Citizens opened their Gates to the Turks whom they were no wayes able to resist yet notwithstanding at the Commandment of Solyman the City was sacked the Kings Palace and other stately Buildings levelled with the Ground and a great number of the Citizens lead into miserable Captivity and thinking himself sufficiently revenged he resolved to return with his Army into Mesopotamia but having notice that the Persian was following even at his heels he divided his Forces leaving the Bassas of Cair and Syria with Vlemus the Fugitive Persian with Eighteen Thousand to follow in the rere of his Army to repel the assaults of the Fore-runners of Tamas's Army he marched with the rest by speedy Journeys to Amida now called Caraemida In the mean while Tamas coming to Tauris with his Army being the flowr of Parthia Media Iberia and Armenia and beholding what desolation the Turks had made in that famous City was so inraged thereat that he would have pursued them with all his Army to revenge the injury at the hazard of a Battle but being perswaded they were gone too far to be overtaken and the Gentlemen of which his Army chiefly consisted seemed altogether unwilling to undertake so tedious a march he was content to stay at Tauris and send Delimeuthes a Noble Man of Persia who freely offered himself to undertake it with Five Thousand swift Horse to follow them and as he saw his advantage to cut off the Enemies rear the which he so speedily performed that surprizing the Eighteen Thousand under the Command of the two Bassas and Vlemas as they lay securely near the Castle of Belthis that being assisted with the Garrison Soldiers he put them almost all to the Sword the Bassas and Vlemas hardly escaping upon their swift Horse to tell the news for which service he was highly rewarded by Tamas These reiterated losses greatly perplexed Solyman so that calling to mind the presages his Mother had made of his evil success in that expedition of that he was wholly lead thereto by the Council Ibrahim Bassa he therefore conceived such a displeasure against him as ended in his destruction for upon his Arrival to Constantinople he gave such countenance to those that brought complaints against which before they durst not do that at the earnest Request of Roxoâ—anaâ— whose Son Bajazet the Bassa hindred from aspiring to 〈◊〉 Empire and rather favouring Mustapha Solymâ—◠〈…〉 another Woman that he consented to his 〈◊〉 made away and by reason he had sworn never to injure his person whilst he lived he caused for the saving of his Oath an Eunuch to cut his Throat whilst he slept which Jesuitical Evasion he learned of the Musti or Chief Mahometan Priest who being consulted on the matter gave his opinion that Men only are alive when they Move Act and Enjoy their perfect Sences and that sleep depriving them of their reasonable Faculties rendered them as dead Men. Some there are that report the fall of this great Man who whilst he stood high in his Masters favour in effect ruled the Turkish Empire to be caused by his too much favouring the Christians who having in his younger years been brought up in that profession still continued a Christian in his heart and that to spare the shedding of Christian Blood as much as in him lay He turned the Emperors Forces against the Infidels yet however it happened his Body with a great weight fixed to it was cast into the Sea and all his Wealth which was inestimable except a small portion alotted for the maintenance of his Wife and Children was seized to the behoof of Solyman Tunes as aforesaid being taken by Barbarussa and all the other Cities obliged to submit to the Turkish obedience Charles the Emperor who was likewise King of Spain not liking so potent a Neighbour leavyed great Forces solicited thereto by Muleasses the Exil'd King and in revenge of the Injuries sustained by Barbarussa resolved to drive him out of that part of Africk when appointing Alphonsus D'valus Vastius General of the Footmen he with Seven Hundred Sail of great and small Ships and Galleys stood with the African Coast when dubling the Promontory of Carthage came to an Anchor before a Castle which by reason of a great Well beneath is it called by the name of Aquaria or the Water Castle whose unexpected arrival so terrified Barbarussa dreaming of nothing less that he was about to have fled with all his Turks but then fearing to fall into Solymans displeasure which to do he knew was certain death upon second thoughts though he resolved to make all the defence he was able against so powerful an Army as the Emperor lead after him and thereby get him the name of a valiant Soldier though he despaired with the Forces he had to keep either the Cities or Castles whereupon he did what he could to incourage his men with many vain-glorious-speeches and into the strong Castle of Guletta standing upon the bottom of the Bay of Carthage upon a point of Land incompassed almost round with the Sea and the great Lake he thrust his most resolute Captains and Janizaries himself remaining in Tunis to expect supplyes out of Numidia at what time the Emperor having with his great and small shot obliged those that guarded the shoar to retire He landed his men and intrenched them every Nation by themselves during which they had â—equent skirmishes with the Numidian Horsemen nor were they less molested by the Garrison who sallyed as often as they saw their advantage when one dayes sallying under the Command of Salaciaâ— Arch-Pirate they came up to the Mount near the Castle commanded by Count Serney a man famous both for the Honour of his House and great Exploits in War who not using to be so braved descended with the Italians under his Command to drive them back by force but the Enemy being far superiour in number and the Spaniards who were intrenched next him looking on and not coming out to succour him he there fighting valiantly was slain but the Spaniards though they secretly rejoyced at the overthrow of the Count who had so often eclipsed their Glory fared not better for the next day Tobacches another of the Turks Captains sallying out charged them in their Trenches killing many of them and taking what they found therein These Losses made the General sharply reprove the Captains of their neglect of duty in watching to prevent the dangerous attempts of so politique an Enemy which so wrought with the Captains and Soldiers that to regain their credit they vowed to shun no danger nor were they inferiour to their promise for Giaffer Captain of the Janizaries sallying out against the Spaniards was himself slain together with most of his Men whom the Christians pursued even to the Gate of the Castle and had entered with those that fled had not those that were entered shut out a great number of their Fellows to prevent it who were all slain or taken Prisoners after which the
ILLUSTR PRINCEPS SULTAN MAHOMET HAN MAG TURCARUM IMPERATOR C. Sultan Mahomet Han the present Emperour of the Turks Aged 34 years c THE HISTORY Of the TURKS DESCRIBING The Rise and Ruin of their first Empire in Persia the Original of their Second CONTAINING The Lives and Reigns of their several Kings and Emperors from Ottoman its first Founder to this present Year 1683. BEING A Succinct Series of History of all their Wars Forreign and Domestick Policies Customs Religion and Manners with what else is worthy of Note in that great Empire LONDON Printed by Ralph Holt for Toomas Passenger upon London-Bridge William Thackery in Dack-Lane and Toomas Sawbridge in Little-Brittain 1683. TO THE READER SInce the late Alarms the Port has given to Christendom I have thought it both Profitable and Convenient to describe the Original of that Great Empire which now spreads over near half the World and to demonstrate by what means it aspired to its Immensity and by what Policies maintained as in the Series of this History it is fully and at large discoursed not so only but the Turks various Successes in their Wars at Land and Sea Including their Religious Customs Manners and extent of that Empire as it remains at this day being deduced from the Original of the first and second Empire for the space of six hundred years attended with Circumstances too tedious here to be recited So that all may plainly comprehend how easily those Infidels might at first have been hindred from Incroaching and how often had not the Divisions of the Christians upon which they founded their Empire they might have been brought low but as God in whose Eternal Wisdom all Affairs are centered has not of late permited and should they extend their Arms as at this time they threaten yet a hearty Unanimity in the Empire and the Kings and Princes of Christendom may through God's blessing impede the growing Greatness of this great Monarch and hinder the Effusion of Christian Blood Here you have an impartial Account of their Rise and Ruin in the first Empire and the Continuation of the second to this present time Faithfully Collected which I hope will prove to the Satisfaction of the Ingenious Reader which is all desired by Your Friend I. S. The Heads of each Chapter or Division contained in the History directing to the Revolutions of the Turkish Empire and Reigns of their several Kings and Emperors CHAP. I. THE Original of the Turks according to the opinion of Sundry Learned Authors with the means by which they acquired their first Monarchy in Persia together with the Reign and Death of Tangrolipix their First King Page 1. Part 1. CHAP. II. The Reign and memorable Atchievements of Axan the Second Turkish King or Sultan of Persia The Division of the Turkish Monarchy and the Expedition of the Christians to the Holy Land in order to regain it from the Turks page 8. part 1. CHAP. III. The Reign of Solyman Son to Cutlu-Muses his Wars with the Christians Their taking Jerusalem from the Infidels their various success in the Holy Land against the Turks Sarazens c. p. 11. part 1. CHAP. IV. The second Expedition of the Western Princes for the recovery of the Holy Land p. 28. part 1. CHAP. V. The ruine of the Turks first Kingdom in Asia by the Tartars p. 33. part 1. CHAP. VI. The rise of the powerful Empire of the Turks under Othoman it's first Founder with his Life and Actions p. 57. part 1. CHAP. VII The Life and Actions of Orchanes otherwise Urchan Second King of the Turks in Asia p. 68. part 1. CHAP. VIII The Life and Actions of Amurath the First of that Name and Third King of the Turks p. 74. part 1. CHAP. IX The Life of Bajazet the First of that Name and Fourth King of the Turks his Wars and Captivity p. 80. part 1. CHAP. X. The Life of Mahomet the First of that Name Fifth King of the Turks and the Restorer of their Kingdom ruined by the Tartars p. 87. part 1. CHAP. XI The Life of Amurath the Second of that Name and Sixth King of the Turks his Wars Victories and Defeats p. 93. part 1. CHAP. XII The Life of Mahomet the Second of that Name Seventh Monarch and the First that took upon him the stile of Emperor of the Turks who for his many Victories was Surnamed Great p. 108. part 1. CHAP. XIII The Life of Bajazet the Second of that Name and Second Emper or of the Turks his memorable Exploits Victories and Death p. 132. part 1. CHAP. XIV The Life of Selymus the First of that Name Third Emperor of the Turks his bloody Reign and woful Death p. 153. part 1. CHAP. XV. The Life of Solyman the First of that Name and Fourth Emperour of the Turks who for his many great Exploits or rather lofty Carriage was Sirnamed the Magnificent p. 181. part 1. CHAP. XVI Selymus the Second of that Name and Fifth Emperor of the Turks his Life and Actions p. 45. part 2. CHAP. XVII The Life Reign and Memorable Transactions of Amurath the Third of that Name and Sixth Emperor of the Turks p. 73. part 2. CHAP. XVIII The Life of Mahomet the Third of that Name Seventh Emperor of the Turks p. 123. part 2. CHAP. XIX The Life of Achmat the Eighth Emperor of the Turks and first of that Name p. 162. part 2. CHAP. XX. Mustapha the First of that Name Ninth Emperor of the Turks his Life and Actions p. 196. part 2. CHAP. XXI The Life and Actions of Osman the First of that Name Tenth Emperor of the Turks p. 198. part 2. CHAP. XXII Mustapha reinthronized with an Account of his proceedings till his second deposing p. 214. part 2. CHAP. XXIII The Life and Reign of Morat or Amurath the Fourth of that Name and Eleventh Emperor of the Turks p. 222. part 2. CHAP. XXIV The Life of Sultan Ibrahim the Twelfth Emperor of the Turks p. 256. part 2. CHAP. XXV The Reign of Mehomet or Mahomet the Fourth of that Name and Thirteenth Emperor of the Turks who now Reigneth p. 272. part 2. CHAP. XXVI A Description of the Power Policies Forces Revenues Religion and Greatness of the Ottoman Empire and by what means it subsists and maintains its Grandeur c. p. 378. part 2. FINIS THE HISTORY OF THE TURKS DESCRIBING The Rise and Ruin of their first Empire in Persia the Original of their Second CONTAINING The Lives and Reigns of their several Kings and Emperours from Ottoman its first Founder to this present Year 1683. BEING A Succinct Series of History of all their Wars Forreign and Domestick Policies Customs Religion and Manners with what else is worthy of Note in that Great Empire WITH A Continuation of the History to this present time Containing the Remarkable Siege of Vienna for Sixty dayes the raising of it by the Imperial Forces and the King of Poland The Ruine of their Army before it and a Second Fight
