their side especially the King of France upon whom they lookt upon as the best friend of their Order The Commander D Aubusson was chosen for this Embassage out of all the Commanders of the French Nation Not only because he had a particular knowledge and dexterity in managing affairs but because he was known to the Court of France He departed from Rhodes at the time that James de Milli succeeded John de Lustic Grand-Master of the Order and arrivd in France a little after the Cardinal d Avignon whom the Pope had sent thither to encite the French against the Turk The Embassador of Rhodes was entertaind after an extraordinary manner either because the Court had a great esteem for him or because they had a design to keep him in delay He saw through the gentleness and caresses which he receivd which way the Court stood affected toward the Holy-wat The King would not undertake it by any means whether he thought his Kingdom too much exhausted to defray the expence of a war that might prove of a long continuance or whether he minded nothing but his Repose after his past toiles or that the Charms of the fair Agnes had coold his zeal which he formerly had for the interest of the Church or whether it were that he would not submit to the inclinations of his Son who was retir'd male-content to Philip Duke of Burgundie the most zealous of all the Christian Princes and one that had declar'd himself so much an enemy of the Turk that he solemnly swore to make war upon them The Cardinal Legate who was a Frenchman and very understanding ing in affairs applid himself wholly to effect this Negotiation After many Conferences in vain with the publick Ministers he treated at last in particular with the King not being able to obtain any thing Calistus being advertis'd of the Kings disposition writ to him very sharp Letters threatning him at length with the Thunderbolts of Rome and the Malediction of Heaven if he refusd the holy League Those Letters wrought no effect if they did not make it worse The King was incens'd at the Popes threats and not perswaded by his reasons In such a ticklish conjuncture there appeard no probability of hopes for the Commander D Aubusson However he ceas'd not to act and in regard that besides the character of an Embassador he had other good qualities which made him esteem'd by the King and his Ministers he was heard more favourably then the Legate He represented at first that Christendom was never in more eminent danger and that there was nothing which we had not to fear if the Progress of the Infidels were not quickly stopp'd that Mahomet since the taking of Constantinople aim'd at nothing but Rome that he was falln into Hungaria to enter into Germany with a purpose to make his way that way into Italy That it was one of his maxims that as there is but one God in Heaven so there could not be but one Monarch upon Earth That he had been constrain'd to raise his siege before Belgrade because he had not taken the right course and for that he had been wounded himself but that his misfortune had no way disincourag'd him that he was one of those great men that make the best advantage of their errors and misfortunes or rather that he was like the fiercer sort of Beasts who when they have receiv'd a wound and feel their blood begin to flow are never more furious till then That since his ill success in Hungary he had drawn to his side the Soldan of Egypt the Caraman and the Tartar and that he would return with fresh forces to the siege of the Belgrade and that his Generals who had tak'n almost all the Isles in the Archipelago would soon powre their fury upon Rhodes In short that those two Ramparts of Christendom being forcd not any of the Dominions of the Christian Princes could be safe either by Sea or Land Aubusson afterwards represented to the King that being the â—ldâ—st Son the Church he could not forsake their interest without dishonour to himself That as for the transportment of the Pope it was but a transportment of zeal and that his good intentions deserv'd the pardon of a few sharp expressions He added at length that because there were in Rhodes more Knights of the French then of any other Nations in the world the Monarch of Fraace could not in justice dispence with succouring the Island at a time when it lay only in his power to do it That Alphonsus King of Aragon so wise and so brave before he came into Italy was not only effeminated by the delights of Naples but embroyld with Pope Calixtus who though a native of Arragon had refus'd to give him the investiture of the Kingdom of Sicily and to assure the succession to Ferdinand his natural son That Henry King of Castile as poor spirited and more vitious then his Father had business at home and abroad and that his Rebellious subjects found him as much work as the Moors of Granada his Neighbours and Enemies Thas Henry of England was not Master at home and that the Duke of York who had usurp'd the Government minded nothing but to sustain himself against his Rivals That the Emperor Frederick liv'd an idle life minding neither his own honor nor the safety of Christendom That besides the war grew hot between the Empire and Hungary and that Ladislaus at the same time was to make head against the Emperor and the Turk That civil dissentions turmoyld all Italy and that the Kingdoms of Sweedland Danemark were full of troubles Christiern had been set up in the place of Charles whose irregularities and crimes had render'd him unworthy of the Crown That Alphonso King of Portugal quiet enough at home wanted not a good will but that all he could do was but very little if a Prince more potent then himself did not assist him That thus France being the only Kingdom in Europe that enjoy'd a true peace it was only from France that they could expect relief sufficient to ruine the designes of the Port and for that reason parhaps it was that Heaven had freed it from the power of the English All these reasons propounded after a smart and insinuating manner made a deep impression upon Charles's thoughts That Prince who was so averse before to the Holy-war began to desire it and awaking from the profound sleep wherein his pleasures had lull'd him he only follow'd the motions of his Piety and Courage He gave liberty to Cardinal DAvignen to leavy a tenth upon the Clergy to defray the expence of the war he entred into a League against Mahomet with Hungarie and that there might be no question of his faithful inclinations he confirm'd the League by the marriage of Magdalene of France his Daughter with King Ladislaus As for the Knights he promis'd them all assistance and immediately caus'd sixtie thousand Crowns in Gold to be paid to
