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
the Emperour that he was a Spie for the Turke In the meane time while they expected newes of him hee saued himselfe at Lippa with Peter Vicchy to whom he was sent Vicchy vnderstanding the decree and the proclamation that was made against him and how they sought him in euery place gaue aduertisement to Castalde that he was arriued at Lippa and that if hee so pleased hee would send him to him but during this message he caused him safely to be conducted with a good guard to Belgrade from whence he tooke the way directly to Constantinople to aduertise the Turke of all which was done in that countrie At the same time the day came that was appointed for the Diet to be held at Colosuar where should haue been all the principall of the kingdome and where as it was determined the Queene should renounce and resigne to Ferdinand the kingdome and acknowledge and approue himselfe King thereof After all the Deputies of those Prouinces and townes were arriued the Queene the 28. of August departed from Sassebesse accompanied with all the Knights and Gentlemen of the countrie and also with Frier George and Castalde the one riding on the right hand the other on the left Two daies after they were departed they arriued at an Abbey distant from Colosuar eight miles where they lodged and there it was concluded betweene them to execute all that which before had been a greed vpon And the beginning of this solemne resignation was by the royall ornaments which were a Crowne made of plates of gold mounting on high in forme of a high crowned hat inriched with stones and pearles and hauing a little crosse of gold on the top The next was a Scepter of Iuorie garnished with gold and a Mantle of cloath of gold after the ancient habite in manner of a Vestment beset with many stones but of small value A gowne and a payre of shooes of gold which in respect of the worke were like to those made for the Apostolike Sea Among all those Iewels the Frier demanded of the Queene that she would commit the Crowne into his custodie and keeping Which request she absolutely denyed him saying that she would neuer giue her consent that a Frier should bee King of that kingdome whereof she dispossessed her sonne but she would that they should bee conueied to him to whom in right that Prouince belonged And causing them to bee brought before them all she tooke the Crowne in her hand in the presence of the Frier and many great personages and after great effusion of teares from her owne eyes and from her yong sonne who was present at the whole action turning her selfe towards Castalde sayd in Italian such or the like speeches Although inconstant Fortune following her cruell alterations cutting off and confounding at her pleasure the affayres of this world hath in such sort subuerted mine that now both my sonne and my selfe are forced to forsake this kingdome this Crowne and all these other royall ornaments which in times past were belonging to my deare Lord and spouse King Iohn of most happie memorie but now vnhappie that wee bee and to resigne into the hands and protection of others yet notwithstanding she shall not for all this hinder me but that at the least in my troubles and anguishes I may take this onely contentment seeing them to fall into the hands of a Prince who is not only a Christian but also so puissant and benigne as is the King of the Romanes whom I repute for my Lord and father who also shal know with what zeale and affection they are giuen him and whom by our good liking we reestablish in this State praying God that he may enioy it with greater tranquilitie and longer time then we haue done And thus Seigneur Iohn Baptista Castalde I present them into your hands with intent of my part they may bee sent to his Maiestie giuing him to vnderstand that wee yeeld him not this kingdome and Crowne vnder the bond of any condition or couenant whatsoeuer but freely And we my selfe and my sonne cast our selues into his mercifull armes with all our fortune beseeching him he would haue regard of our miserable destinie which besides that wee are Christians hath caused vs to spring of royall and princely blood And that it would please him following his accustomed bountie which maketh him beloued of all the world to receiue and account of vs for his children and not denie vs the reliefe fauour and protection which wee hope and expect from him and which you your selfe many times in his name haue promised vs. After these speeches of the Queene her sonne being yet but young and knowing notwithstanding how greatly it imported him to see himselfe depriued of his estate and of that wherwith his father sometimes was crowned making some resistance he shewed to the Queene his mother the little contentment which he conceiued of this surrender and appartly manifested that he would not consent thereto But the Queene turning her selfe towards him sayd Since O Iohn my deare and tender sonne that I know thy fortune and mine is not sufficient and able to defend this kingdome without the ayde and helpe of others by occasion of the great number of those who either by enuie or of some certaine malice or by some wicked disposition make themselues masters of others continually searching with the losse of the same our ruine and destruction Thou oughtest not to conceiue ill thereof if hauing a care rather to publike good then to our particular profit which wee cannot maintaine against the Turkes power who by the daily prouocation of our enemies doth molest vs and in a manner depriue vs of all Therefore in the middest of so many assaults of miserie which fortune hath bequeathed vs I haue chosen this to be the best meanes to giue and resigne this kingdome to the King of the Romanes who will defend and deliuer it from the Turkes violent attempts and who in recompence will assigne thee such estates as he hath promised me for the renouncing which I haue made to him to the end that thou maist at the least yet liue as a great Prince if thou canst not liue like a King and I haue the rather yeelded to this as not minding with common losse to bee obstinate in warre and to leaue and omit the certaine for the incertaintie in the disposition of Fortune considering also the inconstancie and mutabilitie of her tickle gouernment which is accustomed rashly to rule and gouerne Kings houses which are fallen in disgrace and contempt with the world who oftentimes imprudently and without thinking thereon suddenly doth depriue them of their kingdomes and sendeth them into perpetuall exile Therefore that on my part I may not behold such infelicitie and not to fall into such an indignitie and miserie being forsaken of all ayde and helpe with the losse of the kingdome I am easily perswaded with a comfortable hope to reserue thee
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
he promised her and to pay all the interest which she could pretend and in like sort to satisfie all the debts which were found to be due since that time These offers seemed generally good and reasonable to all and specially to Frier George who also made shew to bee well pleased therewith And after many aduertisements it was concluded that he should cause the Queene to vnderstand thereof and bring an answere from her This charge was committed to the Frier who willingly accepted thereof and being come to the Queene he recited to her all which had been propounded in the Councell She being attentiue and vnderstanding what had passed and withall considering the offer of Ferdinand and that it was a meanes for her to wade out of that subiection wherein the Frier so peremptorily held her she presently answered that whatsoeuer he did she esteemed it greatly beneficiall to her committing all her actions and affayres into his hands of which particularly and by peecemeale they conferred together by the space of fifteene daies But the Frier continued still without resolution now saying this then that apparantly shewing that he had no other respect but to his owne proper commoditie which he shadowed by this that he fained that herein he aymed at nothing but that which particularly concerned the Queene and the good of her sonne whom he protested he loued more then himselfe in respect of the indissoluble bonds of gratitude that forced him to it which oftentimes hee had receiued from his father King Iohn who was his raiser and maker and of whom depended all which he possessed in this world being raised by him of nothing and exalted to this high degree of honour wherein he was now And thus cunningly did he dissemble and draw backe the most he could As these affayres proceeded on in this manner without any resolution it happened one day the Queene without the Friers knowledge found oportunitie to haue some priuate conference with Castalde and in such a conuenient place where she might freely discouer and impart the conceptions of her owne minde assuring him what singular contentment she receiued in that Ferdinand King of the Romanes had sent so sufficient and worthie a man as hee was to negotiate in these affayres the vertue and renowne of whom she had before heard an exceeding good report of and she thought her selfe thrice happie of his comming greatly commending the choise that was made of him and the iudgement of the King in giuing him that absolute authoritie to dispose of things in his name as he thought good of thinking thereby she should haue occasion speedily to bring her miseries to an end which vntill then had held her wrapped vp effectuously importuning him that he would giue faith and credit to the integritie of her heart which had alwaies desired and endeuoured her selfe to doe his Maiestie seruice And afterward she earnestly desired Castalde that for her discharge he would amplie aduertise his Maiestie that for the time passed she was not of her selfe withdrawne from the agreements betweene them but that all proceeded through the Friers subtilties who neuer would agree nor consent that they should proceed to the execution of them but to the contrarie intreated her so badly as still he did that finding none to whom she might haue recourse in such necessities she was constrained as being in despayre to demaund ayde of the Turke of whom she had been many times importuned and incited to leaue that kingdome peaceably vnto him in exchaunge of another great estate which he offered her especially seeing it was in his power as he said to thrust her out of it And although some great feare might giue her good occasion to thinke seriously thereof yet neuerthelesse she meant not for all that to offer that displeasure to Ferdinand especially considering that she was a Christian borne and that it was not conuenient for her to yeeld to any agreement with a Heathen Prince she being greatly sorrowfull for that which was past Thus to release her self out of the Friers snares which she reputed a worse and more intolerable subiection then that of the Turkes as she had been before constrained peaceably to depart from one part of her kingdome so for the like effect she would now willingly forsake the other with a resolute determination to deale with him so that besides the consideration of the seruice which shee meant to performe to Ferdinand hee should finde great contentment freely by her meanes thus without any condition to surrender this Prouince which by force of armes she would neuer haue yeelded to any And yeelding all things into his Maiesties hands she would intreate him that he would haue regard to her sonne who was a King a child and an orphane for which respects he should not refuse to be a Lord and father to him and esteeme of him so in regarde of the time to come as if hee were his naturall sonne hauing that particular respect and care of him as she would and ought to haue of him her selfe and specially acquainting him with the paines and torments whereinto she was fallen yet withall hauing patience to see her selfe brought to that low ebbe that of a great Queene as in former time she saw her selfe to be she was now forst to become a poore Lady and a begger hauing neuer since the time she was expulsed Buda with her sonne in her armes and accompanied with a small traine leauing that towne by the Friers iugling in the gouernment of the Turke receiued any comfort vntill now that he gaue her occasion of exceeding consolation seeing her self now readie to depart out of Transiluania which she would leaue vnder the gouernment of such a King as Ferdinand was who no doubt would defend it and neuer lose it and who might repute it for no small good fortune seeing so voluntarily she suffered her selfe to bee by him depriued of her kingdome with so small a number of men Artillerie of which others with great armies could not dispossesse her Castalde in Ferdinands name answered her that hee accepted of her good and sincere affection which she manifested in these proceedings more then any rich kingdome whatsoeuer promising her that in all fidelitie and sinceritie he would performe all that had been treated of from point to point and he firmely assured her gaging his word that his Maiestie from thence forward would haue such respect to King Iohn as to his owne children And for his owne particular he offered in all her affayres to remaine her obedient and faithfull seruant and protector of her cause desiring no lesse to satisfie her expectation and to please her then Ferdinand himselfe who sent him thither After such like discourses they tooke leaue one of another the Queene retyring to her chamber and Castalde to his lodging In the meane time the Frier began to practise a dissoluing of all the agreements which already were but lately propounded and mistrusting the
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
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
