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 arrivd 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 entertaind 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 receivd which way the Court stood affected toward the Holy-wat 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 coold 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 applid 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 refusd 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 appeard 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 falln 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 forcd 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 â—ldâ—st 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 Fraace 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 embroyld 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 turmoyld 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-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 DAvignen 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
Lusignan King of Cyprus one of the weakest and most effeminate Princes that ever sway'd a Scepter had only one natural Son who was nam'd James de Lusignan when he espous'd his Second Wife Helena of the House of the Paleologi and Daughter of the Despote of Moria By this second Wife he had a Daughter nam'd Charlote who was married to John of Portugal Duke of Conimbria This Prince who had both wit and courage being at the Court of Cyprus easily wound himself into the management of affairs and depriv'd the Queen of all that authority which the weakness of the King had permitted her to use The Queens Nurse who govern'd all things before the marriage of the Princess Charlota and was afterwards in little esteem reveng'd the Queen's and her own disgrace by poysoning the Duke of Conimbria She had a Son whom she passionately lov'd and whom during her grandeur she had made a kind of absolute Minister of State The death of the Prince restor'd to the Mother and the Son the authority which they had lost But as persons of mean Birth usually forget themselves when rais'd above themselves the insolence of the one and the other was so excessive that they us'd the Dutchess most contemptuously Charlota deeply resented both the death of her Husband and the scorns put upon her when she was a Widow She complain'd to her Brother James de Lusignan and her Complaints were not in vain for this natural Son of the King equally cruel and ambitious kill'd with his own hand the Nurses Son not so much to satisfie his Sister as to govern in his room and to open to himself by that means a way to the Throne The Queen who tenderly lov'd her Nurse could not be brought to pardon James whom she mortally hated besides so that to avoid the anger of a Woman a Queen and a Mother-in-Law he was forc'd to conceal himself in the Venetian Consuls House and at length to quit the Kingdom In the mean while the Dutchess of Conimbria who was in the flower of her age and in the full splendor of her beauty was remarried with Lewis Son to the Duke of Savoy Soon after this marriage the King and the Queen dy'd The King by his Will declar'd Charlota his only Heir But the natural Son whom ambition blinded had no regard either to the Laws of Nature or the last words of a dying Prince He made War upon his Sister and his brother-in-Brother-in-Law by the assistance of the Soldan of Egypt who rather chose to have a Grecian Prince his Tributary then any other Marc Cornaro a Gentleman of Venice who liv'd at Nicossa and was very rich did not a little help the Bastard to make himself Master of the Isle and usurp the Crown The Usurper therefore to acknowledge his services and to fix the Venetians at the same time to his interests espoused Katharine the Daughter of Carnaro after the Commonwealth had adopted her But this new Dominion was too unjust to endure long or happy The Uncles of Katharine who shar'd in the Government poyson'd the King of Cyprus with a design to raign themselves And it was in favour of his Widow that Michael Salamon came to Rhodes on the behalf of General Loredano who was gone to Cyprus to restore Katharine to the possession of her Kingdom The Venetian Ambassadors deliver'd a Letter to the Grand Master from the Duke of Venice full of reproaching and menacing Language Afterwards he himself declar'd with much haughtiness that since the Common-wealth had adopted Katharine Cornara that it was an injury done to the Venetians to favour Rebels that caball'd against a Daughter of St. Mark and their lawfull Queen So proud and surly an Ambassy no way pleas'd the Grand Master however he thought it not convenient to provoke the Venetians by too severe an answer at a time when the order had their hands full Nor could he stoop to qualify them with an answer too much beneath himself And therefore he answer'd with a Gentility and sowreness mix'd both together that the Knights of St. John neither meddl'd with the differences in the Kingdom of Cyprus nor would they suffer any Traitors in Rhodes but that the Island being a free Island they denied admittance to no Christians who desir'd to live among them like Christians Salamon was not satisfy'd with the Grand Masters answer and Loredano less He thought his own presence would do more then his Embassador for which reason he hastons away to Rhodes When his Gallies enter'd the Port the Master sent four of the Grand Crosses to congratulate his arrival and to present him with all sorts of fresh Victuals but being informed of the occasion of his coming he sent to tell him plainly that he could make him no other answer then what he had already given him That concise Declaration caus'd the General to understand that his Voyage was lost so that without considering any farther with himself or so much as setting foot ashore he return'd with all the choler that could inspire a fierce and daring person for having tak'n so much pains so little to the purpose The haughtiness of the Venetians was not the only cause of the ill success of their Embassie The kindness which the Grand Master had for Charlota de Lusignan had a deep share therein Though the Knights of St. John had never openly declar'd for Katherine Cornara nor were willing to contest with the Venetians about their affair certain it is that in their hearts they were all for Charlota de Lusignan whether it were that they were satisfy'd in the Justice of her cause or that the compassion which they took upon her misfortunes caus'd them to embrace her interests or whether it were that the most of them were taken with the Charms of her beauty They had seen her several times at Rhodes she was as yet young enough for her misfortunes had not defac'd her beauty nor depriv'd her of her natural gayity of humour She spoke very pleasingly and readily according to the natural Genius of the Greeks she drest her self after the French mode and her disposition her air and manners plainly shewed her to be of Royal Extraction The Grand Master had always admir'd in the person of Charlota besides the graces of her body and mind a prudence that exceeded age and a constancy above all her sex But the chiefest motive was that she had put her self under the protection of the Knights and for that she had already receiv'd all the assisting kindnesses that she could in reason expect Her acknowledgment also oblig'd them to shew her new marks of their esteem and affection For she publickly declared that she had been more oblig'd to the Knights of Rhodes then to all her nearest Relations and because the Commonwealth had adopted her Enemy she was wont pleasently to say that if Katharine Cornara were the Daughter of St. Mark of Venice Charlota de Lusignan was the Daughter of St. John of Jerusalem But
