he was to fight against all their armie and as for the rest he needed not to doubt of victorie At this his speeches the King incontinently commanded to sound the alarme and presently all the Trumpets Clarions and Drummes made a marueilous and terrifying noise and al the souldiours following their accustomed manner inuocating the name of Iesus made a confused noise of crying and at the same instant one might perceiue the enemies to descend the hill which was opposite against the Hungars seeming by their rankes an infinite number among whom was Soliman himselfe Then they gaue the King his head-peece who vpon the receipt thereof looked very pale as a presaging of euill fortune at hand And then the signall to fight was giuen to those who were in front who very couragiously charged the enemie and all their artillerie was also made readie and discharged But this first incounter was not greatly offensiue to the enemies neuerthelesse there was more slaine of them then of the Hungars in so much that they were forced to retire being so hardly pressed by the Christians whether it was by the force and courage of the Hungars or the subtiltie of the enemie endeuouring by that meanes to draw them on to the mouth of their Cannon that I know not Then presently Andrew Battor hasted to the King declaring to him that the Turkes had turned their backes that the victorie was now in him that he should not doubt but set forward and that it was needfull presently to second his men who were in chase of the enemie that fled Whereupon the King aduaunced forward in hap hazard but when they came to the place where the first charge was giuen there might you haue seene many bodies of the Hungars dispersed ouer all the field some maimed others halfe aliue yet breathing In the meane while those of the Vandgard pursuing the enemie and valiantly fighting the battaile of the Hungars approached to them with as much speede as armed men could make the left wing began to bend and many quitted themselues and fled being feared which I well beleeue with the enemies Cannon which then began to play among them This did not a little astonish the battaile whilest those who were in it did heare the continuall and horrible whistling of the bullets which passed through their rankes and ouer their heads and then the King was seene no more in the ranke where he was whether it was for that he passed beyond the first rankes which were before him as wee haue noted and as was before determined vpon to the end that he should not bee too much knowne remaining in the same place or whether that he was forced from the daunger by those who were behinde him for both the one and the other might well bee Some said that hauing gone beyond the rankes which were neere him he thrust himselfe into the front of the battaile where hee valiantly fought with the enemie but neither dare I affirme it nor altogether denie it For my part I know this for trueth that he was not found in that place neither in the ranke wherein he was at the beginning after the Cannon of the enemie began to play and when those of the left wing of the Vandgard were seene to flye At the same instant was missing the Archbishop of Strigonium who was side by side by the King and also certaine others who were by his Maiestie I will not impose this fault of the losse of our King vpon those to whom he was committed in custodie nor to those which may be carried him by force or ill hap out of the battile but euen to the hard fortune of the Hungars to the end that together with the losse of their King they might not onely suffer that which they endured of a stranger but also endure the infinite euill which they afterward felt by their factious and domesticall dissentions for the election of a new King in place of him whom they had lost their sinnes no doubt being more worthie of a greater scourge and punishment For wee know that both the one and the other who had the charge to respect the Kings safetie were most faithfull vnto his Maiestie and very desirous to preserue his life And concerning those three who ought to haue had a watchfull eye vpon him it is most certaine they could not returne from the enemie against whom they had been sent before our armie was put to flight yea one of them was taken and suddenly deliuered That which causeth mee to discourse more particularly of this action is through the vehemencie of griefe which I haue by reason of a certaine man who in a praier which he set forth was not afeard falsely to call the Hungars the forsakers of their King But should one esteeme those to haue forsaken and abandoned their King who shewed vnto him all the duties that good and faithfull subiects owe vnto their Prince and who also were well neere all slaine in that field wherein his Maiestie was found dead who also by their death declared how true and faithfull they were to their King what great loue they beare to their countrie But this goodly Oratour who hath couched this in writing and who so greatly iniurieth this nation doth besides so largely write such a discourse of this ouerthrow that I am ashamed of him so impudently dareth he diuulge to the worlds view the historie of a thing which was altogether vnknowne to him But to our purpose The battaile of the Hungars being greatly troubled by this inconuenience as wee haue said and shaken in such manner that it altogether tended to a flight neuerthelesse they fought a long time not in that large plaine but euen before the Cannons mouth of the enemie which was but ten paces from them so that the Hungars as well for the feare which they had thereof as for the smoake which darkened them were forced for the most part to descend into a valley adioyning to those aforesaid marishes the rest notwithstanding continued still fighting before the Cannon In the end those who were retired into this valley being returned againe to the fight and seeing there was no meanes to support the violence of the artillerie and the smoake which still thickened one part of the armie being alreadie put to flight they also were forced to turne their backes Euery man then as his commoditie would serue began to flye drawing for the most part towards that place wherein an houre before they had passed in great mirth and brauings and full of hope to obtaine the victorie trauersing their Camp which was now alreadie sacked and rased by the enemies wherein there was nothing remaining but onely their footsteps and dead bodies The Turkes seeing the flight of the Hungars thinking it to bee but some stratagem or else feeling themselues wearie of the fight continued a long time at a stay in so much that they did not pursue them in respect
effusion of bloud of captiuities of violations and of the execrable miseries which are daily committed among the rest of the inhabitants of this miserable Hungarie and euen by those whom they had drawen so vndiscreetly into their countrie vnder the colour of succour and ayde And vpon this report refraine your rage take againe your wonted spirits and indeuour that your follies may be so momentarie that in euery wisemans iudgement they may be esteemed better then heretofore THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF HVNGARIE THE ARGVMENT OF THE FIRST BOOKE A Philosophicall and Theologicall discourse concerning the reuolution of things Lewis the second of that name King of Hungarie and Bohemia of his descent and qualities The gouernours and Councellors of his estate Solyman prepareth to inuade Hungarie The diligence of Paul Tomoree Lieutenant generall of the Kings armie Lewis soliciteth the Christian Princes for ayde Ecclesiasticall treasure is leuied for the warre The Turkes armie passed the riuer Sauus The description of Hungarie A briefe recitall of the places where happened the greatest force of the warre The riches of Hungarie Aduertisements to the King for the ordering of this warre against the Turkes Lewis goeth into the field Varadin Peter taken by the Turkes Souldiours repayred from all parts to the King lying at Tholne Wylak taken by the Turkes The priuiledges of the Barons of Hungarie The King determined to goe into the field with a small force and the Souldiours importune to fight The description of the towne of Mohaz where the King fought and lost the battaile A disswasion from fight and further consideration thereof Tomoree aduiseth to fight The Christian Armie no more but 25000. men and the Turkes were 300000. The meanes to preserue the King in battaile the order and place of the battaile The King is shewne to the Hungarian Souldiours A deliberation of the enemies purposes and of his appearing in the field Tomoree importuneth to fight the beginning of the battaile the losse of the King and ouerthrow of the Hungars The Kings bodie found dead A certaine Ghost appeared in mans shape The Turkes spoyle and harrie all ouer Hungarie Buda taken by the Turkes 200000. Christians ouerthrowne slaine and taken prisoners in this expedition SEeing the Heauen is such as it representeth it selfe to our sight that is proportioned like vnto a Sphericall or round forme and sith the same Heauen enuironeth besides the meane of this great concauitie which being betweene it and vs is filled with ayre this wonderfull frame which wee name the world little I confesse in respect of that which enuironeth it about and wonderfull great in consideration of the naturall apprehension which we may haue of it it is not without cause that certaine auncient Philosophers esteemed that all things had their reuolutions For sith so it is that the lowest part of a circle is that which is in the middest thereof and that the lower parts or bodies are gouerned by the superiour which thing also is found true by naturall reasons knowne and diligently obserued in all handie workes and engines it is not without reason that some haue inferred of this that this world is subiect to the motion of the Heauens and that we perceiue amongst vs the things passed to returne againe and represent themselues to our viewes For Heauen being round his period or full point is no other but a continuall begininng againe euen as prest and readie as his ende which the Aegyptians by their Hierogyphicall figures meant to represent vnto vs and namely by a serpent holding the end of his tayle with his teeth Now this world being heauie and ponderous of his owne proper nature and yet in the middest of this great soft and light ayre firme stable and immoueable by diuine disposition which is incomprehensible to vs this world I say receiueth by certaine reuolutions in the same place and quarters the same and like passions which it hath once receiued from the influence of Heauen euen as by the ordinarie circumuolution of it it commeth more neere vnto vs with his beames The volubilitie which is in the one and the stabilitie that is in the other is the cause of the effecting bringing forth of such passions these two contraries being so ordained and disposed of to the end that that which is the patient might make the other to become the agent it being not possible that the one should subsist except the other were in essence And as the patient to the end it may suffer ought to stand fast and not shake so the agent on the the other side is alwaies in action being not able to stay it selfe And if they were both alike in soliditie and firmenes or of the same motion their qualities would be without any effect And for this cause God meaning that the world should be gouerned according to the nature of it by Heauen he hath created the world stable for the patient and the Heauen moueable for the agent and all this to the end the world should receiue this benefit of God by the meanes of Heauen through certaine reuolutions of it in as much as this great circumuolution might still remaine and returne againe Whereupon proceedeth this auncient prouerbe which telleth vs That nothing is done nor nothing sayd which hath not been done or sayd before What is there now that hath not been And shall not that at last Which is to be receiue his being From that which once is past That which is made vnmade shall be And eke againe be made And being made againe it shall Be seene to waste and fade And this is that which oftentimes vpholdeth many good spirits which otherwise would be terrified through the innumerable euils wherewith men are often times enuironed For wrestling against such torments they are supported by a certaine hope against such terrors namely this that one day good shall come in steed of euill like as when it raineth we still hope for faire weather These reuolutions neuerthelesse are not alwaies equall or of like perfection by reason of the multiplicitie of meteores and heauenly starres which in their sphericall courses haue euery one their proper motion more soone or later one then the other and that in such wise that thorough many ages we doe not finde two equall situations or aspects of the same starres streaming vpon vs. For this cause the effects of such reuolutions doe not manifest themselues agreeable in euery circumstance to the first There be also some of these reuolutions which haue not their neerest causes from these heauenly influences but they succeede onely by a certaine combining togither or be as a consequence of things fore-happened as for example in time of warre many euils doe infallibly accompanie it and are ingendred thereby Other reuolutions there be which are not natural but proceed from the only and free will of God these we may name supernaturall although we see thē to happen by the sequell of
were dispersed in the Villages and to repaire all to Batha George Pauline Bishop of Boznia a man of good and commendable life and well seene in the ciuill Law was sent vnto Paul Tomoree to aduertise him of what he knew and that he should finde the King in that place They being all arriued in this towne and the time requiring to make election of some one to commaunde the Armie which was deferred vntill that day not without great ill hap of ouersight the King hauing heard the particular aduise of euery one and seeing the greatest part esteemed the Frier to be sufficient for this charge proclaymed him chiefe commaunder of the Armie ioyning with him for his colleague Counte George of Sepusa brother to the Vayuode Yet all of them notwithstanding approued not this election and chiefly they disliked that election which was made of the Fryer neuerthelesse all willingly obeyed these Chiefetaines commaund Tomoree knowing the pleasure of the King to be such for his owne parte refused of a long time this charge sometime alleadging his profession and ignorance then the corporall imbecilitie which was in him not being able to endure so great trauaile saying further that the King had excellent secular Lords to whom this charge did better appertaine He named the Counte Palatine there present and the Vayuode absent both well experienced in the conduct of Armies and that they were the most practised and experienced in all Hungarie to employ their commaund in such actions He also named Counte George and Peren who although they were young yet neuerthelesse had no defect of vnderstanding and men who were more worthie to manage and conduct this armie then he Further he declared the disabilitie which was in himselfe to performe the due of such a charge hauing neuer seene the manner of such warre as now presented it selfe vnto his Maiestie and in the end he concluded he was not able neither would he vse that authoritie although the King commaunded it no if his Maiestie would cut off his head Hauing thus as well in publike as in priuate vsed these or the like speeches with like protestations in vaine the King notwithstanding proclaymed him Lieutenant of the Armie giuing him as we haue sayd Counte George brother of the Vayuode for his companion and colleague He also would not haue accepted of this charge and instantly desired that his Maiestie would not doe him that honour But in the end he submitted himselfe to doe therein his endeauour with this condition that he might haue no other companion but his brother Paul for so he called him and that so soone as his owne brother the Vayuode should arriue it should be permitted him to be dismissed of his charge This was easily graunted him for that alreadie it was determined at the beginning to make the Vayuode with Paul Tomoree and Counte Christopher commaunders of the Armie After the election of these Chieftaines they went together to take councell concerning a place conuenient and commodious to incampe themselues neere the towne of Mohacz This towne apperteyned to the Bishopricke of fiue Churches and is scituated vpon the side of Danubius betweene Batha and the mouth of Drauus A little aboue Batha Danubius doth begin to open and make two currants of which the largest streame runneth a long the further Hungrie and passeth with a gentle calme source stretching it selfe in those great and large plaines The other part watereth the townes of Batha and Mohacz These two armes of one riuer ioyning together againe in one and shutting vp beneath Mohacz make an Iland This borrowgh or towne of Mohacz is sufficiently knowen it is enuironed on all sides with a great plaine which is not any thing couered either with woods or hills Towards the West it looketh to the towne of fiue Churches a towne of good fame before the losse thereof On the North side there is the towne of Batha and towards the Leauant it is bathed with that arme of Danubius which we haue sayd to be the lesse of the two Towards the South it doth behold the waters of Drauus which is foure miles from it Betweene that and this towne are certaine little hilles planted with Vines and Marishes there abouts In this compasse there is not farre from the towne a water which seemed rather to be a Marish then a water or riuer that did runne and the inhabitants doe call it Krasso Beneath that stange Tomoree was incamped with fiue or 6000. horse who were part of those which at the first were gathered together and part of others who with Peter Peren and other Captaines he caused to come from beyond Danubius by the Kings commaund to ioyne together with the bodie of the Armie The place then being chosen commodious to lodge the Armie by Mohacz and the same being directed and appointed by Leonard Gnomsky and the quarters thereof for euery companie Tomoree went with Peter Peren to his Souldiours who were yet incamped beyond the Marishes as hath been said to leade them if they could to the Kings Campe. They being now arriued at that place and giuing notice to the Captaines that it was the Kings pleasure and his also to commaund them to retire and ioyne themselues to the bodie of the armie wherein the King was in person Hereupon the souldiours began to murmure and be angrie saying that they would make them abandon the enemie against whom it was more needfull to march and with whom it was expedient forthwith to ioyne their hands if they would shew themselues men and in doing the contrarie it were an imagination of flying and not to fight that those Princes who counselled his Maiestie to such effeminate things were giuen much to slouth that the King said they should come presently and affront the enemie with them the victorie is within our hands we sufficiently know that they are infinite in number and that they haue as many Cannons with them as is possible but they are without armour and not any thing exercised to the warre there is not the tenth no not the twentith of them which hath a weapon wherewith to offend or harme vs they further alleadged that they were assured that those braue and valiant souldiours which the Turke had were all dead and slaine at the siege of Belgrade and after that at Rhodes that the valiant and couragious Commaunders of the armie should doe said they with their companions that which beseemed wise and vertuous Captaines and we assure our selues that all things shall frame to our desires that he would bring the King and withdraw him all the other hardy combattants out of the throng of those idle Priests others who refuseth the fight who go about by their fashions and counsels which is cowardly and effeminate to corrupt and discourage our King who is indued with corporall beautie and marueilous courage and by this their idle meanes of a fayre and well accomplished yong Prince they should make him answerable vnto themselues
Whilest these souldiours did thus vaunt themselues all the armie was lodged almost intirely together euery man in his quarter The King did not yet depart from the towne of Ville-neufue of the Macedonians which is betweene Batha and Mohacz hauing with him but a small troupe being there in great danger if the enemie who was not farre of might haue discouered him But fortune reserued the death of the King vntill some other time wherein he should dye more gloriously for the good of his countrie In the meane while in the night whē the King was asleep there arriued at the same time Michael Podnamisky cōming from the Campe and sent on the behalfe of the Commanders who came to giue aduertisement that the Turk had alreadie passed the riuer of Drauus with the greatest part of his armie and that the rest followed with all expedition that the fight could not be deferred that all the Captaines vrgently importuned his Maiestie to come with all diligence to the Campe and aduise with them concerning the battaile The King vnderstanding this newes by Podnamisky called to councell that small companie that was with him acquainting them with this busines demaunding of them what was to be done in so doubtfull and vrgent a matter His Maiestie then did call to minde the counsell and opinion which the Vayuode and Counte Christopher had sent him by those who were dispatched towards them who certaine daies before were returned by which aduertisement from them both they greatly blamed the counsell of those who had brought the King into that place so neere the enemy before it was time and that it had been better for him to remaine at Buda or to encampe himselfe further frō the enemie vntill all the forces of the kingdome were vnited together They had also by the same messengers exhorted the King not to fight with the enemie at least not before their comming The Vayuode particularly sent him word by Iohn Statile that hee would bring with him from Transiluania great troupes of souldiours who for force and number should be so secure that the King vpon their fidelitie and valour might haue a speciall hope of victorie This came into the Kings minde and he well considered of this counsell and of the other part he well weighed that which the Chiefes of the armie did importune him to whom if he condiscended not the enemie being so nigh and his souldiours hauing so great a desire to fight he well saw that the blame and euill of all that might happen would bee imputed to him and that he should bee found culpable in omitting so good an occasion His minde being disturbed with these difficulties he determined before hee resolued of any thing to proue his Leaders and Chieftaines of the armie if they thought it good to attend the Vayuode of Transiluania and Counte Christopher and that if in the meane time the enemie approached neerer or pressed them whither they should remoue the Campe into some other place of better safetie For this cause he sent to the Campe euen at the same instant that Podnamisky was come the Chauncellor who was then with the King to perswade the principall of the armie yea the Commanders themselues namely the Archbishop of Strigonium and Counte Palatine vpon whose opinion all the others depended that they should find out some good meane to retire and deferre the fight He was commaunded further to let them vnderstand all which was reported to the King concerning the Vayuode and Counte Christopher and to explaine vnto them how cleere and apparant the ruine of the kingdome was if the King with so many Princes and the flower of all the Nobilitie of the realme should expose themselues to so eminent a daunger For if it happened which we ought to be mindfull of considering the multitude of souldiours and the great preparation for warre of the enemies in comparison of the small number of his Maiesties forces which he now hath that the King should bee ouercome who should afterwards hold backe or hinder the enemie but that with little difficultie he might enioy all Hungarie He declared vnto them that it was most expedient the Campe should bee remoued into some other place of better securitie or to retire backe a little if the enemie should inforce them thereto vntill the Vayuode with the Transiluanians the Ban with the Slauonians Counte Christopher with the Croatians Bohemians Morauians Slesians and other succours should come that Hungarie should receiue lesse losse though the enemies should ouerharrie from Mohacz vnto Poson putting all whatsoeuer they did incounter to fire and sword then that such an armie should miscarrie and bee ouerthrowne by one battaile in which the King himselfe and so many great Princes and chiefe persons of the realme should be For they being slaine what hope of reenforcing new succours could rest to the kingdome But the King with so many Lords and such braue souldiours remaining safe and preseruing all things in good estate they may finde singular content and securitie vnder the gouernment of such a King who both for his parentage and alliance is respected throughout all Christendome The Chauncellor hauing the same night made this speech first of all to the chiefest visiting and talking with them apart and after in generall to all the Councell his reasons neuerthelesse were of so small efficacie as if he had said nothing to them such was the haughtie courage of euery one being eager to fight vnder a vaine hope of victorie being notwithstanding otherwise by a certaine feare withheld which did hinder them from disswading the fight although the contrarie was so earnestly desired by the souldiours The King then came by breake of day to his Campe and for that the vessels which did bring by water his Maiesties Tents and Pauilions were not yet come from Buda he retired himself for the present into a Bishops house which was adioyning to the towne there to proue that which as yet he vnderstood not by the Chauncellor They commaunded the Councellors of all estates and nations to assemble before the King which failed not presently to visit him with many expert Captaines and hardie souldiours among whom were certaine Bohemians and Morauians who were alreadie arriued there In this assemblie it was propounded to the Councellors and souldiours what was needfull to be done not any being yet come from Transiluania Slauonia Croatia Bohemia nor Germanie whereof the greater part were presently to arriue as was assuredly expected yet notwithstanding the enemie was very nigh being no more then two miles from the Kings Campe who vpon this occasion as it was thought could not nor would not deferre the battaile vntill another time Vpon this their opinion was asked which of these two seemed most expedient either to remoue the Campe elsewhere and for the present to delay the fight attending those which daily were expected or else to make triall of fortune in giuing the enemie battaile At this councell was present Paul Tomoree
made deniall Vpon the right hand of the King was the Archbishop of Strigonium and the Bishop of Zagrabia and the Bishop of Agria was sent from Batha to Buda Next vnto him of Zagrabia were the Bishops of Varadine the fiue Churches and of Sirmia Those of Iauarin and Vacchia were vpon the left hand Behinde the Chauncellor were placed the Bishops of Nitria and Bosnia and the Prouost of Albe after whom were the Secretaries and the Groomes of the chamber On the left side of the King and neere vnto his person there was a place voyde for the Counte Palatine who although he had the gowte and not without great paine could sit vpon his horse yet notwithstanding he did valiantly his dutie sometimes being in the Vauntgard and by and by in the battaile Whilest the Palatine continued not in his place there were certaine Barons kept themselues about the King and those two Bishops which we haue before named behind the King were Czetricz Malliart and Horuuath Master of his horse All these Lords had behind them the best and most resolute men they could chuse for their gard and defence In the midst of this battaile was seene the Ensigne royall which was borne by Iohn Dragfy Marshall of the Kings house which among the Seculars is the third dignitie next to the King This battaile was enuironed with light horse and certaine footmen vpon the flankes Vpon the right wing after the Bishops Secretaries were ranged these three rankes in which as we haue set downe was placed the Kings person The place wherein this armie was thus seated and ranged in battaile was distant from Mohacz one mile and from Danubius halfe a mile hauing neere vnto it a long and large plaine which was not any thing annoyed with wood bushes hils or water but only vpon the left hand towards Danubius there was a muddie marish and ouergrowne with rushes within the which afterward many men lost their liues Before the armie a farre off was a little hill which was of great length and in forme of a Theater behinde the which Soliman was incamped At the foote of this hill there was a little village with a Church it was named Feulduuar and in that village was planted the artillerie of the enemie with many souldiours specially of Ianisaries who on this side the houses of the village tooke vp a large place of ground by reason of their long and thicke troupes among those was Soliman as after was knowne This artillerie being thus planted was as in a valley and for that cause was lesse offensiue to the Hungars then if it had been vpon the plaine in so much that the feare thereof was more offensiue then the hurt The armie being thus ranged in good order in the morning presently after the Sunne was vp the day being cleere and calme Counte Palatine lead the King out of his place and did shew him to all the souldiours riding along the rankes of the armie as he had done the same three daies before to the end to frustrate the distrust which some had that his Maiestie was not present in the battaile openly shewing him to all with his hand and publishing aloude that the King was resolute and readie to endure all extremities and euen death it selfe for his countries weale for the vnspotted religion of Iesus Christ and for their wiues and children declaring to them on his part that they must shew themselues men and bee mindfull that they were Hungars and to be such who oftentimes as hardie and valiant defenders of the Christian publike weale had heretofore brought away so many and so excellent Trophees from such and the like enemies as these were who they saw before their eyes that they should not be astonished at the multitude of their enemies for that the victorie consisted not in the pluralitie but in the dexteritie and courge of the souldiours that God on high would assist them they fighting for his holy religion that the safetie not onely of their owne countrie which the Turks would vsurpe and tyrannize but also of all Christendome was now in their vnconquerable hands After that the King and Counte Palatine had thus reuisited all the rankes of his men of armes and footmen and vsed to all of them the like orations the King retired to his former place A great part of the day was spent in attending the enemie who hauing onely sent a small troupe of his people to skirmish he himselfe kept behinde the hils imagining as it appeared either to draw the Hungars within the straights of these hils or faining to deferre the fight vntill the next day he might in the meane time assaile them and in the night following they being vnprouided to set vpon them in their Campe which he might easily doe as well for the infinit number of his people as also for the great store of Cannon which he had or else that he might rather molest them by a protracting fight They knew not which of these three deuises the enemie would execute but all the day the Hungars were in great doubt of the Turkes resolution vntill towards euening they perceiued the troupes of the enemie to approach by a valley which was on the right hand vnder those hils being onely discouered by the tops of their launces The Frier thinking that they which now came in sight were of the Vauntgard to force and breake his Campe or to enuiron his people commaunded Iasper Raskay with two others who were appointed for the gard of the Kings person as is said before to discouer what the enemie would attempt and force them take some other way Iasper knowing what charge was committed to him to haue a speciall eye and care of the Kings person most honestly refused as much as he could that commission but in the end perceiuing the Frier did greatly presse him thereto and that the King did not contradict his commaund disdaining least the refusing he made vpon so good and iust a cause should be imputed to him as fearfull and cowardly suddenly he set spurres to his horse and with his two companions being followed of all the companies of souldiours which he commaunded aduanced themselues with this hope neuerthelesse wherof they held themselues assured that they should be able to returne in time before the King should haue need of them They being set forward although they were vncertaine whether the enemie would giue battaile that day or no for it was alreadie three houres past noone besides there were certaine of the principall of the armie who being tired with so long an expectation of fight were of opinion to sound a retraict and retire themselues to the Campe. The Frier hearing this sudden motion came with his companion towards the King and did aduise him in any case not to delay the fight alleadging that there was lesse daunger to fight now with part of the enemies armie then to stay vntill the next day at which time
