A True Historicall discourse of Muley Hamets rising to the three Kingdomes of Moruecos Fes and Sus. The dis-vnion of the three Kingdomes by ciuill warre kindled amongst his three ambitious Sonnes Muley Sheck Muley Boferes and Muley Sidan The Religion and Policie of the More or Barbarian The aduentures of Sir Anthony Sherley and diuers other English Gentlemen in those Countries With other Nouelties AT LONDON Printed by Thomas Purfoot for Clement Knight and are to be sold at his shop in Paules Churchyard at the Signe of the Holie Lambe An. Dom. 1609. TO THE RIGHT Worshipful Sir Robert Cotton of Cunnington Knight SIR I entreate you patronize this smal Treatise if in your iudgement it can either pleasure or in small measure profite by being divulged to the open view of the world If otherwise lay it by you as a bundle of waste paper In so doing I shal thinke my selfe much obliged vnto you if in suppressing the originall my weakenesse may rather take a priuate checke of a friend for being too bolde then an open scorne of a multitude for being too foolish Thus relying wholy vpon your wonted fauour discreete and iudiciall censure herein I rest euer At your seruice Ro. C. The true Historicall discourse of MVLEY HAMETS rising to the three Kingdomes of Moruecos Fes and Sus. Cap. I. How the Kingdome of Barbary came to Muley Hamet Xarif the late deceased King THE Familie of the Mareines beeing Larbies were long times Kings of Barbary vntill a plaine Haly some hundred yeres agoe calling himselfe Muley Hamet Xarif came out of the countrey of Dara lying beyond the mountains of Atlas with a great number of Montaniers called in their owne language Brebers these with their strength got Moruecos from the Mareins And going forwarde following the fertilnes of the soyle draue the Mareins out of Fes getting into his power all the flat countries comprised vnder the titles of Sus Moruecos and Fes from the hilles of Atlas to the straits of Gybraltar Being thus growne great be would proue himselfe a Xarif one of the kindred of the Prophet Mahomeâ—… desiring his birth might be held answerable to his new acquired fortunes But within a little time after this his sodaine inuasion Sus rebelling refused his gouernment wherefore he sent to the bordering Turkes for ayde who fulfilled therein his request Aided with these turkish auxiliary forces he set forward and at his enterance into that kingdome yâ— turkish souldiers through treason killed him cut of his head sacked Taradant and running ouer the whole countrey spoyled it by the space of twoo moneths which done they would gladly haue returned to Trimasine yet fearing their owne strength to return the same way Hamet had brought them it was helde their better course and shorter iourney to passe ouer the Mountaines but the Montaniers knowing this their new done bloody fact and séeing them haue good store of pillage set vpon them so that few or none escaped their handes but were all slaine After this Hamet Xarifs death who raigned some eight yeares succéeded his brother Muley Abdela hauing all his life time great warre with the Mareins to kéepe that his brother had conquered hee hauing raigned some fiftéene yeares died leauing behind him thirtéene sonnes the eldest Muley Abdela who at his entrance to the kingdome commaunded all his brethren to bee killed but the second brother Abdelmelech fearing hard measure fled presently vppon the death of his Father into Turkie and so saued his life The third brother Muley Hamet of whome we are hereafter to entreate béeing held a great Church man simple and humble spirited not any way addicted vnto armes was spared aliue as lesse feared The other ten were all put to death in one day at Taradant in Sus where they were kept in their Fathers life time This Abdela raigned fortie yeares and dying left behinde him thrée sonnes Muley Mehamet Muley Sheck Muley Nassar Muley Mehamet beeing King his twoo yonger brethren ranne away into Spaine the elder wherof named Muley Sheck is yet liuing and there turned Christian. The yonger brother called Muley Nassar returned into Barbary in the fourteenth yeare of Muley Hamets raign who died last At this Muley Nassars landing in the country of Fes much people fauoured him and his title two thousand of Muley Shecks souldiers who now liueth and then gouerned Fes for his Father reuolted from him to Nassar insomuch as Muley Sheck was in mind to haue fled vnto his Father But that Alkeyd Hamet Ben lau being a very wise Captaine and there placed to helpe Muley Sheck by his councell who was very yong kept him from running away and Muley Nassar with a dilatory warre with whome if the souldiers had staied he might peraduenture haue gotten the country But their Lent approaching the souldiers tolde Nassar they would go kéepe their Easter at their owne houses Whervpon Nassar thinking if they were once gone they would neuer returne to him againe would giue present battaile so was this Nassar slaine Abdelmelech being second brother to Abdela got such fauor in Turkie where he liued as entering Barbary with foure thousand Turkish souldiers he got the kingdome from his Nephew Mehamet the eldest sonne of Abdela and their raigned two yeares Muley Mehamet thus depriued of his kingdome fledde for succour to Sebastian then King of Portugale who came in person into Barbarie to helpe him with thirtie thousand men giuing battaile the Mores fled and the Christians retired hoping the Mores would returne that so the Christians might make the greater slaughter of them According to this expectation Abdelmelech with his armie returned and the Christians charged the formost of their horsemen very hotly who would haue fledde But such was the aboundance of Abdelmelechs horsemen following the foreward which were discoÌ„â—…ted as they could not haue field-roome to flie but were forced to â—…ght it out This was a bloody battaile wherin thrée kings lost their liues Don Sebastian King of Portugale Muley Mehamet vnto whose ayde Sebastian came ouer And Abdelmelech who came out of Turkie being second brother to Abdela This Abdelmelech left behind him a sonne yet liuing at this day in Turkie whose name is Muley Smime After the death of these twoo Abdelas third brother Muley Hamet Xarif was made King raigned about twenty seauen yeares in great peace and felicity vntill he went to take his sonne Muley Sheck at Fes where the Father dyed whose death hath caused all these warres as yea may reade hereafter Cap. II. The course of Muley Hamet Xarifs gouernment during his 27. yeares raigne OBtaining the Scepter he first prouided himselfe of the grauest men he could finde in his Kingdomes to be Counsellors of estate then of the most experienced and valiant souldiers for Commanders ouer his campe and Garrison townes And whereas hee was Monarch ouer two Nations the Larbies and Brebers hee found it requisite to vse a two-folde gouernment The Larbies dwelling in the best plaine champion
