40000 forthwith removed and with great speed hasted toward the Turks of which they having notice by their Espials put themselves in Battle Array and after their vain glorious manner dreamt of nothing but the spoil of the Christians whom they already concluded overthrown by reason of the disproportion of number they being indeed much inferiour in that nature to the Infidels Yet had the Emperours General so ordered his Battles that placing the Crotians and Hussars in the Vauntguard those of Carolstat and the Harquibusires of Keriva in the Left wing In the Right the Borderers of Carania all Horsemen in the main Battle the rest of the Souldiers with the Horsemen of Silesia under the conduct of Sigismund Paradise the Rereward was incompassed with three Companies of the Emperours Souldiers nor were the Turk idle but Marshalled their Battle in the best wise when as the Charge being sounded the Crotians and Hussars in the Vaunt-gard gave the first onset with such fury that being seconded by the Lord Anersburgh they after a cruel Fight obliged the Turks to give ground and with Hassan Bassa their General retire towards the River Odder after whom the Christians following furiously many endeavouring to save themselves by passing over were drowned and those that stayed in a fearful manner on the Banks overwhelmed by the continual Tempest of shot from the Flankers so that within three hours space all the Army was in a confusion every man seeking for his own safety insomuch that 18000 Turks perished either by the Sword or in the Rivers Odder and Kulp and amongst the rest Hassan Bassa Mahomet Beg Achmet Beg Saffer Beg Meni Beg Framatan Beg Curti Beg Operd Beg and Goschus the Bassa's chief Counselor together with Sinan Beg Amuraths Nephew the onely Son of his Sister after which signal victory obtained the Christian Army falling on their knees gave Thanks to God to whom alone they ascribed their miraculous preservation The news of which overthrow coming to the knowledge of Amurath he like a frantick man blasphemed the God of Heaven and perswaded thereto by the tears and intreaties of his Sister to revenge the death of her Son sent a proud and blasphemous denunciation of War to the Emperour Rodolphus wherein he stiled himself The onely Monarch of the World a great and mighty God on Earth an invincible Caesar King of all Kings from the East unto the West c. and proceeded to threaten the said Emperour and his People with all the miseries that attend on War impiously declaring that the Crucified God of the Christians long since dead and buried had not been able to deliver his own Countrey out of his hands much less the German Empire which in despite of him he was resolved to take knowing himself a subverter and sworn Enemy of the Christians and of all that called upon the name of Christ And thereupon the more to terrifie the Christians he sent a great Army under the Command of Sinan Bassa their implacable Enemy who upon his Arrival layed siege to Ciseg which he took putting all he found therein to the Sword and after that took several other places of lesser note yet not without considerable loss and breach of Faith to the besieged who finding themselves oft too weak to defend places of little strength against so powerful an Enemy would surrender them upon promise of Life and Liberty but falling into the hands of the barbarous Infidels seldom obtained either These proceedings of the Turks did not a little alarum the Christian Princes who having mustered 18000 Men under the Command of Count Hardeck Governour of Rab he with marching from Comara came before Alba-Regalis which by force of his Artillery he in a short time made saultable to the relief of which the Bassa of Buda sent Sinan Bassa with 20000 Horse and Foot but he being encountered by the Christians was put to flight with the loss of most of his men whereupon as victors the Christians returned to the siege but finding the season far advanced and a great number of Turks that escaped in the overthrow to be got into the City the Count raised his Camp and returned again to Rab but early in the Spring assisted by fresh supplies the Emperours Captains dividing the Army took the strong Castle of Sabatzka the City of Fileck the Towns of Seeteschiu Blanestine and Salleck the three latter being through fear abandoned by the Turks having first set them for the most part on Fire At the same time the Lord Palfie with a strong party marching to Dregel and Palanka found them likeâ—ise abandoned by the Turks the which having furnished with strong Garrisons of his own he took by force Ainacke Sellecke Westkee and divers other places so that the Turks were in a manner driven out of the Lower Hungary and new Buda and Alba-Regalis the onely Strong holds possessed by the Turks in those parts began to doubt their security for whilst a party out of the latter coming forth to bury the dead that lay scattered round the Walls and by their contagion infected the City they were so suddainly incountered by a Captain of the Hussars Commanding a Troop of Light Horsemen that near 200 of them were slain and 50 taken Prisoners These proceedings coming to the Ears of Amurath and he from all hands certified that the strength of the Christians daily increased he began to doubt his Empire in Europe and therefore to defend the same raised a puissant Army anno 1594. at the head of which he resolved to march in person a thing he had not done since his taking upon him the Government but on the 11th of January as the Army was upon its march not far from Constantinople such a terrible Tempest of Hail Rain Snow Wind Thunder and Lightning arose that by its impetuosity it overturned the Tents Chariots Waggons Horse and Men few being able to stand upright before it The which the Tyrant taking as ominous to his proceedings in great perplexity returned with his formidable Army to Constantinople where casting himself upon his bed after much tumbling and tossing falling asleep he dreamed that he beheld a man of exceeding Stature standing with one his feet upon the Tower of Constantinople and the other over the straight fixed on the Asian shoar who stretching out his Arms held the Sun in one hand and the Moon in the other at whom whilst he was wondering the Monster with his foot struck the Tower which forthwith fell down and in its fall overthrew the great Temple with the Imperial Palace whose Thundering awaking the Turk he much troubled with the strangeness of the dream imediatly sent for his Necromancers and Wizards to Interpret it who to curry favour with their Prince hypocritically answered That for as much as he had not with all his Forces as with a Tempest impugned the Christians their great Prophet Mahomet threatned by that dream to overturn the Tower Temple and Imperial Palace which by a symbolical meaning denoted
his Army had scarce entred the Confines of Media before the Emperor 's new Lievtenant gave Battle and put the Turks to flight following the Execution for many miles This defeat inraged the Sultan and caused him to send an Army double the number of the former under the Conduct of Humbramy-Alim his other Brother who after six days Siege took Arzen a Town rich in Merchandize but the Lievtenant having joyned his Forces with those of Liperates Governour of Iberia who came to his Assistance the Battle was joyned which continued bloody and doubtful for the space of four hours at the end of which the Victory fell to the Christians who followed the Execution till Night put an end to it yet Liperates fighting valiantly was taken and carried into Persia for whose Ransom the Emperor sent great Presents but the Sultan out of a generous bravery sent him home Ransom-free only admonishing never to bear Arms against him more and with him sent Seriph a Mahumetan Priest as his Ambassador to demand of the Emperor that he would become Tributary to the Sultan and that thereby an Eternal Peace might issue which the Emperor rejected with just disdain Whereupon the Sultan invaded the Roman Provinces with great Forces but understanding upon his approaching Caesarea that the Emperor's Army was upon the March resolving to give him Battle and that if he should be overthrown there was little hopes of retreating by reason he had left so many Enemies at his back he returned into Media and laid Siege to the strong City of Mantizichiert furiously assaulting it for thirty days without intermission but after the loss of Alean his chief Captain and 20000 Turks and Persians he in great perplexity raised the Siege and upon his return being displeased with his Brother Habraim-Alim he fled by Night and joyned such Forces as he could raise with Cutlu Muses against whom the Sultan marched and overthrowing them in plain Battle took Habraim Prisoner and immediatly commanded his head to be struck off when in the mean while Cutlu Muses and his Cousin Melech fled into Armenia with the remainder of the broken Army and from thence sent Ambassadors to the Greek Emperor to take them into protection but the Sultan following them close with his Army they removed from thence and fled into Arabia upon which the Sultan leaving the pursuit turned his Army upon Iberia and wasted the Country with fire and sword in many places but upon the approach of Acoluthus the Emperor's Lievtenant he retired to Tauris leaving behind him one Sannich with 3000 Turks to infest the Imperial Territories At which time the Emperor Constantius died leaving his Empress and three Children the former being obliged in an Oath not to marry though afterwards that Oath was dispensed with by the Patriarch and she married to one Diogines whom she pardoned as the Sentence of death was about to pass upon him for conspiracy to dismember the Empire So that he being proclaimed Emperor advanced with an Army against the Turks pasting over into Asia where they were wasting the Provinces with fire and sword upon whose approach the Sultan doubting the Event sent one part of his Army into the South and the other into the North the latter surprising upon its arrival new Caesarea and so laded with rich Booties departed upon notice of which the Emperor pursued them and after a sharp Incounter put them to flight recovering the Booty and Prisoners at which time the City of Hierapolis was surrendred to him and many other Cities which the Turks had taken and then dividing his Army past on with one part of it to Syria and left the other part to defend the new Conquest which in his absence was overthrown by the Turks upon News of which the Governour of Aleppo revolted from him But whilst the Turks supposed they had him in a Toil he without any noise fell in with their Army and put them to flight making great slaughter of such as fled and then receiving the Homage of the several Countries he passed through he came to Alexandria in Caelicia and there quartered his Army and so returned to Constantinople The Emperor having recruited himself all Winter early in the Spring hasted to his Army to oppose the Turks that were abroad ravaging the Country about new Caesaria and after having repressed them passed on to the River Euphrates where leaving part of his Army with his Lievtenant for securing the Frontires he retired into Capadocia but in his absence his Lievtenant was routed by the Turkish Army which the Emperor understanding at Sabestia he sent the Governour of Antioch with part of his Army to oppose them at Mopsiphestia but they before were broken by the Armenians who had took from them the rich Booties they had acquired by the Sacks of many Cities And thus this Emperour continued to defend the Roman Provinces with great Success against the powerful Forces of a furious Adversary all the Reign of Tangrolipix the first Turkish Sultan of Persia CHAP. II. The Reign and Memorable Atchievements of Axan the second Turkish King or Sultan of Persia The Division of the Turkish Monarcby and the Expedition of the Christians unto the Holy Land in order to regain it from the Turks TAngrolipix being dead his Son Axan was chosen by the general Consent of the Souldiery Sultan in his stead who sent his Ambassadors immediately upon his Election to the Emperor Diogenes to conclude a Peace but some of his Counsellers perswaded him that thereby the Turk only sought to gain time till he could increase his Army insomuch that the Treaty broke off abruptly though in an ill time for the Emperor had sent away part of his Army yet was he spurred on to ingage the Turks by such of his Predecessors Relations as envied his Greatness and after Battle joyned the Turks retiring the Emperor supposed they did it to fetch a Compass in order to surprize his Camp and thereupon himself caused a Retreat to be sounded which John Ducas his Predecessor's Brother and his Caesar under whose command a great part of the Army was perceiving laid hold of that opportunity to ruin the Emperor by turned Tail and commanded a Retreat to be sounded which created so general a fear in the Army that they fled in all Parts the Emperor not being able to stay their flight which unexpected advantage the Sultan perceiving charged with fury upon the Christians so that the Emperor fighting with a brave resolution amongst the thickest Squadrons was at last taken Prisoner together with several of his great Commanders after several wounds received yet comforted by the Sultan and within a while honourably dismiss'd when during the time of his Captivity John Ducas his Caesar Psellus one of the Senators and other of the Faction had thrust the Empress into a Monastery and proclaimed Michael Ducas her Eldest Son Emperor and when they heard that the Emperor Diogenes was at liberty they sent out Letters to the Lievtenants of
of Lewis the Eighth King of France who after a long Siege lay'd to Damasco without preâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 it was forced to return with half his Arâ—◠〈…〉 half being through want and diseases lost But 〈…〉 to Baldwin King of Jerusalem after he had given the Turks and Sarazens several Overthrows 〈…〉 Peâ—â—â—d fortified Gaza and taken all the 〈…〉 held in the Terrirories of Jerusalem 〈…〉 accorded a Marriage with the Greek Emperor's â—iece which Emperor in requital thereof desired in Marriage one of the King 's near Kinswomen whereupon he offered him Mathildas an honorable Ladâ—â—â—â—ter to the Count of Tripolis but he refusing her and taking Mary the Daughter of Raymund Earl of Aâ—tâ—â—ch the Count was greatly displeased and with certain Ships of War greatly infested the Emperors Territories and upon the King 's coming to Antioch to solemnize the Marriage he was supposed to be poysoned by one Barac a Jew the Counts Physician for he taking â—â—ysick to prevent Winter sickness immediately fell into a bloody Flux and afterwards a Consumption of which he died at Beritus Anno 1163. when he had reigned prosperously 21 years being generally lamented of his Friends and Enemies Noridan the Turkish General and King of Damasco declaring that the world afforded not his Peer During these stirs in Syria Sultan Solyman and Mahomet his Successor being dead Mansal having upon the overthrow of the Greek Emperor's Army grasped the Scepter of Persia divided his Dominions at his death between his three Sons viz. to Clizasthilon his Eldest he gave Persia with the Towns and Provinces thereunto appertaining to Jagupasan his Second Son he gave Amasa and 〈◊〉 with the fruitful Country of Cappadocia and to Daâ—iâ—n and his Third Son gave he the Cities of 〈◊〉 and Sâ—bastia which Division caused a greater amongst the Brethren so that mortal hate insâ—ed which 〈◊〉 heels brought an Intestine War the Elder who bore the name of Sultan seeking to destroy and dispossess the two younger which intestine broyls the Greek Emanuel sought to augment covertly assisting them both that they by rending the Persian Monarchy might give him an easie means to recover what had been dismembred from his Empire but finding the Sultan powerful he supposed it best to side with him openly which he doing by that means Jagupasan was overthrown in a bloody and doubtful battel and he flying into Arabia had all his Dominions seized upon which an enterview was had between the Sultan and the Emperor wherein a Peace was concluded between those Potentates the former promising at his return to take Caesaria and Sebastia from Dadune and deliver them to the Emperor the former part of this promise he performs viz. the taking the Cities but the latter part of restoring them as he never intended so he never performed but forgetting all former curtesies invaded the Imperial Provinces with Fire and Sword doing great mischief taking by storm Laodicea in Phrygia upon which the Emperor passed the Hellespont with a great Army and fortified Dorileum and Subleum with other strong Holds to hinder the Inroads of the Turks nevertheless they ceased not to infest his Frontiers whereupon the Emperor grievously complained of the Sultan's Ingratitude and breach of Promise and he on the other side of his breach of League in fortifying the Frontier Towns whereupon the Emperor raised the whole power of his Empire resolving to rase Iconium marching with his whole Army Phrygia Laodicea Chonas and other Countries the Turks keeping aloof as not daring to give him â—atrâ—â— but the Sultan sent his Ambassadors with offers of Peace but the Emperor driven head-long on as it were by the Destinies trusting his power slighted all his Proposals willing the Ambassadors to tell their Master he would give him answer under the Walls of Iconium whereupon order was given to the Turks to impoyson the Well and destroy all Corn and Forrage by the way the Emperor should pass which was accordingly put in Execution so that by such means many of the Soldiers and some prime Commanders died and further they fortified the Straights of Zibriâ—â— through which the Christians were to pass upon their departure from Myria-Cephalon which are seven narrow Valleys of five miles long each over which hang Rocks craggy Clifts and Mountains that almost touch at the top yet through these the Emperor would needs pass though he had notice that the Turks â—â—d strongly possessed themselves of the said Valleys having first divided his Army into three Battalia's but he was no sooner entred but the Turks appeared upon the Rocks and Mountains on every side sending showers of poysonous Arrows upon the Imperialists themselves remaining as it were secure under the shelter of the Rock insomuch that e'r he had got through three parts of his Army were destroyed filling the Valleys with blood and the Carcasses of the slain but in the middle of his distress it pleased God to move the Sultan to pity him and conclude a Peace on condition that the fortified Towns should be rased and so dismissed him with the remainder of his broken Army but after repenting that he had suffered his Enemy to escape his hand permitted such as would to fall upon his Rear by which means many were slain yet at last he arrived at Chovas in his own Territories and caused Subleum to be rased but not the other Towns whereupon the Sultan complained of the non-performance of the Articles but receiving no satisfaction to his mind he sent Atapatch one of his great Captains with an Army of 2400 Horse and Foot to destroy the Emperor's Territories even to the Sea-side and in token thereof to bring an Oar some of the Sea water and Sea Sand which the said Captain undertook spoyling Phrygia and all the Cities upon the Banks of the River Meander taking a great Spoyl but in his return he was met withal by John Bataza the Emperor's Nephew and Ducase Constantine who setting upon him about to pass the Meander destroyed him and all his Army recovering the rich Booty And thus the Emperor Emanuel passed over in continual Wars yet by so doing he gave the Christians in Syria rest who after he had sat Emperor for the space of thirty eight years died leaving Alexius Comnenus his Son a Child of twelve years of Age to Reign in his stead under the protection of the Empress both of which were barbarously murdered by Andronicus the deceased Emperor's Couzen who proved so inhuman and unmerciful that one Isaac Angelius whom he designed to murther caused the Citizens to mutiny against him and put him to a shameful death himself being afterwards chosen Emperor in his stead but he reigned not long for proving almost as Tyrannical as the former he was deposed and his Brother Alexius chosen to succeed him who getting him into his power to make all safe put out his eyes and thrust him into a Monastery so that in these suddain alterations the Turks made great spoyl of the Imperial Provinces greatly dismembring the Empire
sore shaken with inrestine broyls But Clisalthâ—n dying gave some Rest by reason his Sons fell at variance among themselves as he and his Brothers had done for he leaving four all grown to Mens estate viz. Maful Coppatine Renâ—â—â—â—ine and Câ—ichofroes he divided his Dominions amongst them but they thinking each other wronged unless every one had all would not content themselves with what their Father had allotted them though Dominions large enough to suffice twenty Kings raised impious Broils But after long contention Masut the Elder seised by force all the Dominions in Persia making himself thereby absolute Sultan where I shall leave him setling his Dominions and return to Jerusalem After the death of Baldwin in Almericus his younger Brother was crowned King on the seventeenth day of February Aâ—â—â— â—163 who was no sooner setled in his Throne but he warred upon Dargan the Egyptian Sultan for refusing to pay him the accustomed Tribute and in a dreadful battel overthrew him who to stay the pursuit cut the Banks of Nilus and lay'd the Country under water But whilst he was busie in Egypt Noridin the King of Damasco making Inrodes upon the Christians near Tripolis was fought with by Gilbert Lacy an english man then great Master of the Templars and by him overthrown with the loss of three parts of his Army but the next year laying Siege to Arethusa the Christian Princes gathered their Forces to oppose him who upon their approach raised his Siege and departed and whilst they eagerly pursued he trained them into certain miry Fens where turning upon them he overthrew their Army with incredible slaughter and the Captivity of all the Princes commanding after which Victory he again laying Siege to the City had it yielded to him but Almericus was more successful in Egypt for he so prevailed against the Turks and Sarazens that they were obliged to purchase their Peace with the delivery of the City of Alexandria and most of the Prisoners taken by Noradin in the late overthrow and within a short while after the Turks infringing the Articles he aided by the Knights Templars and other Christians lay'd Siege to Pelusium which he after three days setting down before it won and gave it to the great Master and the Knights of the Order In this City they took the Sultan of Egypt's Son and Nephew for whose ransom the King received 100000 Duâ—ats and so he returned to Jerusalem when shortly after Sâ—raâ—con the Turkish General in those Parts under pretence of Friendship slew the Sultan of Egypt in his Tent and was in his stead proclaimed Sultan being first Turk 〈◊〉 ever governed Egypt yet he enjoyed not his ill got Dominion above the space or a year before death surprized him when in his stead Saladine his Nephew was crowned Sultan who desirous to be rid of the Caliph who as Successor to the Impostor Mahomet ruled in effect the Kingdom he upon some disgust with his horseman's Mace beat his brains out at a blow and then taking the chief Places of Trust from the Egyptians and giving them to his Turks so well secured himself and his Posterity that for the revolution of many years that fertile Kingdom remained in subjection to the Turks Being by the means aforesaid setled in his Kingdom he raised a great power and entered Palestine and after a short Siege took the City of Daron e're Almericus could come to relieve it and now the Turks increasing in great numbers the King of Jerusalem was obliged to send to the Christian Princes of the West for aid and in the mean while stoutly defended his Territory which the former Kings had extended to the uttermost borders of Arabia Felix larger than what ever the Israelites possessed and Anno 1173. Noridon King of Damasco died the sorest Enemy the Christians had but as Joy seldom comes without some taste of sorrow to allay it so now for Almericus the Sixth famous King of Jerusalem returning from the Siege of Peane 〈…〉 year fell into a Fever which after a short sick 〈…〉 him of life Up 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 Americus his Nephew Baldwi◠〈…〉 nightily opposed the Turks gâ—â—ing them many 〈◊〉 â—â—erthrows but was in the flower of his youth cut 〈◊〉 death the sixteenth of Aâ—â—y 1185. when as he haâ—â—eiâ—â—ed twelve Years and some Months In this King's stead his Son Baldwin the Fifth of that name and Eighth King of Jerusalem was crowned but long he had not reigned e'r his perfidious Mother to advance her second Husband Guy to the Throne poysoned him But Heaven leâ—t not such wickedness unrevenged not long after Guy the Ninth and Last King of Jerusalem took upon him the Scepter the Christians fell at variance amongst themselves ready to turn their Swords upon each other of which Saladine the Egyptian Sultan taking the advantage won many Cities and finally in a bloody battel the Christian Army was overthrown the King and most of his Nobles together with the great Master of the Templers were taken Prisoners which altogether broke the strength of the Christians in Syria for hightned with this success the Sultan with an Army of 200000 Horse and Foot besieged Jerusalem which being naked of men and wanting a Head was after fourteen days Siege and many fierce Assaults delivered up to the Enemy Anno 1187. after it had been in the hands of the European Christians for the space of 100 years upon condition that such Christians as would might still remain there with free exercise of their Religion and those that were minded to depart might be permitted so to do with as much of their Goods as they could carry upon their backs And thus the Holy City again fell into the hands of the Pagans who poluted it with their prophane Idolatries and superstitious Worship through the Christians lukewarmness and disrespect of God's Divine Worship who living in abundance of plenty forgat the hand that protected them trusting in their own arms as the Israelites to their cost had done before them After Jerusalem the Metropolis of the Kingdom was taken Anâ—â—eâ—â— was betrayed by the Patriarck such little regard had Christians of their Fidelity into the hands of the Turks for a certain sum of Gold 〈◊〉 afterward most of the other Cities either revolted or were taken by force Chap. IV. The Second Expedition of the Western Princes for the Recovery of the Holy Land c. JErusalem and most of the Cities of Palestine being lost as aforesaid the European Potentates were not a little grieved and to recover the same raised a mighty power and first that advanced was Frederick the German Emperor who setting forth from Vienna passed with a puissant Army through Hungary Bulgaria and Thracia and so to Constantinople where he passed over into Asia and entring Lyconia gave the Turks a great overthrow after which he besieged and took Iconium giving the Spoyls thereof to his Soldiers and from thence passing into Celicia in the Straights where the Greek Emperor some years before
received his fatal overthrow he had a second conflict with the Turk whom he put to flight with great slaughter and took the City of Philomela and put the Inhabitants to the sword for executing his Messangers he sent to treat with them about delivering it peaceably and then entring â—â—â—â—enia the less he took the City of Melitene and subdued all the Territories round about and there gave the Turks an other fearful overthrow which Army was no sooner vanquished but another not inferiour to â—â— appeared under the heading of Saphadine Saladin the Sultan's Son which with an undaunted bravery he charged and put to rout with incredible slaughter but the joy of Victory was soon turned into Mourning for the good Emperor zealous for the Christian Cause following hâ—â—d upon the flyers his Horse floundered in the River 〈◊〉 and threw him out of the Saddle with his right foot hanging in the Stirrup after which manner e'r he could be relieved he was drag'd through the River and hitting by the way on certain Stumps so bruised that when he was taken up he was heard to say no more then Lord receive my Soul e'r he gave up the Ghost in the seventieth year of his Age and of his Reign 38. Anno 1190. Whereupon his Body was carried to the City of Tire and there in the Cathedral with all Solemnity interred This Heroick Emperor being dead his Son Frederick Duke of Suevia then in the Army was saluted Emperor and General by the consent of the great Commanders but now the Country being purposely destroyed before them pale Famine began to stare them in the face yet on they marched and charging Dodequin Saladius General sent to oppose their Passage gave him a great overthrow and had all the Cities rendred as they passed till they came to Ptolomais where the power of the Christians in Syria were incamped headed by Guy late King of Jerusalem who for a great Sum had obtained his Liberty Upon the Arrival of Frederick the Christians gave a fierce Assault to the City on all Parts and had taken it by Storm had not Saladine the Egyptian Sultan who lay hovering aloof with his Army fallen upon their Camp and thereby in the hottest of the Assault obliged them to draw off to defend the same and having forced him to retire with the loss of a few men they returned again to the Siege expecting the Arrival of Richard the First King of England and Philip the Second King of France who were upon their way with great Forces but they wintering in the Isle of Sicilia the French King out of Envy to the Glory of the English and an old grudge having been formerly about King Richard's refusing the French King's Sister and marrying the Daughter of the King or Navar the French King not long after returned home and withdrew his Army to the frustrating the whole design of recovering Jerusalem yet at present he dissembled the matter and loosing first from the Port of Mesina arrived at Ptolomais where the Christians lay still incomped after whom King Richard shortly followed but sayling by Cyprus his Fleet was dispersed by a Storm and two of his Ships falling on ground on that Coast the Islanders spoyled them and when the rest of the Fleet put in there they rudely withstood their landing which so inraged King Richard that he landing by force seised the Island and took the King thereof Prisoner and sent him bound in Chains of Silver to Syria The King having secured the Island to his use disanchored and sailed to Ptolomais where he was joyfully received of the Christian Princes upon whose Arrival the City after a hot Assault and a great breach in the Wall was surrendred upon condition the Garrison might depart with safety for which they were likewise to pay a great Ransom to deliver they Holy Cross they had in possession and a certain number of them to remain as Hostages that the Saladine should deliver such Christian Prisoners as he had in his power whereupon the Germans of Austria entered first the 〈◊〉 and advanced the Standard of their Duke upon the Wâ—ll as if by their only valour the City had 〈…〉 which so offended King Richard that he 〈◊〉 the Standard to be thrown down and trampled on which indignity the Duke resented so heinously that 〈◊〉 great hindrance of the Wars in Syria he retuâ—â—◠〈…〉 his Forces into Austria as likewise did the 〈◊〉 France with the greatest part of his Army under 〈◊〉 he did it for want of health in so hot a Clime 〈…〉 out of secret Envy to King Richard Salâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of the lessning of the Christian Army and that there still remained amongst them discontent refused to pay the money for the Ransom of the Hostages or deliver up the Christian Prisoners but threatned that if any Extremity was used by the King towards them he would behead all the Christian Prisoners the which notwithstanding the Hostages were not hurt he most barbarously performed in return whereof the King commanded 2500 of the Hostages to be executed in the sight of the Infidels Camp and resolved to give him battel which he perceiving raised his Camp and departed along the Sea Coast ruining the strong Towns to prevent their falling into the hands of the Christians who leaving Ptolomais strongly fortified followed close at his heels resolving to besiege Jerusalem which he perceiving and taking such advantage as the time and place would afford faced about So that both Armies meeting about Noon a dreadful conflict began which continued with great slaughter especially on the part of the Turks till Evening at what time the Victory fell to the Christians who had the Execution of the Infidels for seven miles but Winter coming on they disposed of the Army till Spring in the Towns that Saladine had ruinated repairing and fortifying them stronger than before but when Spring came upon must'ring the Army they were found greatly decreased by diseases and absenting and at the same time the King found the Duke of Burgundia under whose command the French King had left part of his Army still to cross his purpose as desirous to return home having received such Orders privately from the King his Master who was contrary to his Oath taken at his departure warring upon the Normans then King Richard's Subjects and that others were of the like mind found himself altogether too weak to besiege Jerusalem and hearing how the French King had incited his younger Brother John to take upon him the Government of the Kingdom of England fearing lest while he was warring abroad he might loose his Kingdom at home he resolved to make such conditions with the Sultantain as might be best for the advantage of the Christians in Syria and so imbarque for England which the crafty Infidel understanding and finding his power daily to decay would hearken to no other Proposals than that the Christians should surrender all the Towns they had taken Ptolomais excepted and in consideration
