he could put on a mild and engaging Aire when he pleas'd His Serraglio follow'd him every where and he gave himself up to his pleasures in the midst of the toyles of war but he was melancholy and cruel in the height of his pleasures killing sometimes with his own hand his Favourites and his Mistresses in the heat of his debauchery so soon he alter'd from love to choler and fury He also committed these cruelties sometimes in cold blood more out of Policy then transportation And it is reported of him that when he reproach'd the Souldiers for effeminacie and slackness in discipline certain among them taking the boldness to hit him in the teeth with a young Grecian whom he passionately lov'd he caus'd her to be brought forth and to be by them beheld at leisure whereupon when the Souldiers dazl'd with her beauty agreed that the Emperors passion was not without good reason Mahomet immediately striking off her dead with his Scimitar laid her head at their feet to let them understand that Pleasure was not his Master and that whatever proneness he had to it he lov'd nothing beyond his duty He was brought up by his Mother in the principles of Christianity instructed by Maximus Patriarch of the Greeks However he only made profession of the Mahometan Religion or ratherhe had no Religion at all laughing at his Prophet and regarding less the Alcaron then the Gospel He freely confess'd that the Christian Law was an admirable Law but he so much abhorr'd the Christians that when he met with one he was alwaies wont to wash his hands and mouth as if the very sight of a Christian had defil'd him He thought all things lawful to obtain his ends and never kept his word but when it stood with the conveniencie of his affairs For he pretended that he ow'd no respect to any one and treated all men like slaves not considering that he ow'd to himself the fulfilling of the word which he had giv'n to others and that the laws of fidelity oblige the Masters as well as the Slaves Yet was he just to his Subjects and administer'd justice equally to all his people He thought much spoke little neglected nothing inform'd himself of all things and disguis'd himself often to see what pass'd in his Serraglio and in his Army He understood several Languages and several Sciences amongst the rest Astrology which he study'd very much He was a lover of learned men and excellent Artists of any Nation whatever Magnificent toward the one and the other Observing no moderation in reward no more then he did in punishment Indefatigable he was in war a contemner of danger resolute in bad fortune insolent or moderate in prosperitie as occasion requir'd cunning to conceal his enterprises and discover those of his enemies Artificial in his management making use of the vilest means to compass his ends but ambitious to excess accounting all his conquests as nothing and still every day proposing new to himself So predominant was the love of honour in him and Alexander the great so much his model that he read his life continually which he caused on purpose to be translated into Arabic and he did him the honour to imitate him even in his vices When Mahomet had taken possession of the Ottoman Empire after the death of Amurath his Father he was presently for an universal Monarchy and first he undertook to subdue the Empire of the Greeks He began his military expeditions with the seige of the Capital notwithstanding the peace which he had made with Constantine Paleologus Emperor of Constantinople or rather it was under the protection of a peace solemnly sworn that the Barbarian turn'd his armes upon that side In regard Constantine had made no provision against an attempt which he did not mistrust and for that the succour which he receiv'd from the King of Arragon the Pope and the Republick of Venice came too late he could not sustain the force of so great an Army so that the City was carri'd by assault by the Infidels notwithstanding the resistance of the Christians Never was seen a more tragical spectacle than that which was then beheld They made a most horrible slaughter every where nothing escap'd the fury of the Souldiers Women Virgins of qualitie were publickly defil'd and afterwards inhumanly massacred The Images reliques of the Saints were cut to pieces The Resemblances of Christ thrown to the dogs and the great Crucifix dragg'd about the streets with most dreadful acclamations and imprecations Constantine rather chose to dye in the defence of his Crown and faith then to fall alive into the hands of the Barbarians His head was carried upon a Lance round about the City and that there might not any footstep remain of the family of the Paleologi Mahomet caus'd the Princes and Princesses of the Blood-Royal to be slain in the midst of a magnificent Banquet whereat he treated the Principal Officers of his Army The taking of Constantinople cast a terror upon all the East and oblig'd the Despote of Servia the King of Cyprus and the Emperour of Trebizond to sue for the friendship of the Turk Which they could not obtain but upon paying a certain Tribute as the Islands of Scio and Meteline did The Knights of Rhodes would not stoop to any such dishonourable condition and though Mahomets Ambassador threatn'd the Knights with all that could be expected from a Potent and Victorious Prince if they refus'd to pay him 2000. Duccats a year the Grand-Master answer'd with a generous Christianity That the Order of Rhodes acknowledg'd none but the Apostolick See which knew not what it was to pay Tribute and that for his part he was resolv'd rather to dye a thousand deaths then to suffer in his time that the Government which he had receiv'd free should become tributary and that if Mahomet made war against the faith of Treaties he hop'd that God who is the revenger of injuries and impieties would defend his own Worship against all the Ottoman Power In regard the Knights were fearful least so fierce an Answer might provoke Mahomet they made it their business to provide against so formidable an enemy But because the Society was then poor and not able to maintain a long war of it self they thought it their best way to engage the Christian Princes to their side especially the King of France upon whom they lookt upon as the best friend of their Order The Commander D'Aubusson was chosen for this Embassage out of all the Commanders of the French Nation Not only because he had a particular knowledge and dexterity in managing affairs but because he was known to the Court of France He departed from Rhodes at the time that James de Milli succeeded John de Lustic Grand-Master of the Order and arriv'd in France a little after the Cardinal d'Avignon whom the Pope had sent thither to encite the French against the Turk The Embassador of Rhodes was entertain'd
concern'd the honour of the order and the General Interest of Christendom that his person should not be expos'd to the Assassinates of Bajazet he orderd that the Knight de Blanchefort should take as many Knights as he pleased for the Guard of Zizim commanding strictly those that were nam'd to obey him without any more to do declaring withall that such as should be bound to attend upon Zizim should enjoy all the prerogatives of Residence and precedency as if they had stay'd at Rhodes THE HISTORY OF Peter D'Aubusson Grand Master of RHODES Book Fifth WHILST Zizim had a private and obscure life in France one Bajazett almost unknown till then appear'd in the world resolv'd to take advantage of the divisions of the two Ottoman Brothers He was their Uncle being the Brother of Mahomet and Son of Amurath After the loss of Constantinople he was taken by the Christians in his Infant years and carry'd to Rome in the Pontificat of Nicholas the fifth who took care himself of his Education The Instructions which he receiv'd were not altogether unpofitable For he renounc'd the law of his fals Prophet and became a Christian He apply'd himself afterwards to the study of humane Learning and as he wanted not wit he perfectly attain'd the Latine Language But Nicholas the Fift being dead he left Italy to travell into Germany There he was well receiv'd and the Germans lookt upon him as a person that might be useful to them in their Wars against the Turks After he had stay'd sometime in the Emperor Fredericks Court he went into Hungary and there settl'd himself not dreaming to raise his fortune any higher for the example of the brave and vertuous Matthias made so little impression upon him that he only minded his repose and pleasure in the Court altogether Warlike and altogether Christian But the Quarrel between Bajazet and Zizim which made such a noise over all Asia and Europe awak'nd him out of that dream wherein he lay and rous'd his ambition by causing him to remember his birth The flight of Zizim begat in him a desire to make war against Bajazet He revolv'd in his mind that having but one enemy to deale with he might without fear dispute for the Empire but at the same time he thought there was no way for him to compass his design but by the assistance of the Knights of Rhodes And he had a belief that infallibly he should attain his ends provided he could engage the Grand Master to his side To this purpose he wrote to him a long Letter in Latin Wherein he first declar'd himself the only heir to the Ottoman Crown as lawful Son of Amurath pretending that Mahomet was but his bastard then he spoke of his great feats of arms like a true Knight errant and because the Christian world might not be so well inform'd he referr'd the Grand Master to the Turks for a clearer understanding of things But the Turks knew him not so well as the Christians for he was carry'd away so young from Constantinople that it was impossible for him to have done any thing remarkable in Turky At last he highly extold the services he could do for Christendom and the information he could give the Grand Master touching several important secrets of affairs advising him not to let slip so fair an opportunity earnestly desiring his speedy answer The letter was written with his own hand but as if he had the management of all the business in the world he concluded that it was writ in haste They were not convinc'd at Rhodes of Bajazett of Hungaries reasons That Braggadochio stile wherewith he thought to win the assistance of the Knights was in part the reason why they refus'd it him On the other side the Grand Master who had a tender love for Zizim and was loath to embroil himself with the Port took no care to listen to the Propositions of an Adventurer of whom he had no knowledge and to who he had no engagement so that this new Actor soon return'd to that obscurity wherein he had alwaies liv'd and which he so much the rather deserv'd because he had sought too late to quit it The Grand Signior took it the most kindly in the world that he had behav'd himself in that manner and as a mark of his acknowledgment he began from that time to pay him the forty thousand Duckets which he had promised him The first payment was made by Vssambei one of the Principal Officers of the Port. He was sent expresly to Rhodes with order nevertheless to go for France under pretence to thank Charles the Eighth for receiving Zizim into his Territories but indeed to learn certain intelligence of his Brother However Bajazett fearing lest Vssambei should find some obstacle in his Embassy conjur'd the Grand Master that he should give him letters of recommendation for France But the Grand Master did not think it enough to write to the King He was resolv'd that the Hospitalier of the Order should accompany the Turkish Embassador to be his Guide and to introduce him into the Court. And indeed Vssambei was better receiv'd than Zizim had been for the complements of Bajazett highly pleas'd the French In the mean time the war of Terrara rais'd many combustions in Italy and was meditating to have brought the Infidels into Italy For Hercules D'Este became so proud through the Alliance of Ferdinand King of Naples who had giv'n him his Daughter Elenor in Marriage that he loftily scorn'd the friendship of the Venetians which the Dukes his predecessors had alwaies highly sought for He came to that degree of contempt that he usurp'd their Lands abus'd their subjects not considering the kindnesses which he had receiv'd from the Republick when after the death of his elder Brother the Son of his other Brother took up Arms to have depriv'd him of his Dominions The Venetians could not brook the loftiness nor ingratitude of the Duke of Terrara They rais'd puissant Armies against him and leagu'd themselves again with the Pope who was displeas'd with the King of Naples both because that Prince had retain'd in his service about four hundred Turks of the Garrison of Otranto and because he took little care in his Kingdom of the duties of the Holy See Ferdinand sent Alphonso Duke of Calabria to the succour of Hercules his Son-in-law of whom the Common wealth had got great advantages Alphonso had already pass'd the Mark of Ancona and was advancing with his forces toward the Terraras's when the Colonna's and Cavelli who were risen up against the Pope invited him to joyn with them in the Compagna of Rome Robert Malateste who commanded the Army of the Republick was soon at his heels gave him battel and absolutely defeated him Which Victory fill'd the Venetians full of hopes and undertakings but while they ransack'd the Ferraresi and were going to make themselves Masters of Ferrara the Pope of a suddain abandons them whether he were gain'd by the