sort of reuolutions being naturall are subiect to supernaturall effects which proceede from our immortall spirits which by reason doe stay or chaunge them it falling out that a wiseman commaundeth euen the starres not causing them to chaunge their naturall course as some heretofore haue thought of Sorcerers but in making their naturall power frustrate and without effect through a good and aduised foresight Concerning such chasticements as ordinarily fall vpon vs by diuine iustice for like faults euen those neuerthelesse may bee somewhat stayed by good and true repentance contrition and daily praiers seeing that God is altogether good and full of mercie Also when such vertues faile vs we may well be assured that like faults preuailing or such comming vpon vs as draw neere to them we must look for the like effects namely that we should see the like celestiall courses in our time which were in our predecessors daies since the first great Coniunction happened after the creation of the world This power which is thus in man by the permission of the diuine bountie is cause of the diuersitie which wee see as well in diuine chasticements as heauenly influences although the causes and courses thereof be alike otherwise wee must conclude that such heauenly courses happening these mutations would be vniuersall and alike vnto euery one and that for one and the same fault the like punishment would alwaies follow But now the miserie which wee see in France redoubleth it selfe and daily increaseth because that together with celestiall influence rancour malice and all manner of wickednes hath in such sort seazed and possessed the spirits of men that all manner of foresight of wisedome of prudence of humilitie and patience doth abandon it selfe from thence euen as it happened at the time of the deluge in so much that it truly seemeth that this vnhappie countrie at the least for his owne particular is readie to receiue euen as great a fall as then did the whole world except some in whom wee see some sparke of wisedome yet to shine doe take the bridle in their hands to stay the violent course of this heauenly chariot and by their good meanes this poore ship willingly exposed to the windes and waues of a manifest shipwracke bee harboured in some safe roade by contemplating the euill fortune of another diuulged in this historie we endeuouring our selues by their examples as on our own behalfe to take courage and to inforce our selues as the good shipmen doe in a tempest who then laying apart and casting from amongst themselues all disagreements and priuie grudges which they pretend one against another doe alike for their owne safetie put to their helping hands as brothers true friends Sith man also for his excellencie is endowed with amitie which as I thinke containeth in it all vertues especially when the same hath relation to two things that is to say towards God and our countrie for which we are not bound to trauaile only in all kindes of businesses but also to expose our liues as well men as women yea children themselues as it is often seene at sieges and assaults of townes where both the one and the other sex doe imploy themselues with one minde and great courage euery one which is nobly borne ought to endeuour himselfe to cause his excellencie the more to appeare For else he should shew himselfe worse then a beast and he who is disfournished of such vertue meriteth not any thing at all to be ranged or reckoned amongst men We see the proofe thereof by the workes of charitie which proceeding of naturall friendship is deeply rooted and that not onely amongst Christians but also amongst Iewes and Painims and euen amongst the Atheists themselues which also maketh vs by this meanes greatly to differ from bruite beasts According to this wee may conclude that it is not without cause that a graue personage said That we were not altogether borne for our selues but for one another as if euery man who hath in him any sparke of such amitie ought according to his abilitie whilest he is in this life to endeuour himselfe to bring some profit to the common-weale For my part I meane verely to propound to all men as a fit medicine for the malady of this age the accidents of a like fortune to the end that by the acknowledging of them euery man may be able to fortifie himselfe against the foule and cruell shocke of common calamitie and particularly without falling into dispayre which often proceedeth of vnthankfulnes and forgetting of God and also to the end that others more discreete and aduised may by another mans harme auoide the inconuenience to come or at the least may prepare themselues to receiue it in such sort that their noisome wound bee not to them ouer dangerous offensiue or preiudiciall and also to the end that those who doe manage and gouerne States may learne by the example of others not only to preserue and maintaine their owne but also to bee vigilant that the next neighbour be not inuaded by any other least that by their negligence and carelesnes the third increasing by the ouerthrow of another he doe not afterwards ouerthrow their State and in the end bring it vnder his gouernment as those who haue aspired to great Monarchies know well how to practise this and whereunto they could neuer attaine if euery neighbour State would maintaine and assist one another as sometime they well doe when necessitie constraineth them and when they are not possessed or incensed with any mutuall hatred But this vice not leauing them any long time in the end they giue place to a mightie man to set foote by little little within the territories of their neighbours and then euen within themselues which thing also wee may note euen in this kingdome of Hungarie which heretofore hath been rich and puissant and at this present fallen into such pouertie as it is nothing else but euen a mirrour of perfect desolation and miserie as you may vnderstand by this historie which I haue rather taken in hand to write of then the historie of any other strange countrie to the end that it being Christian it may with more remorse wound and pierce our hearts if we any thing esteeme or fauour our religion considering also that the same example because it concerneth vs is so much the more commended to vs by God and men whilest it representeth and setteth before our eyes that which our predecessors thought worthy to be followed to the end wee should imitate them and also the euill which they did to the end wee may auoide it and because that by occasion thereof so many great personages be they warriours or others haue from time to time recorded the good and euill actions of their predecessors and of those who liued in their time as the Barbarians of America vse the like in their songs to the end they might
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
in the greatest haste he could passing a little arme of Marosse he retired and iournied as farre in one day as he marched before in sixe and went againe to Buda not without the losse of 300. horse who were defeated by Turchy Iohn the which before his Vauntgard dislodged he had sent into the countrie of Deue to range as well for victuals as also to discouer if there were no ambushments to hinder or annoy his retraict This Turchy was sent by the Frier to preuent him of the passage and to annoy him in his rereward but the quicknes of the Basha caused that hee arriued too late and tooke away from him all occasion of being able to ioyne with Varcocce much lesse to endamage his rereward which might easily haue been broken and defeated if these two had been vnited The Frier being now assured by these two that the Basha was retired in the greatest expedition he could turned his Campe against the Moldauian who as we haue said spoyled and burned the countrie and townes of the Sicilians and went forward with a vehement resolution cruelly to bee reuenged of the iniurie which he esteemed more intolerable then any that euer he receiued But the Moldauian hauing notice of the Friers intent and knowing besides what had happened to the Transalpinian found it good by the aduice of his Councell not to attend his comming whereupon after great spoyle made in the countrie he speedily retired himselfe with his people as well horse as foote who were about 30000. leading with them a great bootie of moueables and beasts with more then a thousand prisoners who were taken by a Chiauss of the Turkes that in respect of the loue and kindnes he bore to him came thither with certaine troupes of Turkish Caualarie After that Frier George had thus chased all the enemies out of Transiluania he retired towards the Queene where with consent of all in respect of his valour and prowesse which vndoubtedly was very great the peace was againe confirmed betweene them two with such conditions which should like them both among which he importuned that the Queene would write to the Turke and acquite and cleere him of all such matters whereof before he had been accused Which request though it was contrarie to her disposition for women like not to countermaund their owne proceedings yet notwithstanding she presently did it But the Turke being well informed of the veritie of the cause and of all that which passed and withall seeing how mightie and puissant the Frier was and that the greatest part of the kingdome was fauourably addicted to his part he smoothly dissembling the matter reserued the chasticement thereof vntill better oportunitie and made shew to the Frier as though he held himselfe satisfied with his fidelitie and that he very well knew he of his part was not faultie in any of the late broyles Whereupon hee sent another Chiauss with Letters Patents directed to all the kingdome by which he commaunded that euery one should obey and reuerence him as being againe confirmed in all his former honours and degrees But yet the peace lasted not long for the Queene in the end seeing the Frier respected not any thing which he had promised by the last agreement omitted no time but by the occasion of his absence being then in his Bishopricke of Varadine to recreate and solace himselfe she began priuately and vnder hand to raise and incense the greatest Lords of the kindome with intent to assist her to chase the Frier out of that prouince and especially those whom she reputed most faithfull and affectionate to her and most opposite against the Friers proceedings manifesting to them how his naturall disposition was inconstant and cruell and how he vsed her badly not willing to keepe nor obserue any lawes couenants promises nor faith but aspiring to the vniuersall tyrannie of that countrie he did thus wickedly demeane and behaue himselfe towards her with this intent to chase both her and her sonne out of the kingdome and to remaine sole and absolute Lord himselfe assuring her selfe that for the loue and fidelitie which they in former time vsed to King Iohn her husband and alwaies maintained the same notwithstanding all sinister fortune in the behalfe of Stephen her sonne and her selfe in regard whereof they would neuer endure this iniurie nor tolerate such a crueltie farre surmounting all other practised against her person in falling from so high and eminent dignitie of a Queene to become an ordinarie and poore Ladie and their King of Transiluania to become a seruant esteeming it of greater moment that they should rather desire to haue the sonne of him and their naturall Prince for their Lord and Patrone then a Frier voyde of all faith and honestie and onely gorged with ambition By such like demonstrations she so awakened the spirits of euery one that all in generall not willing to submit themselues to any other Lord then to King Stephen and her selfe concluded to take armes against the Frier with intent to expell him the kingdome George hauing notice of this and of all their other proceedings which was practised against him and seeing himselfe weakened of men and depriued of such forces which were necessarie to resist the scourges and assaults of such vnlooked for fortune after he hauing long pondered vpon these affayres determined vpon this resolution to accorde and linke himselfe with Ferdinand and to conclude with him the practises which oftentimes without effecting he before had acquainted him with he being induced and in a manner constrained thereunto by his extreame ambition and troublesome minde the enemie of quiet repose it being tolde him that if by that meanes he could expell the Queene he might easily compasse his intention which was to see himselfe absolute Lord of Transiluania which he so much esteemed that he would often say he cared neither to be Pope nor Emperour and that he would neuer goe out of it By these deuises one might manifestly discerne the insatiable desire of his ambitious nature which tended to no other end then to the sole gouernment of this kingdome Now Counte Salm being dead with whom hee had alreadie begun to treate of this affayre and knowing not how to effect his determination finding himself now neerely driuen resolued to negotiate this busines by Ambassadours sending secretly to Ferdinand one of his gentlemen by whom he gaue him to vnderstand that he greatly desired that either one way or other they would put in practise that which he before time had giuen him notice of by Counte Salm instantly praying him againe that he would not faile to send speedie succours and that it would please him to commit this charge to such a one that was sufficient and able to withstand the Queene who had againe begun to bandie against him And further he shewed him that if he did not allow ratifie of his former motions he should in short time see all
