who maried the daughter of King Baldwin succeded in the kingdome of Hierusalem ouerthrew the Turkes at Ybelim which Place holy Scripture calleth Geth The yeere 1140 or ther abouts Alaph or Balach Souldan of Hames tooke the towne of Rohaiz there vnmercifully murdered a great number of Christians The yeere 1143 King Baldwin the third of that name sonne of king Fulque discomfited at Hierico the valiant Norradin son to Baldecan Soldan of Damaz The yeere 1146. The Emperour Conrad and King Lewes of Fraunce sonne of Lewes le Groz passed into Surie where with king Baldowin they besieged the towne of Damasco but could not take the same and therefore they returned home into their Countries The yeere 1148 after the departure of these said two Princes Norradin the Souldan of Damasco besieged Antioche wher Raimond the Conte of Antioche issuing forth in a skirmish was vnfortunately slaine the Contes of Rohaiz and Tripoli taken prisoners which Contee of Tripoli after was shamefully murdered by an Assassin The yeere 1160 Almery king of Hierusalem brother to king Baldowin tooke the towne Alexandria beesieged the great citie of Caire in Egipt The yeere 1170. Saladin the Souldan of Egipt began to inuade the holy land in the time of king Baldowin the fourth of that name king of Hierusalem at what time likewise the Emperour Frederic made war vpon the Pope the church in burning destroying Italy The yeere 1174 king Baldowin discomfited the Souldan Saladin at the towne of Tabaria which sometime was called Tiberias after that ouerthrew a second time at the towne of Ascalone The yeere 1179 king Baldowin aforesaid fought againe with the Souldan Saladin at Margelion nigh to the towne of Tabarie where king Baldowin then was discomfited The yeere 1184 began that discention among the Christians in the holy land which was the cause of the losse of the same The originall of which was this Guy of Lusignen hauing married the Lady Sibil sister of the late king Baldowin and widow of William Longuespee Marquis of Monferrato by whom she had a son named Baldowin who at that time but sucked his Nurce to whom appettained the kingdome of Hierusalem the said Guy of Lusignen father in law of the infant would needes haue his title and wardship against the will minde of Bartrand Contee of Tripoly to whose tuition and gouernance the childe was giuen by force of the testament of king Baldowin brother of the said lady Sibell when in the mean time the infant died ther vpon Guy of Lusignen named himselfe king in the right of his wife wherwith the Contee of Tripoly was wonderfully wroth The yeere 1186 Saladin tooke prisoner Guy of Lusignen king of Hierusalem with the maisters of the Templars and of the order of Sainct Iohn that came to succour the towne of Tabarie which the said Saladin had then besieged so as vpon restoring of king Guy the both aforenamed maisters to their liberties Tabarie Lique and Ascalone were rendred to Saladin who in the end wan also the citie of Hierusalem after that the towne of Acres The yeere 1147 the Templars reencountred Saladin nigh to Casal Robert where Saladin ouethrew them slew in fight the maister of the order of Sainct Iohn Hierusalem named Brother Roger dez Molins which hapned the first day of May that yeere In the yeere of our Lord God 1149 ther passed to succour the holy land the Emperour Frederic Barberossee Philip the French King and Richard King of England Frederic tooke his way by land and comming into Cilicia where thorough extreame heate desirous to bath himselfe or as some say in passing the riuer which some doe call Cauno and the frenchmen the riuer of Salif the latins doe name Cydnus which passeth through the famous citie of Tharsus at this present named Therasso was vnfortunatly drowned The two kings his confederates ariued in Sicilia frō the towne of Mossana they passed into the holy land came to the towne of Acre which after two yeeres beesieging they tooke King Richard in his passage thether tooke the Island of Cypres which he gaue to king Guy of Lusignen in exchaunge for the kingdome of Hierusalem But after the taking of Acre king Phillip being sickly returned into Fraunce The yeere 1204 Baldouin Earle of Flaunders and Henry Conte de Sainct Paul with his brother Loys Conte de Sauoy and the Conte Boniface Mont ferrat with a great company assembled themselues at Venice to passe from thence into the holy land To whom the Venetians did graunt ships vpon condition that beefore they passed they should aide them to recouer the towne of Zara in Sclauonie which before had reuolted from them and so hauing done they after proceeded on their voyage to Constantinople whereof they possessed themselues in the Empire which remained in the frenchmens hands about threescore yeares after The yeere 1210. Ichan de Brene