Flight While the Arms of Sigismund had this happy success in Hungary his affairs prosper'd no less in other places The Hussites weak'nd by their Losses and either terrifi'd by the Threats or gain'd by the Promises of Emperor at length return'd to their duty The Treaty of Prague put an end to all the Troubles of Bohemia and upon a sudden the Imperial Authority was re-establish'd All things being thus calm'd and Albert having disbanded his Troops Aubusson attended the Nobility that went to the Emperour's Court. There he was receiv'd as one that contributed highly to the Victory in Hungary and that which was related 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 Kingsof 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 state 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 be 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 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 all the Estates of the Order The most part of the absent Commanders who lead lives irregular enough and for whom great Revenues were not large enough to maintain their luxury refus'd to pay that which was their due However to excuse themselves in some measure they cry'd out that the Tax was too high that Zacosta sought only to ruine them and enrich himself and that his Government grew every day more and more tyrannical They also did him ill offices to the Princes which they found enclind to hear them The Italians and French did all they could to animate against him the Duke of Venice and the King of Naples but the Spaniards render'd him altogether odious to the King of Arragon already provok'd for that the Council of Rhodes had tak'n from an Arragonois the Commandery of Emposta to put Zacosta in his room That Prince who was one of the Greatest of his time and who wanted not for credit at Rome inform'd the Pope of all and advis'd him to send for the Grand Master and to examine how he had carry'd himself The Pope believd the King of Arragon but to save in some measure the honour of the party accus'd he orderd the General Chapter which should have been held at Rhodes to be held at Rome where the affairs of the Order might be better consulted then in any other place Zacosta who was ignorant of the evil designs of his enemies blindly obeys the Orders of the Pope and his innocency seem'd to afford him strength to undergo the toil of a Voyage in the extremity of old age In this famous Assembly it was wherein Paul the second presided in Person that the Commander D Aubusson was highly preferr'd For besides that at the opening of the Chapter he was chosen for one of the Procurators of the Treasury he was one of the sixteen Knights that were afterwards elected and who according to the Statutes of the Order bad a joint power to look after the most important affairs But his principal business was to justifie the innocence of the Grand Master Zacosta to which purpose he ply'd Cardinal Vrsini and the Arch-Bishop of Milan who were brought into the Chapter by the Popes order being persons in whom the Pope had a great confidence After he had well inform'd them of the loose life of the Knights who refus'd to pay the Tax he easily made them understand that the Complaints which they made against the Grand Master had no other foundation then the dissoluteness of his Enemies But to remove out of the Popes thoughts all apprehensions of any tyrannical Government exercis'd by the Grand Master he engag'd several of the most sober and prudent Knights to give testimony to the Pope of the conduct and management of Zacosta The Pope was asham'd that he so easily believ'd the accusers of Zacosta and to make him some kind of publick satisfaction he caress'd him and shew'd him more then ordinary favours before all the world But as his Holiness had been informd by Cardinal Vrsini and the Arch-Bishop of Milan of the debauchery of the disobedient Knights he consulted with the Grand Master how to reduce them to their duty He also made a speech in Latin to the Knights that were assembled upon the obligation that lay upon them all together to lead a life not only vertuous and regular but holy and irreproachable The zeal of the Pope rais'd up that of the Chapter They seriously fell to consider what way to take to remedy the disorders that were crept into the Order and made Laws for the Reformation of Manners which after they had been examind by the sixteen Knights and some of the Cardinals were approvd and confirmd by the Pope himself Aubusson was extreamly rejoic'd that he had not labour'd in vain but he had not the satisfaction to see the Grand Master himself put the Laws in execution Zacosta dyd as soon as the Assembly was broke up The Pope was so much the more aggrievd at it because he lookt upon himself to be in some sort the cause of his death for it was the general report that this journey to Rome had shorten'd the days of that venerable old man He was buried with a magnificence extraordinary in the Church of St. Peter before the Chappel of St. Gregory The Marble that was laid over him sufficiently testifies him to have been illustrious in piety in charity and in wisdom and his Epitaph might have servd him for an Apology had he had any need of it after his death Baptista Vrsini Prior of Rome was elected Grand Mailer before the Knights were separated He departed for Rhodes presently after his election upon information that his presence was absolutely necessary there When he came there he found the Treasury wasted the Fortifications decay'd good part of the Ammunition spent and all the Inhabitants of the Island alarm'd at Mahomets preparations The Barbarian puft up with his former Conquests advanc'd every day like a furious Torrent that finds no resistance or which becomes more impetuous and rapid by the resistance which it meets with The death of the generous Scanderbeg made him more insolent then ever insomuch that when he heard the news he said that he would now be soon Master of Christendom since she had lost her Sword and Buckler The first step which the Grand Master made to remedy these disorders was to recall all the Knights which the journey to Rome had scatter'd or which the pleasures of Italy or the affairs of the Order hinder'd from returning The Commander Aubusson who was recall'd by name came to Rhodes at the same time that two Gallies were preparing to succour the Island of Negropont into which Mahomet was enter'd by land with an Army of two hundred thousand men by the help of wooden Bridges built upon great Barks in the Streight of Saint Mark while Basha Mahomet his Favourite assail'd it by Sea with a Navy of two hundred Sail. The impatience which Aubusson had to fight the Infidels made him eager for employment upon this occasion The Grand Master had already nam'd the Knight Cardona to command the Gallies so that all he could do for Aubusson was to give him the Command of a Troop of stout men that were order'd to be the Companions of Cardona's Fortune When the Gallies were ready they set sail