Country of his three Kingdomes Moruecos Sus and Fes were easily gouerned being of milde and peaceable nature giuen to thrift and tillage of the ground sought no alterations but receiuing from him a due forme of iustice executed by his Ministers protecting them from the Montaneirs which are robbers willingly obeyed his Regall authoritie and yearly payed their tenths towards their Kings maintenance As for the Brebers or Montaneirs beeing of an vntamed and fierce disposition speaking the Tamiset tongue which is as much different from the Larbee as Welch is from our English dwelling in places by nature defencible and almost inaccessible He could not so well gouerne neither had euer such absolute power ouer them nor receiued the fift pennie of profite from them as hee did from the Alarbeis Therefore hee sought by all meanes to diminish their strength of people drawing them alwayes into forraigne expeditions especially into that warre against the Negros which continued a long time thereby extending his Empire so farre that way as by Camell it was sixe Moneths iourney from Morruecos to the farthest parts of his Dominion Likewise he vsed this people to goe with the Carabans to Gago to fetch home his yearely tribute and custome whereby manie were consumed in trauailing ouer the Saharas for anie offence or robberie committed by them his sword should punish seuerely that the rest might feare diuiding their Countrey into seuerall diuisions or Cantons in euerie which hee placed an Alkeyd with souldiers to suppresse any suddaine vprores must like our Lieutenant set ouer our seuerall Countyes but that the Alkeyd is continually resident and hath greater power in executing Marshall law And lastly as pledges of their loyalties hee would get their chiefest mens sonnes into his hands bringing them vp in his Court to a more ciuill and delicate kinde of life He was alwayes of minde to keepe peace with Christendome with Spaine who was his next potent neighbour but aboue all loued the English Nation and admired the late Queenes happie gouernement willing to entertaine trading with vs witnesse his manie letters written to that worthie Ladie of happie memorie And his Embassage sent vnto her Anno. 1601. performed by Abdala Wahad Anowne and Hamet Alhadg their great trauailer to Mecha and other places Towards his subiects he was not too tyrannicall but sweetned his absolute power and will with much clemencie By diuerse wayes he got excessiue store of gold First by seeing his tenths truly payed from the Larbees Secondly by trading with the Negroe taking vp the salt at Tegazza and selling it at Gago hauing from thence returne in good golde Thirdly by husbanding his Maseraws or Iâ—…genewes where his Sugar Canes did growe though nowe all spoyled with these warres for it is sufficiently knowne all of them about Morruecos Taradant and Magador were yearely worth vnto him sixe hundred thousand ounces at the least I omit his loue he tooke in entertaining forraigne Artisans the reedifying of his house in Morruecos getting Italian Marbles the richest that could bee bought for money and workmen hired from thence at great wages His sumptuous prouisions for the Saraile and maintenance of his women not so much delighting in the sinne as his predecessors had done before as to shew his glorie because the fashion of the Countrey is such to shewe their riches and greatnesse vpon that fraile sexe and their attendances For his chiefest pleasures were to see the gallantrie of his kingdome managing their good Barbarian Steedes and the Falcons vpon their wing making faire flights after the Heron for these sports hee was prouided no man better from which hee was recalled by certaine discontents which as clowds forerunned his owne Sunset Cap. III. The number of Muley Hamet Xarif sonnes their behauiours the beheading of Mustepha MVley Hamet Xarif the late deceased king and father of these thrée brothers now liuing that striue for the kingdome at the time of his death left fiue sonnes aliue The eldest Muley Mahemet commonly called Muley Sheck a title giuen alwaies to the eldest of the kings sonnes The second Muley Boferes which two sons were both by one woman a Negra one of his concubines The third sonne Muley Sidan whome he had by one of his wiues The fourth sonne Muley Nassar who was about the age of Ninetéen yeares And the fift Muley Abdela about Fourtéene yeares old at the time of the old kings death and these twoo last were not legitimate but the sonnes of two seuerall Concubins This deceased King in his life time had placed his thrée elder sons in seuerall parts of his kingdome to gouerne for him in them to Muley Sheck his eldest he had giuen the kingdome of Fes which kingdome hath in former times continually béen allotted by the late kings of Barbary to their eldest sonnes Muley Boferes he placed in his kingdome of Sus to Muley Sidan he gaue the prouince of Tedula which lyeth in the mid-way betwéene Moruecos and Fes his two yonger sonnes Muley Nassar and Abdela remained with him in his house whome by reason of their yong yeares he had not as yet placed in any part of his kingdomes The eldest sonne Muley Sheck in his yonger yeares gouerned Fes those partes of Barbarie with great approbation of his father through yâ— counsell of Basha Mustepha a Spanish Renegado which Basha in continuance of time grewe into such fauour with him that the whole gouernment of the kingdome of Fes was wholly by Mu Sheck put into his handâ—… Whervpon yâ— Alkeyds of the countrie that were naturall borne Mores continuall attendants vpon the old King enuying the greatnes of the said Basha raised diuers accusations against him Complaining to the King that he learned Muley Sheck to drinke wine a thing vnlawfull to the Mores being forbidden them by their Prophet Mahomet and that now hauing the whole gouernment of the kingdome of Fes in his hands vnder the kings sonne he purposed after he had possessed himselfe of Muley Shceks treasure to flie and carry it with him to some partes of Christendome Which accusations the old King vpon some probabilities and likelihoods conceiuing to be true these Alkeyds procured at last with him that he should send to his Sonne Muley Sheck commaunding him to send the head of the said Basha which commaund howsoeuer Muley Sheck who greatly loued and fauoured the said Basha at the first delayed to performe yet after diuers messages the old King sending at the last a principall seruant of his to see the execution done he was forced much against his will to sée fulfilled In these yonger yeares of Muley Sheck whilest this Basha was aliue none of the Kings Sonnes was more dutifull to their Father then he neither any of their actions so contented the old King as his insomuch the whole kingdomes hope for a successor after the old kings decease was onely in Muley Sheck Wherevpon and by the Kings voluntary motion all the principall Alkeyds and men of Commaund that were