where also was lodged all his people as well foote as horse On the otherside towards the Port of Purgatorie right ouer against S. Vlderios Church was the Beglerby of Natolia with the choisest souldiours of the armie The third siege was towards Saint Vit vnder the conduct of Micalogly within the village of Smireng aboue the which vpon the descent of the hils was lodged a strong squadron of souldiours The fourth was towards the Scottish Port where were many Asapes who are Archers very expert and amongst them were also some Ianisaries along the riuers side of Danubius Those of this side suffered not any within the towne to appeare vpon the wals but straight they were brought to the ground and sometime they sent such an hayle of arrowes into the citie that those who walked in the streetes were grieuously annoyed wounded except they had on some head-piece for their heads or armour for their bodies The last squadron which was the most warlike and valiantest of all the armie and wherein was Solyman himselfe was lodged right ouer against S. Markes Church within a great cloase walled with bricke where was fixed the Turkes chiefe Standard On that side the Asapes began to remoue the earth that so they might ouerthrow the wals into the ditch by meanes of their mynes and other inuentions but hauing no Artillerie to batter their trauell and labour did not greatly profit them During these approaches as another part of Solymans armie came in boates rowing vp Danubius Wolfang Oder who was then Gouernour of Poson being aduertised thereof caused a good cōpany of Launsquenets with certaine peeces of Artillerie and some few horsemen to lie in Ambuscado vnder the banke of Danubius in a place secret and commodious for that purpose where suddenly he assailed the Turkish armie who were vnprouided and so throughly did he effect it that he sunke many vessels fraught with Artillerie and Munition staining the water with the blood of a great number of souldiours and Turkish Captaines who were there slaine causing also such disorder and confusion in that army that euen through the feare of their Artillerie they were ouerthrowne and broken which victorie was a speciall cause of sauing Vienna In this surprise and canuisado the enemie lost the gallantest and most esteemed men among them and Wolfang in this victorie not losing any one of his owne people retired himselfe with his companie safe and sound to Poson The remnant of those that escaped proceeded on their iourney to Vienna and at their arriuall they brake all the bridges of the Iles which was made ouer Danubius before the towne to go come more commodiously in and out of the citie which being done they placed themselues before the Castle to the end none by this place should neither go nor come without great daunger either to be killed or taken prisoners euen as it happened to the companie of Iohn Ardech who sallying out on that side to skirmish with the Turkes had such ill successe that it little wanted that they were not wholly ouerthrowne by the thick shot of the Accanges Ianisaries he who bore the Cornet was taken and after sent backe not without some suttle deuise clothed in a gowne of gold silke after the Turkish habit with an intent that by such outward shewes dissembling fauours he might the better perswade the Viennians to yeeld themselues But the constancie and courage of euery one was such that they had all rather dye then heare of any such disloyall matter hauing this firme hope not onely to warrant the towne but also to effect incredible damage as they after did to Solyman The citizens seeing that the greatest violence of the enemies being depriued of Artillerie did consist in mynes began to looke well to that and with diuers instruments to discouer the places where they were made and to this end they vsed basons full of water dice vpon a Drumme and many other inuentions by which they might know where the enemie myned and by that meanes they might presently remedie any inconuenience which might happen by making countermynes which would frustrate the other and make the enemies labour friuolous and to no effect and fortifying behinde the wals with counter wals of rootes and trees in such forcible manner that the assaylants should receiue more losse and damage then the assayled and with such dexteritie they rampired behinde that they thereby preuented the determination of the enemie as it afterward happened For they setting fire to the mynes and a great part of the wall falling they thought by that ruine without any great daunger or losse to giue the assault And vpon this imagination they ran presently with great fiercenes and courage to assaile the breach But the Viennians being well fortified and retrenched within contrarie to the opinion and expectation of the enemies they receiued thereby an incredible losse tumbling them downe from the top to the ground and inforced them with a great slaughter and shame to recoyle backe and acknowledge the valour and courage which was in the hearts of the assieged Euen almost at the same time towards Saint Clares Church did also fall a great canton of the wall so large and wide that the enemie did easily see the Germanes well ranged in Battaile to maintaine the assault which incontinent was giuen by the Turkes with a merueilous desire to make themselues masters of the towne contemning all the sinister accidents which were presented to them forcing themselues by all violent meanes to enter and to incounter those souldiours whom they saw so well martialled But their courage was quickly abated for they were valiantly repulsed by those who defended that breach giuing them iust cause to buie their bolde attempt at a deare rate And although this multitude of assaylants were as it were almost without armour yet were they so audacious and bolde that scornfully disdayning our people and foolishly fighting they did in the ende force them sometimes to retyre although that they were slaine so thicke that bodie couered bodie and in place of those who fell to the ground and were slaine others ran to possesse their roomes with incredible furie and with such dexteritie that their rankes neuer seemed naked nor emptie In this manner both the one part and the other with great effusion of blood did often fight and amongst others at the Port of Carinthia where was also fallen downe a great part of the Courtian at the fall whereof the enemies presently gaue the assault onely with sword and target hauing forsaken the harquebuz and bow they running to it in such a multitude as if they had been grashoppers and began an assault mort cruell and bloodie then the former where on both parts they fought with such hatred and desire of victorie that both the one and the other encountring so rudely together weare often repelled this being one of the bloudiest assaults that euer was heard of
Danubius and taking a couert way which was made before by King Iohn charged vpon the flankes of the Bohemians ouerthrowing all those who were before them The Turkes who were at the guard of the I le of Chep vnderstanding of this tumult caused their vessels to flote vp against those of Roccandolphs vnder the charge of Casson their Captaine who after a long fight against their enemies and seeing the disgrace of fortune which vpon all sides was poured out against our souldiours vnloosing themselues from the hands of the Turkes and being more light and swift then they began to cut the water with the force of their oares and with a speedie swiftnes saued themselues in the I le of Comar Frier George in the meane time in another part set fire on the Kings stables which were possessed by Roccandolphs people and which was full of hay which burnt so cruelly that the light thereof was seene in Pesthe and by the vehemencie thereof it seemed all Danubius had been on fire By such an vnlooked for alteration of fortune all the rest of Roccandolphs Armie hauing lost both courage and men they fled in great route and 3000. souldiours of seuerall nations who flying the crueltie of the enemie retired themselues into the Church of Saint Gerrard were all cut in peeces not sparing the life of any but those which they could sell or keepe for slaues Casson with his people and vessels pursuing them that did flie and arriuing by Pesthe gaue such a feare to the souldiours and Citizens and to those who were newly saued that presently forsaking their habitation they left him to be Master of the towne without any further impeachment Vpon his entering into this towne he committed the most horrible massacres amongst the poore inhabitants that euer was heard of and so generall was the slaughter that the bloud ran downe the streetes like a little brooke not sparing any of what degree of sexe so euer Roccandolph now seeing his Armie to be wholly discomfited was constrained to take a Brygantine and saue himselfe in the I le of Comar where within few dayes after he ended his life in the towne of Samar leauing to the Turkes with great losse of his nation victorie in which defeature besides the losse of 36. great peeces of Artillerie and 150. lesser there was slaine 25000. men not counting the infinit number of those who were made slaues Solyman who greatly desired to giue such a checke vnder the colour to aide the Queene and the Frier marched with as great diligence as he could and made verie great haste but first conceiued with himselfe to be secure of the suspition which he had of Stephen Maillat who at that time gouerned Transiluania in the name of Ferdinand against whom as we haue sayd before not willing to leaue behinde him such an enemie he sent Mustafa This man assisted with 30000. horse by Peter Vayuode of Moldauia with the Vayuodes of Transalpina and Valachia and with the men of Achomet who was Sangiac of Nicopolis together with this Armie which besides the infantrie amounted to 50000. horse set forward against Transiluania whereinto he entered by Sicilia notifying to the Transiluanians that he was not come with any intention to spoyle or destroy them but only to negotiate and treate of certaine important affaires with Vayuod Maillat against whom notwithstanding he caused his people to march Maillat seeing himselfe enuironed with so great a multitude of enemies and finding himselfe in feriour both in men and other forces and being out of hope to haue that aide which Ferdinand promised him by reason of his late ouerthrow before Buda doubting of that which afterward happened determined with himselfe to retire to Fogar a Castle in Transiluania which by reason of scituation and art being marueilous strong and defensible was presently enuironed by Mustafaes Armie and furiously battered with Artillerie But the enemies seeing neither by 1000. assaults which in vaine they had attempted nor by any force they could win it aduised with Achomet to vse some cunning and deceit to effect his enterprise whereupon they sent to Maillat perswading him by all effectuall reasons that he should yeeld himselfe to Solyman and to seeke this reputation and fauour rather to be in the number of his friends then of his enemies and from whom he could not chuse but hope for infinite clemencie and many great fauours they further assuring him that he would freely leaue him the degree of Vayuodship with the whole seignorie of that prouince and that he would demaund of him no other thing but a certaine reasonable and honest tribute and besides they perswaded certaine Transiluanians to goe and negotiate with him about this busines if they would haue peace and quietnes betweene them and aboue all they should endeauor that he might come to parley with them because if he did otherwise they would with fire and sword in the worst sort they could make war vpon them These messengers endeauored so far that they entered into Fogar and conferred with Maillat of all that which they had incharge greatly importuning him with earnest entreaties that if he respected the loue and good of the whole countrie he would not refuse so honest and large conditions of peace nor yet contemne the friendship which in the name of Solyman was liberally offered to him Maillat although he reposed no trust in the words of Mustafa and Achomet in respect of their inconstancie nor in those of the Moldauian who seemed to be the onely meanes neither in like sort in the offers which were offered to him thought notwithstanding not altogether to dispise the conditions of peace and promised to come forth and offer himselfe to Mustafa if Achomet would giue his sonne for pledge But it was refused by Achomet saying that he had alreadie giuen him to Solyman and that he was not now in his gouernment therefore he could not dispose of him without his commaundement but in place of him and that he should thinke himselfe well satisfied he would giue him foure principall Captaines of his Caualarie for hostages and performance of his faith which offer Maillat refused But the earnest entreaties of the Transiluanians who perswaded him to goe tooke such effect in him that like a good Captaine and faithfull to his Countrie careles of all future mishaps which might befall him for the generall and common good of all he was content to accept of this offer and he good man as one ignorant of the sinister fortune and treason which was wrought against him after he had receiued the hostages went forth with a goodly companie to the Turkes Campe he being conducted to Mustafa and Achomet of whom he was honourably receiued And for the more commodious treating of such things as should bee concluded vpon betweene them vpon the conditions which were offered to him the parley was deferred vntill another day and vpon that day the Moldauian inuited him to dinner
not knowne my braue and valiant souldiours that your spirit and courage desireth rather the glorie and renowne of God then your own proper safeties I would neuer haue ventured my selfe thus farre vnder your affiance and valour And for that I well know the renowne and fame of your predecessors who haue obtained in this countrie so many victories will stirre vp in you my louing companions courage to follow their steps and honourable endeuours and that the memorie of their exploites and glorious acts may be as preuailent in you as they haue been in your predecessors in cōsidering the things which may now eternise you I doubt not at any hand but you will cause your valiantnes and vertues to appeare through the world and specially in these quarters where we may see more store of enemies then friends and where in respect of the common enemie we must with the edge of the sworde make our passage being now in a Prouince which wee haue neuer seene nor sought after where is no great suretie to repose any confidence where it is a noueltie to see a new kingdome erected and where infinit daungers doe abound necessitie forceth and the warres which now alreadie are prepared against the Infidels threatneth vs which are motiues albeit they seeme very fearfull of which wee ought to make our benefit to cause our prudence wisedome and dexteritie of spirit to bee knowne which are vertues more desired then any other in that thereby men shall see the boldnes and courage of you my louing souldiours and the faith and end of that inuiolable oth which we all haue made to our King Behold we are here vpon Tibiscus the passage whereof should cause vs all to reioyce wee our selues being now out of Italic you out of Spaine and the other forth of Germanie not to follow corporall and effeminate pleasures which make a man weake sickly effeminate tender and bleakish but to aspire to honour riches and victorie and to haue the reward of our honourable deedes such as shall bee yeelded to vs by prosperous fortune which I doubt not but it will bee such towards vs that ofterrestriall men it will make vs celestiall and sound in the ayre so honourable a bruite of our worthie names that neither time nor death shall obscure nor rake it vp in obliuion but wee shall liue time out of memorie yea eternally And for that wee are now to deale with people who are diuerse from our customes and manner of liuing of whom it behoueth vs to winne their loue and liking by policie and discretion and to whom to the end our manner of life and estate ought to bee an example and myrrour it seemeth to me not to be vnfitting or vnworthie but rather necessarie and commendable discoursing of this with you and reducing the whole to the first glorie of true Militarie discipline to aduertise you that after we haue passed this riuer and begun to enter into the countrie which by vs in the name of our King ought to be defended and conquered to draw the hearts of the inhabitants which are diuided into three Prouinces namely the Sicilians Saxons and Subalpinians to our deuotion will and friendship we must bee with all of them very modest temperate and quiet and must banish auarice despise voluptuousnes and contemne the pleasures of the body and aboue all must flye all idlenes which how hurtfull it is to an armie and how many euils it bringeth with it you sufficiently conceiue Besides we must auoide robberies preserue the honour of women respect ancient persons haue care of poore children to liue amongst your selues as obseruers of true religion to fauour the friends thereof and pursue the enemies and thinke that wee being in a strange countrie and in another mans house to doe but that which you would doe at home wee seeing by experience that euery beast though neuer so little being in his denne becommeth as a Lyon in defending himselfe from the iniurie and oppression which is offered him and iudging thereby how much more they ought and will become couragious and hardie in their owne houses if they see or feele themselues outraged by vs. Besides ye ought in all your actions to haue God alwaies before your eyes for the loue and honour of whom we ought to expose our bodies and liues and thereby manifesting our selues meeke and curteous one to another and towards our enemies fierce bold horrible fearfull prompt and hardie to cause others to know that wee are couragious without feare wise and full of vnderstanding that by such meanes you may alwaies haue together with health a high way to vertue set open before you and that euery one of you may with me carrie into his countrie renowne and eternall memorie not refusing any paine or trauaile for that no wearines nor any incommodities or crosses can or ought euer to enter into such vigilant or heroicall spirits whereby to darken or deface the desire and earnest affection which proceedeth from true honour and glorie and specially I being with you not as a Commaunder amongst you but as a father brother and companion as well in aduersitie as in prosperitie And to the end you may assure your selues that it is true which I haue said my selfe will be the first that will passe ouer this water and will not refuse the first danger that may befall me to the end that by this example euery one of you may learne rather to esteeme honour and reputation then his owne proper life and preferre an honourable death before a vile and dishonest life Hauing thus ended his speech he presently passed to the other side of the riuer causing also the rest of his armie to follow which was eight daies in passing in respect of the largenes of the riuer After they were all beyond the water they continually marched in battaile vntill they came to Debrezen a small towne of no great strength where they found Andrew Battor and Thomas Nadasdy who were the greatest and richest Lords of Hungarie and such who alreadie had obtained great reputation through the whole countrie One of them was Generall of the Hungarish Caualarie and great Comissarie and the other was Lieutenant generall These two were in this towne with 500. horse to receiue Castalde and to conduct him into Transiluania according to the meanes and experiences which they had in that kingdome Castalde knowing that they would at their entrance into the towne obserue and note what number his armie might be of commaunded the Sergeant Maior and Campe master that they should presently cause the armie to march in the best order and forme they could and so that it might seeme hee had more men then in trueth hee had This presently was done with such dexteritie and iudgement that those Lords esteemed the armie to be of farre greater number then indeed it was and seeing all the souldiours well ordered and marching with a graue and settled countenance they
nuncios tam ad excelsam Portam nostram quà m ad eum decernatis Quod si mandato nostro huic in obedientes cum inimicis nostris concordes eritis crudelitatem stragem quam Transiluaniae regnum videbit ex demeritis vestris processisse credatis Nam gratia Creatoris omnipotentis Dei speramus Christianis regno Transiluaniae iram potentiam nostram ostendere Etsi ipsi Transiluani ad pristinam obedientiam fidelitatem nobis adiuuantibus reuerti recusabunt nusquam tuti erunt per totum mundum debitas luent poenas Iurauimus enim Omnipotenti Deo quod in Transiluania lapis super lapidem non relinquetur homines omnes in ore gladij dari pueros faeminas in captiuitatem omniaque loca solo aequari faciemus Propter quod vti inuictissimum potentissimum Imperatorem decet ne tantarum animarum exitum super nostram animam fiat vos omnes prius monendos esse sensuimus Iam multoties vobis mandata talia misimus quae neglexistis sed si mandato huic vltimo obedientes non eritis acerbitatem ruinam quam videbitis non nobis sed vobis ipsis attribuite Omnia igitur cum tempore bene consulite nam caetera prudentiae vestrae examinanda relinquimus Datum Constantinopoli septima Lunae Octobris The english of which is this that followeth THE MANDATE OF THE INVINCIBLE EMPErour of the Turks to Lord Andrew Battor Captaine in Transiluania and to all the other Lords and Peeres of that countrie BY the authoritie and expresse commaund of our greatnes and highnes you shall vnderstand you faithfull in the faith of Christ Andrew Battor wise and knightly Lord amongst all the Christians inhabiting in Transiluania and all you the residue of our louing Lords how that many times wee haue made knowne to you since that Frier George our Treasurer was cruelly and by treason murdered before he could chase out the Germanes which you by your dissentions vntimely haue brought into the kingdome that you your selues and all the rest of the Lords of Transiluania should by common consent and mutuall ayd expulse the said Germanes out of your countrie according to the fidelitie which you owe to our Port and statelines Which not being as yet performed by you wee were very carefull now to incite you to doe it pardoning you of all the former offences and faults which vntill now you haue committed against vs and promising to giue it you againe and to preserue all the libertie which heretofore you haue had in that kingdome of Transiluania and you our Lords and subiects shall alwaies be vnder our protection and safegard and we will hold you in such regard as shall be fitting for you And concerning the kingdome of Transiluania as vnder the gouernment of King Iohn and of his sonne our faithfull subiects it was in peace and freedome euen so wee will ordaine that at this present it shall so continue and we assuredly promise you that the said sonne of King Iohn shall raigne and gouerne amongst you For so long as King Iohn our Vassall and subiect serued vs faithfully and sincerely we neuer suffered that any should molest or trouble you but further after his death wee of our singular grace and clemencie gaue to his sonne being yet in minoritie his fathers countrie and that kingdome and then Transiluania was alwaies quiet But after that you had called in the Germanes amongst you great dissentions were stirred vp betweene you in respect whereof and to reestablish King Iohns sonne and his mother and to deliuer Transiluania from her naturall enemies we by the grace of God haue commaunded to leauie a very great and puissant armie It behoueth you therefore in consideration of your loyaltie that your care and diligence bee with force of armes to expulse out of your kingdome the Germanes and whilest that King Iohns sonne bee reestablished in his place and dignitie that you elect a generall Captaine in that kingdome to whom you may all obey and not suffer any longer your naturall enemies to bee amongst you but by a common consent to banish from thence those who are the cause of so many garboyles amongst you and that euery one of you endeuour himselfe according to his abilitie well and diligently to gouerne the kingdome of King Iohns sonne your Lord. And if we receiue from you this marke and token of fidelitie and obedience you shall not onely obtaine of vs your ancient libertie in this your kingdome of Transiluania but also receiue further from our imperiall Maiestie speciall honour and fauour In the meane time wee will entertaine our mightie armie for the affayres of that kingdome and for the ayde and assistance of King Iohns sonne and we haue alreadie commanded that it should presently march for the deliuerie thereof from out of his enemies hands For wee will by no meanes tolerate that his enemies shall raigne and gouerne in this Prouince And being sufficiently ascertained how much King Iohn our Vassall hath been to vs a faithfull seruant and also his sonne wee haue determined to reinstall him into his kingdome and to cause him to raigne in it by our meanes and afford him such ayde that by Gods permission he shall bee able to ouercome and surmount his enemie To this intent by Gods assistance wee haue caused to march the magnificall and puissant our obedient subiect and faithfull seruant to our Highnes the most illustrious Achmeth Basha second Councellor to our excellent Maiestie and many other our subiects and Courtiers with a great number of Ianisaries of the most mightie and inuincible Port of our greatnes and highnes hauing also commaunded all our generall Captaines and Sangiachs to cause to come from Greece and Buda a great armie insomuch that with our said Councellor we shall haue an armie of 200000. men well appointed before wee march in person against our enemie And further wee haue commaunded the most excellent Prince of Tartaria the Vayuodes of Vallachia and Moldauia with all the Sangiachs which are in those countries on this side and beyond Danubius that with all their Infantrie and Caualarie they shall ioyne with our said Vizir And it is also necessarie that you obey according to your fidelitie the said Basha and that you send your Ambassadours as well towards our royall Port as also to him But if you perseuer disobedient to our mandate and that you accord and adherre to our enemies then assuredly thinke that the ruine losse and crueltie which the kingdome of Transiluania shall endure shall not ensue but by your demerits For by the grace of God the almightie Creator wee hope to giue sufficient testimonie to Christians and to the kingdome of Transiluania what our indignation and puissance is And if the Transiluanians we affoording them our ayde will not returne to their ancient obedience and loyaltie they shall neuer be on any side sure or safe but shall endure through the world the iust
towne Scander Basha Gouernour with all the Treasurers and other Lords of qualitie who were remaining at Constantinople with an infinit number of other sorts of people came also before him They were all clad in blacke with little Turbants of wooll on their heads in signe of sorrow These hauing drawne the bodie out of the Coach the principals of them tooke it and lifted it vp vpon the palmes of their hands carying it thus raised on high through the towne in changing it from hand to hand and bearing it by turnes the Doctors of the law marching before and reading with a high voyce euen vnto the Sepulcher wherein he was put with all the ceremonies and accustomed solemnities due to such Princes Vpon the Sepulcher was put a cloath of very fine Chamblet with his Cimetrie to notifie that he had ended his daies in the warre and at the very top of it there was a Turban like to that which he was wont to weare in his life time But now to returne to our discourse the Emperour Maximilian knowing for certaine the death of Solyman and coronation of Selim which was seuen weekes after it being sent to him from Venice by Guy of Noremberg his Ambassadour resident in the Seigniorie of Venice for his Maiestie All the Captaines were greatly astonished thereat considering how and with what prudence these barbarous people were able to keepe so secret such a notable accident in such sort that their owne armie neuer knew any thing thereof Which thing if it had been discouered had without all doubt bin an occasion that the souldiours mutining to sacke the treasure had opened a way to the Emperour to attaine to a most euident and singular victorie But Basha Mehemet in his owne iudgement foreseeing all the disorder and knowing that of his Lords life depended the good of all the armie meant to prouide for it in time and for this cause he concealed the death of Solyman to the end that the armie should not perceiue it selfe depriued of their Lord and that in diuiding it selfe it should not by that meanes open the way of a notable victorie to the enemie After then that the Turkish armie was departed out of Hungarie there happened a new disaster at Iauerin where was the force of the Emperiall Campe there being the last of September fire set on the lodging of a Hungarian Lord by negligence of his Cooke This fire by little and little increased so farre by meanes of a great winde which blew from the West that all the houses being made of wood after the manner of that countrie not any house was exempted from burning except the Palace and Church which were built of stone and about some 17. little houses and it was a great chance that this fire pearced not euen into the Church wherein was all the munition which if it had happened it had brought a great misfortune for that the towne although it be litttle was stored and filled with souldiours and of all other sorts of people who had followed this armie and for feare of this inconuenience the Emperour mounted presently on horsebacke and with great speede retired farre from the towne That which was not consumed by the fire serued as a pray to the souldiours some of whom most wickedly put fire to certaine houses that they might more freely get pillage as they did The Emperour was so sad for this misfortune that he neuer felt any such griefe in all these warres hauing alwaies reserued this place for the suretie of his armies and seeing that therein all the neighbours did vsually retire their goods and persons and specially of all the countrie thereabouts his Maiestie commaunded that this place should bee reestablished by the souldiours and peasants And the winter being come and the enemie retired he dismissed his armie and most affectionatly he thanked all the Lords who so willingly were come to succour him and this done he retired to Vienna leauing at Iauerin a good and strong garrison of the brauest and valiantest souldiours of the armie as well foote as horse vnder the charge of Count Salms He presently caused the place to be repayred by the money which the Emperour had sent him from Vienna The troupes of Austria were sent to Odemburg to resist the ordinarie incursions of the Turkes In Canisa a Fortresse very nigh to Sighet was sent to commaund there Captaine Thay with 1000. horse and as many footmen In the meane time the Emperour called the Estates of Austria into the towne of Vienna to aduise of new preparations for the yeere following as well in Hungarie as in Transiluania where alwaies continued the warre betweene him and King Iohn for whose ayde remained Portau Basha with many Tartars who surpassing ours in multitude and crueltie massacred all those that they encountred not pardoning any sexe and without any distinction of age cutting the infants in the middest whom they afterward rosted and eate The Transiluanian hauing in the former yeere lost Tocchay which Schuendy had taken from him with 30. peeces of Artillerie and great store of munition which he found there and willing to get it againe came with his Tartars to besiege it making a batterie with nine Cannons The assieged valiantly behauing themselues did not any thing faile in their defence Schuendy although then he was very ill willing neuerthelesse not to be slacke in the office of a prudent and discreete Captaine sent for succours to the Emperour not any thing doubting but he would be well able to chase away the enemie The Emperour presently sent him 1000. horse conducted by Henry Stampir with sixe Ensignes of foote and with them he sent his chiefest Phisition to cure Schuendy He also sent 50. waggons laden with victuall and coyne to pay the souldiours Iohn being with his armie before Tocchay where alreadie he had been eight daies and hoping to come to the end of his enterprise he was informed that 10000. Tartars who warred with the Turkes in his fauour being mutined and departed from the Campe were dispersed in his Prouince committing infinite outrages and burning many townes Iohn vpon this newes raised his siege and hauing sent to these mutiners that they should quietly retire themselues he vsed all the meanes not to meddle with them by fight In the end seeing that intreaties and all perswasions serued him to no purpose and that continuing their crueltie they would by no meanes desist moued by a iust choller he assailed them on the sudden and cut in peeces more then 6000. of them Those who remained and the Turks ioyned with them desirous to be reuenged for their companions came and besieged Iohn at Varadin which is a place of small strength and where they might haue taken him aliue if they had had any peeces of Artillerie Neuerthelesse Iohn fearing the worst and not willing to haue the reproach to be besieged by such raskalitie secretly auoyded the towne and retired to an other place of more