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 Sultan Zizim's accompt For considering how much it 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 Quaâ—râ—… between Bâ—jazet and Zizim which made such a noise over all Asia and Europe awak'nd him out of that dream wherein he say 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 impoâ—tant 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 haâ—te 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
sustain'd as if the Islanders had shar'd with the Galliot because the Captain had taken in fresh provisions in the Island The Grand Signior also confirms the Cadi's sentence But to chastize the Island the more severely which at Constantinople was accompted a Receptacle for Theives and Pirates he laid upon them a most enormous tax and threatn'd the Islanders with ruin if they did not speedily pay it down The inhabitants resolv'd to justify themselves at the Port and to represent humbly to the Grand Signior their inability to pay such great sums But the Barbarian would hearken neither to their reasons not their prayers and commanded his Vassels to go and sack Scio. The Islanders had bin lost without hope if the wisest of the Company had not adviz'd them to have recourse to the Grand Master There upon they earnestly besought him to be their protectour at such a time of calamity wherein only his authority could save them The Grand Master heated too much injustice and violence to suffer the oppression of a poor people that were altogether Innocent and were not in a condition to defend themselves Thereupon he wrote to the Port and did it so effectually that Bajazet cancell'd the Judgment and remitted the Tax which himself had impos'd Cardinal Paul Fregosa Duke of Genoa immediately return'd thanks to the Grand Master in a very civil Letter But the Lords Monesi who were the chief in Scio and happen'd to be at Genoa at the same time deputed Signior Lanfranco Patera a person of quality and merit to carry him a testimony of their Gratitude It was a Bason and Eure of Gold of exquisite workmanship on which these Latine words were graven Dominorum Chii Reverendissimo Petro D'Aubusson MAGNO MAGISTRO RHODI DE SE OPTIME MERITO DONVM Much about the same time the Grand Master receiv'd Intelligence of the death of Charlota de Lusignan Queen of Cyprus and Armenia This unfortunate Princess was constrain'd to quit Rhodes and travel to Rome as I have already said in the beginning of this History Pope Sixus the fourth receiv'd her magnificently and undertook her interest very zealously so that he perswaded the chief of the Island more then once to acknowledge her for their Soveraign Queen The Letters from his Holiness were read publickly at Nicosia before the Church of Santa Sophia and made so deep an Impression upon their spirits that the people took Arms ran in throngs to the Pallace and massacr'd the Uncles of Katherine Cornara who were accused to have poyson'd James of Lusignan her husband But the Venetians by whose authority Katherine raign'd or rather who rul'd under the name of Katherine appeas'd the sedition and quickly master'd it Charlota seeing that all the sollicitations of the Pope produc'd no good for her went to Lewis her husband in Piemont The Lord of Montjeu whom the Duke of Burgundy sent Embassadour to Venice gave a visit to Lewis and Charlota at Montcalier where they liv'd and promis'd them according to the Instructions he had receiv'd from his Master to represent their rights to the Senate But all his Remonstrances proving ineffectual the Princess return'd to Rome and there settl'd herself after the death of Lewis who piously ended his days in a kind of solitude whither he was retir'd She superviv'd him some years and during her widowhood she gave the Kingdom of Cyprus to Charles Duke of Savoy her Nephew to whom it otherwise belong'd by the articles of marriage between Charlota and Lewis This Donation was solemnly made to the procuratours of Charles of the number of which was the Admiral of Rhodes and by vertue of this Act it is that the Dukes of Savoy take upon them the Title of Kings and pretend to the Kingdom of Cyprus The news of her death sensibly greiv'd the Grand Master who had always lookt upon her as one of the most accomplish'd Princesses of the world In the mean time the Emperour of the Turks having rais'd a numerours Army and made himself Master almost without any trouble of those Provinces that were left the Grand Caraman he turn'd his Arms against Syria and Egypt incens'd at the Soldan for that he had with disdain deny'd him the wife and children of Zizim For how false soever he were in that out of I know not what fantastick piece of honesty which shews us that men are sometimes contrary to themselves and that the wicked like mad men have their lucid Intervals Now though the preparations all over Turky seem'd only to bend against the Dominions of Cairbei yet the King of Hungary took the Alarum And as thunder when at first it begins to grumble in the clouds seems to threaten most they that hear it nearest this Prince probably thought the Tempest would fall upon him if he took not care in time to divert it Yet as great a Souldier and as a Potent as Matthias was he thought that the Grand Master would be a necessary assistance to him for which purpose he sent to him Pauli de Rhetas his Secretary and his favourite Rhetas declar'd at the first Audience which he had at Rhodes that the King of Hungary was resolv'd to make War against the Turks and in prosecution thereof neither to spare his treasure nor his life and therefore desir'd to joyn his Arms with those of the Knights of St. John but above all to follow the Counsels of the Grand Master in an enterprize of so much hazard and difficulty The Hungarian Embassadour likewise added that his Master had private correspondence with the Grandees of the Port that several Basha's had resolv'd to forsake Bajazet's Party so soon as Zizim should appear upon the Confines of Hungary and at the head of the Hungarian Troops That the interest of Christendom requir'd that he should send the Ottoman Prince in all haste and that it was a favour which a King illustrious for his piety