the Provinces to apprehend him which made him gather a great Power but being discomfitted by Andronicus the Eldest Son of John Ducas he was forced to resign his Claim to the Empire nor were his Enemies content with that but afterward put out his eyes in such sort that he died miserably To revenge which by reason of a perpetual League made at his dismission the Sultan with great Forces invaded the Roman Provinces whereupon several Battels were fought with various Success in which the Caesar and Roselius the Emperor's Lievtenant were taken but both ransomed the former by the Emperor the latter by his Wife The Affairs between the Empire and Sultan of Persia being at this pass gave Cuthu Muses opportunity to strengthen himself insomuch that resolving to cast a Hazard for the Persian Dominion he drew his Army into the Field near the City of Ere 's to encounter which the Sultan likewise drew forth his but fatal to Christendom just as they were about to give Battel the Caliph of Babylon who as Priest of Mahomet was held in great Esteem amongst the Infidels came running between either Army and conjured them not to weaken the Religion of their great Prophet by shedding each others blood but rather stand to his award the which they having consented to do he instantly decreed that the Sultan should quietly enjoy what ever he possessed and that his Couzen aided by him should possess in himself and Posterity whatsoever should thenceforward be gained from the Christians upon which the Christians were on all sides invaded by the Turks and Sarazens their own Divisions in many Parts rendring them easie to be subdued So that the Turkish Empire spreading wide the Christians were grievously oppressed especially in the Holy Land which caused them to send a Letter filled with Lamentations by one Peter a Hermit to Pope Vrban the Second who taking their sufferings into consideration called a Council at Charemont in France at which were present upwards of three hundred Bishops besides several Princes when to stir them up he caused the Patriarch of Jerusalem's Letter and other Letters to be publickly read as likewise ordered the Hermit to relate the deplorable state of the Christians suffering under the cruelty of the Infidels which with such Eloquence and feeling commiseration he delivered that it moved the hearts of all present nor was the Pope himself wanting to exhort them to stir up the Christian Princes to undertake a War for the deliverance of the Eastern Christians which was so effectually ordered that within a short time an Army of 300000 men were raised wearing on their breasts red Crosses under the Lead of Godfry of Bulloin Duke of Lorrain and his two Brothers Eustace and Baldwin Hugh the French King's Brother Raymond and Robert Earls of Flanders Robert Duke of Normandy Son to the Conqueror Stephen Devalois Earl of Chartiers Ademar the Pope's Legate Bishop of Podie with many other honourable Princes and expert Warriours who passing through part of the Greek Empire with a Promise from Alexus the Emperor that they should be from time to time provided with necessaries they passed over the Hellespont with their Armies covering the Shores of Asia to the great Terror of the Turks and Sarazens who notwithstanding to oppose the Tempest of War which from Europe threatned their overthrow they gathered huge Forces and falling upon part of Peter the Hermit's Army which was too far advanced before the rest of the Princes and consisted of forty thousand men raised in the Territories of the Church they cut them off and caused him with the remainder to betake himself to Civite a Town before abandoned by the Turks where he stayed till the Arrival of Duke Godfry This Loss inspired the Christians with rage and desire of revenge so far that they made a terrible destruction in all places when in their Progress they had notice that Cutlu Muses the most politick Prince of the Turks was dead and had left large Dominions to his Son Solyman of the Proceedings during whose Reign I shall treat in the following Chapter CHAP. III. The Reign of Solyman Son to Cutlu Muses his Wars with the Christians their taking of Jerusalem from the Infidels their various Success in the Holy Land against the Turks Sarazens c. CVtlu Muses Nephew to Tangrolipix having as aforesaid accorded with the Sultan by the means of the Babylonish Caliph he by his Aid won many Provinces from the Christians which were now left in the possession of his Son Solyman The Christian Army resolved to recover them again if possible and he as obstinately to defend what he had in possession So that gathering huge Forces with which he approach'd Nicea where the Christian Army lay in Leaguer Anno 1097. and after on the Fifth of July took it having spent fifty days in the Siege but were well recompensed by the rich Booties they found in it and amongst the rest Solyman's Wife and two Children which they sent Prisoners to Constantinople yet the bad Success put not a stop to the advancement of Solyman with the whole power of the lesser Asia consisting of 60000 Horse and Foot So that within a short space the Battle began with great fury on both sides the Christians eager to revenge their Fellows so lately slain and the Turks to secure their Country made horrible slaughter but after a long and obstinate fight where nothing but blood and slaughter appeared nor nothing but cries and dying groans to be heard the Turks were put to flight the Christians following the Execution so that 40000 of them fell in the Battel and pursuit Though Solyman flying with the remainder of his broken Army gave out that himself had Victory on his side the less to dismay his Subjects yet so far the Terror of the Christians wrought that the Infidels fled into fenced Cities leaving the Villages desolate whereupon they besieged Antioch which with little difficulty they subdued being joyfully received by the Christians there dwelling next Iconium and Heraclea two Cities of note surrendred upon Summons Solyman still flying before the Victors and duly sending Letters to his Couzen Axan the Persian Sultan for Aid but he not being able to supply him against such powerful Opponents the Christians recovered all that had been torn from the Greek Empire the which according to their Contract made with the Emperor they restored The Princes thus Victorious in Asia called a Council in which it was decreed that an Oath should be administred as well to the Princes Commanders as to the common Soldiers that none should return till they had won Jerusalem which was joyfully embraced And now the Turks perceiving they were no ways able to oppose the Christians in open fight endeavoured to surprise and cut off as many as they might by Ambushment and therefore sent several stragling Troops to face Antioch upon which the Flemins sallied and followed hard till within the danger of the Ambush where they had been
and soon after was sent to besiege Croia in Epirus to the relief of which the Venetians hast'ned with an Army under the leading of Contarenus a man of great courage who at the first onset overthrew the Turks with great Slaughter obliging them to leave their Camp but not pursuing them by Reason of the near approach of Night whilst they were taking the Spoil the Enemy rallying fell into their disordered Ranks and soon turned the Scale of Victory by subduing those who a little before were Conquerers in which last Fight the General and several of his great Captains were Slain Heightned with this Success the Year following Asa-Beg with a considerable Army passed the River Sontium where being incountered by the Garrison Soldiers of three several Forts under the leading of Hieronimus Nowel the Count of Verona he trained the Venetians into an Ambush by which they being few in number and beset on every side were mostly Slain after which the proud Conquerers proceeded to spoil the Country wasting it with Fire and Sword taking great Spoils and driving before them a number of the miserable People into Captivity The Year following Anno 1478. about Harvest-time they come again and with a great power passing the aforesaid River marched further into the Country wasting all before them and unopposed passed over a part of the Alps towards Germany a way both difficult and dangerous and so plundering the Mountaniers who little dreamt of such troublesome Visitants they returned home laden with great Spoil And now Mahomet remembring the disgrace he received at the Siege of Scodra of which he allowed one a yearly Pension to put him daily in mind he sent for his Soldiers from all parts of his Dominions and under the Leading of several of his Bassaâ— himself being there in person likewise he set down before the City with an Army of 350000 men and there casting several pieces of Ordnance of Mettal he had for that purpose brought thither in Mass one of them carrying a Bullet of 1300 pound Weight he after he had in vain Essayed to have the City delivered by fair means from the Mounts incessantly battered the Walls and withal threw into the City huge Balls of Wild-Fire and Stones of a prodigious Weight which beat down and fired many Houses yet so far were the besieged from being discouraged that they daily animated each other couragiously to defend the City to the last man every Night Countermuring the Breaches the Cannon made with Earth Timber and Planks which Mahomet perceiving commanded his men to give a furious assault and either by Firing the Planks or scaling the Walls to enter the City the which in hopes of great rewards promised them if they happened to be Succesful in the attempt thrust themselves into the mouth of Slaughter being cut off in such numbers by the storm of Shot sent from the Walls that all the plains were covered with their Bodies which Mahomet perceiving and understanding they could not accomplish his desire caused the retreat to be sounded and gave order for the renewing the Battery so that in one day the Engineers sent 194 great Shot into the Breach and immediately caused a second Assault to be made tho with as bad Success as had been the former About this time the Turks under the leading of Solyman Bassa had taken Croia more through Famine then their Valour which City the Inhabitants nigh perished with Hunger and not being able to expect any Relief all the Country about the City being in the hands of the Turks had delivered upon promise of Life and Liberty but the Faithless Bassa not having Regard to his Promise having got Possession put the