who the night before was commaunded to come from the other Campe for the same purpose Hee thought it not amisse to fight The King marueiling vpon what hope he had such courage would willingly haue disswaded him from such a purpose and demanded of him in the presence of all the Councell of what strength his forces were and the strength of the enemie For there was no doubt but that he very well knew it yea better then any other by meanes of his discouerers and spials which alwaies he sent and had in the enemies Campe and by reason also of many enemies which daily resorted to him Tomoree answered touching the first point in his iudgement he thought that there were no more but 20000. fighting men as well in the Kings Campe as in his those two being diuided as wee haue sayd but that for certaine he knew the enemie was 300000. The standers by being greatly astonished to heare their number so small in respect of the great multitude of the enemies Tomoree presently adioyned vnto his former speeches that for al their multitude they were not to feare thē in regard that their great number was for the most part without armour and not any thing acquainted with the warre The King further demaunded how many he thought the enemies were armed and in state to fight Tomoree answered that they were 70000. This number seemed yet to all ouer great in respect of the Kings armie euery one affirming that Tomoree said the Turkes had 300. great Cannons In the meane time whilest that these affaires were considered of as well by the cousell and instigation of the Fryer as by the desire and courage of all the souldiours greatly importuning to fight except such whowere I know not how possest by a foolish feare that durst not proffer themselues nor openly declare their opinions there came at that time certaine messengers from the other Campe who being admitted before the Councell sayd that they were charged to impart some matter in the behalfe of those of the other Campe as well to the King as to the Councell and then being in place apart acquainted the King with the effect of their message and after went in againe with the King to the Councell who in the name of all the rest which had sent them aduertised them not to disswade the King from fight that they were well assured of the enemies force although they were of farre greater number that the victorie was alreadie in their hands so that they would presently ayde them with that good fortune which God did present vnto them Besides they encouraged all the Lords who were of the Councell to march forward with the King and ioyne his Campe to theirs which was neerer the enemie and lodged in a place more commodious to assaile them In the end insteed of gentle perswations they vsed threatning tearmes against those who disswaded the King to the contrarie denouncing to them death and assuring them that if they would not presently ioyne the Kings Campe with theirs they would without delay march against them and force the enemies to acquite themselues from thence Vpon such speeches so vehemently vrged in the Counell the Kings presence and of all the other Lords there being also those among them who were of a founder and deeper iudgement for the good of the common weale and yet being greatly terrified by such vnciuill threatning they concluded to giue them battaile without expecting that the Vayuode Counte Christopher or the Bohemians could in time arriue at the day of battaile Francis Bathian Ban of Croatia who was at that time not farre from the fiue Churches with his troupes of Slauonians gaue some hope to be at the Campe within two daies as it afterward fell out There were some among them after all things being determined and the Councell risen that did greatly blame the resolution which was determined so suddainely to fight Francis Peren Bishop of Varadin was one of them a man young quicke and of a braue spirite who wrote and indited his letters so excellently well that not any Hungar whosoeuer did surpasse him in that art except it were Thomas Zalahazy Bishop of Vesprimia But yet he had been farre more commended if he had as well imployed his wit to vertue as he otherwaies spent his time in slourh and other friuolous matters in the which young men of good parentage doe too often take pleasure in to their owne ruine and ouerthrow of their Countrie He then as it were diuining of that which presently happened said to the King and not without great admiration of all the standers by that that day which was appointed to fight sith their resolution was such should be dedicated vnto 20000. Hungarian Martyrs the number of the Armie being no more slaine for the religion of Iesus Christ vnder the conduct of Paul Tomoree and that they should send the Chauncelor to Rome to haue them canonised as men say if so be he then escaped the battaile for that he was well knowne to the Pope and Cardinals by reason of an ambassage which he had been vsed in to his Holines I would to God that this Bishop had been a false Prophet There may be some that would accuse the Hungarians of ouer much temeritie for that they so feruently desired the Battaile and they say this hardnes ought rather to be named rashnes and foolishnes then by the name of vertue And surely I see not but that they haue reason to maintaine at this present such their sayings But yet they may be ignorant of many things which incited the Hungers thereunto whereby they might easily haue drawne vnto such a resolution yea euen the wisest and greatest Captaines among them and amongst other things this marueilous and incredible ardencie as fatall to all souldiours and the hope of victorie which euery one in his own conceite thought himselfe certaine and sure of Besides it was thought that Tomoree had some secret notice and speciall practises with many of the Turkish armie namely with those who were Christians or with such as were borne of Christian parents and also with those who had the conduct and gouernment of the artillerie part of whom were Almaignes and part Italians It was also further considered that the retraict the enemie being so nigh could not be done without putting themselues in great daunger specially the Turke hauing such nimble and swift horse to charge vpon the backe of those who should be in the rerewarde in which kinde of fight they are more strong and fierce then in an incountering charge The battaile then being thus determined and appointed order was giuen for all things necessarie thereunto First of all Tomoree went to his Campe which as we haue said was not farre from thence and with much a doe perswaded his men to retyre a little backe and that he would ioyne with the armie of the Kings The day following their Campe was ioyned with the bodie of the armie
halfe a mile beneath Mohacz neuerthelesse there was some little space betweene the one and the other At the same instant came from Buda the Vessels fraughted with Cannon powder and other munition for the warre With those also were sent downe nine peeces of Artillerie which came from Vienna A little after came also 200. souldiours of Alexis Turzon with certaine Cannons himselfe with the Bishop of Vesprimia were remayning at Buda with the Queene These two were appoynted for the guarde and securitie of her Maiestie and did serue her at the retraict and flight which afterward she was constrayned to take and continued a long time in her seruice The Ban of Croatia arriued the Sonday before the Battaile with three gallant troupes There was of them 3000. horse and not so many of foote He was accompanied with Iohn Tahy Iohn Banfy and certaine other of the principall Lords of the kingdome of Slauonia The day following there came also in the morning to the Campe the King being there and ranged his men in Battaile for that it was thought the same day the enemie would fight Simon Erdeund Bishop of Zagrabia with his brother Peter Erdeund bringing with them in good order and well armed more then 700. horse At the same time came thither Stephen Azel with 300. horse which Iohn Bornemisse had sent to the ayde of the King with many thousands of crownes which was the last present made by the father to his nursling About the euening of the same day Iohn Zerechen came with 2000. foote which he had gathered along the riuer Drauus aswell in his owne territories as in the Chapter of the Church of the fiue Churches they being reported to be very good archers During these three daies many other came to the Campe especially those who were nigh among whom was Philip More Bishop of the fiue Churches and his brother Vladislas More This Armie being thus assembled together to the number of 24. or 25000. men not counting the companies which were on the water who serued not at the day of Battaile the enemie being with his puissant Armie of 300000. men no further from them then two miles three dayes were expyred before the Battaile was begun during which time daylie skirmishes and fine stratagems interchangeably past betweene them wherein still the Turks receiued more damage then the Hungars In the time of their aboade it was also consulted how and in what place they should fight with the enemie and in what sort they should ordaine and range the Battaile and in what place thereof they should appoint the King to be where and how they should range the Caualarie and Infantrie and where they should plant the artillerie whereof the Hungars had but 24. pieces which were little to be compared to those of the enemies Before they determined and aduised for the safegard of his Maiestie some were of opinion that it was conuenient for him to be a good distance from the Battaile with some thousands of his best troupes but seeing the Armie could not spare them and for that the souldiours would haue him present therein following their auncient custome it was aduised that some one should represent his person in his coate-armour but presently they thought that the same could not be done without being discouered and without great tumult of the Armie the which by this deede would be greatly discouraged But in the ende it was concluded that seeing the fight did seeme doubtfull some purposely appointed should haue the charge to preserue the King if euill did betide and that then they should conduct him out of the throng as soone as they saw the Battalions so broken that there could be noe more hope to reassure and encourage them being so terrified This charge was committed to Iasper Raskay to Valentine Toronke and to Iohn Kalay most excellent men and doubtlesse very faithfull to the King There was also appointed certaine swift and light horses by meanes of which the King might escape if neede required But now to come to the order of the battaile there were many and amongst others Leonard Gnomsky was of opinion that it should be very needfull to inskonse the armie with the wagons whereof the Campe was sufficiently furnished like the fight at Barriers and vpon a Bulwarke alleadging that by that meanes they should frustrate and annoy the enemie from their hemming them in which was the onely and materiall thing they most feared Radich Bosich did well allow of this deuise as also Paul Bacchie who was said to haue been in three seuerall battailes giuen by Soliman against his enemies This counsell then was accepted of and thought good by all the execution whereof was committed to Gnomsky and certaine other but it was effected more slowly then was needfull for it was but thought vpon the night before the battaile and so this policie among many other was quite neglected The 29. of August which is dedicated to the beheadding of S. Iohn being the day of battaile the armie of the Hungars was ranged and lead by those which wee haue spoken of in such sort that they aduanced the front of their armie as farre as was possible to the end they might bee the lesse inclosed by the enemie and after they diuided it into two battalions In the first the Commanders thereof had no certaine place of aboade but thought it more needful to be vigilant ouer those places wherin their presence might strengthen and incourage their souldiours On the right wing of it was the Ban of Croatia with Iohn Tahy and the left wing was gouerned by Peter Peren in the absence of the Vayuode of Transiluania In the first battalion there was many of the principallest of the armie and among them there was Anthony Poloczy Francis Hommonay Gabriel Peren Thomas Zechy Andrew Battor Emeric Cibak and many others The artillerie was planted next after the first rankes The second Battalion which we commonly name the maine battaile and in which was placed the King was more furnished with horsemen then footmen who for the small number they had were placed in the flankes of the horsemen Betweene this Battalion and the other which we will name the Vauntgard there was no more distance then one might throw a stone In the battaile before the rankes wherein the King was there was three other rankes who all of them for the most part were gentlemen of the Kings chamber and many Barons of the countrie who were vnder the charge of Nicholas Tharczay a man of good courage and very faithfull to his Prince There were also the two Controlers of the Kings house Peter Korlatkey and Andrew Trepka Polanders Stephen Slijk a Bohemian was with the Bohemians and Morauians hard by the Kings person and before him After the three rankes followed that of the Kings in the midst of which was his Maiestie Of spirit beautie and vertue all one With that which is celestiall Bearing a minde to his countries boone But Destinies
of the night which had alreadie couered all the earth This partly was the cause and also the vehement raine that fell that night for the safegard and preseruation of many The violence of the fight endured at the most but an houre and a halfe and many were swallowed vp and smothered within that marish The bodie of the King who was said to haue ended his daies in that place was afterward found in a great whirle or rift of earth aboue Mohacz halfe a mile on this side a little village which is called Czelie the which medow was then ouerflowed more then it was wont to be with Danubius in that place he was stifled with his horse vnder the water being armed as he was at the battaile And seeing wee shall speake no more of this King I will adde to in this historie one thing of him worthie the noting and that is when he was newly borne he had no skinne that couered his bodie which he neuerthelesse recouered by the helpe of Phisitions who by their art succoured and helped the want and defect of nature We haue heretofore noted a certaine presage of the pittifull end which should happen to him but the same might well haue been told him before as a destenie of that which afterward happened to him during the time he gaue order for his affaires to resist the enemies according to the first newes which he had receiued For he being at Buda when he was at dinner the gates of his Castle being shut as the custome was a certaine Ghost in forme and shape of a man euill fauoured with crookedlegs came haulting and knocked at the gate and with a loude shrill voyce desired to speake with the King to acquainte him with things which neerely concerned both the good of himselfe and of the kingdome His speeches being not at the first heard by the guard who were at the gate as it is the vse in Princes courts hee cried lowder and with a horrible voyce demaunded againe whether they gaue the King notice thereof In the end certaine of the companie being moued by the importunitie of this deformed Ghost they demaunded of him what he would haue but he replying sayd that he would not reueale his secrets to any but to the King This message was presently carried to his Maiestie who vnderstanding thereof sent vnto him one of his seruants in the best and richest apparell and one who was next himselfe faining that he was the King commaunding him to enquire what this fellow would say This messenger comming before this Ghost and asking of him in priuate what secret he would impart vnto him the other denying that he was King whereby he thought to abuse him with a high and loude voyce he sayd that since the King would not heare him he should shortly perish These words being pronounced he vanished away to the great astonishment of all that were present It is a discourse somewhat neere vnto that of Saule but yet different for that which the one required was not offered to him but this of it selfe was presented without seeking for it which one may enterpret diuers waies But let vs returne againe to the subiect of our historie In this place where the Kings bodie was founde many others also lost their liues A little beyond was also found the bodies of Andrew Trepka and Stephen Azel It is said that the Frier ended his life valliantly fighting in the Vauntgard the day following his head being cut off was carryed vpon the top of a launce round about the enemies Campe in token of ioy and some said that it was for a time placed before the Pauilion of Soliman The day after the Battaile 1500. Hungers who were taken prisoners among whom were the chiefest of the Nobilitie being all commaunded to be set in a rounde forme were presently beheaded their bloud seruing in stead of a sacrifice to the Gods of these Infidels Very few prisoners had been saued if it had not been to informe and giue them notice of some speciall matters which Soliman and Abraham Bascha were desirous to knowe Among those was Nicholas surnamed Hertzek which in the Hungarish language signifieth Duke as he was indeede and the Kings Treasorer Iohn Pileczky and Iohn Maczieouusky Polanders were also of that number They were gentelmen of the Kings chamber and being returned vnto the Queene they discouered many matters which for the breuitie of this historie we will omit to write of Michael Fekete and Bartholmew Martine were also saued from death and within a while after were redeemed paying a great ransome Among those which dyed in the fight and flight besides the King were these Ladislas Salcane Archbishop of Strigonium Paul Tomoree Bishop of Colocense and Lieutenaunt generall of the Armie Francis Peren Bishop of Varadine Philip More Bishop of the fiue Churches Blaise Paxy Bishop of Iauerin Francis Gzacholy Bishop of Chenat George of Pauline Bishop of Bosnia George of Zapolia Count of Sepusa the other commaunder of the Armie Iohn Dragfy Prouost of the Kings house Francis Orzag chiefe gentelmen of the Kings chamber Peter Corlathy and Andrew Trepka Captaines of the watch at the gate Simon Horuuath the chiefe taster Thomas Zechy Gabriel Peren Ambriose Zarchan Anthonie Poloczy Mathias Czethingny Counte of Francapin Sigismonde Bransy Francis Hampo Iohn Bathian Stephen Slÿk a Bohemian with certaine other Bohemians and Morauians And these were the principall Barons of Hungarie Among the Nobles and other Lords of the Countrie there are worthie of note Francis Balasse Nicholas Tharza Iohn Paxy Iohn Istuuanfy Emeric Warday Michael Podnamisky George Orlouuchicz Captaine of Segin Stephen Azel Castelane of Poson Sigismonde Pogan Iohn Torualy Iohn and Stephen Kalnay Nicholas Forgach and besides these about 500. other As for the foote men there escaped three or foure thousand and they were in all 12. or 13000. There was remayning of their Captaines no more then Hanibal Cypryan All the peeces of Artillerie as well those which were planted before the Battaile as those which were remayning within the Campe and in the boates were all taken by the enemie the charge thereof was giuen too late being but the night before the fight to Iohn Hadek a man of good courage and well managed in such affaires who had alwaies frequented the Kings court of whom he was so loued that few had the like fauour of his Maiestie The night and day after this vnfortunate Battaile the enemies running all ouer made wonderfull waste and ruine of all the neighbour countries set fire on all not sparing any person hauing no regarde to sexe nor age nor to any religion executing vpon the poore people all cruell and inhumaine acts My wit cannot sufficiently write and bewayle the calamitie of this whole night and the dayes following being so great and intollerable for all this part of Hungarie which we haue named to be on this side the riuer that I cannot be perswaded that euer any barberous enemie hath
at the next assemblie they all in his fauour determined to negotiate and treat of this affaire and the absence of Stephen Battor fell out fitly for his purpose who was gone towards Ferdinand and vnto whom because both in respect of his Nobilitie and of his bloud being one of the principall the administration and gouernment of the kingdome appertained rather then vnto Iohn There being then assembled at the Dyet held at Alberegalis all the great Lords of Hungarie whither was brought the dead bodie of the vnfortunat Lewis which a little before was drawne out of the Marish at Mugach to be there enterred with royall pompe and intombed in the Sepulcher of his auncestors and where after such magnificall and sumptuous funeralls were selebrated accustomably done for so great a King there was incontinently published the foresayd Dyet and the Councell of the Souldiours which in their language is commonly named Rhakos was called thither by the authoritie and disposition whereof the King ought to be chosen In this assemblie Iohn the Vayuode not finding any Competitour with the generall consent and good liking of euery one was chosen King and crowned with the auncient crowne of golde which then was in the coustodie of Peter Peren by Paul Archbishop of Strigonium and by Stephen Broderic Bishop of Vacchy who afterward was chosen Chauncellor of Hungarie and by these two he was annoynted After that the feasts and triumphs accustomed to be done at such Coronations were consummated King Iohn made Iohn Emeric Cibacchy Bishop of Varadin and Vayuode of Transiluania disposing afterward among gentlemen of other degree according to their qualities martiall preferments and in like sort with great discretion and indifferencie in generall towards the people and especially towards those who were at his Coronation and who were the principall cause and meanes for him to aspire vnto that puissant dignitie of such a kingdome Of the number of those were Stephen Verbetz Nicholas Glesse Gregorie Peschen Paul Artand and all the Colonels Captaines of souldiours and men of warre who were come out of Transiluania and many other Whilest he was intentiue to confirme and strengthen his forces in this his new inuestiture of the kingdome by all good and vigilant meanes Ferdinand who not long since as heire of Ladislas who by the deceit of George Pogghy Bracchy aspiring to such a Seigniorie was vpon the day of his mariage poysoned setting before him his reasons notwithstanding the ancient strife which had been betweene Mathias Coruin and the Emperour Frederick his great grandfather was chosen King of Bohemia and perceiuing himselfe to waxe great and more puissant and mightie by the forces which he was able to leauie from that kingdome began now to thinke vpon the conquest of Hungarie which appertained to him by the right of Prince Albert of Austria and of Anne his wife sister to the late King Lewis wanting not thereto the ayde of many great Hungarian personages who being alreadie pricked with new alterations and extreame greedines of nouelties and besides for the secret enuie they bore to King Iohn were retired to Ferdinand instantly inciting him to make warre vpon Iohn assuring him also that he was created King more tumultuarily then legitimately by the common people being deceiued therein by his craft and subtiltie there being besides Battor many other within the Realme more noblie borne then he vnto whom in right it also appertained to be King as well as to Iohn and namely those were Balthasar Pamphille Iaspar Sered Paul Bacchit Ference Guena Valentine Turky Stephen Maillat and Iohn Salle besides many other whom they named not At the vehement perswasion of those Ferdinand who of himselfe was willingly inclined therevnto gathering together a great armie as well foote as men of armes of Bohemia Austria Germanie and other places drew himselfe directly towards Buda Vpon his arriuall Iohn finding himselfe enuironed with extreame lacke of all necessaries was greatly troubled wanting sufficient forces to resist the mightines of his enemie and seeing all things in a feeble and weake estate for his succour and aide by reason of the lightnes of that nation who naturally are inclined to suspition and hauing no leisure nor time for want of money to leauie any souldiours determined with himselfe not to attend his enemie at Buda but to transport himselfe with all his people to Pesthe and there as the shortnes of the time serued exhorted and desired his Captaines not to forsake him during these turbulent broyles in the midst whereof they saw himselfe deeply plunged and thus in great haste they flying passed the riuer of Thyssa anciently called Tibiscus and lodged in a Castle named Thoccay situate almost vpon the riuers side in a large and spacious plaine The newes of this retraict being posted to Ferdinand incontinently he caused his armie to enter and possesse the towne of Buda who without the losse of any one man was master thereof He stayed not there long but the Councell assembled together to know whether they should follow King Iohn or no. Among the diuersitie of opinions it was thought best that at all aduentures they should pursue him before he migth bee able to encrease his forces and to admit him no time to repose himselfe in any one place nor to expect for any ayde out of any place and to performe that euen now while he was disfurnished of men and counsell and in a manner put to flight According to which resolution Ferdinand gaue leaue to his people to follow King Iohn as farre as they thought it conuenient whereupon they presently set forward on their iourney and with great trauaile without any delay arriued at the riuer of Thyssa which they passed with boates that they brought with them vpon wagons and they in camped by King Iohn before he was aware who for the little or no inckling he had of them neuer dreamt of so sudden a thing Being astonished at so present an arriuall he began now to conferre with his people what course was best to be taken They answered that they would fight and that he should withdraw himselfe from the danger thereof that if it should fall out ill he might haue sufficient time to saue himselfe and on the contrarie if it should alter and fall out well hee might with his presence ayde and succour them the better and so by that meanes he should in euery case finde himselfe safe and in good securitie At that time among all his Commanders he had one whose name was Ference Bode a man of great reputation and well esteemed to whom for his vertue fidelitie and experience King Iohn had committed his Standard royall and the Lieutenantship Generall ouer his armie He foreseeing the miserable successe which might happen of this warre did deliberate and resolue with himselfe to dye rather then to flye or forsake his King by a cowardly and dishonest flight And among many opinions and aduises which
of Europe and of Asia should resort to Andrionoplis where he would make a generall muster and presently after with great diligence to march to Belgarde which is in Hungarie with all his forces where he so iourned not long but incontinently King Iohn with a great companie of the Hungarian Nobilitie which he brought with him came to kisse his hands and to acknowledge himselfe to him as his subiect and tributarie He found him sitting vnder a Canapie where hee made no great countenance to moue himselfe at the reuerences which he made but showing a great Maiestie he gaue him his right hand in signe of amitie the which he kissed and after some courtesies Solyman said to him that he doubted not but with ease to reconquer all that which vniustly had been taken from him and that by the iustice of his forces which being done he would liberally render it to him againe King Iohn departing from Solyman went to visit Abraham Basha whose friendship he had alreadie obtayned as is sayd before by meanes of Lasky who also was the onely cause to procure him such fauour with Solyman and drew to him Lewis Gritty who was the sonne of Andrew Gritty then Duke of Venice and who easily and friendly ruled Abraham and so familiarly also that it seemed he could not liue without his companie Also Lasky as hauing intelligence of the Bashaes affayres and with the Lords of Solymans Court had specially practised the friendship of the said Gritty for by the industrie of him by meanes of Abraham Basha he obtained of the grand Seigniour that which he desired And King Iohn had in this so good successe that he found in this armie the aforesaid Abraham After that Solyman had reposed himselfe with his armie certaine daies at Belgrade he marched directly to Buda which was forsaken by the citizens as soone as euer they heard of the report of his comming and so it came vnder the gouernment of the enemie without any resistance only the Fortresse was kept by 700. Germanes who very couragiously for a time did their endeuour to defend it The Turkes seeing they could not so soone be masters thereof as they thought began to myne and sap it whereby they might make the defences and wals saultable and hauing throughly performed it the fire and the thicke smoake which darkened the element ascended euen to the noses of the assieged who greatly feared to be destroyed therein and seeing their companions alreadie begin to flye in the ayre caused them maugre Nadasky their Captaine who commaunded that place to sound a parley and treatie of a composition with the Turkes conditionally that in deliuering that hold they might in safetie depart with their baggage and retire themselues into some place of safetie Which being accorded and concluded they rendred vp the Castle and departed In the meane time it being reported to Solyman that this composition was onely made by the souldiours without the agreement of Nadasky their Captaine he presently sent after them in the way towards Poson to which place they would make their retraict his Ianisaries to put them to the sword as vnworthie to liue hauing alreadie suffered them too long to breathe This towne and Fortresse being thus taken the armie marched directly towards Vienna all the Campe resting in the way before Alteburg which was a towne defended by the Bohemians who at the first manfully withstood certaine assaults but seeing that in one of those assaults their Captaine had lost his life they began then to lose their courage and waxe faint and feeling themselues wearie for that they were continually at the fight and finding themselues more straightned then before and assailed with greater furie they forsooke the Rampiers and gaue place to the enemie who with such a furie entred the towne that they put all to the sword This towne being wonne the grand Seigniour was aduertised that he should not now find any hinderance neither in townes nor field whereupon he sent before the Accanges to the quarters of Vienna which are as in former times like the aduenturers of France and not much vnlike our Scottish borderers to fire and spoyle all the countrie These people serue not for wages but in time of warre are leauied among the peasants as the Ayduches in Hungarie are they are not paid any wages neither are they taxed but of the bootie which they get they giue the tenth part thereof to the grand Seigniour as they do of all their goods besides They now following the commaund which was prescribed them executed incredible cruelties bearing away with them all kinde of bootie After that they made towards the fiue Churches where they committed no lesse outrage to the inhabitants of the countrie then they did to the other who fearing such and the like deuastations and enormious cruelties forsooke their houses seeking by diuers meanes to saue themselues In this sort the Accanges continuing their pilling robbing and massacring at last arriued before Vienna by the riuer of Lints where they were no more mercifull then in other places Ferdinand along time foreseeing these euents had put into Vienna all that little ayde which then he had causing new Rampiers and fortifications to be built and fearing worse would afterward ensue he trauailed to al the townes of Germanie not as a King but as a Post or messenger to demaund speedie ayde At the request of whom and vpon the bruite which was dispersed of the taking of Buda all the Germanes with one accord sent the Counte Palatine with 20000. Launsquenets and 2000. horse to the end himselfe with many other Captaines of marke might enter into Vienna to take possession and defend it and hinder the Turkes further proceedings as it was an easie matter for him to doe Among other voluntaries there went William Roccandolph Comptroler of King Ferdinands house Iohn Gazianer a Slauonian Hector Ransach Nicholas Salm who was at the taking of the King of France at Pauia Leonard Velsch and Nicholas Turian and many other renowned through Germanie for their vertue and prowesse they put into the citie 100. peeces of great Artillerie and about 200. lesser all which were in good order planted about the towne In the meane while the enemie not being able to march so fast as was requisite for them in respect of the great store of raine that fell in the moneth of September and especially by reason of the passage of Danubius which was then ouerflowed in the end they arriued before Vienna vpon the 13. day of the same moneth who with al their army enuironed it diuiding their Campe into foure quarters the circuite of which was so great that one could not see nothing but the ground couered with Tents and Pauilions for foure miles compasse Abraham Basha was incamped vnder a hill right ouer against the citie that he might the more commodiously obserue and take view therof himselfe being lodged in a little ruinated Castle which was thereby