to Sigismund touching the Valour of the young French Gentleman engag'd that Prince to give him publick marks of his esteem and acknowledgment But Aubusson not only attracted the praises and favours of the Emperour by his first exploits in War for he also gain'd his good will and kindness by his carriage near his person and the care which he took to please him Sigismund was endu'd with all the noble Qualities of a great Prince Besides that he was valiant wise religious he lov'd Learning in particular and had a great value for learned men whom he preferr'd upon all occasions before persons that had nothing to recommend them but their Birth He was himself learned perfectly well read in History He understood and spoke the Latine tongue as he made it appear at the Council of Constance by the testimony of Gerson Chancellour of the University of Paris who was present there and was charm'd with the last speech of that Prince For that reason he could not endure ignorance in his Courtiers and would say sometimes that he was asham'd of the Electors who had not the least tincture of Learning Though Aubusson were endu'd with a Martial soul and that the love of war overswayd his Inclinations yet had he a disposition and a Genious for Learning He had a quick and piercing wit a happy memory and a solid judgment So that it was no difficult thing for him to conform himself to the humour of the Emperor having in a short time fitted himself for all manner of addresses After he had study'd the languages as much as was requisite for a Souldier to know he apply'd himself to the understanding of all the noble sciences He learnt the Mapps the Mathematicks and above all the rest that part with concernes the Art of war But History was his Principal studie He made a kind of business Exercise of it reading more to instruct then divert himself For he was not contented to charge his memory with great names and strange Accidents as many do that read but he still made Judicious reflections upon what he read proposing to himself as examples to follow the actions of men Illustrious Above all things he examin'd the lives of great men and making advantage of their Vices as well as of their Vertues he became a Master to himself for the governing his own Manners Whatever love he had for reading and what ever pleasure he took in it yet he study'd the world more then books and above all the world and all books the Emperor As he had a free access to his person and was with him every day he was able to observe nere at hand his Maximes his words his actions and all his behaviour But among all the Vertues of Sigismund he was taken with none more then his Zeal for the Christian Faith of which he shew'd so many real marks not only in the Councils which he upheld by his authority and presence but also by the wars which he undertook against the Infidels Thus the Court which is usually the corrupter of youth was to Aubusson a school of wisdom and vertue Where besides the love which it taught him to have for learning and to make a sound judgment of things he acquir'd Integrity and became a man of Vertue and Repute With such noble Inclinations as these he might easily pretend to great employments in a Court where Justice was done to merit And certainly he had attain'd thereto as much a stranger as he was had not his Fortunes been overturnd by the Death of the Emperor Albert Duke of Austria who succeeded Sigismund had not for Aubusson those kind thoughts as his predecessors Whether it were that he did not naturally love the French or whether the Favors of the deceas'd Emperour provok'd his hatred of a stranger Aubusson quickly percev'd that the Emperor had got a new Master and that the best course that he could take was to be gone But though that Consideration might not have prevail'd with him to quit Germany yet his duty would have oblig'd to return to France The Treaty at Arras for the accommodation between the two Kings of England and France not taking effect as it was hop'd the War broke out again between the two Kings So that there happ'nd divers sieges and divers fights with more heat and animosity then ever The English made great spoil in the Provinces of which they were not Masters and the French divided among themselves committed as great violences every where so that what between a Forraign and a Civil War joyn'd together the whole Kingdom was full of confusion and horrour This was the stare of the Affairs of France when Sigismund di'd and that Aubusson forsook Germany to come and serve his own Country John D'Aubusson Lord of Born his Cousin-German and Chamberlain to Charles the seventh brought him to Court So soon as he came there his proper person his sparkling countenance his noble Air attracted the eyes of all upon him but his prudent and honest carriage his wit his politeness his pleasant conversation gain'd almost the hearts of every one In regard he was of the County of Marche and younger Son of the Vicounts of that County the Count of Marche Governour of the Dolphin shew'd him great respect and did him the honour to be his Patron This Relation which Aubusson had to the Count gave him opportunity often to wait upon the Dolphin who was almost of Age. He obtain'd his love being so happy as to share in the exercises and divertisements of the Prince He had also the good fortune to please Charles the seventh who saw in him at first sight something that was great and not common But it was not long ere 〈◊〉 shew'd by his actions that what we conceiv'd of him was not without good ground He signaliz'd himself in a high measure at Montereau Faut-yone whither he attended the Dolphin who commanded at the Siege The King who had been himself a witness of the valour of Aubusson when he carry'd the City by Assault making his entry a little while after into Paris commanded his attendance upon him to Court with the chief of his Nobility This Entry was one of the most magnificent that ever was made And it may be truly said to be the first day that Charles began to reascend his Throne Several Cities follow'd the example of the Capital and those that stood out were for the most part reduc'd by force Aubusson every where gave signal marks of his Courage but upon one occasion he made it apparent that a young Warriour might be as well prudent as cunning At what time the power of the English abated in the Kingdom that of the fair Agnes increas'd at Court. As she was wonderfully charming and one that understood better then any woman of her sex how to govern her Lovers she obtain'd in a short while an absolute Dominion over the King But according to the custom of women whose credit arises from their
after an extraordinary manner either because the Court had a great esteem for him or because they had a design to keep him in delay He saw through the gentleness and caresses which he receiv'd which way the Court stood affected toward the holy-Holy-war The King would not undertake it by any means whether he thought his Kingdom too much exhausted to defray the expence of a war that might prove of a long continuance or whether he minded nothing but his Repose after his past toiles or that the Charms of the fair Agnes had cool'd his zeal which he formerly had for the interest of the Church or whether it were that he would not submit to the inclinations of his Son who was retir'd male-content to Philip Duke of Burgundie the most zealous of all the Christian Princes and one that had declar'd himself so much an enemy of the Turk that he solemnly swore to make war upon them The Cardinal Legate who was a Frenchman and very understanding ing in affairs appli'd himself wholly to effect this Negotiation After many Conferences in vain with the publick Ministers he treated at last in particular with the King not being able to obtain any thing Calistus being advertis'd of the Kings disposition writ to him very sharp Letters threatning him at length with the Thunderbolts of Rome and the Malediction of Heaven if he refus'd the holy League Those Letters wrought no effect if they did not make it worse The King was incens'd at the Popes threats and not perswaded by his reasons In such a ticklish conjuncture there appear'd no probability of hopes for the Commander D'Aubusson However he ceas'd not to act and in regard that besides the character of an Embassador he had other good qualities which made him esteem'd by the King and his Ministers he was heard more favourably then the Legate He represented at first that Christendom was never in more eminent danger and that there was nothing which we had not to fear if the Progress of the Infidels were not quickly stopp'd that Mahomet since the taking of Constantinople aim'd at nothing but Rome that he was fall'n into Hungaria to enter into Germany with a purpose to make his way that way into Italy That it was one of his maxims that as there is but one God in Heaven so there could not be but one Monarch upon Earth That he had been constrain'd to raise his siege before Belgrade because he had not taken the right course and for that he had been wounded himself but that his misfortune had no way disincourag'd him that he was one of those great men that make the best advantage of their errors and misfortunes or rather that he was like the fiercer sort of Beasts who when they have receiv'd a wound and feel their blood begin to flow are never more furious till then That since his ill success in Hungary he had drawn to his side the Soldan of Egypt the Caraman and the Tartar and that he would return with fresh forces to the siege of the Belgrade and that his Generals who had tak'n almost all the Isles in the Archipelago would soon powre their fury upon Rhodes In short that those two Ramparts of Christendom being forc'd not any of the Dominions of the Christian Princes could be safe either by Sea or Land Aubusson afterwards represented to the King that being the eldest Son the Church he could not forsake their interest without dishonour to himself That as for the transportment of the Pope it was but a transportment of zeal and that