so much sattin or fine cloth as will make each of them a pair of Chackshirs or breeches after their fashion down to the heels and ruffled in the small of the leg as our boots are neverthelesse these Oda Bashawes are all under command of the Kahiyah who is the Bustangee Bashawes steward now the Bustangee Bashawe himself hath daily about three hundred aspars pay for he is their patron judge and protector And as any Turk whatsoever may be known of what degree he is by the bignesse and making up of the Turbant which he wears or by some other tokens which they observe in their habit so to the end that the Oda Bashawes and * Bulook Bashawes may be known from the common sort of Agiam oglans they wear broad silken girdles of divers colours about their middles and are allowed a larger stipend who by authority given them from the * Kahiyah do bring the underlings to such an extraordinary subjection and sufferance by their often beating them upon the least misdemeanour that they do not onely not refuse all manner of pains taking but patiently undergo whatsoever is done unto them They have their terms and prerogatives amongst themselves preceding or succeeding one another according to the length of time which they have spent in the Seraglio so that in processe of time if they still continue there and are not sent out upon other occasions they may aspire to the degree of chief steward to the Bustangee Bashawe or of Bustangee Bashawe himself which is a very eminent place for he hath the keeping of all the Grand Signors garden houses and steers the Kings * Kaik and weareth a Turbant upon his head in the Seraglio although he were but lately an Agiam oglan as the rest are and did wear one of the aforesaid felt caps who also if he be in grace with the King as commonly every Bustangee Bashawe is may rise to greater dignities as to be captain Bashawe Bashawe of Cairo Damascus Aleppo c. Nay sometimes to be Vizir Azem These Agiam-oglans are not altogether debarred from liberty and going abroad but may upon good occasion be licensed to go whither they please although at the first they are strictly lookt unto and the Bustangee Bashawe alwayes takes with him good store of them when by his Majesties order he is sent to put some great man to death the which is commonly done by the hands of four or five of the chiefest and strongest of the said Agiam oglans There are sometimes naturall born Turks brought in amongst them but indeed very seldom by means made to the Bustangee Bashawe who therein doth greatly pleasure such poor folks as are willing to be rid of their children but it must be first made known to the Grand Signor and done with his consent For the natural born Turks are not held to be of so brave spirits and fit for service as the other and for divers other respects best known to themselves as the encreasing the number of * Mussulmen and the like they do not willingly admit of any but Christians children Their rooms bagnoes and kitchins are joyned to the walls of the Seraglio without divided severally and equally for each company of them and built for the more commodity of such offices and services as the said Agiam oglans are appointed for And as for their diet they order it as they please having flesh and pulse for their pottage their bread also and every thing for their food is delivered unto them daily from the * Keeler and the dressing of it left to themselves Now for that many of them lie near the sea side they take good store of fish part of which they sell and reserve the rest for their own eating They sleep alwayes in their clothes putting off onely their uppermost coaâ—… and their shoes according to the ordinary custom of the poorer sort of Turks between a couple of rugs in the winter and thin blankets in the summer They never see the King unlesse it be when he passeth through the gardens or when he taketh boat or else when he goeth a hunting for he makes them serve instead of hounds to finde out his game but when his Majestie will be in the gardens to take his pleasure and make pastime with his concubines then all the Agiam oglans being warned by an Eunuch who crieth aloud * Helvet do presently get out with all speed at the gates by the sea side where they may wâ—…lk upon the banks and causeys but must not dare to go in again until the King and his women be departed For there may none come neer nor be in sight of them but himself and his black Eunuchs nay if any other should but attempt by some trick in creeping into some private corner to see the women and should be discovered he should be put to death immediately Every one therefore so soon as they hear Helvet cried runs out of sight as far as they can to be free from all fear and suspition Now of this rank of Agiam oglans which are in the Kings Seraglio they never make Janizaries as they do of those which are brought up in the other Seraglios and Seminaries and of such as are lent to divers of the Kings subjects as trades-men masters of ships and the like and to the Bashawes but his Majesties turn being served of these he bestowes them upon his gentlemen Aghas when he employes them abroad in some principal government that they may be faithful assistants unto them in their businesses and that in time they themselves may become men of worth as often they do if by their diligence and fidelity they prove to be men of good desert The Grand Signor likewise maketh great use of them when he intendeth a journey to any place as when he goeth to the wars or any whither else far from Constantinople for the pitching of his tents for removing and carrying of chests and baskets and many other such like services as must be done at those times for which imployments the King never takes with him lesse then three or four hundred of them CHAP. VI Of the Kings * Itchoglans their severe discipline and education in four subordinate Schools and of their after advancements IT now remaineth that I say somewhat of the Grand Signors Itchoglans which are youths kept also in the Seraglio but in far better fashion then the Agiam oglans and are for the King and countreys service brought up in learning in the knowledge of the laws and in military exercises that they may in time be made able to perform those things which belong to the government of the whole Empire And albeit for the most part these are Christian captives and Renegado's yet there are some natural born Turks amongst them which must be youths of very comely aspect and their outsides must promise a great deal
Eunuch to be present so long as any stranger shall be in the company of the said youths Nay when they have occasion to go to the Bagno or the like businesses the Eunuchs are alwayes at hand that so by all means they may be kept from lewdnesse And in their Bed-chambers which are long rooms and hold about thirty or fourty in each of them for they sleep near one another upon Sofas there are every night lamps burning and Eunuchs lying by them to keep them in awe and from lewd and wanton behaviour In the third Oda some of them do also learn ordinary mechanick arts as sewing in lether which is in great use and esteem amongst the Turks to mend guns to make bowes and arrows and quivers and the like from which trades they often have both their sirname and their reputation too For they are much made of who will be diligent and flie idlenesse holding it rather an honour then an ignominy to have a trade For therein they imitate the Grand Signors themselvs who for good example sake in their youth are taught some trade or other which although they never practise when they are Kings yet they are willing their subjects should know that they are able to do it if they please And divers great men nay Bashawes themselves both have been and are to this day called by the names of such arts as they practised when they were in this Oda Here also the Eunuchs their tutors make tryal of their constancy in Religion searching as far as in them lies their hearts to see how they stand affected to Turcism For the time growing near wherein they are to passe to the fourth Oda which is the chiefest and last and from which they are called to businesse of great importance they would not then have them at all remember that they were formerly Christians or to have the least desire imaginable to turn to their first belief lest that they should in time by some stratagems and politick courses peradventure prove disadvantageous to the Turkish Empire So then all possible proof tryal being made they found to be perswaded of the truth of that religion they then are preferred to the fourth Oda where they are once more registred yet all they which are of the third Oda are not translated to the fourth at one and the same time but only such as have gone through all the degrees of discipline in the three former and are become fit for service And there is a note kept apart of them which come into this fourth Oda For they are immediately ordained for the Grand Signors own service and have their pay encreased some more and some lesse unto eight aspars a day and their habit chang'd from cloth to silk and cloth of gold of great price Now here their punishments cease but they continue still with their heads and beards shaven onely they suffer some locks to grow on each side from their Temples which hang down below their ears for a signe that they are the next which are capable of the preferment of coming into the Kings chamber They must be very cleanly and neat in their apparel before they come about the Grand Signors person many of them ever accompanying his Majesty when he goes abroad upon pleasure provided none of his women be with him And they may now freely converse with all the great men of the Seraglio and with the Bashaws also and are often presented with gifts by men of the best quality to insinuate into their favour hoping that they one day may become men of great command and so be able to stand them instead in their occasions Now out of these young men of the fourth Oda after they have finished the appointed term of yeers and have been made perfect in all things as aforesaid the King chooseth his Aghas which are his Gentlemen that attend only upon him whose names and places are as followeth 1. The Silihter Aga the Kings sword-bearer 2. The Chiohadar Aga he which carrieth his Yagmoorlick 3. The Raechiubtar Aga yeoman of the stirrup 4. The Mataragee Aga he which brings him water to wash his hands and face 5. The Telbentar Aga he which brings him his Turbant 6. The Kemhasir Aga he which looketh to his apparel and the washing of his linnen 7. The Cheshneghir Bashawe the chief sewer 8. The Dogangee Bashawe the chief falconer 9. The Zagargee Bashawe the chief huntsman 10. The Turnackgee Bashawe he which paireth the Kings nails 11. The Berber Bashawe the chief barber 12. The Hamawmgee Bashawe he which washeth the King in the Bath 13. The Muhasabegee Bashawe the chief accountant 14. The Teskeregee Bashawe his Majesties secretary All which are made of the eldest sort of the Itchoglans of the fourth Oda and these are alwayes in his Majesties presence holding down their heads for they may not be so bold as to look him in the face and standing with their hands a crosse before him in token of reverence and humility Nor may they presume at all to speak to the Grand Signor nor in his presence to one another but if the King shall command or call for ought they are wonderful speedy and ready to obey They all do execute their offices distinctly as aforesaid and attend in places appointed for them that they may be the better able to perform their several duties and the more ready to obey at every beek At the hours of dinner and supper they wait in the room taking the meat from the hands of the under Sewer at the door and so his Majesties table being made ready which is of a Bulgar hide upon a Sofa they bring in meat which is set thereon orderly dish by dish by the chief Sewer before the King and is taken off again as his Majestie shall appoint The Grand Signor is very well pleased with these Agas and takes great delight in their service and company for that they are as I may say of his own planting making them ride on horseback and playing with them at several sports especially at the * Ieeret at such times as he is well disposed ever gracing them with bestowing gifts on them of vests swords bowes and the like and oftentimes ready money all which came before to the Kings hands by way of gift Now besides those favours his Majestie at convenient times useth to bestow upon them the dispatching of Embasses for forraign parts which is a merchandise held by them to be of a great price and bringeth no small prosit into their purses For one of them having his commission from the Grand Signor for such or such a prince howbeit it is not intended that he should go presently informs himself what that Prince usually doth present the Embassador withall and so accordingly agreeth with a Chiaush or with one of such like quality to undertake the Embassage who must give for
pulse of which there is a great quantity spent is brought yearly from Alexandria in the Galeons which make yearly two voiages and bring out of Egypt not only the said pulse but also all sorts of spice and sugar and a great quantity of preserves and pickled meats which the Turks much delight in And as for sugar there is spent an unspeakable deal of it in the making of Sherbets and * Boclavas which not only the Seraglio useth but are also ordinary presents from one Bashawe to another and from one friend to another insomuch that it is a thing to be admired that so great a quantity should so suddenly be consumed True it is that there is but little spice spent in the Seraglio nor indeed any great store among the Turks pepper only excepted For seeing wine is not an ordinary drink amongst them they therefore avoid the eating of such things as do provoke a desire thereunto Howsoever in the storehouses of the Port there is provision of all sorts of spices and drugs whatsoever occasion should happen that might require the use of them There likewise comes from Egypt great store of dates prunes and other dried plums of divers sorts which the Cooks use in their dressing of meat as well for rost as boyled in broths and indeed they make very delicate dishes of them The honey of which the Port spends a great quantity both in their broths boiled meats * Pancakes * Frittars and course Sherbets for the common sort of people is brought in great earthen jars from Walachia from Transylvania and Moldavia as well that which is presented by the Princes of those Provinces to the Grand Signor as that which comes for particular mens accounts Yet that honey which is used in the Kings own kitchen comes from * Cio and is far better and purer then the other The oil of which there is an unspeakable quantity spent by reason of the many uses they put it unto as well in their meats as for their lamps and the like is brought from Modon and Coron in Graecia the * Sanjack Beg of that Province being bound to see the Port sufficiently furnished therewith from time to time howbeit that which is spent in the Kings own kitchen is brought from Candie and Zant it being sweeter cleerer and in every respect better then that of the Morea The butter of which also there is spent a very great quantitie in that it is used almost in all their meats especially in that ordinary dish which