thereof be suffered to live in Peace which being concluded on the King leaving Count Henry of Champaigne his Lievetenant of Syria imbarked with his fair Queen who had accompanied him in his tedious Expedition but by the way being separated from the rest of his Fleet suffered wrack upon the Coast of Histria and attempting with a small retinue to walk over land in the Habit of a Templar he was discovered and by the command of the Duke of Austria in whose Territories and whom he had disgraced at the Siege of Ptolomais by throwing down his Standard taken Prisoner and by him sold to the Emperor Henry for 40000 pounds who kept him prisoner a year and three months and then received for his Ransom 150000 pounds But the Ship that the Queen and her Ladies were in arrived safe in England Soon after the King's delivery news came that Saladine the great Sultan was dead which caused the Princes of Germany animated by Pope Celestines to undertake a third Voyage for the Recovery of Jerusalem The Dukes of Saxony and Austria commanding in Chief and with them went many Bishops who upon their Arrival joyned with the Christians they found there and repaired Joppa the which whilst they were doing the â—â—â—â—â—ish Army approached whereupon they â—hew out and in pitched battle overthrew them but to the Loss of their two Generals the former dying within four days after the Victory of a Fever and the latter of the Wounds he had received And in fine news coming that Henry the Emperour was dead most of the chief Captains returned home in hopes to be elected Emperour After which the Turks took Joppa and put all they found in it to the Sword but at the instance of Pope Innocent the third Philip the French King sent 5000 Souldiers under the leading of Simon Count of Mont-ferat to joyn the Christians by whose good conduct things were so ordered that they procured to live at peace in Tyre and Ptolomais where I shall leave them and return to the Lesser Asia and relate by what means the Turks first Empire in Persia was brought to nought CHAP. V. The ruin of the Turks first Kingdom in Asia by the Tartars THe Turks having flourished in Persia and the Lesser Asia by the Space of about 200 years under the Succession of divers Sultans and Kings The Tartars a rough Savage People dwelling in the cold barren parts of Asia Northward under the leading of Ziugis their pretended Prophet having wasted all before them passed the high Mountain Caucasus and part of the Mountain Taurus came on upon the more fertile part of Asia like a deluge whose huge numbers were such that in a short time under the leading of Hoccata old Ziugis's Son himself being dead before they had far proceeded they in a trice overrun India Persia and almost all the other Countries of Asia none being able to stand before nay so fearful were they to the Nations that at their Approach without giving battle Kings with their People sled not into fenced Cities but their Contries and amongst the rest Cursumes or as the Greek will have it Corâ—â—â—tes The Turkish Sultan of Persia leaving all the Cities naked to be possessed without resistance by the Barbarous Enemy who in his slight dyed being the last King Linaly defended of the Sâ—lzâ—â—cian Family Reigning in Persia whereupon his Son Vgnâ—â—chan taking upon him the leading the People that followed his Father seized upon Baâ—â—â—â— now called Bagadet supposing it the safest place of refuge and the better to secure it put to the Sword all the inhabitants but kept it not long or the Turks 〈…〉 after him tâ—â—â— the City by Storm and in 〈…〉 expell'd all his People and so 〈◊〉 on Conquered 〈…〉 and many other 〈◊〉 both in the Great and Leâ—â—er Asia formerly possessed by the Turks they by this means 〈…〉 driven out of 〈◊〉 about the year of our Lord 〈…〉 yet there was found one of the Selâ—â—◠〈…〉 Royal Stem named 〈…〉 the scattered Turks 〈…〉 to him in 〈…〉 taking the advantage of the Greeks 〈…〉 themselves 〈…〉 and the Countries 〈◊〉 and there first at 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 erected their 〈◊〉 Kingdom 〈…〉 is by the Turks 〈◊〉 the Kingdom of the Alâ—dine Kings And by this 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Monarchy in 〈◊〉 was received the 〈…〉 Sâ—iling himself great King and Lord 〈◊〉 the Eastern Countries During this 〈◊〉 the Constanâ—â—◠〈…〉 broyles which 〈…〉 who had deprived his Elder Brother 〈…〉 Empire for the Settlement thereof and securing himself in his throne to seek after the Life of the young Prince his Brothers Son who was active in recovering to his Father the Empire that of right appertained unto him which inforced the Prince to crave aid of Philip the Emperor of Germany and the rest of the Princes of that Empire and so prevailed by means of his Sister who was Married to the said Emperor that being recommended by him and the French King to the Army then making an other expedition into the Holy Land and by them taken into protection with a Solemn promise of restoring him to his rightful Inheritance In consideration of which he obliged himself to pay the French a great sum of Moâ—ey and to make Restitution to the Venations the loâ—â—es they sustained in the time of the Emperor 〈◊〉 by reason of an 〈…〉 lay'd upon their gailies and seâ—â—â—re of the goods of their March and Recompence the 〈◊〉 by reducing the Greek Churches to the obedience of the See of Rome for of those three Nations was mostly this Army composed which consisted of near two hundred thousand Horse and Foot Upon these considerations was the Voyage in order to the Recovery of what was lost in Syria put off and all the forces â—ent against 〈◊〉 where the Usurper resided who held his Brother the rightful Emperour in Prison having deprived him of his sight and coming before the port with their huge fleet that almost covered the Ocean they â—â—on broke the chain and entered with their Galley upon sight of which those that kept the Greek Gallies in the perâ—â—â—â—ed and left them as a prey to the Latins for so they called the Western Christians who not content therewith but resolutely thrusting on shore a 〈…〉 those that guarded it to retire 〈…〉 re-enter the City which the Usurper perceiving and well weighing he was no ways able to oppose such an Army taking with him all his Treasure and several of his trustly Friends 〈◊〉 â—ight upon which the Citizens to avoid being 〈◊〉 â—ook the Old Emperor out of Prison and the Second time proclaimed him Emperor and immediately opened their gates and admitted the Army calling them their deiâ—â—erers but this their Alacrity lasted not for the Prince having made known his promises and the Old Emperor confirmed the same the People upon Settlement of the Taxes whereby such Sums should be raised as might satisfie the Conquerors they grew dissatisfied and raised tumults in several parts of the City the better to Allay which
Infidels thus foiled though the City still held out Corradiâ—e Sultan of Damasco and Jerusalem sent his Ambassador to the Christian Princes to sue for Peace for himself and his Brother the Sultan of Egypt In lieu whereof he promised to restore the Holy-Cross and all the Towns his Father Saladine had taken from the Christians which large offer was thought reasonable by most of the Princes none opposing it but Pelagius the Popes 〈◊〉 John the late made King of Jerusalem the 〈◊〉 of the Knights Templers and Hospitallers and the Duke of Aâ—siria they alledging that the War was undertaken generally against the Infidels and that they ought not to desist till they had brought them under Whereupon the Sâ—â—â—â—n supposing they would speedily come to Jerusalem caused it to be rased all exceâ—◠〈◊〉 Tower of David and the holy Sepulcher 〈…〉 instance of the Christians there dwelling 〈…〉 with all his people departed to Daâ—â—◠〈◊〉 but 〈…〉 Christians though too late repented their 〈…〉 advantageous an offer for 〈…〉 of the raw 〈◊〉 and Vapors that ascended from Niâ—â—s a mortal Contagion raged in the â—â—mp and much weakened it so that the Sultan taking the advantage indeavoured to put succors into the Town with such speed that many entered ere the Christians could take the Alarum but they falling in the Rear cut off a great number that were shut out lest the Christians should have entered Pell-mel with them into the City and heightened with this success they marched to the Sultans Camp and dared him to battel but he not willing to hazard his Kingdom upon a cast refusing they assaulted him in his Lodging In which daring Attempt the French General was lost with many more of note so that without success they again returned to the Siege Famine beginning to rage extreamly in the City and soon after its attendant the Plague of which such a number died that there were none left to defend it So that the Christians entering found all the Streets paved with the dead 70000 of the Infidels having perished therein through obstinacy who upon surrender might have had their Lives and Liberties Thus this great City after a years Siege was taken the Third of November 1221. After which the Popes Legate laying Claim to it in the behalf of his Master though at the beginning of the War the Princes had concluded that all the Cities and Towâ—◠〈◊〉 should be put into the Possession of the King of Jerusalem a Contest arose between them insomuch that the King retired to 〈◊〉 and was hardly intreated to return upon whose return and the Arrival of the Duke of Bavaria with fresh Forces at the Legates intreaty a great part of the Army was drawn forth in order to the 〈◊〉 the City of Câ—â— which they effected not without hopes of wâ—â—â—ing it but being unacquainted with the Country they iâ— camping in low Ground the 〈…〉 and overflowed their 〈…〉 Waters of a prodigious depthâ—â—â— that many perished therein and at last were obliged to re-deliver Damiata for their Ransom and so the Sultan relieving them with such necessaries as they wanted caused them to be Conducted out of Egypt Whereupon most of them returned into their own Country having first concluded a Peace for eight years with Coradine the Sultan of Damasco which Peace was by the Infidel inviolably observed King John upon his return at the instance of Hâ—â—orâ—us gave his Daughter Yoland in Marriage to Erâ—drick King of Sicilia and with her the Title of Jerusalem from whence the succeedings derived their Titles instiling themselves Kings of Jerusalem And now Henry the second Emperor of Constantinople being dead having Reigned eleven years and some odd days Peter Count of Ausseres was made Emperor in his stead who in revenge to Injuries done to the Veâ—etians by Theodorus Angelius Prince of Epirus besieged him in Dâ—â—rachium but upon his feigned Submission a Peace was concluded when the Emperor too much crediting the perjured Wretch going into the City slenderly attended to an Entertainment to which the Epirâ—â— had invited him was by his Commandment slain Upon the News of this sad disaster the Constantinopâ—liâ—â—ns elected his Son Robert to succeed him but he lived nor long for having married a beautiful Lady before Contracted to a noble man of Burgundia he in revenge in the Emperors absence with a resolute Company broke into the Pallace and there seizing upon the 〈◊〉 cut off her Nose and Ears and afterward 〈◊〉 her Mother who had been the cause of the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 Contract threw her into 〈…〉 into the 〈…〉 Mountains living 〈…〉 of his Companions which 〈…〉 the Emperor that going to Rome in his return the died After him succeeded his Son by the name of Baldwin the Second being the fifth and last Emperor of the Lattins in Constantinople For Lasâ—ares of whom I have before spoken after the overthrow he gave the Sultan mightily increasing his Power rigged a great many Ships and Siezed upon all the Islands in the Iconium and Egean Seas Lesbos Chios Saâ—os Rhodes c. And by that means rendered himself so formidable that most Cities before in the possession of the Lattins revolted to him insomuch that without any great resistance he brought his Army to the Gates of Constantinople and then dying lefe his Son John Ducas Batazes to succeed him who prosecuting the War against the Latrius became more terrible then his Father strengthening himself by a Marriage between Hâ—lena daughter to Assan King of Bulgaria and his Son Theodore And after that renewed the League with the Sultain of Iconium who was then 〈◊〉 in Warring against the Tartars During these pâ—ssâ—â—es 〈◊〉 the German Emperor with great forces passed 〈◊〉 Syria but by Reason he did not humble himself to Greogry the ninth the proud Preâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 thereto by his Strumpet Fulminated against 〈◊〉 with Excommunications sending his Leâ—ters to the Christians not to aid nor receive him upon his 〈◊〉 but they did not regard the 〈◊〉 Pope 〈…〉 his Landing with his forces 〈…〉 joyfully and honourably received 〈…〉 to Sultan 〈◊〉 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 but 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 to his 〈…〉 desire 〈…〉 himself 〈…〉 that after 〈…〉 that the 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 was at hardly gladly 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 up the City of Jerusalem with all the Land of Palestine together with the Respective Cities taken by the Sultan Saladine and all the Christian Prisoners in lieu of a ten years Peace which was accorded and the Emperor with his Army coming to the desolate City of Jerusalem and there with great Solemnity on Easter Day Anno 1229 was Crowned King and so having fortifyed the City by repairing the Wall and Garrisoned Nazereth Joppa and other strong Cities and appointed Reynold Duke of Bavaria his Lieutenant in Syria he returned home where the Pope had put his Subjects in an uproar and Seized upon his Kingdom of Naples working him greater troubles then are convenient to be here related as not pertinent to this History only note that this was
Tartars hath made this Coward so affraid that he thinketh every Enemy two The Armies being come near to each other upon the great Plains of Sennas he thought not good to joyn Battle presently by Reason the Evening approached yet many light Skirmishes happened between the Parthian Horsemen and the Forerunners of the Turkish Army but the next Morning either Hoast being set in Array after some Pause the charge was Sounded whereupon the Prince of Ciarcan Tamarlin's Kins-man with 40000 Horse charged the Turks in the Front and Piercing their Battle put the Jannizaries into disorder but venturing too far was there Slain whereupon Axalla Leading the Vaunt-Guard composed of Sciths and Parthians bore upon the left Wing of the Turks Army cutting in pieces and Bearing down all that oppos'd him at what time his Footmen coming to joyn with him he Faced the Batalion of the Jnnaizaries who behaved themselves Valiantly for the safety of their Prince who in the middle of them Fought on Foot which Fight continued Bloody and doubtful for the space of an Hour all the place being heaped with the Bodies of the Slain till at last the Tartars being overcharged gave Ground which Tamerlain from his Stand perceiving sent 10000 Horse to Reinforce them and other 10000 to Fight in the Rearward and at the same time sent his Foot-men who fell in with the Turks main Battle that remained yet unshaken with such fury that making them give way he opened them to the Rear of the Jannizaries wherein was yet the Person of Bajazet who sustained the greatest Brunt of the Fight but at last overpowered with number they were forced to give Gronnd at what time Tamerlain coming on with 50000 fresh Horse Bore down all before him till he came to the Jannizaries who always Fight in the Heart of the Army and they weary and not able to make sufficient resistance were trodden down on all sides so that the Battle Swerving the Turks betook themselves to Flight and amongst the rest Bajazet wounded as he was who afterwards fell into the Hands of Axalla together with his Son Musa The Despot of Servia and many others of note This great Victory fell to the Tartars chiefly by the revolt of a great number of Bajazet's men who were raised in the Countries of the Mahometan Princes expulsed who in the Heat of the Battle seeing their natural Lords under Tamerline's Standard went over to ' um This Fight lasted Bloody and doubtful from Seven in the Morning till four in the Evening wherein as many report 200000 on either side were Slain and amongst the rest Mustapha Bajazets Son with most of his great Commanders After this Bajazet being brought before Tamerlain and demanded why he oppressed the Christians and made War upon so Noble a Prince as was the Emperor of Greece to which he replyed Even the same thing that hath moved thee to invade me even the desire of Glory and Soveraignty and why said Tamerlain do you use such Tyranny over those you Conquer without Respect of Sex or Age That I did said he to give the greater Terror to my Enemies Ah what wouldst thou have done with me said Tamerlain if it had been thy Fortune to have had me in thy Power I would said the haughty Turk not Conquered tho overcome have put thee in a Cage of Iron and have carryed thee in Triumph about my Kingdom Even so said Tamerlain shalt thou be served and thereupon commanded him out of his presence and as he had determined shortly after Cooped him up in a Cage of Iron and carryed him into the Countries he Conquered whose Calamity may well serve as a memento to all aspiring Mortals by putting them in mind that the Worldly Glory is not perminent After this the Greek Emperor sent his Ambassedor to Tamerlain in his Name to deliver up his City and Empire but he refused saying he had Dominions sufficient of his own and after having seen the City and wondered at its fair Structures and Riches he taking leave of the Emperor he passed with his Army into Egypt to be revenged on the Sultan for assistng Bajazet against him with 30000 Mamalukes having first subdued all or the greatest part of all the Turks Dominions in Asia and intirely restored Europe to its rightful possessors and meeting with the Sultan he overthrew his Army consisting of 174000 Horse and Foot and so wining Damasco Jerusalem Damiata Cairo and most of the Cities in Egypt Syria Lybia and other Eastern Countries making all the Kings as he passed become his Tributaries he left Calibes a great Captain with the greatest part of his Army to pursue the Egyptian Sultan and secure what he had won having news that his Father in Law was sick and that his Wife was desirous of his Company he returned into his Country but ' ere his departure Bajazet as desperate and impatient of his Misfortune had beaten his Brains out against the Bars of his Cage as the mos Authentick Authors affirm tho the Turks say he was set at Liberty by Tamerlain who beforehand had caused to take Poyson of which within three Days he dyed tho their saying is very unlikely to be true but however he was Buryed in Prusa by his beloved Wife Despina Anno 1399. having Reigned seven years and kept under restraint two years CHAP. X. The Life of Mahomet the first King of the Turks and the restorer of their Kingdom ruined by the Tartars THough Historians somewhat vary about the Successor of Bajazet yet the most Credible do affirm that his Son Mahomet several of his other Brothers being slain and carried away Captive succeeded him and that the rest might be mistaken in the Name This Mahomet when his Father was taken Prisoner was but fifteen years of Age having been by him appointed his Successor for the great Hope he saw in him for the recovery of the broken and much shattered Kingdom When Mahomet entered upon Kingly Authority the Tartars possessed a great part of the before Turkish Dominion but the Remains of the scattered Army and other Aids resorting to his Standard after the departure of Tamerlain he recovered many Cities some by Force and others by Revolt from the Tartars and not long after in a great and bloody Battle overthrowing Inal Ogly Tamerlain's Lieutenant he advanced more boldly and charged Costor Ogly and Kinpeck Ogly two more of Tamerlain's great Captains whom he likewise overthrew and following his good Fortune passed into the lesser Asia of which Tamerlain having Notice sent for him with a Promise to give him one of his Daughters in Marriage to whom he intended to go but by the way being often forced to fight through the Ambushment of the Tartars he fearing it was a Design to take him Prisoner returned to his Government excusing himself to Tamerlain's Ambassador and sending one of his own Ambassadors to give the reason of his not coming upon Notice of which and that the Turks still prevailed Tamerlaine prepared for
Emperor caused his Batteries to be mounted whilst Auria with the Fleet blocked up the Castle to the Sea-ward so that what from the Ships and the Mounts the great Ordnance in manner of an Earthquake so terribly roated that their continual 〈◊〉 made it seem as if the Earth would have â—ent in sunder and caused the Sea which before was calm to mount as if it had been inraged with a Tempest the Air likewise became thick and the Sky was darkned with smoak so that after ten hours incessant battery the Vamures and Walls of the Castle were in many places beaten down the Turks Canon and Canoneers lying buried together in the Rubbish so that the defendants utterly despairing longer to hold it fled over a wooden Bridge layed for that purpose who being fiercely pursued by the Christians were most of them slain insomuch that the Surface of the Lake was well nigh covered with dead bodies The strong Castle thus taken and most of the Turks Fleet of Galleys at Aâ—â—hor in the Lake yielded to the Conqueror upon notice of which Muleasses the Moorish King came to the Emperors Tent and humbled himself at his Feet promising to become his tributary desiring as his Vassal to be received into his protection swearing never to forget so great a Benefit with many the like expressions which so moved the Emperour that he promised to restore him without any other Tribute than yearly paying a brace of Falcons and a brace of Barbary Horses as likewise to maintain a Thousand Christian Soldiers to keep for him the Castle of Guletta and ever after to be kind to all Christians either Inhabiting or that should have occasion to pass through his Countrey telling him further that if he failed in any point those Armes that restored him could again depose him Matters thus concluded the Emperour marched against Tunis where Barbarussa with the remainder of his Forces were in Garrison who upon the approach of the Christians drew out his Forces consisting for the most part of Numidian Horsemen but scarcely endured the first charge e're he betook himself to flight and again entered the City of Tunis where in his mad mood he determined to kill all the Christian Prisoners and had put his bloody intent into practise had he not been disswaded therefrom by Sinan a Jew one of his chief Captains which turned to his great disadvantage for the Captives to the number of Six Thousand hearing in what danger they were in burst out of the Dungeons in the Castle where they lay in Irons and killing such Turks as they found therein barracaded the doors seizing on such Armour as came first to hand made signs to the Emperor from the Battlements that they kept the Castle to his behoof which Barbarussa perceiving and that all his intreaties for the rendition of it was in vain he in a great rage abandoned the City with such of his followers as would attend him and fled by Sea in Fourteen Galleys to the City of Bona. The Turks having deserted Tunis the Magistrates came forth with the Keyes to meet the Emperor who without any resistance entered the City which he laboured to save from the spoil but such was the fury of the Soldiers that they could not be restrained neither by the Emperor nor Vastius the General but seizing upon all they found killed such of the Moors as resisted them so that in a short time all was in a confusion and great riches carryed to the Ships and Galleys together with many Captives most of which the Emperor caused to be restored and the rest were redeemeâ— by Muleasses Barbarussa not thinking himself safe at Hippona upon the coming of Auria with the Fleet fled to Argier of which the Emperor having notice he placing Muleasses in the Kingdom of Tunesses and furnishing Guletta with all manner of Warlike Provision with a Thousand Spaniards to secure it returned in Triumph to Naples Anno 1537 when the same year Solyman envying at the Portugals trade in the East-Indies sent Solyman Bassa accompanied with Asau Beg a famous Pirate commonly called the Moor of Alexandria with a Fleet to molest them who sailing through the Red-Sea came as far as the River Indus where with all their power they assaulted Dium a Castle of the Portugals scituate upon the mouth of that great River but after many dayes siege both by Sea and Land having tryed their utmost force they were glad to retire leaving behind them for hast most of their great Ordnance when coming to Aden a rich City in Arabia Foelix they allured the King thereof on board their Galleys with promise of safe conduct but having him in their power contrary to their Oaths they hanged him up at the Yards Arm of the Admirals Galley and plundered the City the like they did to another City in the same Tract called Zibith and returned to Constantinople one by Sea and the other by Land at what time Solyman solicited thereto by John Forrest the French Kings Ambassador was preparing for the Invasion of Italy and having for that purpose raised Two Hundred Thousand Men sending before him Lutzis Bassa and Barbarussa with a great Fleet who landing at Otranto and conducted by one Troilus Pignatellus a Fugitive Italian seized on Castrum which contrary to their Faith given they plundered carrying most of the people Prisoners at what time Solyman had by night sent over several Troops of Light-Horsemen in great Palendars who running all along the Sea Coast from Tarentum to Brundusium for the space of Forty miles rummaged the Countrey carrying away a great booty and had been likely enough had Solyman as he intended seconded them with his great power to have overrun all Italy but providence so ordered it that by the wilfulness of Alexander Contarenus a Venetian Captain who meeting with the Admiral of Callipolis and he not vailing his top-sail nor in token of Reverence and Friendship discharge his great Ordnance offended with his proud insolency fiercely assailed the Squadron of Galleys under his command of which he sunk two the Admiral himself perishing in one of them and not long after for the like insolency the Venetian Admiral caused Junusbeus Solymans chief Interpreter passing by Coreyrae to be assailed when to save himself and his Turks he forceing his Galleys on shoar near unto the Mountains called Acroceraunii he fell into a worse danger for being taken by the Mountainiers most of his people were slain and himself hardly released for a great sum of money These Breaches of Peace as the Turks termed them so much incensed Solyman that he recalled his Forces then in Puglia resolving to turn his whole power upon the Venetians upon whose return Auria falling in with Twelve Galleys laden with Janizaries and chosen Horsemen of the Court after a sharp conflict to them all which proved a great weakning to the Tyrants Fleet yet he desperately bent against the Venetians resolving to take from them the rich Island of Corcyra but by
in the mean while to Strigonium in which commanded as Governours Liscanus and Salamanca two proud and covetous Spaniards with a Garrison of 1300 Souldiers but e're Solyman began to batter the City he sent to promise them Life Liberty and whatever Goods they were possessed of if they would surrender or upon refusal to denounce against them all the miseries that attend on stormed Cities yet this nothing daunted the Souldiers who returned for answer that they reposed their last hope in their Arms and were not to be won by gifts nor terrified with threats upon notice of which their stout resolution he commanded his Cannon already mounted to play from several Batteries the which was put in Execution with such fury that the Walls were beaten down in several places at which breaches the Turks in great number attempting to enter were beaten back three times successively with great loss and slaughter and amongst the slain fell Bultaces Sanzack of Selymbria a man of great account amongst the Turks but in the end the weakness of the City being discovered to the enemy by a fugitive Calabrian the two aforesaid Governours consulting for their own safety intended secretly to leave the City and carry with them all their Riches but their purpose being discovered to the Captains and Soldiers they proposed a parly perswading the defendants that the City was not to be held against so powerful an Enemy upon which the City was yielded and the Garrison such as would marched to Possonium where the two cowardly Governours who notwithstanding the promise of safe conduct had been robbed by the Turks were by Count Salme committed to safe custody to answer for their cowardly yielding up the City Strigonium being thus obtained on the 10th of August Anno 1543. and the Christian Churches converted to the Mahometan superstition he marched towards Alba regalis taking in his way the Castle of Tatta antiently called Theodota which he utterly rased after which coming before Alba regalis a City famous for the Coronation of the Hungarian kings sâ—ituate in a Marsh and incompassed with a Lake He caused the said Lake with infinite labour to be filled up and thereafter many terrible Assaules in which he lost 20000 of his men took the Suburbs putting all he found therein to the sword and afterward had the City delivered into his possession where entering he contrary to his faith plighted he caused the most wealthy Citizens to be slain after which leaving Ballabanus Governour thereof and placing Governours in other places by him subdued in this Expedition he returned to Constantinople By this time Barbarussa and Polinus were arrived at Marselles where having refreshed themselves they departed to Province where they laid siege to Nice a City belonging to the Emperour which after a long siege they took but the Castle being defended with a strong Garrison they in vain assaulted it which so enraged Barbarussa that he threatened to imprison Polinus for not performing his promise made at Constantinople to furnish his Army with all necessaries when as he said Powder and shot were wanting even in the Country of France which division between the French and the Turks was ended by the raising the seige upon notice that Alphonsus Vastus the Emperors General was coming out of Italy with a great Army when as the French Forces retiring Barbarussa sent most part of his Fleet to Argeir with a command to return early the next spring to Marselles The great preparations of Barbarussa to aid the French King gave Muleasses suspition that they were intended against him whereupon leaving the management of the Affaires of his kingdom of Tunes in the hand of his trusty Counsellors as he supposed and the management of his men of war his son Amida he went to Naples to wait upon Charles the Emperor and of him to crave aid when in the mean time by the perswasion of such as hated Muleasses his son usurped his kingdom who upon notice thereof returning with such Forces as he could gather in Italy was overthrown taken prisoner and by his unnatural Son deprived of his sight dealing to him therein the same measure that he had dealt Yet the unnatural Son escaped not altogether scotfree for Tovarres Governour of Gullet for the Emperour sending for Abdamelech brother to Muleasses of whom I have before spoken he in the absence of Amida surprized the City and Castle of Tunis but injoyed no more then 26 dayes e're he died when leaving his Son Mahometes a Child his Successor he was soon thrust out and Amida restored whereupon Muleasses fled first to Guletta and afterward into Sicily where at the Emperours command he was maintained at the common charge of the Islanders The French King being by this time weary of his new come Guest the Turks having first largely rewarded them sent them away who in their return spoil'd the Island of Elba belonging to the Duke of Florence upon the Governours refusing to deliver the Son of Sinan the Jew held Prisoner there since his being taken at Tunis and after that committed many outrages upon the Coast of Italy burning many Towns and carrying away the people into miserable Captivity but he long enjoyed not his Triumph ere himself was by death lead into Captivity viz. anno 1547. In which year died Mahomet Solyman's Eldest Son Frances the French King and Alphonsus-Daualus-Valtius the Emperours renowned General Solyman having now not made any personal Expedition for the space of three years resolved to invade the Persian King being solicited thereto by Ercases Imirza King of Sirnan and that Kings Brother but after great toil to little or no purpose for the space of 1 year and 9 Months he returned with his 〈◊〉 to Constantinople Imirza in the mean while being delivered to his brother Tamas the Persian King by Treachery was put to death during which Transaction one Dugat a notable Pirate having taken Africa a City in Tunis formerly called Aprodise he greatly troubled the Moors by Land and the Christians by Sea when to remove so troublesome a man the Knights of Malta passed over with a considerable power and after a furious assault possessed themselves of the said City the which by reason it was not tenable without excessive charge they razed carrying away a rich booty and 7000 Captives whereupon the Pirate fled to Constantinople craving aid of Solyman who sent with him Sinan the Jew made Admiral in the stead of Barbarossa with a great Fleet who in revenge of what had happened to Africa landed on the Island of Malta and attempted though in vain the winning that strong City Yet sailing into Africk they after great slaughter of their men took Tripolis in Barbary at that time possessed by certain of the Malta Knights for which Sinan Bassa having as it were Triumphed left Drugat Governour thereof by the Title of Sansack returned to Constantinople Anno 1551. Solyman notwithstanding the five years peace made with King Ferdinand sent Achmetes his Lieutenant in Europe