in his kingdomes by solemne oath vowed allegeaunce to Muley Sheck after the olde kings decease And at that time Boferes the second Sonne by reason of the great plague in Sus and other discontents he receiued from that rebellious people stayed not long there but returned againe to his Father in Moruecos where he stayed with him vntill his Fathers departure to Fes in September 1602. Muley Sidan the third Sonne continued in Tedula a prouince fruitfull and scituate in the flat of Barbarie the mid-way betwéene Fes and Moruecos as I haue told you who gouerned those parts in great peace and quietnes euen in the cheife times of the tuâ—…lts that were in the bordering Dominions of his eldest brother Sheck whereof you shall read hereafter insomuch that he was generally commend ed and liked both of his Father and of all the kingdome for his gouernment being strict in séeing the execution of iustice to be done in those parts that he gouerned not sparing his kindred or nearest followers in those cases From his infancy be naturally hated all manner of théeues whatsoeuer especially thâ—…se which robbed by the high wayes and without any fauour or mercy seuerely punished them Howsoeuer he carryed himselfe very dutifull to his Father whilest he was liuing yet from his Childehoode he was alwayes of an aspiring and ambitious nature which could neuer be brought to subiect it selfe to giue any awefull respect to his elder brethren but to hazard his whole estate in obtaining the Kingdome accounting himselfe his Fathers lawfull heire in that hee was his Fathers eldest Sonne which he had by any of his marryed wiues In this point not regarding the custome and lawe of the Mores who in title of inheritance or succession respect not the mother whether shée be marryed Wife or Concubine bought with money so that her sonne be the eldest in birth Cap. IIII. The misgouernment of Muley Sheck which caused his old Father to visite the Kingdome of Fes the taking of Sheck prisoner the death of the Father BUt to returne againe to Muley Sheck the Kings eldest Sonne who after the death of his Basha Mustepha beheaded by his Fathers commaund soone shewed vnto all men the want of Gouernment that was in him for in his latter times giuing himselfe ouer to drunkennes and other detestable vices which amongst the Mores commonly accompanieth that sinne regarded not at all the gouernment of his kingdome but suffered his seruants followers and souldiers to doe what they would in robbing and spoyling the the goods of his honest minded Subiects without controllment And through want of Iustice duly executed his whole country in a short time swarmed so with théeues and robbers by the high wayes that there was no trauelling through his dominions but in Caffilas or companies of 300 and 400 persons at a time and they hardly sometimes escaped the hands of théeues The Alarbies who continue to this day in tribes and kindreds beeing the husbandmen of the countrey liuing in the fields in tents by â—…illing of the ground and bréeding vp of cattell when as they could not quietly gather in and peaceably enioy the corne and fruits of the ground denyed to paye the King their accustomed dutie and in the fields followed the courses of Muley Shecks seruants in the citie in robbing of all passengers that came within their power And such was his laâ—…ishing manner of spending and consuming of his Treasure that in his humors hée neither regarded what hée gaue nor to whome in so much that a Iew who was a Musitian and vsed to play before him in his drunken fits what with the gifts giuen him by the Prince and what else he gotte out of his house had gotten together in money and iewels in the space of foure or fiue yeares to the value of Foure Hundred Thousand Duckets which is about fortie Thousand Pound sterling This dissolute life and carelesse gouernment of Muley Sheck gréeued the olde King not a little especially to sée such a change or alteration in him whose forwardnes in former times had béene the staye of his age and had mooued him to cause the Alkeyds of the kingdome by oath to confirme their allegeance after his owne death Many wayes he sought to amend what was amisse in those parts and to draw his Son to a more stricte course of life and more carefull kind of gouernment as well by his letters as by sending diuers principall Alkeyds to be Counsellors vnto him Yet such was the small accompt he made either of the one or the other That the old King in the end séeing no amendment but the estate of that Kingdome to grow dayly worse and worse determined to go to Fes in his owne person with an armie aswell to displace his Sonne who had denyed to come vnto him vpon his sending for as also to put in order all matters in those parts which through the ill gouernment of his Sonne were all out of frame And so about the beginning of October 1602. he set forwards from Moruecos with an armie of Eight Thousand shot and some fiue Thousand Horse towards Fes leauing his second Sonne Muley Boferes to gouerne Moruecos and Sus in his absence vntill his returne making such spéedy iourneyes that he was with his forces within one dayes iourney of Fes before his Sonne Muley Sheck was certainly aduised of his setting forth from Moruecos Who when hee vnderstood of his fathers being so néere and himselfe euery way vnprouided to resist him Would haue fled towards Tafilet but being followed by Basha Mustefa hee was constrained to take saâ—…uary with fiue hundred of his best souldiers being very good shotte and well prouided The old King the Father séeing his sonne take the prâ—…ueledge of the place which is much respected in that countrey willed him to come forth and submit himselfe to his mercy But Muley Sheck refused either obstinate in not obeying or fearefull he could not render a good accompt of his Twenty Fiue yeares gouernment in Fes Wherefore Muley Hamet commaunded Mustefa a Basha of Sidans though then in the olde Muleys seruice to take thrée thousand men 〈◊〉 perforce to enter the place which he performed bringing Sheck prisoner and the rest of his company which were left aliue after the conflicte The old man would in no wise admit him into his presence but committed him to the charge and custody of Basha Iudar one of greatest place about the King who caryed Sheck to Mickanes a strong Garrison towne and there remained vntill the time of his Fathers death which was some fiue moneths after The olde King in his iourney to Fes against his eldest sonne passed by the Prouince of Tedula and from thence tooke alongst with him his third son Muley Sidan whom he commaunded to remoue his houshold to Fes from Sidania a Citie which he had begunne to build in Tedula and called it after his owne name intending to leaue him Uizeroy of those parts in the roome of his eldest