but in the ende the force and courage of the Germanes increased the Turks being constrayned to yeeld notwithstanding the admonitions prayers exhortations and threatnings of the Sangiacs and other Captaines who with blowes of their Semitaries forced them to returne againe to the assault not being able otherwise to stay them from turning their backes Thus while the ayre resounded and the earth shaked by reason of the wonderfull thunder the Artillerie made and by the noyse and sound of bels and drums the enemie with greater obstinacie then before returned to the assault which was long and couragiously maintayned more then foure houers continually not without great slaughter on both sides During which assault there was slaine with Ambust Ottinge a valiant Colonell many Captaines and men of speciall marke and of those without many Captaines of the Ianisaries and of the Asapes and many Sangiacs who for their vertue and renoune were greatly esteemed among their Nation These being prouoked with furie and courage put themselues on foote with their sword and target only to animate and encourage others the more to the fight In the ende the Turks not being able any longer to resist the prowesse and valour of the assiedged abandoning all shame of dishonor and dispising all iniurious vpbrayding not respecting the blowes which they receiued of their Captaines they tumbled downe through and from the ruines and breach of the wall flying directly to their lodgings Solyman throughly vexed to see such a bucherie of his people vrged by a kinde of deepe reuenge did purpose to put in execution his last endeauored violence wholy to destroy the towne And to that effect he caused all the Captaines and principals of his Armie to come before him who seuerely and with sharpe speeches reprehending them in great choler that they so villanously and infamously and by a more then womanish cowardlynes hauing almost the victorie in their hands suffered now themselues to be depriued thereof and put to flight commaunding them within a short time to make themselues readie and renew the assault with greater courage euery one either resoluing to die there or else to regaine the victorie euen as it behooued them more then any other nation At this cruell commaund which was pronounced to the extreame feare of all euery man furnished himselfe with armes and with all necessarie things for fight and the prefixed time being come to begin this horrible assault which was the 13. of October Anno 1529. the Turkes with all their force and last endeauour in diuers places and especially by the Port of Carinthia began again to assaile the towne with so great a multitude and furie of the souldiours that it seemed the world would presently haue ended thinking by their shouting and fearefull cries to enter the towne and darkening the day by the great cloudes of arrowes with which they filled the ayre But the Germanes who held themselues gallantly aloft were aduaunced before the insolencie and boldnes of the enemie opposing their thicke squadrons against their force and multitude and by such valarous meanes frustrated their violence making with their Cannon and handy strokes a great butcherie of them which would cause great maruaile and amazement in those who could beholde the infinite number of them that were slaine and wounded notwithstanding the Turkes abated nothing of their courage but to the contrarie abandoning all feare of death more hardie rash and more inflamed with pride then before redoubled the assault and so fiercely they persisted in their obstinacie that many times our men were constrained to yeeld a little backe But at last by the vollies of the harquebuziers and the violence of the Artillerie which by good discresion was disposed about the walles especially where they saw the greatest force of the Turkes fighting the enemies were forced to retire miserably falling in heapes by the ruines of the breach making themselues a pittifull spectacle the ditch being filled with the dead bodies of these Infidels and the stones stained with their bloud Thus hauing lost all their courage and hope of winning the towne and no more dreading the threates and menaces nor the blowes of their commanders of two extreames they chose rather to be killed of their Captaines then by those of the towne whereupon tumultuously they retired themselues in great confusion from that terrible assault flying in great hurly burly to their lodgings By this confused retraict behold how this bloodie fight that day tooke an end which did very deere and infinitly cost the Turkes by the death of his brauest and valiantest Captaines Wherefore Solyman seeing fortune contrarie to him and considering the vallour of the assiedged not willing to attempt any more so cruell a losse determined to packe vp and depart And before his departure he caused certaine prisoners to be apparaled in robes of Veluct and cloth of golde who liberally were sent home againe into the towne whereby they might informe the Citizens that his intent was not to take Vienna but onely to be reuenged of the iniuries which he had receiued of Ferdinand and specially because hee meant to possesse those kingdomes which were not his and further that he was so much the more displeased that his enemie was retired into the midst of Germanie and had not attended him in Hungarie that there he might be reuenged the better of the iniuries offered to Kind Iohn his friend and that if they would yeeld to him hee assured them that he would not enter into their towne but leaue them in full libertie promising to the souldiours who were within that they should retire themselues to any secure place where they would and that afterward he would incontinently returne againe These speeches being by the prisoners recited in the assemblie of all the people and souldiours gaue notice to them that the forces of the Turkes were greatly weakned and by that they iudged the losse which he had receiued and that he vsed this deceite but onely to win them to his lure and so nothing but laughing at it they made account of his words as they deserued knowing well by reason of the winter which was at hand that the siege could not long continue And so within two dayes after which was the thirtieth day of the siege the Turke raysed his Campe from before Vienna deuiding it into three partes and hee tooke the way towards Constantinople one part whereof marched by Strigonium the other by Gran and the third by Bosnia And in order with such an innumerable quantitie of spoyle and prisoners Solyman retired himselfe from Vienna and Abraham Basha remained in the rerewarde to defend that none should charge or assaile the squadron of the grand Seigniour marching along Danubius vpon the which also softly floted another part of the Armie to giue reliefe of victualls munition and of men to those who were on land if neede should require it At the departure of so great and puissant an enemie all Germanie and Hungarie greatly
reioyced But when newes was brought how the Turkes lead captiue more then 60000. prisoners that all the villages and houses in the champion were burnt and ouerthrowne their ioy was presently turned into sadnes beholding with great compassion all the fields to bee disfurnished of men â—easts trees and houses not any remayning to till the ground which miserable spectacle gaue occasion to euery one to lament and sigh bitterly The great Turke being arriued at Buda and willing to performe his promise which he had made confirmed Iohn King of Hungarie with priuiledges written in letters of gold and inuested him in his kingdome calling him his friend and vassall of his house leauing with him Lewis Gritty to aduise and ayde him in all necessarie things and to be an assistant to him in his kingdome And after proceeding on his way with tedious iourneys by reason of the vehemencie of the winter which with snow and frosts was alreadie at hand at length he arriued at Constantinople where with great reioycings and triumphs he was as well receiued of his subiects as if he had conquered all Austria Now after that Lewis Gritty had soiourned a certaine time with King Iohn in the administration and gouernment of the kingdome of Hungary he was called home by Solyman He attained to this honour by the meanes of Abraham Basha a speciall friend of the Duke his father through whose friendship he was so conuersant with the grand Seigniour that one day he inuited him to a feast at his house vnto whom the said Seigniour vouchsafed him the fauour to go the rather in respect of the haughtie spirit and deepe iudgement in all things which he knew was naturally grafted in him in regard of which he had oftentimes sent him to execute great enterprises as this was one wherein he vsed such marueilous wisedome and great expedition and carried himselfe so indifferent to all that his greatnes was not enuied of any one Now the cause of his calling to Constantinople was only to discourse with him of many matters which were of no small importance which when they had aduised vpon he was presently dispatched againe into Hungarie to his charge with ample commission and great authoritie being among other things commanded to remaine at Buda and with his vttermost abilitie to maintaine in those quarters the glorie and renowne of the Ottoman house charging him to bee continually present at all the Councels which should bee held as well for warre as for peace the grand Seigniour furthermore not minding that they should alter any thing in that kingdome whilest he was absent in making warre against the Persians Moreouer he was commanded to enquire if the report which was bruited were true namely that Iohn at the instance and request of the Hungars would accord with Ferdinand and haue peace with the Germanes and Bohemians who continually made incursions into his countrie vpon these conditions that as long as he liued he should peaceably enioy all Hungarie and that after his death he should leaue the possession and all such right as he could any way pretend therein to the children of Ferdinand as we shall hereafter more at large treate of At the time when Solyman went into Armenia Gritty arriued in Valachia hauing for his conuoy certaine Turkish horsemen and companies of Ianisaries and those of the grand Seigniours guard sufficiently tried with some of his owne familiar acquaintance and other Italian companies who of their owne accord being well armed followed him and he had also with him two famous Hungarian Captaines namely Vrbain Batian and Iohn Doce with their companies they in all making about 7000. men as well horse as foote He was besides in outward shew for warre well furnished with Camels Mules Horses cattell and other munition for the seruice and reliefe of his Campe. And with this traine which rather seemed an armie he caused great suspition as well among his friends as his enemies and before he departed from Valachia he made peace with Peter Vayuode of Moldauia who before was made Solymans friend he hauing sent vnto him many rich presents to request his fauourable assistance for his going into Hungarie and to ayde him with men and victuals and with all other necessaries which he stood in neede of vntill he had accorded the strife of Ferdinand for the loue of whom he vndertooke this voyage This league being confirmed by oth of either side Gritty thinking himselfe to be sufficiently strong in those parts to manage such affayres at his pleasure entered presently into Transiluania causing open proclamation euery where to bee made through all the prouinces of Hungary belonging to the Emperour Solyman that all the townes Comminalties and Lords of that kingdome should haue recourse to him as an Arbitrator and Lieutenant for all the prouinces of Hungarie for the grand Seigniour and as the sole Iudge of all their debates strifes processe and discords But this did not greatly please King Iohn and it was afterward the cause of Grittys fall At this time liued Emeric Cibacchy Bishop of Varadin and Vayuode of Transiluania a man who for his noblenes puissance and vertue was very famous among his people being in regard of his calling the second person next the King Against him Iohn Doce bore speciall hatred and open malice for receiuing a blow of him with his fist vpon the nose about a certaine question and controuersie moued betweene them He vpon the bruite of the comming of Gritty to Bresouia made no such haste it may bee as Gritty expected he should haue done in respect of the honour he looked for but making slow speede it thereby seemed that he little regarded those whom the grand Seigniour had sent which made him odious and displeasing to Gritty who sought nothing more then to increase the authoritie which he had and to make it appeare how greatly aboue others the Transiluanians had honoured and reuerenced him Vpon this a common opinion went that Emeric vsed this manner as beseemed a good Christian being greatly displeased in his heart to see the Turkes in his countrie where they neuer came before and that he should consent to open to them a passage whereby they might haue more ample knowledge of the store of townes boroughs and villages of the infinite number of horses of the fertilenes of the land and the fat pastures which are therein by the which they might bee inticed in time to make themselues masters thereof But all such opinions were in the end found false for that without any suspition he went as a friend to receiue and visite him When Gritty was alreadie arriued at Bresouia and that from thence he meant to goe to Megest where he was by many messengers informed that Emeric would come to see him and that he marched well accompanied being lodged but fiue miles from him with a great companie and furnished with many troupes of Caualarie all the chiefe of the prouince
Budians that had so gallantly resisted the forces of Ferdinand saying vnto them that they alwaies bore them speciall good will and that they came for no other intent then to reuenge all the wrong and iniuries which was offered to them And hauing conferred with the Queene of all that which was giuen them in charge they returned againe receiuing presents double as rich as those which they brought with them being honourably and pleasantly entertained The Turkes by many assaults suffered Roccandolph to take no rest whilest on both sides he was hindered by prouiding boates and barkes to keepe firme before one part of the Turkish armie which came vp Danubius and was alreadie arriued at an Iland called Chep nigh vnto the banke side which if he had followed the aduice that the Hungars prescribed should haue been fortified and well planted with Artillerie before the enemies had been masters thereof for by that meanes they might haue endamaged their armie and easily defended that they should not haue incamped there by reason they should haue been constrained maugre their wils to forsake that plaine and retire backe considering that from that I le the Cannon might scoure the plaine in any part wheresoeuer But wicked and aduerse destinie willing that Buda should by any meanes whatsoeuer fall into the hands of Solyman and that the armie of Ferdinand by the carelesnes of the Commaunders should bee broken and ouerthrowne blinded Roccandolph that he had no care to fortifie it but onely with certaine souldiours and a few field peeces Mahomet who was not in any thing negligent perceiuing another hill which was by the Iland where the Germanes had the guard being very drowsie and sluggish in their charge did deliberate with himselfe to assaile them on the sudden whilest in another place he caused the alarme to be giuen to the whole bodie of Roccandolphs Campe. Following this determination before the dawning of the day he commaunded his vessels to saile before the I le and giue the assault vpon those of Roccandolph which were also by the I le and against the bridge which he caused to bee built that vpon any occasion he might saue himselfe and retire to Pesthe The Ianisaries entring suddenly within this I le began to cut the throates of the souldiours who had the guard thereof and of whom before they were wakened from their dead sleepe and that they were somewhat safe from the feare that had before possessed thē there remained slaine vpon the place well neere 600. The bruite of this alarme being spread abroad our souldiours who were on the other side putting themselues in order began to discharge certaine peeces of Artillerie which were vnder the couert of a wood lately cut by the riuers side and so greatly annoyed the armie of the Turkes that they were very rudely disordered and if those of Roccandolphs armie had that day acquited themselues of their vttermost deuoire they had quite ouerthrowne all their enemies who in the end by the disorder that happened amongst ours and by the dexteritie of the Ianisarie harquebuziers remained victorious all the vessels of Roccandolph being taken and broken the greatest part of the bridges cut off and the I le vnder the Turkes command At the same instant Mahomet commaunded that the rest of Roccandolphs Campe should be assailed in two places which then by the prowesse and valiantnes of the Bohemians and Hungars and certaine Germane Captaines they held good and for that time maintained firme and sure footing But the tediousnes of the fight was an occasion that the forces of Ferdinand waxed faint and wearie and to the contrarie those of Buda by reason of the Turkish ayde increased their courage Solyman being aduertised of all that which passed vntill then departed from Andrionopolis in great iourneys with 200000. men to come to Buda and marching with great diligence gaue notice to Mahomet of his departure which being also knowne to Peren who was one of the chiefest of Roccandolphs armie caused presently the Councel to assemble perswading them instantly to retire to Pesthe and not to attend the arriuall of all the Turkish force To this opinion Roccandolph answered that he could not depart without the commaund of Ferdinand and vpon that resolution Salm was dispatched to goe towards Vienna and whilest within a Brigantine he went a long Danubius feare and necessitie in the end constrained Roccandolph to raise and retire himselfe to Pesthe beginning in this manner to march with his people First he sent before all the Hungars with the great Artillerie waggons and other baggage which should any thing annoy his armie vpon the way after those all the Germane and Bohemian Caualarie marched with a good troupe of infantrie and in the rereward marched all the footmen with the rest of the baggage Euen now the Vauntgard and battaile were alreadie by the obscuritie of the night arriued at Danubius causing bridges of boates to be made When the two Mahomets were aduertised thereof by two Vsaron horsemen who fled from Roccandolphs Campe they presently assembled together and caused their people to march in two places sending the Ianisaries of one side with a good troupe of Caualarie and on the other side the remainder of al the horse with all the infantrie that remained The beginning of their assault was with cryes and horrible shrikings directed vpon the Germane quarter which they presently fired The Germanes and Bohemians who alreadie were at the riuers side were greatly astonished at so sudden a charge endeuouring themselues to dissemble their flight they began valiantly to make head But all the rest of the armie in the Tents was out of order and especially those a long the side of Danubius where euery one without order or shame endeuoured to saue himselfe by pressing into the boates and neither by blowes threates nor intreaties were any able to draw them back much lesse to make them stand and turne their faces so great was the feare they were possest withall and the more in respect of the astonishment which the fearfull thundring of the Cannon made that night in euery place and euery one was so degenerated and discouraged that neither Roccandolph nor his commaunds were of any force or authoritie to stay them who also besides the incomparable griefe which greatly oppressed him was sore wounded and by his indisposition the rest of the souldiours who were appointed to fight being aduertised of this generall feare retired themselues by little and little seeking by flight to saue themselues as well as they could Thus all in the end went to the spoyle and ruine of fortune The souldiours of Peren were the first that were charged by those of Belgrade and the Germanes who kept S. Gerrards hill were ouerthrowne by the Ianisaries and Turkish Caualarie and with great slaughter were throwne headlong downe The Budians sallying forth by the Port of the water towre so called for that it was continually beaten vpon with the waues of
will alwaies do it chusing rather the good and glorie of the King your Lord and mine and the publike and generall quiet then my owne proper life as this day I meane to manifest to you not minding to doe any thing but that which shall bee sitting for the office of a louer of peace and publike tranquilitie who ought not to omit vnspoken any speech that may bee necessarie for the good and safetie of this countrie and kingdome although with his owne proper blood he should not faile to sustaine and assist it Now considering the present estate and condition into which you are fallen by the secret hatreds which raigne amongst you one towards an other and by the dissentions sprung amongst you and your former Lords by occasion whereof you haue called the Turke to your ayde and haue brought him into this countrie with the ruine not onely of the vulgar people but also of your selues and haue shewed him an open high way for the time to come in a moment to be masters of you he practising towards you that which he did to the Paleologians Comins Buccals and other of the principall of Greece who for their conceiued hatreds thinking by the Turkes ayde wholly to banish and expulse their Emperour did not only ruinate the Empire but also lost their owne goods honours themselues and liues the Turkes being allured with the goodlines and fertilitie of the countrie and faining to fauour or support the discords of one faction or other learning to make war after their maner hauing therewith in such diligent obseruance noted the situation and passages of their countrie that with little labour they thrust in vpon them with such multitude and force that after they had seene their young infants their deare sisters their beloued wiues and kindred to be prayes and slaues enchained their townes burnt and destroyed the countrie harried and the common people made slaues and they forced to flye and seeke other Prouinces to inhabite wherein liuing in calamity they were forced to end their miserable life of Lords to become seruants and of libertie to be in the thraldome of subiection which is the greatest miserie and calamitie of all and surely which in all the world hath not his like being too painfull and intolerable a burthen that a free man fortunate and rich should become a seruant miserable afflicted and begging to satisfie his necessitie All which mischiefes had assuredly happened to you if Gods goodnes and the bountie of the King had not foreseene it opening the eyes of your vnderstanding to remember the passed glorie and renowne which your Kings haue vndoubtedly atchieued by the victories and triumphs obtained against the Turkes Considering I say this your poore state and knowing that you are not ignorant with what abilitie and force I am come hither and how his Maiestie hath sent me with an armie to take care and charge of this Prouince and to succour and assist it in her afflictions and by your friendly ayde to deliuer it out of the hands of Infidels our common enemies I haue esteemed it necessarie to declare vnto you that you ought to sweare fidelitie to Ferdinand your King and Lord with such homage as you are bound to performe and to perswade you that you ought so much the more to settle your selues in his fauour and clemencie who will imbrace you not as his subiects but will place you in his bosome as his naturall and deare children in such affectionate manner that you may say you haue rather gotten a father then a Lord who will not faile to assist you in your necessities nor forsake you in all chances of fortune counting himselfe happie if they be such and on the other side deeming himselfe wretched with you if it should succeede otherwise which God defend it should seeing the fortune of men is variable and more mutable then the waues of the sea and subiect to infinite hazards But he esteeming you as deare as his owne members it behoueth not you therefore to giue any credit to the dissembling promises of Infidels nor to the inticing perswasion of those who little affect your good and lesse your quiet nor by the instigation of those who secretly practiseth your ruine and would separate you from the bodie of which depende the common health and life but rather it is needfull that you vnite and incorporate your selues into one resolute minde and by that meanes valiantly redoubling your forces you may shew your selues such that in opposing your selues couragiously you may bee able to chase out of this kingdome those enemies who violate our Religion dishonour your Churches force your Virgins and with as much possible wickednes as they can imagine defame your wiues and children neuer obseruing any faith After this your manifest and couragious fidelitie it behoueth that you deliberate and consult with me for the publike libertie although it bee a thing that seemeth daungerous to denounce warre against them which being iustly and discreetly managed will promise to vs victorie and immortall glorie with them that shall succeede vs who learning of vs to esteeme honour and glorie more deare then their liues will freely choose rather to die fighting for faith and libertie then to bee as prayes to these inhumane Barbarians liuing in continuall dishonour And if these reasons are not so perswasiue nor yet of that force to moue your courages yet ought they at least to make them tremble by reason of the horrible cruelties you shall receiue when the Turke shall become your Lord for assure your selues you shall not for all that enioy any great content or quiet but euen daily your sorrowes and griefes will be redoubled with great and tedious impositions for that he will not satisfie himselfe with an ordinarie and reasonable tribute but with an absolute commaund hee will take away the dearest of your children forcing them to denie our faith and to forget both the father and mother who haue begotten produced and brought them vp and will nousle them among his Ianisaries to increase by that meanes their wicked and heathenish opinion and ouerthrow and suppresse ours which is grounded vpon the blood of our deare Sauiour Iesus Christ And besides if you haue a fayre yong daughter who is of seemely and well fauoured countenance and enriched and adorned with vertue she shall presently bee taken from you and put into the Serraile to satisfie the vnsatiable lust and incontinencie of this abominable Tyrant who cōtinually will aspire to no other thing then wholly to extirpate and ruinate you and to make you in the end to become his seruants and perpetuall slaues purloyning from you the best of whatsoeuer you haue and the remainder of all which shall be left vnto you by your ancestors neither can you say any thing in defence of your selues nor contradict them which if you do or make any shew of discontent then shal you be straight in present danger of your life Consider by this and
him and vsed to them this or the like perswasiue admonitions My louing and friendly fellowes in armes your famous predecessours in times past florished by good and commendable customes and abounded in all excelling vertue and specially in warlike affayres where in former time they vsually attained to the period of eternall glorie yea and in such famous sort that they thereby were greatly admired of all Nations Kings and Prouinces But since this path of vertue hath been left by their posteritie and that it hath been couered on all sides and darkened with innumerable vices this brightnes and light of true glorie there being laid a part ancient Militarie discipline remaineth so obfuscate amongst you the rest of the Dacians that it hath ingendred in this Prouince a most infamous losse and markable damage In considering of which I now esteeme it no lesse necessarie then commendable to reforme this armie and reestablish it in that estate and renowne which our ancient custome and obseruation requireth which is vnpossible to be done without your assistance Therefore I am very desirous to admonish and exhort you that leauing all couetousnesse forsaking all pleasures auoyding all corporall delights and aboue all excluding the slothfulnes mixt with your priuate hates and dissentions you would endeuour to reduce and submit your selues vnder obeysance and good order vnder which your ancestors with vnspeakable fame were wont to liue and manage armes to the ende that following this infallible rule by the helpe of your forcible armes you might haue an open and free passage to a blisfull and most quiet repose and that you might being all vnited together bring into your country by the defeature flight of the Turks memorable triumphs and not by the meanes of your preiudiciall hatreds increase their puissance In performing of which you may assure your selues I will not be to you as a Captaine and Generall but as an affectionate father and deare companion as well to comfort my self with your good and fortunate successe as also patiently to take part with any euill which God defend that shall betide you By vertue of these and such like speeches al the people which before were so disordered did now vnite themselues louingly into one hauing more respect to the person which did thus speake then regard of their owne particulars and were content to be ordered and mustered with the other This done Castalde and Frier George with this armie and Artillerie began to march with great iournies desirous in time to relieue Lozonse and Aldene who were besieged at Themesuar In the continuance of their marching the Frier would alwaies leade the Vauntgard hauing all his people with him But when he approched the enemie Castalde tooke the conduct with the best and approued souldiours which hee had leauing the battaile to the other And marching in this manner hee himselfe appointed the quarters for the armie to lodge alwaies chusing the places of most strength and commoditie whereby his people should not receiue any detriment continually causing his Campe to march in good order although it was with some difficultie for that the armie was great and the way where they should passe very narrow and tedious and specially in some places which they found betweene the mountaine and the riuer they being sometime 12. or 13000. in length where they were so straightly crouded together that very hardly a Coach could passe In respect whereof the iournies were little which did much trouble Castalde seeing that thereby the succours which he determined should enter into Themesuar were slackened which he knew to be violently battered by the Belerbey Now whilest the Campe marched the Commaunders of the armie discoursed among themselues whether they should goe to Lippa or Themesuar and after many and sundrie opinions it was thought fittest that they should direct their course to besiege Lippa and others were of opinion to proceed on and succour Themesuar and that afterward they would returne and assaile the other Against which opinions Frier George firmely opposed himselfe saying that it was much better directly to goe to Lippa alleadging for his reasons that the Belerbey to relieue Oliman would raise his Campe from before Themesuar and that hee would assuredly come to them and by this meane they should auoyde a tedious and cumbersome iourney and that afterward they might commodiously send such succours as they would to the besieged at Themesuar Castalde tooke these opinions not to bee good and prouing his speeches by diuers reasons in the end perswaded euery one to determine vpon this resolution to leaue a Campe before Lippa which should bee sufficient to maintaine a siege there and so to hinder Oliman that he should not by sallies be greatly offensiue to them neither escape himselfe and with the rest of his people since he had sufficient he would march on towards Themesuar and that he would take the way which leade towards Caransebesse which is a Castle situated in the confines of the Transalpinians not farre from Themesuar from whence he might within few houres send succours to Lozonse and Aldene and that if he did otherwise it would redound to small profit and this enterprise could bee subiect to nothing else but to inconstant fortune voyde of all reason After I say such aduices discoursed and determined of the Frier at the same instant called to him Battor that he might bee present at that which he would speake and said to Castalde that he had altered his minde and that he thought it not good to goe with this armie to relieue Themesuar being assured that this armie composed rather of people mustered together who were but badly armed and vnexperienced then of good and trained souldiours whereof the Turkes no doubt would bee aduertised it would bee suddenly incountered by the enemie and that these two armies rudely shocking together our Campe without doubt would be broken and ouerthrowne by the good order practise and long experience of the enemie And thus publishing to them many other friuolous reasons hee concluded in the end appartly shewing that he was mutabilitie it selfe and that his disposition was not to bee long firmely stayed vpon one resolute purpose Castalde answered him that he had reason to be as he was especially in important affayres in which it was behoouefull to take good counsell and vse a consideratiue foresight it being commendable for him sometimes to change his opinion from good to better but onely he now meant to perswade him to goe to Lippa where according to the euent of things they would agree amongst themselues either to assaile Lippa or relieue Themesuar The Frier replied saying that he well knew Themesuar to be a place not very strong and that by a Polacque whom he had of purpose sent thither and after that hee had diligently considered all that which was done there as well within as without hee was againe returned to him by whom he had also notice that the Turkes expected more Artillerie to