Flight While the Arms of Sigismund had this happy success in Hungary his affairs prosper'd no less in other places The Hussites weak'nd by their Losses and either terrifi'd by the Threats or gain'd by the Promises of Emperor at length return'd to their duty The Treaty of Prague put an end to all the Troubles of Bohemia and upon a sudden the Imperial Authority was re-establish'd All things being thus calm'd and Albert having disbanded his Troops Aubusson attended the Nobility that went to the Emperour's Court. There he was receiv'd as one that contributed highly to the Victory in Hungary and that which was related to Sigismund touching the Valour of the young French Gentleman engag'd that Prince to give him publick marks of his esteem and acknowledgment But Aubusson not only attracted the praises and favours of the Emperour by his first exploits in War for he also gain'd his good will and kindness by his carriage near his person and the care which he took to please him Sigismund was endu'd with all the noble Qualities of a great Prince Besides that he was valiant wise religious he lov'd Learning in particular and had a great value for learned men whom he preferr'd upon all occasions before persons that had nothing to recommend them but their Birth He was himself learned perfectly well read in History He understood and spoke the Latine tongue as he made it appear at the Council of Constance by the testimony of Gerson Chancellour of the University of Paris who was present there and was charm'd with the last speech of that Prince For that reason he could not endure ignorance in his Courtiers and would say sometimes that he was asham'd of the Electors who had not the least tincture of Learning Though Aubusson were endu'd with a Martial soul and that the love of war overswayd his Inclinations yet had he a disposition and a Genious for Learning He had a quick and piercing wit a happy memory and a solid judgment So that it was no difficult thing for him to conform himself to the humour of the Emperor having in a short time fitted himself for all manner of addresses After he had study'd the languages as much as was requisite for a Souldier to know he apply'd himself to the understanding of all the noble sciences He learnt the Mapps the Mathematicks and above all the rest that part with concernes the Art of war But History was his Principal studie He made a kind of business Exercise of it reading more to instruct then divert himself For he was not contented to charge his memory with great names and strange Accidents as many do that read but he still made Judicious reflections upon what he read proposing to himself as examples to follow the actions of men Illustrious Above all things he examin'd the lives of great men and making advantage of their Vices as well as of their Vertues he became a Master to himself for the governing his own Manners Whatever love he had for reading and what ever pleasure he took in it yet he study'd the world more then books and above all the world and all books the Emperor As he had a free access to his person and was with him every day he was able to observe nere at hand his Maximes his words his actions and all his behaviour But among all the Vertues of Sigismund he was taken with none more then his Zeal for the Christian Faith of which he shew'd so many real marks not only in the Councils which he upheld by his authority and presence but also by the wars which he undertook against the Infidels Thus the Court which is usually the corrupter of youth was to Aubusson a school of wisdom and vertue Where besides the love which it taught him to have for learning and to make a sound judgment of things he acquir'd Integrity and became a man of Vertue and Repute With such noble Inclinations as these he might easily pretend to great employments in a Court where Justice was done to merit And certainly he had attain'd thereto as much a stranger as he was had not his Fortunes been overturnd by the Death of the Emperor Albert Duke of Austria who succeeded Sigismund had not for Aubusson those kind thoughts as his predecessors Whether it were that he did not naturally love the French or whether the Favors of the deceas'd Emperour provok'd his hatred of a stranger Aubusson quickly percev'd that the Emperor had got a new Master and that the best course that he could take was to be gone But though that Consideration might not have prevail'd with him to quit Germany yet his duty would have oblig'd to return to France The Treaty at Arras for the accommodation between the two Kingsof England and France not taking effect as it was hop'd the War broke out again between the two Kings So that there happ'nd divers sieges and divers fights with more heat and animosity then ever The English made great spoil in the Provinces of which they were not Masters and the French divided among themselves committed as great violences every where so that what between a Forraign and a Civil War joyn'd together the whole Kingdom was full of confusion and horrour This was the state of the Affairs of France when Sigismund di'd and that Aubusson forsook Germany to come and serve his own Country John D'Aubusson Lord of Born his Cousin-German and Chamberlain to Charles the seventh brought him to Court So soon as he came there his proper person his sparkling countenance his noble Air attracted the eyes of all upon him but his prudent and honest carriage his wit his politeness his pleasant conversation gain'd almost the hearts of every one In regard he was of the County of Marche and younger Son of the Vicounts of that County the Count of Marche Governour of the Dolphin shew'd him great respect and did him the honour to be his Patron This Relation which Aubusson had to the Count gave him opportunity often to wait upon the Dolphin who was almost of Age. He obtain'd his love being so happy as to share in the exercises and divertisements of the Prince He had also the good fortune to please Charles the seventh who saw in him at first sight something that was great and not common But it was not long ere be shew'd by his actions that what we conceiv'd of him was not without good ground He signaliz'd himself in a high measure at Montereau Faut-yone whither he attended the Dolphin who commanded at the Siege The King who had been himself a witness of the valour of Aubusson when he carry'd the City by Assault making his entry a little while after into Paris commanded his attendance upon him to Court with the chief of his Nobility This Entry was one of the most magnificent that ever was made And it may be truly said to be the first day that Charles began to reascend his Throne Several Cities follow'd the example
of the Capital and those that stood out were for the most part reduc'd by force Aubusson every where gave signal marks of his Courage but upon one occasion he made it apparent that a young Warriour might be as well prudent as cunning At what time the power of the English abated in the Kingdom that of the fair Agnes increas'd at Court. As she was wonderfully charming and one that understood better then any woman of her sex how to govern her Lovers she obtain'd in a short while an absolute Dominion over the King But according to the custom of women whose credit arises from their Beauty she made but an ill use of the Kings Favours The Dolphin who was not naturally very docible could not endure a haughty and imperious woman who had but little respect for him On the other side the great Authority of Charles of Anjou Brother to the King of Sicily offended him extreamly He took it ill that a Prince for whom he had no kindness should have so great a share in the confidence of his Father So that the Favorite was no less a trouble to him then the Mistress But that which vex'd him most of all was that after the taking of Montereau where he fought so well against the English that in Courtship they applauded him for it before the King he had but a bad reception from bis Father instead of the thanks which he expected For the King perceiving that this first Essay had puft up the mind of his son he return'd him under the Discipline of his Government and remov'd him also from the Court Whether he were jealous of a valour that made such a noise in the world or whether understanding the bad disposition of the Dolphin he thought this first success of his might transport him too far if he did not take care to curb him The