the Turkish obedience The news of which greatly troubled Sigismund the late Prince who resided in Polonia but more Mahomet the Turkish Emperor imbroiled in new troubles by the revolt of Chusahin or Cassan the great Bassa of Carraâ—â—â—â— who had caused most of the Countries in the letter Asia to cast off the Turkish yoke but Mahomet sending great Forces against him under Mahomet Bassa who after several conflicts spoiling the possessions of the Rebells in Arms he so dealt with the chief of them that by bribes and large promises he prevailed with them to leave their ringleader he was taken and brought in chains to Constantinople where with most exquisite torments he was put to death The end of which dangerous Rebellion gave the Ottoman Emperor more leasure to prosecute his wars in Hungary to oppose whose Forces the Christians were not wanting for in an other Diet assembled new supplies were granted by the Electoral Princes for the carrying on the war toward which the Bishop of Rome contributed very largely so that Anno 1600 the Christian Army early in the Spring took the field though to breed delay therein the Turkish Bassa in the name of his master had made many offers tending to peace but e'r any notable action was performed the renowned Lord Palfie the greatest Commander of that Age dyed at his Castle of Bibersperg whereupon the Lord Swartzenburg was by the Emperor appointed Governor of Strigonium in his stead who to the great grief of the Army soon after slain with a shot as he was reducing Papa to its obedience it having a little before at the instigation of De la Mot a seditious French Commander there in Garrison revolted from the Emperor and yet stood neuter not permitting the Turks to enter yet was it again reduced notwithstanding the death of the Lord Swartzenburg and most of the Rebels Executed after the severest manner that could be invented These things passing the troubles in Hungary daily increasing and the Turks were every where put to the worst and amongst the rest the Bassa of Sigeth with five thousand of his Turks and his head sent to the Emperor Jula was likewise surprized and the Bassa thereof with two Sanzacks and Five Hundred common Souldiers slain and now the Government of Transilvania being vacant by the death of Cardinal Battor and the absence of the Prince the Emperor confirmed it to the Vayvod of Valachia who raising a great power went against the Prince who aided by the Turks Tartars and Polonians was coming to try a field Battle for the recovery of his Inheritance and in a set battle overthrew him with great slaughter of his men himself hardly escaping after which he seized upon the Countrey of Moldavia causing all the inhabitants to swear Allegiance to him when the better to incourage him to invade the Turks Dominions the Emperour not only confirmed him in that Principality also but sent him six Thousand Men under the leading of D. Petzen with a mass of mony to pay his Souldiers appointing him one of his Council and cheif Intendant for those Countries but he behaving himself roughly towards the Transilvanian Nobility they sent Ambassadors to Basta the Emperors Lieutenant General praying him to take then into the protection of the Emperor onely and that they might obey no other Soveraign Prince whereupon Basta after mature deliberation resolved to grant their desires and to protect them from the fury of the Vayvod whom he yet not able to appease by fair means he resolved to compel by force of Armes to acquiesce with what he determined and therefore gathering such forces as he could with Eighteen Thousand well appointed Souldiers he awaited on the Frontiers of Transilvania his coming and near to a Village called Mivislo adventured to give him Battle though under his standard he had double the number and after six hours desperate fighting put him to flight with the loss of Ten Thousand of his men taking likewise several Prisoners and a great spoil yet nevertheless the Vayvod bating of his proud temper by the mediation of Friends they were afterwards reconciled Yet the Vayvod jealous of the Imperialist as being also without cause perswaded thereto by the Polonians to prevent as was suggested to him his being taken Prisoner with a few of his followers fled into the fastness of the Mountains whereupon one Simon was placed in his stead by the haughty Chancelor of Poland which choice Basta altogether disliking resolved to displace the upstart Vayvod but the Transilvanians desirous of freedom and in order to recover it raising many rumours portending the mischief intended against the Imperialists at that time hindered his violent proceedings so that for the future the whole matter was referred to the Emperour The Transilvanians likewise casting themselves upon him and when they perceived no remedy desired that Maximilian the Arch-Duke might take upon him the Government of that Province but whilst these affairs were in controversie the Turks with a huge Army besieged Canisia a strong City of Stira to the relief of which came the Imperial Army consisting of Forty Thousand Horse and Foot composed of divers Nations under the leading of Duke Mercury General of the Emperours Forces in Hungary to oppose which Ibrahim Bassa drew out of his Trenches thinking by their multitude to oppress the Christians but was therein deceived for after a bloody and doubtful fight for the space of eight hours victory declared her self against him yet not so apparently but that the next day by reason of the discord amongst the Christian Captains who at the Command of their General refused to charge the Turks in their strengths the scale was turned and their Convoy of Provision upon its way to the Camp being taken by the Tartars they were so straightned that after having layn still for the space of three dayes they rose in the night but not so secretly but that the Turks following hard after them cut off Three Thousand of the rearmost took several pieces of Cannon and a great part of their Baggage and afterwards had the City of Canisae yeilded to them upon condition that the Garrison should be safely convoyed over the River Mur with Bag and Baggage and hightened with this success they afterwards forraged the Countrey of Stira for fear of whom the Inhabitants with such of their substance as they conveniently carry with them fled to the Mountains whereupon the Bassa sent forth a Proclamation commanding them to return and that such as would willingly submit themselves to the Turkish obedience should be taken into safe protection upon which Proclamation many of the half starved people returned and submitted themselves but the ever renowned mirrour of Vertue and Valour the Heroick Count Serenus being the man that the Bassa aimed at as well knowing whilst he went free his new Conquests were slightly cemented to the rest he the better to decoy the Noble Youth into his power wrote to him as followeth We Ibraim Bassa Chief
that if he had stood out upon the peace concluded between the Sultan and the Polonian the whole stress of War would have rested on him and therefore he desired to be excused adding that he meant not long to conserve the peace therefore desired that he and the Bassa of Buda might have it in joynt Commission to raise such Forces as they thought convenient to invade the Empire when opportunity offered but this request not agreeing with the interest of the Sultan it was rejected About this time the Janizaries in a tumultuary way came to the Court and demanded all the Offices of gain and to be Stewards of the Revenues of the Churches which are great as likewise to take the Farms of Customs wherein they committed many outrages the Visiers not daring to deny them any thing they demanded They drunk Wine in the streets without prohibition contrary to their Law and exacted money of the Christians to purchase it and if denyed took it by force and murthered without being punished and when at any time complaint was made the Magistrates answered they durst not meddle with them that had murthered their King and the Bassa's themselves desired the complainants patience telling them that they would bear a part with the general sufferance About the same time the Janizaries in the Gallies which rid before Smirna commanded by Halil Bassa aslaulted against his will the houses of the Christian Consuls insomuch that the English Consul with all those of that Nation were forced to run naked from their Lodgings and save their lives by swimming to the Admirals Gally upon which the masterless Turks ransacked the lower part of the house there making spoil to the value of Two Thousand Dollars The French sustained more loss and the Venetians at least ten Thousand Dollars the Consul having likewise one of his men cut in pieces nor could the Admiral either by threats or intreaties restrain these outrages but was forced for the prevention of further mischief to put to Sea In Asia there were three Rebellions one at Babylon another at Arzirum upon the borders of Persia and a third at Mesopotamia which threatned the ruine of all Asia yet to prevent the worst several new officers were made and an Army raised in Grecia in order to pass the Hellespont but in the end nothing was done more then assembling to little purpose all the Turkish Forces on Europe side which so impoverished the Treasury that the like had not formerly been known nor were any Exactions and Extortions omitted to raise mony for defraying the necessary charges About this time came to the Court of Poland an Ambassador from the great Duke of Muscovy to intreat a peace which was hardly granted by reason several Letters of the said Ambassadors being intercepted plainly demonstrated that at his first setting out his designs were otherwise upon notice that a Peace was concluded with the Sultan he feigning himself sick upon the Frontiers had sent for new instructions Darut Bassa who had married Sultan Mustapha's Sister falling into the displeasure of the Visier he so dealt with the Spahi that coming to the Court they demanded his Head for the murthering the late Emperour and having gotten him into their hands were about to behead him but whilst he was upon his knees every woman expecting the fatal blow the Janizaries at the instance of the Sultans Mother rescued him and carryed him to their Colledge promising him their protection for which he bestowed amongst them Forty Thousand Chequins But that availed not for soon after he was taken thence and carryed to the prison where he had murthered young Osman and there strangled now the better to please the Polonians and obstruct the cause of War for the future the Ambassador was not only dispatched with several Noblemen of Poland who had since the late War remained Prisoners but it was likewise concluded that Jehan Begh the Tartarian Prince Author of the War should be deposed and Michmet Geheray his Cosen and first of the Blood late Prisoner at the Rhodes should succeed him in that large Kingdom Asia was still in doubt to be lost for that Abassa Bassa Governour of Arzirum with an Army of one hundred thousand Horse and Foot had siezed upon most of the Provinces though without doing any harm to the inhabitants but wheresoever he found any of the Janizaries he sacrificed them to the Ghost of the dead Emperour he as he said being by God appointed the revenger of his Death and for that cause he had taken up arms declaring that he would come to the Port and demand Justice upon the Murtherers and that if he was found a Traytor or guilty he would lay down his head willingly but if those he accused were found guilty he would see execution done nor did the Nobility of Constantinople much disapprove of his march rather esteeming him a friend then an Enemy who came to deliver them from the Tyranny of the Janizaries whose insolencies were insufferable Yet to prevent the worst it was resolved that Mustapha should be deposed the Janizaries not gainsaying it for that they well knew they alone should be exposed to the fury of the Bassa at the rooting out of whose order he chiefly aimed though he had likewise other designes which were to wrest the Grand Visiership from him that held it and make himself Governour of the young Prince Brother to Osman whom he intended to advance to the Empire yet rather for shew then otherwise the Souldiers were ordered to pass the Hellespont in great numbers but the Janizaries would not stir for two reasons first for that the time of receiving their pay was at hand and secondly fearing alone to be exposed to the fury of the Asian Army greatly doubting that if it came to a Battle their Fellows would revolt and by that means easily bring them to destruction CHAP. XXII The Life and Reign of Morat or Amurath the 4th the 11th Emperour of the Turks IN this distraction of the Ottoman Empire the better to calm the tempest ere it turned all into confusion by Shipwracking the State the Grand Visier going with the Janizaries and Spahi to the Seraglio demanded to speak with Mustapha and that he would answer them a few questions which he being no ways able to do and refusing to appear they entered the Palace and took thence Morat or Amurath Brother to Osman and Son to Achmat then about 14 years of Age and carrying him through the streets in triumph caused him every where to be proclaimed Emperour to the great content of the Constantinopolitans who by this mutation hope for peaceful times and the face of Justice restored which for many months had abandoned the City every man doing in a manner what he pleased Thed ay after this innovation the young Emperor made his publique entry from whose lively countenance and apparent activity every one promised great things during his Reign but at that time such had been the policy of the
he knowing upon such terms he could at any time make his peace who ever was Conqueror seemingly hearkened to that motion so that gaining credit eight thousand Persians was sent to take possession thereof who he no sooner got within his danger but he set upon them put one thousand to the Sword and took most of the remainder Prisoners which caused the Turk to have a better opinion of him then formerly insomuch that they nominated him for Grand Visier the ensuing year Anno 1625. a new Rebellion broke out in Asia headed by an ordinary Spahi who drew down ten thousand men before the City of Smirna the which after some resistance he entered and pretending to reform abuses cut off the heads of two Cadees punished divers others place and displaced the Magistrates as he pleased and then departed without suffering any spoil to be made pretending the Grand Signeours order for what he had done and indeed the Court connived at his proceedings for awing corrupt Officers he restored the face of Justice in those parts but not long after he with a greater power marched toward Brussia in Natolia using the Name of Morat to colour his purpose pretending to work a Reformation in the State but in the ending of great preparations were making to oppose him he disbanded his Army and retired himself And now the mortality raged at Constantinople in such sort that Fifty thousand died in a short space so that the City was left almost desolate which known to the Cossacks they came again in their Boats and sailing through the Bosphorus made great spoil on Europe side attempting to burn the Arsenal to prevent which all the Gallies and small Vessels in the Port were manned out so that between them there happened a fierce ingagement but the Cossacks Boats being small though many in number thirty of them by the shot of the Gallies were sunk and overturned insomuch that five hundred Cossacks were drowned and taken Prisoners and double the number of Turks slain for the Boats being in all three hundred and each Boat manned with thirty or forty Musquetiers they showered their Bullets so thick upon the Decks of the Gallies that scarce a Turk peeped out but he was cut off twice they boarded the Admirals Gally and had taken it had not the Sea of a suddain gone high and the Wind stood against them Upon the approach of great Visier towards the Province of Babylon the King of Persia sent to desire a Treaty of Peace which was only to protract time it in the end coming to nothing yet the Princes of Georgia sent their Ambassadors as willing to be freed from the Persian yoke which Ambassadors were kindly entertained by the Visier their demands granted and the Bishop of Calcedon their Countrey man sent back with them to see the Peace Ratified upon which they raised a great Army and invaded the Territories of Persia to oppose whom the King sent part of his Army under the leading of his great Leiutenant who joyning Battle was overthrown with the loss of seven thousand of his men which greatly incouraged the Visier so that he resolved the next year to besiege Babylon in which was a Garrison of eight thousand Persians besides the Citizens who were five times the number yet early in the Spring Anno 1626. having refreshed his Army he pitched his Camp before that great City but as they were making their approaches Twenty Thousand Persian Horse who attended the motion of the Turks fell into the Visiers quarter doing great excution and by that means troubled the whole Army but in fine the Persians were obliged to retire yet not before they had slain about Six Thousand Turks upon which a muster was taken of the Army which was found much less then was expected for that a number of the Spahi and Janizaries that were inroled had forborn to undertake that dangerous and so often fatal Expedition and seven Princes of the Arabs Tributaries to the Grand Signeour having raised their power refused to advance any further then the Borders of their Principalities alledging that they durst not displease the possessors of Babylon but were ready to obey if the City fell into the hands of the Turks which weakness known to the Persian King he drew thither the strength of his whole Kingdom and running Trenches round about the Turks Camp besieged it in such manner that all Provisions and Succors was cut off and instead of hoping to win the City they were solicitous of nothing more then how to retreat This danger of the Army was made known to the Emperor and Divano at Constantinople but nothing was done till it was too late for through want and diseases the Army was so wasted that they were no wayes able to make head against their Enemies besides a great number of them were slain in the frequent fallies the besieged made out of the City and the Persians Incursions who seldom failed to beat up one quarter or other of the Camp and hearing of no supplies durst advance or were in a probability to relieve the half starved Souldiers who had left no unclean thing uneaten it was resolved that under the favour of the night the Camp should rise and force a way through the Persian Squadron rather choosing to die like men then pine with hunger Whereupon they brake their great Artilery and cast into the Euphrates all such things as they could not convey away to prevent their falling into the hands of the Enemy and then with as little noise as possible broke through one quarter of the Persian Camp yet not so suddainly but that the Persians taking the Alarum overtook them ere they reached Ninive and had the execution of the Army for the space of ten dayes in which time seventy thousand Turks and Tartars fell by the Sword when to cast the odium upon the Bassa's and to save his credit at the Port the Visier caused three of their heads to be stricken off This great blow caused the revolt of many Cities upon the Frontires of Persia and indangered the revolt of all Asia The Turks not having received the like blow since the overthrow of Bajazet the first by Tamerlane the great which caused a general heavyness throughout the City of Constantinople few therein but lost one Friend or other in this unfortunate War of which the Emperour of Germanies Ambassador taking advantage pressed for a speedy conclusion of Peace and laboured to cross the purpose of the Transylvanian Prince but in the interim the Imperial and Transylvanian Armies being abroad on the 16th of October near to the River Gran a mortal Battle was fought between them wherein the latter was put to the rout and in passing confusedly the River over two Bridges layed for that purpose Six thousand were slain drowned and taken Prisoners yet Winter coming on the Prince retired with his Troops and without the consent of the Turks made a Truce with the Imperialists for three months sending to the
〈◊〉 servation rendred them double-diligent These were the principal revolutions in the Ottoman Empire from the time Mahomet ascended the Throne till the year 1â—60 Anno Dom. 1661. About the beginning of this year His Majesty of Great Britain sent the Earl of Winchelsea his Embassador to Constantinople who upon his arrival at the Port was received as became his Character with all the Grandeur that the Turks allow to any Embassador and after his Audience conveyed with due Ceremony to the prepared for his reception and now the Turks being at leisure invaded Transylvania in order to depose Prince Rogotski who after having deposed himself and made his submission in hopes to be restored but finding his hopes frustrated and another advanced in his stead Again he assumed his Government and raising a powerful Army made divers Inroads into the Turkish Dominions till at last joyning Battle with the Bassas of Buda and Temeswar near Julia Aâ—ba where being overthrown and wounded he fled to Varadia and there within Fifteen days dyed of the Hurts received in Battle yet was it no ways satisfactory to the proud Bassas unless they might reduce that City which as they alledged had taken part with their Masters Rebels whereupon drawing down their Army they layed close siege which so terrified the Citizens that they sent their Deputies to the Caesarean Emperor to require aid desiring him to take them into his protection but whilst the Imperialists delayed and made many scruples of breaking the League with the Turks after many furious Assaults and great Slaughter on either side the City was surrendered In consideration that the Garrison should march out with Drums beating Colour flying c. and to go whither they pleased which conditions being performed the Turks took possession of that strong Frontire City Varadin thus taken the Citizens of Vienna were not a little alarmed thereat though none used any endeavours either to relieve it when besieged or to recover it when taken nor in the least to annoy the Turks unless Count John Serini a Prince who had a fair Soveraign Inheritance in those parts was under the Emperour made Governour of Croatia who raising a power laid siege to the strong City of Canisia which at that time was almost destroyed by an accidental Fire but upon notice thereof the Emperour not only denyed to assist him in his enterprize but sent an express Command to him to raise his siege at which in a rage he cast his Scimiter on the Ground and for a while stood mute yet not thinking it convenient to disobey his Soveraigns Commands though he might easily have taken the City he raised his siege The Transylvanian blocked up as it were on every side by the Turks about this time implored a second time the Emperors Assistance resolving to shake off the Turkish yoak and in order thereunto they banished Acatius Barklay who since the Death of Ragotski had governed in chief greatly favouring the Turks and in his stead constituted one Kemenus sometimes General of Ragotski's Army which plainly manifesting their hatred to the Turks the German or Caesarean Emperor resolved to assist them they consenting to admit Garrisons of German Souldiers into divers of their Cities using them with all respect and plentifully providing them with all convenient necessaries Yet the Germans made small shew of taking the Field to assist or protect the Transylvanians but on the contrary wrote to the Bassa of Buda to certifiâ— him that the peace should be kept inviolable yeâ— the Turk not contented entered Hungary and layeâ— waste a great part of it that was subject to the Emperor whereupon Count Serini built a Fortress iâ— the Turks Dominions near Canisia e're the Turks were aware at which the Grand Visier was so inraged that he sent an express to strangle the Bassâ— of Buda for permitting it so that the League being apparently broken or infringed on either sidâ— the German Army under the Command of Counâ— Montecuculi and joyned with the Transylvanians under the Leading of Kemenius their General whicâ— Conjunction rendered them so formidable to the Ottoman Empire that Ali Bassa durst not oppose their progress till he had divided the Transylvanians amongst themselves by advancing one Apafi to thâ— principality who being well beloved caused by sundry means the Army of Kemenus for the most part tâ— revolt of which the crafty Bassa taking the advantage set upon him and in a bloody Battle over threw his people with great slaughter obliging him for his safety to fly into Hungary from whence returning after he had recruited his broken Army oncâ— more to try the fortune of a Field he was in a second Battle put to the rout and as he retired beaten from off his Horse by one of his own Souldiers where none relieving him he was trodden to Death under the Horses Feet and left the greatest part oâ— his people a sacrifice to the inraged Turks Kemenius thus dead Apafi's Party was greatly in couraged insomuch that joyning with a Body oâ— Turks they besieged Claudiopolis of which David Râ—tani a right Valiant Souldier was Governour having under his Command a Garrison of German Horse and Foot yet the Turks and Transylvanians battered 〈◊〉 for a while but upon the arrival of General Schenidan who in spight of them put a reinforcement into the Town and made great slaughter of their out-guards About this time the Plague raged in Constantinople in the Camp at such a rate that Fifty Thousand persons of all Ages and Sexes dyed which leaving the City almost desolate the Grand Signior retired to Adrinople and there made his solemn entrance which place so delighted him that he had since for the most part resided there where Rupeâ—ee the Old Visier so dealt with him that he procured a promise that his Son Ahmet whom he had made Chineacam of Constantinople should be assisting to him in his Visier-ship and after his Death succeed him in that place of trust the which though contrary to the Ottoman Custom who hold it dangerous to that any Office should go by Inheritance accordingly came to pass to the great grief of the Court Bassas who are ever emulous of that place c. For old Kuperle after he had been five years Visier and in that time had caused Thirty Thousand Persons to fall by the hands of divers Executioners being the bloodiest that ever officiated that place dying his Son Ahmet had the Grand Signiors Patent and the Seal of the Empire delivered to him taking upon him the Office of Great Visier at the Age of Thirty two years a thing not usual and not to be behind hand with his Father established himself upon the destruction of such as he suspected to envy at his advancement amongst whom the Bassa of Magnesia fell a Sacrifice he likewise procured the Banishment of Solyman Bassa of Damascus and that of the Muphti and indeed caused to be made away or displaced all that he suspected averse to his interest During
and to bring them to a Compliance the good Emperor desired the Lattins to retire to their Camp which was performed but â—re he â—ould prevail with the Citizens to pay the Tax 〈◊〉 he through loss of Sight and other Infirmities 〈…〉 had the Prince his Son Saluted Emperor in his 〈◊〉 who desirous to perform his Promise with the Lattins proceeded where his Father lest off but â—o no purpose for when he pressed the raising of the 〈◊〉 before 〈◊〉 they rose in Armes and 〈◊〉 like a Torrâ—â— to the Palace threatned to 〈…〉 of his Life and Empire if he did not 〈…〉 him that he sent to the 〈…〉 part of his Army privately into the City at a 〈◊〉 which he would deliver 〈…〉 intention of the Emperors 〈…〉 privy Surnamed for his 〈…〉 by the Emperors Father had been 〈…〉 a low condition to the 〈…〉 and thinking to opportunity more 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 to Empire after which he had a long 〈…〉 then the present â—â—â—â—â—ion he gathered 〈…〉 and imâ—â—â—â—ed them what was inâ—ended and then under a Simile of Friendship came to the young Emperour and seizing upon his Person caused him to be Imprisoned and by insinuating himself into the good liking of the Mobile procured himself to be proclaimed which was no sooner done but he strangled the Emperor and attempted to sire the Venetian Gallies which so inraged the Christians that they resolved to lay close Siege to the City the which after the overthrow of the Usurpers Army under its Walls they did and firing it in divers Places entered upon which the Tyrant fled The City of Constantinople thus taken the 12 of April 1204 or as some will have it 1200 the Citizens Lives at the request of the Religious were spared but their Wealth became a prey to the Souldiers so now those that refused to part with a little at the request of their Natural Lord for the support of his Honor and their Safety were now obliged to part with all After the Sack of this City most of the Cities of the Empire yeilded whereupon the Princes assembling chose Baldwin Earl of Flanders and Hanault Emperor and amongst the other Princes was the Empire divided into Provinces each holding his Principality in fee of the Emperor as their Supream Lord. Things being at this pass news came that Theodorius Lascaris had fortified Adrâ—anoâ—le and raising forces for the recovery of the Greek Empire which â—â—nsed the Latins under the leading of their Emperor to March against him who upon news of their Approach retired into the City which he strongly fortified expecting no less then a Siege which accordingly was lay'd at what time John King of Bulgaria otherwise called Mysia a large Kingdom lying between the great Mountain Emaus and Danuâ—ius aided by the Scythians a Barbarous People came with a great power to raise the Seige against whom the Emperor drew out his strengths but following too eagerly the Scythian Horsemen sent out to Skirmish on purpose to â—â—ain him into an Ambush he â—ell in with the Kings power amongst the Woods and Mountains where being over wearyed with the tedious 〈◊〉 he was overthrown himself taken Prisoner and his Army for the most part Slain nor susâ—iâ—ed it the Barbarous King to have him in his Power but after an Inhumane manner cutting off his hands and feet cast him yet living into a deep Valley where he miserably perished and thus died the first most Valiant Emperor of the Lattins in 〈◊〉 e're he had Reigned a full year The Emperor Bâ—â—hrin being dead Henry his Brother was chosen in his stead who to revenge his Brothers Death aided by the Lattin Princes Marched against the 〈◊〉 who hightened with their Success were â—â—r advanced wasting with Fire and Sword all they 〈◊〉 in their way and after many notable 〈…〉 â—iven drove them out of all the places 〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉 During thâ—se proceedings Alexus 〈◊〉 〈…〉 falling into the hands of the 〈…〉 Eyes put out and in that manner being 〈…〉 was Condemned to be thrown 〈…〉 angling the young Emperor which 〈…〉 a reward of his Treason was put in Exception And the other Alexus commonly 〈…〉 who deprived the Emperor Isaac of his Sight 〈…〉 him hearing that his Son 〈…〉 desire â—s of his Kingdom went to the Court of 〈…〉 Sultan 〈◊〉 〈…〉 holding 〈…〉 had shewed great 〈…〉 his 〈…〉 by his Brother 〈…〉 there so prevail 〈…〉 Sultan raised 〈…〉 with it lay'd 〈…〉 part of 〈…〉 Kings 〈◊〉 of which he had no 〈◊〉 notice but with what Forces he could raise on the sudden he posted thither and 〈◊〉 â—â—riously upon the Sultans Army slew him in the 〈◊〉 thereof which so discouraged the Turks that â—â—â—â—â—thstanding Victory inclined to their side they 〈…〉 the City free In this battle was taken Alexus the Author of the War whom his Son-in-law notwithstanding used with great respect though contrary to his desert In the mean time the ten years Truke between the Christians in Syria and the Turks drew to a Conclusion And Almeriâ—â—s King of 〈◊〉 and Titular King of Jerusalem refusing to assist them with Provisions and the like the great Mâ—sters of the Knights Templers and Hospitalers sent to complain thereof to the Pope and to inform him that there was yet living one Mary the Daughter of the Marquess of Mont-Ferrâ—â— a Lady of incomparable Beauty who they as her Tutor had brought up in hope of the Kingdom and were now ready to bestow her upon â—â—â—â—h a Person as he should think worthy of her together with her Right and Title to the Kingdom of 〈◊〉 upon which the Pope 〈◊〉 Almericus of the Title of King of Jerusaâ—â—â—n and gave it to John Coâ—nâ— D' Brenne of the 〈◊〉 in Trance A man of great Fame and Courage and then in Arms amongst the Lattin Princes who upon notice thereof committing his Earldome to the care of his Brother failed with a competent number of his followers to Tyre where he espoused the Lady and not long after the Pope viz. Pope â—â—â—ocent the third calling in a general Council so dealt with the Princes and Prelates thâ—â— great Forces were again raised for the relief of the 〈◊〉 in the Holy Land who setting fall 〈…〉 Towns and Castles on the â—â—â—-Coast 〈…〉 with a great Fleet and an Army by Land 〈…〉 formerly called Pelusium situate upon the Bank of Nâ—â—â— resolving to begin first with Egypt that Palestine might follow where building Towers of Wood upon Gallys they fought with those that kept the Walls at even hand and after great slaughter on both sides took the Suburbs wherein they found not only store of Provision but infinite Riches being the Merchandise of Persia Arabia India and Egypt that being the chief Scale of Trade in those parts During this Transaction the Sultan lay hovering aloof with his Army not daring to ingage the Christians and so long he continued that Want began to rage in his Camp insomuch that he was obliged to send away one part of his Army The
and so marching against the Enemy a dreadful Fight began the Turks charging with great Courage putting the Right-wing to flight and disordering their main Battalion So that Victory began to declare her self in favour of them when one of the Sultans chief Commanders out of some former grudge fell with the Squadron of Persian Horse under his Command to the Enemy and by that means turned the Scale of War so that the Turks who even now were Conquerors fled for their Lives nor durst the Sultan stay in his own Country but fled to Constantinople where of the Emperor he was kindly received and aided with what Force he could spare under the leading of an experienced Captain for which kindness he gave the Emperor the City of Laodicea Not long after this was Palelogus received into Favour and restored to his Dignity upon his solemnly swearing to be true and Loyal to him and his Sons which had not long been done â—'r the Emperor fell sick and dyed Reigning only three years and in his stend was Crowned his Son John a Child of six years old who was by the Emperors last Will bequeathed to the Tutorage of Arsenius the Patriarch and George Muzâ—la the letter of which being of mean Birth having raised for his Vertues and good parts by the departed Emperor which caused him to be greatly envyed by the Courtiers whereupon he assembling together desired to be rid of his Charge but every one seeming unwilling to undertake it he still continued with much Integrity but several having conspired against him of which Paleologus was Chief they during the Obsequies of the defunct Emperor slew him and several that they supposed Favoured him even at the Altar and in a short time Paleologus usurped the Empire not in the least regarding his former Oath About this time Mango the great Cham of Tartary stirred thereto by Amonius the Armenian King of whom he had received the Christian Religion Sent his Brother Haalon with a powerful Army against the Turks and Sarazens in Syria and the Land of Palestine who in the space of six Months over-run all Persia with the Countries adjoyning and came at length into Syria and took the great City Babylon at that time commanded by the Caliph putting all the Inhabitants to the Sword inriching his Soldiers with the spoil and passing from thence through Mesopotamia took the City of Rhoais and there being supplyed with fifty two Horse and Foot entering Syria he rased Aleppo and other strong Towns and soon after won Damasco when as the Sultan with his Wife and Children came and fell before him desiring him to spare his Country but in vain for he wasted all before him but being about to pass on to Jerusalem News was brought him of his Brothers death upon which he returned home yet at his departure for the good Will he bore the Christians he left his Son Abiga with 20000 Horse to aid them in Wars but Abiga hearing of his Fathers Troubles about his Establishment in the Empire departed with 10000 of the 20000 leaving the rest under the Command of Guirboca a valiant Captain who by some affronts put upon him by the Christians became their mortal Enemy yet letted not give battle to the Sultans Army of ten times to the number and not being aided by the Christians was overthrown wherein himself fighting couragiously with greater part of his small Army were slain and thereupon Antioch and most of the Towns holden by the Christians were taken by the Sultan Bandocador By this time the Tartars warring in the lesser Asia had driven Jathanites out of all his Dominions whereupon he fled to the Greek Emperor for aid or Refuge but ingrateful as he was not regarding the Kindness he had received at his Hands when he fled from Theodorus the Emperor he committed him Prisoner at large to the City of Aenus in Thrace appointing several to watch him so narrowly that he should not escape When Paleologus had Reigned at Nice two years he sent Alexus Stregopulus against the Despot of Epirus who raised Tumults in the West this man in his passage with a small Army by the Treachery of the Greeks dwelling in Constantinople found means to surprize that City and again annex it to the Greek Empire After it had been in the hands of the Latines fifty eight years for which service Alexus triumphed in Purple Robes wearing a Crown of Gold commanded that for one year following his Name next to his should be mentioned in all publick Prayer Psalms and Hymns But now the Son of Theodorius whose Right this Emperor had usurped coming to years of Discretion it bred much jealousie in him that lest any discontented Person espousing his Quarrel should pluck the Crown from off his Head and place it where it ought to rest Whereupon to render him unfit for Government he like a barbarous Wretch deprived him of his sight which his Aunt Queen of Bulgaria no sooner understood but with many Arguments stirred up her Husband to make War upon the Usurper and at the same time being solicited by the Sultan Jathanites to deliver him from his Confinement he with a great Power of Scythians his own Subjects entered the Empire wasting all before him with Fire and Sword hoping to surprize the Emperor in his return from his Expedition against the Despot of Servia but failing of him he turned to Aenus and took thence the Sultan the Citizens gladly delivering him to save their Lives and contenting himself with the spoil of Thracia he passed over Ister and returned into his own Country Jathanites the Sultan being set at Liberty by the King of Bulgaria for Grief of his great loss dyed not leaving any Dominions to his Children Yet not long after Gazan the great Cham of Tartary as his Vassals two of his Kinsmen of the Zelzuccian Family viz. Mesot and Rei-Cubades they in acknowledgment thereof paying him a yearly Tribute placed them in part of his Dominions and thus fell the Turkish Empire in the lesser Asia being Rent in pieces by the Tartars who afterward seized upon a great part of the Greek Empire they and the Fugitive Turks together possessing themselves of the Countries from Pontus and Galatia unto the Lyeian and Carian Seas and the River Eurymedon Anno 1270. King Lewis of France aided by Henry the Third of England and divers others resolved upon a second Expedition into the Holy-Land the years Truce being exspired he set out from the Haven of Marseilles with a great Fleet of Ships and coming before Carthage he found in the Port a great number of the Enemies Ships which he seized and after some light Skirmishes with those that kept the shoar Landed his Men and laid close Siege to the City which after many desperate though unsuccessful Sallies of the besieged sarrendered upon Condition to depart Carthage being won the King laid Siege to Tums to relieve which the King of Fez with a great Army of the Moors came down but
