Henry the VI. of England After this Kings overthrow the Lords sent to King James to desire him to disband his Army and not to molest the English Borders threarning him that if he did otherwise they would meet him in the Field He answered the Messengers That he was resolved to take the Town and Castle of Roxburg which he had besieged and that he was not to be driven away from thence by Words As King James was storming the Castle of Roxburg he gave fire to one of the great Guns himself and was suddenly struck dead The Queen then in the Army desired the Lords not to be dejected by the Kings death nor to forsake the Siege and told them that she would provide another King for them her Son James then about nine years old who was brought into the Camp and saluted King by the Army who never left off till they had taken the Castle and demolished it Thus this Couragious Queen undaunted at the unexpected death of her Husband continued in the Field to hearten the Soldiers and force the Enemy to surrender this strong Castle to the Scots King James the III. succeeding to his Father wanted not his Courage though he suffered himself to be too much govern'd by his passions which brought him at last to an untimely end To him succeeded James the IV. who in the year 1500 proclaimed a War against England in favour of the French and sent a great Fleet to their Assistance He was so resolved that when he was disswaded from a Battel with the English because of his small and weak number he declared to the Earl of Angus he would fight them if they were one hundred thousand strong The Scots according to the example of their King fought stoutly and though there were 5000 of them killed they slew as many of the English But the King lost his life in this Battel of Fluddon Field He was so zealous for the Christian Religion that he obtained from the Pope the stile of Protector of the Faith James the V. a Child succeeds his Father under several Regents At last the distractions of the Kingdom forced the Nobility to invite over from France John Stuart Duke of Albany 1514. to take upon him the Government of the King and Kingdom He was a wise and moderate man but much addicted to the French faction and interest He was a Nephew of King James the III. by his Brother Alexander It was the unhappiness of this and several of the former Kings to come to their Crown before they had knowledge and ability to bear them therefore divisions and factions in the State between great and Ambitious Men did miserably tear that poor Kingdom of Scotland and caused many calamities to fall upon the innocent Inhabitants When King James the V. came to be of Age he visited with a fleet all the Islands and punished such disorderly Rebels as regarded not his Predecessors commands He went over into France and marryed first Magdalen the French Kings Daughter but she dyed suddenly He marryed next with Mary of the House of Guise of whom was born that excellent Queen Mary of Scotland whose Rebellious Subjects and over-jealous Kinswoman brought her after much affliction and a long imprisonment to an undeserved Death She was conveyed into France and marryed to the Dolphin and her mother declared Regent in Scotland About this time happened great troubles all over that Kingdom by the bringing in of the Protestant Reformation which was opposed by the Queen Regent and her French Faction with the Roman Clergy but much encouraged by the People the Gentry and Nobility and especially by James a Bastard Son of James the V. who leaving the command of his Cloyster was created by his Sister Queen Mary Earl of Murrey Queen Elizabeth of England was not wanting to the Protestant party in Scotland she sent them both Men and Money and by the assistance of the English the French were driven out of Scotland Queen Mary after the death of her Husband the French King returns by shipping to Scotland where she found the Religion of the Country changed by an Act of Parliament and the Roman Faith abolished Though the Queen had the liberty of the Mass in her own Chappel the furious Zeal of the reformed party was scandalous and unsufferable for they offered many affronts to the Queens Domesticks of the Roman persuasion Therefore to strengthen her self against a contrary faction she calls home Mathew Stuart Earl of Lenox out of England where he had lived in Exile This Noble Man brought with him a Son named Henry commonly called the Lord Darly to the Court of Scotland where as soon as the Queen fixed her Eyes upon him she chose him for her Husband and dignified him with the Dukedom of Rothesay and Earldom of Ross to make him a fitter match for a Queen He was a person of admirable and comely presence and a zealous Roman Catholick After he was marryed and proclaimed King many of the Nobility grew discontented and fell into several parties labouring to breed a difference between the King and Queen which they found means to effect after the King had caused David Riz her French Secretary to be violently carryed away from the Queens presence and murdered she being then big with Child Afterwards she was brought to bed in Edinburg Castle of a Son named James who after the decease of Queen Elizabeth united both Kingdoms and put an end to the quarrels of both Nations The Queens Husband was afterwards inhumanely murdered by Earl Bothwel and other Conspirators The distressed Queen after many hazards and troubles flies for shelter into England where instead of a Sanctuary she finds a Prison and Death King James though Crowned young and governed by his Unkle Murrey proved one of the most excellent Princes for Wisdom Learning and all other Princely Endowments that ever any Nation was blessed with He was first govern'd by his Unkle Murrey but he being shot by one Hamilton in the Streets of Lithgo and killed Mathew Lenox the young Kings Grandfather was made Regent of Scotland during his Minority but he being also killed at Sterlin the Earls Morton and Mar were appointed to succeed But when the King was twelve years of Age he took upon him the Government and was assisted by twelve Noble Men as Councellours Then his Kinsman Esmerus Stuart the Son of John the Brother of Mathew late Earl of Lenox came over from France to visit his Cousin King James and was by him highly advanced made Lord Chamberlain of Scotland Captain of Dunbritton and Duke of Lenox His Father for his extraordinary Valour at the Battel of Baugy against the English had the Noble seat of Aubigny bestowed upon him by the French King Charles the VII King James met with many difficulties and snares out of which Providence and his own discretion led him safe to the Crown of England to the great Joy and Happiness of both Kingdoms He marryed with Anne Daughter