Dolphin dissembl'd his dissatisfaction for some time but a young Prince once provok'd whose passions are violent and who never wants bad counsel is soon aweary of counterfeiting And therefore to revenge himself like the Son of a King he went and put himself at the head of the Rebellious Nobility The Count of Marche to whom the revolt of his disciple was no small dishonour omitted nothing that might reduce him to his duty Besides what he did himself he made use of the management of Aubusson whom the Prince lov'd and who had found a means to preserve his favour without confederating in the revolt Certain it is that the Dolphin was of a jealous ticklish disposition not easie to manage and one of those who are of that head strong obstinate humour that they are seldom to be recover'd when they have once fix'd upon their party But Aubusson knew him very well and understood which way to take him For he had those sweet and insinuating charms which are not imcompatible with a fierce and fiery Disposition But above all he had a natural Eloquence that always wrought it's Effect and which perswades so much the more by how much it is the less distrusted So that he had not much to do to make the Prince list'n to reason He so dextrously mannag'd his passions and mollify'd him in such sort by degrees that when the Count of Eu came afterwards to treat with him on the Kings behalf he found him altogether enclin'd to lay down his Armes and beg pardon The King was so satisfy'd wiâ—h Aubussons address upon this occasion that he employ'd him in other Negotiations of concernment In all which he so behav'd himself that Charles the fifth highly applauded the sharpness of his wit Insomuch that one day speaking of Aubusson he said it was a hard matter to find so much fire and so much prudence both together After the Princes were come to an accommodation the War grew very warm between the French and English and much blood was shed on both sides But the truces that were afterwards made chang'd the whole face of affairs France began to breath a more quiet Aire and the pleasures which afterwards succeded the Toyles of war had perhaps effeminated the hearts of the souldiers if their Marches into Lorrain and Germany had not found them work Rene of Anjou King of Sicily and Duke of Lorrain requested aid of Charles King of France his Brother in Law against some places in the Countrey of Messin that would not acknowledg his Iurisdiction Charles presently appeares before Nancy with a great Army of which one part went briskly to beseige Mets. The City defended it self with great courage and obstinacy Upon which the Dolphin with whom the tediousness of the seige did not agree found a fair occasion to satisfie his boyling and ambitious Humour The Emperor Frederick the third dissatisfi'd with the Swisses who pretended to have nothing to do with the House of Astria and who under that pretence affected a kind of Independencie not much differing from a Revolt invited France by the mediation of Sigismund Duke of Austria to come and defend the Rights of the Empire There needed no more encouragement for the Dolphin who had espoused the Sister of the Dutchess of Austria to enter Alsacia with an Army Aubusson was one of the young Lords that attended him and one who had the greatest share in the defeat of the Swisses near Basle But the Duke having reduc'd some places and cast a terror upon others march'd back again sooner then was expected Either because the Emperour unwilling to draw upon himself ill will for being the occasion of the war in some measure disown'd it or because the German Lord who had conducted the French Army into Switzerland and was to have been their guide through all the narrow and difficult streights of the Mountains being slain there was no safety in proceeding farther In the mean time the Affair of Mets being brought to an accommodation advantageous for the Beseigers and honourable for the Beseiged the Embassadors of the German Princes whom the Dolphins march had alarm'd came to demand a confirmation of the ancient Alliances between France and Germany Their demands were granted them and as there is a time when the Spirit of Peace is predominant the truce was prolong'd for five years between France and England The Court in such a quiet calm began to think of nothing but divertisement and the Marriage of Margaret Daughter of the King of Sicilie with Henry King of England occasion'd such extraordinary rejoycings that they had almost forgot their last troubles Never was a more beautiful Court nor a more numerous then that of Nancy For not to speak of the several Princes and Princesses that were of lesser dignity there were two Kings and three Queens beside The Earl of Suffolk who was sent to fetch the new Queen of England had with him the flower of the English Nobility Several daies were also spent in magnificent Turnaments where the King of France and the King of Sicily ran together But Aubusson soon grew weary of
Lusignan King of Cyprus one of the weakest and most effeminate Princes that ever sway'd a Scepter had only one natural Son who was nam'd James de Lusignan when he espous'd his Second Wife Helena of the House of the Paleologi and Daughter of the Despote of Moria By this second Wife he had a Daughter nam'd Charlote who was married to John of Portugal Duke of Conimbria This Prince who had both wit and courage being at the Court of Cyprus easily wound himself into the management of affairs and depriv'd the Queen of all that authority which the weakness of the King had permitted her to use The Queens Nurse who govern'd all things before the marriage of the Princess Charlota and was afterwards in little esteem reveng'd the Queen's and her own disgrace by poysoning the Duke of Conimbria She had a Son whom she passionately lov'd and whom during her grandeur she had made a kind of absolute Minister of State The death of the Prince restor'd to the Mother and the Son the authority which they had lost But as persons of mean Birth usually forget themselves when rais'd above themselves the insolence of the one and the other was so excessive that they us'd the Dutchess most contemptuously Charlota deeply resented both the death of her Husband and the scorns put upon her when she was a Widow She complain'd to her Brother James de Lusignan and her Complaints were not in vain for this natural Son of the King equally cruel and ambitious kill'd with his own hand the Nurses Son not so much to satisfie his Sister as to govern in his room and to open to himself by that means a way to the Throne The Queen who tenderly lov'd her Nurse could not be brought to pardon James whom she mortally hated besides so that to avoid the anger of a Woman a Queen and a Mother-in-Law he was forc'd to conceal himself in the Venetian Consuls House and at length to quit the Kingdom In the mean while the Dutchess of Conimbria who was in the flower of her age and in the full splendor of her beauty was remarried with Lewis Son to the Duke of Savoy Soon after this marriage the King and the Queen dy'd The King by his Will declar'd Charlota his only Heir But the natural Son whom ambition blinded had no regard either to the Laws of Nature or the last words of a dying Prince He made War upon his Sister and his Brother-in-Law by the assistance of the Soldan of Egypt who rather chose to have a Grecian Prince his Tributary then any other Marc Cornaro a Gentleman of Venice who liv'd at Nicossa and was very rich did not a little help the Bastard to make himself Master of the Isle and