they call * Pillaw comes by shipping out of the Black sea from Bogdania and from Caffa being put into great Ox hides and Buffalo hides with the hairy sides inward and so is laid up in * Magazines for the yearly provision of the Kings court but commonly they have so much of it that they are fain to sell part into the city as they likewise do by the oil honey c. which are Begleek that is for the Grand Signors own account when they have more then they think they shall have occasion to spend and make a wonderful great benefit of it oftentimes enforcing the shop-keepers to take it at what price they please to rate it at although it be ill conditioned and ready to stink The Turks are no whit acquainted with fresh butter there being little or none at all made about Constantinople neither do thâ—… eat much milk except it be made â—…re which they call Yoghurd For â—…eing so turned sowre it doth quenâ—… the thirst and of that both they and the Christians do eat a great quantity in the summer time They eat also some store of Kaymack that is clouted or clodded cream but that is a dish for the better sort only it being a meat of too high a price for the vulgar Now as for the flesh every year in the Autumn winter drawing nigh the Bashawe causeth the provision of * Basturma to be made for the Kings kitchins which must be of cowes great with calf For then say they the flesh is most tender and savoury They use it in the same manner as Christians use swines flesh For they make puddings and sausages of it and the rest they boil and dresse after other fashions This sort of dried flesh after that it is sufficiently dried and hardened with hanging a moneth or better in some upper room and little or no salt used about it but pressed very flat will last the whole year following and eat very savourly And it is in such great use amongst the Turks so well liked of that there is scarce any Master of a family if he be of ability but doth yearly against winter make his provision of it and it is held a very thrifty and sparing course For that then fresh meat would be very dear But they do not all make their Basturma of cowes great with calf that is for the Seraglio for there are many which love the other better which i made of Oxen and Bullocks and they can buy it far cheaper The Bashawe as I said hath the care and oversight of what is prepared for the Kings kitchens and there are commonly spent four hundred cowes every year for the said provision of Basturma there is also fresh beef spent in the Seraglio but the quantity is uncertain The other flesh which is daily provided and spent in the kitchens of the Seraglio as I was told by one of the * Aschees is as followeth sheep two hundred lambs or kids when they are in season one hundred calves ten geese fifty hens two hundred chickens one hundred pigeons an hundred pair There is very little store of fish spent in the Seraglio either shell-fish or other yet sometimes the Agas for dainties will eat some The seas thereabout do exceedingly abound with divers kindes and they may easily take as many as they please by reason of which the Christians are plentifully served with fish in the markets and at reasonable prices and the common and poorer sort of Turks do bear them company in that diet The Grand Signor nor any of his women or servants in the Seraglio cannot want for fruit there being at time of year so many presents of all sorts of fruits brought thither besides what comes from the Kings own gardens which are many and near the city every morning in great abundance and excellent good especially figs grapes peaches and * Caoons the Gardiners selling the remainder at a place in Constantinople * where only the Kings fruit is sold and bring the money weekly to the Bustangee Bashawe who afterwards gives it to his Majestie and it is called jebbe ackchesee that is the Kings pocket-money For he gives it away by handfulls as he sees occasion to his Mutes and Buffones at such times as they make him sport Now this fruit being sold the
A DESCRIPION OF THE GRAND SIGNOUR'S SERAGLIO OR TVRKISH EMPEROURS COVRT By JOHN GREAVES late Professor of Astronomie in the University of Oxford LONDON Printed for Jo. Ridley at the Castle in Fleet street by Ram-Alley 1653. To his Honoured and truly Noble Friend George Took Esquire of Popes in the County of Hartford SIR J Dâ—…t not have presumed to a Friend of so much honor worth to present this description of the Turkish Emperours Court but that finding it to be a piece of that exactnesse as the like is not extant in any other language the argument to be so noble treating of the greatest Monarchy upon earth whose Magnificence hath much resemblance with that of the Persians in the Scriptures I thought it would not be unacceptable if under your name it were communicated to the world In which I assume nothing to my self as Authour of the discourse nor much as Polisher of it but only an humble desire of publikely expressing my obligations to You. It was freely presented to me at Constantinople and with the same freeness I recommend it to the Reader having not altered anything in the substance and but a little in the dress and elocution The name of the Author being then unknown upon inquiry I find it since to be the work of Mr. Robert Withers who by the assistance of the English Embassador procuring admittance into the Seraglio a favour unusual and by continuance many years in those parts had time and opportunity to persect his observations To him therefore are solely due the thanks of the labour from his virtuous example all generous and noble spirits will propose in their travels abroad a solid inquisition of truth and knowledge not vain garbes modes and disguised fashions the onely objects and idols of phantastick Travellers To me it is sufficient that I have faithfully discharged my trust in publishing since the Authors death the fruits of his observations and in communicating to the Reader the pleasure and satisfaction of perusing a relation full of truth and exactness which in many particulars upon experience he is able to attest who is Sir Your most obliged friend and humble servant The Contents of the Chapters Chap. 1. The description of the Place partitions and manifold conveniences of the Seraglio pag. 1. Chap. 2. Of the Divan dayes judges sessions judicature diet and giving an account to the King of whatsoever hath passed pag. 17. Chap. 3. Of the audience and entertainment given to Ambassadors pag. 28. Chap. 4. Of the persons that live in the Seraglio and chiefly of the women and virgins p. 34. Chap. 5. Of the Ajamoglans how taken distributed and imployed p. 56. Chap. 6. Of the Kings Itchoglans their severe diseipline and education in the four subordinate schools and of their after advancements p. 67. Chap. 7. Of inferiour persons and Buffons Mutes Musicians c. of White Eunuchs and of the Grand Officers of the Seraglio p. 87. Chap. 8. Of the Black Eunuchs and Black-moor girles and women of the Physicians andof the Kings children p. 100. Chap. 9. Of the Cooks kitchins diet of the King and Queen and of their other manner of service of the scullery and provision of the Seraglio p. 108. Chap. 10. Of Apparel bedding sicknesse hospitals inheritance Kings expences recreations receiving of petitions of the Kings Stables and Byram solemnities p. 128. Chap. 11. Of the old Seraglio and womens lives therein of their marriages and children slave-selling and witnesses p. 147. Chap. 12. Of their religion opinions Clergy-men times places and rites sacred and of the womens small devotion p. 158. THE GRAND SIGNORS SERAGLIO CHAP. I. A Description of the place partitions and manifold conveniences of the Seraglio THe * Seraglio wherein the Grand Signor resideth with his Court is in that place where Byzantium stood upon a point of the Continent which looketh towards the * mouth of the Black Sea and is in form triangular two sides whereof are compassed with the Thracian Bosphorus and the third joyneth to the rest of the City Constantinople It is enclosed with a very high and strong wall upon which there are divers watch-towers and is by computation about three Italian miles in compasse It hath many gates some of which open towards the sea-side and the rest into the City but the chiefest gate which indeed is a very stately one is one of those towards the City and by it they go in and out daily the others being kept shut till such times as the king or some of the principall officers of the Seraglio cause any of them to be opened either for their pleasure to sit by the sea side where they have a fair prospect and may behold the ships sailing to and fro or for any other occasion If any of the other land-gates be opened it is either when the king sendeth privately to put some great man to death or for the execution of some such secret action but they are all lockt fast in the night again The aforesaid chief and common Gate is in the day time guarded by a Company of * Capoochees which change their watch by turns and in the night likewise by others of the same rank all which Capoochees are under the Command of a * Capoochee Bashaw which Capoochee Bashaws being six in number are bound every week one of them to lie within the Seraglio for the security and safeguard of the same And without the Gate about ten or twelve paces off there stands a litle house made of boards upon wheels in which every night a Company of Janizaries do watch who upon any occasion are ready to awake those within and to give them notice of whatsoever sudden accident may happen without In the night also it is well guarded by the sea side for in the watch-towers which are upon the wall there be divers * Agiam-oglan's which are to watch and see that none come neer and lest any shipping should dare to attempt some mischief they have Ordinance ready charged and the Gunners lying close by them In this Seraglio there are many stately rooms suted to the seasons of the year the greatest part whereof are built upon plain ground some upon the hills which are there and some also upon the sea side which are called Kiosks that is rooms of fair prospect or as we term them banqueting houses into which the king sometimes goes alone but most commonly with his Concubines for his recreation Amongst the aforesaid rooms is the Chamber into which the Grand Signor repaireth when he is to give Audience to Ambassadors or to the Bashawes on the dayes of Publick Divan or to those who being to depart upon any weighty service or employment are to take their leaves of him as also to such who after the limited time of their government abroad is expired do return to Constantinople to give account to his Majestie of their carriage in
for his exercise when he pleaseth to run or sport with his Gentlemen the Agha's in the Seraglio Over which stable there is a rowe of rooms wherein is kept all the furniture of the horses the which I having seen both there and abroad at such times as they have been used I can affirm to be of extraordinary value For the Bridles Pectorals Cruppers Saddle-clothes the pommels of the Saddles and Stirrups are set so thick with jewels of divers sorts that the beholders are amazed they do so far exceed all imagination Neer adjoyning to the said stable are certain buildings for the service of the Officers of the Divan and having passed two thirds of this Court on the same side there is the room wherein the Divan is kept unto this joyneth upon one side the Hazineh called the outward Hazineh which the Divan being ended is sealed with the Chief Vizirs Seal Even with the room where the Divan is kept but somewhat behinde it towards the left hand is the Gate which leadeth into the womens lodgings called the Queens Gate kept and guarded by a Companie of Black Eunuchs The aforesaid second Court endeth at a third Gate termed the Kings Gate which leadeth into the rooms or lodgings kept apart for himself and such Gentlemen as are to attend upon him continually neither may any one enter therein but by absolute leave from the king speaking of men of great quality but such as are belonging to the Buttry or Kitchin and Physitians Caters and Sewers may go in and out with leave only from the * Capee Agha who is the chief Chamberlain of the Seraglio and to him is committed the keeping of this Gate and he is alwayes at hand by reason his lodging is near with a Company of white Eunuchs about him like himself so that what is reported of things within this Gate is for the most part by relation For either one may not see them or if he do see them it must be when the king is absent and he must be brought in by some man of quality and Command by one of the gates at the Sea side the which also cannot be obtained but with great difficulty and some charge too for a gratification to the guide they having not onely great regard and respect to their kings person but also to his rooms in his absence Having passed the third Gate the which hath also a very fair porch immediately is seen the aforesaid room appointed for publick Audience And there within that Gate also is another fair Court paved with very fine marble wrought with Mosaical work wherein are many delicate Fountains and sumptuous buildings on all sides in which commonly the king useth to eat and passe the time in some recreation There is also a row of Summer rooms built upon the top of a little hill which looks towards the Sea side so well contrived with Halls and Chambers and so pleasantly seated and richly furnished that it may well be the habitation of so great a Prince Amongst which there is a Hall opening towards the East under-set with very fair pillars which Hall looks into an artificial four-square Lake which they call Hawoz proceeding from about thirty Fountains which are built upon a kinde of Tarrase of very fine Marble incompassing the said Lake the water running from the Fountains above down into the Lake and from the Lake through divers gutters into Gardens Two men may walk a breast upon the Tarrase where they hear the continual and sweet harmony which the fountains make with leaden pipes in so much that it is a most delightfull place And in the Lake there is a little boat the which as I was enformed the Grand Signor doth oftentimes go into with his * Mutes and Buffones to make them row up and down and to sport with them making them leap into the water and many times as he walks along with them above upon the sides of the Lake he throwes them down into it and plunges them over head and ears Near unto the said Hall is his Majesties Bed-Chamber the walls whereof are covered with stones of the finest China mettal spotted with flowers of divers colours which make an excellent shew The * Anteporta's are Cloth of gold of Bursia and their Borders of Crimson Velvet embroydered with gold and pearls The posts of the Bedstead are of silver hollow and in stead of knobs on the tops of them there are set Lions made of Chrystal The Canopie over it is of Cloth of Gold and so are the bolsters and the mattresses The floor of this Chamber as of the other rooms and the Sofaes are spread with very costly Persian Carpets of silk and gold and the Pallets to sit on with the cushens to lean upon are of very rich cloth of gold There is hanging in the midst of the aforesaid Hall a very great Lantern the form whereof is round and the bars of silver guilt and set very thick with Rubies Emraulds and Turkesses the panes are of fine Chrystal There is likewise a Basen and Ewer of massive gold set with Rubies and Turkesses which beautifie the room Behinde the Hall there is a place to shoot in where there are laid up many Bowes and arrows and there are to be seen such strange passages made with arrows by the Kings predecessors and by the king himself through Brasse and Iron that it seemeth almost impossible to be done by the arm of man The Room which is called the Publick Divan hath been built of late years It is four-square and about eight or nine paces every way from side to side It hath behinde it another room for the service thereof and one also at the coming in to the Divan at the right hand divided onely by a woodden rail with many other rooms somewhat distant from it which serve for the expedition of sundry businesses This Divan I call publick because any kinde of person whatsoever aswell stranger as native publickly and indifferently may have free accesse unto it to require Justice to procure Grants and to end their Causes and Controversies of what nature condition or import soever they be without let or contradiction Thus have I made a brief description of some of the rooms and buildings of this Seraglio according to the notice I took of them But hitherto I have omitted to shew how that a great part of the best of them have been built from time to time at the cost and charges of the Subjects For there have been divers Bashawes who being in favour with thâ—… Grand Signor obtained leave at severaâ—… times to adde unto the Seraglio a room or two for a memorial of some notable good service which they had done their Prince In the building of which they have spared no cost although for the most part the rooms are very litle but this their often