provided to resist An Ambush was laid to catch some of the Emperors Forces but several of the Bulgarian Nobility discontented at Telerichus reveals all the danger to the Emperor who managed and improved that discovery so well that he took all that lay in Ambush for him without shedding a drop of his peoples Bloud Telerichus understood that some had revealed this plot to the Emperour but not knowing who they might be he found them out in this manner He pretended that he would willingly make peace with the Emperour and submit to him upon certain Conditions and to shew that he had such a real and hearty design he desired him to name some of his Officers and Noble Men who were most pleasing to him them he promised to send and to entrust with the management of this Agreement between them The Emperour not imagining the Subtilty of Telerichus named those very Men to be Commissioners who had revealed all their Princes designs and plots to him Telerichus as soon as he knew them put them all to death and punished them for their Treason CHAP. XII How the Empress Irene overcame such as were of a Faction contrary to hers THere was a great stir in the Eastern Empire about the Images of the Church They had been cast out by Leo Isaurus and his Successors Constantine Copronymus and Leo the 4th and those who were for Images were banished and several punished But it happened that after the death of Leo Irene his Widow appointed to be Governess of the Empire during the minority of her Son re-establishes the Worship of Images and calls home all that had been banished These and other proceedings met with great opposition as is usual where two strong Factions are in a Kingdom She being jealous of the number and power of those that did dislike her Actions resolves to dis-arm them and to colour her malicious purposes against them she pretends an expedition against the Saracens who were broke in upon the Roman Provinces and that she wanted Arms to furnish her Army and therefore desires to borrow them from her Citizens The Officers who were sent were order'd to take none but from those who joyned not with her in the worship of Images As soon as they had yielded up their Arms which they did the more willingly because they thought that they should be employed against the Common Enemy she banished them out of the City and took away their Goods and Estates CHAP. XIII How Pope Gregory the Fourth betrayed the Emperour into the Hands of his unnatural Sons THe Sons of this Emperour were risen in Rebellion against him and had raised a considerable Army with a design to fight with their Father near Basil The Pope whose Election the Emperour had with some difficulty allowed came to the Armies with a pretence to make peace between the Father and his Sons but with a real intent to find some opportunity to be revenged upon the Godly Emperour At his arrival he found the Emperours Army the strongest and ready to give Battel To prevent the mischief that was like to fall upon the Sons whom he secretly favoured and whom he had stirred up against their Father he went over to the Emperours Army as if he had intended to reconcile the Father and the Sons together but as it appeard afterwards it was to get some time that the Emperours Army might be prevailed with by his cunning Followers to forsake their Lord and to join with the Young Men. This Negotiation was carryed on so subtilely and secretly by rewards and promises and by sowing the Seeds of discontent in the Army that when they were drawn out to Fight they went over to the Sons Army and forsook the poor Aged Emperour who was then forced to cast himself in the hands of his wicked and rebellious Sons who shut him up in Prison But this unnatural deed stirred up the Emperours Friends to procure him in a short time his Liberty CHAP. XIV How the Emperour Basil was deceived twice once by a Monk next by a Parrot THis Emperour was very desirous to see again his Son Constantine who was lately dead A Monk named Theodorus a reputed Negromancer undertakes to shew him again alive which he did in so lively a manner that the Emperour admired him But his Son Leo as soon as he heard of it accused Theodorus of Witchcraft but could do him no prejudice because of the Emperours extraordinary Favour that he did bear to him But Theodorus resolved to be revenged on Leo he perswades therefore the Young Man to carry secretly a Dagger in his Boots as a spell to preserve him from all kind of Wounds Leo believed Theodorus who went to the Father and told him that his Son Leo intended to kill him and for that purpose he carryed secretly in his Boots a short Dagger Search was made and the Dagger found and Leo was without further Examination shut up in Prison at which the people were much afflicted crying up and down the Streets Alass Lord Leo which words a Parrot belonging to the Court heard and learned to speak When the Emperour was at Dinner the Parrot cryed often Alass Lord Leo. These words spoke by the Bird so prevailed upon his mind for he fancyed the Bird to