have the next day been Married to the Captain of Bilezuga and gave her in Marriage to his Son Orchanes who had Issue by her Amurath the third King of the Turks and Solyman Bassa and immediately thereupon besieged the Castle of Einegiol which he took and put the Garrison to the Sword and now no longer resolving to play small Games he besieged the City of Nice in Bythinia not many years before the Seat of the Greek Emperor to relieve which the Emperor sent such Forces as could upon so short a warning be drawn together which Othoman encountring with overthrew and afterward by Famine constrained the Citizens upon promise of Life to surrender the City with spoils of which he greatly inriched himself sending part thereof to the Sultan who in requital ordered prayers to be put up for his prosperous Success promising that he should succeed him in his Kingdom of which being disappointed at the death of the said Sultan by those that divided it into an Anarchy he nevertheless took upon him the Dignity of a Sultan Coining Money and Causing publick prayers to be put up in his own name and sezing upon Neapolis made it his Regal seat calling it Despotopolis or the City of the Prince and thus Anno 1300 begun the great Empire of the Turks This upstart Turk having so soon advanced his fortune setled his Government with wholesom Laws the lasting Cords of Empire and then drawing all his forces together lay'd Siege to Prusia during which the Christian Princes that bordered upon him drew all their forces together resolving to give him battle but therein his good fortune prevailing they were overthrown whereupon several Towns and Castles fell into his hands some surrendring voluntarily and others by force compelled so to do but the strong City of Prusia in which was the broken Army of the Christians stood impregnable whereupon he built two Castles to block it up and returned to Neapolis sending his Captains out daily with strong parties to fetch booties out of the Christian Territories and to take in such Castles as by surprize or otherwise might fall into their hands His Power being now greatly increased that he was able to draw into the Field 20 or 30000 Horse and Foot at what time Cossi the Christian Captain revolting turned Turk and stood Othoman in great stead during his Wars nor did the other Turks in the Lesser Asia less indammage the Christians so that the Greek Empire began to Dwindle into a small Circumference occasioned by the divisions amongst themselves about Religion for young Baldwin the Latin Emperor being expelled Constantinople as is aforesaid in flying into Germany lay daily at Charles the Emperor to restore him which Paleologus the Greek Emperor understanding offered unto Pope Gregory the tenth that if he would divert the Emperors forces by intangling him in Domestick troubles he would so order the matter that the Greek Empire in matters of Religion should acknowledge the See of Rome as Supream and from thence take all directions as to Ecclesiastical affairs which Innovation caused divers tumults and many to leave the Empire rather chosing to dwell with the Turks which troubles lasted to the Death of Paleologus nor could he fulfil his promise to the Pope After the Greek Emperors Death Andronicus succeeded in the Empire who was no less troubled with the Incursions of the Turks yet he fought with them several Battles with various with Success but then a difference arising between him and his Brother Constantine all his hopes of prevailing vanish'd though without cause as most believe suspected his Brothers aspiring to Empire who was one of the chiefest Bulwarks a-against the Turks beyond the River Meander giving to them many a fatal overthrow yet was he cast in Prison with many of his followers and one Alexus Philanthropenus made General of the Army in his stead to whom was joyned Libadarius an experienced Captain and grave Councellor the former of which after having obtained many Victories over the Turks and Tartars perswaded by the Cretensians Rebelled against the Emperor taking upon himself the title of Emperor which lasted not long for being overthrown by the latter in a mortal Battle was delivered bound by his Souldiers to the Conqueror who depriving him of his Sight sent him to the Emperor then residing at Constantinople The Rebellion created such Jealousie in the Emperor that he chose rather to trust strangers then his own Subjects so that he having notice of the Massagetes a People dwelling beyond Ister being oppressed by the Tartars he upon their Supplication appointed them part of his Dominions whereupon they came over to him with about 10000 families which caused him to fall into the displeasure of his Subjects these new-come guests being compleatly Armed he sent them with many others against the Turks under one leading of his Son and Partner in the Empire Michael Paleologus who at the first sight of the Turks without so much as striking a stroak fled which gave the Enemy the advantage of conquering the Country as â—ar as Lestos After this as if destiny had so willed it the Emperor called to his aid Ronzerius a Pirate who came with 2000 Catalonians and afterwards increaseâ— his number by sending for more who at first did considerable service but within a while fell to spoiling and plundering the Emperors Dominions in Asia worse then the Turks as likewise by setting out certain Gallies bobbed all the Merchants that passed those Seas till at last their Gallies being destroyed by a Fleet of the Genoways and their Captain slain by the command of the young Emperor they called in the Turks having first seized upon the City of Calipolis against these who with joynt forces harased the Country the young Emperor went in person but was overthrown and most of his Greeks slain upon the revolt of the Massagets and other treacherous Mercenaries who were shortly recompenced according to their deserts for being about to return home with the spoil they had gotten the Catalonians set upon them and put 'um all to the Sword taking from them a rich booty and then passing through many Countries they left the Emperor free till at last coming to the Territories of the Duke of Thebes and he refusing to give them passage they in a set battle overthrew his power and seized on his Country in which they settled themselves where their Posterity to this day remains But this freed not the Emperor of the danger for the Turks coming down in great number and having overthrown the young Emperor spoiled all Thracia to stay whose fury Philes Paleologus a devout man and Kinsman to the Emperor undertook the defence of his bleeding Country and meeting them as they were ranging to and fro burning and destroying all before 'um he in a set battle overthrew 'um and forced 'um into the City of Chersonesus where he so straightly besieged them by Sea and Land that indeavouring to break through the Leaguer they were most
of them slain and the rest taken Prisoners Things being at this pass and by this means peace Recovered to the Empire intestine broyles began anew to be fomented by the factious Greeks for the young Emperor being dead they stirred up young Adronicus his Son to depose his Grand-father the old Emperor which after several Stratagems and devices he effected taking the City of Constantinople by treason and casting him in Prison where of grief he soon after died These Civil dissensions of the Greeks amongst themselves gave Othoman the opportunity to sound his Empire in Phrygia and Bythima where being successful in all his Attempts he mightily increased his Dominions having by this time subdued 20 Cities with all their Territories and amongst the rest Prusia which after along Siege worn out with Famine Anno 1327 yielded upon several Articles few of which were afterward observed by the Turk which being the greatest City in those parts of Asia became for many years after the seat of the Turkish Kings But as all men must yield to death so in the 28 year of his Reign and the 69 year of his Age Othoman the Founder of the Turkish Empire still called from him the Othoman Empire died and was buried in Prusia where to this day his Tomb is to be seen and in his new acquired Kingdom Orchanes his Second Son succeeded him his eldest dying during his Regency CHAP. VII The Life and Actions of Orchanes otherwise Urchan Second King of the Turks in Asia THE Funeral rights of this great Conqueror being performed by his Sons viz. Orchanes alias Vrchan his Second Son and Aladin his third and youngest Son and he having left great store of wealth Orchanes his Successor took upon him the rule of the Kingdom allotting to his Brother Aladin at his request the Lordship of Fodore in the Teckences Country where he lived a private Life without doing any thing worthy of memory but Orchanes now settled in his Kingdom following his fathers footsteps whose Armies of late he had altogether commanded as his General he forgat not to proceed where he had left off and therefore prepare to War upon the Christians but at first with no great Success for the Christians upon the death of Othoman drawing their forces together out of all parts recovered the City of Nice with divers Castles and Towns and amongst the rest the Castle Tzuprichiser which greatly hindered the Turks excursions who dwelt in Bithynia whereupon Orchanes upon notice that it was slenderly Guarded went with several of his followers in the attire of Merchants and by that means deceiving the warders got admittance but were no sooner entered e're they proved fatal ones for drawing their Swords they put all such as they found therein to death and seized the Castle and having Garrisoned it passed on to the City of Nice to which they lay'd siege when to rescue it the young Emperor Andronicus came with such power as he could raise but being for the most part unexperienced Soldiers the Turks from the Mountains as they were passing through the hot Country setting upon them a cruel battel begun but night coming on they parted by consent yet in this fight the Emperor lost near half his People and was himself wounded with an Arrow so that despairing of effecting what he came for leaving his Tents and great store of Furniture therein every man shifted for himself in the dead of Night so that next Morning what they left became a prey to the Infidels who hightened by this Success took in several Sea Towns and within a while recovered the City of Nice by Stratagem As thus the Emperor in his flight thither from his Camp had promised to send them 1000 Horse-men of which Orchanes having notice disguised 800 of his men in Grecian habit and sent them with full instructions who being come within sight of the City he sent out 300 other in Turkish habit as foragers whom the other espying as if they had been ignorant of the Matter turned upon them and after a feigned skirmish put them to flight then taking their way to the City the Citizens who from their walls had beheld what had passed joyfully opened their Gates supposing them to be the Emperors promised Aid but they no sooner entered but the other 300 Horse and several Companies of Foot who lay in Ambush were at their Heels by which means that great City was a second time taken by the Turks whose Riches became a prey to the Soldiers and whose Inhabitants became of free Persons miserable Captives The Fate of this great City followed many others in the same Tract the Turks wasting all before them as they went miserably burning up what they could not carry away so that the Countries before them were dispeopled all the Inhabitants flying from them as a ten-fold Contagion So that no considerable Forces being sent from the Emperor the Cities fell into his Hands in great abundance and above all being desirous to possess the two fair Castles of Abydos and Sestus he sent Accecozza one of his great Captains to win them if possible who by the way having Intelligence that the Captains Son of the Castle of Seamandra being dead his Funeral was such a day to be Solemnized without the Walls whereupon laying an Ambushment they upon the Mourners approach suddenly issued from their Coverts and slew several of them taking the remainder Prisoners and amongst them the Captain whom they carried to the Castle telling those that kept the Walls that if they did not deliver it he should be put to a Cruel Death before their Eyes at which nothing dismayed they returned Answer that they might Kill him Boyl him and Eat him if they pleased but as for the Castle they would not deliver it whereupon he finding it a work of great Difficulty to take by force departed to Sestus which he with little Difficulty took and had his Prisoners Ransomed for a great Mass of Mony and amongst the rest the Captain of Scamandra and now Abydos standing in Europe on the other side the Hellâ—â—â—â— was the only place Aimed at when as Fate would have the Night before the Turks came before it the Captain of the Castles Daughter dreamt that she falling 〈◊〉 miry made her Clean the which as soon as 〈◊〉 the viewed Abdurachman one of the Turkish Captains the fancied him to be the same Person she had 〈…〉 Vision and so strongly her fancy wrong 〈…〉 he lead up his Forces against the Wall 〈…〉 Power from whence she beheld what was 〈…〉 a Letter tyed to a stone at his Feeâ—◠〈…〉 presed her Passion Protesting that 〈…〉 of her Love she would on such a 〈…〉 Castle into his Hands This Letter 〈…〉 Acâ—ecozza he much doubted the 〈…〉 searing it was a design to draw them 〈…〉 upon Abdurachman's Request that he might 〈…〉 the Enterprize he Consented it being agreed that to give the besieged the less Suspicion the Army should give a general assault and then draw
Amurath through Grief and despair Dyed in his Tent Anno 1450 in the 85 Year of his Age and of his Reign the 28 or as some say the thirtieth leaving Mahomet his Son to succeed him in his troublesome Kingdom charging him to revenge his Death upon Scanderbeg and so having his Corps conveyed to Prusa he was there interred by his Ancestors CHAP. XII The Life of Mahomet the second of that Name seventh King and the first that took upon him the Style of Emperor of the Turks who for his many Victories was surnamed Great A Murath being dead Mahomet the second began his Reign over the Turkish Kingdom Anno 1450. Being of a firey Cruel Nature given to many Debauches not acknowledging any Deity but ascribing all things to Fortune and Chance who e'r he was well settled caused his two Brethren the one an Infant and the other not above twelve years of Age to be put to Death after which he fell to altering the Constitution of the Government by abrogating the Old Laws and Establishing new ones more suitable to his Humour So that he began to be exceedingly hated by his Subjects when to prevent any disorder that might happen by the Soldiers lying Idle he hearing that Ibrahim King of Carramania was entered his Territories in the lesser Asia passed thither upon whose Arrival the King unable to oppose him fled into the Mountains and from thence sent his Ambassadors to treat with him who offered such Submission in the behalf of their Masters as Mahomet was well Content to accept and so returned to his City of Prusa sending Isaac Bassa against Elias Prince of Mentesia or Caria who altogether deprived the said Prince of his Country annexing it to the Turkish Empire for so henceforth I must call it Mahomet being proud of his Petty Conquests without any Colour or Reason only being driven Headlong by Ambition he resolved to make War upon the Greek Emperor and to have the sooner done marched to the Walls of Constantinople with a great Power laying Siege to that Imperial City which had once been Mistress of the World which he reduced to such Extremity that the Citizens for meer Hunger left no filthy thing uneaten and at last Eat one another and perceiving none intended to relieve them they inforced by invincible necessity yielded the fairest City of the World to the Will of the Tyrant having made all the defence that from true Valour could be expected The proud Conqueror entering the City amidst his Cups caused all the Grecian Nobility the chief Citizens and Nobles of other Nations to be slain in his Presence Constantinus Paleologus the Emperor being before slain and Trampled underfoot in the Press as he was indeavouring to escape the Imperial City this taken after a years Siege Pera a City of the Greeks opposite to it surrendred yet were the Citizens used with all manner of Despite And now removing the Imperial Seat from Hadrianople to Constantinople where it has ever since remain'd he repaired the Walls and such Buildings as had been demolished by the Fury of the Cannon Amongst the Captives taken in the City one of his Commanders presented unto him one of the most beautiful Ladies that Nature ever formed named Irene being nobly descended and for Education not to be paralell'd upon this incomparable Beauty Mahomet so doted that he spent whole Days and Nights with her never thinking his time well spent but in her Company So that his warlike Affairs were altogether neglected which caused his Captains to murmur against him though they durst not freely speak their Minds which Mustapha Bassa one that had been bred up with him observing presuming upon the Interest he had in him took upon him boldly to declare his Mind laying before him the glorious Atchievments of his Ancestors and the disgrace and obloquie he incurred by devoting himself to amorous Delights whilst the Affairs of his Empire were neglected At this free Speech of the Bassas Mahomet was wonderfully offended telling him he was worthy of Death for his unseasonable Presumption but notwithstanding he would pardon him for the good Opinion he had of his Fidelity Commanding him the next Morning to assemble all his Captains and chief Councellors the next Morning to attend his Pleasure in his Pallace which being accordingly done he came out of his Chamber leading the fair Greek in most splendid Attire which adding Luster to her rare Perfections made her appear more like an Angel then a Mortal and sternly demanding of them Whether if any of them had such an inestimable Treasure they would not be thrice advised e'r they parted with it To which they all answered that he had with greater reason passed his time with her then any man had to find sault therewith To which the barbarous Tyrant replyed well but now I Will make you to understand how far you have been deceived in me and that there is no earthly thing that can so much blind my Senses or bereave me of my Reason as not to see or understand what beseemeth my high Calling yea I would you should all know that the Honour and Conquest of the Othoman Kings my noble Progenitors is so fixed in my breast with such a Desire in my self to exceed the same as nothing but Death is able to put out of my Remembrance and having so said he presently with one of his Hands catching the fair Greek by the Hair and with the other drawing his Scimiter smote off her Head she vainly Crying out for Mercy and then taking the bloody Head in his Hand turning to his Captains said now by this Judge ye whether your Emperor is able to Bridle his Affections or not and immediately to put this cruel Act out of his Mind gave order for his Army to march to the Invasion of Peloponnesus which he soon brought into Subjection taking most of the principal Cities and putting the Inhabitants to the Sword but upon the Submission of Demetrius the Prince thereof he restored him upon Condition of his becoming Tributary to the Turkish Empire and afterwards being inamoured of his fair Daughter took her to Wife and soon after hearing of the Death of George Despot of Servia he seized upon his Country and so passing on with his Army besieged Belgrade both by Land and Water as having a great Fleet upon the River Danubius on whose Bank that City is seated which Fleet being incountered by several Ships of War sent by Humaides for that purpose were soon destroyed which so inraged the Turk that immediately giving order for the assaulting the City his men were beaten off with the loss of 4000 men and amongst the rest Curaizis Bassa his Lieutenant in Europe who making his approach was slain with a great Shot and so well did the Valiant Humiades defend that City that after many unsuccessful assaults Mahomet was forced to raise his Siege and departed with 40000 less then he brought The great Humiades having thus long stood a Bulwark to
Christendom now worn out with the toyls of War fell sick and although his Disease was grievous yet desirous to receive the blessed Sacrament he would be carried to the Church saying it was not fit that the Lord should come to the House of his Servant But that rather the Servant should go to the House of his Lord and after his being brought home his Sickness Increasing he gave up the Ghost to the Grief of all the Christian Princes and was buried in the Church of St. Stephen in Alba Julia. Mahomet hearing of the Death of this great Captain who opposed the Torrent of his Victories greatly rejoyced and now resolving to extend his Dominions as well by Sea as Land Equipped a great many in the Port of Constantinople with which he invaded the Islands in the Egean Sea reducing several of them to his obedience and Landing his Army straightly besieged the famous City of Rhodes but Calixtus the third then Bishop of Rome being greatly displeased for the loss of Pera a City belonging to his See aided by the Genoways sent out a great Fleet under the Conduct of Lodonicius Patriarch of Aquilla fought with the Turks Gally sunk and burnt most of them And by that means recovered the Islands they had taken which so inraged Mahomet that he prepared an other Fleet against the Spring the which whilst he was doing Ambassadors came from Vsun Cassanus King of Persia with many rich Presents desiring that he would enter into League with the mighty Prince his Master and remit the Tribute payed him by the King of Trepezond that Kingdom as he said after the Death of the then Reigning King revolving to his Master in right of his Wife Daughter to the said King which Peremptory demand so inraged Mahomet that he not only refused his Presents but dismissed his Ambassador with this Answer That he would himself e'r long be in Asia to teach Vsun Cassanes what to request of one greater then himself and thereupon Commanded the Fleet he had prepared for the Invasion of the Isles in the Egeum incontinently to sail to Sinope the chief City of Paphlagonia and to expect his coming thither with his Army by Land which City and Country being under the Persian King he resolved to besiege it on no other Account then to raise a ground of Quarrel which City being but slenderly fortified and not able to indure the Force of the Ordnance it was delivered by Ismaele the Prince of Paphlagonia into his Hands who putting a Garrison therein proceeded to the Siege of Trepezond which he had in like manner yielded to him who sent the Emperor together with his Empress Sons and Daughters Prisoners to Constantinople dispeopling the City and thrusting thereinto a Garrison of his Janizaries by that means bringing the whole Country into Subjection and for ever ruining that Christian Empire And now hearing that Waldus Dracula Prince of Valachia his Tributary went about to joyn with the Hungarians his mortal Enemies he sought by all means to get him into his Power to effect which he sent Chamuzes Bassa and his Secretary accompanied with several others to invite him to Court but the Prince understanding the Design upon his Life hanged the Bassa and Secretary and impailed the rest alive and then invaded his Country with Fire and Sword which so inraged Mahomet that he in Person with a great Army invaded Valachia ruining all with Fire and Sword till at length driving the Prince out of his Country he gave it to his younger Brother who in lieu thereof became his Tributary and upon his return invaded the Islands in the Egeum as he had before purposed and Landing on the Isle of Mittylene took the strong City from whence the Island take its name after twenty seven years Battery with the great Ordnance and then for non-payment of Tribute invaded the Kingdom of Bassan which subdued he by that means incompassed Epirus he having all this while according to his Directions of the Father by one or other of his Bassas maintained War against Scanderbeg but with such bad success that he thought more then Convenient to make Peace with him but such were his Proposals that Scanderbeg with scorn rejected 'um whereupon Mahomet sent Amasa Bassa with 12000 Horsemen to wast Epirus but Scanderbeg incountering with 6000 put his Army to flight and took him Prisoner and worse faired Debreus Bassa who soon after was sent with 14000 Horsemen for ingageing with Scanderbeg's Forces his Army was overthrown and himself slain Mahomet grieved his Affairs prospered no better and finding that by force he could not prevail against Scanderbeg he dealt underhand by giving great Rewards to his Captains thinking if he could cause them to revolt Scanderbeg would easily be subdued and so effectually he wroght with Moses his chief Captain and a great Soldier that in hopes of the Kingdom of Epirus promised by Mahomet when Scanderbeg should be subdued and a great mass of Money he found means to escape to Constantinople and after him Amasa another of Scanderbeg's Captains who were sent by Mahomet with great Power to invade Epirus but being overthrown by the invinsible Prince they received such cold Comfort at their return that fearing their Lives which indeed the Turk had a design to bereive them off Moses fled and humbling himself at the Feet of his Compassionate Prince he notwithstanding his Treachery received him again into his Service who afterward served him faithfully in his Wars but Amaze being overthrown in his expedition with Isaac Bassa with the loss of 20000 Turks upon his return was by the Command of Mahomet as most Conjectured poisoned after which Scanderbeg concluded a Peace with the Turks for a year and was afterwad continued for a longer time during which great War happened between the Turks about the seizing the Islands in the Egeum and thereby hindering the Traffick in the Mediteranian to the great impoverishing their Signiory Wherefore entering into a Confideracy with the Princes they Arme both by Sea and Land into which League they with many perswasions drew Scanderbeg notwithstanding his League made with Mahomet was not expired The Princes thus Confedrated raising great Forces when in the mean time Mahomet sent Scremet Bassa against Scanderbeg to keep him from joyning with the Venetians whose Duke Christopher Maurus was coming to him with ten Gallies appointed with which Bassa Scanderbeg fought and put him to flight with the loss of ten Thousand of his Men taking the Treasurer of the Army and six others of Account Prisoners who were speedily Ransomed at 40000 Duccats and greater things had been done had not the Duke of Venice dyed of a Fever upon whose Death his Army returned home Victor Capella the next year with the Venetian Fleet seized Athens Aulis Chalchis Larsum and the Isle of Himber But attempting to recover Patras was overthrown Hungary being destitute of such a King as might defend them against the Power of the Turks elected Matthias Corroinus
him yearly 8000 Duccats that they might have leave to Traffick in the Euxine-Sea by the Straights of Bosphorus Hellespontus and Thracius and that the Citizens of Scodra and the Garrison contained therein should upon the Delivery of the said City be at their Choice free to Live in the City under the Turkish Government or depart whither they pleased with their Goods c. These Articles concluded on Notice thereof was sent to the Governour who assembling the Citizens related it to u'm as he had received it from the Ambassador who then together with the Venetian Admiral Rode at Anchor in the Mouth of Boliana when after some Debate it was agreed that they would leave the City and not expose themselves to the Mercy of the Tyrant at all times whereupon at a certain time prefixed the City was put into the Hands of the Bassa and the Citizens marching out Bag and Baggage went on Board the Venetian Gallies who carefully Transported them into their other Territories of Italy and thus was this City surrendered Anno 1478. after a years Siege before which 100000 Turks had lost their Lives Mahomet having gotten what he sorely longed for sent Achmetes Bassa with his Gally to take in the Islands of Neritus Zacynthus and Cephalenia upon which he seized without any Resistance Lenord Prince of the same upon the Arrival of the Turks hasting with his Wife and Children into Italy where he was kindly received of King Ferdinand his near Kinsman after that he sent three of his Bassas with a great Army to invade Transilvania Whereupon Stephanas Batore the Vayvod fled to Matthias King of Hungary to crave Aid who at the same time lay sick of the Gout yet he ordered his two Captains viz. Stephanus Cherepetnus and Palus Rivisus to march with his Army who incountering the Turks near Alba Julia in a great and bloody Fight overthrew the Army with the Slaughter of 30000 of their best Men together with Isa Bassa their chief Commander and of the Christians there fell 8000 only Mahomet possessing most of the Islands in the Mediterranian Sea began to be very desirous of the Famous Rhodes and to further his Design at the same time a Fugitive Knight of the Order named Antonius Meligalus residing in his Court gave him a Plat-form of the City informing him in what place the City was easiest to be Assaulted and how the Island might be best subdued Whereupon a great Fleet was fitted out and this Traytor to his Country put on Board with a Command that his Directions should be followed but he by the way falling sick of a loathsome Disease so infected the Ship with his noisome Smell that the Marriners in a great rage threw him Over-Board whilst he vainly Cryed to them for Mercy and thus he received the reward due to his Traiterous Intention The great Master of Rhodes having notice that Mahomet intended to invade his Territories was like an experienced Captain wanting nothing that might conduce to a resolute Defence and having certain Notice that Misistes Bassa had Landed his Power and was marching towards the City he assembled his Captains and with many Christian and Soldier-like perswasions admonished them to fight the Battle of the Lord Jesus against his Enemies which so wrought upon them that they all resolved to Live and Dye in his defence By this time the Bassa had set down his Camp and began to raise his Batteries according to the Directions of one Demetrius another Fugitive Knight who in the first Skirmish according to the Merits of his Treason having his Horse slain under him was miserably trampled to Death most of the Ordnance now bent against the Wall the Bassa sent out a part of his Army to seize upon an Orchard possessed and intrenched by the Christians which those that possessed it not being able to defend against so powerful an Enemy slighted it and retired to the City leaving the Ordnance behind them Out of this Orchard by the advice of one George Trapain a Christian Runagado the Turks battered the Tower standing about 300 paces from the City with great Fury and having made a Breach indeavoured to have entered but were beaten off with great loss after which they framed a Bridge upon Boats over a frith of the Sea fastening by Ropes so indeavouring to besiege the Tower both by Sea and Land the which was no sooner fastened but the Ropes were all cut in sunder by one Garvais Rogers a most expert English Sea-Captain and after that attempting to make another Bridge and plant pieces of Cannon in Lighters and foists the Bridge was broken and the Lighters sunk by Anthony Damboise the great Masters Brother who with his Artillery planted for that purpose on the Bastions beat them to pieces but it had not been long e'r Caly Bassa the younger Arriving in the Camp it was noised that Mahomet was coming with an additional Army of 100000 Turks which so terrified the Spaniards for the Garrison was Composed of all Christian Nations that they desired to be Shipped out of the Island and to return home but for such their Cowardize being sharply reproved by Peter Damboise the great Master a most expert and Valiant French man they as ashamed of what they before proposed begged Pardon and afterwards notably defended the City during the Siege Mesues perplexed that he could not carry the City by Force though with his Artillery he had levelled the Walls in many places which were as soon repaired he resolved by Treachery to perform what otherwise he could not Effect and therefore made large Offers to several discontented Rhodians to poison the great Master which some of them undertook to bring to pass but e'r any thing was done in Relation thereto the wickedness was discovered and the undertakers worthily Executed upon notice of which the Bassa more perplexed then before and yet not knowing without loss of Honour how to raise the Siege sent several Messengers to the great Master in his Name to promise him extraordinary Matters if he would surrender to him the City and to denounce all the Miseries of War upon his Refusal To which the Heroick Old man returned Answer that he would not willingly in his surest Estate use the Council of his Enemy neither in his greatest distress refuse Cheerfully to yeild his Life unto Almighty God to whom he did owe it and that with far better Will then to surrender the City upon any Conditions bear they never so fair a shew of Honour or Profit The Messengers perceiving this constant Resolution of the great Master by other Arguments indeavoured him at least to become Tributary to the Emperor paying a small matter yearly for his Peace but he knowing that to be the ready way to be brought under the Turkish Slavery utterly refused upon which the Messengers returned greatly discontented to him that sent 'um who thereat greatly perplexed gave another general Assault battering the City for four days without Intermission but not prevailing