his good intentions deserv'd the pardon of a few sharp expressions He added at length that because there were in Rhodes more Knights of the French then of any other Nations in the world the Monarch of France could not in justice dispence with succouring the Island at a time when it lay only in his power to do it That Alphonsus King of Aragon so wise and so brave before he came into Italy was not only effeminated by the delights of Naples but embroyl'd with Pope Calixtus who though a native of Arragon had refus'd to give him the investiture of the Kingdom of Sicily and to assure the succession to Ferdinand his natural son That Henry King of Castile as poor spirited and more vitious then his Father had business at home and abroad and that his Rebellious subjects found him as much work as the Moors of Granada his Neighbours and Enemies Thas Henry of England was not Master at home and that the Duke of York who had usurp'd the Government minded nothing but to sustain himself against his Rivals That the Emperor Frederick liv'd an idle life minding neither his own honor nor the safety of Christendom That besides the war grew hot between the Empire and Hungary and that Ladislaus at the same time was to make head against the Emperor and the Turk That civil dissentions turmoyl'd all Italy and that the Kingdoms of Sweedland Danemark were full of troubles Christiern had been set up in the place of Charles whose irregularities and crimes had render'd him unworthy of the Crown That Alphonso King of Portugal quiet enough at home wanted not a good will but that all he could do was but very little if a Prince more potent then himself did not assist him That thus France being the only Kingdom in Europe that enjoy'd a true peace it was only from France that they could expect relief sufficient to ruine the designes of the Port and for that reason parhaps it was that Heaven had freed it from the power of the English All these reasons propounded after a smart and insinuating manner made a deep impression upon Charles's thoughts That Prince who was so averse before to the Holy-war began to desire it and awaking from the profound sleep wherein his pleasures had lull'd him he only follow'd the motions of his Piety and Courage He gave liberty to Cardinal D'Avignon to leavy a tenth upon the Clergy to defray the expence of the war he entred into a League against Mahomet with Hungarie and that there might be no question of his faithful inclinations he confirm'd the League by the marriage of Magdalene of France his Daughter with King ' Ladislaus As for the Knights he promis'd them all assistance and immediately caus'd sixtie thousand Crowns in Gold to be paid to the Embassador of Rhodes Aubusson lay'd out that mony for provisions of war according to the orders he receiv'd and freighted away Ships laden with Canon Armes Powder and Lead Then he departed himself after he had collected most of the money which was due to the Order in several parts of Europe The success of the Embassie and the Letter which he presented to the Grand-Master from the King of France made him to be acceptably receiv'd by the Knights and all the people The Letter was very generous and very obliging For the King after he had only spok'n a word or two touching the gratifying of their desires
and excus'd himself for not having done more at the present juncture frankly engag'd himself to give them farther assistance and assur'd them of his friendship in very civil and affectionate language which Kings were not wont to make use of But whatever obligation the Order had to Charles the seventh the Spanish Knights could not forbear to deal very rudely with the French Knights at a general Chapter held a little after the return of the Embassador and which was no less famous for the attempts of Hostile Nations or enemies of France then for the number of famous Commanders that were present So soon as the Chapter war open'd the Knight de Linian Procurator of the Spanish tongue stood up and said aloud that they ought not to proceed any farther without decreeing one Article which he ought to propose and which was very important the publick tranquility To which purpose he requir'd that all the dignities of the Order should be equal and that there should be no distinction of Languages nor of precedency nor in any other marks of Honour He was seconded in his proposal by the Knight de Rivalta Procurator of the Italian tongue and the Procurators all England and Germany But the French who had alwayes match'd before other Nations oppos'd with all their might the Proposal of Linian and above all the Commander D'Aubusson who held a considerable degree in the Assembly by vertue of his title of Constable of Rhodes and Procurator of the Grand-Master The zeal which he had for the Honour of his Country made him speak louder and more earnest then the rest To shew how unjust the Proposition of the Spaniards was he declar'd in few words that the French being the first Founders of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem deserv'd such honour as should distinguish them from other Languages that were associated with them and which they had adopted That those particular honours being the recompence of their vertue it would be injustice to deprive them of them That their Predecessors had peaceably enjoy'd them without being ever molested or oppos'd That antiquity of Possession was a good Title for precedencie And that in a well regulated Constitution all Innovations were of dangerous consequence After all that it was not a time then to dispute of such matters and that they would incur the malediction of the Church according to the Popes Breif touching the celebration of the Chapter if they discours'd of any other matters then what concern'd the general good of Christendom The Spaniards and their accomplices often interrupted Aubusson and endeavour'd to carry by force what they could not obtain by justice But finding at length that the French party was the strongest and that they were not all hearkn'd to they flung out of the Assembly and afterwards departed the Town notwithstanding the prohibition of the Grand-Master so that this Affair which as the Spaniards pretended so much imported the publick tranquility was but a trick to divide and break up the Assembly But the Commander D'Aubusson had another occasion to stand up for the honour of France while he defended his own The news being brought to the Grand-Master that Mahomet was equipping out a great Fleet and that the Turks might attacque the Island of Rhodes the Knight Villemarin a Spaniard and a person of merit but ambitious and naturally turbulent propos'd in Council with much heat that he might immediately give order for all things necessary for the defence of the City and made a large recital of what was needful with all the marks of a sedulous care Aubusson who was Castellaine of the City and who besides that exercis'd the Command of Captain General in the absence of the Marshal of the Order fearing least Villamarin whose haughty and daring humour he knew should usurp the charge of Captain General answer'd him sternly that there was no want of power that he might set himself at rest for that and that he had nothing to do to intrude himself upon those duties that did not belong to him That it was the Captain General who was to take care for the security of the City That that employment anciently belong'd to the Auvergnon Tongue and that the Spanish Language bad nothing to do with it Villemarin made a semblance of submitting to his reasons and gave no reply at that time either to conceal his design or to give himself time to consider what he had to do But the next day having consulted the Knights of his own Nation which were return'd to Rhodes whose behaviour the Grand-Master had also pardon'd he appear'd at the head of them in Council and with an affected Air of modesty said that the Spanish Language did not pretend to the charge of Captain General but that he and all the rest of the Nation desir'd that they might have the opportunity to perform their duties to the utmost of their power as well as the French Aubusson who saw that this manner of proceeding was only a meer fetch and that the Spaniards under pretence of demanding the exercise of their duty had a design upon the Command it self repli'd with more sternness and vigour then before that the charge of Captain General was annexed to the dignity of Marshal of the Order that only belong'd to the Auvergnian Language of whom the Marshal was the chief to do the duties of it and that Spain had nothing to do to meddle with France as to that particular The Council adjudg'd that Villemarin's wariness was without any ground and the Affair was decreed in favour of the French to the disgrace of the Spaniards who in vain protested against all that was done in regard that their Protests could not be Register'd Notwithstanding the advantage which France had in these Contests that hinder'd not but that Peter Raymund Zacosta a Castillian was chosen Grand-Master in the room of James de Milli who dy'd at that time the Spaniards were also divided into two Languages the one Arragonian the other Castillian in favour of the latter of which there was a new Dignity created under the of Chancellor of the Order Yet neither the credit which the Spaniards had with the new Grand-Master nor the animosities which they had conceiv'd against the French could hinder but that the Commander Aubusson had alwaies his share in the management of Affairs and was highly honour'd by the Chapter General which was held at Rome To understand this part of the History it is convenient to relate the reason which oblig'd the Grand-Master to pass into Italy with the principal Knights at a time when it was thought that they ought not to have been absent The Negotiation of the Embassador which Mahomet sent to Rome to treat of peace or rather to lull the Knights asleep while his Arms were employ'd in other places having not taken effect the Grand-Master thought it convenient to lay up a bank for the War and began to levy the Tax which had been impos'd upon