usurp the Crown The Usurper therefore to acknowledge his services and to fix the Venetians at the same time to his interests espoused Katharine the Daughter of Carnaro after the Commonwealth had adopted her But this new Dominion was too unjust to endure long or happy The Uncles of Katharine who shar'd in the Government poyson'd the King of Cyprus with a design to raign themselves And it was in favour of his Widow that Michael Salamon came to Rhodes on the behalf of General Loredano who was gone to Cyprus to restore Katharine to the possession of her Kingdom The Venetian Ambassadors deliver'd a Letter to the Grand Master from the Duke of Venice full of reproaching and menacing Language Afterwards he himself declar'd with much haughtiness that since the Common-wealth had adopted Katharine Cornara that it was an injury done to the Venetians to favour Rebels that caball'd against a Daughter of St. Mark and their lawfull Queen So proud and surly an Ambassy no way pleas'd the Grand Master however he thought it not convenient to provoke the Venetians by too severe an answer at a time when the order had their hands full Nor could he stoop to qualify them with an answer too much beneath himself And therefore he answer'd with a Gentility and sowreness mix'd both together that the Knights of St. John neither meddl'd with the differences in the Kingdom of Cyprus nor would they suffer any Traitors in Rhodes but that the Island being a free Island they denied admittance to no Christians who desir'd to live among them like Christians Salamon was not satisfy'd with the Grand Masters answer and Loredano less He thought his own presence would do more then his Embassador for which reason he hastons away to Rhodes When his Gallies enter'd the Port the Master sent four of the Grand Crosses to congratulate his arrival and to present him with all sorts of fresh Victuals but being informed of the occasion of his coming he sent to tell him plainly that he could make him no other answer then what he had already given him That concise Declaration caus'd the General to understand that his Voyage was lost so that without considering any farther with himself or so much as setting foot ashore he return'd with all the choler that could inspire a fierce and daring person for having tak'n so much pains so little to the purpose The haughtiness of the Venetians was not the only cause of the ill success of their Embassie The kindness which the Grand Master had for Charlota de Lusignan had a deep share therein Though the Knights of St. John had never openly declar'd for Katherine Cornara nor were willing to contest with the Venetians about their affair certain it is that in their hearts they were all for Charlota de Lusignan whether it were that they were satisfy'd in the Justice of her cause or that the compassion which they took upon her misfortunes caus'd them to embrace her interests or whether it were that the most of them were taken with the Charms of her beauty They had seen her several times at Rhodes she was as yet young enough for her misfortunes had not defac'd her beauty nor depriv'd her of her natural gayity of humour She spoke very pleasingly and readily according to the natural Genius of the Greeks she drest her self after the French mode and her disposition her air and manners plainly shewed her to be of Royal Extraction The Grand Master had always admir'd in the person of Charlota besides the graces of her body and mind a prudence that exceeded age and a constancy above all her sex But the chiefest motive was that she had put her self under the protection of the Knights and for that she had already receiv'd all the assisting kindnesses that she could in reason expect Her acknowledgment also oblig'd them to shew her new marks of their esteem and affection For she publickly declared that she had been more oblig'd to the Knights of Rhodes then to all her nearest Relations and because the Commonwealth had adopted her Enemy she was wont pleasently to say that if Katharine Cornara were the Daughter of St. Mark of Venice Charlota de Lusignan was the Daughter of St. John of Jerusalem But
present He saluted Charles after such a manner as neither bespake him a Barbarian nor a Prisoner After he had kiss'd his Shoulder and his Hand with a lofty Air he told the King That he â—op'd the French would in his perâ—on consider the Ottoman Race and added that when they should cross over into Greece he should find a way to acknowledge their Civilities Charles was ravish'd with admitation of the Great Soul which he â—…w in the Sultan and treated him with so much Courtesie and Geneâ—osity that Zizim testifi'd his joy for being fall'n into the hands of so generous a Monarch They departed from Rome for Naples both together but the poor Prince who prepar'd himself to assist the Enterprise of the French and who was in hopes to raise his own Fortune by following theirs 〈◊〉 himself struck by the way with 〈◊〉 unknown distemper that carri'd â—im off in a few days His death â—…rpriz'd all men and there was â—reat enquiry made into the cause They that were of the Popes's party reported that he gave himself too â—uch over to his Pleasures the first days of his liberty and that he kill'd himself with excess of Debauchery Others say that the Venetians corrupted with money hâ— the Turks and alarm'd at the Frencâ— Expedition had secretly given him poison But most accuse the Popâ— to have deliver'd him poison'd to Charles the 8 th to the end thaâ— France should get no advantage by him Reynald Annal Ecclesiae An. 1495. and the report ran that Alexander receiv'd a good sum of money to perform that wicked act Thus ended the life of Zizim an unfortunate Prince and yet more illustrious by his Misfortunes then by his Birth Some think he dy'd a Christian and that he was Baptiz'd at Rome before the death of Innocent the 8 th But those Authors who have spoken most of this Prince say nothing of his Conversion which makes me believe that to aggravate his misfortunes he dy'd a Mahumetan THE HISTORY OF Peter D'Aubusson Grand Master of RHODES Book Sixth THe Grand Master who took very heavily the news of Ziâ—im's Captivity could not receive â—e news of his death without inâ—…gnation and horrour and he â—und himself laden with all the â—rief that a man could have for the â—…ath of a person so extremely dear to him But when the Interest oâ— Christianity intermix'd with thaâ— tenderness all his Fortitude waâ— little enough to support him from being wholly deprest by an accidenâ— so Tragical He ador'd the profound wisdom of God that would not suffer the Christians to reap any advantage from the person oâ— the Ottoman Prince and permitted them who had most interest to preserve him to be his destroyers But he admired as well the conduct of Providence that would not give the Infidel liberty to gain any benefit by his death but to unhinge all their designs gave Victory to the Triumphant Arms of France in Italy Ferdinand King of Naples being dead of an Apoplexy after Matthias Corvin King of Hungary and Pope Innocent the Eighth who both died of the same disease Alfonso a wicked Prince hated by the Nobility and People succeeded his Father but terrifi'd by the rapid march of the French and fearing besides the dire effects of publick Rage he left his Crown to his Son Ferdinand and retir'd into Sicily The new King also follow'd the example of Alfonso and after he had awhile disputed with the French the Avenues of the Kingdom abandon'd it quite so that the King of France made himself Master of the