maried the daughter of Conrad of Montferrat and the Lady Isabell daughter of king Amaulry who was sister of Baldouin the Meseled and of the Lady Sibel that was wife to Guy of Lusignen Which said Ichan de Brene was made king of Hierusalem crowned at the towne of Tyrus which commonly is called Sur and Sor by reason that it is situated vpon a rocke in the sea But Alexander the great to the intent to winne that towne filled vp all that distance of the sea betwixt the same and the land with stone and earth so as at this day the same remaineth firme groūd which towne of Tirus came into the possession of the said Conte Conrad who afterward was shamefullie on a suddaine murdered by a couple of the sect of the Assassins In the yeere 1216. Pope Honorius the third of that name did send the Cardinal Colonne into Surie accōpanied with Henry Contee of Neuers and Gualtier of Sancerre constable of Fraunce with others in a great nūber who after their landing in Acre discended into Egipt tooke there the towne of Damiat which within sixe yeeres after vpon composition was surrendred to Cordier son of Saladin Souldan of Egipt whom the frenchmen doe call Le Admiral des Cordes In which time also Iehan de Brene king of Hierusalem accōpanied with his brother Garin de Montaguae great maister of the order of Saint Iohns came into Fraunce in passing through Italy the said king of Hierusalem gaue his daughter Yolant in marriage to the Emperour Frederic second son to Henry who was sonne to Frederic Barberousse with the whole interest title which he had to the kingdome of Hierusalem which the Kinges of Sicilia doe intitle themselues to claime at this day The yeere 1229. the said Emperour Frederic departed out of Italy giuing hopes that hee would passe into Surie but incontinently hee returned againe as one hauing small deuocion to performe that voiage In the yere 1230 the aforenamed Soldan Corder caused the vvals of Hierusalem to be
which the generall of the Venetians did not deny him Whom Hieronimus Zanius himselfe within few daies followed leauing behinde him with the charge of the army chiefe command Sebastian Venerio but the said Zanius ariuing at Corcira the senate of Venice with much contempt did there abrogate his authority and from thence sent him to Venice prisoner So this yeere thus vnprofitably spent and with infinit charge wastfully cast away this Christian fleet furnished of euery thing requisit as souldiours captaines munityon mony victualls and in deede what not who had in admirable expectation of some worthy exployt drawen the eyes of all Europe most by their variable different and deldying counsells partly by tempests the pestilence which in short time had consumed many numbers of gallie slaues and marriners became vtterly frustrate When Pialis Bassa who by spyes had vnderstoode of the departure of Auria and the Venetians from Creet passing by Rhodes and after by the 〈…〉 Ilands returned to Constantinople But Mustapha Bassa that had taken Nicosia and now enforcing the course of his victory had besieged Famagosta hee I say leauing in the harborough and other parts of the Iland sufficient strength against incursions drew the residue of his forces to winter in other garrisons Now the Venetians hauing theyr Nauy thus returned vvithout aught vvorthelie executed created a triumuitate Capitall for the finding forth and punishing of all such as arightly might be sayd to haue bene faultie in that fleet vvhereby that expedition had no better successe their vvars prouision to so small purpose spent and so great an ouerthrow vvith derogation to the honor and reputation of the Venetian name had happened They likewise laboured to compounde a Peace vvith the Turks for vvhich cause they sent to Constantinople Iacobus Ragazonus to deale vvith Mahomet Bassa vvhom they vvell hoped to haue found fauorable and better inclining thervnto then the rest But all this in vaine therefore vvith great care and industrie they procure the contract of a league or confederacie betwixt themselues the Pope Pius Quintus Phillip king of Spaine by sundrie extraordinarie meanes they leuie hugeâ—summes of monie and repaire vvith larger prouision their vveather beaten and vnarmed Gallies of Corcyra Committing the vvhole charge and commaund of these affaires to Sebastian Venerio then Gouernour of Creet vvhilst in the meane time Pertai Bassa made by Silimus high Admirall of all the Turkish forces by Sea landith in Cyprus a new power and Mustapha Bassa chiefe Generall of all the Armie by land vvith much extremitie as hardly beseeged the Citie of Famagosta vvhan the vvorthie Captaines Marcus Antonius Bragadenus Astor Beleonius Lodouicus Martinigus and Laurencius Tenpolus most valiantlie for the said Venetians defended The Citie Famagosta is seated in the East part