stay till such time as all the orders of the Divan have had audience of the king who being dismissed do all depart the Bashawes excepted who for the Grand Signors honour are to stay and attend in the room upon his Majestie But by the way I must not omit to relate how that the present which the Ambassador brings along with him is carried whilst he sitteth in the said retiring place once about the second Court in open sight of the people be it what it will be and so in unto the King Then the Ambassador is called by the master of the ceremonies by whom he is brought to the gate where the Capeâ—… Agha standeth with a company of Eunuchs thence the Capee Agha leadeth him to the door of the room where there do stand two Capoochee Bashawes who take the Ambassador the one by one arm and the other by the other arm and so lead him to kisse his highnesse hand which in truth is but his hanging sleeve which he having done they lead him back after the same manner to the lower end of the room where he standeth till such time as the said two Capoochee Bashawes have lead such of the Ambassadors gentlemen as are appointed to kisse the Kings hand also This done the * Druggaman declareth the Ambassadors commission to which the Grand Signor makes no answer at all disdaining to speak to a Christian but only speaketh a word or two to the chief Vizir to license him referring all proceedings to his discretion And so the Ambassador departeth doing obeisance to the King with bowing down his head but pulleth not off his hat or cap at all There is one particular belonging to this ceremonie worth the observation which is this that there is not any time any person whatsoever aswell Ambassador as other which is to kisse the Grand Signors hand but he is vested with a vest given him by the Grand Signor and to this end before the Ambassador goeth in unto the king the Uizir Azem sendeth him so many vests as are appointed by Canon for himself and his gentlemen who put them on in the place where the Ambassador stayeth till the King send for him to give him Audience These vests are of divers sorts of which there is one or two for the Ambassadors own person of cloth of gold of Bursia the other being of a low price worth little or nothing But on the contrary in lieu of those vests there is not any Ambassador which is to go to the King for his first audience or Bashawe who at his return from some imployment abroad is to kisse his hand but they present to him the full value of what the Canon requireth in so much that the Grand Signor receiveth more then he giveth twentie fold Moreover the Bashawes over and above the ordinary duty do give him exceeding rich presents and oftentimes great sums of money too that by all means they may continue in his grace and favour Other Ambassadors which come from petty Princes or States howbeit they are vested also with vests given them by the Grand Signor yet they come not to the Divan in that pomp neither are they feasted as the others are but go privately carrying their present with them howsoever they are also led in unto the King after the aforesaid manner It is to be noted that all Ambassadors from absolute Princes aswell ordinary as extraordinary excepting those from the State of Venice to whom from their first introduction it was denied all I say lie at the charges of the Grand Signor For from his own store they have allowed them wheat barley pulse wood coals hay the custom of their wine and many other necessaries for their houshold expense and from the Defterdar so many * aspars per diem as the Vizir shall think fit Which provision though now of late it be very hard to be gotten yet by great importunity and gifts without which there is no good to be done in the end they receive a great part of it but the officers will share with them do they what they can such is their basenesse and slender account of either honour or honesty CHAP. IV. Of the persons which live in the Seraglio and chiefly of the Women and Uirgins HAving thus far made a description of the Seraglio it self and the buildings which are therein with some particulars belonging unto it according to that which I have both seen and heard from others which are daily conversant there it followeth that I now speak somewhat touching those which dwell in it and of their several qualities and employments First then I say that all they which are in the Seraglio both men and women are the Grand Signors slaves for so they stile themselves and so are all they which are subject to his Empire For besides that he is their Soveraign they do all acknowledge that whatsoever they do possesse or enjoy proceedeth meerly from his good will and favour and not onely their estates but their lives also are at his dispose not having respect either to the cause or manner So that in my opinion the attributes they give unto him are proper and fitly suting with the condition of such a Prince For he is stiled sometimes * Paudishawh and sometimes * Hoonkeawr In regard of soveraignty and justice they may truly call him Paudishawh but in regard of his tyranny Hoonkeawr both which words they use in the same sense as we do the word king This Seraglio may rightly be termed the seminary or nursery of the best subjects For in it all they have their education who afterward become the principal officers and subordinate rulers of the state and affairs of the whole Empire as hereafter I shall shew at large They which are within the third gate called the Kings gate are about two thousand persons men and women whereof the women old and young one with another what with the Kings concubines old women and women-servants may be about eleven or twelve hundred Now those which are shut up for their beauties are all young virgins taken and stollen from forraign Nations who after they have been instructed in good behaviour and can play upon instruments sing dance and few curiously they are given to the Grand Signor as presents of great value and the number of these encreaseth daily as they are sent and presented by the Tartars by the Bashawes and other great men to the King and Queen They do likewise sometimes decrease according as the Grand Signor shall think fit For upon divers occasions and accidents he causeth many of them to be turned out of this Seraglio and to be sent into the old Seraglio which is also a very goodly and spacious place of which hereafter I shall take occasion to make mention These Virgins immediately after their coming into the Seraglio are made Turks which is done by using this ceremony
only to hold up their forefinger and say these words law illawheh illaw Allaw Muhammed resoul Allawh that is there is no God but God alone and Mahomet is the messenger of God And according as they are in age and disposition being proved and examined by an old woman called Kahiyah Cadun that is as we say the mother of the maids so they are placed in a room with the others of the same age spirit and inclination to live together Now in the Womens lodgings they live as Nuns do in great Nunneries for these virgins have very large rooms to live in and their bed-chambers will hold almost a hundred of them a piece They sleep upon Sofaes which are built long-wise on both sides of the room and a large space left in the midst to go to and fro about their businesse Their beds are very course and hard for the Turks neither use featherbeds nor corded bedsteads made of flocks of wooll and by every ten virgins there lies an old woman and all the night long there are many lamps burning so that one may see plainly throughout the whole room which doth both keep the young women from wantonnesse and serve upon any occasion which may happen in the night Near unto the said bed-chambers they have baths for their use at all times with many fountains out of which they are served with water and above their chambers there are divers rooms where they sit and sew and there they keep their boxes and chests in which they lay up their apparel They feed by whole Camarada's and are served and waited upon by other women nor do they want any thing whatsoever that is necessary for them There are other places likewise for them where they go to school to learn to speak and read if they will the Turkish tongue to sew also and to play on divers instruments and thus they spend the day with their mistresses who are all ancient women some hours notwithstanding being allowed them for their recreation to walk in their gardens and use such sports as they familiarly exercise themselves withall The king doth not at all frequent or see these Virgins unlesse it be at that instant when they are first presented unto him or else in case that he desire one of them for his bed-fellow or to make him some pastime with musick and other sports wherefore when he is prepared for a fresh mate he gives notice to the said Kahiya Cadun of his purpose who immediately bestirs her self like a crafty baud and chooseth out such as she judgeth to be the most amiable and fairest of all and having placed them in good order in a room in two ranks like so many pictures half on the one side and half on the other she forthwith brings in the King who walking four or five times in the midst of them and having viewed them well taketh good notice within himself of her that he best liketh but sayes nothing only as he goeth out again he throweth a handkerchief into that virgins hand by which token she knoweth that she is to lie with him that night so she being questionless exceeding joyful to become the object of so great a fortune in being chosen out from among so many to enjoy the society of an Emperour hath all the art that possibly may be shown upon her by the Cadun in attiring â—…ainting and perfuming her and at night she is brought to sleep with the Grand Signor in the womens lodgings where there are chambers set apart for that businesse onely And being in Bed together they have two great wax lights burning by them all night one at the beds feet and the other by the door besides there are appointed by the Cadun divers old Black moor women to watch by turns that night in the chamber by two at a time one of them to sit by the light at the beds feet and the other by the door and when they will they change and other two supply their rooms without making the least noise imaginable so that the King is not any whit disturbed Now in the morning when his Highness riseth for he riseth first he changeth all his apparell from top to toe leaving those which he wore to her that he lay withall and all the money that was in his pockets were it never so much and so departeth to his own lodgings from whence also he sendeth her immediately a present of jewels money and vests of great value agreeable to the satisfaction and content which he received from her that night In the same manner he deals with all such as he maketh use of in that kinde but with some he continueth longer then with other some and enlargeth his bounty far more towards some then others according as his humor and affection to them encreaseth by their fulfilling his lustful desires And if it so fall out that any one of them doth conceive by him and bring forth his first begotten child then she is called by the name of Sultana Queen and if it be a son she is confirmed and established Queen by great feasts and solemnities and forthwith hath a dwelling assigned unto her apart of many stately rooms well furnished and many servants to attend upon her The King likewise alloweth her a large revenue that she may give away and spend at her pleasure in whatsoever she may have occasion and all they of the Seraglio must and do acknowledge her for Queen shewing all the duty and respect that may be both to her self and to them that belong unto her The other women howsoever they bring forth issue are not called Queens yet they are called Sultana's because they have had carnal commerce with the King and she onely is called Queen which is the mother of the first begotten son heir to the Empire the which Sultana's being frequented by the King at his pleasure have also this prerogative to be immediately removed from the common sort and to live in rooms apart exceeding well served and attended and have no want either of money or apparrell in conformity to their degree All these Sultana's do resort together very familiarly when they please but not without great dissimulation and inward malice fearing lest the one should be better beloved of the Grand Signor then the other yet notwithstanding this their jealousie they in outward shew use all kind of courtesie one towards another Now if it happen that the first begotten Son of the Queen heir to the Empire should die and another of the Sultana's should have a second son then her son being to succeed the deceased heir she is immediately made Queen and the former shall remain a Sultana only and be deprived of the aforesaid revenue and royalty thus the title of Queen runneth from one Sultana to another by vertue of the sons succession In times past the Queen was wont to be wedded to