Capital Cities without striking one stroke All Turky trembled at the progress of the French Army and the terrour was so great at Constantinople that the Priests of the Mahumetan Religion publickly cri'd out That the Turkish Empire was lost without redemption Now before the Forces appointed for the Expedition of Italy set out of France Charles the 8 th had sent to Rhodes the Grand Prior Blanchefort to desire the Grand Master to meet him at Rome He also dispatch'd away to him the Commander of Anger 's with very urgent Letters so soon as he had cross'd the Mountains More then this as he earnestly desir'd this Enterview though whether to be truly instructed as to the design he had upon the Levant or to dazle the World that it should not be known which way he bended is uncertain he desir'd the Pope to write to the Grand Master and wrote to him also with his own hand And indeed his Letter was the most civil and engaging in the world For after that he had declar'd that he could not live without his counsel nor enterprize any thing upon the Levant but under his Conduct he conjur'd him to hasten his Voyage for the reasons which he had declar'd to the Grand Prior Blanchefort his Nephew to whom he had open'd his mind as to a Knight of great prudence and of absolute experience This Letter coming to Rhodes before the Grand Prior whom stress of weather had beaten off from the Island the Grand Master who believ'd such flattering expressions could not be sincere and who saw but small foundations for a design that France made such a stir about return'd for answer to the King â—hat he could not but highly apâ—laud his Majesty's Zeal That it was too much honour for him to â—…ght under his Banners or to contribute any thing to the Glory of his Atchievments But in regard the Grand Prior Blanchefort had order to declare to him the whole secrets of the Affair he daily expected to obey his Majesty's Orders The King out of his impatience to see the Grand Master in Italy wrote him a second Letter so soon as he was enter'd Naples He also desir'd Cardinal Briconnet and Cardinal de Garce who accompani'd him and to whom the Pope had given Caps at his instance to write both of them to the same effect The first only exhorted him in general terms not to deny that which was requested of him with so much ardency The second who had more zeal went more home to the business and after he had given him an account of all that had pass'd in the Kingdom of Naples desir'd him that he would condescend to be a Tutor to a young Conquerour who was wholly intent upon the delivery of Greece and whose hopes depended upon the Counsels of a Captain so experienc'd and so formidable to the Enemies of the Faith He added That in that little time that so glorious an Enterprise was delay'd the opportunity was in danger to be lost That it was to be fear'd lest the debaucheries that usually attend upon great Conquests might corrupt the Courages of the French Soldiers That the sins of Victors might draw upon them the malediction of Heaven That the Enemies of France sow'd jealousies in the minds of the Princes of Italy to engage them to cross the designs of Charles and that all preparations were making to form a League against him That several under the pretence of
the good of his Kingdom advis'd him to return into France before he enter'd upon the Holy War The Cardinal at last concluded That the sole presence of the Grand Master was enough to stay the King and to ascertain the Expedition into the Levant But the Letters of the Cardinals did not work that effect which they expected The Grand Master was confirm'd by their own reasons that the Expedition which they projected against the Turks was not an Enterprise that had any solid ground he was a little distrustful of the inconstancy of the French and the Youth of the Conqueror Besides he understood that the League against France was almost come to a period and that the Pope the the Venetians the Emperor and the King of Spain had all entred into it He had also news at the same time that the Turks enrag'd at the death of Zizim were setting forth a considerable Fleet and that the Tempest threatned the Islands of the Order with whom they had now no more occasion to deal so warily So that his Voyage into Italy appearing useless and his presence being necessary in the East he thought it sufficient to congratulate Charles the 8 th for his Conquest of Naples and to flatter him with that of Constantinople assuring him that a Prince so valiant and so fortunate as he had need of no other Conductors then his own Courage and Fortune to bring the greatest Enterprises to pass That the Knights were overjoy'd to see him so advantagiously seated for a beyond-Sea Invasion and concluding his Letter That he had not yet heard from the Grand Prior Blanchefort whom he either thought to be cast away or taken by the Pirates The event shew'd that the Grand Master had no such reason to be hasty in his Voyage For Charles the 8 th himself speedily on a sudden leaves Naples and bends his march for France Whether it were that that restlesness which is natural to the French caus'd him to quit what he had Conquer'd or whether all Europe Leagu'd against him occasion'd his retreat However there was no discourse after that either of any Expedition beyond-Sea or of any Conquest of Constantinople At the time that Charles absolutely laid aside all thoughts of the Holy War Maximilian began to plot it in his mind either out of a real Zeal or an Envious Emulation to reproach the French in some sort that they had not done what they boasted to do against the Turk However he did not think it convenient to do any thing without advising with the Grand Master To which purpose he sent unto him Ralph of Wittenbergh Knight of Rhodes and Grand Prior of Germany This new Ambassador declar'd at a publick Audience That Maximilian having resolv'd to turn all the Force of the Empire against the common Enemy he durst not venture to proceed till he had consulted before-hand the Cardinal Grand Master the Oracle of the Christian Princes the Terror of the Infidels and Glory of the East That he desir'd private Ties of Union and an entire correspodence with him to the end he might follow his directions in all things which he desir'd him not to refuse to those that requested them sincerely The Grand Master made answer publickly That he was highly oblig'd to the Emperour for his Reliance and Esteem but that he did not deserve those splendid Titles with which his Imperial Majesty had honour'd him and that though the Order had signaliz'd themselves against the Infidels for some years since those happy Successes were to be attributed to the valour of the Knights and the Protection of Heaven After which in a discourse in private with the Ambassador he laid open to him all the insight which he had into the Holy War what Enterprises were to be undertaken against the Turk either by Sea or Land and which were the most probable ways to succeed The wrongs and damages which the Turks at that time did to the Vessels of the Order did not a little help to heat the Grand Master and cause him to close with the designs of the Emperor Several Infidels that inhabited the Coasts of Lycia nearest to Rhodes put to Sea every day and pretending themselves to be Pirats pillag'd the Isles of the Order they also made inrodes into Caria and brav'd the Knights even to the very Gates of the Castle of St. Peter The Grand Master sends out certain Vessels against these pretended Pirats of which some were taken and punish'd