of that Isle towards the Syrian sea not farre from Constantiâ— famous for that vvorthy Bushop Epephanius vvhich is supposed to be the same Salamis antiently inhabited of those kings of Teucria This Citie of Famagosta vvas built and enlarged by Henry of the Famely of Lusignana King of Cyprus about the yeere of Christ 1295. at vvhat tyme Ptolemais vvas lost vvhich vvhilst it was possessed of the Christians vvas that famous Staple vvherein the trafficke of all commodities comming either from the East or West continents vvas exercised But Famagosta although both by Nature and Art strongely fortefied beeing beefeiged and assalted by this huge Armie of the Turkes with all meanes which open vvarre or secret pollicie could deuise at length after eleauen monthes defence vveakened vvith extremities and voyde of all hope or ayde vvas brought to those difficulties as they vvere enforced to render the same to Mustapha vppon composition that so their liues goods and the vse of Religion to those Christians that would remaine ther should be free to the rest not willing passage might be had safe coÌ„duct to depart But the perfedious Turke litle regarding his faith or Soldiours assurance formerly giuen vvhen the said Captains and Magistrats accompanied vvith a trayne of their valiant vvarlike companions to whom by name he had giuen their safe conducts approched his tent gaue order all should be kild Anthonius Bragadenus onely excepted to whom after three seuerall coÌ„mands in his presence to haue his head cut of yet changing his purpose for the greater ignomenie permitted his nose onely eares to be lopt away And vvheras three hundreth besids of the Christians vvere come forth into the Camp vpon securitie of the peace these as the rest he bid should be pittifully slain And for such as were gone abord the ships in hope to haue sailed for Creet he caused them besids the dispoiling of their goods to be made all Gally slaues After which Mustapha the next day entring the Citie Teupolus by his command was strangled And Anthonius Bragadenus the cities gouernor thus deformed dismeÌ„bred in his nose and eares after he had by way of mockery carried in show about the most special famous parts of the citie reuiling him with all kinde of villanies caused his skin whilst he was yet quick to be fleane of the which torment Bragadenus with great constancie endured calling God for witnesse reuenge of so monstrous crueltie and perfedious brech of faith These things thus executed in Cyprus the Turkish nauie on purpose to vvith-hould the Venetians from attempting aught for the regayning of the sayd Isâ—e entred the Gulfe of Venice persecuting all such Cities on the coast of Dalmatia both by sea and land as vvere vnder the obedience of the sayd Venetians Whilst in the meane tyme the confederate Nauie of the Christian Princes verie leasurely vvere assembled at Sicilta The Generall whereof vvas Don Iohn de Austria the base begot sonne of Charles the fith and brother to Phillip King of Spaine vvho enbarking at Barcilona brought vvith him along to Genua Rodolph and Ernestus the sonnes of Maximilian the second then Emperour From whence goeing to Naples and thence sailing to Messana in Sicilia he there expects the rest of the associate leaguers vvhich vvere one hundreth and eight Gallies of the Venetians from Creet and elsewhere thirtie from Naples twelue from Panormos twelue from Genua vnder the conduct of Andreas Auria twelue from the Pope vvhose Captaine vvas Marcus Antonius Columna foure from Malta vvith some others out of Spaine which all of them should ther meete together Where now though late being assembled vpon the fourth of September they vveyed their Ancors in Messana Port and coasting the Salentine and Lacinian promontorie they passed the Ilands of Corcyra and Cephalenia and came to the Gulfe of Corinth vvhere they vnderstood that the Turkish fleete at the Ilands Echinadas vvere then remayning In this Turkish Nauie vvere chiefe of commande Hali Bassa the Admirall Pertai Bassa Lusalis King of Algier Hamsam sonne of Barbarussa the Sirâ—ch of Alexandria vvith others to vvhome the great Seignior had giuen command that in any case the Christian fleete should not