sonne whom he purposed to carrie with him from Mickanes where he was prisoner to Morruecos Which he had also performed if hee had not beene preuented by suddaine death For in August 1603 hee hauing set all matters in order in those parts of Fes prouiding for his returne to Morruecos put out his Tents without Fes gates but being abroad hee suddainly fell sicke and his sicknesse so sore increased that on Thursday falling sick on Sunday morning beeing the fourteenth of August 1603. he died Cap. V. Muley Sidan proclaimeth himselfe King in Fes Muley Boferes in Morruecos Muley Nassar would haue done the likein Taradant but is hindered The death of Nassar MVley Sidan by reason his Mother Lilla Isha gouerned the old Kings house vnderstoode of his fathers death before it was noysed abroad whereupon he presently went forth into his fathers campe and tents from whence he carried away all such Iewels and treasure as he found there And after his fathers death he caused himselfe in Fes to bee proclaimed King of Barbarie as lawfull heyre of his deceased father Lilla Iohora mother to Muley Sheck and Muley Boferes seeing her eldest sonne in prison and voide of all meanes to helpe himselfe at that instant was not vnmindfull of her second sonne Boferes whom the old King had left to gouerne Morruecos during his absence To whom shee dispéeded presently letters by one of the kings Eunuchs who made such hast that in foure dayes he came from Fes to his Tents which were some two leagues from Morruecos where he had lien all the Summer before to auoyd the infection of the plague which had béene that Summer in Morruecos and with him was his younger brother Muley Nassar and his eldest brothers sonne Muley Abdela Muley Boferes vnderstanding of his fathers death presently entred Moruecos and gaâ—… possession of the Alcasaua his fathers house Before the newes of his fathers death was noysed abroad and generally knowne fearing how the Alkeyds and people of Morruecos might stand affected vnto him and knowing that if he had once possession of the Alcasaua of his fathers treasure he had the best part of the Kingdome And the next day after his entrance hee caused to bee published generally thorow the whole Citie the newes of his fathers death and withall himselfe to be proclaimed king Writing letters to the Uizeroy of Sus to doe the like in Taradant the chiefe Citie of that Kingdome the which he accordingly performed Muley Nasâ—…ar the fourth sonne of the deceased King hauing beene all the Summer abroad with his brother Boferes when now hee vnderstood of his fathers death followed his brother a farre off as though hee meant to haue entred Morruecos with him But comming to the gates of the Citie in companie with Muley Abdela his Nephew being sonne to Muley Sheck with whom hee was familiar conferred with him about their flying into the Mountaines perswading Muley Abdela that hee might no wayes put any trust in Boferes since his father and he were the chiefest impediments that hindered Boferes from claiming the Kingdome by course of iustice his father Muley Sheck being the old Kings eldest sonne and he the eldest sonne of his father Besides his father being in prison so neere Fes where Muley Sidan was it was to be doubted that Muley Sidan had alreadie gotten him into his power and it might be had made some agréement with him alreadie to ioyne both against Muley Boferes which if it should so fall out would cause Boferes to deale more cruelly with him But these perswasions moued not Abdela who rather chose to enter the Citie and follow his Uncle on whose curtesie he would relie Though Nassar fearing how Boferes would deale with him with all speede fled into the Mountaines to the kindred of his mother from whence after a few daies with some eight hundred or a thousand of those people whome he ioyned together he passed into the plaines of Sus sending to the Alkeyd in Taradant to proclaime him King or else to suffer him quietly to depart But the Alkeyd hauing alreadie proclaimed Muley Boferes withstood him and he hauing no meanes wherewith to pay his souldiers and people that he had gathered togither was soone left of all so returned againe to his mothers kindred and liued priuatly there about seuen Moneths and then dyed of the plague or as some reported secretly poysoned was brought to Morruecos and there buryed Cap. VI. The reuolt of Alkeyd Hamet Monsore Muley Sheck prisoner deliuered to Boferes Muley Sidan rayseth forces against his bother Boferes And the like doth Muley Boferes against Sidan BUt to returne to Fes and those parts after the death of the old King Sidan being now proclaimed king in Fes Boferes in Morruecos Sus Muley Sheck prisoner in Mickanes in the keeping of Basha Iudar the souldiers being abroad in their tents without Fes gates began to be in a mutenie as well for sixtéene Moneths pay which the old King owed them as also about their returne to Morruecos where the most of them had left their wiues and children To appease this mutenie Muley Sidan sent out of Fes vnto them Alkeyd Hamet Monsore their chiefe Commaunder in the olde Kings time to promise them as well content in payment as also a speedie returne to Morruecos with Muley Sidan himselfe But Monsore in stead of pacifying laboured to encrease their mutenous humours and at last agreed with them suddainly in the night to take vp their tents and to march with him to Morruecos alleadging vnto them both the vncertaintie of Muley Sidans pay and the small likelyhoode of any speedie iourney he meant to take to Moruecos And being to passe within a little of Mickanes where the Basha kept Muley Sheck prisoner hee wrote vnto the said Basha to know his intent whether hee would goe to Moruecos or no with him To whom the Basha came and brought Muley Sheck with him whom they brought along as prisoner to Moruecos and deliuered him vp to his brother Boferes who kept him close prisoner in his house some 4. or 5. moneths vntill the comming of Muley Sidan against him in battaile by this meanes thinking to haue established the whole kingdome to Muley Boferes who now besides the possession of the city of Moruecos and his Fathers treasure had brought vnto him yâ— greatest part of his Fathers forces 〈◊〉 his elder brother put prisoner into his hands Muley Sidan being thus deceiued by Monsore and likewise by diuers other principall Alkeids who had secretly departed from Fes and left him forthwith dispeeded one Mustefa a Renegâ—…do of his owne whome hee made a Basha with two thousand shot and some companyes of horses to Tedula aswell to receiue from the Alarbies those duties which they alwayes pay vnto their King as also to stoppe and returne to Fes whomsoeuer he should finde flying from thence to Moruecos kéeping possession of that prouince for his vse He made likewise great preparations both of