after three Months siege having lost 9000 of his Men and 15000 dangerously sick of their Wounds and mortal Distempers he with great shame raised his Siege and after having destroyed all the Trees in that part of the Island imbarked his Men for Constantinople where at his return he received but a Cold Welcom from his imperious Master Whilst Mesites besieged Rhodes Achmetes Bassa passed over into Italy and besieged Otranto a Famous City in Puglia the which after the loss of many of his Turks took it spoiling all the Country round about it which brought such a Fear upon Italy that Sextus Quartus Bishop of Rome being only dreadful to the Christian Princes was about to fly and leave this once Mistress of the World as a prey to the Infidels and doubtless at that time the greatest part of Italy had been subdued had not the Ottoman Forces been Converted another way for the Carramanian King aided by the Persians and Sultan of Egypt having entered the Turkish Dominions on that side had in a mortal Battle overthrown Bajazet Mahomet's eldest Son then Living with the Slaughter of well nigh all his Army to revenge which Mahomet called home his great Bassa Achmetes with all the European Soldiers and in Person passed over into Asia but upon the way within two days journey from Nicomeda a City of Bythinia he fell sick and there for the space of three days grievously Tormented with a pain in his Belly which some supposed to be the Collick though others to proceed from the effects of Poison he Dyed Anno 1481. of his Age 52 years and his Reign 31 years His Body being afterwards Magnificently buried in a Chappel near unto the great Mahometan Temple which himself had built at Constantinople Leaving his Empire to Bajazet against whom Bandied till such time he was Poisoned by the Bishop of Rome who at the Commandment of Bajazet durst do no other Zemes or Zizimus his younger Brother as in the Life of Bajazet will appear CHAP. XIII The Life of Bajazet the second of that Name and second Emperor of the Turks his memorial Exploits Victories and Death MAhomet being dead and Bajazet and Zemes his two Sons absent for the Turkish Tyrants will not permit their Sons to remain at Court when they are Men grown lest they should aspire to Empire before their time the great Bassas and Aga of the Janizaries Conspired together e'r either of them could arrive to make Corcutus younger Son to Bajazet Emperor which accordingly they did of which Bajazet upon his approaching the City of Constantinople hearing horribly Exclaimed against the perfidious dealings of the Bassas and so laboured that at the Instance of Cherseogles Vice-Roy of Greece and the Aga or Captain of the Janizaries the young Emperor being of a mild and Courteous Nature overcome by their Intreaty and the Reverence of his Father resigned unto him his Imperial Government which he took upon him with the general liking of the men of War the finest token of any Turkish Emperors Establishment for if they oppose it 't is in vain for them to hope for Empire and in lieu of this Resignation Bajazet made him Governour of Lycia Caria Ionia and all the pleasant Countries adjoyning where being altogether given to study he Lived quietly all the Reign of Bajazet but after his Death was strangled by the Command of Selymas his Brothers Son as will in his Reign more at large appear During these Troubles Ferdinand King of Naples sent his eldest Son Alphonsus Duke of Calabria with a great Power to besiege Otranto which after several sharp Conflicts he had delivered up to him with all the Country lying about it which had been by Achmetes Bassa taken from the Christians during the Reign of Mahomet to recover which an Army was a second time prepared under the leading of the same Bassa but e'r he arrived in Italy he was Countermanded upon notice that Zemes was coming out of Amasia with an powerful Army to Wrestle with Bajazet for the Empire In which Expedition Achmetes was made General who meeting Zemes by plain Force drove him out of the Field with great slaughter of his Army insomuch that not thinking himself safe in his Brothers Dominions he fled into Syria and from thence into Egypt to Caytbeius Sultan of Egypt and Syria who received him with many great Expressions of joy and at his Request sent an Ambassador to Bajazet to intreat in his behalf that some part of that so great an Empire might be allotted him but the Proud Turk having gotten Possession would not yeild to have so dangerous a Partner Whereupon the Ambassador effecting nothing he joyned with the Caramanian King who by such a Conjunction hoped to recover his Territory taken from him by Mahomet Prince Zemes Father against whose joynt Forces but few in number Bajazet advanced with 200000 Horse and Foot of which the Princes having notice and finding themselves too weak by far to oppose so great a Power not finding as they had been put in hopes any to revolt from Bajazet to them they thought it good to retire before the ways were beset through the Straights of the Mountain Amanus which done they dispersed their little Army and soon after Zemes went to Rhodes where of the great Master he was kindly received with Promise of Protection from the Fury of his Brother hoping by this means if Bajazet should die a natural Death or otherwise misearry this Prince might be set up Emperor and by means ever remain a firm Friend to the Christians During these Transactions there wanted not some in the Court of Bajazet who Envying the Prosperity Achmetes Counselled the Emperor to put him to Death falsly insinuating that he held private Correspondence with Zemes Whereupon at his return from the Wars Bajazet as in kindness to his Bassas made a Royal Supper where after they had Drunk plentifully of Wine which by their Laws is forbid yet frequently amongst the Great ones used at their Feasts he in token of Honouring them caused a Rich Garment to be cast over each of them but when they came to Achmetes they cast over him a black Velvet Garment by the Turks called the Mantle of Death for whosoever that Garment is cast upon none of the Bassas dare be so hardy as to intreat for his Life which the other Bassas perceiving most of them being before privy to the Matter by leave of the Emperor after having kissed the Ground whereon he stood departed amongst whom Achmetes would likewise have gone out but was Commanded to stay for the Emperor and no sooner were the Bassas gone out but the Ministers of Death which are certain strong Men bereaved of Speech whom the Turkish Tyrants keep as Instruments of their Cruelty Entered and were about to strangle the Bassa when one of the Eunuches in great Favour with the great Emperor stood up and advised 〈◊〉 not to be too hasty in Executing so great a Man so beloved by his Soldiers
Sclavonian Tongues this following Epitaph Hâ—â— Mâ—ximus adsum Selymus qui orbem Domâ—i non Bellâ— retinquo c. In English thus Lo here I lye great Selymus who held the world in fear The World I leave yet not the Wars which I seek tho not here Not Fortunes chance nor Victors Hand could take from me the Spoils And tho my Bones lye Buryed here my Ghost seeks Bloody Broils CHAP. XV. The Life of Solyman the first of that Name and fourth Emperor of the Turks who for his many great exploits or rather Lofty Carriage was Sirnamed the Magnificent SElymus being dead his Death was Concealed by Ferhaâ—es the only Bassa present at his Departure till such time as Solyman came from Magnesia lest the Souldier but especially the Janizaries should have Spoil'd and Plundered the Merchants-Strangers residing in the great City of Constantinople as is usual with them in Interregnums as they call them which are accounted from the Death of the proceeding Emperor to the time the Succeeding Emperor is presented to be proclaimed by the men of War but such was the Incredulity of Solyman that knowing his Fathers cruel Nature Jealous apprehension of his intent to Aspire to Empire for which he had often been in danger of his Life could not believe what he most desired till he had it certified from all Hands upon which with more then ordinary speed he hasted to Constantinople and there being met by the Great Bassas and the Aga of the Janizaries he was lead into the mid'st of the men of War drawn up for that purpose when as the Aga or chief Captain with a loud Voice said Behold your emperor upon which immediately followed an Universal Shout succeeded with the Joyful Acclamation of Longlive the great Emperor Solyman which consent of the men of War is to the Turkish Emperors the greatest Assurance of their safe Establishment in their Empire and so in great Triumph they brought him into the Royal Pallace and placed him in his Fathers Seat Anno 1520 at what time Charles the fifth was chosen Emperor of Germany The Janizaries by this means disappointed of the Spoil of the Goods belonging to the Jewish and Christian Merchants in Lieu thereof received of the new Emperor great Sums of money and had during his Reign their wage Augmented upon the Death of Selymus Gazeles whom he had made Governour of Syria revolted from Solyman and drew after him the remaining power of the Mamalukes seizing upon several Cities but being Fought with by Ferates Bassa sent against him with a great power he after a long and Bloody Fight was Slain and his forces put to Flight upon which all the Cities of Syria were again reduced to the Turkish obedience And now Solyman desirous to get himself a Name by the Counsel of Pyrrhus-Bassa his Tutor resolved to bend his forces against the Christians who by Reason of the Dissensions amongst themselves lay open to his Invasion a fatal over-sight which ever gave the Ottoman Emperors the opportunity to inlarge their Dominions on the Borders of Christendom whereupon raising a great power and enteriung Hungaria he took Belgrade almost without resistance against which in vain Mahomet the Great Amurath and Bajazet had lost 500000 Men Belgrade strongly Garrisoned he dispersed part of his Army and returned to Constantinople making great preparations for Sea against the Spring as having an Eye upon the famous Island of Rhodes of which the Rhodians not being Ignorant chose for their great Master Philippus Villerius a man of great Wisdom and Courage then following the French Court but upon notice thereof took Shipping at Marcelles and arrived safe in the Port of the City Rhodes tho Solyman had sent out Cortug Ogly a famous Pirate of the Turks with several Gallies to intercept them whereupon at his arrival he was installed by the Knights of the Order and Citizens with great Triumph and more then ordinary expressions of Joy Solyman not aâ—â—ering his Determination yet desirous to know how the Rhodians stood affected and to learn all that was possible of their number and the Strength of the City sent divers insinuating Letters with Superscriptions of his Thundering Titles to the great Master of which this is one viz. Solyman by the Grace of God King of Kings Lord of Lords greatest Emperor of Constaminople and Trepezond most Mighty King of Persia Arabia Syria Egypt Lord of Asia and Europe Prince of Mecha and Aleppo Ruler of Jerusalem and Master of the Universal Sea to Philippus Villerus Lilladamus great Master of Rhodes c. But neither these thumping Titles nor his Threats and Promises could move the great Master to hearken to his Request which was that he would become his Tributary and to deliver into his possession the City and Island so that finding his Expectations Frustrated and that his Name was not so terrible as he supposed after many Letters had passed and repassed he caused a Fleet of 200 Gallies to be furnished with all things necessary for the siege of that strong city of which the great Master being Advertised was not wanting on his part to put all things in order for making a most resolute defence causing Watch and Ward to be kept in every Street and the great Artillary to be planted upon the Walls and Bulwarks opening all the Armories of the City and furnishing every man with Weapons appointing to each his Station there to be ready when occasion required his Service and then taking a General Master of such as were fit for Service he found about 5000 resolute men amongst whom were six hundred Knights of the order each of them capable of Commanding a vast Army as likewise 500 Souldiers of Crâ—â—â— there were come thither for fear of the Turks a number of Villagers who served to Sink Sounds to Countermine the Enemy and to cast up Rampires c. Things thus ordered the great Master calling together his Commanders and Soldiers incouraged them in a most Christian-like manner to fight boldly against the Enemies of Christ and rather to dye in the defence of their Religion then to submit themselves to the Tyraâ—my of the Barbarous Infidels putting them in 〈◊〉 of the Valour of their Ancestors and of the aid they were to expect from the Christian Princes c. Which Sâ—eeâ—h so Animated the Commanders and Souldiers that they desired nothing more then to shew their prowess to the World By this time the Turks Gallies were put to Sea and about twenty being the forerunners of the Fleet for many Days braved the Rhodians before their own Port whereupon the Great Master called a Council to know whether they should be Fought with or not to procure which the Chancellor a man of Admirable Courage earnestly Laboured but the deâ—andents being but few and therefore the smallest loss at Sea tho they should gain the Victory might be a means to Weaken the City yet at length it was resolved upon that they should be permitted to Land in any
Prisoner at large so that Babarussa landing and every where proclaiming the Name of Roscetes whom the Moors and Numidians greatly favoured hating Muleasses for his extraordinary Tyranny he had Biferta immediately pat into his possession the Moors thinking as indeed the Turks gave it out that Roscetes was in the Fleet and that the Turks had made so great a Preparation to restore him to his Fathers Kingdom Barbarussa having secured Biserta with a strong Garrison doubling the Promontorie where old Carthage stood came to Gulletta a strong Castle standing within the Bay of Tunis where in token of Friendship he saluted it and had the like returned but upon the requesting the surrender thereof he was answered that it should be alwaies at his Command who ruled the City of Tunes so that returning from thence he came before the City upon which by the perswasion of such as affected Roscetes Muleasses fled with a small number of his Favourites and for haste left behind him most of his Treasure which afterwards became a prey to the Enemy Muleasses fled the people joyfully received Barbarussa into Tunes and with eager Eyes and longing expectations flockt into the high streets to have a sight of their new King but when they perceived him not and heard the Soldiers in their Acclamations name none but Solyman and Barbarussa they began to doubt as the truth was that instead of their new King whom they so much desired thay had received the Turkish Government which above all things they utterly abhorred which suspicion once confirmed by several of Roscet's Friends whom Barbarussa had brought with him on purpose to delude the people who grieved to see the ruine of their Countrey at hand for fear of present danger did not spare to tell their Friends and Acquaintance that in vain they expected Roscetes who remained in Bonds at Constantinople which wrought so sudden an alteration in the minds of the Citizens that perceiving themselves deceived at the instance of Abdahar the Mesuar or chief Magistrate who had before perswaded Muleasses to fly in hopes of bringing in Roscetes they every where run to their Arms and from all parts of the City assailed the Turks but for the most part being slightly Armed and in a tumultuary disorder they were not able to stand the fury of the Harquebusiers but after a long and obstinate Fight wherein a great number were killed on both sides they submitted themselves of which Muleasses having notice fled to Constantina the Regal City of Dorax a Numidian Prince his Kinsman where he remained in safety till the coming of Charles the Emperor into Africk as will appear in the sequel of this History Tunes thus taken or rather surprized by Barbarussa all the other Cities thereto appertaining were won with little difficulty and annexed to the Turkish Empire till they were again sundred by the Germans and Muleasses the Exil'd King restored by the Emperor And in this posture leaving the Affairs of Africk I shall take a view of Solyman's proceeding against the Persians Hismael being dead and Tamas his Son succeeding him Ibrahim the Great Bassa who could do all with Solyman perswaded him that now a fit opportunity offered to be revenged on the Persians and the rather by the revolt of Vlemus a Noble Man of Persia who had Espoused King Tama's Sister who having Imbesled the Revenues of the Crown for fear of being called to account for so doing was fled to Constantinople But Solyman's Mother and fair Concubine Roxolan greatly desirous of his Company much opposed the Motion of the Bassa laying before Solyman the danger and inconveniency of so tedious and dangerous an Expedition but not being able to prevail they ever after became Ibrahim's Mortal Enemies not leaving to urge Solyman till at last he gave command that he should be murthered Solyman resolved upon an expedition against the Persian to revenge as he pretended the manifold injuries done to his Grandfather Father and himself raised a great Army part of which he sent before him under the Command of Ibrahim the Great Bassa and Vlemas the Fugitive Persian who by hasty Marches over the Mountains and along the Banks of Euphrates that setting down before the great City Taurus and the Citizens despairing to be relieved by their King he had the City delivered into his possession of which King Tames having notice hasted thither with his Army but e're he attempt any thing for the recovery thereof Solyman with a great multitude of Soldiers had joyned the Bassa whereupon he thought it not good to give Battle to so powerful an Enemy but to hover about his Camp and take all advantages well knowing such a World of people could not subsist without exceeding store of Provisions and other necessaries which device of the Persian Solyman well perceiving left a strong Garrison in Taurus and marched against him who still retired before the Turks even to the Walls of Sultania near to which Solyman pitching his Camp lay many dayes to expect him during which time such a horrible Tempest arose that the Winds driving the Snow off from the steep Hills buryed many Thousands of the Turks alive overthrowing most of their Tents and although it was but the middle of September froze so hard that many were froze to Death others lost the use of their Limbs and most of the Camels and Horses perished which bad Omen together with their Apprehensions they had of the approach of the Enemy and the horrible darkness of the Night so discouraged the Soldiers that they would all have fled had they known which way This Tempest they concluded to be raised by the Persian Magicians to destroy them but whether so or not it greatly discouraged Solyman so that raising his Camp he marched into Assyria and set down before Babylon now Bagdat which being altogether unprovided upon the flight of the Governour fell into his hands as likewise did most of the Cities both of Assyria and Mesopotamia and so far extended the terror of his Name that most of the Countreys round about sent their Embassadors to tender their subjection and in Babylon he Wintered his Army placing Governours in the adjacent Cities And a Beglerbeg as they proudly term him that is a Lord of Lords In Babylon and under him divers Sanzacks or petty Lords during his aboad here he also caused his chief Treasurer to be executed for Imbesling his Revenues Tamas the Persian King having by this time raised a considerable Army marched to Tauris at whose approach the Garrison fled of which Solyman having notice and being strengthned with new supply out of Egypt Syria Judea and Comagena he left Babylon resolving to provoke the Persian to Battle or to sack his regal City Tauris before his face but Tames knowing himself too weak to give him Battle at his approach drew out his Army and fled into the Mountains of Hyrcania destroying all before him to prevent its falling into the hands of his Enemies upon whose departure the
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
the wonderful motion and conversion of the celestial frame a curious and strange peice of work devised and perfected by the most cunning Astronomers of Maximilian the Emperour whose noble mind never spared for any cost to obtain things rare of strange device The Ambassadors arriving at Solymans Camp after they had been feasted by the Bassa's with Mutton and Rice onely and delivered their Presents they made it their request that he would deliver Hungary to their Master to whom of right it appertained and that in lien thereof he would become his tributary but were so far from having their desires granted that the proud Turk demanded tribute for Austria the which being refused with disdaign he sent the Governour of Belgrade to spoil that Country as likewise Moravia to whom he joyned Cason the Admiral of his Fleet but by reason of the overflowing of the Rivers and great Rains it being now Autumn they were forced to return without doing any considerable dammage after which Solyman appointing a Hungarian of his own name Governour of Buda returned to Constantinople having first set Lascus King Ferdinand's former Ambassador whom he held Prisoner at Liberty and within a while after having caused Mayle Vayvod of Transilvania to be apprehended and imprisoned contrary to his promise by Mahometes his great Bassa he to recompence the Queen of Hungary and her son for what he had taken from them gave the young King the Province of Transilvania Whilst these things passed the Emperour Charles at the earnest request of his Subjects of Spain to whose Trade the Pirates of Argier had put a stop prepared a great Fleet to invade the Kingdom and take the City at that time commanded by Asan Aga or Asan the Eunuch whom Barbarossa in his absence had appointed his Lieutenant when as the Emperour after considerable dammage by shipwrack coming before the City of Argier sent a Herald on shore to demand the City and upon the refusal of its delivery landed his men who with great courage beating the Turks Moors and Numidians from their defences leaped on shore where after divers skirmishes they encamped in three Battles being in all 60000 Men but long they had not considered which way to make their approaches e're by a horrible Tempest supposed to be raised by Inchantment which continued for the space of two dayes the greatest part of the Fleet consisting of 280 Ships and Gallies was beaten and such as by swimming escaped the danger of the Sea were kill'd by the Numidians and Moors who came down from the Mountains to enrich themselves by the misery of the Christians In this storm which was accompanied with prodigious Rain Thunder and Lightening almost all the Prevision and great Ordnance were lost nor fared they on shoar much better for there three parts of the Tents were torn up and all things in them spoiled by the deluges of Water so that Famine within three dayes sorely vexed the Camp yet the Emperour a man of invincible Courage comforted his men in the best wise causing such Horses as were on shoar to be killed and their Flesh distributed amongst the Souldiers which at than time proved excellent fare but finding he could not subsist by the perswasion of the Duke of Alva his General he resolved to imbark on those few Ships and Gallies that were left and return into Italy whereupon to make room for the Souldiers he caused all the Horses to be thrown overboard but such was his hard fortune that he was no sooner imbarked but another Tempest terrible as the former arose and scattering his Fleet drove two Ships loaden with Spaniards into the Port of Argier who by reason of the departure of the other Gallies had been there slain by the Moors and Numidians had not Asan Aga at their earnest request taken them into mercy and driven away the barbarous people who like ravening Wolves sought eagerly to prey upon their Lives Many ships in their return were likewise swallowed up of the Sea but Heaven so ordered it that at length the Emperour with the remainder of his shattered ships arrived at the Port of New Carthage in Spain not being overcome by the Enemy but by the Tempest his sad disaster being at the beginning of his Expedition foretold by a Witch then living in the City of Argiers Frances the French King being greatly offended with the Emperor for that Antonius Rinuo his Ambassador upon his negotiation to Constantinople was by some of the Emperors Captains slain for that it being reported that he there discovered all the Emperours intentions and incensed Solyman to take up Arms against him being the principal occasion of his last Expedition into Hungary whereupon he having sent Polinus in the stead of Rinuo he incited Solyman to revenge the indignity as well offered to him as to himfelf by sending Barbarus with a squadron of Gallies to molest the coast of Spain and the Emperours Territories in Italy whilst his Master warred on his Countries in Flanders and other places To undertake the like he solicited the Venetians but at that time both his negotiation proved ineffectual for the Venetians utterly refused to intermeddle and the Turk at that time being but slenderly provided with shipping and those was inforced to use on the Danube for the defence of Hungary which King Ferdinando in confederation with the German Princes invaded with a great Army under the leading of Joachimus Marquess of Brandenburgh who passing the Damibius encamped before Pesth which they battered for several dayes making divers large breaches but upon notice that Mahometes Bassa was coming from Belgrade with a great Army to relieve the City though the story was altogether feigned the cowardly General raised the siege and returned to Vienna where that great Army consisting of 50000 Horse and Foot was broke up without doing any thing worthy of name Solyman being rid of this fear began to hearken to the request of the French Ambassador and having Commanded Rustan Bassa his Son-in-law to Feast him he gave order for the making ready his Fleet of Gallies which he sent under the command of Barbarossa to the Aid of the French who to wreck his private revenge called in the common Enemy too prone of himself to lay Christendom wast In their way when once dispatched they took Rhegium burnt it and carried away the Garrison and Citizens at which time Solyman with a great Army entered Hungary to revenge himself upon the Authors of the late Hostilities and had the strong City and Castle of Walpo delivered to him by the Souldiers contrary to the will of the Governour but he was no sooner possessed thereof then he gave them the due Reward of their Treachery by causing them all to be put to the Sword and then having left there a sufficient Garrison he marched to Strigonium sending Amurathes Bassa with a part of the Army to take in Soclosia which he having won put most of the Inhabitants to the Sword Solyman having layed siege
words The hard fortune of this sinful Kingdom hath together with our own overtaken us but let us noble Hearts indure with Patience whatsoever is by God to us assigned you know what we have before promised which hitherto God be thanked we have accordingly performed and now let us with like resolutions perform this last the place you see is not longer to be kept the devouring fire grows fast upon us and we in number are but few wherefore let us as becometh valiant men break out into the utter Castle and there dye fighting in the midst of our Enemies to live afterwards with God for ever I will be the first that will go out follow me like men Thus having said the Heroick Count worthy of Eternal fame or a name greater then ever Roman yet could boast with his Sword in his hand charged the thickest of his foes laying them round him on heaps even till the Rampart of the dead hemmed him in nor durst the Turks with their multitude incounter him long at close fight but cowardly at a distance shot him through the head upon which he fell dead amongst the heaps of his Enemies in token of whose matchless prowess the Turks buryed his body and sent his head as a token of his being slain to Count Salma his kinsman in the Emperours camp with this following Letter Muhamet Bassa to Eccius Salma greeâ—ing In token of my Love behold here I 〈◊〉 thee the head of a most resolute and valiant Captain thy Friend the remainder of his body I have honestly buryed as became such a man c. That which lightened the Christians sadness for the loss of so brave a Captain and the taking of Sigeth was the Death of Solyman who far spent with years and distempers died at Quinque Ecclesiae of the Bloody Flux on the 4th of September anno 1566. when he had lived 76 years and reigned 46 not living to see the end of the siege his death was by the Bassa kept secret to prevent disorder in the Army who according to their wonted policy satisfied the inquisitive Janizaries by shewing them his dead body sitting in his Horse-litter giving it out that he was extream ill when after Sigeth having by Treason taken Gyula for which the Traytor was afterward deservedly put to death by Selymus Solymans successor the Bassa's with the Army returned to Constantinople where they published the death of Solyman and proclaimed Selymus his now onely remaining Son Emperour in his stead CHAP. XVI Selymus the second of that name and fifth Emperor of the Turks His Life and Actions SOlyman being dead upon the return of the Army out of Hungaria towards Constantinople Mabumet Bassa by letters advertised Selymus thereof then residing at Cutai a City of Galatia who glad of the news hasted to take possession of the so long expected Empire when being conducted over the straights of Bosphorus he was by Bostanges Bassas and Scander Bassa conveighed into the Imperial Pallace on the 23 of September Anno 1566 from whence he departed to meet his fathers Corps not yet arrived at Constantinople upon the meeting of which he caused the Insignes to be let fall in token of the Emperors death which had been till that time kept secret from the Soldiers to prevent disorders and so with it Marching in the head of the Army returned to Constantinople being first by the men of War saluted Emperor who upon his Arrival to quiet the unruly Soldiers distributed a large sum of mony amongst them with a Promise to augment their wages as is usual at the installment of the Ottoman Emperors or else by reason of the insolency of the Janizaries and other Soldiers of the Court of their Pallace would prove too hot to hold them Selimus thus setled in his Empire with Royal solemnity buried his father in a Chappel which he afterward built together with a Colledge and Hospital erecting over him a stately Tomb near unto which is at this day to be seen the Magnificent Tomb of his beloved wife Roxolana mother to Selimus and of certain of his Murthered children By him hangs his Scimiter in token that he dyed in war an honour not otherwise granted to the Mahometan Princes The Revenues arising of the Countrey about Sigeth won from the Christians a little before his death were given to maintain the houses by him built for devotion which for Magnificence exceed all others Erected by the Mahometan Kings and Emperors except those of Mahomet the Great and Bajazet the Second It was by many thought that Soliman was in good time taken out of the way for that he resolving to winter in Hungary the next Spring purposed with himself to have over-run Austria and a great part of Germany Anno 1567 Solyman being dead great trouble arose notwithstanding in Hungary occasioned by John the Vayvod of Transilvania who used his utmost endeavour to dispossess Maximilian the Emperor of those Cities and Fortresses he held in that Kingdom but they were soon after appeased by a peace concluded between the two Emperors Maximilian and Selimus The principal points on which the peace depended being these That the German Emperor should yearly pay 30000 Ducates to Selimus as a Tribute for Hungary the Tribute to begin upon the conclusion of the Articles of Peace That the Subjects of the Turks should pay nothing to the Subjects of the Emperor nor on the other side the subjects of the Emperor pay nothing to the Subjects of the Turks but to remain both of them exempted from payment of Tax Duty or Contribution and that either Prince should inviolably hold what he was in possession of at the conclusion of the Treaty which peace was confirmed for the space of 8 years in which was included the Vayvod of Transilvania as the Turks Tributary This peace was concluded Anno 1568 as was likwise the year following a peace concluded between Selymus and Tamas the Persian Kings after which the Turk desirous to undertake some 〈◊〉 exploit that might get him a name and out of the Revenues of which he might build him a Temple exceeding any of his Predecessors which those superstitious people hold to be for the good of their souls be plotted in his mind many things but at length being by his mischievous Counsellors of whom he wanted not he was â—â—ged to the conquest of the rich Island of Cyprus lying in the Cicilian Sea and hath on the West Pamphilia on the East Siria on the South Egypt and on the North Cilicia now called Caramania This Island at such time as Selymus was intent on the conquest thereof was in the possession of the Venetians with whom he had contracted a League since the death of Solyman but in vain are Leagues with Infidels any longer then they serve their own turns yet Muhamates the Great Bassa laboured all he could to disswade him therefrom and Marcus Antonius Barbarus the Venetian Ambassador then residing at Constantinople so wrought that he procured the