and his valour requested from the most generous Knights in the world The Proposal of Rhetas seem'd rational to the Grand Master and his Council But there are certain nice conjunctures wherein the wisest of men cannot follow sometimes neither the common Rules of Prudence not their own particular Judgments Though to all outward appearances and upon a serious consideration of the bottom of things it had been but reason to have trusted Zizim with the King of Hungary yet the engagement which oblig'd the Grand Master to keep the Prince by vertue of the Treaty of Peace made with the Port according to the Prince's own desire and the fear of offending his Holiness were the cause that the Hungarian Embassadour could obtain no other answer then a handsom denial However the Grand Master wrote to the King and after he had insisted a while in particular upon the Advantage which Christendom might receive from the personâ— of Zizim in case that Bajazet should make any attempt against the Treaty he told him that it being impossible for any War to be carried on against
understanding that such sharp complaints were as good as threats and that he that made them would be as good as his word disown'd the Admiral and releas'd the Pris'ners But the Grand Signior's proceedings were far different For all his Civilities to the Grand Master and his Embassie to the Court of France did not hinder the Infidels from continuing the War against the Venetians nor from invading Italy Twelve thousand Spahi's entred into Friuli through uncouth and difficult passages and putting all to Fire and Sword carri'd away above 20000 Christians into Slavery The Pope who minded nothing but the advancement of his Family till then had onely been a Spectator of the War but now he began to think himself concern'd when he saw the 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 12 th 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
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 Additions to C. Ciaconius says That all was great in him his Wit his Courage and his Piety That being invested with the Sacred Purple he was never the more remiss in Military Duties and that he had perform'd at one time Actions worthy of a Holy Cardinal and a Generous Souldier The same Author adds That the Magnanimous D'Aubusson in all the Conduct of his Life had no other aim then onely the Glory of God and Honour of his Order That he govern'd his Subjects with as much Lenity as Justice and that his Paternal Goodness was principally eminent towards the Poor The Ecclesiastical History speaks of him as of a most admirable Person and one that merited all manner of Applause In short the History of the Knights of St. John extolls him above all the Grand Masters equals him to the Hero's of Antient times and propounds him as a Model to all the Princes of Christendom A CONTINUATION Of the HISTORY OF RHODES Under the Government of Philip de Villiers Lisle Adam Containing the Siege of Solyman the Magnificent no less famous then that Mahomet the II. UPon the death of Peter D'Aubusson Emery D'Amboise Prior of France then absent was chosen in his place in whose time though Bajazet swore to besiege Rhodes with a puissant Army yet he attempted nothing He was a Prince vertuous valiant charitable and successful in his Enterpizes so that under his Government the Knights perform'd several notable Exploits to the honour of the Order and won among the rest that famous Victory at Sea from the Soldan of Egypt signaliz'd by the death of the Soldan s Nephew who commanded the Fleet. To Emery D'Amboise succeeded by a fair Election Guy de Blanchefort Prior of Auvergne In his time Sultan Selim having caus'd his Father Bajazet to be strangl'd and put to death Achmac and Corcutt his two Brothers with their Wives and Children possess'd himself of the Empire wherein he was no sooner settl d but he design'd to lay siege to Rhodes The Report whereof alarum'd the Grand Master to make preparations for his defence wherein he proceeded as far as could be expected considering the short time of his Government for in less then a year he dy'd and left his place to be supply'd by the Admiral de Carretta who the first thing he did made a League with Ishmael Sophi the King of Persia against Selim. For understanding that the Turk still continu'd his vast preparations for War he thought it was but a piece of common Providence to provide for himself But the Storm fell upon the Soldan of Egypt who being overthrown in Battel lost all Syria together with his life in the first place and soon after his Successor having twice unfortunately fought Selim himself and being by him at length taken and hang'd upon one of the Gates of Caire lost all Egypt of which Selim made himself absolute Master But whether Selim intended any mischief against Rhodes or no his death hasten'd the fare of Rhodes for upon that the Empire fell to his Son Solymon the Magnificent the shock of whose fury and puissance upon the death of the Admiral Caretta Philip de Villiers Lisle Adam Prior of France was chosen to withstand being elected Grand Master the 22d of January 1521. whose deportment in so Grand a Siege would he too unkindly left out where D' Aubusson's Fame is so honourably expanded it being certain that never two Courages were better mated in story Never was a City more valiantly defended nor more valiantly lost And it is a question undetermin'd whether of the two got most Amurach by rising from it or Solyman by taking it while the one prudently sav'd the other became a meer prodigal of blood Philip de Villiers was absent at the time of his being elected and therefore Gabriel de Pomerols was chosen his Lieutenant till his arrival Which dignity while he executed he thought fit to send to the Pope a Model of the City of Rhodes that he might see how it was fortifi'd But that which might have prov'd of higher concern was the arrival of another Embassador from the Grand Sophi to continue that private correspondence which was begun with Carretta Unluckily he finds Carretta dead so that his Commission being at an end he went to visit Amurath the Son of Sultan Zelim in the behalf of the Sophi That young Prince was entertain'd by the Order at their own Expences in the Castle of Ferracla whither the Knights sent several Presents to the young Sultan that he might be able to gratifie the Embassador who soon after return'd home to his own Prince not so much as mentioning any thing of the business for which he was sent The Grand Master being in France at the time of his Election made all the haste he could to his charge departing from Marseilles in the Carrack of Rhodes together with four other hird Vessels But his Voyage seem'd to be somewhat inauspicious For one of the Vessels was split by the way and the great Carrack it self had like to have been burnt being all on fire through the carelesness of the Cook but was happily quench'd again through the industry and authority of the Grand Master More then this having past by Nice and Corsica a flash of lightning shot it self into the main Cabin of the Carrack and melted his Sword without hurting the Scabbard Which little accidents were by some interpreted as ill omens of the success of the Siege of the Rhodes that soon after happen'd Cortogoli also the Grand Turkish Pirate laid way to intercept the Grand Master with a great number of Gallys and Galeots partly out of hopes of booty partly to revenge the death of his Brothers which the Knights of Rhodes had slain and to set the third at liberty being then a slave in Rhodes However the Grand Master contrary to the advice and entreaties of the Knights and great Personages that attended him with full sails made the Cape of St. Angelo and in the night time pass'd the place where the Turks lay in wait for him and arriv'd safe in Rhodes Sept. 11. 1421. Cortogoli mad that