to them inestimable honour and great astonishment to the enemie The Frier answered him that the occasion which moued him to come vnto that place with the armie was for that hee thought the Belerbey would intirely retire himselfe but sith hee vnderstood that he had not yet passed Tibiscus it gaue him to suspect some further matter seeing that Oliman bouged not from Lippa but resolued to withstand all the inconueniences and hazards of a siege not beleeuing that such a resolution did proceede from any other thing but onely of the confidence which the said Oliman reposed in the neere assistance of the Belerbey and that if it were so he could see no assurance to proceede any further for that heretofore he neuer incountered with so great an armie composed of so many warlike souldiours as that of the Turkes was and that for this occasion and also for the regard and care which they should haue of those souldiours which were vnder his commaund hee was very confident that hee was not able to resist them nor to reconquer the half of that which the Turks had inuaded and gotten and that therefore hee would not so inconsiderately aduenture his person and the kingdome together and that he thought it more expedient to make some truce with the enemie without remouing from the place where they were considering it was to their more aduantage and that it could not chuse but bee greatly to the honour and reputation of them all Castalde tolde him that specially they were to consider the foule offence which would be greatly imputed to them if they retired without some iust cause it being reported through the world that they two were in the field with so puissant an armie as that was which they had conducted to this place with a resolution to expulse the Turks out of that kingdom and that in retyring and leauing Lippa in the enemies possession it might be iustly said to bee done not without some secret practise and conspiracie which wee should haue with them and specially the same being a towne of great esteeme and knowne to be the most important key of all Hungarie and Transiluania and consequently of all Christendome which being in the Turkes commaund he might continually make incursions from thence with returne of great spoyles and robbings and by many inconueniences endamage all the whole countries and subiects of Ferdinand Therefore to auoyd that staine of dishonour hee most instantly prayed him that at the least he would goe to Lippa and by Gods assistance he would promise him to deliuer it into his hands within sixe daies In the end he pursued his perswasions so effectually that he was content to goe as farre as Lippa although he often alleadged the great inconuenience which might befall them for want of Artillerie which by good fortune and by the diligence of the Spanish Captaines arriued that day at the Campe to the great admiration of the Frier who assuredly thought they could not bee there in eight daies This animated Castalde presently to troupe on with 3000. Hungarish horse and 400. men of armes to view Lippa which of one side is square and of the other keepeth the circuite of an ouall forme so that it is more long then broad The length thereof is 720. paces and the bredth 380. being of one part for that the riuer Marosse watereth it very strong and of the other it seemeth very weake by reason of a mountaine which doth greatly commaund and annoy the defences thereof It is altogether mured with a wall after the ancient manner without any defences and few turrets There is in the lower part of the towne a little square Castle garnished in euery corner with a tower and is compassed about with a deepe Ditch full of water Presently vpon Castaldes approaching he lighted from his horse and walked on foote and passing through certaine gardens accompanied with Iulian Carleuall and two other Spanish Captaines he went to peruse the Ditch hauing first sent a good troupe of those which he had brought to dare the Turks to skirmish who by no meanes would aduenture forth to fight imploying themselues from the wall wholly to annoy our men with the harquebuze and hinder that none should haue a view of the towne Castalde hauing well and diligently viewed all and after he had caused his men to retire the same night he returned againe to the Campe where he found the Captaines Roderic Vigliandrando and Francis Henry Tescieda who were come forth of Themesuar to bee at the assault of this towne He fully learned of them the aduentures which had passed in that place and the manner of the Belerbeys retraict hauing not before vnderstood any thing for certaine Vpon this newes the 2. of Nouember they all marched to Lippa where all the Campe being arriued Castalde martialled all his battalions and Artillerie before the Turks with a marueilous crie and confused noise of all those barbarous nations and continuing there a certaine time in such apparance they tooke possession of the Mountaine and the Frier incamped with his people on the otherside towards the Castle Castalde possessing all the hill which commaunded in manner of a Caualier quartered those highest who were entertained by Ferdinand namely the Spanyards Germanes and Hungars and caused his Tent to be erected in the middest of them Whilest the Campe lodged there the Turkes came forth to fire one of the Suburbes which was well prouided of victuals and specially of wine which groweth in that quarter as good as could be desired Castalde vnderstanding hereof commaunded Captaine Iohn Vilioa that presently he should take 100. Spanish Harquebuziers and so force the enemie to retire and that after hee had quenched the fire which alreadie began violently to burne to spread it selfe vpon the houses he should endeuour as much as he could to saue the victuals for the better reliefe and prouision of the Camp and that he should hinder that they might not bee spoyled by those nations But they could not so well bee kept neither take so good order but that the Friers Aiduchs came and tooke their pleasure and fill of the wine in such sort as the superfluitie thereof so chafed and stirred vp their courages that 500. of them being pricked with that Bacchinall furie they ranne instantly to assaile the towne without ladders or any order thinking by their brauing tearmes to subuert and ouerthrow the walles By this sudden attempt happened an alarme to the whole Campe euery man thinking that the Turkes had made some sallie forth to skirmish with our men On the other side the Turkes also assuring themselues by this horrible bruite and noyse to be assailed both with scallado and batterie they presently stood vpon their defence couering the walles with men and with their harquebuzes they made a great slaughter of these Aiduchs who like beasts were easily discouered and grasping the wall attempted to leape vp vttering to the Turkes many iniurious speeches as
their manner is who being couert and attentiue behind the wall shewed them by their defences that they were in double safetie so that they at pleasure slew whom they listed vntill they were wearie of killing them On the otherside certaine horsemen stinged with the same mad humour ranne with their Sables drawne in their hands euen to the Ditch brauing and menacing the Turkes who in the end seeing their order to be but disorder made a great massacre of them as well from the wall as within the Ditch and with maine strength caused them to retire backe But this retraict was presently staied by the courage which their companions gaue them who offering themselues to the like perill seemed not any thing to shrinke from the daunger This disorder had proceeded further then was imagined at the first if the Frier had not hindered it who speedily thrust in amongst them and caused them to retire And this was the end of this drunken alarme that proceeded of wine which in the end being appeased the armie was then quietly lodged During this time there arriued at the Campe a Hungarish Lord named Patocche with 400. horse and 600. foote which he leauied and brought with him at his owne proper charges to be imployed in the seruice of Ferdinand during this warre of Lippa He also brought with him foure good peeces of Artillerie with which passing by a Castle that held for the Turkes not farre from Lippa he thought good to trie his fortune and to see if he could by any meanes take it by force Thus arriuing on a sudden he assailed it with so great courage and with so good order that during the batterie his people behaued themselues so valiantly that winning one port and setting fire on another they entered it killing and vanquishing as many Turkes as they found therein not sparing any but onely the Captaine This place being thus sacked and burnt Patocche with his people proceeded on his iourney leading prisoner with him the Captaine by whom vnderstanding of what qualitie and condition he was of he determined to giue him to Castalde But neither the one nor the other did long enioy him because that vpon the day following as this Captaine marched in the middest of the troupes one of the souldiours who was at his taking vnderstanding that he was of that qualitie and reputation that hee might well pay a large raunsome and that he should haue nothing thereof for that Patocche had taken him from him whereupon being possest with despayre he suddenly discharged his peece against him betweene his shoulders and so mortall was the wound that he suddenly fell dead to the ground he not minding that any other should possesse that which himselfe could not enioy This Captaine as it was afterward knowne was of such qualitie and parentage that if the line of the Ottomans had failed the succession of the Empire belonged to none but to him Patocche being arriued at the Campe was honourably receiued by Castalde and great mirth and ioy was made for the good successe and taking of this Castle and not without cause since voluntarily and at his owne expences without any particular hope of profit but onely in regard and expectation of honour he was voluntarily come to serue his Prince The same day they had newes also that vpon the Belerbeys retraict were gone forth of Themesuar 200. horse with 26. Harquebuziers mounted to cut of the straglers and those who were disbanded from the Turkes Campe and that these returning without performing any thing they came by a Castle named Gala possest by the enemies against which preparing themselues to see whether they could winne it they enuironed it who being discouered by the Sentinels and perceiuing that the Turkes made not any shot of Cannon against them nor no other shew for their owne safeties they were determined to giue an assault to it and force the Port and assay if by that meanes they could surprise it Which did as fortunately succeed as they themselues desired for that the Turkes in a happie time for our people expected that day certaine men which they had sent to demaund of the Belerbey power and succour to maintaine themselues against Ferdinands armie which they knew should presently march against Lippa and they seeing our men comming did verely thinke that they had been the same which they expected insomuch that they were not any thing moued or feared therewith and the rather in respect of their habits who were apparelled after the Turkish manner which they had gotten of those who were dead in the Campe and being by this traine deceiued and thinking our people had come to their ayd they did not any thing furnish their guards with more men but gaue place and commoditie to our souldiours to approach neere the Castle and peaceably to enter into it by the Port the guard of which Port before that they were knowne were discomforted and afterwards the enemie perceiuing the deceit and taking weapons in hand valiantly to defend themselues our people were constrained to force the rest of the Castle by maine force and carie the victorie not without great paine and hazard compelling the Turkes mauger their wils to retire to the end of a streete where not being able any longer to desend themselues were in the end ouercome by the Spanyards and Hungars who were on foote killing as many of them as they could incounter without receiuing any damage to themselues but by the death of two Spanyards who at the first incounter were shot with the enemies Harquebuziers and after this execution they set fire on all leading all the inhabitants prisoners and then they retired to Themesuar The taking of this Castle although it were of small moment yet it gaue speciall contentment to euery one and greatly encouraged the Captaines not in respect of the importance of the thing as to see fortune so fauourable and incline to them in euery place After such ioy and mirth the night being come it was decreed that during the same some should bee sent to suruiew Lippa to approach more neere and plant the batterie Of one side thereof was sent Captaine Iohn Viglioa Don Antonie Azinetta and Thomas Varcocche To another part were dispatched Captaine Vigliandrando and the Alferus of Lewis Barientos And Andrew Lopes Sergeant Maior Iulian de Carleuall and certaine other Spanish Captaines had the charge of another quarter The diligence was great of euery one to haue knowledge of the towne and report thereof being made to Castalde he caused the very same night certaine peeces of Artillerie to be planted vpon the hill which was aboue the towne neere to the place of Iustice with which the day following he made many a shot to hinder and annoy the enemie that he should not fortifie himselfe and to force him to quit the streetes and passages about the walles which from that hill might easily be discouered The second night being come Castalde commaunded to begin the
that to suffer that that courage which in vs should be inuincible should remaine suppressed by this fortune for any aduersitie whatsoeuer Truly whosoeuer now should see these shamefull things in you who alwaies heretofore haue been victorious as if to vanquish were to you peculiar I know not what they should censure but that considering your former victories they might imagine that you haue rather wonne them by ominous fortune then by your owne proper vertue since that by so great dishonour you haue suffered your selues to be shamefully ouercome and in the middest and furie of the fight like women and children to be beaten away by the Turks You may well thereby thinke that the glorie of your precedent feates of armes which vntill now appeared to the world by your great triumphs is now darkened and obscured by this ignominious repulse with which incouraging these enemies whom so often you haue ouerthrowne and subdued you are the only cause that in time to come they will not any more feare you seeing your courage your force and agilitie is decayed It seemeth to me a wonder and a great infamie that the victorious dreadeth the vanquished And beleeue me souldiours there is not in the world a greater ruine and confusion then when an armie debasing it selfe by giuing courage to his enemie leaueth it selfe ouercome by pusalinimitie For then in what disaduantage soeuer it must dissolue and disperse it selfe for that it often happeneth in warres the valour and resolution of the minde profiteth more then that of the bodie If this day and during these assaults you duly consider of the honor and end of this warre you will manifestly see it a sufficient motiue to incite you to recouer your first lost prowesse and conceiue that subtiltie and wisedome nothing auaileth where is an apparant defect of courage and valour Therefore present necessitie doth vrge and constraine you this day to shew your selues valiant and vertuous souldiours for that you shall not now fight for a toy of nothing but for life it selfe for the countries good wherein you were nourished and brought vp for your wiues and children for your sisters and kindred and finally for all diuine and humane things and for your goods which if you remaine victorious they remaine yours as they haue been before and on the contrarie they must bee a spoyle for the enemie if you will lose your selues You alreadie know how the Belerbey of Greece and Basha Achmeth are on the way with an huge number of horse and foote to relieue Lippa If they shuld arriue and wee not haue taken the towne what might then become of vs Therefore if you desire as it is most requisite you should doe to auoid these imminent dangers with an honourable victorie to increase your reputation and not to interre or obscure it valiantly endeuour your selues to ouercome and fight with an assured and manly courage still bearding and facing the enemie for those who are desirous of victorie doe neuer turne their backes And doe you thinke that seeking the safetie of your liues to finde it by flying No no you haue alreadie seene by experience the contrarie that more haue been slaine by flight then fight Assure your selues then that if you doe not with your best abilities endeuour your selues to ouercome you will neither finde place mountaine nor forrest which can preserue you in safetie but all things shall be contrarie and aduerse to you and in the end you shall leaue as a pray to your enemies those things which you most dearely esteeme of which neuerthelesse by meanes of victorie winning this towne you may preserue and there is no doubt but the enemies wil be faint-harted and begin to humble themselues and in their retiring they will giue you speciall meanes to recouer that which hath been lost and possessed by euill hap and to purchase with a glorious name frustrating them from al hope euer to bee masters of you againe this libertie this quiet repose and this happie peace which you so much desire and long for vnchaining your selues from the perpetuall seruitude in which for present example you may to your griefes beholde your neighbours For there is not any thing that doth more astonish and terrifie an enemy then a sudden onset and gallant charge nor nothing which doth more animate a friend then to recouer a despairing victorie as this day may happen to you if you will Returne then my souldiours to the assault with a prefixed desire to carie the victorie from thence and not to flie at any hand and rather aduenture to die honourably for it then in losing to suruiue with shame considering that to die is common to all but to die with reputation is bequeathed but to few And I assure my selfe that if you more respect that which I haue said vnto you then the liberall offers which I haue made you you shall within few houres remaine victorious to your great glorie and to the excessiue losse of our enemies and you shall in the end see that no corporall force can euer surmount the vertue which this day will make both you and me to be eternall This said hauing first reenforced the batterie with more Artillerie he presently caused an alarme in the whole Campe. At the bruite whereof they all in good order went to the wall with ladders and other engines to mount vpon it and to obtaine the breach which now was somewhat inlarged enuironing the towne with more then 40000. men There was within it only for the defence of the breach 3000. Turkes and 100. Ianisaries and in all with the people of Oliman there was some 5000. men appointed in places conuenient Thus they began cruelly to fight as well within as without and very fiercely with so great cryes of those barbarous nations and such a thunder of our Artillerie sounding of Drummes and Trumpets that it seemed the world would presently haue ended And the great disorder which was committed in many places of the assault being reported to Castalde he presently caused all the men of armes and Caualarie to march with him appointing both the one and the other where they should attend with their squadrons considering that there was lesse perill and daunger in such disorder then to cause his men to retire vpon whose retraict he iudged greater inconuenience would ensue And approaching nigh the breach he saw that Oliman had appointed 600. horse in a place by and very neere to them well foreseeing the end which would betide him who had appointed them there not onely to succour the breach but with a resolute purpose also to saue himselfe with them seeing alreadie he could not any longer resist nor withstand our men from entering by force into the towne perceiuing that he was forsaken of the succours which hee expected from Buda and with those horse for the same respect he had mixed certaine bands of Ianisaries Castalde perceiuing this and the more to expell Oliman from all hope of safetie
one death receiued two because that venturing into the riuer to saue themselues by swimming to the otherside the Hungarians Germanes and Bohemians setting themselues against them pearced both them and their horses with their Launces on euery side insomuch that he who died not by dint of the sword was forced pitifully to end his life in the water and to drowne himselfe a long time stayning the water with their blood The other seeing their companions thus badly intreated and returning vpon the spurre to the towne with hope to saue themselues in the Castle were by our men in all parts so cut off and slaine that not a man could saue himselfe Oliman who also had forsaken the towne with a good troupe of horse with intent to saue himselfe seeing what was done to others tooke for the last refuge which fortune that day alotted to him to saue his life wherein most of his people lost their liues a resolution to saue himselfe in the Castle Flying thither a pace he found there a great throng of his people that as yet remained safe from this furious and bloodie tempest who for the great prease to saue themselues from slaughter endeuoured to enter in many falling from the railes of the bridge into the Ditch sorely brused and crusht in peeces and by this time there was more then fiftie horse and men ouerthrowne therein who with their masters there perished Oliman being also arriued at that time mixt himselfe with this throng although he often saw himselfe almost troden downe by this multitude and entered into the Castle vpon the bridge whereon there was also some of our people mingled among them and if then they had bin well aduised to haue throughly charged thē on that side they might easily that day which was the 6. of Nouember haue taken the Castle and Oliman had neuer been saued But the desire and couetousnes of gaine which too vsually happeneth in such cases so blinded euery one as it was omitted and not any thing thought of Now all the towne being sacked wherein was gotten great spoyle and the night come Castalde caused all the Castle to bee enuironed and placed about it good and strong guards for feare least the enemie by the obscuritie and fauour of the night occasion to bee incensed against this countrie onely contenting themselues with this that they had alreadie done against him in taking this towne by force and hauing killed therein so many valiant souldiours of his and forcing the Belerbey to retire with shame and on the contrarie it was now more expedient to sweeten and temper his crueltie by milde courses to effect which he thought it good to let all those freely and in safetie passe who were retired into that little Castle Castalde replying said vnto him that by no meanes he would suffer such a stearne enemie as Oliman was to scape seeing they now had him in their hands and that none but God should free him thence and that vsing such rigour and seueritie in his proceedings he should begin to abate the pride and boldnes of the Turk and by no meanes he would suffer such fauourable occasions to slip away which of a long time they found not so happy and fortunate to them as now and that they should not haue it might bee in time to come so prosperous successe as this which was now offered by this good occasion The Frier neuerthelesse still contradicting him and maintaining that it was needfull to saue Oliman and the end at which he aymed being manifest to all the Campe as that also which the Slauonian had confessed who a little before was taken he was in the end forced to discouer his wicked intent and plainly to tell Castalde that for no mans pleasure hee would not become enemie to the Turke but that hee meant to set Oliman at libertie and permit him freely to depart with his armes horse and all his people who were with him and that if this could not be done he must be forced to defend him against any who would withstand it Castalde answered him that since he had determined to doe so this was his aduice that before hee would conclude any other thing hee would cause all the principall Lords and Captaines of Ferdinands armie and them of Transiluania to bee called together in a publike assemblie to the end that euery one might speake his opinion thereof and that by this meanes they should haue no occasion to complaine that they were depriued of that honour and profit which they had dearly purchased with their owne blood and with extreame paine without giuing them to vnderstand some good matter therefore and that they should not haue any occasion to complaine of them two The Frier liked very well of this motion assuring himselfe that none neither would nor durst contradict his will And thus being in his Tent accompanied with Castalde Andrew Battor Thomas Nadasdy who not long before was made Palatine of Hungarie Perein Peter Iohn Turky the Marquesse of Balasse and other Lords and Captaines as well Hungarians and Bohemians as Spanyards and Germanes and with them all the Deputies of townes and prouinces of the kingdome Frier George in the presence of them all began thus to speake in Latin My louing Lords and friends I perswade my selfe you are not ignorant how much the force and terrour of the Grand Seigniour is to be redoubted and Feared in respect of his imperiall rule and command which I know hath been by experience too soone proued by you to your vnspeakeable detriment by the ruinating of your townes and death of your deare friends and kindred and in like manner you know of the enormious cruelties which at his pleasure and in his furie he knoweth iustly or iniustly to vse against men and women sparing neither children nor virgins vsing fire and sword not onely against you but also against your Temples houses and lastly the very trees plants and beasts themselues are not any thing warranted from the furie of his barbarous ire For this cause I esteeme it to be more then necessarie that wee wilfully draw not more hatefull indignation vpon our selues then that which alreadie his people naturally are possest withall against our Religion and former iniuries but on the contrarie that wee endeuour our selues by all meanes and manners to appease him and to make him mild and mercifull that in time to come he contenting himselfe with the accustomed tribute he may suffer vs to liue in peace quietly possesse our goods without any dread of warre To accomplish which I am of this minde to imploy therein this Oliman Bech now straightned by you in this Castle of Lippa to whom and to his people giuing libertie safely to depart shall recite to the Grand Seigniour our good and friendly intention who in respect of so friendly a deliuerance will rake vp in obliuion the reuenge which otherwise he would violently vse against vs for the wrongs which he hath receiued
made no account of the fowle and fish which he esteemed one of the greatest reuenewes in the whole countrie for that they were wont to bee yeerely farmed at tenne or twelue thousand Dollers the said summe amounting to tenne thousand crownes or there abouts As for her dowrie he assured her it should be satisfied in giuing him some respite and that in the meane time hee would allow her sufficient consideration for it as vpright men should thinke meete and that besides he would esteeme her as his sister and would account of her sonne as of his owne begotten perswading her with good and friendly speeches to liue contentedly With this answer Lobosky returned more inriched by a future hope then a present effect In the meane time the King and Queene of Polonia ceased not to endeuour themselues for her satisfaction and secretly in her behalfe practised that she should remaine a Ladie and Queene as before It was then that the bruite greatly increased of the Turkes huge preparation for feare of which Castalde considering the small force which was in the countrie to resist this common and tyrannicall enemie gaue notice to Ferdinand of the present necessitie he was in desiring him he would not faile to send him the 50000. men which hee promised and to cause Palauicin to hasten himselfe that he should with all speede come vnto him with the people and Artillerie which he could gather Ferdinand returned him answer that for that time he could not send him the succours which hee had promised in respect of diuers lets which of late he had in Germanie but that hee would solicite Palauicin that hee would bring his people into Transiuania and would also send others as the commoditie and necessitie of the time would permit him and that he hoped that Duke Mauris would very shortly come himselfe in person to this warre with 12000. Launsquenets and 3000. horse according to the tenour of his Obligation and in the meane time he exhorted him to doe his best endeuour to redresse the difficulties of that Prouince which he wholly recommended to him and that relying vpon his care and wisedome he assured himselfe that he would giue order when and where neede should require and that he would prouide for all necessaries as was fitting for a prouident and expert Captaine such an one as he esteemed him to bee commaunding him that he should assist himselfe with the reuenewes of the Churches of that kingdome which were vacant and without Pastors and for the notice whereof he had deputed the Bishop of Vesprimia and George Veruery who should make a role of their values and send the same to his Maiestie to make an equall deuision thereof and further commaunding him to render to all the officers and seruants of Frier George their moueables and specially those which were found at Zaluoch and that of the other he should cause to be made an Inuentorie and further that hee should pay the 400. Vssarons who are light horsemen mounted and armed a la Hungresque who were in the Friers seruice while he liued for feare they should goe and serue the enemie and that they should be vnder the commaund of Operstolph who was the principall Captaine of the Caualarie in Transiluania and who not long since was entertained on his Maiesties part all which was presently performed Losonze being at Themesuar with 600. horse and hauing with him Don Gasper the companie of Diego Velez which was 300. men ouer whom the Ensigne commaunded and 300. Bohemians and two companies of Germanes they in all making 1600. men besides the inhabitants who were apt and able to beare armes who might amount vnto nine hundred men Castalde sent him one moneths pay for all the souldiours and two hundred other Germane Harquebuziers sending him word by a Spanyard that he should not faile to get into the towne the greatest store of victuals he could to maintaine a longer time all the sieges which vpon a sudden might happen to him and besides he sent him so much Artillerie and munition as was sufficient for him to withstand all the assaults the Turkes should offer him In like sort he did aduertise him by Don Gasper that he could not then succour him any more in respect of the few men himselfe had with whom he could not goe into the field against so puissant an armie as Mahomets was for that he was disappoynted of the ayd he expected frō Ferdinand by reason of the late troubles happened in Germanie and that he had no other Infantric vpō whom he might trust but a few Spanyards who remained vnto him with 4000. Germanes which lately were come to him and 1000. men of armes therefore he willed him that he should rampier and fortifie himselfe the best he could and prepare himselfe for the defence of that towne which in the end would be the onely fountaine and cause of all his glorie and reputation and that he should not expect to bee relieued by those of the countrie who should presently be assembled for that they were not esteemed such that any trust was to be reposed in them and therefore he sent him word that it was requisite that in any case hee should make of necessitie a vertue and that so much the rather because he saw himselfe constrained to march with those few men which he had against the Vayuode of Moldauia who would enter into Transiluania by Brassouia where he had not any Fortresse to stay him those of the countrie supposing that the damage which they should receiue on that side would bee greater then that which Mahomet could bring vnto him about Themesuar by reason of the strong places which were in that quarter and for the commoditie which was there to resist him for which considerations he was forced to march against the Moldauian to withstand him from entering into the countrie and from the possession of that towne and to goe into the field with as great force as he could and that besides he was constrained to doe this except he would see the kingdome vtterly lost and because of the little content which he perceiued in the hearts of euery one whom he saw more inclined to a reuolt then a defence and also because he knew that this quarter was more commodious and fit for aduantages to keepe the field with a few men by reason of woods mountaines and other hard passages then was that about Lippa or Themesuar for which difficulties and aduantages he not any thing feared the Moldauian much lesse his Caualarie which he doubted not but with his Infantrie to defeate and force them recoyle And whereas he could not come to relieue him without a like armie to that of Mahomets that he and Don Gasper should doe their vttermost deuoyre to defend themselues and valiantly to resist the enemie in that quarter whilest he of his part should make resistance against the Moldauian assuring him that if his enterprise did fortunately succeede as
