take the Arms of the Persians and in their Ships to sail into Pamphilia towards the Enemy into the River Eurymedon The Persians who were there knowing the Ships and thinking the Men upon the Decks to be their own never suspected any thing till they were assaulted and suddenly overpowred and the same day they were overcome both by Sea and Land FINIS A COLLECTION OF THE Brave EXPLOITS AND Subtil STRATAGEMS Of several Famous GENERALS SINCE THE Roman Empire With a Discourse concerning Engines of WAR By M. D'A LONDON Printed for S. Heyrick J. Place and R. Sare Booksellers at Grays-Inn-Gate and Furnivals-Inn-Gate in Holborn 1686. TO ALL MILITARY SOULS OF THE English NATION 'T IS for your Perusal that this Treatise is publish'd To you I dedicate these Collections as the most sutable to your Generous and Martial Dispositions No Nation under the Sun have taken a greater Delight in War than ours and none have been more successful in former Ages and purchased more Honour in the Field than the English But this is remarkable in History that their Notable Victories were gotten more by their plain Valour than by their Policies The Strength of other Nations consists in Subtilties and Ambushes there are are few that dare face an assaulting Enemy in the open Field and oppose their naked Breasts to the Showrs of the Murthering Shot Behend a Hedge a Ditch or a Breast-work and when they have the Advantages of Number and the Ground they may venture a Battel But the English have been taken notice of for their Vndaunted Courage in the midst of the greatest Difficulties and have often snatcht the Victory out of the Hands of their Insulting Enemy But if the English Courage alone without the Assistance of Art hath been so Victorious what Wonders would it not be able to perform if it were seconded by Policy and Craft I conceive therefore it may not be useless to you my Brave Countrymen to have an Abstract or a Collection in your own Language of the Stratagems which have been practiced in War by the most experienced Commanders that when you may happen into the same Difficulties and Dangers you may understand what others have done to wind themselves out and by what means they have purchased Safety Honour and Victory to themselves and Followers I doubt not but some of you may have as sharp and subtile Wits as good Courages and that you will be able to use both in the business of War But I believe none can deny but a Collection of such Examples as these both Antient and Modern will be able to advise direct and encourage your Invention to ingenious Contrivances For that purpose I have Translated Frontinus who being a Roman Warriour and of the Order of the Consuls Collected the most remarkable Stratagems of the Persisians Greeks Romans and Carthaginians Their manner of Fighting and Weapons differ much from ours I confess nevertheless we may learn from them and be directed by them in many cases for we meet with Enemies subject to the same Passions and Infirmities as they and we may improve the same Accidents and Opportunities which happened to them But for the compleating of this Treatise I have added a Collection of the most approved Histories of divers brave Exploits and cunning Stratagems successfully employed by later Generals for the purchasing of Victory that you might have here a Prospect of the Warlike Policies of the first and latter Ages together and that in the perusal of the Noble Actions of our brave Predecessors you may see the ready and path-way to Honour You know not how soon the Interest of the Kings Majesty and of this Kingdom may call you my Valiant Countrymen into the Field It is therefore your Wisdom now amongst the Delights of Peace not to forget the difficulties and dangers of War and to mind a judicious preparation for the latter as well as the Enjoyment of the former You especially are in reason to be ready for the Service of your Prince and Country whose brave Ancestours have by their Valour purchased for you Titles of Honour and Estates together You who are to be Examples of Virtue and Courage and who have the greatest Interest in the Country where you live This Preparation ought to consist not only in Warlike Provisions in good Arms and in the understanding the Duties and Arts of Officers and Soldiers but if you be or expect to become Leaders of Men the Knowledge of the Warlike Stratagems of former Captains and how to ensnare an Enemy without hazard will furnish you with an excellent Skill for the Services that may be required from you I shall only desire that you would employ the Arts and Policies which you may learn from this Compendium for the Advancement of the Glory of your God for the Preservation of the publick Peace Quiet and Happiness of the Nation for the Security and Honour of our King and for the Defence of the Interest of the Royal Family which God of his Mercy Bless with all increase of Temporal and Spiritual Blessings This shall always be the Prayer of him who wishes that your Religious and Loyal Vndertakings may ever be Crowned with Victory and Success M. D. A Collection of the Brave Exploits and Subtil Stratagems of several famous Generals since the Roman Empire CAAP. I. The Exploits of Ardaburius General to Theodosius the II. Emperor of Constantinople Anno Domini 400. WHen Baratanes had succeeded his Father Isdigerdes in the Kingdom of Persia Socrat. Schol. lib. 7. cap. 18. and through the persuasion of some Magicians persecuted the Church of Christ planted in that Country And for their defence the Roman Emperor Theodosius the II. sent a famous General of those days Ardaburius with a sufficient Army against the Heathen Prince and Narsaeus his chief Captain After the first Battel where the Roman Soldiers came off with Victory Narsaeus cunningly retreats and invades the Province of Mesopotomia belonging to the Roman Empire to make that the Seat of the War When therefore he had gathered so great a power that he seem'd able to encounter the Romans he sent a messenger to Ardaburius to desire a parley that they might appoint between them when and where to fight a Battel Ardaburius wisely answered the Embassadors thus Tell Narsaeus from me That the Emperors of Rome use not to wage Battel at Narsaeus his pleasure The Persian Prince had then all his Forces together which exceeding the Romans in number caused the Citizens of Constantinople and the whole Empire to doubt of the success and fortune of the War But there happened one thing which much encouraged them and the Soldiers to fight valiantly Certain Travellers going out of Bythinia towards Constantinople met as they reported with a company of Angels who desired them to salute and hearten the Inhabitants of Constantinople in their names advising them to pray to and put their trust in God with this assurance that they were sent as Celestial Recruits
in Normandy and dividing his Forces into three Bodies he marched into the Country and took several considerable Towns In the French Army were 60000 men of whom 3000 were Barons Knights and Gentlemen The Duke d'Alanson led the Van The Earl of Savoy commanded the Rear and the King of France himself was in the main Battel But the English Army was brought up the Vanguard by the Prince the main Body by King Edward and the Rear by the Earls of Arundel and Northampton the Lords Ross Willoughby St. Albans and Multon In the French Army some remarkable passages happened in the beginning of the Fight which gave a great discouragement to the French Forces They had in their Army 1500 Cross-Bows Genoueses stout and valiant Men. These had beeen placed in the front of the Duke of Alansoas Battel by a wise Commander in the Army but the Duke envying the Honour of that place to those Strangers caused them to be removed to another This discontented these Italians and made some disorder to be in that Battel which being taken notice of by King Edward he immediately commanded the Prince to advance and charge which was performed with that resolution that the French were routed King Philip seeing his Brother worsted by the English came into his Assistance with his Body The Fight was fierce bloudy and doubtful a great while till Philips Horse being killed under him he was conveyed out of the Battel This disdiscouraged all the rest and put them to a retreat When the Prince was engaged in the midst of his Enemies he sent to King Edward to come in but the King refused and bid him expect no help which made the English fight more desperately so that 30000 French were killed of which about 12000 were of great quality with the King of Bohemia and the Earl of Flanders After this great Victory King Edward besieged Chalice and took it In the same year the Queen obtained a great Victory over the Scots commanded by King David 15000 Scots were there slain with many Earls and Lords of Scotland After the winning of Chalice the King understanding the Governour intended to betray the Town for a great sum of Money goes over receives the Money and marched out to encounter with the French Forces in a disguise He was twice dismounted by one Ribomount who being taken Prisoner the King for his Valour released him without ransom CHAP. XXXIX Of the Famous Battel of Poictiers THe English Skill and Courage in War never appeared more in any Fight than in this of Poictiers The Prince had in his Army 2000 Horse and 8000 Archers with some Auxiliaries drawn out of the French Provinces with these Forces he marched out of Bourdeaux towards Poicton and Berry to draw King John out of Normandy When he heard of the Princes March he went to meet him with 30000 Horse and Foot The English wisely entrenched themselves amongst the Vineyards and might have been in time starved there by the French who with their numbers were able to inclose and besiege them round but the Kings Courage and the French fury could not suffer the sight of so small a party without a present Assault 300 of the ablest men of the French Army were ordered to begin and draw the English to a Battel but their defeat encouraged the English to encounter with three Bodies of the French Army the right Wing was commanded by the Constable the left by the Dolphin the main Battle was conducted by King John of France All three Battels were overthrown one after another 5000 were slain The King himself and his Son Philip were taken Prisoners honourably entertain'd and carryed to Bourdeaux and from thence into England The Wisdom and Courage of the Prince was here very remarkable in chusing such a ground to fight as rendred the French's chief strength of Horse useless in sending seasonable Supplies to such as were overpowred and in the disorder of the French Army in falling on with his whole strength How Glorious did the English Valour appear to all Foreign Nations when our Princes and our Gentry were so nobly employed in Foreign Countries and with such wonderful success that two of the greatest Monarchs of Europe commanding over the most Warlike People were at one time taken Prisoners and forced to submit to the Crown of England CHAP. XL. The brave Exploits of Robert Bruce King of Scotland AFter the death of Alexander King of Scotland Baliol and Bruce were Competitors for the Crown To save the Christian Blood the difference was left to the Arbitration of King Edward of England lately returned from the Holy Land Edward minding the encrease of the Honour of the English Crown more than the justness of the Cause grants the Royal Dignity of Scotland to King Baliol upon condition that he would do him homage for it When Baliol had yielded to this he was Crowned at Scone But Bruce with his Party held out in opposition to him and would by no perswasion quit his claim Baliol after his Coronation being discontented with King Edward upon an affront offered to him revolts from the English and takes up Arms but being overcome and taken Prisoner King Edward subdues most part of Scotland and resolves to unite it to the Crown of England The Scotch were soon weary of a Foreign Government they joyn themselves therefore with Bruce and encourage his Title that they might shake off the English Yoak Bruce begins with a small Party but finds Victory and Success which quickly drew to him all his discontented Countrymen John Cuinin Earl of Buchan first gathered an Army to oppose him but durst not venture a Battel which made him desire a Truce shortly after Bruce fell sick and Earl Cuinin taking this opportunity resolved to recover from him what was lost and to fall upon his Army Bruce though so weak that he could not sit on Horseback without being supported by two Servants encourageth his Men by his presence and Conduct for the sight and courage of a chief Commander is of great moment in War Bruce's Forces were so animated by the Kings presence though sick and weak that fearing no danger they fought desperately and routed their Enemies at Ennerury After this Victory Bruce recovered the Country of Arguile and all Galloway with all the Forts held by the English in Scotland and then invaded England from whence he carryed away much plunder and spoil King Edward to be revenged provided an Army of 100000 Men with which he marched into Scotland and at Bannocharn two Miles from Sterling met King Bruce with 30000 Scots The English had some discouragement the day before the Battel for they sent 800 Horse to Sterling but 500 Scots commanded by James Dowglass met with them and overthrew them The night before the Battel the Scots digged many pits and holes in the even ground which was design'd for the Field where they were to fight and in the Pits fixed sharp stakes headed with Irons covered them over with