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 bigneses and that there was a stop 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 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 assisted them For the Italian Knights being inform'd that he conferr'd every day Commanderies in Italy to their detriment complain'd to the Council of Rhodes and desir'd leave that they might go altogether to Rome to make their complaints to his Holiness which Liberty considering the State of Affairs was at that time deny'd them Thus was the Pope the Occasion of an unseasonable disorder For upon this the Italians openly complain'd of the Grand Master while the Chancellor Amarall secretly blew the bellows of dissention and carry'd it so far as to deny their service to the Order and to obey the Commands of the Grand Master Thereupon the Grand Master depriv'd of their habit three of the Principal Ring leaders Gabriel Solier James Palavicino and Lewis Moroso And to justifie himself he referr'd the whole to the consideration and examination of the Council who made their report that the Grand Master had done nothing but what was just prudent and rational However some of Commotion and Alteration at such a conjuncture made it their business to pacifie the Italians laying before them that the world would think and could not judge otherwise but that they sought for a pretence to go to Rome not so much for the sake of their Commanderies as to escape the danger of the approaching Siege Whereby the perswaders wrought so far that the Mutineers laid aside their anger made their excuses and return'd to the Obedience of the Grand Master who as kindly embrac'd and pardon'd them This bustle being over there arriv'd at Rhodes an Agent from Peri Basha who deliver'd a Letter to the Grand Master wherein the Basha invited him to a Treaty of Peace with the Grand Signior assuring him that if he sought it he should be well receiv'd and advising him withall to send for that purpose persons of Quality to the Port. The Embassador also deliver'd other Letters from the Grand Signior himself much to the same effect Most part of the Council considering the Age of Peri who was ancient and his known prudence and moderation had a good opinion of the Truth of the Embassie insomuch that they resolv'd to send to Constantinople the Chevalier Marquet Cataline and with him a Rhodian named Castrophylaca a person of great judgment and well skill'd in the Turkish Language to conclude a Peace in the same manner as it had been concluded in the time of D'Aubusson But when they were consulting about their Instructions some better considering of the business began to be of opinion that Peri was only a dissembler and observ'd that Solymans Letter gave no credence to that of Peri and that it was not practicable to send and Embassadour without a safe conduction in ample manner from the Grand Signiour While they were in these doubts the Grand Master was advertiz'd that Peri's Embassadour wandred about the City and with a diligent eye observ'd the Fortifications and made enquiries after the Quantity of Provisions the number of Souldiers and what relief was expected This open'd the eyes of the Council and gave them to understand that they were abus'd and that the Embassadour was only come as a spie Thereupon they presently sent him away ordering a Greek of mean Quality to go along with him to whom they gave two Letters one to Solyman the other to the Basha where in a few words the Grand Master declar'd that he had intelligence of every thing and that he had neither any thought or fear of the Grand Signiour or of his forces Nevertheless he desir'd a safe conduct for an Embassadour and offer'd to restrain the Incursions of those of the Order The Embassadour being arriv'd at Port Fisco found Horses there ready for him and went Post to Constantinople leaving the Greek behind who being unwilling to travel alone through an Enemies Country so far a journey return'd to Rhodes in the same Vessel that carry'd him By which miscarriage every one was then ascertain'd that the Embassie was but only a deceit and that the Town would suddainly be besiedg'd The City was well provided of Flesh pulse and wheat of which there was enough all the time of the siege as for warlike munitions it was thought there had bin enough though the Siege had lasted a whole year But they found it otherwise for they spent a great quantity to hinder the approaches of the Enemies Trenches besides the continual wast of powder and shot day night against so many thousands of busy Enemies Thereupon the Chevalier Antonie Bosio a person of a quick Capacity and one who did many services for the Order while he liv'd was sent into Candy for wine and to make a Levy of Archers but the Candiots afraid of the Turk forbid him to raise any men However under pretence of a convoy for his freight he brought away four hundred Archers which did eminent service all the time of the Siege The same Bosio met also upon the Sea with a Venetian whose name was Anthony Bonaldi coming from Alexandria in a great Vessel laden with Wine and bound for Constantinople But Bosio perswaded him to alter his Course and bring his Cargo to Rhodes where after he had sold his Wine he put himself and his men into the service of the Order and behav'd himself during the siege like a person of great valor And now intelligence came from all parts especially from the Duke of Nixia that the Galleys were lanching and that the whole fleet wound depart at the Latter end of May. Thereupon the Grand Master caus'd a General Muster to be made as well of the Knights as of the other Souldiers As to those of the Habit there appear'd one and fifty of the Language of Province 26 of that of Auvergne Sixty two of France Forty seven of Italy Fifty one of Arragon Catalogne and Navar Eleven of England Six of Germany Fifty seven of Castile besides 13 others more that kept guard in the Castle of St. Nicholas The whole Garrison consisted of about 5000 men After the muster was thus made the Grand Master appointed to every Commander his particular duty what