the King but now she passeth without the Kebin that is without an assignment of any joynture or celebrating the nuptial rites which is nothing else but in the presence of the Muftee to give each of them their assent to matrimonie of which there is Hogett made that is an authenticall writing or testification not only of the consent of the two parties to be contracted but also of the joynture which the King is to make over unto her The reason why the Queens are not now nor have been of late yeers espoused is not to dismember the Kings patrimony of five hundred thousand chicquins a year For Sultan Selim having allowed so much to the Empresse his wife to the end she might spend freely and build Churches and Hospitals so that by all means she might be honoured and esteemed made a decree that all his Successors should do the like if so be they purposed to be married to their Queens But now the said revenue being otherwise employed the Bashawes do endeavour as much as in them lies to keep the Grand Signor from marrying And so much the rather because they would have none to rule but the King alone howsoever married or not married the mother of the heir is by every one called and acknowledged for Queen and presented with many rich presents from all great personages and hath continually at her gate a guard of thirty or fourty Black Eunuchs together with the * Kuzlar Agha their master whom she commandeth and employeth in all her occasions and so do all the other Sultana's which never stir out of the Seraglio but in company of the King himself who oftentimes carrieth either all or most of them abroad by water to his other Seraglios of pleasure and in those wayes through which they passe to go to and fro from their * Kaiks there is Canvas pitched up on both sides and none may come near them but black Eunuchs till they be setled and covered close in the room at the stern of the Barge and then go in the Barge-men so that in fine they are never seen by any men but by the Grand Signor onely and the Eunuchs The Kings daughters sisters and aunts have their lodgings also in the same Seraglio being royally served and very sumptuously apparelled and live together by themselves in continuall pleasures until such time as at their request the King shall be pleased to give them in marriage and then they come forth of that Seraglio and carry each along with them a chest which the Grand Signor gives them full of rich apparrel jewels and money to the value of at the least thirty thôusand pounds sterling a chest and that is as we call it their portion They carry likewise along with them all that they have hid from time to time unknown to any but to themselves amounting sometimes to a great matter and stands them in good stead all their whole life time And if so be that they be in the Grand Signors favour and that he be disposed to deal royally with them then they are suffered to carry with them out of the Seraglio such women slaves as they please provided they do not exceed the number of twenty a piece and such Eunuchs as they like best for their service These also being called Sultana's reserve still so long as they live their allowance of money which they had whilst they lived in the Kings Seraglio some a thousand and some a thousand five hundred afpars a day the slaves also and the Eunuchs do likewise enjoy their former pensions Their houses are furnished both with houshold stuff and other necessary provision from the Kings * Hazineh and * Begleek that they may live in state like Sultana's so that indeed they live far better in every respect without the Seraglio then they did within it And if so be that a Bashawe having married one of them be not provided of a house fit for her then the King giveth her one of his for he hath many which fall to him by the death of great persons that her house may be sutable with her greatnesse and quality Now for the husbands part he is on the contrary to make her a bill of dowrie ordinarily of at least a hundred thousand chicquins in money besides vests jewels brooches and other ornaments amounting to a great sum For although the fashion of the Sultana's habit be common and nothing different from that of the other women yet the substance is far more rich and costly the which redounds to the great charge and losse of their husbands They being thus married do not at all converse with men more then they did when they lived in the Kings Seraglio except with their own husbands but with women only and that is commonly when they go upon visits to see their old acquaintance in the Seraglio but because they themselves came forth from thence as I said before they may not at their pleasure come in again without leave from the Grand Signor These Sultana's the Bashaws wifes are for the most part their husbands masters insulting over them and commanding them as they please they alwayes wear at their girdle a * Hanjar set with rich stones in token of priviledge and domination and esteem of their husbands as of slaves doing good or evil for them as they receive content and satisfaction from them or as they finde them to be in favour and powerfull with the King And sometimes they put their husbands away and take others but not without the Grand Signors leave which divorce proveth commonly to be the death and ruin of the poor rejected husbands the King being apt to give way to the will and perswasion of the Sultana's so it behoves them in any case to be very obsequious to their wives Now the other women which are not so fortunate as to be beloved of the king must still live together and diet with the rest of the young virgins wasting their youthful dayes amongst themselves in evil thoughts for they are too strictly lookt unto to offend in act and when they are grown old they serve for mistresses and overseers of the young ones wch are daily brought into the Seraglio but they hold it their best fortune their former hopes of being bed-fellows to an Emperour being now wholly frustrated through some accident to be sent forth from thence into the old Seraglio For from the old Seraglio they may be married if the mistresse of that place give her consent thereto and may take with them such money as they through their frugality have saved and spared of their former allowance in the Kings Seraglio and such things as have been given them from time to time which may amount to a reasonable value For whilst they are in the Seraglio they get many things from the Sultana's who having formerly been companions with them cannot but in
some measure let them be partakers of their good fortune besides their currant pay out of the Kings Treasury of * fifteen or twenty aspars a day for the middle sort and four or five for the bafer sort the which is paid at every three moneths end without any deferring or contradiction in this manner also are the Sultana's paid viz. quarterly having for their shares from * a thousand to a thousand five hundred aspers a piece daily besides as much clothing as they will and jewels in great abundance given to them with the Kings own hands The souldiers likewise and all such of what quality soever they be as are to receive pay from the Grand Signor are paid quarterly and they call the first quarters pay Masar the second Rejedg the third Reshen and the fourth and last Lezez The women servants have besides their pay two gowns of cloth a piece yearly and a piece of fine linnen for smocks of twenty * Pikes long and a piece more fine for handkerchiefs of ten Pikes and at the * Byram one silk gown a piece and somewhat else according to the liberality of the Grand Signor who at that time above the rest hath commonly a bountiful hand toward the women giving to the Sultana's gowns with very rich furs ear-rings brooches bodkins bracelets for their arms and legs and such like set with stones of great worth of all which the King hath continually great store by reason of the unspeakable number of presents which are given unto him The Sultana's are likewise presented at such times by the Bashawes and by the Bashaws wives that by their means they may continue in grace and favour with the Grand Signor with most stately and rich gifts and with money also which indeed is more acceptable to them then any other kinde of present whatsoever For they being very covetous do hoord up and spend but sparingly abandoning all manner of prodigality in what may concern their own private purses but warily and wittily provide against disasterous times which may come upon them unawares and especially against the Kings death for then excepting the Sultana Queen who remaineth still in the Seraglio as being mother to the succeeding King all the other poor desolate Ladies loose the title of Sultana's and are immediately sent to the old Seraglio leaving behinde them their sons and daughters if they have any living in the Kings Seraglio there to be kept and brought up under the government and care of other women appointed for that service And in this case finding themselves to be wealthy they may marry with men of reasonable good quality according to the measure of their portion or estate which they possesse and the good will and good report of the mistresse of the old Seraglio on their behalf is none of the least furtherances and helps in that businesse but the Grand Signors consent must be had thereto notwithstanding who will for the most part not only be made fully acquainted with the condition of their husbands but also will know what joynture they will be content to make them if in case they should put them away without their own consents or otherwise leave them widows Thus by reason of their being turned out of the Kings Seraglio it is often seen that though the daughter of the King be married to a Bashawe yet the mother of that daughter after the Kings decease must be content with a second husband of small account far unequal and much inferiour both in title wealth and reputation to her Son in Law The Sultan's have leave of the Grand Signor that certain Jew-women may at any time come into the Seraglio unto them who being extraordinary subtill and coming in under colour of teaching them some fine and curious needle-works or to shew them the art of making waters oils and painting for their faces having once made way with the better sort of the Eunuchs which keep the gate by often feeing them for their egresse and regresse do make themselves by their crafty insinuations so familiar and so welcome to the Kings women that in a manner they prevail with them in whatsoever they shall attempt for their own ends For these are they whom the Sultana's do imploy in their private occasions carrying out whatsoever they would have sold and bringing in unto them any thing that they have a desire to buy And hence it is that all such Jew-women as frequent the Seraglio do become very rich For what they bring in they buy it cheap and sell it dear to them but on the contrary when they have jewels or the like commodities to sell for the Sultana's which are to be conveyed out by stealth they receive a reasonable price for them of strangers and then tell the simple Ladies who know not their worth and are afraid to be discovered that they sold them peradventure for the half of that which they had for them And by this means there come things of great worth out of the Seraglio to be sold abroad at easie rates yet in the end the husbands of those Jew-women have but a bad market of it For being discovered to be rich and their wealth to be gotten by deceit they oftentimes loose both goods and life too the Bashawes and Defterdars altogether aiming at such as they are thinking by that means to restore to the Grand Signor that which hath from time to time been stollen from him and the rather for that they themselves under pretence of so good a work may easily get shares in the estates of such delinquents But notwithstanding they are generally known and accounted for fraudulent and false-hearted people yet there is scarly a man of authority or esteem among the Turks and especially the Defterdars but hath a Jew for his councellor and assistant in the managing of his affairs such a good opinion they have of their sufficiency and so ready are the Jews to entertain any manner of employment so that their wives are not so great and powerful with the Sultana's but they themselves are as intimate with the Bashawes and other great ones of that rank The women of the Seraglio are punished for their faults very severely and extreamly beaten by their overseers and if they prove disobedient incorrigible and insolent they are by the Kings order and expresse command turned out and sent into the old Seraglio as being utterly rejected and cast off and the best part of what they have is taken from them but if they shall be found culpable of witchcraft or any such like abomination then they are bound hand and foot and put into a sack and in the night cast into the sea So that by all means it behoveth them to be very careful and obedient and to contain themselves within the bounds of honesty chastity and good behaviour if they mean to prosper and come to a good end Now
it is not lawful for any one to bring ought in unto them with which they may commit the deeds of beastly and unnatural uncleannesse so that if they have a will to eat radishes cucumbers gourds or such like meats they are sent in unto them sliced to deprive them of the means of playing the wantons For they being all young lusty and lascivious and wanting the society of men which would better instruct them and questionlesse far better employ them are doubtlesse of themselves inclined to that which is nought and will often be possest with unchast thoughts CHAP. V. Of the Agiam oglans how taken distributed and employed HAving already spoken of the women I must in the next place say somewhat of the * Agiam oglans which are in the Seraglio and of their imployments There are ordinarily about six or seven hundred of them from twelve to twenty five or thirty yeers of age at the most being all of them Christians children as almost all Agiam oglans are gathered every three years in Morea and thorowout all the parts of Albania the which Renegado children are disposed of as hereafter you shall hear The number of them which are to be taken is uncertain For there are gathered sometimes more and sometimes lesse according as the Capoochees and officers appointed for that service in their own discretion shall think fit but the greatest collection seldom or never comes to above two thousand They are taken from such families as are supposed to be of the best spirit and most warlike disposition nor may they when they are gathered exceed twelve or fourteen yeers of age at the most lest they should be unfit for a new course of life and too well setled in Christianity to become good Turks The Gapoochees having finished their circuit and gathered their whole complement bring them forthwith to Constantinople to be distributed as followeth So soon as they are arrived at the port they are all clothed in course Salonichi cloth it makes no matter of what colour and their caps are of felt of the form of a sugar-loaf of the colour of Camels hair and so they are all brought to the Vizir Azem who at that time is accompanied with the other Bashawes and officers of the Seraglâ—…o that he may make choice of the most well favoured and such as he judgeth likely to prove the best spirits this choice being made the said youths chosen by the Uizir are carried by the Bustangee Bashawe into the Kings own Seraglio and there distributed to such companies as want some to make up their compleat numbers Then are they circumcised and made Turks and set to learn the Turkish tongue and according as their several inclinations are discovered and discerned by their overseers so are they encouraged in the same and suffered to proceed and such as have a desire to learn are taught to read and write but generally all of them are taught to wrestle to leap to run to throw the iron weight