Turves and Hurdles This Policy was very useful to them for the English Horse ignorant of this Stratagem sell into these Pits where the Scots encountred them in a great disorder The English were forced to retreat though the Scots pursued the Victory furiously the English had rallyed and were again going to try their fortune but the sight of the Scotch Carriages left upon the Hills with their Cattle and Servants making a great noise and shewing the appearance of another Army coming down to the assistance of their Fellows discouraged and put them to flight 10000 were here killed 700 Knights and Gentlemen and many Prisoners taken but King Edward escaped to York After this the Scots subdued and plundred all the Northern Countries as far as York and routed 10000 English in another Battel with the loss of 3000. there slain The King returned toward Scotland with another Army but King Bruce forced him to retreat with the loss of all his Treasure Edward Bruce the Kings Brother was likewise sent over into Ireland and subdued almost all that Kingdom to the Crown of Scotland This Robert Bruce enjoyed Scotland many years and then bequeathed it to his Son David and if he dyed without Issue to Robert Stuart his Sisters Son who was Granchild to Alexander Stuart who about the year 1255. defeared Atho King of Norway who had invaded the West part of Scotland with 20000 Danes and 120 Ships He killed 16000 in the Field and freed his Country from the cruelty and oppression of these Northern People and forced them to sue to the Scots for peace CHAP. XLI Of some of the most remarkable Persons for their Valour of that most Honourable and most Noble Family of the Stuarts THis Family for Antiquity may contend with any in Europe being derived from some of the most Antient British Kings of this Island And I am certain that in all Ages since it hath been taken notice of in History none hath been more fruitful of excellent Men for their Wisdom Valoua and other Abilities of Body and Mind Besides the fore-named Alexander Stuart who by his wise Conduct and Courage deliver'd his Native Country from a dangerous Invasion his Granchild Robert Suart who succeeded to the Crown of Scotland after David Bruce his Unkle and was the first of his name King of that Warlike People became one of the most famous Princes of his time for his Victories over his English Enemies He was no sooner promoted but a War broke out between England and Scotland for the killing of a Friend of George Dunbar by the English at a Fair. Dunbar to be revenged plundred the Fair and burnt the Town with the slaughter of all Opposers The Gentlemen Borderers on both sides invaded the Lands of one another At last Henry Pierce Earl of Northumberland gathers together 7000 Soldiers with whom he marched into Scotland as far as Dunce The Scots in the night instead of their Swords made use of their Rattles with which they commonly drive away the Deer from their Corn to encounter with their English Enemies and having the advantage of the Hills and Vallies to receive and increase the sound The noise was so great that the Eearls Horse turned back and fled and the rest of the Army fearing more danger than there was followed after leaving their Baggage to the Scots who got an easie Victory without drawing a Sword At the same time one Gordon lay in Ambush and defeated Thomas Musgrave Governour of Berwick and his Troops and took him Prisoner The English entred Scotland again under the Lord Talbot with fifteen thousand but in their return only 500 Horse in the Night assaulted and overthrew them because they imagined them to be a greater number King Richard of England invaded Scotland with 60000 men and a great Fleet but King Robert by entring and spoiling England dispersed this great Tempest without much loss to his own Kingdom In this Kings time the Scots took part of Ireland and the Isle of Man and had many notable Victories over the English so that after he had governed his Kingdom and defended it against all Invasions he left it to his eldest Son John who was perswaded by his Parliament to change his name into the fortunate name of Robert he had two Sons David and Robert the first was created Duke of Rothsay the second Duke of Albany David incurr'd his Fathers displeasure by his youthful pranks and was confin'd to the keeping and inspection of his younger Brother Robert who made him a close Prisoner and resolved to starve him to death but a Country Maid found means to preserve his Life for a while with thin Oat Cakes which she gave him through a Window and a certain Nurse caused him to suck her Breasts at a distance by a long Cane To King Robert succeeded his youngest Son James after a long Captivivity in England He deliver'd his Kingdom from many intestine Enemies Alexander Lord of the Isles was by him subdued and all the little Tyrants that plundred and robbed his People He commissioned several Judges to make a Circuit about his Kingdom and to hear the Complaints of his Subjects He was as great a Lover of Learning as of Justice and as careful to promote the publick good by inviting many skilful Persons in Manufactures His reputation was so great that he was earnestly courted by the Embassadours of the Kings of England and France to joyn with them in League and Affinity but at last he was so unhappy that a Conspiracy being made against him he was basely murthered at Perth by the Earl of Athol and his wicked Associates who within forty days after were deservedly tortured to death The Earl was Crowned with a burning Crown of Iron his Joynts dislocated by the Strapado the next day he was drawn through the streets of Edinburg upon a hurdle and executed for High Treason To King James the I. succeeded his Son James the II. yet a Minor Anno 1537 The Regency of the King and Kingdom was committed to Alexander Leviston The Queen a subtile Woman seeing distempers of the Kingdom encrease through the imperiousness and ill government of the Chancellour Chrichton resolved to get the King out of his Custody by this Invention She obtained leave to lodge with her Son in Edinburg Castle at last she found a means to convey him out of the Castle to Leith in her Trunk where her Linen was used to be kept This King when he came to be of Age obtained a notable Victory over the English at a place called Sarc and killed 3000 of his Enemies with the loss of 600 Scots The Earl Douglass was then too Potent for the King and Kingdom and too haughty for a Subject The King therefore weakens that powerful Family brought them upon their knees after many sierce Skirmishes and Battels and such as continued in their Rebellion he banished out of the Kingdom At last he raised an Army to assist the Duke of York against King
thousand common Soldiers Though the Enemy was fled the King for the publick safety commanded his Army to stand in Array for the Earl of Faulconbridge suddenly appeared with 600 Horse to take the English upon an advantage but they were soon routed After this Solemn thanks was given there to God and the Soldiers had then liberty to take the Plunder of the Field From thence King Henry marched to Chalice loaden with Riches and Honour The next year with a new Army he landed in Normandy besieged and took Caen and all the chief Towns invited by the Kings promises yielded without resistance only Rohan being well manned and fortified held out so long till Famine scal'd the Walls and deliver'd it to the English Bedford and the Earl of Huntington returned likewise with Victory over the French Fleet. In the beginning of this War the English had no assistance but from their own Skill and Valour and from the divided State of France and the discontent of the Grandees who commonly find fault with one another in an unsuccessful War But there happened an Action which mightily increased the strength of the English The Duke of Burgundy the Dolphins Enemy sought to be reconciled to him for the publick good The Dolphin though he professed much kindness took his advantage and murdered the Duke The Earl of Carolois the Dukes eldest Son sought to be revenged on the Murderers and therefore from thence favoured King Henry's Claim A peace was concluded by which King Henry was proclaimed Regent and Heir apparent of France and he marryed with Catherine the French Kings Daughter All these sudden successes of the English were owing to the young Duke of Burgundy's revenge the French Kings weakness and the Dolphins unjust dealing for he had purchased to himself many Enemies by the illegal murdering of great men chiefly the Duke of Burgundy A Foreign Enemy hath a great advantage in a strange Country when a Potent Person or a considerable Party joins with or assists them in their Conquest The Dolphin though he was discouraged by the French Kings rejection and the defection of many Towns he gathered his Forces and put a period to the English Victories and Joys by the gain of a Battel wherein 2000 English were surprized and slain with the Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother the Earls of Tankerville and Kent and the Lord Ross only for want of a right intelligence of the Enemies state and numbers The Duke being perswaded by a deceitful Scout to leave behind him the strength of his Army and engage the French Army only with his Horse Too much Confidence and Valour hath been the ruine of the stoutest and best Generals of former Ages The Dolphin to be revenged upon Burgundy employs Fire and Sword to destroy his Country but the King of England pursued him from one City to another till he fell sick by the way in marching towards Burgundy which caused him to be carryed back to Bois d'Vnicermes where after he had given order for the preservation of his Kingdom and returned thanks to God for his Conquests he departed this troublesome life leaving by his Queen a young Henry born at Windsor whom he committed to the Protection of his good Brother Humfrey Duke of Glocester but the Regency of France was left to his Brother John Duke of Bedford After the Kings Death Montacute Earl of Salisbury and the Lord Talbot were the most noted Champions and the most successful Commanders for the English Salisbury surprised the Town of Pont-Melance and raised the Siege of Cravant in Burgundy with the destruction of 8000 of the Enemy He took several other Towns and at the Battel of Vernoyle between the Regent and the Duke of Alanson who was assisted by William Stuart and a strong party of Scots this brave Commander routed the French Army kill'd 7000 French 2700 Scots with many of the chief Nobility so dreadful was his name to the French Nation that when St. James in Benyon was besieged by the Constable of France with 40000 men about 600 English sallying out of the Town and crying out St. George a Salisbury put the whole French Army to flight and took 14 great Guns with much of their Baggage and Ammunition In the prosecution of this War many Towns were lost and taken on both sides several sharp encounters happened between the English and the French Garrisons The French King was Crowned at Rheims and young King Henry at Paris where he received the Homages from the Nobility and Citizens The English Affairs prospered mighty well whilst there was a good agreement between the chief Commanders whilst they humoured the Duke of Burgundy and treated the French with Civility and kindness but when discord happened to be between the English Lords and they suffered the the Soldiers to oppress the Natives of France the Cities fell away from them apace Yet Lord John Clifford took Pouthois when the English Interest began to decay In a Snowy and Frosty Night he caused all his party to cloath themselves in White and in that colour he scal'd the Walls undiscover'd put most part of the Inhabitants to the Sword and plundered the Town Yet for all the brave Exploits and couragious endeavours of several English Commanders within a few years all France was lost with Aquitain and Normandy through the division of the English the cruelty of the Soldiers the Falshood and Treachery of the Natives and the presumption and negligence of some great Captains CHAP. XLIII Of Alexander Duke of Parma and his successful Stratagems WHen this excellent General came first to the Government of the Netherlands the King of Spain of the Seventeen Provinces was in possession but of three of the least but in a few years Parma by his industry and skill in Arms recovered almost all Holland and Zealand excepted This Prince had given the first Specimen of his Courage and Understanding in War in the Famous Battel of Lepanto against the Turks where he adventur'd to board a great Commanders Vessel named Mustapha the Treasurer of the Turks and after a bloudy Fight he took that Gally and another that came in to assist the former with unknown Riches in both But when John of Austriae was sent Governour into the netherlands he invited Alexander the young Duke of Parma into the Low Countries At the Battel of Gemblack between John of Austria and the States Alexander perceiving the Enemies Horse to march in a crooked and uneven way gave notice of it to the General and without expecting any return caused some Spanish Commanders to assault them in the Front and upon the Flanks which was performed with that Gallantry that they were put to flight and run back upon their Foot which they broke and disorder'd so that 10000 were there slain and taken in half an Hours time and but nine of the Spanish Army were found wanting All their Carriages and Guns were there taken with their General and several Noblemen This great Victory