horse and foote in Fes to bee alwaies ready to accompany himselfe in person if néede should so require hauing with him in Fes of principall Alkeids Azus chéefe counsellor to the late deceased King and Lord ouer his Bitlemel Bocrasia Absadiks and diuers others Muley Boferes likewise in Moruecos foreslacked no time in making preparation to send forth against him sending first Alcaide Gowiâ—… with some six hundred men to make prouision of corne and other victuals amongst the Alarbies and after he had certaine neâ—…s of Muley Sidans forces to be in Tedula he sent out his Basha â—…dar with fiue thousand shot choyst men foure Péeces of Artillary and certaine companies of horse to enter Tâ—…dula and to giue battaile to Mustefa the Generall of Sidans forces or perforce to driue him out of that country At whose comming thither Mustefa séeing himselfe no waies strong enough to encounter with Iudar retyred backe againe with his armie out of Tedula and Iudar destroyed the foundation of Sidania which Muley Sidan at his being in Tedula had begunne to build vpon the riuer of Morbaie and called it Sidania after his owne name likewise wasted and destroyed the country thereabout at least so many of the kindreds of the Alarbies as he knew to be friends to Muley Sidan or those that would not acknowledge Boferes for King Sidan vnderstanding what Iudar had done in Tedula and likewise of the great preparations that his brother in Moruecos daily made to send out against him forthwith put forth his tents and ioyned together his whole forces which were some eight or nyne Thousand shot and some twelue Thousand horse with two and twentie Péeces of Artillery himselfe in person going along with them And because he was altogether vnprouided of skilfull Gunners for his Ordinances he procured from Salie out of certaine english men of warre who at that instant were there twoo english Gunners to whome hee committed the charge of his Artillery but by reason of much raine that had fallen it being in the moneth of Ianuary 1604. the ground in many places was so soft that they could not march with their Artillery so fast as néede required So that his Artillery neuer came at the battaile which was thought to be a chiefe cause of his ouerthrow Cap. VII Fokers sent to entreat of peace from Muley Boferes to Sidan Muley Sheck set at libertie The battaile betwixt Muley Boferes and Muley Sidan WHilest these preparations were in hand on either side Muley Boferes sent certaine Fokers held of great estimation amongst the Mores to his brother Muley Sidan to treate conditions of peace howbeit after their dispeeding from Moruecos he omitted no time and diligence in sending foorth newe armies and fresh supplies both of souldiers and prouision to Iudar Basha that was in Tedula and vnderstanding for certaine that his brother Sidan was in the field in person because hee himselfe had neuer béene inâ—…red to trauell and knowing it would be no small discouragement to his side and encouragement to the other that Sidan should be in perin the field and no other his equall in bloud in his armie to withstand him he concluded a colourable peace betwéene himselfe and his eldest brother Muley Sheck whome vntill that time hee kept close prisoner in his house agréeing with him that he should go forth into his armie and ioyne with Iudar to fight against Muley Sidan whome if he ouerthrow in battaile he should enioy the kingdome of Fes and so much of those Casterne parts of Barbarie as he enioyed in their Fathers time On condition that at his enterance into Fes hee should proclaime Muley Boferes King and himselfe onely Uizeroy so should stil acknowledge his Gouernment there as deriued from Boferes And to the intent Muley Sheck should the better obserue these conditions according to their agréement hee was to leaue his eldest sonne in pawne with Muley Boferes in Moruecos On these plausible conditions Muley Sheck was set at libertie a happy turne for himselfe as he thought who neuer looked for any better but perpetuall imprisonment with much misery But the truth is Basha Iudar had secret aduertisement from his Master Boferes yet not so secret but it was knowne to Muley Sheck and closely carryed of him by interception of letters betwixpt Moruecos and the campe in Tedula That he should abridge Muley Sheck of any commaund in the campe or matter of counsell in ordering of the fight onely shew him to the souldiers vnder his canopy that the Fezes who were the strength of Sidans armie might know Sheck was in the campe of Boferes whome they loued in regard partly of his long abâ—…de amongst them but especially of his great liberality or rather prodigality formerly shewed vnto them which wrought much in their minds at the ensuing battaile And withall the Basha had a speciall charge sent and his Guard so to watch him that if he got the battaile he should bring Muley Sheck in yrons as safe a prisonner from the campe to Moruecos as once hee had done from Mickanes But this being discouered Muley Sheck so shufled his game that though Iudar wonne the field Muley Sheck escaped vnto Fes and was louingly entertainted of the citizens proclaiming himselfe King of Barbarie But returne we to the Fokers treating about conditions of peace in Fes with Muley Sidan who by intelligence vnderstoode from Moruecos of the fresh supplies of souldiers daily sent out by his brother to the Basha whereby hee greatly suspected those offers of peace to be but a deuise to prolonge the time whilest his whole forces were in a readines and then sudenly to haue come vpon him vnawares before he should be prouided for him And therefore hee returned the Fokers with denials of the â—…ffered conditions of peace and himselfe thinking to take the oportunity and aduantage of yâ— time before either his brothers new forces should come to the Basha or Muley Sheck his eldest brother be set at liberty He caused with all diligence to be gotten together some two thousand Mules and horses and vpon euery Mule to be set two souldiers with their furniture and so without any stay for the rehalling of tents or carrying along of his Artillery with him to bee with all hast possible sent and ioyned to the Almohalla of Alkeid Mustefa which lay hard by the riuer of Morbaie in the sight of the Almohalla of Basha sudar the riuer onely betweene them He himselfe likewise in person went along with some seauen or eight Thousand of his horsemen thinking by this meanes to come with his best forces vpon Basha Iudar before the Basha should expect him or before yâ— coÌ„ming of Muley Sheck who for his liberality and bounty in former times was greatly beloued of all the souldiers both of Fes and also of Moruecos But this pollicy of his herein tooke no place for Muley Sheck after he was set at liberty made such spéedy iourneyes that he came to yâ— Almohalla of
