which a fierce fight was begun and Atadeules fighting Courragiously at the head of his men forced the Turkish Horsemen to give ground which Selymus perceiving and that his Army was sorely Annoy'd by the Archers from the Mountains drawing out 2000 Harquibusiers out of his own Squadorn he sent them to reinforce his Horse and at the same time commanded the Janizaries to Mount the Hills which they doing charged the Foot with such Fury that they being sore distressed with the Harquibus shot not being used to such engins scattered and fled so that a great number of them were killed e're they could clamber up the steep Mountains and the Horse at that time being discomfited fled by well known ways into the fastnesses of the steep Rocks after whom Selymus followed burning all before him but finding he could not overtake the King who retiring before him had fortified himself amongst the Impregnible Rocks and there stored up much provision in hopes to weary the Turks with tedious delay Selymus having perfect notice of all that had passed by several Prisoners that he had taken thought it more fit to prevent his falling into necessity in so barren a Country to use Stratagems where force could not prevail whereupon understanding that there was no good meaning between Aladeules and Alis Beg his General by reason that the King had formerly commanded his Father to be slain upon suspicion he designed to seize his Kingdom he releasing the Prisoners sent them to Alis Beg with great rewards to incite him to deliver Aladeules into his hands and that in Lieu thereof he of his bounty would give him the Kingdom which so wrought with the treacherous General that not finding means to kill the King as he had purposed he caused all his Army to revolt to Sinan Bassa whom Selymus had sent to pursue him so that being left alone flying through many desolate places at length hid himself in a Cave where being discovered by a Country Peasant he betrayed him into the Hands of those that sought after him who presenting him to Selymus he caused his Head to be stricken off and carried all over Asia the less in manner of Triumph and afterward sent it to the Senate of Venice in token of his Victory Selymus having subdued the Kingdom of Aladeules as aforesaid and reduced it into the form of a Province making the Traitor chief Governour thereof returned to Constantinople having at the same time he was Waring against Aladeules by his Bassas invaded Hungaria and now having notice from his Correspondents in Christendom that Maximillian the Emperor Vladislaus King of Hungaria Sigismond King of Poland together with the Princes of Germany were entering into a League against him it caused him to make great Preparations for the defence of his Territories but in the end those Princes seperated without doing any thing worthy of their meeting So that being freed from that Fear he left a strong Guard upon the Fronteers of his Empire bordering upon Hungaria and departed to Iconium in Order to prosecute his War against the Persian but during his stay at that City he had certain notice that Campson Gaurus Sultan of Egypt with a great Army levied in Egypt and Judea was coming to Aid the Persian King his Confederate as hating Selymus for his Cruelty towards his Father Brethren and Nephews as likewise being jealous of his aspiring Greatness this News was Confirmed on all Hands Selymus greatly feared that if he should pass over the River Euphrates the Sultan might enter Asia and spoil his Dominions wherefore he thought it safe if possible to make him his Friend in order to which he sent the Cadelescher or great Doctor of the Mahomitan Law A man much reverenced amongst the Turks and Jachis one of his great Captains as his Ambassadors to desire the renewing the League sometime made between the Sultan and his Father Bajazet but the Sultan moved by the pittious Complaints of the Princes Aladine Son to Mahomet and the Son of Aladeules who as exiled Princes remained in his Court and incouraged by his great Captains to restore them to their rightful Possessions would have no Peace unless Selymus would leave off to invade the Persian and restore the Mountainous Kingdom to the young Aladeules which upon the Report thereof so inraged Sebymus that he resolved to lay aside his intended War against Hysmale and turn all his Forces upon the Sultan and therefore with words of incouragement having animated his Soldiers he passed with his Army over the Mountains in three places and so appointing a great Company of the Common Soldiers and Country people for the opening of the straight Passages he Commanded the rough and uneven ways to be made smooth and plain so that in five Days all his Ordnance and Carriages were come into the Plains of Comagena where he received News of Campson's Army from Alis Beg Governour of the Mountain Kingom which caused him to march towards him with all speed By this time Campson having notice of the approach whom he could not at first believe to have passed the huge Mountain of Amanus stood long in doubt what was best to be done whether to give the Tyrant Battle or to retire to Damasco and protract the War whilst fresh Forces could come to his Assistance In the latter Opinion Gazelles his great Counsellor and Governour of Apamia Concurred with him labouring earnestly to confirm him in that Opinion but Destiny so ordering it he refused the good and wholsome Perswasions of Gazelles and imbraced that of Cayerbeius which was presently to give the Turks Battle which Council he gave though he knew it to be Destructive that by such means he might be revenged on the Sultan who some years before had caused his Brother to be poisoned for designing to deprive him of his Empire Battle being resolved on and the Turks Army coming on Campson divided his Army into four Battles the first whereof he committed to Cayerbeius the Traitor the second to Sybeius the Governour of Damasco a man of singular Faith and Valour these two were appointed at once to Charge both Wings of the Turkish Army the third was lead by Gazelles and the last by Campson himself who stayed with it for the defence of the Camp Nor was Selymus Idle for he had placed the Asian Horsemen in the right Wing and the European in the left and in the middle the Janizaries and Artillery before whom between the two Wings he had placed his Pentioners all most expert and valiant Soldiers and in this Order the Turks always fight if the Ground will admit so to Marshall the Army Both Armies being thus set in Order the Charge was sounded whereupon Cayerbeius with his Squadron Charged the European Horsemen with great Fury but resolving to betray his trust by and by Wheeling off fell upon the Sullians and such other Slaves as kept the Baggage making some small slaughter that as a Valiant and cunning Traitor he might
the way himself had like to have been slain in his Tent by a Mountainier which had been effected had he not been discovered by the cracking of a bough to revenge which he sent his Janizaries and other his approved Soldiers who hunting the people inhabiting the high and rough Mountains of Chimera like wild Beasts killed many of them and returned with such spoil as they found after which he with a great Fleet landed on the Isle of Corcyra now called Corfu for fear of whom the Venetian Admiral â—â—thdrew with his Galleys into the Adriatick Gulf 〈◊〉 to expect the other part of his Fleet yet 〈…〉 long while battered the chief City in vain 〈…〉 himself with the spoil of the Villages 〈…〉 Thousand Christian Prisoners departed 〈…〉 return landing on the Isle of Naxos 〈…〉 the City which not being furnished to 〈…〉 so powerful an Army consented to pay the Tâ—â—ant Five thousand Duckates a year Tribute and to hold the Seigniorie of him whereupon without doing further harm he departed to Constantinople at whose return Lutzis Bassa was accused by his Wife Solymans Sister of Sodomy and for that she having in private reproved him thereof he had struck her a box on the Ear and confined her as a Prisoner to her Chamber which complaint so incensed Solyman who for his Sisters sake had raised him from a low Degree to the highest Honour next himself that he banished him into Macedonia where he spent the remainder of his dayes in a poor and private life Though Solyman was returned to Constantinople yet his Wars with the Venetians ended not for he sent strict command to his Governours and Lieutenants bordering upon their frontiers to vex them them with all manner Hostilities who were not wanting to satisfie him therein nor the Venetians on their part to revenge the injuries but the fierceness of the Turks were somewhat restrained by a War undertaken by King Ferdinand against them to revenge former injuries who raising a great power of gallant Soldiers of divers Nations sent them under the leading of Cazzianer by whose Cowardize in leading them through Woods and by-wayes many of them perished for hunger others to avoid that calamity deserted him and in fine the General forsaking his Army for which he was afterward executed It was overthrown near Exek and all the Soldiers either slain or taken Prisoners The news of this great overthrow much troubled the Christian Princes to repair which disgrace the Emperor the Venetians and the Pope set out a great Fleet of Galleys which meeting at Corcyra the Admirals consulted what was best to be done when upon notice that Barbarussa lay with the Turkish Galleys in the Bay of Ambracia they resolved to sail thither where having a while braved him the bold Turk incited thereto by one of Solymans Eunâ—chs came forth to give them battle which Auria perceiving contrary to the minds of the Captains stood away to Corcyra in the rear of whom the Turks fall took several of the stragling Galleys This retreat or rather flight much eclipsed the fame of Auria who before was accounted a second Neptune but being still followed by Barbarussa he returned into Italy to the great dislike of the Venetians without effecting any thing worthy of memory which gave the proud Turk opportunity to make great spoil on the Sea Coast and on the Islands of the Sea yet held by the Venetians and to recover Castronovum a little before taken by the Christians though not without infinite slaughter on either side it being for a long time manfully defended by Sarmentus a Valiant Spanish Captain who amongst heaps of slain expired in the bed of Honour Things being at this pass the Emperor made a peace with the French King both which Potentates solicited the Venetians by their Embassadors to continue the War against Solyman but they weary thereof as lying most obnoxious to his fury could not be perswaded thereto but laboured to procure a peace which with much difficulty they obtained In consideration whereof they yield unto him Nauplium and Epidaurus two Cities of Peloponesus together with Nadium and Labrania two Castles of Dalmatia which happened by reason the secrets of their Embassey was beforehand discovered to Solyman by several treacherous Venetians bribed by him for that purpose some of which being afterward taken were worthily executed at the same time a secret consideration between John King of Hungary and Ferdinand King of Bohemia including that upon the decease of the former the latter should enjoy his Kingdom was discovered to Solyman which grievously incensed him against the Hungarian King whom by his Armes he had restored to his Kingdom to appease which he was content to marry Isabella Daughter to Sigismund King of Polonia by whom he had Issue a Son who after his Fathers Death was crowned King of Hungary and taken into Solymans protection by that means bereaving King Ferdinand of his hope of a peaceable possession whereupon after having requested it by his Embassadors of Solyman and despairing that way to obtain it he with a great Army entered the Kingdom and seized upon Vicegrade Pesth Vacia and Alba Regalis To oppose which sudden Tempest e're it had swept away all her Cities the Queen sent her Embassadors to Solyman to crave Aid against King Ferdinand whereupon he not only sent the young King her Son several Rich Presents but his Letters Mandatory to his Lieutenants on the Frontiers with all their Forces to assist her threatning that if by their neglect she received any dammage their heads should make satisfaction and withal caused Lascus King Ferdinands Embassador at that time residing at Constantinople to be imprisoned This news was joyful to the Queen whereupon she drawing together all her Forces joyned them with those Mahometes and Vstref two of Solymans Bassas had brought into the field and immediately layed siege to Vacia which they took and to prevent its again falling into the hands of the Bohemians set it on fire Vacia thus layed waste they removed to Pesth to which they layed straight siege but after many unsuccessful attempts to carry it by storm raised their Camp and returned over Danubius upon which King Ferdinand sent a great Army under the Leading of the Lord William Regendorff who entring the Kingdom layed siege to Buda and sent Messengers to summon the Queen to surrender the City to his Master and that in lieu thereof and of the other Cities she should have bestowed on her freely the Seignory of Sepusia to which George Bishop of Veradium who altogether governed the Queen answered that she should accept no such proffer and with many opprobrious words dismissed the Messengers whereupon Regendorff having mounted his Canon furiously battered the City making several wide breaches but they were so notably defended that the Germans nor Spaniards could not enter which they perceiving so dealt with one Bornemissa a great man in the City that he promised to deliver them a Gate in the night to enter by