have spoken them by some Divine Inspiration that he released and heard his Son's Justification being thereunto earnestly intreated also by the common people who had for him a great respect and by that means found out the wicked knavery of Theodorus CHAP. XV. How the City of Rome was taken casually by the running of a Hare ARnulphus the first Emperour of the German Nation was invited by Pope Formosus into Italy to assist him against his Enemies and a contrary Faction He took many Towns and besieged the City of Rome unto which he had given several fierce assaults but in vain for it was stoutly defended by the Citizens At last when Arnulphus despaired to take it by force and was going to raise his Siege it happened that a Hare ran before his Army towards the breach The Soldiers gave immediately a great shout and hollow running after the Hare The Guards upon the Walls thinking they were coming to give an assault to the City in a panick Fear hasted away and forsook their stations and charge which as the Soldiers of Arnulphus perceived they entred the Town and took the City Thus was Rome once surprized by the guidance of a Hare Such casual accidents have oft-times been of great moment in times of War when mens apprehensions are awake and their minds ready to receive any impression the least surprize or strange thing unexpected weakens their Resolutions and makes them less able to resist an Enemy Therefore wise Generals have often put in practise things of themselves ridiculous at other times which in War have put the stoutest Enemy to flight and overcame the bravest Couragious For then nothing is to be contemned that may either dismay or disorder an Enemy
to the King of Denmark and by her had two Sons Prince Henry who was the great expectation of the Enlish Nation but suddenly snatcht away by death Prince Charles and the Lady Elizabeth marryed to the Prince Palatine of the Rhine Prince Charles Successour to his Father and Heir of three flourishing Kingdoms after many Battels where he shewed his undaunted Courage as well as Piety in his Afflictions was by a most unnatural most devillish and unparalell'd Rebellion murdered by his Subjects Never any Prince was better qualified for a Crown never any more patient in distress Instead of the Imperial Crown of these Realms Providence bestowed upon him the Crown of Martyrdom and his memory will ever continue precious in the remembrance of all his Loyal Subjects He was too much a Christian to continue long in Peace Governour over such a tumultuous People This Nation hath been happy many years in excellent wise and valiant Princes who have protected us and our Estates from forrein and intestine Enemies Our late King Charles the II. of ever blessed Memory was drawn into the Field betimes to contend with Cruelty Rebellion and Tyranny when to the loss of his Patrimony was added the loss of so good a Father and the Banishment of his Friends his excellent Courage was not dejected but under so many aggravations of Sorrow under so many pressing and grievous Afflictions as were sent to welcom him into the World he endeavour'd to recover by his Valour and Conduct his Kingdoms and Crowns In Scotland when he was to struggle with a seditious and troublesome Generation and was to encounter with a Victorious Army of Enemies his Wisdom preserved his divided party from that ruine into which they were falling by their needless Factions and at the unhappy Battel of Worcester King Charles shewed himself to be a wise and diligent Commander and an undaunted Soldier by the confession of his greatest Enemies But that which this brave Prince attempted to obtain by his just Arms Providence procured to him by a Miracle I mean the Restauration of the Royal Family to their Dignities and Estates without any effusion of Bloud when there were so many Enemies both at home and abroad to oppose them In this short summary of the Heroes of the Royal Family I cannot but mention our present King James the II. whose great Courage undaunted Spirit and Noble Mind hath been sufficiently tryed both at at home and abroad both by Sea and Land against Foreign Enemies in the Field and furious and unreasonable Combitations of sactious Spirits within the Kingdom Victory and success hath always attended upon him and may this most Excellent Prince long continue over us in all prosperity and happiness and may his Enemies lick the dust CHAP. XLIV Of the Conquest of France by King Henry the V. and several other Remarkable Passages in that famous War KIng Henry the V. for the recovering of his Right to the Crown of France which was denyed to him upon the pretence of the Salick Law sent over the Duke of Exeter his Unkle with several Noble Men and 500 Horse to Charles the VI. of France to demand the Crown and with it the Princess Catherine the French Kings Daughter The Dolphin in contempt of King Henry's youthful days sent him in scorn a Tunn of Tennis Balls to play with The King was so sensible of this scornful present that he swore That he would toss so many Iron Balls in France that the strongest Rackets in that Kingdom should not be able to return them back It is no Wisdom to provoke the weakest Enemy nor safe to contemn the meanest Power for that which is wanting in Ability may be made good by diligence and policy King Henry for the obtaining of his purpose transported over an Army into France Harflew was besieged and within six Weeks taken The Soldiers had liberty to plunder it A sudden distemper happened in the English Army which destroyed many of the stoutest Soldiers who are as much subject to death in their Tents as in the midst of the Enemies Swords and the showres of shot The King left a Garrison in Harflew and resolved by land to march to Chalice with Two Thousand Horse and Thirteen Thousand Archers The Dolphin with above Thirty Thousand at Rohan resolved in Council to sight the