willing to giue him any occasion to complaine of him hee liberally gaue him the third part thereof All Transiluania being reduced vnder the obedience of Ferdinand and the Marquesse of Balasse and Francis Chendy men of speciall authoritie and credit in their countrie being also entered into amitie with him Bernard Aldene Campe-master of the Spanyards desired Castalde that since hee would send other Captaines for the defence of Themesuar and Lippa that it would please him to send him thither being the rather desirous to goe for that he vnderstood he would send Spanyards thither Castalde was therewith well content and presently dispatching him he gaue vnto him 300. Spanyards and sent with him Captaine Rodrigo Vigliandrando who then was come to the seruice of Ferdinand during this expedition and who was by the same Aldene earnestly desired to haue him in his companie and that to the end that he might assist him both by his vertue and good aduice in any Martiall affayres for that he was a man of trust experienced and very desirous of honour Being thus dispatched hauing with them two peeces of Artillerie they set forward on the way from Colosuar drawing towards Themesuar which according to the iudgement of all was of greatest importance taking with them diuers Ingenors to fortifie and repayre the other places which were of least strength On the other side they caused to fortifie and strengthen Sibinio Albe-iula and Sassebesse which are townes situated vpon little hils in the middest of great plaines and which with little cost would bee made impregnable Castalde caused these fortifications to bee repayred to no other end but onely to stop the Turkes incursions in case he would enter into the kingdome and that in the meane time he might make other prouision and haue commoditie to expect the succours which Ferdinand should send him if need so required And for that in the late Diet of Colosuar the Transiluanians being for that particular cause required to ayde Ferdinand with certaine summes of money they had excused themselues in respect of the great pouertie of the countrie which was an occasion they could not contribute thereunto therefore by the commaund of the King it was ordained that all the reuenewes of the Bishoprickes in Transiluania with the Bishopricke of Agria should bee employed for the charges of such fortifications Whilest these things were thus in doing the Frier made semblance as though he had been very glad thereof but especially because he had thrust out the Queene before him and thinking that his purposes had at the beginning taken good effect hee hoped as it many times chaunceth to men who often deceiue themselues in their owne affayres that also the middest and the end would succeede fortunately as his owne conceits had alreadie promised him Now the Frier knowing that hee had greatly offended the Turke in bringing Ferdinand into this Prouince hee endeuoured by all meanes to cleere himselfe thereof and againe to creep into his former grace and fauour Thus by his subtilties thinking to hold Ferdinand in one sleeue and the Turk in another and to content them both he meant now to kindle that which afterward in the end hee could not extinguish And to execute this his intention he departed from Colosuar to go to a Castle of his owne which he had built from the ground named Wiuar He had giuen order that there he would meete the Chiauss which the Turke sent to receiue the tribute which that Prouince yeerely payed him to the end they might liue in peace The Chiauss was alreadie arriued at this Castle whilest they negotiated all the premised affayres And the Frier caused him to be so priuately yet well entertained that none could speake with him which he did in this respect for feare that any should aduertise him of what had passed For this cause he appointed him to bee lodged and friendly vsed in this place as the most commodious being more solitarie and lesse frequented of waies then any other in the kingdome The Frier being arriued at this place presently caused many sports and rich presents to bee shewed and giuen to this Chiauss with sumptuous entertainment and after he sent for Castalde who presently came thither and by their generall agreement and consent he payed the tribute to the Turke the time being almost expired in which the said tribute should be payed and the truce yet continued during which it seemed not good to Castalde and specially at that time to giue the Turke any other occasion to infringe or breake it then that he had alreadie done which was in lifting him out of Transiluania which he meant not to doe for many respects and specially because he had a purpose with speede to prouide for the fortifications of the places before mentioned and because that in the meane while hee meant to gaine the good wils of the ablest and mightiest men in the countrie and to increase himselfe both with men and money to maintaine and keepe it but fortune would not suffer that he should long enioy his desire For being one night at supper with the Frier newes was brought him that by the commaund of Achmeth Basha there was gone out of Buda 3000. horse to assay to take the Queene her sonne and the Crowne of the kingdome which was sent to Ferdinand assuredly thinking that she would carrie it with her as a precious Iewell But she as good fortune was tooke the way towards Cassouia going in the poorest habite and painfullest trauaile that could bee imagined not any thing dissembling the extreame griefe which still heauily opprest her To her vttermost abilitie she manifested this her immeasurable affliction which hourely gnawed and sorely distempered her minde Insomuch that one day passing a mountaine which separateth Transiluania from Hungarie and going downe the side thereof which was very rough and tedious by which ragged way her Coach could not passe shee was constrained during a great shewer to goe on foote and downe that side with her children and Ladies and that not without great labour Walking in this sort she greatly complained her selfe of her aduerse fortune who not contenting to be contrarie and opposite to her in great and waightie things would yet afflict her in small and meane matters And attributing this sorrow and discontent of minde which vntimely happened to her to the wickednes of her destinie she tooke a knife and with the point thereof to ease a little her vntolerable griefe writ in the barke of a great tree vnder which she was retired to repose and shrowd her selfe from the raine which powred downe amaine these Latin words Sic fata volunt and vnderneath it Izabella Regina which is as much to say Ainsi le veulent les Destinées Izabella Royne After she had engrauen these words she againe presently tooke her Coach and proceeded on her iourney and arriued in safetie at Cassouia making by that meanes the Turkes
leaue to their posteritie some faire and large memoriall within the which they may with more facilitie and pleasure behold the good which accompanied vertue and the euill which vice bringeth with it Now following in this their footsteps for the reasons which I haue before alleadged I doe with an intyre deuotion present to the Common-weale this lamentable historie collected out of the records of Broderic the Chauncellor of Hungarie and out of the memorials of Castalde Lieutenant vnto Ferdinand in the same countrie and of sundrie other writers LEwis the second of that name King of Hungarie and Bohemia the sonne of Vladislaus and of Anne of Candale who came out of France after he had lost his father in his noneage and his mother at his birth was now one and twentie yeares of age in the yeare of our Lord 1526. when Soliman Emperour of the Turkes inuaded Hungarie with a great and puisant armie He a little before his father dyed was betrothed to Marie sister to the Emperour Charles and Ferdinand Archduke of Austria whom he afterward maried being come to yeares of discretion giuing at the same time his sister Anne in mariage to Ferdinand Lewis was a comely young Prince tall and well formed excelling any of his age hauing a singular and naturall bountie and adorned with so many goodly vertues that certainely he had proued a most excellent Prince if he had liued but a longer time He was of a sweete and milde spirite not any thing crooked or wayward easilie drawne to all things which were honest and iust being thereto naturally inclined of himselfe He was greatly delighted in managing of Horses and to beare armes to hunt and all other exercises worthie and commendable in a young man In his words he was true and iust and no way variable or inconstant neither would he disclose any thing which had been imparted to him in secret Notwithstanding all these goodly vertues he was in contempt and dislike among the greatest of his court who abusing his young yeares did pill and spoyle his estate whilest they liued in all excessiue lust and pleasure At that time the dignitie and honour of Counte Palatine which is the chiefe among the seculars next to his royall Maiestie was in the possession of Stephen Battor sonne of Andrew Battor and nephew to Stephen Battor who immediately before him possessed the same dignitie and gouerned Transiluania with his great honour vnder King Mathias Iohn Zapoly Counte of Sepusa who afterward was King of Hungarie gouerned then Transiluania hauing in his possession great store of wealth to be diuided with his brother George which they had gotten by the death and succession of Stephen their father He had in such sort procured the fauour and good will of all the Nobles and States of that countrie that euen from his youth euery one set their eye vpon him as the right inheritour of that kingdome if it so happened that for want of lawfull heyres it should be vacant Stephen commaunded in great Walachia which is named Moldauia and among the Turkes Carabogdania and Raoul gouerned the lesse Walachia otherwise named Transalpina both the one and the other neuerthelesse being subiect to the kingdome of Hungarie Francis Bathian well esteemed of the King in respect of his continuall and faithfull seruice from his youth was Ban of Dalmatia Croatia and Slauonia which three Prouinces were altogether gouerned by this onely dignitie which dignitie we otherwise tearme Admiraltie although now this word Ban may properly be applied to all gouernours established in euery Prouince that is of late added to this kingdome The low Marches and the fortresse of Themeshwar were vnder the defence and gouernement of Peter Peren who with the Counte of Sepusa did keepe the royall Crowne which was left vnto him by Emeric Peren his father Paul Tomoree a gray Friar and Archbishop of Colocense commaunded Sirmia and all that circuite which is betweene the riuers of Sauus Drauus and Danubius This Archbishop was a great personage and of like esteeme and one who before he tooke vpon him the habite of Saint Frauncis had made sufficient proofe of his vertue in many exploits valiantly many times fighting against the enemie The Archbishopricke of Colocense being vacant and the possessions and profits thereof hauing no lesse neede of a good defender then of a Pastor and dispenser of sacred and holy things for the late losse of the towne and fortresse of Belgrade in a publike assemblie of the kingdome it was by euery one importuned that Tomoree should be forced if he would not otherwise out of his Monasterie and by the authoritie and commaunde of the Pope should take the charge of this Church and defend the goods and reuenewes thereof This man resisted along time their perswasions but in the end he was constrained to obey the Kings pleasure with the rest of the kingdome and he behaued himselfe so wisely and valiantly in this charge in euery mans iudgement yea euen of those which hated him as excellent vertue is neuer without enuie that he forgat nothing which appertained to a good and aduised Chiefetaine and executed no more then was seeming the pietie of a religious man and a godly Bishop not any thing changing from the austeritie of his first life neither in person nor in any other thing Counte Christopher of Francapine being certaine moneths before drawne to the seruice of the Realme with faire promises whereupon they had caused him to forsake the Courte of the Archduke Ferdinand in steede of receiuing some preferment according to their promises in the ende was rewarded with a great iniurie and returned againe vnto Ferdinand Stephen Broderic borne in that part of high Panonia which some particularly call Slauonia after he had been Embassadour for the King to the Popes holines and had a few moneths before been created Chauncelor had more affection to a zealous life then to earthly things Alexis Thurson a man greatly abounding in wealth according to common opinion was Treasurer and had in former time executed this office very diligently The Castles of Poson and Buda were in the custodie of Iohn Bornemissa who had so great authoritie with the King that he could incline his will to which side he would because he had the gouernement of him from his cradle He was also very well esteemed of euery one as well for his reuerend olde age as for the seueritie which was seene in him accompanied with great bountie and for the fidelitie which he bare towards his King Beholde here these were they who then managed the greatest places of the kingdome The other Prelates and Barons gaue themselues euery one to their priuate affaires except Lasdilas Salcane Archbishop of Strigonium Metropolitane of the kingdome and great Chaunceler who whether he was not able to execute that office any longer or whether he had a desire to passe the remainder
Whilest these souldiours did thus vaunt themselues all the armie was lodged almost intirely together euery man in his quarter The King did not yet depart from the towne of Ville-neufue of the Macedonians which is betweene Batha and Mohacz hauing with him but a small troupe being there in great danger if the enemie who was not farre of might haue discouered him But fortune reserued the death of the King vntill some other time wherein he should dye more gloriously for the good of his countrie In the meane while in the night whē the King was asleep there arriued at the same time Michael Podnamisky cōming from the Campe and sent on the behalfe of the Commanders who came to giue aduertisement that the Turk had alreadie passed the riuer of Drauus with the greatest part of his armie and that the rest followed with all expedition that the fight could not be deferred that all the Captaines vrgently importuned his Maiestie to come with all diligence to the Campe and aduise with them concerning the battaile The King vnderstanding this newes by Podnamisky called to councell that small companie that was with him acquainting them with this busines demaunding of them what was to be done in so doubtfull and vrgent a matter His Maiestie then did call to minde the counsell and opinion which the Vayuode and Counte Christopher had sent him by those who were dispatched towards them who certaine daies before were returned by which aduertisement from them both they greatly blamed the counsell of those who had brought the King into that place so neere the enemy before it was time and that it had been better for him to remaine at Buda or to encampe himselfe further frō the enemie vntill all the forces of the kingdome were vnited together They had also by the same messengers exhorted the King not to fight with the enemie at least not before their comming The Vayuode particularly sent him word by Iohn Statile that hee would bring with him from Transiluania great troupes of souldiours who for force and number should be so secure that the King vpon their fidelitie and valour might haue a speciall hope of victorie This came into the Kings minde and he well considered of this counsell and of the other part he well weighed that which the Chiefes of the armie did importune him to whom if he condiscended not the enemie being so nigh and his souldiours hauing so great a desire to fight he well saw that the blame and euill of all that might happen would bee imputed to him and that he should bee found culpable in omitting so good an occasion His minde being disturbed with these difficulties he determined before hee resolued of any thing to proue his Leaders and Chieftaines of the armie if they thought it good to attend the Vayuode of Transiluania and Counte Christopher and that if in the meane time the enemie approached neerer or pressed them whither they should remoue the Campe into some other place of better safetie For this cause he sent to the Campe euen at the same instant that Podnamisky was come the Chauncellor who was then with the King to perswade the principall of the armie yea the Commanders themselues namely the Archbishop of Strigonium and Counte Palatine vpon whose opinion all the others depended that they should find out some good meane to retire and deferre the fight He was commaunded further to let them vnderstand all which was reported to the King concerning the Vayuode and Counte Christopher and to explaine vnto them how cleere and apparant the ruine of the kingdome was if the King with so many Princes and the flower of all the Nobilitie of the realme should expose themselues to so eminent a daunger For if it happened which we ought to be mindfull of considering the multitude of souldiours and the great preparation for warre of the enemies in comparison of the small number of his Maiesties forces which he now hath that the King should bee ouercome who should afterwards hold backe or hinder the enemie but that with little difficultie he might enioy all Hungarie He declared vnto them that it was most expedient the Campe should bee remoued into some other place of better securitie or to retire backe a little if the enemie should inforce them thereto vntill the Vayuode with the Transiluanians the Ban with the Slauonians Counte Christopher with the Croatians Bohemians Morauians Slesians and other succours should come that Hungarie should receiue lesse losse though the enemies should ouerharrie from Mohacz vnto Poson putting all whatsoeuer they did incounter to fire and sword then that such an armie should miscarrie and bee ouerthrowne by one battaile in which the King himselfe and so many great Princes and chiefe persons of the realme should be For they being slaine what hope of reenforcing new succours could rest to the kingdome But the King with so many Lords and such braue souldiours remaining safe and preseruing all things in good estate they may finde singular content and securitie vnder the gouernment of such a King who both for his parentage and alliance is respected throughout all Christendome The Chauncellor hauing the same night made this speech first of all to the chiefest visiting and talking with them apart and after in generall to all the Councell his reasons neuerthelesse were of so small efficacie as if he had said nothing to them such was the haughtie courage of euery one being eager to fight vnder a vaine hope of victorie being notwithstanding otherwise by a certaine feare withheld which did hinder them from disswading the fight although the contrarie was so earnestly desired by the souldiours The King then came by breake of day to his Campe and for that the vessels which did bring by water his Maiesties Tents and Pauilions were not yet come from Buda he retired himself for the present into a Bishops house which was adioyning to the towne there to proue that which as yet he vnderstood not by the Chauncellor They commaunded the Councellors of all estates and nations to assemble before the King which failed not presently to visit him with many expert Captaines and hardie souldiours among whom were certaine Bohemians and Morauians who were alreadie arriued there In this assemblie it was propounded to the Councellors and souldiours what was needfull to be done not any being yet come from Transiluania Slauonia Croatia Bohemia nor Germanie whereof the greater part were presently to arriue as was assuredly expected yet notwithstanding the enemie was very nigh being no more then two miles from the Kings Campe who vpon this occasion as it was thought could not nor would not deferre the battaile vntill another time Vpon this their opinion was asked which of these two seemed most expedient either to remoue the Campe elsewhere and for the present to delay the fight attending those which daily were expected or else to make triall of fortune in giuing the enemie battaile At this councell was present Paul Tomoree
elsewhere vsed the like crueltie Amongst such miseries there happened one extreame and vnnaturallaccident the like whereof was neuer heard before and this it was that the poore and wretched mothers buried aliue their sucking Infants for feare themselues should be discouered by their crying and they poore babes dyed whilst their mothers being in no better saftie dispersed themselues heare and there to auoyde the tyrannie of the Infidels The enemie proceeded euen vnto the lake of Balator and in passing by they fired the citie of the fiue Churches which was all burnt onely the Castell and the faire Temple reserued Whilest the execution of this vnfortunate Battaile and of all those which we haue recited was in doing the Vayuode was almost at Segedin with all the forces of Transiluania who not being able with all his troupes to march with that expedition as he would and desiring notwithstanding to be at this battaile which as he vnderstood could not in any sort be deferred he being in a swift and light Coach and followed with few men in the like wagons went in the greatest haste he could to seeke the King Counte Christopher was also arriued at Zagrabia One part of the Bohemians which came to succour the King were about Iauerine and the rest were not farre from Alberegalis George Marquese of Brandenburg and the Chauncellor of Bohemia named Adam Newhuis were about the same quarter The Queene vnderstanding this vntimely newes of such an vnfortunate ouerthrow suddenly retired her selfe with the Bishop of Vesprimia Alexis Thurson and the Popes Nuntio to Poson which the Hungars name Presburge and transported the best and richest of her mouables by Danubius not yet knowing any thing of the death of the King her husband These moueables and other goods which appertained to the citizens of Buda were rifled and some of them staied by Andrew Orbancz who commaunded the Castle of Strigonium which at this day is called Gran. Neuerthelesse he that writeth this historie and reciteth this vile and infamous outrage doth greatly erre when he added to it that certaine of his light horsemen who are commonly called Vssarons behaued themselues towards the Queenes maides otherwise then their honours required for that in a meriment they put off their shooes to daunce with them The Emperour Soliman soiourning there a certaine time where the battaile was fought and after hauing reunited together all his companies the which he had sent here and there to ruinate and spoyle the countrie set forward towards Buda and there within sixe or seuen nights hee arriued himselfe marching along the shore of Danubius fiering all the townes boroughes and villages by the which he passed He found this towne forsaken of all the garrison and caused it to bee fired not any thing being exempted from the violence therof but the Castle and the Kings stables and the house of wilde beasts From thence the Turke sent many horsemen to spoyle and rob the countrie on this side the riuer They put all to fire and sword whom they met betweene Danubius and the Lake of Balator euen vnto Iauarine The Castle notwithstanding of Strigonium was cowardly left by Andrew Orbancz of whom wee haue spoken before neuerthelesse it was valiantly defended and preserued by a man of base and seruile condition and who a little before lead to the warre the footmen of the Chapter of the great Church of the towne called Mathieu Nagh he being retired thither with a few men The Fortresse of Vissegrade wherein the royall Crowne was alwaies kept was also saued by the Peasants and Friers it being forsaken of the souldiours so greatly was euery man amazed at the Turkes comming vnto Buda These strong places which we haue noted together with those of Thata Comora and Alberegalis were not forced of the enemie for that he I know not by what counsell did content himselfe onely to spoyle the countrie and little respected to assaile the Castles and strong holds As these Barbarians did exercise their enormious cruelties in euery corner so there was no place in Hungarie where they had more resistance then at Maroth by Strigonium This was a fine place of retyre and pleasantly seated belonging to the Archbishop of Strigonium situated in the midst of those Forrests which we name Wiertesies with which it is compassed about Into the said place certaine thousands of Hungars retired themselues with their wiues and children trusting vpon the straight and narrow passages which were strongly shut vp With those the enemie often came to handy strokes and alwaies they receiued the worst and were put to the foile In the end the Turks seeing by no meanes they could force the barracado which the Hungars had made with their wagons they were constrained to bring thither their artillerie by meanes wherof al those wagons other such defences were broken ouerthwrone to the ground and almost all the people put to the sword The great heapes of bones which is to be seene at this day in that place doth sufficiently witnes the greatnes of the massacre the which as those few reporte that escaped was 25000. persons one and other And he who would account the whole number of those which had bin slaine violently put to death retained prisoners or that remained in captiuitie I dare well affirme according to that which I haue vnderstood they were wel neere 200000. That part of Hungarie on this side the riuer from the mouth of Drauus vnto Iauerine being thus spoyled and harried with the Infidels as wee haue said not without the great astonishment of the neighbour countries adioyning others further remote and euen of those of Vienna Soliman also causing a bridge to be made ouer Danubius which reached to Pesthe the 14. day after hee was arriued at Buda transported his men to the other side of Hungarie where he made the like waste as he made on this side The end of the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF HVNGARIE THE ARGVMENT OF THE SECOND BOOKE AFter that the Hungarians were thus ouerthrowne Solyman inuesteth Iohn Zapoly who was Vayuode of Transiluania in the kingdome of Hungarie and then he returned to Constantinople whereupon Ferdinand of Austria pretending title to that kingdome and seeing he could not obtaine it by peace entreth thereinto with a great armie and Iohn forsaketh Buda and retireth into Transiluania is pursued by Ferdinandoes forces and ouerthrowne who then flyeth into Polonia and Ferdinand is crowned King of Hungarie Iohn seeketh aide of Solyman who vndertaketh his defence whereupon Ferdinand sendeth to Solyman for peace but he denounceth warre against him and entreth into Hungarie with a puissant armie who taketh Buda and Altenburg and besiegeth Vienna from whence he is repulsed and discouraged by the gallant exploytes and resolution of the assieged and in the end retireth from thence Many hostilities passe betweene Ferdinand and Iohn and after an agreement made betweene them Iohn dyeth and left a sonne named
at the next assemblie they all in his fauour determined to negotiate and treat of this affaire and the absence of Stephen Battor fell out fitly for his purpose who was gone towards Ferdinand and vnto whom because both in respect of his Nobilitie and of his bloud being one of the principall the administration and gouernment of the kingdome appertained rather then vnto Iohn There being then assembled at the Dyet held at Alberegalis all the great Lords of Hungarie whither was brought the dead bodie of the vnfortunat Lewis which a little before was drawne out of the Marish at Mugach to be there enterred with royall pompe and intombed in the Sepulcher of his auncestors and where after such magnificall and sumptuous funeralls were selebrated accustomably done for so great a King there was incontinently published the foresayd Dyet and the Councell of the Souldiours which in their language is commonly named Rhakos was called thither by the authoritie and disposition whereof the King ought to be chosen In this assemblie Iohn the Vayuode not finding any Competitour with the generall consent and good liking of euery one was chosen King and crowned with the auncient crowne of golde which then was in the coustodie of Peter Peren by Paul Archbishop of Strigonium and by Stephen Broderic Bishop of Vacchy who afterward was chosen Chauncellor of Hungarie and by these two he was annoynted After that the feasts and triumphs accustomed to be done at such Coronations were consummated King Iohn made Iohn Emeric Cibacchy Bishop of Varadin and Vayuode of Transiluania disposing afterward among gentlemen of other degree according to their qualities martiall preferments and in like sort with great discretion and indifferencie in generall towards the people and especially towards those who were at his Coronation and who were the principall cause and meanes for him to aspire vnto that puissant dignitie of such a kingdome Of the number of those were Stephen Verbetz Nicholas Glesse Gregorie Peschen Paul Artand and all the Colonels Captaines of souldiours and men of warre who were come out of Transiluania and many other Whilest he was intentiue to confirme and strengthen his forces in this his new inuestiture of the kingdome by all good and vigilant meanes Ferdinand who not long since as heire of Ladislas who by the deceit of George Pogghy Bracchy aspiring to such a Seigniorie was vpon the day of his mariage poysoned setting before him his reasons notwithstanding the ancient strife which had been betweene Mathias Coruin and the Emperour Frederick his great grandfather was chosen King of Bohemia and perceiuing himselfe to waxe great and more puissant and mightie by the forces which he was able to leauie from that kingdome began now to thinke vpon the conquest of Hungarie which appertained to him by the right of Prince Albert of Austria and of Anne his wife sister to the late King Lewis wanting not thereto the ayde of many great Hungarian personages who being alreadie pricked with new alterations and extreame greedines of nouelties and besides for the secret enuie they bore to King Iohn were retired to Ferdinand instantly inciting him to make warre vpon Iohn assuring him also that he was created King more tumultuarily then legitimately by the common people being deceiued therein by his craft and subtiltie there being besides Battor many other within the Realme more noblie borne then he vnto whom in right it also appertained to be King as well as to Iohn and namely those were Balthasar Pamphille Iaspar Sered Paul Bacchit Ference Guena Valentine Turky Stephen Maillat and Iohn Salle besides many other whom they named not At the vehement perswasion of those Ferdinand who of himselfe was willingly inclined therevnto gathering together a great armie as well foote as men of armes of Bohemia Austria Germanie and other places drew himselfe directly towards Buda Vpon his arriuall Iohn finding himselfe enuironed with extreame lacke of all necessaries was greatly troubled wanting sufficient forces to resist the mightines of his enemie and seeing all things in a feeble and weake estate for his succour and aide by reason of the lightnes of that nation who naturally are inclined to suspition and hauing no leisure nor time for want of money to leauie any souldiours determined with himselfe not to attend his enemie at Buda but to transport himselfe with all his people to Pesthe and there as the shortnes of the time serued exhorted and desired his Captaines not to forsake him during these turbulent broyles in the midst whereof they saw himselfe deeply plunged and thus in great haste they flying passed the riuer of Thyssa anciently called Tibiscus and lodged in a Castle named Thoccay situate almost vpon the riuers side in a large and spacious plaine The newes of this retraict being posted to Ferdinand incontinently he caused his armie to enter and possesse the towne of Buda who without the losse of any one man was master thereof He stayed not there long but the Councell assembled together to know whether they should follow King Iohn or no. Among the diuersitie of opinions it was thought best that at all aduentures they should pursue him before he migth bee able to encrease his forces and to admit him no time to repose himselfe in any one place nor to expect for any ayde out of any place and to performe that euen now while he was disfurnished of men and counsell and in a manner put to flight According to which resolution Ferdinand gaue leaue to his people to follow King Iohn as farre as they thought it conuenient whereupon they presently set forward on their iourney and with great trauaile without any delay arriued at the riuer of Thyssa which they passed with boates that they brought with them vpon wagons and they in camped by King Iohn before he was aware who for the little or no inckling he had of them neuer dreamt of so sudden a thing Being astonished at so present an arriuall he began now to conferre with his people what course was best to be taken They answered that they would fight and that he should withdraw himselfe from the danger thereof that if it should fall out ill he might haue sufficient time to saue himselfe and on the contrarie if it should alter and fall out well hee might with his presence ayde and succour them the better and so by that meanes he should in euery case finde himselfe safe and in good securitie At that time among all his Commanders he had one whose name was Ference Bode a man of great reputation and well esteemed to whom for his vertue fidelitie and experience King Iohn had committed his Standard royall and the Lieutenantship Generall ouer his armie He foreseeing the miserable successe which might happen of this warre did deliberate and resolue with himselfe to dye rather then to flye or forsake his King by a cowardly and dishonest flight And among many opinions and aduises which
nuncios tam ad excelsam Portam nostram quà m ad eum decernatis Quod si mandato nostro huic in obedientes cum inimicis nostris concordes eritis crudelitatem stragem quam Transiluaniae regnum videbit ex demeritis vestris processisse credatis Nam gratia Creatoris omnipotentis Dei speramus Christianis regno Transiluaniae iram potentiam nostram ostendere Etsi ipsi Transiluani ad pristinam obedientiam fidelitatem nobis adiuuantibus reuerti recusabunt nusquam tuti erunt per totum mundum debitas luent poenas Iurauimus enim Omnipotenti Deo quod in Transiluania lapis super lapidem non relinquetur homines omnes in ore gladij dari pueros faeminas in captiuitatem omniaque loca solo aequari faciemus Propter quod vti inuictissimum potentissimum Imperatorem decet ne tantarum animarum exitum super nostram animam fiat vos omnes prius monendos esse sensuimus Iam multoties vobis mandata talia misimus quae neglexistis sed si mandato huic vltimo obedientes non eritis acerbitatem ruinam quam videbitis non nobis sed vobis ipsis attribuite Omnia igitur cum tempore bene consulite nam caetera prudentiae vestrae examinanda relinquimus Datum Constantinopoli septima Lunae Octobris The english of which is this that followeth THE MANDATE OF THE INVINCIBLE EMPErour of the Turks to Lord Andrew Battor Captaine in Transiluania and to all the other Lords and Peeres of that countrie BY the authoritie and expresse commaund of our greatnes and highnes you shall vnderstand you faithfull in the faith of Christ Andrew Battor wise and knightly Lord amongst all the Christians inhabiting in Transiluania and all you the residue of our louing Lords how that many times wee haue made knowne to you since that Frier George our Treasurer was cruelly and by treason murdered before he could chase out the Germanes which you by your dissentions vntimely haue brought into the kingdome that you your selues and all the rest of the Lords of Transiluania should by common consent and mutuall ayd expulse the said Germanes out of your countrie according to the fidelitie which you owe to our Port and statelines Which not being as yet performed by you wee were very carefull now to incite you to doe it pardoning you of all the former offences and faults which vntill now you haue committed against vs and promising to giue it you againe and to preserue all the libertie which heretofore you haue had in that kingdome of Transiluania and you our Lords and subiects shall alwaies be vnder our protection and safegard and we will hold you in such regard as shall be fitting for you And concerning the kingdome of Transiluania as vnder the gouernment of King Iohn and of his sonne our faithfull subiects it was in peace and freedome euen so wee will ordaine that at this present it shall so continue and we assuredly promise you that the said sonne of King Iohn shall raigne and gouerne amongst you For so long as King Iohn our Vassall and subiect serued vs faithfully and sincerely we neuer suffered that any should molest or trouble you but further after his death wee of our singular grace and clemencie gaue to his sonne being yet in minoritie his fathers countrie and that kingdome and then Transiluania was alwaies quiet But after that you had called in the Germanes amongst you great dissentions were stirred vp betweene you in respect whereof and to reestablish King Iohns sonne and his mother and to deliuer Transiluania from her naturall enemies we by the grace of God haue commaunded to leauie a very great and puissant armie It behoueth you therefore in consideration of your loyaltie that your care and diligence bee with force of armes to expulse out of your kingdome the Germanes and whilest that King Iohns sonne bee reestablished in his place and dignitie that you elect a generall Captaine in that kingdome to whom you may all obey and not suffer any longer your naturall enemies to bee amongst you but by a common consent to banish from thence those who are the cause of so many garboyles amongst you and that euery one of you endeuour himselfe according to his abilitie well and diligently to gouerne the kingdome of King Iohns sonne your Lord. And if we receiue from you this marke and token of fidelitie and obedience you shall not onely obtaine of vs your ancient libertie in this your kingdome of Transiluania but also receiue further from our imperiall Maiestie speciall honour and fauour In the meane time wee will entertaine our mightie armie for the affayres of that kingdome and for the ayde and assistance of King Iohns sonne and we haue alreadie commanded that it should presently march for the deliuerie thereof from out of his enemies hands For wee will by no meanes tolerate that his enemies shall raigne and gouerne in this Prouince And being sufficiently ascertained how much King Iohn our Vassall hath been to vs a faithfull seruant and also his sonne wee haue determined to reinstall him into his kingdome and to cause him to raigne in it by our meanes and afford him such ayde that by Gods permission he shall bee able to ouercome and surmount his enemie To this intent by Gods assistance wee haue caused to march the magnificall and puissant our obedient subiect and faithfull seruant to our Highnes the most illustrious Achmeth Basha second Councellor to our excellent Maiestie and many other our subiects and Courtiers with a great number of Ianisaries of the most mightie and inuincible Port of our greatnes and highnes hauing also commaunded all our generall Captaines and Sangiachs to cause to come from Greece and Buda a great armie insomuch that with our said Councellor we shall haue an armie of 200000. men well appointed before wee march in person against our enemie And further wee haue commaunded the most excellent Prince of Tartaria the Vayuodes of Vallachia and Moldauia with all the Sangiachs which are in those countries on this side and beyond Danubius that with all their Infantrie and Caualarie they shall ioyne with our said Vizir And it is also necessarie that you obey according to your fidelitie the said Basha and that you send your Ambassadours as well towards our royall Port as also to him But if you perseuer disobedient to our mandate and that you accord and adherre to our enemies then assuredly thinke that the ruine losse and crueltie which the kingdome of Transiluania shall endure shall not ensue but by your demerits For by the grace of God the almightie Creator wee hope to giue sufficient testimonie to Christians and to the kingdome of Transiluania what our indignation and puissance is And if the Transiluanians we affoording them our ayde will not returne to their ancient obedience and loyaltie they shall neuer be on any side sure or safe but shall endure through the world the iust