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 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 bis 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 Government 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 imcompatible 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 wiâ—h 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 of Poland and Cardinal Cesarini the Popes Legate had been flead alive by those Barbarians But it was joyful news to him that the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem had obtain'd several advantages against the Saracens and that the Soldan of Aegypt had a little before rais'd his seige from before Rhodes In the midst of these thoughts he took a resolution to fight against the Infidels and to the end he might be indispensably engag'd thereto he fram'd a design at the same time to embrace the military order of St. John of Jerusalem Heaven that inspir'd him with these high thoughts gave him the power to execute them with speed He departed for Rhodes not all the Charms of the Court being able to detain him The multitude of French Gentlemen that daily throng'd to Rhodes to be made Knights had oblig'd the Grand-master to make an Order that none would be receiv'd until the Treasury exhausted by the late Wars were somewhat replenish'd Nevertheless Aubusson was admitted whether it were that they saw in his person somewhat extraordinary that spake in his behalf or that it were a peculiar favour in respect to Lewis D'Aubusson his Uncle one of the most famous Knights of Rhodes and known in History by the name of the Commander of Charroux Or whether it were that the Grand-master were inspir'd to exceed his own Rules in favour of a Person who was afterwards to be the support of the Order Our new Knight had no great difficulty to undergo the usual Examinations though at that time they were much more strict than afterwards For all things that render a Family Illustrious were to be found with advantage in his For as to the antiquity of it the original of the House of Aubusson is unknown and uncertain as of most Families in the world But that which may be certainly averr'd is this that in the time of Charlemaine the Ancestors of Pierre D'Aubusson were very famous in France For the Kings of the second race having settl'd Counts to govern every Province and these Lords alwayes choosing the greatest Lords of their Province for their Lieutenants Jeffrey first Count of Marche chose his Lieutenant out of the House of Aubusson about the year 860. This Lieutenant to the Lord whose name we know not was call'd Vicount D'Aubusson from the name of the principal Place which he possess'd Turpin who was elected Bishop of Limoges in the year 898 and whom Aymar of Chabanois extolls no less for the splendor of his Birth then for the holiness of his Life was the Son of the first Vicount of Aubusson and Brother of Reginald the first who was Vicount under his Father under Sulpicius the second Earl of Marche Son of Jefferey The dignity of Vicount remain'd above four hundred years in that Family of Aubusson successively from Father to Son till that Raymund the first having no Children sold it to Hugues Earl of March to the prejudice of his Brother Ranulphus D'Aubusson who continua'd the Posterity Piety and Liberality which in those times highly distinguish'd the great Lords from those of mean extraction were hereditary vertues in this Family For not to speak any thing of Bishop Turpin so magnificent in all that concern'd the worship of the Altar the Vicounts D'Aubusson were alwaies very Religious and gave considerable Donations to several Churches and Abbeys These Lords and their Descendants signaliz'd themselves upon several Occasions where the interest of France was concern'd Witness Guy D'Aubusson who performed so many noble Acts in the War with the English under Charles the fifth who having receiv'd many wounds in the defence of his Castle of Monteâ—… was tak'n Prisoner with his Wife and Children by the Enemy Witness also John D'Aubusson Lord of Borne Anthony D'Aubusson Lord of Villeneare and Anthony D'Aubusson Lord of Monteil who made their fidelity and their zeal for the service of Charles the seventh appear whose Chamberlaines they were at such a time when all the Kings Officers were Peers of high quality Lastly that which infinitely advances the House of Aubusson and perhaps distinguishes it from all others is this that being so ancient it was never mix'd but has still in the same County preserv'd the same Estate so that Francis D'Aubusson Duke and Peer Marshal of France and Collonel of the French Guards possesses at this day the Signiory of Fueillade which has been time out of mind in the possession of the Vicounts D'Aubusson his Ancestors But to return to our History Aubusson was no sooner arriv'd at Rhodes but he understood that there was a peace going to be made with Amurat and that it was almost concluded by the Soldan of Egypt In regard he had an extream passion to fight with the enemies of Christ this news was not overwelcome to him only he was in hopes that it would soon be brok'n In the mean time he set himself to study the duty of a true Knight Presently he understood that the Knights of Rhodes were to joyn together in Valour and Piety that a cowardly Knight or a Libertine was something monstrous that for them to live according to the intent of their Calling there was a necessity foâ— them exactly to follow the maxims of the Gospel and that they were not to draw their Swords but in the defence of the Church or for the relief of the Faithful that for that reason they wore their Cross upon their Habit and that their Impresse was For the Faith He oft'n revolv'd in his mind the vertues and the exploits of those ancient Knights that first made themselves Masters of Rhodes and afterwards so couragiously withstood Ottomâ—n the first King of the Turks But notwithstanding the peace because it did not hinder the roving of Turkish Pyrates he several times put forth to Sea and so well acquitted himself upon all occasions that presented that he obtain'd the commandery of Salins in the first years of his service John de Lustic who at that time govern'd the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and who was the first to whom the publick vogue gave the title of Grand master soon conceiv'd a high Opinion of Monsieur D'Aubusson as well as James de Milli who was Grand Prior of Auvergne and who succeeded John de Lustic in the charge of Grand-master The affairs of Rhodes were calm enough when the death of Amurath or rather