Beauty she made but an ill use of the Kings Favours The Dolphin who was not naturally very docible could not endure a haughty and imperious woman who had but little respect for him On the other side the great Authority of Charles of Anjou Brother to the King of Sicily offended him extreamly He took it ill that a Prince for whom he had no kindness should have so great a share in the confidence of his Father So that the Favorite was no less a trouble to him then the Mistress But that which vex'd him most of all was that after the taking of Montereau where he fought so well against the English that in Courtship they applauded him for it before the King he had but a bad reception from his Father instead of the thanks which he expected For the King perceiving that this first Essay had puft up the mind of his son he return'd him under the Discipline of his Goverment and remov'd him also from the Court Whether he were jealous of a valour that made such a noise in the world or whether understanding the bad disposition of the Dolphin he thought this first success of his might transport him too far if he did not take care to curb him The Dolphin dissembl'd his dissatisfaction for some time but a young Prince once provok'd whose passions are violent and who never wants bad counsel is soon aweary of counterfeiting And therefore to revenge himself like the Son of a King he went and put himself at the head of the Rebellious Nobility The Count of Marche to whom the revolt of his disciple was no small dishonour omitted nothing that might reduce him to his duty Besides what he did himself he made use of the management of Aubusson whom the Prince lov'd and who had found a means to preserve his favour without confederating in the revolt Certain it is that the Dolphin was of a jealous ticklish disposition not easie to manage and one of those who are of that head strong obstinate humour that they are seldom to be recover'd when they have once fix'd upon their party But Aubusson knew him very well and understood which way to take him For he had those sweet and insinuating charms which are not incompatible with a fierce and fiery Disposition But above all he had a natural Eloquence that always wrought it's Effect and which perswades so much the more by how much it is the less distrusted So that he had not much to do to make the Prince list'n to reason He so dextrously mannag'd his passions and mollify'd him in such sort by degrees that when the Count of Eu came afterwards to treat with him on the Kings behalf he found him altogether enclin'd to lay down his Armes and beg pardon The King was so satisfy'd with Aubussons address upon this occasion that he employ'd him in other Negotiations of concernment In all which he so behav'd himself that Charles the fifth highly applauded the sharpness of his wit Insomuch that one day speaking of Aubusson he said it was a hard matter to find so much fire and so much prudence both together After the Princes were come to an accommodation the War grew very warm between the French and English and much blood was shed on both sides But the truces that were afterwards made chang'd the whole face of affairs France began to breath a more quiet Aire and the pleasures which afterwards succeded the Toyles of war had perhaps effeminated the hearts of the souldiers if their Marches into Lorrain and Germany had not found them work Rene of Anjou King of Sicily and Duke of Lorrain requested aid of Charles King of France his Brother in Law against some places in the Countrey of Messin that would not acknowledg his Iurisdiction Charles presently appeares before Nancy with a great Army of which one part went briskly to beseige Mets. The City defended it self with great courage and obstinacy Upon which the Dolphin with whom the tediousness of the seige did not agree found a fair occasion to satisfie his boyling and ambitious Humour The Emperor Frederick the third dissatisfi'd with the Swisses who pretended to have nothing to do with the House of Astria and who under that pretence affected a kind of Independencie not much differing from a Revolt invited France by the mediation of Sigismund Duke of Austria to come and defend the Rights of the Empire There needed no more encouragement for the Dolphin who had espoused the Sister of the Dutchess of Austria to enter Alsacia with an Army Aubusson was one of the young Lords that attended him and one who had the greatest share in the defeat of the Swisses near Basle But the Duke having reduc'd some places and cast a terror upon others march'd back again sooner then was expected Either because the Emperour unwilling to draw upon himself ill will for being the occasion of the war in some measure disown'd it or because the German Lord who had conducted the French Army into Switzerland and was to have been their guide through all the narrow and difficult streights of the Mountains being slain there was no safety in proceeding farther In the mean time the Affair of Mets being brought to an accommodation advantageous for the Beseigers and honourable for the Beseiged the Embassadors of the German Princes whom the Dolphins march had alarm'd came to demand a confirmation of the ancient Alliances between France and Germany Their demands were granted them and as there is a time when the Spirit of Peace is predominant the truce was prolong'd for five years between France and England The Court in such a quiet calm began to think of nothing but divertisement and the Marriage of Margaret Daughter of the King of Sicilie with Henry King of England occasion'd such extraordinary rejoycings that they had almost forgot their last troubles Never was a more beautiful Court nor a more numerous then that of Nancy For not to speak of the several Princes and Princesses that were of lesser dignity there were two Kings and three Queens beside The Earl of Suffolk who was sent to fetch the new Queen of England had with him the flower of the English Nobility Several daies were also spent in magnificent Turnaments where the King of France and the King of Sicily ran together But Aubusson soon grew weary of that which employ'd others so much to their delight Besides that he naturally lov'd war he had Principles of Piety which did not correspond with a lazie and voluptuous life On the other side the victories of John Hunniades and George Castriote which they had obtain'd against Amurat inspir'd him with a new zeal for Religion and the Cruelties which the Turks exercis'd against the Christians at the Battel of Varna awakn'd in him the hatred which he had conceiv'd against the Enemies of Jesus Christ He could not but with great grief of mind understand the report which ran at that time that Vladislaus King
to the Venetians and the incursions which they had made into divers parts of Turky during his being busied in Negropont that without any farther deliberation he declar'd War against them A Herauld publish'd the Declaration by sound of Trumpet and Mahomets rage went so far that he vow'd in a furious passion that he would kill the Grand Master with his own hands and cut to pieces all the Knights that fell into his power After a War so solemnly and outragiously declar'd there was nothing thought upon in Rhodes but to make preparations to withstand the fury of Mahomet They began with a general Assembly so soon as the Gallies were return'd and Aubusson was in this Chapter one of the sixteen Knights who govern'd every thing as he had been in that of Rome He was also one of the Administrators of the Treasury which were elected extraordinarily for as there was little order in the Treasury and for that the Chapter of Rome had very much exhausted it they thought it convenient to trust the management thereof to six Knights of known integrity and ability giving them an absolute and independent power as to what concern'd the publick stock without obliging them to give any account to the Grand Master or the Council But besides those advantages which Aubusson had common with the rest of the Knights he was also honour'd in particular with a new dignity The Auvergnian language represented to the Council that in regard they had a great number of Knights that faithfully serv'd the Order and few dignities that depended upon the Council they demanded for a recompence of their service that they might have bestow'd upon them some particular jurisdiction as other languages had that were less ancient and less numerous The request seem'd but reasonable so that the Chapter in favour of them made a new Capital Jurisdiction they gave them authority to assign a Commandery for the revenue of the Charge and declar'd at the same time that the Baily whom they should elect should enjoy his Commandery in the same manner as other Bailies that is to say that he should enjoy all the prerogatives and pre eminencies that are appropriated to Capital Jurisdictions and Commanderies They annex'd the Commandery of Luteil to the new Bailywick and after that Aubusson was elected Baily as he that was adjudg'd fittest for the dignity The first time that Aubusson took his place in Council as Baily he spoke for Charlotte de Lusignan Queen of Cyprus For that unfortunate Princess whom the Rebellion of her Subjects had reduc'd almost to utmost extremity could find no Sanctuary but Rhodes after the ruine of her affairs There she stay'd for some time and was entertain'd at the expences of the Order But in regard her ill fortune had not broken her courage she resolv'd upon a journey to Rome to desire aid of the Pope against her rebellious Subjects or at least to oblige him to thunder out against them the Anathema's of the Church And that which made her absolutely determine upon that course was the conveniency of the French Gallies then in the Port of Rhodes which were suddenly to set sail for Naples But in regard she was very poor and had not wherewithall to defray the expences of her journey she desir'd those Knights who seem'd to have most compassion and kindness for her to speak to the Grand Master to supply her with what was necessary to carry her into Italy The Baily Aubusson was very much troubled for the misfortunes of the Queen and espous'd her interest He wish'd with all his heart that the condition of the affairs of Rhodes would have permitted the Knights to have restor'd her to her Throne nor were there any dangers to which he would not have expos'd himself to serve her But because there was no likelihood of undertaking any thing abroad while the Order was in so much danger at home he only represented that since the Knights of St. John were not in a condition to restore a Queen dispoil'd of her Kingdom that had put her self under their protection that they would at least relieve a Queen in necessity who did as it were crave their Alms. That it was true that the Treasury was not over rich and that Mony was a precious thing in case of a Siege but that there were certain occasions wherein decency generosity charity and justice were to prevail above ordinary prudence and that after all was done that the Springs of Providence were inexhaustible and that Heaven was never wont to fail them that inconvenienc'd themselves to relieve the miserable He spoke with so much earnestness and with such a lively and encouraging Air that the Council order'd notwithstanding the opposition of the Knights either wanting generosity or over-prudent that the Queen of Cyprus should be plentifully furnish'd with all things necessary for her Voyage The Baily D'Aubusson was order'd himself as one of the Managers of the Treasury to give her what Money he should think fit and he so well acquitted himself that the Queen had no occasion to complain But to return to the preparations for War though the Venetian found the Turk employment sufficient in Dalmatia and that the Alliance which the Venetians had made with Vssumcassan King of Persia after the taking of Negropont had somewhat discompos'd the designs of Mahomet however the Knights were careful to stand upon their Guard and because the Walls were either ruin'd or weak in some places they labour'd continually in the repair of them giving to Baily Aubusson the charge of looking after the Fortifications of the City He had apply'd himself in his youth to that Military Science wherein betimes he became so expert that the most able Ingineers could teach him nothing He was not content only to repair the breaches but he added something new to the ancient Works He caus'd the Moats to be made wider and broader but because it was nois'd about that Mahomet was preparing his Galleys against the Knights of St. John and that the Turkish Army which had rais'd their Siege from before Scutari might well come to Rhodes the Council thought it necessary for fear of being surpriz'd to plant their Cannon round the Walls of the City which was also entrusted to Aubusson's care who brought out all the great Guns and planted them upon the Walls and Ramparts wherever occasion requir'd He was then Grand Prior of Auvergne having succeeded a little before to the Chevalier Cottet who dy'd about that time and surrender'd his Bailywick to the Knight de Rillac But while they were thus preparing to receive the Ottoman Army the Grand Master Baptista Vrsini dy'd also the loss of whom might have ruin'd Rhodes had it not been repair'd with advantage For in short it was Aubusson himself whom the Knights assembl'd chose for Grand Master Anno 1476. Never was Election more regular nor with less disturbance then that It was made according to all the forms which the Statute prescribes and the