escape by flight resolved to encourage his small party to stand the encounter For that purpose he caused his Carabines to march up to the top of the Hill in sight of the Enemy and there to stand ready for a charge whilst he divided his Lances into three parts which he caused at a signal given to ride from three several places furiously towards the Enemy When they saw from divers places several Troops of Horse riding up to charge them and hearing the sound of the Trumpets which the Marquiss caused to be sounded in the Vallies as if there were a greater Body of Men coming up to charge them they all run away and gave an easie Victory to the Marquiss who in half an hours time killed a great many in the pursuit took three Colours two hundred Horses and and one hundred Prisoners Thus by the mistake and deceit of the eye-sight was this party routed and when fear causeth Men to fly away a small number is sufficient to continue the chase and hinder them from rallying CHAP. XLIV Of Henry de Lorain Duke of Guise and how he defeated the great Army of Germans in France THe Protestant Princes of Germany being sollicited by the King of Navar sent abouut five and twenty thousand men under the command of the Baron de Dona and the Duke of Boillion to his assistance The Duke of Guise with a flying Army of four or five thousand men waited upon them from the borders of Lorain to cut off Provisions and at all advantages to ruine and destroy them In their march towards the fruitful Country of Beauste the Germans came near Mountargis and the Baron with a strong party of Horse quartered at a small Town called Vimory The Duke having intelligence of the disposition of the Enemies Army marched out of Montargis by night with his small party through a long Plain and arrived at Vimory before day The Duke of Guise having divided his Infantry into three Battalions of about a thousand men apiece under the command of these Captains St. Paul Joannes Cheurers and Pontsenac and his Cavalry into four Squadrons led by the Dukes of Mayenne de Elbeut and Aumale The Duke of Guise led the fourth which consisted of 300 Horse When they were near to Vimory they sent four Horsemen to discover the entry in of the Village and found neither Scouts nor Guards nor Perdues nor any Baricado to hinder the Assault of an Enemy so secure these Germans lay Therefore the Duke of Guise entring the great Street of the Town which was full of Carts and Waggons belonging to the German Army soon overpowred those that first made resistance and then setting Fire to the Houses burnt and killed above a thousand Germans and took from them a great deal of Plunder with 1200 Horse But when the Baron de Dona had rallyed his Troops to make resistance the Duke of Guise fearing to be surrounded retreated back to Montagis with rich Spoils and much Honour This Loss though it was not great yet destroyed the whole German Army by breeding a discontent between Officers and Soldiers and causing them to distrust the capacity of their General who from Vimory led them into Beauste to the Town of Anneau where there was a Castle which a certain Captain had undertaken to defend against all the German Army The Duke of Guise with a very small party pursues them and resolves to beat up their Quarters once more And for that purpose having agreed with the Captain of the Castle to receive in by Night his Infantry he with all his Cavalry round about the Town stood ready to cut in pieces those that should offer to save themselves by Flight The Infantry at break of day sallying out of the Castle into the Town surprized the Germans unprovided kill'd about 3000 of them took five hundred Priseners with their Bag and Baggage and their Waggons and Plate The rest of the Army that quartered in the Neighbouring Villages were so discouraged that they sent to agree with King Henry the 3d. to suffer them to return home into their own Country So that of this great Army scarce 4000 were left alive for in their return they were destroyed by the Country People CHAP. XLV Of Gustavus Adolphus King of Swedeland and his brave Actions in Germany and Poland THis Prince has been successful in all his Wars first against the Muscovite and Polander for the King of Poland claimed the Crown of Swedes as his natural Inheritance The War continued very fierce many years but the Swedes for the most part had the Victory and took several Towns from the Poles Newburg and Straisburg were taken by a new Invention of a certain Ingineer named Elias Tripus who shewed the King how to shoot great Shot with Leathern Guns to batter the Enemies Walls During this War between the two Kinsmen the Kings of Sweden and Poland the Emperor of Germany gave Assistance to the Poles and made War against the Swedes from whom he took divers Towns Therefore as soon as the peace was concluded with the Polander the Swedish King proclaims a War by his Manifesto against Coesar who in Favour of the Roman Bishops had abridged the Protestant Liberties all over Germany taken from the Prince Palatine his ancient Inheritance plundred the Lutheran Cities invaded the Countries of Saxony and other reformed Territories and joining with the Spaniard resolved to promote and advance the Popish perswasion with Fire and Sword The King of Sweden a rigid Lutheran as he found himself engaged by many Obligations in this War against Germany he met with great Assistance and Encouragements from divers Princes and Cities who had been harassed and plundred upon the account of Religion In the year 1630. he entred the Isle of Rugia Stetin the chief City of Pomerania yielded to the Swedes so did the Castles of Wolgasten and Damgart and the Towns of Ribbenitza Winshem Colberg Griffenhage and all Pomerania Gustavus proceeded on in his Conquests and restored several exiled Princes to their Patrimonies in Saxony The Elector himself being grievously impoverished by the Imperial Army entreated Assistance from the King who at Lipsick joins with the Duke against Count Tilly. A furious Battel was here fought The King had the leading of the Right Wing the Duke of Saxony governed the Left At the first encounter the Imperialists had the Advantage of the Sun and Wind but the King of Sweden cunningly wheel'd about and got that benefit from them and to strengthen his Troops of Horse he caused some Ranks of Musketeers to be mingled amongst them which did notable service in that Station The new raised Forces of Saxony gave ground but they were soon relieved by General Horns Foot who were placed in Ambush in a little Wood. The Fight was obstinate and bloudy fifteen thousand lay dead upon the place but the Victory inclined to the Swedes and Saxons who the next day prepar'd again to Fight but when they understood that the Imperialists
but of all the Spoils he converted so little to his own use that the Senate gave his Daughter a Portion out of the Publick Treasury CHAP. IV. Of Justice Example 1. WHen Camillus besieged the Falisci in their Town there was a certain School-master that led the Children of some of the Falisci out of the Walls as if he had intended only to walk with them abroad but under that pretence he deliver'd them to Camillus and for the recovery of the Children the City would submit to him Camillus abhorr'd his perfidiousness and caused him to have his hands bound behind and commanded the Children to whip him back into the the Town again to their Parents By this just dealing he obtained the Victory which he desired not to obtain by fraud for this Equitable Proceeding made the Falisci to yield to him willingly 2. The Physitian of King Pyrrhus went to Fabricius General for the Romans promising him that he would give his Master Poison if before-hand he might have the assurance of a considerable Reward Fabricius thinking that he had no need of such a foul Deed to get the Victory discovered the Plot and the Author to the King This caused him to seek and desire earnestly the Roman's Friendship CHAP. V. Of Constancy Example 1. CN Pompeius when his Soldiers threatned to plunder and take his Treasure which was to be carryed in Trumph and Servilus and Glaucia two Romans advised him to divide it amongst them to prevent a Tumult he assured them that he would not ride in Triumph but rather dye than to yield to the Licentiousness of his Soldiers Having therefore reproved them severely in a Speech he cast down before them the Bundles of Rods carryed before him which were crowned with Lawrel bidding them to begin their Plunder by the spoiling of them This proceeding made them so ashamed that they continued in their Obedience 2. C. Caesar in the Heat of the Civil War in a Sedition of his Soldiers when they were therefore the bolder disbanded a whole Legion and cut off the Heads of their Leaders with his Axes but a little after when they who were disbanded petition'd for a Pardon he received them again and they proved to him some of his best Soldiers 3. Postumius who had been Consul encouraged his Soldiers to fight and when they demanded what he would order he cryed out That they would imitate him with that he takes the Colours and marched strait against the Enemy they likewise followed and got the Victory 4. L. Marcellus falling unadvisedly into the hands of the Gauls rid round about to spy out some way to escape and when he found that the Enemies had possessed all the Passages he prayed to the Gods and broke into the midst of his Enemies who were affrighted at his unexpected Boldness and kill'd their Leader so that when there was scarce any appearance to escape with Life he overcame the General and carryed away his Arms. 5. When L. Paulus had lost his Army at the Battle of Cannae Lentulus offered him a Horse to fly but he would not survive his ill Success which had not been occasioned by him but continued upon that Rock where he had been wounded and against which he leaned untill the Enemy came overpowr'd and kill'd him 6. Varro his Partner shewed a greater Constancy after that defeat The Senate and People returned him their Thanks because he had not despair'd of defending the Commonwealth He shewed sufficiently that he preserved himself not out of a desire of living so much as out of a Love for his Country for he let his Beard and Hair grow out to a length and never after would rest to take his Meat And when the People offer'd him Honours he refused them saying That the Commonwealth had need of more successful Magistrates 7. Sempronius Sirnamed Tuditanus and C. Octavius Tribunes of the Soldiers when all was lost at the Battle of Cannae and they were besieged by the Enemy in the lesser Camp perswaded the Soldiers with their Swords in their hands to break through with them the Enemies Guards assuring them that this was their Resolution though none should have the Courage besides themselves There were but Twelve partly Horsemen partly Footmen of all the rest who had the boldness to keep them company and with these they came safe to Canusium a Roman Garrison 8. C. Fontejus Crassus in Spain going out to forage with Three Thousand Men was surrounded in a difficult passage by Hasdrubal He acquainted only the first Ranks of his Soldiers with his Design and in the beginning of the Night when he was least expected he broke through the Enemies Post 9. P. Dicius the Tribune in the Samnitick War when Cornelius Cossus the Consul was caught in a difficult place advised him to send a small Party to possess a neighbouring hill and offer'd himself to lead that Party By this means he drew the Enemy to another place and opened a way for the Consul to escape but in that Station they besieged Derius and surrounded him He in the Night sallyed out of those Streights and came safe with his Soldiers to the Consul 10. The same Policy was practiced under the Command of Attilius Calatinus the Consul by him whose Name is variously recorded Some call him Laberius others Q. Ceditius many Calpurnius Flamma When this Man saw his Army led into such a Valley where all the Hills round about were possessed by the Enemy he desired the Consul to give him the heading of Three Hundred Men which being granted he exhorted them by their Courage to save their Army with this Party he ran down into the middle of the Valley and when the Enemies on all sides came to destroy them he detained them so long in a sharp fight that the Consul had time to draw and lead out his Army 11. C. Caesar marching against the Germans and their King Ariovistus with his Army perceived that his Soldiers were terrified he called them together therefore and told them that he would make use that day of none of his Legions but only of the Tenth Legion By this saying he encouraged the Soldiers of that Legion to behave themselves most manfully and the others were moved with shame to fight that the others might not carry away all the Honour and Glory of the Field 12. A certain Noble Man of Lacedemon when King Philip threatned to punish them with Fines if they did not deliver up their City answered He can never hinder us from dying for our Country 13. Leonidas the Lacedemonian when one told him that the Persians with the multitude of their Arrrows would make a Cloud answered We shall then fight the better in the shade 14. When Caelius the City Praeaor was doing Justice in the Seat of Judicature a Magpy pitcht upon his Head And the Roman Southsayers told him that if he did let go the Bird the Enemies would obtain the Victory over the Romans but if he kill'd the Bird