thereof and chased from thence Ferdinands people there increasing at the same time so horrible a plague in this Prouince that it continued vntill the yeere 1555. whereof died so many men horses and other beasts that it was an incredible thing Vpon the occasion of this losse the Turks being incouraged tooke armes against Ferdinand and entring into that countrie besieged Albe-iula against which they built a Fort and the assieged being at the end of their victuals were constrained to yeeld to the Queene who in sauing them she was by that meanes made Ladie of that towne and within a while after in her sons name of all the rest of Transiluania and there rested no more for her to conquer but certaine Castles situated in the confines of the Bishopricke of Varadin and that of Tocchay which is very strong And expecting a commodious time to goe and besiege them she did no other thing in the meane while but assure the minds of the principals of the kingdome in the deuotion of her selfe and her sonne causing for this purpose to be published a generall Diet at Sibinio for all the nations of the countrie wherein she shewed the wrong which she had receiued by the officers of the Emperour because they had not kept with her the conditions and capitulations accorded betweene them and the losse and ruine which had happened vnto them because they would take part with him and on the contrarie the good and profit which they should receiue in being retired to her she assured in such sort her forces in this Prouince that all wholly refusing the amitie of Ferdinand and imbracing that of Iohns as of their naturall Lord all neuer ceased vntill they had cleansed Transiluania of the remainders of the Emperials the Queene being for this purpose fauoured of the King of Polonia and of the Queene Bonna her mother who secretly besides the Turke who feared that Ferdinand should set footing in this countrie and that in time he might greatly annoy him in that quarter would not faile to assist her with all counsels and succours which they should thinke necessarie and profitable for her according to the condition of the time She recompenced those who had not abandoned her part and as a sage and prudent woman she reserued to another time the commoditie to reuenge her selfe of the iniuries which she had receiued of those who so many times rebelled against her and had been the occasion of all these inconueniences And being confederate with the Vayuodes of Moldauia and Valachia and by the expresse commaund of the Turke hauing made a perfect alliance and friendship with the Basha of Buda the Sangiach of Bossina and Belgrade she began to giue order to the affayres of the kingdome and to receiue the accounts of the reuenew thereof to acquit her selfe and pay those who had assisted her to enter thereinto and also to giue presents to those who for diuers causes did merit recompence making her selfe by this meanes delightfull to euery one About this time her brother Sigismond King of Polonia hauing refused for wife one of the daughters of the King of the Romanes being inamoured of a gentlewoman his subiect who was yong and indowed with singular beautie he tooke her to wife and spouse and married her against the will of the Queene his mother and of all the principals of his kingdome for which occasion it happened that the mother was long time incensed against him vntill the death of this new Queene who suddenly died not without suspition of being poysoned and by her death all the dissentions of the kingdome were appeased and the King was reconciled to Queene Bonna his mother who hauing before greatly laboured to haue leaue to retire out of Polonia and goe and repose her selfe in Italie and to finish the remainder of her daies in her Dutchie of Barry situated in the kingdome of Naples she was in the end by meanes of the Emperour Charles and of Ferdinand King of the Romanes licensed by her sonne and in iourneying into Italie she passed by Venice where by this Common-weale she was receiued within the Bucentaure with great pompe and honoured by all the gentlewomen of the towne who gorgiously attired and dressed with stones and Iewels presented themselues to her and conducted her to the Palace of the Duke of Ferrara vsing to her the greatest curtesies which could be imagined she being further continually visited by euery one And after being accompanied with certaine armed Gallies which were giuen to her by the State of Venice to conduct her in suretie for feare of Saala Rays the Pyrat who then skoured those seas and with a good winde she arriued at the Port of Barry where she liued not long not being held in any good reputation nor gaining a good name by reason of one Pappacoda to whom forgetting her sonne and daughter so great is the fleshly desire of this world she left all the good things that she had remaining infinitly blamed for this act and little commended among the liuing This happened then when betweene the Emperour Charles and Henry King of France there was accorded after many disputes and controuersies betweene the Commissioners a truce for fiue yeeres which was published in France in Italie and Flanders And that they might the better reioyce and congratulate vpon the occasion thereof with these two great Princes the Pope sent to the one of them for Legate the Cardinall Mottola and to the other the Cardinall Caraffa The Emperour laying aside armes by occasion of this truce with hope that it in the end would ingender a good peace was resolued wholly to renounce all the affayres and pompes of this world insomuch that according to this resolution whilest he was at Gaunt he dispatched certaine Lords to the Electors of the Empire and to Ferdinand his brother by whom he declared to them his determination sending by them to Ferdinand the Crowne Scepter and the other Emperiall ornaments By these he writ to the Cardinall of Mentz an Elector the letter which followeth My Lord Cardinall seeing it hath pleased God to shew me so much grace at the end of my daies as to graunt me rest by the truce which I haue made with the King of France the fruite whereof I hope for a good peace betweene the subiects both of the one part and other I am resolute to end the remainder of my yeeres with a life more sweete and fuller of tranquilitie by meane of which I may applie my self to the contemplation of diuine things from which to my great sorrow I haue been more distracted then I would haue bin by the affayres which I haue had vpon me euen from my youth in so great abundance that if diuine clemencie had not assisted and comforted me I know it had been impossible for me to vnfold my selfe therefrom The acknowledgement which I haue thereof besides other benefits receiued frōaboue hath more excited me to
Maiestie hauing vnderstood that Selim had sent an armie towards Muscouia by Podolia and Kiania Prouinces of the kingdome of Polonia against the Duke of Muscouia who hindered the cutting which the Turke would haue made in the riuer of Volga fearing that vnder false intelligence it might turne against himselfe sent an Ambassadour of his to Constantinople by him to giue Selim to vnderstand how the Transiluanian against the articles of truce was in armes and caused it to be bruited abroad that he would assayle Hungarie and vpon this he desired his greatnes not to censure hardly of him if he defended himselfe assuring him that though he had not giuen any consentment to such new enterprises yet he had giuen sufficient order and as much as was needfull for opposing himselfe against Iohn but if this enterprise was done with his consent he not knowing of his part any occasion thereof he desired him that he would at one word tel him to the end he might iustifie his cause or else freely to accept of warre Selim answered him that he had neither aduised nor consented thereto neither for the one nor other and promised him if the Transiluanian or Moldauian were in armes to offend or disturbe him that both the one and other should be by him punished The Emperour satisfied by this answere afterwards laboured to doe so much to effect this that certaine of the principall of the Hungars who were discontent with him for that they were not in such esteeme with his Maiestie as they thought they had well deserued should not proceede any further in rebellion which alreadie began to be on foote towards Cassouia and Tocchay these Lords being prouoked thereto by the Transiluanian as afterward was knowne who did solicite them with fayre promises making on his part great preparations the better to seaze himselfe of certaine other important places But the Turke writ to him that he should desist and threatned to depriue him of his estate if in that time he enterprised any thing against the Emperour The Hungars being thus remoderated and pacified with their King gaue order to repayre their Fortresses In this time the Emperour would neuer condiscend to the perswasions of the Venecians or Pope to make warre vpon the Turke saying he well knew that in time matters would bee pacified and he alone should remaine charged with the burthen of the warre The cause which moued the Venecians to stirre vp as well the Emperour as other Christian Monarches was that they might preuaile against the Turke who had sent to them a Chiauss to demaund the kingdome of Cypresse as depending on the East Empire and well knowing that they had not forces sufficient to withstand so great a Lord they did solicite the Pope that he would giue them ayde and in like sort to employ his Holines to all the Princes for the same effect for which they had dispatched to his Emperiall Maiestie Iacques Soranze a Venecian a man greatly esteemed with charge to goe further to the King of Polonia But the goodly and apparant reasons of this man could effect nothing with Maximilian for the onely consideration which we haue said and faining himselfe ill at ease dismissed Soranze breaking all hope to ioyne Germanie in this league Selim on the other part hauing some doubt that the Transiluanian would accord with the Emperour although he was well assured of Maximilian by reason of the truce and many other businesses dispatched together caused the towne of Buda to bee fortified and other his places of Hungarie The Pope not minding to be directed with the first word by the declarations that Maximilian had made to the discourses and perswasions which his Nonce had vsed to his Maiestie the Emperour to please his Holines caused a Diet to be called at Spire where hauing caused very largely to bee layd out the demaunds of the Pope and Venecians with many offers made to his Maiestie by the Leaguers after many aduices it was resolued that they would doe no other thing therein although they had certaine knowledge of more then one person that there were there many of the principals of the assembled who freely and liberally would accord to the Popes demaunds they being aduised that it was an excellent occasion to preserue Christendome and specially Germanie and Hungarie from so many imminent perils as enuironed them With this resolution the Diet was dissolued in which no other thing was done but the voluntarie yeelding that the Emperour made to his sonne Rodolph of the kingdomes of Hungarie and Bohemia with the consent of the Lords of both the kingdomes in regard of which they made at Vienna and Ispurch great feasts and triumphs Within a while after Sigismond King of Polonia sent his Ambassadours to the said Rodolph to congratulate with him for the honours which he had receiued of his father and within a very little while after this King who was of the ancient house of Iagellons departed this world This man was the sonne of Sigismond the first of that name and of Bonna the daughter of the Duke of Millan and had no other brothers but onely foure sisters He maried one of the daughters of the Emperour Ferdinand who being dead he maried for his second wife one of his subiects a gentlewoman endued with exquisit beautie and incomparable grace by whom he had not any children He caused not his warlike deedes so to appeare against the Turkes Muscouits and Tartars as his father did but neuerthelesse he knew well to maintaine his kingdome in peace For default of issue begotten by him the Princes and Lords of the kingdome who haue authoritie for the election of a new King assembled themselues to chuse another there being remaining of the Iagellons but one sister of the last deceased not yet maried The succession of this kingdome doth not ordinarily fall to the kindred of the dead but commeth sometimes by election for which is made a great assemblie tearmed amongst them and the Germanes a Diet. In this there are present fifteene Prelates of the kingdome to wit the Archbishop of Gnesna chiefe of all and Legat natus for the Pope in Poland the Archbishop of Leopolde the Bishop of Carcouia he of Vratislauia the Bishops of Chelmen Polocen Varnia Clunem Presmilia and of Cameneren which ten Bishops are of the kingdome There are foure other of Lituania who also haue their voyce at such Diets to wit the Bishop of Samogithie of Vilne of Chronien and of Lutturiensa After these Prelates there are present the gouernours of Castles amongst which the most noted is he of Cracouia who is the most fauoured of the King for that he hath in his custodie the life of his Maiestie This man goeth before the Palatins of Poland which are those of Cracouia Posnania Colosense Siradiense Bresten Lanticiense Russia Innonbleuia Iublinense Belcense Plocen Rauense and he of Massouia With these came the seuen Palatins of Lituania to wit
he of Vilne Kioky Samogithia Trocense Vitiliense Polocense and he of Nouograde The Palatins haue many Prouinces vnder them and euery Prouince sendeth thither two messengers The Chauncellor Vicechauncellor Treasurer of the kingdome and he of the Court haue in this assemblie places in the first rank All that which is resolued vpon in this Diet by the greatest part of those that are there is held firme and stable And if therein be treated any matter which belongeth not to the election of a new King it may be resolued in this assemblie although it bee against the Kings will And from thence it commeth that the Kings are lesse warlike in action then in courage because that they cannot vndertake any warre if it bee not graunted to them by such assemblies This Diet whereof we now write for the election of a new King was appointed at Varsouia To it were come many Ambassadours from the greatest Princes of Europe some requesting and suing for their Masters and others soliciting in the behalfe of those whom they would recommend From Charles the King of France there was first come thither the Lord of Lansac well vnderstanding the Slauonian tongue and greatly experienced in these Northerly countries and after there came thither the Bishop of Valence of the house of Monluc a good Oratour as also the Lord of Rambouillet These men by reason of their goodly speech and fayre promises setting out also the great reputation that the Duke of Aniou brother to Charles had alreadie gotten through all the world by the great armies which alreadie he had conducted in those yong yeeres wherein he was did so well that he for whom they spake was chosen King of Poland and the election published presently there was dispatched a Lord of Poland to the said Duke of Aniou who then as Lieutenant generall for King Charles held the towne of Rochell besieged This Prince hauing receiued this gracious newes which tended nothing else but to the encrease of his glorie because he saw that it was extended to the vttermost parts of the world as well by the proper nature thereof which is to flie with renowne from one Region to another by passing the seas as also by reason of so many Northerly Princes against whom contrarie to all mens opinions he carried away the credit and honor to be reputed the most valiant and warlike Prince of all considering that this siege by reason of the strength of the towne and valiantnes of the souldiours who were within was to continue so long a time that it might bring some preiudice to his new estate and also being pricked forward by this Polish Lord who was come to him who had been thereto solicited by them that fauoured the assieged his Highnes praied the King his brother that he would giue him leaue and dismisse his armie after he had made some accord with the Rochellers to the end to aduise vpon his particular affayres and to hasten his voyage into Poland He being come to Paris and by the perswasion of the King hauing accepted this election and sworne betweene the hands of the Ambassadours who were alreadie arriued in this towne appointed by the generall assemblie of the kingdome of Poland to keepe and obserue the conditions with which he had been chosen and the lawes of the kingdome without preiudicing neuerthelesse his successiue right to the Crowne of France if it should so fall out after he had amassed great store of money to the summe of two millions as well to content those who had chosen him as to make his voyage he departed from the Court accompanied with the Queene his mother and with many other Princes and Lords of France whereof some and the greatest part accompanied him vnto Polonia Passing through the countrie of the Count Palatin he there receiued some discourtesie by this Lord in shewing him the picture of the deceased Admirall of France called Coligny otherwise Chastillon slaine with many other Lords of the pretended reformed religion in the towne of Paris the 24. of August the last precedent yeere the which Admirall was alwaies assisted by men of warre and counsell sent by the said Lord to the warres which for the space of tenne or twelue yeeres were maintained in France for Religion As this man thought to braue this Prince on the other side the Duke of Saxonie was astonished at the comming of this new King passing through his countrie seeing neere him the Polonians in armes In the end Henry at the beginning of the yeere entered into his kingdome he being receiued thereinto with great applause and after hauing againe sworne the obseruance of the countrie lawes he receiued the tokens and royall Ensignes according to the ancient custome Almost about the same time yet a little before Stephen otherwise called Iohn sonne of Iohn the Vayuode and King of Transiluania departed this world without any lawfull issue By reason of this decease there began to breake forth new troubles in Transiluania because that the Turke procured that this Prouince which was commodious to him for the passage into Hungarie should maintaine it selfe in league with him and vnder the same confederacie which was betweene him and Iohn On the other side Maximilian aspired to this kingdome as well by the right and inheritance of his deceased mother who had succeeded King Lewis her brother as also by reason of Stephens will and testament who at his death had named him his heire and ordained that this kingdome should bee yeelded to him pricked thereto perhaps by remorse of conscience or else fearing that it should fall into the Turkes hands who made to him great suite therefore which could not happen but to the great damage of all Christendome But the Barons of the countrie did not so presently resolue vpon that which they should haue done because that on the one side they seared the Turkes forces who would not faile to endamage them if they should giue themselues to the Emperour On the other side they feared worse if they should elect a King at his deuotion Vpon such feares many moneths passed without any resolution Certaine men of note fearing the iust anger of the Emperour against them because during the life of King Iohn they banded against his Emperiall Maiestie in manner of hostilitie firmely resisted those who fauoured Maximilians part and who demaunded that the testament of the dead should bee put in execution These feares engendred amongst them great diuersitie which was an occasion long to delay their last resolution But within a few moneths after it was finally concluded amongst them that they should particularly chuse a King of their nation minding thereby to preserue their kingdome and that they might remaine in peace with the Turke they would pay him the accustomed tribute and that he who should be chosen King should maintaine himselfe in peace with the Emperour they all iudging thereby that the Turke would haue occasion to content
THE HISTORIE OF THE TROVBLES OF HVNGARIE CONTAINING THE PITIFVLL LOSSE AND RVINE OF THAT KINGDOME AND THE WARRES HAPPENED THERE IN THAT TIME betweene the Christians and Turkes By MART. FVMÉE Lord of Genillé Knight of the Kings Order Newly translated out of French into English by R. C. Gentleman Tout pour l' Eglise BY WISDOM PEACE BY PEACE PLENTY LONDON Imprinted by FELIX KYNGSTON 1600. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE SIR ROBERT CECIL KNIGHT SECRETARIE OF ESTATE TO HER MAIESTIE MASTER OF THE WARDES AND LIVERIES AND ONE OF HER HIGHNES MOST HONORABLE PRIVIE COVNCELL Right Honorable HVNGARIE after many afflictions endured by her sworne enemies the Turkes for her vtter ruine and decay and after as many intreaties requests and earnest petitions made to the Princes of Christendome and to diuers persons of great reputation and authoritie amongst them for the asswaging or rather quite suppressing if possible it could be of these her wofull and intollerable miseries doth now at last wander abroade and is come into our little Iland it being as it were in the vttermost confines of Europe in ragged and mournfull habits as a distressed Pilgrime and with like zeale doth importune your Honour to assist her with your fauour which though her attire be plaine and sad yet such is her magnificent and illustrious minde that vnder these meane and withered weedes she onely in plaine and syncere manner discouereth the condition of her lamentable estate which happely if your Honour will vouchsafe to peruse this her pittefull discourse she maketh no doubt but that according to your accustomed goodnes whereof most doe taste she shall with like fauour be graced as other distressed strangers are If any defects appeare in her presence I humbly beseech you they may be fauorably imputed to the ignorance not wilfulnes of her guyde whose desire was rather safely to conduct her into England then curiously to furnish her had his abilitie been fully aunswerable to his good meaning Yet herein to manifest his willing minde he hath aduentured to present her to your Honour whose fauour and countenance may greatly grace her In doing whereof Hungarie who now waileth for want of reliefe shall thinke her selfe highly comforted and I for her so good successe shall not onely pray for the prosperous continuance of your honorable estate but shall also rest most bound in all humble dutie and seruice at your Honours commaund R. C. to the Reader health FRiendly Reader after J had for my priuate content translated some few notes out of this excellent Historie J was requested by some of my good friends to take further paines in the whole which J was the rather desirous to performe as well to satisfie their friendly requests as also for diuers other respects The first whereof was for that my selfe had been a trauailer in this Countrie of Hungarie and had in regarde my aboade there was not long but superficially noted the manners and disposition of the people there and specially in their martiall affaires wherein during my residence there J spent my time with some obseruation of those parts where then J had been which notwithstanding did now with delight draw me on to begin and proceede in the finishing of this Historie The second reason that induced me hereunto was in regard that it seemed no fiction or fabulous toy but a Historie of grauitie and credence as witnesseth the memorials of Stephen Broderic Chaunceler of Hungarie and of Castalde Lieutenant for Ferdinand who was King of Hungarie in that countrie and diuers others which being so J rested with assurance that it would greatly benefit thee for thy experience in many pollitike affaires And the third reason that perswaded me to vndertake this worke was that J did and also doe still hartely desire that it might be in things appertaining to vs as a president and caueat to these parts of Christendome that now thinke themselues as secure as once the Hungars did and they then as safe from the deluge of Infidels as we doe now But alas such was their pride and dissention vnhappie people that through their owne misgouernment God inflicted this punishment vpon them which now as remedilesse and altogether in dispaire they with wofull laments too late bewaile for though that some neighboring Princes whom the cause doth also neerely concerne may affoorde them their best ayde somewhat to withstand and bridle the Turkes mightie incursions yet surely farre vnlikely and more vnable they are to reconquer that which they haue lost the reason is too apparant for both in regard of multitudes of men and militarie discipline they farre exceede the Christians and it may be that those who may will not and those who would cannot affoorde them that succour which is needfull so that what betweene the one and the other this miserable Hungarie which is one of the fertilest and goodliest Countries in Christendome is more shaken and torne by the Turkes violence and insolencie then is a young Lambe betweene the VVolues iawes Herein I must craue your patience to rest in silent melancholy for mirth it affoords none vntill the end and lend your patient eare vnto detestable complots impieties and seditions vnto ignominious conspiracies immanities and cruelties vnto horrible massacres of men women and children that be Christians vnto pitiful laments and mournings of husbands for losse and forcing away of their wiues and wiues for their husbands vnto violation and rapines of maydes and to be briefe vnto sacriledges burnings and deuastations of all manner of creatures which when all these things shall liuely be discifered vnto you in this Historie then iudge of the state of this poore Countrie into what an abisme of miserie it is fallen J omit to write of many particulars concerning the Turkes politike proceedings for the incroching vpon Christendome touching all which because J would not be tedious I refer you to the Historie it selfe wherein more at large you may discerne their entercourse and temporising with Christians which indeede is nothing else but only for their owne commoditie to make vse of them vntill they finde fit oportunitie to aduance their intended practises against them and then adue league and all societie of friendship onely this J say and humbly desire God of his mercifull goodnes to inspire Christians with that humilitie and faithfull repentance that it may assure our harts of turning this iudgement from vs which our Lord of his mercie graunt for Iesus Christs sake and extirpe these Mahometaines who as our owne eyes may witnes daily with teares and griefe we may speake it infringe the confines of Europe with their heathenish and barbarous proceedings as more at large this Historie will amplifie R. C. The Authors Epistle to the people of France TO you French people and to no other doe I dedicate this Historie and I doe diuulge it to the view of the world vnder the protection of the best aduised to the end that it being by them receiued and defended it may
of his life in greater content and quiet certaine moneths before hauing restored to the Kings hands the priuie Seale which then was giuen to Stephen Broderic had neuerthelesse a good part of the ouerseeing of all the affaires which were for the most part gouerned by his aduise and councell Also the King reposed great trust in him as well for his dignitie age and wisedome as for the experience which he had hauing a long time managed the affaires of the State In this sort was Hungarie gouerned when newes came to King Lewis that Solimon hauing made peace with all his other neighbours for many yeares prepared himselfe to make warre against the Hungarians by land and water the passage being sufficiently open to perfourme this by reason of the townes of Belgrade and Sabasia which not long since were vnder his gouernement and the fortresse of Zalankemen and all other townes on this side the riuer of Sauus vnto Varadine Peter being raced and throwne to the ground which compasse or circuite of the Countrie is yet vntill this day called by the auncient name of Sirmia All this ruine and losse gaue the enemie such entrance into Hungarie that it was a difficult matter for him to be hindered from any his attempts but as often as he thought good he might with ease thrust himselfe into the bowels thereof In this low Pannonia did then gouerne Paul Tomoree who not content to haue aduertised the King by many messages of the Turkes comming into his Realme with all speede transported himselfe with poste in little wagons named Kotcze which beare the name of the place from whence the first of them came towards the King who was then at Vicegrade the twentith day of March vnto whom he gaue notice of the Turkes enterprise of his preparations and how great the danger would be into which he saw the Realme might then easily fall aduertising him of the small force which he had in his gouernement to hinder them that it was needfull to vse all possible diligence that it was requisite neere Belgrade to hinder the passage of the riuer Sauus and that such a matter although it was difficill yet neuerthelesse might be prouided for so that he gaue order for it in due time and withall promised to employ himselfe in that busines if he would giue him necessaries for that purpose The King being much troubled with this newes which elsewhere in many places was confirmed for certaine and true appoynted a publike assemblie to be held vpon Saint George his day At that time and thither repaired all the States of euery Prouince and determined of all things which apperteined to the defence of the kingdome and among other things it was concluded that all the Princes as well ecclesiasticall as secular and all the nobles with good store of able peasants should be at Tholne at the feast of the visitation of our Lady the blessed Virgine Marie which is the second of Iune and to march all with the King himselfe against their enemies In the meane time the King aduised of that which was necessarie for the maintenance of the warre He sent his Embassadors to the Christian Princes especially to his neighbours declaring to them the danger and perill which was to them imminent By pithie and perswasiue letters and by experienced men he solicited the Bohemians Morauians and Slesians to send him what ayde they ought him and vrged them with their promises and assurances which they had before giuen him to the like effect He solicited the Pope as much as he could that he would encrease the treasure which he disbursed in Hungarie for the leuie of Souldiours whereby he might haue the better meanes to defend himselfe But he solicited not Sigismond King of Polonia his Vncle for that he a little before had made truce with the Turke minding by that meanes to chase out of his kingdome the ruine and losse of it since that otherwise he could not heale it in respect of the many dissensions and quarrels which were among the Christian Princes and Lewis very well knew the integritie of this Prince that he was an obseruer of his faith and did assure himselfe he would affoord him no ayde against him with whom he was confederate Also he had the like opinion of the Venetians In this aforesaid assemblie it was graunted to the King to take a portion of the Churches treasure if want did vrge him to it to supplie the want of his owne treasure which was but little his cofers being wasted by those who had very careleslie gouerned the common wealth This permission and graunt was confirmed and approued by the Pope for discharge of their consciences Among those who were of the Kings court two had the charge of this warre namely Counte Christopher of whome we haue spoken before that he went to Ferdinand and Nicholas Counte Salms These things and many other being thus disposed of in this assemblie the King after he had aduised with himself gaue euery one leaue to retire themselues and for his part he put in practise and executed as speedily as hee could that which had been determined of in the assemblie And first of all hee writ to the Christian Princes informing them of the present daunger which he saw demaunding ayde of all and chiefly of the Emperour Charles and of Francis King of France who a little before was deliuered out of prison He instantly requested them both that they would not forsake him in such and so great a perill He put the French King in minde of this that while he was yet prisoner he did by his Ambassadour in the towne of Piczigyton promise concerning the defence and preseruation of Hungarie for the which hee frankly made him offer and assured to aide him with forces and succours if God did restore him to his full and whole libertie Declaring to him that the time did now present it selfe to performe his friendly promises hauing now by Gods assistance the authoritie to put it in execution and the rather he being vrged on his part so vehemently to importune him thervnto He also sent vnto his brother in law Ferdinand and to other Princes of the Empire who then were assembled at the Emperiall diet at Spire He dispatched letters againe into Bohemia Morauia and Slesia He treated with Iohn Anthonie Baron of Bourgh the Popes Nuntio Lieger with his Maiestie to solicite and intreate his holines that he would aide him with greater summes of money to support the burden of this warre He gaue commission to Lasdilas Macedonien to take halfe the treasure of the Churches who a little before being Bishop of Sirmia was chosen Bishop of the fiue Churches by the fauour of the Chauncellor and many other and gaue charge to Nicholas Gerendi to haue a care of such summes of money as should bee collected and to distribute and dispose of it onely for the maintenance of the warre with the
Nuntioes consent Certaine summes of money were also demaunded of the Abbots of the gouernours of townes and of the corporations of Villages who said they were free and the like was demaunded of the Saxons the Transiluanians and the Iewes In fine they did on euery side so seeke out money the sinewes of warre that within few daies was collected no small quantitie of treasure During this time letters were daily brought messengers came aswell from the Archbishop of Colocense as frō the Vayuode of Transiluania by which vpon their knowledge they assured that the Turke approched neere vnto Belgrade and that part of his armie which marched before had alreadie passed the riuer Sauus The King and his Councell vpon this vnwelcommed newes hasted all things and principally to defend the passage of Drauus seeing the passage of Sauus could not now bee hindered But seeing that wee must often make mention of the riuers Sauus and Drauus and of other places it is necessarie that we describe the situation of Hungarie and amongst others the parts and countries by which the enemie directed his course against the Hungarians and by which they all marched towards him and wherein battaile was giuen All Hungarie which for certaine is now held to haue receiued this name by the Hunes or Hungers a people come out of Scithia who there made their aboade is parted and diuided in two by the insition of Danubius which is the greatest riuer in Europe taking his originall in the forrest of Martian nigh the towne of Vlmes and so making his source ouerthwart Germanie By this diuision Hungarie doth part it self into two parts whereof the one is on this side the riuer and the other beyond and we write it as if we were at Buda which is the capitall towne of the kingdome That part on this side the riuer is anciently called Pannonia and is separated from that which we call beyond the riuer by Danubius by Austria Bauaria and the skirts of the hill Cecien The riuer Drauus separateth it from Slauonia and the riuer Sauus from Bosnia and Rascia For along the riuer of Danubius drawing towards Belgrade euen vnto the mouth of the riuer Sauus doe these three goodly countries stretch themselues that is to say Walko Posegan and Sirmia which are named Counties and which do part Hungarie from Slauonia The principall towne on this hither part and side of the riuer is Buda which is the capitall seate of the kingdome The most noted townes of fame are Alberegalis recommended in respect it is the place of Coronation and sepultures of the Kings Strigonium which holdeth the Metropolitane place Fiue Churches which is a Bishops seate Besides there are Sopronia Iauerin Sabaria and Stridon which last is noted to be the place where S. Hierome was borne and in that last sauing one Saint Martin tooke his birth Besides the riuers of Drauus and Danubius there are others worthie of note There bee also two great Lakes of speciall note named Balator and Freton one of which is about thirtie miles long but the other not being so long hath a more large compasse When you haue passed and ioyned aboue Drauus you shall enter into Slauonia which in that quarter doth coast this hither part beyond the riuer which of ancient time did make part of high Pannonia going along the side of Hungarie vnto the riuer Sauus passing yet further it doth stretch it selfe euen vnto the riuer of Hune vpon which Croatia bordereth and is adioyned vnto Dalmatia lying along the Adriatique sea part whereof is vnder the obeysance of the Venetians and part vnder the Turkish gouernment and the lesser part thereof is subiect to the King of Hungarie The Bosnians and Rascians who in times past haue been called high Missians doe possesse the countries which are within the same and are further from the sea The principall towne of Slauonia is called Zagrabia That of Croatia is now called Bigihon and in times past it was named Fumium That part of Dalmatia which doth obey the Hungers hath for the chiefe towne Segnia Bosnia hath Iaycza And that of Rassia or Seruia hath Belgrade And such is the situation of Hungarie on this side the riuer and of the countries which are betweene Danubius and the Adriatique Gulfe As for the other part which is beyond Danubius that is by the hils Carpathes which begin aboue Poson and by a long soyle stretch themselues vnto the Euxine Sea separated from Morauia Sclesia Polonia and Russia vnto this Prouince which we name Maromarusia in which the other mountaines and forrests aduancing themselues towards Seuerin doe seuer it from Transiluania and from Valachia Transalpina This furthest Hungarie is watered in the midst of it by the riuer Tibiscus the which of al those that are in that North part doth most abound in fish It doth spring from the mountaines Maromarusians and besides many other lesser streames he receiueth into him the riuers of Zamosse and Marosse comming both from beyond Transiluania In this part of Hungarie are seated towards the North these most noted townes namely Poson Tirnauia Trincin nigh the riuer of Vagus which glideth towards the I le of Comar falling into Danubius Nitria Bistricia with certaine others situate among the mountaines wherein are the Mines of Siluer and Copper Besides there is Vacchia Pesthe which is right ouer against Buda Agria Cassouia and certaine others of the Countie of Sepusa Towards the South are seated those of Colocia Bacchia Zegedin and beyond the riuer of Tibiscus Varadin Debrecin the Ladies brooke with the Mines of gold and siluer Chenadin and the Fortresse of Themesuar which is a gouernment that possesseth the third place among al those of the kingdome Seuerin is in the same preciuct where one may see at this present the reliques of a bridge built by the commaund of the Emperour Traian and many other townes which for the breuitie of this historie I will omit Tibiscus doth mingle it selfe within Danubius neere to the towne of Titulia seated on the other side vpon the shore not farre from Varadin Peter On the other side of these mountaines which wee haue said to extend themselues from the hils Carpathes vnto Seuerin is Transiluania the which in former time did make a part of Dacia and for this cause it was anciently called Pannodacia a name compounded of Pannonia and Dacia and at this day it is commonly called by the Hungars Ortell The principall towne thereof is Albe-iula so called of Iulius Caesar or rather of Hijula Prince of the Huns. Besides this towne there bee others which are rich and wealthie namely Sibinio Brassouia Colosuar Bistricia and many other founded and built by the Germanes whom we call Saxons There doth also inhabite in this Prouince Sicilians who are a people austere stoute and warlike they haue not any