English At Agencourt the Constable of France came to the Dolphin with Ten Thousand Horse and some Foot The French as their manner is boasted of the Victory before they had got it but they presumed so much upon their numbers that they thought to swallow up the English King Henry had wisely provided all things for a Fight He had got a number of Stakes strengthned with sharp Irons at each end with them he fences in his Foot that they might find in case of necessity some defence against the multitudes of the Enemies Horse The French Army was divided into three Battalions the first consisting of 16000. was lead by the Constable the second by the Dukes of Alanson and Barr the third was commanded by the Earls of Mark and Damp. The English Vanguard was brought up by the Duke of York the main Battel in which were the strongest Bill-men by the King assisted by the Duke of Glocester the Earls of Oxford and Suffolk The Rear was marshalled by the Duke of Exeter the Kings Unkle An Ambush of English Archers was placed within a new hedge to receive and surprize the French at their first approach They did such good service with their showres of Arrows which fell upon the Van of the French Army consisting for the most part of Horse that they were overthrown and helped to trample upon and disorder their Foot In that hurly burly the English Bill-men fell upon them with such fury that they were forced to fly but at the coming in of the French main Battel the English retreated in order within their Stakes and where then followed by the French Horse with more hast than discretion for they found themselves so entangled that many of the most furious lost their Lives Here the King fought hand to hand with the Duke of Alanson and beat him down and would have spared his Life had not his Guard killed him before he was aware When the two first Battalions were overthrown the third had no stomack to go on to the charge and though they were the greater number they fled and craved quarter which was granted but when a dreadful noise was heard from the English Camp occasioned by 600 Horse that fell in to plunder the English behind their Backs the King imagining that another Army was coming on to assault him and that so many thousand Prisoners might rise up and endanger his Army in the Rear commanded them all to be flain for which he ever after was heartily sorry In this Battel sell the Constable and Admiral of France the Dukes of Alanson Brabant and Barre many Earls 25 Barons 8000 Knights Esquires and Gentlemen and many
And to prevent such sudden casualties which cannot be all fore-seen by the most experienced and wise Commanders or by the most excellent Soldiers though never so well acquainted with the Stratagems of War no precaution can be prescribed but that of a steady and well resolved mind not to be daunted at the fight of the greatest dangers but in such a case as it becomes a Commander to animate and encourage his Men and to have a Remedy at hand for all misfortunes and a plaister for every wound so it becomes a Soldier to stand firm and act the part of a valorous and brave Courage not to be terrified with Bug-bears and though the danger should be real and great the Resolutions of a good Soldier must master all such sudden and surprizing difficulties and wade through a Sea of Bloud to the Honour of the Victory which he ought to value at an equal rate with his own Life when he hath a good cause CHAP. XVI How a great Army of Danes were defeated by the means of one Hay a Country Man and his two Sons A.D. 964. THe Danes having invaded Scotland overpowred a Scotch Army in a notable Battel so that the Scots were all put to flight At that time one Hay a Ploughman coming out of his Field with his two Sons meets with the Rout. They being all his Countrymen he bids them stand for shame and return to the Fight and so prevailed upon them by his words and example that they turned back and encountred with the Danes again so fiercely that they were all put to flight and utterly destroyed For this good Service the Countryman was rewarded with as much Land as a Falcon could fly over at one flight which is 6 Miles in length From this Hay is descended the Noble Family of the Hays whose chief is the Earl of Arroll CHAP. XVII How Tangrolipix the Turkish General was made Sultan of Persia TAngrolipix with a party of Turks was requested by Mahomet a Saracen Sultan of Persia to assist him against Pisasiris Caliphon of Babylon He had the good fortune to bear Caliph's Army of Arabians After the Victory he desired liberty to return home but Mahomet denyed it him which so discontented the Turks that they withdrew themselves into the Desarts and Forrests of Caravonitis from whence they made Incursions upon all the Borders for their Livelyhood and Plunder This obliged the Sultan of Persia Mahomet to send against them a powerful Army which by the skill of Tangrolipiae was defeated Mahomet inraged at this loss puts out the eyes of Ten of the chief Commanders and threatens to apparel all the rest of the flying Army in the Garb of Women and to carry them about his Kingdom as Cowards These threatnings could not be disgested by those Military Souls whose mishap not want of Courage had lost the day against the Turks They therefore either out of Fear or Revenge went all away to Tangrolipix to encrease the number of his Army When Tangrolipix was thus strengthned by this unexpected Recruit he kept not himself any longer in the Desarts and Mountains but marched with a compleat Army to meet with Mahomet in the Fields of Ispahan where after a bloudy Fight Mahomet fell from his Horse and broke his neck At his death both Armies sounded a Retreat and their Chieftains came to a Parley where it was agreed that Tangrolipix should be saluted Sultan of Persia This was the first Kingdom of the Turks in Asia mentioned in History after the leaving of