they be not choked and that the munition be not fiered 8 That the Canoniers ought to bee lock Smiths black Smiths Carpenters and Masons because such men are necessarie for a Campe to shooe the Artillerie and horses when neede shall require to build bridges Bulwarkes wals and other engins vpon any occasion 9 And because that oftentimes it happeneth vpon the way that the Artillerie by default of the wheeles and carriages doth breake and faile by which inconueniences it doth much hinder the speed of an armie therfore to auoyde such lets he ought alwaies to haue in such necessitie other instruments and engins which are fit and necessarie to mount and dismount the Artillerie 10 The manner being that after the Artillerie the munition and instruments follow therefore he ought to make prouision of as many waggons and carts drawne by horses or oxen as shall serue to beare the powder bullets lines or ropes tooles to mend the wheeles cariages axeltrees and scourers veriuice vineger leade nayles and other necessarie things as boords double wheeles double cariages and axeltrees barrels spokes and staues of wheeles hammers peeces of iron anuils pincers and many such instruments and to haue them alwaies in a readines 11 He ought to haue ouer the said munition a wise and prouident Comissarie who particularly may haue the charge to distribute and dispose of them according to the oportunitie and necessitie of the time and a good Saltpeter or gunpowder maker and others who can make and inuent al sorts of artificiall fires and to beate the powder for the Artillerie and small shot whereby no inconuenience should happen through his negligence and to the contrarie by the good store of prouision the armie shall not onely haue sufficient for it selfe but also that it may be able to send to the neighbour fortresses some reliefe if neede require 12 And considering that it is well knowne what profit Pioners bring to a Campe to make trenches rampiers mynes and countermynes to make plaine and mend the bad waies to sappe the walles and holds of townes or Castles that are besieged to cut trees and necessarie wood for the fortification of any place to digge pits for the commoditie of souldiours as well to haue water as also to throw thereinto all the filth and ordure of the Campe. For these occasions he ought to be prouided of as many as he can to whom he must appoint a Captaine and other Commaunders such as it behoueth to haue some knowledge and art to fortifie a Campe and to make bastions when occasion serueth which kinde of people are most necessarie for a Campe. 13 That he ought to chuse a Captaine who may haue the care and charge of the Spies and another to haue regard to the Guides they both being very necessarie and among other things to conduct the Interpreters These two Captaines shall haue the charge to dispatch all the Spies and Guides that they will employ to enquire and know by their voyages and trauailes that which the enemie intendeth to enterprise against their King and Lord. Vnder these the Spies which the Lieutenant generall would keepe by himself must not be comprised 14 In like sort he ought to ordaine and appoint certaine officers to clense the Campe of the filth and excrements which is done as well by men as beasts which oftentimes causeth a great mortalitie for that the ayre should not bee corrupted nor the souldiours fall sicke and they ought to carrie it by waggons or carts to the riuer or to throw it into deepe ditches made for that purpose 15 That hee ought also to make prouision of good store of waggons drawne either with horse or oxen furnished with coffers for bread bisket meale salt flesh salt fish cheese oyle pulses and other kinde of victuals with wine vineger and salt to vse as occasion serueth and also to carry prouender 16 He ought also to haue carts to carrie piles stakes pickaxes hatchets sawes pincers and other instruments fit for Pioners and good store of helues for piles stakes and other iron instruments as occasion shall serue in time and place to vse them 17 He ought also to carrie with him in the carts Mils to grinde corne and Ouens to bake bread on the way where they can finde no such necessaries and to leaue them as they passe by in Castles and strong Forts where they haue none and to assist them therewith in time of necessitie which often happeneth vnlooked for 18 That he ought to be furnished with boates and bridges portable of beames boords cords and cables to binde them together which things he ought in like sort to haue carried vpon the carts whereby he may bee the better able to passe any riuer ditch bogge or any bad passage 19 He ought also to make good prouision of Pikes Launces Caliuers Swords Murrions Burgonets and Corselets also good store of Harquebuzes a crock and men who are able to vse them and serue therewith at neede These weapons ought to bee carried in carts after the Campe. He ought also to haue good store of Saddles Bridles Bits Stirrops Spurres and all such like necessaries which are fitting for a Campe. 20 That he ought to haue with the armie good Phisitions Surgions Barbers and Apothecaries to attend and heale the sicke and wounded 21 He ought also to appoint a diligent Master of the Post who ought continually to bee well prouided of good horses and to follow the Campe and still hourely with diligence to carrie the aduertisements and answers which come to his hands 22 And to the ende that the souldiours doe not of a greedie minde robbe and spoyle others it is necessarie that they forget not what appertaineth to good Christians Therefore he ought to make choise of Priests to follow the Campe with their Vestments and other ornaments fit publikely to sing Masse whereby they enclining and addicting themselues somewhat to religion may vndertake the warre for honor and glorie and not for spoile or to inrich themselues vniustly by the goods of their neighbours seeing that in euery armie the feare of God the respect of religion and the obseruation of iustice are the true foundations and pillers of all commendable vertue 23 That the said Priests ought to haue the charge of the Hospitall which for the common good of the poore souldiours shall be ordained in three or foure Tents at the Kings cost and charges and the Campe to bee prouided of Phisitions Surgions and Barbers to heale those who are sicke and wounded and that they also bee prouided of seruants sufficient for their turne And if any of the sicke bee at the point of death the Priests shall be readie at hand to confesse them and minister the Communion and al the Sacraments to them as is fitting for good Christians and if they dye to be buried with as great honour as may be 24 He
firmly impresse it what these calamities are and how horrible and grieuous the effects be Awake awake therefore I say your drowsie spirits and waite not vpon a vaine desire vpon a swelled pride so willingly to yeeld your selues vnder so miserable a seruitude yea much worse then death it selfe but valiantly oppose your vttermost abilities against such enterprises and giue not occasion to others to call you tyrants for surely not onely he is a Tyrant who is the cause of another mans seruitude but also he who is able to oppose himselfe against the violence of another and yet maketh no resistance Call together with you all the Sicilians and Transalpinians making a league with your neighbours and with those of whom in time you may hope for succour and ayde and in defending your selues offend the enemie this being no dishonest thing nor worthie of blame for defence of your selues to enter into league with any straunge nation whatsoeuer And resolue and vnite your selues quickly in one considering that in the occurrances and aduentures of warre too long remissenes increaseth more detriment then profit And by such a sudden determination doing that which in reason and courage ought to be done you shall manifest to your King a quicknes of spirit and declare how much your hearts are cleere and cleane as well in prosperitie as in aduersitic those onely meriting to bee reputed truly couragious and of a firme resolution who perfectly discerning troublesome things and things that are pleasant one of them from another not doubting at any hand any perill nor withdrawing themselues from the seruice of their Lord as I assure my selfe you will not doe making full account of this that hauing before your eyes the pregnant experience of euils passed and deeply thinking on the present labours you will rather make choise to lose your liues by a iust and honourable warre then liue with a vile peace and an infamous quiet These speeches animated Frier George with all the rest and chiefest of Transiluania presently to yeeld themselues knowing the veritie of the cause to the Kings seruice and he offered himselfe with them altogether to his deuotion acknowledging him for their true Lord and King The first who did sweare fealtie were the Saxons and Sicilians neuerthelesse with this condition that he would confirme and obserue their priuiledges Their chiefe Commaunder among them named Ladislas Endef was then greatly recommended because hee had induced them to such their acknowledgement And they deliberating together vpon the warre that they meant to take against the Turke who as it was said would come and assaile them it was concluded that they should send as they had alreadie done through all the Prouinces and publish that euery man should be in a readines vpon the first sommons that should be giuen them to march against the common enemie During this time and whilest these things were discoursed of Ferdinands packet of letters arriued by which hee confirmed and ratified all that which Castalde had promised and agreed vpon with the Queene and Frier George And besides gaue thereby further authoritie to Castalde that if possible it could be done by a Proctor or Deputie to celebrate the espousals betweene the Infanta Ioane his daughter and Iohn the Queenes sonne which within a short time euen in the very same place was after performed with great ioy and contentment of all the kingdome being the generall opinion that this new aliance and agreement made betweene these Kings would bring forth among them a perpetuall quiet These affayres being thus decreed and concluded the day following which was the 9. of September the Queene departed from Colosuar with a conuoy of 400. Hungarian horse which Castalde sent with her accompanying her himselfe from that place two miles which maketh foure French The Queene being thus accompanied and in a Coach with her sonne who was very sicke and trauailing on her iourney she that day plainly manifested the great sorrow and extreame discontent which she felt to see herselfe depriued of her kingdome and by agreement to leaue her owne and to search after another mans which was very apparant to euery one by the mournfull plaints and deepe sighs which she powred out together with abundance of teares falling from her eyes true witnesses of her sorrow and distresse They being all come to a way which led on two hands the Queene and her sonne tooke leaue of Castalde not without great redoubling of sorrow and teares the one returning towards Colosuar the other proceeding on their iourney towards Cassouia Scarse was the Queene departed but newes was brought her that Peter Vicchy had agreed with Andrew Battor into whose custodie he had alreadie yeelded Lippa and Themesuar with Becch Becherech and Chinad and all the other Castles which were vnder his gouernment not being willing before to come to this agreement vntill hee was acertained by the Queenes letters of all which had passed vntill then And after he had thus yeelded his whole commaund hee set forward on the way towards the Queene to accompanie her to Cassouia Whilest he was proceeding on his iourney Battor entered into the said townes and taking ample and sure possession of them furnished thē with a garrison of such souldiours as he had drawne out of certain Fortresses and who for that purpose he had brought with him being 800. Aiduchs who are footmen bearing Halberts Curasses Bowes Arrowes Crosbowes and Sables and 300. horse With this warlike companie he greatly assured the countrie specially because the Caransebansses the Lugasiens and the Rathians people very puissant were reduced vnder the obedience of Ferdinand and had declared that they were content to liue vnder his Maiesties deuotion and to serue him in all occasions of warre which should be offered The affayres of Lippa and Themesuar being thus with diligence dispatched Castalde thought then he had fully effected his most important busines because that whilest these two Fortresses were not yet vnder the gouernment of Ferdinand men thought that that which he had negotiated before was to little or no purpose for that those two places were of great importance and specially Lippa which was esteemed and reputed the key and port of all Transiluania The same besides it was of great importance was exceeding profitable and commodious and therefore necessarie to be more carefully maintained and kept in respect of the great reuenewes which come from thence because it is the Port where al the vessels of salt are laden which is transported by the riuer Marosse through all Hungarie and is a marchandise of the best and greatest trafficke dispersed into all those countries Frier George demanded this toll of the King importuning that his Maiestie would giue it him but afterward the King vnderstanding it was yeerely worth 300000. Florins hee would not intirely giue it him but yet hee had it at a reasonable rate although the other would not so accept thereof and because he was not
sallie out of Buda vaine and friuolous who knew not what to doe for that she tooke another way more vnusual and lesse frequented and quite differing from that which they were of opinion she would take but the Queene being exceeding prouident and of good iudgement preuented the Turkish subtilties escaped their ambuscadoes and fell not into their hands And thus by Gods prouidence altering her way she disgraced Achmeths friuolous enterprise and his followers found little contentment of their laborious desires The end of the third Booke THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF HVNGARIE THE ARGVMENT OF THE FOVRTH BOOKE SOlyman prepareth an army to inuade Hungary and George Vayuode of Transiluania leauieth forces against him Themesuar summoned by the Turkes and diuers townes with Lippa is yeelded to them Themesuar besieged by the Turk but he raiseth his forces and retireth from thence George is vehemently suspected by Ferdinand who sent aduertisements to Castalde to kill him The towne of Lippa besieged and taken by Castalde but the Castle held out and George endeuoureth to saue Oliman who was Gouernour thereof who in the end vpon composition departed in safetie from thence but was set vpon by our men who were ouerthrowne by him Aldene made Gouernour of Lippa The conspiracie of George his death who was slaine at Buise his buriall and his moueables seized vpon to Ferdinands vse for whose death the Sicilians began to mutine but were appeased by Chendies wisedom AFter that the agreement passed betweene Ferdinand King of the Romanes and Queene Izabella was ended and concluded and that the Queene peaceably leauing the kingdome was wholly freed out thereof the Transiluanians for two causes thought happely to liue a long time in a peaceable tranquilitie and to haue brought to fortunate issue the bitter afflictions which they in former time with many perturbations sorrowfully endured The first whereof was because they saw the sonne of King Iohn in league with the now present King and to haue taken in mariage the Infanta Ioane his daughter which aliance and amitie did indifferently minister to euery one an assured expectation of a perpetuall and quiet repose and that in time by meanes of Ferdinands clemencie and bountie the way should not altogether be taken from Iohn one day to reenter againe into that kingdome The other was that for the late sustentation which by these new agreements happened to them they thought themselues so sufficiently assured in abilitie that the Turk for feare of the puissant authoritie of Ferdinand and of the