contained they might afford an encouragement to the Fire 10. Hannibal shewed to King Antiochus how he should cast Pots full of Vipers into their Enemies Ships which so affrighted the Soldiers that they were thereby hindred from resisting and from the Government of their Ships 11. Prusias practiced the same Policy when his Fleet gave back 12. When M. Parcius in a furious manner broke though the Enemies Fleet the Carthaginians were thereby troubled and out of order Porcius took an advantage of it causing his Men to take the Carthaginian Arms and hang out their Colours by that means under the appearance of Friends he deceived and sunk several of their Ships 13. When the Athenians had been assaulted by the Lacedemonians in their Festival days which were kept in Honour of Minerva out of the City they continued the appearance of such as were wont to honour the Goddess only under their Coats they had hid their Weapons When they had performed their accusiomed Worship they returned not immediately to Athens but from thence in a speedy manner they hasted to Lacedemon at that time when they were least expected and plundered all their Enemies Country at their pleasure whereas a little before they had been plunder'd by them 14. Cassius took some Ships of burden which were scarce useful and firing them he sent them before the Wind amongst the Enemies Fleet and set them all a Fire 15. M. Lucius having defeated Hasdrubal some advised him to pursue the Enemy till they had totally destroyed them pray said he let some of them remain alive who may declare our Victory to the Enemy 16. Scipio Africanus was wont to say That it was good Policy not only to give the Enemy a way to escape and fly but also to secure it to them 17. Pericles the Athenian promised his Enemies that they should be safe if they would cast down their Weapons which when they had done he commanded all that had in their Armour Iron Bucklers to be slain 18. When Hasdrubal was entred into the Borders of Numidia to subdue them and that the Inhabitants prepared to resist him he told them that he was come only to hunt Elephants which were plentiful in Numidia and if they would suffer him he promised to do them no harm They believed him and called back their Forces then did they assault and subdue them 19. Alcetas the Lacedemonian that he might more easily surprize a Convey of Victuals sailing to Thebes unexpected provided some Ships in a secret place shewing but one Galley in which by turns he exercised his Marriners But in a convenient time when the Thebans were sailing by he sent out all his Ships against them and took all their Provisions 20. Ptolomeus having but a weak Army when he marched against Perdicas who was the stronger in Forces took all sorts of Beasts and caused them to draw behind them Carts and to be driven forward by a few Horsemen In the mean while he marched before with what Troops he had with him so that the dust raised by the Cattle gave an appearance of a vast Army that followed behind which thought so terrified the Enemy that they were put to flight 21. Myronides the Athenian going against the Thebans who were more numerous in Horse when his Foot came into the plain Fields he told them that if they did keep their grouod they would be safe but if they yielded they would be destroyed by this Speech he confirmed his Soldiers and got the Victory 22. L. Pinarons being Governour in Sicily of the Town Ennae when the Magistrates of the City desired him to deliver up the Keys of the Gates which he had in his Custody to them he had a jealousie of them that they intended to turn to the Carthaginians he desired therefore one Nights space to consider of it informing secretly his Soldiers of the treachery of those Greeks he commanded them to be ready the next day and expect the Signal The next morning in the Presence of his Soldiers he told the Magistrates that he would deliver up the Keys if all the Inhabitants desired it for that purpose all the Citizens being call'd into the Theater demanded the delivery of the Keys By this he understood of their purpose to revolt to the Enemy he immediately therefore gave order to his Soldiers to fall on and kill all the Inhabitants 23. Iphicrates the Athenian General took the Colours at the appearance of the Enemies Fleet and sailed to a Town of which he had a jealousie and when at his landing he was received with great Expressions of joy he found out their unconstancy and plunder'd the Town 24. Tiberius Gracchus declared publickly that he would give liberty to all the Volunteers who behaved themselves manfully but that he would crucifie the Cowards When therefore four thousand of those who had been sloathful in the Fight for fear of the Threatned Punishment were gathered together on the Top of a Hill he sent to tell them that his whole Army of Volunteers in his judgment had got the Victory seeing the Enemy was fled By this saying he deliver'd them from the fear of Punishment and kept them in their Obedience 25. Hannibal after the Battle at the Lake of Thrasginerus where the Romans received so great a Loss when he had got into his Power six thousand of his Enemies by an agreement he sent away all the Confederates of the Latine Country and spoke graciously to them saying that he was come into Italy to make War to free the Country from the Roman Slavery and by their means some of the People surrendred themselves to him 26. Magro when the Locri were besieged by Crispinus Admiral of the Roman Fleet caused a Report to be spread abroad in the Roman Camp that Hannibal had kill'd Marcellus and was coming with his Army to raise the Siege of the Town having therefore secretly sent out a Party of Horse he order'd them to shew themselves on the top of the Hills which were in sight when Crispinus saw them he imagined that Hannibal was really coming he therefore hasted with his Army on Shipboard and fled 27. Scipio Aemilianus at the Battle of Numantia placed his Bow-men and Slingers not only between his Cohortes but also between every Century or Company of Foot 28. Pelopidas Thebanus being put to flight by the Thessalians and having sounded the depth of a River over which he had hastily cast a Bridge that the Enemy might not make use of it also to pass over he commanded the Rear of his Army to burn the Bridge 29. When the Roman Cavalry could by no means encounter with the Horsemen of Campania Q. Naevius a Captain in the Army of Fulvius Flaccus the Proconsul found a way to strengthen them He caused out of all the Army some of the nimblest Footmen to be chosen who were of a middle Stature He furnished them with round and little Bucklers with Headpieces Swords and seven Spears every one about four Foot
Precepts and Doctrines as are most pleasing to the Viciousness and Corruptions of Men particularly of the Inhabitants of those Eastern Countries To his Followers he allows all things grateful to their Appetites and gives large promises of future advantages but such as reject his Doctrines he threatned with Fire and Sword and order'd his Disciples to destroy and plunder them The Mahometans are commonly very modest in their behaviours and seemingly devout and abstain from the most scandalous Sins which disgrace too much the Christian Profession Mahomet had not long proclaimed himself to be a Prophet before he was chosen General of the Saracen Army that had assisted Heraelius the Emperor against the Persians Upon the denyal of their just Wages they fell upon the Roman Provinces to pay themselves with the Spoils of the Country Mahomet could not have a better opportunity to settle his Religion for by his Wit and Successes he wanted not those of his Country that sided with him for the present Gain and help'd him to propagate his Faith with the sharpness of their Swords He had great prosperity in all his Wars and when he was dead Abubecher his Kinsman succeeded him and within two Years took several Towns from the Roman Empire Next to him was Omer and after him Ottoman They all endeavour'd to secure their Interest amongst the ignorant People by the same divellish Arts Hypoerisie and Counterfeits For Mahomet had a Pidgeon that would come to his Ear which he declar'd to be a Divine Message sent to direct and advise him When he was troubled with the Falling Sickness he invented that then the Angel Gabriel did appear to him and cast him into a Divine Rapture whereby his Senses were stupified These three formal Successors of Mahomet reformed the Alcoron and blotted out a great many gross Absurdities which were there before and left all their Conquests and Honours to Mortis Aly who could not be contented with the Honour of succeeding Mahomet but resolved to set up for himself declaring that he was a greater Prophet than Mahomet had bin Their wonderful Success in War and the great progress that they made in a few years caused the ignorant World to believe that these wicked Impostors were more than ordinary Men. Homar took in Damascus and all Phaenicia with Aegypt Hally conquered Persia and spread his impious Superstition all over the Eastern Countries He was slain by Muavias who enlarged his Dominions as far as the Eastern Sea conquered Cyprus and Rhodes and in a notable Sea-Fight beat the Roman Emperors Navy and kill'd so many Christians that the Sea was dyed with the Roman Bloud Such terrible executions together with the vast numbers of the Saracen Armies and their subtile way of Fighting more by surprize and Ambush than by plain Valour struck such a terrour to all the Provinces of the Empire that as soon as they appeared the Inhabitants would compound with the Arabian Leaders to save their Lives and yield unto them what ever else they would require This wonderful success made them adventure into Italy Greece Spain and France and to run over all the Sea-Coast of Africa where their Posterity continues to this very day These Mahometans are bound to propagate their Religion and generally believe that if they kill or are killed by Christians in the quarrel of their false Prophet they are undoubtedly saved and their Souls admitted into Paradise This Error causeth them to be so Couragious in the greatest Dangers and the plunder of the Countries invited a great many Vagabonds to joyn themselves in hopes of Gain to that Damnable Superstition and to their numerous Armies They conquered Sicilia Sardinia and almost all the most considerable Islands of the Mediteranean Sea and besieged the Emperour Constantine the IV. in his Imperial City But their great Navy was set on Fire by an Invention of Callinicus a Learned Methematician of those days who with Fire-balls that would burn in the Water destroyed all their Ships with 30000 men in them By this means the Roman Provinces were quiet for a while and deliver'd from the fear of their Cruel Neighbours till they encreased again and under the leading of Abdimelech their King He recovered and conquer'd Persia Mesopotamia Armenia Hircania and several other large Provinces with the Destruction of Mustar and Said his two Potent Enemies Thus through the Ignorance and Cowardise of the Eastern People through the Divisions amongst Christians the Cruelty Diligence Policy and Power of Mahomet and his Successors prevailed in a wonderful manner CHAP. IX Of Carolus Martellus the French General and of his Son King Pipin of France THE Saracen Armies were in those days not only in Asia and Africa but in Europe also they conquered all the plain Countries of Spain and erected several Kingdoms there At the Invitation of Eudon Duke of Guien jealous of the Greatness of Charles Martel they entred France and passed over the Pyrenian Mountains under the command of Abdiran their General Bourdeaux they took with several other great Towns that were forced to submit to their vast numbers for they were above 300000 men with all their Families Charles Martel the Son of Pipin Chief Master of the Kings Palace taking upon him the Name of Prince of France encountred these Foreign Enemies with an Army of French Germans and Longobards and to oblige his men to stand to the Fight with more Courage he placed behind them certain Troops of Horse commanding them to kill all such as should offer to fly away This severe course obliged them to be so couragious and resolved that they cut in pieces as is recorded in History near 370000 Saracens with little loss on the Christians part This Famous Victory together with the wonderful deliverance of the French Countries from the danger of these Infidels made Martel to be both beloved and highly honoured by all that Nation so that he had no great difficult to set aside the Race of the former Kings and to make way for his Son Pipin to ascend upon the French Throne instead of Chiperick who was shut up in a Monastery This hath often bin the unhappy Fate of such Princes as have minded more their Pleasures than the Government of their Kingdoms and have left to others that charge which they are by God's appointment to take upon themselves Martel after the Slaughter of the Saracen Army in the Fields of Aquitania met with two Generals more of the same Nation upon the Borders of Navarre Athimus and Amortheus who brought with them a great Company of the same People He slew Eudon the wicked Duke of Aquitania and drove all the Saracens out of France and encouraged Pelagius an Earls Son to endeavour to free the Kingdom of Gallicia and Leon from those troublesome Guests With a very small Company this Pelagius destroyed vast numbers of the Saracens and was for his good Service and Valour saluted the first King of Gallicia Pipin the Son of Charles Martel succeeds