their own Country Tangrolipix conquered Babylon and warred against the Arabians and the Emperour of Constantinople with various success and at last he conquered many rich Provinces of the Empire partly through the covetousness of Constantine Ducas then Emperour who taxed all the Borderers and suffered them to withdraw their Garrison from the strongest places of the Country whereas before they were free for the services they rendred to the Roman Empire and partly for want of encouraging and entertaining military men By these examples a Prince may learn that it is no point of policy to provoke men of courage by too great severity nor to suffer his Armies and Captains to want that due regard which they expect and deserve when his Dominions are surrounded and endanger'd by powerful and watchful Enemies By the contempt and neglect of Arms the Greeks have lost their Honour and Empire and are forced to submit to the Turks Tyranny and Oppression and are now become the basest of Men in War CHAP. XVIII How the first Christians that adventur'd over into Asia against the Turks were decoyed and cut off by their Ambushes THe zeal of our Fore-Fathers stirred them up to the Conquest of the Holy Land Several great Princes had crossed themselves with a resolution to undertake that perilous Voyage Amongst the rest Gualter de Saint Sanneur a Noble Man and Peter the Hermit entred Asia before the rest with forty thousand Men who drove the Turks before them at first but they to deceive the Christians made a shew as if they were wonderfully afraid therefore they forsook the Towns At Exorgum the Christian Army encamped from whence about 3000 were sent to fetch in Provisions some few Herds of Cattle appeared at a distance which the flying Turks suffered them to take quietly but the next time that they sallyed out to forage they cut them all in pieces And when ten thousand more were sent to revenge this loss they were almost all destroyed by the Turks Ambuscado's for both they and the Moors of Africa are very subtile in laying them in convenient places and they seldom fight but with such advantages and surprises Sultan Solyman the Son of Cutla-Moses was the chief Commander of the Turks in those parts a warlike Prince who having got together an Army of 60000 men engaged in a sharp Fight against the Christians after the taking of the City of Nice and had almost destroyed their Army by the sudden assaulting of their Camp behind them whilst the Christian Army was fighting in the Field It hath always been observed that there is nothing hath been more destructive to an Army and given the Enemy more advantage than when Soldiers become insolent proud of their Success and begin to despise their Enemies and their Endeavours for it is an easie matter to surprize such in a Snare and make them to repent too late of their folly Hundreds of Examples might be produced of the miserable overthrow of those who began to contemn their Enemies too soon CHAP. XIX How Othoman the first King of the Turks cunningly slew such as intended to have destroyed him O Thoman's wonderful Prosperity purchased to him the hatred and envy of many of his Neighbours so that several Christian Captains of small Castles living round about him resolved in their Assembly to murder Othoman and the better to effect their wicked purpose they designed to invite him to a great Marriage which was to be solemnized between
to betray to them the Castle if they would raise the Siege and if Abdurachman would return to the Castle Walls with some few Followers and observe her Directions All things being agreed upon according to her orders the Siege was raised Abdurachman comes to the place appointed with a chosen Company The young Gentlewoman fails not to meet him at midnight and brings him into the Castle shews him the Paters Lodge where he kill'd him and let in his Followers who immediately dispersed themselves about and took the Captain and all the Garrison Prisoners for they had been very Jovial the day before for the supposed departure of the Turks from before their Castle and were then most of them secure and asleep Thus was the strong Castle of Abidas taken by the Infidels in whose possession it hath remained to this day Abydus is over against Sestos in Europe at the Mouth of the Hellespont and these two Castles are now called Dardanelli and are maintained by the Turks as a Bar to hinder the Christian Ships from saying through into the Pontick Sea or from invadling suddenly their great City of Stambul or Constantinople For that purpose they are furnished with mighty great Guns After this surprizal of Abydus Soliman the Son of Orthanes sent over two Captains Ezes-beg and Fazil-beg with sufficient Forces into Europe They landed not far from Sessos where by the direction of a Greek Prisoner they took the Castles of Coiridocastron and Maditus and next Callipolis with many other considerable places CHAP. XXIII How Amurath the Third King of the Turks took Didymotichum and Adrianople by Craft AS soon as Amurath came to succeed in his Fathers Kingdom he concluded a Peace with the Christians The Governour of Didymotichum taking advantage of this time of Peace resolved to fortifie his City and for the better carrying on of his Work with speed entertained all the Masons Carpenters and Workmen he could possibly get When Amurath understood his purpose he secretly caused two hundred lusty Workmen to come over out of Asia and to offer their service to the Governour He tho' he had been forewarned by some to take heed of the Asian Workmen hired them but appointed to them their Lodgings out of the Walls every night When Amurath had intelligence of all particulars he sent Chasis-Ilbeg with thirty other stout Soldiers to desire work of the Governour and serve as Labourers to carry Stones and Mortar The Governour trusting too much to the Faith of the Faithless Turks in