that discord of the Turks be recovered and the Kingdom established who perswaded Henry the Emperour to undertake the matter who sent the Duke of Saxony with a great Army into Asia to whom two 〈◊〉 the Archbishop of Moguntia and the Bishop of Herbipolis were joyned Many other German Princes and Prelats then taking on them the holy war who being relieved and transported to Antioch by the Greek Emperour came by land to Tyre and Ptolemais purposing to relieve the besieged Germans in Joppa but they being all by treason slain and the City raced they departed to 〈◊〉 Then taking and fortifying Berytus they besieged 〈◊〉 which being brought to extremity the Turks came on so fast for relief that they raised their siege which Berytus Garrison perceiving abandoned the City marching with the Army to Joppa and fortifying it The enemy coming raced Berytus in 1197. The Turks coming to disturb Joppa's fortifying the Christians removed some miles off to draw the Turks to a convenient place The Turks hereupon sent a part to assail the City the other following disorderly on whom the Christians turning sharply encountred and put them to flight some thousands of them falling taking the spoil and returning to the City But the Duke of Saxony over-heating himself and on the 〈◊〉 day dying of a Feaver and the Duke of Austria the night following of a wound diminished this victories joy Not long after both Pope Celestine and Henry the Emperour dyed troubles arising in Germany about a new Emperours choice whereupon the Bishop of 〈◊〉 an Electour and the other German Princes could not be perswaded to stay but home they went The Turks afterwards the Germans on Martin's day making merry in their Pots at Joppa had a port betrayed to them putting all to the sword and racing the City thinking now to drive the Christians quite out of Syria yet by Simon Count of Montfort sent thither with a tall Regiment by the French King and their civil discords they were repressed and a Peace concluded for 10 years which was in 1199 or as some write in 1198 the Count returned into France with whom the time and History now calling us we will repair into lesser Asia to see other Turkish affairs in those Eastern Countreys The ruin of the Turks first Empire in Persia with the success of their second Kingdom in lesser Asia under the Aladine Kings IT fared with the Turkish Empire first planted by Tangrolipix in Persia and other Eastern Countrys as with a sick body subject to many changes which continuing for 170 years must now give place to a greater power For it fortuned about this time that the Tartars or Tattars inhabiting the cold and bare Countries in the North of Asia a barbarous fierce and needy Nation stirred by their own wants and the perswasion of Zingis or Cangis holden for a great Prophet made their leader and honourably named 〈◊〉 or the mighty King or great Cham flocked like the sand of the Sea and conquering their poor neighbours easily entreated to seek better fortunes with them passed the high Mountain Caucasus part of Taurus dividing Asia into 2 parts over which coming down as into another world full of natures delights never seen to them before bear down all before them Zingis dead Hoccata his eldest Son took his Fathers place who sending part of his Army Westward turned himself Eastward where subduing the Bactrians and Zogdians with others he entred India subduing to the East Ocean building in Cathaia the City Cambalu 28 miles about where the Cham of Tartary hath his Imperial residence having also in the Province of 〈◊〉 Quinsay the greatest City in the World 100 miles about 12000 〈◊〉 therein some whereof are exceeding high The Cham alway 30000 in Garrison Hoccata through the rich pleasures of India mannaged his warrs by Lievtenants 〈◊〉 them North West and South who subdued the Arachosians Margians c. and also subdued Persia with all Parthia Assyria Mesopotamia and Media Cursumes or Corsantes now reigned in the City 〈◊〉 in Chorasau the farthest part of Persia who fled with all the people leaving all the Tartars racing the City and taking the Countrey Cursumes of the Selzuccian family dying in this flight Ugnanchan his Son led the multitude of Turks and seized on Babylon now called Bagadat where putting all to the sword he there and thereabouts seated himself but ere long the Tartars pursuing took him and thence expelled his people Solyman also of the Oguzian family of whom more shall be said hereafter reigned in Persia at Nacnan who terrified and waned by the Salzuccian Sultan's fall fled with some subjects into lesser Asia After this the Tartars conquered greater Armenia with Cholchis and Iberia This proud Conquerour purposed to subdue all Asia but overcome with India's delicacies he so rested embracing the manners and superstition of the conquered The Turks were driven out of Persia about 1202 who retired into lesser Asia possessed by their Countreymen under the leading of Aladin descended of the Selzuccian Family who taking opportunity by the discord of the Latines and Greeks and Greeks among themselves first at Sebastia in Cilicia then at Iconium erected their new Kingdom of the Aladines Now and within few years