inevitably lost had not the Citizens who were Christians timely come in to their assistance and put the Turks to flight and then the Armies drawing forth marched as far as the River Orontes before they met with any resistance but there the Turks had fortified the Bridge and Banks on the other side but being overwhelmed with showers of English Arrows sent from the Squadron commanded by Robert Duke of Normandy they soon gave ground and left the Passage open and so the Princes passing the River came to the other Antioch in Syria of which one Cassianu was Governour to the Relief of which the Turks came with an Army of 100000 Horse and Foot but were repulsed by the Christians and returned with 20000 less than they brought so that the City on the third day of June 1098. was secretly and contrary to the knowledge of the Governour delivered by one Phirrus to Prince Bohemund of Tarentum who furiously entering a dismal slaughter ensued insomuch that the Streets run with blood The Governour upon notice of what had hapned fled but falling into the hand of the Armenians that were expelled Jerusalem he was slain The loss of Antioch being made known to Corbanus the Persian Sultan's Lievetenant as he lay before Edessa he raised the Sige and with all his Forces marched towards Antioch resolving to put all upon the Hazard of a Battle against whom the Princes drew out their Strengths leaving the Earl of Tholous with a competent number to secure the City from a revolt by reason the Turks still held the Castle and after a long and doubtful fight overthrowing with such incredible slaughter of his men that all the Valleys were filled with blood and bodies of the slain 100000 Turks being adjudged to fall in that Battel and not above 4000 Christians and the next day they took 5000 Cammels with their lading as also a new Castle built but the year before by the aforesaid Lievtenant And thus conquering they passed on taking several Cities of note till they came within the view of Jerusalem upon sight of which they shouted so loud that all the Country resounded with the joyful Acclamations and with their hands and eyes extended towards Heaven they called upon the name of Jesus and many in humility to the place where our Blessed Lord had so often preached his Gospel fell to the Ground and kissed it with great Affection making fresh Vows never to leave the City till they had delivered it from the Infidels but their strength was much impaired by reason of a Pestilence that had the Autumn before hapned in the Army yet in a Council of the Princes and chief Commanders it was resolved that the Siege should immediately be begun and carried on with all the vigour imaginable The Governour having notice of the Christians approach and what was intended delayed not to prepare all things that might conduce to the making a strenuous defence having a little before received a strong recruit of able Soldiers and a supply of all things necessary yet the Christians after having got what knowledge they could of the state of Affairs within the City sat down before it on the North for towards the East and the West the broken Rocks and shattered Hills render it very incommodious Next the Wall incamped Godfry Duke of Lorrain with his Germans and Lorainers near unto him on the right pitched their Tents Robert Duke of Normandy and the Earl of Flanders before the West Gate lay incamped Tancreed and the Earl of Tholous Bohemund and Baldwin being absent the one remaining King at Antioch and the other Governour of Edassa The Christians having refreshed themselves it was concluded amongst the Princes that the fifth day the Assault should be given which accordingly was done with such bravery that the Turks were beaten from their Defences and miserably slaughtered by the shot of the Archers but they wanting scaling Ladders and the weather being exceeding hot the retreat was sounded but being desirous of nothing more than winning the City five days after they gave it another fierce Assault which made the Walls to tremble nothing that Policy or Valour could afford being wanting on the part of the Christians but scarcity of Water afflicting them with drought and the excessive heat of the Weather frustrated this second Attempt for the Enemy had either stopped up or poysoned all the Wells about the City unless that of Siloe whose Water had worked out the Poison and was become wholesome but that yielded not half enough to suffice the Army During the time that the Christians besieged Jerusalem a Fleet of Genoeses arrived at Joppa where having notice that a far greater Fleet of the Egyptian Sultans lay at Ascalon with an intent to relieve the besieged they after having taken out all things necessary sunk their Gallies and marched over land to the Camp where they became very serviceable in making Engines for Assault and moving Towers covered with raw Hides to prevent their being fired one of which they set to the Walls and from it greatly annoyed the besieged which they perceiving prepared to set it on fire but the wind favouring the Christians drove iâ— full in the besiegers face insomuch that the Duke of Lorrain with his German Foot getting upon the Engine beat the Turks and Sarazens from the Wall with great slaughter and leaping thereon fixed his Standard keeping his Ground though the Enemies shot flew as thick as Hail which venturous Attempt so encouraged the rest of the Princes that they pressed on with great fury insomuch that a terrible slaughter ensued the Souldiers in their rage sparing neither Man Woman nor Child which made the most couragious of the Turks Sarazens and Jews retire to Solomon's Temple in the Entrance whereof they maintain'd a bloody and obstinate fight spreading all the Pavement with the bodies of the slain and bedewing it with streams of blood and so eager were the Christians to charge the Infidels that they for haste thrust one another upon the Enemies Weapons yet after great slaughter they gave back and betook them to the Vaults on the top of the Temple from whence they defended themselves till the fury of the Christians was over and a Trumpet sounded to give Quarter upon which they yielded and had their Lives spared Thus was the Famous City of Jerusalem retaken by the Christians in 30 days Anno 1099. after it had remained in the hands of the barbarous Infidels for the space of 409 years and so great was the joy conceived by the Christians who inhabited it and had suffered miserable Persecution under the Turks that they embraced the Souldiers weeping for gladness and every where singing praises for their deliverance Things being at this pass the Princes consulted amongst themselves whom to constitute King of the Holy City and after some deliberation thought none fitter than the valiant Duke of Normandy but he hearing of his Brothers death declined it as desirous to return and take possession of
have the next day been Married to the Captain of Bilezuga and gave her in Marriage to his Son Orchanes who had Issue by her Amurath the third King of the Turks and Solyman Bassa and immediately thereupon besieged the Castle of Einegiol which he took and put the Garrison to the Sword and now no longer resolving to play small Games he besieged the City of Nice in Bythinia not many years before the Seat of the Greek Emperor to relieve which the Emperor sent such Forces as could upon so short a warning be drawn together which Othoman encountring with overthrew and afterward by Famine constrained the Citizens upon promise of Life to surrender the City with spoils of which he greatly inriched himself sending part thereof to the Sultan who in requital ordered prayers to be put up for his prosperous Success promising that he should succeed him in his Kingdom of which being disappointed at the death of the said Sultan by those that divided it into an Anarchy he nevertheless took upon him the Dignity of a Sultan Coining Money and Causing publick prayers to be put up in his own name and sezing upon Neapolis made it his Regal seat calling it Despotopolis or the City of the Prince and thus Anno 1300 begun the great Empire of the Turks This upstart Turk having so soon advanced his fortune setled his Government with wholesom Laws the lasting Cords of Empire and then drawing all his forces together lay'd Siege to Prusia during which the Christian Princes that bordered upon him drew all their forces together resolving to give him battle but therein his good fortune prevailing they were overthrown whereupon several Towns and Castles fell into his hands some surrendring voluntarily and others by force compelled so to do but the strong City of Prusia in which was the broken Army of the Christians stood impregnable whereupon he built two Castles to block it up and returned to Neapolis sending his Captains out daily with strong parties to fetch booties out of the Christian Territories and to take in such Castles as by surprize or otherwise might fall into their hands His Power being now greatly increased that he was able to draw into the Field 20 or 30000 Horse and Foot at what time Cossi the Christian Captain revolting turned Turk and stood Othoman in great stead during his Wars nor did the other Turks in the Lesser Asia less indammage the Christians so that the Greek Empire began to Dwindle into a small Circumference occasioned by the divisions amongst themselves about Religion for young Baldwin the Latin Emperor being expelled Constantinople as is aforesaid in flying into Germany lay daily at Charles the Emperor to restore him which Paleologus the Greek Emperor understanding offered unto Pope Gregory the tenth that if he would divert the Emperors forces by intangling him in Domestick troubles he would so order the matter that the Greek Empire in matters of Religion should acknowledge the See of Rome as Supream and from thence take all directions as to Ecclesiastical affairs which Innovation caused divers tumults and many to leave the Empire rather chosing to dwell with the Turks which troubles lasted to the Death of Paleologus nor could he fulfil his promise to the Pope After the Greek Emperors Death Andronicus succeeded in the Empire who was no less troubled with the Incursions of the Turks yet he fought with them several Battles with various with Success but then a difference arising between him and his Brother Constantine all his hopes of prevailing vanish'd though without cause as most believe suspected his Brothers aspiring to Empire who was one of the chiefest Bulwarks a-against the Turks beyond the River Meander giving to them many a fatal overthrow yet was he cast in Prison with many of his followers and one Alexus Philanthropenus made General of the Army in his stead to whom was joyned Libadarius an experienced Captain and grave Councellor the former of which after having obtained many Victories over the Turks and Tartars perswaded by the Cretensians Rebelled against the Emperor taking upon himself the title of Emperor which lasted not long for being overthrown by the latter in a mortal Battle was delivered bound by his Souldiers to the Conqueror who depriving him of his Sight sent him to the Emperor then residing at Constantinople The Rebellion created such Jealousie in the Emperor that he chose rather to trust strangers then his own Subjects so that he having notice of the Massagetes a People dwelling beyond Ister being oppressed by the Tartars he upon their Supplication appointed them part of his Dominions whereupon they came over to him with about 10000 families which caused him to fall into the displeasure of his Subjects these new-come guests being compleatly Armed he sent them with many others against the Turks under one leading of his Son and Partner in the Empire Michael Paleologus who at the first sight of the Turks without so much as striking a stroak fled which gave the Enemy the advantage of conquering the Country as â—ar as Lestos After this as if destiny had so willed it the Emperor called to his aid Ronzerius a Pirate who came with 2000 Catalonians and afterwards increaseâ— his number by sending for more who at first did considerable service but within a while fell to spoiling and plundering the Emperors Dominions in Asia worse then the Turks as likewise by setting out certain Gallies bobbed all the Merchants that passed those Seas till at last their Gallies being destroyed by a Fleet of the Genoways and their Captain slain by the command of the young Emperor they called in the Turks having first seized upon the City of Calipolis against these who with joynt forces harased the Country the young Emperor went in person but was overthrown and most of his Greeks slain upon the revolt of the Massagets and other treacherous Mercenaries who were shortly recompenced according to their deserts for being about to return home with the spoil they had gotten the Catalonians set upon them and put 'um all to the Sword taking from them a rich booty and then passing through many Countries they left the Emperor free till at last coming to the Territories of the Duke of Thebes and he refusing to give them passage they in a set battle overthrew his power and seized on his Country in which they settled themselves where their Posterity to this day remains But this freed not the Emperor of the danger for the Turks coming down in great number and having overthrown the young Emperor spoiled all Thracia to stay whose fury Philes Paleologus a devout man and Kinsman to the Emperor undertook the defence of his bleeding Country and meeting them as they were ranging to and fro burning and destroying all before 'um he in a set battle overthrew 'um and forced 'um into the City of Chersonesus where he so straightly besieged them by Sea and Land that indeavouring to break through the Leaguer they were most