sufficient for the management of the War against the Turks and such success had his arms immediately thereon through the good conduct of the Lord Swartzenburg Rab was surprized for certain Engineers coming by night to the Gates finding the Portcullises drawn up in expectation of Waggons loaden with Provision to come from Alba Regalis they fastened several Petards to the said Gates which deadly Engins once fired rent 'um in pieces so that the Army which followed at their heels pressing in after a long fight killed two of the Turks Bassa's and put the rest to the flight who such as could escaped over the Wall and those that could not fell by the Swords of the inraged Soldiers who in the City found so great a booty that many of them were greatly inriched thereby besides One Hundred pieces of great Ordnance and store of all manner of Provisions That City though so easily recovered being one of the strongest Fortresses in Christendom the taking of which so incouraged the General of the Imperialists that upon notice that great differences were arisen between the Janizaries and the Sphai the Turks best Footmen and Horsemen upon a point of preheminency he resolved to besiege Buda the Turks chief strength in Hungary and thereupon marching thither with all his Army on the 16th of October 1598. he sar down before it and for many days battered it with sixteen pieces of Cannon But in fine seeing no hopes of winning it and having notice that a great Army of Turks was hasting to its relief having plundered the Suburbs the General drew his Army out of the Trenches and departed to Strigonium The Transilvanian Prince having exchanged his Country with the Emperour for the Dukedoms of Oppel and Ratibor and yearly Fifty Thousand Joachim or the Revenues of the Bishoprick of Vratislavia Territories lying in Silesia and repenting him of what he had done he came again into Transilvania in disguise and was joyfully received by his Subjects at what time Maximilian the Emperors Generals was marching with the Army to take possession of it which had like to have caused great dissensions amongst the Christian Confederates had not the Prince by many submissive Letters pacified the Emperors displeasure Now were the Turks Army arrived in Hungary and had layed siege to Veradinum which City being at the point to be yielded was relieved by the Lord Basta the Emperours Lieutenant who making semblance to give the Turks Battle and by that means drawing them out of their Trenches in the mean time by an unsuspected way thrust Eight Hundred Souldiers into the City and so drew off through which supply the City was so long defended that the Turks weary of the siege and by reason of the approach of Winter departed leaving for hast many of their Tents and great Ordnance as a prey to the besieged after which the Imperialists spoiled that part of the Lower Hungary which was in the possession of the Turks even to the gates of Buda which brought a great fear upon the Garrison and Citizens When at the same time Michael the Vayvod of Valachia having gathered a strong power took and sacked Nicopolis the rumor of which coming to Constantinople where the Plague then raged it greatly perplexed Mahomet and brought a fear upon that great City Yet to put a stop to the Vayvods proceedings he caused a great number of Turks under the leading of Taut Bassa to march against him who joyning the forces of Mahomet Satergi with which he had besieged Veradinum yet the Vayvod not in the least dismayed marched 100 Miles into the Turks Territories and destroying all before him obtained a great Booty But now contrary to the expectation of all men the Transilvanian Prince instigated thereto by the Polonian King resigned the right he had in that Principality to his Cozen Andrew Battor and thereby defrauded the Emperour of that which by way of Exchange was properly his the Transylvanians having thereupon sworn him fealty yet not to discourage his Confederates the Emperor set light thereby though the proud Cardinal to whom it was resigned submitted himself a Vassal to Mahomet and thereby deprived the Christian Commonwealth of one of her surest Bulwarks Buda blocked up by the Christians and thereby reduced to great extreamity the Bassa thereof upon notice that several waggons laden with provision were on their way issued out with six hundred horse to conduct them safe but being set upon by the free Hadducks his Guard was overthrown his son slain and himself taken prisoner and within a while after the Lord Palfie incountering the Bassa of Bosna who was coming with ten thousand men to relieve the said City overthrew his power slew the Bassa and took all the waggons laden with provision and at the same time five thousand Tartars being set upon by the Lord Swartzenburgs Regiment were all cut in pieces upon notice of Ibraim Bassa with a great power set forward from Constantinople but part of his Forces being encountred by the Imperialists under the command of the Lord Palfis Lieutenant were overthrown and rich booty taken containing all the provision of the Camp and one hundred thousand Dollars which were coming up the Danubius to pay the Souldiers which loss greatly discontented the Bassa and then when he had notice that the Imperialists intended again to besiege Buda which he by reason of the said loss was not in a capacity to relieve as also at the same time news came of a great slaughter of the Turks before the City of Agria the which City had the Christians assaulted in any considerable number the consternation was so great that they might easily have surprised it yet as it happened they took a hundred prisoners and five hundred horses the free Haducks also entring the Turks Territories did great hurt by burning their Villages and carrying away a great number of Inhabitants Buda now had not escaped falling into the hands of the Christians had not Ibraim Bassa received an unexpected supply which increased his Army to the number of one hundred and thirty thousand with which upon his approach the Christians too weak to encounter him were obliged to raise their siege yet so much was the Bassa out of love with war that having relieved the City he by the command of Mahomet the Turkish Emperor laboured to procure a peace with Rodolph the German Emperor in order to which several great Commanders on either side met but the Turks proud demands seem'd so unreasonable to the Christian Commissioners that they rejected them with disdain and so all hopes of peace vanishing the Vayvod of Valachia invaded Transylvania now wholly devoted to Mahomet against whom Cardinal Batter prepared his Forces being strengthened over and above with thirty thousand Turks and Tartars sent by Ibraim yet in a mortal battle he was overthrown by the Vayvod and the Cardinal in endeavouring to escape was slain and his head sent to the Emperour after which most of the Cities of Transylvania revolted from
Vizar Bassa Cosen to the most Puissant Sultan Mahomet to the Count Serenus sendeth Greeting WE have often heretofore written to thee concerning the matter thou knowest of but what the cause is we received no answer we know not yet could I not but write unto you again that if thou canst be content to begin the matter aright and to submit thy self to our protection we will be ready to receive thee thou seest what we foretold thee is now more then fulfilled both upon thee and thine which thou wouldest never believe nevertheless for the staying the further effusion of blood as well of thy Subjects as our and to come to some good attonement 't is high time for thee to lay thine hand upon thine heart and to consider how much more it concerneth thee then us and that the benefit thereof redoundeth more unto thine then to ours what our affections are towards thee Hierom the Vayvod can tell thee c. This Letter the Count well enough knew were but an outward shew of Friendship and therefore he thinking it not good to trust the Infidel so long as he had his Sword in his hand would not so much as dain to return him an answer whereupon he in a great rage returned to Belgrade vaunting that if Mahomet so Commanded he would the next year lay siege to Vienna and so much extol'd his exploits to the great Sultan that he commanded publick Triumphs for the space of four days in Constantinople for joy of his good success in Stira and sent the proud Bassa a Robe of Gold and a leaders Staff set wit Pearl and pretious Stones The loss of Canisia sore troubled the Christian insomuch that Paradiser the Governour who had so tamely yielded it into the hands of the Turks coming to Vienna was there imprisoned and many things being proved against him his Ensign Bearer Lieutenant and the Mayor of the Town they after many strict Examinations were at the command of the Emperour executed Notwithstanding the death of the Bassa of Carramani in manner as aforesaid the Rebellion was not altogether thereby extinguished but secretly kept alive by the countenance of the Persian Sophy so that now it again began as if revived from its Embers to break out into a flame and in a trice swept away several Towns whereupon Mahomet sent to the Persian to demand for the more assurance of the League one of his Sons as Hostage which was so evilly taken that the Sophy commanded the Turks Ambassador to be slain and although that rigorous sentence was remitted yet by the second Commandment of the Sophy he was bastinadoed and in despite of him that sent him returned with great disgrace the which though it highly offended Mahomet yet he finding himself at that time not in a condition to revenge it only blustered a little and to prevent the worst put strong Garrisons into his Frontire Towns Anno 1601 The Christian Confederates brought a strong Army into the Field for fear of which the Turkish General proposed many ofters of Peace but ere any was concluded the said General Ibraim Bassa died when as the Christians not to omit any opportunity took divers strong places and amongst the rest after a terrible battery and the loss of Eight Thousand men Alba Regalis one of the chiefest and strongest Cities of Hungary into which the furious Souldiers entering through Streets of fire and over heaps of the slain put all they met to the Sword few or none except the Bassa being taken to mercy inriched themselves with a great spoil especially the Walloons who spared not to rifle the Tombs of the Hungarian Kings which barbarity the Turks themselves had abstained from Yet hardly was the spoil taken but news came that Assan Bassa made General in the stead of Ibraim was coming with a great Army to relieve it whereupon Duke Mercury drew out his Forces and in a mortal Battle slew the Bassa and most of his men taking his rich Camp and a great number of Prisoners and amongst the rest Fifty of the Rebels that fled from Papa who yet at the instance of the said Duke were pardoned The Christians hightened with this success were now resolved to attempt the recovery of Canisia from before which after they had a long time besieged it and layed open with their furious battery several breaches killing in the several assaults a number of Turks they were by the unseasonableness of the weather obliged to depart to the great grief of the Commanders though joy of the Souldiers who through the excessive Cold that then happened were become unserviceable many of them being frozen to Death in the Trenches The Turks now greatly disinaid and almost driven out of Hungary unhappy chance turned the Christians Swords upon themselves for although Michael the Vayvod of Valachia was reconciled to the Emperour yet the Transilvanians desirous to be Governed by Sigismund their natural Prince cast Basta the Emperours Leiutenant and by him appointed Governour of that Province into Irons and immediately submitted themselves to Sigismund and likewise imprisoned several of the Nobility whom they suspected to favour the Emperour returning again to the Turkish obedience and this by the contrivance of the Chancelor of Polonia Yet at the mediation of Friends Basta was set at Liberty who thoroughly inraged at the disgrace done to him and the indignity offered thereby to the Emperour his Master raised an Army and joying with Michael the Vayvod invaded Transilvania and in a dreadful Battle overthrew Prince Sigismund with great slaughter of his men upon which Claudiopolis and divers other Cities of Transylvania returned to the Emperours obedience After this great victory the Vayvod still envying at the success of the Imperialists and secretly grudging against Basta by Letters held secret correspondency with the Bassa of Temeswar intending in consideration of Valachia Moldavia and Transilvania to become the Turks Tributary and by the assistance of the Bassa's drive out the Imperialists to prevent which it was agreed that he should be sent Prisoner to Vienna In order to which a Walloon Captain was sent into his Tent with sixty followers but he making ressistance was by the said Captain slain which caused a great uproar amongst his Souldiers but when they understood the cause by Letters produced under his own hand their anger was allayed themselves protesting that had they known so much they would long before dispatched him After the Death of the Vayvod the Transilvanians wholly submitted to themselves to Basta Yet continued not long in that obedience ere stirred up by some restless spirits they again Revolted and Proclaimed Sigismund denying obedience to any other at which suddain mutation of this unstable people Basta not a little troubled to prevent his being again imprisoned as he had been formerly by them withdrew himself with his Followers into a strong Town on the Frontiers from whence he by Letters advertized the Emperour of what had happened and requested him to send him
overpowred were two hundred of them slain yet this loss was shortly revenged by the Garrison Souldiers who surprizing several of the Turkish Nobility sporting with their wives in the hot Baths not far from Buda put all the men to the sword and suffered the women to escape naked into the City to whose flight fear added wings and so with the spoil of their rich garments returned in Triumph but want of Victuals increasing they were obliged to feed upon all manner of unclean things when at the same time their neighbours of Buda having received a great Convoy of Victuals derided them and sent three or four thundering Peals of Cannon over the river against the Town but their mirth was soon spoiled for by the carelessness of the Engenier several barrels of Povvder taking fire not only killed a great number of them but likevvise overthrevv four yards of their Wall and thus the Winter passed over vvith many skirmishes and the taking of several places in Hungary on either side When early in the Spring the nevv Vayvod of Valachia over run the rich Countrey of Silistria reducing the greatest part of it to his obedience and soon after Colloninitz gave the Turks another great overthrow and took a great booty on its way to Canisia and afterwards laid siege to Baboz but finding it strongly Garrisoned and furnished for a long siege he withdrew from before it yet he surprized many of the Turks and intercepted several Waggons laden with provision about which time news came that the Janizaries were up in Arms at Constantinople as likewise Sphai and that they committed several outrages on the Bassas and spared not to abuse their master telling him they would seeing he neglected to reform his Government svvearing that unless he vvould deliver into their povver the Capi Aga and such others as they should require they would turn all into confusion which threats so scared the Pusillanimous Tyrant that he was contented to yield to their demands who having got those Favorites they most inveighed against they with all despight put them to death whereupon the Tyrant not to be outdone in cruelty caused several of the Bassa's and chief men of his Court whom he knew the Souldiers affected to be slain which caused such a hatred against him that many of his great Bassa's conspired to depose him and set up his son Mahomet in his stead which they were the more animated to put in practice for that he had at the same time made a dishonourable peace with the Asian Rebels giving most of their ring-leaders great Commands whilst those that had faithfully served him were rejected of which intent of his men of war the Tyrant having notice caused his son and so many as he could understand were any wayes concerned therein to be put to death These things happening in the foregoing year the year following the Tartars in great numbers intending to invade Hungary were denyed passage by the Polonians whereupon they resolved to make their way through Valachia with whom the Vayvod had many hard conflicts killing at one time three thousand of them but their number being great he was forced at length to let them pass who upon their arrival in Hungary and Stira made great spoil e'r Collonitz could take the field who at length joyning with Count Serinus gave them a fatal overthrow and recovered about five thousand Christian Captives yet those that escaped from the battle roving about did great harm till such time as they were met with by the Lord Nadasti and his Hassars who with a furious charge overset their battle and brought them to final destruction when soon after Collonitz returning fell upon Two Thousand Turks all or most of which he slew and then passing on besieged the Castle of Loqua which in a short time he took but by neglect of the Soldiers injoyed not long for the Palizadoes being fired set fire to the Castle and laid it wast After which he marched towards the Castle of Boulouvenar upon whose approach the Garrison fled but in their flight being met were overthrown with great slaughter and such as were taken Prisoners together with all their substance brought back to the Castle into which the Collonel having put Four Hundred Haducks and Two Hundred Hussars returned to Comara where with a great Booty he arrived in safety Turning a little from the troubles of Hungary a Countrey subject to the continual Inroads of the Turks I shall return to Transilvania which by this time was for the most part reduced to the Emperours obedience For Moyses the Rebel after his being overthrown by Basta doubting his safety in the Castle of Solemose delivered it to the Turks and fled to Temeswar a City in their possession of which Basta the Emperours Leiutenant having notice resolved to recover the Castle which the Turks supposed impregnable by reason of its scituation as being founded upon a steep and hard Rock but the Germans having by strength of Arms drawn their Cannon to the top of a little Hill not far distant from it after a terrible battery made had it delivered to them the Turks well perceiving they were no longer able to keep it This strong place thus gained many of less account that held out against Basta surrendered whereupon assembling the principal men of Transilvania he in a short Oration admonished them to be stedfast to the interest of the Emperour and not to have any regard to the faithless and wavering Turks c. To which they replyed That they were willing to obey the Emperour in all things but that their people in continual Wars being wasted they desired him to consider how little able they were to keep an Army in the Field without which the Countrey could not be defended but if the Emperour would protect them and secure them with a standing Army they would yearly pay towards the defraying of the charges Fifteen Thousand Hungarian Ducats and furnish them with all things necessary It being a thing more Honourable and Profitable for a Prince moderately to use his Subjects then for covetousness to devour them in one day and in their loss to lose himself for ever This their offer was by Basta accepted and the minds of the people by many perswasive arguments kept in their dutiful Allegiance to the Emperour But whilst peace was expected on all sides Moyses the Rebel with a great power of Turks and Tartars entered Transilvania at such time as Basta was absent dreaming of no such matter and seizing upon Wisceborongh some other places of small importance his name began to spread wide Insomuch that Mahomet the Sultan understanding what he had done promised to send him more Aid and to make him his Leiutenant if he prospered in his Wars which puffed up the Rebel to that height that hearing of Basta being with small Forces in the Town of Somosinar he resolved to march thither and besiege him but that experienced Captain knowing how much it impaired the credit of a
the Turks brought upon Hatvan during their besieging Strigonium that the Garrison abandoned it carrying with them all their moveables and several Pieces of Cannon though the Turks had attempted nothing against it During these troubles in Hungary Bethlem Habor chief of the Rebels in Transylvania assisted by Beckberes Bassa with four thousand Turks entered the Province to have taken possession thereof in the absence of Basta but being incountered by Count Tambire when he suspected no such matter he was overthrown and a thousand of his men slain himself and the Bassa hardly escaping and three dayes after the said Count lighting on several Troops of Turks sent to the assistance of the Rebels by the Bassa of Temeswar put most of them to the sword yet the Rebellion ceased not so for one Botscay a discontented German having drawn a great number of desperate fellows to take part with him and countenanced by the Grand Signiour took the field in the upper Hungary against whom Belgiosia a valiant Captain advanced with such Forces as he in haste could muster up but such was his ill hap that joyning battle he was overthrown by the Rebels and most of his Souldiers slain after which defeat of the imperialists the City of Cassonia was surrendered to the Rebels upon notice of which Basta having gathered a considerable Army marched against Botscay to put a stop to his proceedings e'r he possessed himself of any more of the Hungarian Cities yet the people Generally favouring their causE which wore a mask of Religion and Liberty the number daily increased and notwithstanding the diligence of Basta many strong holds were put into their hands yet after a tedious march the renowned Lieutenant put to flight the forerunners of their Army and after many difficulties and the loss of several of his Souldiers came to a pitched field of which after a cruel and bloody fight he won putting Botscay and his Rebel followers to flight with great slaughter and by that means recovered many Cities and Castles that had cast off the Emperors obedience and taken part with the Rebels The Turks in Persia fared little otherwise then those in Hungary for Cicala Bassa with all his Forces were overthrown by the Persian King and the City of Babylon now called Bagdat taken of which he sent to advertize the German Emperor intreating him to joyn hands with him for abating the Turks pride which he was resolutely determined to do resolving not to give over the war till he had stripped him out of all his Cities in Asia and therefore desired the Emperor to send an Ambassador to confer with him about a lasting peace which was accordingly done nor were they all the trouble the Turkish Empire sustained for by reason of some differences between the Bassas of Damasco and Aleppo they wage mortal battle one with the other wherein the latter was overthrown and flying to his City there besieged till compelled therto by famine he yielded to what the Bassa of Damasco demanded about what time Sultan Achmats first son was born for which there was great rejoycing at Constantinople Anno 1605. The troubles in Hungary and Transylvania more and more increased the former being occasioned by the Bishops in their late assembly passing a decree that all of the reformed Religion should be burnt or banished against which wicked Decree though the Nobility of the Kingdom openly protested against yet were their Churches seized and Publick and Private worship forbidden as also the reading of the Bible to redress which grievances Basta promised redress but Botscay having made them a stirrup to help him into the saddle would hearken to no peace unless Transylvania might be delivered to him and that the Lieutenant of Hungary might be a Hungarian born and that all offices might be bestowed upon Hungarians and the Souldiers of other Nations withdraw except such as were in Garrison and those not to pass their appointed limits and lastly that Hungarian Souldiers should receive the Emperors pay and that when ever an Assembly of the Estates was held at Presburg the Emperor himself should be there in person These proposals were sent to Basta by two Hungarians but without success whereupon all manner of Hostilities were used and more spoil made in a short time then the Turks had done in many years These intestine troubles gave the Turks opportunity to possess themselves of the Cities of Vacia and Vicegrade and committed great outrages in many places and what was more to the disadvantage of the Emperor the Haducks his chief strength favouring the Rebels revolted from him which Basta perceiving and finding his Forces daily to decrease procured of the Emperor a General pardon for all offences past as well Temporal as Ecclesiastical promising upon their submission to restore them to their Liberties priviledges and Religious worship as formerly exercised and that no man should be molested by vertue of any Decree made by the Bishops c. this pardon was proclaimed with the beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet in several places upon which some of the Nobility whose Estates lay in danger to be spoiled by the Souldiers came in and submitted themselves yet the Rebels Army was no whit lessened but rather increased insomuch that the Haducks drawing themselves apart besieged Sacinar in which was an Imperial Garrison and after divers assaults took it and marching from thence indeavoured to have surprised the strong Castle of Tocay but their design was frustrated by the stout resistance of those in Garrison but that which had like to have proved worst of all to Basta was the mutiny of his own Souldiers which he hardly appeased with a great sum of mony The Haducks still roaming about as men greedy of prey lay siege to Fileck which after some loss they took and placed a strong Garrison therein upon which Ambassadors were sent to Boscay the head of the Rebels to treat with him in the Emperors name about a peace but without receiving any satisfaction they were forced to return the Rebel declaring that if they came from the Estates of Hungary he would give them Audience but if from the Emperor the Articles of peace he had proposed he expected to be confirmed without delay if the Emperor expected any and after the departure of the Ambassadors he sent forth his Letters mandatory to Assemble the Nobility at Serentium on the seventeenth of April to settle the affairs of the Kingdom many of which accordingly met but concluded on nothing material the Rebel and such as were of his faction still over-ruling them in all their consultations as well knowing the Emperors Forces for the most part had their hearts with him which caused them frequently to mutiny and reproach their Commanders under pretence of wanting their pay The Haducks now increased in number possessed themselves of Newhawsel Cibinium Dort feld and Schemnitze Thus whilst all Hungary Austria and Stira were as it were in a flame The Turks again besieged several Castles which at
out Heirs male the Principality should totally remain a member of the Roman Empire but after all was said that could be said the Ambassador was dismissed without the satisfaction he expected About the end of September Anno 1612 great troubles arose in the Kingdoms of Fess and Morocco occasioned by a quarrel between the Prince Xerif-Muley-Cidan and Xerif-Muley-Achet-Ben-Abdula his nephew when after many battles fought between them the latter was overthrown and in his flight slain having drawn the people into Rebellion against his uncle under the pretence of a Prophesie that foretold his rise and the flourishing State of Barbary under his Government which Prophecy himself not long before invented yet many imagined that he dealt by inchantment and often would he boast that no Bullet could hurt him and indeed many were the Victories he gained over Cidan even with a handful of men in comparison to the great Armies which Cidan lead against him his Allegation was that he was sent from Heaven to purge the world of wicked men About this time the Estates of the United Provinces under Prince Maurice sent Cornelius Hage their Ambassador to Constantinople with Commission to treat of the deliverance of the captive Hollanders that had bin taken by the Turkish Gallies and to require free Traffick in all the Ports of the Ottoman Empire in consideration of which to propose perpetual Amity with the Sultan in all which he succeeded so well that the Spanish King was not a little grieved thereat though himself was afterward obliged to enter into League with the Turk Transilvania altogether disquieted and weakned by civil discord the Sultan thought it a fit time to reduce that Province to his obedience and therefore raised a mighty Army and marched directly thither but whilst he was on his way Fortifying all the important places in his passage Cosmo d' Medicis the great Duke of Tuscany setting out a Fleet of Gallies spoiled the Sea Coasts in the Mediterranean and took many places from the Turks and amongst the rest the strong City of Agliman with 2 Gallies that lay in the Port putting a number of Turks to the Sword by whose example an 1613. the Gallies of Sicily set out and destroyed the Turks Gallies in the Levant making terrible spoil on the Sea-Coast landing several times on the Islands of Chios Samos and Cyprus taking rich spoils and freeing many Christian Captives to oppose whom Ten Turkish Gallies came but after a terrible engagement seven of them fell into the Christians hands and one was sunk the other two hardly escaping under the shelter of the night Achmats Army arriving in Transilvania committed many outrages but upon notice that Bethlem Gabor was acknowledged Prince under the protection of the Sultan and had sent his submission to him the Tempest fo War grew calm and the Turkish power dreadful to the German Empire returned to Constantinople at what time Sâ—gismund Battor the Warlike Prince of Transilvania who had deposed himself and was retired to Prague there to lead a private Life died but the Turks upon their arrival at Constantinople found the City almost desolate by reason the Plague raged there so that Achmat and all his followers retired themselves to Darut Bassa till the Contagion ceased and then in great pomp entered the City publishing an Edict that all the Dogs therein should be transported to Scutary in Asia formerly called Chirsopolis but the Inhabitants of that place not willing to be trouble with such Guests although provision was allowed them humbly besought the Emperor to dispose of them elsewhere so that they were to the number of Fifty Thousand put on shoar in a desolate Island where they all perished The reason why they were not killed was for that the Mufti had told Achmat it was not lawful alledging that Dogs had Souls To conclude this year 1613 the Persian King upon a suspicion that the Armenians were about to reconcile themselves to the Pope and yield obedience to the See of Rome which suspicion was grounded upon forged Letters he caused Twelve Hundred of them to be put to death and kept straightly imprisoned double that number which made the Grcassians Georgians and Armenians with other Eastern Christians send their Ambassadors to Achmat imploring Aid to protect them from the rage of the Persians to counterpoise which the Persian King sent likewise his Ambassador but the Sultan would not admit him to Audience till such time as he heard his Master had stayed the Persecution Anno 1614. divers direful Prodigies were seen in Hungary Silesia Austria and other parts of Christendom which greatly amazed most people who supposed them to be the forerunners of great calamities but nothing followed except the downfal and death of the Nassuf the grand Vizar who fell from the top of Honour into the depth of misery by offending his soon offended Master and by the Sultans Command was by Bestanges Bassa slain in his own house and that Head which during the time he stood high in the Sultans favour had Governed the whole Ottoman Empire stricken off and carried as a present to Achmat and in his stead Mechmet who had Marryed the Sultans Daughter was made chief Vizar Transylvania now rent from the German Empire the Emperour laboured to recover it and for that purpose sent several trusty Councelors to deal with the Nobility to cast off the Turkish yoke and to return to their former obedience of which the Turkish Sultan getting notice sent to the Emperor to admonish him to keep inviolate the peace concluded between them and not to meddle in the affairs of Transylvania though at the same time by his Hostilities in Hungary he had manisestly broke it to which the Emperor replyed he was on his part resolved to keep the peace inviolate though the Sultan had already broken the Articles of the League but as to his tamely parting with his Province of Transylvania confirmed to him by the same League he would resolve nothing therein till he had consulted Princes of the Empire with which answer the Chiaus returning to Constantinople The Emperor Assembling the Estates laid before them the just Grievances of his Subjects and the indignities offered to himself with the manifest breach of the League on the part of the Turks in not only assisting his Rebels but with great Companies of themselves making great spoil in his Hereditary Countries To which the Estates answered that with all their power they would maintain the Dignity of the Emperor and defend the Empire of which resolve Achmat was no sooner advertized but the better to encourage Bethlem Gabor to invade the Emperors Frontiers he sent him a strong power under the command of Sander Bassa with which he besieged Lippa and had it delivered to him as he had also had several other places of less importance which places were put into the possession of the Turks but to remain part of the Transylvanian Principality Affairs standing thus in Transylvania Moldavia was at