such great strange changes were in the Constantinopolitan Empire that it was almost utterly subverted the Turks hereby establishing their Kingdoms in Syria and lesser Asia and at present triumphing in the imperiall City which briefly to pass through shall not be from our purpose Usurping Alexius sought also the life of Isaac his Brother's son Heir apparent to the Empire who seeing the villany committed on his Father fled from his Uncle's fury with some Greek Lords for aid to Western Princes comming first to Philip German Emperour who married his sister Irene Who most instantly solicited her husband from the execrable indignity done to her Father the banishment of her wandring Brother and her own disgrace thereby as also his declaring that if Alexius had not lightly regarded and contemned Philip he durst not have committed so great villany not to leave the same unrevenged Her Husband promised to be 〈◊〉 revenged but through wars with Otho his Competitour in the Empire he could not at present But it fortuned that then great preparations were making in divers places for the Holy Land Theobald Count of Campagne General of the Army Boniface Marquels of 〈◊〉 c. were cheif with divers Noble men their Army was very populous But since the Greeks had formerly shewed great discourtesie to the Latines they thought it best to journey by Italy and cheifly to use the Venetians for their transportation by Sea who were the easier intreated thereto hoping hereby to scour the Adriatique Sea of the Dalmatians and recover Jadera in Sclavonia being revolted from them to the Hungarians which this Army did But in their march into 〈◊〉 their General died to the whole Armies sorrow the Marquesse of Montferrat was chosen General This great Army having
as the famine should enforce out still expecting when the besieged through necessity should yield When they had lyen above a year at siege certain Souldiers in a bravery adventured to mount the Wall and finding no resistance they stood still hearkening but seeing that dumb silence continued they returned informing the Captains of the matter who thinking it some policy of the enemy afterward caused some Companies to scale a Bulwark in such sort as if they had gone against a puissant enemy who took it without resistance and cut in pieces in their further entry a small company very weak and feeble with famine and infection of air after some small resistance The gates being set open the Christians were let in with displayed Ensigns but at the entry were artainted with a most grievous stink they saw the streets covered with dead bodies others drawing towards their end Of 70000 persons were not found above 3000 alive and those the most part young children which maigred and poor ones had their lives granted them to cleanse the City and bury the dead being three moneths in doing it Damiata was taken Nov. 5. 1221. The spoil was great with store of Gold Silver and precitious Stones The Christians as in a Colony forgetting their Countrey stayed there above a year after The City Pelagius by vertue of his Legation adjudged to belong to the See of Rome at which the King and Armies General to whom all places taken was agreed to be given withdrew himself discontented yet dissemblingly to Ptolemais Pelagius weary to see nothing doing the year following commanded every man to take Arms and prosecute the war with besieging of Cairs yet the Souldiers cryed out with one voice They would be commanded by none but the King of Jerusalem The Legat was enforced to send and request the King to take on 〈◊〉 the mannaging of that war who by particular affairs 〈◊〉 his own indisposure excusing himself at length through the requests of the other Princes at the time when the 〈◊〉 Duke after 10 months absence arrived out of his Countrey with a brave Company returned to Damiata whom with others the Legat requested and urged speedily to take the field telling them the holy wars enterprize was grown old and cold by these delays c. That it was for the invaded or assailed on whose lives their Countrey Wives c. depended to prolong time and to delude and dally off the enemy till having weakened his forces he should lose his hope Caire he said was a great City yet the greatest Cities had by puissant and speedy enemies become desarts and that great Empires ought not to be assailed by forreign force if they were not at first overthrown or weakened as not to recover themselves c. That Aegypt ought not to have been attempted or not to be given over before conquest The King of Jerusalem whether grieved that Damiata could not be given him or having proved that higher Aegypt was not to be attempted without great danger said he would not go in any case the war being undertaken for recovery of the holy Land and that after Memphis Babylon or 〈◊〉 were taken they could not be kept long by force whereas Syria was in right their own And though he commended whatever forwardness c. Pelagius commended yet he ought to employ the same in Syria and not where no need was or profit to be exspected The Legat wedded to his opinion commanded him and the rest to get in the field against the Sultan threatning the sentence of