the fortune of Mahomet and his own he despair'd to take the place after so many vain assults and understanding that he had lost above nine thousand men slain out-right and above fifteen thousand wounded which were not in the fight he took care of nothing more then how to save the rest by retiring While the Turks were embarquing their Engines of War and all their Baggage there appear'd two great Ships which Ferdinand King of Spain had sent to the relief of Rhodes Paleologus who saw them making to the Port with full sail considering what a shame it would be to let them enter the Port shot at them with such pieces of Artillery as were not embarqu'd not being able to assault them with his Galleys because the winds were contrary The shot brought one of the Masts of one of the Ships by the board but did the other no harm But the wind changeing and the Sea growing rough of a sudden they both came to an Anch or just against the Port till the tempest forc'd them to make all the sail they could to get in The Ship whose Mast was broken was the more fortunate and steer'd so well that she got in The other being carri'd off by storm fell back into the road so that she was the next day very near the Infidels Fleet. The Basha unwilling to let go a prize that he thought in his hands sent out twenty Galleys to seize her and commanded the Captain of the Galleys to go himself The Christians prepare themselves for fight The twenty Galleys surround the Vessel and thunder upon her on every side and by an incredible kindness of divine protection did them much more mischief then she receiv'd herself However some that were best mann'd fetch'd her up by the strength of their oars and having grappl'd her a whole throng of Barbarians endeavour'd to enter upon all her quarters But the Spaniards and Italians kept their ground with so much resolution that after a bloody Fight of three hours the Turks were constrain'd to give way and the death of the General of the Galleys so abated their courage that they wholly forsook the Vessel Then it was that Misach Paleologus being out of all hope and fearing all the worst of fortune gave order to weigh Anchor and be gone And that which hasted his departure was that he understood by his Spies that the Christians expected a very considerable relief and that the Vessels of Ferdinand were but the fore-runners of the Christian Prince's Fleet. So that the Ottoman Fleet put out to Sea the 18th of August and steer'd toward the Port of Fisco where having set the Army a shore they continu'd their course toward Constantinople The Victorious Ship enter'd the Port of Rhodes almost at the same that the Ottoman Fleet set sail And now it is no difficult thing to apprehend the joy of the Rhodians to see themselves so well deliver'd after a siege of sixty days The whole Port resounded with shouts of gladness and the noise of the Bells mix'd with that of the Trumpets made a pleasing harmony which proclaim'd the raising of the Siege to all the people of the Island But that which most contributes to the publick rejoycing was that the Grand Master began to recover whether the Chirurgeons were deceiv'd in their judgments or that the wound which they deem'd to be mortal were not so indeed or whether there were something divine and miraculous in the cure However in that languishing estate wherein as yet he continu'd he commanded solemn Processions to be made for three days and that Masses should be said in all the Churches of the City for the souls of the Knights and Souldiers that had been slain during the Siege So soon as he was cur'd of his wounds and that he had strength enough to walk he went himself to return thanks to God at the feet of the Altars And because he was perswaded that the protection of the Virgin had sav'd Rhodes he made a Vow to build a magnificent Church by the name of St. Maries of the Victory neer the Jews Wall where the Turks were put to the rout Nor did he delay the execution of his vows for being somewhat better settl'd in his health he caus'd himself to be carri'd to the place and order'd the foundations to be laid in his presence They labour'd might and main at this great work so soon as the fortifications of the Town were repair'd And because the Victory was won upon the day wherein the Greeks solemnize the Festival of St. Pantaleon the Grand Master built a sumptuous Chappel for the exercise of the Grecian Ceremonies in honour of that holy Martyr to the end that the Latins and the Greeks celebrating at the same time the holy Mysteries they might return thanks both together in both Churches for so renown'd a Victory Nor was his devotion enclos'd within the Walls of Rhodes He founded a perpetual Mass every week at the great Altar of St. John of Jerusalem to preserve until the end of time the memory of so happy a success and in some measure to make an immortal acknowledgment thereof in the same place where the Order of St. John had its first Institution But because that having implor'd the aid of St. John Baptist when he fally'd to the Combat he found in his Souldiers and in himself a new courage which could not spring but from above he resolv'd to build a Church in Italy in Honour of the happy Precursor whose body Julian the Apostate caus'd to be burnt and whose precious ashes lye in the Cathedral Church of St. Lawrence at Genoa This Structure time brought to perfection and it was built neer to the Chappel where those holy Reliques are expos'd to the veneration of the people To which that he might do the greater Honour he also built a Convent neer to the said Chappel for twelve religious persons of the Order to sing Divine Service to say Masses for the propagation of the Faith for the Benefactors of the Order and the Souls of the Grand Masters deceas'd to which end he employ'd the Revenue of several Commanderies and his own according to the power which he had receiv'd from the See of Rome He wrote at the same time to the Princes of Christendom to give them advice of the Victory and to engage them to send him relief in case the Turks should make any new attempts and that the Knights should be constrain'd to hold out another Siege But because that Ferdinand's Ships had brought him a Brief from Sixtus which Brief contain'd such expressions as testifi'd how much the Pope did interest himself in the affairs of Rhodes he sent to Rome the Prior of Capua and the Commander of Aliaga with the Title of Embassadors Extraordinary He charg'd them also in their way to wait upon the King of Naples and to tell him how much the Knights were oblig'd to him for his aid That in his own particular he highly
understand that there was never a fairer opportunity to ruin the Ottoman Empire or at least to weak'n it very much that Zizim at the head of a croisade world do as much as many Armies together that the death of Achmat had depriv'd the Turkes of the most able Minister and the most valiant Captain that perhaps they ever had That the Grand Caraman and other Princes of Asia expected only when Europe would move to declare themselves and in short that all the present conjunctures renderd that enterprize easie which was so difficult of it self But I know not by what fatality if it were not rather the Incomprehensible disposal of providence the Christian world was not at all enclin'd to take advantage of the opportunity which Heaven it self seem'd to put into their hands All Italy was then divided The King of Naples the Duke of Milan and the Florentines were in arms against the Pope and the common wealth of Venice France was notess in trouble after the death of Lewis the 11th The party of malecontents stirr'd up by the Duke of Orleans who pretended to the regency and by the Count of Angoulism his cousin had excited troubles over all the Kingdom Besides the French desir'd quiet at home only that they might be at leasure for the conquest Naples And young Charles the 8th Who naturally loved honour made that the aim of all his ambition The war of the Moors made work enough in Spain And the bad correspondence which daily encreas'd between the Emperour Frederick and Matthias Corvin King of Hungary prevented them from uniting together against the Turk so that all the designs of the Grand Master vanish'd in smoak and with all his zeal he had only the greife to effect nothing But if the Christian Princes were not in a condition to make use of the person of Zizim for the common good of Christendom they were no less disappointed in making advantage of him for their particular Interests How importunate soever the most part of them were to have him the Grand Master would never give his consent and his orders were so well observ'd in that particular that the order of St. John was always the Mistress of him Zizim being arriv'd in France the King receiv'd him but coldly either because that France would by no means embroil themselves with the Port just before the expedition against Naples or else because they fear'd that an honourable reception was an engagement too high in the entertaining a Turkish Prince so that he stay'd but a very little while at Court the Knights conducting him to the commander of Bourgneus this was a place upon the confines of Poicton and March pleasently situated where the Grand Priers of Auvergne kept their Residence The Knight Blanchefort with whom the Grand Master had particularly entrusted the person of Zizim took care that the Prince should not be presently displeased He gave him all the honour that his birth deserv'd and shew'd him all the sports and pastimes that the Country could afford But notwithstanding all these civilities the Knight Blanchefort omitted not to have an eye upon the Prince and to keep a strong guard about him to hinder those that sought for him from getting him into their hands either by cunning or force But as the love of liberty is more natural to Princes then to other men Zizim soon perceiv'd that he was watch'd too narrowly That reflexion made him suspect the diligences of the Knights and caus'd him to think that he was rather kept as a prisoner then a Prince He testify'd his displeasure at it which caus'd those reports that ran about the world in prejudice of the Grand Master's honour They gave out that it was a violation of the publick faith to retain Zizim in prison against his will That the Knights had sold his liberty to the Ottoman Port for forty thousand Ducats a year and that it was therefore no wonder they had such a strict eye over him That such a prisoner was a treasure for them and that their insatiable avarice made them foget the more holy duties of civil society They that thus discours'd either through jealousy or else judging by outward appearances did not consider that at a time when all Europe was in an uproar there was nothing more to be done for the good of Christendom nor for the safety of Zizim then what the Grand Master did And had they been well inform'd of all the snares that the Grand Signiour laid for Zizim they would then have chang'd their Opinion and found that the Knights that so guarded him were the true defenders of his life and of his liberty Nor had Zizim reason to complain of the conduct of the Grand Master as well in reference to him self as the Ottoman Port for in desiring a safe conduct of him he expressly declar'd that he intended to follow his counsel and orders in every thing so that by the consent of Zizims Imbassadours the safe conduct was dispatched upon that condition as the Grand Master observ'd in a Letter which he wrote to Pope sextus the 4th Besides the Sultan had given the Grand Master a sufficient liberty to treat with the Grand Master as he pleas'd himself and it was by vertue of that liberty that the Grand Master had concern'd Zizim in the treaty of peace As for the thirty thousand Ducats certain it is that the money was spent in maintenance of Zizim By which the Grand Master was so far from getting any profit that he made an addition to it out of his own revenue Which may be easily thought to be true considering with what royal magnificence the Ottoman Prince was always entertain'd not to mention the infinite expences of receiving and sending Embassadours But Zizim's discontent lasted not long For the Knights made him soon to understand that the Guard that was upon him was against his Enemies and not him Thus being quitted of his suspitions and perswaded more then ever of the friendship of the Grand Master he complain'd no more but of his bad fortune that had reduc'd him to a country and solitary life Now the peace between the order and the Fort having open'd a freedom to trade several Turkish Vesselss came to Rhodes And most of the Turks that Landed were so taken with the beauty of the Rhodian women that they spar'd for nothing to satisfy their desires This glister of Gold grew such a temptation that several of the Rhodians without regard to the Christian law or their own yeilded themselves to the Mahometans But the Grand Master abhorring such a shameful prostitution and to stop the torrent of such a scandal condemn'd the Christian women that were convicted of such a crime as lying with a Turk a Moore or a Jew to be burnt alive and he order'd the punishment to extend to the very procurers of that infamous familiarity Some while after the Grand Master made a regulation upon Zizim's accompt For considering how much it