remaining Skeletons to the Sword which the Scadrians understanding by some Christians in the Turks Camp were the more incouraged resolving manfully to dye rather then trust the perfidious Infidels Mahomet inraged at the besieged obstinacy and the loss of his men in the two assaults after he had with his Artillery beaten down a great part of the Wall Commanded the most Couragious of his Soldiers to give a third Assault which they did with great Fury shouting in the mean while Showers of Arrows and Bullets into the City and at length as men desperate entering into the Breach came to Hand-strokes with the Christians and began a cruel and dreadful Fight in which many were slain on either side The Turks still renewing their assault with fresh Forces till at length they so far prevailed that those who defended the Breach were at the point to retire at what times a fresh Troop brought by the Governour came happily to their Relief and beat off the Assailants with great slaughter Whereupon Mahomet again renewed his Battery and lodged 173 more of his great Shot in the Breach and then sending for his chief Commanders into his Tent-Royal pitched upon a Mount advantagiously to behold what passed and there by Threats and Promises incouraged them to undertake a fourth Assault In which he lost 12000 of his best Men and was forced at last to sound a retreat yet by the several Fights the Christians were sorely weakened in all the Streets lying covered with Turkish Arrows and the Breaches with the mingled Bodies of the Christians rent most miserably by the great Shot they were forced to Labour both Day and Night to repair the Breaches every one incouraging his Fellow in such sort that Mahomet began to despair of Victory and blaspheming God for as he impiously pretended hindering his Proceedings he retired in his Melancholly Mood into his Tent where Tormenting himself for the space of two days he would not be spoken with by any but the third Day calling a Council it was concluded another Assault should be given which was according done with great Fury and much Effusion of Blood on either side but the besieged and resolving to fell their Lives dear so manfully withstood them that with Shame and greater Slaughter then ever they were forced to retire and now all Provision being cust off from the besieged the Tyrant resolved to gain that by Famine he could not do by Force and therefore ceasing any further Assault caused the City to be so closely Blocked up that the Christians were forced to Eat all manner of unclean and loathsome Things as Horses Dogs Cats Rats Mice and the like Which miserable state of theirs made known to the Senate of Venice under whose Protection that City was and they being grown weary of their twenty years tedious War with the Turkish Tyrant sent Benedictus Trivisanus their Embassador to Constantinople whither weary of the Siege Mahomet was returned leaving one of his Bassas with the Army to Block up the City as aforesaid who upon his Arrival being admitted to the Presence of the Tyrant he so ordered the Matter that a Peace was concluded upon these Articles First that the Venetians should deliver him the City of Scodra the Isle of Lemnos the strong Castle of Tenarus in Peloponnesus and pay
fell that it not only allayed the Sand but furnished his Army with Water during his passage which took up eight days yet was he frequently assaulted by the Arabians The Deserts passed as aforesaid the Turkish Army drew near unto Cair to receive or rather intrap which Tomombeius the new Sultan near to a Village called Rhodania had intrenched his Camp with deep Ditches filled with Water over which he had laid rotten Hurdles and upon them Earth and lined all the Banks with Artillery not doubting but Selymus would march that way but this their Device which would certainly have gained them a Victory had it took was upon the approach of the Turkish Army discovered to Selymus by four Epirot Mamalukes who secretly Envying the sudden Advancement of Tomombeius had in the Night time withdrawn themselves from his Camp Upon which Selymus altered his determined Courses and marching by by-ways suddenly appeared with his Army drawn up in Battalia in the Rear of the Egyptian Camp which put them into a great Consternation but seeing no Remedy but presently to ingage the Sultan put his Army in readiness and after the Charge sounded furiously with his great Ordnance spoke his indignation and was answered in the same Language from Selymus his Camp but after the second discharge of each particular tire the Armies joyned Charging each other with such Force that all the Ground lay covered with the slain the Mamalukes inraged with mortal Hatred bearing down all before them when in the mean time the Arrabians incompassed the Turks Battle putting the Thracian Macedonian and Epirot Horsemen to the flight the which Sinan Bassa perceiving came in with his Squadron of Horse to stay the wavering Battle but being overcharged by Gazelles and Bidon he was slain and his men disordered So that had not Selymus himself advanced with his surest strength of the Janizary the Victory had fallen to the Sultan but with them restoring the Battle and the Mamalukes being tired with continual Fighting at the approach of Night Tomombeius finding his men to be worsted caused the retreat to be sounded and retired towards Cair leaving his Camp to the Turks In this Battle fought on the 24. of January 1517. Were slain many Thousands on both sides and the Turks had certainly been worsted had it not been for the invincible Courage of the Janizaries The Turks in pursuit having taken the Diadare a man of great Command amongst the Egyptians and Bidon the valiant Captain whom Selymus unworthily caused to be slain in revenge of the Sinan Bassa Tomombeius a man of a warlike Spirit nothing discouraged at what had happened but rather more resolute to revenge his disgrace gathered his Power from all parts and incamped Commodiously between the City of Cair and the River Nilus and there consulted how he might by stratagem most conveniently set upon the Turks Camp e'r they understood what Power he had not thinking it safe so suddenly to try another Field But whilst he was thus plotting all his devices were discovered to Selymus as they had been before by several Mamalukes who now beginning to have his fortune in Contempt revolted from him Insomuch that to prevent the firing of his Camp as was intended Selymus caused strict Watches to be kept and great Fires to be made that so he might discover the Enemies approaches by night which the Sultan perceiving by the advice of his great Commanders retired into the City of Caire there to expect the approach of the Conqueror furnishing it with all manner of Warlike provision and inciteing the Egyptians who stood all this while Newters to take up Arms in the defence of their Country which the more wealthy whillingly did but the poorer sort who in all Nations ever gape after change of Government thinking to advantage themselves thereby yet such were the perswasions of the Mamalukes that in the end most of the Citizens resolved upon the defence of that great City towards which Selymus was advancing a pace wherefore Tomombeius caused Trenches to be drawn Cross the Streets at the bottom of which were fixed sharp Stakes and before them Tin being overlaid with rotten Hurdles so to intrap the too eager Turks for why the City had no Walls but situate upon the River Nilus was adorned with many stately Towers Piramides Pallaces Temples and Monuments of the Egyptian Kings served rather for Pleasure then strength He likewise caused the Houses to be furnished with Harquebusiers and his Pieces of Culvering and other small Pieces to be every where planted Advantagiously for the annoying the Enemy and in the great Street drew up his greatest strength consisting of Mamalukes yet Selymus being now come before it after his having incouraged his Soldiers to undertake the subduing of that great City as the last Refuge of the Sultan he furiously entered the Gate called Basuela and at one instant thrust in his Horsemen at divers Caves but kept his Janizaries in the high Street where the greatest Power of the Mamalukes were Whereupon a dreadful Fight was begun on all parts insomuch that the Channels run Blood like so many Torrents the Artillery and small Shot still thundering from either side made all seem Fire and covered the tops of the Houses with Clouds of smoke when from their Windows and Roof of their Houses the Egyptians cast down Stones Tiles scalding Water Sulphur Pitch Tar and the like to the great annoyance of the Turks who still pressing forward many of them fell into the Covert Trenches and were there impailed on the Stakes and such was the Clamour and Outcries of the enemy where together with the Clashing of Weapons and dreadful Fires that it seemed as if the desolation of all things was come and in this dismal manner continued the Fight for the space of two Days and two Nights without intermission Insomuch that Selymus finding what obstinate Enemies he had to deal with began to despair of winning the City and therefore was about to sound the Retreat as his fainting Soldiers most earnestly desired at what time he had News that Mustapha Bassa had by the Conduct of some Fugitive Mamalukes entered the City on the other side and had taken the Mamalukes Horses which they had left there ready Sadled thereon to make their escapes if matters came to the Extremity which not only Animated the Turks but dismayed the Mamalukes who expected no such Matter So that the Fight were renewed on the third day continuing Bloody and doubtful till the Evening at what time most of the Egyptians were very desirous to be rid of their insolent Lords the Mamalukes revolted to the Turks which the Mamalukes perceiving and that by Reason of the great number of Turks that were sent to stop the Gaps that Death had made they were no longer able to resist their Fury they betook themselves to flight most part of them hasting to the River Nilus with Tomombeius who in that Battle had all in vain proved the utmost of his Prowess and
into the ruins of an old Town which a little before he had razed and therein strongly Fortified himself round about which next day the Turks incamped but perceiving that it was not onely difficult but dangerous to assault him in his strength they sent Messengers to him to perswade him to yield to Mercy and not expose his own Life and the lives of so many of his Subjects to the fury of the inraged Souldiers or miseries they would be shortly reduced to by Famine offering the Oaths of all the chief Commanders for his own security and the security of his people to which proposals he being perswaded to hearken he in consideration that the Cossacks might be permitted to return with their Horses and Armes into their own Countrey that himself might be alive conveyed into the presence of Selymus there to make his defence and that his Subjects might return to their respective homes or take service with the Turks agreed to come out of his strength and submit himself to which his demands Capucius Bassa General of the Turks Army consented and himself with the rest of the great Commanders swore seven times a usual custom amongst the Turks for the solemnly obliging themsleves to fulfil his request Whereupon he came forth onely accompanied with Osmolius a Polonian Captive but after four hours continuance in the Turks Camp the perfidious Bassa sending for him unexpectedly with his Scimiter struck him cross the face and afterwards wounded him in the Belly upon which signal the Janizaries present took him and cut off his head which they fixing upon the point of a Lance carrying it in derision through the Camp nor satisfied with barbarous and base indignities they at the commandment of the Bassa tore his body in pieces with Camels and soon after put all the Christians whom they had allured out of their strength to the Sword who