excommunication against the backward or unwilling So as enforced they set forward in August the hottest season The Sultan as afraid of 70000 retired farther off at which the unexpert Legat rejoycing said That fortune favoured the valiant and to cowards all fell out to the worst The Christians seizing on a bridge made over Nile cut the Keepers thereof to pieces Drawing nigh Caire and encamping in its sight they ran up and down provoking them of the City to come out to battel c. who let them alone to brag and boast and purposely protracted long the siege and the Christians having confidence in their valour with little regard of their enemies not considering they were within the Trenches c. of a deceitful River took no care of duty watch c. So the crafty enemies abusing them with delays and deceits drew them out at length that they might circumvent them when they least feared it The Christians encamped under the covert of the Banks and Causies of that fenny Country thinking themselves safe But these places were soft and durty the people at pleasure watring them by channels and sluces out of Nile which opened the River began to overflow all Then they too late perceived themselves taken as in a gin all the ground being covered with water that the victuals were corrupted and no place for a man to lye dry in The Aegyptians had taken the high places that the Christians should not retire out of the covered Boggs and Marshes so their rash valour was exposed to the enemies shot and fury Then all began to cry out and rail c. against Pelagius the King they blamed 〈◊〉 who was against his liking drawn into this war c. After 3 daies thus coupt up with waters the poor Souldiers fell down dead in the water for want of food and sleep no help but to accept of the proud enemies conditions who most desiring his Countries liberty required Damiata to be restored and all things as before the besieging thereof and so the Christians to depart his Countrey These hard conditions were by the distressed Christians accepted of but when they were propounded to them of Damiata a great contention arose some said they would not surrender the Town a stay for all Christian affairs in the East but being restored carried away all their hope with it and therefore 't were better endure all extremities than receive so hurtful a Peace Others said they ought to have compassion of so many thousand distressed souls not to expose them to butchery Towns consisting of men and not men of enclosures These seeing the others obstinate presently by force entred their houses and took away their weapons to constrain them to yield When they before Caire almost drowned understood of this dissention they sent word If they would not yield Damiata to the Sultan they would forthwith send to Ptolemais which would not 〈◊〉 to have it surrendred instead to the Aegyptians So was Damiata again yielded to the Infidels Meledin the Sultan did neither by word or deed despight or reproach them but relieved them with victuals and other things wanting conducting them safely by guides out of the Countrey Likewise Coradin his brother made a truce with them for 8 years whereupon the King went into Italy and by the Popes perswasion gave his daughter Yoland in marriage to Frederick Latin Emperour she being Crowned Queen of Jerusalem in her dead 〈◊〉 right to stir
into Greece Bajazet forthwith sent Mustapha Bassa to Pope Alexander with like instructions who comming safely to Rome among many things in charge the life of Zemes was that he most sought for of the Bishop Charls the French King then in 1495 passing thorow Italy against Alphonsus and so thorow Rome so terrified Alexander the Bishop that he yielded to all conditions he demanded not purposing the performance of any giving him Casar Borgia his Sonne in hostage then a Cardinal covering the disgrace with his Sonnes Title of Legate and was forced to deliver him Zemes who to the Bishop's profit had remained seven yeares there in custody who three dayes after died at Caieta thought to be poysoned before by a wondrous white and pleasant powder cunningly mingled with the Sugar which Zemes drank with water whose dead body sent to Bajazet was by his appointment honourably interred at Prusa Borgia also deceiving his Keepers at Velitras returned to Rome before Charls came to Naples which wicked imp shortly after envying Candianus his Brother General of the Bishops forces then great having supped together with their Mother caused him to be murthered going home and his body to be cast into Tiber. Then casting off his 〈◊〉 Robes took on him the leading of his Fathers Army And with exceeding prodigality exhausting his Fathers Coffers and the Church Treasures bound to him desperate Ruffians and Souldiers chiefly Spaniards his Fathers Countreymen which proceedings his Father winked at fearing it was thought to be murdered of him himself He now became a terror to the Roman Nobility and Signiories thereabouts by his Fathers help desiring to make him great drave the Family of the Columnii out of the City then out of Italy and poysoning or killing the honourable of the Ursine and Caetane Families took their possessions