to shoot the bowe to discharge a piece and to conclude all such exercises as are befitting a Turkish Souldier Now part of the residue of them are distributed by the chief Uizir into all the Grand Signors gardens and houses of pleasure and into such ships as sail for the Kings account and which go to lade wood and such like provision for the Seraglio confining them to the masters of the said vessels with condition to restore them again when he shall require them and so he doth with the chief arts-men of the city of all sorts of occupations to the end that the youths may learn some trade to keep them from idlenesse when they are become Janizaries and are at home or if they will they may practise the said arts abroad when they are at the wars and reap great benefit for their pains He lendeth likewise to all the Bashawes and Grandees of the Court many of them to serve them but they are all delivered by name and written down in a book that he may have them returned again when there shall be occasion to make them Janizaries But these which are given to the Bashawes are the scum and refuse of all the rest and are employed only in the service of stables kitchins and such base offices of drudgery and the better sort of the residue are put into divers nurseries committed to the custodie and discipline of certain white Eunuchs who are appointed to be their overseers and to take care that they be brought up and trained in military exercises until such time as they shall become fit to be entertained in the number of the Janizaries in the rooms of the dead or of old ones which are no longer fit for the wars but are made * Otooracks and have leave to stay at home so that these of the latter sort kept in Seminaries are continually in labour the King Queen and Uizir Azem imploying them also many times in their buildings and other very laborious offices without exception These Agiam oglans being thus distributed the chief Uizir presents a book wherein all their names are set down to the King who having seen it appointeth every one his pension according to the Canon which is of two or three or at the most of five aspars a day and underwrites it with his own hand the which book is forthwith consigned into the custody of the chief Defterdar that so he seeing by the said book what their several names and pensions are they may duely receive their pay from him Now this Defterdar is bound so often as their pay is due that is once in three moneths to visit them all if he can enquiring who is dead and taking good notice how the others live and spend their time whether they profit or not by their tutors and overseers that if so be things be not as they should be he may acquaint the Grand Signor therewith and have them amended I will now return to speak of the Agiam oglans of the Seraglio having not thought it superfluous to have digressed a litle and to have spoken somewhat of the other Agiam oglans also For it may peradventure prove delightful to those who have not as yet heard of these passages so distinctly The Agiam oglans of the Seraglio albeit they are chosen for the best uses out of the rest by the chief Uizir yet are their first imployments but very base and slavish For they serve in the stables kitchens gardens for digging for cleaving of wood and are made to row in * Kaiks and to lead the grey-hounds a coursing and whatsoever else they are commanded to do by their * Oda Bashawes the which Oda Bashawes are also Agiam oglans as they are but of the highest rank and longest standing and have about fifteen aspars a day two vests of cloth yearly two pieces of linnen cloth for shirts and handkerchiefs and
the same as they two can agree between themselves either in ready money before his departure or otherwise at his return as the Aga shall think best for his profit and so forthwith he dispatches the party chosen This kinde of employment proves wonderfully beneficial For in the establishing of the Princes of Walachia * Bugdania Transilvania and of the King of Tartarie to all which Princes the Grand Signor sendeth Embassadors for confirming their possession of the said Dominions they which are sent receive great benefit it being specified in their Canon how much every one is to disburse for being honoured with that solemnity though peradventure they be * Maazold again before they be scarce warm in their places And this the King doth of Policie to the end his gentlemen may become rich laying up money to serve for their necessary expences and furnishing them by that means with divers things against such time as they shall go forth of the Seraglio which is as often as his Majesty thinks fit and that most commonly on a sudden either to be generall at Sea Bashaw of * Messur * Halep * Shawm Babylon or of some other such great cities which have whole Provinces under them The Grand Signor gives also to each of them when he sends them forth upon any the aforesaid imployments a * Musahib that is in effect a helping companion such an one as shall have liberty freely to talk with him and go out and in unto him when he pleaseth the which title and favour of being made Musahib to any of the Agas proves to be of so great reputation that it is esteemed above any other sort of imployment For as it is hard to be obtained so it is only bestowed upon such subjects as have deserved well at the Kings hands And this hath been a course used of old by the Grand Signors Progenitors that they may have some trusty subjects abroad to give notice to the Court of the carriage of the Bashawes in their several regiments or of any other if so be they should attempt any thing that might be prejudicial to the crown that so the King by cutting off their provision and the like may easily anticipate their plots and designes But if his Majestie be not pleased or the occasion do not require so highly to exalt some one of the aforesaid Agas as to be of the degrees already named he then makes him * Beglerbeg of Graecia or of Natolia Aga of the Janizaries Spaheelor Agajee which is head over all the Spahees Imrohor Bashawe which is master of the horse or at the least a Capoochee Bashawe which is head over the Capoogees The Grand Signor having bestowed any of the said places upon them they forthwith leave the Seraglio and carry with them all their estates both money and goods and oftentimes take with them other young men of the other Odas who are permitted to go through their own hastinesse and great importunity not being willing to stay out their time but losing the Kings favour are content with small pay and lesser reputation to go along with the said Agas Such as are to go out upon the greatest imployments are accompanied forth of the Kings Seraglio by the VizirAzem who also presenteth them and giveth them entertainment for three or four dayes in his house until such time as they can be provided of houses of their own whither afterwards they repair and set their families in order taking also unto them such as are come out of the Seraglio with them for assistants and ministers in the charge assigned unto them They also accept of the service of strangers who come in by gifts which likewise redounds to the benefit and advantage of the great ones They which succeed in preferment those that are gone out of the Seraglio upon the aforesaid employments are as the custom commandeth such as are next in years unto them and of the longest residence Nor can this course be altered unlesse by some sinister accident or evil behaviour they fail thereof so that it is alwayes known amongst themselves who is next capable of publick imployment nay the businesse is so orderly carried and their course so regular that even they of the third Oda do know what their future fortunes will be if they live to enjoy them And indeed all of them live in continual hope and desire that the Grand Signor would often be pleased to send them abroad that so they may the sooner be out of their hard service in the Seraglio and enter into the state of ample government It is no marvail then the Turkish officers are so often changed seeing that every Grand Signor hath so many servants of his own that seek for advancement They are most commonly of five and thirty or fourty yeers of age before they are sent abroad and because they come out of the Seraglio with their beards shaven they are fain to stay within doors for some dayes to let them grow that they may be fit to come amongst other great men with which staying at home they are very well contented For in that time they receive the presents which are sent them from all the Sultana's of vests shirts linnen breeches and handkerchiefs of all sorts richly wrought and of great worth and from the Bashawes and other great men horses carpets vests slaves and other things fit for the erecting and furnishing of an house and family the which presents are made the greater and richer by so much the more as the party to whom they are given is known to be favoured and beloved of the King Now so soon as their beards are grown they go abroad and begin their visits first to the chief Vizir and then in order to the other great ones till they have been with them all and last of all they offer their service to the Capee Aga in all humble manner acknowledging that their best fortunes and honours have been conferred upon them by his means and promising for ever all dutiful respect unto him for the same But this complement with the Capee Aga is performed without the gate on the Kings side which is kept by the white Eunuchs for they may not come any more within that gate unlesse they be called for by the King for to treat of things belonging to their imployments before their departure They all strive to gain the love and good will of the Capee Aga that he may be as a protector and patron unto them and that when they are absent he may possesse the Grand Signor with a good opinion of them for they know he is very powerful with him being the chiefest in the Seraglio and alwayes nearest to the King CHAP. VII Of inferior persons as Buffons Mutes Musitians of the White Eunuchs and of the Grand officers of the Seraglio BEsides the women and the Agiam oglans of this Seraglio
the King so tender and careful over them For as they are not suspected at all for any thing that may concern the state in future times so likewise are they not much respected yet they are well provided for by the Grand Signor their father in case they live to be fit for husbands After the * Shawhzawdeh the next heir to the crown is circumcised if his father think it unfit to keep him any longer with him at home in the Seraglio he provides all things fitting for to send him abroad that he may see the world learn experience the better to enable him for to govern the Empire after his Fathers decease sending along with him one of his principal trusty Eunuchs for to be his guide and overseer in all his actions besides many servants to attend upon him all which he chooseth out of his own Seraglio He allowes him likewise sufficient means to maintain him like a Prince as he doth also the rest of his sons if he have a purpose to send any of them abroad And so all things being well ordered and prepared for him having taken leave of his father and mother who present him with many gifts as also the Sultana's and all the Bashaws and great men of the Court do he departs for Magnesia a city in Asia there to reside in the government of that province in which he hath not the supream authority but governs only as his fathers deputy And should he passe the limits of his commission he would quickly fall into disgrace and suspition of rebellion as heretofore it hath happened unto divers of his predecessors sent out in the same manner Wherefore the Eunuch who is appointed to be his helper and overseer is bound to give continual advise to the Grand Signor of his deportment and to the Vizirs of all occurrences whatsoever according to the charge given him and likewise to receive from Constantinople such orders and commandments as are to be obeyed in those parts where the Prince resideth So that all things in a manner are swayed by the discretion of the Eunuch CHAP. IX Of the cooks kitchins diet of the King Queen and others of the manner of service of the skullery and provision of the Seraglio THe victuals in the Seraglio for the most part are dressed by Agiamoglans brought up to cookery which are called * Aschees and are known from other Agiamoglans by their white caps yet in the form of a sugar loaf aswell as the others are howbeit there are belonging to the kitchins that are therein more then two hundred under cooks and skullions besides their principal officers as sewers caterers and such like all which are carefully to look to their severall kitchins and not any one to trust another with his businesse The Kings kitchin begins to work ordinarily before break of day For his highnesse rising betimes there must be alwayes somewhat ready for him because commonly he eateth three or four times a day He dines usually at ten of the clock in the forenoon and sups about six at night aswell in the summer as in the winter When he hath a will to eat he tells the Capee Aga of it who forthwith sends an Eunuch to give notice of the same to the chief Sewer and he having caused the meat to be dished up brings it in dish by dish to the Kings table and so his Majestie sits down after the common Turkish fashion with his legs a crosse having a very rich towel cast before him upon his knees to save his clothes and another hanging upon his left arm which he useth for his napkin to wipe his mouth and fingers He is not carved unto as other Princes are but helps himself having before him upon a piece of Bulgar leather which is in stead of a table cloth fine white bread of three or four sorts well relished and alwayes very new as indeed all Turks love their bread best when it is warm newly come forth of the oven He neither useth knife nor fork but only a wooden spoon of which there are two alwayes laid before him the one serving him to eat his pottage and the other to sup up certain delicate sirrups made of divers fruits compounded with the juice of lemmons and sugar to quench his thirst He tasteth of his dishes one by one and as he hath done with them they are taken off His meat is so tender and so delicately dressed that as I said before he needs no knife but pulls the flesh from the bones very easily with his fingers He useth no salt at his Table neither hath he any Antepast but immediately falls aboard the flesh and having well fed closeth up his stomack with a * Bocklava or some such like thing And so his dinner or supper being ended he washeth his hands in a bason of gold with the Ewer all set with precious stones His Majesties ordinary diet as I have been told by some of the Aschees is half a score rosted pigeons in a dish two or three geese in a dish lamb hens chickins mutton and sometimes wilde fowl but very seldom and look what he hath rosted for him so he hath the same quantity boiled almost of every thing there being very good sauce for every dish and other ingredients very pleasing to the palat He hath likewise brothes of all sorts and divers purcelain dishes full of preserves and sirrups and some Tarts and * Bâ—…recks after their fashion made of flesh covered with paste Having made an end of eating he drinks one draught of * Sherbet seldom or never drinking above once at a meal which is brought unto him by one of his Agas in a deep Purcelain dish covered standing upon a flat under-dish of the same mettal All the while that he is at Table he very seldom or never speaks to any man albeit there stand before him many Mutes and Buffons to make him merry playing tricks and sporting one with another alla Mutescha which the King understands very well For by their signes their meaning is easily conceived and if peradventure he should vouchsafe to speak a word or two it is to grace some one of his Agas standing by him whom he highly favoureth throwing unto him a loaf of bread from his own Table and this is held for a singular grace and especial favour and he distributing part of it amongst his companions they likewise accept of it at the second hand and account it as a great honour done unto them in regard it came from their Lord and King The dishes for his highnesse Table are all of gold and so likewise are their covers They are in the custody of the Keelergee Bashawe who attends at the kitchin at dinner and supper time and so are all the yellow purcelane dishes which are very costly and scarcely to be had for money in which the