yet fell not unrevenged for the Cossacks perceiving the hard plight they were in sered together and with their weapons in their hands made a great slaughter of the Enemy but being few in number except their Captain and some other men of note they were all slain After this shameful Murther the Turks over run all Moldavia and Valachia recovering in a short time the strong places that were possessed by the Vayoods Garrisons after which Selymus intent for the recovery of the Kingdom of Tunis in possession of the Spaniards sent 300 sail of Gallies under the command of Sinan Pial and Vluzales his chief Bassa's to reduce it to his obedience who after the loss of 30000 Turks with great difficulty took the strong Castle of Guletta and the new Castle built at the Commandment of Don John in his late expedition against the Moorish Rebels which strong hold lost Tunes surrendered without making any considerable resistance and in it was taken Mahomet the late invested King whom the Turks sent Prisoner to Constantinople But Selymus long survived not this victory over the Spaniards but being spent with Wine and Women to whom he had given his greatest strength he died on the 9th of December anno 1574. having lived 51 years and thereof Reigned eight he lies buryed at Hadrinople leaving his Empire to Amurath his Eldest Son who succeeded him by the name of Amurath the Third as will appear in the series of his Life and Reign CHAP. XVI The Life Reign and Memorable Transactions of Amurath the Third of that Name and sixth Emperor of the Turks SElymus dead and his Death kept secret from the Janizaries for the space of twelve dayes at the end of which Amurath arriving at Constantinople was received into the Seraglio and took possession of the Empire when having pacified the unruly Souldiers with great liberality he caused according to the Turkish policy Mustapha Solyman Abdula Osman and Tzihanger his five brethren to be strangled with how strings even in his sight the reason of which strangling is because they would not spill any of the Othoman sacred blood as they term it on the ground upon the death of whom the Mother of Solyman overcome with grief and dispair stabbed her self to the Heart with a Dagger at which Tragical sight it is reported that Amurath wept as not delighted with such unnatural crâ—elty but that the manner and nature of his Government so required for that by reason of the largeness of the Ottoman Empire if many of the Princes of the blood lived at one and the same time they would probably with civil dissensions rend it in pieces Anno 1575 Amurath established many wholsom Laws altered the Coin and bountifully relieved the poor and albeit he was of a mild and peaceable nature yet that he might seem like to his Predecessors he prosecuted his Fathers Wars and aided by the Tartars entered into Ruscia part of the Territories of the King of Polonia where he burnt and destroyed 200 Castles besides a great number of Towns and Villages putting multitudes of the poor people to the Sword and carrying as many into miserable Captivity but the Tartar had little joy of their success for whilst they were busie in Ruscia the Cossack brake into their Kingdom and destroyed all before them for the space of 100 miles That which gave the Turks encouragement to enter the Territories of Polonia was the division amongst the nobility for Henry D' Valoys their King upon notice that his brother Charles the Ninth French King was dead secretly departed to take upon him the Kingdom of France to which he was rightful Heire whereupon one party was for Electing Maximilian the German Emperour and the other strongly opposing them would have introduced the great Duke of Muscovy Of which Amurath having notice and supposing that to which soever of them it fell he would prove a troublesome Neighbour he sent a Letter to disswade the Nobility and Counselors of the Kingdom to chuse neither but to Elect a King amongst themselves or else Stephen Buttor Prince of Transylvania and in so doing they should find him their constant Friend or in refusing to comply with his desire to expect all the calamities that attend on War In this Letter the proud Turk stiled himself God of the Earth Governour of the whole World the Messenger of God and faithful servant of the great Prophet Yet so it effectually wrought with the Polonian Nobility that notwithstanding Maximilian the Emperour was by the Arch Bishop of Gnesna and some others Elected King yet was that their Election by the great part of the Electors disannulled as also the great Duke of Moscovy rejected and the Noble Princess Anne of the most Honourable Jagelionian house chosen Queen of Polonia upon condition that she should Marry Stephen Prince of Transylvania which she afterward performed as in the series of this History will appear Amurath upon the afore-mentioned conditions having drawn his Army out of Ruscia and taking advantage of the discord arising in the Kingdom of Persia upon the death of Tamas resolved to bend his
part of the Turks Army and discomfited him puting 500 of his Men to the Sword and carrying away a rich booty which so inraged Ebraim that he used his utmost diligence to intrap the aforesaid Prince but finding no means to effect the same he began with fair Promises and Presents to corrupt his Macademes one of which together with 300 Drustans he got into his power whom in revenge of Veis his overthrow he caused to be flead alive and all his followers slain and again raged with Fire and Sword throughout the Countrey when afterward by dissimulation and feigned Friendship he got Eben Mansur into his power whom he caused to be fast chained and sent to the Gallies after which he took the spoil of his Countrey and afterward with a great Booty returned to Constantinople where he was in triumph received by his Friends amongst whom he bestowed Liberally the spoils taken from the Drusians even to the value of one Million of Ducates and 200000 Sultanies But upon his departure out of the Drusians Countrey they joyning with the Arabian to revenge the injuries themselves sustained entered the Turks Confines and committed many outrages burning and destroying all before them not in their anger sparing Man Woman or Child passing on even to the Gates of Jerusalem being assisted covertly by the Sub-Bassa of Bethlehem who displeased with the rule of Ebraim watched his opportunity to revolt to the Enemy but was prevented by being slain alive at the Commandment of one of the Sanzaks of Jury Whilst affairs stood thus in Egypt and the Drusians Land Osman had compleated his Army at Erzirum which upon Muster was found to consist of 180000 choice Souldiers with which on the 11th of August 1585. he marched toward Tauris keeping on his way till he came into the vast Chalderan memorable for many Battles fought therein between the Turks and Persians where straitned for want the Soldiers mutined against him upbraiding him with many reproachful words and threatning him with death for that as they said contrary to his promise he had drawn them into a place of danger to become a prey to the Enemy at which the Bassa being much perplexed sent for the Captain and by telling them it was the Sultans express Command and that he did not in the lest doubt but to become victorious and therefore prayed them to rest contented and not Eclipse their honour by their civil dissensions amongst themselves which would rather give the Enemy advantage against them then any thing else and that if it was given out upon the raising the Army that it was intended for Nassivan that specious pretence was as he said to render the Persian more secure and thereby to hinder his great preparations These and such like speeches together with a small distribution of money calmed the Tempest the Mutiners had raised and thereupon the Army rising passed on towards Cay from thence to Marant a City Subject to the Persians and so keeping their way came within sight of Tauris the mark at which they aimed upon which proposing to themselves a kind of security the Van of the Army fell to spoiling the Countrey and seizing upon what best liked them keeping little or no order in their March of which Emir Hamze King Mahumets Eldest Son perceiving with 10000 Horsemen lay in Ambush in a way where they must pass and having got them within his danger burst out upon them with such fury that he overrun that part of the Army put 7000 to the Sword and carrying away a number of Prisoners and so with great spoil retired ere the gross of the Turks Army could come up Yet Osman upon notice of what had happened sent Mahomet Bassa and the Bassa of Caramite after him the victorious Prince with 14 Horse and Foot who by speedy Marches overtaking him had with him a bloody conflict in which 6000 Turks were slain nor had any escaped had not the darkness of the night caused the retreat on both sides to be sounded The next Morning the Turks Camp removed and came within two Miles of Tauris where Aliculi Chan of whom I have before spoken was Governour who desirous to revenge himself upon the perfidious Turks issued out of the City with about 6000 resolute Persians and charging those that were advanced beat them back into their Trenches with great slaughter but upon the opening the Tires of Ordnance and advancing of the Janizaries finding himself not capable of incountering such a multitude he retired into the City after whom the Turks in a confused manner pressed but in the enterance so strongly resisted that the passages were filled with their dead carkasses and all the Ditches swum with their blood but fresh supplies coming on and the City Walls no way built for defence badly furnished with Defendants and worse with Ordnance at length the Turks entered spoiling with incredible barbarity that great City the Regal seat of the Persian Kings Yet such compassion wrought in the breast of Osman the General that he caused Proclamation to be made that upon pain of death none should kill any that made not resistance and when the tumult was over came himself to take a view thereof and gave Orders for its Fortification sending out partys daily to reduce the other place adjacent to the Turkish obedience and so speedy were they in Fortifying that within the space of 36 days a strong Castle was erected Five dayes after the building of the new Castle was began even when the Taurisians thought themselves secure news was brought into the Turkish Camp that 8 Janizaries and divers Spaoglians were seen strangled in a Bath within the City of Tauris whereupon the Zani Spahini and Janizaries in a great rage went to the Generals Pavilion telling him that although he had with too much clemency given Order that none should molest or hurt the Taurisians and that according to his pleasure every man had used his modesty towards them and obedience to him yet the Taurisians themselves had most audaciously strangled several Janizaries and Spaoglians which injury and insolency they said was not to be suffered This outrage whether true or only raised by such as desired to satifie their inordinate lusts is uncertain so moved the Bassa that without any further delay hecommanded the City to be sacked leaving it wholly to the discretion of the Souldiers who like hell-hounds greedy of blood run with full cry into the City filling every place with slaughter of the amazed Taurisians Matrons were Ravished Virgins defloured young Children dashed against the pavement houses fired and other outrages committed that are commonly attendants upon such General calamities so that it was a misery almost inexplicable to behold that City so populous so rich honoured with the Palace of the Persian Kings now subject to the fury of the Turks plunged in calamity and utter destruction The outrages committed in Tauris coming to the knowledge of the Persian King he was greatly offended insomuch that he resolved with