ouerthrovven at such time as the Emperour Frederic persecuting the church gaue beginning to the partialities of the Guelfs Gibelins therwith not contented did call in the Sarazins of Africk to his seruice and gaue to them the towne of Nucera in Italy vvhich yet is called Nucera des Sarazins from vvhich aftervvard they vvere expulsed by the Frenchmen In the yeere 1237 Theobald king of Nauarre Emery Contee of Mont fort Henry Contee of Campaign Barre vvith a great army passed through Hungary Constantinople into Surie and recouered sundry townes which the Sarazins beefore had wonne but encountring with the Soldan Corder beetwixt the tovvnes of Acre and Gazera sometime called Gaza there they vvere discomfited and ouerthrovven by the same Soldan In the yeer of our Lord God 1244 the christians were discomfited at a place called Forbye where were taken the Maister of our order of Sainct Iohns called brother Guillaume de Chastelnâ—uf and the Maister of the Templers named brother Herman de Pierresort the Archbishop of Sury and two sonnes of Signeur de Boteron which otherwise was called Botrus with moe then three hundred Gentlemen At which time likewise the cruell wars by sea began betwixt the Venetians the Geneuoys about the intrest possession of the Monestary of Sainct Saba in the towne of Acre in Sury which may wel be said another cause of y losse of the holy land In the yeere 1249 Lewes the French king otherwise named Sainct Lewes passed the Seas and was taken prisoner before the tovvne of Damiat in Egipt by the Soldan Melechsalem but after his atteined liberty hee recouered the tovvnes of Sidon and Iaffe aunciently called Ioppe before that time taken by the said Soldan I am now come vnto the time that the Tartares inuaded the Turks or Turquimans but to the end it may be better vnderstood how this came to passe froÌ„ whom this people of the Tartares haue their being it behoueth me a little to turne back to begin a little before this time In the yeere 1231. in that country of Tartaria vvhich at this day is called Catay and the Orientall Scythia at vvhich time the Tartares liued vvithout knovvledge of any law or sorme of gouernment there was one by Hayton called Cangy and by Paulus Venetus Chinchis but by Michael a Michou Cinguis beegotten vpon a widdow during hir widdowhood who hauing other children by hir former husband they would haue staine hir all for shee had conceiued this Cangy while shee was widdow howbeit shee so wittely behaued hir selfe in hir words that shee caused them beleeue how she conceiued that birth by force of the beames of the sun other father in name the child had not which opinioÌ„ so taking place was not onely auaileable to the mother but also afterwards to Cangy who coÌ„ming to perfect age brought this barbarous people to beleeue that the almightie God had sent him to bee their king to make them Lords of those other nations to whom euen vnto that time they had ben tributaries by reason they neuer had head to guide the. And so prudentlie this Cangy can led himselfe that he subdued all his neighbours and therefore was â—uâ—named Cangy Can or Cham hee reigned twelue yeeres and died by the stroke of an Arrow which had wounded him in the knee at the aslault of a castellâ—â— his Cangy was the first that perswaded the Tartares to beleeue in one God To Cangy Cham succeeded Hoccata his son who to know countries further of sent ten thousand horse men to inuade the territorie of Cappadocia than possessed by the Turks by whome these Tartares were ouerthrowen with vvhich losse Hoccata being not a little mooued he sent againe thirtie thousand men whom hee called Tamachi that is to say conquerers against whom vpon the fronters of Cappadocia which the Turks call Genech came Guijatadin king of the said Turkes whom Sabellicus doth name Goniat In whose army were two thousand christians the remainder of the forces that before came into Surie conducted by two â— aptains where of the one vvas called Iohn Liminad of the Island of Cypres and the other Boniface du Chasteau a Geneuoys Sabellicus calleth this Boniface Boniface du Molin vvho he saith vvas a Venetian but in that daies deed Guijatadin and his Turks vvere discomfited in the yeere of our Lord God 1239. about vvhich time also Hoccata died leauing behind him three sons the one named Cin vvhom Paul the Venetian calleth Cui and of others Guys Guyscan the second vvas called Iochy the third Baydo or Batho as Michaell of Michou saith After Hoccata his son Cin or Cui succeeded vvhose reigne not long continued Next to him Mango or Mongu whom Sabellicus calleth Metho cosen to the faid Hoccata possessed the Empire of Tartaria This is that Mango Cham to whom Pope Innocent the fourth of that name did send Frees Ascelin one of the order of the Freers Preachers in the yeere of our Lord God 1266. as Vincent the Historial and Michael a Michou doe report IOCHY whom some doe call Iachis one of the sonnes of the sayde Hoccata tooke his way towards the West being the countries of Turquesten and the Corasmins and part of the Region of Persia euen vnto the riuer of Tygris which Hayton calleth Phison but I beleeue that Phison is that Riuer which is called Ganges where Iochy remayned BAYDO or Batho the third sonne of Hoccato passed thorough Russie Cumanie or Comanie and Moscouia and entred into Polone Hungary Austruhe burning and destroying the countries