Grand Signor eats in the Ramazan time which is their lent and lasteth a whole moon and the moneth it self is so called Now at that time the Turks never eat in the day but only in the night not making any difference at all in meats excepting swines flesh and things strangled of which they are forbidden by their law to eat at any time The King seldom eats fish unlesse it be when he is abroad at some garden house by the sea side with his women where he may sit and see it taken himself The meat which remains of that which was at the Grand Ssgnors table is immediately carried to the * Aghas table who wait upon him so that they what with that and their own diet together are exceeding well provided Whilst the Aghas are eating the King passeth away the time with his Mutes and Buffons not speaking as I said at all with his tongue but only by signes And now and then he kicks and buffeteth them in sport but forthwith makes them amends by giving them money For which purpose his pockets are alwayes furnished so that they are well contented with that pastime In the mean time also the Capee Agha eats in a room apart such meat as is prepared for him in his kitchin being far inferior to the Kings diet And with him do eat the Haziâ—…ehdar Bashawe the Saraj Agasee and sometimes some of the Kings Physitians whom he calls in for to bear him company and such other Eunuchs which are keepers of the Seraglio's abroad as do come to visit him And the remainder of his diet with a fresh supply from the kitchins serves * diman in mano all the other white Eunuchs In this interim likewise is meat sent to all the other Odas for the youths there which is two loaves apiece a day and a little boiled mutton with pottage of rice mingled with butter and honey which indeed consists more of broth then substance it being but thin of rice and so little flesh in it that it is well if it give but a taste thereof when they sop their bread in the dish On the other side is meat carried in by black Eunuchs to the Queen to the Sultana's and to all the other women wherein is observed the same order as is aforesaid with the King insomuch as in the space of an hour and half or two hours at the most all is dispatched The Queens service is in copper dishes tinned over but kept very bright and clean and some also of white Purselain however it is to be understood that she her self may be served as she pleaseth and so questionless may all the Sultana's although their ordinary allowance be no other then Copper For oftentimes the King is amongst them a whole day together eating sporting and sleeping of which there is no notice taken nor may any look into his actions where amongst themselves they make him delicate and sumptuous banquets over and above the ordinary meals of dinner and supper of sweet meats and fruits of all sorts having daily an abundance presented unto them They drink their sherbet in the summer time mingled with snow of which there is a great quantity preserved yearly for to serve the Seraglio but at a very dear rate For the snow doth stand the Port in more then twenty thousand chicquins a year in gifts and ceremonies and other expences at the fetching it in from the hils and in putting it under ground in houses made of purpose for that use They do not ordinarily use Comfets nor Cheese For the Turks do hardly know how to make them especially cheese which if they make yet it never proves good So that the Sultana's all the Bashawes and other great personages eat none but Parmezan of which the * Bailo of Venice doth alwayes furnish them and that very plentifully for they love it well and eat heartily of it when they go abroad upon pleasure to take the air For the sundry provisions of the said Seraglio all things are prepared in great abundance and every particular provision is assigned to particular persons to take care thereof so that there is never any want at all of things necessary For the Officers are sure upon the least complaint made against them to lose their places Wherefore as it behoves them they are very careful to see not onely that there be a sufficiency but also that it be very good The first and best sort of bread which indeed is very white and savoury is for the Grand Signor the Sultana's the Bashawes and other great ones The second sort for them of middle rank And the third and last sort which is very black and course is for the Agiamoglans and others of base quality The meal whereof the best sort of bread is made for the Grand Signor and the Sultana's is brought from Bursia made of the wheat of that Province of Bithynia and growing in the Kings own ground The yearly provision thereof is about seven or eight thousand Keloes which makes almost so many bushels of our measure in London the which wheat makes the best flour that comes to Constantinople for that it is also ground at Bursia and those mills are far better then any that are neer Stanboll Now for the other wheat which they spend it comes for the most part from Volo in Graecia by shipping where there is a great portion of land belonging to the crown And a great part of the corn there growing is spent yearly in the kings Armada made into bisket at Negroponte some also is sold to the Raguseans and others who come with their shipping to lade it thence but they must bring their authority with them from Constantinople underwritten with the chief Uizirs own hand And there is likewise brought yearly to Stanboll of the aforesaid wheat of Volo thirty five or fourty thousand Kelo's the which is laid up in * Magazines and is afterwards ground and most of it spent in the Seraglio that which remains they sell away into the city Nor is it any wonder that the Seraglio consumes so much bread corn For besides the ordinary servants as aforesaid all the Sultana's and great personages with divers others have their daily and due allowance of bread from the Keeler that is the Pantry or from his Majesties Bakehouse viz. every Sultana twenty loaves every Bashawe ten to the Muftee eight and so to divers others a several proportion even to one loaf a man all which is ordered and done by the commandment and discretion of the chief Uizir their several allowances being set down in the chief Pantlers Books or else in his who is the Overseer of the Bake-houses every loaf being as big as three of our penny loaves in London but very light and spungie and easy of digestion The rice and lentiles and all other sorts of
buyers of it do commonly send it to some great personages for it is extraordinary good and so artificially piled up in baskets by the * Bustangees that for the beauty of it it oftentimes proves more acceptable then a gift of greater price The furniture of the kitchens in the Seraglio as kettles caldrons pots and skillets c. are almost all of brasse and they are so neatly kept and of such a largenesse that there cannot be a braver sight of that nature insomuch that one would rather think that they stood there to be sold then that they should be so often used as they are And as for the dishes they are all of copper tinned over but so often new furbished scowred and trimmed that they being daily used it is wonderful to behold their continual brightnesse And of these dishes they have a great number but the Grand Signor sustains great losse by them For their being such a multitude of people served daily from the kitchens both within and without especially upon the four Divan dayes there are so many of them stollen that the Defterdars weighing the losse and charge of the said dishes have oftentimes been almost resolved to make them all of silver and so consign them to the custodie of the Sewers and Butlers who should from time to time give account of them and look the better to them and not to suffer every ordinary fellow to carry away his meat in them as they do in the other copper ones but finding it a thing so costly not any Defterdar as yet hath performed it nor adventured to begin onely have discoursed of it and approved of that course as a remedy to prevent their usuall pilfering The wood which is spent in the aforesaid kitchens and in all the Seraglio is an infinite number of weights for at Constantinoâ—…e the wood is all bought and sold by weight and so is almost every thing else there being for the account of the Seraglio which they call Begleek about thirty great * Caramusals which do nothing else at one season of the year but sail into the Black sea there to lade at the Kings woods It is a businesse which costeth the Grand Signor but little or nothing in respect of the worth of it For they have it for the cutting down and as for the bringing and unloading of it it requires little or no charge at all For the said Caramusals are bound to make so many returns in a year for the king and to receive no fraught and the Masters are to see it unladen at the appointed wharfe at their own costs and charges receiving only a discharge in the end from the * Stanbol Aga for that years service but no recompence at all Afterwards they may work for themselves and go whither they please till their turns come again for the year following CHAP. X. Of apparrel bedding sicknesse hospitals inheritance Kings expences recreatious his going abroad receiving of petitions of the Kings stables and Byram solemnities THe Grand Signors apparel is nothing different in fashion from other mens saving in the length of his vests and the richnesse thereof nor are his shoes plated with iron at the heels as other Turks wear them but are raced and painted like childrens shoes with knots and flowers or else they are all white The fashion of his Turbant is all one with that of the Bashawes but he wears plumes and brooches in his and so doth not any Bashawe in the Port except the Uizir Azem and that is upon the day when he makes a solemn shew at his departure for the wars As for his lodging he sleeps upon matteresses of velvet and cloth of gold in the summer in sheets of Shash embrodered with silk sown to the quilts and in the winter betwixt coverlets of Lusernes or of Sables wearing all night a * Gheje-lick or little shash on his head And when he lies alone in his own lodgings he is alwayes watched by the Pages of his chamber by two and two at a time changing their watch every three hours one of them standing at the chamber door and the other by the bed side to cover him in case the clothes should slide off and to be near hand if his Majesty should want any thing or be ill at ease In the same chamber also where he lies there are alwayes two old women that wait with burning torches in their hands which they may not put out till such time as the king is risen out of his bed now the use of these lights is for his Majestie to say over his Beads and for to pray by in case his devotion be stirred up thereto at midnight or at Temcheet namaz which is the time of prayer about two hours before day The habit of his women is much like to that of the men For they wear * Chackshirs and Buskins too and the meaner sort of them have their shoes shod with iron at the heels They likewise sleep as the men do in their linnen breeches and quilted waste-coats having thin and light ones for the summer and more thick and warm ones for the winter The Turks never have any close-stools or such like utensils in their chambers but having necessity they rise and go to the privies made in places apart where there do alwayes stand pots full of water ready that they may wash when they have done For they use no paper in that service as others do holding it not only undecent but an extraordinary absurdity for a Mussulman to put paper to so base a use seeing that both the name of God and the Mahometan Law are written upon it They all put off their Turbants when they go about that businesse and a Janizarie may by no means pisse with his * Uskuf upon his head but having done he must kisse it and so put it on again For they hold the covering of their heads to be as honourable in a manner as the head it self The several stipends which the Grand Signor alloweth to those of the Seraglio of what degree or condition soever the persons be are payed out of the outmost Hazineh and the chief Defterdar who hath a book aswel of the names of the stipendiaries as of their stipends is bound to send once in three moneths to all the Odas in several bags so much money as their pay comes to and there they share it amongst them the like he doth also by the women and the Agiamâ—…glans paying them in good money And against the Byram which is their Carneval he must send them their vests their linnen and such like necessaries of all which he never fails them For if he should disappoint them especially at that time they would so complain against the said Defterdar that it would be his utter overthrow or at the least he should be sure to lose his place such is the Grand Signors