he would not make a League with the Bohemians tell he was assured of the Grand Signeours assistance in case his affairs required in whereupon he sent his Ambassador to Constantinople who so dealt with the great Bassa's of the Court that by their advice Osman swore to protect him and because the Oath for the strange wording of it will not be amiss to be recited I shall here insert it verbatim Sultan Osman BY the Grace of God unconquerable Turkish Emperour Swears by the highest Almighties and Almighty Gods Holiness by his Kingdom by the substance of the Heavens the Sun the Moon and the Stars by the Earth and all under the Earth by the Brains and all the hairy scalp of my Mother by my Head and all the strength of my Soul and Body by the Holy and great Mahomer and by my Circumcision That I thee my Brother and Son Bechlem Gabor succeeding King of Hangaria in no manner of way in thy great and weighty affairs will leave though it be to the overthrow of my Kingdom to be brought to nothing until there shall be no more left but my self or four or five Turks at the most yet will I be still obliged to desend thee and all those that do any ways appertain unto thee and if thou shalt have need of me I shall be always ready to go with thee and in case this my promise shall in any wise be frustrated then let Gods Justice fall upon my Head and destroy me and my posterity and wipe away whatsoever belongeth unto me and gather it together into a Rock of stone or substance of Earth and that the Earth may cleave insunder and swallow me Body and Soul Dated at Constantinople the 5th of Jan. 1619. The Transilvanian by this Oath assured of the Grand Signeours favour sent his Ambassadors to Prague where meeting with the Commissioners sent thither for that purpose by the States of Bobemia a perpetual League was concluded and in June following the Prince assembled the Estates of Hungary at Newhausell where he proposed to them the necessity of raising an Army to defend the Provinces against the Forces of the Imperialists who by their great preparations made it visible that they would no peace till they had destroyed all the Protestants to this motion the Estates consented when at the same time came their Ambassadors from the Grand Signeour the Venetians and Polonians all which made in the names of the respective principals a League with Gabor which so much pleased the Estates of Hungary willing to shake off the Imperial yoke that by the advice of their Palatine the Transilvanian was proclaimed King of Hungary upon which raising an Army of Fifty Thousand Horse and Foot he subdued almost all Austria Carinthia and Stiria before the Emperours Forces could take the Field in any fit number to make head against him at what time such a fear was brought upon the great City of Vienna that with the Emperours consent the Protestants remaining therein sent their Deputies humbly to beseech him that he would spare the City and Countrey for theirs their Wives and Childrens sakes About this time a strange apparition was seen in the Air over Medina Taluabi in Arabia where Mabomet the Impostor lyes buryed which terrified all the Countrey thereabouts and was as followeth about the 20th of September at midnight there happened a terrible Tempest accompanied with such prodigious Thunder and Lightning that many thinking the dissolution of all things was at handâ— leaped out of their Beds to gaze on the Element at first seeming all on Fire and then covered with thick darkness after which all was serene and calm when in Arabian Characters these words appeared in the Firmament viz. O why will you believe in lies and soon after a Woman beautiful to behold arrayed in white and incompassed with rayes of Light appeared holding in her hand a book coming from the North and opposite against her were seen Armies of Turks Persians and other Mahometans being so conjectured by their garbs ranged in Battalia ready to charge her but she keeping her standing no sooner opened the book but they all fled upon which a suddain murmur as of a Whirlwind troubled the Air and immediately the lamps that were placed about Mahomets Tomb went out and in this manner the Prodigy appeared for several nights together whereupon a Dervice or Religious Turk undertaking to expound the meaning of that unusual sight and declaring that it foreshewed the overthrow of the Mahometan superstition he was therefore miserably put to death calling to the last upon the Woman with the Book to save him and he had no sooner given up the ghost but a fearful Tempest insued Anno 1620 Gasparo the expulsed Vayvod of Moldavia assisted by the Polish Cossacks and such other Troops as he could raise invaded Moldavia in which the Suitan had placed another Vayvod and in revenge of a design the Turks had to strangle him during his Vayvodship made great spoil putting all the Turks he found to the Sword and reducing great part of that Province to his obedience which caused the Sultan to raise a great power drawing all his choice Forces out of both the Asia's to the number of Two hundred thousand and caused a great Fleet of Gallies to put to Sea which spoiled the Coast of Sicilia and Landing Five Thousand Turks in the Kingdom of Naples surprized the strong Town of Manfredonia carry 1500 Christians into miserable Captivity and then joyning with the Pirates of Argier they made a descent upon the Island of Janisa near Majorca possessed by the Spaniards which Island they took making great spoil putting to the Sword and carrying into Captivity all the Inhabitants The Turks thus successful at Sea made them the less doubt their success by Land therefore having found an occasion of quarrel with the Polonian King for that the Cossacks in revenge of the injury they sustained by the Tartars had manned out many small vessels and spoiled the Turks Sea-Coast Towns upon the Bosphorus giving an overthrow to their Gallies and brought away great spoiles Osman in person at the head of 300000 men passing through Moldavia which he again reduced to the obedience of the new Vayvod he entered Podalia Anno Dom. 1621. where he found the great Chancelour of Poland and the Prince Son to the Polonian King strongly intrenched with an Army of 50000 resolute Souldiers and because he could not draw them out of their strengths he with his multitude inclosed their Camp So that by the frequent attacks and sallies that were made a great number were slain on both side but especially of the Turks during which the Tartarian Prince then assisting Osman with 30000 light Horsemon marched into the heart of Poland burning and destroying all before him in a most terrible manner and upon his return to the Camp besides other spoils brought with him 25000 Prisoners of the poor Countrey people which his ravenous crue had scraped together but
after two months besieging the Polish Camp want growing great in the Sultans Army and by reason of the advancement of the Season such terrible Rains fell that Tents Horses Men and Carriages were frequently carryed away by the impetuosity of the Torrents thereby occasioned The Turks desirous to depart sent to the Chancelor to treat of Peace which at the earnest instance of Radulae Prince of Valachia was hearkened to and soon after accorded the principal points being these First That the Emperour should raise his Army and retire from the Confines of Poland and that the Tartars the occasion of this War should send an Emirze that is one of their Princes to reside as a pledge to secure them from insuing incursions The Chancelor in the Name of his Master promising to send another Pledge to reside in the Court of Tartary with condition to pay yearly Forty Thousand Florins as a donative from the King of Poland promising moreover for the better maintainance of the Peace to maintain a Resident in the Ottoman Court and by every such Ambassador to send a rich Present and as the Grand Signours Ambassador that was to reside in the Court of Poland should undertake to secure the incursions of the Tartars so the Polish Ambassador should undertake the same for the Cossacks and that the Merchants of Poland should have free Trade with the Subjects of the Grand Signeour making their usual Presents and this Peace not to be binding till such time as the Achiaus should arrive in the Polish Court with the overtures and in the mean time a Parliament to be assembled for the Ratification of these Articles Affairs being brought to this pass Osman raised his Camp and returned to Adrinople having lost in this Expedition eighty thousand of his men and of the Poles by reason of the unseasonableness of the weather and their often skirmishes no less then twenty thousand perished Now upon notice of the Turks approach at the request of the Polonian King the Emperor of Germany had sent to his assistance eight thousand high Dutch Souldiers upon notice of which Osman in a great rage proclaimed war against the Emperor charging him with the manifest breach of the League between them though himself had been the first aggressor by aiding the Transilvanian but the King of Poland understanding that what had happened was upon his account and that Osman kept his Army on foot about Adrinople intending to invade the Emperors Countrey early in the spring for that purpose having caused twenty thousand Tartars to stay upon the frontiers he called the Turkish Chiaus before him and declared that unless the Grand Seigneour his master changed his purpose he could not conclude with him any peace for as much as he was bound to assist the Emperor his confederate if his Countries were invaded which resolve of the Kings being made known to Osman by his Chiaus he called a Council of his Bassa's wherein it was concluded that he should leave Adrinople and instantly set forward for Constantinople which was accordingly put in execution and the Tartars on the Frontiers dismissed so that the war intended against the Emperor being laid aside news came that the Emir of Syria was risen in Rebellion and had possessed himself of the City and Castle of Tripolis whereupon 60 thousand Chequins were delivered out of the Treasury to repair the Grand Seigniors Pavillions and Carriages himself with a powerfull Army intending to make an Expedition against the Rebel though contrary to the advice of most of his Bassa's and the Mufti who alledged that it was altogether needless for his Majesty to expose himself to the ill conveniencies of such a war as by the meanest of his Bassa's might be expiated it being certain that the Emir would not stand his Forces but upon their approach fly into some part of Christendom and therefore if he set out his fleet of Gallies he would either by Sea or Land fall into his hands nor was it safe to leave Greece to the attempts of the Christians who in his absence might spoil it at their pleasure these and such like reasons caused him to decline going in person yet he sent forth his Fleet and Army after the best manner sending for Aid to Argire and Tunis to awe the Spaniards likewise who had sixty Galleys and six Gallions at Messina prepared as was then conjectured to revenge the taking of Manfredo and the spoil the Turks had made upon the Coasts of Italy the year before another Fleet of lesser consequence he ordered to keep the black sea there to hinder the Cossacks from spoiling his Sea-Towns after which contrary to the Advice of his Council he marryed the Grandchild of a Sultan a wife to Pertan Bassa only for her beauty being indeed the Paragon of her sex which wedding was performed without any solemnity and truly this marriage was greatly disliked for that his Ancestors for many years past had not marryed at all in respect of kindred nor taken any women to their Concubines of the Turkish race in respect of kindred and that which rendred this young Prince more contemptible was his walking up and down the City in disguise with a Page or two at the most and prying into Taverns and other places like a petty Officer Things being at this pass news came from the Bassa of Buda that Bethlehem Gabor had concluded a peace with the Roman Emperor which greatly displeased the Sultan and his Council especially for that the peace between himself and the Polack was not yet ratified but the Polish Ambassador daily expected in order thereto when in the midst of his perturbations Sir Thomas Row Ambassador from his Majesty of Great Brittain arrived at the Port and had his Audience delivering his Majesties Letter wherein he demanded redress of the injuries his subjects had sustained by the Pirates of Algire and Tunes then in subjection to the Sultan as likewise the delivery of several of the Polish Nobility and one Scotch Gentleman which had been taken prisoners in the late expedition into Poland and amongst them the Prince Coreskie who had formerly made his escape out of the black Tower with several other things that might create a good understanding and a continuation of the League between them some of which were granted and the other denyed as the Grand Vizier to whom the management of that affair was committed thought fit little to the satisfaction of his Majesties Ambassador but soon after the Grand Siegneor sent his Letter to his Majesty containing a satisfactory reply to all that was demanded except the release of the Polish prisoners Anno 1622 The Grand Seigneur not hearing of the Duke Sbaraskie chosen Extraordinary Ambassador for the King of Poland to consummate the Peace he gave it out that he would go to Mecha and from thence to Medina in Arabia to visit Mahomets Tomb contrary to the Council of Visiers who knew not the design and even to the hazzard of a General Revolt
for they were jealous that under colour of that Voyage he had some other project and that the Polish Duke arriving in his absence would not follow him at a venture nor treat with his deputies left at the Port. So that thereby all hopes of Peace would vanish which did not a little trouble the Turks whose Trade was greatly impaired by the roving Cossacks which the Emperor understanding and resolving not to delay his journey or indeed his design to cut off the whole order of the Janizaries for the insolencies frequently offered him by those Masterful slaves he sent to hasten Sbaraskie upon whose arrival a peace was concluded though much to the prejudice of his Territories in Hungaria and now that obstacle being removed he sent his Carriages over into Asia with all his Treasure not sparing the Plate and Ornaments of his Pallace which made the Janizaries mistrust some design more then ordinary whereupon they resolved to stop his proceedings and therefore the day before he intended to depart they with great clamour run to the Seraglio though unarmed and demanded Delavir the Vizier Bassa Hoja the Emperors confessor the Caslariago Governour of the women the Deflardar or Treasurer the Cadelescher or chief Judg with some other prime officers whom they said had Counselled their Emperor to undertake this dangerous Voyage for which they resolved to punish them with death charging the Emperor strictly that he should neither go to Mecca nor pass over into Asia To calm this Tempest the Emperor came forth in person and used many arguments to perswade them to their duty and Allegiance promising he should lay aside his purpose but now nothing would serve these miscreants but they must have the aforesaid Officers delivered to them To which the Emperor replyed that his honour would greatly suffer if he should permit his friends to be torn from him but if they had offended in ought and it was proved against them in the Divano whether they should be brought to answer any accusation that should be objected against them they should be punished by Law but this did not pacifie them for they clamoured yet louder saying they knew them guilty and that should be sufficient whereupon they run to the house of the Hoja and not finding him there plundered it and from thence passing to the Grand Viziers house they thought to have done the like there but finding it fortifyed they set Guards in several parts of the City all night and the next morning came before the Pallace with their Arms making their demands as before whereupon the Hosa Cadeleschar and Tefterdar fled and were not for a time found as likewise did the Grand Vizier with the consent of the Emperor who promised himself to weather this storm though in the end he proved too weak yet was the Vizier brought back by a Hermit a reputed Saint after he was got into Asia who trusting to his innocence resolved to face the Tempest but the rude multitude without respect to his Reverend Age and great Merits having gotten him into their power cut him to pieces in the sight of the Emperor which he perceiving would though too late have fled over into Asia for now all means were cut off for the Janizaries had stopped the Port and in a great rage demanded Mustapha the Emperors uncle who was kept a prisoner in the Seraglio and the first day of the Tumult by the Emperors command put into a secret vault with two Negro women where after much search and the racking of several servants to make them discover him he was found and born in Triumph through the streets to the old Seraglio having not yet been able to lay hands on Osman by reason he kept himself within his strengths but hearing they intended to proclaim his uncle Emperor he at the perswasion of the Mufti putting himself in mourning went with a few of his followers and amongst them the Aga of the Janizaries to the old Seraglio and presented himself to the inraged Souldiers with tears beseeching them to return to their former obedience and Loyalty offering to make them any satisfaction repenting him of his error and finally invoked them by the merits of his Father and all his Aneestors to have some pitty upon him their true master This submission a little calmed their fierce natures so that they began to relent and had again acknowledged their Lord had not the Aga supposing to Curry favour with the Emperor sharply reproved them of ingratitude and disloyalty which again raised the not extinguished fire into such a flame that it was no more to be subdued but first having slain the Aga and Huzein Bassa with several of the Emperors followers of lesser note they seized on his person and carryed him before Mustapha demanding sentence against him when as the forsaken Prince pleading for his life and the new Emperor not knowing how to condemn only nodding in token that they might do what they pleased They after a consult amongst themselves determined only to imprison him whereupon they set him on horse-back an insolent Spahy changing Turbants with him and carryed him to the seven Towers denying by the way a draught of water and then returning placed Mustapha in the Throne proclaiming him Emperor and went to Sack the Houses of those they had murthered Mustapha having once again mounted the Throne and of a miserable Captive made the second time Emperor was perswaded by Darut Bassa a villaine raised to that dignity by the new Emperor that if Osman lived he would sit uneasie in his throne and that the Janizaries cooling on the matter would again advance him the rightful Heir of the Ottoman Empire whereupon it was concluded he should be made away the charge of which was committed to this wicked Counsellor who knowing his dignity would expire with Mustaphas strangled young Osman in prison after he had reigned three years and some odd dayes not exceeding sixteen years of Age and so an end was put to the design he had to subdue the German Empire and afterwards all Europe with such success he flattered himself little remembring that when man proposes God disposes One thing is worthy of note a little before this Tumult happened Osman dreamed that he rid a Camel and being mounted he could not force him to go by fair means nor stripes and that then descending in a rage to revenge it with his sword the body of the beast vanished leaving in his hand only the head and bridle at which dream being exceedingly troubled he the next day sends for one of his Wizards to interpret it but he refused perswading him to apply himself to the Mufty which he did and had this Interpretation viz. That the Camel signified his Empire his Riding his abuse in Government his descension or alighting his deposing the vanishing of the body of the Beast the revolt of his Subjects the head and bridle remaining in his hand only a bare Title and that he should shortly
covetous Souldiers whom Mustapha had continually supplyed with the Imperial Treasure to support his bad Title to the Turkish Diadem that Money was wanting to supply necessary occasions Insomuch that the Janizaries were obliged to remit the Largess usually bestowed upon with an Augmentation of their pay at the Coronation of every Emperour and that money which was found was for the most part adulterated insomuch that the Visier sent to the Ambassadors of the Christian Princes residing there to borrow Thirty Thousand Dollars and narrow search was made after the Treasure that had been conveyed away by the Bassa's that bore sway during the distraction in which search Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars were found that had been imbezled by the Visier Darut During these Transactions Abassa Bassa had possessed himself of all most all Asia whereupon it was thought necessary by fair means to perswade him to lay down his Arms and the rather to induce him so to do the Emperour sent unto the Capigi Bassa with a Vest Sword and Letters of Credence giving him thanks for the love he had shewed to his Brother and his Blood but now the revenge belonged to himself of which he would take care and therefore desired him if he were a true subject as he professed himself to be to return to his Government of Arzirum after having dissolved his Army and there to rest till further occasion required his service Upon this order from the Emperor he excused himself that the far advancement of the season would not permit him to retire but promised to live in peace until the spring and then to return in obedience to his Government Nor was this all for the Bassa or Emir of Sidon was up in Arms and with an Army of Thirty Thousand men had seized the strong City and Castle of Damascus and was supposed to hold confederacy with the Christian Princes being himself no favourer of the Mahometan superstition and besides he was a Prince by descent and claimed a right to those Countries as the antient inheritance of his Predecessors nor was the Emperor in a condition to repress him by force therefore intreaties were used as to the former with many large promises nor was the Transilvanian Prince quiet though in a different nature for contrary to his League with the Emperor in a hostile manner he entered Hungary and possessed himself of several Towns To oppose whom the Imperialists raised a considerable Army and incamped in the way he was to pass yet was his coming so suddain that he cut off seven hundred straglers of the Imperialists and had surprized the Camp had not the alarum been given by some that fled yet with his whole Army he so pressed them that they were forced to betake themselves to a small Town Ghoding upon the River of Moran where they Fortified under a Castle that defended it but in the end oppressed with cold and hunger they sent to the Prince to make truce which with the consent of Sultan Morat was accorded on these considerations First That the Emperour should disclaim all right to Hungary and should leave the people free under the Government of the Prince of Transilvania Secondly That the Prince and all the Provinces that had sent their Ambassadors to the Port and had made league with him and had taken the Imperial protection should be restored to their antient Liberty and Estates Thirdly That the Emperor should pay an annual Tribute of forty thousand Dollars pretended to be granted in the dayes of Solyman for Austria and that the Prince and the Bassa of Buda should have full power if they found it convenient at any time to conclude a Peace on the part of the Ottoman Emperor and that all Cities Towns and Castles should remain in the hands of those that possessed them a free intercourse of Trade being allowed between the Subjects of the one and the other Empire This done the Prince of Transilvania made shew as if he would redeem all the poor Captives taken by the Turks at his own charge with some small assistance from the Imperialists upon whom he layed the fault that it was not done for as much as they failing to send their Commissioners to treat about the matter the Turks in the night time decamped and carried away with them contrary to his pleasure twenty thousand Christians into miserable Captivity He likewise warned the Turks to keep in order and not to straggle in their retreat nor to commit any insolency or spoil for that the Country was all in Armes and already inraged but they not following his Council two thousand Hungarian Horse fell upon their Rear and cut off six hundred of them whereupon they turned head and destroyed many Villages killing and taking Prisoners all that came to hand and amongst the rest one of the Hungarian Lords By this time the Persian desirous to dismember the Ottoman Empire with a powerful Army entred the Turkish Dominions in the Province of Babylon and greatly Alarumed that City whereupon a war was proclaimed against him at the Port and all Souldiers in the Emperors pay commanded to repair to the rendezvous upon pain of Confiscation and their wives and children being sold for slaves it was likewise propounded that a reconciliation should be made between the Emperor and Abassa Bassa at any rate least he should joyne with the Persian and that being so gained he might be imployed as General of Turkish Army but the Janizaries would not hear of the advancement of their mortal enemy but rather â—esired to be led against him and fight it out to the utmost but the Spahi were of another mind as rather inclinable to the Bassa yet the Janizaries displaced their Aga for disswading them therefrom and set up in his stead a page of the Court. Thus whilst it was unresolved how to proceed the Persian King omitted no opportunity but Conquered the Province and City of Babylon put to flight Hafis Bassa General of that defensive war and took prisoner Chur Hassen Bassa a renowned old Souldier and cutting in pieces all that opposed him found means to seize upon Mosul antiently called Ninivie and Laska on the Persian Sea and dividing his Army sent part towards Van and Diarbeck and the other towards Mecha incompassing by that means all that part of the Turks Dominions About this time his Majesty of Great Brittain by his Ambassador residing at Constantinople complained of the injuries his Subjects Trading in those Seas had sustained by the Pirates of Argier and Tunis who in two years space had taken about one hundred English Vessels most of them richly laden wherefore the Ambassador demanded that they might be punished for violating the League and be forced to restore such Vessels with their lading as were found not to be imbezled or that they might be left to his Majesty to punish without any offence to the Grand Seigneour but many of the Bassas being interested in those Piracies nothing more could be procured then a
made the Grand Signeour in person intending to take the Field But ere the Army could be raised and all things gotten in a readiness the Persians were far advanced and taken many places of importance and amongst the rest Reivan a strong place Garrisoned by the Turks taken from the Persians the year before putting all they found therein to the Sword and Ransom The report of these losses arriving ere the Grand Signeour had put himself in a readiness to accompany his Army he layed aside his purpose of going in person and full of discontents remained at home to consult his own safety which was now threatned with such a storm that to shun it was not imagined a possibility in humane Providence for the Souldiers that were abroad began to express their discontents refusing to receive their pay or to be commanded by the Grand Visier for the Turks War with the Persians unwillingly there being no other cause for their invading each other then the emulation of greatness which has successively fired the Lords of those two mighty Empires Besides the Turks seldom meet in Persia with any plentiful spoils so that they are neither incited by their own freeness nor allured by the hopes of any large reward But on the contrary to the Wars of Hungary and Poland they hast as to some delightful spectacle induced thereto by a superstitious zeal as making religion a ground for their attempts and an assurance of large spoiles where the Countries abound in all manner of Plenty This danger of the Souldiers mutiny abroad reached not presently the ears of the Grand Signeour to terrifie him with the apprehensions of a double storm for he had enough to do with the Janizaries who now began to suspect another design on foot for the extirpation of their order which made them cast off all obedience and set the great City of Constantinople in an uproar which obliged the Citizens every where to provide for their safeties for the unruly Souldiers having gotten the knack of making and unmaking Emperors at their pleasure were grown to that height of insolency that they supposed the center of Government to rest in themselves and each individual man of them thought himself superior to any Officer in the Empire insomuch that they accounted the Grand Signeour but as their Steward intrusted by them with the Government and that his Life and safety wholly depended on their pleasure which he well perceiving knew no better means to render them tractable then by distributing large sums of money amongst them which nevertheless at this time much availed not for being bent on mischief they plundered the houses of several Merchants and rich Burghers killing and wounding such as resisted them and in a fury ran to the Palace demanding such Favourites as they named which being denyed they presently fell into a consultation about deposing their Emperour Nay so far proceeded that many perswaded to take away his Life as they had done his Brother Osmans but so divided were they in their Councils that they could come to no result at that time but soon after assembling it was proposed that if the Grand Signeour would make amends by some acknowledgment of his ill intents toward them and confirm their Order and Priviledges his Government he being one that was not insensible of their power might prove advantagious to them but that if his disposition rested yet undiscovered it might render the course of their Lives obnoxious to incertainties for the Grand Signeour in the beginning of his Reign not exceeding fifteen years of age expressed a natural inclination to action which wits his years increased and this had settled some good opinion of him in the unruly Souldiers whose desire is War that by plunder they may inrich themselves Though of late many of the Janizaries contrary to their first institution and the long continued course that former Emperors had obliged them to had married Wives settled themselves to Merchandize and were become both rich and effeminate In these and the like mischievous consultations many dayes were wasted nor could the Janizaries wanting their usual Confederates the Spahi who were then under the leading of the Grand Visier at Arzirum effect their purpose as they were wont which made them more cautious in their proceedings and to keep together in one strong and intire body as fearing to be destroyed by a general Massacre if they separated such a rumour whether spread by themselves to countenance them in their unlawful purposes or really intended being spread about the City and that in the room of them a new Militia should be established less chargeable and more tractable after the same method as Delavire Bassa had formerly purposed and that many were for that purpose inrolled on the Frontires especially European Horsemen that were continually in action to prevent the incursions of the Cossacks and free Heyducks who living mostly upon spoil greatly endammaged the Turks but in the end a right understanding being created between the Emperour and the Janizaries by the mediation of the great Officers of the Court a Reconciliation was made though not without a wonderful mass of money distributed amongst the latter who frequently mutiny for no other purpose then by such means to inrich themselves well knowing that the Grand Signeour has no other way to appease them then by distributing large summs of mony amongst them nor were the Soldiers abroad satisfied till they had sacrificed to their revenge the chief Treasurer of the Army the two Aga's of the Spahi's and the Chiaus Bassa of the Janizaries nor till a new Visier was sent to discharge the Old one and to lead them to the Persian War During these troubles an Ambassador from the King of Persia arrived at Constantinople with many Rich presents which caused him to have the speedier Audience and promise of an honourable Peace bur whilst the Treaty held the Cossacks driven out of Poland by King Uladislaus had siezed upon Asac a strong City of the Grand Signeours scituate upon the mouth of the River Tanais upon the declining of a Hill which they pillaged and afterward Fortified keeping possession thereof for the space of four years at what time the Turk again recovered it as also great troubles arose in Tartary upon the Tartar Hans putting to death the Bassa Musti and Cadi of Caffa for reproving him of Cowardâ—â—â— for thereupon the Grand Signeour secretly maintained Cautimeri and his faction against him who with Fire and Sword wasted his Countrey and at length passing the Niester siezed on the Countrey of Budziack near to Beliegrode and Kilea bordering on the Countrey of Moldavia on which he likewise incroached drawing a World of People after him which raised a jealousie in Vladislaus the Polonian King who doubting they would prove troublesom neighbours resolved to expell them by force of Armes but whilst he delayed the Tartar Han executed his purpose for setting upon Cautimeri with a great Army overthrew him and followed the
Age the Government was committed into the hands of the Grand Visier and the Queen Mother called by the Turks Riosem and of 12 Bassa's who were to manage all affaires with supream power during the Minority of Sultan Mahomet whose Reign I shall pursue in the following chapter CHAP. XXII The Reign of Mehmet or Mahomet the fourth of that Name and Thirteenth Emperor of the Turks who now Reigneth IBrahim deposed and murthered as in the foregoing Chapter is related Mehmet or rather Mahomet his Eldest Son of the Age of seven years supplyed the empty Throne during whose minority which was to continue ten years longer His Grand Mother the Grand Visier and twelve Bassa's took into their hands the Reins of Government and after many debates resolved to continue the War with the Venetians which Ibrahim designed to conclude the treaty of Peace in order thereto being far advanced and the Ambassador of that Signiory then at the Port impatiently expecting an end of his negotiation but whilst these affairs were in hand the unruly Spahi's not having received the Largess usually bestowed amongst them at the Installment of a new Emperour making it their pretence the better to colour their discontents that they were resolved to revenge the death of the murdered Emperour whose fall the Janizaries had occasioned insomuch that a great difference arose between those two orders the former being the best Horsemen and the latter the best Footmen and although many laboured to appease that Tempest which threatned the dismembering the Empire Yet many skirmishes happened between these contrary Factions in the streets of Constantinople in which some hundreds were slain but the Spahies being for the most part worsted at length abandoned the City These animosities and divisions amongst the Turkish Souldiers gave the Venetians opportunity to provide for their defence as expecting nothing less then a War for that their Ambassador had been clapped up on Prison for demanding Audience and chains put upon him but at the intreaty of the other Christian Ambassadors there residing he was set at Liberty Yet to affront him the Grand Visier caused his Dugerman or Interpreter to be executed and his body thrown out at the Castle Window which barbarous act is frequent amongst the Turks either to put a disgrace upon the Ambassador or to terrifie those Interpreters that they shall not dare to speak any thing after an Ambassador though upon his Audience that should be ungrateful to the Grand Signeour which causes them many times to mince their words and not render a true interpretation These matters widening differences between the Venetians and the Turks great preparations were made on either side the former with all diligence reinforcing Candia and the latter to hinder it so that many skirmished happened by Land and Sea till at length the Bassa Governour notwithstanding the Venetian Fleet blocked up the Dardaneles having received a recruit of 1500 men laid siege to the strong City Candia and battered it with many pieces of Ordinance till at length having taken a small Fort that flanked it he lodged his men therein just as 6 Gallies of Malta arrived with 600 Voluntiers and 60 Knights of the Order who beat out the Turks with great slaughter yet they retook it again and planted the Ottoman colours upon the highest Bullwark which so inraged the Christians that sallying with all their force they drove the Turks from the Walls with great slaughter regained the piece and caused the Bassa with shame and loss to raise the siege The Wars growing hot in Candia the discontents between the Spahi and Janizaries that was before supposed to be appeased grew hot again and much slaughter happened between those inveterate factions when to pacifie the latter the great Visier was deposed and executed Yet that little availed nor was that all for several of the Bassa's denyed to return the Tribute of their Provinces alledging they would reserve it till the Grand Signeour was of age and then be to him accountable both for principal and interest nor were the Wars in Bosna Dalmatia Foscolo and other places on the Venetian Frontires neglected but continued with doubtful success and great slaughter yet part of the Ottoman Forces on that side were diverted by the Cossacks who at the instigation of the Tartar Han covered the Black Sea with their Boats and committed many outrages insomuch that Constantinople trembled at their approach as fearing a sack by the hands of those resolute people but in the end having gotten a rich booty they returned to their station The Venetians finding the Turks resolute bent to make themselves absolute Lords of Candia in which Island they had got strong footing laboured as earnestly to expell them so that huge Fleets on either side were prepared that of the Turks consisting of 1100 Ships Gallies Galleasses Saiques Brigantines and lesser Vessels furnished with Bombes Mortar-pieces and Fireworks producing strange effects and in that order set forward from the Port of Constantinople with a strict command to give Battle of which Mocenigo the Venetian Admiral having notice with the same willingness bore up with them so that there began a bloody and for a long time doubtful Fight but the Venetians being better appointed than the Turks broke and disordered their huge Armado sinking and taking several Galleys and putting the rest to flight killing in one of them flying the Bassa of Anatolia who was sent to succede Chusadin Bassa who had been made Grand Visier in the General Ship of Candia yet the Turks having put into the Islands and conceiving it a shame for so great a Fleet to fly from one much inferiour in number resolved to hazard another Battle and therefore coming out of the several Harbours and ranging in the form of a Crescent the Captain Bassa fired two Guns a Stern in token he was ready to Ingage which Mocenigo perceiving bore up with him and began a second fight more dreadful than the former playing with his Canon so furiously that he broke off her Poop and killed 100 so her Men sinking two Galleys by her side and greatly disablihng several others nor were the Turks idle but used their utmost endeavour to blot out the disgrace they had sustained by their late flight but it availed not for by the Thundering shot and Fire-works the Venetians plyed them with they were evey where put to the worst so that flying in all parts the Venetian General following the advantage took 39 Galleys 23 Ships 3 Galliasses and 3000 Soldiers 40 Gallies Ships and other Vessels were burnt or sunk and in them and by the great and small shot 9000 Turks perished in both Ingagements the rest hardly escaping to Naxos This great loss made the Turks out of heart with marine Affairs and so far discouraged them that ever since they have layd aside building Vessels of Force as useless say that God hath given the Sea to Christians and the Land to Turks About this time came news to Constantinople that the