And to prevent such sudden casualties which cannot be all fore-seen by the most experienced and wise Commanders or by the most excellent Soldiers though never so well acquainted with the Stratagems of War no precaution can be prescribed but that of a steady and well resolved mind not to be daunted at the fight of the greatest dangers but in such a case as it becomes a Commander to animate and encourage his Men and to have a Remedy at hand for all misfortunes and a plaister for every wound so it becomes a Soldier to stand firm and act the part of a valorous and brave Courage not to be terrified with Bug-bears and though the danger should be real and great the Resolutions of a good Soldier must master all such sudden and surprizing difficulties and wade through a Sea of Bloud to the Honour of the Victory which he ought to value at an equal rate with his own Life when he hath a good cause CHAP. XVI How a great Army of Danes were defeated by the means of one Hay a Country Man and his two Sons A.D. 964. THe Danes having invaded Scotland overpowred a Scotch Army in a notable Battel so that the Scots were all put to flight At that time one Hay a Ploughman coming out of his Field with his two Sons meets with the Rout. They being all his Countrymen he bids them stand for shame and return to the Fight and so prevailed upon them by his words and example that they turned back and encountred with the Danes again so fiercely that they were all put to flight and utterly destroyed For this good Service the Countryman was rewarded with as much Land as a Falcon could fly over at one flight which is 6 Miles in length From this Hay is descended the Noble Family of the Hays whose chief is the Earl of Arroll CHAP. XVII How Tangrolipix the Turkish General was made Sultan of Persia TAngrolipix with a party of Turks was requested by Mahomet a Saracen Sultan of Persia to assist him against Pisasiris Caliphon of Babylon He had the good fortune to bear Caliph's Army of Arabians After the Victory he desired liberty to return home but Mahomet denyed it him which so discontented the Turks that they withdrew themselves into the Desarts and Forrests of Caravonitis from whence they made Incursions upon all the Borders for their Livelyhood and Plunder This obliged the Sultan of Persia Mahomet to send against them a powerful Army which by the skill of Tangrolipiae was defeated Mahomet inraged at this loss puts out the eyes of Ten of the chief Commanders and threatens to apparel all the rest of the flying Army in the Garb of Women and to carry them about his Kingdom as Cowards These threatnings could not be disgested by those Military Souls whose mishap not want of Courage had lost the day against the Turks They therefore either out of Fear or Revenge went all away to Tangrolipix to encrease the number of his Army When Tangrolipix was thus strengthned by this unexpected Recruit he kept not himself any longer in the Desarts and Mountains but marched with a compleat Army to meet with Mahomet in the Fields of Ispahan where after a bloudy Fight Mahomet fell from his Horse and broke his neck At his death both Armies sounded a Retreat and their Chieftains came to a Parley where it was agreed that Tangrolipix should be saluted Sultan of Persia This was the first Kingdom of the Turks in Asia mentioned in History after the leaving of their own Country Tangrolipix conquered Babylon and warred against the Arabians and the Emperour of Constantinople with various success and at last he conquered many rich Provinces of the Empire partly through the covetousness of Constantine Ducas then Emperour who taxed all the Borderers and suffered them to withdraw their Garrison from the strongest places of the Country whereas before they were free for the services they rendred to the Roman Empire and partly for want of encouraging and entertaining military men By these examples a Prince may learn that it is no point of policy to provoke men of courage by too great severity nor to suffer his Armies and Captains to want that due regard which they expect and deserve when his Dominions are surrounded and endanger'd by powerful and watchful Enemies By the contempt and neglect of Arms the Greeks have lost their Honour and Empire and are forced to submit to the Turks Tyranny and Oppression and are now become the basest of Men in War CHAP. XVIII How the first Christians that adventur'd over into Asia against the Turks were decoyed and cut off by their Ambushes THe zeal of our Fore-Fathers stirred them up to the Conquest of the Holy Land Several great Princes had crossed themselves with a resolution to undertake that perilous Voyage Amongst the rest Gualter de Saint Sanneur a Noble Man and Peter the Hermit entred Asia before the rest with forty thousand Men who drove the Turks before them at first but they to deceive the Christians made a shew as if they were wonderfully afraid therefore they forsook the Towns At Exorgum the Christian Army encamped from whence about 3000 were sent to fetch in Provisions some few Herds of Cattle appeared at a distance which the flying Turks suffered them to take quietly but the next time that they sallyed out to forage they cut them all in pieces And when ten thousand more were sent to revenge this loss they were almost all destroyed by the Turks Ambuscado's for both they and the Moors of Africa are very subtile in laying them in convenient places and they seldom fight but with such advantages and surprises Sultan Solyman the Son of Cutla-Moses was the chief Commander of the Turks in those parts a warlike Prince who having got together an Army of 60000 men engaged in a sharp Fight against the Christians after the taking of the City of Nice and had almost destroyed their Army by the sudden assaulting of their Camp behind them whilst the Christian Army was fighting in the Field It hath always been observed that there is nothing hath been more destructive to an Army and given the Enemy more advantage than when Soldiers become insolent proud of their Success and begin to despise their Enemies and their Endeavours for it is an easie matter to surprize such in a Snare and make them to repent too late of their folly Hundreds of Examples might be produced of the miserable overthrow of those who began to contemn their Enemies too soon CHAP. XIX How Othoman the first King of the Turks cunningly slew such as intended to have destroyed him O Thoman's wonderful Prosperity purchased to him the hatred and envy of many of his Neighbours so that several Christian Captains of small Castles living round about him resolved in their Assembly to murder Othoman and the better to effect their wicked purpose they designed to invite him to a great Marriage which was to be solemnized between
gave a fair opportunity to Chalel to strengthen himself against the coming of the Emperor who having gathered together some Country Forces began to lay close Siege to the Castle but in such a negligent and careless manner as if their Enemy had been already overcome This being known to Chalel and his Turks within he sallies out with eight hundred Horse and directs his course to the Imperial Ensign where without any resistance he put the whole Army with the Emperour to flight took all their Bag and Baggage with the Imperial Crown full of Jewels and Pearls which Chalel put upon his own Head in derision of the Emperor After this Victory the Turks spoiled the Country of Thracia and so distressed the Inhabitants that they scarce dared to venture out of their Walled Towns to manure their Ground The two Emperors the Father and the Son having no Power nor Courage to stop them sent for foreign Aid out of Servia In the mean while Philes Faleolgus a Kinsman of the Emperors a Devout man pittying the sad condition of his miserable Country thus spoiled by these barbarous Turks without controul requested of the Emperors that he might be sent to see what he could do against them According to his desire he was furnished with an Army of Greeks and Servians first he encouraged his Captains and Soldiers giving them many Gifts and mon ytook care of their safety and welfare and promised to them all great Rewards according to their brave Actions This caused Philes to be so well beloved in his Army that they were willing and resolved to fight and dye with him When he understood that Chalel with a thousand Foot and two hundred Horse was plundring of the Country he marched forward to meet him The Turks at the first appearance of the Christian Army made ready for Battel inclosing in their Prisoners bound and all their booty within their Waggons Philes encouraged his Men and with his Eyes and Hands lifted up to Heaven heartily prayed to the God of Hosts to pity the miseries of his distressed Country-men After a furious Fight and much Gaslantry on both sides the Turks were beaten out of the Field and forced to fly to their Castle as their last Refuge but being there besieged both by Sea and Land they were all slain and taken Prisoners and the Country freed from a grievous oppression by this devout Captain CHAP. XXII The Stratagems of Orthanes the II. King of the Turks at his first coming to the Crown for the Enlargement of his Dominions ORthanes treading the Footsteps of his deceased Father proceeded by policy in most of his expeditions There was at the death of his Father a certain strong Castle named Tzuprichiser situate upon the passage of the River Sangarius which stopt all the inrodes of the Turks into part of Bythinia and was a great succour to the City of Nice lately recovered from the Turks by the Christian Captains This Castle possessed by the Christians Orthanes endeavour'd to recover for that purpose he disguises himself and his followers in the Habit of Christian Merchants with their Weapons concealed about them and nothing visible but Packs and such Wares as were usually carryed that way into the Neighbouring Villages At the Gates of the Castle he desires the Guard that he and his might have liberty to enter in and pass through They without any scruple suffered him to go in thinking that they had bin Merchants indeed but as soon as they were within the Gates they fell upon the Guards overcame them and took from them this strong Castle which gave them an inlet to all the most pleasant Country about Nice So that the Subjects of the Emperor were continually vexed by their unreasonable plundring and forced for their security to put themselves under their protection By this means he got daily ground and encroached still upon the Borders of the Empire Andronicus the younger to stop the progress of the Turks listed an Army and met them in the Field near Philocrene a Town in Bythinia where he was defeated and wounded and for want of good order his whole Army forced to fly leaving behind him all his bag and baggage After this good success Orthanes commanding all the Country round about the City of Nice without any opposition reduced it to great want of Provisions so that when the Inhabitants complained to the Emperour he promised to send them 1000 Horse to keep Garrison there and defend them from the Turks power Orthanes had intelligence of this promise and of the coming of this Cavalry to prevent them he resolves to take Nice before their coming which he readily performed by this Stratagem He caused about 800 of his stoutest men to take the Habit and Furniture which Christian Horsemen used then to wear commanding them to take a compass about and ride directly to the City in that way that leads from Constantinople to Nice At the same time he sent about 300 of his own Horsemen in their Turkish Apparrel to spoil the Country round about in view of the City At that very instant the 800 Horsemen in the Christians Garb came Travelling towards Nice and seeing the others plundring the Country they fell upon them and overcame them in a Fight which was all done in sight of the Citizens of Nice After the supposed Victory they rid to the Gates with some part of the Spoils of their counterfeit Enemies The Citizens thinking that their promised Succours were come opened to them their Gates with Joy and without much examination But as soon as they were within the Turks made them feel the sharpness of their Swords and these 800. with 300 more that fled out of sight and a strong Ambush that lay near the City joined all together took and plundred it and left it to be possessed by the Turks to this day After this and the gaining of all the Sea-ports about the ancient and demolished City of Troy Accecoza a Captain of Orthanes besieged Abydus a Famous Castle upon the Hellespont which he took by the Treachery of the Captains Daughter in the Castle She had seen in a Dream a certain Officer Cavalier of a very handsome Countenance who helped her out of a Miery Ditch and performed several other pleasing Services to her The Image of this Gallant was so fixed in her mind when awakened that she longed to see the reality of the Man that was shewn to her in her sleep It happened that when the Castle was besieged by the Turks an Officer did usually ride up and down near to the Walls She looked out at a Window and saw him and found that this was the Man whom she had already in her Fancy and Affection therefore she provided a Letter for him which she cast over the Wall at his next riding about tyed to a stone Abdurachman was the name of the Cavalier He takes it up and shews it to Accecoza his chief Commander who there finds that the Amorous Virgin promised