then to cause the Vayuode of Transiluania to march forward with Transalpina the fidelitie and alleadgance of whom towards the King was most assured either to assaile the enemie behinde of which they nothing mistrusted or else they leauing them to iourney into Thrace which was naked of souldiours whilest the Turkes aduanced themselues against the King For by this meanes the enemie should either bee ouerthrowne and defeated being inclosed betweene two armies or else forced to forsake his enterprise and returne to defend his owne This counsell at the beginning was suspected for certaine causes which would be too long to rehearse but afterward imparted to the Bishop of Strigonium and approued by him the Vayuode of Transiluania was commanded by Vrbine Batian who then was dispatched to go into Moldauia to aduise vpō this what was most expedient and behoofull to be done for the safegard of the kingdome And if he esteemed the counsell good he was commanded to turne his forces and those of Transiluania with Transalpina also towards that quarter and this in part was a speciall cause that the Vayuode could not be present at the day of battaile During these counsels the time of the assemblie and the rende vous appointed to be at Tholne was already expired yet neuerthelesse they were not yet in readines and it seemed that all were not plyable therevnto but only the King neither said they ought they to come to Tholne before they vnderstood of the Kings being there In the meane while the bruite of the Turkes approaching and of his passage of Sauus daily increased in such sort that in the end certaine newes came that after hee passing the riuer and hauing throwne downe certaine Castles hee held on his course towards Varadin Peter and did besiege it both by land and water though it were a towne of no great force In the end the King although not any were come neither from Bohemia nor from any other place and though he had with him but few companies of souldiours yet not willing to be reproued as tardie or negligent concerning this matter of import he departed from Buda called at this day Ofen the 24. of Iuly marching along the shoare of Danubius comming by little and little to Tholne hoping that the other would shortly come to him A little before the King went from Buda Stephen Battor of Somlie was sent to the Vayuode of Transiluania by whom hee was commaunded that leauing the first assignements he should haste himselfe towards his Maiestie with all his Transiluanian forces seeing the sudden ariuall of the enemie did require it When the King departed from Buda he had but 3000. men as well foote as horse counting those that did belong to Queene Marie and the Archbishop of Strigonium The first day that they departed from Buda they made their nights rest at the village of Ambroise Sarkan named Erd distant from Buda two miles In that place the Kings best horse and that which he loued most suddenly dyed whereupon he was much disquieted and many diuined it to presage euill hap The King hauing made his aboade there certaine daies and no aide comming to him proceeded on with those small troupes which he had to the next village named Erchij There hauing spent many daies without effecting any good in the meane time there arriued Andrew Battor one of the principall of that kingdome with a good number of souldiours and they marched along Danubius vnto Pantelee which is a place as we haue said of Ezeck where is to be seene the remaindes of an auncient Romane Colonie There George Basi comming from the Vayuode of Transiluania found the King who imparted vnto his Maiestie that the Vayuode was in great care what he should doe in respect of the diuersitie of messages which hee had sent him hauing first receiued letters from his Maiestie and afterwards by many Curreers and namely by Iaspar Horuuath of Wimgard one of his chiefe gentlemen by which he was commaunded to come to the King and that afterwards there arriued Vrbain Batian who brought him certaine specialties that according to the former he might assaile the enemie behinde with the Transalpinians after him there arriued Stephen Battor of Somlie who brought him the same and first commaund but did not make it openly knowne to him that the King did meane that the aduertisements sent by Batian should come to effect and for that occasion he was vncertaine what to doe in so many alterations not knowing which to follow being neuerthelesse readie and willing to doe what his Maiestie would commaund him And that neuerthelesse he found not any thing of more importance then with all speede to come to the King that it was now too late to assaile the Turkes behinde and in as much as that enterprise was daungerous so was it also more hard now to execute it then at the first for that the Transalpinian with whom he was commaunded to ioyne himselfe was alreadie forced to send his only sonne in hostage to the Turkes Campe. The King vnderstanding the charge of George Basi dislodged and arriued the same morning at the towne of Felduar situated by Danubius and there conferred with his Councell of that which Basi had reported to him At the same instant he also commanded Basi to iourney day and night with as great diligence as he could to the Vayuode and to tell him that the King allowed wel of his counsell and that it was sound and good considering that the enemie had alreadie entered into the kingdome and marched towards him and that therefore he leauing all other determinations he should as well with all all the Transiluanians as those which he met in the way comming towards him make haste and with all expedition come to the Campe bringing with him not onely the Nobilitie and priuate souldiours but also euen the peasants themselues To this effect letters were dispatched vnto the Transiluanians to Iohn Gozthan Chauncellor to the Queene and Bishop of that Prouince and to the Vayuode by the perswasion of George who desired the same according to the aduice that he had receiued of the King his master These letters were of purpose framed sharpe and seuere and sent to the end that the Vayuode should shew them to all whereby to excite and animate euery one He was specially commanded by them vpon paine of disloialtie and treason that he should day and night march to the King To incourage euery one the more there was sent with George Basi Iohn Statile a man of readie and quicke wit and well seene in learning He was by meanes of their sister nephew to Peter Berizlas Bishop of Vesprimie and to Martin Ban a man greatly esteemed both in the affayres of peace and warre These messengers were not yet departed when euen then euill tidings came of the taking of Varadin Peter which the Hungars otherwise call Petrouar after it had been valiantly defended for many daies and all those
halfe a mile beneath Mohacz neuerthelesse there was some little space betweene the one and the other At the same instant came from Buda the Vessels fraughted with Cannon powder and other munition for the warre With those also were sent downe nine peeces of Artillerie which came from Vienna A little after came also 200. souldiours of Alexis Turzon with certaine Cannons himselfe with the Bishop of Vesprimia were remayning at Buda with the Queene These two were appoynted for the guarde and securitie of her Maiestie and did serue her at the retraict and flight which afterward she was constrayned to take and continued a long time in her seruice The Ban of Croatia arriued the Sonday before the Battaile with three gallant troupes There was of them 3000. horse and not so many of foote He was accompanied with Iohn Tahy Iohn Banfy and certaine other of the principall Lords of the kingdome of Slauonia The day following there came also in the morning to the Campe the King being there and ranged his men in Battaile for that it was thought the same day the enemie would fight Simon Erdeund Bishop of Zagrabia with his brother Peter Erdeund bringing with them in good order and well armed more then 700. horse At the same time came thither Stephen Azel with 300. horse which Iohn Bornemisse had sent to the ayde of the King with many thousands of crownes which was the last present made by the father to his nursling About the euening of the same day Iohn Zerechen came with 2000. foote which he had gathered along the riuer Drauus aswell in his owne territories as in the Chapter of the Church of the fiue Churches they being reported to be very good archers During these three daies many other came to the Campe especially those who were nigh among whom was Philip More Bishop of the fiue Churches and his brother Vladislas More This Armie being thus assembled together to the number of 24. or 25000. men not counting the companies which were on the water who serued not at the day of Battaile the enemie being with his puissant Armie of 300000. men no further from them then two miles three dayes were expyred before the Battaile was begun during which time daylie skirmishes and fine stratagems interchangeably past betweene them wherein still the Turks receiued more damage then the Hungars In the time of their aboade it was also consulted how and in what place they should fight with the enemie and in what sort they should ordaine and range the Battaile and in what place thereof they should appoint the King to be where and how they should range the Caualarie and Infantrie and where they should plant the artillerie whereof the Hungars had but 24. pieces which were little to be compared to those of the enemies Before they determined and aduised for the safegard of his Maiestie some were of opinion that it was conuenient for him to be a good distance from the Battaile with some thousands of his best troupes but seeing the Armie could not spare them and for that the souldiours would haue him present therein following their auncient custome it was aduised that some one should represent his person in his coate-armour but presently they thought that the same could not be done without being discouered and without great tumult of the Armie the which by this deede would be greatly discouraged But in the ende it was concluded that seeing the fight did seeme doubtfull some purposely appointed should haue the charge to preserue the King if euill did betide and that then they should conduct him out of the throng as soone as they saw the Battalions so broken that there could be noe more hope to reassure and encourage them being so terrified This charge was committed to Iasper Raskay to Valentine Toronke and to Iohn Kalay most excellent men and doubtlesse very faithfull to the King There was also appointed certaine swift and light horses by meanes of which the King might escape if neede required But now to come to the order of the battaile there were many and amongst others Leonard Gnomsky was of opinion that it should be very needfull to inskonse the armie with the wagons whereof the Campe was sufficiently furnished like the fight at Barriers and vpon a Bulwarke alleadging that by that meanes they should frustrate and annoy the enemie from their hemming them in which was the onely and materiall thing they most feared Radich Bosich did well allow of this deuise as also Paul Bacchie who was said to haue been in three seuerall battailes giuen by Soliman against his enemies This counsell then was accepted of and thought good by all the execution whereof was committed to Gnomsky and certaine other but it was effected more slowly then was needfull for it was but thought vpon the night before the battaile and so this policie among many other was quite neglected The 29. of August which is dedicated to the beheadding of S. Iohn being the day of battaile the armie of the Hungars was ranged and lead by those which wee haue spoken of in such sort that they aduanced the front of their armie as farre as was possible to the end they might bee the lesse inclosed by the enemie and after they diuided it into two battalions In the first the Commanders thereof had no certaine place of aboade but thought it more needful to be vigilant ouer those places wherin their presence might strengthen and incourage their souldiours On the right wing of it was the Ban of Croatia with Iohn Tahy and the left wing was gouerned by Peter Peren in the absence of the Vayuode of Transiluania In the first battalion there was many of the principallest of the armie and among them there was Anthony Poloczy Francis Hommonay Gabriel Peren Thomas Zechy Andrew Battor Emeric Cibak and many others The artillerie was planted next after the first rankes The second Battalion which we commonly name the maine battaile and in which was placed the King was more furnished with horsemen then footmen who for the small number they had were placed in the flankes of the horsemen Betweene this Battalion and the other which we will name the Vauntgard there was no more distance then one might throw a stone In the battaile before the rankes wherein the King was there was three other rankes who all of them for the most part were gentlemen of the Kings chamber and many Barons of the countrie who were vnder the charge of Nicholas Tharczay a man of good courage and very faithfull to his Prince There were also the two Controlers of the Kings house Peter Korlatkey and Andrew Trepka Polanders Stephen Slijk a Bohemian was with the Bohemians and Morauians hard by the Kings person and before him After the three rankes followed that of the Kings in the midst of which was his Maiestie Of spirit beautie and vertue all one With that which is celestiall Bearing a minde to his countries boone But Destinies
of the night which had alreadie couered all the earth This partly was the cause and also the vehement raine that fell that night for the safegard and preseruation of many The violence of the fight endured at the most but an houre and a halfe and many were swallowed vp and smothered within that marish The bodie of the King who was said to haue ended his daies in that place was afterward found in a great whirle or rift of earth aboue Mohacz halfe a mile on this side a little village which is called Czelie the which medow was then ouerflowed more then it was wont to be with Danubius in that place he was stifled with his horse vnder the water being armed as he was at the battaile And seeing wee shall speake no more of this King I will adde to in this historie one thing of him worthie the noting and that is when he was newly borne he had no skinne that couered his bodie which he neuerthelesse recouered by the helpe of Phisitions who by their art succoured and helped the want and defect of nature We haue heretofore noted a certaine presage of the pittifull end which should happen to him but the same might well haue been told him before as a destenie of that which afterward happened to him during the time he gaue order for his affaires to resist the enemies according to the first newes which he had receiued For he being at Buda when he was at dinner the gates of his Castle being shut as the custome was a certaine Ghost in forme and shape of a man euill fauoured with crookedlegs came haulting and knocked at the gate and with a loude shrill voyce desired to speake with the King to acquainte him with things which neerely concerned both the good of himselfe and of the kingdome His speeches being not at the first heard by the guard who were at the gate as it is the vse in Princes courts hee cried lowder and with a horrible voyce demaunded againe whether they gaue the King notice thereof In the end certaine of the companie being moued by the importunitie of this deformed Ghost they demaunded of him what he would haue but he replying sayd that he would not reueale his secrets to any but to the King This message was presently carried to his Maiestie who vnderstanding thereof sent vnto him one of his seruants in the best and richest apparell and one who was next himselfe faining that he was the King commaunding him to enquire what this fellow would say This messenger comming before this Ghost and asking of him in priuate what secret he would impart vnto him the other denying that he was King whereby he thought to abuse him with a high and loude voyce he sayd that since the King would not heare him he should shortly perish These words being pronounced he vanished away to the great astonishment of all that were present It is a discourse somewhat neere vnto that of Saule but yet different for that which the one required was not offered to him but this of it selfe was presented without seeking for it which one may enterpret diuers waies But let vs returne againe to the subiect of our historie In this place where the Kings bodie was founde many others also lost their liues A little beyond was also found the bodies of Andrew Trepka and Stephen Azel It is said that the Frier ended his life valliantly fighting in the Vauntgard the day following his head being cut off was carryed vpon the top of a launce round about the enemies Campe in token of ioy and some said that it was for a time placed before the Pauilion of Soliman The day after the Battaile 1500. Hungers who were taken prisoners among whom were the chiefest of the Nobilitie being all commaunded to be set in a rounde forme were presently beheaded their bloud seruing in stead of a sacrifice to the Gods of these Infidels Very few prisoners had been saued if it had not been to informe and giue them notice of some speciall matters which Soliman and Abraham Bascha were desirous to knowe Among those was Nicholas surnamed Hertzek which in the Hungarish language signifieth Duke as he was indeede and the Kings Treasorer Iohn Pileczky and Iohn Maczieouusky Polanders were also of that number They were gentelmen of the Kings chamber and being returned vnto the Queene they discouered many matters which for the breuitie of this historie we will omit to write of Michael Fekete and Bartholmew Martine were also saued from death and within a while after were redeemed paying a great ransome Among those which dyed in the fight and flight besides the King were these Ladislas Salcane Archbishop of Strigonium Paul Tomoree Bishop of Colocense and Lieutenaunt generall of the Armie Francis Peren Bishop of Varadine Philip More Bishop of the fiue Churches Blaise Paxy Bishop of Iauerin Francis Gzacholy Bishop of Chenat George of Pauline Bishop of Bosnia George of Zapolia Count of Sepusa the other commaunder of the Armie Iohn Dragfy Prouost of the Kings house Francis Orzag chiefe gentelmen of the Kings chamber Peter Corlathy and Andrew Trepka Captaines of the watch at the gate Simon Horuuath the chiefe taster Thomas Zechy Gabriel Peren Ambriose Zarchan Anthonie Poloczy Mathias Czethingny Counte of Francapin Sigismonde Bransy Francis Hampo Iohn Bathian Stephen Slÿk a Bohemian with certaine other Bohemians and Morauians And these were the principall Barons of Hungarie Among the Nobles and other Lords of the Countrie there are worthie of note Francis Balasse Nicholas Tharza Iohn Paxy Iohn Istuuanfy Emeric Warday Michael Podnamisky George Orlouuchicz Captaine of Segin Stephen Azel Castelane of Poson Sigismonde Pogan Iohn Torualy Iohn and Stephen Kalnay Nicholas Forgach and besides these about 500. other As for the foote men there escaped three or foure thousand and they were in all 12. or 13000. There was remayning of their Captaines no more then Hanibal Cypryan All the peeces of Artillerie as well those which were planted before the Battaile as those which were remayning within the Campe and in the boates were all taken by the enemie the charge thereof was giuen too late being but the night before the fight to Iohn Hadek a man of good courage and well managed in such affaires who had alwaies frequented the Kings court of whom he was so loued that few had the like fauour of his Maiestie The night and day after this vnfortunate Battaile the enemies running all ouer made wonderfull waste and ruine of all the neighbour countries set fire on all not sparing any person hauing no regarde to sexe nor age nor to any religion executing vpon the poore people all cruell and inhumaine acts My wit cannot sufficiently write and bewayle the calamitie of this whole night and the dayes following being so great and intollerable for all this part of Hungarie which we haue named to be on this side the riuer that I cannot be perswaded that euer any barberous enemie hath
Stephen to whom was gouernour Izabella his mother and one Frier George After Iohns death Ferdinand sent to the Queene for the yeelding vp of the kingdome of Hungarie which now he pretended title vnto but is denied by George who to withstand him demaundeth aide of the Turke Ferdinand sendeth forces into Hungarie besiegeth Buda and is there ouerthrowne by Solymans armie who taketh Pesthe Mustafa warreth in Transiluania against Malliat Ferdinandoes Lieutenant there Malliat is betrayed taken and sent with other prisoners to Constantinople who there dyed and the Transiluanians sweare homage to young Stephen whom Solyman greatly desireth to see who is sent accompanied with many of the Nobilitie and are all detained prisoners but onely Stephen whom he returneth againe to his mother at Buda which treacherously is taken by the Turkes and Queene Izabella dispossessed thereof and sent into Transiluania to gouerne there Ferdinand againe sendeth to Solyman to demaund peace and to be inuested King of Hungarie by him who returneth him a most scornefull answer The Queene being receiued into Transiluania George manageth all things and little esteemeth the Queene AFter that the Hungarians had receiued this cruell ouerthrow at Mohacz wherein were slaine about 30000. men with many of the chiefest Lords and gentlemen of the countrie and after that Lewis their last King was thus stifled in this Quagmire or Marish of the aforesaid place Solyman not fearing any who could oppose themselues against his forces being now with his victorious armie arriued in the towne of Buda which with the Fortresse without any resistance was presently reduced vnder his subiection that he might the better obserue the ancient custome of the Ottomans which is that the Prince ought rather to repose himselfe in his armie then to be inclosed within a wall would not therefore rest himselfe therein one night but presently retired himselfe into his Pauilions in the middest of his Campe which was hard adioyning to the towne whither being come there was presented to him seuen Bishops heads and the heads of other Hungars being of the number of those who were left dead in the field where the Battaile was fought among which was that of Ladislas Salcane Archbishop of Strigonium who for his extreame couetousnes was greatly blamed of Solyman in respect he would neither aide the King nor himselfe with his treasure which was found about him to be very great There was also much fault imputed to George Sepusa brother to Iohn Vayuode of Transiluania for his riches and also to Paul Tomoree Bishop of Colocense for his riches who further was condemned for his imprudencie and rashnes hauing so foolishly and without reason counselled Lewis to fight with so little an armie against one who was eight times as great and mightie But on the other side Peter Peren Bishop of Varadin was greatly commended and esteemed for that contradicting the opinion of Tomoree he aduised in any case not to giue battaile but to temporise and strengthen his holds and to put his people therein for safetie and to fortifie the towne of Buda with a strong and sufficient garrison because in thus doing he might the better resist his enemie And after that Solyman had seene viewed all those had giuen his souldiours leaue to spoyle and massacre who failed not presently to cut mangle and cruelly teare them in peeces they presented vnto him the pictures of Lewis and Marie his wife vpon which casting his eyes and considering their young yeeres he lamented their sinister fortune greatly blaming all their Councellors who rashly aduised them to fall into such extreame miserie affirming with an oth that he was not come to expell him out of his kingdome but onely to reuenge his men of the iniuries which the Hungars had done them greatly complaining for the death of Lewis the which had taken from him all meanes wherby in effect he might shew the truth of his words the which were that he would haue placed him againe in his fathers kingdome vnder certaine good conditions of an honest and reasonable tribute But he now seeing this Realme to bee vnprouided of a King and that there was not any of the blood to whom it ought of right to be giuen it seemed that he was willingly enclined to inuest Iohn the Vayuode therein alwaies prouided that he were found to be of the blood of Lewis or at the least to be dissended of his race by some collaterall line one or other Whilest he retayned his Campe about Buda he sent into diuers quarters the greatest part of his Armie to pill and wast the champian Countrie and neighboring places leading with them an infinit number of prisoners and an inestimable bootie giuing to all the Prouinces thereabouts an incredible amazement there being by so cruell and suddaine a surprise taken and put to death more then 250000. soules After which he minding to retire into Thrace he caused to be taken away from the Castle of Buda those three faire brazen Statues of Apollo Diana and Hercules which with marueilous art and iudgement were made by King Mathias Coruin for an ornament of that place And besides those he caused to be caried away certaine brazen Colombes with some great peeces of Artillerie which in times past were belonging to the King of Bosnia and caused them in token of victorie to be transported to Constantinople and he willed they should be erected in the market place to the ende they should publikely be seene and admired and not long after himselfe arriued in the same Citie in great triumph In this time Iohn Sepusa the Vayuode conducting the Souldiours of Transiluania to the ayde of the King and being arriued too late euen at the time they were defeated and brought into the extremitie of miserie seeing now there was none left of the bloud royall who might succeed in the Kingdome began then in himselfe to aspire to that high degree and this did he so much the rather for that he found himselfe amongst these people in great esteeme and conceiued no small hope of it by reason of the victorie which he a little before had against the Peasants who did rise against the gentlemen in respect whereof the principall of the land bore him some fauour thus taking heart and courage to him vsing notwithstanding wise and prouident counsell he hoped in the ende thereby to obtaine that kingdome and be crowned King further endeauouring himselfe by all meanes to win the good liking of the Nobilitie as he did and to draw them to his intention perswading them they should neuer tollerate that such degree and dignitie which aunciently had been maintayned by the Hungars should now come vnder the gouernment of a stranger and that they should not obey any other commaund then that which should be appointed by their owne proper nation With such good perswasions and friendly admonitions he gayned the hearts almost of all and so aptly did he manage all things that
personage and receiued him very curteously and did greatly comfort him for the paines and miserie whereinto hee was so deeply fallen and entertained him in such friendly sort that it well appeared he wanted nothing else but onely the dignitie and state of a King did so much honor him as was possible But Lasky being of a haughtie spirit and a man who with deepe iudgement had often managed affayres of great import as well in the warres as in the peaceable gouernment of a kingdome and other publike Estates perswaded Iohn that he saw no other meanes more behoofull to redresse and reduce this present extremitie of his affayres into better order nor none more proper nor conuenient for the recouerie of his kingdome then that which might befall him by the ayde and helpe of Solyman the Turkish Emperour And therefore instantly aduised him not to forsake the meanes and oportunitie but to vse it in his necessitie for that he assured him in respect of the extreame ambition glorie and couetousnes to increase the limits of his Empire and in hope to make himselfe a greater Monarke he would by no meanes faile or omit to giue him ayde and succour so as himselfe would offer and vow to hold his kingdome of him by faith and homage as depending vpon the Ottoman house and to pay him some reasonable tribute such as Solyman himselfe would impose vpon him Which being concluded and determined betweene them Lasky desiring greatly to fauour and ayde the cause of his friend and receiuing of Iohn the summe and charge of an Ambassage he set forward to goe towards Constantinople with a good traine where at the length being arriued he presently endeuoured himselfe by gifts to win the fauour and grace of all the Bashaes and of the Captaines of the grand Seigniours Port and of all other principall persons of his Court who with his presents he in such sort gained that they serued him as a ladder to mount to the top of his desires who being at last admitted to the Turkes presence and after humble reuerence to him made was by him according to the custome sent againe to the Bashaes among whom Luflefy and Abraham had the most authoritie commaund and credit the one being alied to the grand Seigniour because hee had maried his sister and the other being a Visir which is the chiefe of all officers and one that keepeth the Turkes seale and signeth all expeditions or dispatches Lasky gained and that beyond all expectation these mens amitie by meanes of their wiues whom he had possest and corrupted with rich and costly presents with whom also hee discoursed so familiarly in the Slauonian and Turkish languages as if hee had been naturally bred and brought vp among them His fayre and good speeches caused him to be gratious and amiable to all and by such pleasing courses he began with all his endeuour to treate of the affayres of King Iohn specially tending to this purpose that hee might bee restored againe to his kingdome being vniustly chased out of it by the forces of Ferdinand and by the enuie and wickednes of certaine Hungars being before by them iuridically chosen and crowned King for the recouering of which he did offer besides a reasonable tribute to acknowledge and hold it of the grand Seigniour and to be called the subiect of the Ottoman house and in token of true fidelitie and alleageance and for the perpetuall memorie of such a benefit he would yeeld himselfe to bee his subiect Lasky further declaring that it was better for Solyman to haue King Iohn with a weake force for his neighbour and friend then Ferdinand who because he was brother to the Emperour Charles and King of Bohemia and Archduke of Austria and Lord of many other countries would make shew rather to be feared and redoubted by his neighbours and he further declared that if he would not listen therevnto it might possible be that one day he would vex and disturbe him more then he now presently thought of And besides that he should doe in this as beseemed a magnanimious and vertuous Emperour in ayding those who by others are wrongfully oppressed and iniured and to fauour the iust cause of him who for euer should remaine his bounden and loyall subiect These reasons being heard by the Bashaes and reported to Solyman who by a secret window had alreadie vnderstood all that passed did so set him on fire with the glorie which hee hoped for by such an expedition that incontinent he resolued to vndertake it with such conditions notwithstanding that King Iohn should obserue from point to point all that which he had caused to be promised him In the meane time Ferdinand not without cause mistrusting the which indeede happened that Iohn might seeke ayde of the Turke against him did deliberate thinking to preuent the deseignes of his enemie to send to the grand Seigneor to demaund of him truce and to confirme the amitie and friendship that Ladislas and Lewis Kings of Hungarie had in former time sworne with the house of Ottoman and the which truce the King of Polonia then enioyed not doubting but he would willingly condiscend to his demaund if he would sufficiently apprehend his reasons For this cause he sent his Embassador Iohn Oberdansch to Solyman to practise and negotiate this confederacie He being dispatched with good expedition arriued at Constantinople and was honorably entertayned as was fitting for an Ambassadour But publishing the occasion of his comming he well perceiued the rigour of Solyman and the little credit he had amongst his people and hee manifestly knew that King Iohn had alreadie preuented his purpose And receiuing his aunswere that the grand Seigniour would not by any meanes accept into friendship them who in former time had been such and so great enemies to his house and by whom his people had receiued infinite outrages and especially considering his Master had so vniustly vsurped that kingdome which he possessed not but onely by force expulsing the true King the iust titles and allegations of whom being before from him concealed by the late victorie which his Master obtayned against him and being afterwardes better acquainted with the cause by the information of credible people he was forced by pittie and Iustice of his sworde to reinueste the sayd Iohn in his true and lawfull possession For these causes Solyman absolutely denyed Ferdinand all his demaundes as vnworthie of his frendship and instead of peace he denounced open war commaunding presently his Ambassadour from Constantinople who with all expedition departed and within a short time came to Vienna imparting to the Kings Counsell what was the issue of his Ambassage The councellours giuing no credit to his words but iudging his reporte to bee false sent vnto Ferdinand who then was at the diet at Spire and when he heard it he was greatly astonished thereat The Spring time approaching Solyman caused to be proclaimed that al his forces
reioyced But when newes was brought how the Turkes lead captiue more then 60000. prisoners that all the villages and houses in the champion were burnt and ouerthrowne their ioy was presently turned into sadnes beholding with great compassion all the fields to bee disfurnished of men â—easts trees and houses not any remayning to till the ground which miserable spectacle gaue occasion to euery one to lament and sigh bitterly The great Turke being arriued at Buda and willing to performe his promise which he had made confirmed Iohn King of Hungarie with priuiledges written in letters of gold and inuested him in his kingdome calling him his friend and vassall of his house leauing with him Lewis Gritty to aduise and ayde him in all necessarie things and to be an assistant to him in his kingdome And after proceeding on his way with tedious iourneys by reason of the vehemencie of the winter which with snow and frosts was alreadie at hand at length he arriued at Constantinople where with great reioycings and triumphs he was as well receiued of his subiects as if he had conquered all Austria Now after that Lewis Gritty had soiourned a certaine time with King Iohn in the administration and gouernment of the kingdome of Hungary he was called home by Solyman He attained to this honour by the meanes of Abraham Basha a speciall friend of the Duke his father through whose friendship he was so conuersant with the grand Seigniour that one day he inuited him to a feast at his house vnto whom the said Seigniour vouchsafed him the fauour to go the rather in respect of the haughtie spirit and deepe iudgement in all things which he knew was naturally grafted in him in regard of which he had oftentimes sent him to execute great enterprises as this was one wherein he vsed such marueilous wisedome and great expedition and carried himselfe so indifferent to all that his greatnes was not enuied of any one Now the cause of his calling to Constantinople was only to discourse with him of many matters which were of no small importance which when they had aduised vpon he was presently dispatched againe into Hungarie to his charge with ample commission and great authoritie being among other things commanded to remaine at Buda and with his vttermost abilitie to maintaine in those quarters the glorie and renowne of the Ottoman house charging him to bee continually present at all the Councels which should bee held as well for warre as for peace the grand Seigniour furthermore not minding that they should alter any thing in that kingdome whilest he was absent in making warre against the Persians Moreouer he was commanded to enquire if the report which was bruited were true namely that Iohn at the instance and request of the Hungars would accord with Ferdinand and haue peace with the Germanes and Bohemians who continually made incursions into his countrie vpon these conditions that as long as he liued he should peaceably enioy all Hungarie and that after his death he should leaue the possession and all such right as he could any way pretend therein to the children of Ferdinand as we shall hereafter more at large treate of At the time when Solyman went into Armenia Gritty arriued in Valachia hauing for his conuoy certaine Turkish horsemen and companies of Ianisaries and those of the grand Seigniours guard sufficiently tried with some of his owne familiar acquaintance and other Italian companies who of their owne accord being well armed followed him and he had also with him two famous Hungarian Captaines namely Vrbain Batian and Iohn Doce with their companies they in all making about 7000. men as well horse as foote He was besides in outward shew for warre well furnished with Camels Mules Horses cattell and other munition for the seruice and reliefe of his Campe. And with this traine which rather seemed an armie he caused great suspition as well among his friends as his enemies and before he departed from Valachia he made peace with Peter Vayuode of Moldauia who before was made Solymans friend he hauing sent vnto him many rich presents to request his fauourable assistance for his going into Hungarie and to ayde him with men and victuals and with all other necessaries which he stood in neede of vntill he had accorded the strife of Ferdinand for the loue of whom he vndertooke this voyage This league being confirmed by oth of either side Gritty thinking himselfe to be sufficiently strong in those parts to manage such affayres at his pleasure entered presently into Transiluania causing open proclamation euery where to bee made through all the prouinces of Hungary belonging to the Emperour Solyman that all the townes Comminalties and Lords of that kingdome should haue recourse to him as an Arbitrator and Lieutenant for all the prouinces of Hungarie for the grand Seigniour and as the sole Iudge of all their debates strifes processe and discords But this did not greatly please King Iohn and it was afterward the cause of Grittys fall At this time liued Emeric Cibacchy Bishop of Varadin and Vayuode of Transiluania a man who for his noblenes puissance and vertue was very famous among his people being in regard of his calling the second person next the King Against him Iohn Doce bore speciall hatred and open malice for receiuing a blow of him with his fist vpon the nose about a certaine question and controuersie moued betweene them He vpon the bruite of the comming of Gritty to Bresouia made no such haste it may bee as Gritty expected he should haue done in respect of the honour he looked for but making slow speede it thereby seemed that he little regarded those whom the grand Seigniour had sent which made him odious and displeasing to Gritty who sought nothing more then to increase the authoritie which he had and to make it appeare how greatly aboue others the Transiluanians had honoured and reuerenced him Vpon this a common opinion went that Emeric vsed this manner as beseemed a good Christian being greatly displeased in his heart to see the Turkes in his countrie where they neuer came before and that he should consent to open to them a passage whereby they might haue more ample knowledge of the store of townes boroughs and villages of the infinite number of horses of the fertilenes of the land and the fat pastures which are therein by the which they might bee inticed in time to make themselues masters thereof But all such opinions were in the end found false for that without any suspition he went as a friend to receiue and visite him When Gritty was alreadie arriued at Bresouia and that from thence he meant to goe to Megest where he was by many messengers informed that Emeric would come to see him and that he marched well accompanied being lodged but fiue miles from him with a great companie and furnished with many troupes of Caualarie all the chiefe of the prouince