Emperors ever since Amurath having settled his Conquests in Europe leaving a sufficient Power with his great Captains The Winter coming on the passed over into Asia but early in the Spring upon view tha the Christians were in Arms he returned and by the way took the Town of Boge putting the chief Inhabitants to the Sword and carrying away the rest Captives but held it not long e'r it was recovered and rased by the Christians who served the Turks in like manner In the mean time the Christian Army in Servia and Bulgaria consisting of 50000 Horse and Foot advanced in Order to their besieging Adrianople which obliged him for his better security to haste over the Hellespont giving Order for a great number of Asians to follow him but by reason of the Christians discord amongst themselves and refusing to joyn their Forces they were set upon at advantage and overthrown with the loss of half the Army e'r the Forces arrived from Asia The News of which fatal overthrow spreading wide Anairath's Fame spread wider Insomuch that German-Ogly Reigning in the lesser Asia and being chief of the Zelzuccian Family sent his Ambassadors to intreat a Marriage between his Daughter Hatun and young Bajazet in lieu of which he promised a great part of his Territory and that his Son-in-Law at his Death should succeed him in his Kingdom by that means joyning both Families into one the which in short time was accorded at the Celebration of which Nuptials the Ambassadors of almost all the Princes of the East were present who in the Names of their Lords presented the Bridegroom and Bride with exceeding rich Gifts but Amurath to outdo them all caused Euronoses to bring out of Europe 100 beautiful Boys with as many Virgins all Christian Captives clad in rich Garments imbroidered with Gold and Pearl each of them holding a Cup of Gold in the one hand and a Cup of Silver in the other filled with Jewels Pearls Amber and the like which he caused in requital of their Kindness given to the Ambassador to be At this Marriage Chusun-Beg Prince of Amisum in Galatia sold by his Ambassador his Territories of Amisum to Amurath as doubting to keep them the Turks Power being now so near him The Nuptials Celebrated Amurath making his Son Bajazer Governour of his Countries in Anatolia gathered what Forces he could for the Invasion of Servia taking by the way the strong City of Pherae and entering Servia the Despot no ways able to oppose him he took Nissa the Metropolis of that Province and soon after Apolonia with many other places of strength so in fourteen days over-run nigh all the Provinces but receiving News out of Asia that Aladine King of Caramania who a little before had Married his Daughter wasted his Countries in Asia with Fire and Sword which so inraged Amurath that making Peace with the Despot of Servia he passed over with an Army of 70000 Horse and Foot to whom in number Aladine was not inferior as having Confederated hmself with all the Petty Princes of Asia when after several overtures of Peace proposed and none accepted both Armies joyned on the great Plains of Carramania where after a dreadful Battle Aladin's Army was overthrown he was forced to fly into Iconium his chief City and was there straightly besieged but at the humble Supplication of his Queen who would have no denyal at her Fathers hands he upon his Submission was restored again to his Dignity and Kingdom as likewise were all the Princes his Confederates upon Condition of acknowledging him their supream Lord. Whilst these things passed the Despot of Servia grieving that he had made such a dishonourable League with the Turks and being told by his General sent with Forces to assist Amurath against the Caramanian King how despightfully he had used him and his Soldiers therewithal stirring him up to break the League and cast off the servile Yoak he sent secretly to the King of Bozan to request him to joyn with him against the Turkish Tyrant who willingly accorded and at an interview between the said King and the Despot all things were agreed upon Notice of which Amurath was not a little perplexed but yet resolving to take revenge he gathered great Forces to invade both Princes the which whilst he was doing the Captain of Alexandria took a Castle in the Confines of Bosan came privately to his Tent and offered to deliver to him most part of the Country if he would follow his directions strengthening his Promise with many specious Arguments insomuch that the Greedy Turk giving Credit to what he had said sent twenty thousand Men under the leading of his great Captain and Tutor Lala-Schalin who plundering part of the Country and at last by the said Captains device who had by Amurath been highly honoured especially with a rich Cloak which signifies the Person so invested to be highly in the Favour of the Turkish King but having drawn them within the Danger of the Ambush he sent to the King of Bosan who coming upon them with 30000 Greeks as they were stragling cut of 50000 of them the other 5000 with Schakin hardly escaping to tell the News With this overthrow of his Men Amurath was greatly inraged and gathering all his Power marched into Servia which before he had Relinquished upon the Despots becoming his Tributary where he found the Christians with a formidable Army ready to receive him when after some Towns and Castles taken on either side both Armies met upon the great Plains of Cossovia where when the Captains on either side had put their Men in Order exhorting them to do their best for obtaining the Victory they joyned with such Fury that the Earth trembled under their Feet and such was the horrid noise of Clashing Arms shouts of the Conquerors Cries of the Vanquished and Weeing of Horses that wild Beasts in the Mountains trembled and those that beheld the Fight supposed that showers of Arrows descended from the Clouds At first the Turks gave back being assailed by the Christians in great number and the Right Wing routed but Bajazet coming in with a fresh Power renewed the Battle which having continued eight hours with great slaughter Insomuch that all the Plains were covered with the Bodies of the slain most of the Christian Captains killed Valiantly fighting and amongst the rest Lazerus the Despot the Victory fell to the Turks those that fell in the Battle not being accounted less then 50000. After the Battle was over Amurath greatly Rejoycing in his huge Conquest in a Vain-glorious Humour would needs take a view of the heaps of the dead Carcasses which made the Plain Mountainous when as a half dead Soldier named Cobelits faint with loss of Blood and Wounds rising as it were from the Grave came towards him staggering and falling three or four times in twenty paces when those that were about him would have hindered his approach but Amurath Destiny so ordering Commanded he should have access supposing he
which accordingly he performed but having agreed that none but Hungarians should enter the better to prevent the effusion of blood and Regendorff contrary to that agreement sending in Germans under the Leading of their Captains to be more sure of the City the Traitor repenting of what he had undertaken refused to lead them to the Market place and they still remaining in the narrow streets and not knowing which way to go a sufficient number could not enter e're the Alarum was taken upon which the Citizens and Garrison Souldiers running to their Armes assaulted them on every side who being in a strange place and their fear augmented by the terror of the night fled back faster than they advanced Spring being come Solyman sent a great Army under the Leading of Mahometes Bassa to the Assistance of the Queen which passing the Danubius intrenched within half a mile of the Bohemians Germans and Italians under the command of the Lord Regendorff and dayly with skirmishes perplexed him having likewise fortified an Island lying in the River called Ceppelia as the General of the Christians had done another opposite to his Camp between which passed likewise many skirmishes but at length the Turks pouring a great number of their men on shoar in the Island held by the Christians caused them to leave the Fortifications and flie over the Bridge layed to pass and repass to the Camp but by the valour of the German Soldiers all was quickly regained and the City furiously assaulted though without success for that a great number of the besieged continually kept such breaches as the Canon had made and the Besiegers by reason of the nearness of the Turks Army durst not go to the assault in such number as otherwise they might have done yet they had so battered the Walls that they despaired not to win it in a short time but in the height of their Expectation news came that Solyman with a great power was near at hand to joyn the Bassa already incamped which infused such a fear into the Christians that the Soldiers whether their General would or no resolved to raise the Seige and pass the Danubius So that he was constrained to accord to the resolves and in the dead of the night raised the Siege but not so secretly but the Turks had notice sent them of what had happened by those in the City Whereupon bursting out of their Camp and the Citizens at the same time sallying by the light of a stack of straw and pursued them with great slaughter insomuch that most part of the Army was either drowned in the hasty passage or fell by the Sword not above a third part of them escaping to Comora So that a great booty by that means fell into the hands of the Turks Upon this defeat Pesih being deserted of her Garrison was taken without resistance by Cason the Turks Fleet then in the Danubius and most that were found therein put to the Sword The Lord Regendorf as a man not desirous to outlive so foul a dishonour brought upon him by the wilfulness of his unruly Souldiers would have died fighting amongst the thickest of his Enemy had he not against his will by strong hand been forced into a Pinace and so carryed by his Captains to Comora within five days after Solyman came to Buda and according to his wonted cruelty caused all the Prisoners to be put to death and one amongst the rest a German Souldier being of wonderous height he appointed to be slain by his Dwarff whose head reached not past his knees which he ordered to be done in derision of the German Nation Solyman having pitched his Camp near Buda sent his Ambassadors with Presents to the Young King viz. Three beautiful Horses with their Bridles of Gold and their Trapings set with precious stones and three Robes of cloth of Gold and unto every one of the chief Nobility a chain of Gold and rich Gowns upon the delivery of these presents as they had it in charge they requested that the Queen would cause the young King to be sent to the Camp to Solyman who was greatly desirous to see him and that he was resolved to take him and his Kingdom into protection until such time as he should of himself be able to defend it against his potent Adversary This request of the Ambassadors though not without some scruple was granted and the young King being then in his swadling Cloths was sent in a rich Chariot together