that time of Peace employed them awhile At last Chasis steals away to Amurath gives him an account of all passages and tells him that if he had any more help he would endeavour to surprize one of the Gates of the City to let in a greater number if they were at hand Amurath ordered all things according to his desire and sent him back to Didymotichum to put his device in execution Chasis at his return watches an opportunity When the Christians were at dinner then did he cause the Turkish Workmen and Labourers to counterfeit a Brawl and to fall from Words to Blows whilst they were thus quarrelling one party of them ran suddenly to one of the Gates of the City where they took hold of the Weapons of the Guard as if it had been to defend themselves from their pursuing Companions but they turned them against the Soldiers keeping Guard and being assisted by a party of Turks who waited near the Town for that purpose they overpowred the Citizens and took Didimotichum together with Rhodestum by assaulting the Walls of the latter in the night The Turks generally have had great success by employing such subtile Plots against the Christians and taking them at an advantage The same Amurath took the City of Adrianopolis by policy He sent Chasir-Ilbeg one of his great Captains and perswaded him to run away with some other trusty Fugitives to Adrianople and to complain and exclaim against the cruelty and hard usage of their Lord Amurath This Chasis-Ilbeg with his Turks in several Sallies behaved himself right valiantly against the Soldiers of Amurath which purchased him a great Esteem Favour and confidence with the Governour who trusting too much whilst they were at a secret appointment with their Lord when they should betray one of the Gates to him For Chasis according to his custom came once at break of day only with ten Followers as if he had bin going out to hunt when the Gates were opened he assaulted the Soldiers that were upon the Guard and having at hand all his Fugitive Turks they took possession of the Gates which they kept till such as were sent from Amurath came to their assistance then they fiercely charged the Citizens The Fight continued from Morning till Night but the Tarks at last by their continual Recruits got the Victory and with it the Noble and Rich City of Adrianople where the Othoman Emperors have since kept a Seraglio At this time lived in Amuraths Court Cara Rustemes a Doctor of the Mahometan Law He perswaded his Lord to take every fifth Captive of the Christian Youth of about 12 or 15 years old from his Soldiers when they returned from the plundring of the Christian Countries These Youths were sent over into Asia to be bred up in the Houses of the Country Farmers and employed in hard Labour for two or three years that they might be instructed in that time in the Turkish Religion and Language After this they were sent for and trained up in the exercise of Arms that they might serve the great Turk in his Wars and wait upon his Person as his Foot Guard These were named Janizaries that is new Soldiers who had thence their first beginning As the Mamalucks also in Aegypt had their original from Captivity and Bondage for they were Slaves brought thither by Merchants into Scitia and other Countries and sold to the Sultans of Aegypt to be brought up in the Art of War These as the Janizaries are now to the Turkish Emperours were the best Soldiers of the Prince and their Stoutest Men in War Amurath enlarged his Dominions both in Asia and Europe He invaded Servia took Appolonia and many great Cities conquered Caramania and in a notable Battel killed Lazarus Despot of Servia but it happened after the Fight when Amurath was taking a view of the dead Bodies one Miles Cobelitz sorely wounded rose from the ground where he lay and went staggering towards Amurath The Turks thought he had been come to kiss Amuraths Feet and to do him reverence or to beg his Life but Cobelitz had another purpose for with a short Dagger hid under his Coat he stabb'd him in the Belly and kill'd him CHAP. XXIV How Tamerlan overcame Bajazets Army TAmerlan understanding that Bajazet was at hand and with a resolution to fight him resolved to keep his Army in large Plains not far from Sebastia which he had before taken and destroyed because he had a greater number of
Turves and Hurdles This Policy was very useful to them for the English Horse ignorant of this Stratagem sell into these Pits where the Scots encountred them in a great disorder The English were forced to retreat though the Scots pursued the Victory furiously the English had rallyed and were again going to try their fortune but the sight of the Scotch Carriages left upon the Hills with their Cattle and Servants making a great noise and shewing the appearance of another Army coming down to the assistance of their Fellows discouraged and put them to flight 10000 were here killed 700 Knights and Gentlemen and many Prisoners taken but King Edward escaped to York After this the Scots subdued and plundred all the Northern Countries as far as York and routed 10000 English in another Battel with the loss of 3000. there slain The King returned toward Scotland with another Army but King Bruce forced him to retreat with the loss of all his Treasure Edward Bruce the Kings Brother was likewise sent over into Ireland and subdued almost all that Kingdom to the Crown of Scotland This Robert Bruce enjoyed Scotland many years and then bequeathed it to his Son David and if he dyed without Issue to Robert Stuart his Sisters Son who was Granchild to Alexander Stuart who about the year 1255. defeared Atho King of Norway who had invaded the West part of Scotland with 20000 Danes and 120 Ships He killed 16000 in the Field and freed his Country from the cruelty and oppression of these Northern People and forced them to sue to the Scots for peace CHAP. XLI Of some of