care for his servants that they may not want whatsoever is befitting each particular person in his several degree When any one dies in the Seraglio whether it be Itchoglan or Agiamoglan his chamber fellowes are made his heirs and that which he leaves behinde him is equally divided amongst them and so is it with the young women which never lay with the King but if any great Eunuch die all comes to the Grand Signor For they are alwayes very rich by reason of the manifold gifts and gratuities which daily come to their hands and if any Eunuch of the Seraglio's abroad or in other places of government should die then two thirds only of his estate falls to the King by Canon the other third part being to be disposed of according to the Testators will this also is only by permission when the King gives way unto it and will not out of his supream authority and power take all to himself as he useth to do by all great rich ones the Kings person being held the principal and most lawful heir of all they esteeming themselves as slaves which have received their livelihood goods estates and all that they have enjoyed meerly from his greatnesse and bounty so that they may not grudge to render back again at their deaths or whensoever he shall require it all that they do possesse And to this end there is an officer called the Beyt el Mawlgee who so soon as any one dies or is put to death makes inquisition after their estates and so certifies the Defterdar thereof leaving the performance to him if it be of great import but the Beyt el Mawlgee for his own private gain doth oftentimes conceal after search made a great part of the estate of the deceased dividing the same privately betwixt the kindred and himself When any ordinary person falls sick in the Seraglio he is immediately carried from his chamber in a Cart covered with cloth and drawn with hands and is put into the aforesaid Hospital or Lazaretta belonging to the house onely where he is lookt unto after the Turkish fashion and kept so closely that none may come to the speech of him except the Physician or Apothecary but with great difficulty and growing well again he must be carried back in the same manner to his own chamber where he was at the first The expenses of the Seraglio are very great as one may gather by what hath been already said but there are moreover divers other charges of great consideration which the King is at by reason of the Sultana Queen and then of the Chief Vizirs the * Serdars of his several forces both by sea and land and the great Defterdars and others to all which he gives gratuities accarding as he seeth fit upon sundry occosions aswel at the times of their going forth as at their returns from their employments abroad and upon good services done at home the which gifts are vests some unlined and some lined with very costly furs swords bowes * Hanjars plumes and brooches girdles all set with rich stones and many other things of great value and again some but of low price according to the quality and desert of the parties to whom his majestie is pleased to shew his liberality Nay the Hazinehdar Bashawe who hath the keeping of the cloth of gold and silver of Bursia doth affirm that in that one commodity to make vests of there is spent yearly two hundred thousand Sultanas besides what he disburseth for the buying of Venetian silks and woollen clothes of which the Seraglio consumes a great quantity they not wearing for the most part any other Neither doth this alone serve the turn For besides all this the Grand Signor gives away all that which is given him by strangers and a great part also of that which comes to him of the spoil of the dead of which he is Master as hath been shewed before And surely should his Majesty want these helps he could not long continue his liberality giving 〈◊〉 he doth to his women to his Bashawes and to all such as are at any time to kisse his hand Neverthelesse true it is that the greatest part of things of value 〈◊〉 he gives away in time comes again 〈◊〉 his hands For his Sultana's Bashawes Eunuchs or other rich men dying he immediately becomes Master of all again or at least of the greatest part of their estate and so of such things there is a continual ebbing and flowing in the Seraglio The Queen likewise gives much away For as she is presented by many so is it fit that she should in part make some compensation and to that end she hath an allowance of vests and other things in great abundance besides she hath liberty to dispose of many of those which have been worn by the King The Uizir Azem is also a giver at the Kings charge aswel whilst he is in Constantinople as when he is upon departure as General of the Grand Signors army to the wars and to that end before he departeth he hath brought unto him from the Hazinehdar Bashawe a great number of vests and other things that he may be provided when he is in the field with presents according to the Turkish custom which in all businesses and upon every occasion is to give and take The King if he please may at any time go abroad out of the Seraglio either by water or by land when he goes by water he hath his Kaik or barge of sixteen or eighteen banks with a very sumptuous and stately Poop covered over with crimson velvet richly embroydered under which he himself sits and none but he upon cushons of velvet and cloth of gold his Agas standing all on their feet holding with one hand by the side of the Kaik and only the Bustangee Bashawe who steers the barge may now and then sit down that he may handle the helm the better Now the Bustangee Bashawe by reason the King talks much with him in the Kaik at which time lest any one should hear what they say the Mutes fall a howling like little dogs may benefit or prejudice whom he pleaseth the Grand Signor being altogether ignorant of divers passages and apt to beleeve any information either with or against any subject whatsoever His barge is rowed by Agiamoglans which are brought up in that exercise and indeed they mannage the businesse very well and nimbly not sitting at all when they row but as they fetch their stroak they step up upon the next bank before them and so with the stroak fall backward flat on their backs upon the next bank behinde them much resembling the manner of rowing in the gallies When he goes forth by land he alwayes rides on hors-back and goes out commonly at the greatest gate especially at such times as he is to go to the Moschea or Church which is upon the Friday it
being their Sabbath and is accompanied into the city by all the Bashawes and other Grandes of the Port besides many of his own houshold servants which go by his stirrup and his Agas riding after him having divers Solacks also with their bowes and arrowes which go before him for his guard And as he rides along the streets he salutes the people with nodding his head towards them who again salute him with loud shouts and prayers of prosperity and happinesse and for recompence the King oftentimes puts his hand into his pocket and throwes whole handfuls of money amongst them Now they of the Seraglio which go along by his stirrup have charge to take all such Petitions as are preferred to his Majesty as he rides along either to or from the Moschea and many poor men who dare not presume by reason of their ragged apparel to approach neer unto so majestick a prefence stand afar off with fire upon their heads holding up their petitions in their hands the which the Grand Signor seeing who never despiseth but rather encourageth the poor sends immediately to take the Arzes or petitions and being returned home into his Seraglio reads them all and then gives order for redresse as he thinks fit By reason of which complaints the King oftentimes takes occasion to execute the fury of his wrath and displeasure even upon the most eminent in place before they are aware without taking any course in law against them onely acquainting the Muftee with his design who seldom or never doth oppose him but causing a sudden execution of what punishments he pleaseth upon them either putting them to death or at the least turning them out of their places For as he stiles himself * Awlem penawh so he would have the world to take notice that such as lament unto him shall be sure to have redresse and succour from him although his ministers fail them or abuse them through their injustice Which makes the Bashawes and other great officers that they care not how seldom the Grand Signor stirs abroad in publick for fear lest in that manner their unjust proceedings and bad justice should come to his ear And indeed they alwayes live in great fear through the multiplicity of businesse that passeth through their hands and in danger of loosing their lives at a short warning as it hath been ever observed that few Uizirs die in their beds which makes them use this Proverb that he that is even the greatest in office is but a statue of glasse but notwithstanding their brittle estate bribery hath so bewitcht them that hap what will hap he that will give most shall be sure to speed at their hands The Grand Signor for the use of his houshold hath in Constantinople at a place called * Ahur Capsee near unto the Seraglio an exceeding large stable of a thousand horses and upward and the * Imrohor Bashawe which is Master of the horse hath the charge of them as of all his other horses mules camels and all his cattle whatsoever and of all the kings hay and provender having an under Imrohor for his assistant besides many ordinary grooms which are to look to them and see that the * Seises keep them in good case Now the said Imrohor Bashawe and his Deputy are to see the Grand Signors servants provided of horses at such times as they accompany his Majesty abroad either solemnly at showes in the city or abroad at hunting or otherwise as the King pleaseth Besides this stable he hath divers others in other places both for his own service and for the use of his Gentlemen at such times as he or they shall come thither namely at his Gardens and houses of pleasure abroad in the countrey to which his Majesty useth to go very often but these stables have not above eight or ten horses a piece in them For to those houses he carrieth but few followers with him and those few are the chiefest Agas of all He hath also stables of stallions for race in Bursia Adrianople and in divers other places from which are brought to Constantinople very stately colts besides such as are continually sent him for presents from Cairo Damascus Bagdat and other places by the Bashawes he hath also many which fall to his share by the death of great persons all which are horses of great price and kept for his own use But because there must be a great number of horses for ordinary services of the baser sort of servants the King is therefore furnished with low prized nags out of Walachia Besides the aforesaid stables of horses the Grand Signor is provided of five thousand mules kept near to Constantinople which serve to carry Pavillions chests water and all other necessaries for travel but because the Vizir Azem at his going out General makes use of a great part of them there is seldom that number compleat at home And should the King himself go out to the wars in person his very houshold would use a thousand of them besides their riding horses For the Ottoman Emperors are almost aswel accommodated in their voyages abroad as they are at home in the city and indeed the generality of the Turks are so well fitted against such times as they are to go forth especially for long journeyes as I think no people in the world can go beyond them The Grand Signor is bound by Canon of the Empire upon the first day of the Byram which is their Carneval the Ramazan being ended which is their day-lent to shew himself publickly and to let all the great men and the better sort of his own servants kisse his vest wherefore upon that day early in the morning being richly clad and decked with his best jewels he cometh forth of his lodgings at that gate which is kept by white Eunuchs in the second court and sets himself down in a certain place called the * Taht upon a Persian carpet of silk and gold close by the aforesaid gate and doth not stir thence until such time as all that are appointed have kissed his vest in token of their reverence and duty towards him the chief Uizir standing close by him and telling him the names of such as he thinks fit and their places to the end the Grand Signor may take the better notice of them Now to some of the Doctors of the Law which are of high degree the King raiseth himself up a little to honour and receive them and to some he shews more grace and affection then to other some and indeed to all more then ordinary especially to the Muftee and the two Cadeleeschers Now this ceremony being ended he goeth to the Moschea of Sancta Sophia accompanied by them all where having finished the * Namaz for that day he hears a sermon and at his return taking his leave of them he retires himself to his own lodgings where
he dines alone as he doth upon other dayes notwithstanding upon that day he maketk a very sumptuous banquet in the Divan for the Bashawes and other Grandes and a very great dinner in the Court yard for all such as did accompany him and are there present Then after dinner his Majestie observing the ordinary custome sends the Uizir Azem for his Byramlick * a very rich vest furred with a costly fur and doing the like by the other great ones of the Port though with vests of far lower price he also extends his bounty to all his Agas bestowing upon them swords * Hanjars and such like things and upon the Sultana's costly jewels * Filjan take as and * Coshacks all set with stones besides many gifts to others of the Seraglio giving Byramlicks or as we say new-years gifts to all Every night during the three dayes of the Byram for it is but for three dayes and so it ends he causeth shews to be made of fire-works and such like by the water side which continue until morning and a great drum is beaten all the while and that the Sultana's may see them the King comes of purpose into their company to be merry with them and is more free and familiar then at other times he also gives free liberty for mirth and sports both by day and night thorowout the whole city during those three dayes There are also invited â—…o these great festivals all the Sultana's which live out of the Seraglio who both give presents to the King and take Byramlicks of him moreover in this Byram the Grand Signor is presented by the Bashawes and great personages with gifts of very great price For every one strives to exceed another thinking thereby to win favour The Sultanas also are not behinde hand for they present him with shirts handkerchiefs linnen breeches towels and such like things of good value being all very curiously wrought the which the Grand Signor afterwards makes use of for his own wearing The same * Byram of three dayes is kept in all his dominions and throughout the city of Constantinople even in every Turks house the streets being almost at every corner set out and decked with pretty devises and * Salunjacks of divers sorts very artificially made where old and young are solaced and giving two or three aspars to the keepers of the swings have sufficient recreation But during this feast it is somewhat troublesome and dangerous for the poor Christians and Jews to walk along the streets For the Turks being then somewhat insolent and full of wine putting off the sobriety * of the Ramazan do scare them exceedingly often threatning to mischief them if they deny them money when they in that fury demand it of them And so they do likewise at another Byram which is called the Coochook Byram and comes about three moneths after the other in which likewise the Turks are wonderful merry both day and night CHAP. XI Of the Old Seraglio and womens lives therein of the Turks marriages and children slave-selling and witnesses HAving oftentimes by the way made mention of the Fsâ—…ee S raj or old Old Seraglio which is as it were a dependent of the Kings Seraglio in regard of the use of it it will not be amisse briefly to speak somewhat touching the same This is a very large place immured with a very high wall surpassing that of the Kings Seraglio the buildings are fair it hath many inhabitants all women and Eunuchs and is about three quarters of a mile in compasse being seated in the noblest part of the city And this was the first Seraglio which Mahomet the second built for to dwell in with all his court when he took Constantinople â—…t hath but one gate belonging unto it and that is of iron the which gate is kept and guarded by a company of white Eunuchs and no man may come in thereat unlesse it be to bâ—…ing in sâ—…ch necessaries as they want in