with his Nurse and several great Ladies attended on by such of the Nobility to whom Solyman had sent presents upon whose Arrival the Tyrant took him in his arms and looked upon him commanding his sons then present viz. Selymus and Bajazet begotten on the fair Roâ—colana to kiss him in token of there love to him from thence forward yet notwithstanding these fair shews he consulted with his Bassa's whether he should retain the King and seize on the Kingdom of Hungary having before caused his Soldiers to possess themselves of one of the Gates of Buda called Sabatina it was likewise debated whether all the Nobility then in his possession should be put to death or carried into bondage of all which opinions were some of his Bassa's and others of a far more mild opinion So that Solyman when he well considered what had been argued resolved upon a method between the one and the other when entering Buda on the 30th of August anno 1541. after he had sacrificed to his vain Prophet in the Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary he published a Decree the fatal doom of that flourishing Kingdom under which it at this day groans That Buda should from that day be kept with a Garrison of Turks and the Kingdom be converted into a Province of the Turkish Empire that the Queen with her son the young King should presently depart the City and live in Lippa a fertil and quiet Countrey beyond the River Tibiscus near to the borders of her fathers Kingdom and to be safely conducted thither with all her Wealth and Jewels by the Janizaries of which hard conditions the Queen was glad to accept upon which the Hungarian Nobility all but Valentinus her General were set at Liberty having before been retained as Prisoners in the Turkish Camp King Ferdinand residing at Vienna upon notice of what had passed and that Solyman was purposed to invade his Territories first sending to collect his dispersed Forces afterwards he sent Count Salma and Sigismund Lethestaine noble and grave Councellors his Ambassadors to Solyman with rich presents which were a standing cup of Gold after the German fashion richly beset with pearls and pretious stones and a wonderful Silver Globe of most rare and curious device daily expressing the hourly passing of the time the motion of the Planets the Change and Full of the Moon the motion of the Superiour Orbs ever moving by certain wheels or weights curiously conveyed within the same exactly keeping due time and motion lively expressing
to the assistance of the Vayvod Selymus hearing what had passed sent 30000 Turks and 2000 Hungarians to joyn such Forces as were raised by the Palatine of Valachia Transalpine with a Command that he should take John the Vayvod and send him in bonds to Constantinople and in his stead placed Peter his brother of which the Palatine an utter Enemy to John was not a little glad nor delayed but upon the Arrival of the Turks and Hungarians with an Army of 202000 fighting men passed over the River Moldavius not doubting but with his multitude to oppress his adversary but putting too much confidence in his strength and by reason thereof incamping disorderly on the Bank of the River the Vayvod and Captain of the Cossacks set upon with such fury that ere his Souldiers could recover their Horses then dispersed in the adjacent Medows or put themselves in a posture of defence they overwhelmed with shot and every where disordered so that flying in great confusion most of them were slain or drowned in attempting to repass the River the Palatine and Peter his brother hardly escaping to the Castle of Brailonia in Valachia In the Palatines Camp were found store of Riches which the Vayvod bestowed upon his Souldiers and with Fire and Sword entered Valachia Transalpine putting all to the Sword that came in his way without respect either to Age or Sex till he came to the Castle of Brailonia in which he understood that the Palatine and his Brother were in this Castle together with a fair City bearing the same name standeth on the Banks of Danubius which at that time was defended by a strong Garrison of Turks near unto which incamping his Army he wrote to the Captain thereof commanding him to deliver into his hands the Palatine and his Brother who had causelesly invaded his Territories and being overthrown in Battle was fled unto him the which if he refused to do he vowed never to depart from thence till he had constrained him to yield them up which Message being sent to the Captain by two Valachian Prisoners he returned four Messengers with ten great shot ten small shot and two Turkish Arrows giving them in charge to tell the Vayvod that forasmuch as he knew him to be a servant to his dread Soveraign Selymus he did respect him but would in no wise deliver into his hands those he required but forasmuch as he understood that he of late had slain a great number of his Lords Servants who by his commandement were bringing Peter the Palatines Brother into Moldavia he therefore commanded him to raise the siege or he would make him and his Souldiers seed upon those dishes meaning the Bullets and Arrows till gorged to the full they dangerously surfeited and cast This answer so incensed John that he caused the Messengers to be cruelly intreated by cutting off their Noses Lips and Ears and nailing them by their feet to a piece of Timber hung them up before the City with their heads downwards as a terror to the rest and they furiously battering the Walls till large breaches appeared the Souldiers entred by plain force put all to the Sword that they found therein Insomuch that the blood running like a Torrent into the Danubius crimsoned ore its stream for many a mile There the greedy Souldiers found inestimable Wealth heaped up in many peaceful years but perceiving the Castle not so easily to be won as the City he upon notice of the approach of 15000 Turks to the relief of the former razed the latter and suddainly went to meet them with his Cossacks and 8000 Moldavian Horsemen and by speedy Marches entred their disordered Camp ere they heard he had raised the siege where the inraged Souldiers so laid about them that scarcely 1000 of the Turks escaped which were afterwards put to the Sword in Teira which City the Vayvod took and utterly razed and returning from thence overthrew another Army of the Turks with incredible slaughter so that his name became terrible to the Turks and made Selymus doubt the keeping of his Dominions in Europe but as Treason is always the wreck of prosperous affairs so it happened to the Vayvod for he dissolving a part of his Army and appointing Czarnieuiche one of his great Captains and a man singularly by him beloved for the Guarding his Frontires and preventing the Turks passing the Danubius corrupted with the Turks Gold he suffered Peter with a great Army the next Spring to enter Valachia without resistance of which the Vayvod having notice lying then before the Castle of Teine he sent the Captain of the Cossacks and the Moldavian Horsemen to oppose their passage who meeting with 6000 of the forerunners of the Turks Army after a light skirmish put them to flight and taking one of them though mortally wounded inquired of him the state of the Army that had passed Danubius but he dealing unfaithfully with them would not make them sensible of the great power which was at hand yet the Captain of the Cossacks doubting to be oppressed by multitudes and having in distrust the fidelity of Czarnieuiche sent to the Vayvod to advertise him thereof and to desire him to provide for himself and the safety of his Army but he as a man resolved to give the Turks Battle returned for answer that in the first place he little doubted of the Faith of him whom he had found most faithful in the time of his greatest distress and used as a most trusty companion in all his Travels and that it was no time now to stand in doubt or be afraid and that as for himself he would ere long come with the rest of the Army and take a view of the Enemies Camp for that he was not come so far to fly but to fight in the defence of his Subjects and Country and so within four dayes after he joyned with the forerunners of his Army and incamped near a Lake which runneth out of Danubius and with several of his trusty followers ascended a high Hill the better to take a veiw of the Enemies huge Camp upon which plainly perceiving that he was betrayed by Czarnieuiche who had then under his command 13000 of his choice Souldiers he sent for him but he doubting his Treason was discovered sent him word that he could not now come the Enemy being so nigh at hand but that he should without delay see him in the Field as forward as the most couragious against the Enemy but herein he failed his Lord for Battle being joyned he caused his Ensigns to be let fall and revolted to the Enemy which so discouraged the rest of the Souldiers that after a desperate and bloody fight finding themselves oppress'd with multitudes and their Countrey-men who should have assisted them fighting against them they gave back which the Vayvod perceiving caused the retreat to be sounded and with 20000 Foot men and such Horsemen as escaped the Battle retired in as good order as the danger would permit
favours towards him then stood with her honour and at the same time Mahomet intending to match him to his Daughter thereby to procure the Friendship of the great Tartarian Cham it so far moved the Sultans or great men of the Court with envy that they slew him in the Palace and at the same time as many reported strangled the Queen whom they found over familiar with him in his Chamber but whether so or not certain it is she was never afterwards seen The Tartars Forces thus destroyed the Terror of the young Persian Prince was so great that what by Stratagem and plain Force he wrested out of the Turks hands most of the Cities they had before possessed Insomuch that the City of Derbent of which Osman Bassa was Governour with the title of Vizar of Sirnan excepted the Turks were driven out of all their strong places nor was it long ere the Persian Sophy practised with Shahamel Lord of the Mountain of Brus whose Daughter Osman had married to betray him and the City into his power for that he was the onely man amongst the Georgians whom Osman trusted who won by the great promises of the Sophy without any respect to the Turk as he was his Son-in-Law undertook to gratifie him in his desire but he carried not the matter so close but his Daughter understanding what that passed and more studious for the preservation of her Husband than furthering her Fathers purpose she still revealed all she knew which so inwardly perplexed Osman that he resolved to prevent the Treachery of his Father-in-law by taking him out of the way whereupon as his usual manner was inviting him to a solemn Feast with a chearful countenance he commanded 500 of his Soldiers to be in a readiness and that as soon as Sahamel was entered the Court off his Pallace to seize him and after having cut of his Head to put all his followers to the Sword which was accordingly put in execution and not so contented he sent out 2000 Horsemen to spoil his Countrey to the great astonishment of all the neighbouring Princes but to the exceeding grief of the Sophy who found his hopes frustrated by the death of Sahamel The year following viz. 1578. Amurath calling to him his Bassa's consulted what was further to be done in relation to the Persian War when after a long debate it was upon mature deliberation resolved that it was a matter of dangerous consequence to send an Army into the heart of Persia where they should not only have a fierce Enemy to deal with but likewise many other difficulties as hunger overflowing of Rivers passing craggy Mountains and the like But that it was therefore necessary that by degrees they should pass conquering on from the Borders still securing all at their backs the care of managing which being referred to Mustapha he sent into all the Heredatary Countries of the Empire commanding the respective Governours to send him store of Pioners and men skilled in Architect as likewise a great number of the most expert Souldiers but especially those that had been disbanded the year before upon notice of which great multitudes flocked to the service who early in the Spring met at Erzirum from whence they marched under the command of the Bassa to Chars a City on the Frontiers of Sirnan which in the late War had been demolished yet now again Rebuilt and Fortified within the space of 23 dayes notwithstanding the abundance of Snow that fell during their labouring therein the which was no sooner finished but news came that the strong Castle of Testis was besieged by the Persians who had reduced the Garrison to so great a straight that through Famine they would be obliged to yield up the place if they were not speedily relieved Upon which in great perplexity he