submissions of Ferdinand or whether he were jealous of the Progress of the Republick However it were Sixtus agrees with the Father and Son in Law He also threaten'd the Venetians with the indignation and Anathema's of the Church if they continu'd the war of Ferrara The Republick incens'd at so strange a proceeding and foreseeing that this change would cause a great disorder in affaires implor'd the aid of the Turk to sustain themselves and to revenge the injury done them Bajazet who was unwilling to displease the Venetians forgot that he had promis'd not to disturb the Christians or rather violated his word in that respect and prepares a considerable Fleet to invade Italy The news presently spread it self over all Europe At Rome the alarum was taken as if the enemy had been already at the Gates and the Pope foreseeing the danger of the Church if the Turks should enter Italy during the discords of the Christian Princes and knew himself to be guilty of the discontent of the Republick made it his whole business to divert the storme The King of Naples whom the danger more nerely concern'd follow'd the Popes steps and by common consent had recourse to the Grand Master to whom they both wrote and sent to him the Knight Carraffa But never was Embassie more to less purpose for the care of the Grand Master had prevented the requests of Ferdinand and the Pope He understanding sooner then they the preparations that were made at Constantinople and likewise knowing the private motives to that Engagement labour'd incessantly to divert the storme before it began to break forth The Publick good and the particular Interest of the Church excited his diligence to keep the common enemy out of Italy And his obligations to the King of Naples made him more Solicitous to omit nothing that might preserve the Kingdom of his Benefactour and freind from the invasion of the Barbarians Therefore not to loose time he dispatch'd away to the Grand Signior a Rhodian whose name was Mosco Perpiano a man 't is true of low birth but of an exalted genius and capable of great affaires and besides that very proper to negotiate with the Turks as being one who had lived long in Turky and perfectly understood their humour and language And this was he that treated with the Sub-Basha of Pizzona about the truce and first discover'd the cunning of Achmats Letters Mosco after he had made known to the Grand Signiour with whom he had a private audience the Interest of his Highness to live in friendship with the Grand Master gave him to understand by degrees that the Venetians were about to engage him in a bad designe To that intent ne represented to him that this great preparation was the ready way to bring upon him all the forces of Europe That the most divided of the Christian Princes would not saile to reunite for the defence of their Religion and Crowns That France who glory'd in assisting the Popes and the Holy See would infallibly join with Italy upon such an occasion and lay aside for a time their pretences to Naples That whatever care the Knights could take that they should not make use of the person of Zizim against the Ottoman Empire it would not be any longer in their power to keep him That the King of France would force him out of their hands in spite of all their strength and put him at the head of an Army and then nothing was more to be fear'd then a Popular rising at Constantinople which might happen to be attended with a total revolution Mosco added according to his Instructions that the Grand Master being of that accompt as he was among the Christian Princes he could not possibly prevent his being engag'd in the Quarrel how great so ever his desire might be to keep a good Correspondence with the Court. That if the preparations which the Turks made against Italy should infringe the accommodation which had been made upon Zizim's score he had no reason to blame the Knights who are ready punctually to observe all the articles of the treaty Mosco then gave the Grand Signiour to understand that Rhodes was not in a condition to fear him the ruins being repaird and new fortifications daily added by the Grand Master This discourse of the Rhodian took singular effect Bajazet was so mov'd at it that he stood a good while without making any answer casting frightful looks here and there which shew'd the agitation and disturbance of his mind At length rows'd out of a deep contemplation and looking somewhat more calmely he told Mosco that in respect to the Grand Master whom he honoured as his Father he had abandon'd the design which he had in hand Then calling for Basha Misach Paleologus and two other of his Ministers he declar'd that he would not send his Fleet into the Mediterranean Sea and commanded them at the same time to surcease all their preparations for war wherein they labour'd with an excessive earnestness And that he might testify more of his freindship and do him more honour he wrote him a very obliging Letter which he deliver'd to Mosco the copy whereof follows Bajazet King of Asia Emperour of the Turks To the thrice happy Prince Peter D'Aubusson Grand Master of RHODES WE have understood from the mouth of your Embassadour what it is you request at our hands In truth you desire great things and which are of extream consequence to our Empire For a considerable Fleet is not to be set forth without great expence nor is such an enterprize to be quitted without some kind of disgrace But however as I refer my self wholly to your Counsel and for that I can refuse you nothing for your sake I forget all my advantages I surcease any further preparations and engage to you upon my word that my Navy shall not stir forth of the Streights of Gallipoly I do this willingly out of the desire I have that you should alwaies be my friend as you ought to be since that for your sake I renounce both my interest and my honour From Constantinople the fifth of the month of Rabi el Evel in the year of the Hegira 889. April 13. in the year of grace 1484. Mosco return'd to Rhodes almost at the same time that the Knight Caraffa arriv'd there That new Embassador of the Pope and the King of of Naples was surpriz'd to see that with all his haste he was come too late So that finding his work done he return'd as he came at least that he might be the first that should bring the tydings carrying along with him to the Pope and King Ferdinand the Copy of the Letter of the Grand Signior A resolution so sudden and so happy extreamly rejoyc'd all Italy and the Pope was so satisfi'd with the Grand Master that speaking of him to the Knight Quendal Procurator of the Order at Rome he call'd him several times The Buckler of the Church and The Preserver of
the King of Spain had all entred into it He had also news at the same time that the Turks enrag'd at the death of Zizim were setting forth a considerable Fleet and that the Tempest threatned the Islands of the Order with whom they had now no more occasion to deal so warily So that his Voyage into Italy appearing useless and his presence being necessary in the East he thought it sufficient to congratulate Charles the 8th for his Conquest of Naples and to flatter him with that of Constantinople assuring him that a Prince so valiant and so fortunate as he had need of no other Conductors then his own Courage and Fortune to bring the greatest Enterprises to pass That the Knights were overjoy'd to see him so advantagiously seated for a beyond-Sea Invasion and concluding his Letter That he had not yet heard from the Grand Prior Blanchefort whom he either thought to be cast away or taken by the Pirates The event shew'd that the Grand Master had no such reason to be hasty in his Voyage For Charles the 8th himself speedily on a sudden leaves Naples and bends his march for France Whether it were that that restlesness which is natural to the French caus'd him to quit what he had Conquer'd or whether all Europe Leagu'd against him occasion'd his retreat However there was no discourse after that either of any Expedition beyond-Sea or of any Conquest of Constantinople At the time that Charles absolutely laid aside all thoughts of the Holy War Maximilian began to plot it in his mind either out of a real Zeal or an Envious Emulation to reproach the French in some sort that they had not done what they boasted to do against the Turk However he did not think it convenient to do any thing without advising with the Grand Master To which purpose he sent unto him Ralph of Wittenbergh Knight of Rhodes and Grand Prior of Germany This new Ambassador declar'd at a publick Audience That Maximilian having resolv'd to turn all the Force of the Empire against the common Enemy he durst not venture to proceed till he had consulted before-hand the Cardinal Grand Master the Oracle of the Christian Princes the Terror of the Infidels and Glory of the East That he desir'd private Ties of Union and an entire correspondence with him to the end he might follow his directions in all things which he desir'd him not to refuse to those that requested them sincerely The Grand Master made answer publickly That he was highly oblig'd to the Emperour for his Reliance and Esteem but that he did not deserve those splendid Titles with which his Imperial Majesty had honour'd him and that though the Order had signaliz'd themselves against the Infidels for some years since those happy Successes were to be attributed to the valour of the Knights and the Protection of Heaven After which in a discourse in private with the Ambassador he laid open to him all the insight which he had into the Holy War what Enterprises were to be undertaken against the Turk either by Sea or Land and which were the most probable ways to succeed The wrongs and damages which the Turks at that time did to the Vessels of the Order did not a little help to heat the Grand Master and cause him to close with the designs of the Emperor Several Infidels that inhabited the Coasts of Lycia nearest to Rhodes put to Sea every day and pretending themselves to be Pirats pillag'd the Isles of the Order they also made inrodes into Caria and brav'd the Knights even to the very Gates of the Castle of