execution over the large Plains of Dobruc so that dispairing to appear any more formidable in the Field he fled to Constantinople where the Grand Signeour contrary to his Faith given to curry favour with Tartar Han caused him to be strangled together with his Son when not long after a Nephew of this Cautimeri killed Tartar Han as he was Hunting and by a misguiding path separated from his followers for which Treachery he was applauded at Constantinople as a man of admirable courage and upon news of Hans death caused Becher Gherey his brother to be Proclaimed King of Tartary Notwithstanding the fair Promises of Morat the Persian Ambassador was dismissed without any agreement of Articles in relation to a Peace and order given to prosecute that War with all imaginable rigor intending to go himself in person and knock at the Gates of Babylon whereupon he hung out the Horse taile a certain sign of his or the Grand Visiers taking the Field and increased the number of his Janizaries revoking a Decree he had made to the contrary commanding his Bassas upon the Christian Frontiers to give no occasion of complaint in his absence that might oblige him to retire ere he had accomplished his purpose and so with an Army of five hundred thousand Horse and Foot whereof three hundred thousand were fighting men he entered Persia about the end of May 1638. having joyned the Grand Visier with such forces as he had at Iconium and in his way overthrew a Shegh who had drawn a great number of people into Rebellion under pretence of Religion out of the Mountains of Anatolia but the Impostor escaping Morat to prevent his further attempts caused to be proclaimed that if he was not put into his hands he would destroy all the Countrey with Fire and Sword for fear of which he was discovered by those that he trusted with the knowledge of his aboad and by the Grand Signeours command flead alive and with his skin off carryed to the wheel and there broken without expressing the least sence of pain This let removed Morat passed on to oppose whose passage the Persian King took the Field with one hundred twenty thousand Horse and put 30 thousand men into Babylon with what was necessary for their subsistence but at the same time his Countrey on the other side being invaded by the great Mogul oâ— India who in favour of Morat had raised a powerful Army he did not think it convenient to give the Turks Battle but permitted them to pass the Euphrates over a Brige though not without grâ—â—t loss for the Bridge giving way under so great a weight many Men Horses and Camels perished in the Water but it being repaired the remainder of the Army attained the further Bank and in a short time came to Mosul antiently called Ninive where all the petty Princes whose Countries were near came to the Camp and tendered their Homage to the Grand Signeour bringing many rich presents and promising to become his Tributaries The Army rising from before Mosul Morat marched directly to Babylon otherwise Bagdat accounted the ancientest City in the World reported to be built by Nimrod on the Bank of the River Euphrates which he straitly besieged ordering his Batteries in three places to be raised and each Battalion to be appointed his quarter himself being attired like a private Souldier to be the less exposed to danger protesting he would never change his Cloathes unless he might do it within the Walls of Babylon and with words and gifts so incouraged the Officers and Souldiers that within three dayes the Trenches were opened himself giving Fire to the first Cannon and after that with fifty great pieces he thundered against the Walls incessantly being answered in the same Language by the Defendants who were eighty thousand fighting men four or 5 thousand of which frequently sallyed as they saw advantage making great slaughter of the Turks for the Persian had put into this important place his Souldiers of greatest courage thinking by that means to prevent its falling into the Grand Signeors hands either by their valour or protracting the time till he could be better at leasure to relieve it but notwithstanding the continual skirmishes the Turks numerous Army advanced the Trenches to the brink of the Ditches railing several redoubts to secure themselves and hinder the besieged from sallying and so effectually they wrought hat within one months space they filled up the first and second Ditches with Woolsacks Fagots and the like and then in great numbers assaulted the breaches the Cannon had made but were strenuously repulsed by the Persians who showred on them all manner of warlike instruments of death The great Visier signalizing himself above all by his undaunted courage commanding with his hand and voice was slain by a Musquet shot This fight within the breach continued for the space of five days where both parties fighting like men in despair the dead bodies lay in heaps and blood flowed like a Torrent But at length the number of Turks prevailing they under the leading of Mustapha Bassa on the 22th of December Anno Dom. 1638. entered the City and set up the Royal standard against whom notwithstanding four and twenty thousand Persians made head but quarter being offered them they readily accepted it throwing down their Armes and submitting upon the publick Faith of the Grand Signeour for their safety who contrary to his promise caused them when disarmed most barbarously to be Massacred not sparing either Man Woman or Child The taking of Babylon caused great rejoycing at Constantinople a twenty dayes Feast being thereupon proclaimed and many Ceremonies used according to the Turkish manner and the Grand Signeour having left a Garrison of thirty thousand Men in his new conquered City returned to the Port having in this Expedition lost by the Sword Famine and Pestilence one hundred thousand of his best men and himself very much afflicted with sickness Soon after his return and triumphant enterance an Ambassador arrived from Persia with proposals of Peace who being admitted to Audience and the matter afterwards referred to the Chimacam a Peace was concluded the chief Article being that Reven should remain to the Sophy and Babylon to the Grand Signeour During the Persian War the Venetians having sustained great dammage by the Pyrates of Algier and Tunis set forth a Fleet of Gallies and destroyed many of those Rovers and amongst the rest seven in the Grand Signeours Port of Valona which he highly resented but in the end was by several rich Presents pacified and the Peace renewed and soon after an Envoy extraordinary from the Emperor of Germany arrived at the Port to congratulate the Grand Signeours success in his late Persian War but not bringing such Presents as were expected he was not received with the honour due to his Character and there happening a dispute between the English Ambassador and this Envoy about precedency the Turks granted it the former being made to understand the
being performed afterwards occasioned the loss of Candia as shall in the Reign of Mahomet the fourth be discoursed of more at large Now the year 1644. beginning Rogotskie Prince of Transylvania who succeeded Gabor in that Principality being of a turbulent nature he so wrought with the discontented Hungarians and Austrians that he caused them to Rebel to whom he joyning his Forces drew after him fifty thousand Horse and Foot with which he took Solnock besieged Filek and Cassovia for suppressing of whom the Emperor caused his Troops to advance who in divers skirmishes worsted the Rebels and overthrew six thousand Turks who were coming to the assistance of Rogotski but at length both parties tired with the toiles of War on the 14th of August in the following year a Peace was concluded and soon after the Grand Signeors Mother ruling all in effect caused the Grand Visier to be put to death thereby to render her Authority more dreadful to the rest and caused her Son to appoint Mahomet Bassa of Damascus Grand Visier in his stead who was altogether at her devotion as being first promoted to the Bassa-ship of Damascus at her instant sute to her Son Morat Predecessor to this Emperor Whilst these matters were in agitation the Tartars forgetful of their late Peace made an incursion with thirty thousand men into Russia against whom Konispolski having made head with twenty thousand Horse and Foot defeated them killing twelve thousand and taking three thousand Prisoners pursuing the remainder to the Borders of Valachia in like manner Wisnowick a noble Polander happily encountering another party of Tartars as they were returning from the spoil of a part of Moscovia killed ten thousand of them and recovered a great booty sending the rest naked into their own Countrey The Polonians thus prevailing the Grand Signeour to curry favour with the Polonian King deposed the Tartar Han from his soveraignty which caused various discourses but upon the birth of the Grand Signeours fourth Son that wonder ceased nor was that all which changed the scene of admiration for about this time six Gallies of the Turks passing from Constantinople to Alexandria were taken by the Knights of Malta which greatly incensed the Grand Signeour against the Venetians who had it in charge according to the League concluded between that Signory and the Port to guard those Seas insomuch that under Pretence of destroying the Island of Malta this and former grievances induced the Grand Signeour to make great preparation for the Invasion of Candia formerly called Grete yet the Venetian Balio or Ambassador was caressed at such a rate as he suspected no such Treachery but the state growing jealous upon notice of the great Naval preparation provided cautiously for the safety of their Island During these preparations the Grand Signeor followed his Lascivious courses keeping his female Court in such splendor that his greatest Treasure was spent therein nor was all the Silks of Italy sufficient to suffice his Women but upon the false rumour that the design was against the Maltesians they were not idle but in the best manner Fortified their chief places of strength yet in the end the storm fell not there but upon Candia for the Fleet of a hundred Gallies and fifty great Ships with three hundered Saicks most of the latter being pressed for the transportation of Souldiers being arrived at Scio after refreshment of the Army consisting of seven thousand Janizaries fourteen thousand Spahies fifty thousand Timariots three thousand Pioners besides Cooks Bakers and other necessary followers set sail for Napoli Di Romagnia and having stayed there some time weighed Anchor and touching at divers Islands some belonging to the Venetians and others not they at length came to Candia having taken a Venetian Vessel laden with Ammunition and bound for Retimo by the way where no longer being able to hide their intentions they unmasked themselves by publishing the War both there and at Constantinople the latter of which was attended with the imprisonment of the Balio or Venetian Ambassador and giving order through all the Archipelago for the enslaving and destroying all the subjects of that Republick and here the Turk practised his usual beginning of War with more then ordinary caution for though with other Princes whose Territories border on him by Land he usually endeavours to strike at the same time when he gives the salutation of Peace Yet here being to contend at Sea where he was conscious his forces were inferiour to those of Venice he practised by a different method making many vows and protestations that no such thing was intended till he had safely Landed his Forces yet were not the Venetians so easie of belief but that they likewise Armed thirty Gallies seventeen English and Dutch Ships two Galliasses and several other Vessels of force raising a great power by Land to transport into that important Island imploring the assistance of divers Christian Princes who were not backward to their said sending their Fleet to Sea under the Command of Antonio Capello Francisco Molino being made Proveditor