sent Hassan Bassa Son to Mahomet Principal Vizar of the Court and Resuan Captain of the Adventurers with 20000 Horse and Foot furnished with Provisions and others Necessaries for the relief of the Besieged who passing the straits of Tomanis were set upon by 8000 Persians under the leading of Aliculi Cham and Simon two expert Captains who in those intricate mazes slew many of them and took considerable spoil which so hightened them that within a while after setting upon the Turks and thinking to have the like advantage fell into their Ambush so that most of the Persians fell by the Sword or were taken Prisoners and amongst the latter Aliculi Cham wwhich gave Hassan opportunity to march without further controul to Testis where through Famine he found half the Garrison lost yet encouraging them in the best wise and storing them with all manner of Provision and Warlike Munition he having at their request displaced Mahomet the Governour and constituted Amet Bassa in his stead he was about to return the same way he came but upon notice that Simon had strongly possessed himself of the aforesaid straights and barrocadoed them with his great Artillery he was wonderfully perplexed as dispairing of his safe return which Aliculi perceiving promised upon consideration that he would release him to shew him a way both plain and easie through which he might pass without any danger from the Persians whereupon the Bassa swore to perform what he requested but afterwards as is very usual amongst those Infidels revoked his Oath excusing himself by saying it was not in his power to release any Prisoner taken in War without the consent of his General of which perfidious dealing Sinan having notice who before in consideration of the delivery of Aliculi had winked at their passage he with his Light-Horsemen pursued hard after them when overtaking the Rear he charged them with such fury that in great confusion they fled In which flight a great number were slain and taken Prisoners with a great booty especially the Treasure of the Bassa and of Resuan Captain of the Adventurers which loss so sensibly afflicted Mustapha that upon notice thereof he broke up his Army not thinking it convenient to attempt any thing further that year and soon after he being discharged of his Generalship was called home where upon his arrival at Court he was accused by Sinan Bassa for neglecting the Emperours affairs wasting his Treasure in unnecessary buildings and rather giving the Enemy cause to contemn the Ottoman Forces then to fear their Prowess These and many other such like complaints being exhibited against him so incensed Amurath that he resolved he should be strangled in order to which he sent his chief Gentleman Porter attended on by fifteen others to the Bassas Pallace but the crafty old blade being forewarned of what was intended against him caused himself for a long time to be denyed but when the messengers impatient of delay urged that he must and should render obedience to the Emperors warrant which they then produced they were admitted to his presence but frustrated of their design by a Guard that inclosed the Bassa with weapons forbidding any access
against them and swore by the head of Ali to discharge them amongst u'm Whilst these troubles happened at Constantinople the Christian Princes were not wanting to revenge the injuries they had sustained by the Turks especially the Princes or as the Turks call them Vayvod of Transilvania Valachia and Moldavia who with many fortunate inroads into the Othoman Dominions greatly inriched themselves and Souldiers taking and Fortifying many strong Castles and destroying an Army of Four Hundred Thousand Tartars with which they had often conflicts Nor was Rodolphus the Emperour behind with the forwardest as well knowing that he had to deal with an implacable Enemy who would have no peace any longer then it served his own purpose wherefore the said Emperour and th States of Hungary sent their Ambassadors to the King of Poland who then had assembled a Parliament at Cracovia to solicite his Aid against the common Enemy of which Mahomet having notice sent likewise two Chiaus in nature of his Ambassadors to frustrate the negotiation of the Christian Ambassadors in the Polish Court and to engage that King to take up Arms on his behalf but passing through Valachia they were contrary to the mind of the Vayvod slain by some of his followers yet the Turk sent two others who fetching a greater compass through the Tartarian Dominions arrived safe in Polonia These proceedings of the Christians roused Mahomet and inspired him who was of a feirce and froward nature to take revenge in order to which he sent for Sinan Bassa out of Hungary to confer with him about the management of the war which once stated he returned again to Belgrade where upon his first Arrival by what mischance yet supposed to be by the contrivance of the Janizaries the cords of his Tent were cut and it was let fall about his ears now at his coming so great was the dearth in all the parts of Hungary where the Turks had their possessions that several Tartarian women following the Camp killed their own children and ate them which samine ingendered such a Pestilence that the Turks and Tartars dyed in abundance insomuch that of eighty thousand of the latter which the year before came at divers times to the assistance of the Turks not above eight thousand remained alive And now the Christian Army hastened from all parts to the Imperial standard so that of Germans Saxons Bohemians Hungarians Spaniards Italians Romans Flemings Franks and Sweeds in a short time there were found fifteen thousand nine hundred horse and fifty thousand foot under the conduct of most resolute Commanders of which Matthias the Arch Duke was General and Count Mansfelt sent by the King of Spain with 2000 horse and 6000 foot was appointed by the Emperor his Lieutenant Thus all things being in a readiness nothing wanting but an enemy on whom to exercise those Arms which long was not wanting for Mahomet by this time had raised a great power yet had but a bad welcome for at first the Bassa of Buda with a great number of Turks attempting to doe some memorable exploit in Transilvania was overthrown by Gestius Ferents a valiant Captain with the loss of most of his men when almost at the same time a great power of the Turks under the leading of their General entering Valachia were incountred by the Lord Nadasti commanding there for the Emperor who assisted by the Valachians and Transylvanians and in a great battle discomfited with the loss of ten thousand men and their sttandard imbroidered with Pearls and Precious Stones valued at 30000 Dollars which the said Lord sent to the Transylvanian Prince then at Alba Julia and had it returned him again as a reward of his good service which evil success being perceived by the crafty Tyrant Mahomet he dealt under hand by great promises with Aaron Vayvod of Moldavia to revolt from the Transylvanian and by any means if possible to depose him which thing coming to light and made manifest by severall intercepted Letters the said Vayvod with his wife and children being then retired into Transylvania were secured and a while after by the consent of the Moldavian Nobility one Stephen Rozwan placed in his stead which Mahomet perceiving and that his practise was brought to nought sent an Ambassador to Sigismund Prince of Transylvania to be at peace with him and suffer as formerly his Armies to pass through his Countrey into Hungaria and that in lieu thereof he should have peaceable possession of Transylvania Moldavia and Valachia paying no more then a small acknowledgment which should not be exacted by the way of Tribute but the Prince having too often experienced the perfidious dealings of the Turks would in no wise accord to what was demanded but resolved upon prosecuting the war to the utmost the which his resolution once made known to the Bulgarians they sent messengers in secret to assure him that if he proceeded with any good success they would be ready to follow his fortune and by joyning hands with him against the cruel Tyrant shut up all the passages that way into Valachia Moldavia and Hungaria The greatest part of the aid promised by the Christian Princes for the maintenance of the war being come to Vienna Count Mansfelt called a council of the chief Commanders to consult whether they should lay siege to some place of Importance or march to give the enemy battle whom he said he had Intelligence was on his way in which Council the former proposal being resolved on the whole Army in number aforesaid was mustered at Altenberg after which he besieged Dolis but at the same time had his eye upon Strigonium the other being undertaken only to amuse the Turks and exhaust the Garrison of Strigonum both of men and warlike provision to relieve their brethren in Dolis which supply the Count permitted to enter the Town and then when he was least suspected suddenly raiseing his siege set down before Strigonum to the great amazement of the Turk who not in the least dreamed of any such matter yet was it not carryed so privately but e'r he could intrench himself several Walloons Heidons straggling from the main battle were set upon by the Turks and put to the rout but the Pioniers having run the Trenches within half Musket shot of the wall fired so smartly upon the defendants many of them were slain none being able to appear upon the wall yet the Christians at at the beginning of the Siege having taken a little Island in the Danubius and put on shoar several Hungarian Companies of which the Turks of Buda having notice they in several Boats and Gallies coming down the River by night landed three thousand men who unawares setting upon the Christians put most of them to the sword and recovered the said Island but that loss was soon repaired for after many furious assaults notwithstanding the threats of the Bassa of Buda to Impail the Strigonians if they sought it not out to the last man the higher City was
Vizar Bassa Cosen to the most Puissant Sultan Mahomet to the Count Serenus sendeth Greeting WE have often heretofore written to thee concerning the matter thou knowest of but what the cause is we received no answer we know not yet could I not but write unto you again that if thou canst be content to begin the matter aright and to submit thy self to our protection we will be ready to receive thee thou seest what we foretold thee is now more then fulfilled both upon thee and thine which thou wouldest never believe nevertheless for the staying the further effusion of blood as well of thy Subjects as our and to come to some good attonement 't is high time for thee to lay thine hand upon thine heart and to consider how much more it concerneth thee then us and that the benefit thereof redoundeth more unto thine then to ours what our affections are towards thee Hierom the Vayvod can tell thee c. This Letter the Count well enough knew were but an outward shew of Friendship and therefore he thinking it not good to trust the Infidel so long as he had his Sword in his hand would not so much as dain to return him an answer whereupon he in a great rage returned to Belgrade vaunting that if Mahomet so Commanded he would the next year lay siege to Vienna and so much extol'd his exploits to the great Sultan that he commanded publick Triumphs for the space of four days in Constantinople for joy of his good success in Stira and sent the proud Bassa a Robe of Gold and a leaders Staff set wit Pearl and pretious Stones The loss of Canisia sore troubled the Christian insomuch that Paradiser the Governour who had so tamely yielded it into the hands of the Turks coming to Vienna was there imprisoned and many things being proved against him his Ensign Bearer Lieutenant and the Mayor of the Town they after many strict Examinations were at the command of the Emperour executed Notwithstanding the death of the Bassa of Carramani in manner as aforesaid the Rebellion was not altogether thereby extinguished but secretly kept alive by the countenance of the Persian Sophy so that now it again began as if revived from its Embers to break out into a flame and in a trice swept away several Towns whereupon Mahomet sent to the Persian to demand for the more assurance of the League one of his Sons as Hostage which was so evilly taken that the Sophy commanded the Turks Ambassador to be slain and although that rigorous sentence was remitted yet by the second Commandment of the Sophy he was bastinadoed and in despite of him that sent him returned with great disgrace the which though it highly offended Mahomet yet he finding himself at that time not in a condition to revenge it only blustered a little and to prevent the worst put strong Garrisons into his Frontire Towns Anno 1601 The Christian Confederates brought a strong Army into the Field for