Emperour Charles his brother durst neuer more or at the least not so often as hee had done molest and spoyle them but on the contrarie in consideration of this he would greatly feare and doubt them so that by this meanes they should haue time and leisure to fortifie and strengthen the passages and furnish the low countrie townes in such warlike manner that they should neuer hereafter stand in dread of the Ottoman violence But fortune not minding to satisfie their expectation vnhappely shuffled all the cardes in their hands and altered that sweete desire of peace into a trembling feare and suspition of warre For this Frenchman of whom wee haue before spoken being arriued at Constantinople declared how he fled from Sassebesse vpon suspition that he was a Spie for the King of France and being retired to the grand Seigniour informed him of all that which had passed betweene Ferdinand and the Queene Solyman now knowing that to bee true which vntill then hee would not beleeue commaunded with expedition to leauie an armie to send into Transiluania vnder the conduct of the Belerbey of Greece to whom hee gaue commaund that with all diligence hee should with 12000. horse repayre vnto Belgrade where the whole armie should bee ioyned and vnited together which should bee sent him by the Sangiacs lying there about and that hee should enter and assaile this Prouince on both sides on the one side by the helpe and assistance of the Vayuode of Moldauia and on the other by the ayde of the Basha of Buda and that he should with his vttermost abilitie endeuour himselfe to conquer it and leauie such a masse of his people and so continually imploy them that Ferdinand should haue no time to preuent it norfortifie himselfe there Castalde hauing notice of this by speciall aduertisement in the greatest haste he could mustered his men of warre and began to perswade with the Frier that he should prepare his forces to incounter the enemie and giue preuention the best he could to the sinister chances which shortly might ensue because that they were not able to prouide for the time The Frier greatly dreading the Turke in respect hee was vehemently incensed against him for his former proceedings answered dissembling his thoughts Castalde that hee would not faile him in any furtherance But on the other side hee cunningly practised his attonement with the enemie to whom faining to write for the good and behalfe of Ferdinand he onely writ for his owne safetie and commoditie and sending certaine presents to Rostan Basha and to him of Buda to draw and allure them to his friendship he assayed as much as he could to shake the blame from himselfe saying that if the Turke should send an armie into Transiluania to conquer it because they had put the King of the Romanes into possession thereof that for that purpose he neede not send thither seeing that all was done by the Queene and not by him who had alreadie maried her sonne Iohn with Ferdinands daughter to whose Lieutenants also she had freely and from the perswasion of her owne opinion intirely relinquished her countrie and crowne and her selfe was retired to Cassouia and that for these reasons it was to no great purpose to send an armie to destroy the kingdome and spoyle the poore inhabitants who were vtterly ignorant and guiltlesse of the said facts and promised that hee would herein so carefully trauaile that he would chase from thence all those souldiours and men of warre which Ferdinand had sent thither and that he would continually pay the ordinarie tribute and that according to such order as before was promised and as they had alreadie begun to pay it and further writing many other reasons for his excuse and also to confirme this his deuice he caused likewise certaine of the principallest of the kingdome priuately to write to the said Bashaes to approue all that which he had said Yet would it not induce the Belerbey to desist from marching on with his troupes which he brought with him from Constantinople He being arriued at Belgrade he began to muster and assemble his Campe and after hauing prepared certaine bridges ouer Danubius he passed to the other side and went to lodge by the riuer Tibiscus vpon which he also caused likewise another bridge to bee made and from thence passing on a long he came neere to a Castle named Becche situated almost vpon the riuers side In
by reason thereof was made him great feasts and sports and how some brought letters from Rome to his Maiestie by which in the first creation of Cardinals the Pope promised to include and create Frier George in the number Ferdinand vnderstanding that the Basha of Buda laboured thus that hee might increase his armie did besides the people which he sent into Transiluania reenforce the garrisons which were on the frontiers of Hungarie for feare that the Basha turning his course on that quarter yet should he not bee so soone master thereof as he imagined Whereupon he dispatched Andrew Branday with a Regiment of 3000. Germanes and Charles Seheretin a Lord of Slesia with 400. horse the most part whereof were men of armes and the rest Pistoliers all vnder the conduct of the Marquesse Sforce Palauicin who then was Comissarie generall of the Campe. Being all arriued at Varadine they soiourned there a time attending that which Castalde would command them He seeing that by no meanes he could depart out of the kingdome without giuing the Frier great suspition of him sent to tell the Marquesse Sforce that with the people which hee brought out of Germanie hee should come and ioyne with him where he was and in the meane time he leauing in Albe-iula one companie of Germanes another at Sassebesse and two at Sibinio it being the greatest and most important towne of Transiluania with those fewe Spanyards which hee brought with him and the rest of the Germanes he departed to goe and ioyne with the Frier And then he vnderstood that the Belerbey had alreadie passed Tibiscus with a great armie of 80000. men as well Infantrie as Caualarie as the Spies and those who secretly had knowledge of his Campe reported and that hee brought with him 50. peeces of Artillerie great and small for batterie and with this warlike traine hee held on his course to Themesuar The Belerbey hauing thus passed Tibiscus presently commaunded Lozonse that hee should without any further delay in the name of the Grand Seigniour presently yeeld this towne to him and that if he would not he protested to race it stone from stone and also both himselfe and those who were with him to bee put to the sword and that he would execute this according to the expresse command which he had thereof without any mercie or fauour And on the contrarie that if liberally and of his owne good will he would yeeld it into his hands besides the guerdon and assured recompence which hee should finde hee would vse all curtesie and fauour which according to fayre warres was accustomably vsed to valiant and gallant souldiours and by that meanes hee should assuredly winne the friendship of the Grand Seigniour whose fauour he should neuer want Lozonse at this proud summons answered him thus That that towne belonged to the King of the Romanes and that in his behalfe hee would vndoubtedly keepe and defend it to the death acknowledging no other rightfull King nor Grand Seigniour of that Prouince but he and that it were farre better discretion for him to retire backe againe then to proceede with this crueltie to destroy the poore commons and countrie which were none of his and ouer whom he had not any mite of interest and therefore hee held it safest for him and his traine quietly to depart and let those liue in peace who did not any thing offend or annoy him The Belerbey seeing the gallantnes of Lozonse he made him no other answer but onely sent to him by writing these foure verses taken out of Virgil. Ante leues ergo pascentur in aethere cerui Et freta destituent nudos in littore pisces Ante pererratis amborum finibus exul Aut ararim Parthus bibet aut Germania Tygrim Minding thereby to demonstrate that Harts should rather bruze in the ayre the fishes forsake the sea a banished man see the ende of the world a Parthean drinke vp the riuer Saone or a Germane the riuer Tygris rather then hee would returne from his intended course And so proceeding on his iourney he came before a little Castle which standeth almost vpon the passage of the riuer and is named as is aboue said Becche and there in camped himselfe before it and seeing it would not yeeld he began so rudely to batter it with tenne Cannons that the greatest part of the wall fell to the ground Whereat the besieged being greatly astonished and perceiuing themselues cast away because the whole Castle was broken downe and layd open they presently yeelded to the Belerbey with this condition only that their liues might bee saued who obseruing no promise towards them were notwithstanding slaine by the Ianisaries who after they were come forth of 200. men left not one aliue the Captaine excepted whom the Belerbey with great difficultie saued Going from thence with one part of his armie and two double Cannons hee came before another Castle named Becherech which being astonished at the late misfortune happened to Becche without induring the force of the Cannon they presently yeelded This Castle being thus rendered the Belerbey speedily with all his armie marched directly to another Castle named Senath otherwise Chinath before which he made a stand with al his squadrons to see if they would yeeld and whilest he was occupied about these attempts the Rhatians of Ferdinands part seeing the Turks Campe approched with great force and violence and thinking Ferdinands power deferred too much time before they came into the field they all perswading themselues that it was neither shame nor dishonour to breake their words and othes which they swore to the King although they had receiued pay they wholly retired to the Belerbey sending to him for his greater assurance their wiues and children and that because the Turkes are not accustomed to repose ouer much trust in them knowing their extreame inconstant dispositions After he had entertained these Rhatians he caused those of Senath to bee tempted to some agreement promising them that if they would yeeld he would preserue both their honours and liues and he would permit that peaceably euery man should enioy their owne proper goods Vpon which condition they yeelded and the Castle came vnder his commaund and leauing therein a good garrison he speedily marched towards Lippa which was tenne miles distant from thence leauing behinde him Themesuar which then he would not besiege but reserued that enterprise vntill better oportunitie and performed no other thing but diligently obserued the situation and commodities thereabouts and after that proceeded on his iourney Euery one was of opinion that hee meant not to enterprise any thing against this towne because that hee was certainly informed there was a strong garrison within it and that it was sufficiently munitioned and fortified insomuch that hee esteemed the exployte very difficult and perhaps he supposed he should neuer get it Thus leauing the siege thereof vntill a more commodious and fit time he thought it more
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
friends he was conuaied to the Church of Albe-iula where Castalde at the charges of Ferdinand caused him to bee buried in a Tombe of stone in the middest of the new great Church by King Iohn Huniades Coruin These Aiduchs and other of the Friers people being thus retired Castalde seeing that in these alterations of fortune there would not befall vnto him any great disturbance nor tumult for the death of the Frier came on foote before the Spanish squadrons hauing Francis Chendy by the hand and began with him to set forward to Sassebesse He was not yet farre on his way but a messenger came and told him that the Castle of Binse was rifled by those who were left in custodie thereof and that the Friers Secretarie was taken by Iohn Alphonse Castalde and warranted from death and how that in the Friers chamber there was found a little Cabenet within which was 12000. Hungarish Duckets which Captaine Andrew Lopez with foure other souldiours had taken and broken vp and parted shares according to their qualities reseruing the greatest quantitie for himselfe He vnderstanding this newes presently sent Captaine Diego Velez to pacifie this disorder and take the money againe from them who had thus stollen it and to cause them to restoreal the moueables of the Frier and establish them in the former estate waiting till he should send a Comissarie who should receiue all the Friers treasure to the vse of Ferdinand By this meanes he caused the pillage to cease and recouered againe much money and other things to the value of 80000. Duckets which was all committed to the charge of his Maiesties Treasurers And marching thus along very discontented with those who had rifled the Friers chamber within short time after hee arriued at Sassebesse from whence he presently sent to the Captaines and Gouernours of such Castles and Forts as were at the Friers deuotion that they should yeeld to Ferdinand threatning them that if they would not obey his commaund he would presently send his armie and Artillerie to subdue them Among which places there was one called Wyuar where the Frier had his treasure and there hee also priuately kept an Ambassadour of the Turkes which Castalde presently after the Frier had yeelded vp the ghost sent Captaine Diego Velez to apprehend and bring the said Ambassadour to him wheresoeuer he should be to see if any matter of moment could bee learned out of him touching the Friers proceedings and whether there had been any intelligence and practise betweene them against Ferdinand as was vehemently suspected and specially in respect of the Diet of Wasrael where they looked for the Sicilians and in which as the common bruite and speech amongst our people was they should haue discoursed of the meanes which should be vsed to expulse Castalde out of Transiluania with all the Spanyards Germanes Bohemians and Hungars who should be at that time found in it and were payd by Ferdinand This Ambassadour being vnder Castaldes commaund and diligently examined they could neither know nor finde in him any matter as they desired but onely certaine letters of credit written in the Turkish language directed to Solyman Rostan Basha the Belerbey and to certaine other of speciall credit in the Turkes Court and sealed with the seale which the Frier was