I hold it false that Grittyes returning into Hungarie by the appointment of the grand Seigniour was permitted him by the meanes of Abraham Basha who determining to haue slaine Solyman and made himselfe Emperour of Constantinople had alreadie acquainted Gritty with part of his determinations whereby he might the rather consent vnto his practises because such a matter falling out he thought by the force of his Armie to haue held all Hungarie in peace and therefore it was said that this was the occasion that moued Gritty to put all those to death whome he esteemed great in reputation and such who might oppose themselues against him and somewhat impeach his enterprises But often it is seene that humaine practises although they be not periudiciall to any doe seldome happen according to the desire of the partie who manageth them And therefore how much lesse ought those to succeede to a wished end which are wicked and detestable which for the most part light vpon the backes of those who inuent them to their great shame and confusion King Ferdinand of Aragon said That euill councell doth for the most part bring more damage to him who giueth it then to him who doth execute it as it happened to these two far from that which their ambitious mindes forethought vpon for one of them died miserably as hath been said and the death of the other needed not to be any occasion of enuie to the suruiuour For that not long after Abraham Basha was accused by an Eunuch verie domesticall with the great Turke to whom he discouered his intention thinking he could not execute his practise without his assistance and vpon this accusation although it was then said that it was for negligent gouerning the martiall affaires of Persia or as some say for a certaine Carcanet of precious stones which he bought for his wife for enuie whereof Rosa Solymans concubine was greatly incensed against him saying that this was done in contempt of her in that she would first haue bought it before it was showne to him he was in the night strangled as he slept in one of the grand Seigniours chambers who also presently commaunded all his goods to be confiscat leauing his wife in great care and distresse for want of the benefit and commoditie of her dowrie Gritty being thus defeated the Transiluanians determined not to admit into their kingdome any of those two Kings namely King Iohn and King Ferdinand but to maintaine themselues Neuters electing a Captaine who should rule and gouerne them vntill it might be determined which of those two should be their lawfull King and thus they gouerned a certaine time But King Iohn within a while after reduced them vnder his obedience In the meane time these two Princes did daylie make war one vpon the other fortune being now fauorable to one and immediatly to the other and neuer any intermission was of their quarrels vntill it was concluded betweene them that Iohn as long as he liued should enioy all that then he possessed and after his death all should succeed to Ferdinand or to his successors with such conditions neuerthelesse that if Iohn left any children legitimat Ferdinand was bound to giue them in recompence so much of the reuenew of his patrimonie in townes and castles which should be conuenient honorably to maintaine their estate and besides the Vayuodship of Transiluania Within few dayes after occasion presented it selfe to execute these agreements by the death of King Iohn who left one only sonne borne eleuen daies before his death named Stephen who afterward by the commandement of the Turke was also called Iohn in memorie of his Father This Infant was borne of Queene Izabella the daughter of Sigismonde Kind of Polonia who was his gardian and gouernesse of the kingdome with George who commonly was called the Frier for so he was by profession This George was a Croatian borne and discended of a noble family but in great pouertie and brought vp in the house of Iohns Mother where he was employed in seruile and meane affaires and he neuer had during his youth a more liberall imployment then the carrying of wood and coales to offices and making fires He seeing by this kinde of life he could attaine to no higher promotion being vrged with dispaire or incited by destinie which may be did prouoke him to doe it became a Frier of the order of Saint Benedic in the Monasterie of Saint Paul by Buda in which place during the first yeares he had no better office then in distributing the almes to the poore at the Abbey gate and as he himselfe some time said he bestowed the better part to his friends rather then to others But he being of a liuely spirit and haughtie courage knowing this his present fortune not to be sufficient to attaine to any honor or to be ranged amongst worthie men imagined in himselfe that certainely he should neuer be aduanced to any place of esteeme as long as he was in such obscure estate For this cause desirous to put in practise his deuises which were impressed in his thoughts he studied to write faire and to learne as much latine as would serue him to sing a Masse Which hauing now sufficiently obtained for his content by meanes whereof attayning to the degree of a singing Priest he endeuoured himselfe so much that he was entertained into the seruice of King Iohn whilest he was in Polonia chased from his kingdome for whose affaires he trauailed into many places and alwaies returned againe with quicke and faithfull expedition ayding himselfe greatly with his habit vnder the colour of which he freely passed through euery place for none suspected that vnder that habite he could performe such waightie affaires and it helped him much to escape from many great daungers and trauailes After Iohn was returned into Transiluania and that he had recouered his kingdome he was then mindefull of the seruice which the Frier had done him and considering he had been so faithfull to him in his aduersities and knowing that all the daungers which he was often subiect vnto and all the troubles which he had endured for his sake proceeded not but of a great loue and good affection began now specially to fauour and to accept of him to be neere about his owne person And although that at the beginning King Iohn gaue him not so great meanes as willingly he would haue done yet neuerthelesse by his diligent seruices being a man who well could temper himselfe and who had a passing subtile wit and who naturally in his minde aspired to great things gayned the fauour of the King in such sorte who noting in him such great prudence and excellent wisedome made him of his counsell and gaue him the Treasurership and not long after he was chosen Bishop of Varadin By such dignities he came to so high authoritie that he was in generall greatly esteemed and honored of all And thus continuing his dutifull
she and her sonne should presently depart the Castle and that she should retyre to Lippa which is beyond Tibiscus to gouerne the kingdome of Transiluania where she might liue in better securitie and content then at Buda and where she should be a neighbour to the kingdome of Sigismond King of Polonia her father and there they should remaine vntill her sonne should come to age and be able to gouerne and rule that kingdome of which he offered himselfe to bee an ouerseer and protector promising to make restitution thereof vnto him at that time alleadging for his excuse that it imported her sonne no lesse to haue sufficient and carefull ouerseers to gouerne Hungarie then of other persons able to defend and preserue it for him Whereupon he nominated Peter Vicchy to be Gouernour of the County of Themesuar of the neighbour countries bordering thereon and willed that Stephen Verbetz a man in yeeres wise and prouident should remaine at Buda to execute Iustice and to haue respect to the Hungars And to encourage her the more to depart and beginne her iourney with best conuenience hee offered her waggons and horse as many as should bee sufficient to carrie her baggage and other moueables and besides he appointed her a sufficient conuoy of Caualarie and Ianisaries to accompanie her vnto Tibiscus he hauing notwithstanding those his fained promises another secret intention in himselfe that within a while he would make himselfe absolute Lord not only of Transiluania but also of all Hungarie which was on the other side of Danubius towards Vienna not being able at that time to prosecute so difficult a matter in respect of many occasions impediments which did then greatly hinder him from it Afterwards he named King Stephen his Vayuode and confirmed the Queene to bee his gouernesse raigning in Transiluania and made Frier George her coadiutor Treasurer following therein the last will of King Iohn bequeathed to him by his Testament of which he said he was and would be an executor The Queene hauing vnderstood this cruell and vnlooked for commaund and bathing her face with teares did extreamely blame and grieuously crie out against the naturall impietie of so damnable and faithles a Lord who against his vowed faith depriued her both of her kingdome and of all that which she held most deere but seeing no remedie she patiently yeelded to fortune her enemie and left the Fortresse out of the which the Turkes would not suffer her to take any Artillerie nor munition but onely her moueables and tooke her iourney out of the towne of Buda with such prouision of waggons and horse as Solyman would appoint her Vpon her departure the Turke presently set at libertie all those Lords which he kept prisoners except Valantine Turky who as hath been said was sent prisoner with Maillat to Constantinople where within a while after they both dyed The other although they were greatly offended to see themselues so fraudulently depriued of their lands and goods yet were they exceeding ioyous seeing themselues free and secure of their liues whereof they stood in great dread They being thus at libertie they presently went to the Queene who together with them and the Frier and certaine other of her household tooke their way towards Transiluania being often constrained for want of horses to draw her Coach with oxen which she notwithstanding endured with an inuincible and noble courage alreadie very well perceiuing that her affayres were in a manner declining and besides seeing her selfe according to womans nature to bee a weake and tender woman not able to resist so sad and heauie blowes which fortune began alreadie to torment her with But being now fully resolued to make small account of al misfortunes that might betide her took notwithstanding alwaies good heede during these aduersities to preserue her authoritie and royall gouernment in such decent and discreete manner that during her life she was greatly honoured therefore as her dignitie well merited In the meane time while the Queene with these complaintes and griefes drew neere Transiluania Ferdinand hauing receiued vnder the conduct of Roccandolph this bloudie ouerthrow and wonderfull losse of people Artillerie Munition and speciall townes of importance distrusting the Turk would amasse together all his Armie before Vienna presently dispatched Leonard Velsh to the I le of Comar after the death of Roccandolph to reallie the remnant of his Armie and with all speed to conduct them to Vienna and to fortifie the said I le with the best defence he could And seeing on the other side his brother the Emperour Charles so busied in the affaires of Germanie that he could not then send him any succours did deliberate with himselfe by Ambassages to require peace and to proue how Solyman was affected towards him To this end he sent an Ambassage by Nicholas Salm and Sigismond Litestan with rich and excellent presents to him among which was a cup of golde beautified and enriched with pretious stones of great valew furnished with a couer vpon the which was a diall that did not onely containe in it the course of the howers Moone and Sunne but also of all the other Starres and Planets It was a worke made with such excellent and marueilous art that it seemed a miracle of nature to them who could seriously contemplate of the rarenes thereof and it came by succession from the Emperour Maximilian These Ambassadours arriuing at the Turkes Campe first presented themselues to Rostan Basha and afterward to Basha Casson who lodged them in honorable tents and the day following they dined with the Bashaes at their owne table The feast being ended they tooke from them their weapons and also their kniues according to their custome and were by the Bashaes euery one of them betweene two Bashaes that lead them arme in arme presented before Solyman whose hand they kissed and after offered him their presents which greatly pleased him and especially the vessell of golde that bore this admirable dial which he so curiously beheld that he could not therewith sufficiently satisfie his greedie sight so often did he view reuiew it both within and without by meanes of him who vsually kept it who purposely came with the Ambassadours curiously demonstrating vnto Solyman the exquisitnes thereof and caused him to see the excellent workemanship that was with in it and how wonderfull the worke was Solyman after hee had sufficiently perused this rare iewell gaue audience to Nicholas and Sigismond They demaunded that he would giue to Ferdinand together with Buda the kingdome of Hungarie with the same charges and conditions vpon which before he had agreed with Iohn promising that the Emperour his brother for his greater suretie should send Ambassadours to be comprised in the same peace and that he would yeeld to the conditions that should be mentioned therein whereby he might more liberally and without suspition by force of armes enlarge the limits
of his Empire towards the East And the rather to perswade him vnto it they declared to him how Iohn acknowledging to possesse that kingdome vniustly had in the time of his life of his owne accord compacted with their Master that after his death it should be rendered to him allotting to his sonne such a reuenew as should be conuenient to maintaine his estate he knowing himselfe to be chosen King rather by the fauour of fortune then by his owne demerits Therefore they besought Solyman to accept into that kingdome rather their Master for his friend and Vassall then for his neighbour and enemie considering he was alreadie created King of Bohemia and elected by the Germanes King of the Romanes and that he was by the Hungers themselues rather desired to be their King then any other Solyman hauing well vnderstood their demaunds and greatly commending their presents aunswered them that within three dayes they shuld know further of his pleasure When two dayes were expired he caused Rostan Basha to impart vnto them his whole intention who tolde them that Ferdinand should render all the townes which had been in the possession of King Lewis which he did enioy and that he should vtterly renounce the kingdom of Hungarie and that Solyman for the iniuries which he had receiued of him by reason whereof he was often forced to take armes was content notwithstanding to pardon him with a light penaltie to wit in paying tribute for the Countrie of Austria for the time to come Vpon such conditions Rostan said that Solyman was content to entertaine peace and friendship with their Master or else if he would not accept thereof that then he would not cease to make continuall warre vpon him and would presently send to destroy and wholly to ruinate all the Countrie of Austria The Ambassadours seeing they could not obtaine any thing worthie their comming and that all these their proceedings would dissolue into winde demaunded respite to answer this so vnworthie answer so farre out of peaceable tearmes and withall to send vnto Ferdinand which was not granted to them They thought verely that the Turkes in denying all that they demaunded would easily notwithstanding entertaine truce considering that the winter approached and that to auoyde the inconuenience thereof he should bee forced to take his iourney towards Constantinople But these Ambassadours made shew as though they vnderstoode it not and in stead of propounding other matters they tooke occasion to demaund Balthasar Taish who was taken at the ouerthrow of Roccandolph and put in chaines among other slaues Rostan answered them that he should be restored without any ransome when the premised conditions of peace should be entertained or if warre happened that then occasion would bee offered to exchange him for some of their owne Thus they being excluded from all agreement and depriued of all hope of concluding peace they in this sort returned to Ferdinand Whilest those were in their way to Vienna Solyman after he had fortified all the frontiers dislodged from Buda with his armie taking the way towards Constandinople leauing within the towne of Buda a strong garrison vnder the commaund of a Hungar named Solyman who was turned Turke and who for martiall affayres should defend and gouerne the towne appointing besides for the executing of iustice willing thereby to gratifie the Budians Stephen Verbetz whom they all knew to bee a man of sincere life As these affayres were dispatched at Buda by Solyman the Queene trauailed continually vntill she approached neere vnto Transiluania when she was aduertised by all the principall of the kingdome that they would not suffer her to enter thereinto least by the like deceit it should happen to them as it fortuned to those of Buda whereupon she was constrained after so long a iourney to repose her selfe at Lippa where being arriued with her sonne she presently sent to seeke Frier George that by the friendship and fauour of certaine of the chiefest who were specially affected to his part and many other of his friends she might by their good liking enter peaceably into the kingdome George by the helpe of his friends effected so much that the Transiluanians were content to receiue her as their Queene and vse obedience to her sonne with no lesse dutie then if he had been Iohn his father allowing him as their King his mother as his gouernesse Besides the Frier managed the affayres so well that he was againe elected and confirmed by the countrie great Treasure and generall gouernour of that prouince and within a while he returned to the Queene who presently after his arriuall ceased not to iourney vntill she came to Transiluania leauing to Peter Vicchy the gouernment of the Countie of Lippa and Themesuar in respect of the confidence she reposed in him to the end that he receiuing so large a commaund of her she might haue more confidence that he would hold and defend it in her sonnes name and to his vse But this gouernment did together with the time so puffe vp his heart with pride that he durst aduenture to possesse those places as his owne inheritance and not as things moueable or depending vpon the Crowne of that kingdome and yet notwithstanding he did not this but by some secret consent of the Queene She being arriued in this countrie began now to take the rule and administration of the kingdome in such manner that she had onely but the name and title thereof all the puissance and authoritie being in the hands of the Frier who vnder the colour of his estate of Treasurership receiued into his custodie all the reuenewes of the kingdome and so little did he distribute and allow to the Queene that much adoe she had wherewithall to suffice her owne wants And hee determining to rule all things ayded himselfe by all the suttlest meanes which he thought could any way profit him to commaund ouer the mightiest of the kingdome endeuouring himselfe in the beginning by infinit curtesies to draw all the gentlemen to his part and make his faction great who after hee had wonne and intised them to his dispose then vsed them like slaues and if it happened that they at any time complained thereof presently he excused and cleered himselfe saying that it was not needfull to vse such curtesies and ceremonies with those who were his familiar and kinde friends but rather to such who were not in any sort bound to him by so strict and faithfull a league And if he had notice of any one who would not be allured and wonne to his faction but rather was enclined to the seruice of the Queene he straight pursued them with all violence euen vnto death All this behauiour of the Friers was well knowne to the Queene in regard whereof she deeply maliced him and although she could hardly support the griefe and discontent of such a burdensome yoke yet neuerthelesse she endured all his arrogancie and peremptorie behauiour with incomparable patience
in the greatest haste he could passing a little arme of Marosse he retired and iournied as farre in one day as he marched before in sixe and went againe to Buda not without the losse of 300. horse who were defeated by Turchy Iohn the which before his Vauntgard dislodged he had sent into the countrie of Deue to range as well for victuals as also to discouer if there were no ambushments to hinder or annoy his retraict This Turchy was sent by the Frier to preuent him of the passage and to annoy him in his rereward but the quicknes of the Basha caused that hee arriued too late and tooke away from him all occasion of being able to ioyne with Varcocce much lesse to endamage his rereward which might easily haue been broken and defeated if these two had been vnited The Frier being now assured by these two that the Basha was retired in the greatest expedition he could turned his Campe against the Moldauian who as we haue said spoyled and burned the countrie and townes of the Sicilians and went forward with a vehement resolution cruelly to bee reuenged of the iniurie which he esteemed more intolerable then any that euer he receiued But the Moldauian hauing notice of the Friers intent and knowing besides what had happened to the Transalpinian found it good by the aduice of his Councell not to attend his comming whereupon after great spoyle made in the countrie he speedily retired himselfe with his people as well horse as foote who were about 30000. leading with them a great bootie of moueables and beasts with more then a thousand prisoners who were taken by a Chiauss of the Turkes that in respect of the loue and kindnes he bore to him came thither with certaine troupes of Turkish Caualarie After that Frier George had thus chased all the enemies out of Transiluania he retired towards the Queene where with consent of all in respect of his valour and prowesse which vndoubtedly was very great the peace was againe confirmed betweene them two with such conditions which should like them both among which he importuned that the Queene would write to the Turke and acquite and cleere him of all such matters whereof before he had been accused Which request though it was contrarie to her disposition for women like not to countermaund their owne proceedings yet notwithstanding she presently did it But the Turke being well informed of the veritie of the cause and of all that which passed and withall seeing how mightie and puissant the Frier was and that the greatest part of the kingdome was fauourably addicted to his part he smoothly dissembling the matter reserued the chasticement thereof vntill better oportunitie and made shew to the Frier as though he held himselfe satisfied with his fidelitie and that he very well knew he of his part was not faultie in any of the late broyles Whereupon hee sent another Chiauss with Letters Patents directed to all the kingdome by which he commaunded that euery one should obey and reuerence him as being againe confirmed in all his former honours and degrees But yet the peace lasted not long for the Queene in the end seeing the Frier respected not any thing which he had promised by the last agreement omitted no time but by the occasion of his absence being then in his Bishopricke of Varadine to recreate and solace himselfe she began priuately and vnder hand to raise and incense the greatest Lords of the kindome with intent to assist her to chase the Frier out of that prouince and especially those whom she reputed most faithfull and affectionate to her and most opposite against the Friers proceedings manifesting to them how his naturall disposition was inconstant and cruell and how he vsed her badly not willing to keepe nor obserue any lawes couenants promises nor faith but aspiring to the vniuersall tyrannie of that countrie he did thus wickedly demeane and behaue himselfe towards her with this intent to chase both her and her sonne out of the kingdome and to remaine sole and absolute Lord himselfe assuring her selfe that for the loue and fidelitie which they in former time vsed to King Iohn her husband and alwaies maintained the same notwithstanding all sinister fortune in the behalfe of Stephen her sonne and her selfe in regard whereof they would neuer endure this iniurie nor tolerate such a crueltie farre surmounting all other practised against her person in falling from so high and eminent dignitie of a Queene to become an ordinarie and poore Ladie and their King of Transiluania to become a seruant esteeming it of greater moment that they should rather desire to haue the sonne of him and their naturall Prince for their Lord and Patrone then a Frier voyde of all faith and honestie and onely gorged with ambition By such like demonstrations she so awakened the spirits of euery one that all in generall not willing to submit themselues to any other Lord then to King Stephen and her selfe concluded to take armes against the Frier with intent to expell him the kingdome George hauing notice of this and of all their other proceedings which was practised against him and seeing himselfe weakened of men and depriued of such forces which were necessarie to resist the scourges and assaults of such vnlooked for fortune after he hauing long pondered vpon these affayres determined vpon this resolution to accorde and linke himselfe with Ferdinand and to conclude with him the practises which oftentimes without effecting he before had acquainted him with he being induced and in a manner constrained thereunto by his extreame ambition and troublesome minde the enemie of quiet repose it being tolde him that if by that meanes he could expell the Queene he might easily compasse his intention which was to see himselfe absolute Lord of Transiluania which he so much esteemed that he would often say he cared neither to be Pope nor Emperour and that he would neuer goe out of it By these deuises one might manifestly discerne the insatiable desire of his ambitious nature which tended to no other end then to the sole gouernment of this kingdome Now Counte Salm being dead with whom hee had alreadie begun to treate of this affayre and knowing not how to effect his determination finding himself now neerely driuen resolued to negotiate this busines by Ambassadours sending secretly to Ferdinand one of his gentlemen by whom he gaue him to vnderstand that he greatly desired that either one way or other they would put in practise that which he before time had giuen him notice of by Counte Salm instantly praying him againe that he would not faile to send speedie succours and that it would please him to commit this charge to such a one that was sufficient and able to withstand the Queene who had againe begun to bandie against him And further he shewed him that if he did not allow ratifie of his former motions he should in short time see all
Transiluania vnder the Turks gouernment also willing him that in the meane while he would send such a man as might bee capable and haue authoritie to manage such affayres because it might so fall out that that which he had often desired might be effected to wit that Queene Izabella should wholly and intirely yeeld to him the possession of that kingdome but with this condition to obserue such couenants as he had before offered and concluded with King Iohn which if he did execute and performe then he did not onely promise but also liberally offer giuing him quiet possession of all the places and Fortresses which were in his gouernment to vse such meanes that he should be thereof absolute Lord and King and swearing not to faile him in this he greatly importuned him that he should quickly resolue Now Ferdinand although he knew well the mutabilitie of the Friers disposition and that he might not repose any great credence in his words well remembring how many times before he had cunningly deceiued him and that he apparantly saw that he was not moued to doe him so good a deede for that purpose which he propounded vnto him but only for his owne priuate interest and commoditie and that hee might mount to the top of that which he alreadie had imprinted in his circumuenting braine and execute his deseignes neuerthelesse seeing on the other side if he did not take hold and credit his words hee should let him slide out of his hands in respect whereof he would by no meanes contradict him especially holding it alwaies for a thing commendable in himselfe not to bee reproached nor blamed of any for not doing his vttermost abilitie which belonged to a true and Christian King to hinder and withstand that the kingdome should not come vnder the Turks gouernment and that they should not report of him that by his fault or negligence he should leaue the ports open to Infidels and bring into seruitude not only Austria and the rest of Hungarie but also ruinate and burne Germanie with other Prouinces Thus vpon these considerations he tooke vpon him the charge of this honourable and godly enterprise and respecting not the inconstancie of Frier George but the trauaile and perill which might circumuent him if he deferred time presently sent to the Frier 1000. Hungarish horse payed for foure moneths and certaine peeces of Artillerie to maintaine and defend himself vntill he might send him such a man with a puissant armie as he demanded assuring him that there should bee no fault nor want of any thing which before he had promised and offered willing him to perseuer in his good opinion which he had manifested to the world Behold now the state wherein this poore and miserable Transiluania was which as a man may plainly perceiue from the death of King Lewis vntill now was tormented with so many discords ciuill warres and assaults that it was ruthfull for any Christian to behold seeing of the one side the Turke and on the other side Ferdinand and the Lords themselues of the countrie bandying themselues with one and then against the other continually practised al manner of crueltie in it vsing against it such rigour and violence that oftentimes one would iudge it to be almost lost and quite ouerthrowne by her owne euill misfortune not counting the great losses and damages which she receiued in euery vaine and corner as well in the fauour and behalfe of Iohn as in that of Ferdinand as it oftentimes happeneth in such broyles where surely the fauour that men beare to the victorious is no lesse hurtfull and offensiue to either part then the disgrace into which he vanquished falleth because that neither the one nor the other receiueth any thing but with the losse and damage of the very inhabitants and naturals of the countrie Ferdinand with a resolute determination willing to prepare a remedie for so many mischiefes and to vnfold and vntagle himselfe from those who had been the cause thereof and not to omit the occasion which fortune so fauourably presented vnto him for the conquest of that kingdome which iustly by succession by election and by an agreement appertained to him determined to vndertake this enterprise and therein to employ his vttermost endeuour with all his skill and force And for that this expedition required a man that should bee very wise and circumspect and one who had good experience in martiall affayres and who should be vigilant and warie in resisting and apposing himselfe against the Turkish ambushments and be able to auoyde and preuent them as occasion should require and such an one also as should be able to behaue himselfe with that circumspect modestie in this busines with the Frier that he should giue him no occasion of any new inuention to practise his inconstant wickednes And besides seeing that at that time he had none such with him as the Frier demaunded he determined to write to his brother the Emperour Charles the fift that it would please him to assist and not to faile him in this so important busines and withall to send him so sufficient a man who could with good discretion conduct this warre to a glorious and happie end as he desired well knowing he had many a famous and renowned Captaine with him He hauing resolued vpon this conclusion dispatched one of his gentlemen with letters and besides commaunded his Ambassadour who was at Auspurg at the Emperours Court that he should throughly acquaint him with the discourse of this warre and whatsoeuer else should be giuen him in charge The Ambassadour as soone as the genleman was arriued diligently performed his Masters commaund The Emperour vnderstanding at large this enterprise and considering of what importance this warre was of and regarding the distrust which he had of Frederick Duke of Saxon and of Philip Lantgraue of Hesse whom as yet he held prisoners he could not of a sudden so well determine what to doe not willing to forsake those Commaunders whom he knew in all stirrings and tumults to be necessarie for him and further vnderstanding of certaine motions of warre that Henry King of France intended against him and besides the dislike of Duke Maurice whom he had in great ielousie for that he would not deliuer his father in law obseruing the promise which he had made to him before which was a thing that within short time after as in place conuenient wee shall at large more speake of procured him such hate and toyle as neuer in all his life time he endured the like Hauing well considered and weighed all these things and willing to helpe his brother in his necessitie specially against the Infidels determined in the end to send to him Iohn Baptiste Castalde Counte of Piadene whom he a little before created Marquesse of Cassan and who at that time was Master of his Campe and of the Councell for warre a man sufficiently experienced in all the former warres vnder the old Marquesse of
highly commended their ordinance The armie being certaine daies refreshed in this towne they all together continued on their iourney vntill they came to Zalnoch which is a Castle enuironed with water where for the guard and safetie thereof before he departed he left 50. Spaniards During the march of this armie and that they hasted to arriue at the place where Frier George was the Queene had published a Diet to bee held at Egneth which is one of the greatest townes of Transiluania there to deliberate and aduise what meanes was best to chase and expell the Frier out of that Prouince He at that time as wee haue said was at his Bishopricke of Varadine and vnderstanding the drift of the Queene and to what purpose she laboured omitting all things which then he was greatly busied about called for his Coach and in the greatest haste he could tooke the way that lead towards Cheresuania Vpon the way passing a little brooke which runneth by a valley it happened that his Coach ouerturned in such dangerous manner that if hee had not instantly been helped by his men he had there been drowned Certaine gentlemen of his traine ill interpreting this accident aduised him to returne from thence but hee smiling made them this answer That such diuinations as were grounded vpon Chariots were exceeding miserable knowing that they had in heauen another Chariot which by his influence would warrant him minding by his pleasant countenance to inferre that the Chariot of Erictonius placed in heauen should among other signes stand him in stead of a guide and so with expedition continuing on his iourney within short time he approached neere to Torde from whence hee wrote to all the Lords who were with the Queene and specially to his friends that if they would see the safegard and defence of their countrie and that the whole kingdome should not bee ouerthrowne and lost and fall into the puissant commaund of the Infidels they would not faile but presently come to the place where hee was and where hee daily expected them that they might speedily prouide for the common good of all Within a while after there came to him certaine bands of souldiours and companies of horse which hee caused to come from Varadine which being come together made a good number of men with whom he determined to goe to this Diet shadowing his intent that they came with him for no other cause but onely to bee a guard for his person Thus against the opinion and liking of all he came from thence to Egneth where being arriued he so throughly dissolued and brake off the Diet that not any so great and mightie was hee durst stay there any longer least the Frier should stomacke and malice them and by this meanes he ouerthrew all the Queenes deseignes which vanished into smoke She vnderstanding the arriuall of the Frier and seeing she could come to no better end of that which to her great charges and trauaile she had alreadie begun suddenly dislodged from that towne with her sonne and retired her selfe to Albe-iula with such force as she had of which Peter Vicchy was Captaine generall who caused the towne to be well fortified But after fearing to be besieged therein by the Frier leauing there as many men as was thought necessary for the defence therof she thought it better to make her retraict to Sassebesse a place for the situation farre stronger then Albe-iula where she determined to stay and expect what would be the issue of her fortune The Frier being aduertised of all this and also vnderstanding certaine newes that the forces which Ferdinand had sent were alreadie on their way and that Castalde came with no small ayde presently determined vpon this occasion to besiege Albe-iula thinking that if he were able to be master thereof he had effected the greatest part of his desires Being there arriued with this resolution he very straightly besieged and battered it in many places with great store of Cannon But those within being nothing possest with feare valiantly defended themselues and more couragiously then the Frier expected He now seeing the constancie and resolution of the besieged to bee such and that Castalde made but slow speede although euery day by letters and Posts vpon Posts he willed him to hasten on his iourney and so much the rather because he besieged this towne which defended it selfe so gallantly that it was greatly needfull for him to haue the helpe of his forces hee againe thought it sitting to seek out meanes once more to accord with the Queene Whilest these matters were treated of Castalde arriued at the confines of Transiluania But since it now very fitly falleth out I will for a while leaue the continuation of this historie and will largely describe the situation the inhabitants the strength the qualitie and fertilitie of that countrie Transiluania is a Prouince of the kingdome of Hungarie making a part thereof enuironed on all sides with high mountaines resembling a well walled towne hauing all his entries and passages very difficill and narrow which maketh me thinke that it tooke his name thereof being anciently named Dacia of King Docus who was Lord and King thereof Towards the North it boundeth vpon Polonia and of one part of Moldauia hauing in the midst the hils Carpates Towards the West it doth confine vpon Hungarie and towards the East it stretcheth it selfe to the shores of Danubius and taketh his ending against Walachia the inhabitants whereof are called Walachians anciently dissended of some Romane Colonie sprung from the familie of the Flacchians who were sent to subdue that countrie of whom that Prouince afterward tooke the name of Flaccia which at this present is corrupted into the name of Walachia which also containeth in it Moldauia being two seuerall Prouinces which now are separated comprised in time past vnder the name of Flacchia Towards the South it neighboureth vpon the Transalpinians and Seruians named Slauons and the Rascians vulgarly called Rhatians who in a manner are as naturall Walachians for that they all liue vnder one law and custome they are Christians and obserue the decrees and ceremonies of the Greeke Church they obey the Patriarke of Constantinople they vse the Italian language but so corrupted that it is hardly vnderstood to be the same they vse armes like to those of the Turks they haue been and are yet a warlike nation cruell and endureth trauaile and wearines of warre more then any other people for that they are naturally very strong Within Transiluania there is a Prouince in a manner linked to a mountaine which separateth it from Moldauia which is named Ceculia and the inhabitants thereof are called Ceculians and at this day they are called Sicilians who are of the Hungarian nation and of the same qualitie and disposition liuing according to the lawes and customes of Hungarie The other part of the kingdome which is the greatest is inhabited