reqâ—…ested â—…is Maiestie to kâ—…pe on his wâ—…y and saue himselâ—…e â—…y â—…ight he not purposing to persue him anâ—… further And so the Mâ—…ley in this miserablâ—… eâ—…te forsaken almost of all kept on his way to Trimaâ—…e a towne boroâ—…ring vpon the Turkes in the frontiers of the kingâ—…ome of Aâ—…rs and the Alkeids who pursued him returned againe to Fes Cap. IX Muley Sheck proclaimeth himselfe King in Fes Sidan goeth to Tafilet from thence into Sus. A skirmish wherin Mumine Bocrasia is slaine Peace concluded between Muley Boferes and Muley Sidan AFTER Muley Sidans flight in this manner Muley Sheck entred Fes where he was ioyfully receaued of them proclayâ—…ed 〈◊〉 King and not gouernour 〈◊〉 his brother Boreres And it being in the time of â—…ummadan all the Almohallas of Moruecos returneâ—… home against the Pascua froâ—… whence after the celebration of the feast they were sent forth to all parts of the countrâ—… agaâ—…st the Larbâ—…es among whome were as great ciuile wars as among yâ— brâ—…thren for in this time of so many kings they would acknowledge none or pay duty to any of the three brethren Wherevpâ—…on Hameâ—… Monsore with thrée Thousand souldierâ—… was sent into Sus in the moneth of Aprill 1604. but his men dying of the plague which was very hot at that time and thereby the Larbies little regarding his power would bring him no vicâ—…uals so that with remainder of his men hee was constrayned to returne towardes Mâ—…ruecos Diuerse other Aâ—…mohallas were sent abroad into seuerall parts of the countrey but in the beginning of Iune newes comming of Muley Sâ—…daÌ„ns returne from Trimasine to Tafileâ—… they were all sent for by Boferes to returne to Moruecos and bée ioyned together the second time against Muley Sidan who hauing some fewe moneths liued about Trimasine with some fiftie souldiers went towards Tafilet about which part liued the Cassa or caste of Alkaid Absadok who was master of the hawkes to Muley Hamet and brought to Sidan of his caste some twelue hundred Horses with which force he entered Tafilet The Alkeid of Muley Bofeâ—…es flâ—…ing to Dara or Dâ—…aw with his souldiers In Tafilet Muley Sidan stayed some fortye daies where he vnderstood perfectly of the estate of Sus and had letters from diuers of his welwillers there vnderstanding of Alkeâ—…d Hamet Moâ—…sores departure from thence And that the Shebaâ—…es which is the greateâ—…t Cast in all Barbarie and the Casse or Cast of the Muleys mother would not â—…knowlâ—…dge Boâ—…eres for King and likewise how most of all the Casts in Sâ—… desired his comming thither Wherevâ—…on â—…e prepared what forces hee could there get to go iâ—…to Sâ—…s Muley Boâ—…eres vpon the first newes of his brothers comming to Tafileâ—… called in â—…ll his 〈◊〉 and ioyning some foure Thousand shotte of them besidâ—…s horse sent them from 〈◊〉 to Dara vnder the Commâ—…und of his Sonne Muley Abdelmelech with whome went diuers principall Alkeids as Alkeâ—…d Gowiâ—… Vmbilie Mumine Bocrasia who in the first batâ—…aile of Muley Sidan was a principall man of commaund on his side and after his ouerthrow flâ—… from him to Moruecos with diuers others The chiefe intent of these forces was to stop the passages from thence to Sus which Muley Sidan perceiuing before the comming of their whole forces he passed by Alcatouy where yâ— horsemen on each side skirmished the â—…ootmen not being able to come vp and some slaine of either side but no man of account saue onely Alkeid Mumine Bocrasia who as some reported dyed with thirst being ouerheated the battaile being â—…ought in the middest of Iuly or as others reported being wounded and returning to his tent calling for water after hee had drunke it presently dyed whose death was little lamented or pittyed of the Mores they saying he was iustly rewarded for being a traitour to Muley Sidan his Master who was not onely contented to leaâ—…e him in his misfortunes and to flye to his brother but also to goe forth into the â—…eld against him Muley Sidans forces were so small that he was not able to match in strength the forces of his enemies and therefore was constrayned to passe into Sus by the waye of the Sahara and durst not passe by Draw In which Sands for want of water both he his whole company had almost perished and after much miserey indured in that iourney he arrâ—…ued at Aca where Sidie Abdela Imbark the great Foker dwelleth the friendshippe of whome obtained he knewe that all his brothers forces could not dispossesse him of the Kingdome of Sus in such great reuerence is that church man held in those partes that the people will obey none but whome hee commaundeth them He being come thither the Foker by letters to Muley Boferes then at Moruecos procured that there might be a treatie oâ—… peace between the two brethren Wherevppon in August following An. 1604. Alkeid Azus was sent to Muley Sidan to Aca where by the endeuours of the said Alkaid and the Foker a peace was concluded betwéene Muley Boferes and his brother Muley Sidan this to enioy the Kingdome of Sus and the other the residue of the Empire wherevpon Sidan peaceably entered Taradant the chiefe Citie in that kingdome vppon whose entrance thither Sus which in all former times had béen the most vnquiet and rebellious part of all Barbarie through his execution of iustice became the onely peaceable and well gouerned countrie of that kingdome all other parts of Barbarie that were vnder the gouernment and belonging to the other two brethren as then remaining very vnquiet and full of all tumults Neither was his gouernment any way to bee misliked but that scarce setled he charged the country with greater impositions then his Father euer demaunded insomuch as Sedie Abdela Imbark who was the onely man that first brought him thither reprooued his courses And the Montaâ—…ers of Atlas being good souâ—…iers excellent shot and their dwelling by nature dâ—…fencible finding his yoke too heauie thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him or his power which humor of theirs was nourished by secret practises of Boferes lothe that Sâ—…dan should either grow great in friends or treasure But the inhabitants of the plainâ—… and lower regions felt the smart of his rodde knowing their throats lay at his mercey when as the Montaniers defended themselues with open armes and oftentimes gaue the new king his hands full Cap. X. Abdela Muley Shecks Sonne escapeth from Boferes Sidan is sent for to go in battaâ—…le against Muley Sheck he refuseth Abdelmelech Boferes sonne goeth His bad successe THE peace concluded betwixt Boferes and Siâ—…an by the meanes of Abdela Imbark anâ—… Azus the wisest Counsellor that Barbarie hath wâ—…e will leaue Sidan at Sus seeking hiâ—… owne ende once more to become Maister of Morrâ—…ecos and returne to Boferes who was troubled which waye 〈◊〉 contriue the regaining of Mulâ—…y Sheck who like 〈◊〉 bâ—… de had broken cage and was flowne to Fes making a fâ—… pretence to goueâ—…ne but as Uiâ—…eroy yet secretlie