Horse and Foot than Bajazet Some reckon 300000 Horse and 400000 Foot in Tamerlans Army whereas in Bajazets Army were 140000 Horse besides 30000 Mamalucks and 30000 Janizaries and above 100000 other Soldiers but old and experienced in War Tamerlan therefore resolved to fight on Horseback and so to draw up his numerous Army that they might all be serviceable in their order and weary the valiant Enemy with the Assaults of fresh men This wise and politick manner of Fight undoubtledly obtained for him the Victory for having always a fresh Body of men both of Horse and Foot ready to fall on instead of such as were either discouraged or broken he kept the Turks so long in play that they were tired and sorced to yield to the greater number CHAP. XXV The Stratagems of Alis Bassa the Great Minister of State under Sultan Soliman Bajazets Eldest Son in the War against Mahomet the 5th King of the Turks AFter the departure of Tamerlan out of Natolia the Children of Bajazet made themselves Masters of much of his Dominions Soliman took that part which lay in Europe Isa and Mahomet shared what they could keep from Tamerlans Lievtenants in Asra But when their common Enemy was retreated they fell out amongst themselves Isa contended with his Brother Mahomet three times in Bloudy Fights and was as often worsted and forced to fly for safety into Caramania where he lived and dyed in obscurity Soliman the other European Brother made ready a strong Army and passing over into Asia took the Royal City of Prusa but the Castle was defended by Jacub-beg a stout Captain who being reduced to the necessity of submitting to Soliman without speedy relief sent a Messenger to inform Mahomet of his distress Mahomet dispatched back the Messenger with a Letter to Jacub and assured him of his Assistance The Messenger was taken by Solimans Soldiers and brought to Alis-beg his Great General When he had read the Letter he counterfeited others in the name of Mahomet wherein he commended the Faithfulness and Courage of Jacub but because he could not yet send him any Succours he gave him liberty to deliver the Castle upon Honourable Terms This counterfeit Letter Alis-beg found means to send secretly to Jacub-beg into the Castle when he had read it he hanged out a Flag of Truce and desired a Parley with Soliman and according to the direction of the Letter he deliver'd up his Castle to the great Grief of Mahomet who was within one days Journy of Prusa ready with a stout Army to fall upon the Besiegers and force his way to the Castle Soliman after the surrender of this strong place dispersed his Army As soon as Mahomet heard of it he made speed to surprize his Brother who minded more his Pleasure than the War But Soliman being advertized by one of his Commanders of his Brothers coming at that time when he could not well resist him consulted how to run away and sail over into Europe but from such a disgraceful flight he was disswaded by Alis-Bassa his great Councellor because 't was like to discourage all his Friends in Asia and ruine his interest there but he advised him to make speed and post himself with his small Company about the Streights of Neapolis there to keep the passages of the Country which good advice he followed and beat off his Brother Mahomet whom he hindred from passing any further Whilst he there lay Alis-beg doubting of his Masters strength resolved to try what he could do by cunning He sent one of his Trusty Servants to Mahomet to inform him that most of his Great Captains had designed and agreed amongst themselves to deliver him up to Soliman his elder Brother and the undoubted Heir of his Father and therefore willed him to stand upon his Guard Notwithstanding this advice he caused several assaults to be made to the Passages of the Mountains but was as often repulsed At last when one of his menial Servants fled to Soliman he began to be jealous of the rest therefore fearing Treachery and being otherwise incommodated by the Wet Weather he departed back to Amasia and deliver'd his Brother from a great fear of being taken by him This Civil War lasted several years first between Isa and Mahomet next between Mahomet and Soliman then between Soliman and Musa who took and strangled Soliman in Europe At last the contention was between Musa and Mahomet who after the Death of all his other three Brothers succeeded to all the Dominions of old Bajazet deceased in Chains CHAP. XXVI The Brave Exploits of Huniades the Hungarian in defence of his Country against the Turks HVniades by his Valour and Wisdom raised himself in the esteem and favour of Vladislaus first King of Poland and afterwards chosen King of Hungary about the year 1440. so that Vladislaus made him Vayvod of Transilvania At his first coming to the Government he secured all the Passages and Borders with good Garrisons because he had an unquiet and cruel Neighbour Isa-beg who commanded in Rascia and the upper part of Servia for Amurath This Isa-beg had often by the command of his Prince invaded the Christians Country and put all to Fire Sword and woful Desolation the more to distress Belgrade and other Frontier Cities of Hungary Huniades with one Nicholas Vilach raised a considerable Army of Horse and Foot and marched with them into Isa's Government between Belgrade and Sinderovia to requite the Turks Cruelties Isa met him with such Forces as he had then not inferiour in number to the Christians At the first Onset Huniades's Army retreated behind the Men at Arms whose fierceness and undaunted Courage the Turks could not long endure but were forced to fly so that Isa to save himself returned to Sinderovia with more speed then he came from thence Huniades after a great slaughter of the Enemies and much Rich Spoil and many Prisoners returned to Belgrade where Amuraths Displeasure Isa's Loss and Defeat would not suffer him to rest long for this angry Turk having raised a numerous Army of Valiant Soldiers sent with them Mesites his General to spoil and subdue Transilvania Mesttes came into the Country on a sudden before Huniades was well able to oppose him He put all to the Sword at his first Entrance and destroyed by Fire the Towns and Villages to make himself more dreadful to the Inhabitants Huniades in this distress was forced to fly to Alba Jula to the Bishop of that City George Lepe with an intent by his Assistance to raise an Army but being followed by the Turks speedy March before they could be provided they were both besieged in the City by the Enemies who spoiled all the Country round about Huniades and the Bishop sallies out upon them but were forced by an Ambush to retreat The Bishop was slain but Huniades saving himself went all about his Government and gathered what Power he could make up perswading the People to venture themselves in the just Defence
of their Country and Families With this Tumultuary Army he marches after the Bassa then proud with Success and laden with Spoils And for the better carrying on of his purpose he sent Spies to give him notice of the Turks Motions and designs From them he understood that Mesites had given a special command to all his Officers and Soldiers to assault the Person of Huniades upon whose Valour and Direction depended the Fortune of the day In the Army of Huniades was one Simon Kemene an adventurous Gentleman who knowing of the Turks design and orders offered to change Horse and Armour with his General for his greater safety which when Huniades had granted he pursued the Turks and skirmished with them every day at last they came to a Battel where the counterfeit Huniades ding his Generals Horse was beset by the Turks and after a stout resistance slain But the true Huniades in the mean while incouraging his Men receiving such as were oppressed rallying such as fled made a great slaughter of the Infidels in whose Camp were many Christian Prisoners that broke their Chains and with such Weapons as came next to hand charged the Turks in the Rear whilst Huniades kept them in play till they were forced to fly Mesites with his Son was slain and 20000 Turks The Christians lost about 3000 Men but recovered all the Plunder Spoils and Prisoners After this notable Victory he laid the Foundation and made a preparation far greater first by returning thanks to the God of Hosts the Giver of all Success and causing Solemn Thanksgiving to be made in all the Churches of his Government next by acknowledging the Soldiers Valour and Courage and giving to every one both Officers and others their due Praises by enriching his Army with the Spoils of his Enemies which he converted not to his own private use but made them plentifully share in the enjoyment of that which they had got with the hazard of their Lives and by consecrating to Pious Uses some part of the Spoils that he might thereby return Thanks to God both in Word and Deed. Never any covetous Commander was ever successful in War As the private Soldier must do the Work he must not want that encouragement which Military Souls expect The best as well as the meanest are most willing to venture their Lives with those by whose Bounty and Liberalities they have been notably obliged And if Soldiers will be careful to remember their God upon whose pleasure the Lives of Men and the hazards of War do immediately depend he will undoubtedly mind them in their greatest distress and dangers To defie God and his Power by filthy Oaths and Blasphemies unknown to our Fore-Fathers is now the common practise of those who would seem to be the stoutest Men. This is a baseness and madness which Atheisme hath much encouraged and which can never draw upon their Heads who give themselves over to such extravagant Liberties a Blessing but rather a Curse And those Armies where such bold Follies are either countenanced or winked at can never prosper long The greatest Conquerors and most successful Warriors both in former and latter Ages have bin careful to encourage Religion and to take with them the Blessing of Heaven in all their notable designs and after a prosperous proceeding to return unto God his Praises due by a publick acknowledgment of his Power and Bounty Huniades is an example of true Valour which hath always Piety joined with it After this Victory Valachia and Moldavia revolted from the Turks To revenge himself Amurath raised a very great Army and sent it under the command of Schech-Aheden-Bassa who passing through Valachia destroyed all their Country with Fire and Sword and entred into Transilvania with an intent to do the like there But Huniades met him with 15000 chosen Men at a place called Vascape where he drew up some Battalions in form of a Wedge which did him great service and could not be broken by the Turks Violent Assaults so that after near five hours continual fight during which time the Fields were covered with an incredible number of dead Bodies the Turks fled and the Hungarians kill'd above one half of the Infidels recovered 190 Ensigns and all the Bag and Baggage of the Enemy The next Spring 't was resolved by the States of Hurgary that a War against the Turks should be prosecuted with more care and preparation An Army was raised where the King Vladislaus adventured in Person to march over the River Tibiscus against a vast Army of the Turks and Huniades with a party of Horse was sent to beat up their Quarters in the Night He came so suddenly upon them that he slew 30000 Turks and took 4000 Prisoners with a great Booty after which he recovered most of Bulgaria so that the Turks for their safety were forced to stop up the passages of the great Mountain Hemus through which the Christian Army was to pass into Thracia and then being Winter they powred Water in all the Roads that neither Man nor Beast might be able to stand or go for the Ice into which the Water that fell was immediately frozen Nevertheless the Christian Army marched so far till the difficulty of the way and the want of all necessaries enforced them to return back at whose Heels Carambeg the Turkish General followed close to take them at some advantage When they came to the Mountain Cynobiza he sent a strong party of Horse to hinder the March of the Hungarian Army till he could reach them with the rest of his Troops Huniades and the Despot of Servia encouraged their Men and sent some loose Companies of Pikemen to stand amongst the Bushes and Thickets to assault the Turks Horsemen in their passage After a very bloudy Fight and the slaughter of many Thousand Turks the Victory inclined to the Hungarians Carambeg in his Flight fell into a Bog being deceived by the deep Snow and was taken by a common Soldier who sold him to Huniades for four hundred Duckets Out of this Fight fled George Castraot named Scanderbeg who was afterwards one of the most valiant Champions of the Christians against the Turks Amurath troubled with so many losses was resolved to conclude a Truce for ten years with Vladislaus which was granted and solemnly confirmed by Oath but by the Popes perswasion and Cardinal Julians's this Peace was broken the King and his Nobles absolved from all obligations of their Oaths An Army was prepared to invade the Turks Territories when Amurath was chastizing the King of Caramania for revolting against him Nevertheless Amurath made speed with a brave Victorious Army to meet the Hungarian King and at Varna encountred with him when he had but a small number in his Army to prevent the Turks inclosing in the Christians with their vast numbers Huniades drew them up in such a manner that they had a deep Marsh Ground on the Right Wing on the Left he placed his Carriages and on the Rear