the Embassador of Rhodes Aubusson layd 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 himfelf 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 deaâ— 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 march'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 hearknd 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 desended 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 anfwer'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 returnd 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 meet fetch and that the Spaniards under pretence of demanding the exercise of their duty had a design upon the Command it self replid 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 Castillan 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 Title 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
thing to obtain a Crown he got the King of Persia to be put to death by the very means of the Queen her self who hated her Husband and lov'd Ishmael After the death of Jacup Ishmael return'd into Persia with a great number of his followers who lookt upon him as a Prophet sent by God The most part of the Persians took his part so that having got together a good â—rmy he march'd against Alvant â—ho had tak'n possession of the â—…rone as being the eldest Son of â—…cup The new King was driv'n first from his City then defeated in 〈◊〉 great Battel and slain by Ishmael's own hand This fatal news quite dampt the courage of Alvant's Brother whose name was Maracatam and lay at Babylon with a numerous Army So that in stead of marching against Ishmael he fled to the Mountains and abandon'd the Throne that belong'd to him to save his life Thus the Usurper became the Master and though all the Kingdom had not yet submitted to his Scepter he caus'd himself to be call'd King of Persia These Revolutions appear'd no way favourable to the King of Hungary nor to the intentions of the Grand Master There was no probability that Ishmael Sophi would engage in the Affairs of the League while Persia was not yet at Peace within it self and all those accidents were still to be fear'd that might ruine a new Dominion unjust and unsetl'd besides that thâ— Successes of Ishmael naturally breâ— suspitions in the King of Caramania's breast Which reasons would not permit him to enterprize against the Turks when he had enough to do to secure himself at home Nor was the Soldan of Egypt in a better condition to favour the Princes of the Croisade for besides that he was embroil'd in the Domestick Dissentions of his own Court he fear'd the victorious Arms of Ishmael who by the advice giv'n him by Attula Turcoman threaten'd to begin his Conquests with those of Syria and Egypt when he had setl'd himself in Persia Nevertheless when the Grand Master better consider'd he bethought himself that the Troubles of Persia would â—e no way disadvantagious to the â—nterprize of the Christians for â—hat the Turk alarm'd with the Sucâ—ess of his Victorious Neighbour â—nd En my would be oblig'd to â—…ep very numerous Armies upon â—…e Fronteers of Turky and that â—…ng thereby much weaken'd he â—…ght be the easier vanquish'd at â—…me The noise of the League no less â—erplex'd Bajazet then the Revoâ—…tions of Persia Understanding therefore that the Grand Master was the Head and Soul of the Enterprize he bethought himself of dealing with him by the means of Sultan Corcut the best belov'd of all his Sons to whom he had giv'n the Government of Anatolia Corcut being well instructed by the Ministers of the Port what part he was to act sent very rich Presents to the Grand Master with a most obliging Letter wherein he requested his friendship and conjur'd him after a thousand offers of his services that they might live together in Amity and good Correspondence and that there might be a freedom of Trade between each others Subjects He added that his Father had given him all power in reference to a peace and that he was ready to do what ever the Knights desir'd But these fair words could not dazle the Grand Master He knew by the Turks themselves who were his Spies that the famous Pirate Camali who had fitted out several Vessels at Gallipoli for the service of Bajazet was just ready to set Sail out of the Straits with above fifty men of War to attack the Isles that belong'd to the Order So that without entring into any further Negotiation he frankly declar'd That being nominated General of the League by the Pope he could not forsake the Common Cause nor could hearken to any Peace which the Grand Seignior would not make with all the Princes of Christendom as well as with the Knights of Rhodes The Grand Master declar'd himself upon this point so much the more boldly because he knew that seven of the Popes Galleys were jovn'd to the Venetian Armado at the Island of Cerigo and that his Holiness was setting out thirteen more the care of which he had given to the Knight Fabricio de Caretta who was then at Genoa This news was brought to Rhodes by an Envoy of the Bishop of Baffo under whose Conduct the Galleys set Sail and who had also in Charge a Brief from the Pope to be deliver'd to the Grand Maâ—…er This Brief contain'd many Applauses of the Grand Masters Actions and many Excuses of the Popes Neglect That he had the most sincere intentions in the world but that the misfortunes of the times would not suffer him to keep his word that he would repair what was past with advantage and send Twenty Galleys instead of Fifteen But to return to the Sophi He had no sooner establish'd his Throne partly by fair partly by foul means but he resolv'd to extend his Conquests Instead of advancing against Egypt as he intended he fell into Armenia with fourscore thousand fighting men drawn thither by the Neighbourhood and the hatred which he bore the Turks In this Expedition Ishmael soon mastered Armenia after he had cut in pieces above twenty thousand men Bajazet alarm'd by the Success of the Conqueror gather'd all his Forces together to defend himself but he could not believe himself able to resist so potent an Enemy while he was at odds with the Christians For that reason he made Propositions of Peace to the Grand Master and the Republick of Venice The Grand Master who had intelligence of every thing and in particular knew the Consternation of the Grand Signior fail'd not to give notice of it to the Pope that never a fairer opportunity offer'd it self to ruine the Common Enemy That Bajazet was oblig'd to go in Person against the Persian for want of a Basha experienc'd in Military Affairs in whom he could absolutely confide That the Sophi a liberal and affable Prince drew to his Party the Militia of the Grand Signior That there was no likelihood of any accord between Persia and Turky in regard a Conqueror hates nothing more then Peace Therefore he besought his Holiness not to neglect the opportunity that Providence presented But the Commotions in Italy render'd all these Remonstrances void For while the Turks and Persians make War one against another the French and Spaniards break the Peace which they had made They had contracted an Alliance against Frederick of Naples who succeeded Ferdinand his Nephew and had got possession of his Dominions by force of Arms. But Ambition soon divided them which it had united Lewis the XII and Ferdinand King of Castile became jealous each of other neither could endure a Competitor nor a Companion both of them claim the whole Kingdom which they had parted betwixt them And the differences of their Ministers touching the limits of their common Conquests serving for a pretence occasion'd a most bloody