strangling at once 4 Nobles of the Camertes and driving Guide Feltrius out of Urbin taking Pisaurum from John Sfortia hardly escaped his hands and driving the Malatestaes out of Ariminum thrusting the Lady Catherine Sfortia out of Forum Liuli and Cornelii shamefully leading her in triumph thorow Rome And shedding blood without measure he took Faventia from young Astor Manfredus whom having abused against Nature he caused to be strangled and east into Tiber But he being with his Father at a solemn Supper in the Vaticane prepared to destroy some Cardinalls and other chief Citizens they were both poysoned by a waiter's mistaking the Flagon of poysoned Wine prepared for the guests the Bishop dying few dayes after but his Sonne the same being more allayed with water died not a long time after yet was so sick that he was soon forsaken of his followers seeing two of his enemies Pius the 3d and Julius the 2d sitting in his Fathers place Pius enjoying it but 16 dayes whom Julius succeeding caused Casar Borgia to be shut up in a Castle whence he freed him upon delivery of some strong Holds held by his Garrisons who fleeing to Ostia and so by Sea to Naples he was for fear of raising new stirs in Italy apprehended by Ferdinand King of Spain's Command and imprisoned in Spain in Medina Castle where after three years he escaping by a rope from a high Tower fled to the King of Navarre in whose Warres he was in a hot skirmish though he got the Victory slain with a small shot whose body found stript and brought to the King on a bad Beast was honourably buried at Pampilona But the French King having lost Zemes by death and Borgia by escape journied toward Naples all places yielding to him as he went without much resistance Alphonsus destitute of requested aid and most of the Nobility hating him for too severely punishing the late rebellious the Princes of Sarne and Salerne being chief and the people murmuring at their heavy exactions for these Warres maintenance with teares in sight of the Neopolitans resigned his Kingdom to his Sonne Ferdinand scarce reigning a year after his Fathers death passing over to Mazerea in Sicilia Ferdiuand was to the wondrous content of the Neapolitans with joy c. saluted King returning presently to his Army by which time the French King was with his forces entred far into Naples and having taken divers Cities by assault struck the Neopolitans with a general terror Ferdinand had taken the Straits of St. Germanes Forrest to hinder Charls his further passage but suddenly hearing that Columna had broken by the Appenines into Campania he doubting to be shut up betwixt two Armies retired to Capua where through the River Vulturnus deepness he purposed to stop the French but newes being brought that the Citizens of Naples were all up in Arms doubting which way to turn he troubled leaving his Army and Capua in charge to his Captains rode back post to Naples by whole arrivall every man laying down his Arms generally welcommed him who earnestly requesting them not to betray him their natural King unto his cruel enemies c. they all answered they would spend themselves in his quarrel while keeping his Army whole and defending Capua but if the Arragonians should be overthrown or abandon that City and the French King approach Naples he should against reason and equity exact his Subjects fidelity So exposing City and Country thereabouts to be spoiled c. Charls the while being come to Capua the Citizens though ever affected to the Arragon Kings yet the French King beating down all before him they consulted of yielding up the City and the rather through the revolt of Trivultius and his followers which caused Verginius Petilianus to flee to Nola with their Companies The French hereupon entring the Suburbs Gothfredus Gaspar two valiant Germanes sallied forth with their Companies and having valiantly repulsed the French in their return were shut out of the Gate and in danger of the enemy who on their knees entreating the cowardly Citizens on the Walls not so to berray their friends c. at length were received ten by ten in at one Gate and put out at another farthest from the enemy who going towards Naples met with the King at Aversa declaring what had hapned at Capua who notwithstanding came to its very Gates calling on divers chief ones to be let in but none answering him and a French Ensign being on the Wall he returned to Naples where he found the Gates shut against him and all the Citizens in Arms not willing to receive any but the King himself for it was famed that all his chief Captains were gone to the enemy or fled the Army broken up and Capua yielded wherefore they began to contemn Ferdinand who fetching a compasse came to the Castle whereinto he was received but foreseeing he should there be besieged by Sea and Land he commending it to valiant Davalus his keeping departed with 20 Gallies to the Island Aenuria not farre off But Justus the Captain of the Castle traiterously shut the Gates against him wherewith the Prince wondrously perplexed with intreaty and remembrance of