taken flyeth to Salie Muley Sidan commeth against Muley Hamet Bosonne who flieth and is poysonned by old Azus BUT whilest Abdela and Sidan were contriuing their owne ends there arised a storme in the Mountaines which fell in the plaineÌ„s of Moruecos the tempest driuer was one Muley Hamet Bosonne cosine to the thrée brethren which haue striuen for the kingdome This man gathering treasure and temporising with them all thrée so played their game that finding their weaknes which these quarrels had brought them vnto vppon a suddaine séeing his time went into the Mountaines to his mothers kindred mustered very neare 20. thousand able men the Muley being well prouided of treasure gaue them due pay and large winning them to his respect seruice so that in lesse then two moneths space hée gotte all thinges in readines descended from the Tessevon Mountaines towards Moruecos This news brought to Abdela was very vnwelcome yet calling his wittes and councell together it was concluded considering the Shraceis were gone his remnant of souldiers féeble and out of heart and the Moruecans daily fled to Hamet Bosonne whose vprising like a blazing starre drew their eyes vppon him that Abdela should trauell to Fes which he might well doe without a guide hauing heretofore vppon like necessities often measured the myles And though he was determined so to doe yet a small occasion hastened his iourney for some myle from Abdelas campe vpon a hill on the backside of Morruecos a man being séen with a speare in his hand and a white linnen vppon it as a flagge Abdela thought Hamet Bosonne to be with his whole forces behinde the hill when hee was a full daies march from Moruecos Therfore in all hast he tooke vp some of his tens but the greater part left standing in a manner being feared ranne away And afterward when this matter was discouered which Abdela held a token of his surprise it was nothing else but a poore More washing his napery and for the spéedier drying vsed this meanes which terrifyed Abdela from the seate of his Empire to Fes the safest place for his abode Lylla Isha Sidans Mother hearing of Hamet Bosonnes approach was perswaded his mouements were onely to defend her Sonnes right knowing Bosonne of late fauoured Sidans title comming into his pay and in person seruing the Muley at the last battaile when Sidan fled into Sus. Herevppon shée sent diuers captaines part of her owne Guard others of her freinds and kindred to his ayde thinking he would haue taken Moruecos for Sidan But Bosonne hauing entered the Citie peaceably proclaymed himselfe King dismissed all Sidans fauourers which were not willing to bee his seruants who returned to their Lady Mistresse certifying her error and their successe his treasure he imparted largely to his followers by strong hand desired no mans seruice but those who were willing Some thirtie english men remayning wearie of their sustained misery and the state of the country he gaue them licence to imbarke and writte to the Gouernour of Saphia to giue them their passe notice whereof being giuen to the Factor Marine for the English he disparted them into diuers Shippes with all conueniency though to his cost and charges charity to helpe the distressed soules and loue to his natiue country moouing him there vnto This Muley Hamet Bosonne during the time of his gouernment was a very good and iust man offered no discourteste or tooke away any mans goods but payed the marchants trulie for the same who liked well his currant and true dealing Bosonnes Mother hearing her Sonne was setled in Morruecos brought what strength shée could from the Mountaines and in her way knowing Boferes lodged in a fortresse whervnto he was fled not to be well guarded shée beset the house meaning to take the Muley prisoner who being doyde of meanes to resist in the night made a hole through the wall and so escaped priuately to Salie a Porte Towne within the iurisdiction of his Brother Sheck where at this day he remaineth On the morrow betimes Bosonnes mother with her men entered the fort miâ—…ing Boferes cut off the head of Vmsed Benbela one of his chiefest seruants and Commanders then went shée forward to congratulate her Sonnes comming to the kingdome béeing then in Moruecos But an Empyre ill got is seldome séene of long continuance for within lesse than two moneths Muley Sidan came out of Sus with a great army for whose ayde Lylla Isha sould her Iewels and Plate to furnish her Sonne with Swords Pykes Horsemen Staues and other war-like munition On the other side Hamet Bosonne prepared to welcome his cousine the Muley Sidan so about the beginning of Aprill 1608. both their forces met hard by Morruecos where a chiefe of a kindred one Grufe which came out of Sus a great wyne drinker alwaies a fauourer of Muley Sidan though little valuing any of the thrée kings presuming vppon his owne strength and valour desired the honour that hée might giue charge vppon the enemy with fiue Hundred Horse which was his owne regiment and of his owne kindred Sidan refused to graunt him his request therefore the Casima tooke his owne leaue and gaue the enemy a full charge vppon the body of his army which receauing him very brauely the Casima and his company were in great danger to bée ouerthrowen but Sidan to reléeue him sent fiue Hundred Horsemen of his owne so with these Thousand the Casima broke the ranâ—… of Bosonnes battalions then with their sables fell to execution vntil the whole campe séeing the field lost fled towards the Mountaines thus Sidan without further resistance entering Morruecos resting there in quiet thrée moneths vntill Hamet Boson recouering now forces in Iuly following presented himselfe before the Citie trusting as well vppon his owne strength as the loue of the Citizens hoping his good and gentle vsage when hee was amongst them would haue bred a liking in them of his milde and gentle gouernment but either the seruile minde of the multitude little respected his fore-passed kindnesse or the feare of Sidan made them loath to shewe any signe of good will for at his approach no man in the Citie was knowen to drawe a Swoord in his defence So on the eight of Iuly Bosonne was discomfited with the losse of some Thousand men fledde to the mountaines where within foure dayes after Alkeid Azus got him poysoned hoping thereby to winne the fauour of Muley Sidan This Azus is aged and subtill by his long experience best knoweth the secrets of that state was brought vp vnder Abdela Muley Hamet Xarifs Brother and for his counsell to Abdela willing him 〈◊〉 or to put out the eyes of Hamet Xarif or cut his throate was in daunger to haue lost his life when Hamet Xarif came to be King but the wisedome of the man wonne such respect with Hamet that of a prisoner he made him his chiefest councellor and master of his treasury during whose life time his behauiour was