War that fill'd all Italy with horrour and confusion The Bishop of Baffo who had joyn'd himself with the Fleet of the Venetians had intelligence of the Rupture between the two Crowns at what time the Naval Army of the Venetians had taken the Island of Santa Maura from the Turk with the assistance of a Squadron of Knights which the Grand Master sent them and some Galleys of a French Captain call'd Pre' Jan de Bidoux a very understanding Seaman and a very stout Souldier Presently the Bishop gave a shrewd guess at the ill success of the League by the state of affairs in Italy and according to his Instructions he gave notice to the Grand Master That new divisions hinder'd his Holiness from being exact to his word He added That of Twenty Galleys promis'd by the Holy See he had receiv'd but Thirteen That he could not keep them above four months without express command from the Pope which were almost expir'd and most certainly would not be prolong'd That the French Fleet would not come at all That Captain Pré Jan de Bidoux was gone from St. Maura upon the first intelligence of the Broils betwâ—en France and Spain That the Venetians being resolv'd to fortifie St. Maura could not spare their Fleet any farther so that Winter being at hand he did not believe that the Confederate Princes would undertake any thing against the Turk this year However the eager longing which the Grand Master had to see the League renew'd and his joy for the taking Santa Maura made him believe that the flames of War between the French and Spaniards might be as easily extinguish'd as they were kindâ—ed upon this consideration he resolv'd not to give off so So that without taking any notice of the Bishop of Baffo's advice he fell again to writing to the Pope After he had congratulated the Pope for the Success of his Galleys in the taking Santa Manra he besought him to keep them still in readiness and to excite the Venetians to prepare the most powerful Armado they could He besought him to endeavour the reconciliation of the two Kings and to make use of all his Art in that particular He press'd with new vehemency the Emperour and other Kings particularly the King of England who was very powerful at Sea and who was very zealous for the Interests of the Church After which committing the rest into the hands of Providence he set himself to regulate the Customs both of the People and the Knights In the first place understanding that the Jews that dwelt in Rhodes led a very scandalous life and that their bad example was the occasion of many sins committed in the City he took up a resolution to expel them Having assembl'd a Council for this effect he set forth in a long discourse all the evil that the Trade of the Jews might produce among the Faithful and that an Order particularly consecrated to the defence of Christendom ought to abhor a Nation which was so much the Enemy of Christ himself Then he came in particular to the Jews of Rhodes whom the Prodigies of the last Siege and those upon the Wall had harden'd the more The Grand Master's judgment was approv'd in Council and they all decreed with one accord that the Jews should depart the Island and all the Territories of the Order within fifty days They were also forbid to settle in the East lest they should prove spies to the Turks and all that was permitted them was to put off their Goods in fourty days But all sorts of Liberty and priviledges were offer'd on the other side to those that would turn Christians As for their little Children it was decreed that they should be Baptiz'd whether their Parents would or no. And the Decree of Council was drawn in express terms That since it was the opinion of all Divines and Canonists that the Jews were the Slaves of the Christian Princes they had not the Right nor Jurisdiction of Parents over their Children So that the Grand Master might dispose of them for the good of Christendom and the Salvation of their Souls Thereupon according to the power of the Laws the Jews Children were Baptiz'd And lest they should renounce their Christianity when they came to years of discretion the Grand Master kept them at Rhodes and brought them up at the publick Charge in some measure doing the Duty and Office of a Father to them After this the Grand Master appli'd himself to examine the Statutes of the Order which the Vice-Chancellor Caoursin had reduc'd into a Method some years before Some he cancell'd that were grow nout of use the observation whereof did more harm then good serving onely to multiply Quarrels and Suits of Law Others he made new according to the Constitution of the present Time For seeing how far the Impiety and Luxury of the Knights had extended it self who liv'd more like Seculars and Libertines then men in Holy Orders he ordain'd That whosoe'er should swear by or blaspheme the Name of God or speak a word to the dishonour of the Virgin Mary or the Saints for the first fault should undergo the punishment of * Fast fourty days and be whipt twice a week before the High Altar Lent for the second two months imprisonment in the Castle and for the third be put in the publick Prison during the pleasure of the Grand Master and the Council and that they that were put into these Prisons should lose three years priviledge of Precedency He also forbade that the Knights should habit themselves like other people of the world or wear any thing that had the least semblance of Gallantry or Vanity He order'd particularly that their habits should be plain and of one colour and that if any Knight disobey'd this Order besides the punishment of the Quarantine his Habit should be confiscate to the Publick Treasury But though he lov'd Modesty in Habit he was Magnificent in all things that concern'd the Ornament and Beautifying of the Church as the stately Tapestries Statues of Silver Crosses of Gold Chalices and Image-Chariots of Malta engraven with his Arms for the most part testifie to this day While he employ'd himself in this manner in expectation of his Embassie Letters in reference to the League the Spaniards who had for their Captain in the Kingdom of Naples Alexander Cordova sir-nam'd the Great Captain made most cruel War against the French and both Parties grew so violent one against another that there was no likelihood of Peace The Pope instead of labouring an accommodation and reconcilement between the two Nations as the Grand Master had desir'd him openly favour'd the Spaniards and fed the sire which he ought to have extinguish'd Besides he had no other thoughts in his head but how to Aggrandize Cesar Borgia his Son Duke of Valentinois whom he passionately lov'd so far as to dare any thing and think any thing lawful for his advancement and enrichment But that which directly