he promised her and to pay all the interest which she could pretend and in like sort to satisfie all the debts which were found to be due since that time These offers seemed generally good and reasonable to all and specially to Frier George who also made shew to bee well pleased therewith And after many aduertisements it was concluded that he should cause the Queene to vnderstand thereof and bring an answere from her This charge was committed to the Frier who willingly accepted thereof and being come to the Queene he recited to her all which had been propounded in the Councell She being attentiue and vnderstanding what had passed and withall considering the offer of Ferdinand and that it was a meanes for her to wade out of that subiection wherein the Frier so peremptorily held her she presently answered that whatsoeuer he did she esteemed it greatly beneficiall to her committing all her actions and affayres into his hands of which particularly and by peecemeale they conferred together by the space of fifteene daies But the Frier continued still without resolution now saying this then that apparantly shewing that he had no other respect but to his owne proper commoditie which he shadowed by this that he fained that herein he aymed at nothing but that which particularly concerned the Queene and the good of her sonne whom he protested he loued more then himselfe in respect of the indissoluble bonds of gratitude that forced him to it which oftentimes hee had receiued from his father King Iohn who was his raiser and maker and of whom depended all which he possessed in this world being raised by him of nothing and exalted to this high degree of honour wherein he was now And thus cunningly did he dissemble and draw backe the most he could As these affayres proceeded on in this manner without any resolution it happened one day the Queene without the Friers knowledge found oportunitie to haue some priuate conference with Castalde and in such a conuenient place where she might freely discouer and impart the conceptions of her owne minde assuring him what singular contentment she receiued in that Ferdinand King of the Romanes had sent so sufficient and worthie a man as hee was to negotiate in these affayres the vertue and renowne of whom she had before heard an exceeding good report of and she thought her selfe thrice happie of his comming greatly commending the choise that was made of him and the iudgement of the King in giuing him that absolute authoritie to dispose of things in his name as he thought good of thinking thereby she should haue occasion speedily to bring her miseries to an end which vntill then had held her wrapped vp effectuously importuning him that he would giue faith and credit to the integritie of her heart which had alwaies desired and endeuoured her selfe to doe his Maiestie seruice And afterward she earnestly desired Castalde that for her discharge he would amplie aduertise his Maiestie that for the time passed she was not of her selfe withdrawne from the agreements betweene them but that all proceeded through the Friers subtilties who neuer would agree nor consent that they should proceed to the execution of them but to the contrarie intreated her so badly as still he did that finding none to whom she might haue recourse in such necessities she was constrained as being in despayre to demaund ayde of the Turke of whom she had been many times importuned and incited to leaue that kingdome peaceably vnto him in exchaunge of another great estate which he offered her especially seeing it was in his power as he said to thrust her out of it And although some great feare might giue her good occasion to thinke seriously thereof yet neuerthelesse she meant not for all that to offer that displeasure to Ferdinand especially considering that she was a Christian borne and that it was not conuenient for her to yeeld to any agreement with a Heathen Prince she being greatly sorrowfull for that which was past Thus to release her self out of the Friers snares which she reputed a worse and more intolerable subiection then that of the Turkes as she had been before constrained peaceably to depart from one part of her kingdome so for the like effect she would now willingly forsake the other with a resolute determination to deale with him so that besides the consideration of the seruice which shee meant to performe to Ferdinand hee should finde great contentment freely by her meanes thus without any condition to surrender this Prouince which by force of armes she would neuer haue yeelded to any And yeelding all things into his Maiesties hands she would intreate him that he would haue regard to her sonne who was a King a child and an orphane for which respects he should not refuse to be a Lord and father to him and esteeme of him so in regarde of the time to come as if hee were his naturall sonne hauing that particular respect and care of him as she would and ought to haue of him her selfe and specially acquainting him with the paines and torments whereinto she was fallen yet withall hauing patience to see her selfe brought to that low ebbe that of a great Queene as in former time she saw her selfe to be she was now forst to become a poore Lady and a begger hauing neuer since the time she was expulsed Buda with her sonne in her armes and accompanied with a small traine leauing that towne by the Friers iugling in the gouernment of the Turke receiued any comfort vntill now that he gaue her occasion of exceeding consolation seeing her self now readie to depart out of Transiluania which she would leaue vnder the gouernment of such a King as Ferdinand was who no doubt would defend it and neuer lose it and who might repute it for no small good fortune seeing so voluntarily she suffered her selfe to bee by him depriued of her kingdome with so small a number of men Artillerie of which others with great armies could not dispossesse her Castalde in Ferdinands name answered her that hee accepted of her good and sincere affection which she manifested in these proceedings more then any rich kingdome whatsoeuer promising her that in all fidelitie and sinceritie he would performe all that had been treated of from point to point and he firmely assured her gaging his word that his Maiestie from thence forward would haue such respect to King Iohn as to his owne children And for his owne particular he offered in all her affayres to remaine her obedient and faithfull seruant and protector of her cause desiring no lesse to satisfie her expectation and to please her then Ferdinand himselfe who sent him thither After such like discourses they tooke leaue one of another the Queene retyring to her chamber and Castalde to his lodging In the meane time the Frier began to practise a dissoluing of all the agreements which already were but lately propounded and mistrusting the
the Emperour that he was a Spie for the Turke In the meane time while they expected newes of him hee saued himselfe at Lippa with Peter Vicchy to whom he was sent Vicchy vnderstanding the decree and the proclamation that was made against him and how they sought him in euery place gaue aduertisement to Castalde that he was arriued at Lippa and that if hee so pleased hee would send him to him but during this message he caused him safely to be conducted with a good guard to Belgrade from whence he tooke the way directly to Constantinople to aduertise the Turke of all which was done in that countrie At the same time the day came that was appointed for the Diet to be held at Colosuar where should haue been all the principall of the kingdome and where as it was determined the Queene should renounce and resigne to Ferdinand the kingdome and acknowledge and approue himselfe King thereof After all the Deputies of those Prouinces and townes were arriued the Queene the 28. of August departed from Sassebesse accompanied with all the Knights and Gentlemen of the countrie and also with Frier George and Castalde the one riding on the right hand the other on the left Two daies after they were departed they arriued at an Abbey distant from Colosuar eight miles where they lodged and there it was concluded betweene them to execute all that which before had been a greed vpon And the beginning of this solemne resignation was by the royall ornaments which were a Crowne made of plates of gold mounting on high in forme of a high crowned hat inriched with stones and pearles and hauing a little crosse of gold on the top The next was a Scepter of Iuorie garnished with gold and a Mantle of cloath of gold after the ancient habite in manner of a Vestment beset with many stones but of small value A gowne and a payre of shooes of gold which in respect of the worke were like to those made for the Apostolike Sea Among all those Iewels the Frier demanded of the Queene that she would commit the Crowne into his custodie and keeping Which request she absolutely denyed him saying that she would neuer giue her consent that a Frier should bee King of that kingdome whereof she dispossessed her sonne but she would that they should bee conueied to him to whom in right that Prouince belonged And causing them to bee brought before them all she tooke the Crowne in her hand in the presence of the Frier and many great personages and after great effusion of teares from her owne eyes and from her yong sonne who was present at the whole action turning her selfe towards Castalde sayd in Italian such or the like speeches Although inconstant Fortune following her cruell alterations cutting off and confounding at her pleasure the affayres of this world hath in such sort subuerted mine that now both my sonne and my selfe are forced to forsake this kingdome this Crowne and all these other royall ornaments which in times past were belonging to my deare Lord and spouse King Iohn of most happie memorie but now vnhappie that wee bee and to resigne into the hands and protection of others yet notwithstanding she shall not for all this hinder me but that at the least in my troubles and anguishes I may take this onely contentment seeing them to fall into the hands of a Prince who is not only a Christian but also so puissant and benigne as is the King of the Romanes whom I repute for my Lord and father who also shal know with what zeale and affection they are giuen him and whom by our good liking we reestablish in this State praying God that he may enioy it with greater tranquilitie and longer time then we haue done And thus Seigneur Iohn Baptista Castalde I present them into your hands with intent of my part they may bee sent to his Maiestie giuing him to vnderstand that wee yeeld him not this kingdome and Crowne vnder the bond of any condition or couenant whatsoeuer but freely And we my selfe and my sonne cast our selues into his mercifull armes with all our fortune beseeching him he would haue regard of our miserable destinie which besides that wee are Christians hath caused vs to spring of royall and princely blood And that it would please him following his accustomed bountie which maketh him beloued of all the world to receiue and account of vs for his children and not denie vs the reliefe fauour and protection which wee hope and expect from him and which you your selfe many times in his name haue promised vs. After these speeches of the Queene her sonne being yet but young and knowing notwithstanding how greatly it imported him to see himselfe depriued of his estate and of that wherwith his father sometimes was crowned making some resistance he shewed to the Queene his mother the little contentment which he conceiued of this surrender and appartly manifested that he would not consent thereto But the Queene turning her selfe towards him sayd Since O Iohn my deare and tender sonne that I know thy fortune and mine is not sufficient and able to defend this kingdome without the ayde and helpe of others by occasion of the great number of those who either by enuie or of some certaine malice or by some wicked disposition make themselues masters of others continually searching with the losse of the same our ruine and destruction Thou oughtest not to conceiue ill thereof if hauing a care rather to publike good then to our particular profit which wee cannot maintaine against the Turkes power who by the daily prouocation of our enemies doth molest vs and in a manner depriue vs of all Therefore in the middest of so many assaults of miserie which fortune hath bequeathed vs I haue chosen this to be the best meanes to giue and resigne this kingdome to the King of the Romanes who will defend and deliuer it from the Turkes violent attempts and who in recompence will assigne thee such estates as he hath promised me for the renouncing which I haue made to him to the end that thou maist at the least yet liue as a great Prince if thou canst not liue like a King and I haue the rather yeelded to this as not minding with common losse to bee obstinate in warre and to leaue and omit the certaine for the incertaintie in the disposition of Fortune considering also the inconstancie and mutabilitie of her tickle gouernment which is accustomed rashly to rule and gouerne Kings houses which are fallen in disgrace and contempt with the world who oftentimes imprudently and without thinking thereon suddenly doth depriue them of their kingdomes and sendeth them into perpetuall exile Therefore that on my part I may not behold such infelicitie and not to fall into such an indignitie and miserie being forsaken of all ayde and helpe with the losse of the kingdome I am easily perswaded with a comfortable hope to reserue thee
to a perpetuall and quiet repose with a lesse estate and condition and to take thee out from so many troubles amongst the which I doe not yet despayre that for a kingdome which thou doest now leaue it may bee in his power that taketh it from thee to giue thee another and happely of greater commaund Let it not seeme strange to thee to leaue this kingdome wherein thou wert borne and nourished being a thing which happeneth to many but bee assured that by the fauour and dignitie of vertue a noble courage shall neuer be so much reiected of fortune that he shall want any States or kingdoms Therefore for the deliuerie of the poore people which are afflicted and destroyed by our warres for common repose and for the preseruation of our faith thou oughtest not to withstand or gainsay it but confirming all that which for thy good I haue yeelded vnto consent that these princely ornaments bee sent to his Maiestie And although I haue good cause to mourne in giuing ouer this Mantle this Scepter and chiefly this royall Crowne which not long since adorned thy fathers head and which also should haue been set vpon thine yet shall I not for all that faile but greatly comfort my selfe since they fall into the puissantnes of a King who will embrace thee as his owne person and maintaine thee against those enemies who secretly in respect of the alienation of thy estate will now rest satisfied and who it may bee in time to come would notwithstanding thinke themselues but little eased thereby receiuing at the least from God in another world besides iust punishment that chastisement which they receiued not here euen as notwithstanding they had well deserued by their iniquities and wicked trecheries Therefore whilest we are floting in the middest of this turbulent sea it is requisite we saile with aduised patience as fortune will appoint the winde and conforme our selues to Gods omnipotent pleasure since that there is no felicitie durable to mortall men nor any kingdome nor principalitie permanent Hauing ended these penitrating speeches which were of that efficacie to haue mollified a stonie heart and could not be spoken without being interrupted with many deepe and lamentable sighs great comisseration and teares of those who were present and especially of Frier George she gaue the Crowne and the other ornaments to Castalde who kindly and with good words gaue her infinite thankes as well for the good will he perceiued in her as also for the magnanimitie which she had declared and for the bountifull liberalitie by which she did giue vnto Ferdinand this Crowne and the absolute entering into this kingdome And applying comforts to her aduersities he perswaded her not to attribute the renounciation of this kingdome to her misfortune since she could by no meanes properly say that she lost it leauing it to Ferdinand whom she drew and bound to be a continuall friend and father vnto her who would neuer forsake nor leaue her in all her needfull affayres and incouraging her the more hee assured her that he would intirely and religiously keepe it for him and that he would performe to the vttermost all whatsoeuer he had promised her And with this doubtfull hope the poore afflicted Queene departed to goe towards Colosuar Castalde hauing in this manner receiued the Crowne caused it to be carefully kept being aboue all things by the Kings of Hungarie highly esteemed in respect of the vulgar opinion which is held thereof in that countrie the report being that an Angell brought it from heauen to S. Ladislas King of Hungarie and that the King which doth not possesse it cannot bee the true nor lawfull King nor iuridially gouerne the people nor execute iustice to them Men doe yet say further that if by chance this Crowne should by some casualtie be lost and found by any whosoeuer although hee were the poorest in the world presently without any other triall he should be created King and they should sweare fealtie and homage to him as to their lawfull and vndoubted King But whether this be true or no I know not yet vpon this opinion the Turkes haue a speciall desire to get it within the compasse of their custodie as also Frier George had All the Gentlemen and Lords who were present at the deliuerie of this Crowne iudged that which the Queene had done was of no small importance esteeming the validitie of the Crown to be of equall price with the kingdome it selfe For this respect Castalde caused it continually to bee kept in his chamber with great vigilancie vntill with a good conuoy he sent it to Ferdinand by the Lord Iohn Alpohnse Castalde Pescaire his nephew The Queene being arriued at Colosuar Castalde also arriued there within a while after where he remained certaine daies attending those who should be there and that were called to the Diet to know what their affection was to the King of the Romanes and to confirme them in their good deuotion and to satisfie the Queene of that which was promised her to appease all the tumults which was amongst them and to incite them to take armes against the Turke and chase them from those parts vnderstanding they would once againe attempt to enter thereinto And after they were all arriued and assembled together Castalde acquainted them with all the passed proceedings whereof euery one was well contented And if peraduenture there were some yea and of the chiefest to whom it seemed not good what the Queene had done yet durst they not make shew to the contrarie for that Ferdinands part was then the strongest And thus they all with one accord did sweare fealtie to his Maiestie manifesting great ioy to see themselues returned vnder the gouernment of their natural Lord and King to whom of right that kingdome belonged And although Castalde discouered the affections of many who rather inclined to the amitie and league of the Turke then to that of the King yet faining notwithstanding to reduce and bring all to his deuotion and to shew them the inconuenience of the amitie and friendship of the Turke and how hurtfull and preiudiciall it would bee to them with a speech as eloquent as his countenance and cariage was graue hee vsed to them this oration I haue alwaies esteemed it Lords and chiefe Commanders of this kingdome to be a thing very conuenient and necessary not to speake at any time for any grace or friendship which we haue purchased from other men nor for the fauour which wee haue or hope to receiue from them nor for any instinct which we haue towards any but only sincerely to explaine and declare what we take to bee good and praise worthie as well for the particular as publike benefit and not at any time to perswade any thing which is not both reasonable iust and holy as well before God as men which I for mine owne part haue practised as much as hath bin possible for me and by Gods assistance
firmly impresse it what these calamities are and how horrible and grieuous the effects be Awake awake therefore I say your drowsie spirits and waite not vpon a vaine desire vpon a swelled pride so willingly to yeeld your selues vnder so miserable a seruitude yea much worse then death it selfe but valiantly oppose your vttermost abilities against such enterprises and giue not occasion to others to call you tyrants for surely not onely he is a Tyrant who is the cause of another mans seruitude but also he who is able to oppose himselfe against the violence of another and yet maketh no resistance Call together with you all the Sicilians and Transalpinians making a league with your neighbours and with those of whom in time you may hope for succour and ayde and in defending your selues offend the enemie this being no dishonest thing nor worthie of blame for defence of your selues to enter into league with any straunge nation whatsoeuer And resolue and vnite your selues quickly in one considering that in the occurrances and aduentures of warre too long remissenes increaseth more detriment then profit And by such a sudden determination doing that which in reason and courage ought to be done you shall manifest to your King a quicknes of spirit and declare how much your hearts are cleere and cleane as well in prosperitie as in aduersitic those onely meriting to bee reputed truly couragious and of a firme resolution who perfectly discerning troublesome things and things that are pleasant one of them from another not doubting at any hand any perill nor withdrawing themselues from the seruice of their Lord as I assure my selfe you will not doe making full account of this that hauing before your eyes the pregnant experience of euils passed and deeply thinking on the present labours you will rather make choise to lose your liues by a iust and honourable warre then liue with a vile peace and an infamous quiet These speeches animated Frier George with all the rest and chiefest of Transiluania presently to yeeld themselues knowing the veritie of the cause to the Kings seruice and he offered himselfe with them altogether to his deuotion acknowledging him for their true Lord and King The first who did sweare fealtie were the Saxons and Sicilians neuerthelesse with this condition that he would confirme and obserue their priuiledges Their chiefe Commaunder among them named Ladislas Endef was then greatly recommended because hee had induced them to such their acknowledgement And they deliberating together vpon the warre that they meant to take against the Turke who as it was said would come and assaile them it was concluded that they should send as they had alreadie done through all the Prouinces and publish that euery man should be in a readines vpon the first sommons that should be giuen them to march against the common enemie During this time and whilest these things were discoursed of Ferdinands packet of letters arriued by which hee confirmed and ratified all that which Castalde had promised and agreed vpon with the Queene and Frier George And besides gaue thereby further authoritie to Castalde that if possible it could be done by a Proctor or Deputie to celebrate the espousals betweene the Infanta Ioane his daughter and Iohn the Queenes sonne which within a short time euen in the very same place was after performed with great ioy and contentment of all the kingdome being the generall opinion that this new aliance and agreement made betweene these Kings would bring forth among them a perpetuall quiet These affayres being thus decreed and concluded the day following which was the 9. of September the Queene departed from Colosuar with a conuoy of 400. Hungarian horse which Castalde sent with her accompanying her himselfe from that place two miles which maketh foure French The Queene being thus accompanied and in a Coach with her sonne who was very sicke and trauailing on her iourney she that day plainly manifested the great sorrow and extreame discontent which she felt to see herselfe depriued of her kingdome and by agreement to leaue her owne and to search after another mans which was very apparant to euery one by the mournfull plaints and deepe sighs which she powred out together with abundance of teares falling from her eyes true witnesses of her sorrow and distresse They being all come to a way which led on two hands the Queene and her sonne tooke leaue of Castalde not without great redoubling of sorrow and teares the one returning towards Colosuar the other proceeding on their iourney towards Cassouia Scarse was the Queene departed but newes was brought her that Peter Vicchy had agreed with Andrew Battor into whose custodie he had alreadie yeelded Lippa and Themesuar with Becch Becherech and Chinad and all the other Castles which were vnder his gouernment not being willing before to come to this agreement vntill hee was acertained by the Queenes letters of all which had passed vntill then And after he had thus yeelded his whole commaund hee set forward on the way towards the Queene to accompanie her to Cassouia Whilest he was proceeding on his iourney Battor entered into the said townes and taking ample and sure possession of them furnished thē with a garrison of such souldiours as he had drawne out of certain Fortresses and who for that purpose he had brought with him being 800. Aiduchs who are footmen bearing Halberts Curasses Bowes Arrowes Crosbowes and Sables and 300. horse With this warlike companie he greatly assured the countrie specially because the Caransebansses the Lugasiens and the Rathians people very puissant were reduced vnder the obedience of Ferdinand and had declared that they were content to liue vnder his Maiesties deuotion and to serue him in all occasions of warre which should be offered The affayres of Lippa and Themesuar being thus with diligence dispatched Castalde thought then he had fully effected his most important busines because that whilest these two Fortresses were not yet vnder the gouernment of Ferdinand men thought that that which he had negotiated before was to little or no purpose for that those two places were of great importance and specially Lippa which was esteemed and reputed the key and port of all Transiluania The same besides it was of great importance was exceeding profitable and commodious and therefore necessarie to be more carefully maintained and kept in respect of the great reuenewes which come from thence because it is the Port where al the vessels of salt are laden which is transported by the riuer Marosse through all Hungarie and is a marchandise of the best and greatest trafficke dispersed into all those countries Frier George demanded this toll of the King importuning that his Maiestie would giue it him but afterward the King vnderstanding it was yeerely worth 300000. Florins hee would not intirely giue it him but yet hee had it at a reasonable rate although the other would not so accept thereof and because he was not
sallie out of Buda vaine and friuolous who knew not what to doe for that she tooke another way more vnusual and lesse frequented and quite differing from that which they were of opinion she would take but the Queene being exceeding prouident and of good iudgement preuented the Turkish subtilties escaped their ambuscadoes and fell not into their hands And thus by Gods prouidence altering her way she disgraced Achmeths friuolous enterprise and his followers found little contentment of their laborious desires The end of the third Booke THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF HVNGARIE THE ARGVMENT OF THE FOVRTH BOOKE SOlyman prepareth an army to inuade Hungary and George Vayuode of Transiluania leauieth forces against him Themesuar summoned by the Turkes and diuers townes with Lippa is yeelded to them Themesuar besieged by the Turk but he raiseth his forces and retireth from thence George is vehemently suspected by Ferdinand who sent aduertisements to Castalde to kill him The towne of Lippa besieged and taken by Castalde but the Castle held out and George endeuoureth to saue Oliman who was Gouernour thereof who in the end vpon composition departed in safetie from thence but was set vpon by our men who were ouerthrowne by him Aldene made Gouernour of Lippa The conspiracie of George his death who was slaine at Buise his buriall and his moueables seized vpon to Ferdinands vse for whose death the Sicilians began to mutine but were appeased by Chendies wisedom AFter that the agreement passed betweene Ferdinand King of the Romanes and Queene Izabella was ended and concluded and that the Queene peaceably leauing the kingdome was wholly freed out thereof the Transiluanians for two causes thought happely to liue a long time in a peaceable tranquilitie and to haue brought to fortunate issue the bitter afflictions which they in former time with many perturbations sorrowfully endured The first whereof was because they saw the sonne of King Iohn in league with the now present King and to haue taken in mariage the Infanta Ioane his daughter which aliance and amitie did indifferently minister to euery one an assured expectation of a perpetuall and quiet repose and that in time by meanes of Ferdinands clemencie and bountie the way should not altogether be taken from Iohn one day to reenter againe into that kingdome The other was that for the late sustentation which by these new agreements happened to them they thought themselues so sufficiently assured in abilitie that the Turk for feare of the puissant authoritie of Ferdinand and of the Emperour Charles his brother durst neuer more or at the least not so often as hee had done molest and spoyle them but on the contrarie in consideration of this he would greatly feare and doubt them so that by this meanes they should haue time and leisure to fortifie and strengthen the passages and furnish the low countrie townes in such warlike manner that they should neuer hereafter stand in dread of the Ottoman violence But fortune not minding to satisfie their expectation vnhappely shuffled all the cardes in their hands and altered that sweete desire of peace into a trembling feare and suspition of warre For this Frenchman of whom wee haue before spoken being arriued at Constantinople declared how he fled from Sassebesse vpon suspition that he was a Spie for the King of France and being retired to the grand Seigniour informed him of all that which had passed betweene Ferdinand and the Queene Solyman now knowing that to bee true which vntill then hee would not beleeue commaunded with expedition to leauie an armie to send into Transiluania vnder the conduct of the Belerbey of Greece to whom hee gaue commaund that with all diligence hee should with 12000. horse repayre vnto Belgrade where the whole armie should bee ioyned and vnited together which should bee sent him by the Sangiacs lying there about and that hee should enter and assaile this Prouince on both sides on the one side by the helpe and assistance of the Vayuode of Moldauia and on the other by the ayde of the Basha of Buda and that he should with his vttermost abilitie endeuour himselfe to conquer it and leauie such a masse of his people and so continually imploy them that Ferdinand should haue no time to preuent it norfortifie himselfe there Castalde hauing notice of this by speciall aduertisement in the greatest haste he could mustered his men of warre and began to perswade with the Frier that he should prepare his forces to incounter the enemie and giue preuention the best he could to the sinister chances which shortly might ensue because that they were not able to prouide for the time The Frier greatly dreading the Turke in respect hee was vehemently incensed against him for his former proceedings answered dissembling his thoughts Castalde that hee would not faile him in any furtherance But on the other side hee cunningly practised his attonement with the enemie to whom faining to write for the good and behalfe of Ferdinand he onely writ for his owne safetie and commoditie and sending certaine presents to Rostan Basha and to him of Buda to draw and allure them to his friendship he assayed as much as he could to shake the blame from himselfe saying that if the Turke should send an armie into Transiluania to conquer it because they had put the King of the Romanes into possession thereof that for that purpose he neede not send thither seeing that all was done by the Queene and not by him who had alreadie maried her sonne Iohn with Ferdinands daughter to whose Lieutenants also she had freely and from the perswasion of her owne opinion intirely relinquished her countrie and crowne and her selfe was retired to Cassouia and that for these reasons it was to no great purpose to send an armie to destroy the kingdome and spoyle the poore inhabitants who were vtterly ignorant and guiltlesse of the said facts and promised that hee would herein so carefully trauaile that he would chase from thence all those souldiours and men of warre which Ferdinand had sent thither and that he would continually pay the ordinarie tribute and that according to such order as before was promised and as they had alreadie begun to pay it and further writing many other reasons for his excuse and also to confirme this his deuice he caused likewise certaine of the principallest of the kingdome priuately to write to the said Bashaes to approue all that which he had said Yet would it not induce the Belerbey to desist from marching on with his troupes which he brought with him from Constantinople He being arriued at Belgrade he began to muster and assemble his Campe and after hauing prepared certaine bridges ouer Danubius he passed to the other side and went to lodge by the riuer Tibiscus vpon which he also caused likewise another bridge to bee made and from thence passing on a long he came neere to a Castle named Becche situated almost vpon the riuers side In
the next plaine he pitched his Campe and from thence gaue aduertisement to all the neighbour Prouinces which were subiect to the Turke that they should not faile but presently send him men and horses such as they are bound to send in the like affayres Whilest the Belerbey busied himselfe to gather the rest of his Campe Castalde commaunded Aldene the Master of the Campe who then was in the low countries for the defence and assurance thereof that Stephen Lozonse a famous Knight among the Hungars should with George Sotede enter into Themesuar with 600. horse for the guard and defence thereof And further for the better assurance of the same he commaunded that Aldene himselfe should enter thereinto with all the Spanyards which he had making Lozonse Gouernour of those countries and Generall ouer all the warlike affayres He with Aldene caused Themesuar and other places to be fortified with the best defences they could and knowing that the enemie was alreadie in the field they daily laboured to fortifie the towne with Rampiers and Bulwarkes of good sufficient strength giuing aduertisement of all things which he heard or they did to Andrew Battor who was then at Lippa Battor seeing the necessitie of the time that vrgently pressed euery one began to leauie as many men as he could instantly soliciting all the people of his Prouince and admonishing them that euery one should ayde him against the common enemie He also drew to him the principall Lords of the Rhatians not in respect to assist him with their powers but for that they should not bee inuited to the seruice of the Belerbey knowing their inconstancie to bee such that they would affect and take part with the strongest And hauing thus by all good meanes drawne them to him and causing them to sweare fealtie to Ferdinand that he might yet winne their good likings the more he entertained 4000. of them into pay with many Captaines who voluntarily offered to be also entertained into Ferdināds seruice as the others were And hauing with great diligence leauied 15000. men who were most horsemen he presently with these troupes put himselfe into the field and went and lodged beneath Lippa expecting there what the enemie was determined to doe who also was incamped betweene the two aforesaid riuers Castalde at the same time diligently suruaied and munitioned the fortifications and specially the frontier townes of Transiluania as he saw was most needfull And being acertained that the Belerbey would come to Themesuar he sent another companie of Spanyards thither and money to pay the Rhatians whom hee knew were variable and inconstant and such as were needfull to be entertained with many and often payes which happely would procure them from reuolting On the other side he vsed his best labour to prouoke Frier George that instantly as being Vayuode hee should assemble all the souldiours of the kingdome to march with them and relieue Themesuar commaunding Andrew Battor that he should send to Lozonse as many men as he could wherby he might hinder and withstand the Belerbey from the passage of Tibiscus The Frier was very slow and fearefull to leauie the inhabitants of the countrie hauing before commaunded that none should stirre without his appointment expresse command assuring them that the Belerbey would not passe Tibiscus and that it was not needful of such an assemblie which he the rather assured himselfe of in regard of the letters which he had alreadie sent to the Turk and Bashaes But after hauing certaine notice that hee prepared two bridges vpon Tibiscus hee went presently to Deua leauying thereabouts 3000. horse and with those hee incamped in the field and presently writ to all the townes that they should with all expedition send such men as they were bound by their custome to furnish which was willingly executed with great celeritie Now when they would by the authoritie of the superiour Lords raise amongst them such Infantrie and Caualarie as euery towne is bound to furnish and that specially for generall defence the custome of this Prouince is to send one Launce and a Sword stained with blood and borne on horsebacke by one of the principallest officers of euery towne or place and carrying them on high in token of great and present necessitie sheweth them to all thereabout with another man on foote who goeth crying The common enemie commeth against vs all let euery house prepare a man for generall good and send him speedily to that place which is appointed you At this crie euery one causeth speedily to depart all those who are apt and able to beare armes and sendeth them to the rende vous And thus within a short time they assembled a great number of men as well foote as horse the care that Castalde had thereof greatly assisting them in that busines who specially hastened the men which hee caused to bee leauied through the kingdome and so much the rather because hee had vehement suspition of the Frier who continually ceased not to his vttermost to driue him out of those countries whereof he was well aduertised by meanes of one who was very familiar with the Frier and acquainted him with all such occurrants Yet Castalde dissembling the matter vsed Frier George in the greatest kindnes as was possible and indeuoured himselfe by al meanes to gaine his good liking and the rather for that hee knew him to bee fickle and inconstant and stood in much awe of the Turke hauing continuall distrust that for his inconstancie he would exchaunge the fauour of his friends to follow the ambitious wiles of his enemies In respect whereof he confirmed him generall Treasurer with 4000. Florins by the yeere and also Vaynode of the kingdome with 15000. Florins by the yeere as he had requested and with authoritie in time of necessitie to haue 800. horse and 500. foote for his guard and besides 200. other horse which he should maintaine at Deua and at Gherghe two strong Castles and places which was giuen him to keepe Being by such bountifulnes wonne to a dissembled fidelitie he came to the Diet at Sibinio which a little before was appointed where euery one being arriued they required all the Prouinces of the kingdome to wit the Sicilians Saxons and Transalpinians to contribute some money to maintaine the charges of the warre which was agreed vnto by the most And whilest the Frier by all good outward offices shewed himselfe seruiceable to Ferdinand yet hee omitted not secretly to practise with the Turke to accord with him and in recompence of the good which was done him he still caused such souldiours whom hee most trusted to resort to him with whom vnder the colour to chase and expell the Turke hee endeuoured to thrust out of the kingdome Ferdinands people About that time came newes how Maximilian King of Bohemia was returned out of Spaine with Mary daughter of Charles the Emperour that hauing passed through Italie he arriued at Vienna where
the enuie and wickednes of Ferdinands Captaines who doubting that he meant to reestablish in the kingdome King Iohns sonne and not being able to tolerate that he was so plausible and popular and that they were in so little esteeme with him and that hee disposed of all things as absolute Lord of the countrie without conferring with them of the particularities to thrust him out from among them and to vsurpe his possessions that absolutely they might haue the commaund they accused him to Ferdinand of treason who too lightly reposing credit in them consented that hee should be thus cruelly slaine it being afterward very apparant that this treason was not inuented but only to spoyle him of his treasure and moueables there neuer yet falling out any matter which could in any thing blemish or obscure his honour Whilest vpon these particularities many assemblies were in the Deanes house and that the Comissaries went to Vienna to inquire the manner of this said fact Andrew Battor was created Vayuode of Transiluania and Stephen Losonze Counte of Themesuar who would not haue taken the charge of that towne except Ferdinand would graunt him a sufficient companie of Spanish souldiours to remaine there with him which was presently graunted And for that they were not in the kingdome but in the confines and frontiers of the enemie they were presently sent for and they being arriued Losonze went from thence with them to Themesuar to repayre the fortification of that towne and the Vayuode tooke regard to the affayres of the kingdome Now it was alreadie diuulged in all parts that Solyman had made Mahomet Basha his Lieutenant generall to come and besiege the townes of Themesuar and Lippa and that he was onward on his way at Belgrade where he amassed together a great armie to inuade that countrie It was also euery where certainly bruited that the Vayuode of Moldauia prepared the like to enter into the kingdome about Brassouia About the same time arriued in Transiluania the Counte of Helfestaine with 4000. old Germane souldiours bringing with him tenne peeces of Artillerie By him Ferdinand writ to Castalde that very shortly he would send him 1500. men of armes and 7. companies more of Germanes and that the Marquesse Sforce Palauicin should also within a short time bee with him with 3000. Italians and 2000. Hungarian souldiours and with as many Caualarie as possible he could send him Whilest these preparations were directing on the one partie Castalde and the Vayuode on the other made a decree by which it was commaunded that all the gentlemen of the countrie should assemble at the towne of Torde and there to aduise and determine for the defence of the countrie vnderstanding that Mahomet determined to enter at the same time in diuers places with two armies to wit with his owne armie by the low Marches and with the Moldauian armie by Brassouia All the Nobilitie being according to this commaundement assembled order was giuen for necessaries for the preseruation of the publike weale and it was concluded that the townes of Lippa and Themesuar should be well furnished with men and victuals and that the fortification should with all expedition be presently reared for that the enemie might finde it well defended and that the greatest force of the kingdome should be assembled together as the ancient custome was in such necessitie and that they should be mingled with those who were in Ferdinands pay and that of all they should make but one armie with which they were to march directly against the Moldauian to hinder him from entering into that quarter where there was not any strong place to withstand him but only Seghesuar which neuerthelesse was not of that force that it could resist nor hinder him but that at the first vollic of the Cannon he must needes also be master of Brassouia which was a towne of as great importance as any other in Transiluania and that likewise he should not burne the Prouince of Seculia possessed by the Sicilians and in the middest of the kingdome This bruite and feare although it had not brought with it any other inconuenience then a fabulous report yet was it sufficient to infuse a dreadful amazement into the minds of the inhabitants insomuch that euery one with great losse did alreadie begin to retire to some other aboades and abandon their owne homes and goods And for that Torde was a place strongly situated commodious and abounding in all manner of victuals it was concluded that there should bee the Rende vous for the armie and that thither should come the Vayuode to receiue the souldiours according as they came thither The gentlemen of the countrie being speedily departed with charge and commission to bring as many men as euery one was rated at and being now arriued amongst their people with great expedition obseruing their commission they performed their charge and began to march with their people to be there at the prefixed time and place Whilest they were thus assembling there happened a memorable accident which I would not omit to speake of There was at Torde an ancient custome and which yet continueth and that is that if the husband findeth his wife in adulterie he may cause her there to bee publikely executed in manner as I will speake of and also on the contrarie if the wife finde her husband in the same fault she may pursue that against him which he would doe against her It happened then at that time that a certaine Tayler who was of Varadin named Paul found his wife in bed with one of his companions and pursuing the custome of the said towne he accused her of adulterie and hauing proued the offence it was permitted him to haue the course of law to cut off her head with a Sable in the middest of the market place She being brought thither by her husband and by the course of Iustice and the appointed houre being come for this execution she with teares and sighs kneeling downe before him began pitifully to desire that hee would pardon her notorious fault faithfully promising him that from that time Forward she would hold his honour most deare and that he should neuer hereafter haue any occasion to bee offended against her and that it would please him to giue her her life in regard of the kinde affection which he alwaies bore her during the time she liued in good reputation and that she would euer after serue him not as a husband but as her Lord and master Good Paul being surprised by these her wofull speeches and moued by a natural kindnes to pitie was content to pardon her exhorting and perswading her to become a dutifull and louing wife whereupon he absolutely remitting all her hainous offence tooke her to him againe When within a while after it happened that this dutifull wife found her said husband Paul in adulterie with a young wench whereupon she accused him to the Iustice who causing