hee trusted in God it would he would presently come to succour him with as great an armie as hee could and although hee might not come neere vnto Themesuar for that the enemie was very strong yet he would lodge neere to Lippa where causing a trench to be digged going from thence to Solimos he would not by reason of that Fortresse feare the Turkish armie thinking assuredly to seate his Campe in such a sure place that the situation thereof should be able to defend him against the violence of the enemie hauing on the left hand the riuer Marosse and on the right the high mountaines from whence he well hoped to be so offensiue to the enemie that he would either constraine him to retire or else somewhat neglect the siege insomuch that he should be able to relieue and preserue it earnestly importuning them both to be of good courage and in like sort to perswade all the Spanyards whom he intreated to remember what they were and to thinke vpon that which they were wont brauely to performe when they were in such wars as these which through all the world had gained to them the name of valour which they ought now to maintaine without spot or blemish esteeming this successe no lesse glorious to them then the former on his owne part assuring himselfe that they would no lesse vertuously performe that now then that which they had alwaies performed in such honourable exploytes Besides he sent them certaine aduertisements very profitable and necessarie how they should behaue and gouerne themselues in fights and assaults which should bee offered them and for that they were young and of little experience he intreated them continually and onely to thinke vpon this that he who fighteth couragiously to the end doth maintaine his life in defending himselfe Whilest these directions were giuen on the one side Aldene on the other informed Castalde that hee was in meane estate and that hee could not any longer remaine at Lippa to take charge thereof and that he should send another in his place to take that charge Castalde conceiued of this with great sorow for that the time was so short that hardly he could make prouision therfore considering that this was to incourage the enemie and quaile his owne people seeing before their eyes such a Chieftaine to forsake that Fortresse and that another should come thereinto for defence considering that such a worthie man for his owne honour was come to keepe and defend it Neuerthelesse he returned him answer that if he thought not himself sure within Lippa for feare of the Basha although it was now somewhat late hee should giue him notice thereof for that he would send such an one thither who should defend it Aldene remembring himselfe of the fault which he had committed and chaunging his opinion sent him word that seeing he was now resident in the towne he doubted not but to defend it These things thus concluded on Castalde presently departed from Torde and went to Colosuar there to assemble the souldiours that were in Ferdinands pay and which were sent him in like sort giuing aduertisement to the Counte of Helfestaine that he should speedily repayre to him with his Regiment of 4000. Germanes sending him two payes of foure which they should receiue He also sent to Zena Generall of all the souldiours in that countrie that he should presently and with all speede he could come to him because he waited for no more but him that so he might march into the field As these preparations which we haue spoken of were in hand in Transiluania Mahomet in the meane time leauing Belgrade behinde him was now betweene the two riuers and had alreadie erected a bridge vpon Tibiscus He had in his Campe 100000. men and 60. peeces of Artillerie among which were thirtle double Cannons With him also came the Belerbey of Greece who the yeere before was Lieutenant generall in that countrie for the Grand Seigniour and he brought with him vnder his conduct 20000. horse He had also another great Captaine with him named Cassombassa who likewise conducted 15000. horse and 2000. Tartars who anciently were called Scythians which are a warlike people cruel and greatly redoubted by these nations and they fight on horsebacke with Bow and arrowes Sable and Mace The enemies being in this place the souldiours of the kingdome were in a manner assembled altogether when Counte of Helfestaine arriued with his Germanes being halfe in a mutinie and they were that night lodged in one of the Suburbes of the towne which were very great The day following Castalde minding to depart these by no meanes would dislodge but mutining they seazed on the Artillerie as their custome is not willing to take one pay for two which was due to them which alone should then haue bin payed them and after they imbattailed themselues to possesse and sacke the towne And vpon this resolution they began to batter on the top of the walles Which Castalde seeing and that this was not done counterfeitly he sent to the inhabitants that they should defend themselues Whereupon they betaking themselues to armes and comming to the walles they began to discarge their Artillerie and good Harquebuzes among the Germanes making a great slaughter of them who seeing themselues put into disorder they determined to take Castalde whereof being aduertised hee speedily retired to Torde sending them word that if they would not be appeased he would presently send his armie which was alreadie at Torde against them to hew them in peeces and after commaunded that the Caualarie should draw into the field and made a shew to march towards Colosuar to suppresse the Germanes who vnderstanding of this newes and knowing they were in a place where they could neither helpe nor defend themselues and that this sedition was not any thing profitable to them but to the contrarie very pernitious and full of certaine daungers they presently appeased and quieted themselues without any further motion or soliciting them and leading the Artillerie along with their Ensignes displayed came to Torde where for all their mutinie they got no other thing but onely that the Counte did casheere fiftie of them so that besides the death of many who were slaine at Colosuar they receiued this condigne chastisement which they worthely deserued for their rebellious temeritie Behold how in this yeere began the discord amongst vs as though the comming of two such puissant armies against vs was not sufficient to counterchecke our turbulent spirits but we of our selues by another warre worse then the first must ouerthrow and make hauocke of one another Castalde being busied at Torde in assembling his men to march against the Moldauian who had alreadie passed the mountaines with 40000. men and entered into the countrie of Brassouia newes was brought him how Mahomet hauing passed Tibiscus not without great difficultie was alreadie incamped with all his armie before Themesuar and that from S. Iohns
rest as a pray to the Turkes for that if they departed who were the greatest and strongest part it was not in their power to warrant withstand the assaults of Mahomet and to defend themselues against so puissant a force in respect where of they thought it better to depart and retire in safetie then to remaine in danger of so apparant a losse which euery man might see readie to befall them with a cruell death The Castellan willing to appease them told them that the Hungars had not loded their baggage neither were their horses sadled to any other end but onely for feare of the fire which in that extremitie they might more conueniently transport them from place to place and that if they thought otherwise they deceiued themselues and if they were of this opinion hee himselfe would be the first that should burne their baggage and maime all their horses and would cause that the Hungars should euery one execute the like in his owne behalfe promising to recompence them in the end according to their deserts and this he did to the end that they should be the more willing to put fire thereto assuring them that before he would depart from this Castle he was resolued rather to die within it The Germanes seeing that by this means they could not compasse their drift they presently replied that they would not remaine except they might haue their pay which was due to them The Castellan made liberall promise to them thereof and sounding the bottome of his friends purses he got so much money as was needfull to satisfie them all that was their due In the meane time the Basha ceased not from continuall battering but it was to no great purpose for that the Cannon did little good in regard wherof our people in stead of taking courage they hourely seemed faint-hearted and more discouraged and this batterie hauing dured 8. whole daies they determined one night secretly to depart and by the meanes of boates to saue themselues on the other side of the riuer Which the Spaniards perceiuing they presently aduertised the Castellan thereof who told them that he had caused the boates to be sunck for that they should not haue that meanes to flie they being not able to goe forth at any other place because the enemie had wholly enuironed them who would hinder their passage which they found not true and the Spaniards in the night time walking the round about the Castle and visiting the Sentinels saw the Germanes in armes with their baggage readie to depart and comming to the Port they met the Hungars who were all on horsebacke and the Castellan that vrgently intreated them that they would not depart and leaue this Fortresse with so great shame and infamie to their nation and with so great a losse to K. Ferdinand by which speeches they in like manner saw that they preuailed not much with them in their behalfe for that they opening the Port by force they all thrust themselues forth The Turks who were for the watch within their Trenches hearing first the bruite which was within the Castle and presently after hearing no more therof and not perceiuing any signe or token of any watch as they vsually perceiued it euery night before went presently to breake open the Port which was opposit to that part which the Hungars Germanes went forth at and entering in and not finding any person they greatly marueiled thereat and looking about them they found the Castellan alone by the Port who begā to shut it after his people not meaning at any hand to depart with them but rather to remaine and die therein or else to be made a slaue before he would commit so shamefull and disloyall a fact to his Prince The Turks presently tooke him prisoner and hauing bound him they led him to Achmeth Basha of Buda who after he had vnderstood how all things had passed he shewed him great honor and entreated him curteously esteeming it to be a thing no lesse vertuous to vse clemencie towards his enemies then kindnes to his friends yea although a man hath power to suppresse or raise them vp and specially when it is in the behalfe of those who haue not committed any dishonourable or vnworthie act but on the contrarie haue performed that which was agreeable to their honour and reputation So soone as the Germanes were out they went towards the boates which because they were halfe on land and halfe in the water they found very farre ingaged and before they had drawne them out of their Docks into the water they so filled them with their implements and their own persons that they could by no meanes wagge them and thus losing the time whilest on another side the Hungars saued themselues in passing the riuer with their horses at a foord the Turks set vpon them as they were thus busied and put them all to the sword so that not a man escaped aliue Whilest that the Turks inflicted this punishment vpon these miserable men which they iustly deserued the Spaniards were almost al saued some by water others by land Mahomet hauing in this sort won this Castle with lesse paine and trauaile then he expected not conquering it by force but by the cowardise treacherie of the Germanes and Hungars who were there in garrison and who rather desired to flie and forsake their King then remaine fighting get hohonour and glorie being well able to make resistance without their losse or danger reposed himselfe with his armie certaine daies in this place and afterward leauing in it a strong garrison he tooke his way towards Agria with intention to besiege it thinking that those who were within would doe as those of Zaluoch and Lippa had done But God as an enemie to those who trust more in their forces then in his assistance would that all whatsoeuer we esteeme impregnable should be lost and againe that all that which we think vpon very good reason to be feeble and weake forsaken of all helpe and not anything fortified by any humane industrie should gallantly maintaine and preserue it selfe as appeared by this towne which the Turks found so strong that they had iust cause to bewaile that they were so euilly intreated there as if they had receiued some bloodie ouerthrow in open field this being an incredible thing how this towne could preserue it selfe and so exceedingly endamage the enemie The losse then of Zaluoch ingendered in Ferdinands campe a great admiration and generally no lesse astonishment to all because this was a place as we haue said inuincible and impregnable except by such a manner wherewith it was lost and Castalde bare inwardly in his heart in finit griefe and sorrow for it although outwardly he inforced himselfe to shew very exceeding valour and knowing that amongst humane actions there commeth not one mischiefe alone but that it is accompanied with another euen hard at the heeles this being the qualitie of Fortune neuer to begin
parts and how he came to seeke him and with what intention Which being duly considered of he presently caused by the meanes and assistance of his friends to leauie as many men as he could making an armie of 24000. men with whom and with 36. peeces of Artillerie he went into the field lodging about Tergouista with resolution there to attend his enemie for that the place was most commodious to dispose and range his people in battaile Raoul on the other side notwithstanding all his attempts and diligence could leauy no more euen with Castaldes people then 12000. men although he had many friends and was generally the best liked of among all the Transalpinians For none durst shew him any fauour seeing he was of so weake a force and his enemie so braue and gallant euery one fearing that the issue of this enterprise would not succeede to his honour and to fall into the danger of Mirces displeasure whose horrible and execrable crueltie euery one greatly feared With these few men neuerthelesse he desisted not from marching to incounter his enemie who had for his Vauntgard 600. Turkes on horsebacke and being resolued to giue him battaile and not to bee amazed at any hand with the great preparation of his enemie he being one morning by dawning of the day arriued vpon certaine hils was discouered by the Sentinels of Mirce who then suddenly caused his people to bee ranged and ordered seeing he could by no meanes refuse the battaile and knowing that his enemies were resolutely determined to fight and although it was so that he might haue auoyded it yet would he not retire although he had some doubt and suspition to fight being aduertised that Raoul brought with him both Spaniards and Germanes which Castalde had giuen him assuring himselfe that those few souldiours which were with him were most valiant and expert and not easie to bee ouercome yea and hee did also distrust of some other succours While such thoughts were in hammering Raoul in the end made two squadrons of his armie each squadron being of 5000. foote and 1000. horse the most part of which were Harquebuziers and causing thē to march within harquebuze shot they made a stand vpon a hill causing them in such sort to be stretched out that they made shew of 14. or 15000. men Which being perceiued by Mirce and esteeming that number to bee greater then they shewed themselues before he began to distrust himselfe of some deceit and that he had not at the first certaine intelligence commaunding his people to stand more close then ordinary when the Harquebuziers of Raoul more confusedly then disciplinarily without expecting any other commaund or signall to fight were resolued as before they promised either to ouercome or die and gaue so furious a charge vpon one of Mirces squadrons as wolues vsually doe amongst a thousand flocke of sheepe and breaking the first rankes and quashing many a Turke who as the most resolute men were in the fore rankes and vpon whom Mirce reposed his greatest confidence the others began presently to recoyle and in flying they committed such disorder that there was none amongst them who thought not flying to be his best safetie Raoul on the other side at the same instant with his Infantrie and Caualarie most fiercely entered into another squadron of his enemies horse with no lesse courage then the said Harquebuziers did and breaking the first rankes he forced the other to turne their backes being on all sides gaulled and pearced with the thicke haile of the Harquebuziers who made not any shot in vaine This flight was of so great efficacie for Raouls good that Mirces squadron seeing these two thus quite defeated being possest with feare without further expectance of the enemie bequeathed themselues so to flight confusion that happie was he that could best flie and he esteemed himselfe most fortunate who supposed that he should be saued rather then others this ouerthrow thus happening because that the greatest part of this armie was composed of men sent by the townes and Lords of the countrie who are rather fit to make a number and shadow then to winne a victorie Thus wee often see that multitudes of such who are thus rawly sent are for the most part ouercome and subdued by a lesser number of souldiours well disciplined and practised in warre who to obtaine honour refuse neither perill of sword fire nor yet death it selfe and by this wee may iudge how dangerous and pestilent feare and cowardise is in an armie and how much on the contrarie vertue and valour and the prowesse of a noble and generous courage ioyned with the force and dexteritie of the bodie are extolled by which commendable qualities wee may auoyde the detraction and infamie of this world and purchase this true glorie which beautifieth and adorneth euery one and which raised Raoul to the type of honour winning so easily thereby this victorie that it seemed it was a true miracle of Iesus Christ who to punish this tyrant an enemie of his faith iustly permitted this ruine to befall him The souldiours of Raoul seeing then that Mirces armie was quite ouerthrowne and that there were not now any who opposed themselues against them forbearing the execution and slaughter of their enemies they began to search and ransacke those who fell into their hands and they performed so much for their owne profit that euery one of them became very rich thereby All those of Mirces faction who were aliue presently ranged themselues vnder the Victors Ensigne as it is alwaies the custome of the vulgar sort to follow new fortunes and daily desire new Lords And making together a great army they determined to pursue Mirce who saued himselfe with the rest of the 500. Turkes which before is spoken of and had now passed Danubius There died in this battaile about 7. or 8000. men of Mirces part and Raoul lost about some 700. Raoul thus achieuing this notable victorie he presently got possession of all the moueables of his enemie which were said to be more worth then 200000. Duckets with which he bettered his former necessitie and recouered all his kingdome the principall Peeres thereof with all his kindred and friends came to receiue and acknowledge him for their true and liege Lord and after that they conducted him with pompe to Tergouista where friendly and willingly they all swore fidelitie to him and did him all the honours as was fitting for them Behold here the mutations and changes of fortune with which she exalteth and abaseth whom it pleaseth her and giueth example to Potentates of the world after what sort they are to dispose of their actions and how little they ought to trust in her because that throwing them to the ground they cannot esteeme any thing firme and stable A Bugeron followed Mirce and incountring with another Bugeron who was well apparelled and richly armed he killed him verely beleeuing it had been Mirce himselfe and reporting
daily came to him hee meant to march directly to Deua to reuenge himselfe of the losses which he had receiued of our people and withall to make himselfe master of that place to the end that so he might not haue any impeachment that might crosse his proceedings Hereupon Castalde caused the Diet to be solicited and earnestly to perswade all those that should be present thereat to giue order that euery one should take armes and ayde this towne and others and specially to march to the frontiers which diuide Polonia from Transiluania where it was said that there were 12000. Pollacques well armed whose enterprise was knowne to be no other but onely that they were there for the ayde of Queene Izabella The appointed day then for the Diet being come Castalde was present at Colosuar where he found al those who were called thither except the Vayuode who in respect of his sicknes was excused and there by the expresse commaund of Ferdinand hee demaunded of the Transiluanians ayde of men to suppresse all these tumults which couertly were dispersed in euery place and to defend Deua and other places he also demaunded money and victuals to make at the least a reasonable armie and such that with his people which then he had he might bee able in many places to resist his enemies Besides he demaunded of them Pioners to finish the fortifications of Sibinio Albe-iula and Sassebesse admonishing them to attempt it whilest the meanes were on foote to obtaine some truce of the Turke Vpon which demaunds he was thus answered that because the kingdome was by a long warre sorely afflicted and distressed and euery man reduced to extreame miserie they could not succour him with money nor victuals because that in the last winter they were all spent and consumed by the souldiours and as for the ayde of men they would assist him therewith as farre as they could notwithstanding it being necessarie that Ferdinand should send some other succours from Germanie or Hungarie to resist the Turke for that this Prouince was not of it selfe sufficient to withstand so great an assault which on euery side would be giuen and specially towards Lippa Brassouia and Hungarie where in euery place it was very requisit to haue a great armie infinit heapes of money and great store of victuals to entertaine them which by no meanes could not be found in this countrie by reason of the extreame pouertie thereof and specially of labourers which in regard of the continuall warres were either dead or fled And as concerning that which they were able to do he well knew that all was in his power to commaund they besides not iudging it vnfit to giue some repose to this discontented people to imbrace truce with the Turkes whereto they willingly offered themselues and they promised on their parts to chuse Ambassadours to treate thereof with the Grand Seigniour by the meanes of the Vayuode of Transalpinia who for the same effect had many times offered himselfe to them And as for the fortifications of those places alreadie begun they would speake thereof to the Burgomasters of those townes that they would do so much that they should send so many Pioners as was needfull for the finishing of them With this resolution this Diet ended when the Spaniards for two payes which they should haue receiued were more moued and mutinous then before and that in so strange a manner as the like was neuer heard of For refusing the payment and not minding to stay that they might bee satisfied in that kingdome for all that which was due to them they tooke by force the Ensignes from those who bore them and with them took their way towards Vienna passing through Hungarie where they performed infinit euils committing the greatest riot in the world And although that Castalde that he might haue brought this warre to an end was daily vpon his departure out of Transiluania yet he neuer could neither by entreaties nor by offers or perswsions so farre preuaile with them as that they would attend him but twentie daies to the end that he might not leaue the kingdome vnprouided and that for the time to come he might giue order to those places which had neede of garrisons and generally to doe before his departure all whatsoeuer appertained to the preseruation of that countrie But without respect to their Generall they dislodged and passed by Colosuar threatning to sacke this towne who were greatly afeard thereof although that Castalde was within it And being arriued at the riuer of Marque Ferdinand was exceedingly offended thereat and meant to send the Marquesse Sforce Palauicin who was alreadie redeemed from the Turkes for 15000. Duckets with all his people to haue cut them in peeces and seuerely to chastise the authors of this so great a sedition But he being appeased by by some sent to tell these Spaniards that they should repayre to Papau where they should bee satisfied of all their pay as within a while after they were A little before that Aldene was conducted to Vienna and was imprisoned in a tower Ferdinand minding that his condemnation should not be executed vntill Castaldes comming to whom he had giuen license to depart out of this Prouince and to come from thence to Vienna or to Sopronio Whereto he was very willing leauing this kingdome in the moneth of Aprill and arriued at Vienna in the end of May where he was ioyfully receiued by Ferdinand and K. Maximilian to whom afterward he made a large recitall of all what was passed to their great content And because vertue and glorie haue alwaies enuie attending on them some persons bruited amongst the greatest of Ferdinands Court that Castalde had heaped together a great quantitie of gold and siluer and that he was not a little inriched by Frier Georges treasure and by the presents which the Transiluanians had bestowed on him and that he had sent great store thereof from him This bruite did greatly grieue him for that it was come to Ferdinands eares and yet further for this that some said that he had detained and kept backe pensions and wages which his Maiestie had granted to certaine that were his trustie seruants and who had faithfully serued him during this warre Vpon this bad and false suggestion there was added many other vile and infamous things By writing and speeches he endeuoured to expell these false suggestiōs from Ferdinands conceit and from all the principall of his Court who in respect of such an obiect deferred the recompence which was iustly duly to him for the paine and labour which he had taken in discharge of his office yet so it was that in the end he was rewarded with 3000. Florins of gold of yeerely reuenew to him and his heires with certaine conditions to call them backe vpon some reasonable summes Presently after the departure of Castalde out of Transiluania they had newes that one Clement Athanase had with a good troupe of men
make this retraict then any other consideration I could haue had to which neuerthelesse I had not permitted my selfe to goe if I had seene that my presence and the administration committed into my hands could yet haue brought any commoditie to the Common-weale But after so many victories which God notwithstanding I was vnworthie of them gaue me I more esteeme this grace which he hath shewed me to haue fauoured me so much as to cause me to see a peace or at least a generall truce not onely among my subiects and other Princes my friends and confederates but also with those who say themselues to be my enemies leauing now euery one in quiet and in such patience that not any hath need of my helpe Considering this great fauour of God and the imbecilitie which old age hath brought vpon me and iudging that both the one and the other doe easily exempt me any longer to gouerne the rudder of this Christian Common-weale I haue presently resolued with my selfe vtterly also to forsake all other lesser affayres and pleasures of this world and to employ this little time which yet I haue here vpon earth in spirituall contemplations that so I may by the meanes thereof wipe away the faults which it may bee I haue committed against and besides the will of his diuine Maiestie euen as they who haue the like charge that wee haue doe so much the more fully fall as the burthen which they beare vpon their shoulders is great and weightie I am not ignorant but that as we are subiect to bee abused I haue giuen occasion to some to be discontented with me insomuch that this is not sufficient for me that I am willing by my retraict to appease the diuine anger which I haue drawne vpon my selfe except on the other part I endeuour to satisfie those that might complaine of me This my affection hath pricked me forward to condiscend more easily to the accord which I haue made touching the conuentions set downe by the truce by which I haue released to the King of France not onely more then he demaunded but also more then he hoped for and how also my Commissioners by my commaund haue done towards his Holines minding thereby first to content strangers and after to haue regard of my subiects whom the better to satisfie according to my abilitie I haue sent the most part of the Lords who are now here with me to giue them to vnderstand this my good will to the end that they not being ignorant thereof might freely declare vnto me whatsoeuer they esteeme good for the accomplishment thereof hauing also sent for my sonne to execute in this countrie of Flanders and Bourgundie whatsoeuer they shall discouer vnto me for the comfort of my conscience whilest that my selfe after being arriued in Spaine by Gods helpe I hope to do the like there and also in my other kingdomes I should bee very glad if I were able to come into Germanie and at a Diet there my selfe to make this my declaration for the honour which I owe to such a Prouince But the winter which approacheth hindereth me from going thither And since necessitie cōstraineth me I desire you to appoint the Diet to be held at Franckfort and to call thither all the other Electors and Princes of the Empire and you being there to declare to them all in my name the indisposition of the approached time which doth not permit me to execute that good will which I had to come and meete them there that so I might againe thanke them for the honour that they or their predecessors haue done to me in electing me to bee their Emperour and withall to set out the good affection which their forefathers haue alwaies shewed by effect to those of our house euen as also I would they meant to continue it in the election which afterwards they made of my brother constituting him K. of the Romanes and which good affection I intreate them to maintaine And also I would haue you to declare vnto them that my intention is since all things are now in peace to commit into the hands of my brother now King of the Romanes the Crowne and all the other Emperiall ornaments to the end that he taking wholly vpon him the care and charge of the Empire my absence should not be the cause that any trouble should grow there desiring them all that they would assist him and that they would liue peaceably with him and as true naturall brethren And further that you would giue them to vnderstand that this my departure from them although it be farre off yet is it not with intent to leaue or forsake them but on the contrarie they shall alwaies finde me furnished and prouided of so good an affection towards them as euer I had And if there be any subiect of the Empire who can complaine that I haue vsed any iniustice against him I haue desired my brother to giue redresse thereunto to whom for such complaints euery man may repayre And for the last care which here I can haue touching the good of this Empire I desire you to perswade them that they would accept of and ratifie the dimission which I make and that to bee short they would crowne for their Emperour him whom they haue alreadie chosen King of the Romanes to the end that this great Prouince may see it selfe prouided of a head who may haue an eye in euery place as euery one hath also an eye vpon him and that by this meanes you may shut the Port against enterance of new enterprises which may arise for want of the presence of the head who may bee able to resist them Also further I desire them that they would not faile my said brother of succours for the conseruation of his kingdome of Hungarie which is the Bulwarke of all Germanie against the common enemie And in particular I desire you most reuerend Cardinall to set your hand thereto as also more particularly I recommend vnto you against some enuious persons the defence of all that which I haue done and negotiated amongst the Electors Princes and Lords of the Empire and Emperiall townes knowing that you are not ignorant with what sinceritie I haue behaued my selfe in my actions whereof I will alwaies yeeld good account both before God and men although I will not denie but that there hath been sometime mingled therewithall some things of humane frailtie not minding to attribute to my selfe such perfection that I haue been exempted from naturall vice But the one being ballanced with the other I am assured that the wiser sort will not vse any seuere iudgement against me and commending to your wisedome the vpholding of this my cause I will not make to you any longer discourse thereof And to conclude this present matter I desire you to beleeue that wheresoeuer I am I will alwaies be mindfull and carefull to employ my selfe and that towards my friends in all that which I shall