wont to vse in all the affayres concerning the kingdome which letters he had dispatched without imparting any thing thereof to Castalde He remained at Sassebesse one whole day that by the meanes of Iulian de Carleual he might aduertise Ferdinand of all that which happened and writ to all the townes to acquaint them with the enterprises and death of the Frier and to pray them to remaine in a loyall deuotion to the King The day following fearing the Sicilians being speciall friends to the Frier would rise against him and that it was not in his power to auoyde the tumult which he alreadie saw stirred vp determined to goe to Sibinio for that it was a towne of good strength and most faithfull to Ferdinand and lesse affected to the Frier among all those which were in that quarter in which he thought to temporise while he might together with his securitie see what end these matters would haue whereupon he left good garrisons of Germanes in Albe-iula and at Sassebesse and he left also at Binse Captaine Diego Velez with his Spanish companie and went himselfe to Sibinio where being arriued he lodged the rest of his armie without the towne but so neere at hand that vpon any necessitie and first signe giuen within foure houres he could bring them into the towne onely retaining with him 50. Harquebuziers for his guard There he was very friendly receiued of the citizens who greatly reioyced with him for that he had deliuered them from the subiection and feare of this stearne and proud Frier promising not to faile him in all prosperous and aduerse accidents whatsoeuer and offering him all that which should be any way necessary for him Castalde gaue them many kind thanks and was exceedingly pleased for that hee found the Sibinians in so good an humour and such assured friends and minding afterwards to depart from thence and go to Seghesuar that so he might be more neere to Wasrael where the Sicilians were assembled expecting the Friers arriuall and also the better to vnderstand and know of them what their purpose might be and whether after they vnderstood of the Friers death they would continue in the friendship and deuotion of Ferdinand The inhabitants of Sibinio would by no meanes permit him that he should goe out of their towne without a good guard telling him that to goe to such a Diet it was very necessarie he should leade with him more men then he had and that by no meanes he should repose any trust in the Sicilians vntill he saw how they would take the Friers death vrgently perswading him not to go to that Diet with lesse then 15000. men Vpon these considerations Castalde sent to seeke the men of armes of Charles Scerettin and certaine Spanyards and Germanes to the number of 1800. and went from thence with this troupe to Seghesuar still hauing in his companie Francis Chendy whom he now had wonne and by offers and kind vsage although it might bee thought it was more by compulsion then loue had drawne to the seruice of Ferdinand They being arriued in this towne they reposed themselues there the first day and the day following Castalde sent Chendy to Wasrael where alreadie were met the principall men of Seculia deuising together of the meanes which should be vsed to reuenge the death of the Frier Chendy being now present before them all in Castaldes name said vnto them that they should louingly and faithfully embrace Ferdinand of whom they should receiue more pay rewards and curtesies in one houre then they had receiued of the Frier in 20. yeeres whose death fell vpon him in regard of his bad demeanour hauing
and agreements concluded the 24. of Iuly being the vigill of S. Iames two daies after about eight of the clocke in the morning they began to set forward their baggage and Artillerie and Losonze followed after with all the Caualarie among which marched the remnant of the Infantrie which was left marching all in battaile with their armes and Ensignes displayed In their comming forth they perceiued two great squadrons of horse foot amounting to some 50000. keeping and stopping the way where they should passe which was a little hill on both sides The Spaniards who marched last perceuing so many men in their way and conceiuing hardly thereof presaged what was like presently to befall them whereupon they sent to tell Losonze that they would not forsake the towne except the Basha would cause those squadrons to retyre out of their way whereof the Basha being aduertised answered them that vpon paine of his head they might securely come forth without receiuing any preiudice and that he sent these troupes into that place to no other end but onely that his souldiours seeing them goe forth of the towne they might by them take example vpon the like and future occasion to carrie themselues valiantly considering that so few men had so wonderfull well defended themselues against such an infinite multitude and seeing they all professed armes were men that liued by war it was necessarie they should be instructed therein according as occasion serued Vnder the protection of this assurance they all came forth and began to march through the midst of these squadrons being distant from the towne some 300. paces which they had no sooner performed but the treacherous signall was giuen with an harquebuze shot as Mahomet had appoynted At the report whereof one part of these squadrons presently enuironed the Artillerie and those who marched before and the other part enuironed the rest and so compassing thus our people in the midst of them they began to execute their barbarous tyrannie in massacring them and specially those who offered to defend themselues and who loued rather a famous libertie honorably to dye fighting then to remaine slaues during their liues vnder so wicked a nation Of this number were the most part Spanyards and some Hungars and Germanes and those who would not defend themselues were presently forced away and lead prisoners and among others Losonze was taken and conducted to the Basha In this massacre there happened an accident which I will recite although it seemeth fabulous and worthier to be registred in the bookes of Romancers then in a true historie being so incredible that a sole man could make passage and escape through so many thousands of men and yet neuerthelesse it was a true thing As the Turkes attempted to hewe our men in peeces and to perfourme that they began their accustomed high clamors Captaine Alphonse Perez de Saianedra a strong and able man being mounted vpon a good horse tooke presently his sword in his hand and at the first bruite and clamour of the enemies he thrust in among them and with maine force he made himselfe place and way through the midst of the throng and as some were busied in the slaughter of the other he saued himselfe without touch of wound running towards Lippa being well armed and mounted vpon a horse which ran exceedingly swift The Turkes seeing that one man alone had thus stoutely made himselfe passage and was saued passing in despight through so many horses being incensed with shame and anger there pursued him more then 500. and although their horses were no lesse swifter to run than his yet neuer could they once come neere him But in an ill houre as this Captaine was in his speedie course almost out of danger hauing little Castalde hauing speedie newes of this losse presently departed with great iournies to be more neere and to prouide that the rest might be better defended and kept He perceiued by the way that all the Hungarian Knights and nobilitie who then followed him were very pensiue and dismayed insomuch that leauing all at randome to the pleasure of Fortune they seemed carelesse of any thing whereupon turning himselfe towards them he modestly reproued them with such milde speeches as he thought good and gaue them some heart and hope that this losse should shortly be recouered by Ferdinands power which daily was expected by their own force and vertue exhorting them to defend the rest hee so effectually perswaded them that he expelled from them all feare dispaire and caused to increase in them courage and boldnes and to thinke more vpon the reuenging of Losonzes death and the death of his Captaines and souldiours then euer they had done But Fortune which is not alwaies permanent but at her pleasure cutteth off the dessignes of men in the most flourishing time of their Aprill and doth raise and abate humane actons as seemeth good to her would that Aldene should not perseuer long in this his braue resolution in which vntill then he was resolute in the defence of Lippa against any strong and puissant armie whatsoeuer the same being vnto Ferdinand of as great importance as the losse of an armie or kingdome as we shall hereafter further speake of During the time that Mahomet besieged Themesuar and that he was vpon the point to capitulate with Losonze Aldene perhaps thinking that this towne would neuer be taken was nothing prouident to vse that diligence which was requisite for the due of his charge neither yet did he imploy any spies to aduertise him and now foure of fiue dayes were alreadie past that he knew nothing of the enemies proceedings neither had he any other newes then by the Rhatians or others who by chaunce brought him a certaine Turke prisoner who imparted to him as much as he desired and when a Captaine of the Vssarons named Demetre Vzarenky exhorted him to vse greater diligence and tolde him that he would accomodate him with such persons that should faithfully serue him in such affayres he made sleight regard thereof neither did he endeauour himselfe to retaine them with giftes or rewards nor yet so much as with any good words so that the affayres of Lippa daily proceeded from euill to worse In the end newes being come that Themesuar was reduced vnder the Turkes commaund and of all other occurrances which passed there Aldene thought that Mahomets campe would presently visite him and thinking that the Castle was not so strong as gladly he would haue had it to resist his victorious enemie and seeing the occasion conformable to his conceite and perswading himselfe that the little hope which he had to defend himselfe both by reason of the weakenes of the towne and also of the Castle would be a sufficient excuse to discharge him of so vile and infamous a thing as this which he pretended to doe he resolued in himselfe to leaue it And to the end the Turkes should not ayde themselues
those of the Castle that if they would yeeld to him he would then vse them curteously and with fayre warres suffer them to depart in all securitie with their baggage and he would yeeld them such recompence that they should haue good occasion to thinke well of him and if they stood out and performed the contrarie he assured them he would put them all to death and pitch them vpon stakes if they fell into his hands But those within would giue no eare to this summons neither would they make any answer but onely by signe causing a beare or coffin couered with blacke to be fastned vpon two Launces and in this sort to be shewed ouer the wall to the Trumpetter who spake to them they not speaking any one word to him thereby giuing him to vnderstand that that Castle should bee their sepulcher rather then they would yeeld it to them it being then a custome to vse such a ceremonie when they would not accept of any conditions of yeelding but rather die in libertie then liue vnder the commaund of their enemies Mahomet vnderstanding of this their determination and seeing in vaine he sought composition with them sent that night to view the Castle and afterward appointed two batteries the one towards the Church and the other towards the hill and in each batterie he planted 25. peeces which continually played the space of 40. daies All the top and heigth of the Castle was wholly ruinated and so open that the assieged could not any longer bee in safetie in respect the Artillerie did greatly endamage them and specially that which was vpon the hill which to warrant themselues from the violence thereof they within made a large and deepe Trench along the walles where they rampierd themselues and in the night kept good watch without being farre from it neither to eate nor sleepe vntill the others were come thither to relieue them which euery sixe houres they carefully performed Presently after Basha Achmeth and Mahomet caused in one day to be giuen three assaults in diuers places in which they lost 8000. Turkes who were climed vp to the top of the walles and mounted vpon the breach with many of their principall Commanders for whose deaths the Turkes were more inraged and incensed then before and yet they ceased not without intermission to trie the assieged with new assaults and reenforcing of Cannons and one day they gaue in foure places one of the horriblest assaults that euer was heard of to which ranne all the men and women of the towne who with no lesse courage then the men themselues desperatly fought like Lionesses with weapon stones and skalding water making so great a massacre of the enemies that it was a dreadfull and most horrible thing and worthie of commiseration to beholde During these assaults they performed many notable acts and worthie to bee registred in all volumes of which the first was that the mother the daughter and sonne in law fighting vpon the wall the husband of the said daughter was killed and the mother with compassion saying to her daughter that she should goe and burie him she replied that it was now no time to vse obsequies nor to attend vpon funerals but rather to performe some cruell reuenge whereupon taking her husbands sword and his target vpon her arme she thrust her selfe into the place of the dead where she shewed incredible valour and by no meanes she would depart from thence before she had reuenged the death of her husband by the defeate of three Turkes which being done she withdrew herselfe and tooke the bodie of her dead husband in her armes and carried it to the Church causing him to be buried according to his degree It happened also in another place that a woman carying a great stone vppon her head with intent to throw it downe from the wall vpon the Turkes a Cannon bullet strooke off her head and falling dead at her daughters feet who taking that stone vpon her head all bloodie as it was without omitting any time to bewaile the death of her mother saying that her death ought not to bee vnreuenged and that it was not fitting for her being her daughter to liue without reuenging her death vpon another and thus being inflamed and as it were inraged she ranne thence with great