such time as they should see that the Fight was begun and that then they should fall upon the Rear of the Turks This order was so exactly obeyed that the Turks having the Enemy before and behind were beset by a small number yet they did fight valiantly until a fresh supply from the Rear came and broke in upon the Turks forced them to fly killing in the pursuit and Battel two and twenty thousand and two thousand taken Prisoners with all the Turks Tents and Riches After this great Slaughter Scanderbeg mounted his Footmen upon the Turks Horses and with all his Army he plundred miserably a great part of Macedonia and enriched his Soldiers This great Victory made Scanderbegs Name to be famous all over the Courts of the Christian Princes so that in a general Confederacy between them for the opposing of Amurath Scanderbeg was entreated to be one of the party for that purpose he raised an Army and intended to assist Vladislaus at the great and unhappy Battel at Varna but his passage was stopt by the faithless Despot of Servia After that Overthrow Amurath sent Ferises Bassa to spoil Epirus with 9000 Horse but Scanderbeg having notice of his speedy coming he put 1500 stout Footmen in Ambush upon the Mountains and narrow ways that led into the Valley of Mocrea where the Turks were to pass These Footmen set upon the Turkish Cavalry in such places where they could not use their Horses that they were all routed and slain and pursued by two thousand Horse which Scanderbeg had there for the purpose Ferises saved himself by Flight with his broken Troops When Amurath heard of this Overthrow he sent one Mustapha another Captain with a Recruit of 6000 Horse to succeed Ferises in his Government with orders to burn and spoil as much of Epirus as he could Mustapha a wary Captain came with his Troops into the Valley of Moerea where he lay strongly encamped in his Trenches every night having placed Scouts and Sentinels all round upon the Hills to discover the Enemies coming with 4000 Horsemen he kept his Camp and sent out the rest in parties to spoil the Country with express orders upon pain of death to repair to him upon the first notice of an Enemy Scanderbeg being informed by his Spies of Mustapha's wariness resolves to deal with him by plain Force therefore with 4000 Horse and a 1000 Foot he speedily marched through the Valley to the Turks Camp where he kill'd many that were retreating with their plunder and then assaulted the Trenches with that Fury and Resolution that the Turks were beaten 5000 were killed and 300 taken Prisoners with the loss only of twenty Horsemen and fifty Foot Mustapha fled with the rest of his Forces to his Government of Macedonia to give an account of Scanderbegs Valour and of his own loss to Old Amurath who resolved to suffer awhile this dreadful Enemy to live in Peace therefore he commanded Mustapha not to molest the Borders of Epirus but only to defend his own Government It happened at that time that there was a Quarrel between Scanderbeg and the Venetians and an open War proclaimed When Mustapha saw that Scanderbeg's Forces were employed against the Venetians he begg'd leave of Amurath to try once more his Fortune against Scanderbeg For that purpose with a numerous Army he entred into Epirus when Scanderbeg was besieging the Town of Dayna where he left some Forces with Amesa to continue the Siege and with 500 Horse and 1500 Foot he went to find out Mustapha encamped in the upper Country of Dibra Out of the Garrisons he recruited and encreased his small number to 4000 Horse and 2000 Foot all old Soldiers When both Armies were drawn up in Battalia a Turk advantagiously mounted came out of the Turks Army to challenge any Christian to fight with him his name was Caragusa One Paul Manessi desired Scanderbeg that he might be the Man to encounter with this Turk which being granted at the first blow he wounded him grievously in the Head and cut it off which when he had done he took his Spoils and return'd with great Acclamations of the Christian Army to Scanderbeg who seeing how much this had encouraged his Men set forward against the Turks and with an invincible Courage beat them out of the Field took Mustapha Prisoner killed 12000 Men whereas of his own Army there was but 300 slain The Plunder of the Enemies Camp he always bestowed upon his Soldiers who met there with great Riches and according to his Custom entred again into the Turks Dominions to plunder and burn the Country Amurath grieved at so many losses resolves with a mighty Army to march into Epirus himself and try his own Fortune against this crafty Warriour Scanderbeg who having notice of his coming made all things ready he craved Aid of all his Christian Neighbours filled his Towns with Food Provision and Arms repaired all the decayed Fortifications and gathered an Army of 10000 Men to attend upon him leaving sufficient Garrisons in every City Amurath had in his Army one hundred and fifty thousand Men. He sent forty thousand before him to Stifegrade to make preparation for his coming Scanderbeg marched thither with 4000 Horsemen a thousand Foot and strongly encamped himself within Seven Miles of the City from his Camp he went up with some of his Captains to the top of a Hill as near as he could to see how the Turks lay before Stifegrade at his return he drew out his small Army and placed them in the Woods not far from the City unto which he sent Moses and Musachi with about 30 Horsemen to drive some Horses loaden with Corn as if they had purposed secretly to get into the City When the Turks Scouts perceived them they charged them but were beaten back with the loss of five men which gave the Alarm to the Turks who marched out to pursue them in number about 4000. Moses politickly drew them away from their Camp to the place where Scanderbeg lay in Ambush He rose with his Men set upon them with that Fury that he killed 2000. and took a thousand Horse with the loss of two and twenty of his own Men. Amurath came before Stifegrade in May 1449. he battered and assaulted the Town with the slaughter of vast numbers of his best Men during which time Scanderbeg often brake into one part or other of his Camp making a terrible destruction and then again retreated with little or no loss At one time when Amurath was giving an assault to the City Scanderbeg was discovered drawing near to the Turks Camp and by Amuraths order was met with by Feri-Bassa who long desiring to fight with Scanderbeg was by him slain and his Army routed with great loss but because all the Turks Army were at hand he speedily retreated from thence with his Victorious Army Stifegrade was afterwards betrayed and surrendred but Amurath lost before the City 30000 of his best Men. At his
sayled away for fear Cardonius a Spanish Captain coming then in to the rescue of his Fellows pursued him but was set upon by 15 Turks Gallies that turned back upon him slew him and most part of his Soldiers and Marriners and had undoubtedly taken his Gally had not Don John Columnius and Venerius been near at hand This Fight lasted five hours in which about 20000 Turks were slain amongst which were Haly Bassa the General Chiroche Cassanes Malamur Gider Cassambeius Proni Aga Mustapha Zelibi Caracoza a Famous Pyrat were chief 3500 were taken Prisoners the chief were Achmat and Mahomet the Sons of Haly and Nephews to Sultan Selimus with others of great account There were 161 Gallies taken and about 40 sunk of other Vessels were taken about 60. The Admiral Gally of the Turks was the most beautiful The Christians lost 7566. who were killed and about 7000 wounded This great Victory recovered about 12000 Christians out of Captivity and caused great rejoycing in Italy in Spain and all over the Christian Countries It was the greatest overthrow that the Turks have ever had at Sea But one of the Turkish Prisoners hearing some compare it to the loss of Cyprus which had been but a little before taken from the Venetians he affirmed that it was not so great as the Venetians loss for said he by the taking of Cyprus from them they have lost a Limb of their State which will never be recovered but this loss at Sea is like the shaving of the Sultans Beard which will grow again in a little while This overthrow so troubled Selimus that he commanded all the Christians of his Dominions to be flain but was disswaded from this barbarous Cruelty by Mahomet Bassa CHAP. XXXV The Brave Exploits of Sigismundus Bator against the Turks in Transilvania THis Prince was one of the Noblest and most Fortunate Generals of our late years When the Turks his unquiet neighbours together with the Tartars invaded his Dominions he set upon them and made a great slaughter of them He recovered Valachia and Moldavia from the Turks with the assistance of the two Princes of that Country Sinan was sent with a vast Army into Valachia where the Prince met him and in a great Battel which lasted from morning till night overthrew the Turks Army with a wonderful slaughter Sinan fled and left all his Tents and Great Guns with Rich Spoils to the Christian Army To revenge this great Loss Sinan Bassa the Turks chief General raised 70000 men to drive the Prince out of Valachia He came to Tergovista where he encamped with his Army but at the report of the Princes coming the Turks were so terrified that they fled and Sinan himself dreaded a second Encounter with so successful and valiant a General who pursued him from place to place as far as Tergovista where the Prince cut in pieces 4000 Turks who had bin plundring the Country and recovered 60000 Head of Cattle which they had taken out of Valachia The Castle of Tergovista which was secured by Sinan with a Guard of 4000 Turks commanded by Hassan Bassa was taken and all the Soldiers put to the Sword The Prince following the chase took Bucaresta forsaken by the Turks and overtook the Rear of their Army at a Bridge made over the Danubius Sinan who to stop the Princes course burnt the farther end of the Bridge and exposed many of his men to the fury of the Christian Army or to the unmerciful Waves of the River He marched next to a Castle which defended another passage over the same River where 700 Turks were in Garrison The Castle he took and put them all to the Sword for refusing to yield upon Summons This Prince blasted the Glory of Sinan Bassa which he had many years gotten by his skill in War and recovered three fruitful Provinces from the Turks Transilvania Valachia and Moldavia a greater loss they never received at one time by Land CHAP. XXXVI How Zellaly the Turkish Rebel overcame the Bassa of Bosna by Craft MAhomet the 3d. was grievously troubled by his Rebellious Subjects in Asia who had got together in such considerable numbers and had such brave Generals to command them that all his Forces were not able to subdue them They overcame and cut in pieces several of his best Captains At last he was advised to circumvent them and by fair means to draw them into his Service and into such places as he might take them off at his pleasure Zellaly was one of the most considerable to him he caused the Government of Bosna a rich Province to be offered if he would come over with 12000 men which he had under his command into Europe to assist in the Wars of Hungary Zellaly suffered himself to be perswaded by this great Preferment and to satisfie the expectation of his Lord did him wonderful service in Hungary But when the Great Bassa was departed towards Constantinople Zellaly withdrew himself into his promised Government to take possession of it and came to the chief Town of that Province named Bagualue only with 3000 men and encamped in a meadow before the Town Zeffer Bassa being then Governour and having no orders from Mahomet to depart from his Government fretted to see the boldness of the Rebel and resolved to correct him He called therefore together his Soldiers and marched out against Zellaly in hopes to cut him in pieces with his Slender and weak Company When Zellaly understood his purpose and saw how unable he was to withstand him he in the night caused several Fires to be made round about his Camp and then departed with his Forces Zeffer hearing of his Flight imagined that fear had obliged him to withdraw himself therefore he hasted to Zellalies Camp which he gave to be plundred by his Soldiers whilst they were plundring and carrying away the Spoils Zellaly returns with his 3000 stout and valiant Horsemen who finding them in disorder and secure slew 6000 of the Bassa's men and obliged him to fly away with many of his Followers After this Victory to improve it to his best advantage he marched speedily to all the chief places of the Province and forced the Inhabitants to swear unto him Allegiance from every corner he gathered many brave Horses Armour and Money to serve him in time of need All this he secured in the strong Town of Balnaluc and though he had been often sent for to Constantinople by the Sultan with promises of great Honour and Advantage he would never suffer himself to be perswaded to go so near his offended Lord or within his reach but excused himself in the best manner he could CHAP. XXXVIII Of the Battel of Crescy between King Edward the 3d. of England and King Philip of France Ann. Dom. 1343. IN the English Army were 4000 men at Arms 10000 Archers with some Welsh and Irish Auxiliaries All commanded by the King in person and Edward Prince of Wales The whole Army consisted of 30000 Men. He landed