tables shewing his victories there was vpon the right side writtten these words Africke ruinated Gelders taken the sea cleered Tremisan reestablished Solyman chased Vpon the left side were read these words The new world discouered Millan recouered Germanie and Bohemia appeased Moron and Coron forced Tunise taken and restored and the captiues brought backe againe the Christian Faith planted in India After this great Vessell followed two Collomes placed vpon two Rockes being crowned and drawne by Tritons In one of them was written these verses Take thou well for thy deuise The Herculian pillar of large size And in the other were those which here follow Taming the monster in this season of thine As Hercules did in his time And after were carried all the Ensignes of his kingdomes and seiguiories which were followed by the gentlemen of his house in good order of which I will make no large discourse to auoide the tediousnes which the reader may take in reading againe a thing which others by speciall writing haue alreadie heretofore exposed to the eyes of euery one Onely I will say that in this ceremonie marched King Philip the Duke of Sauoy and all the other Knights of the Golden Fleece with the Ambassadours of all the Potentates of Europe In the said Church was seene both of one side and other that which followeth written in faire and great letters To the Emperour Caes Charles the 5. Religious Happie Aug. of the Gaules great Lord of the Indies of Tunise of Africke of Saxonie mightie victorious and triumphant ouer many nations Although that the things by him done by sea and land his singular humanitie his incomparable wisedome his most feruent zeale are sufficiently knowne to the world neuerthelesse the Christian Common-weale for the memorie of his iustice pietie and vertue hath dedicated this Ship vnto him Because he discouered to our world a new world and added to the name of Christ many strange nations and inlarged the Empire of Spaine with many kingdomes and Prouinces For that he preserued Germanie against 30000. horse and 100000. footmen with which Solyman the Turkish Emperour meant to haue inuaded this Region Because he entered with a strong Nauie into Morea and tooke Patras and Coron Turkish townes For that he ouercame the Tyrant Barbarossa in battaile by Carthage who was accompanied with 200000. footmen and 60000. horse Because he put to flight 200. Gallies and many other vessels of Pirates and tooke the Fort of Goleta with Tunise and Hippo the new and Hippo the royall For that he tooke the kingdome of Tunise and by it spoyled the Empire of Libia and restored it to the lawfull King and caused him to pay tribute to the Crowne of Spaine Because he brought from thence free into their countrie 20000. captiues For that he yeelded the kingdom of Tremisan to the right King after he had tamed the Mauritanians Because with a strong Nauie he won Africk the most renowned port towne of Barbaria with the townes of Susa Monastaire Clupea with other sea-townes and caused the Lords of them to pay tribute For that he ouerthrew neere to Mauritania and by the I le of Sicilia twice two Turkish Fleetes scouring our seas For that he made the sea peaceable against the continuall courses of Pirates Because he reduced the Common-wealth of Genes to her ancient libertie Because after he had sixe times chased the enemies fleetes and thrice in battaile defeated the enemies twice reunited the Dutchie of Millan to the Empire and once restored it to the D. Because with incredible celeritie he forced the towne of Dura and ruduced vnder his puissance the Dutchie of Guelders For that he suppressed many Princes of Germanie and Prouinces which stirred the countrie to tumult and sedition forcing their townes and Castles and for that after he had taken the heads of their armies he pacified Germanie For that he being Emperour passed the riuer of Albis and after he had ouercome in battaile his enemies and reduced their townes vnder his puissance and tooke their Commanders captiues from thence he returned victorious Because that of his owne good will he tooke armes against the enemies of Christendome and neuer against the Christians but by constraint and to warrant himselfe from their outrages To the most puissant Catholike and excellent Prince this Christian Common-weale most affectionate to his Maiestie hath erected these Titles and Trophees adding to his Tombe the marks and Ensignes of his kingdomes and the Tables of conquered nations and to our Lord Emperour Caes Charles the religious happie Aug. King of many kingdomes triumphant ouer many nations victorious ouer the Indies Libia Maur. Turkie Deliuerer of Germanie of Italie of the Sea of captiues Pacifier of Germanie Italie Spaine and of the Sea Reestablisher of many Princes Arbitrer of many Princes and to the most glorious Prince of Catholikes the Christian Common-weale hath dedicated this for the example of Iustice of Clemencie and Valour to his most religious sonne Most gratious God and most mightie one and alone in Trinitie the Christian people doe consecrate vnto thee these Titles and Trophees for the memorie of the acts of Charles Caes Aug. whom thou madest Emperor of the Romanes and King of many kingdomes whose Pietie Iustice Clemencie Prudencie Magnanimitie and Valour is admired throughout the world he by thy conduct hath augmented this Empire and his kingdomes leauing the one to his brother and the other to his sonne with an example of his vertues which he dying surrendereth to thee againe This great Emperour did well deserue that such and so great honours should bee done him there not being any since Charlemaine who in force puissance and happines surpassed him Within a while after died his sister Mary who was married to Lewis King of Hungarie slaine in the battaile of Mohaze The end of the seuenth Booke THE EIGHT BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF HVNGARIE THE ARGVMENT OF THE EIGHT BOOKE A Diet held at Ausbourg by the Emperour Ferdinand wherein was graunted to him succours for the defence of Hungarie against the Turke Tocehay taken by King Iohn betweene whom and Ferdinand there are motions of peace but they come to nothing Maximilian the sonne of Ferdinand is chosen King of the Romanes Solyman seeketh peace of Ferdinand in regard of the distrust he had of the Gouernour of Egypt Maximilian created King of Hungarie the death of his father Ferdinand after which Maximilian is elected Emperour who made warre vpon King Iohn and many places of strength are by these two taken from each other Debatement of peace beeweene Maximilian Solyman Iohn and Sigismond King of Polonia at Vienna Erdeu besieged by the Turkes and relieued by the Christians but in the end is yeelded vpon composition Many hostilities passe betweene Maximilian and Solyman and continuation of peace betweene them Counte Salm attempteth to surprise Alberegalis The State of Germanie touching the Diets there held and of the arriuall there of Princes Electors and others The place and
especially towards religion whereof he became protector in such sort that laying aside all his other particular interest he had speciall regard to the people which were committed to him endeuouring himselfe to preserue them against heresies and indeede not omitting any occasion or meanes to reduce those to the true knowledge who were strayed from the ancient Religion his good disposition was so great towards all the Princes of the Empire that with a reciprocall amitie he was so well affected of them that euen those who had important busines to negotiate with the Emperour Charles his brother feared not to take him to arbitrate betweene his brother and them so greatly did diuine iustice shine in him which comprehendeth in it selfe all other vertues Also not without cause of his good deedes as well in generall as towards particular Princes the Electors of the Empire continued their election in his familie from the father to the sonne almost making by this doing this succession not as election but as it were hereditarie It is not to be doubted but that his decease brought great griefe to the hearts of euery one as it very euidently appeared by the bewailing which vniuersally was made for his death His sonne Maximilian who alreadie was chosen King of the Romanes succeeded him in the Empire This man after he had taken the Crowne the Mantle and other Emperiall ornaments was confirmed Emperour by Pope Pius and seeing himselfe aduanced by this goodly and great dignitie with augmentation of goods and meanes hauing of a long time nourished in himselfe a mortall hatred against King Iohn of Transiluania he meant suddenly to vndertake the reuenge of many wrongs and losses receiued from him and to doe this he resolued to assaile him on a sudden And for this purpose hauing amassed a great number of footmen vnder the conduct of Melchior Ballassi and causing them speedily to march towards Transiluania he suddenly possessed certaine Fortresses Iohn mightily prouoked at this that against the compositions made with Ferdinand he was so wronged by a new King caused also his people very quickly to come into the field and without delay tooke the direct way against Sachmar a strong place belonging to Ballassi who had not well prouided for it mistrusting rather any other enterprise then this This place was taken by a stratagem Iohn hauing ranged all his people nigh to it about night in an Ambuscado so couert that without being perceiued they had commoditie to place themselues at the Port as they opened it to receiue in the Heardsmen who from the fieldes brought their heards of beasts into this towne Ballassi vexed at such a losse went from thence and put himselfe into a great towne yet not very strong named Debrezen in which ordinarily assembled many Marchants of diuers countries and thereunto hauing put fire he spoyled all there about In the meane time the King of Transiluania hauing reenforced his army with 4000. Turkes that the Basha of Buda sent him by the commaund of Solyman came to force the towne of Hadao and by composition he also made himselfe master of Atauiar and leading about many prisoners went and besieged the place of Vngar The Emperour not ignorant of this that his enemie was suddenly fortified with the ayde which was sent him from Buda had also dispatched a great number of Lansquenets and some Caualarie vnder the charge of Purchastaler Captaine and Gouernour of Vngar A good part of these troupes were alreadie entered into this place when Iohn arriued there with his armie and this succour came thither in so happie a time that the enemie notwithstanding all his endeuour was forced to raise his siege hauing lost there 4000. men at one charge which Purchastaler came and gaue him while he was not attentiue to any thing but to the besieged this Captaine hauing vsed this policie that planting his Cannon vpon the flanke of the enemy couering it with his people because he would not haue it discouered when they came to hand-strokes at the first signall his people as it were flying retired themselues from before their Artillerie which then being fitly discharged made a great butcherie of his enemies and put them into such disorder that the Germanes had a great hand of those who were come out of the trenches of the Campe to fight with them All this serued to no other end but the more to kindle the fire betweene these two Princes both the one and the other being willing to reuenge themselues whilest Iohn being succoured by the Turkes who liked it better to haue a weake neighbour for their friend then a neighbour who was strong and puissant Maximilian also thinking that thereby he lost much of his honour at the beginning of his Empire did daily make new leauies of souldiours and seeing he had to doe with a partie more strong then he thought for made Lazare Schuendy an ancient and very expert Captaine his Lieutenant in this warre and one who had attained great experience by the passed warres vnder the Emperour Ferdinand in the same countrie of Hungarie as wee before haue written For the rest of the yeere Schuendy could not enterprise any thing vpon Transiluania because that he was come too late into this armie winter being alreadie come vpon them so that the cold constrained him to lodge his people in garrisons vntill the Spring time furnishing himselfe in the meane while with necessarie things for the next warre Sigismond King of Polonia vncle to Iohn by reason of his sister considering that such preparations would bring but a desolation to Christendome and desiring for the auoyding of this euill to pacifie these two Princes enterposed himselfe to treate of an accord betweene them two and for this effect sending his Ambassadours both to the one and other he laboured his best to reduce them to a peace but they being both greatly moued he could effect nothing Therefore the Spring approaching Schuendy Lieutenant generall for the Emperour drew his people out of garrison and came into the field with an army drawing towards Transiluania to the end to assay the taking of the Castle of Tocchay which is a Fortresse very renowned situated vpon the frontire of Hungarie betweene the riuers Thissa and Wodrog which could not bee very easily besieged except these two riuers were frozen as then they were This place was before taken by Cazzianet for the Emperour Ferdinand who at the perswasion of some had giuen it then to a Hungarian Baron of the familie of Scheredy for recompence of certaine good and great seruices which he had done his Maiestie This Lord being deceased left one sonne who for that he was of yong yeeres was kept in this Castle vnder the gouernment of Francis Nemethy who of a Tutor became a Tyrant and vsurping the place for himselfe forsooke Maximilians part and adhered to Iohn This man being well ascertained that they would come and besiege it before the enemie presented
for the onely affection to doe him seruice were come to seeke so farre countries without any respect had to the charge and trauaile Many Princes and Common-wealths of Italie sent him succours The Duke of Mantua Gennes and Luca assisted him with money The Duke of Florence sent him 3000. footmen payd The Duke of Ferrara besides that he left vnto him the dowrie and mariage of his wife the Dutchesse his Maiesties sister which was 150000. Florins went himselfe to serue him with a choise companie of 400. Gentlemen 300. Harquebuziers on horsebacke 100. Murrions and 100. armed men and there was not any one of these Gentlemen who brought not with him three or foure good souldiours Alexander Bailon with foure Captaines came to his Maiestie After him arriued Iohn Alphonse Castalde with his troupes A little before also were presented to his Maiestie to doe him seruice and to winne renowne amongst so many nations certaine Lords and English Gentlemen amongst whom was Master Smith Richard Greinuile Henry Champernon Philip Budshall Thomas Cotton and William George a Captaine of singular prowesse From all parts men might see this armie to bee increased by the arriuall of so many Lords and Gentlemen Albert Lasky a Polonian by reason of many Castles which he possessed in Hungarie meant not to be wanting to so fit an occasion He brought with him twelue Coaches and 3000. Pollacques all apparelled a la Hungresque that he might not thereby preiudice the King of Poland who was in league with the Turk if they were knowne in the habit of their owne countrie The Duke of Wolfang Palatin of Nuberg and Richard his kinsman came thither with 600. horse The second sonne of the Duke of Bauier brought thither with him 400. Prosper Colonne Ange Caesis and certaine other Lords of Italie incontinently followed those who were come thither on the behalfe of the Duke of sauoy conducted by the Duke of Camerin as also did Count Nicholas Gambara hauing in his traine twelue Gentlemen On the behalfe of the kingdome of France was Henry of Loraine Duke of Guize Count de Brissac the Lord of Lansac the Lord Strozzy and many other French gentlemen all well armed who were departed from France and were come to Malta in fauour of the Religion for that from many places it was assured that the Turkish armie would returne thither But these bruites being found false these Lords after they had seene Italie tooke their way towards Hungarie that they might bee in this warre and salute his Maiestie who made them great demonstration of the pleasure which he receiued by their comming Maximilian had prepared a nauall armie vpon Danubius of 12. Gallies and 30. Nazadies with other great boates so well accommodated that the souldiours who were within might well warrant themselues from their enemies arrowes In these vessels there was many peeces of great Artillerie with necessarie powder and bullets and 3000. men the most part Italians Blach Allemand a Kight of Malta a valiant man and greatly experienced in sea affayres commaunded this armie The land armie marched along Danubius towards Iauerin in which place the bodie of the whole armie should stay to diuert the Turke from Transiluania and to put him in doubt to lose Strigonium and Buda The Emperour at the same time commaunded all the Nobilitie of Austria to mount on horsebacke and to march to the warre at their owne expences preparing himselfe in the meane time to be in person in his Campe since that Solyman although he was old was in his As this great concourse of men and of all munitions made the Turkes who were in the field towards Alberegalis and Sighet where they expected the Beglerbey of Armenia who should come to besiege this place as afterwards he did ouerran all the countrie Against these went forth Count Salm who commaunded Iauerin and with as many men as he was able to bring into the field he went directly to Pallota and hauing put thereinto victuals and refreshed the garrison he marched with a good troupe of Caualarie towards Vesprimia which is a great towne and not very strong two miles from Pallota making great spoyle all about not staying any whit at all vpon any bootie vntill his Infantrie approached The Turkes who were within minding to prepare and defend themselues and for this effect readily giuing order to many things as they displaced two Cannons to place them elsewhere in a more commodious place a pane of the wall fell to the ground The Count being aduertised thereof taking this for some good signe and as if God should open the passage to him diligently prepared his people These arriued about night and the batterie was deferred vntill the day following In the meane time the Turkes laboured to repayre the happened ruine and presently when day light appeared the Count hotly assailed the towne on all parts putting fire to the ports and ladders against the walls by meanes whereof in repulsing the enemie they threw fire vpon the couerings of houses which for the most part are but of wood according to the common manner of the countrie and some entring by the breach and others boldly leaping from off the ladders forced the enemies and they cut the greatest part of them in peeces the principall amongst them retiring into the Castle but for all that they were no more warranted then the others were For minding to parley they were suddenly forced and slaine At this surprise was taken aliue the Gouernour of Alberegalis who was sent to the Castle of Poson There was also taken about this towne fiue Turkish Spies This being done the Count knowing that within Pallota were entered for the garrison thereof certaine Germane companies left in this to command therein George Tury who had so well defended the other giuing him a sufficient companie of men to keep it and afterwards he retired to Iauerin while the Basha of Buda departed from Alberegalis and retired himselfe to Buda to aduise of his affayres On the other side the souldiours who were in garrison within Leuante situated at the foote of the mountaines going into the field to assaile the Turks were by them badly entreated and there were many amongst them who remained prisoners there and amongst others was Bartholmew Horuatte a man of great valour Fiue miles from Iauerin and two from Comar is the Fortresse of Tata From thence the Emperiall souldiours which were in the neighbouring places daily receiued great losses this place being wel munitioned and kept Count Salm desiring to rase this Fort departed with his people from Iauerin early in the morning the 21. of Iuly and arriued about euening before Tata with a resolution not to depart from this enterprise without conquest thereof Being there arriued he sent for to come before him after faith pledged a Turke whom he knew He by the permission of his Captaine came to him and the Count desirous to perswade him that all
Ensigne which was commaunded by the Lord of Arach hauing vnder him for his Lieutenant the Marshall of Vnghemad and the Guidon was caried by the Duke of Pomerania His Maiestie marched towards Attemberg distant two miles from Iauerin while al the horse of Bohemia came to Posson which consisted of 7. Cornets and besides there was 1000. horse marching at their owne charges vnder the commaund of Teufel and 1200. other conducted by Count Gonther of Schuartzemburg The Morauians Slesians and Lusatians made besides the rest a good shew of horse Vratislauia sent 300. horse All these troupes with others who followed Maximilian made to the number of 10000. horse besides those who alreadie were at Iauerin and at Comar All the Armie being assembled at Altemburg the Emperour marched to Iauarin there being at the same time arriued at Comar the Nauale Armie which came a long Danubius Presently there passed many skirmishes in which for the most part the Emperials had the better The more to strengthen the Armie his Maiestie caused the other troupes to come which were at Comar hoping to enterprise vpon Strigonium and by the taking of this towne to diuert the siege which was feared should be made by the enemie before Sighet and Iula For to giue battaile although necessitie seemed so to require it was not requisit least they might hazard the whole estate of the Empire in one battaile which is alwaies vncertaine and doubtfull and on the other side the Emperour had not such forces that he could assure himselfe of victorie The enterprise neuerthelesse of Strigonium was yet then deferred for some good respects Vpon this newes came that Solyman was passed the riuer of Tissa and that of Danubius and that alreadie he was on this side Sighet hauing with great diligence caused to be made in this towne a bridge vpon Drauus for the passage of his Armie for performing whereof he sent before 25000. men This bridge was erected in 16. daies although it was in length 5500. fathum and 14. broade and for the building whereof they vsed an infinit companie of boates bound with Iron chaynes in place of piles which they could not vse by reason of the deepenes of the riuer Certaine dayes before Solyman had giuen the charge of the siege of Sighet to the Basha of Bossina and to him of Armenia but hauing vnderstood the losse of Tata and of Vesprimia he sent them to the succours of the Basha of Buda and gaue the conduct of this siege to the Beglerbey of Armenia He readily marched thither and incamped himselfe within a mile of the Fortresse Solyman within a while after came himselfe This towne is situated in Hungarie vpon the confines of Croatia in the middest of waters and marishes which enuiron it on three sides for the space of more then a mile and on the side of the firme land it hath but one entrance which is defended with two great Bulwarkes made of earth and wood well combined and bound together It is composed of two townes made in frame of a Fortresse with a Castle closed in with foure Courtaines in a square forme Betweene the one and other there are good deepe ditches full of running water In this place commaunded for the Emperour Nicholas Esdrin Count of Serin of whom we haue often before spoken He was Nephew to the Lord Torguat by reason of his sister and there was giuen vnto him the office of Banambt in the kingdomes of Croatia Dalmatia and Sclauonia which is as much as Bailife or Seneshall and besides he was Mundschencken of Hungarie that is to say great Butler and Captaine generall for the Emperour about Danubius He was present at the siege of Vienna which heretofore we haue described in the former bookes and for his valour which in this siege was knowen and obserued by euery one he was recompenced with a faire horse and a chaine of golde He was also sufficiently made knowen at the siege of Pesthe and Buda This Captaine a Hungar by birth had in this place 1200. souldiours to defend it The Turke greatly to annoy Maximilian besides the besieging of this place sent 35000. men as well Tartars as Turkes to besiege Iula But the waters hindered them to doe it and at their retraict those within sallied forth and charged them behinde so hotly that many of the enemies remained there Certaine daies after the Turks being returned thither they besieged this place very straightly battering the towne with great peeces but they cooling their fury and seeming carelesse those within seeing their countenance in the night sallied forth and thus surprising the enemie killed many of them and caused the other to retire in such sort that they remained masters of their Artillerie which they choked and rammed vp the enemie not being able to carrie it away The Tartars who at that time might easily haue assailed Schuendy who then had not many people with him and who for that occasion daily importuned the Emperour to haue fresh succours hauing taken some countrie men and knowing of them by supposed speeches that Schuendy had with him 20000. men vpon these words they were so daunted that suddenly they raised the siege and spoyling the countrie all about they fiered fiue villages vsing a marueilous crueltie euery where without respecting any sexe or condition but following their barbarous custome they put all to fire and sword In the meane time the Turkes after the batteries and breaches made at Sighet by meanes of high Forts which Mahomet Basha commaunding all the armie had caused to be raised had giuen eight furious assaults and the 29. of August they gaue thereto a generall assault which continued 24. houres But the besieged defended themselues so couragiously that after they had killed a great number of the enemies and taken the Captaine of the Ianisaries they alwaies valiantly repulsed them The stinke of the dead bodies was so great that Solyman was forced to recoyle foure miles off Serin seeing he had lost in these assaults many of his people caused the towne to bee fiered and retired himselfe to two other Forts This retraict gaue occasion to the Turkes to giue yet another assault vpon the day of the beheading of S. Iohn Solyman trusting in this day which he esteemed very fortunate for him in all his battailes hauing on that day obtained this notable and memorable victorie which he had against Lewis King of Hungarie and hauing on the same day wonne the townes of Rhodes and Buda and defeated in battaile the armie of the King of Persia This fortune neuerthelesse failed the Turkes at this time and they were yet valiantly repulsed The day following which was the 30. of that moneth they yet againe returned to the assault with greater furie and with such courage that their Ensignes were seene vpon the Rampiars but neuerthelesse they were repulsed euen with great slaughter of them Solyman considering the tediousnes of this siege and the valiantnes of Serin caused to
bee offered to this Captaine a very good offer if he would yeeld to him But these offers could nothing moue the faith which the Count had sworne to Maximilian Notwithstanding if the Emperour had had good Spies who would haue informed him of the trueth or if at least he had credited the reports which was made him it is without all doubt that with prosperous successe he should haue finished this warre for that then was taken a Turke of good qualitie who after he had requested libertie swore and affirmed vpon his head that Solyman was dead the which was confirmed by other demonstrations The Emperour notwithstanding would not beleeue any thing hereof iudging that if such a thing were happened it could not be possible that the Turkish armie should bee in such quiet nor so well gouerned But the prudence and marueilous industrie of Mehemet Basha a most wise Lord knew so well to manage this matter that not onely he concealed the death of his Lord but yet further assured the Empire vnto him to whom it belonged and which is of no lesse consequence contained so great an armie in militarie obedience repressed the furie and sedition of the Ianisaries preserued the treasure and obtained a notable victorie Solyman was come into Hungarie with a puissant armie of 150000. men which he diuided into many parts whereof one was towards Iula in the confines of Hungarie adioynant to Transiluania and another towards Sighet vpon the marches of Croatia In this was his greatest force and there was himselfe in person to the end that his presence should the more encourage the souldiours to the taking of this towne But being now of the age of 66. yeeres and being crazed in respect of the labours of so long a voyage and perhaps hauing his courage abated to see his people in so many assaults repulsed with so great a butcherie of them and it may bee this accustomed valour of minde being no longer in him with which he before had happely brought to end so many goodly enterprises the humours of his bodie being corrupted a bloody flux troubled him which within few daies took him out of this world And thus the prognostication which in the moneth of May before going had been made touching the anuall reuolution of this Prince by those that had been curious to know that which heauen did promise touching this warre fell out to be true This prognostication contained that the Emperour of Turkes should dye there if peraduenture he was not ouerthrowne and defeated by the Christians notwithstanding the great leauie of people which he made against them Mehemet Basha seeing his Prince dead and Sighet yet vntouched as it were and in possession of the Christians presently thought that it was expedient to keepe this death secret as well for the continuance of this siege and taking of the place as for the preseruation of the armie and treasure as also to inuest the new Sultan Selim in the possession of the Empire to whom of right it belonged Vpon this resolution he readily dispatched a messenger to the Basha of Constantinople to aduertise him of the fortune which was happened and he sent him word of that which was necessarie for him to doe Then with a singular subteltie knowing that the souldious would bee offended if they saw not their Lord he caused the bodie to be clothed with his accustomed habits and setting him in a high place within his Pauilion caused him a farre off to bee shewed to all without that any of them could know that he was dead This being thus well inuented Mehemet went forth of the Pauilion and taking occasion thereupon began to encourage the Ianisaries exhorting them to performe their last endeuour to the assault of Sighet But while he was speaking and calling to minde that his Lord was dead he could not for the griefe which he felt in his minde refraine from weeping And as this passion was pricking his wisedome to couer it was also very readie in such sort that presently remembring that his teares gaue to the souldiours some apprehension and assurance of the death of their prince vpon some little bruite which alreadie was spread in the Camp vsing a braue stratagem in wisely dissembling his inward griefe added to his speeches that he wept not for the death of his Lord as it seemed they iudged who thanks be to God was liuing and out of all daunger But that he wept for the miserable and pitious condition of all the armie for that their Prince had made an inuiolable oth laying hand on his breast and head that if within few daies Sighet were not taken he would put them all to death without remission with a cruell and strange kinde of death Mehemet by these speeches and many others animating euery one a singular desire of fight and also presently to returne to the assault possessed all the souldiours and aboue all the Ianisaries being all obstinate to performe therein their last endeuours or else to end their liues there Vpon this resolution after he had giuen order to that which appertained to such an assault all the souldiours running with great furie to the breach and skaladoe the 6. of September they were neuerthelesse repulsed with great losse both of the one part and other But the enemies hauing meanes to refresh them and continuing their blowes came againe for the last time the day following to the breach with a marueilous furie and a greater force then they had yet euer made and the one and other fighting betweene hope to ouercome and feare to dye there was seene a terrible conslict now on this side then on the other Count Serin performing then the dutie of an aduised and most valiant Captaine encouraging his people ranne here and there not being wanting either to himselfe or to his souldiours appeared greater then himselfe He seeing that the Artillerie of the enemie had set fire in the Fortresse and being astonished thereat caused the port to bee opened and hauing planted a Cannon charged with many little bullets at the enterance of it and giuing fire thereto more then 100. Turkes were layd on the ground by that shot and presently the Count aduanced himselfe vpon the bridge with his Courtlasse and Target being followed of his people who of 1200. were reduced onely to 500. and they all thronging in amongst the enemies fought valiantly Serin would neuer yeeld himselfe although the Turks desired him to doe it willing to haue him aliue into their hands but alwaies fighting couragiously in the middest of the enemies increased in himselfe an incredible valour and thus managing his hands with extreame courage was thrust into the breast with a pike But he fearing to abate the courage of his people concealed this wound as much as he could vntill in the end he was greatly wounded in the head with a blow which killed him And although that the souldiours desisted not yet could they not make such resistance as