to the utmost of their deserts But these disorders continuing he writes to the Port to know whether the Grand Seignior authorised these violences or no. The Pirats intercept the Letters and kill the Bearers The Grand Master being advertiz'd thereof sought a more sure way to write to Bajazet and did it with all the fierceness that a just resentment could inspire him with Now though Bajazet were as we said before exasperated in his heart against the Knights and had little value for them since the death of his Brother yet he was still unwilling to display his fury So that he order'd the Beglerbei of Anatolia severely to punish the Criminals He also sent to Rhodes a Prudent and Intelligent Person to examine the Losses which the Rhodians had sustain'd and to assure them in the name of his Highness that all should be restor'd with Interest While the Grand Seignior labour'd in this manner to satisfie the Grand Master some of the Rhodians interrested in the Goods which the Pirats had taken secretly set forth some Vessels and exercis'd several acts of Hostility upon the Coast of Lycia pillaging Villages taking Ships and carrying away the very persons of the Turks When the Grand Master was inform'd of it he would not stay till the Beglerbei complain'd he caus'd the chief in the Enterpriâ—… to be Arrested and having discover'd that the Knights had a share he â—…m'd Commissioners to examine the matter resolv'd to proceed against the guilty with all the rigour of the Statutes which possitively forbid the Knights to set forth any Vessels of War without express leave Thus was the Grand Master perplex'd at home abroad he was as ill satisfi'd with the Church of Rome For Alexander became more proud then ever by the retreat of the French Army had no regard to the Priviledges which his Predecessor had granted to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem touching the Collation of Benefices Francis Bossolx a Catalonian by birth one of the most Antient and most Illustrious Knights of his Language had conferr'd upon him by the Grand Master the Priory of Catalonia The Pope not considering either the Age or the Merit of the Knight conferr'd the same Priorate with the Commenâ—…ry of Navelles upon Lewis Borgia his Nephew So unjust an act estranged all their hearts from the Pope and occasion'd much trouble at Rhodes It was therefore resolv'd in Counsel to complain thereof in all the Courts of Christendom and particularly to that of Spain To which purpose Commissioners were
and some other Foreign Troops The Republick also at the same time sent to the King of France to obtain of his Majesty the Vessels design'd for the assistance of Rhodes Who thereupon being then in League with the Pope and the Venetians against the Duke of Milan gave order to his Admiral to sail away for Greece to observe the countenances of the Turks and in case that Rhodes were in no danger to joyn with the Venetian Fleet. The noise of War inflam'd some of the Knights and amongst others the Grand Prior Blanchefort whom the affairs of the Order detain'd in France during the Siege of Rhodes And therefore to satisfie the extreme desire he had to meet with the Infidels he desir'd leave to go and serve the Venetians The Grand Master who before he broke with the Turk was desirous to see the success of the War with Venice hesitated at first upon the proposal of his Nephew but the bus'ness being deliberated in Council it was order'd that the Grand Prior should have his liberty but that he should not take along with him above thirty Knights at most So that Blanchefort came to Modon at the same time that the French Ships arriv'd there As for the Venetian Fleet they had not so many Vessels as the Turks But they had better men and Ships more fit for fight The Turks therefore avoided meeting with the Christians minding onely to husband themselves for some greater Enterprise But the Adventurers of Rhodes desiring nothing more then a Battel press'd Grimani not to lose the opportunity And indeed they might have sought found and vanquish'd the Infidels had not the over-prudence of the Venetians renâ—red the heat of the French unprofitable But the Ottoman Fleet consisted of 260 Sail a number that astonish'd Grimani so that instead of engaging he did nothing but follow them aloof off Thereupon the Grand Prior and the French Admiral who had a full resolution to have signaliz'd themselves disgusted at the conduct of the General quitted him with a generous disdain The Infidels embolden'd by the Cowardice of the Venetians and by the retreat of the French fiercely skirted along the Coasts of Morca and enter'd into the Gulph of Lepanto whether Bajazet was come with his Army The City was taken almost in sight of Grimani who had not the courage to relieve it This untoward news very much troubl'd the Grand Master but the Pestilence that increas'd in Rhodes much more afflicted him He made excellent Orders to stop the Torrent of the Contagion and to the end the Barbarians might not attempt any thing at a time so seasonable for them he kept in pay four Galleys Which his Nephew brought along with him from Provence and having re-inforc'd them with Knights and Souldiers he commanded them to cruise about the Islands wherein he did two good acts at one time for he preserv'd the Islands from Pirats and empti'd the City of a great number of People which might have been swept away by the Pestilence Lewis the XII who made himself Master of the Dutchy of Milan while the Turks took Lepanto and who had a design to re-conquer the Kingdom of Naples out of which the French had been driv'n thought himself oblig'd to assist the Venetians in the low Ebb of their Affairs but he was perswaded he could not do it unless he acted by consent with the Grand Master For that reason he sent to him two Heralds at Arms who carri'd a Letter also to the Port to the end that by his means they might travel safely through Turky and have a favourable Audience So soon as the Heralds came to Rhodes the Grand Master who had made no open Breach with the Turks wrote to Constantinople for letters of safe Conduct To which Bajazet did not onely freely consent but gave order to the Basha's of Lycia to go and meet the Heralds of France and convoy them to the Port. Esarcho Centurino a man of good judgment and one of the principal inhabitants of Rhodes departed along with them carrying a Letter of Credence to beseech the Grand Signior not to detain the Heralds long and to make some small Complement to his Highness as to the War which he made against the Venetians Now though he Letters from Lewis were very haughty and threaten'd the Ottoman Empire with the Force of France if he did not cease to molest the Venetians and restore all that had been taken from them Bajazet nevertheless receiv'd them very well nor did he send them back without good Words and magnificent Presents As the King of France had sent two Heralds by the way of Rhodes the Grand Signior by the same way also sent to the King of France two Grandees of the Port of which the one was called Siâ—…nbeii and the other Musibeii to excuse himself likewise to the Grand Master In some sort he endeavour'd in a large Letter to lay the blame upon the Venetians and gave the reasons that mov'd him to declare War against them He pretended that the Venetians had violated the Faith of Treaties and the Right of Nations exercising all manner of violences upon the Turks of which to the end he might be believ'd he gave a long List And the more to dafame the Venetians â—e added that the most