beefore him which afterward thorough famin he was enforced to abandon and so to returne into Tartarie Comanie which is beeyond the sea Maior called Pontus Euxinus but at this day Zauolha and Zahady Some doe affirme that this countrie of Comanie is that which Strabo calleth Cataonia part of Capadocia at this day called Cricassj The sayd Baydo was called by the Polonians Bathy Zaim Cham of whom Tamberlane the great discended as Michael a Mechou saith who did write of these great distructions in these North Regions done by Baydo which was in the yeere of our Lord God 1263. To Iochy in the orient succeded his sonne named according to Hayton Barath and after Paulus Venetus Barachim IN the yeere of our Lord God 1250. or there abouts at such time as king Lewes otherwise called S. Lewes the French king passed the seas The king of Armenie being a christian named Hayton perceiuing that the Tartaires had conquered so many countries and were entred into Natolie purposed to enterteine amitie and league with the said Mango Cham or Mongu VVho as before succeded to his cosin Gin or Cuj son to Hoccata in the realme of Tartarie onely to haue ayde against the Caliph of Baudraz and the Turkes of Damasco Halep Haman other places for which he sent towards him the great Constable of Armenie named Sinebaud but the yeere after he went in person where he obtained such fauor
that the realme of Armenia was big inough for him to gouerne so that to haue greater dominions were but further troubles to him therfore most hartely he thanked him of his most gentle offer which he was bounden to remember vpon due occasion vpon which refusall Abagan committed the gouernaÌ„ce regement of Natolye to sundrie of his owne Captains among the which one named Othoman was one from whom the Princes of the Turks that presently reigne are descended Abagan returned into Persia wher he staied a certaine time and in the meane season he was stirred by the said king Thiuon of Armenia to make war vpon the Soldan of Egipt named Melechsayt that is to say the king desired who succeeded next to Melechdaer molested the said king Thiuon for which cause Abagan did send Mangodanior his brother with thirtie thousand horsemen ioyned with the army of the same King of Armenia against the said Souldan Melechsayt and came before the towne of Hames where they found encamped the armie of the Sarazins and therevpon each side preparing to fight they ordered their armie and deuided them into three battelles whereof the one was vnder the leading of Mangodanior the second was guided by King Thiuon and the third by a Captaine Tartarian named Aâ—â—â—ech or Achmat which signifieth gracious these two so worthely behaued themselues with their battails against the like number of Sarazines that those Sarazins were vanquished and put to flight The meane time Mangodanior who had no manner of experience as it seemed in wars without giueing any manner of charge vpon the enemie which towards him was readie to encounter against him hee gaue himselfe shamefully to flie staied not a whit vntill he came to the riuer of Euphrates which they call Euphra though hee was not pursued or chased at all by the third battell of the Sarazins which consisted of those people called Beduins who in the holy Scripture are named Madiani or Madianites and to succour their companions that were ouerthrowen and fled followed their fellowes so fast as they could but the next day when king Thyu on and Achmet vvere returned froÌ„ the chase to Hames perceiuing that Mangodanior vvas in such order departed they follovved him and ouertooke him at the saide riuer and instantly required him to returne declaring to him hovv they had vvon the battaile put the Sarazins to flight but for any thing they could say or aledge he vvould not returne but immediatly retired tovvards his brother into Persia about the yeere of our Lord God 1282 Abagan beeing not a little displeased vvith the flight and cowardnesse of his brother was purposed to haue gone in his owne person against the Souldain howbeit he was enpoisoned by a Sarazin and died leuing behinde him two sonnes the one named Argon and Ragait Tangodor neuertheles succeded to his brother Abagan being elected by Tartares to be their king this Tangodor was sometime a christian and at the time of his baptisme hee was named Nicolas but through his tomuch keping companie with Sarazins he became a Mahomatist and was named Mahumet he caused to be destroied ouerthrowen all the churches of the Christians within his dominions and entered in amitie and league with Melechsayt Souldan of Egipt wherfore one of his owne bretheren together with his said nephew Argon accused him before Cobila Cham of the aforesaid crimes wherevpon Cobila Cham sent him word and commaunded him to amend and redresse