fear of which the Turkish General proposed many ofters of Peace but ere any was concluded the said General Ibraim Bassa died when as the Christians not to omit any opportunity took divers strong places and amongst the rest after a terrible battery and the loss of Eight Thousand men Alba Regalis one of the chiefest and strongest Cities of Hungary into which the furious Souldiers entering through Streets of fire and over heaps of the slain put all they met to the Sword few or none except the Bassa being taken to mercy inriched themselves with a great spoil especially the Walloons who spared not to rifle the Tombs of the Hungarian Kings which barbarity the Turks themselves had abstained from Yet hardly was the spoil taken but news came that Assan Bassa made General in the stead of Ibraim was coming with a great Army to relieve it whereupon Duke Mercury drew out his Forces and in a mortal Battle slew the Bassa and most of his men taking his rich Camp and a great number of Prisoners and amongst the rest Fifty of the Rebels that fled from Papa who yet at the instance of the said Duke were pardoned The Christians hightened with this success were now resolved to attempt the recovery of Canisia from before which after they had a long time besieged it and layed open with their furious battery several breaches killing in the several assaults a number of Turks they were by the unseasonableness of the weather obliged to depart to the great grief of the Commanders though joy of the Souldiers who through the excessive Cold that then happened were become unserviceable many of them being frozen to Death in the Trenches The Turks now greatly disinaid and almost driven out of Hungary unhappy chance turned the Christians Swords upon themselves for although Michael the Vayvod of Valachia was reconciled to the Emperour yet the Transilvanians desirous to be Governed by Sigismund their natural Prince cast Basta the Emperours Leiutenant and by him appointed Governour of that Province into Irons and immediately submitted themselves to Sigismund and likewise imprisoned several of the Nobility whom they suspected to favour the Emperour returning again to the Turkish obedience and this by the contrivance of the Chancelor of Polonia Yet at the mediation of Friends Basta was set at Liberty who thoroughly inraged at the disgrace done to him and the indignity offered thereby to the Emperour his Master raised an Army and joying with Michael the Vayvod invaded Transilvania and in a dreadful Battle overthrew Prince Sigismund with great slaughter of his men upon which Claudiopolis and divers other Cities of Transylvania returned to the Emperours obedience After this great victory the Vayvod still envying at the success of the Imperialists and secretly grudging against Basta by Letters held secret correspondency with the Bassa of Temeswar intending in consideration of Valachia Moldavia and Transilvania to become the Turks Tributary and by the assistance of the Bassa's drive out the Imperialists to prevent which it was agreed that he should be sent Prisoner to Vienna In order to which a Walloon Captain was sent into his Tent with sixty followers but he making ressistance was by the said Captain slain which caused a great uproar amongst his Souldiers but when they understood the cause by Letters produced under his own hand their anger was allayed themselves protesting that had they known so much they would long before dispatched him After the Death of the Vayvod the Transilvanians wholly submitted to themselves to Basta Yet continued not long in that obedience ere stirred up by some restless spirits they again Revolted and Proclaimed Sigismund denying obedience to any other at which suddain mutation of this unstable people Basta not a little troubled to prevent his being again imprisoned as he had been formerly by them withdrew himself with his Followers into a strong Town on the Frontiers from whence he by Letters advertized the Emperour of what had happened and requested him to send him
is to Iay them upon their Belly on a Table and to beat their Buttocks the Calves of their Legs and Soles of their Feet with a flat staff giving them ere they cease 100 or 200 blows yet the Servants confessed nothing whereupon they caught a Weaver being a Turk whose Shop was near the Ambassadors house whom they tortured in the like manner but he as the others had done could reveal nothing against the Ambassador who for all that was obliged to pay 30000 Sultanies for his own release and his Servants These and such like insolencies together with the Imprisonment of young Osman and his Brethren made the Grand Vizar who was then on the Confines of Persia to haste to Constantinople with his Army at whose approach Osman was taken out of Prison and Proclaimed Emperour so suddain are the changes of fortune in great as well as little affairs and the proud Sultan Mustapha inforced for fear of the inraged Souldiers to betake himself again to his Cell or rather Prison where for a while I shall leave him and relate what happened during the Reign of Osman CHAP. XX. The Life and Actions of Osman the First of that Name Tenth Emperour of the Turks THE Uncle after he had proudly Tyrannized for the space of two Months being deposed the Nephew was advanced to his Fathers Throne being not full Thirteen years of Age wherefore he was wholly governed by the Vizar Bassa as was also the whole Ottoman Empire when the first thing of moment that happened was the complaint of the French King by two Gentlemen sent for that purpose by whom he demanded reparation of the new Emperour for the indignity he had sustained by the Imprisonment of his Ambassador and the evil treating of his Servants letting him understand that he could not send any other Ambassador to his Court to condole the Death of Sultan Achmat his Father nor congratulate his coming to the Empire till he had received satisfaction from him becoming his dignity and the wrongs he had received in his Ambassador The Grand Vizar and Mufti hearing this Embassie and considering what had passed advertised the young Emperour to send an Ambassador to the most Christian King to Confirm the League and to testifie both by Words and Letters how much he was dissatisfied for his discontent whereupon Vri Chiaus was sent with ample instructins and so great an acknowledgment of the wrong done to the Baron of Mole that the French King rested satisfied and calling the said Ambassador home he sent the Earl of Sezi to succeed him as Ambassador at Constantinople The War continuing between the Turks and Persians about this time a great Battle was fought between them wherein the Turks prevailing put the Persians to flight with the lost of Ten Thousand of them and thereupon the Bassa General of the Turkish Army prosecuting his victory entered into the heart of Persia wasting with Fire and Sword all that stood in his way but at length having through daily skirmishes with the Enemy and Diseases arising from want and evil Diet lost a third part of his Army he accepted of the Sophies proposals of Peace which were that he would yearly pay the Tribute of Silks and at present relieve his Army with all things necessary This Peace concluded by the Bassa was allowed on by the Emperour and Ratified at Constantinople whereupon Two Hundred Cammels laden with Silks were for many years after sent to the Emperour according to Agreement Anno 1618. A fearful Comet was seen over the City of Constantinople in form like a Turkish Scimiter placed near unto the Zenith under the Horizon of a fiery colour appearing very terrible for the space of eight nights which made many conjecture it the forerunner of great bloodshed Vri Chiaus returning out of France after he had dispatched his affairs at that Court came into England where he was received and conducted to the Court and had Audience of King James his Speech being as followeth The Most True Incomprehensible and Most High God increase and multiply your Majesties years in all happiness Amen O Thou Lord of the World THE most invincible most mighty and most happy Sultan Osman Chan of the Othoman Empire Monarch sendeth to your excellent Majesty a hundred thousand Salutations and Greetings evermore praying the most High God for your Majesties happyness sendeth to your Highness with all possible Honour and Renown this his Imperial and most Noble Letter and with all hopeth that the Sacred bond of Peace which hath been hitherto inviolably on your Majesties part kept and observed your Majesty will be pleased still on your part with daily increases of more and more Friendship earnestly to continue therein And his Imperial Majesty on his behalf is also resolved in like manner evermore punctually to keep and continue the same Also the most Mighty Emperours Tutor and his chief Visier Bassa hath addressed to the dust of your Noble Feet this his most Honourable Letter with a Thousand commendations praying everlastingly the Mighty God for Your Majesties long Lise and Happyness Also Your Majesties Ambassador at Constantinople your slave Paul Pindar bowing his forehead to the dust of your Majesties Feet and most humbly kissing your Highnesses blessed Feet hath directed unto your Majesty this his submissive Letter This Speech ended and the Emperours Letter delivered with such other as the Chiaus brought he was by the Kings command in great splendor conducted to his Lodging where after five or six days stay he came again to Whitchall and made his conjue of leave upon his departure in these words as near as they can be Translated out of the Turkish Language Most happy Emperour as I have with my own hands howing my self to the dust of your Princely feet presented unto your Excellent Majesty the most mighty and high Sultan Osman my Lord and Master his Imperial Letter so likewise I beseech your Majesty that you will be pleased in conformity thereof to vouchsafe your Princely answer by your noble Letter and to deliver the same into the hands of me your slave and be ever partaker of all blessedness and happiness After he had made this Oration and received the Kings Letters he was conducted to Dover by several of the Nobility where imbarking in one of His Majesties Ships he sailed to Constantinople Anno 1619 great trouble arose in Bohemia upon the Emperours sending an Army into that Country to suppress the Protestant Religion there flourishing so that the Protestants tired with the cruelties of the popish Souldiers sent to Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania to acquaint him with the state of their affairs who after he had obtained leave of the Grand Signeour came with an Army of Eighteen Thousand men into Hungary and took many Towns spoiling the Countrey as he went nor so contented but he entered Austria Stiria and Carinthia subdued all before him without opposition but fearing if the Bohemians should be subdued the storm would sall upon him
covetous Souldiers whom Mustapha had continually supplyed with the Imperial Treasure to support his bad Title to the Turkish Diadem that Money was wanting to supply necessary occasions Insomuch that the Janizaries were obliged to remit the Largess usually bestowed upon with an Augmentation of their pay at the Coronation of every Emperour and that money which was found was for the most part adulterated insomuch that the Visier sent to the Ambassadors of the Christian Princes residing there to borrow Thirty Thousand Dollars and narrow search was made after the Treasure that had been conveyed away by the Bassa's that bore sway during the distraction in which search Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars were found that had been imbezled by the Visier Darut During these Transactions Abassa Bassa had possessed himself of all most all Asia whereupon it was thought necessary by fair means to perswade him to lay down his Arms and the rather to induce him so to do the Emperour sent unto the Capigi Bassa with a Vest Sword and Letters of Credence giving him thanks for the love he had shewed to his Brother and his Blood but now the revenge belonged to himself of which he would take care and therefore desired him if he were a true subject as he professed himself to be to return to his Government of Arzirum after having dissolved his Army and there to rest till further occasion required his service Upon this order from the Emperor he excused himself that the far advancement of the season would not permit him to retire but promised to live in peace until the spring and then to return in obedience to his Government Nor was this all for the Bassa or Emir of Sidon was up in Arms and with an Army of Thirty Thousand men had seized the strong City and Castle of Damascus and was supposed to hold confederacy with the Christian Princes being himself no favourer of the Mahometan superstition and besides he was a Prince by descent and claimed a right