the most remarkable Persons for their Valour of that most Honourable and most Noble Family of the Stuarts THis Family for Antiquity may contend with any in Europe being derived from some of the most Antient British Kings of this Island And I am certain that in all Ages since it hath been taken notice of in History none hath been more fruitful of excellent Men for their Wisdom Valoua and other Abilities of Body and Mind Besides the fore-named Alexander Stuart who by his wise Conduct and Courage deliver'd his Native Country from a dangerous Invasion his Granchild Robert Suart who succeeded to the Crown of Scotland after David Bruce his Unkle and was the first of his name King of that Warlike People became one of the most famous Princes of his time for his Victories over his English Enemies He was no sooner promoted but a War broke out between England and Scotland for the killing of a Friend of George Dunbar by the English at a Fair. Dunbar to be revenged plundred the Fair and burnt the Town with the slaughter of all Opposers The Gentlemen Borderers on both sides invaded the Lands of one another At last Henry Pierce Earl of Northumberland gathers together 7000 Soldiers with whom he marched into Scotland as far as Dunce The Scots in the night instead of their Swords made use of their Rattles with which they commonly drive away the Deer from their Corn to encounter with their English Enemies and having the advantage of the Hills and Vallies to receive and increase the sound The noise was so great that the Eearls Horse turned back and fled and the rest of the Army fearing more danger than there was followed after leaving their Baggage to the Scots who got an easie Victory without drawing a Sword At the same time one Gordon lay in Ambush and defeated Thomas Musgrave Governour of Berwick and his Troops and took him Prisoner The English entred Scotland again under the Lord Talbot with fifteen thousand but in their return only 500 Horse in the Night assaulted and overthrew them because they imagined them to be a greater number King Richard of England invaded Scotland with 60000 men and a great Fleet but King Robert by entring and spoiling England dispersed this great Tempest without much loss to his own Kingdom In this Kings time the Scots took part of Ireland and the Isle of Man and had many notable Victories over the English so that after he had governed his Kingdom and defended it against all Invasions he left it to his eldest Son John who was perswaded by his Parliament to change his name into the fortunate name of Robert he had two Sons David and Robert the first was created Duke of Rothsay the second Duke of Albany David incurr'd his Fathers displeasure by his youthful pranks and was confin'd to the keeping and inspection of his younger Brother Robert who made him a close Prisoner and resolved to starve him to death but a Country Maid found means to preserve his Life for a while with thin Oat Cakes which she gave him through a Window and a certain Nurse caused him to suck her Breasts at a distance by a long Cane To King Robert succeeded his youngest Son James after a long Captivivity in England He deliver'd his Kingdom from many intestine Enemies Alexander Lord of the Isles was by him subdued and all the little Tyrants that plundred and robbed his People He commissioned several Judges to make a Circuit about his Kingdom and to hear the Complaints of his Subjects He was as great a Lover of Learning as of Justice and as careful to promote the publick good by inviting many skilful Persons in Manufactures His reputation was so great that he was earnestly courted by the Embassadours of the Kings of England and France to joyn with them in League and Affinity but at last he was so unhappy that a Conspiracy being made against him he was basely murthered at Perth by the Earl of Athol and his wicked Associates who within forty days after were deservedly tortured to death The Earl was Crowned with a burning Crown of Iron his Joynts dislocated by the Strapado the next day he was drawn through the streets of Edinburg upon a hurdle and executed for High Treason To King James the I. succeeded his Son James the II. yet a Minor Anno 1537 The Regency of the King and Kingdom was committed to Alexander Leviston The Queen a subtile Woman seeing distempers of the Kingdom encrease through the imperiousness and ill government of the Chancellour Chrichton resolved to get the King out of his Custody by this Invention She obtained leave to lodge with her Son in Edinburg Castle at last she found a means to convey him out of the Castle to Leith in her Trunk where her Linen was used to be kept This King when he came to be of Age obtained a notable Victory over the English at a place called Sarc and killed 3000 of his Enemies with the loss of 600 Scots The Earl Douglass was then too Potent for the King and Kingdom and too haughty for a Subject The King therefore weakens that powerful Family brought them upon their knees after many sierce Skirmishes and Battels and such as continued in their Rebellion he banished out of the Kingdom At last he raised an Army to assist the Duke of York against King