they did before so auaileable in souldiours hearts is the Captaines presence from whence it happened that Sighet was presently taken and all those who were taken within a few daies after were all cruelly massacred by the Turkes The head being cut from the bodie of this valiant Count it was sent by the Basha of Buda to Count Ecchia of Salm wrapped in a peece of blacke veluet with letters by which he declared vnto him that hauing vnderstood that this braue warrier who had so faithfully maintained the part of his Emperour was his kinsman friend he was willing to send him his head to the end it should bee a beginning of an obligation of mutuall friendship betweene them sending him word that he had caused his bodie to be honourably buried Some beleeued that the Basha did this more to possesse him with griefe and some astonishment then for any office of humanitie or curtesie that was naturally in him This head was carried by a peasant to Comar and from thence to Iauerin to the Emperours Campe to whose Maiestie then came one of the sonnes of Serin and prostrated himselfe at his feete to desire him that with his good fauour he might hold his fathers place of all his familie The Emperour raised him with his hands and promised to be to him a good Tutor and as a father to all his house This sonne after he had taken leaue of the Emperor being followed with a good number of gentlemen went to the Fortresse of Iskachaturn and causing his fathers head to bee conducted thither made it honourably to be buried with great pompe The towne of Sighet came in this sort into the enemies hands it being opened on all sides by the violence of the Artillerie The Emperour lost there to the number of 100. peeces of Cannon which Serin seeing that he had no more hope caused them to bee charged euen to the mouth and put fire thereto so that they were all cleft and broken If this Count had had sufficient of souldiours he had neuer seene it reduced to this point hauing neither want of armes nor victuals Of 1200. souldiours which he had at the beginning of the siege there remained no more the 110. when he was wounded to death By this losse the port was opened to the Turkes to molest the rest of Hungarie For from this place they might runne without any impeachment vnto Sopron called Odembourg and euen to the walles of Poson Amongst the most of marke who dyed in this siege of the Turkes part was noted Alipartu Basha who for Sea affayres was held to bee very expert and for one of the valiantest of all the Turkish Captaines After the taking of this place the Turkes dispersed themselues by incursions through all the countrie and euen in sight of the Emperour who was greatly discontented for this losse and the death of Serin By these excursions the countrie was greatly endamaged Fortune being altogether so fauourable to the enemy that she not being content to haue brought him such happie successe added yet thereto the winning of the towne and Fortresse of Iula which in the same weeke was reduced vnder the Turks commaund although this place was iudged inexpugnable Captaine Ladislas Cheretsken commaunded there He seeing himselfe besieged by a long and dangerous siege and moued by distrust from being able to sustaine it any longer or rather as it was said for the great promises which Portau Basha made him he rendered it to him vpon such composition that he might retire himselfe with his armes and baggage saued with hostages for assurance of the capitulation who should accompanie him and his people vnto some place of securitie and that the Turkish Artillerie should be displaced and turned into some place where it could not endamage them Vpon such conditions the Captaine being come forth he was lead before the Basha and in the meane time that the others marched being not yet 1000. paces off two great companies of Turkes assailed them They seeing themselues thus deceiued ranged themselues altogether within their waggons and for a while valiantly defended themselues and specially the Germanes who with their harquebuze shot killed many of the enemies But in the end being surmounted with a great number they were constrained to yeeld to the enemie who almost cut them all to peeces except some who saued themselues amongst which was Bernard Rotenau a Germane Captaine who afterward being presented before the Emperiall Maiestie accused Cheretsken of treason he hauing made an accorde without the knowledge of his companions Neuerthelesse by the reporte of an Hungarian souldiour who afterwards came to the Campe they knew that the Captaine had conferred of this surrender with the Germanes and that those for certaine would not yeeld at the first but that afterwards ouercome by the promises and great perswasions of the Turkes they consented thereto Neere to Alberegalis there was 20000. Turkes incamped and fortified with good trenches who made many attempts towards the Emperiall Campe. The Emperour willing to suppresse this insolencie chose out certaine of his armie and with a few of his souldiours sent them to discouer Afterward hauing first sent to the Turkes certaine spies to know how the enemie behaued themselues there they marching before and meeting with those who were of the guard and seeing them well armed returned to make recital of that which they had seene might discerne by the enemies countenance The Emperials notwithstanding all other difficultie being gone forth marched towards them and going with good speede they surprised them and assayling them on the suddaine put them to flight killing some of them who were gone a forraging This newes being carried to the Emperours Campe the Hungars Burgunnians and Austrians couragiously put themselues into the field and pursuing the Turks who fled they killed some and tooke others George Tury hauing knowne amongst them the Sangiach of Alberegalis a great Councellor of the Turkes whom he might verie well know because that while he was at Pallota he had been his neighbour and had persued him oftentimes to take him he boldly thrust himselfe into the middest of them all followed him so neere that although his horse was slaine vnder him yet being readily remounted vpon another he tooke him a liue and brought him prisoner to the Emperour at whose hand for so valerous an act he was knighted and the Sangiach was conducted to Vienna where he remained a long time prisoner At another time 1500. horse being gone forth of the Campe to encounter certaine Turkes they made forward as farre as Iscocaky belonging to the enemies two miles from Alberegalis But they did not any exployt there passing nothing betweene the two Camps but light skirmishes in which George Tury more then once gaue chase to the enemies and brought from them good spoyle At the same time the Arch Duke Charles being at Bubolca defeated a Basha with 4000. horse by the riuer of Sleuua and
without doubt he had taken him if the armie that was at Sighet had not been so nigh he retyring himselfe to the Castle of Carotua a very strong place which is situated in an Iland which Drauus and Murus maketh All these excursions greatly increased from the time of the taking of Sighet and the Turkes pilled burned and wasted all euen neere vnto Sabar distant two miles from the Emperiall Campe. By these excursions many Captaines experienced in the manner of the Turkish warre beleeued that Solyman would retire to Constantinople and that somuch the more because they vnderstoode that in his armie was a great dearth of victuals and that there was some taken from Buda and Alberegalis to send thither Besides they heard that Solyman was dead and that the Basha giuing this last ruine to the Countrie would depart with his accomplished victorie Neuerthelesse it seemed that is would be a strange thing if there happened not some sedition in this armie knowing that in like cases the Turkes are verie easily moued to mutine But Mahomet entertained and that with great care these courses to stay his owne armie and that of the enemies he daylie expecting the comming of Selim their new Emperour and Solymans sonne to whom he had sent that in the greatest speede he could he should depart from Constantinople When Selim receiued the newes of his fathers death he was in the plaine of Saraissa three dayes iourney from Constantinople in a place called Chiefredy which belonged to Sinan Basha He hauing in this place receiued the letters of Mahomet subscribed with the Captaines Aga and with the principall Phisitians hands departed the 17. of September to goe to Constantinople with all the people which for that time he could haue with him and being arriued at Scutari Bostangy Basha chiefe Gardner who had the keeping of the Kings Pallace went before with a Brigandine ordained for the person of the Grand Seigniour it being verie well and richly trimmed and accompained with many goodly young men sumptuously apparelled Selim had first sent many Ianisaries to Scander Basha Gouernour and Lieutenant of Solyman in Constantinople to aduertise him to prepare all things necessarie for his entrance And being aborde this Brigandine he arriued at Constantinople and descending into the Serrail Bostangy tooke him by the hand and conducted him into the vsuall chamber aunciently deputed for all the Kings and there he being seated in a chayre dedicated to the Ottoman Emperours made proclamation through the towne with the same words which they ordinarely vse in the election of new Emperours sending within a while after in great diligence the same proclamation through all his Empire to the end that the death of his father should no sooner be discouered then his establishment in the Empire Afterward going out of his Pallace he shewed himselfe in the towne to all the people going to the sepulcher of Iob which is a place adioyning to the wals where the Kings and Grand Seigniours are accustomed to make their sacrifices offering sheepe and other beastes which afterward are distributed to the poore in remuneration of the graces receiued of God And hauing offered there a great summe of monie and said his prayers he returneth in great pompe and pleasure to his Palace from whence he departed the 26. of September to goe to his Campe making great iournies and without staying in any place at last he arriued at Belgarde hauing made this voyage in great speed and so secretly that the people marueiling to see him knew not the occasion of his comming but onely after his departure which caused that not any tumult happened whereof euery one greatly marueiled knowing afterwards how all was passed And being departed from Belgrade and alreadie two dayes iourney on his way by the letters of Mehement he retourned backe for that this Basha sent him word that he should come no further for that the Armie was not any whit molested and in auoyding the tediousnes of so long a iourney Mehemet desyred him to attend at Belgrade Thus his Maiestie soiourned in that place attending the Armie which was conducted by a deade bodie carried in a close couered Coach euery one beleeuing that he was liuing because that he being in this his olde age for certaine yeares together subiect to the goute he was accustomed to be carried into the fields in this sorte Vpon the daie that this bodie or corps should enter into Belgrade Selim put vpon his head a verie little Turbant and being decently apparaled with a blacke cloth cloake mounted on horsebacke hee went before the bodie of his father euen to the Porte this bodie being accompayned with displayed Ensignes trumpets and other such signes of a tryumphe The couer of the Coach being lifted vp Selim dismounted and began to mourne ouer the bodie All the Bashaes the Cadilischiers who are the principall persons for Iustice with all the chiefe of the Campe after lighting from their horses tooke also little Turbants and in token of sadnes all the Ensignes through the whole Campe were reuersed the point downeward and there was a wounderfull silence made for the space of a quarter of an hower After this ceremonie a white Turbant being brought enriched with precious stones it was put vpon Selims head and hee being clothed with stately and magnificent habits hee mounted vpon another horse and all the others doing the like the Coach of the dead was againe couered and the Ensignes raysed all the souldiours making great acclamations in the name of their new Emperour In this manner they accompayned him to the Palace and there the deputies of the Empire according to their degrees went and kissed his hands Presently Selim gaue order to the gouernment of Iustice and performed the accustomed larges to the Ianisaries and giuing to euery one two thousand Aspres At the same time it was decreed that the bodie of his deceased father should be conducted to Constantinople to be buried in the Sepulcher which hee caused to bee built in his life time named by the Turkes Marata which is as it were an Hospitall for the poore Some say that this Tombe is the most sumptuous that is to bee found at this day it being in the great Mosquee He gaue the charge of this conduct to Hamant Basha who had married one of his Neeces and to Ferrat Cap Aga commaunding that this corps should besides be accompanied with all the Ianisaries who were then in the Campe with many other persons of note carrying with them the Emperiall Ensigne Selim remained at Belgrade with the rest of the armie to march afterward more commodiously The bodie of Solyman entered into Constantinople the 22. of Nouember there being first gone foorth to receiue him Muphty otherwise called Muplety who is the supreame of their Priests and one who they say was dissended of the line of Mahomet he being followed of all the Doctors of their law that then were in the
of Bosnia and Belgrade confer with Izabella 273 Sangiach of Alberegalis taken and lead to Vienna 330. set at libertie by ransome 338 Sassebesse fortified 127 Sauus a riuer passed by the Turkish Armie 11. 14 Saxons dwelling in the townes of Ortel a Prouince of Hungarie 13 Saxons and Sicilians naturall enemies 85 Saxons dwelling in Transiluania 100 the Saxons and Sicilians of Transiluania sweare fidelitie to Ferdinand 119 Scach a Persian word what it signifieth 353 Sclauonia part of high Pannonia 12 Sclauonia diuided from Hungarie by Drauus ibid. Seate and office of the Electors of the Empire in publike acts 302 Sebessa a riuer 164 Succours came to Lewis vpon the resolution of battaile 25. 26 Succours of Solyman to Queene Izabella 62 Succours from the Pope to Lewis 18 Succours granted to Ferdinand against the Turk 282 Succours come to the Emperour from forraine Princes 320 Secretarie in an Armie and his charge 92 Segnia a capitall towne of Dalmatia subiect to the Hungars 12 Selim by subteltie and industrie depriued his father of his Empire and life 264 Selim put to death the messenger of Mustaphaes death 272. succeedeth Solyman 331. entereth into Constantinople ibid. made his sacrifices and offerings 331. is saluted Emperour 332. leaueth Cheretsken to the reuenge of those whom he had vsed ill 337. maketh peace with Maximilian 341. sent an Armie against the Muscouite ibid. threatneth King Iohn 342. beginneth warre againe with the Hungars 350. dieth 351. his vices described ibid. Senath besieged by Vicchy 80. is succoured 81. yeelded to the Turk 130 Sepulture of Solyman sumptuous 332 Sepulture of Iob place of sacrifices in Constantinople 331 Sforce Palauicin Marquesse Comissarie generall of Ferdinands armie 128. 152. besiegeth Drigall against the coūsel of Castalde 218. is defeated by Achmet ibid. taken valiantly fighting 219 ransomed for 15000. Duckets 220 Sibinium a principall towne of Transiluania 102 Sibinio fortified 121 Sibinio a towne which was friend to Ferdinand and enemie of George 170 Sicilians and their manner of life 13 Sicilians in pay of George 83. doe mutinie ibid. are appeased ibid. Sicilians or Ceculians what nation 100 Sicilians mutiny for the death of George and are appeased by Chendy 171 the Sicilians would restore Iohn into his kingdome 253 Sighet besieged by Solyman 325. taken at the 13. assault 328 Sigismond King of Polonia confederate with the Turk 10. is in disgrace with his mother and Polonians for his wife 273. enterposeth himselfe betweene the accord of Maximilian and Iohn 287. hindered by the Duke of Muscouia to make this peace 301 death of Sigismond King of Polonia 343 Sigismond Lichtstain Ambassadour for Ferdinand to Solyman 72 Signes of great hap and repose 4. and of a great decaying and ruine ibid. Simon Erdeund Bishop of Zagrabia in succour of Iohn 26 Sirmia a large countrie ruined 9 Sirmia diuideth Hungarie from Slauonia 12 firtilitie of Sirmia 14 Souldiours murmure vpon the message of Lewis 21. demaund battaile 24 Souldiours of Ferdinand retired into a Church are cut in peeces to the number of 3000. 65 Solyman Solyman in Hungarie with a puissant armie 7.9 Solymans forces against Lewis 26 Solyman defeateth the Hungars 35. gaue his censure vpon the heads of the dead Bishops 37. sorroweth for the fortune of King Lewis and of the Queene 37. returneth to Constantinople 38. taketh the defence of Iohn 43. denounceth warre to Ferdinand 44. arriueth in Hungarie with an armie ibid. before Vienna 46. reproueth with choller his Captaines 49. raiseth the siege of Vienna 50. sent succours to Queene Izabella against Ferdinand 61. commeth to Andrionoplis in fauour of Q. Izabella 61. marcheth into Hungary 64. arriueth by Buda 68. sent presents to Stephen and to the Hungarian Lords demaunding they would send to him the said Stephen ibid. sent back Stephen to his mother and retaineth the Hungarian Lords 70. holdeth a Councell vpon the prisoners ibid. releaseth them 72. causeth the great Church of Buda to be consecrated and made sacrifice there 71. returneth to Constantinople 74. writ to Frier George in fauour of Izabella 75 Solyman incensed against George declareth him an enemie and traytor 79 Solyman in fauour of the Queene threatneth the Transiluanians 82 Solyman deceitfully answereth to the letters of Q. Izabella writ in fauour of George 91. sent to the Transiluanians to obey George ibid. Solyman prepareth an Armie against Hungarie by the Belerbey of Greece 125 Solyman sent to the Moldauian and Basha of Buda that they should succour Izabella 27 Solyman resolueth to put to death Mustapha his eldest sonne 266. is in great daunger after he had caused his eldest sonne to be strangled 270. hardly besieged by his armie 271. saueth himselfe amongst the mutinous souldiours ibid. aduanceth Mahomet the sonne of Mustapha in recompence of the innocent death of his father 272 Solyman in trouble and doubt by Baiazet his sonne 284. seeketh againe peace with Ferdinand 285. marcheth into Hungarie with a puissant armie in fauour of K. Iohn 319. arriueth there 325. besiegeth Sighet and Iula ibid. dieth 327. is carried to Constantinople 333 Soliman a Hungarian turned Turke is Gouernour of Buda 74 Solimos defended against the Turk 131 Solimos a Fortresse munitioned for two yeeres cowardly forsaken by the Spaniards 216. who are defeated by the Turk 216 Sophy the surname of the King of Persia by scoffe 353 Sopronia a towne 12 Statues of Brasse carried from Buda to Constantinople 38 Stirian souldiours of Ferdinand put in route by K. Iohn 42 Stratagems of the Turks in Hungarie 17 18. 31. 33. 34. 35. 37. 45. 46. 62. 63. 64. ibid. 65. 66. 67. 68. ibid. 69. 70. 71. 125. 127. 128. 131. 132. 137. 160. 181. 183. 184. 199. ibid. 181. 183. 184 299. ibid. 206. 207. ibid. 214. 216. 218. 219. 220. 224. 225. 233. 234. 289 290. 293. 295. 296. 318. 326. 327. ibid. 328. 329. 330. 334. 335. 249. Stridon the place where S. Hierome was borne 12 Strigonium the Metropolitane citie in Hungarie ibid. Strigonium a rich Archbishoprick 111 the Swisses sent to the Diet of Ausbourg 306 the Starres haue their returne more soone or late the one then the other 2 the great coniunction of Starres happened in these times 3 Subteltie against the conductors of Artillerie 290 Spoyle made in Hungarie by the Turk 34 45. 46 a merrie and earnest Speech of Francis Peren. 25 Skirmishes before the battaile 26 a Slaue sent by George to Oliman besieged at Lippa taken by Castalde 155 Spaniards mutinie spoyle Hungarie 255 two Spaniards reneged are cause of the taking of Themesuar 203 Spyes taken discouer the Turks deseignes 296 a French Spye in Ferdinands armie aduertiseth the Turk of the Transiluanian affayres 112. saueth himselfe by meanes of Vicchy 113 the immortall Spirit not subiect to stars 4 the State of Germanie touching the Diets 397. 398 the three States of Hungarie corrupted 3 a State come to his full perfection presently declineth 4 Stephen the sonne of Iohn King of Hungarie named Iohn by the Turks
into ashes The vessels and ornaments were carried to Tocchay from thence he tooke his way towards Moncat belonging to Iohn About this place the Emperours armie many times was badly intreated the garrison therof boldly seazing vpon the Sutlers of the armie whom they pilled robbed and lead away Schuendy to reuenge himselfe vpon them laid an Ambuscado and after faining a skirmish drew them to the fight and by little and little retiring thence he caused them to fall into the place where he desired they might be and by this meanes he had some reuenge of them the most part of them remaining dead in the field the lesser part being saued by flight Schuendy victorious with the spoyles of his enemies retired to Sachmar In which place by reason of diuers accidens there happened so many maladies among the souldiours and inhabitants that daily increasing they were constrained to goe into the fields and forsake the towne Vpon this occasion Schuendy went and incamped by Tibiscus fortifying himselfe with many Trenches But he was not long in this lodging before he was surprised with a very sore feauer which tormented him many moneths not without great disquietnes to the Emperour who greatly loued him hauing iust cause so to doe reposing himselfe wholly vpon him for the experience which he knew to be in him for the affayres of warre Notwithstanding that in Transiluania the warre proceeded on in this sort the treatie of peace was alwaies managed at Constanstinople But the Emperour well foreseeing that this negotiation was but onely to hold him in suspence while the Grand Seigniour in other places disposed his affayres and being further ascertained by Cornouuicchy who was but come from the Turkes Court that gentleman also assuring that they should not hope for any peace although that after his departure there was giuen him some hope thereof his Maiestie commaunded that his armie might be prepared and appointed that 5. Ensignes of Germane Infantrie should muster at Lepanto and 300. Vallachians at Posson and 300. Hungarish horse about Iauerin All these companies were newly leauied These after muster was taken of them were charged to march into the field to which did also goe Captaine Adam Iula and Romer a Knight of Malta with fiue other Ensignes of foote To these ioyned foure Ensignes of Germane horse and Captaine Derssi with 300. other souldiours With this supplie was furnished all the principal places Within a while after there arriued 600. Germane horse and other 500. vnder the conduct of Hoschirher Also there went to Vienna Counte Gonther Schuartsbourg Counte Otting and Counte Mansfert Christopher Liechtenstain and many other great personages who offered their seruice to his Maiestie to be employed in this warre The sicknes of Schuendy gaue in the meane time commoditie to the Turks more freely to harrie the countrie then before time they had done and they greatly spoyled the countrie about Sachmar and that of Newstat called the Ladies brooke where is seene the mynes of diuers mettals During such courses King Iohn and the Gouernour of Themesuar approaching very neere to Sachmar were almost striken with an Artillerie bullet euen as these two Lords rid side by side The Turkes not yet content to commit such spoyle tooke courage to goe in the night and assaile Schuendy in his Campe. But he hauing notice of this attempt prepared for them an Ambuscado which was lodged so secretly in a forrest by that the Turks not doubting any thing thereof came iust vpon it and being suddenly charged they presently put themselues in route there remaining notwithstanding in the place no lesse then 4000. not without daunger also that all had been lost there if the night had not fauoured the slight of those who were best mounted as also it greatly serued to the Emperials to make their retraict safe and sound into their Campe after such a checke giuen The Turkish Caualarie passed further and presented themselues before the walls of Iauerin and for that it was yet night it was not permitted to those within to goe forth but the day being come and the garrison sallying out of their ports the Turkes presently retired While these skirmishes and enterprises were attempted one against another Grassuen a Captaine of 100. Hungarish horse encountring 1000. Turks and both the one and the other betaking themselues to their hands 200. Turkes lost there their liues among which was the Gouernour of Lippa called in their language Beg. Those who were wounded with the shot of the Harquebuze being conducted to the Campe could not auoyde death for that the bullets were besmeared with larde In the meane while the Saxon souldiours hearing this skirmish were desirous to goe forth but their Generall would not permit them but hindered them with much adoe These were onely arriued at the Campe well armed vnder Colonell Henry Glasenthal who had for his companion Don Sibotendorf both men of valour and incomparable boldnes Betweene them there were 1026. horse which were payed by the Elector of Saxonie for fiue moneths To these were ioyned 350. horse who followed the Camp at their owne charges The two armies were incamped no further one from another then a mile the Emperials being lodged vpon Tibiscus by a village named Kizar situated vpon the shore of the riuer in the houses wherof were lodged the principals of the Campe the whole being fortified with strong Trenches That of the Turkes was planted beneath the said riuer and they had made a bridge vpon the riuer Somos At the same time Charles the Archduke of Austria being in Stiria had his people in the field against the enemie who had committed great spoyle in the countrie if that Prince had not remedied it On the other side the Basha of Bossina the Gouernour of Boschegne and the Berbatberg being one day assembled to ouerrunne Slauonia and to carrie away the countrie people hauing encountred Peter Eborce Ban which signifieth Gouernour the charge was so hot that the Turkes were put to slight with great slaughter of them which was said to haue been 5000. and the Berbatberg was there sore wounded In another place 320. Turkes minding in the night to assaile Thrin the Caualarie of Iaques Sach with certaine Hungarish footmen being gone forth to meete them killed vpon the place 60. of them and tooke 65. others of them prisoners During these rough skirmishes on the other side they treated of peace at Vienna there being yet the foresaid Ambassadours And the Emperour caused to be called thither the gentlemen of Hungarie to consult with them vpon the points of agreement which were propounded And whereas Schuendy could not be rid of his sicknes the Emperour sent to him Paul Veidner a Doctor of Phisicke an excellent man in his profession This man of a Iew became a Christian Schuendy notwithstanding his want of health forgot nothing of that which appertained for the entertainment of his armie seeing that the Turkes desisted not from their courses and to prouoke
ours to fight with new iniuries The Emperials on their behalfe did no lesse Vpon this occasion there was betweene them and vs a fierce encounter wherein were many Turkes slaine and of the principall of the enemies of whom the bodies were fauourably rendered by Schuendy to those who to demaund them were sent to him by the enemie At another time as certaine souldiours were gone with waggons to forrage to bring straw and oates they were taken by certaine Turkes who encountred them This robberie was then done when a Chiauss was arriued at the Campe who was sent by the Turke to continue the treatie of peace begun Schuendy requested him that he should procure to be rendered vnto him his souldiours and baggage which the Turkes had taken telling him further that this kinde of dealing did not manifest any signes nor effects of peace The Chiauss answered him that he should presently send some troupes after to recouer that which was taken it being not the intention of his Prince to breake the agreements of peace Vpon this answer Schuendy caused presently to mount on horsebacke Captaine Ruebert with his companie of light horse to busie and entertaine the Turkes and to doe so much that they might not retire vntill he were seconded by others which should follow him The diligence was so great both of the one and of the other that hauing ouertaken the enemies they had all their waggons which were on this side the bridge but those who had alreadie passed the bridge ended their voyage in safetie This recouerie so braue and suddenly executed caused the Turkes to remoue their Campe which was neere to the Emperials who also did the like marching towards Cassouia that they might more commodiously haue victuals which began to faile in their Campe besides that the souldiours were greatly troubled by diuers sicknesses and amongst other with bloodie fluxes and pestilent feauers A little before the Transiluanian also was retired and hauing put his people to winter in garrisons he retired into his kingdome where hauing found that some of his subiects and inhabitants secretly fauoured Maximilian he caused them all to bee hanged At that time was released from Vienna his Ambassadour who was retained there longer then he was willing at the instance of Ballassi who continually importuned the Emperor not to suffer him to depart vntil he had his wife and children who were carried away at the taking of Sachmar But this Ambassadour complaining of his detaining his Maiestie meant not that he should be any longer detained against his liking saying that that would be a breach and violence offered against the law of nations it being not reasonable to vse such reuenge for prisoners taken by the right of warre For the same consideration was also sent backe Alexander Kendy Secretarie to King Iohn who iournying towards his masters Ambassadour was taken in a skirmish made against certaine Transiluanians who conducted him and endeuoured to bring him into some place of suretie and who being thus taken had been led to Vienna by Iohn Wolgazen In the meane time Schuendy vigilant in his charge did not cease to solicite the Emperour to this that it would please him to appoint new companies and supplies although the enemie laboured peace shewing him by liuely reasons that the practises of the Turke were onely but in appearance and to couer his enterprises and deseignes knowing that he daily made new leauies of men to assaile the armie of his Maiestie with the greatest force hee could The Commaunders of the Turkish armie knowing the distrust that this great Captaine had of their subtelties writ to him a letter by which they sent him word that they greatly marueiled at him that he would trouble the peace which was treated of betweene these two most puissant Emperours which would bring to them both great commoditie But Schuendy also giuing as little credit to their words as to their subtelties ceased not with the principals of the armie to embrace all the occasions that might be offered for the seruice of his Prince Vpon this resolution Counte Ecchia of Salm a most renowned Captaine seeing himselfe to haue command ouer a good number of souldiours was departed from Iauerin the 12. of October and tooke the way to Alberegalis named in the language of that countrie Stulweijssuburg distant eight Germane miles from the place from whence he came being certainly aduertised that in this towne there was few men for the defence thereof thinking by this want easily to take it And as he was but three miles from thence came a Courier sent from the Emperour bringing him expresse commaund to returne with his people to Iauerin The Counte sorie at the heart left his voyage with great discontentment of all those who followed him for the good opinion which they all had to see themselues at the top of that enterprise by reason of the few souldiours which they knew to be in this towne A secret intelligence which the Counte had with the Iudge of this place gaue them an assured hope of victorie and the rather because that the Iudge for assurance of his faith had giuen his wife and children in hostage he hauing giuen order that in the night one part of the Artillerie should be remoued and the rest choked to the end that the Turkes should not therewith at neede serue themselues and in the morning as they droue the cattell forth to pasture the Counte with his people should giue the assault to the ports of the towne and if the Turks who were but few in number should put themselues in defence the citizens presently should bandie against them and by that meanes the towne should haue been taken without any great resistance This exployt being thus giuen ouer by the commaund of the Emperour there was a good occasion lost to recouer this place which was of so great importance The Iudge saued himselfe at Pallota fearing his person seeing the Emperials had failed in their practise The Turkes hauing discouered this enterprise caused 40. inhabitants of the towne to bee pitched vpon stakes among which were comprised many innocent of the fact This execution was hindred because that at that time was earnestly treated the peace with the Ambassadours who for that purpose were come to Vienna and indeede his Maiestie had sent to the Grand Seigniour for Ambassadour George Hossute Councellor of the King in the chamber of Hungarie a man of good vnderstanding and conuersant in the affayres of Princes Vpon occasion whereof it seemed not good to the Emperour to raise any trouble vntill it was seene what end these things would take which euery one looked vpon in hope of agreement and for the same consideration he had also commaunded that not any should molest the Turkes and that onely they should rest themselues vpon their defence This Ambassadour departing from the Court led with him 20. Turkes of good regard who had been taken in the warre a little before and