to those Countries as the antient inheritance of his Predecessors nor was the Emperor in a condition to repress him by force therefore intreaties were used as to the former with many large promises nor was the Transilvanian Prince quiet though in a different nature for contrary to his League with the Emperor in a hostile manner he entered Hungary and possessed himself of several Towns To oppose whom the Imperialists raised a considerable Army and incamped in the way he was to pass yet was his coming so suddain that he cut off seven hundred straglers of the Imperialists and had surprized the Camp had not the alarum been given by some that fled yet with his whole Army he so pressed them that they were forced to betake themselves to a small Town Ghoding upon the River of Moran where they Fortified under a Castle that defended it but in the end oppressed with cold and hunger they sent to the Prince to make truce which with the consent of Sultan Morat was accorded on these considerations First That the Emperour should disclaim all right to Hungary and should leave the people free under the Government of the Prince of Transilvania Secondly That the Prince and all the Provinces that had sent their Ambassadors to the Port and had made league with him and had taken the Imperial protection should be restored to their antient Liberty and Estates Thirdly That the Emperor should pay an annual Tribute of forty thousand Dollars pretended to be granted in the dayes of Solyman for Austria and that the Prince and the Bassa of Buda should have full power if they found it convenient at any time to conclude a Peace on the part of the Ottoman Emperor and that all Cities Towns and Castles should remain in the hands of those that possessed them a free intercourse of Trade being allowed between the Subjects of the one and the other Empire This done the Prince of Transilvania made shew as if he would redeem all the poor Captives taken by the Turks at his own charge with some small assistance from the Imperialists upon whom he layed the fault that it was not done for as much as they failing to send their Commissioners to treat about the matter the Turks in the night time decamped and carried away with them contrary to his pleasure twenty thousand Christians into miserable Captivity He likewise warned the Turks to keep in order and not to straggle in their retreat nor to commit any insolency or spoil for that the Country was all in Armes and already inraged but they not following his Council two thousand Hungarian Horse fell upon their Rear and cut off six hundred of them whereupon they turned head and destroyed many Villages killing and taking Prisoners all that came to hand and amongst the rest one of the Hungarian Lords By this time the Persian desirous to dismember the Ottoman Empire with a powerful Army entred the Turkish Dominions in the Province of Babylon and greatly Alarumed that City whereupon a war was proclaimed against him at the Port and all Souldiers in the Emperors pay commanded to repair to the rendezvous upon pain of Confiscation and their wives and children being sold for slaves it was likewise propounded that a reconciliation should be made between the Emperor and Abassa Bassa at any rate least he should joyne with the Persian and that being so gained he might be imployed as General of Turkish Army but the Janizaries would not hear of the advancement of their mortal enemy but rather â—esired to be led against him and fight it out to the utmost but the Spahi were of another mind as rather inclinable to the Bassa yet the Janizaries displaced their Aga for disswading them therefrom and set up in his stead a page of the Court. Thus whilst it was unresolved how to proceed the Persian King omitted no opportunity but Conquered the Province and City of Babylon put to flight Hafis Bassa General of that defensive war and took prisoner Chur Hassen Bassa a renowned old Souldier and cutting in pieces all that opposed him found means to seize upon Mosul antiently called Ninivie and Laska on the Persian Sea and dividing his Army sent part towards Van and Diarbeck and the other towards Mecha incompassing by that means all that part of the Turks Dominions About this time his Majesty of Great Brittain by his Ambassador residing at Constantinople complained of the injuries his Subjects Trading in those Seas had sustained by the Pirates of Argier and Tunis who in two years space had taken about one hundred English Vessels most of them richly laden wherefore the Ambassador demanded that they might be punished for violating the League and be forced to restore such Vessels with their lading as were found not to be imbezled or that they might be left to his Majesty to punish without any offence to the Grand Seigneour but many of the Bassas being interested in those Piracies nothing more could be procured then a
Age the Government was committed into the hands of the Grand Visier and the Queen Mother called by the Turks Riosem and of 12 Bassa's who were to manage all affaires with supream power during the Minority of Sultan Mahomet whose Reign I shall pursue in the following chapter CHAP. XXII The Reign of Mehmet or Mahomet the fourth of that Name and Thirteenth Emperor of the Turks who now Reigneth IBrahim deposed and murthered as in the foregoing Chapter is related Mehmet or rather Mahomet his Eldest Son of the Age of seven years supplyed the empty Throne during whose minority which was to continue ten years longer His Grand Mother the Grand Visier and twelve Bassa's took into their hands the Reins of Government and after many debates resolved to continue the War with the Venetians which Ibrahim designed to conclude the treaty of Peace in order thereto being far advanced and the Ambassador of that Signiory then at the Port impatiently expecting an end of his negotiation but whilst these affairs were in hand the unruly Spahi's not having received the Largess usually bestowed amongst them at the Installment of a new Emperour making it their pretence the better to colour their discontents that they were resolved to revenge the death of the murdered Emperour whose fall the Janizaries had occasioned insomuch that a great difference arose between those two orders the former being the best Horsemen and the latter the best Footmen and although many laboured to appease that Tempest which threatned the dismembering the Empire Yet many skirmishes happened between these contrary Factions in the streets of Constantinople in which some hundreds were slain but the Spahies being for the most part worsted at length abandoned the City These animosities and divisions amongst the Turkish Souldiers gave the Venetians opportunity to provide for their defence as expecting nothing less then a War for that their Ambassador had been clapped up on Prison for demanding Audience and chains put upon him but at the intreaty of the other Christian Ambassadors there residing he was set at Liberty Yet to affront him the Grand Visier caused his Dugerman or Interpreter to be executed and his body thrown out at the Castle Window which barbarous act is frequent amongst the Turks either to put a disgrace upon the Ambassador or to terrifie those Interpreters that they shall not dare to speak any thing after an Ambassador though upon his Audience that should be ungrateful to the Grand Signeour which causes them many times to mince their words and not render a true interpretation These matters widening differences between the Venetians and the Turks great preparations were made on either side the former with all diligence reinforcing Candia and the latter to hinder it so that many skirmished happened by Land and Sea till at length the Bassa Governour notwithstanding the Venetian Fleet blocked up the Dardaneles having received a recruit of 1500 men laid siege to the strong City Candia and battered it with many pieces of Ordinance till at length having taken a small Fort that flanked it he lodged his men therein just as 6 Gallies of Malta arrived with 600 Voluntiers and 60 Knights of the Order who beat out the Turks with great slaughter yet they retook it again and planted the Ottoman colours upon the highest Bullwark which so inraged the Christians that sallying with all their force they drove the Turks from the Walls with great slaughter regained the piece and caused the Bassa with shame and loss to raise the siege The Wars growing hot in Candia the discontents between the Spahi and Janizaries that was before supposed to be appeased grew hot again and much slaughter happened between those inveterate factions when to pacifie the latter the great Visier was deposed and executed Yet that little availed nor was that all for several of the Bassa's denyed to return the Tribute of their Provinces alledging they would reserve it till the Grand Signeour was of age and then be to him accountable both for principal and interest nor were the Wars in Bosna Dalmatia Foscolo and other places on the Venetian Frontires neglected but continued with doubtful success and great slaughter yet part of the Ottoman Forces on that side were diverted by the Cossacks who at the instigation of the Tartar Han covered the Black Sea with their Boats and committed many outrages insomuch that Constantinople trembled at their approach as fearing a sack by the hands of those resolute people but in the end having gotten a rich booty they returned to their station The Venetians finding the Turks resolute bent to make themselves absolute Lords of Candia in which Island they had got strong footing laboured as earnestly to expell them so that huge Fleets on either side were prepared that of the Turks consisting of 1100 Ships Gallies Galleasses Saiques Brigantines and lesser Vessels furnished with Bombes Mortar-pieces and Fireworks producing strange effects and in that order set forward from the Port of Constantinople with a strict command to give Battle of which Mocenigo the Venetian Admiral having notice with the same willingness bore up with them so that there began a bloody and for a long time doubtful Fight but the Venetians being better appointed than the Turks broke and disordered their huge Armado sinking and taking several Galleys and putting the rest to flight killing in one of them flying the Bassa of Anatolia who was sent to succede Chusadin Bassa who had been made Grand Visier in the General Ship of Candia yet the Turks having put into the Islands and conceiving it a shame for so great a Fleet to fly from one much inferiour in number resolved to hazard another Battle and therefore coming out of the several Harbours and ranging in the form of a Crescent the Captain Bassa fired two Guns a Stern in token he was ready to Ingage which Mocenigo perceiving bore up with him and began a second fight more dreadful than the former playing with his Canon so furiously that he broke off her Poop and killed 100 so her Men sinking two Galleys by her side and greatly disablihng several others nor were the Turks idle but used their utmost endeavour to blot out the disgrace they had sustained by their late flight but it availed not for by the Thundering shot and Fire-works the Venetians plyed them with they were evey where put to the worst so that flying in all parts the Venetian General following the advantage took 39 Galleys 23 Ships 3 Galliasses and 3000 Soldiers 40 Gallies Ships and other Vessels were burnt or sunk and in them and by the great and small shot 9000 Turks perished in both Ingagements the rest hardly escaping to Naxos This great loss made the Turks out of heart with marine Affairs and so far discouraged them that ever since they have layd aside building Vessels of Force as useless say that God hath given the Sea to Christians and the Land to Turks About this time came news to Constantinople that the