the house at which times they may not see any of the women Now the women which are therein are those which are put out of the Kings Seraglio viz. such Sultana's as have belonged to the deceased Grand Signors those women likewise which through their evil behaviour and conditions are fallen into disgrace with the King and such as are infirm or defective in what should belong to women fit for the companie and bed of a King and none else are there but for some of these causes All which are governed and lookt unto by an old woman called also Kahiya Cadun which is made their Over-seer and taketh care to see them used according to the custom of the house every one in their degree and that they have their diet and clothing with their several stipends in due time all which is far short of what they had when they were in the Kings â—…eraglio howbeit such as have been Sultana's live out of the common rank in their lodgings apart and although they are out of the Kings sight and as it were out of favour yet they are reasonably well served The greatest part of the said Sultanâ—…'s if they be any thing rich may with the Grand Signors leave by the old womans sollicitation go forth from thence and marry and carry with them all that which they have kept and stollen For if they do not carry the businesse cuningly at their coming forth of the Kings Seraglio if they have ought of any great worth or value that is known the * Cadun takes it from them and restâ—…res it again to the Grand Signor so that I say if they have any thing to bestow themselves withall they warily make it known abroad to the end that some men of quality may become Sutors to them and make them a good joynter In the said Seraglio they have all the commodity of necessaries that may be as gardens fountains and fair Baths And the King himself hath some rooms also therein ready furnished For sometimes he goes thither to visit his female kinred as his Grandmother Sisters Aunts c. who for some of the aforesaid occasions have been put out of his Seraglio The other women of this Old Seraglio have but mean allowance and had they not somewhat of their own to help sometimes they would pass but coursly so that they are fain to betake themselves to their needles by which they in part sustain themselves and reap a reasonable benefit And as in the Kings Seraglio the Sultana's are permitted to employ divers Jewes-women about their ordinary occasions so these women likewise of this Seraglio have other Jews-women who daily frequent their companies and sell their labours for them Any Turk be he of the Clergie or of the Laity may if he please take seven wives at Kebiâ—… but few or none will have more then one or two at
sherbet Eight thousand pound sterl. Comsets and Cheese not used * Leiger Ambassador Order Bread of 3 sorts Meal from Bursia Quanty Constantinople Volo-wheat * Storehouses â—…uantity Pantry allowance Rice and pulse from Alexandria Spice sugar and sweet meats * Tarts Little Spice consumed Egyptian fruits Honey whence * They call them yoâ—…f ka signifying flat * The Turks call them loâ—…kma which signifieth a bit or mouthful * The Turks call it sakâ—…z Ada that is the mastick island because the mastick growes there Oil whence * Governour next in degree to a Beglerbegh Butter from Bogdania c * Boild rice * Storehouses Quantity No fresh butter Little milk eaten Yoghurd sower milk Kaymack Provision of fleâ—…h * So called because the flesh is pressed and made flat How they use it Hanged up and dried 400 Cowes great with calf spent every year to make Basturma Other flesh * Cooks Fish Fruits * Melous * Which is called yemish bazar that is the fruit market The Kings pocket-money * Agiam oglans gardiners The skullery Neatnesse Losse by piâ—…tering Wood and fuel * Ships * An officer of good account which taketh care for the cities provision The word signifieth the master of Stanboll The fashion of the Kings apparel His bedding A shash is the whole piece be it long or short of fine linnen of which the Turbant is made but the name of the stuff as we call ours lawn cambrick holland c. is Telbent whenâ—…e we falsly call that which â—…urk wears a Turbant using the â—…ame of the stuff for the thing made up whereas the true word is Saruck and the Turks themselves so call it it comes from Sarmack which signifieth to winde about or to swathe * Night-attire for the Head Two torchwomen * Breeches from the waste down to the heel Womens habit No close-stools among the men but the women ever when they go to the Haman or Bath carry them along with them No paper used at the privy * They also call it Keâ—…heh that is a Janizaries cap but Uskuf properly signisieth a hood Stipends how paid Every thrâ—… moneths Seraglio heirs Exception Beyt el mawlgee His subtilâ—…y Hospital The Kings expenses * Captains or Generals * Daggers 200000. Sultanas about 80000 pounds sterl. The Queens expenses The Vizirs gifts Mutes howling Their manner of rowing His going out by land Solacks or bowe-men Gratulations and gratifications Petitions preferred * The worlds refuge Proverb * That is the stable wharf or gate The Kings great stable * Chief master of the horse the true word is Emeer-Ahor which signifieth Lord of the stable * Horse-keepers Other stables Stallion horses His nags from Walachia Mules Publick appearing aâ—… the Byram * A Throne His honour to some His going to Sancta Sophia * Divine service * A present of the nature of a new years gift Gifts to the Grandees * Daggers * Such caps as the women wear * Girdles three dayes solemnity Fire-works and shews Presents to the King From the Bashawes From the Sultanas * Feast * Swings â—…hristians and Jews seared * In which time they drink no strong drink at all Thâ—…t iâ—… the 〈◊〉 Byram Old Seraglio Compasse Built by Mahomet the second Who are therein Woman-overseer They may marry with the Kings leave * The Mistres of the maids Conveniences thereof Hard state Jews-women Seven wives * Women-slaves Bashawes sons kept under if of royal blood Divorces What becomes of the 〈◊〉 of the divorced * To lie wiâ—…hall Slaves sold if baâ—…ren Slaves bouâ—…ht and sold in the market Manner of selling slaves Restitution if not a virgin Emeen No benefit by affinity to the king Losse by it Rites of marriage Who may be witnesses * Common prayer * New wine boiled * Aquavitae * A drink made of seed much like new mustard and is very heady â—…meers false witnesses False accusations or pretences * Or Avania Turks covetous and dangerous Force of evidence Their Religion 1 He. 2 Arab. God 3 Turk God 4 Truth 5 High Truth 6 High God 7 Creator of the world 8 Pers. God Resurrection The Trumpet Soor Seâ—…sual Paradise Hell Fate The commandment of God Charms used by the Greeks Agility in the next life Transparent Heavens Gods throne The Angels Angel Gabriel * Sea in Paradise A Tree in Paradise * This Israel they say is an angel Four Prophets and four Books 1 Moses 2 David 3 Jesus 4 Mahomet Old Law The psalms The Gospel The Alcoran Womens heaven Their opinion of Christ * Muftee This word comes from Fetha which signifieth to open in the Arab. tongue The Muftees charge * Cadees of the highest rank the word signifieth Lords â—…is disputation on the Tueâ—…day The use His power His revenue Cadeeleschers * Cadees places Cadees and their orders * Lords Naibs Books * Cadees place Priviledge Their continuanâ—…e No office during life Great Turbants Their habits * This word is derived from evel which signifieth first Sheâ—…chs Priests and Clerks Motevelee Their employment * This word is derived from Ders which signifieth a lesson Readers Prayers five times a day Upon fryday six times * Clerks Manner of calling to prayer * The words which the Muyezin useth to say in the steeple Cleannesse purifying * Unclean * Their washing before they pray is so called Awb in Persian signifieth water and Dest the hand Priest The manner of their prayers * Because Mecca is south east of Constantinople in other places it may be different Their rule in praying wheresoever they are is to direct their faces to the city Mecca and this is called by them Kibla Prayers in an unknown tongue Their gestures Their length * Friday it signifieth a day of assembling Preaching * Rebel Procession and cursing Other convocations and prayers * Holy men Sermons Sacrificing Ramazan ceremonies Lamps Priest Example of severity Puritans Beads 1 God is pure 2 God defend 3 God is great Pilgrimage Mecca Tâ—…mple Jeâ—…salem Valley of Jehoshaâ—…hat Pilgrims Circumcision The lock of Hair * True Believers Canes Hospitals Colledges Limited A ceremony at the finishing a Moschea Moscheas Magnificence Lamps No seats Mattes Sicknesse * Priest Manner of burying Garlands and boughs of oranges Women go not to burialls No Lights * Clerks Tombs of the Emperors Common tombs * Colledges * holy men professing innocency * Houses Where drink Cahve Womens Religion Women go not to church * Priests
Signor after he hath dined also repaireth unto his Chamber of Audience and being set down upon a Sofa sendeth the Capee Agha who hath in his hand a silver staff to call first the Cadileschers who immediatly rise up out of their places and having bowed themselves to the Vizir Azem they depart being accompanied with the said Capee Agha and Chiush Bashaw who go before them with their silver staves in their hands and so they go in unto the King to give account and make him acquainted with what hath passed concerning their charge which being done they are dismissed for that day and go directly home to their own houses Next after them are called the Defterdars who in the same manner are brought unto the king but the Chief Defterdar only is permitted to speak and having dispatched they take leave and give place to the Vizirs who are called last of all go together in rank one after another the Chief Vizir being foremost ushered along by the two aforesaid silver staves and being come before the presence of the Grand Signor they stand all on one side of the room with their hands before them a crosse holding down their heads in token of reverence and humility and here none but the Chief Vizir speaketh and gives an account of what he thinketh fit delivering his Memorials or Petitions one by one the which the king having read the Vizir takes them and having put them into a little crimson Satten bag he most humbly layeth them down again before his Majestie who afterwards causeth his * Hattee-humawyoon to be drawn for the performance of what the Arses that is petitions did require if the Grand Signor demand no further of him the other Bashawes not having spoken one word all this while they all depart and take horse at the second Gate and being accompanied by divers men of quality who to insinuate into their favours do wait upon them besides a great company of their own people every one goes to his own house The Chief Vizir for his greater grace and honour hath commonly about an hundred Chiaushes on hors-back who bring him to his home And so the Divan is ended for that day it being about three hours afternoon but upon such dayes as they have no Audience of the King they dispatch sooner And what hath been said of the Vizir Azem the same also is to be understood of the Caimekam in his absence It is to be noted that sometimes also the * Agha of the Janizaries and the * Captain Bashawe come to the Divan when they are at home in Constantinople and have businesse to do there But the Captain Bashawe only doth go in unto the King which also may not be but in Companie of the other Bashawes and his businesse is to acquaint his Majestie with the estate and affairs of the Arsenal and Armada His place in the Divan is upon the same Bench but yet he sitteth last and lowest of all the Bashawes unlesse he be a Vizir as it is often seen and then he takes his place either second or third or fourth as he is in degree by election But the Agha of the Janizaries doth not sit in Divan but sitteth under the open Gallery on the right hand within the second Gate And if at any time it shall so fall out upon some extraordinary businesse as it hath sometimes been seen that he be to go in unto the king then he is called first of all and goeth before either Defterdars or Cadeeleschers and being come out from his Majestie he sitteth down again in his place untill the Divan be ended he is the last that departeth of all the great men and is attended on by a great many * Churbegees and Janizaries unto his Seraglio where he and many of them do live together The Grand Signors Predecessors were alwayes wont to come and this man sometimes cometh privately by an upper way to a certain little window which looketh into the Divan right over the head of the Chief Vizir and there sitteth with a Lattise before him that he may not be seen to hear and see what is done in the Divan and especially at such times when he is to give Audience to any Embassador from a great Prince to see him eat and hear him discourse with the Bashawes and by this his coming to that window the Chief Vizir who alwayes standeth in jeopardy of losing his head upon the Grand Signors displeasure is enforced to carry himself very uprightly and circumspectly in the mannaging of affairs whilst he sits in Divan though at other times his hands are open to bribery and carry businesses as he pleaseth CHAP. III. Of the Audience and entertainment given to Ambassadors WHen it falleth out that an Ambassador from any great Prince is to kisse the Grand Signors hand it must be either upon a Sunday or upon a Tuesday for those are the dayes appointed for his Highnesse to give Audience to the end he may not be troubled at other times And then the Vizir commandeth that there be a great Divan which is done by calling together all the Grandees of the Port all the Chiaushes all the * Mutaferrakas and a great number of Spahees and Janizaries who are every one of them commanded by their Captains to apparel themselves in the best manner that they are able and to go every one to his place in the second Court and there to stand in orderly ranks making indeed a very goodly shew for they are very well clothed and are most of them of comely personage Thus the Divan being all in order and few or no common businesses handled for that day the Vizir sendeth the Chiaush Bashaw with many of his Chiaushes on horse-back to accompany the Ambassador who being come to the Divan is set face to face close before the chief Vizir upon a stool covered with Cloth of Gold Having for a while complemented and used some friendly discourse together the Bashaw commandeth that dinner be brought the which is done after the same manner as upon other Divan dayes only the round plate on which the meat is set is of silver and the victuals are more delicate and in greater abundance And so the Ambassador and the Vizir Azem with one or two of the other Bashawes do eat together And for every such banquet at such times the Grand Signor alloweth besides the ordinary Divan diet a thousand Crowns to be spent howbeit I dare say the Steward makes the one half to serve the turn and reserves the rest to himself They having dined the Vizir entertaineth the Ambassador with some discourse until such time as the Ambassadors followers have dined also who I can upon experience affirm are served after a very mean fashion and then the Ambassador together with his own attendants retire themselves into a certain place near the kings gate where he must