who the night before was fled from that place would not that any should offer violence there nor to no other place belonging to the King of the Romanes Being a little from Ispurch there came to him a gentleman of Ferdinands retinue to know the occasion that incited him to take armes against the Emperour and what his meaning was and for what occasion he possessed certaine places of his and entered into them as a publike enemie and not as a friend To these demaunds Mauris answered him that he was not come to offend the Emperour nor to withhold any of his townes or Lordships from him neither had he taken armes against him but onely against his enemies and aduersaries among whom were the Bishop of Arras the Duke of Albe and certaine other Councellors of the Emperour who were said to be in that quarter and whom he would pursue and take if it were possible and that concerning his sacred Maiestie he had no other meaning but a good and sincere affection and if he could not meete the said enemies by the 25. of May next insuing hee would retire his armie without offending him in the least thing whatsoeuer and that hee would haue respect to his subiects as to his owne and that afterwards he would bee at the Diet which his Maiestie had published hoping that being there with many Princes and States there might be made some good peace and reconciliation betweene the Emperour and him Whilest this accord was treated of betweene Ferdinand and Mauris the King of France still aduanced himselfe to further the proceedings of Mauris when newes was brought him that Martin Rostan was entered with a great armie into Piccardie and Champagne where he made great spoyle waste and had fiered three townes and burned almost twentie Castles putting all to fire and sword and that with great iourneys he marched towards Paris By occasion of this newes the King was constrained maugre his liking and for all Fortune seemed to smile on him to returne backe and defend his owne Thus he who thought to make himselfe master of anothers was in danger to lose his owne and hauing left and retired from Germanie hee forced Rostan to returne and leaue his countrie at libertie which was alreadie greatly astonished yea and euen Paris it selfe which for feare was in great disorder Mauris hauing gotten little of his desired intendment departed from Ispurch and from the Countie of Tyroll with his men and leauing Chiouze went to the Diet where Ferdinand himselfe was incontinently after In this Diet were treated many important things but especiallie the peace of Mauris with the Emperour which at the intreatie of Ferdinand and many other Lords it was concluded in this manner that the Emperour willingly and freely should deliuer the Lantgraue to Mauris and the Duke of Saxonie to his children and that Mauris should bee bound to goe and serue Ferdinand against the Turke with 12000. Lansquenets and 3000. horse all the whole summer This conclusion ended with many other articles Mauris dismissed his souldiours and the Lantgraues children went from thence with their people against a Captaine named Henstain who in the Emperours name was entered into the land of Hesse and who had defeated and ouerthrowne in battaile the Counte of Odemburg who was in the field with 16. Germane Ensignes But in regard of that ouerthrow the Lantgraues children were forced to retire to their places of more securitie and Duke Mauris sent the rest of his armie to raise the siege from before Magdebourg in Saxonie which was besieged by the Marquesse of Brandeburg and the Duke of Brunswick Vpon the approaching of Mauris his people the siege was presently raised the towne remaining at libertie vnder certaine conditions and then the Duke of Brunswick and the Marquesse Albert tooke the Emperours part with Counte Mansfield and came to serue his Maiestie against France with 15. Ensignes of Lansquenets 500. men of armes and other light horsemen Behold the end of these tumults which greatly blemished the renowne and glorie of so great an Emperour insomuch that it may seeme almost impossible for him who would but consider his puissance and the victories which he before had gotten to beleeue that he should bee forced to flye to Villach But men shall not neede much to maruaile at it if they will duly consider the effects of mutable Fortune which effects oftentimes cause such strange aduentures and very often bring to passe that men fall into such labyrinths for that they esteeme not of any other mans force and such a man is accounted most happie who can well gouerne and temper himselfe therein All these discords being thus appeased in Germanie there began others to spring vp in Transiluania no lesse troublesome and daungerous then the former For Queene Izabella complaining her selfe against Ferdinand because that the promises and conditions to her graunted in the agreement which was made vpon her rendering the kingdome of Transiluania were not in any respect kept nor performed did greatly solicite the King of Polonia and the Queene Bonna her mother to require the performance of them and incited the principallest of the Prouince to this that her sonne might bee inuested into his kingdome exclaiming of him that he had not giuen her free possession of the Dutchie of Oppolia of Monsterberg and Ratibor with 20000. crownes of yeerely reuenew as was promised her and the better to make vp this summe they meant to reckon to her certaine reuenewes which consisted in woods fowles and the fishing of certaine Pooles and Lakes which she esteemed vncertaine and subiect to the hazard of times she further complaining of them that he had not paied her 150000. crownes for her dowrie and debts for which Cassouia was ingaged to her and vpon these said complaints she sent Matthias Lobosky to Ferdinand to solicite the last expedition By him Ferdinand gaue her to vnderstand that his meaning was alwaies to satisfie her according to that which hee had promised and to giue her and her sonne more then was concluded vpon in their agreements and if she had not the Dutchie of Rhatibor and the rest giuen her in full possession the fault was not in him but rather proceeded from the Marquesse Iohn of Brandeburg who was vnder the wardship of the Electors of Saxonie and of Brandeburg of Marquesse Albert and of the Duke of Prussia without whose consent there could bee nothing done and the rather in respect of the far distance of their aboades and also because that the troubles which lately happened by Duke Mauris had slackned this busines in regard whereof it were necessarie that she should a while expect and that if she would not haue this patience hee would then alot her other Dukedomes and Demaines to her liking with such reuenewes as was determined vpon in their agreement greatly maruailing at this that she was not contented with the reuenew of the Dutchie of Oppolia and that with that she
her sports for a little while he distrusted that this disgrace would be accompanied with another and that so much the rather because he saw so puissant an enemie readie not onely to the ruine and subuersion of Transiluania and Hungarie but also of all Christendome and he supposed that he had done no small matter if he could maintaine himselfe in such estate as then he tooke himselfe to be in hauing but weake force a very smal armie which also then he could not pay and daily seeing the Fortresses to be abandoned most cowardly left in the Turks power and on the other side continually perceiuing war to approach vpon him and that euen by them from whom he hoped to find most fauour and ayd to maintaine Ferdinands part and to assure these countries vnder his obeisance who on the contrarie wrought a dangerous reuolt and secretly practised to depriue King Maximilian of al this prouince to render it to King Iohns son to reinuest the Queene his mother into her first royall dignity they being not able any longer to support the wars other inconueniences which daily afflicted thē labouring with al their skill to effect their purposes In respect of these vehement suspitions Castalde was in great vexation and heauines fearing that that would shortly happen to him which he had alwaies before suspected specially because he knew the nature of the Transiluanians to be much inclined to nouelties and alterations and that more then any neighbour Prouince whatsoeuer and that alreadie oftentimes the principall persons among them vnder the colour of diuers vrgent occasions retired into such places where they gaue more suspition of reuolting then assurance of true amitie all this notwithstanding he omitted not to consult and deliberate with the Vayuode and others touching all that which was necessarie and to prouide for it accordingly not minding that any fault should be attributed to him by his negligence or indiscretion nor to be reproued for that he had not as a skilfull Captaine foreseene euery inconuenience as he very wisely managed matters which thing hereafter we shall more amply treate of in his proper place The end of the fifth Booke THE SIXTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF HVNGARIE THE ARGVMENT OF THE SIXTH BOOKE QVeene Izabella complaineth of Ferdinand and she seeketh the Turkes ayde The enterprise to kill the Vayuode of Moldauia The Transiluanians reuolt from Ferdinand Aldenes triall vpon life and death Duke Maurice of Saxonie bringeth with him 15000. men into Hungarie for Ferdinands ayde Mahomet besiegeth Agria the resolution of the Citizens and courage of the women there in the end he is forced to raise his siege and retire from thence with shame and losse The Hungars seeke peace with the Turke and pay him tribute The Popes absolution in fauour of Ferdinand for the murther of George Solymans insolent answer to the Hungars vpon their request of peace and the astonishment of the Transiluanians thereat Castaldes present arriuall at Wasrael and his oration there to the Hungars by which they are reanimated against the Turkes The pursuite against Aldene Queene Izabella practiseth her returne into Transiluania and is assisted by diuers of the nobilitie who in respect of the many wrongs and iniuries offered them by Ferdinands people incline to her WHilest Castalde was busied to redresse these casualties of fortune which alreadie passed through the kingdome and that Mahomet marched with his victorious armie towards Agria Queene Izabella seeing that nothing was performed of that which was promised her in the behalfe of Ferdinand and that she could draw nothing from them but words being greatly offended thereat complained of Ferdinand to the King of Polonia her brother and to Queene Bonna her mother of the wrong which she receiued and how by too credulent a beliefe she was cunningly lifted out of her estate and in this sort deceiued and depriued of all humane helpe and also that they denied for wife to her sonne the Infanta Ioane and the estates which was offered to her and the payment and disbursing of her ioynter and dowrie For which respects she would not that the agreement and resignation compacted about Transiluania should be any further proceeded in saying that she was not bound to obserue any condition with him who performed not any of his promises to her and that it was reasonable for her to breake with him that had so often failed with her With this choller and griefe she practised the meanes to set footing againe into this Prouince and to draw the principallest States thereof to fauour the cause of her sonne minding to assist her selfe with the offers which Mirce Vayuode of the Transalpinians had made her promising to ayde her both with men and money and besides to performe what possibly he could to reinuest King Iohn into his former dignities And before she discouered any the least inckling of her determination she had caused Solyman secretly to bee intreated that it would please him to fauour her cause insinuating to him how great and vnfained had been the amitie and affection which King Iohn her deceased husband bore him and the great confidence that after his death she alwaies had in him and that he would vouchsafe not now to denie her his ayd in so great necessitie which for the present she was in and especially seeing she was spoyled of all her goods because she reposed too great trust in another and that if for her sake he would not doe any thing yet that at the least he would haue a princely regard of pitie to her sonne Iohn who was a child and orphane and expulsed from his owne inheritance whom she committed into his armes knowing that from the bountie of his princely disposition she could not but hope of a remedie worthie of his excellent magnanimitie there being not any thing more commendable among Princes and Monarkes then to defend the iust causes of afflicted widowes and poore orphanes as she and her sonne were in whose defence he should greatly inrich his renowne with perpetuall glorie and adde to those his royall dignities the surname of a pitifull and iust protector of those who vniustly are oppressed by the wickednes and intrusion of others it being more expedient and behoouefull for his affayres to haue them for his neighbours and confederates then Ferdinand from whom he could expect nothing else but continuall warre and perpetuall trouble By these speeches and other like reasons which she caused to be alleadged to him she by the meanes and fauour of Achmeth Basha crept so into the fauour of Solymans liking that presently he writ to the Vayuode of Moldauia named Stephen that at all times and as often as he should bee requested by the Queene of Transiluania to ayde her he should not faile with the greatest force he could make to doe her all possible fauour and the like he also commaunded to the Basha of Buda Castalde during these practises had alreadie
time after durst not come to doe iniurie to the Transiluanians for that they still distrusted themselues of some intended stratagems By this defeate which was all the good that happened this yeere 1552. the arrogancie and rashnes of the enemy was bridled but not that of Ferdinands souldiours which daily increased hauing no respect neither to Generall Colonels Captaines nor any diuine or humane thing minding by their disloyaltie to make themselues masters of their phantasies and to goe euery where without expecting the appointment and commaund of his Maiestie or the leaue of Castalde as more amply we shall treate of in the successes which happened in the yeere 1553. The end of the sixth Booke THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF HVNGARIE THE ARGVMENT OF THE SEVENTH BOOKE THe Transiluanians solicite Queene Izabella to returne into Transiluania and Castalde for the remedie thereof appointeth a Diet at Colosuar The Spaniards mutinie and seeke to depart Transiluania Aldene is brought to Vienna whither Castalde by Ferdinands appointment also commeth vpon whose departure out of Transiluania the Transiluantans rise in armes in the behalfe of the Queene Aldene condemned but is saued by fauour Castalde leaueth the seruice of Ferdinand and returneth againe to the Emperour Charles The historie of the death of Mustapha eldest sonne of Solyman Albe-iula and all Transiluania yeeld to the Queene Charles the 5. renounceth the Empire to his brother Ferdinand and his letter to the Cardinall of Mentz his arriuall in Spaine and the place where he retired himselfe to end his daies Ferdinand crowned Emperour The Turke commandeth Izabella to expell all new sects out of her kingdome The death of the Emperour Charles for whose death Philip his sonne King of Spaine made sumptuous funerals at Bruxels THe winter was now alreadie in a manner at the extreamest towards the end of Februarie in the yeere 1553. when the Peeres and Lords of Transiluania not minding any longer to suffer the Germanes and Spaniards amongst them nor hauing now no more meanes to victuall them as vsually they had done they began secretly to send Ambassadours to Queene Izabella to negotiate with her concerning her returne into this Prouince whereunto Peter Vicchy Chendy and others were greatly assisting Castalde hauing notice of all this and being thereof well assured gaue present aduertisement thereof to Ferdinand who also presently did not forget on his part to vse all diligence to withstand and preuent these practises sending Alphonse nephew to Castalde to the King of Polonia and to Queene Bonna her mother and to Queene Ioane to intreate them to vse speedie meanes to diuert these clowdes which were thundring in the ayre Ferdinand also sent letters from Vienna to Queene Izabella by which he offered her to performe all that which was accorded betweene them and specially certaine other articles or demaunds made by her to which his Maiestie before would not accord And the better to effect this busines he writ againe to Francis Chendy and to Thomas Varcocchy desiring them to importune the Queene so much that she would content her selfe with that which was agreed vpon since that whatsoeuer was done was not but to the profit of her and her sonne Iohn and to the increasing of both their commodities These two Lords made semblance as though they allowed it and faining to shew their vttermost abilitie for Ferdinand did altogether to the contrarie And the Queene on the one side gaue good words and on the other she hastened her affayres as well as she could the Turke hauing alreadie commaunded the Vayuode of Moldauia that he should prepare himselfe with all his best meanes to enter into Transiluania and to Cassombech to doe the like leauing as many men as he could in the low countries and to fauour and assist the Queenes affayres and to vse their vttermost abilitie to reinstall King Iohn into his kingdome adding to his commaund that if he could not compasse the effect of this enterprise yet at the least he should vse the meanes to increase in this Prouince his Sangiacship promising him succours from Buda Castalde being aduertised of all these deuises that he might the better remedie them and not suffer them to take further footing appointed that the principall Lords of the kingdome should vpon the 15. of March next bee at the Diet of Colosuar to acquaint them with that which Ferdinand had commaunded them Before the meeting of this Diet Andrew Battor who againe was confirmed in the estate of Vayuod and withall was made Counte of Zalmar and Zalboc hauing assembled a good troupe of men among the neighbour townes and Castles and hauing vnderstood that certaine companies of Turkish Caualarie made some incurtions pilling and burning all the villages and minding to expulse them hee caused his people to goe into the field and to march towards the enemie But in the end comming to handie strokes not farre from Agria he was so hotly charged that some of his people quitted the place and others remained there either slaine or taken prisoners and amongst others some of his household seruants and familiar fauourits were taken to redeeme whom Castalde was forced to giue to the Basha of Buda a Chiauss a Mahometaine Priest who were taken at the death of Frier George and detained prisoners in the Castle of Wiuar and to exchange them by Ferdinands commaund with the said fauourits who by this meanes recouered their libertie By reason of this disorder the Vayuod intreated Ferdinand that he would giue him the meanes and inable him to entertaine 1000. light horse of the number of those which he payed in Transiluania which was wholly granted to him and besides 1000. foote that so he might be the better able to affront the Turkes forces in those quarters Ferdinand also gaue him charge to conclude an end of a discord among the people called Cumans who hauing been vnder the iurisdiction of Zaluoch would not seeing that this Fortresse was reduced vnder the Turkes puissance be vnder that of Agria but rather vnder that of Varadin In the end by the diligence of Castalde and the Vayuode they were content to be obedient to Agria Now whilest that the Turke was greatly busied by the Sophy and that he conuerted his forces for the defence of Amasia into which the Persians were entered they began againe by the meanes and interposing of Haly Chlauss to negotiate the truce betweene Ferdinand and Solyman there being safe conduct graunted both from the one and other to send Ambassadours to either partie There being for this purpose some appointed on both sides it was in the end perceiued that nothing else was done but to entertaine the Transiluanians in some hope whilest that the Turkes should dispatch their other intangled affayres that afterwards they might assaile them according to their accustomed manner For they had aduertisement how Cassombech at the instance of the Queene had assembled about him many Sangiacchs and that with the troupes which
tables shewing his victories there was vpon the right side writtten these words Africke ruinated Gelders taken the sea cleered Tremisan reestablished Solyman chased Vpon the left side were read these words The new world discouered Millan recouered Germanie and Bohemia appeased Moron and Coron forced Tunise taken and restored and the captiues brought backe againe the Christian Faith planted in India After this great Vessell followed two Collomes placed vpon two Rockes being crowned and drawne by Tritons In one of them was written these verses Take thou well for thy deuise The Herculian pillar of large size And in the other were those which here follow Taming the monster in this season of thine As Hercules did in his time And after were carried all the Ensignes of his kingdomes and seiguiories which were followed by the gentlemen of his house in good order of which I will make no large discourse to auoide the tediousnes which the reader may take in reading againe a thing which others by speciall writing haue alreadie heretofore exposed to the eyes of euery one Onely I will say that in this ceremonie marched King Philip the Duke of Sauoy and all the other Knights of the Golden Fleece with the Ambassadours of all the Potentates of Europe In the said Church was seene both of one side and other that which followeth written in faire and great letters To the Emperour Caes Charles the 5. Religious Happie Aug. of the Gaules great Lord of the Indies of Tunise of Africke of Saxonie mightie victorious and triumphant ouer many nations Although that the things by him done by sea and land his singular humanitie his incomparable wisedome his most feruent zeale are sufficiently knowne to the world neuerthelesse the Christian Common-weale for the memorie of his iustice pietie and vertue hath dedicated this Ship vnto him Because he discouered to our world a new world and added to the name of Christ many strange nations and inlarged the Empire of Spaine with many kingdomes and Prouinces For that he preserued Germanie against 30000. horse and 100000. footmen with which Solyman the Turkish Emperour meant to haue inuaded this Region Because he entered with a strong Nauie into Morea and tooke Patras and Coron Turkish townes For that he ouercame the Tyrant Barbarossa in battaile by Carthage who was accompanied with 200000. footmen and 60000. horse Because he put to flight 200. Gallies and many other vessels of Pirates and tooke the Fort of Goleta with Tunise and Hippo the new and Hippo the royall For that he tooke the kingdome of Tunise and by it spoyled the Empire of Libia and restored it to the lawfull King and caused him to pay tribute to the Crowne of Spaine Because he brought from thence free into their countrie 20000. captiues For that he yeelded the kingdom of Tremisan to the right King after he had tamed the Mauritanians Because with a strong Nauie he won Africk the most renowned port towne of Barbaria with the townes of Susa Monastaire Clupea with other sea-townes and caused the Lords of them to pay tribute For that he ouerthrew neere to Mauritania and by the I le of Sicilia twice two Turkish Fleetes scouring our seas For that he made the sea peaceable against the continuall courses of Pirates Because he reduced the Common-wealth of Genes to her ancient libertie Because after he had sixe times chased the enemies fleetes and thrice in battaile defeated the enemies twice reunited the Dutchie of Millan to the Empire and once restored it to the D. Because with incredible celeritie he forced the towne of Dura and ruduced vnder his puissance the Dutchie of Guelders For that he suppressed many Princes of Germanie and Prouinces which stirred the countrie to tumult and sedition forcing their townes and Castles and for that after he had taken the heads of their armies he pacified Germanie For that he being Emperour passed the riuer of Albis and after he had ouercome in battaile his enemies and reduced their townes vnder his puissance and tooke their Commanders captiues from thence he returned victorious Because that of his owne good will he tooke armes against the enemies of Christendome and neuer against the Christians but by constraint and to warrant himselfe from their outrages To the most puissant Catholike and excellent Prince this Christian Common-weale most affectionate to his Maiestie hath erected these Titles and Trophees adding to his Tombe the marks and Ensignes of his kingdomes and the Tables of conquered nations and to our Lord Emperour Caes Charles the religious happie Aug. King of many kingdomes triumphant ouer many nations victorious ouer the Indies Libia Maur. Turkie Deliuerer of Germanie of Italie of the Sea of captiues Pacifier of Germanie Italie Spaine and of the Sea Reestablisher of many Princes Arbitrer of many Princes and to the most glorious Prince of Catholikes the Christian Common-weale hath dedicated this for the example of Iustice of Clemencie and Valour to his most religious sonne Most gratious God and most mightie one and alone in Trinitie the Christian people doe consecrate vnto thee these Titles and Trophees for the memorie of the acts of Charles Caes Aug. whom thou madest Emperor of the Romanes and King of many kingdomes whose Pietie Iustice Clemencie Prudencie Magnanimitie and Valour is admired throughout the world he by thy conduct hath augmented this Empire and his kingdomes leauing the one to his brother and the other to his sonne with an example of his vertues which he dying surrendereth to thee againe This great Emperour did well deserue that such and so great honours should bee done him there not being any since Charlemaine who in force puissance and happines surpassed him Within a while after died his sister Mary who was married to Lewis King of Hungarie slaine in the battaile of Mohaze The end of the seuenth Booke THE EIGHT BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF HVNGARIE THE ARGVMENT OF THE EIGHT BOOKE A Diet held at Ausbourg by the Emperour Ferdinand wherein was graunted to him succours for the defence of Hungarie against the Turke Tocehay taken by King Iohn betweene whom and Ferdinand there are motions of peace but they come to nothing Maximilian the sonne of Ferdinand is chosen King of the Romanes Solyman seeketh peace of Ferdinand in regard of the distrust he had of the Gouernour of Egypt Maximilian created King of Hungarie the death of his father Ferdinand after which Maximilian is elected Emperour who made warre vpon King Iohn and many places of strength are by these two taken from each other Debatement of peace beeweene Maximilian Solyman Iohn and Sigismond King of Polonia at Vienna Erdeu besieged by the Turkes and relieued by the Christians but in the end is yeelded vpon composition Many hostilities passe betweene Maximilian and Solyman and continuation of peace betweene them Counte Salm attempteth to surprise Alberegalis The State of Germanie touching the Diets there held and of the arriuall there of Princes Electors and others The place and
office of the Electors in publike assemblies The Pope and Princes of the Empire send to the ayde of the Emperour Maximilian The manner and forme of the Spanish Inquisition THe Emperour Ferdinand brother to the deceased Emperour about the very time the death of his brother had aduertisement that the Basha of Buda and the Moldauian beyond all expectation would come into the field whilest his Maiestie held the Diet in the towne of Ausbourg in which were present all the Electors and almost all the Princes of the Empire as well for his own affayres as to giue audience to an Ambassage sent from the King of France of which were chiefe the Bishop of Vienna named Marrillac and the Lord of Bourdillon which was vpon the 28. of March the Emperour being in the great hall of Ausbourg in his Emperiall throne vnder the cloth of Estate hauing on his right hand the Bishop of Mentz the Ambassadour of the Bishop of Coullin the Archduke Charles the Bishop of Saltzbourg the Grand Master of Prussia with many other great Lords Vpon his left hand was the Bishop of Treuers the Duke of Saxonies Ambassadour the Ambassadour of the Counte Palatin of Rhein the Marquesse of Brandebourg the Duke of Bauier the Counte Palatin not the Elector the Duke of Michelbourg the Duke of Wirtemberg and the three Marquesses of Baden with other Lords Before this great and renowned companie were honourably placed the Ambassadours of France They offered in the name of their King all his abilitie and friendship for the seruie of the Empire and they sought a perpetuall confederacie with him and the Electors Answer was made them that when they saw effects correspondent to his words by restitution of the towne of Mets they would then assuredly thinke that their Master would bee their friend and also that then they would be all readie to confirme good amitie him This Diet ended the Emperour for feare of the daunger which might happen in his kingdome of Hungarie vpon the said aduertisement had present recourse to the ayde of his estates and of the Empire Bohemia Morauia Stiria and Carinthia offered vpon euery thousand crownes of value twelue crownes to succour his Maiestie And the Empire offered him men horses and money if in case the warre should further proceede and in the meane time while they could see what way these rumours would take they yeelded to his Maiestie 600000. Dollors for three moneths to be employed where his Maiestie thought good These rumours were not in vaine For the warre betweene Ferdinand and King Iohn otherwise called Stephen was greatly inflamed King Iohn hauing alreadie taken from the Emperour the strong Castle of Tocchay and many other minding continually to assay the recouerie of the surplusage of his kingdome and to reuenge himselfe of the wrong which he thought he had receiued in this that the Emperour held not promise with him touching the Infanta Ioane whom he had promised vnto for spouse with a dowrie conuenient to her greatnes and with such reasons being fauoured of the Hungars who complained themselues to bee sorely oppressed by the Emperour and hauing by the ayde of the Turke amassed a great armie he possessed a large countrie and had become master of all Hungarie if the Emperour had not before sent a sufficient Campe to resist and hinder them from further proceeding notwithstanding the forces of the Basha of Buda who was come into the field on his behalfe But at the instance of the King of Polonia other Princes who offered themselues to be mediatours of some good accord for the desire which they had to quēch that fire for feare that the Turke vnder this occasion should not fasten himselfe further in this quarter hee caused his armie to retire as also King Iohn did who by the aduice perswasion of the said mediatours was reduced to this point that he would send Ambassadours to the Emperiall Maiestie to effect their accord and to demaund one of his daughters in mariage which he did and his Ambassadours being arriued at Vienna and audience being graunted them being about to say that Iohn King of Hungarie and Transiluania had sent them vnto him the Emperour would heare them no further saying that his Vayuode ought not to call himselfe King of Hungarie that kingdome being his inheritance not vsurped as it had been by the father of him who sent them and that if they would haue audience they should no more call Iohn King of Hungarie nor Transiluania but onely Vayuode of that Prouince The Ambassadours not minding to accept of these conditions presently dispatched Couriers into Poland and into Transiluania to giue the King notice of all this Vpon this difficultie the K. of Poland was of opinion that the King of Transiluania his nephew shuld not for that time name himselfe K. of Hungarie but only of that which he possessed seeing it was not likely that he could iustly denie him the title of K. of Transiluania he being thereunto called by the consent of all the people and reinstalled by force of his armes after that he had not kept nor obserued the couenants and promises made as on his behalfe betweene the Queene his mother and the Emperour in the time that Castalde was there The Ambassadours following this aduice alleadging the reasons of the King of Poland and speaking of Castalde they complained greatly of him saying that the Queene had been more deceiued by his perswasions and vaine speeches then had been the dead King her husband by those who had crowned him K. of Hungarie and those who were reuolted against him The Emperour not minding to agree to this title of K. of Transiluania but only of Vayuod receiued notwithstanding those Ambassadours who treating of their charge were not much content They demaunded that the Emperour should relinquish all that which he pretended in Transiluania and that he should make peace with their King in giuing him his daughter in marriage with 100000. crownes and vpon this condition that all that which is situated beyond Tibiscus should bee his and that which was on this side should remaine to his Maiestie and that in the warres which might be betweene him and the Turke he should be reputed neuter not willing in this case to forsake the amitie of the Grand Seigniour not to faile in the fidelitie and homage which he had done vnto him neither was he willing to be bound to ioyne with his Maiestie whensoeuer the Turke would make warre in Hungarie They also further demaunded that concerning that which the Emperour possessed of the rest of Hungarie he should satisfie the dowrie and debts of Queene Izabella which she pretended from the time of the death of King Iohn her husband To these demaunds the Emperour consented in part and in part also meant not to consent to those which most imported him and specially concerning the alliance that he might not seeme thereby willing to yeeld vp his pretended
and that there is diuers opinions amongst the Doctors of it And although that in Spaine there is great seueritie vsed for the preseruation of the ancient faith yet neuerthelesse so it is that about this time in this Prouince certaine were apprehended who were conuicted by their Confession to hold and follow this new doctrine of Zwinglius and the punishment which was inflicted vpon them being accompanied with great ceremonies that they adde therevnto for a greater terror to the assistances I am willing to write the order thereof although it be from the discourse of this historie but seeing it falleth out so fit to our purpose and that in another place it may be I shall not haue the like commoditie nor occasion to set it downe in writing I desire the reader to take this in good part and to thinke that I adde and sometimes entermixe strange discourses the rather to recreate his minde then to content my selfe euen as the eye doth more delight it selfe to see in a fayre medow diuersitie of flowers then one onely kinde of colour in a corne field This exemplar punishment was performed in the towne of Valladolid in which for it there is appointed a great Scaffold by the Councell house and another adioyning thereto wherein the Princes must be About this place were also raised other Scaffolds vpon which must bee present the Councellors and persons of qualitie officers of iustice and Gentlemen not onely of the towne but almost of all the realme The abundance of people that was there was so great that in mans memorie the like was not heard of About ten of the clocke the 21. day of May the Princesse Ioane Gouernesse of Spaine and the Prince Don Charles went forth of the Palace accompanied with the Archbishop of S. Iames the great Constable and Admirall of Castile the Marquesse of Astorgne of Denigne and of Sarmia Comptroller of the Princesses house and the Counts of Miranda of Orsen of Nieua of Modecgne of Sardeigne of Zibadea of Andrade of Don Garzia of Toledo Gouernour of the Prince and of many other great persons Before them marched two Vshers with their Maces two Heraulds with the armes of Spaine the Count of Bondie carrying the Sword in his hand and all this companie conducted the Princes to the lodging which was prepared adioyning to the said great Scaffold Vpon the Scaffolds were alreadie the Archbishop of Siuill generall Inquisitor with those who were of the Councell of the Inquisition Roderic Bishop of Ciuidad the royall Councell the Inquisitors the Bishop of Oran and the Bishop of Palence The Princes being present at the windowes of their lodgings they began to carrie a Crosse couered with blacke with the Ensigne of the Office of the Inquisition and after marched the Clergie and prisoners who had bin receiued to penance and after them those who were condemned to death This procession departed from the Inquisition house by a high raised way made of purpose going vnto the said Scaffold where being all arriued and euery one set therevpon Frier Melchior who afterward was Bishop of Canaria being of the Iacobins Order began a Sermon and that ended the Archbishop of Siuill rising vp went to the Princesse and Prince and caused them to make vpon a Crosse such an oth as followeth It being ordained by the Apostolicall decrees and by the holy Canons that the Kings ought to sweare to carrie all fauour to the Catholike faith and Christian religion you conforming your selues to this holy ordinance your Highnesses sweare in the name God in the name of S. Marie and by the holy Euangelists by the signe of the Crosse vpon which you haue put your hands to yeeld all fauour and giue all necessarie helpe to the holy office of the Inquisition and ministers of the same against Heretikes and Apostataes and against all those who fauour and defend them and against all manner of persons who directly or indirectly hinder the progresse of this holy office and to constraine all your subiects to obey and obserue the constitutions and Apostolike letters giuen and published for the safetie and defence of our holy Catholike faith against Heretikes and against those who beleeue them receiue or defend them Vpon these speeches the two Princes made answer that so they would sweare And the Archbishop added these words Because of your holy oth our Lord prosper your royall persons and the Estates of your Highnesses for many and long yeeres By and by after one of the Registers who is there present demaunded of the companie whether they did not sweare the like oth They all made answere I. Then they began to reade the condemnations and iudgements giuen against them all and especially against those who were condemned to the fire And these were Doctor Augustine Cazagia his Maiesties Chaplaine and Preacher Francis d'Viuero Dame Betrix d' Viuero Dame Elenor de Viuero Alonso Perez a Priest Antonio Herrezuolo a bachelor Christopher de Occampo a Licentiate Francis de Herrera a Licentiate Iohn Garzia Christopher de Padillia Izabella de Straba Ioane Velasques Gonzala Vaes a Portugall Catherin Roman and Dame Catherin d'Ortegua These assoone as their iudgement was read were throwne into the fire But it being not possible but that some would desire to know what manner of proceeding this Inquisition is I minding therein to satisfie euery one principally in that which may bring some vtilitie with delight to the reader will here write of it as it is practised in Spaine seeing it is lesse knowne then the name thereof in other kingdomes This office was first inuented by Ferdinand King of Aragon who after he had chased or at least subdued the kingdome of Granado which as almost all the rest of the kingdomes of Spaine was for many yeeres in the hands of the Mores or Sarazins who had tamed Spaine from the time that Count Iulian called them thither to reuenge himself of the rape and forcement wherof K. Roderic of Spaine of the Gothish religion had vsed against his daughter Cana. Ferdinand hauing by ten yeeres warre reduced this kingdome vnder his puissance and permitting the inhabitants thereof to liue in their Mahometane religion afterward fearing following the aduice of his wisest Councell that this permission would bring some annoyance to the Christian religion by the frequent fellowship that these inhabitants should haue with his other subiects resolued himselfe intirely to purge this kingdome either by preachings or force Some of them chused rather to passe the sea and retire into Africke then to chaunge their religion Others by effectuall reasons or else preferring their safetie before their religion were baptized This charge to conuert them was giuen to the Iacobins These imployed their time therein with great care But seeing that their paines seemed vnprofitable to many they found a way to search out the meanes hoping that by feare they should keep them in the obseruation of the Christian faith which otherwise they