your Religion from accursed slavery averting the storm hanging over your own and childrens head The Hermit delivered these Letters at Rome to Pope Urban the second requesting his care for redresses of the Christians miseries seen at Jerusalem who calling a Councel at Claremont in France of 310 Bishops out of divers parts with Embassadors of all Countries propounded the same as a special matter where the Letters being read and the Christians miseries and teares being by the Hermit lively represented the whole Assembly was moved with compassion crying out Deus vult that is God willeth it which words were afterward much used in their expedition as a sign of their chearfulness this religious decreed war spreading in one daies space by flying fame so far as is hardly to be believed And by the effectual perswasion of the Father returned home were shortly seen about 300000 men with red Crosses on their breasts ready to spend life and goods for Religion and recovery of the holy Land under the commands of Godfrey Eustace and Baldwin Brothers of the house of Bulloin Great Hugh the French Kings brother Raimond Robert Earls of Flanders Robert of Normandy William the Conquerour's Son Stephen of Ualois Ademar the Popes Legate and Peter the Hermit many Princes being partakers of their travels though not of such charge One Gualter first set forward then the Hermit with 40000 who came at length thorow Germany Hungary and Bulgaria with labour and losse to Constantinople which weary travellers were afterwards shipped over Bosphorus into Asia by Alexius the Emperour marching encamping not far from Nice in Bythinia unto whom by reason of distrusting the expedition to be against himself through guilt of his usurpation they were not at first very welcome Godfrey with others followed the Hermits way Hugh the Legat and the French Commanders passed into Italy taking leave of the Pope unto whom Bohemud a Prince of Apulia joyning with 12000 they crossed the Adriatick from three several Ports Brundusium Bary and Hydruntum passing by land to Constantinople where they met with Godfrey with whom jealous Alexius better perswaded of their good meanings made a League to furnish them with all supplies though by him but slenderly performed for which he should receive all Countries except Jerusalem gained from the Turk and Saracens he transported them unto Asia but Bohemud from his Fathers grudg with Alexius came nor to Constantinople yet marched passed Hellespont sooner than was expected The Turks understanding what was growing on them out of Europe diligently sought to cut off Gualter Peters Army who had lyen two months about Nice expecting the other Princes whose Souldiers weary and somewhat pinched chose Raymond a Germane in a mutiny in Gualters room suspecting also Peter's prowess and therefore by quitting Exorgum a Town and sending out Cattel as a bait to train out the Christians winking at those who brought them into Exorgum slew asterwards full 3000 incouraged Christians to the discouragment of their chief Cómanders yet the Soldiers chose one Burel a new General 10000 rashly going out of Exorgum in revenge for forrage were almost all slain by the Turks who afterwards hardly besieging the town with famin sword consum'd most of them the Hermit with much ado defending the town Cinit whither he had 〈◊〉 til the Princes coming Solyman Cutlumuses his Son who was dead who had almost nullified the Hermit's forces was careful to withstand the great Army who removed from Nicomedia besieging Nice so called from Nicea the wife of King Lysimachus this City was yielded July 1097 after 50 daies siege defended by the Turks longer then was supposed new supplies coming to them by the lake Ascanius on the other side the Turks assayling the mean while the 〈◊〉 Camp were with great loss repulsed Solyman's wife and two children being taken prisoners the City was restored to Alexius Then the Christian Princes encamping on the fourth daies march by a river for refreshment news was brought to Bohemud of Solymans approach aided by the Persian Sultan with 60000 men to give the Christians battel who sending word to the other Princes for relief upon occasion the two Armies most terribly fought the Turks lying slain on heaps some of their horsemen breaking in the mean time into Bohemuds Camp among women and weak persons appalled the fighters but Bohemud withdrawing some Companies repulsed the enemy whose Souldiers he found at his return ready to flee from the Turks but his coming restored the battel The enemy with horsemen 〈◊〉 the Camp again Hugh seasonably coming with 30000 to rescue it whom a fresh Turkish reserve notably encountred At length after a terririble and doubtful fight the Turks gave ground retiring into the mountains 40000 being slain about 2000 Christians No enemy the next morning appearing they buryed their dead easily distinguished by their red crosses Solyman fleeing gave out he had the victory burning destroying or carrying away all as he went Bohemud and the Princes now marching through lesser Asia easily took Antiochia in Pisidia being courteously received by the Citizens of Iconium refreshing their Army But at their approach to Heraclea the Turks and Garrison souldiers fled the Christian Citizens gladly yielding themselves