General whose good conduct in affairs caused him to be made Proveditor General and afterwards Duke of Venice and an express sent to Andree Cornaro Inquisitor in Candia to Arm out twenty Gallies from the Arsenal of Canea and to promote this design the better two English an one Dutch Ship then in the Port of Mallomocco were hired to carry Timber fitted and already squared for the compleating the said number of Gallies and Francisco Erizzo was appointed General of all the Naval Forces but he being stricken in years whilst he intended to crown the remainder of his dayes with glory was taken off by death leaving sufficiently graced with the memory of his past actions yet the Fleet was no ways obstructed but with a prosperous gale sailed to Corfu and from thence to Candia where the Turks were arrived before them and had landed without opposition occasioned by the difference that antient Remora amongst the Christian Princes Confederates with the Venetians about bearing the flag which was vigorously contended for by the Genoways and Florentines nor could it be reconciled though the Pope earnestly laboured therein advising them for the deciding the controversie at a time when the urgency admitted of no delay to wave Ceremonies yet ere they could come to the assistance of the Venetians the Turks had spoiled a great part of the Island and after divers skirmishes with much blood and slaughter took Canea the second City of importance and after that Retimo in defence of which Andrea Cornaro lost his Life by a Musquet shot Anno 1646. The opportunity was fair for destroying the Turks Fleet as it carelesly rod at Anchor near the Isle of Theodoro opposite to Canea where had the advantage been improved it might easily have been burnt but such was the contention amongst the Christian Commanders that nothing was attempted worthy of mention whereupon Molino General of the Venetian Land Forces was revoked
stone raised by a Cannon buller that fell three yards short of him and the Count de Souches received a hurt in his leg by an arrow from one of the Trenches yet like men devoting their lives to the service of their Countrey they pressed on couragiously animating the soldiers to pursue the flying enemy which they did making great slaughter and recovering almost all the works they had possessed till such time as eight thousand Janizaries advancing the Turks thereby encuraged returned furiously insomuch that the besieged not being able to stand the charge under the favour of the Cannon retreated into the Town where during the fally the breaches had been made good yet in this action they lost two thousand men and amongst them divers officers of note yet as men not dismayed finding still the Turks incroach they on the 22 sallyed again and finding the enemy had made great lodgments in the Ditch beat them thence and ruined their works and the better to hinder their approaches made several retrenchments within the Bastion which the Turks perceiving threw that day a great many Bombies into the Town which killed twenty men and fired six or seven houses playing very furiously from four Batteries and by this time having possessee themselves of divers small Islands in the River Danube as it were blocked up the City by water yet the Governour resolving to hold out the siege to the last extremity rather then to deliver the City or come to any capitulation he on the twenty sixth made another resolute sally in which coming to handy blows with the enemy and the fight continuing hot for the space of eight hours the loss was great on both sides yet in the end the Turks were beaten out of all their works and three great Mines of theirs being discovered the powder was taken out but so much Christian blood was shed in the action that the Garrison was greatly weakned and great was the want of Officers for since the beginning of the siege were slain one Colonel five Lieutenant Collonels thirty Captains and thirty eight Lieutenants besides divers that dyed of the bloody flux and were at that time sick insomuch that it was resolved not so frequently to Sally but use all endeavours to discover the enemies Mines and Subterranean Traverses and thereby defeat them and that it was convenient to give the Duke of Loraine notice of the strait the City was in whereupon the Count d' Starenberg wrote a Letter wherein he gave his Highness to understand as followeth The Copy of a Letter from the Count D' Staremberg Governour of Vienna to the Duke of Lorrain bearing Date August 27th 1683. I Cast my self at your Highness feet humbly to thank your Highness for the good Opinion you were pleased top express towards me in your last Letter Your Highness knows I am perfectly devoted to you and that I desire nothing more passionately than by my Humble Service to render my self worth thereof Since my last the Enemy have sprung six Mines in the Ravelin which after having repulsed them we presently repaired and still we keep our Retrenchment The Enemy have hitherto gained no more than a Lodgment on the point of the Ravelin We search above and under ground and have Countermined three of the Enemies Mines and sprung two Mines which had good Effect and would have had better were our Miners braver and more expert but being people that we are fain to get together any way it is impossible to make them re-enter the Mine if they hear the Enemy at work In the Counterscarp the Enemy have likewise sprung three Mines near a Retrenchment Palisadoes which we still maintain to cover the Caponiers we have in the Ditch and though the Palisadoes were in some places beaten down by the last Mine yet our men maintained the Post with their Swords in their hands until such time they were made good again and 〈◊〉 still keep it The Enemy have 〈◊〉 other descents in the Ditch one towards the Bastion Lebeland and the other towards that of the Court out of which our men under the favour of the fire we gave did in open day dislodge them whilst others commanded for that purpose filled up their works and burnt their Gabbons and Galleries so that they must begin anew But Sir it is time to succour us we lose a great many Men and many Officers more by the Bloody Flux than by the fire of the Enemy for there dies almost every day sixty of this Distemper We have no more Granadoes which were our best defence our Cannon are partly spoiled by the Enemies Battery and partly burst e're they had endured fifty shot by reason of the ill Temperament of the Mettal and the Enemy finding they cannot with small numbers lodge themselves in the Ditch make great Lodgments on the Counterscarp and keep a great number of men there to make Extraordinary Efforts For the rest it is certain the Enemy have lost and do dayly lose a great many Janizaries and that they have a great multitude wounded and no less number sick of the Bloody Flux which rages amongst them They have several Camps far enough from each other and may be easily beaten if they stay for Your Highness which I do not believe they will do They are not at present 60000 fighting men and one Camp may be beaten before it can be assisted by the other We expect your Highness with the greatest impatience but I not so much to be delivered of this Siege as to have the Honour to assure your Highness of the Respect which I am c. Postcript AT this Instant my Miners Informed me that they hear the Enemy working beneath them under the Bastion of the Court they must have passed the Ditch under ground and there is no more time to be lost This advice greatly alarmed the Imperial Camp not so much for fear as with a desire immediately to march and adventure the relief of the City at the hazard of a Battle whereupon the Duke assembled the Great Commanders in his own Tent laying before them the Danger the City was in and at the same time informed them that he was resolved to attempt its relief though at the hazard of Battle which resolve was liked by most though some there were who alledged that seeing the King of Poland was near at hand it was not safe to attempt any thing till both Armies were joyned and that it was better to hazard the City than the Army upon which the safety of the Empire depended Notwithstanding the Army had express orders to March and had set forward the next day had not advice in the mean while arrived in the camp from the Count d' Staremberg informing his Highness that he had discovered and defeated the great Mine under the Court Bastion and dislodged the Turks in the Counterscarp by successfully springing two Mines which had inabled him to hold out much longer then he supposed therefore he earnestly besought
retire though they were mowed down in abundance by the great Shot for fear of the Tyrants displeasure yet at length creeping under the Walls to the Spanish Bulwarks they surprized it whilst their Soldiers were drawn off to relieve their Fellows hardly Charged by Achmetes Bassa but e'r they had kept it two hours it was again recovered and all the Turks either put to the Sword or thrown over into the Ditch where they miserably perished And the Bassa sore Gauled by the Flankers was forced to retire though not without great slaughter of his Men who lay on heaps in the Ditch and Breaches which Solyman perceiving caused the retreat to be sounded in this Assault by the Valour of the Christians 20000 Turks fell which so grieved Solyman that in a great rage he Commanded Mustapha Bassa the first mover of the War to be slain as likewise Pyrrhus Bassa for daring to intreat for him but upon the humble Supplication of his Men of War on their behalf he remitted the Execution of the Sentence but would not for a long time receive them into Favour He also Commanded the Admiral of his Gallies to be put to Death for suffering Provision to be carried by Sea into the City but at the intreaty of Achmetes his Life was spared but he not absolutely pardoned for being set upon the Stern of his Ship he there as a Slave by the Commandment of Solyman received 100 Stripes and so much was the Tyrant grieved for the re-ite-rated losses sustained in that Siege that he was about to have raised his Camp and returned to Constantinople the which he had done had not Achmetes Bassa perswaded him to the contrary by Promsing to make him speedily a way into the City at which he taking Courage again heartned his Men to continue the Siege whose Resolutions had long before fainted upon which Achmetes to make good his Promise assailed with all the Forces under his Command the Vamures of the Avergnon Station the which although they were not high were valiantly defended by the Rhodians yet the Turks Power increasing they were at last taken and a great Pent-House claped to the Wall to secure the besiegers from the Shot of the besieged notwithstanding Persanes a notable Engineer caused such abundance of Wild-Fire Pitch Tar Lead hot Ashes and Water to be thrown on them that they were forced to retire but such was the miserable Condition of the Turkish Soldiers that they were forced back again by their Commanders even into the mouth of Slaughter or else by them slain as Cowards or Flyers yet for all they could do the Rhodians forced them to retire in great disorder which inraged Solyman even to Madness but perceiving that his Honour lay at Stake he again by many perswasive Arguments prevailed with them to give another Assault promising them great Rewards if they prevailed and threatning those with Death that should be remiss in the performance of their Duty which either through Hopes or Fear Animated them to another Assault but with no better success then before for being miserably rent by the murthering Shot from the Flankers and Countermurers they were forced to retire leaving Piles of their Dead in the Breach and Ditch and now being altogether heartless yet extreamly vexed that they should be foiled with a handful of Men they resolved for the futere to be the more wary and rather to tire the Rhodians with continual Alarums then venture upon them when in