Illustrious King of France knew well enough what wrongs they had done the French when being onely Duke of Orleans he accompani'd Charles the 8 th to the Conquest of Naples when they proffer'd him ten Duckats for every Souldier to invade Italy alledging that if they did not stop the progress of the French Arms they would at length assail the Ottoman Empire All this the Grand Seignior wrote to justifie himself but mention'd not a word how Lodowic Sforza finding the King of France in League with the Venetians against him had invited the Ottoman Arms against them aggravating to the Port that Lewis the XII would certainly put in execution what Charles the VIII design'd for the Conquest of Milan and Naples In the mean time a Ship of Rhodes being bound from thence to he Coast of Egypt was attack'd by a Turkish Gallion near ro Alexandria The Knights who were in the Ship defended themselves stoutly and had reduc'd the Turk to the last extremity but when the Ship were just upon the point of yielding another Vessel well arm'd came to her relief so that the Knights were forc'd to quit her They made for Alexandria and putting up the Soldan's Colours enter'd the Port. But the Admiral of Alexandria a perfidious Brute without any regard either to the Peace and Laws of Nations made the Knights Pris'ners and sent them to Caire with all the Christians that were in the Ship The Grand Master conjectur'd by the attempt of the Gallion that the Turks had no intentions any longer to keep fair with the Order However he complain'd to the Soldan of the Admirals behaviour and that in high terms too as of a violence insupportable The Soldan
thing to obtain a Crown he got the King of Persia to be put to death by the very means of the Queen her self who hated her Husband and lov'd Ishmael After the death of Jacup Ishmael return'd into Persia with a great number of his followers who lookt upon him as a Prophet sent by God The most part of the Persians took his part so that having got together a good â—rmy he march'd against Alvant â—ho had tak'n possession of the â—…rone as being the eldest Son of â—…cup The new King was driv'n first from his City then defeated in 〈◊〉 great Battel and slain by Ishmael's own hand This fatal news quite dampt the courage of Alvant's Brother whose name was Maracatam and lay at Babylon with a numerous Army So that in stead of marching against Ishmael he fled to the Mountains and abandon'd the Throne that belong'd to him to save his life Thus the Usurper became the Master and though all the Kingdom had not yet submitted to his Scepter he caus'd himself to be call'd King of Persia These Revolutions appear'd no way favourable to the King of Hungary nor to the intentions of the Grand Master There was no probability that Ishmael Sophi would engage in the Affairs of the League while Persia was not yet at Peace within it self and all those accidents were still to be fear'd that might ruine a new Dominion unjust and unsetl'd besides that thâ— Successes of Ishmael naturally breâ— suspitions in the King of Caramania's breast Which reasons would not permit him to enterprize against the Turks when he had enough to do to secure himself at home Nor was the Soldan of Egypt in a better condition to favour the Princes of the Croisade for besides that he was embroil'd in the Domestick Dissentions of his own Court he fear'd the victorious Arms of Ishmael who by the advice giv'n him by Attula Turcoman threaten'd to begin his Conquests with those of Syria and Egypt when he had setl'd himself in Persia Nevertheless when the Grand Master better consider'd he bethought himself that the Troubles of Persia would â—e no way disadvantagious to the â—nterprize of the Christians for â—hat the Turk alarm'd with the Sucâ—ess of his Victorious Neighbour â—nd En my would be oblig'd to â—…ep very numerous Armies upon â—…e Fronteers of Turky and that â—…ng thereby much weaken'd he â—…ght be the easier vanquish'd at â—…me The noise of the League no less â—erplex'd Bajazet then the Revoâ—…tions of Persia Understanding therefore that the Grand Master was the Head and Soul of the Enterprize he bethought himself of dealing with him by the means of Sultan Corcut the best belov'd of all his Sons to whom he had giv'n the Government of Anatolia Corcut being well instructed by the Ministers of the Port what part he was to act sent very rich Presents to the Grand Master with a most obliging Letter wherein he requested his friendship and conjur'd him after a thousand offers of his services that they might live together in Amity and good Correspondence and that there might be a freedom of Trade between each others Subjects He added that his Father had given him all power in reference to a peace and that he was ready to do what ever the Knights desir'd But these fair words could not dazle the Grand Master He knew by the Turks themselves who were his Spies that the famous Pirate Camali who had fitted out several Vessels at Gallipoli for the service of Bajazet was just ready to set Sail out of the Straits with above fifty men of War to attack the Isles that belong'd to the Order So that without entring into any further Negotiation he frankly declar'd That being nominated General of the League by the Pope he could not forsake the Common Cause nor could hearken to any Peace which the Grand Seignior would not make with all the Princes of Christendom as well as with the Knights of Rhodes The Grand Master declar'd himself upon this point so much the more boldly because he knew that seven of the Popes Galleys were jovn'd to the Venetian Armado at the Island of Cerigo and that his Holiness was setting out thirteen more the care of which he had given to the Knight Fabricio de Caretta who was then at Genoa This news was brought to Rhodes by an Envoy of the Bishop of Baffo under whose Conduct the Galleys set Sail and who had also in Charge a Brief from the Pope to be deliver'd to the Grand Maâ—…er This Brief contain'd many Applauses of the Grand Masters Actions and many Excuses of the Popes Neglect That he had the most sincere intentions in the world but that the misfortunes of the times would not suffer him to keep his word that he would repair what was past with advantage and send Twenty Galleys instead of Fifteen But to return to the Sophi He had no sooner establish'd his Throne partly by fair partly by foul means but he resolv'd to extend his Conquests Instead of advancing against Egypt as he intended he fell into Armenia with fourscore thousand fighting men drawn thither by the Neighbourhood and the hatred which he bore the Turks In this Expedition Ishmael soon mastered Armenia after he had cut in pieces above twenty thousand men Bajazet alarm'd by the Success of the Conqueror gather'd all his Forces together to defend himself but he could not believe himself able to resist so potent an Enemy while he was at odds with the Christians For that reason he made Propositions of Peace to the Grand Master and the Republick of Venice The Grand Master who had intelligence of every thing and in particular knew the Consternation of the Grand Signior fail'd not to give notice of it to the Pope that never a fairer opportunity offer'd it self to ruine the Common Enemy That Bajazet was oblig'd to go in Person against the Persian for want of a Basha experienc'd in Military Affairs in whom he could absolutely confide That the Sophi a liberal and affable Prince drew to his Party the Militia of the Grand Signior That there was no likelihood of any accord between Persia and Turky in regard a Conqueror hates nothing more then Peace Therefore he besought his Holiness not to neglect the opportunity that Providence presented But the Commotions in Italy render'd all these Remonstrances void For while the Turks and Persians make War one against another the French and Spaniards break the Peace which they had made They had contracted an Alliance against Frederick of Naples who succeeded Ferdinand his Nephew and had got possession of his Dominions by force of Arms. But Ambition soon divided them which it had united Lewis the XII and Ferdinand King of Castile became jealous each of other neither could endure a Competitor nor a Companion both of them claim the whole Kingdom which they had parted betwixt them And the differences of their Ministers touching the limits of their common Conquests serving for a pretence occasion'd a most bloody