and City to their deliverers Here through the Turks fear not daring any where to abide their coming Baldwin and 〈◊〉 with part of the Army soon subdued Tarsus Edessa and Manussa Cities of Cilicia while the other part took the lesser 〈◊〉 and the Cities of 〈◊〉 and Socor in Cappadocia driving the Turks in every place out of lesser Asia and setting the oppressed Christians at liberty Of which Solyman sorely complained in Letters for aid unto Axan his Cousin Thus the Turks until by discord and ambition of the Greek Empire they again became dreadful this heat being over were glad to retire farther off being brought low in lesser Asia The Conquerours mounted over high Taurus possessing the City Maresia from whence the Turks had by night fled being first bound by oath not to return home till the accomplishment of that holy war While they 〈◊〉 here the Citizens of Artasia suddenly slaying all the Turks in Garrison received Robert Earl of Flanders with 1000 men that was sent to Summon it In revenge hereof the Turks sent 10000 out of Antioch unto Artasia 15 miles off who by stragling Companies drew the Flemings out of the City purposely fleeing from them and had not the Citizens relieved them they had surely perished by the Turks ambushments The Army marching forward encamped Octob. 21. 1097 before Antioch having passed the River 〈◊〉 on which this famous City is scituated Robert Duke of Normandy by a hard conflict making the Turks forsake the bridge where they thought to stay their passage the Covernour for the Persian Sultan of this Metrapolis of Syria called by the Hebrews Roblatha was Gassianus who had 7000 horse and 20000 〈◊〉 as defendants with great store of all necessary provisions 〈◊〉 incompassed
further indignation with these and such speeches he was forced to send Embassadours to Solyman Groleus the Ensign-bearer and Barasius skilled in the Greek-tongue for whom Achimetes kinsman and an Epirot who had fled to the Turks because a Greek Captain struck him with his open hand of a sharp wit and speaking Greek Turkish Italian Languages were pledges Solyman's Interpreter came also after for Solyman counted it a disgrace to speak any Language but his own the Embassadours told Solyman they were sent to know why he sent for parley Who in a flaming heat as if not knowing thereof said There was no such matter and commanding them to void the Camp sent them away with Letters that they should yield speedily as he commanded their Lives Wealth and choice to tarry there still or to depart he granted them that they should not refuse grace frankly offered c. saying it should not be always lawful for them to make choice of both Upon their return the multitude flocked to Villerius his House who being dismissed and the chief Burgers sent for the Letter was read before the Knights and better sort of Citizens To which the Master answered they had heard those imperious letters were sorrowful that they must resolve to yield or die except Forreign ayd come Wherefore with Weapons in hand letus said he to the last gasp valiantly defend our Faiths and Nobility received from our Ancestours c. never to besaid Honours died but with our selves This speech seemed to many heavier than Solymans Command who stood silent heavily looking one upon another c. At length a Greek Priest with great compassion of mind and tears trickling down brake forth into a 〈◊〉 speech perswading the Great Master to yield Most there present was of his mind yet the speech was not liked of all Some considering the harms they had done the Turks doubted with what safety they might yield unto those faithless people rather to fight it out to the last man and so leave them a bloody Victory Amongst these one bold-spoken fellow stept forth a common Souldier and by a most resolute speech disswaded the yielding up of the Rhodes concluding they should enjoy eternal fame and glory in Heaven and earth prepared for such as honourably dic in defence of their Prince and Country which honour said he it becommeth not them to envy who for many years enjoying the profit of peace and being greatly enriched by the bounty of this sacred Military Order refuse now to bear this last burden of War At these words an ancient Greek for wisdom and discretion greatly reputed by Greeks and Latines perceiving his Country-men wrongfully touched and the desperate holding out of the City vainly perswaded interrupting him notably answered to his speech and urged earnestly and affectionately the yielding of the City Notwithstanding Villerius making shew of greater courage than his present State required after thus discoursing most of the night commanded every man to his charge answering only He would be careful of all their well-doing Next morning he sent for Preianes Martiningus and a few other who resolved him the City could not be long defended Wherefore calling a Common-Councel it was by a general consent concluded the City should be yielded and a Decree by the Great Master pronounced During a 4 dayes truce with the enemy full of danger divers presuming Turks came to behold the Walls and Rampires Fornovius sore moved without command discharged a Tire of Ordnance among the