vntill he bed her for then were shee held of small accompt and the iest spoyled If that night the bridegroome finde her a virgine then is there great ioy of her friends if not the next day he turneth her home and by law may kéepe her portion Concerning Buriall THeir manner of buriall is in this sort when one is dead presently hee is washed and with all spéede preparation is made to put him into the ground for the countrey being hâ—…t it is not possible to keepe the corse aboue ground therefore with the kindred accompanied to the graue which is without their Citie for within their Citie or Synagoges no person may be buried he is there againe washed and if hee be a man of ability is put into a Câ—…ne if not buryed without one the Talbie saying a short Prayer Besides the people haue a custome the women of euery kindred to méete by themselues at certaine conuenient times and there make memoriall of such of their kindred as be dead making great lamentations in remembring the vertues and good dispositions of theÌ„ who are deceased being perswaded this maketh the liuing haue especiall care of leauing a good name and fame behinde them The Policie of Barbarie EUery kingdome consisteth of men not of buildings therefore the kingdome of Barbary consisteth of bond and free men the naturall bond men are such as are descended either from Christians or Negroes the frée mâ—…n are Larbies or Brebers which may be termed the valleâ—… and mountaine men Ouer all as absolute Monarch is the King who maintaineth his seate by the Swoord and power of Iustice the sword men according to their degrées are thus placed 1 The Muleys are the kings children and all other who are of the bloud Royall are tearmed by this name 2 Bashas are Captaine Generalles ouer armyes 3 Alkeyds be the Lords set aswell ouer Garrison townes as countries to rule and kéepe the people in subiection 4 Ferres Gentlemen who carrie armes yet lesse Commanders than Alkeids 5 Bahaia Lieutenant to an Alkeyd 6 Brakbashi a Sergeant at armes 7 Debushi a Captaine ouer thirtie 8 Romie the common souldier of these men of war there were kept in daily paye in the olde kings time to yâ— number of 50000. horsemen part seruing with the Launce others with the Speare called Spahaias and some especially the horsemen of Fes serue with the Crose-bowe on horse backe bending it as they ryde shooting a strong shot and sure and 16000. footemen the Alarbies beeing fitter for horsemen but the Brebers the stronger footemen most of them shot The chiefest men of commaund in the latter times were these 1 ALkeyd Azus chiefe Counsellor of estate 2 Hamet ben Breham Sefiani Maister of the Horse and ruler ouer the Alkeids 3 Sedi Hamet ben Bouker These two were Treasurers 4 Sedi Abdela Wahad Anoune 5 Alkyd Hamet a Capatho or Enuche Gouernor ouer the women and Enuches 6 Alkeyd Mustefa File Maister of the Orâ—… 7 Rishauan Admirall ouer the Gallies at Saly NOte though these bée enobled taking priority or precedency before others yet is not this noblenes hereditary for the Children of these men must clayme no honour by birth-right but what they get by their seruice and honour of their sword liue vnrespected vnlesse they bée valiant and so proouing the King will take them into his seruice whervpon by desert the Son may obtaine his Fathers fortune and honour There is another title of dignitie termed Sheck attributed to the chiefe man of euerie familie or Cast neither doth the Kings eldest sonne scorne the title signifying that be is the prime or best blood of his royall kinddred These Shecks are much respected because it is the nature of the people the whole kindred to followe their head insomuch as one of these Shecks can bring into the field Ten Thousanâ—… â—…orsemen of their owne Cast or Kindred and some moâ—…e So that it is a matter of great consequence the King to haue an eye ouer such a man and know how his effection resteth towards him either in loue or hatred Officers of Iustice. THe King once in a moueth on Frydaies in the afternoone after prayers either in his house or church sitteth to doe iustice hearing complaints or appeales from subalterne ministers from whom the grieued persons do appeale to his royall person when the King sitteth the stranger shal hauer frée accesse to plead his cause before the King then his own borne Subiect All inferiour Iudges and Ministers are their churchmen or Talbies and those are soonest chosen into offices which are of stricktest life being frée from auarice and such other sinnes as may preuert and hinder the course of equitie and iustice The chiefest man for iudgement vnder the King is the Muftie to whome the partie gréeued may appealâ—… from any other ordinary Iudge There be thrée of these men one in Moruecos another in Fes the third at Taradant in Sus. The Muftie of Moruecos fitteth with the King in iudgement and euerye Frydaye in the afternoons by himselfe to heare and determine causes of the Subiect and stranger though he be in eminent place he is a poore man in respect what he might bée if hee would sell Iustice and take bribes The ordinary Iudge sitteth all the yeare long twoâ—… houres before noone and two houres after noone in euery great towne throughout the thrée kingdomes is placed one of these Iudges to whome not onely the inhabitants of euerytowne and Citie do repaire but the countrey people or Larbâ—…es vppon differénces come thither to haue their causes decided euery one must tell his owne tale and plead his owne matter When both parties haue spoken then giueth the Iudge sentence so that in one day the cause is brought into court and the same day ended If either part haue witnes to produce then the Iudge giueth thrée dayes respite to bring them in which being brought the aduerse partie shall haue other thrée daies respite to disprooue them And it he can prooue the witnesses either infamous in manners or giuen to detestable sinne as drunkennesse adultery or such like And can prooue the witnes saith not his prayers sixe times 〈◊〉 in foure and twenty houres then shall he be vtterly disabled to beare witnes and thus in seauen baies the longest sute shall be ended If an Obligation or rather Bill of debt bee brought into Court the Obligée must either pay the debt goe to prison or to pawne the value of the debt or better which pawne may be kept in Deposito nine daies vppon great reason to sée if the debtor can redâ—…me it at the nine daies end if he doth it not then is it solde and the partie who should pay the money must sustaine the losse As Coadiutors to these Iudges and next in place to them bee the Scriuanos who vppon death or other remooue are commonly made Iudges These are Talbies which make writings betwéen partie and partie short and plaine without multiplication of words and