those iniuries which he had done and from thence forth to liue in a better sort or otherwise he would extremely punish him but Tangodor nothing amended with this aduertisement from Cobila Cham in dispight he caused his said brother to be apprehended and to be put to death Howbeit his nephew Argon vpon this escaped from him and fled to the mountaines and after with the aid and helpe of his friends and seruants of Abagan his faide father he surprised and tooke Tangodor and caused him to bee sawen in sunder in the middle after that he had reigned three yeeres in the yeere of grace 1283. Argon after that hee had put to death Tangodor his vncle was elected king but hee would neuer accept the name and title of Cham without the leaue of Cobila who perceiuing the same gladly thereto did condiscend This Argon was a christian and caused to bee reedified repaired the Churches which his vncle wickedly before had destroyed He vvas visited by the kings of Armenia and Georgia to whom hee promised hee would goe vvith them to recouer the holy land but the meane time he died as one that had not the leasure to performe that worthie promise after that he had reigned three yeeres at such time as Melechnazer Souldan of Egipt florished After Argon succeeded Ragayt his brother called by Sabellicus Queghat and by others Tagadayt a man most vnprofitable to rule without either faith or law hated of his owne and vtterly abhorred of straungers he had a son named Cassan Baydo or Bathy and according to Sabellicus called Bandon and had a cosen also called Cassan which succeded him anno domino 1290. This said Cassan Baydo was a christian and honoured the Churches of God and prohibited that none should speake of Mahumet which those that followed the sect tooke it in meruailous euill part and secretly aduertised the said Cassan or Assan which was sonne to the saide Argon that if hee would forsake the christian faith beeing also a christian they would proclayme him king vnto whom this Cassan son to Argon accorded vnder this promise hope Cassan son to Argon raised war against his cosen Baydo which Baydo hearing gathered his power togethers encouÌ„tred Cassan ioyning in battell Baydo was shamefully forsaken by his owne subiects being Mahometists that reuolted to the part of Cassan so Baydo ther was slaine After the death of Baydo Cassan was called king but at the first he durst not declare what was resting secretly in his mind against those who brought him to this dignity by the meanes abouesayde Howbeit when he thought himselfe assured and confirmed in his regall authoritie hee beegan first to shew himselfe a friend to christians and then hee commaunded to bee put to death those who counsailed him to denie the christian faith And after he addressed an armie against the Soldan of Egipt the Sarazins of the which his purpose Cassan aduertised the kings of Armenia Georgie who with their armies came ioyned with him at Baudras and from thence marched to the towne of Hames which is situated in the midst of Sury where the Souldan of Egipt called Melechseraph who had chased the christians out of Sury came against them with a great army encamped in a great medow thereby supposing to haue surprized the christians and albeit he found the christians partlie in disorder and so gaue charge vpon them yet Cassan with the rest of the christians so manfully fought it out that in the end
against Amurath and therewith recouered the territories of Seruia and Rascia which he rendred againe to the said Despot George Vucouich to reuenge which wrong Amurath leuied a great power vnder the leading of one Carabey who encountring with the Christians nigh the mountaine Costegnaz anciently called Hemus was there ouerthrowen and Carabey taken prisoner The which two victories with sundrie others before and after were obtained by the famous prowesse and valiantnesse of Iohn Huniad called by Enguerrant de Monstrelet and Philip de Comines Le Blanc Cheualier de la Velaign and by the Hungarians Iancâ— Ban or Vaiuod that is to say Prince of Transiluania at this present Moldauia and by the Hungarians named Sibenbourg that is to say Septemcastrum but by our elders Dacia This worthy Iohn Huniad was father to the valiaunt Mathias king of Hungary who not long agone reigned there After this battaile there was an abstinence from armes condicioned betwixt the Hungarians and the Turks for two yeres by reason wherof with the paiment of fifty thousand ducats of ransome Carabey was deliuered the which trewse beeing soone after broken by the said king Lancelot at the instance and perswasion of Eugenius the Pope the fourth of that name to king Lancelot was very infortunate for afterward he was slaine in the battaile soughten beetwixt him and Amurath nigh the towne of Verna aunciently called