so that the Prince was never able to force him to a Fight And when all his Forage and Provisions were spent he was driven by that means to the necessity of departing out of the Country into Germany again CHAP. XLIX Of certain times convenient to fight an Enemy and other times wherein it is Wisdom to refuse a Battel IF an Armies Reputation depends wholly upon a speedy success as in many cases If the Enemy be gathering together greater Forces and expects a speedy supply of Horse or Foot If the Country be so at his devotion that the longer he delays the stronger he grows or if Victuals or Money begin to fail then a General should seek all fit opportunities for a speedy Encounter while the Enemy is not too strong and his own party in a condition and resolution to give Battel But if a General hath more Forces coming into him or if he knows that by delaying he may shorten or cut off his Enemies Provisions or if Sickness and Diseases do daily lessen the number of his Enemies then by delaying he may do as much service as by venturing a Battel At the Isle of Rhee the Freuch Army would never offer to fight with the English till they perceived them in a confusion by reason of their orders to Embark But they always followed them close at the Heels till this opportunity was offered to them and then with all their Forces of Horse and Foot they fell furiously upon the English and cut off a great many Likewise in the War between Don John of Austria and the Estates of the Netherlands he endeavour'd to fight the Army commanded by Count Bossute because he understood that Duke Cassimire with 5000 Horse and 6000 Foot with other Forces were coming into the Earls Camp within a few days But the Earl would by no means suffer his Men to venture out of their Trenches CHAP. L. How Lewis King of France stopt the Assistance which the Dukes of Burgundy and Britany were going to send to the Duke of Normandy THe French King understanding that these three Dukes had made a League Offensive and Defensive against him their common Enemy and having an intent to assault and fight them single When he led his Army into Normandy he feigned Letters from that Duke to the Duke of Burgundy signifying that he was loath to run the hazard of a War that he had accepted of the Kings offers and concluded an agreement with him for 60000 Franks and therefore he desired him to forbear sending of his Forces to his Assistance as had been formerly promised These Letters the King caused to be sent by an Herald to the Dukes of Burgundy and Brittany who though they suspected them to be false yet because they received a confirmation from the Contents from other hands but by the procurement of the King they caused their Armies to be speedily disbanded By this means the King obtained by policy what otherwise he could not well get by Force without the hazard of his Army for he having thus weakned his Enemies made with them what agreement he thought convenient and they were forced to yield to his Terms of peace CHAP. LI. A Policy used by a French General to destroy the Neapolitan Army strongly Encamped WHen there was a dispute between Ferand King of Naples and Charles King of France about the Crown of that Kingdom Ferand understanding that the French Army was too potent for him to encounter with only with his faint-hearted Neapolitans resolved to entrench himself between certain Hills The French General finding him in that advantagious Post that he did not dare to meddle with him divided his Army secretly in the night and sent a strong Party round about to assault King Ferand behind whilst he in the Interim with small Parties skirmished and kept them in continual play At last when the party of Men which were to surround the Neapolitan Army and to fall upon their Backs were come to the appointed place the French assaulted the Enemy behind and before entred their Trenches and routed them Xerxes in the same manner recovered the Streights of Thermopyle in Greece defended by a handful of Lacedemonians under Leonidas their Captain CHAP. LII How Prince Maurice took the Town of Gertrudenberg WHen the Prince of Orange besieged Gertrudenberg by Sea and Land he understood by a Prisoner taken from the Enemy that once every day the Governour with the chief Magistrates were wont to go up privately to take a view of the Hollanders Trenches and of the Country round about that they might see for an opportunity to sally out upon them immediately he took advantage of this Information and secretly ordered a Gentleman of his Army to run away to the Town under pretence that he had murdered a Man and therefore fled to save his Life The Gentleman according to appointment discover'd to the Princes Army by playing upon a Pipe when the Governour was in the Steeple The great Guns being then ready and waiting for the purpose were all immediately discharged at one time and battered down the Steeple killed the Governour with the Magistrates which as soon as the Prince suspected he caused a sudden assault to be made and carried the Town for want of a Governour and Orders to defend it For such a Consternation that must needs happen at the unexpected destruction of a Chieftain either in an Army or in a Garrison the Soldiers Hearts must needs be broken and before orders can be given to supply his place by another the Enemy hath a great advantage upon the party that he commands CHAP. LIII How the States of Holland took the Town of Breda by surprize THey hired a certain Master of a Boat who was wont to carry into the City Provisions of Bread and Beer and other necessaries for maintenance of the Garrison In this Boat they stored a Company of Stout and Valiant Gentlemen and covered them over with Turves and other things The Boatsman according to his custom brings strong Liquors upon the Guard makes them all drink plentifully till they were drunk whilst they were in that Condition he passeth the Guard and enters into the Town with his Company of Men who immediately gave notice to their Friends without by casting up a Ball of Wild-fire to fall on A Gate was broken open for them then did they disperse themselves about the Town killed all that resisted and mastered the Guard Such surprizes have been made with Carts full of Corn Hay c. wherein have been hid Soldiers and sometimes a Cart hath been purposely broken and out of order at the Gate of a Town to hinder the shutting of it and a party of the Enemy hath then set upon and entred the Town CHAP. LIV. How the Garrison of the Skonse at Zutphen was surprized THe Spaniards to strengthen the more the City of Zutphen in Gelderland had built a very strong Skonse in such a place as hindred any Enemy from making their approaches
CHAP. LXIV How the Duke of Bourbon made his dismayed Troops stand another Charge AT the Famous Battel of Agincourt where our English got so much Honour of the French Nation Lewis of Bourbon seeing his Left Wing routed and resolved to try the hazard of another Charge rallied some of his Troops that were broken and entreated them to follow him for he declared that the English were miserably shattered and would never abide one Charge more and that undoubtedly they would run away if they would but face them once more At that instant he had appointed a Soldier to run to him in hast before these Troops and to assure them that the English were yielding apace and crying for Quarter and that King Henry was ready to fly away desiring them to give their Assistance This Policy obliged the French to endure another Charge but King Henry having then taken twice as many Prisoners as were men in his Army commanded them to be killed upon a rumour that the French had rallied again taken the Kings Tents and were recruited with fresh Supplies so that being strengthned with a new Army they were ready to fall upon him again This obliged the King for the safety of himself and Army to command the Prisoners to be slain contrary to the Law of Arms after that he had granted and promised to them good Quarter CHAP. LXV How the Scots surprized the Town of Fast Castle from the English IN the days of Edward the Sixth one of his Generals took several Towns from the King of Scots amongst the rest he forced Fast Castle to yield to the English A Governour was appointed to command there in Chief and for the supplying of the Town with Provisions convenient for the Garrison he ordered the Neighbouring Villages and Country Farmers to bring in Contribution Corn When the Scots heard of it they resolved to take hold on this opportunity and to send Soldiers in the Garb of Scotch Peasants witth private Arms about them the appointed time with Sacks of Corn upon their Horses At the Gate they alighted and carryed into the Town their Corn upon their backs and fell upon the Guard which suspected no such attempt and cut them off taking possession of the Gate which they secured until more Forces came to their Assistance which took the Town and mastered the English there in Garrison CHAP. LXVI How the Island of Sarke a strong place near Guernezey was taken from the French THis Island is scituated near Guernezey having on all sides round high and steep Rocks to defend it and its Inhabitants from all sudden Invasions of a Foreign Enemy and but one narrow passage that leads up to the Island which few may defend against the greatest Forces The Island is of that Compass and Fruitfulness that several hundreds may subsist and be maintained there without any Provision from elsewhere The French were once possessed of this impregnable Island which lies very convenient for Pyracy in the Road of all the Northern Trade It was therefore thought convenient to take it out of their hands A Gentleman of the Netherlands undertook to surprize it and performed his Enterprize in this manner He Anchored in the Harbour with a small Ship and sent a Messenger to the Islanders to tell them That his Merchant a very Wealthy Man was lately dead a shipboard and desired to be buried in a Coffin in Hallowed Ground and that he entreated them that they might have the liberty to bring him ashore and lay him according to his Will The Islanders granted the Request upon condition they should all come without Arms. The Seamen accordingly landed but instead of a Dead Corps they filled the Coffin with Arms and brought it up into the Church-yard whilst many of the Islanders went aboard to buy some Commodities but they were all secured When the Coffin was at the place appointed they who carryed it laid it down opened it and took their Weapons slew the Guards and mastered the rest of the Islanders By this means this little but strong Island was taken from the Enemy CHAP. LXVII How Count Peter Navaresse raised the Siege of a Town where he was besieged THis subtile Warriour was besieged in a Town where the Enemy had made a considerable breach and was ready to storm the Walls to prevent the approaching danger he caused a countermure to be made with other Works and undermined the breach where he placed several Firkins of Gunpowder stopping them up with Stones and Timber At the Time of the Assault he was ready with all his Garrison to receive the Enemy but suffered a considerable number to enter in as many as he was well able to master then he gave Fire to the Train blew up the Mine about the Ears of them that were hastening into the Breach and so discouraged and disordered the rest of the Army that they gave back when they saw the Arms the Legs the Heads and other Limbs of their Fellows fly and sall round about them In this disorder he sallied out upon them with part of his Forces and with another part he cut in pieces them that were already got within the Walls By this means the whole Army was routed and forced to raise the Siege with great loss This same policy was practised at Montalban in France when it was besieged by Lewis the 13th One thing remarkable happened there that a Regiment of Women led by a stout Virago with long Knives made for the purpose sallied out at the time of the blowing up the Mine and fell so nimbly upon the dismayed Soldiers and such as had bin knock'd down with the Stones and Timber whilst the Men were otherwise busily employed in fighting with the disorder'd Army that the Siege was thereby raised and the Kings Forces routed CHAP. LXVIII How the Prince of Orange relieved a Town besieged by the Spaniards A Town of the Low Countries being besieged by the Spaniards who had so well fortified themselves that the Prince of Orange thought it not safe to make any attempt upon their Works and the besieged being in great want of Provisions he contrives a way how to drown'd all the Country round by digging through the Banks that kept off the Sea and the neighbouring Rivers from overflowing the Land As soon as the Water found a Passage it broke into the Spanish Camp overflowed all their Works and forced them to retire upon the higher ground and give liberty to the Princes Boats to carry into the Town what Relief they thought needful by this means the Siege was raised and the Spaniards forced to depart with great Loss CHAP. LXIX How a Spanish Army consisting of almost all Foot routed French Forces both of Horse and Foot AT Lyrignola a Battel was fought between the Spaniards and the French The Spanish General considering his weakness in Horse and the French numbers and strength resolved to fight them in such ground that they could not well make use of thir numerous Cavalry He