detached from the Regiment of Norcheim had made into the Neighbouring Woods year 1688. into which they had no sooner enter'd than they found themselves assaulted by a strong party of Turks who cut off the Heads of divers of those who were too far advanced howsoever the rest made their Retreat good by the Assistance of the Governour of Possega who came in to their assistance at which time also Seven thousand Turks passed the Save who rifled all the Villages round and carried away the People The Imperial Court being seasonably advised hereof took immediate Counsels to prevent and obstruct the Succours designed for Alba Regalis and to secure the new Conquests from returning again into the Power and Dominion of the Enemy To which end Orders were dispeeded from the Counsel of War to the Regiments quarted in all the adjacent parts about Pesth to prepare themselves for a March the like Orders were given to the Regiments of Palfi and Staremberg as also to some of the Bavarian Troops quarter'd in the Counties of Strana and Liptona Moreover Marshal Caprara received the like Orders to cause all the Regiments under his Command to March which lay on the Confines of Croatia And the like positive Commands were dispatched to the Governours of Croatia And to all of them Orders were sent to make their Rendezvous in and about Oseck so as to be in a readiness to oppose any Attempt of the Turks and to obstruct their passage over the Drave and prevent their making Semblin a place and Magazine of Arms by which means all the designs of relieving Alba Regalis Sigeth and Kanisia were disappointed In the mean time Tekeli not being informed of the Surrender of Mongatz but supposing it to be much straitned and in a Condition not to hold out much longer wrote a Letter to his Princess which was intercepted wherein he directs her to provide in the Articles of Surrender that his Goods and princely Coronet with those Writings and Commissions given by the Sultan in his favour might be preserved and permitted to be carried with her and that for her self and Family she would do well to dispose of her self and them in Poland but by no means to commit her Person into the Hands of the Germans or to abide in any part of the Upper Hungary But Tekeli hearing that these Orders came too late and that the Place was already yielded being full of Anger and Rage he studied all ways possible to Revenge himself wasting and consuming all those fruitful Fields and Countries in the parts adjacent as far as Great Waradin near unto which he had fortified himself with some Thousands of Men in a certain Village called Thelegh where General Heusler had some times beaten up his Quarters And at length on the 6 th of February year 1688. passing the River Kerez over the Ice with a strong party of Horse he fell upon him in his very Trenches with such Bravery and Success that Tekeli was put to Flight leaving Six hundred of his Men dead in the Field and Four hundred Prisoners taken amongst which was one Genay a Chief Captain and second in Command to Tekeli himself together with Twenty other Officers This Success was followed by another of the like nature For Tekeli having detached a Party into the County of Zatmar to gather Contributions and forcing the same with Fire and Sword put the poor People into a most miserable Terrour and Consternation flying from place to place for Refuge and Protection Upon advice of which General Heusler hastned with a Party of Horse encouraged and flushed with the late Victory happily encountred the Tekelites as they were carrying away the Spoil which they had distrained for Non-payment of Contribution but they not daring to make a stand quitted their Horses and their Booty and saved themselves in the Thickets of a neighbouring Wood. At the same time General Carafa was by order of the Emperor dispatched into Transilvania
to settle matters in a better state then before And being come to Hermanstadt he was informed that the German Troops were not provided and accommodated according to Agreement whereupon he dispatched a resolute Message to Apafi and the States of the Country giving them to understand that in case better Provisions were not made for the necessary Quarters of the Soldiers he should be forced to take such Measures as were most adequate to the present occasion Apafi considering that Carafa was resolute and not to be opposed in his Demands made a vertue of necessity and sent his Chief Minister Telecky the most esteemed and most honoured Person of the States and Nobility unto him to make him a Complement with all the high Expressions of Submission and Compliance In pursuance whereof the General took into his consideration the particulars of the several Quarters and thought fit to advance the Allowance one Third more than what hath been agreed in the former Treaties And having made some alterations amongst the Officers belonging to certain Imperial Garrisons he fixed his own Head-Quarters at Hermanstadt as being not only the strongest Garrison but the most proper and convenient place from whence he might most easily succour and relieve the other Quarters as occasion served The Name of the Germans was become now so dreadful over all Hungary that many strong Fortresses at the first appearance of the Imperial Forces surrendred themselves as did Halmet a Castle on the Frontiers of Transilvania encompassed with a deep and broad