furie where the greatest throng and prease of Turks were and killed two of them and wounded many other imitating a true Amazon or woman of Lacedemonia and bestirring her selfe from one place to another she exhorted euery one to performe their vttermost valour putting them in minde of the oth which they had taken and the glorious reputation which before God and the world they should obtaine and by this meanes she preuailed so farre that the enemies were shamefully repulsed and forced maugre their brauerie to retire forsake their Artillerie in such sort that there was two of their greatest peeces lipped The courages now of the assieged was marueilous great and specially of the women who with their husbands fathers children and brothers fought so couragiously that they feared not any danger how great so euer it was And as one day the Turkes gaue an assault to the towne they being as commonly they were wont to be vpon the wall armed with dead mens armour it happened that a shot of Artillerie brought three or foure of those to the ground who were the formost and most readie to throw stones vpon the enemie and although the blood and peeces of those did much hinder the trauailes of them that were their companions yet notwithstanding they made not any semblance or token of feare but rather in stead of hiding themselues they more inraged then before presented themselues to the fight to reuenge their companions and taking the same stones all besprinkled with their blood they mounted vpon the top of the wall performing incredible valour By these heroicall acts we may easily conceiue how great is the loue of our natiue countrie and what commaund it hath ouer vs since it incourageth for the defence thereof a thing so feeble and weake as is a woman appertly manifesting to euery one that there is not any thing in the world more deare or pretious then our natiue countrie for the good and preseruation of which we are bound with our goods honours and liues to defend and preserue Those of Agria remained in this sort so constant in their defence not willing at any time to speake or lend their eare to any Turke notwithstanding they were greatly importuned thereto that in the end they put Mahomet and the Basha of Buda in despayre for euer getting them vnder their puissance And thus these two Commaunders of the Turkish armie seeing the assieged would by no meanes yeeld and that by strength they could not subdue them nor force the towne by reason of the losse which they had made of their people at the former assaults and that the time now was against them for that the cold
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
In the meane while Queene Izabella was not any thing idle but practised all the meanes she could to reenter againe with her sonne greatly assisting her selfe by the meanes and fauour of Peter Vicchy and Chendy Ference and other principall men who secretly affected her cause And although Ferdinand writ to her that he was readie at all times to performe that which he promised her and besides to giue her the Dutchie of Monsterberg yet she would by no meanes accept any whit thereof saying that since within the presixed time the premised bargaines and agreements were not of his part performed she for her part meant no lesse to obserue and keepe them and that she was determined againe to haue her owne Vpon which there was newes that the Sicilians intended some treacheries with the Turks in her fauour and that they had sent some priuately to her to restore Iohn into his kingdome By occasion of these tumults there was a Diet assigned at Possouia wherein the people of the kingdome of Transiluania greatly cōplained of the griefes and wrongs which they daily endured as wel by the warre and fortifications as also for the insolencies which they receiued by Ferdinands souldiours importuning to haue redresse thereof and not to taske them with such impositions promising if he did so not to faile his Maiestie but willingly to take armes against the Turkes and valiantly to defend themselues against them and sincerely to maintaine the dutie and homage which they had sworne to his Maiestie Vpon these complaints and demaunds Ferdinand caused them to bee answered that he would not faile as much as he could to ease them of that burthen and that he would cause it to appeare vnto them that his pleasure was no other but alwaies to ayde and defend them against the violence of the common enemie against whom they should not for all that faile to take armes as he for his part would not bee wanting to send them forces and to come in his owne person if necessitie did so require it for their deliuerie or else to send them the King of Bohemia his sonne that presently he would giue order to all those inconueniences of which they complained and that in the meane time they should not omit to persist in the faith and deuotion wherein they had vntill then continued and that there should be no fault in him but that he would vse them as most loyall and faithfull subiects Whereupon euery one held himselfe well contented with these promises Yet for all that these humours slided not out of their braines but increased more and more specially because it was manifest that Bartholmew Coruatte who had the guard of Iula with two Germane companies badly behaued himselfe in this towne spoyling murthering and killing the poore inhabitants thereof preaching to them the Lutheran religion with which opinion he was infected To remedie which Castalde was constrained to depute Paul Banchy in that quarter for Vice Vayuode and commaund Coruatte to depart out of Iula and sent him farre off leauing the charge of this towne to Francis Patocchy who bore himselfe so familiarly amongst the inhabitants that they found themselues greatly reioyced and comforted therewith If on this side Ferdinands souldiours did minister exceeding griefe and disquiet to Castalde they yet on the other side gaue him daily more and more for want of pay he being greatly tormented by Duke Mauris for the payment of his souldiours that was due to them from the time that the siege was raised from before Agria he neuer hauing receiued any seruice from them but rather great damage and infinit ruine through the whole Realme For the redresse and dispatch of which although the winter was come he meant indeede fully to content him and to dissolue his armie which was dismissed from Iauerin and there was put therein another garrison This was the cause that he being desirous to keepe his word with this Duke he could not then satisfie with pay his owne Campe which he had in Transiluania of which for that it was composed of the vassals and subiects of his king and that countrie he had more assurance in their patience then in the other which were straungers and not subiect to him who at their departure although they were well payed yet for all that they desisted not from committing great inormities And although Castalde did what possibly he could to keepe his souldiours in peace prouiding them of good lodgings and causing to bee distributed through the countrie ordinarie victuall more then was sufficient yet could he not so farre preuaile with them as to cause them to desist from or giue ouer their mutinies conspiracies or other horrible mischiefes which did not onely hurt in particular but also in generall because that the inhabitants of the countrie receiuing such iniuries hated and abhorred them greatly and they spake of nothing else but that occasion would offer it self for them to take armes and giue them cause to vnderstand their fault by the massacring which in time they hoped to execute vpon them all of them earnestly desiring that they might the better wade out of such calamities the returning of Iohn into his kingdome By reason of such mischiefes many Captaines and principals of the countrie who in former time had been Ferdinands friends became secretly his deadly enemies and raunged themselues on Queene Izabellaes partie not a little increasing her forces and faction which procured to Castalde infinit discontent Now as Fortune in this quarter managed the actions of mortall men she in better manner then men could think for disposed of them about Deua because that those who were in garrison in this towne hauing intelligence that by the commaund of Cassombech two companies of Turkish horse were departed out of Lippa to enter harrie and spoyle in Transiluania they put themselues in order for an ambuscado and to fight with them as they should passe through difficult places And hauing thus disposed of their people the Caualarie of Cassombech presented themselues with a greedie desire to pill and burne some neighbour places and being now arriued at the passage where they were expected it was suddenly charged on all sides and they all fighting a certaine time not knowing who should haue the best in the end the Turkes finding themselues in the middest of the other souldiours who vntill then kept themselues close began to retire themselues and to leaue the victory to those of Deua who omitted not to pursue them euen within sight of Lippa and slew of them 300. and tooke many prisoners Our people being incouraged at this good fortune and not satisfying themselues with that which they so happely achieued passed further with incurtions into the enemies countrie sacking some villages pilling all which came to their hands performing such warlike exploits that besides the conquest of the prisoners and bootie which was not small they put all that quarter in such a dread that the Turkes a long
bitter teares and their friendly affectionated mournings constrained the Grand Seigniour who for the feare which he had receiued and for the horrour of the deede was almost besides himselfe to promise them with sweet and inticing speeches that he was readie to satisfie whatsoeuer they would demaund and by that meanes appeased a great part of this tumult neuerthelesse all the armie with weapons in their hands omitted not to keepe carefull watch for feare he should steale out of the Campe and that they should bee deceiued of his promise which he had made them of a desired iudgement Rostan after he had by the commaund of the great Turk committed the seale into the hands of Achmeth and that himselfe was depriued of the office and state of Visir wholly possessed with feare for these tumults fled to the Pauilion of Achmeth desiring him as his inward friend and with great instance that it would please him to aduise him what he thought fitting to doe in so sudden a daunger Achmeth answered him that he should take counsell of the Grand Seigniour and follow his pleasure and not of any other This pleased Rostan and suddenly by a sufficient message he executed the counsel of his faithfull friend and receiuing answer from the Seigniour who commaunded that presently he should retire himselfe from him he againe caused to bee told him that he could not depart nor retire without his Pauilions without commission and without money The Turke caused to be replied that the necessitie required neither Pauilions nor money Vpon this resolution hee mounted on horsebacke with eight of his faithfullest friends and in three daies he iournied so farre as if in eight he could haue done by post and retired to Constantinople where he remained in great trouble and feare for these misaduentures The Grand Seigniour afterward endeuoured wisely to appease the cholor of his souldiours and not being able to achieue the same by reason of their obstinacie and perceiuing himselfe depriued of hope and in doubt of his person sought three times with a few of his people to saue himselfe from their hands But it was not possible for him but on the contrary with very great instance and insolencie they demaunded that their Lord should shew himselfe in this field and that iudgement should be giuen and iustice not delayed and that they would not permit to saue himselfe either in townes or Fortresses they not minding at any hand to endure that without cause they should thus falsely massacre the innocent imputing to them slanders vniustly charging them with treason whereof neither Mustapha nor they did euer so much as thinke furthermore obstinately perseuering in this that they would not by any meanes depart from thence except they were reuenged for the innocent blood and that they might haue iustice The Grand Seigniour seeing that after he had publikly and secretly practised with them all kinde of experiments yet could he not for all that content them and that there were alreadie many dayes past and knowing their mindes to be more kindled to reuenge then before and seeing that by his authoritie he could doe no more meant yet further to make triall of the graue wisedome of Achmeth who knew so aptly to handle them that he so farre preuailed in paying daily 1000. Aspres to euery souldiour for three dayes to 4000. souldiours of the Port they were agreed to accompanie their Lord to Aleppo which was three daies iourney from thence the Turke notwithstanding hauing giuen them his inuiolable promise and faith to chastise the false accuser and to reuenge the innocent blood of Mustapha With these conditions he retired to Aleppo cleering himselfe from the hands of his souldiours hauing before hee departed from his Campe taken order for the bodies of his children and commaunded they should be carried to Bursia where are the ancient Tombes of the Ottomans Those who had the charge thereof vncloathing this miserable Mustapha found the letters which as wee haue said he had put into his bosome when he went from his Pauilion to go kisse his fathers hands and presenting them to the Grand Seigniour he would not then open them But after these tumults were a little appeased he caused them to bee brought vnto him and read them and found that from point to point were discouered therein the deseignes and wicked practises of Rostan and Rossa against Mustapha wherevpon he was so stroken at the heart that for many daies he was so surprised with griefe that he would not speake to any man and if he had not had a respect to the state and ordering of things as then they stood he would not thē haue put Rostan to death as he deserued but would haue giuen him aliue to bee deuoured of the dogges But that which he did not then he reserued vntill another time and since the fact was remedilesse he altered his minde to fauour and aduance Mahomet the sonne of Mustapha which he had by a Ladie of Bosnia of the age of 14. yeeres who during this tumult was brought vp by the mother of Mustapha in another countrie fearing that the furie of the Grand Seigniour should also fall vpon him And he presently recalled a certaine Captaine whom he had alreadie dispatched to goe and kill him and he hauing found this childe caused him to bee brought vnto him he gaue him for his entertainment the Sangiachship of Bursia After that he departed from thence and marched towards Hierusalem and being but foure daies iournie from thence for some other accidents happened he was constrained to returne to Aleppo that he might prouide for the affayres of Syria and euen then it was that he was alreadie freed from the mariage of Rossa There was there a Chiauss who with all diligence departed from the Campe thinking by the death of Mustapha to bring good newes to Selim who then was in Carmania But Selim was so sad for this death that he meant to leaue to the world a perpetuall witnesse thereof causing the head of this messenger to be cut off in stead of the good recompence that he expected which truly was a famous act worthie to be recorded and not worthy of this man who is enemie of our faith whom if it had pleased God to haue conuerted him to his holy faith assuredly he might haue been compared with any other as well ancient as moderne About this time Peter Chendy was found culpable concerning the insurrection of the kingdome of Transiluania as hauing put his hand thereto and minding to discharge himselfe thereof he writ to Ferdinand about it excusing himselfe and assuring him that he neuer meant any such matter His excuses according to the necessitie of the time were receiued But within a while after the Queene desirous to recouer that which of her owne will she had left effected her purposes so well that causing a tumult among the people of the kingdome within a short time she saw her selfe Ladie