St. Peter The Grand Master sends out certain Vessels against these pretended Pirats of which some were taken and punish'd to the utmost of their deserts But these disorders continuing he writes to the Port to know whether the Grand Seignior authorised these violences or no. The Pirats intercept the Letters and kill the Bearers The Grand Master being advertiz'd thereof sought a more sure way to write to Bajazet and did it with all the fierceness that a just resentment could inspire him with Now though Bajazet were as we said before exasperated in his heart against the Knights and had little value for them since the death of his Brother yet he was still unwilling to display his fury So that he order'd the Beglerbei of Anatolia severely to punish the Criminals He also sent to Rhodes a Prudent and Intelligent Person to examine the Losses which the Rhodians had sustain'd and to assure them in the name of his Highness that all should be restor'd with Interest While the Grand Seignior labour'd in this manner to satisfie the Grand Master some of the Rhodians interrested in the Goods which the Pirats had taken secretly set forth some Vessels and exercis'd several acts of Hostility upon the Coast of Lycia pillaging Villages taking Ships and carrying away the very persons of the Turks When the Grand Master was inform'd of it he would not stay till the Beglerbei complain'd he caus'd the chief in the Enterprize to be Arrested and having discover'd that the Knights had a share he nam'd Commissioners to examine the matter resolv'd to proceed against the guilty with all the rigour of the Statutes which possitively forbid the Knights to set forth any Vessels of War without express leave Thus was the Grand Master perplex'd at home abroad he was as ill satisfi'd with the Church of Rome For Alexander became more proud then ever by the retreat of the French Army had no regard to the Priviledges which his Predecessor had granted to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem touching the Collation of Benefices Francis Bossolx a Catalonian by birth one of the most Antient and most Illustrious Knights of his Language had conferr'd upon him by the Grand Master the Priory of Catalonia The Pope not considering either the Age or the Merit of the Knight conferr'd the same Priorate with the Commendary of Navelles upon Lewis Borgia his Nephew So unjust an act estranged all their hearts from the Pope and occasion'd much trouble at Rhodes It was therefore resolv'd in Counsel to complain thereof in all the Courts of Christendom and particularly to that of Spain To which purpose Commissioners were named and the Grand Prior of Portugal the Bayliff of Negropont the Commendator Villel and the Knight de Gotor in Quality of Extraordinary Ambassadors The Grand Master wrote to Ferdinand a long Letter wherein after he had set forth how much scandal and disorder the injustice of Alexander had caused in the Order he besought his Majesty to espouse their Interests and to mediate vigorously for them to the Pope Ferdinand who was not ignorant of the Services which the Grand Master had done the Holy See found his complaints so just that he presently put the Knight de Bostolx in possession of the Priory of Catalogne He assur'd the Ambassadors also that while he liv'd no other Knights of Rhodes but such as were appointed
Enemy at his Gates And besides that his own Interest engag'd him to act he thought himself oblig'd in Honour to wipe off those reproaches which the death of Zizim had thrown upon him and to repair by some notable action what had been irregular in his Government Thereupon he undertook with all the heat imaginable to unite the Christian Princes that he might put a stop to the incursions of the Barbarians Nor was his diligence unsuccessful The Kings of Castile Portugal and Hungary declar'd themselves first of all Maximilian whom the Wars of Guelders and Switzerland had diverted from the Turkish War entred into this Holy League with Louis the 12th when their differences about Milan were ended by the Marriage of the King's Daughter with the Emperor's Son The Grand Master convinc'd more then ever of the Infidelity of the Grand Signior and not believing himself oblig'd to have any more respect for them who had no more for him Leagu'd himself with the Croisado'd Princes And now Forces are raising all over Europe Ships making ready Money gathering together in all places and the bloody Crosses that fell from Heaven in Germany which Maximilian himself saw seem'd to portend a happy success The Turks take the Alarm at these Prepartions and Prodigies though that which most affrighted them was the choice that was made of the Generalissimo of the League Alexander who among his wicked qualities had some good ones and who had a very ready wit bethought himself that to bring about so important an Expedition nothing could be more available then the choice of an Experienc'd Captain and such a one as should be acceptable to all the Princes He cast his eye upon the Grand Master D'Aubusson and propos'd him in a full Consistory after he had made him a large Encomium All the Cardinals applauded the Popes Proposition However Alexander before he made the Choice publick resolv'd to try the Inclination of the Grand Master To this end he wrote to him in a very obliging style nevertheless with a chargeable condition in his Brief that the Order during the time that the Grand Master should continue General should keep out at Sea four Galleys and four Barks well appointed for the Service of the League The Grand Master who lov'd to act at his own liberty ponder'd upon the Condition and it may be his modesty had made use of this pretence to rid himself of an Employment which he thought above him if the Council had not advis'd him to accept of the Condition at any rate whatever and that the Letters of several Cardinals his Friends had not at length brought him to an absolute determination Thereupon he wrote to his Holiness That with all acknowledgment and humble bashfulness he was willing to take upon him the Charge with which he was pleas'd to honour him And he sent a very ample Procuration as to this Affair to the Commander of Avignon then Vice-Procurator-General of the Order in the Court of Rome The Pope not doubting but that his Proposal would be as acceptable to the Princes as it was to the Cardinals gave them advice of his choice so soon as he had receiv'd the Grand Master's Answer All the Courts of Christendom applauded so wise a Choice and this one Action did Alexander so much honour that his Reputation was much repair'd thereby Thereupon before all the Ambassadors of the Confederate Princes he publickly declar'd the Grand Master D'Aubusson Captain-General of the Croisado After which his Holiness by a Solemn Brief fill'd with his Praises gave him information of it The Purport of the Brief was That the Princes had approv'd the Choice which he had made of his Person That they were very readily dispos'd to obey him and that his Experience Valour and Piety gave them confident hopes of Victory The Pope added That he was resolv'd to go to the War himself notwithstanding his Age resolv'd to partake with the Grand Master in all the Labours of a Christian Warfare and to lay down his life if occasion should be to render the Expedition successful He sent word That there were 15 Galleys which he had expressly caus'd to be made ready and that the Bishop of Tivoly had orders to send them away so soon as they were fitted out He also wrote him word that he had given notice to the Princes by their Ambassadors that his intention was that they and all their Forces should render to him the same Honour and the same Obedience as to the Head of the Church Exhorting him him at length to defend the Faith upon this occasion with the same Courage and Virtue with which alone he had defended it when he forc'd Mahomet to raise his Siege from before Rhodes Lewis the XII would not stay to acknowledge him till he was publickly proclaim'd at Rome but so soon as he understood the Pope's intentions he wrote to the Grand Master That being willing to contribute to the Successes of so noble an Expedition notwithstanding the Affairs he had in Italy he was setting forth a Navy Royal and that knowing his Prudence and long Experience in the Wars against the Turk he had order'd his Admiral Philip de Cleves Ruvesteine to follow his Counsels in all things and to Act by his Instructions The Praises and Applauses which the Pope and the King of France gave him did but re-double the zeal and diligence of the Grand Master So that being now acknowledg'd the Captain of such a famous Enterprize his whole study was how to bring it to good issue The Summer being now past and no Princes Fleet appearing or if they had appear'd the Season being now past for any considerable Action his first consideration was to settle a Bank for the paiment of such Forces as should arrive that they might not think of returning for want of Money For he knew well that onely Money could keep Souldiers together idle in the Levant To this purpose he sent to the Pope and the King of France intelligent Knights to let them understand that without that precaution there was nothing to be done against the Turk That if the Souldiers of the League came not forthwith they would not be in a condition for action the next Season and that if being once arriv'd they should return for want of subsistence the common Enemy would take advantage of their Retreat He let them further know That while the Forces of the Confederate Princes attack'd the Turk by Sea it was necessary that the King of Hungary should assail him by Land to make a diversion But in regard the safety of Christendom in some measure depended upon the safety of Rhodes he was of opinion that the Ships belonging to the Order should not distance themselves any farther then Cape Malio He also thought it necessary that the Fleet of the Confederate Princes should not come to Rhodes to spare them the labour of returning back to the Morea and Rhodes the inconvenience of being eaten out by so