Ditch and furnished with Draw-Bridges and Garrison'd by Turks yield up it self to General Magni who proceeding forwards in his March took in the Fortress of Felsiat with as much ease and facility as he had done that of Halmet by which means he brought above Two hundred Villages under Contribution and excluded the Turks from all Communication with the parts of Transilvania All things being setled in Transilvania to the satisfaction of the Emperor Baron de Pace was detached with Three Regiments and reinforced with some other Troops under General Saurau with Orders to march towards Stephanopolis a Frontier Garrison of Valachia to prevent the designs of that Despot in case he should attempt any thing to the prejudice of the Emperor But the Imperial Court being sufficiently satisfied that the Despot had no other but sincere intentions to preserve his own Dominion and benefit Christendom His Imperial Majesty was pleased to send the Bishop of Nicopolis unto him giving him to understand that he should receive his gracious Assistance in all his designs and that he would cause the Succession of that Principality to descend upon his Son acknowledging only that Homage which from ancient times was paid to the King of Hungary Whereupon the Despot sent an Envoy to General Carafa at Hermanstadt to receive Orders and Instructions in what manner to behave and govern his Affairs In the mean time the Turks in Alba Regalis finding themselves without all relief and no returns made to those Messages which they had dispatched by various ways began again to be very mutinous and unruly towards their Governors howsoever they still held out resolving as yet to hearken unto no terms which should be offered them by the Enemy Notwithstanding which the Marquess of Baden who was President of the Council of War for his Imperial Majesty being commanded to pass from his Government of Iavarin or Rab unto Ratisbon there to reside as Plenipotentiary for his Imperial Majesty at that Diet did think fit before his departure to regulate some Affairs within his Jurisdiction and particularly to appoint Count Ricceardi accompanied with an Interpreter and a party of Hungarian Horse to view and observe the State of Alba Regalis and to try if he could incline and persuade the Turks to surrender but they being quite of another humour not being reduced as yet to the utmost point and extremity of Famine cryed out with a loud Voice that they would maintain their City to the last drop of Blood and even to more violent necessities than those of Agria Ricceardi returning with this report to Giavarin the Marquess of Baden issued out new Orders to straiten the Town with more rigour and closeness than before and not only reinforced the Castles of Palotta Zioccha and Schambegh warning them to be more diligent and watchful for the future to prevent all Communication between Alba Regalis and the Neighbouring Villages and to make the Blocade more formal General Batthiani was not only commanded to march into those Quarters with his Hungarian Troops but likewise caused them to be reinforced by some of the Militia belonging to the Circles of Franconia and other Troops under the Command of Count Erdeodi Lieutenant-General at that time of Giavarin Moreover the Marquess of Baden before his departure disposed the March of the Militia and ordered their several Quarters in parts adjacent to Oseck there to oppose the passage of the Enemy over the Drave After which all matters being well ordered with excellent Methods and Rules of Government the Marquess took Post for Vienna where having received Instructions from the Emperor for better Government of his Presidency at Ratisbon he proceeded thither and there he held several publick and private Conferences for the better Regulation of the Military Affairs for the Ensuing Campaigne In the mean time Recruits were made and Horses provided to Remount such as wanted them and whilst it was doubted Whether the Elector of Bavaria could be present in Person to conduct his Army this Year into Hungary upon a jealousy that the French would fall into the Palatinate yet the Treaty was concluded for the Bavarian Troops to continue in Hungary and serve with their best assistance to forward the Progress of the Imperial Arms. Mareschal Caprara commanding now in Chief in Hungary provided Oseck with all things necessary for their Subsistence and gave Orders to those Captains who commanded upon the Save to provide great Numbers of Boats and Barges and Floats for making Bridges over that River and as occasion served therewith to Transport Provisions and Materials for War. The Turks on the other side had also Erected another Bridge for the better security of Bosnia and assembled at Costanovitz on the River Unna with design to make Incursions into the Confines of Croatia but that Country was so well guarded and defended by the vigilance of Count Erdeody the Banno or Chief Governor thereof that all attempts of the Turks on that side were wholly disappointed and defeated And farther to render the Actions of the Turks fruitless and ineffectual in Sclavonia where they had made Provisions of Victuals and Ammunition and had laided therewith Lighters and Barges to supply their smaller Garrisons on the River Save Baron de Tunkel was dispeeded with a Detachment of Two hundred Horse and a Regiment of Dragoons with some Haiducks to oppose the intentions of the