office of the Electors in publike assemblies The Pope and Princes of the Empire send to the ayde of the Emperour Maximilian The manner and forme of the Spanish Inquisition THe Emperour Ferdinand brother to the deceased Emperour about the very time the death of his brother had aduertisement that the Basha of Buda and the Moldauian beyond all expectation would come into the field whilest his Maiestie held the Diet in the towne of Ausbourg in which were present all the Electors and almost all the Princes of the Empire as well for his own affayres as to giue audience to an Ambassage sent from the King of France of which were chiefe the Bishop of Vienna named Marrillac and the Lord of Bourdillon which was vpon the 28. of March the Emperour being in the great hall of Ausbourg in his Emperiall throne vnder the cloth of Estate hauing on his right hand the Bishop of Mentz the Ambassadour of the Bishop of Coullin the Archduke Charles the Bishop of Saltzbourg the Grand Master of Prussia with many other great Lords Vpon his left hand was the Bishop of Treuers the Duke of Saxonies Ambassadour the Ambassadour of the Counte Palatin of Rhein the Marquesse of Brandebourg the Duke of Bauier the Counte Palatin not the Elector the Duke of Michelbourg the Duke of Wirtemberg and the three Marquesses of Baden with other Lords Before this great and renowned companie were honourably placed the Ambassadours of France They offered in the name of their King all his abilitie and friendship for the seruie of the Empire and they sought a perpetuall confederacie with him and the Electors Answer was made them that when they saw effects correspondent to his words by restitution of the towne of Mets they would then assuredly thinke that their Master would bee their friend and also that then they would be all readie to confirme good amitie him This Diet ended the Emperour for feare of the daunger which might happen in his kingdome of Hungarie vpon the said aduertisement had present recourse to the ayde of his estates and of the Empire Bohemia Morauia Stiria and Carinthia offered vpon euery thousand crownes of value twelue crownes to succour his Maiestie And the Empire offered him men horses and money if in case the warre should further proceede and in the meane time while they could see what way these rumours would take they yeelded to his Maiestie 600000. Dollors for three moneths to be employed where his Maiestie thought good These rumours were not in vaine For the warre betweene Ferdinand and King Iohn otherwise called Stephen was greatly inflamed King Iohn hauing alreadie taken from the Emperour the strong Castle of Tocchay and many other minding continually to assay the recouerie of the surplusage of his kingdome and to reuenge himselfe of the wrong which he thought he had receiued in this that the Emperour held not promise with him touching the Infanta Ioane whom he had promised vnto for spouse with a dowrie conuenient to her greatnes and with such reasons being fauoured of the Hungars who complained themselues to bee sorely oppressed by the Emperour and hauing by the ayde of the Turke amassed a great armie he possessed a large countrie and had become master of all Hungarie if the Emperour had not before sent a sufficient Campe to resist and hinder them from further proceeding notwithstanding the forces of the Basha of Buda who was come into the field on his behalfe But at the instance of the King of Polonia other Princes who offered themselues to be mediatours of some good accord for the desire which they had to quēch that fire for feare that the Turke vnder this occasion should not fasten himselfe further in this quarter hee caused his armie to retire as also King Iohn did who by the aduice perswasion of the said mediatours was reduced to this point that he would send Ambassadours to the Emperiall Maiestie to effect their accord and to demaund one of his daughters in mariage which he did and his Ambassadours being arriued at Vienna and audience being graunted them being about to say that Iohn King of Hungarie and Transiluania had sent them vnto him the Emperour would heare them no further saying that his Vayuode ought not to call himselfe King of Hungarie that kingdome being his inheritance not vsurped as it had been by the father of him who sent them and that if they would haue audience they should no more call Iohn King of Hungarie nor Transiluania but onely Vayuode of that Prouince The Ambassadours not minding to accept of these conditions presently dispatched Couriers into Poland and into Transiluania to giue the King notice of all this Vpon this difficultie the K. of Poland was of opinion that the King of Transiluania his nephew shuld not for that time name himselfe K. of Hungarie but only of that which he possessed seeing it was not likely that he could iustly denie him the title of K. of Transiluania he being thereunto called by the consent of all the people and reinstalled by force of his armes after that he had not kept nor obserued the couenants and promises made as on his behalfe betweene the Queene his mother and the Emperour in the time that Castalde was there The Ambassadours following this aduice alleadging the reasons of the King of Poland and speaking of Castalde they complained greatly of him saying that the Queene had been more deceiued by his perswasions and vaine speeches then had been the dead King her husband by those who had crowned him K. of Hungarie and those who were reuolted against him The Emperour not minding to agree to this title of K. of Transiluania but only of Vayuod receiued notwithstanding those Ambassadours who treating of their charge were not much content They demaunded that the Emperour should relinquish all that which he pretended in Transiluania and that he should make peace with their King in giuing him his daughter in marriage with 100000. crownes and vpon this condition that all that which is situated beyond Tibiscus should bee his and that which was on this side should remaine to his Maiestie and that in the warres which might be betweene him and the Turke he should be reputed neuter not willing in this case to forsake the amitie of the Grand Seigniour not to faile in the fidelitie and homage which he had done vnto him neither was he willing to be bound to ioyne with his Maiestie whensoeuer the Turke would make warre in Hungarie They also further demaunded that concerning that which the Emperour possessed of the rest of Hungarie he should satisfie the dowrie and debts of Queene Izabella which she pretended from the time of the death of King Iohn her husband To these demaunds the Emperour consented in part and in part also meant not to consent to those which most imported him and specially concerning the alliance that he might not seeme thereby willing to yeeld vp his pretended
right of Transiluania and hoping that himselfe or his childrē one day should be able to recouer it and he preuailed so farre that the enterprise of the Polish Ambassadours and of other Princes came to nothing and by that meanes the Ambassadours of Transiluania returned without any resolution Which was a cause within a while after of great warre betweene him and the King of Transiluania vnder the fauour of the Turke vpon which occasion he well knew what losse and damage it was to him for that he would not then agree A certaine time after the Vayuode of Valachia was aduertised that another Vayuode went about to dispossesse him of his estate being assured of succours from Ferdinand and of the fauour of the nephew of that Lasky who laboured the friendship which was betweene Solyman and King Iohn This nephew was also named Lasky He for sundrie matters whereof he was attainted was before constrained to forsake the kingdome of Polonia vpon which occasion he was retired vnder the protection of his vncle to the Turk of whom he was so well receiued that he was made a Colonell of certaine Turkish troupes of horse and foote But sometimes after forgetting all these honours and fauours he forsooke that part and tooke that of the Emperour Ferdinands in whose seruice he then was when he practised this subteltie and enterprised without the knowledge of Ferdinand against the Vayuode of Valachia for the profit and commoditie of another in whose fauour he had alreadie amassed 2000. horse which he ioyned with the armie of the other Vayuode which was of 8000. footmen and 4000. horse These altogether marched with great speede thinking to take the Vayuode vnprouided and were alreadie arriued very neere him attending the night which was fit to massacre them and to seaze vpon his estate in a pleasant weake village wherein for the present he then was But the Vayuode being alreadie vpon his guard according to the first aduertisements hauing assembled very secretly to the number of 40000. men foote and horse attending the issue of this enterprise being aduertised of the place where his enemies were lodged he caused that night all his people to march with speede and in such manner so surprised his enemie that he had neither leisure nor commoditie to range himselfe in battaile seeing himselfe assailed on all sides so suddenly and furiously that he was constrained with his friend Lasky to flie to the confines of Polonia and to leaue the victorie to the Valachians who with little losse of theirs and great of their enemies inriched themselus with the spoyle bootie of this man Lasky afterwards remaining dispossessed of many townes and Castles which he had by Cassouia being depriued of those by meanes of the said Vayuode And by this ill fortune so inconsideratiuely happened to him falling into the indignation of Ferdinand who dismissed him from his seruice he retired into Moldauia for that he would not fall into the hands of the King of Polonia the Emperour or of the Valachian these Princes not minding by the suffering of such an act to draw vpon them any more the forces of Solyman who neuerthelesse on his side was not to demaund of them therefore any greater satisfaction he hauing then a great distrust of the Gouernour of Egypt against whom he had sent a great number of Ianisaries and other souldiours of his Port fearing some commotion in that Prouince and from other places he had some aduertisements of the enterprises of Baiazet his second sonne who some said meant to inuade Syria with the succours and ayde of the Sophy so that Solyman was againe constrained to send new garrisons into that quarter Vpon the occasion of these troubles he himselfe had great desire to seeke peace and truce with Ferdinand although that his Lieutenants of Buda and of Bossina with the Vayuodes of Valachia Moldauia and of Transalpina in fauour of King Iohn brought great damage to the Emperour harrying and spoyling Hungarie bringing into their hands many places thereof his Maiestie not being able to draw any succours from the Lords of that countrie neither for the fortifications of the places nor for the entertainment of his souldiours and if it had not been for the new garrisons which he put in better places by the ayde of his subiects of Austria the losse had been farre greater in that countrie Solyman notwithstanding the gaine which his people had in Hungarie considering the perill whereinto he might fall if he at one time had to doe against so puissant enemies as the Emperour and the Sophy were resolued rather to seeke peace with the Christians then with his subiects To this end while they were at a Diet which was held at Franckfort there was celebrated the solemnitie of the election that the Electors had made of the person of Maximilian King of Bohemia the eldest sonne of Ferdinand to bee King of the Romanes and of his Coronation after the accustomed promises by him made to be an obedient childe to the holy Church according to the vse of his predecessors an Ambassadour sent from Solyman was presented in this great assemblie who offered a present to Ferdinand of certaine rich habiliments and of straunge beasts and after hauing ended some differences with his Maiestie which imported Hungarie the truce was concluded betweene them and in consideration thereof this Ambassadour caused to bee released and set at libertie many prisoners taken in warre who by no meanes before could be redeemed for any money nor exchaunge of others who were vnder the power of Ferdinand After this truce Ferdinand perceiuing himselfe to grow old and vnweildy of his bodie yeelded the kingdome of Hungarie to his sonne Maximilian with consent of all the Barons and Lords of the countrie in acknowledging of which all the Lords were gratified by Maximilian in all that which hee could doe Whereupon some little while after Ferdinand surprised with a great sicknes ended his daies hauing been a Prince of singular bountie and valour and had not his example and wisedome been Germanie which was greatly estranged from the Catholike Church had been wholly diuided from the vnion of the faithfull and Ecclesiasticall ceremonies This man although he was the sonne of Philip Duke of Burgongne Counte of Flanders and Archduke of Austria and of Ioane Queene of Spaine and of other kingdomes of al his fathers inheritance he had no more then the Archdukedome of Austria with the Estates which are situated in Germanie which was the ancient patrimonie of his house the lawes of Spaine being of such qualitie that the eldest haue onely the entire succession Neuerthelesse by meanes of his vertue he increased the inheritance of his house adding thereto the kingdomes of Hungarie and Bohemia augmenting by the addition of them the greatnes of it farre more then it fell vnto him by his predecessors By these actions he alwaies made it apparant that he was endued with great constancie