Christian Ministers residing at the Port and salve up the wounds his honour received by the disgrace The Emperor of Germany resolving on a War with the Turks after great preparation was obstructed and obliged to come to a dishonourable treaty by reason of an accident that happened at Rome occasioning a wide breach between the Pope and the French King to the indangering of Christendom which was thus the French Ambassadors Coach passing the streets of Rome was assaulted by the Corsi Natives of the Island of Corsica which are retained as the Popes guard the page killed in the boot and the Ambassadors Lady wounded but upon what instigation remains doubtful yet the King took it so heinously that he resolved to War upon the Popes Territories in Italy which discord did not a little rejoyce the Turks who imputed it the merit of â—â—eir Prayers as indeed they do all other divisions amongst the Christians The Treaty of Peace by reason of the divisions aforesaid having continued between the two Empires without coming to any result about the beginning of the year 1663 great forces were levyed on either side and all hopes of peace vanished insomuch that the Turks squaring out the platform of the War on their part resolved to recover the places they sometimes held in Hungary but more especially Rab and Komora and thereupon with a great Army passed the Danube over a Bridg of Boats upon whom the Governour of Newheusel sallied with eight thousand men though contrary to the advice of his Council with which in the night he entered their Camp and made a great slaughter but the gross of the Army having passed the River and taken the alarum Cressent-wise closing the horns at the back of the Christians made of them a miserable slaughter who notwithstanding sold their lives at a dear rate falling upon heaps of the Enemy till at last tired with slaughter those that remained alive yielded themselves Prisoners and were notwithstanding contrary to the Law of Arms by the Visiers command barbarously murthered In this disaster the Governour hardly escaped and in his return was but coldly received for that he by his rashness had exposed the lives of so many brave Soldiers to the cruel Swords of their barbarous Enemies but this cruelty was soon after revenged upon the Turks in like manner by Count Serini This fatal loss sounded harsh in the Emperours ears and obliged Forcatz Governour of Newheusel to send to Monticuculi Governour of Rab to advise him of his evil success and that if a re-inforcement was not speedily sent the place must of necessity fall into the hands of the Enemy whereupon one thousand select Souldiers were drawn out of Rab and sent thither but scarcely were they entered before the Turk set down before it and summoned the Governour to surrender but upon his refusing on the 14th of August they prepared for a General storm In order to which about break of day Faggots and Rubbish were brought to fill up the ditch and scaling Ladders to ascend the Walls but although they were many in number and the assault made with all imaginable vigor yet they were received by the defendants with that courage and gallantry that the Trenches were filled with their Carkasses and at length obliged to retreat with the loss of six thousand of their men The siege still continuing the Turks angry and inflamed with the disgrace of their late foil endeavoured to redeem their honour by a second attempt filling up the Ditches as before and furiously attacked the outworks but was so miserably rent with the Flankers that they were forced to fall of with more loss and confusion then before which so incensed the Visier that drawing and part of his Army to which he joyned some Companies of Tartars he sent them over the River Waag to Forage the Countries of Austria and Moravia which they did after having defeated the German foâ—… that few in number were appointed to guard the frontires in such a manner as the like desolation had never happened in those parts running even to the Walls of Vienna with Fire and Sword which put that City into a great consternation and caused the Emperour to remove to Lintz yet for all this imminent danger the Diet brought nothing to perfection in order to the inabling the Emperour to raise more Forces but rather spent the time in cavilling at little niceties during which Newheusel upon their Magazine of Powder accidentally taking Fire surrendred upon Articles honourable to the besieged The Turks heightened with their success layed siege to Levents which after many threats and fair promises was put into their possession by the Inhabitants which so overjoyed the Turks that feasted they for several dayes and then marched to Schinta the Magazine of the Emperours Arms and Artillery which they assaulted but with great loss were beaten off and forced to raise their siege yet passing on they took Novigrode a strong Castle scituate upon a Rock and Garrisoned with six hundred Souldiers provided with all necessaries that might have incouraged them to a resolute defence and not upon such easie terms have surrendered a place of such strength Winter approaching the Grand Visier with part of his Army marched back to Belgrade there to qâ—arter till the Spring ordering a flying Army of 〈◊〉 thousand Turks and Tartars under the leading of the Bassa of Temeswar to pass into Stira and Crotia the Countries of Count Serini who was about that time returned out of Hungary and there to sill all places with desolation of which the heroick Count having notice resolved they should not want a welcome and therefore raising such Forces which were not above six hundred and with this handful betook himself to the banks of the River Muer to give a stop if possible to the passage of the Enemy placing Centinels in all places where the River was fordable yet two thousand Turks passed undiscerned upon whom he set with such undaunted courage that he soon put them to flight who in seeking to repass the River and missing the place they passed at and pressed by the Count they threw themselves headlong into the depths and there mostly perished which the Turks on the further bank perceiving were so amazed at the stupendious valour of Serini that their courage failing them they desisted from any further attempt upon his Countries Yet the Count not satisfied raised against the Spring viz. 1664. a considerable power and marched into the Turks Territories destroying all before him taking many important places and burning a bridge made over the Fenns six or seven miles in length which cost the Turks six hundred thousand Dollars in building and six years labour he likewise took Quinque Ecclesiae and following the course of his victory taking in many small Towns and Castles in his way he came before Sigeth a Fortress of the Turks consisting of the new and old Town joyned by a bridge cross a famous marsh and fell into the hands of the
that purpose stored his Army with all necessary Provision and Ammunition sent up the Danubius in boats from Vienna but during these preparations the Turks had so strongly lodged themselves upon the Counterscarp to the number of 25000 that he thought it not convenient to attack them in their strength but having made a detachment of 13 men commanding them to pass the Danubius and invest Newhausel a strong place about a Leagues from Komora whilst the rest of the Army followed in good order with a train of 80 pieces of Artillery most of which carry bullets of between 30 and 40 pounds weight which made Count Teckeley draw off towards Tokay still declining to joyn the Turks under the command of the Visier of Buda insomuch that the Bassa of Offen fearing to be exposed to the Fury of the Imperialists sent a Messenger to the Duke of Lorrain to propose a Cessation of Arms for 14 days which the Duke would in no wise hearken to as well knowing it was but to protract the time till a greater power arrived in Hungary and when it was urged that the Grand Signeour intended to observe the Peace with the Emperor till the prefixed was expired but the Duke replyed that the Turks by their unjust Hostilities and manifest outrages had broken it long since so that now they must expect no other favour then the Sword would allow them whereupon he dispatched orders to Count Caprara to batter Newhausel resolving to carry it by storm if it should fail to be delivered by capitulation having already overthrown a party belonging to that Garrison who were returning from ravaging the Country laden with great booties upon which success 2 parties were sent out to burn the Bridges of Gran and Esseiniek which they successfully attempted burning the former and possessing themselves of the latter guarded by 700 Turks most of which were killed or taken prisoners The Count Caprara His Imperial Majesties Ambassador at the Port is by order of the Grand Signeour looked narrowly after not differing much from a confinement least during these Hostilities he should withdraw himself nor could the intercession of the Lord Shandois His Majesty of Great Brittains Ambassador residing at the Port on his behalf remove the suspition conceived c. Thus far having related impartially the success of the Christian Armes against the Turks I shall leave them ingaged in a bloody and doubtful War and conclude so much of this years Campaigne as to the 4th of June 1683. has occurred with an exact account of all the Imperial Forces The List whereof take as followeth viz. The Emperor has in pay 27 Regiments of Foot making together 55700 men whereof 25296 follow the Duke of Lorrain 4692 are appointed to secure the upper Hungary 2040 posted at Jabluncka on the frontiers of Hungary 2040 at Leopolstadt on the Waag 3640 in Austria 2040 at Vienna 13912 in the Empire 2400 in Bohemia 17 Regiments of Horse making together 13600 men 7 Regiments of Dragoons containing 5600 men 4 Regiments of Croats making 3200 whereof 15200 are at the Camp 800 in the Upper Hungary 400 at Jabluncka 2400 at Leopolstadt 800 in Austria and 2800 in the Empire So that the general List of Horse and Foot stands thus viz. at the Camp 39696 in the Empire 16712 in the upper Hungary 7532 making in all 78540 men not accounting the Hungarian Troops under the command of the Palatine nor those in Crotia commanded by the Vice-Roy nor the 6000 Polonian Horse brought into the Emperours service by the Prince of Lubornirski which in conjunction will render the Emperors total Forces no less then 100000 fighting men The Turks Army together with the Tartars and Hungarians under the command of Count Teckley being accounted no less then 250000. But thou O Lord on whom all things depend In gentle Peace let these dire discords end Or let firm Concord with the Christians dwell To turn their Swords on the proud Infâ—â—â—â— CHAP. XXV A Description of the Power Policy Forces Revenues Religion and Greatness of the Ottoman Empire and by what Means it subsists and maintains its Grandeur c. HAving in the succinct Series of this History related the Original of the Ottoman Empire and its Growth from time to time till it arrived to the vast Extent it at this Day is found I shall now proceed to give the Reader a View of the Grandeur of it and by what means it is supported in the Description of the Grand Seignior's Port or Palace Government Officers Riches Forces Religion and the like The Turks originally a People of Scythia supposed to have sprung from the Ten Tribes carried into Captivity as is in the former Part of this History related began their Second Empire in Asia under Othoman about 1300 and spreading wide entred Europe seizing at length upon the pleasant City of Constantinople expelling the Greek Emperour and making it the Imperial Seat of the Othoman Sultans now dignified by the Title of Grand Seigniors A Description of which City and of the Seraglio or Imperial Port or Palace take as followeth Constantinople built by Constantine the Great is according to the Opinion of many sixteeen Miles in circuit called by the Turks Stambul or Stombolda the Sea bearing upon it on the North and South sides and on the East it is divided from Asia by a large Channel which runneth from the one Sea to the other being seven Miles in length called the Straights of Bosphorus The City is built upon the declining of a Hill for Buildings comparable to any in the World But above all beautified with seven Mosques standing upon seven little Hills founded by seven of the Ottoman Emperors of which that of Sultan Solyman is most famous And the Seraglio now made the Grand Seignior's Palace which is three Miles in circuit standeth on the North side having on the one side of it the Sea and on the other the Haven the other two Parts being encompassed with the Building of the City This Palace Port or Seraglio which you please for all these Names it bears has within it many Gardens Orchards Meadows Woods pleasant Groves Fountains and all things else that can render it delightful The Entrance is through a Gate of Iron into a large Court where on the left hand stands a Building like a Turkish Mosque which is used as a Store-house for Arms and Provision on the Right are several fair Gardens palazadoed in from which they pass to another Court with a Gate like unto the former upon which hang many Targets Scymitars and other Weapons of War many Porters attending through which they pass into another large Court planted with Cyprus-Trees where many Deer are kept which Court is surrounded with a Cloyster which is in length 680 Foot and in breadth 500 paved with Marble leaded over and supported by 140 Pillars of White and Gray Marble curiously wrought standing upon Basis of Copper with Capitals of the like Mettal On the North side stands
between the horse and foot and so render them unserviceable to each other The Duke sent away the Baggage under a convoy of six hundred horse towards Altemberg to seize upon which the Turks advanced with a party of three thousand horse so that a sharp dispute happened till the Turks by the courage of the Imperialists were obliged to a disorderly retreat but being reinforced by eight hundred fresh horse they rallyed whereupon the Duke of Lorrain and divers great Commanders with all convenient speed advanced and the Forces on either side encreasing the fight grew hot the Imperialists behaving themselves very resolutely but especially the Duke of Lorraine who with his Regiment of Guards charged through the thickest of the enemies squadron but the Turks power still increasing and the Imperialists not being so suddenly able to pass the River as the Action required after two hours resolute fighting those that convoyed the Baggage were most of them cut in pieces and to the value of forty thousand Guilders fell to the enemy and in the whole action twelve hundred Imperialists and seventeen hundred Turks were slain amongst the former the Prince of Savoy General Rabatta the Count d'Lamberg and Prince of Aremberg after which the Imperial horse having made good their retreat passed the River and joyned their foot who could not though they were speculators of the Action come up which gave the Turks this considerable advantage and so exalted their spirits that upon receiving a new supply of eight thousand foot they besieged Raab but received such welcome from the mouthes of the murthering Cannon that they were glad to draw off when having burnt some few Villages with what plunder they had got they marched to the Grand Visiers Camp upon which reinforcement he trussed up his Tents and marched directly towards Vienna the Imperial chief City scituate in Austria on the banks of the River Danubius burning and ruining all his way insomuch that the Imperial Army being found too weak to encounter him the Duke retired with it under the walls of that City to expect the Forces of the Confederate Princes whilst Count Staremberg Governour thereof who had been abroad with a party to observe the motion of the enemy was obliged to fight his way through the Vaunt-Corriers of the Turks Army to get into the City through which likewise the Duke of Lorraine passed when he had given such necessary orders as were convenient for maintaining a strenuous siege leaving therein eighteen or twenty thousand souldiers under the command of the aforesaid Count who sallying out fired the Suburbs dislodging and killing a great number of Turks that he found there plundering the houses and upon his return calling together the Chief Citizens he admonished them to behave themselves like men against the enemies or their Countrey and Religion from whom notwithstanding the specious pretences they might make they should receive little mercy at the hands of the Infidels if they became victors he likewise with speech and large promises of reward animated his Captains and souldiers whom he found resolved to live and dye with him in the defence of that City which is the glory of the Empire protesting rather to suffer the worst extremity then hearken to any surrender The Duke of Lorraine having passed through the City with his Army incamped himself strongly near Kremps resolving there to expect the King of Poland and the Troops of the Confederate Princess which were on their march and as opportunity offered both to encourage and succour the besieged whom by this time the Visier had with his Army consisting of one hundred thousand men blocked up being the flower of the Ottoman Empire running his Trenches with great celerity though to hinder it the Cannons from the walls incessantly played and the besieged frequently sallyed killing and repulsing the Infidels following the execution even to their Camp yet the number of their Pioniers increasing they under the shelter of the night and favour of their Cannon in two dayes lodged themselves running their works to a great depth leaving the earth arch-wise thinking so to reach the walls and blow them up by springing their Mines but such diligence was used by the German Enginiers that a great number of the Infidels were buryed in their works several poysoned by the stench of dead bodied they met with in their Subterranean Progress which had been buryed in the last plague which the 〈◊〉 perceiving commanded eight thousand 〈◊〉 to lodge themselves in the ruines and 〈◊〉 from six batteries containing thirty which Cannon he caused the City to be battered 〈…〉 without intermission and having thereâ—◠〈…〉 breach near the Carinthian Gate comâ—◠〈◊〉 his men to enter who in a desperate manner came on but were so warmly received by the besieged that after three thousand were slain upon the place they were obliged to retire which so enraged the Visier that he commanded them to make a second Attack which was done but with altogether as bad success as the former The City of Vienna thus straitned the Bishop of Aichstadt the Imperial Minister represented the danger it was in to the Diet for that purpose assembled at Ratisbone recommending it especially to the care of the Electoral Princes requiring them in the name of the Emperor to find out such effectual and speedy ways to raise men and money for its relief that it might not fall into the hands of the Infidels and thereby open a way for them to conquer all the Cities of Austria This matter being debated it was resolved that a fund of money should be speedily raised and all other necessaries provided for the subsistence and relief of the besieged and to stay the further progress of the Turkish Arms. Upon notice of which the Elector of Bavaria drew his forces into the field and ordered them to the number of ten or eleven thousand immediately to march and joyn the Duke of of Loraine whom they found encamped near Kreâ—ps Whilst these things were doing the Rebels under the command of Count Teckely made great spoil upon the borders of Croatia and Silefia besâ—eâ—ing and taking Budekim by storm ravaging and destroying all the pleasant places about it which put the adjacent Garisons into such consternation that several whether through fear or treachery iâ— uncertain put themselves under his protection whereby he was pussed up to that extravagance that he sent Summons to divers of the Nobility to attend him in Arms as their Prince under the Penalties of Confiscation Imprisonment and death which so afrighted divers that they came in but many there were whose Loyalty could not be shaken which so enraged the Rebel that he destroyed their Country dwellings and seized on whatsoever of theirs he could find By this time the Turks had far advanced their Trenches and began to throw their Bombs into the City whereupon the Citizens covered many of their houses near the wall with earth and with the shot of the Cannons from the
Tower overthrew the mortars sallying out at the same time and making a terrible slaughter of the enemy who were advancing to the wall with a design to enter the new breach recovering from them a Bastion of which they had possessed themselves and cutting in pieces all they found therein This bad success making it apparent that the City was not so easie to be taken as the Visier had supposed he commanded Arrows to be shot over the walls with Letters fastened to them containing his admonition to the besieged speedily to surrender and receive liberty in their persons a free exemption of their goods and such treatment as they should desire but if they refused and held out obstinately till the City should be taken by storm or reduced by famine no mischief should be left unpractised that wit or horror could invent but this device not at all prevailed but rather induced the besieged to contemn the besiegers whose weakness thereby they the better understood as observing from former acts of the like nature they never capitulate underhand till they despaire of obtaining their ends or grow weary of the siege All this while the Duke of Loraine lay close in his Camp within sight of the City the better to incourage the besieged daily increasing his number and as earnestly expecting the Polonian King who had sent the Prince Lubomirskie before him with six thousand horse and daily Curriers passed between him and the Emperor who with the Court was retired to Pashaw there to expect the great event on which the eyes of all Nations were fixed The increase of the Christian Camp did not a little trouble the Visier who well knew that if he could not make himself master of the City before the King of Poland arrived he must be obliged to give battle or raise his siege and that if he miscarried in the former it would greatly redound to his disgrace if not hazzard his life by rendring him obnoxious to the Grand Signiours displeasure whom he had assured of taking the City whereupon to hasten the enterprize he spared not his men but thrust them on even into the mouth of slaughter swearing by Mahomet that in whomsoever he found the least mark of cowardise or neglect of duty he should be put to death and thereupon he commanded the Cannon from all the Batteries to play without ceasing but such was the care and skill of the Christian Engineers that they with their great shot dismounted divers of them overthrowing their battery and burying such as were there posted in their ruins yet having made two breaches in the wall one near the red Tower and the other not far from the Imperial Pallace he commanded five thousand Janizaries and ten thousand other souldiers to enter the Breach but Count Staremberg having drawn his chief strength on that side to oppose the Torrent although as men desperate they came on yet the besieged sallying out and coming to hand strokes by plain force drove them back killing about three thousand and recovering the Raveling and Counterscarp of which they had strongly possessed themselves yet in this sally five hundred of the Imperialists fell and two hundred wounded This hot dispute over and the Turks beaten out of divers of their Trenches they lay still for two days not attempting any thing when on the third the Visier sent to the Count Staremberg for a Cessation or a five days Truce to bury the dead whose noisome smells greatly afflicted his Camp with sickness but the Count returned for an answer that he had no need of a Truce nor would he accord to any upon which under the shelter of the night the Turks in great numbers approached the walls but being discovered by lights thrown out for that purpose the shot from the Flankers and Battlements gabled them so desperately that they were obliged to return two thousand less than they came on when upon their retreat three thousand of the Imperialists sallyed and did great execution whereupon the Visier storming and finding the greatnes of the loss he had at divers 〈◊〉 sustained 〈…〉 unsuccessful attempts repaired his Batterie and planted as near as he could his Mortars to the wall with which he threw divers Granadoes and Bombies into the Town freeing some houses on fire and killing 〈…〉 the inhabitants the which he continued all the 21 and 22 of July but by the extraordinary diligence of the besieged who still countermured the breaches repaired what was shattered and earth behind to keep the Bullworks from renting and the wall from shaking by the force of the furious shot the Turks at that vast expence of powder and shot were little advantaged The Duke of Loraine having received another supply of five thousand men part of the Troops of the Circle and certain notice from the King of Poland that he was advancing with all diligence he the better to encourage the besieged sent a Fisherman to assure them of speedy succour commanding him to give him notice of his safe arrival by setting up a blew flag upon the battlements of the Tower and that the besieged if they were in danger should set up a red flag and that rather then the City should sall into the hands of the Infidels he would without the King of Poland endeavour to raise the siege though at the hazard of a Battle nor was it long e'r he safely arrived by swimming over the Danubius and gave the first signal but so far were the besieged from giving the second that they encouraged thereto by their renowned Governour the Count d' Staremberg sallyed early in the morning and finding the Turks advancing their Mines fell upon them with such fury that they overwhelmed the Miners and beat the Janizaries who were appointed to guard them insomuch that the noise arose so great that the Grand Vizier not well assured supposed the Christian Army had at that time attempted the relief of the City and for his own safety caused him to draw up his Army in Battalia Things being at this pass the Duke of Loraine in his Camp where he lay had notice that a Convoy of provision and Ammunition was on its way to the Turkish Camp and arrived within three Leagues thereof whereupon he commanded out a party to intercept it who accordingly performed his desire killing and taking prisoners and putting to flight those Turks who guarded it nor was the booty less worth then forty thousand Dollars On the 24 of July the besieged made a vigorous sally with five thousand horse and foot and charging the Turks in their Trenches with much bravery and resolution drove them thence thereby recovering though not without considerable slaughter on either part divers redoubts of which they had possessed themselves firing the bavins and planks with which they attempted to fill up the Ditch in order to a storm which the next morning was intended but seven thousand Turks being sent to reinforce those that were routed they with fresh fury returned upon
in German with their Successful Entrance into the Bowels of Hungaria Together with a Table to the whole Book LONDON Printed by Ralph Holt and John Richardson for Thomas Passinger upon London Bridge William Thackery in Duck-Lane and Thomas Sawbridge in Little-Britain 1684. THE Turkish History EPITOMIZED 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 IT has and at this day does cause sundry Disputes amongst the Learned from what Nation or People the Turks now so formidable by extending their Empire o're a third part of the known World are sprung or derived some being of opinion that they are descended of the Remnant of the Trojans that scaped the Sword at the Destructiou of the City of Troy and strengthen their Argument with this Reason viz. That the Word Turcii signifying a Trojan is corruptly called Turci or Turk and that on all hands it is affirmed that they originally inhabited the lesser Asia where the City so much Renowned in Story for its holding out a ten years Siege against the Power of the then Grecian Empire stood others affirm they sprung from the ten Tribes carried away captive by Salmanaser the Assyrian King and that from them likewise sprung the Tartars inhabiting the Northern Climes and their Reasons are for as much as the great Lords of Tartary derive their Pedigree from Tribes calling themselves Danists Zebulonians and Napthalists and that the Word Turk in the Hebrew signifies a banished man or one in disgrace and further that they still retain many Ceremonies of the Jewish Nation as Circumcision and the like as also frequently to repeat to themselves Lamentations though corruptly for the fall of Jerusalem and Damascus the chief Cities of Judea and Syria affirming they know not the meaning of such their Lamentations but that they have been taught of their Ancestors so to do Others are of Opinion that they were Scythians who left their Country by reason of the Scarcity thereof and Coldness of the Clime and falling on Armenia grasped it with so hard a hand that all the Power of the Roman Empire then flourishing could not rescue it but as a Token of their first Success in their issuing out of the Caspian Straits they named it Turcomania which name remains to this day And that there were such a People long before their aspiring to Empire in Asia Pomponius Mella Pliny and Ptolomy do aver but about the time of their Eruption Blondus Platina and Segonius disagree the two former declaring it to be in the year of our Lord 755 and the latter in 844. yet conclude upon the reason of their coming forth as aforesaid Their Rise and aspiring to Greatness was after this manner Mahomet the persian Sultan wresting the Government from the Caliph or Successor of Mahomet the Impostor or as they falsly called him their Great Prophet whose Erroneous Doctrine had infected all Asia Affrick and part of Europe to provide against the worst strengthned himself and the better to do it sent to the Turkish Chief in Armenia to furnish him with a competent number of Men of War who in compliance to the Sultans Command caused 3000 to March under the Leading of one of his chief Captains named Tangrolipix by the help of which he overthrew the Caliph of Babylon with an incredible Slaughter of his Army and being further minded to make an Expedition against the Indians that bordered his Country and knowing by Experience the great courage of the Turks and their singular dexterity in Archery he resolved to retain them for his further Service so that when they desired to be conducted over the River Araxis he not only refused to permit it but also threatned them if they offered to make any further mention of their departure which Indignity caused them to take the opportunity of withdrawing themselves into the Desart of Caranonitis and there like Out-laws to live upon Spoil the News of which no sooner reached the Sultan's ear but he commanded ten of his Captains to March against Tangrolipix with an Army of 20000 choice Soldiers composed of divers Nations which Incamping by the border of a Forrest wherein the Turkish Captain resided with his Forces they were in the dead of the night set upon and put to flight with great Slaughter so that the Turks furnishing themselves with the Spoyls of the slain appeared more boldly in the Field and were in a short time increased to 50000 fighting men by such Outlaws and other Villains as upon the bruit of their Success resorted to 'um which caused Mahomet now jealous of his other Subjects revolt to raise a great Army and to advance against Taâ—grolipix First having put out the Eyes of those Captains overthrown in the fight and threatned to disgrace the Souldiers that escaped the slaughter by attiring them in Womans Apparel which afterward redounded to his loss by causing them to avoid future punishment to fly to his Enemy In fine both Armies met on the great Plain before the City Ispahan in Persia and began a dreadful Battle which with great Slaughter lasted till Sultan Mahomet fell from his Horse and broak his neck at what time both Armies ceased from fight and by unanimous consent chose Tangrolipix Sultan of Persia and the Dominions appertaining to that large Kingdom who was no sooner seated in his Throne but he caused the Garrisons that kept the Passage over Araxis to be removed and called in the Turks his Country-men then dwelling on the other side and by degrees advanced them to all the chief Places of Trust deposing the Persians and Sarazens the Ancient Inhabitants of those Dominions but long he had not wielded his Scepter e'r he made War upon Pisasiris the Caliph of Babylon and after sundry Battles having slain him annexed his Kingdom to Persia This Success firing him with a desire to extend his Dominions wider he sent Cutlu-Muses his Nephew to war on the Arabians but those People as dexterous in Archery as the Turks soon overthrew him with the slaughter of a great part of his Army and therefore in his Return requested of Stephen the Greek Emperours Lievtenant in Media that he might pass through those Territories into his own Country but he not only denied him passage but opposed him with a powerful Army which was by the Turks defeated and the Lievtenant taken Prisoner After which the Sultan in Person made an Expedition against the Arabians thinking to revenge the late disgrace but procured a greater for himself was likewise overthrown which caused him to bend his Forces to the Conquest of Media to effect which he sent his Brother Asan but in the mean while his Nephew fearing his displeasure for disobeying his Command fled and gathering to him a strong Power seized on Pasar a strong City of Chorasmians yet the Expedition was not thereby obstructed but