the mean time they set their Pioneers at work to make way through the Breach deep in the Ground and for their defence turned their great Artillery upon it to prevent the Rhodians Sallying and with their multitude proved therein so successful that in a short time they had gained within the City 200 paces in breadth and 150 in length yet durst not Sally out to Scale the Countermurers which the Rhodians had made of the Houses beaten down by the Turks Shot which Solyman perceiving at the instance of Achmetes caused a parley to be offered offering many reasonable Conditions if the Rhodians would at length surrender the almost ruined City but and in Order thereto sent Hieronymus Monelia a Genoway who having procured safe Conduct would not deliver his Message but to some particular men which so incensed the Knights of the Order who now had set down a Resolution to dye in defence of the City that one Franciscus Farnovius a French Knight of singular Valour bent his Piece against him and would not suffer him to do his Message but the Citizens hearing there were Terms of Life and Liberty offered by the insulting Tyrant came to the House of the great Master and beseeched him to take pitty on them their Wives and Children and that since he well saw that the City was not long tenable he would in time provide for their safety and not expose them to the Fury of their Merciless Enemies whereat the great Master a man of singular Piety as well as Warlike Ardour being moved to Compassion sent Antonius Groleus and Robartus Barusinus his Ambassadors to Solyman having first received Pledges for their safe return who coming into the Emperors Presence told him that they were sent to know for what cause he had sent to require Parly who in a fuming heat as if he had been Ignorant of the matter said there was no such thing offered and thereupon Commanding them presently to avoid his Camp sent them away with Letters to the great Master and Citizens to this Effect If I had not Compassion of human Infirmities which often times tumbleth Head-long mens Ambitions and haughty minds into most dangerous and unnecessary Mischiefs truly I would not have directed to you these Letters at this time but as you have well deserved persecute you with Death and most Miserable Servitude which how easie a thing it were for me to do you your selves know but having now sufficiently tryed my force if you be wise make proof of my Clemency you have already satisfyed your own fury your own mad humour Therefore now advise your selves lay your Hands upon your Hearts and without delay yield your selves as I command your Lives I give you your Wealth and more then that your choice to tarry there still or depart refuse not the Grace freely Offered which was of you to have been most heartily desired it shall not be always Lawful as at this present to make choice of both c. Upon the return of the Ambassadors the Citizens of all sorts flocked together to the Great Masters House standing near the Breach to implore him to accept of any Reasonable terms who after he had dismissed the Multitude calling to him the Knights of the Order and chief Citizens after the Letters read he expressed himself after this manner You heard sacred Fellows in Arms and Valiant Citizens of Rhodes these imperious and sorrowful Letters whereunto how we are to answer requireth no great deliberation we must as resolute men either yield or
dye all hopes of Victory is gone except forrain aid come speedily to our Succour wherefore if you will follow my Counsel let us with Weapons in our Hands until the last Gasp and spending the last drop of our Blood like Valiant men defend our Faith and Nobility received from our Ancestors and the honour which we have of long time gotten both at home and abroad and let it never be said that our honour dyed but with our selves This Speech was approved of by all the Knights of the Order and most of the Soldiers but the Citizens looking back upon their Wives Children and Wealth stood mute for a good while but at length Pity working in their Brest they humbly besought the Great Master that he would yet have Compassion on them and accept of the Tyrants reasonable Conditions since Fame sufficient had been won by their doing all that men were capable of performing and that they would yet hazard their Lives to the utmost if they perceived any hopes of defending the City or that any forain aid in time would come to their assistance but since neither of them were to be expected it was but reasonable to yield to inevitable necessity After these and many the like Arguments and others of the resolute Soldiers and Commanders on the contrary it was concluded that the City was not capable of being defended by so small a Power against such a numerous Army whereupon Messengers were sent to require a Truce for 4 Days which was accordingly granted during which time the Turks presuming on the Truce came in great number to View the Works at which Fornovius a French man being greatly offended in a great heat without any command from the Great Master caused a Fire of Artillery to be discharged amongst the thickest of them whereupon they pretending a Breach of Truce on the part of the Rhodians thrust in at the Breach in great Troops but after a sharp Skirmish were forced to retire in revenge whereof one of the Turks Fencers having taken 3 Christians cut off their Hands Noses and Ears and in that posture sent them into the City threatning within 4 Days to serve the Great Master after the same manner yet Solyman dissembling the matter signed and swore to the Articles of Peace brought to him for that purpose by Nicholas Vergotus and Georgius Sandriticus which were to this Effect That the Churches should remain unto the Christians inviolate that no Children should be taken from their Parents or any Christians be inforced to imbrace the Mahometan Superstition That such Christians as were Contented to remain in the City might so do at their Pleasure and that such as would depart might have Liberty so to do with all their Substance to be furnished with Convenient Shipping Provision and Ordnance as far as Creet that the Christians should appoint a reasonable Day for their Departure and that in Consideration thereof the City to be delivered up to such as Solyman should appoint to take Possession thereof Upon the afore-mentioned Articles though they were not all observed by the Turks the City was delivered up Anno 1522. after it had indured six Months Siege and cost Solyman the Lives of 80000 of his Soldiers having been in the Possession of the Knights of the Order 214 years Upon which the great Master being for his Gravity Virtue and Valour highly Honoured and applauded by the Conqueror imbarked together with the Knights of his Order and such others as would accompany him and the Gallies for that purpose ready in the Port and sailed to Mesina where he was joyfully received and after invited to the Courts of most of the Christian Princes having with Indignation refused Solyman's great Offer made to him provided he would have accompanied him to Constantinople and have spent the remainder of his Days in his Service And thus for want of Relief the Christian Princes at that time being at Variance amongst themselves the famous Rhodes was lost where Solyman having stayed awhile to settle his Affairs appointed a Governour and so breaking up his Army returned to Constantinople where for the space of three years he lived Peaceably giving himself up to all manner of Pleasures but at the end thereof perceiving the Discord amongst the Christian Princes managed by Pope Adrian the sixth to grow hot a fatal over-sight that ever gave the Ottoman Kings and Emperors opportunity of extending their Dominions he conceived it best to fish in troubled waters and thereupon raising an Army of 200000 Horse and Foot he fell like a Tempest upon Hungary subduing all before him till he came within sight of the Walls of their chief City at what time Lewis the young King perswaded thereto by Tomoreus a Fryer who assured him of the Victory and several other rash Counsellors not regarding those of more Gravity that diswaded him from so rash an Attempt with an Army of scarce 30000 raw Soldiers gave him Battle but was overthrown with miserable Slaughter of his men and himself seeking to escape passing over a Fenny Ditch his Horse fell backwards upon which he was loaden with his Armor and none coming to his Relief he was smothered in the Water and Mud In this Battle fought on the 29. of October Anno 1526. perished most of the Hungarian Nobility and well near all the Common Soldiers After this great great Victory obtained Solyman having most of the strong Cities delivered into his Possession gave the Kingdom to Joannes Sepusius Vayvod of Transilvania and taking with him such things of Price as he thought convenient leaving two of his Bassas with flying Armies on the Frontiers he returned to Constantinople but he was no sooner departed and John Crowned by the Consent of the remainder of the Hungarian Nobility who durst do no other for fear of the Turks but Ferdinand King of Bohemia laid Claim to the Kingdom and to make his Title more apparent sent his Ambassadors to the Courts of divers Christian Princes to declare from whom he derived his Claim when aided by Charles the Emperor his Brother he entered Hungary with a great Army and without any considerable Resistance took the strong City of Buda at what time many of the Hungarians joyned with him as not in the least favouring John so that fearing delays might be dangerous he caused his Army under the leading of his expert Captains to pass over the River Tibiscus upon a Bridge of Boats and marched directly to the Cattle of Tocai where King John lay with his Army where the Battle being joyned after a sharp Dispute the Victory fell to Ferdinand when as King John seeing all lost and past recovery fled with several of his trusty Followers into Polonia upon whose departure Ferdinand by the advice of such Hungarians as favoured his Cause was Crowned King at Alba-Regalis the usual place for the Coronation of the Hungarian Kings Whereupon having disposed all things to the best advantage and appointing Stephanus Bator his Vice-Roy hereturned into