the chief of which were the Sieur D' Bois Dauphin Son to a Marshal of France of that Name and the Sieur D' Chateau Neuf the first for his youth and beauty and the second for his courage being afterwards greatly esteemed by the Turks and both entertained by the Visier with more generosity than ordinary These proceedings so amazed and discouraged the French that the Duke D' Navailles now their Commander in chief could not be perswaded to stay any longer in defence of the City but pretending the Kings express command for his return at a time prefixed and that time being almost come notwithstanding the earnest intreaty of the Captain General he withdrew the greatest part of his Forces and although he met further orders that injoyned his stay yet imbarquing he returned to France where for his Cowardise he was forbid approaching the presence of the King or entering the perâ—ues of the Court for a considerable time The French thus departed the Turks took courage and attacqued the quarter of Sabionera and St. Andrea where putting the out-Guards to flight they advanced to the Palisado of the new retrenchment but Vollies of Cannon and showers of Musquet-shot with quarries of stones thrown from the Engines pouring on them gave a check to their proceedings but the Candiots perceiving they opposed the multitudes of the Enemie in vain with one voice implored the Captain General to surrender the City that was not Tenable and not to expose them to the fury of a Merciless Enemy of whom the Marquess D' Montbourn taking pity and finding himself too weak to oppose such powerful Forces as the Turks by reason of new supplys had in their Camp they as it were already having possessed the main strengths of the City he assembled a Councel of all the Chief Officers both in the City and those that belonged to the Fleet who after a serious consideration concluded that the City could not by force nor policy be much longer held by reason of the small number of the Defendants and the incroachment of whose number was ten to one whereupon the General was of opinion that having imbarqued all the unnecessary people and those that were wounded they should by firing of Mines lay the City waste and so leave the Enemy a bloody and inglorious Victory which Noble Resolution was seconded by several other Chiefs but in the end it was agreed that a treaty should be had with the Turks about its surrender the which after some debates was concluded on these Articles First that for obtaining a good and lasting peace it is agreed that the City of Candia with all its Cannon which were planted there before the time of the War be consigned into the hands of the Visier Secondly That the quiet possession be given to the Republique of Suda Carabusa Spina Longa and the Territories thereunto belonging together with the Fortress of Calissa and Dalmatia Thirdly That the Venetians may carry away all the Cannon which have been brought into the Town since the beginning of the War Fourthly That for Imbarquing the Souldiers Pioneers and Inhabitants of all Qualities and Conditions with their Arms Provisions and Baggage Twelve days shall be allowed Fifthly That what shall remain unshipped at the end of Twelve days the Visier shall with his own Boats assist the Lading thereof Sixthly That during this time of Truce no Person whatsoever shall transgress his Limits and he that doth shall be treated as an Enemy Seventhly That so soon as those Articles shall be subscribed under the White Flag all Acts of Hostility shall cease under the one side and the other Eighthly That for security of performance of these Articles Three Hostages be mutually given on the one side and the other Ninthly That for better assurance that the Venetians will use all their indeavours to imbarque their Men The Turks may imploy two Officers for Eye-Witnesses of the same Tenthly That for Effecting hereof all Ships Galleys and other Vessels may freely approach unto the shoar and enter the Port either day or night Eleventhly That the Venetian Fleet may remain at Sâ—andia or at any other Island in the Archipelago until such times as they are dispatched or that things are duly prepared for their departure Twelfthly That all Commissions given by the one side or the other be revoked and that whosoever within the space of Forty days shall commit any Hostility against the Tenour of these Articles shall be punished with capital punishment Thirteenthly That so soon as an Embassador from Venice shall arrive at the Port all Slaves and Prisoners taken under the Venetian Colours shall be freed and released Fourteenthly That what Depredations shall be made at Sea or Land after these Articles shall be subscribed and before the publication thereof shall be faithfully made good and restored Fifteenthly That a General pardon be given to the subjects on both sides who have acted contrary to their Faith and Allegiance during this War Sixteenthly that in virtue of these capitulations the former Articles be confirmed which were made in the year 1571 and that no Tribute or Present be demanded by the Port unless such as has formerly been payed for such Islands as the Venetians hold in the Archipelago Seventeenthly That two Copies of them be made one in the Turkish Language subscribed by the Visier Sealed with the Grand Signiours Signet and another in the Italian Language under-wrote by the Captain General and Sealed with the Seal of the Republique of Venice These Articles being signed the Hostages were given on both sides those for the Venetians were Faustino da Riva Lieutenant General Giovanni Commissary and Zacar a Mocenigo who had been Duke of Caâ—â—â—a Those on the part of the Grand Signiour were these viz. Belir Assan Bassa Mahomet Aga of the Janizaries and Gurgi Bei Teâ—terder or Treasurer During this siege Three Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety Five Christians were killed and wounded and of the Turks a Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Four The Batteries which the Turks raised against the Sabionera and St. Andrea consisted of Fifty Nine pieces of whole Cannon carrying most of them Bullets of a Hundred and Twenty Pound weight The Storms which the Turks made upon the City were Sixty Five The Sallys made by the Venetians Ninety Six The Mines and Fâ—rneli sprang by the Venetians Eleven Hundred Seventy Three The Combates under ground Forty Five The Mines sprung by the Turks Four Hundred Seventy Two In this siege the Venetians spent Fifty Thousand Three Hundred and Seventeen Barrels of Powder and Bombies of all sorts from Fifty to Five Hundred weight Forty Eight Thousand One Hundred and Nineteen Granadoes of Brass and Iron One Hundred Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty Eight Granadoes of Glass Four Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy Four Cannon-shot of all sorts Two Hundred Seventy Six Thousand Seven Hundred Forty Three Pounds of Lead Eighteen Millions Forty Four Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty Seven Pounds weight and of Match Thirteen
the Imperialists to succour whom two thousand issued out of the Town at what time the fight was renewed and for a long time continued bloody and doubtful and most of the works the Christians had possessed themselves of were recovered the Turks still pressing on to enter the Town with the besieged but being within danger the Imperial Engeniers sprung a mine and thereby destroying about two hundred of the forwardest put a stop to the courage of the rest and gave fresh vigor to the besieged insomuch that again charging the enemy with the former courage and bravery they overthrew them far and near insomuch that five thousand were computed to fall during the action which carnage so infected the Turkish Camp that the soldiers dyed in great numbers which obliged the Visier to remove three or four miles further with the gross of his Army leaving onely a competent number to guard his former Camp and cover the siege The Elector of Bavaria according to his promise having raised an Army of thirteen or fourteen thousand men for the service of the Empire after having mustered them in the presence of the Emperor caused them to march directly towards Kremps to joyn the Imperial Forces resolving in person to follow them with all convenient speed when in the mean while General Dunwalt having notice that seven or eight thousand of the enemy were fallen into the upper Austria he strengthening himself with what Forces he could marched with all diligence to oppose their progress in which they made such devastation that the like had not been formerly known and such was his good success that coming upon them at unawares he put them to the rout killing a great many of them and rescuing two thousand Captive Christians whom they had taken in their progress as also recovered a great booty Upon notice of these and the like successes the Imperial Confederates hastned their quotaes to joyn the Army and for that purpose a Conference was held at Hasford on the 27 of July between the deputies of the Elector of Brandenburg the Bishop of Bamberg and Wittenberg the Princes of Hanspatch Bereith c. wherein it was resolved that the Troops of Franconia designed for the asistance of the Emperor should set forward on the second of August and that the Bishop and Chapter of Wirtzberg should for this service furnish out two Regiments of foot and that four Companies of the Guards of the Elector of Brandenbxrg over and above his Quota as likewise a Regiment of new raised horse should be imployed against the Turks under the command of the Velt Marshal Dorfling Fresh Troops daily arriving at the Imperial Camp and the besieged receiving new assurance of being suddenly relieved would by no means admit of any Treaty with the Turks but generously scorned their pretended advantagious proposals which not a little inraged them so that on the 30 of July they renewed their Battery with great fury against the Red Tower and Scotenburg Gate continually thundring against them for twenty four hours when having made two small Breaches they came on with great resolution but were by the sallyers as strongly opposed whilst the Cannon from the Tower Battlements and Flankers made such destruction amongst them that they retired in great disorder but whilst the Imperialists hotly pursued their own Cannoniers not discerning them from the enemy by reason of a great mist that fell about that time divers of them were killed by the great shot and scarcely was the mistake rectifyed e'r the Turks being seconded with six Regiments of Janizaries and Spahies returned upon them so that the fight on all sides was continued with great fury each being desirous of honour and victory but at length the Turks not being able to endure the Force of the Christians retired yet being commanded to a third assault and receiving fresh supplies from the Camp they again returned strongly possessing the works out of which they had been before beaten 〈◊〉 Count Staremberg accompanyed with divers Commanders and one thousand foot soldiers coming upon them so incouraged his weary men who had been in the heat of the action with little intermission for the space of ten hours that a greater slaughter then ever was made and in sine the Turks put to flight During these three assaults not less then eight thousand of the Besiegers were slain not fewer then three thousand of the besieged So that the Visier fearing the noisomness of the Carnage might oblige his men to forsake their Trenches again desired a Cessation to bury his dead but it would not be granted but rather the slaughter Increased by another sally the besieged made whilst their Cannon on the wall being skillfully mounted overthrew the Turks Cannon and ruined their new Battery against the Scotenburg Gate This great City in the siege of which the Turks have been alwayes unfortunate had not above sixteen hundred Garison soldiers in it the morning of the day wherein it was besieged and but lightly stored with provision but so providence ordered it that in the sight of the Turkish Army two great Vessels laden with provision coming up the River Danubius got into the Port safeâ—â— and the Garrison augmented by sixteen thousand horse and foot left there by the Duke of Loraine as he marched through the City in his retreat nor were the Burgers and Religious Orders less diligent in the defence thereof then the souldiers being by the women animated thereto but more especially by the unwearied example of their Governour who spared no pains nor labour being ever seen in places of greatest danger sacrificing his rest and safety to the Publick good of Christendom and preservation of his Country of which that great City is the only Bulwark and since money was mostly wanting he borrowed it of the Monasteries and Religious foundations promising to refund it with great interest if the City scaped falling into the hands of the Infidels or if it did so be it his Life and Liberty remained to him they should lose nothing By this time the King of Poland having mustered his Army under the walls of Cracovia and furnished himself with all things necessary divided it into two parts and by hasty Marches advanced to joyn the Imperial Camp now swelled big by the daily arrival of fresh Troops and longing to be in action which the Grand Vizier well noting used all diligence in running his Trenches chiefly trusting to his Mines many of which being successefully sprung ruined a great part of the outworks but such was the indefatigable endeavours of the besieged that they made them for the most part good e'r the Turks could enter and frequently by digging deep sounds laying pibbles upon drums and setting basons of water near the walls discovered their Mines which they countermining frustrated destroying the Miners in them for the most part or taking thence the powder Teckely imagining that the Duke of Loraint durst not adventure out of his Camp for fear of being attacked