thickest of them Then also they received by night into the City a ship-load of Wines from Creet with Alphonsus chief Pilot of the Rhodian Galleys and 100 voluntary Latines thence without the knowledge of the Venetian Senate then in league with Solyman The Turks hereby justly offended supposing the supplies far greater than they were without command or Ensigne displayed thrust in in great numbers to the new Rampires and Barracadoes with a furious assault many being slain and wounded on both sides but the Turks retired The truce thus broken the bloudy Captain of the Turks Senoeres having taken 3 Christians cut off their hands ears and noses sending them thus with Letters to Villerius charging him with Truce-breach threatning within 3 or 4 dayes to make him the like example to Posterity None was more troubled with this breach than the 3 Knights then Embassadours in the Turks Camp who had been slain or tortured had they not feared the like to their Hostages but two Burgesses being come into the Camp with Articles of surrender their rage was soon appeased Solyman gave them audience beset with his great Army and glistering Janizaries who with great humility presented the conditions The chief were that the Temples should remain to the Christians 〈◊〉 No children to be taken from their Parents nor no Christians forced to turn Turks That such as would tarry in the City might at liberty paying no Tribute for 5 years All others to depart with bag and baggage furnished with convenient Shipping and Provision as far as Creet carrying so much Ordnance as they pleased and a reasonable day to appoint for their departure Solyman solemnly swearing to perform them all but it seems they were not altogether kept nor broken many great out-rages being committed against the mind of Solyman Fontanus a Civilian then a Judge of the City reports the Turks brake in one Christmas-day by the 〈◊〉 Cosqueinium polluting the Temples abusing the Christians and making havock of all things Himself redeeming himself with what money he had not having enough to content all their desires was hardly entreated and grievously beaten Villerius by Achimetes counsel putting on simple attire went out into the Camp with a few Knights where waiting most of the day in the rain at Solyman's Tent at last having a rich Gown cast upon him was brought into his presence where a while piercingly beholding each other the great Master humbling himself was admitted to kiss his hand and welcomed by Solyman thus Though I might justly infringe the Articles with thee especially such a Capital 〈◊〉 c. Yet I have determined to be not only gracious but bountiful promising if thou 〈◊〉 amend the highest places in my Empire in time of War and Peace thy present state perswades thee not to refuse the Christians deserve no better at thy hands For what should let thee as it were betrayed vanquished to cast thy self into the protection of a most merciful and mighty Conquerour Villerius answered Most mighty c. Thy Favours before thy other Worthies I deserve not nor dare I or ought now to refel the same yet I will speak freely in the presence of the Conqueror whose mercy I never despaired of or of his faith doubted I had rather having lost my Soveraignty lose my life or for ever live in obscurity than to be accounted a fugitive for to be a vanquished man is but War's chance and of so great a Conquerour no shame but afterwards to forsake his people
Tents covered the places round about and brought a 〈◊〉 Fleet up the River every man began to doubt of his own safety This fear was encreased by Messengers from Solyman who hearing of what Nations the Garrison consisted sent three Renegates of his Guard a Spaniard Italian and German to speak to their Countreymen in their own Language They offered great rewards and 〈◊〉 to such as would yield in time denouncing all torture and extremities to those who endured the Summons of a Cannon It was answered by the Captains those faithful and valiant Souldiers were not to be won with Gifts nor terrified with threats The same day the Ordnance was planted on the Hill before the Gate and all the weakest 〈◊〉 of the Walls so well pickt out to be assaulted that it s to be thought the Christians wanted faith among themselves Salamanca d strusting the Suburb's Fortifications retired into the City contrary to what he had boasted Achomates 〈◊〉 that part next the Bishop's Gardens Ulames the Towre next the Gate toward Buda the Asapi were brought on to dig Trenches and cast up Mounts the 〈◊〉 was so discharged without 〈◊〉 that the Towre with much of the Wall near it fell down as if shaken with a terrible Earth-quake the 〈◊〉 Janizaries also fetching off any man that stood on the Walls many further off being grievously wounded with Arrowes falling from high and the 〈◊〉 broken with the great shot killed or maimed the Souldiers near hand wherefore they forsook the uttermost Wall casting up new Fortifications within The enemy also thrice desperately assailed the breach but still with losse repulsed Bultazes Sanzack of Selymeria a man of great account being lost Many the while who came up the River with necessaries for the Army went ashoare and