the way himself had like to have been slain in his Tent by a Mountainier which had been effected had he not been discovered by the cracking of a bough to revenge which he sent his Janizaries and other his approved Soldiers who hunting the people inhabiting the high and rough Mountains of Chimera like wild Beasts killed many of them and returned with such spoil as they found after which he with a great Fleet landed on the Isle of Corcyra now called Corfu for fear of whom the Venetian Admiral â—â—thdrew with his Galleys into the Adriatick Gulf 〈◊〉 to expect the other part of his Fleet yet 〈…〉 long while battered the chief City in vain 〈…〉 himself with the spoil of the Villages 〈…〉 Thousand Christian Prisoners departed 〈…〉 return landing on the Isle of Naxos 〈…〉 the City which not being furnished to 〈…〉 so powerful an Army consented to pay the Tâ—â—ant Five thousand Duckates a year Tribute and to hold the Seigniorie of him whereupon without doing further harm he departed to Constantinople at whose return Lutzis Bassa was accused by his Wife Solymans Sister of Sodomy and for that she having in private reproved him thereof he had struck her a box on the Ear and confined her as a Prisoner to her Chamber which complaint so incensed Solyman who for his Sisters sake had raised him from a low Degree to the highest Honour next himself that he banished him into Macedonia where he spent the remainder of his dayes in a poor and private life Though Solyman was returned to Constantinople yet his Wars with the Venetians ended not for he sent strict command to his Governours and Lieutenants bordering upon their frontiers to vex them them with all manner Hostilities who were not wanting to satisfie him therein nor the Venetians on their part to revenge the injuries but the fierceness of the Turks were somewhat restrained by a War undertaken by King Ferdinand against them to revenge former injuries who raising a great power of gallant Soldiers of divers Nations sent them under the leading of Cazzianer by whose Cowardize in leading them through Woods and by-wayes many of them perished for hunger others to avoid that calamity deserted him and in fine the General forsaking his Army for which he was afterward executed It was overthrown near Exek and all the Soldiers either slain or taken Prisoners The news of this great overthrow much troubled the Christian Princes to repair which disgrace the Emperor the Venetians and the Pope set out a great Fleet of Galleys which meeting at Corcyra the Admirals consulted what was best to be done when upon notice that Barbarussa lay with the Turkish Galleys in the Bay of Ambracia they resolved to sail thither where having a while braved him the bold Turk incited thereto by one of Solymans Eunâ—chs came forth to give them battle which Auria perceiving contrary to the minds of the Captains stood away to Corcyra in the rear of whom the Turks fall took several of the stragling Galleys This retreat or rather flight much eclipsed the fame of Auria who before was accounted a second Neptune but being still followed by Barbarussa he returned into Italy to the great dislike of the Venetians without effecting any thing worthy of memory which gave the proud Turk opportunity to make great spoil on the Sea Coast and on the Islands of the Sea yet held by the Venetians and to recover Castronovum a little before taken by the Christians though not without infinite slaughter on either side it being for a long time manfully defended by Sarmentus a Valiant Spanish Captain who amongst heaps of slain expired in the bed of Honour Things being at this pass the Emperor made a peace with the French King both which Potentates solicited the Venetians by their Embassadors to continue the War against Solyman but they weary thereof as lying most obnoxious to his fury could not be perswaded thereto but laboured to procure a peace which with much difficulty they obtained In consideration whereof they yield unto him Nauplium and Epidaurus two Cities of Peloponesus together with Nadium and Labrania two Castles of Dalmatia which happened by reason the secrets of their Embassey was beforehand discovered to Solyman by several treacherous Venetians bribed by him for that purpose some of which being afterward taken were worthily executed at the same time a secret consideration between John King of Hungary and Ferdinand King of Bohemia including that upon the decease of the former the latter should enjoy his Kingdom was discovered to Solyman which grievously incensed him against the Hungarian King whom by his Armes he had restored to his Kingdom to appease which he was content to marry Isabella Daughter to Sigismund King of Polonia by whom he had Issue a Son who after his Fathers Death was crowned King of Hungary and taken into Solymans protection by that means bereaving King Ferdinand of his hope of a peaceable possession whereupon after having requested it by his Embassadors of Solyman and despairing that way to obtain it he with a great Army entered the Kingdom and seized upon Vicegrade Pesth Vacia and Alba Regalis To oppose which sudden Tempest e're it had swept away all her Cities the Queen sent her Embassadors to Solyman to crave Aid against King Ferdinand whereupon he not only sent the young King her Son several Rich Presents but his Letters Mandatory to his Lieutenants on the Frontiers with all their Forces to assist her threatning that if by their neglect she received any dammage their heads should make satisfaction and withal caused Lascus King Ferdinands Embassador at that time residing at Constantinople to be imprisoned This news was joyful to the Queen whereupon she drawing together all her Forces joyned them with those Mahometes and Vstref two of Solymans Bassas had brought into the field and immediately layed siege to Vacia which they took and to prevent its again falling into the hands of the Bohemians set it on fire Vacia thus layed waste they removed to Pesth to which they layed straight siege but after many unsuccessful attempts to carry it by storm raised their Camp and returned over Danubius upon which King Ferdinand sent a great Army under the Leading of the Lord William Regendorff who entring the Kingdom layed siege to Buda and sent Messengers to summon the Queen to surrender the City to his Master and that in lieu thereof and of the other Cities she should have bestowed on her freely the Seignory of Sepusia to which George Bishop of Veradium who altogether governed the Queen answered that she should accept no such proffer and with many opprobrious words dismissed the Messengers whereupon Regendorff having mounted his Canon furiously battered the City making several wide breaches but they were so notably defended that the Germans nor Spaniards could not enter which they perceiving so dealt with one Bornemissa a great man in the City that he promised to deliver them a Gate in the night to enter by
which accordingly he performed but having agreed that none but Hungarians should enter the better to prevent the effusion of blood and Regendorff contrary to that agreement sending in Germans under the Leading of their Captains to be more sure of the City the Traitor repenting of what he had undertaken refused to lead them to the Market place and they still remaining in the narrow streets and not knowing which way to go a sufficient number could not enter e're the Alarum was taken upon which the Citizens and Garrison Souldiers running to their Armes assaulted them on every side who being in a strange place and their fear augmented by the terror of the night fled back faster than they advanced Spring being come Solyman sent a great Army under the Leading of Mahometes Bassa to the Assistance of the Queen which passing the Danubius intrenched within half a mile of the Bohemians Germans and Italians under the command of the Lord Regendorff and dayly with skirmishes perplexed him having likewise fortified an Island lying in the River called Ceppelia as the General of the Christians had done another opposite to his Camp between which passed likewise many skirmishes but at length the Turks pouring a great number of their men on shoar in the Island held by the Christians caused them to leave the Fortifications and flie over the Bridge layed to pass and repass to the Camp but by the valour of the German Soldiers all was quickly regained and the City furiously assaulted though without success for that a great number of the besieged continually kept such breaches as the Canon had made and the Besiegers by reason of the nearness of the Turks Army durst not go to the assault in such number as otherwise they might have done yet they had so battered the Walls that they despaired not to win it in a short time but in the height of their Expectation news came that Solyman with a great power was near at hand to joyn the Bassa already incamped which infused such a fear into the Christians that the Soldiers whether their General would or no resolved to raise the Seige and pass the Danubius So that he was constrained to accord to the resolves and in the dead of the night raised the Siege but not so secretly but the Turks had notice sent them of what had happened by those in the City Whereupon bursting out of their Camp and the Citizens at the same time sallying by the light of a stack of straw and pursued them with great slaughter insomuch that most part of the Army was either drowned in the hasty passage or fell by the Sword not above a third part of them escaping to Comora So that a great booty by that means fell into the hands of the Turks Upon this defeat Pesih being deserted of her Garrison was taken without resistance by Cason the Turks Fleet then in the Danubius and most that were found therein put to the Sword The Lord Regendorf as a man not desirous to outlive so foul a dishonour brought upon him by the wilfulness of his unruly Souldiers would have died fighting amongst the thickest of his Enemy had he not against his will by strong hand been forced into a Pinace and so carryed by his Captains to Comora within five days after Solyman came to Buda and according to his wonted cruelty caused all the Prisoners to be put to death and one amongst the rest a German Souldier being of wonderous height he appointed to be slain by his Dwarff whose head reached not past his knees which he ordered to be done in derision of the German Nation Solyman having pitched his Camp near Buda sent his Ambassadors with Presents to the Young King viz. Three beautiful Horses with their Bridles of Gold and their Trapings set with precious stones and three Robes of cloth of Gold and unto every one of the chief Nobility a chain of Gold and rich Gowns upon the delivery of these presents as they had it in charge they requested that the Queen would cause the young King to be sent to the Camp to Solyman who was greatly desirous to see him and that he was resolved to take him and his Kingdom into protection until such time as he should of himself be able to defend it against his potent Adversary This request of the Ambassadors though not without some scruple was granted and the young King being then in his swadling Cloths was sent in a rich Chariot together with his Nurse and several great Ladies attended on by such of the Nobility to whom Solyman had sent presents upon whose Arrival the Tyrant took him in his arms and looked upon him commanding his sons then present viz. Selymus and Bajazet begotten on the fair Roâ—colana to kiss him in token of there love to him from thence forward yet notwithstanding these fair shews he consulted with his Bassa's whether he should retain the King and seize on the Kingdom of Hungary having before caused his Soldiers to possess themselves of one of the Gates of Buda called Sabatina it was likewise debated whether all the Nobility then in his possession should be put to death or carried into bondage of all which opinions were some of his Bassa's and others of a far more mild opinion So that Solyman when he well considered what had been argued resolved upon a method between the one and the other when entering Buda on the 30th of August anno 1541. after he had sacrificed to his vain Prophet in the Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary he published a Decree the fatal doom of that flourishing Kingdom under which it at this day groans That Buda should from that day be kept with a Garrison of Turks and the Kingdom be converted into a Province of the Turkish Empire that the Queen with her son the young King should presently depart the City and live in Lippa a fertil and quiet Countrey beyond the River Tibiscus near to the borders of her fathers Kingdom and to be safely conducted thither with all her Wealth and Jewels by the Janizaries of which hard conditions the Queen was glad to accept upon which the Hungarian Nobility all but Valentinus her General were set at Liberty having before been retained as Prisoners in the Turkish Camp King Ferdinand residing at Vienna upon notice of what had passed and that Solyman was purposed to invade his Territories first sending to collect his dispersed Forces afterwards he sent Count Salma and Sigismund Lethestaine noble and grave Councellors his Ambassadors to Solyman with rich presents which were a standing cup of Gold after the German fashion richly beset with pearls and pretious stones and a wonderful Silver Globe of most rare and curious device daily expressing the hourly passing of the time the motion of the Planets the Change and Full of the Moon the motion of the Superiour Orbs ever moving by certain wheels or weights curiously conveyed within the same exactly keeping due time and motion lively expressing