Considering neither the Priviledges of Innocent the VIII the Nature of the Revenues of the Order nor the Dignity of the Generalissimo of the League whom he had elected himself The Grand Master so highly resented such irregular proceedings that he wrote to the Pope and without swerving from that respect which he ow'd to the Chief of the Church and the Vicar of Christ he told Alexander his own as far as a real Zeal could inspire him But Alexander taking little notice of his Complaints continu'd his affronts and injuries to the Order and that with so much the more Liberty believing that now the Venetians had made Peace with the Turks he should have no more need of the Knights The League thus brok'n off and the proceedings of the Pope brought the Grand Master into a deep Melancholy that wasted him by degrees and at length cast him into a mortal distemper He began to fall ill the Eeve of St. John Baptists day But then he would not disclose that he ail'd any thing and was present at the Bonfires and at the publick Annual Ceremonies before the Castle for which there are extraordinary preparations in Honour of the Patron of the Order He also went in state to Church upon the Festival day and concealing his ill disposition of body perform'd all the Duties of a true Christian This striving against his Distemper out of Piety re-doubl'd the force of the disease so that in two days he fell so ill that the Physicians at first despair'd of his life nevertheless they were willing to try what Art could do But the Grand Master who perceiv'd himself near his end slighted his own preservation and told them with a smile That never having taken Physick it was dangerous for him to begin at his years However he submitted to the intreaties of his Nephew and the reasons of the Physicians notwithstanding his own natural reluctancy The Grand Masters sickness put all the City into a Consternation The Inhabitants like people in despair ran to the Castle and from the Castle to the Churches to implore of God the life of their Prince The whole City was fill'd with Vows Prayers and Processions But his sickness encreasing more and more he receiv'd the Sacrament of the Church with a lively Faith and an ardent Devotion which both edifi'd and pierc'd the hearts of all that stood by After that he call'd all the Knights of the Council and recollecting all the strength he had left My dear Brethren said he I have no more then one short moment to live therefore before I leave you take it not amiss that I exhort you to choose a Person more worthy then my self to succeed in my Place and that I conjure ye also to expend all your Honour in a generous defence of the Faith and in the observation of the Rules of the Order This is the favour that I beg of you as a dying man Hardly had he strength enough to pronounce the last words nor did he utter above two or three words more to comfort the Knights that shed tears round about his bed At length he gave them his Benediction as his Children and then lying quietly for some time with his eyes sometimes lifted up to Heaven sometimes fix'd upon the Crucifix he seem'd to be in a kind of discourse with God till he sweetly and mildly yielded up his last breath At the very moment of his expiration the Knights made so loud a noise of lamentation as eas'ly made known his death to the People assembl'd in the Palace Then was their sorrow soon express'd by their tears and wailings and after that by a deep silence as usually happens in extreme afflictions Thus di'd Peter D'Aubusson Grand Master of Rhodes Cardinal of St. Adrian Legate of the Holy See in Asia and nominated Generalissimo of the Holy League He was aged about fourscore years and he had govern'd the Order above twenty seven So soon as grief would permit the Knights to come to themselves they made it their bus'ness to render to the dead their last duties with all the Magnificence imaginable He was expos'd upon a Noble Bed of State Nor did the Ghastliness of death deprive him of that sweet and amiable Majesty that always appear'd in his countenance when alive Three Knights stood at the Beds head in Mourning one holding the Cardinals Cap another the Legats Cross and the third the Standard of Generalissimo Four other Knights held each of them a Banner whereon were embroider'd the Arms of the Order and those of D'Aubusson On each side of him stood two Altars dress'd up with Canopies over each on the one was laid the Dalmatick Gown the Mitre and all the Ornaments proper for a Cardinal Deacon On the other lay the Casque Corslet Half-Pike and Sword which the Grand Master made use of upon the day of the Grand Assault together with his Cloathes all stain'd with his own and the bloud of the Barbarians Two hundred Knights attended besides all in deep mourning The People that crowded to this fatal Spectacle could not forbear weeping bitterly they cri'd out They had lost their Father and then kiss'd his hands to ease their grief and took their last leaves His Obsequies were perform'd the next day following which the publick Grief contributed to render more solemn then all the Funeral Pomp. He was carri'd to the Church upon the shoulders of the principal Grand-Crosses and Interr'd in the Chappel he himself had built The first General Chapter that was held at Rhodes under Emery D'Amboise his Successor decreed That in Honour of the Memory of the Grand Master D'Aubusson the Order should at the Expence of the Publick Treasury erect him a Magnificent Tomb in Brass and that an Epitaph should be Engrav'd upon it reciting the most Illustrious Actions of his Life The Historians of the Order of St. John do not mention this Epigram and with all the diligence I have us'd I could never hear any thing more of it However the Encomiums which Popes Princes and Historians have given the famous Peter D'Aubusson may well supply the place of that Epitaph Sixtus the IV. and Innocent the VIII affirm in their Briefs that the Holy See was infinitely oblig'd to him and that they could not sufficiently acknowledge the Services he had done the Faithful in putting a stop by his cares and with the price of his own blood to the Conquests of Mahomet the Second the most Formidable Enemy of Christendom Alexander the Sixth confess'd That there was in the Grand Master a Sincere Faith an Heroick Valour an Exquisite Prudence and a most perfect Experience in all things that concern'd the War against the Turks The Emperour Maximilian Ferdinand of Castile and Matthias Corvin King of Hungary often call'd him in their Letters The Tamer of the Ottomans and the Support of the Church Caoursin calls him The Father of his Countrey the Protector of the Unfortunate and the Invincible Defender of Rhodes Victorellus in his
Letter written in the Greek Language wherein he magnifi'd the Grandeur of his Empire and his Victories highly extoll'd the Vertues of the Grand Master and offer'd him peace and friendship The Grand Master and those of the Council immediately understood the craft and fallacy of Solyman and that being young and full of Ambition his courage and deliberations tended to other designs then the Tenor of his Letter imply'd And therefore there was an Answer return'd him in the name of the Grand Master by which he plainly understood that he was discover'd that the Rhodians neither fear'd nor trusted him so that he was likely to find it afar more difficult task to conquer them then he had found at Belgrade Therefore he enter'd into several consultations about this Enterprize concerning which the most part of his Council laid before him the difficulties he would meet with and disswaded him from hazarding either his Forces or his Reputation upon an attempt so unlikely to succeed And indeed Mustapha Basha and Curtogoli were the only persons that fix'd him in his Resolution Among other things they represented to him that there was no other means for him peaceably to enjoy the Provinces of Egypt and Syria for that the shortest and only way for him to receive intelligence from thence and to send thither was cut off by the Knights of Rhodes who spread themselves upon those Seas and intercepted all his Vessels For which reason he was constrain'd to keep a Fleet alwaies out at Sea Besides that as long as those of the Order kept footing in Rhodes they would be continually animating and inciting the Christian Princes to make War upon him and to league themselves together for the Recovery of the holy Land He had found among the private Memoirs of Selim his Father that the onely way for him to secure his own affairs was to make himself Master of Belgrade and Rhodes by the scituation whereof the Christians had alwaies an opportunity to bring the War into the midst of his Territories He was also importun'd and press'd thereto by the complaints of the Inhabitants of Metelin Negropont Caramania the Morea and his new Subjects of Egypt and Syria who were perpetually alarum'd pillag'd and plunder'd by those of the Order He was also the more incited thereto by the opportunity which presented it self by reason of the Divisions and Wars between Charles the fifth and the King of France from whom all the main Succour must come which the Knights could expect and more then all this by the daily intelligence which he had receiv'd from a Jewish Physician whom Selim had sent to live in Rhodes for a Spy This Physician expert in his Art had perform'd many excellent Cures and by his officiousness and diligence toward all people had so insinuated himself into the acquaintance and favour of the Principal Knights of the Order that he easily div'd into their secrets and sent his Advices to a Greek of Scio who convey'd them to Constantinople Among other things he advertiz'd Solyman that there was a great part of the Wall thrown down near the Bulwark of Auvergne to be rebuilt according to the Design and Directions of the Engineers so that the City might be easily surpriz'd if his Fleet came in time to attacque it in that place But the best Intelligence that Solyman receiv'd was giv'n him by Andrew D'Amarall Prior of Castile and afterward Chancellor of the Order who bare in his mind a mortal hatred and enmity against the Grand Master ever since the difference that happen'd between them ever since the Battel of Layasso and against the Order it self for that notwithstanding all his underhand dealing for the Honour they had elected with an unanimous consent the Grand Master both for his merit and his vertues This venom of Ambition Malice and Revenge so strongly possess'd him and gain'd so far upon him as to make him resolve upon this hideous Act of Treason The day of the Election he was heard to say that this would be the last Grand Master of Rhodes And some daies before the Siege he wish'd his soul in the hands of the Devil so that Rhodes and the Order might be ruin'd He had in his service a Turkish slave of a quick and ready apprehension to whom he pretended to have giv'n his Liberty as being ransom'd This slave he sent to Constantinople with a particular and exact discovery of the State of the City of the Provisions and Ammunition therein and what Corn was wanting perswading the Great Turk to send his Fleet with all speed promising him a certain Victory and to give him all the Intelligence that should be requisite Solyman found this to be sound Intelligence knowing that Amaral was one of the Principal Knights and being of their Council knew whatever was decreed or voted for the defence of the City and sent back the slave laden with gifts and promises of future rewards Amaral entertain'd him pretending he had brought his Ransom This Action caus'd in many an extream dislike and a general suspition of him but by reason of his Dignity and Authority there were none that durst to speak their minds freely In the mean time Leo deceas'd after he had govern'd the Papacy eight years and Solyman made all his preparations as privately as possibly he cou'd giving it out that he intended either for Apulia or Cyprus Nevertheless the Grand Master was advertiz'd of every thing by his Spies and being assur'd that he should be besieg'd sate in Council every day and as often did Amarall labour to suppress the report of the Siege as much as in him lay to divert and hinder the Order from making those Provisions which were necessary for their defence instancing how often such Rumours had been in vain and how needless it was for the Order to put themselves to unnecessary charges at a time when their Exchequer ran low However the Grand Master receiv'd more certain and pregnant Intelligence by a Ragusian a person of understanding and one that had the Turkish Language at command whom he had sent to Constantinople for a Spy that the Grand Signior was setting forth a vast number of Ships and preparing all sorts of Engines of War and Guns of an extraordinary bigness and that there was a stop upon all persons going to Rhodes without the leave of the Governours Thereupon the Grand Master making no farther doubt of the Truth put all hands to the fortifications giving the charge thereof to the Knights Anthony Brito a Portoguese and Francis Nueres of the Priory of Aquitaine He also made provision of Ovens and Mills and Lodgings for the Country people that should retire into the City While these things were in hand he sent to Pope Adrian of whom he earnestly requested succour against the Turks as also to the Emperour and the King of France but in vain because they were then in open War one against the other As for the Pope he rather prejudic'd then