was his common custom as soon as he had pitched his Tents to cause a white Banner to be displayed on the top of his Pavillion and there to remain two or three days If the Town or City did yield whilst that was up the Inhabitants were to expect good Quarter and the preservation of their Lives and Estates without the least Injury but if they resisted obstinately his offers of Grace and would try his Strength he did then put up a Red Banner which did threaten them with Death and the loss of many Lives After that if they did not open to him their Gates he commanded his Black Banner to be hung out after which he would never admit of any parley nor conditions of a surrender but was wont to command that Town with all its Inhabitants to be destroyed with Fire and Sword This custom of his struck such a Terror into the minds of all his Enemies that after one or two Towns had experienced this Severity none had the confidence to withstand him but readily yielded at his first Summons CHAP. LX. How the Governour of Croizon obliged his Soldiers to defend themselves and their Fort when they were ready to yield THis Fort was hardly besieged by General Norrice and several Breaches being made in the Walls the Soldiers within began to talk of a surrender The Governour a very stout and ingenious Man to prevent the dishonour of a base and cowardly yielding caused a Post to be set in every breach made by the Enemies Canon and to it chained all such persons as were willing to yield or had behaved themselves cowardly but with their Weapons in their hands that they might if they pleased defend themselves and their Castle By this Policy he forced all the rest to stand stoutly to their Arms and saved both himself and Fort from the Enemies Power CHAP. LXI How the Lord Willoughby prevented the Siege of Bergen-op-Zone whereof he was Governour when the Duke of Parma began to besiege it AFter the loss of the Spanish Fleet in 1588. the Duke of Parma who was ready with a numerous Army for the Invasion of England but being hindred from that design by the unexpected ruine of the Invincible Armado he employed all his Forces against the Towns of the Netherlands This of Bergen was one of the first that he endeavour'd to win As he was considering of the method to be used because the Town was fortified both by Art and Nature and was guarded by a strong Castle which was first to be mastered before the City could be taken secret Letters were brought to him to give him to understand that a certain Spaniard kept a Prisoner in the City had contracted Friendship with two English Men a Captain and an Ensign and perswaded them for a Sum of Money to betray the Castle and City to the Spaniards They according to their Duty discovered the whole plot to the Lord Willougby who designing to make advantage of this business for the destruction of the Spanish Army ordered them to proceed on and promise the accomplishment of the Treason which was to be effected in this manner they were to perswade for a sum of Money some of the chief Captains to open the Gates at night for them and a party of Spanish Soldiers who should secure the strongest and most considerable part of the Town The Spaniards being come according to appointment one of the Officers went out to them and offered himself to be bound hand and foot for their greater assurance At his approach before the Gates they were instantly opened and when so many were entred that the Guards could easily Master the Lord Willougby let down the Port-Cullisses and gave such as were hastning in such a Volley of small and great Shot that several hundreds were killed of the Spaniards The Treacherous Officer escaped in the hurly burly and saved himself from such as guarded him for they were more sollicitous how to save thir own lives than to destroy his At the return of the Spanish Army which was come to take the Town the Sea being high and the Air very dark there were a great many that for want of knowing the right way fell into the Water and were found drowned the next morning There were so many killed of the Dukes Army that he was forced the next day to raise his Siege and depart for that time CHAP. LXII How Ferand King of Naples won a Gity and Castle from the French FErand understanding that the King of France had fought a great Battel with the Venetians and Millanoys near Fernon considered with himself how he might make an advantage of the Kings absence and hazard for the re-taking of his lost Kingdom He had some Troops on foot ready at command with them he marches to the City of Naples at such a time as the Issue of the Fight could not well be known and sent his Summons to the Governour of the Castle to deliver it to him together with this false news That there had been a Battel fought at Fernon wherein their King was killed and the French utterly routed The credulous Governour believing the Messenger because he knew that there had been a Fight but never had any certain Intelligence before and fearing lest he should anger the King and make him less willing to grant Honourable Conditions to him and his party if he should obstinately hold out and oblige him by Compulsion he yielded up his Castle and City into the Kings power which occasioned the loss of the whole Realm from the French CHAP. LXIII How Mahomet Bassa concealed the Death of Soliman at the Siege of Sigeth in Hungary from his Army near Two Months until his Successor was come into the Camp and the Town taken WHen Soliman the Magnificent was dead before Sigeth in Hungary the great Bassa caused him to be put in a Horse-Litter as if he had been only troubled with the Gout and obliged the Phisitians to go to and fro with their Physick as if they had him in cure to hide his Death from the mutenous Janizaries who would have taken advantage of the Interregnum to have plundred the Christians and Jews and perhaps have broken up the Siege Yet he could not conceal this death long but they had a Jealousie that the Bassa dealt not fairly with them therefore to satisfie them he promised the next day that they should see their Emperour himself alive for that purpose he cloathed the Corps in its Imperial Robes and placed it in a Chair of State at the end of a long Gallery with a little Boy behind him who was to move secretly the Emperours hand and to lift it up to his Head as if he had therewith stroakt his Beard as it seems was his usual custom The Soldiers seeing this at a distance off imagined him to be yet alive and departed very well satisfied for that time Thus the subtile Bassa concealed his death from his Army and Guards about Forty days more