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
according to their degrees and qualities Seeing this falleth out so fitly to our purpose it shall not bee a strange but rather a pleasant thing for the beautifying of the historie if I write the manner of the placing of these Electors at such feasts and especially in those which are solemne and doe depend of great Emperial ceremonies in which the Emperour or the King of the Romanes solemnely holding their Court the Princes Electors are to execute their offices and charges In this case the order is thus The Emperour or King of the Romanes sitting in his Emperiall throne the Duke of Saxonie beginneth first to execute his office in this sort Before the erection of the Emperiall seate is laid a great heape of oates of such heigth that it may touch the breast of the horse vpon which the Duke shall be mounted he holding in his hand a siluer staffe and also a measure of siluer they both weighing 12. markes and vpon his horse there is set taken from this heape a measure of oates and is giuen to the chiefe groome of the stable who must bee present and that being done and he fixing his staffe within the heape his Vicemarshall of Papenhein or some other executing this charge in his absence being Marshall of the Court distributeth the rest of the oates The Emperour or the King being entered into his hall and there set at the table the Ecclesiasticall Electors being somewhat below and standing before it with the other Prelates must according to their accustomed manner say grace euery one according to his place to wit euery one according to the antiquitie of his consecration in the Archiepiscopall dignitie One alone neuerthelesse saieth grace for that day the day following if the ceremonie continueth the second that is consecrated to that honour doth it and on the third day the third blesseth the table Grace being ended these three Archbishop Electors take the Emperiall seales from the hand of the Chancellors of the Court and he in the Archchancellorship of whom this ceremonie and solemnitie is vsed going in the middest and the two other being of each hand they all three raise with their hands a staffe at which are hanging the Seales and in this sort they reuerently carrie it before the Emperour laying them vpon the table The Emperour or the King doe presently redeliuer them to them againe and he who then is in his Archchancellorie taketh the greatest of these Seales and keepeth it till dinner be done hanging it about his neck vntill he returneth to his owne lodging The staffe with which they carrie these Seales is of siluer and weigheth twelue markes The price thereof as well for the substance as for the fashion of it is at the charges of the three Archbishops and is giuen within a while after by them with the Seales to the Chancellors of the Court to doe therewith what they please He of those three that shall carrie to his lodging the great Seale hanging about his necke shall presently send it backe by one of his seruants to the Chancellor of the Court on horseback which horse shall remaine to the said Chancellor for a gift After that the Marquesse of Brandebourg great Chamberlaine commeth riding carrying in his hand siluer basons weighing twelue markes and water with a fayre towell and afterwards lighting from his horse he offereth the Emperour or the King to wash Count Palatin of Rhein doth in like sort enter on horsebacke holding in his hand foure siluer dishes euery one weighing three marks wherein there is meate who being dismounted he setteth it vpon the table before the Emperour Afterwards also commeth on horsebacke the King of Bohemia the chiefe Taster carrying in his hand a napkin and a siluer cup couered weighing twelue markes full of wine mixed with water and after being descended from his horse he presenteth it to the Emperour to drinke Now concerning all these siluer vessels the office being ended by these Secular Lords the Vicechamberlaine of Falkenstein hath the Marquesses horse and basons which he presents the master of the kitchin of Noremberg hath the horse and the dishes of the Count the Vicetaster of Lymbourg hath to his vse the horse and the cup of the King of Bohemia the Vicemarshall of Papenhein hath the horse staffe and the measure of the Duke The Emperiall table is raised higher by sixe foote then the other and thereat during such solemne daies no man doth sit but the Emperour Neere his is that of the Empresse lower then the Emperours by three foote and three foote higher then those of the Electors for which there is 7. cubbords to wit three on the right hand of the Emperours table and three on the left hand and the last is right against the Emperour At those also doe not any sit but the Princes Electors and euery one of those stand before his owne table vntill all haue accomplished that which they ought to doe by their office as we haue set downe and then afterwards euery one sitteth downe at his owne table The Archbishop of Treuers hath for his table that which is before the Emperour The first table on the right side is for one of the two other Archbishops in whose Archchancellorie this solemnitie is performed The second of the same side is for the King of Bohemia and the third is for the Count Palatin The first of the other ranke which is on the left hand is for the other Archbishop the second is for the Duke of Saxonie and the third and last belongeth to the Marquesse of Brandebourg And although it bee lawfull for one of the Electors that is kept backe by sicknes or some other lawfull inconuenience to send an Ambassadour with full commission in such solemnities and assemblies neuerthelesse he who is sent doth not sit in the seate nor in the place of his Master These solemnities ended the Master of the Court hath for his part all the building and preparations of wood which hath been erected for the Emperiall seate Dinner being ended and graces said by him who blessed the table and all these Princes rising vp to conduct the Emperiall Maiestie the Archbishop of Treuers goeth alone before the Emperour and between him and the Emperour the Duke of Saxonie holdeth his place On the right hand of the Duke is Count Palatin and on the left is the Marquesse of Brandebourg Of the two other Archbishops he which is in his Archchancellorie is placed on the rightside of the Emperour and the other is placed on the left and behind the Emperour immediatly goeth the King of Bohemia This manner of going amongst the Electors is onely when in such solemnities the Secular carrie the markes and Emperiall Ensignes to wit the Duke of Saxonie the Emperiall or royall Sword Count Palatin the Globe and the Marquesse of Brandebourg the Scepter But when these Emperiall Ensignes are not borne the Duke of Saxonie goeth not betweene the Emperour and the Archbishop of Treuers
accused is conformable to the Catholike Church and if the proofe be good he is absolued Neuerthelesse for the suspition which cannot easily be taken away they agrauate or mitigate the iudgement according as it remaineth and notwithstanding his absolution he is kept still in prison vntill after the act of the faith and all this is done to the end that no man should thinke that the officers of the Inquisition had caused him to bee taken without occasion But if the accused doe not sufficiently iustifie himselfe he is condemned to torture afterwards with his Curate or Viccar they cause him to enter by many wickets into a certaine place vnder the ground very obscure and hidious wherein he findeth the Iudges placed There incontinently is present the executioner couered with a long blacke linnen robe very straight like a sacke hauing his head and face couered with a blacke hood hauing but two holes before his eyes This is done the more to amaze the patient like as if a diuell should present himselfe to him for the punishment of his misdeedes Then these Iudges perswade him to tell the trueth otherwise they protest that if they breake him or disioynt some member or if his life yeeldeth to the violence of torments that the fault thereof shall not redound but vpon himselfe That done he is vnclothed all naked except the priuie parts and by signes the Iudges notifie to the executioner what torments he should vse During these he is often admonished to speake the trueth and if he will confesse nothing they sometime martyr him more then two houres In the end they carrie him to prison againe where they haue a Surgeon who while he applieth phisick to him threatneth that he shall endure the next day farre greater paines Oftentimes they put Spies with them in prison to discouer their actions and euen they enquire of other prisoners if the accused hath discouered nothing to them of that whereof he is accused promising them in case they would declare it that they shall not bee punished for their misdeedes for which they haue been committed prisoners If this accused person bee of qualitie and note or that if he take vpon him to preach and to instruct or that he hath learning these officers doe cause this bruite to be spread abroad that he hath declared on the torture all his complices and others who hath conferred with him concerning the faith yea they cause to bee witnessed by the neighbours of the prison how they heard him crie in his torture And vpon this deuice his confederates willing to preuent and thinking to haue a more light punishment as the Inquisitors promise to those who voluntarily confesse their offence come to accuse themselues And while these prisoners are thus detained if any among them fall sicke they carrie him to the Hospitall which is appointed for thē where he is well vsed vntill that afterwards hauing recouered his health he is then brought backe againe to prison And for feare they should bee wronged the Inquisitors goe twice the moneth with the Iaylor and a Notarie to visit them in prison to informe themselues of their vsage and to supplie their necessities and doe punish the Iaylor if he stealeth from them their victuals or if he incomber them in any thing In the end the solemne day being come wherein they pronounce and execute their iudgements naming this the Act of the faith the night before they cause them who are repentant to be confessed after that two daies before that they had declared vnto them what good things they haue in this world and they cause to be clad at the dawning of the day appointed for the execution with the Sambenita those which are to be put to death which is a yellow robe without sleeues painted all ouer with blacke diuels and vpon their heads they put a paper Miter made in forme of a tower vpon which is figured a man burning and diuels about him putting fire to him and they gagge them with a pegge of wood to hinder their speech and with a strong corde they tye their necke and hands Certaine amongst them although they are not of that number which are condemned to death cease not to weare the Sambenita according to the rigour which sometimes is vsed against them only to shew that their life hath been subiect to the Inquisition and not to death These condemned being thus apparelled they are conducted into the place as wee haue aboue said These Iudges haue no other iudgements but to pronounce the sentence of cursing and irregularitie And for this cause after they haue pronounced their iudgements if it bee against a conuertite they adde these words that for so much as they doubt that he for feare maketh a good shew and that he is but faintly conuerted fearing to leaue a wolfe vnder a sheepes skinne notwithstanding his conuersion they leaue him in the hands of Secular power whom they pray to vse mercie towards him not to breake any member of him neither to draw from him any one drop of blood If it bee against an obstinate person that they haue pronounced their sentence they say besides that since it is thus that their punishment hath not serued to conuert him they deliuer him vnto the Secular power to punish him according to law whom they pray neuerthelesse if he acknowledge himselfe to bee mercifull to him These Iudges dare not appoint the torture against persons of marke and the King of Spaine sheweth fauour to all punishments which are not vnto death By this discourse which I haue made you of this Inquisition some louing libertie aswell in their actions as in their speeches finde this manner strange others would that it were yet more rigorous desirous that euery one should be austere like themselues But if the one and the other would duly consider the dangerous euents which further the subuersion of an Estate by the altering of things established for the maintenance of religion which ordinarily doth master and exceede all humane passions and doe draw them vnto it with a marueilous vehemencie they should finde that it were most expedient for to keepe themselues free from such an Inquisition to be silent and not to dispute nor speake by forme no not so much as onely of talke of precepts which wee ought to follow by commaundement which the ancient Common-weales haue wel knowne to put in practise at Rome and Athens and as it is yet obserued vnder the dominion of the Grand Seigniour not without a great establishment and maintaining of his Empire it not being so much as permitted in all his territories and Seigniories to any bee he Turke Christian or Iew to preach or teach but onely to liue in his law as the Common-wealth of Venice by secret tradition doth keepe and obserue It is not my subiect to wander further in such politike discourses but I must returne to the pursuite of my historie The end of the eight Booke THE NINTH BOOKE OF
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