and Ramparts wherever occasion requir'd He was then Grand Prior of Auvergne having succeeded a little before to the Chevalier Cottet who dy'd about that time and surrender'd his Baily wick to the Knight de Rillac But while they were thus preparing to receive the Ottoman Army the Grand Master Baptista Vrsini dy'd also the loss of whom might have ruin'd Rhodes had it not been repair'd with advantage For in short it was Aubusson himself whom the Knights assembl'd chose for Grand Master Anno 1476. Never was Election more regular nor with less disturbance then that It was made according to all the forms which the Statute prescribes and the sixteen Electors whom the Assembly chose out of the whole number of Languages to elect whom they should think most capable of the supreme power gave their suffrages with one consent for Peter D'Aubusson Grand Prior of Auvergne At the name of Aubusson the whole Assembly with redoubl'd shouts and acclamations testify'd their unparallel'd joy He only was sorry when he heard himself nam'd and at first he refus'd a Command of which he did not think himself worthy But I know not by what inward motive which afterward prevail'd he was forc'd to accept it almost against his own will Yet could he not refrain from tears when according to the custom he was carry'd in his Seat to the Great Altar upon the Shoulders of the principal Commanders There it was that confessing his weakness to sustain so great a burthen he receiv'd the submissions of the Knights after he had solemnly sworn upon the Evangelists to observe the Statutes of the Order The news of this Election was no sooner spread over the Island but the people made Bonfires and testify'd all the signs of publick joy This caus'd every body to hope for a happy Government neither was Mahomet so much fear'd when they understood that the Grand Prior of Auvergne had the Authority in his hands THE HISTORY OF Peter D'Aubusson Grand Master of RHODES Book Second SO soon as the Grand Master was acknowledg'd in Rhodes his first care was to render to Pope Sixtus the Fourth that Obedience which is due from the Chief of an Order wholly devoted to the Sacred See To that purpose he held a Council the next day after his Election and nominated the Prior of Lombardy together with the Prior of Rome for that Embassy Then he apply'd all his thoughts to the Government of a Dominion of which he had taken possession And not to loose time he began at the very first to act as Grand Master Though the Ottoman Army were as yet far enough from Rhodes nevertheless the Island was not a little infested by the incursions of the Barbarians The Pyrats who landed day and night in several parts pillaged the Cities burnt the Houses massacred and carried away many of the Christians The Grand Master thought it convenient to put a stop to these disorders that so sensibly afflicted him and for that purpose to build upon the Coast at such such distances severaâ— Forts and Towers to hinder the landing of the Pyrats But because this design requir'd a great sum of Money and that these Pyracies had very much exhausted the Grand Masters Revenue he ordain'd for the raising those works that all those Knights who obtain'd Commanderies by favour only should pay the value of the first years Revenue to the Order so soon as they receiv'd their Commissions without which payment the Donation should be void The Grand Master also took in hand again and went on with all those works which were discontinu'd by the death of the Grand Master More especially he forwarded the new Wall of the Arsenal and took upon himself the charge of looking after it But in regard it was of high importance to look after the security of the Port he order'd the Grand Prior of St. Gilles to provide a Chain to shut it up He also at the same time gave order to the Chevaliet Raymond who commanded in the Castle of St. Peter to widen the Mote so far for the Sea to fill it that the Brigantines of the Castle might ride there secure from Enemies and Tempests The Castle St. Peter which we shall have often an occasion to mention was a strong place scituated in Cana between two Arms of the Sea which form'd a Peninsula built upon the ruines of the ancient City Halicarnassus near the place where was formerly the Sepulcher of Mausolus so famous for the love and grief of Artemisia The Order of St. John is beholding for that Fortress to the prudence and valour of one of the French Grand Masters For Philibert of Nailac Grand Master of Rhodes desirous to make his best advantage of the consternation of the Infidels after the Battel wherein Tamerlain had taken Bajazet Prisoner fitted out the Gallies of the Order and sailed directly for Caria with the choicest Knights of the Order He took a Castle there from the Turks the scituation whereof seem'd to him to be of so much advantage that he built in the same place another almost impregnable which he call'd the Castle of St. Peter This place it was which in the midst of the Turks Dominions serv'd as a Sanctuary for the poor Christian Slaves that can get away from their Masters And here it was if we may believe the Writers of that age that certain Dogs of a particular breed who by a strange instinct of nature watch'd all the night long and would fly upon the Turks and fawn upon the Christians as if they had known the one from the other Among all the Knights which the Grand Master employ'd according to the variety of occurrences and which were always nearest his person there was not one in whom he put more confidence then in Charles de Montholon He was a person of a very good judgment and one that bare the character of being fierce in fight temperate in counsel and one that had a genius capable of every thing This Knight acquitted himself of several Trusts that were put upon him for the defence of the City and he it was that had the charge of fortifying St. Nicholas Fort. While the Grand Master-issued out his orders and labour'd himself to have all things in readiness to sustain a Siege Antonio Loredano General of the Venetian Fleet in the Island of Cyprus understanding that Riccio de Marino a Cipriot by birth and a person born for intrigue and one of the most zealous Servitors of Charlote de Lusignan negotiated at Rhodes to the prejudice of Katharine Carnara he sent an Ambassad or to complain in the name of the Duke of Venice for that the Knights did entertain those that were Rebels to the Republick It is impossible to understand the grounds of that Embassy nor the answer of the Grand Master without being inform'd beforehand of the Claims of those two Princesses to the Kingdom of Cyprus and wherefore the Republick took Katharine's part and oppos'd Charlot a. John de