THE HISTORIE OF HVNGARIE THE ARGVMENT OF THE NINTH BOOKE KIng Iohn endeuoreth to stir vp the Hungars against Maximilian Solyman marcheth into Hungarie with a great armie Pallota well defended by Tury against the Turkes Succours come to the Emperour from forraine Princes Solyman arriueth in Hungarie and besiegeth Sighet before which he dyeth whose death was concealed vntill Selim Solymans eldest sonne was chosen Emperour The last assault giuen to Sighet where Countie Serin gouernour of the towne in sallying forth brauely endeth his happie dayes and then Sighet is taken A Diet in Austria in which was graunted succours to Maximilian for the war of Hungarie Peace betweene Selim and Maximilian who after the death of Iohn King of Transiluania pretendeth title to that kingdome but Stephen Battor by the Turkes fauour is chosen King thereof The manner and coronation of a King of Hungarie and namely of Rodulph sonne to Maximilian Truce expyred betweene Maximilian and Selim and the death of him Amurath his sonne succeedeth Betweene whom and Rodulph who after the death of his Father Maximilian is chosen Emperour a truce is concluded WHilest the Emperour Maximilian prepared to defend himselfe against the iniuries of which he was threatned by the Turke King Iohn also carefully fortefying himselfe daylie encreased his armie aswell by new leauies of souldiours as with many Hungarian Lords and Transiluanians who came and voluntarely offered themselues to serue him in this war with good strength Iohn had thus gayned many of them by particular letters sent to euery one and to draw them the more to him he caused letters to be published in the name of the King of Hungarie directed to all the Nobilitie and people of the countrie by which he endeauored himselfe to proue that his cause was iust and exhorted them to follow his part adding that which here followeth The most puissant Emperour of the Turkes our most mercifull benifactour hath commaunded vs by his letters and by Zeusic his Ambassadour that we should exhort al the estates of our Realmes and countrie to be faithfull vnto vs and yeelde vs that obedience which they owe vs he hauing certified vs that that would be to him verie pleasant and agreeable when he should know the Hungars to imbrace one another with a sincere affection and to be desierous amongst them strictly to preserue it Therefore if you feare to displease him who with infinit puissance is able to chastice them who prouoke him and if you haue in any regarde the fidelitie which you owe to vs we would councell you all to acknowledge vs for your King and Lord. In doing this it will be a meanes to preserue and maintaine this kingdome so much afflicted to restore vnto peace all the States thereof and to giue particularly to euery one an assured aboade in his owne house all of vs cutting off the occasion which so often moueth Solymon to bring an armie into the fielde to ruinate them and to come himselfe in person to make this waste with infinit cost without respecting paynefull long and tedious iourneyes which it behoueth him to doe For this cause you ought all to take good heede to your selues whilest the time and season is yet fit before you haue vpon your shoulders this his great armie which alreadie is departed from Constantinople For when you shall see your fieldes harried your houses burnt your children captiues and you seperated by violence from your wiues you may then in vaine desire peace To auoyde this miserable ruine we haue been very willing to cause you expresly to vnderstand the will of the Grand Seigniour and thereupon to shew in generall to all what is the present estate of publike matters and to desire you in consideration thereof to haue regarde to the peace and repose of euery one and by that meanes to deliuer your selues from the perill of war and of the daunger present and to come which hangeth ouer the heads of euery one By these and many other reasons Iohn endeauored to stir vp the Hungars to follow his part and to be himselfe at the Diet which he had appoynted in the towne of Torde in the moneth of March in which place should assemble all the states of his kingdome to aduise together of that which was necessarie for the preseruation of it These letters being bruited abroade and the knowledge thereof being come to Schuendy who then was at Vnghar with his armie He presently fearing that these letters would alter the affection of some and that the menaces of the Turkes greatnes comprised in them should not possesse others with feare caused these heere in his name to be published the fourth of March directing them to the Barons and Lords of Hungarie My Lords there is sent me from diuers parts the coppie of a letter diuulged vnder the name of Iohn Vayuod of Transiluania full of apparant cullers and of notorious and euident deceites with which hee endeauoreth to astonish the Emperours subiects as if Solyman were very curious of the good and preseruation of the Hungars whom these 100. yeares together he and his predicessors haue labored with all their power wholly to ruinate aswell by their forces and armes as by their deuisions and ciuill warres which he entertaineth amongst you And although I make not any doubt but that by your fidelitie wisedome and for the greatnes of the neere and imminent daunger you cannot but consider whereto tendeth such subtilties and deceites Neuerthelesse to lighten you the more therein I could not but aduertise you that the Emperour with all diligence and industrie hath sought nothing more then peace with the Turkes and Prince of Transiluania of which he hoped for a good end to the content of you all if the negotiation thereof had not been hindred by the false reports and continuall hatred of the Vayuod And to make proofe thereof vnto you it behoueth you to remember that this last winter his Maiestie commaunded that the truce should be so exactly kept that for to take away all breach thereof he caused to rayse the siege from before certaine Castles and Fortresses which by our people were alreadie neerely driuen and meant not that Transiluania should be forced by our armes all this he did for the repose and good of this kingdome Now though the peace which was yet treated of with the Turkes could not be effected you ought not for that inconuenience to doubt that the Emperour will not vndertake your defence considering that the forces of the Empire and of many other christian Princes zealous of your good will not fayle him no more then I beleeue you would fayle to the obseruance of that which dependeth on your fidelitie towards his Maiestie in whose name you doing that which belongeth vnto you I can assure you of a peace and future repose desiring and exhorting you rather to pursue that which is equall then suffering your selues to follow as little children doe deceitfull amazements you should imbrace that which
himselfe with them and that the Emperour should not be so much offended against them For this consideration they chose for their King Stephen Battor the principall Baron amongst them About this time the Emperour published the resignation which he made of the kingdome of Hungarie to the profit of his eldest sonne Rodolph who the yeere before he caused to come out of Spaine where he had soiourned a certaine time with the Catholike King his vncle The crowning of him with many magnificent and sumptuous ceremonies was made in the towne of Poson And for that such things are notable and worthie to bee knowne for those who desire to please themselues in the knowledge of that which is strange to them I purpose to recite and write them in this historie The place of Poson which anciently was called Pisonium because it was built by Piso a Romane being appointed for this pompe all the States of the countrie were called thither These being assembled the day before their enterie into the towne the Emperour and Empresse entered by night into the towne in their Coaches with many lights and torches accompanied with the Prince Mathias and Maximilian their yonger sonnes the 20. of September not minding no more then did the other Lords of their Court to enter therein publikely in the day time The day following departed from Ambourg otherwise called Sopron Rodolph accompanied with his brother Ernestus and many other Princes and Lords Before him departed out of the towne a league off his two other brothers Mathias and Maximilian in whose companie was the Archbishop of Strigonium Primate of the kingdome who had with him sixe Bishops followed of other Lords of the Nobilitie and Caualarie of Hungarie At the meeting the Archbishop to whom belonged this charge with a briefe and elegant oration in Latin after he had prayed to God that it would please him to make this his entrance and comming prosperous and fortunate for the peace and comfort of his subiects he promised to him in the name of all the kingdome obedience and fidelitie The Prince answered him with a modestie mixt with a sweet kind of grauitie that he thanked the kingdome for so good an affection in his behalfe and that he prayed God that he would giue him that grace in such sort to beare this charge that his diuine Maiestie might be well serued therein that it would please him to make him such an one that all the Prouinces and people of the kingdome might neuer haue occasion to repent themselues to haue obeyed him but rather that they would bee very well content with his election promising to employ all his forces to the good preseruation and augmentation of all the kingdome as well in generall as particular This said they began to proceede on towards Poson with this pompe the Hungarish Caualarie marching before to the number of 3000. horse diuided vnder 42. Ensignes with so goodly an order and so well guarded that it was a marueilous thing to see because that these souldiours did weare vpon their heads most goodly and glistering head-peeces inriched with gold and fayre workes ingrauen vpon them and vpon the front they had great plumes made of white Peacocks feathers that couered all the bodie which they had armed with bright Curasses or Shirts of maile Vpon the left arme they carried Targets after their manner certaine whereof had about them three hemmes or borders of the same feathers and in their hands and at the saddle bow they held Launces Sables Clubbes and Maces of iron They were all mounted vpon very good horses which made them the more worthie to bee regarded for so much as their harnesses was inriched with gold and their head-peeces furnished with great plumes with many precious stones and pearles of great value in such sort that it seemed that this people carried with them all their worth which is a meanes to incourage and defend themselues more couragiously against the enemie That which made this Caualarie seeme yet more proud and gallant were the skinnes of Beares and Tygers which the horsemen did weare vpon their shoulders and mane of their horses After this ordinance marched all the gentlemen of the traine of the Princes of Bauier of the Archduke of Austria of the two yonger sons of the Emperour and many other of his Maiesties house so nobly apparelled and their horses so trimly decked that they made this pompe very magnificent they all hauing chaines of gold about their neckes The Prince Maximilian marched after these hauing on his left hand the Prince of Cleueland After him marched Prince Ernestus who had his brother Mathias on his left hand and Prince Ferdinand of Bauier on his right Behinde came Prince Rodolph in the middest of the Archduke of Austria his vncle and of Prince William of Bauier After these Princes was to be seene the aforesayd Archbishop with his Prelates in the middest of the Emperours guard This new King with this pompe was receiued without the bridge by the Germane Infantrie which was ranged in battaile to the number of 5000. and of others 500. souldiours who were for the guard of the Port and in like sort of all the people who of all sorts of age and condition were gathered together to see and receiue this new King with great applause and to conduct him to the Archiepiscopall palace which was prepared for him He went about euening to kisse the hands of the Emperour and Empresse who imbraced him very louingly The 25. of September the necessarie things for his coronation being prepared the Emperour went to the Cathedrall Church in great pompe with his Emperiall habit accompanied with his Heraulds being carried in a chaire by reason that then he was troubled with the gowte which did daily molest him Before him marched the great Marshall of the Empire hauing in his hand the naked sword After followed the Ambassadours of Princes and the gentlemen of his Court His Maiestie being placed on the top of the quire where his siege was prepared vnder a Canapie and that of the Empresse on his right hand sat the Archduke Charles Prince William of Bauier Prince Ernestus Ferdinand of Bauier Maximilian Mathias and the Prince of Cleue On the left hand was placed Iohn Dolfin the Popes Nuncio the Ambassadour of the Catholike King and he of Venice After arriued the new King accompanied with the Princes which wee haue named and of all the Nobilitie of Bohemia and Hungarie These Princes being entered into the Church and hauing made reuerence to the Emperour tooke their places appointed for them But Rodolph entered into the Vestarie from whence he presently after came out bare headed being apparelled with a white robe which they said sometime was belonging to S. Stephen the first King of Hungarie and before him went tenne Hungarian Barons sumptuously apparelled each one carrying a Standard in his hand wherein were represented the tenne Prouinces subiect to this kingdome although the most
part of them are possessed at this day by the Turke These are they Hungarie Dalmatia Croatia Sclauonia Seruia Galisia Rascia Bulgaria Bosnia and Lodomiria After these tenne followed fiue other Barons the one of which carried a Relique in token of peace set in a round forme of gold The second carried a Sword vndrawne in a crimosin veluet scabbard trimmed with siluer The third had the Scepter in his hand The fourth held a little Globe of gold And the last carried the Crowne All these Iewels as it is said belonged to the said S. Stephen and are among the Hungars held in such regard that they esteeme him not for lawfull King who enioyeth them not These fiue Barons were followed by the new King who had vpon his right hand the Marshall of the kingdome who held in his hand the naked Sword With this traine and companie the King comming to the quire two Bishops came before him into the middest of the Church to wit he of Agria and Zagrabia who after a few words conducted him being in the middest of these two before the Archbishop who was solemnely apparelled At the feete of him Rodolph kneeling the Archbishop gaue him his blessing and annoynted him with the accustomed ceremonies There the Epistle being ended the Archbishop girded his Sword about him causing him to draw it out of the scabbard and to lift it vp on high three times demonstrating thereby that he should be bound by armes to defend the faith of Iesus Christ against Infidels and Heretikes Then the Archbishop demaunded with a lowd voyce of the people who are present at the ceremonies if they would accept this Prince for their King Then euery one with infinit acclamations cried that they desired and would haue him for their King Vpon this the Archbishop taketh his oth and putteth the Crowne vpon his head and the Scepter in his hand The King raising himselfe they take the Sword from his side which they giue to the Marshall of the kingdome to carrie it alwaies before his Maiestie Then the Archbishop leadeth the King wearing his Crowne on his head and holding the Scepter in his hand into his Throne At all these ceremonies the Archbishop vseth certaine prayers and admonitions appointed for that purpose After that the Archbishop sitteth downe by the King while they sing Te Deum which ended the Archbishop returneth to the Aulter to end the Masse That done the King in the same habit goeth out of the Church causing peeces of gold and siluer to be throwne to the people and newly coyned vnder his name and from this Church with the same companie he went to the Cordiliers in which he made many Knights as well Hungars as strangers and from thence he went mounted on horsebacke richly decked although he did earnestly lament two miles from the towne to accomplish certain ceremonies depending vpon the oth which the Kings ought to make in such sacred things In the meane time the Emperour after he had most affectionatly thanked the Ambassadours for their assistance and had permitted them to depart he was brought backe to the Castle The Saterday following they made many feasts and vpon the Sunday 100. braue gentlemen performed an excellent Tourney Amongst these according to the iudgement of the assistance the two princes Maximilian and Mathias behaued themselues valiantly the one of them fought against a Spaniard the sonne of the Spanish Ambassadour and the other against a Duke of Poland At night the Emperour made a most rich and sumptuous supper for all the Princes who all for reuerence of the Emperour were bare headed except the King and Archduke Charles who went before the King being placed by the Emperesse Two dayes after they presented an assault giuen against a towne made of wood for defence of which were certaine Knights greatly esteemed This same yeare ended the truce betweene Selim and Maximilian The Emperour perceiuing no more strength to bee in him such as before it was and knowing his small forces or else for some other consideration Selim sought to obtayne of him a prolonging of the truce But Selim not so readily condiscending as Maximilian desired the truce in that time expired and presently the Turkes of the next garrisons fayled not to put themselues into the field and to harrie and assaile the frontiers carying away with them great store of bootie Rodolph with Maximilian his Father determined to erect a Fort betweene Poson and Alberegalis to restraine such incursions The Turkes well foreseeing that which might happen by such a building resolued not to suffer to bee finished before their eyes a place which should be to them of too great importance and by the same meanes to hinder the deseignes of Rodolph For this end hauing amassed together their forces which might amount vnto 20000. men they suddenly assayled this Fort in a maner finished entering in by force they killed the garrison and all the labourers who worked there and after they had reuersed all that edifice they lead with them from thence store of artillerie and other munition of warre Rodolph sent to Constantinople to complaine to Selim for such an enterprise made by his people daring the time of the treaty of peace and without there being of either partie any other former declaration of warre redemaunding that which was taken from him at this Fort. But the aunswere was a deniall of all that which his Maiestie demaunded and to which they added threats if he persisted in such demaunds The Emperour notwithstanding his voluntarie yeelding which he had made to his sonne Rodolph of the Crowne of Hungarie hauing no lesse care of this kingdome then he had before considering how greatly the losses which the people receiued by these incursions were damageable and that by this occasion necessitie constrayned him to take armes to defend it from the violence of his enemies and to recouer that which they tooke from him caused to be published a Diet at Ispurch calling thither all the Princes of Germanie and there proposing to them the perill imminent to all their nation and how little they ought to trust the promises of Infidels exhorted them to take armes with him for the defence of the whole nation The Princes moued by his perswasions concluded to vndertake this warre with him they all iudging that it was more expedient to make open warre then to remaine alwaies in suspence and doubt And vpon this conclusion they gaue order for necessaries thereto In the meane time Charles King of France a long time vexed with such continuall troubles in his kingdome or else because he had vsed too much excesse in his ordinarie exercises in which too violently he passed the time or else by reason of some poyson as some said dyed within a few daies euen then when his life was most necesarie for France not leauing after him but one legitimate daughter of him and his wife named Elizabeth daughter of the Emperour Maximilian Henry his
brother King of Polonia being aduertised of his death made present instance to the Lords of Poland to permit him to goe into France to take possession of so great a kingdome and to set things in order there promising them to returne againe within few moneths The Pollacques would not willingly graunt to him that which he demaunded neuerthelesse they aunswered him that they would consent thereunto if so be that for that effect a Diet should be assembled without which they could graunt him nothing In the meane time his Maiestie gaue order to locke vp his best implements and Iewels and to depart secretly with all speed and after he had sent away before the Ambassadour of France vnder coulour that his authoritie was expired by the decease of his Master and seeing that to attend any longer the resolution of this Diet which the Pollacques delayed from day to day of purpose to detaine him and being resolued to depart he caused to be written in his name by the Lord of Pibrac a letter in Latin to the Senat of Poland by which his Maiestie aduertised them that the occasion more then apparant and the neede of France forced him to depart from their kingdome sooner then hee thought for without further expecting the issue of the Diet he being solicited by messengers vpon messengers to doe it by the Princes and Lords of France and especially by the Queene his Mother without further expecting the issue of the Diet. Hauing left these letters vpon his table and as the said Lord of Pibrac had ended them his Maiestie departed in the night from Cracouia out at a secret posterne of which he vsually had the keyes to goe on hunting and being mounted on horsebacke he made so good speed that within a short time he was out of the limits of the kingdome of Poland and being come to the confines of the Emperours territories he was receiued by his Emperiall Maiestie and by his children with all demonstration of great amitie and by them conducted to Vienna where he was honored and vsed with all manner of honorable respects From thence hee went to Venice where the Seigniorie prouided for him a magnificent enterie After that he passed by Ferrara Mantua and Turin being greatly entertayned by the Princes of Italie An Ambassadour of Poland met him at Ferrara who greatly complayned himselfe of his Maiestie and protested that if hee returned not within a short time the Polonians were resolued to make choise of a new King for that this kingdome could not remaine without the presence of a King His Maiestie desired him to stay this resolution promising him to returne within a short time From Turin within few daies he arriued in France at the same time that the Hungars giuing order to their affayres and fortifying their frontier places against the Turkes prepared for the warre and this they did so much the more willingly for that they already saw amongst them many disorders and that in Transiluania there was declared King by the commaund of the Turke Stephen Battor a man of great experience of whom they had some feare and not without cause Vpon such distrusts and with such preparations they began both of the one part other greatly to be indamaged But during such feares as the Hungars had by reason of the Turke he alreadie preparing to destroy all Christians and feeling himselfe marueilously puffed vp with glorie by reason of the happie successes which betided him in Africa and thinking to take away from the Venecians the I le of Candie as he had done that of Cypresse he dyed within few daies after He was a Prince aboue all other of his time greatly periurious barbarous and wholly fraughted with treacherie he being not come to this Empire but by deceits and falsehoods hauing induced his father to cause all his brethren to be massacred as it was afterwards auerred and hauing thus filled his house with homicides and murthers he obserued not any law or religion but was drowned in all filthie and vilanous vices whatsoeuer This death happened then when the Polonians seeing that their King Henry was peaceably possessed of the Crowne of France and that the time by him prefixed was expired many moneths alreadie past began to treate of the election of another King Henry being aduertised of their intention desired the Electors and Barons of the kingdome that they would attend vntill a certaine time in which space he promised to returne to them or else that hee would send them full commission to chuse another such as they would think to be more commodious for them To this request being ioyned the threats of Amurath the Turke the Polonians contented themselues to stay vntill the prefixed time This passed and at the last expired the Diet was appointed at Cracouia The Emperour Maximilian after that he was aduertised that the intention of the Polonians was not to remaine without the presence of a King began to negotiate with them to cause himselfe to bee chosen King amongst them On the other side Amurath who succeeded Selim hauing vnderstood the suites which the Emperour made sent to the Pollacques and aduised them to doe nothing in that affayre which was disliking to him and that he would they should chuse for their King one amongst them or else Stephen Battor King of Transiluania And the more to astonish this negotiation of Maximilian he writ vnto him by a Chiauss that he and his brothers the Archdukes should pay him tribute of all whatsoeuer they possessed otherwise that he would march into Hungarie and Austria with a puissant armie to put all to fire sword threatning him in the end that if for him or any of his he shuld practise the getting of the kingdom of Polonia he would make him repent it Notwithstanding these threats the Emperour by meanes of those who were of his partie was chosen K. of Poland against the King of Transiluania and Duke of Muscouia which two perceiuing themselues greatly disdained determined to endamage with all their forces that kingdome Maximilian being aduertised thereof and foreseeing that he should draw vpon himselfe so many and so puissant enemies and considering that he had not sufficient forces to oppose himselfe against them and especially against the Turk who prepared to thrust himselfe into Poland being offended with this that the Polonians had so slightly regarded his aduertisements and messengers fearing to trouble himselfe in a warre too daungerous for him and his from whence very hardly he could vntangle himselfe made no great shew of reioycing at this election but laying aside the care which he ought to haue had of it fained as though he knew nothing thereof prolonging by that meanes the taking possession of that kingdom vnder a hope that after the first assaults of these Princes there would not thereby happen to him in the end any other thing Neuerthelesse the Polonians fearing the puissance of the Turke who prepared himselfe to armes
reasons perswading thereto 24 Battaile begun 29 Battaile lost by the Hungars 33 Battaile of the Hungars against Ferdinand 243 Battaile betweene Raoul and Mirce Vayuodes 43 Batha the rende-vous of the Hungars 29 Becche and Becherech Castles taken by the Belerbey 129 The Belerbey of Greece The Belerbey of Greece came into Hungarie with an armie for Solyman against Ferdinand 125. summoneth Themesuar 128. taketh Becch and Becherech 129. receiueth the wiues and children of the Rhatians for hostages and taketh Senath by composition 130. also Lippa 131. besiegeth Solymos and forsaketh saketh it 131. after that Themesuar 132. raiseth the siege 137. arriueth at Vercherez to succour Olyman assieged at Lippa but too late 160. returneth with Mahomet Basha 196 Belgrade a capitall towne of Rascia 12. the situation and renowne thereof 14 Bernard Aldene see Aldene Bigihon a capitall towne of Croatia 12 Binse where Frier George was killed 163 Bonna Queene of Polonia retireth into Italie dieth in bad reputation 274 Bornemisse a traytor to the Budians executed 60 Bossina separated from Hungarie by the riuer Sauus 11 Burgomasters of the townes of Hungarie practised by George to breake the deseignes of Castalde 154 Brassouia a towne of great importance in Transiluania 188 Breme a puissant towne 299 Broderic Chancellor of Hungarie 7. 8 Bucentaure of Venice 274 Buda taken and burned by the Turk 32. abandoned by K. Iohn taken by Ferdinand 39 retaken by Solyman 45. assieged by Ferdinand 59. taken by the Turke with deceit 69 Bugeron a Moldauian word what is signifieth 244 Bugeron pursuing Mirce Vayuode of Transalpinia defeated by Raoul 244 Bugeron conspiring the death of the Moldauian is discouered and flyeth into Polonia 228. returneth and murthereth him 130 Bursia the sepulcher of the Turkish Emperours 271 Bishops rich in Germanie 298 Bones in the forrest and Wirtesies witnesses of the cruell massacre vpon the Hungars 35 a Bridge built by Traian at Seuerin 13 C CAdilischiers intendants of the iustice in Turkie 332 Calamities of Christians subiect to the Turk 118. 119 Cannoniers of what qualitie they ought to be 92 Captaine of baggage in an armie and his charge 94 Captaines of Pyoners Spyes and Guides necessarie in an armie 93 Captaines dead in the battaile against the Turke 33 Captaines taken by the Turke before Drigall 219 Carabogdania otherwise Moldauia 8 Caransebesse doth yeeld to Mahomet 207 Carinthian souldiours of Ferdinand disorder those of King Iohns 41 Carpathes hils 12 Casson Basha pursueth the rest of Ferdinands armie 65 Cassombassa taketh Lippa being abandoned 216 Cassombassa prepareth to enter into Transiluania 237 Cassombech defeated by the garrison of Deua 254 Cassouia accorded to Izabella for her being and suretie of her money 109 Castellan of Zaluoch worthie of note 223 Ceculians or Sicilians 100 a Coffin couered with black shewed by the assieged to the enemie what it signifieth 234 Ceremonie for the funerall lamentation of the Emperour of Turkie 332 Ceremonies for the receiuing of the grand Seigniour into Constantinople 331 Ceremonies obserued in Spayne vpon them that are executed for their religion 310 Chameria daughter of Solyman and Rossa 262 Charitie maketh vs different from bruite beasts 6 Charles the 5. sent a Commaunder of an armie to Ferd. to ioyne with George against Izabella 90. is called backe againe 261 Charles the Emperour and Ferdinand saue themselues from Ispurch 191 Charles the Emperor renounceth the Empire in fauour of Ferdinand 274. arriueth in Spaine and is there welcomed 277. dieth 278 Charles the yong sonne of Charles is instructed by him 277 Charles the Archduke defeateth a Basha 331 Charles Scheretin sent by Ferdinand to Castalde with succours 128 three Chariots full of Moldauian and Turks heads sent to Castalde 198 Chastisements of God how they may bee staied 5 Chendy Ference fauoureth Izabella 252. 227 Chep an Iland taken by Mahomet 63 Cheres a riuer 101 a Chiauss from Solyman in fauour of the Queene threatneth the Transiluanians 82 a Chiauss giuen to the Turk in exchange of Battors people 257 a Chiauss sent from the Turk to treate of a peace with the Emperour 294 a Chiauss bringing newes to Selim of the death of Mustapha is executed 272 a Chiauss sent backe into Transiluania in fauour of George 87 Count Christopher Francapain malecontent forsaketh Hungarie 8 Christopher Francapain chiefe of the Hungarish Armie 10. died in battaile 33 Clement Athanase raiseth armes for Izabella 260 Coach from whence the name is come 9 a Romane Colonie in Hungarie 13. 16 Colombes of brasse carried from Buda to Constantinople 38 Colombes drawne by Trytons at the funerall of Charles the 5. 279 Colosuar battered by the Germane mutiners 296 Comar an Iland 12 a Comissarie generall ouer victuals in an armie and his charge 91 another Comissarie 92 Comissarie ouer the munition of Artillerie and his charge ibid. Comissaries sent by Ferdinand to receiue the treasure of George 175 Compassion of Solyman vpon the fortune of Lewis 37 Count of Helfestain arriueth in Transiluania with an armie for Ferd. 187 Count Palatine his worthines 7 Count Palatine his affection for the preseruation of the kingdome 15. 18 Count Palatine and of his dutie in the battaile 27 Count Palatine shewing the Kings person incourageth the Hungars 28 Count Salm enterpriseth vpon Alberegalis 295. taketh many places from the Turk 322 Concauitie betweene the heauen and vs. 1 Conditions of peace propounded to Ferdinand by Solyman 73 Councell of the Inquisition of Spaine 310 Conseruation of another and his owne necessarie for an Estate 6 Considerations inducing Castalde to demaund truce with the Turks 239 a Cup of golde of price and marueilous workmanship sent to Solyman by Ferdinand 68 the Crowne of the kingdome saued 32 a strange Custome at Torde betweene the husband and wife touching adulterie 188 Custome of the ancients burying their treasure 214 Custome of the ancient Romanes 172 the Custome of such as are assieged and be resolute therein 234 Custome of Turkish Emperours 37 Custome of the Transiluanians in memorie of reuenge 56 Custome of Transiluania to gather souldiours of the countrie together 127 Custome to present an Ambassadour to the Turke 72 inhumane Crueltie of Mirce Vayuode of Transalpinia 241 inhumane Crueltie of the Turkes after battaile wonne 33. 34. 35 Cowardlines of the Germane souldiours 222. defeated 224 Cowardlines of Spanish souldiours 216 defeated by the Turk ibid. Cowardlines of a Spanish souldiour who in the end killed himselfe 184 D DAlmas besieged by Ferdinands people 102. is yeelded 104 Dalmatia 12 Danes and Muscouits war in Poland 352 the riuer Danubius his beginning 11 Danzic a very rich towne 299 Danzic besieged by Battor 355 Debrezen burned by the Emperials and for what 292 the Defeate of Ferdinands army in Hungarie 64 Defeate of the Hungars by the Turks 355 Defeate of the Moldauians and Turkes 196 Defeate of 24000. on the Turke side by 12000. Christians 243 Defeate of Turkes at the siege of Agria 234. 236 Defeate of Turks 238 Defeate of
between him and Izabella and constraineth her to write to Solyman in his fauour 87. is by Solymā dissembling the iniuries offered to Izabella by him confirmed in his estates 87. nothing regardeth the aforesaid agreement but accordeth with Ferdinand against Izabella 88. was almost drowned 99. breaketh the Diet at Egneth held by the Q. ibid. besiegeth Albe-iula and would the third time make an agreement with Izabella 100. accordeth againe with Izabella 103. taketh Albe-iula by composition ibid. went to confer with Castalde Ferdinands Lieutenant against Izabella 104. his had disposition 105. went to seeke the Q. ibid. sent to Castalde that he should come to him at Albe-iula to conferre together ibid. made shew that he thought the offers of Ferdinand to Izabella to bee good 107. his meanes to breake the agreements of the Queene and Castalde 109. he causeth to be giuen to him the estate of Vayuode of Transiluania and Treasurership and other excessiue demaunds 109. 110. would be Cardinall ibid. is made Archbishop of Strigonium after disswadeth the Queene from the accords made with Castalde 111. they agree againe and sealeth 112 shamefully demandeth of the Queene that shee would commit the royall Crowne into his gouernment 113. acknowledgeth Ferd. for true Lord. 119 obtaineth the third part of the toll of salt 121. seeketh againe the fauour of the Turke 122. negotiateth with the Bashaes 125. amasseth an armie against the Turke 127. is suspected by Castalde and againe consirmed in his estates ibid. went to the Diet of Sibinio and shewed his inconstancie 128. receiueth a promise from the Pope that he should be made Cardinall ibid. ioyned his armie with that of Castaldes 134. would leade the Vauntgard thereof 135. shewed the instabilitie of his minde 136. his subteltie ibid. resolued to besiege Lippa held by the Turk and is made Cardinall 137. by his ambition and other vices he became odious to Castalde 138. counselleth Castalde to make truce with the Turke 141. went through great importunitie vnto Lippa ibid. shewed himselfe at the assault a braue and valiant Captaine 151. endeuoureth to saue Olyman besieged in the Castle 154. 155. practiseth with the Burgomasters of the townes of Hungarie to breake the deseignes of Castalde 154. discouereth his wicked meaning 156. assembled the principall Lords and Captaines of the armie and speaketh to them tending to saue Olyman 156. 157. 160. gaue him meanes to saue himselfe and speaketh secretly in the night to him ibid. practiseth wickednes against Castalde 161. gaue to his people the goods of those of Lippa who were found at the defence of it 162. commeth in a Coach with Castalde and arriued at Binse 163. would goe and holde a Diet at Wasrael to chase out Castalde and his armie 164. his death practised by Castalde 165. is slaine and by what manner 168. his death reuenged vpon the executioners thereof ibid. his buriall 169 his moueables spoyled by his murtherers after restored and committed to the custodie of Ferdinands Treasurers 174. all his treasures are committed to the hands of Comissaries sent by Ferdinand 175. the newes of his death is carried to Rome 185. the authors of his death excommunicated by the Pope 186. who made information of his death 231 George Basi sent to Lewis by the Vayuode to vnderstand his pleasure 16 George of Paline Bishop of Bosnia sent to Paul Tomoree 29. died in battaile 33 George of Scepusa Colleague of Paul Tomoree in the armie 19. died in battaile 33 George of Scepusa blamed by Solyman 37 George Hossute Ambassadour for Maximilian to the Turke 296 George Hossute Ambassadour for the Emperour to Selim. 337 George Pogghy-bragghy caused Ladislas to be poysoned 39 George Tury valiantly defended Pallota against the Turke 319 a valerous act of George Tury 330. for which he is made Knight by the Emperour ibid. Ghestez taken by Count Salm vpon the Turks 323 Gottart and Maillat Commanders of the armie against Gritty 54 Gran a Castle where was rifled and stayed the moueables of Queene Mary 32. forsaken by the Captaine ibid. Griech-suueisneburg a Fortresse 14 Germanes defeated before Drigall 219 Germanes in garrison in the Citadell of Buda capitulate with the Turke 45. are cut in peeces ibid. Germanes mutinie would seaze vpon Castalde 196. are appeased and 50. of them ouerthrowne 197. they mutinie againe 230. 237 Germanes cowardly souldiours 222. defeated 224 God doth chasten those whom hee loueth 3 H HAdao taken by Iohn 286 Haly Chiauss interposeth himselfe touching the peace betweene Ferdinand and the Turke 258 Haniball Cyprian onely left of the Captaines of foote in the battaile against the Turke 33 Hedin taken by Charles the 5. from the Frenchmen 261 Henry the 2. ioyneth with the Protestants 190. retireth himselfe 191 Henry D. of Aniou chosen King of Poland goeth thither 344. is receiued King 345. stealeth away and returneth into France 350. promiseth the Polonians to returne 351 Henry Stampir Colonell sent to Schuendy by the Emperour 334 Hermenstat a principall towne of Transiluania 102 Hierome Lasky receiueth King Iohn flying 42. goeth to Constantinople in an ambassage for him 43. aspireth vnto Transiluania 53 the Historie of the death of Mustapha the eldest sonne of Solyman 261 a memorable Historie of an apparition that appeared in the Castle of King Lewis 32 a Historie serueth for learning 7 Hungars defeated by the Turks 355 Hungars sweare fealty to Ferdinand 116 Hungars to the number of 200000. lost aswell in the battaile as afterwards 33 Hungars seeke peace with the Turks 237 Hungars endeuour to inuest Iohn and Izabella in the kingdome 225 a generall discription and diuision of Hungarie 11 a particular discription of Hungarie 13 Hungarie and France compared for their miseries 4 Hungarie filled with vices before the warres happened therein 3 an Hospital in an armie vnder the charge of Priests 94 Hune a riuer 12 Hust taken by Schuendy yeelded to Iohn 341 the Heauen proportioned of a Sphericall forme 1 the Heauen gouerneth the world 2 couragious Horses of Transiluania 13 Horses appointed to saue the King in case of necessitie 26 Heads of Bishops dead in battaile presented to Solyman 37 I IAnisaries obedient at the signes of their Commaunders 267 Iauarin a towne 12 Iauarin burned by chance 333. repayred by Count Salm. 334 Iaycza a capitall towne in Bosnia 12 Iohn K. of Hungarie Iohn King of Hungarie distributeth the honours and estates of the kingdome 38. forsaketh Buda and retireth into Transiluania 39. flyeth into Polonia 42. is receiued of Hierome Lasky ibid. offereth tribute and homage to Solyman 43. sent Lasky a Polonian Lord to Solyman for succours ibid. kisseth Solymans hands 44. confirmed King of Hungarie by Solyman 51. entereth into suspition against Lewis Gritty 52 Iohn and Ferdinand accord together 57 the death of K. Iohn of Hungarie ibid. Iohn sonne of the said Iohn Iohn sorroweth seeing his mother to giue the Crowne to Castalde 113. manifesteth not to consent to the Queene his mother 114. betrothed to the Infanta Ioane