lay in the Suburbs with great security wherefore they in the City suddenly sallying out slew many before they could arm driving the rest to their Fleet so that there was about 200 slain Zymar the Persian Admiral in rescuing them being slain with a small shot While the Turks did with greater force daily assail the City and the 〈◊〉 despairing of relief more and more discouraged an old Calabrian Engineer fled out to the Turks who satisfied them in all their questions directing them in planting their batteries in the most convenient places It fortuned that a gilt Brazen Crosse on the Steeple of the Cathedrall was by the Turk 's shooting thereat at length beaten down wherefore Solyman is reported taking it as a token of good luck presently to cry out Strigonium is won Liscanus and Salamanca secretly conferring together resolved to give up the Town for Liscanus was no great Souldier yet by spoil exceeding rich and therefore thought it folly to buy the name of resolute Captain with the losse of life and wealth the like feeling was also in Salamanca This secret purpose was noised among the Souldiers a third part being slain or weak with wounds or sickness yet they thought generally they were able still to 〈◊〉 the Town but the under-Captains c. flatteringly liked the motion rather to yield on reasonable termes than to expose themselves to most certain death and not better Ferdinands cause Ere long an Auncient was by night let down over the Wall and receiving the Turk's faith called forth Salamanca who coming out went to Achomates commanding before he went them who defended the Water-Towre of great danger for safety of their lives to get into the City who hastily retiring the vigilant Turks suddenly breaking in slew such as were not gone possessing the Castle but Salamanca when he had stood upon many nice termes with the Bassaes obtained onely without delay to yield and put themselves wholly on Solyman's mercy so being there stayed he wrote to Liscanus how he sped wishing him if he loved his safety to yield the City without further termes Liscanus hereupon declared to the Souldiers the necessity of yielding up and what hope of life and liberty but whilest the angry Souldiers stood as in a doubt Halis Commander of the Janizaries came not sternly requiring the Gate to be opened to him according to Salamanca's agreement which was done and the keys delivered to him they entring peaceably possessed themselves of the Walls and fortresses chusing all the beardless youths out of the Souldiers commanding the rest to cast down their Weapons in a place appointedw hich they did expecting nothing but some cruel execution which fear was the more increased by a strange accident for while with their Harquebusses they cast their flasks of powder also one of them suddenly took fire of a match which firing the rest blew abroad that heap of Weapons among the Janizaries whereupon they slew divers Christians till Halis perswaded 't was rather by chance than malice commanded them to stay their fury Then he proclaimed that all Christians who would serve Solyman should have places answerable with large entertainment yet were there but seventy which accepted the offer for fear of their lives whom Halis sent down the River with the culled out youths to Buda the other helped the Turks to cleanse the Castle but Liscanus was glad to give Halis the Chain of Gold he took from Perenus he requiring it as of military courtesie a strange Ornament with the Turks hoping thereby to save his other Coyn but when the covetous Coward was about to depart with his Horses of service and Saddles cunningly stuffed full of Gold the Turk laughing at him took them also so furnished saying He who was to go by water needed no Horses The rest were conveighed over Danubius travelling to Possonium where Count Salma by Ferdinand's Command committed Liscanus and Salamanca and some others to custody to answer their cowardly yielding up the City which Solyman entred Aug. 10. 1543 and turning the Christian Temples into Mahometane first sacrificed for his Victory as before at Buda and speedily so fortified it as if to take away all hope of recovery thereof deriding the Germans negligence who keeping it 14 years had not fortified it Solyman leaving Ossainus Governour there sent his Tartarian Horse to spoil the Countrey as farre as Alba Regalis going himself to besiege Tatta Castle 〈◊〉 terrified Souldiers upon the first Summons yielded and quietly departed the Castle the Turks keeping their Provinces under by few but very strong holds being presently rased to the ground Torniellus causing Hanniball the Captain to lose his head for his cowardly yielding up his charge thereby to admonish others Solyman marched thence to 〈◊〉 Regalis which stands more into the Land than Buda and Strigonium strongly seated in midst of a Lake but not so wholsomly especially in Summer From the City thorow the Lake lay three broad and high Causies built with fair Houses and Gardens on each side at the end of every Causey toward the Land were strong Bulwarks which the Citizens used not to watch but in dangerous times of Warre the City thus standing and compassed about with a