by the Emperour to the Princes of Germanie and touching that which is due therefore 307 Izabella Izabella daughter of Sigismond King of Polonia mother of Stephen Tutresse and Gouernesse of Hungarie after the death of King Iohn her husband 58 is put in minde by Ferdinand of the accords passed betweene him and the deceased King Iohn 59. which she refusing is besieged by the said Ferdinand within Buda ibid. she determineth to yeeld Buda 61. is succoured ibid. receiueth and offereth presents to the Turke 62. sent to him her sonne Stephen 69. writ to him in fauour of the Hungarish Lords which he held prisoners 70. is sent by Solyman into Transiluania and forced to forsake Hungarie 71. her constancie ibid. is with much adoe receiued into Transiluania 74. after long patience she complaineth of George to Solyman 76. being aduertised of the conference of George with Nicholas Salm she sent backe to Solyman against their practises 79. gathereth forces against George 80. is forsaken of the Transiluanians and for what 83. accordeth with George 84. confirmeth him and against her liking writ to Solyman in fauour of George 87. prouoketh the Transiluanians against George ibid. causeth a Diet to bee held at Egneth 99. it being broken by George she retireth with her sonne to Albe-iula after that to Sassebesse 99. sent the Marquesse of Balasse to hinder the passage of Castaldes comming to ioyne with George 102. she accordeth againe with George 103. sent to visit Castalde 105 spake secretly to him and complaineth of George 107. submitteth her selfe to Ferdinand 108. accordeth with him 109 speaketh againe to Castalde and accuseth George to him 111. dismisseth her selfe from the kingdome and royall ornaments and committeth them into the hands of Castalde 113. departeth the kingdome 120. her miserie 122. arriueth at Cassouia 123. after the death of George requireth of Ferdinand the moueables of George which he had taken from King Iohn her husband and demanded the accomplishment of that whic he had promised her 176. she complaineth of Ferdinand to the King and Queene of Polonia 192. 226. accepteth the offer of the Vayuode of Transalpinia and seeketh againe the Turke 227. is succoured by him and the principall of the countrie ibid. practiseth her returne into Transiluania 252. is solicited by the Transiluanians to returne 256. causeth certaine places to be surprised 260. she reestablisheth her selfe in her kingdom and chaseth out Ferdinands people 272. recompenceth those who had not forsaken her part 273. banisheth by the commandement of the Turk the new sects 278 Iula besieged by Solyman 325. taken 330 Iulius the 3. excommunicateth the murtherers of George 186 Iule Salazar sent by Ferdinand to Castalde to cause George to be killed 139 Iulian de Carleual planted himselfe the first at the assault of Lippa and caried away the guerdon by Castalde 148 Iustice saleable in Hungarie 3 K KEretsken excuseth himselfe by writing for the yeelding of Iula 337. is cruelly put to death by those whom he had badly vsed 338 Koteze wherefore so called 9 Krasso a poole or marrish 20 L LAdislas Cheretsken yeeldeth Albe-iula by composition to the Turk 329 Ladislas Endef induceth the Saxons and Sicilians to acknowledge Ferd. 119 Ladislas a Macedonian Bishop of the fiue Churches 11 Ladislas Salcane Archbishop of Strigogonium Primate of Hungarie and great Chancellor yeeldeth vp the royall Seale 9. died in battaile 33. blamed by Solyman for his couetousnes 37 Ladislas poysoned the day of his mariage 39 Largesse due to the Ianisaries by the new Emperour 332 Largesse done at the consecration of Rodolph K. of Hungarie 348 Lazare Schuendy Lazare Schuendy Lieutenant generall in Hungarie for Maximilian 287. put his armie in the field ibid. besiegeth and taketh Tocchay and other places 288. 334. receiueth new succours from the Emperour 291. burneth Debrezen for deliuering victuals to the Turke 292. defeateth the garrison of Moncat ibid. is taken with an agew ibid. killeth 4000. Turks 293. writ to the Lords of Hungarie against the letters of King Iohn 317. assiegeth and taketh Zathnar 338. after that Mourach and besiegeth Hurst 339 Legates from the Pope to Charles the 5. and the King of France 274 Leonard Gnomsky a Polonian Marshall of the Campe. 18 Leonard Gnomsky deliuereth his minde touching the ordering of the battaile 26 Letters of Solyman to Andrew Battor 254. 255 Letters of Charles the Emperour to the Cardinall of Mentz 274 Letters of Solyman to George the Frier vpon the complaints of Izabella 77 Letters from King Iohn to the Hungarish and Transiluanian Lords 317 Letters of Schendy to the contrarie effect ibid. a League against the Polonians 353 Lippa and Themesuar townes of importance 121 Lippa yeelded to the Turke 131 Lippa and his situation 141. besieged by Castalde 142. brauely maintained the assault 147. 148. taken by assault of Castalde 152. committed to Aldenes custodie 163. cowardly forsaken and burned by Aldene 212. taken againe by the Turk 215 Lords dead in the field in battaile against the Turk 33 Lewis the 2. Lewis the 2. King of Hungarie and Bohemia and his birth 7. the qualities of Lewis ibid. Lewis assembleth the Estates to aduise for the defence of the kingdome against the Turke 10. demaundeth ayde of Christian Princes ibid. goeth into the field 15. sent backe George Basi to the Vayuode after instructions 17. sent letters and posts into diuers places to hasten the succours ibid. arriueth at Tholne 18. Lewis in choller amongst his Councell and his braue resolution 19. distressed touching the resolution of the battaile 21. commandeth all the Councellors to resolue vpon battaile or else to discampe 23. his forces against Solyman 26. he was committed to three notable men during the battaile ibid. the losse of him 30. he was found dead 31. he was borne without skinne 32. buried 38 Lewis Gritty Duke of Venice with Solyman aydeth King Iohn with his fauour 45. remaineth at Buda with K. Iohn 51. is recalled by Solyman to Constantinople after sent backe into Hungarie ibid. maketh friendship with the Vayuode of Moldauia 52. enterpriseth vpon Transiluania ibid. laugheth beholding the head of Emeric 54. his conscience reprouing him he confesseth the innocent death of Emeric ibid. retireth himselfe to Megest ibid. is besieged by the Transiluanians 55. forsaken of his friends thinking to saue himselfe is taken and committed to Francis Chendy to cause him to bee put to death 56. his children beheaded ibid. Lubec a rich towne 299 monie of Lysimachus found by peasants 214 the Loue of our countrie is of great efficacie 235 germane Lords enter into Vienna to defend it 46 hungarish Lords conducting Stephen to Solyman are retained by him 70. set at libertie 72 hungarish Lords stirre vp Ferdinand to make warre against King Iohn 39 M MAgdebourg a puissant towne 298 Mahomet Basha sent to the succours of Queene Izabella against Ferdinand 61. incampeth by Roccandolph 62. taketh the I le of Chep 63 Mahomet Basha Lieutenant generall for Solyman against Transiluania 187 arriueth
with a puissant armie 196 besiegeth Themes 197. capitulateth with Losonze 205. he vseth him with great perfidiousnes after he had yeelded Themesuar 206. taketh Caransebesse into his protection 207. is aduertised that Lippa is abandoned sent to take possession thereof 215. taketh his iourney towards Hungarie 218. besiegeth Zaluoch 220. 221. taketh it being forsaken by the garrison 224. besiegeth Agria ibid. 232. summoneth the Castle 234. after thirteene assaults raiseth the siege 236. retireth himselfe out of the kingdome 239 Mahomet the sonne of Mustapha aduanced in recompence of the innocent death of his father 272 Lieutenant generall of an Armie what assistance he ought to haue with him 91 Master of the poste necessarie in an armie 94 duke of Mantua in succour of the Emperour 336 Marata the sepulcher of Solyman 332 Marc Anthonie of Ferrara Castaldes Secretarie killed George 167 Marie sister of the Emperour Char. the 5. Queene of Hungarie 7 Marie gaue summes of money out of her Exchequer to leauie people 17 Marie the Queene retireth her selfe 32 Marie daughter of Charles the Emperour married to Maximilian King of Bohemia 128 Marie Queene of Bohemia obtained pardon for Aldene 260 Maromarusia a Prouince 12 Marosse a riuer ibid. Maroth and the great murther of Hungars happened in it 35 Marquesse of Balasse in seruice of Izabella 102. pursueth Olyman sauing himselfe from Lippa 160. is wounded with a harquebuze shot 161 Martelots wicked peasants 323 Martiane a forrest 11 Martin Rostan in France with an armie for the Emperour Charles 191 Mathias Lobosky sent by Queene Izabella to Ferdinand 193 Matthew Nagh of meane condition defended the Castle of Strigonium against the Turk 32 Mauris Duke of Saxonie riseth against the Emperour Charles 190 Mauris came to Ispurch to surprise the Emperour and Ferdinand 191. they doe accord 192 Mauris Duke of Saxonie arriueth in Hungarie with an armie for Ferdinand 232 D. Mauris dismissed 254 Maximilian Maximilian sonne of Ferdinand chosen King of the Romanes 285. is made King of Hungarie ibid. prepareth himselfe to make warre vpon K. Iohn 286. treateth of peace with the Turk 289. sent succours to Schuendy 290. 291. celebrateth the funerals of his father ibid. prepareth a new armie against the Turk 292. sent Ambassadours to the great Turke to continue the treatie of peace 296. publisheth a Diet at Ausbourg to request succours against the Turk 297. came himselfe before the Elector of Mentz comming to the Diet. 302. his demaunds in the Diet. 305. the offers which are made him for succour 306. commaundeth the Kings of Swethen and Denmarke to lay aside armes 306. gaue to Princes the inuestiture of their fees 307. dismisseth the Diet and trauaileth to another Diet at Vienna ibid. the ordinances which he made ibid. commaundeth prayers at certaine houres at the sound of a bell and forbiddeth all manner of sports 323. declareth in his armie Ferdinand his brother to be his Lieutenant generall 334. receiueth certaine newes of the death of Solyman and the coronation of Selim. 333 dismisseth his army and retireth himselfe to Vienna ibid. calleth the Estates ibid. made his entry into Prage and obtaineth succours against the Turk 350. 351. sent Ambassadours to Selim for peace ibid. obtaineth it 352. complaineth himselfe to Selim of King Iohn 353. is solicited by the Venecians and Pope to make warre vpon the Turk 354. yeeldeth the kingdomes of Hungarie and Bohemia to his sonne Rodolph 355. pretendeth succession of the kingdome of Transiluania after the death of King Iohn 357. seeketh againe Selim to obtaine a prolonging of truce which he could not 361. obtaineth succours of the Germanes against the Turke 362. sueth for the Crowne of Polonia 364. is chosen K. by his partakers ibid. taketh not possession of the kingdome for certaine considerations 365. is angrie hearing the election of Battor ibid. demaundeth succours of the Germanes against the Polonians 366. sent to solicite the Sophy against Amurath ibid. his Ambassadours massacred by Battor he causeth those to be staid of Battors and many Pollacques 367. dieth ibid. Medals of gold of Lysimachus found by peasants 214 Medals of gold of Ninus and Semiramus ibid. Megest shut the Ports against Lewis Gritty and for what 55 Mehemet Basha very aduised and faithfull to the successour of Solyman 327 concealeth the death of Solyman ibid. Melchior Ballassy for Maximilian against Iohn 286 Moueables of Mirce of great price wonne by Raoul 244 Moueables of a Cardinall dying without will belong to the Pope 186 Murtherers of George excommunicated ibid. absolued by the Pope 240 Mines discouered 47 Mines of the Germanes at Buda blowen vp 60 Mines of gold siluer and copper in Hungarie 14. in Transiluania 13 Mines of gold siluer and iron in Transiluania 101 Mines of salt gold and siluer in the Bishoprick of Saltsbourg 298 Ministers of the Church men of warre in Hungarie 3 Mirce Vayuode of the Transalpinians offereth himselfe to Izabella to place her againe in her kingdome 227. defeated and chased by Raoul 240 discription of Mohacz and place of battaile 13 Mohacz the place where the Hungars were defeated 36 Moldauia and Transalpinia parts of Valachia 13 Moldauia named by the Turks Carabogdania 8 Moldauia a Romane Colonie 100 Monastarie of Hermits whither retired the Emp. Charles to end his daies 277 Muscouits and Denmarks make warre in Polonia 365 Mourach taken by Schuendy 351 Meanes to incourage souldiours to an assault 147 Meanes to discouer a mine 47 seuen Muets executioners of the Grand Seigniours will 238 Mufty or Muplety chiefe of the Turkes Priests 271. 333 Mustapha maketh warre in Transiluania 65 Mustapha the eldest sonne of Solyman banished into Amasia 69. the historie of his death 261 Mustapha at the commaundement of his father went to seek him 266. is strangled 268. knowne to be innocent 272 Mustapha Basha sent into Transiluania in succour of Queene Izabella 62 Musulmans very superstitious 267 N NAndor-Albe a Fortresse anciently Taurinum 14 Nazadiez vessels 18 Newstat taken and retaken many times 296 Nicholas Captaine of Aiduchs a valiant man 242 Nicholas Esdrin Count of Serin 290. gouernour of Sighet for the Emp. 325. slaine at the 13. assault of Sighet 328 Nicholas Gerendy Commissioner for the money leauied of the one halfe of the Ecclesiasticall treasure 11 Nicholas Count Salm chiefe of the Hungarish armie 10 Nicholas Salm Ambassadour for Ferdinand to Solyman 72 Nicholas Salm Lieutenant for Ferdinand in Hungary parlieth with Frier George 77 Nicholas Serpietre ioyned with Peter Vicchy against George 80. is defeated by Varcocce 81. sharply checked by his wife 82 Nicholas Tharczay bold and faithfull to his King 27 Nobilitie insupportable in Hungarie 3 Noremberg an Emperiall towne gouerned by the Nobilitie 398 O OFen a new name of Buda 15 necessarie Officers in an armie 91 Offers of Ferd. to Q. Izabella 59. 107 Oliman a Persian in succour of Queene Izabella 62 Oliman commandeth at Lippa maintaineth the assault and repulseth Castalde 147. 148. beginneth to recoyle 152 saueth himselfe
of Bosnia and Belgrade confer with Izabella 273 Sangiach of Alberegalis taken and lead to Vienna 330. set at libertie by ransome 338 Sassebesse fortified 127 Sauus a riuer passed by the Turkish Armie 11. 14 Saxons dwelling in the townes of Ortel a Prouince of Hungarie 13 Saxons and Sicilians naturall enemies 85 Saxons dwelling in Transiluania 100 the Saxons and Sicilians of Transiluania sweare fidelitie to Ferdinand 119 Scach a Persian word what it signifieth 353 Sclauonia part of high Pannonia 12 Sclauonia diuided from Hungarie by Drauus ibid. Seate and office of the Electors of the Empire in publike acts 302 Sebessa a riuer 164 Succours came to Lewis vpon the resolution of battaile 25. 26 Succours of Solyman to Queene Izabella 62 Succours from the Pope to Lewis 18 Succours granted to Ferdinand against the Turk 282 Succours come to the Emperour from forraine Princes 320 Secretarie in an Armie and his charge 92 Segnia a capitall towne of Dalmatia subiect to the Hungars 12 Selim by subteltie and industrie depriued his father of his Empire and life 264 Selim put to death the messenger of Mustaphaes death 272. succeedeth Solyman 331. entereth into Constantinople ibid. made his sacrifices and offerings 331. is saluted Emperour 332. leaueth Cheretsken to the reuenge of those whom he had vsed ill 337. maketh peace with Maximilian 341. sent an Armie against the Muscouite ibid. threatneth King Iohn 342. beginneth warre againe with the Hungars 350. dieth 351. his vices described ibid. Senath besieged by Vicchy 80. is succoured 81. yeelded to the Turk 130 Sepulture of Solyman sumptuous 332 Sepulture of Iob place of sacrifices in Constantinople 331 Sforce Palauicin Marquesse Comissarie generall of Ferdinands armie 128. 152. besiegeth Drigall against the coūsel of Castalde 218. is defeated by Achmet ibid. taken valiantly fighting 219 ransomed for 15000. Duckets 220 Sibinium a principall towne of Transiluania 102 Sibinio fortified 121 Sibinio a towne which was friend to Ferdinand and enemie of George 170 Sicilians and their manner of life 13 Sicilians in pay of George 83. doe mutinie ibid. are appeased ibid. Sicilians or Ceculians what nation 100 Sicilians mutiny for the death of George and are appeased by Chendy 171 the Sicilians would restore Iohn into his kingdome 253 Sighet besieged by Solyman 325. taken at the 13. assault 328 Sigismond King of Polonia confederate with the Turk 10. is in disgrace with his mother and Polonians for his wife 273. enterposeth himselfe betweene the accord of Maximilian and Iohn 287. hindered by the Duke of Muscouia to make this peace 301 death of Sigismond King of Polonia 343 Sigismond Lichtstain Ambassadour for Ferdinand to Solyman 72 Signes of great hap and repose 4. and of a great decaying and ruine ibid. Simon Erdeund Bishop of Zagrabia in succour of Iohn 26 Sirmia a large countrie ruined 9 Sirmia diuideth Hungarie from Slauonia 12 firtilitie of Sirmia 14 Souldiours murmure vpon the message of Lewis 21. demaund battaile 24 Souldiours of Ferdinand retired into a Church are cut in peeces to the number of 3000. 65 Solyman Solyman in Hungarie with a puissant armie 7.9 Solymans forces against Lewis 26 Solyman defeateth the Hungars 35. gaue his censure vpon the heads of the dead Bishops 37. sorroweth for the fortune of King Lewis and of the Queene 37. returneth to Constantinople 38. taketh the defence of Iohn 43. denounceth warre to Ferdinand 44. arriueth in Hungarie with an armie ibid. before Vienna 46. reproueth with choller his Captaines 49. raiseth the siege of Vienna 50. sent succours to Queene Izabella against Ferdinand 61. commeth to Andrionoplis in fauour of Q. Izabella 61. marcheth into Hungary 64. arriueth by Buda 68. sent presents to Stephen and to the Hungarian Lords demaunding they would send to him the said Stephen ibid. sent back Stephen to his mother and retaineth the Hungarian Lords 70. holdeth a Councell vpon the prisoners ibid. releaseth them 72. causeth the great Church of Buda to be consecrated and made sacrifice there 71. returneth to Constantinople 74. writ to Frier George in fauour of Izabella 75 Solyman incensed against George declareth him an enemie and traytor 79 Solyman in fauour of the Queene threatneth the Transiluanians 82 Solyman deceitfully answereth to the letters of Q. Izabella writ in fauour of George 91. sent to the Transiluanians to obey George ibid. Solyman prepareth an Armie against Hungarie by the Belerbey of Greece 125 Solyman sent to the Moldauian and Basha of Buda that they should succour Izabella 27 Solyman resolueth to put to death Mustapha his eldest sonne 266. is in great daunger after he had caused his eldest sonne to be strangled 270. hardly besieged by his armie 271. saueth himselfe amongst the mutinous souldiours ibid. aduanceth Mahomet the sonne of Mustapha in recompence of the innocent death of his father 272 Solyman in trouble and doubt by Baiazet his sonne 284. seeketh againe peace with Ferdinand 285. marcheth into Hungarie with a puissant armie in fauour of K. Iohn 319. arriueth there 325. besiegeth Sighet and Iula ibid. dieth 327. is carried to Constantinople 333 Soliman a Hungarian turned Turke is Gouernour of Buda 74 Solimos defended against the Turk 131 Solimos a Fortresse munitioned for two yeeres cowardly forsaken by the Spaniards 216. who are defeated by the Turk 216 Sophy the surname of the King of Persia by scoffe 353 Sopronia a towne 12 Statues of Brasse carried from Buda to Constantinople 38 Stirian souldiours of Ferdinand put in route by K. Iohn 42 Stratagems of the Turks in Hungarie 17 18. 31. 33. 34. 35. 37. 45. 46. 62. 63. 64. ibid. 65. 66. 67. 68. ibid. 69. 70. 71. 125. 127. 128. 131. 132. 137. 160. 181. 183. 184. 199. ibid. 181. 183. 184 299. ibid. 206. 207. ibid. 214. 216. 218. 219. 220. 224. 225. 233. 234. 289 290. 293. 295. 296. 318. 326. 327. ibid. 328. 329. 330. 334. 335. 249. Stridon the place where S. Hierome was borne 12 Strigonium the Metropolitane citie in Hungarie ibid. Strigonium a rich Archbishoprick 111 the Swisses sent to the Diet of Ausbourg 306 the Starres haue their returne more soone or late the one then the other 2 the great coniunction of Starres happened in these times 3 Subteltie against the conductors of Artillerie 290 Spoyle made in Hungarie by the Turk 34 45. 46 a merrie and earnest Speech of Francis Peren. 25 Skirmishes before the battaile 26 a Slaue sent by George to Oliman besieged at Lippa taken by Castalde 155 Spaniards mutinie spoyle Hungarie 255 two Spaniards reneged are cause of the taking of Themesuar 203 Spyes taken discouer the Turks deseignes 296 a French Spye in Ferdinands armie aduertiseth the Turk of the Transiluanian affayres 112. saueth himselfe by meanes of Vicchy 113 the immortall Spirit not subiect to stars 4 the State of Germanie touching the Diets 397. 398 the three States of Hungarie corrupted 3 a State come to his full perfection presently declineth 4 Stephen the sonne of Iohn King of Hungarie named Iohn by the Turks
was payed to the Turke by the Hungars The Popes absolution in fauour of Ferdinand for the murther of George Raoul expulsed from his Vayuodship of Transalpinia by Mirce he recouereth it and discomfiteth Mirce The battaile betweene Raoul and Mirce Mirce ouerthrowne Tergouista the capitall towne of the Transalpinians The answer of Solyman to the request that the Hungars made for peace Letters of Solyman to Battor Vayuode of Transiluania Solyman for Queene Izabella The Transiluanians astonished at the letters of Solyman The oratiō of Castalde to those of the Diet of Wasrael The Transiluanians reanimated against the Turkes The pursuice against Aldene Queene Izabella practiseth her returne into Transiluania Peter Vicchy and Chendy for Izabella Euill intreatie caused the rebellion of the Transiluaniās against Ferdinand Duke Mauris dismissed The garrison of Deua put in route some Turkish companies Anno 1553. The Transiluanians solicite Queene Izabella to returne into Transiluania The renewing of the procuring of peace A Diet at Colosuar The Spaniards mutinie Aldene brought to Vienna Castalde retired out of Transiluania and returned to Ferdinand Castalde wrongfully accused Tocchay The Transiluanians rise in the behalfe of Queene Izabella Aldene condemned to death saued by fauour Hedin taken by the Emperour Charles from the French Castalde returned to the Emperour in Flanders The historie of the death of Mustapha Solymans eldest sonne Mustapha the eldest sonne of Solyman Rossa beloued of Solyman Mahomet Baiazet Selim Zeangir children of Solyman by Rossa Chameria daughter of Solyman maried Rostan Basha Muplety an arch Presbiter of the Mahometanes Gods reward for charitable workes done by Slaues appertaine to their masters Rossa made free To vse a free woman is sin Rossa made the spouse of Solyman The Turkish Emperours neuer marrie Rossa practiseth the death of Mustapha Rostan Basha conspireth with Rossa the death of Mustapha The eldest sonnes of the Turkish Emperours remaine not at the Court. The instructiō of the Turkish Emperours sonnes Anno 1553. The diuine resolution of Mustapha The Ianisaries obeying the signes of then Commaunders The vision of Mustapha prognosticated his death Seuen Muets executors of the Grand Seigniours pleasure The cruell words of a Tyrant Mustapha strangled Zeangir killed himselfe seeing his brother dead A great tumult in Solymans armie Solyman in danger of his person Solyman escapeth from his mutinous souldiours Bursia a towne where is the sepulture of the Turkish Emperours The innocencie of Mustapha discouered Selim killeth him who brought the newes of his brothers death Chendy excuseth himselfe to Ferdinand concerning the insurrection of Transiluania Albe-iula yeelded to Queene Izabella and all Transiluania Sigismond the 2. King of Polonia in disgrace with his mother and Polanders for his wife The Queene of Polonia retireth into Italie * A rich Barge wherein the Venetian Seigniorie expatiat themselues in the Adriatike sea neere to their citie Pappacoda entertained Bonna the Queene of Polonia A truce betweene the Emperour Charles and the King of France Charles the Emperour renounceth the Empire to the end that Ferdinand might haue it Philip came to seeke his father the Emperour Charles arriued in Spaine Valladolid The Emperor Charles instructed his little sonne Charles The place where the Emperour Charles retired himselfe to end his dates Ferdinand crowned Emperour The truce broken betweene King Henry of France and Philip King of Spaine Commaund from the Turk to Queene Izabella to chase out of her kingdome the new sects The death of the Emperour Charles Sumptuous funerals made at Bruxels by Philip King of Spaine for the Emperour his father Ambassadours of France at the Diet of Ausbourg The seate of the Emperour and Princes of the Empire in the Diets Succours graunted to Ferdinand against the Turke Tocchay taken by K. Iohn from Ferdinand Debatement of peace betweene King Iohn and the Emperour Ferdinand Albert Lasky Solyman in trouble and doubt by Baiazet his son Maximillian sonne of Ferdinand chosen King of the Romanes Solyman seeketh peace with Ferdinand Maximilian made King of Hungarie The death of Ferdinand Maximilian made Emperour Maximilian made warre vpon K. Iohn Sachmar taken by Iohn Debrezen burned by the Emperials Hadao and Atauiar taken by Iohn Lazare Schuendy Lieutenant generall in Hungarie for Maximilian Nemethy a Tutor spoileth his pupil of Tocchay The siege of Tocchay by the Emperials Nemethy slaine Tocchay yeelded Sachmar burned Eiden yeelded to the Emperials A great winter Debatement of peace betweene Maximilian Solyman Iohn Sigismond Nicholas Esdrim Counte of Serin Sachmar re-established A complot against the cōductors of the Artillerie Erdeu besieged by the Turkes Erdeu yeelded to the Turkes by composition Debrezen burned by the Emperials Newstat inriched with mynes of diuers mettals Bullets annoynted with fat cause death A continuation of the treatie of peace Paul Veidner a Phisition of a Iew became a Christian Ambassadours are not to be retained for and in place of prisoners taken in the warre Counte Salm enterpriseth vpon Alberegalis George Hossute Ambassadour for Maxilian to the Turke Newstat taken by the Turks Peasants paying custome to both parts The Estate of Germanie touching the Diets Ecclesiasticall Electors The Bishop of Salzburg rich The Bishop of Magdebourg Primate of Germanie Secular Electors The Elector of Saxonie and the Duke of Bauier the richest of them all Emperiall townes Little tribute due by the Emperiall townes to the Emperour Magdebourg puissant Lubec wealthie Ausbourg rich Danzie The policie which is held at the Diets Warre betweene the Kings of Sweden and Denmarke The King of Sweden referreth himselfe to the Emperour Maximilian Protestant Princes in rumour against Count Palatin for that he had changed his religion A negotiation for the mariage of Charles the 9. King of France Sigismond King of Polonia hindered by the Duke of Muscouia from making peace betweene the Emperour and King Iohn The Princes of the Empire arriued at the Diet. The Emperor went to meete the Elector of Mentz Succours frō the Pope to the Emperor The manner of Protestant Princes accompanying the Emperour to the Church The place and office of the Electors in publike acts The Duke of Sauoy and the Duke of Mantoa came to the ayde of the Emperor Demaunds of the Emperour in the Diet. Offers of succours made to the Emperour by the Princes of the Empire Commaundement from the Emperour to the Kings of Sweden and Denmarke The Switzes send to the Diet of Ausbourg Inuestiture is giuen by the Emperour and of that which is due for it Ordinances made in Austria to draw succours against the Turkes Occasion which might cause Count Palatin to distrust so great a preparation for warre Ordinance made in Germanie vpon the diuersitie of religion The opinion of Zwinglius or Caluin diuulged in Spaine and the punishmēt of some Sectaries thereof The notable ceremonie touching the execution which is done in Spaine against Heretikes The forme of the Spanish Inquisition King Iohn drew the Hungers to him Ainathschen taken by the Turkes
Solyman marcheth into Hungarie Pallotta well defended by Tury against the Turkes Succours come to the Emperour from forraine Princes Succours of Italie Englishmen Polonians Germanes Sauonians Frenchmen A nauall armie vpon Danubius Vesprimia taken by Count Salm from the Turkes Tata taken by Count Salm from the Turkes Ghestez and Vithain taken from the Turkes Martelots wicked peasants Ferdinand Lieutenant General in the armie of the Emperour Maximilian his brother Bohemians Morauians and Slesians in the Emperours ayde Solyman arriued in Hunagrie Solymans siege before Sighet Nicholas Esdrin Count of Se-rin commaunded at Sighet The death of Solyman The prognostication of the death of Solyman The marueilous prudencie of Mehemet Basha The death of Count Serin Sighet taken by the Turks Sopron called Odemburg Ladislas Cheretsken Gouernour of Iula Giusa taken by the Turks Selim the sonne and successour of Solyman Ceremonies at the receiuing of the Grand Seigniour into Constantinople Ceremonie for the funerall mourning of the Turkish Emperours Cadilischiers Larges dew to the Ianisaries by the new Emperour The Sepulcher of Solyman The entrance of Solymans bodie into Constantinople Iauerin burned by chāce Maximilian dismisseth his armie The barbarousnes of the Tartars Tocchay taken by Schuendy from the Transiluaniās and besieged by King Iohn A mutinie betweene the Tartars and King Iohn Tartars defeated by King Iohn Comar Calambach Ghestez and Vitan taken by the Turks Tartars defeated in Polonia A Diet in Austria in which was granted succours to Maximilian The exercise of the Confession of Ausbourg denied to the Austrians The Pope and Turkes of Florence Ferrara and Mantua sent succours to the Emp. George Hossute Ambassadour of the Emperour saw Selim Excuses by writing of Cheretsken for the yeelding and losse of Iula The cruell death of Cheretsken Zarmar taken by Schuendy The Bohemians Slesians and Morauians doe graunt succours to the Emperour 15. Dukedomes in Bohemia Mourach taken by Schuendy Ambassadours of the Emperour to Selim for peace Succours graunted by the Hungars to the Emperour Peace betweene Maximilian and Selim. The Arch Bishop of Strigonia Primate of Hungarie Hust yeelded to King Iohn * This cutting was of this riuer Volga within it of Don called Tanais the better to bring the commodities which come by that riuer by the said riuer of Don euen vnto Constantinople by the great Sea Maximilian complaineth to Selim of King Iohn Selim threatneth K. Iohn Maximilian solicited by the Pope and Venecians to make warre vpon the Turke Maximilian resigneth the kingdomes of Hungarie and Bohemia to his sonne Rodolph The death of Sigismond King of Polonia The manner of the election of a King of Polonia Ambassadours from the King of France pursuing in Polonia the election of Henry D. of Aniou The siege of Rochell Henry trauaileth into Poland The indiscretion of Count Palatin of Rhein Henry receiued King of Polonia The death of Iohn King of Transiluania Pretences of Maximilian to the kingdome of Transiluania Stephen Battor chosen King of Transiluania The crowning of a King of Hungarie Poson called Pisonium Ambourg called Sopron The truce betweene Selim and Maximilian expired Succours granted to the Emperour by the Germanes The death of Charles King of France Henry King of Polonia stealeth away and commeth into France The death of Selim. Amurath the sonne of Selim soliciteth the Polonians to chuse Battor for their King Maximilian chosen King of Polonia Battor chosen King of Polonia Battor receiued into Poland The King of Denmark and the Mulcouit make warre in Polonia Maximilian demaundeth aide of the Germanes to make warre vpon the Polonians Succours granted to Maximilian A league against the Polonians Maximilian sent to solicit the Sophy against Amurath Rodolph the sonne of Maximilian declared King of the Romans The death of Maximilian Rodolph receiued Emperour Truce betweene Amurath and Rodolph Danzit besieged by Battor Battor sent to acknowledge the Pope and to seeke for learned men in Italie Battor bringeth the Muscouits and Tartars to require peace Truce confirmed betweene the Emperour and Amurath
by reason thereof was made him great feasts and sports and how some brought letters from Rome to his Maiestie by which in the first creation of Cardinals the Pope promised to include and create Frier George in the number Ferdinand vnderstanding that the Basha of Buda laboured thus that hee might increase his armie did besides the people which he sent into Transiluania reenforce the garrisons which were on the frontiers of Hungarie for feare that the Basha turning his course on that quarter yet should he not bee so soone master thereof as he imagined Whereupon he dispatched Andrew Branday with a Regiment of 3000. Germanes and Charles Seheretin a Lord of Slesia with 400. horse the most part whereof were men of armes and the rest Pistoliers all vnder the conduct of the Marquesse Sforce Palauicin who then was Comissarie generall of the Campe. Being all arriued at Varadine they soiourned there a time attending that which Castalde would command them He seeing that by no meanes he could depart out of the kingdome without giuing the Frier great suspition of him sent to tell the Marquesse Sforce that with the people which hee brought out of Germanie hee should come and ioyne with him where he was and in the meane time he leauing in Albe-iula one companie of Germanes another at Sassebesse and two at Sibinio it being the greatest and most important towne of Transiluania with those fewe Spanyards which hee brought with him and the rest of the Germanes he departed to goe and ioyne with the Frier And then he vnderstood that the Belerbey had alreadie passed Tibiscus with a great armie of 80000. men as well Infantrie as Caualarie as the Spies and those who secretly had knowledge of his Campe reported and that hee brought with him 50. peeces of Artillerie great and small for batterie and with this warlike traine hee held on his course to Themesuar The Belerbey hauing thus passed Tibiscus presently commaunded Lozonse that hee should without any further delay in the name of the Grand Seigniour presently yeeld this towne to him and that if he would not he protested to race it stone from stone and also both himselfe and those who were with him to bee put to the sword and that he would execute this according to the expresse command which he had thereof without any mercie or fauour And on the contrarie that if liberally and of his owne good will he would yeeld it into his hands besides the guerdon and assured recompence which hee should finde hee would vse all curtesie and fauour which according to fayre warres was accustomably vsed to valiant and gallant souldiours and by that meanes hee should assuredly winne the friendship of the Grand Seigniour whose fauour he should neuer want Lozonse at this proud summons answered him thus That that towne belonged to the King of the Romanes and that in his behalfe hee would vndoubtedly keepe and defend it to the death acknowledging no other rightfull King nor Grand Seigniour of that Prouince but he and that it were farre better discretion for him to retire backe againe then to proceede with this crueltie to destroy the poore commons and countrie which were none of his and ouer whom he had not any mite of interest and therefore hee held it safest for him and his traine quietly to depart and let those liue in peace who did not any thing offend or annoy him The Belerbey seeing the gallantnes of Lozonse he made him no other answer but onely sent to him by writing these foure verses taken out of Virgil. Ante leues ergo pascentur in aethere cerui Et freta destituent nudos in littore pisces Ante pererratis amborum finibus exul Aut ararim Parthus bibet aut Germania Tygrim Minding thereby to demonstrate that Harts should rather bruze in the ayre the fishes forsake the sea a banished man see the ende of the world a Parthean drinke vp the riuer Saone or a Germane the riuer Tygris rather then hee would returne from his intended course And so proceeding on his iourney he came before a little Castle which standeth almost vpon the passage of the riuer and is named as is aboue said Becche and there in camped himselfe before it and seeing it would not yeeld he began so rudely to batter it with tenne Cannons that the greatest part of the wall fell to the ground Whereat the besieged being greatly astonished and perceiuing themselues cast away because the whole Castle was broken downe and layd open they presently yeelded to the Belerbey with this condition only that their liues might bee saued who obseruing no promise towards them were notwithstanding slaine by the Ianisaries who after they were come forth of 200. men left not one aliue the Captaine excepted whom the Belerbey with great difficultie saued Going from thence with one part of his armie and two double Cannons hee came before another Castle named Becherech which being astonished at the late misfortune happened to Becche without induring the force of the Cannon they presently yeelded This Castle being thus rendered the Belerbey speedily with all his armie marched directly to another Castle named Senath otherwise Chinath before which he made a stand with al his squadrons to see if they would yeeld and whilest he was occupied about these attempts the Rhatians of Ferdinands part seeing the Turks Campe approched with great force and violence and thinking Ferdinands power deferred too much time before they came into the field they all perswading themselues that it was neither shame nor dishonour to breake their words and othes which they swore to the King although they had receiued pay they wholly retired to the Belerbey sending to him for his greater assurance their wiues and children and that because the Turkes are not accustomed to repose ouer much trust in them knowing their extreame inconstant dispositions After he had entertained these Rhatians he caused those of Senath to bee tempted to some agreement promising them that if they would yeeld he would preserue both their honours and liues and he would permit that peaceably euery man should enioy their owne proper goods Vpon which condition they yeelded and the Castle came vnder his commaund and leauing therein a good garrison he speedily marched towards Lippa which was tenne miles distant from thence leauing behinde him Themesuar which then he would not besiege but reserued that enterprise vntill better oportunitie and performed no other thing but diligently obserued the situation and commodities thereabouts and after that proceeded on his iourney Euery one was of opinion that hee meant not to enterprise any thing against this towne because that hee was certainly informed there was a strong garrison within it and that it was sufficiently munitioned and fortified insomuch that hee esteemed the exployte very difficult and perhaps he supposed he should neuer get it Thus leauing the siege thereof vntill a more commodious and fit time he thought it more