â—yonisiopolis vpon Saint Martins day the eleauenth of Nouember Anno Domini 1444 wher the said Iohn Huniad was put to flight Of this victory Amurath had small cause to reioyce considering it cost him very decre both in losse of his best friends choice souldiers after this Amurath toke the towne of Sophie beeing the head towne of whole Bulgaria Scopie and Nouomont and ouerran all the territories of Acarnania called at this instant Ducat or Duche and the Prouince of Cymera aunciently called Epirus where hee spoiled and wasted alongst the riuer of Achelous at this day named the riuer of Pachicolan vnto the mountaines Du Diable in times past called Acroceraunii which are part of the Mountaines called Pindus hee tooke also the famous port towne named Velone sometime called Aulon and passed the Gulfe of Larta in latin called Sinus Ambracius vnto the towne of Oricus now named Rigo and so went forward towards the Gulf of Cataro which is called Sinus Risonicus beeing fiue and twentie miles from the towne of Ragusa in ancient â—â—me named Epidaurus Hee enforced Iohn Cosâ—â—iâ—th the Despot of Cymera to giue him the enpregnable towne of Croia with his three sonnes in hostage and pledge of fidelitie all which hee caused to beâ— come Turks the yongest named George Castrioth at that time not aboue nine yeeres of age was called by the Turkes Scanderbeg that is to say Alexander the great who after became so valiant a Captaine that for his worthie acts hee was comparable to the famous and most renowmed Pyrrus and others his worthy predecessours dominators and rulers of Epirus for hauing commaund vnder Amurath he conquered Seruia and did bring to the Turks obeisance the Countrie of Carmania how beit afterward this Scanderbeg retourning to the christian faith caused Amurath to loose the territorie of Seruia and then toke from him the strong towne of Croia with all the countries townes castells that before belonged to his said father Iohn Castrioth besides that in twentie or thirty battels wherein valiantly he fought with the Turks he alwaies caried away with him the victorie so as Amurath had neuer iuster matter to obiect to this Scanderbeg then to reproch him with vnkindnes that beeing so carefully brought vp by him in his tender age should so without cause reuoult calling him by sundrie letters the ingrate vnthankfull sonne howbeit Scanderbeg cared so little for Amurath that vpon occasion he departed from his owne Countries to succour in person Ferdinand king of Naples against Iohn Duke of Galabre which Ferdinand hee restored to his realme expelled the Duke from the same for which deede Ferdmand afterwards curteoushe receiued the spoiled and calamitous children of Scanderbeg whom 〈…〉 the second after the death of their father exiled and 〈…〉 of all their liuelihoode gaue them lands in the kingdome of Naples so as they became Marquizes of Saint Angelo and of Tripaldo so as a worthy gentelman of that race named Ferdinand Castrioth Marquiz of Saint Angelo was slaine valiantly fighting on the imperiall part in the late battaile before Pauia Amurath after that did winne the countrie of Moree which in latin by our elders is called Peloponesus through the discord of two bretheren the one called Thomas and the other Demetrius Despots of the same country being brothers of Constantine Paleologo last Emperour of Constantinople who by reason that the Albanois moued warres against them sought for succours to Amurath and became his tributaries but after denying to pay their promised tribute Amurath draue them out of their whole countrie of Moree Howbeit Demetrius afterwards retired himself towardes the Turque but Thomas repayred to Rome to the Pope where hee ended his life leauing foure children two sonnes and two daughters Amurath beeing now become aged and wearie both of the world and of his victories withdrew himselfe among certaine Heremits and other Religieux of his supersticious sect pretending to leade the rest of his daies solitarilie and in quietnesse established in his place his son Mahumet being but yong of yeeres to reigne and gouerne his Kingdomes appoynting for his gouernour one Haly Bassa called of some Caly Bassa Howbeit when the famous Iohn Huniades with the Hungarians had gathered togethers a mightie army to haue inuaded the dominions of this young Mahumet Amurath at the great instaunce and suite both of his sonne as also of the sayd Haly Bassa that could not bee obeyed was enforced to take vppon him the administration and gouernment of the present affaires who making head against the saide Hungarians in the ende vanquished and put them to flight After which Amurath inuaded the dominions of the valiaunt Scanderbeg beesieged his strong towne of Croia howbeeit hee could not winne the same And in his retyring by the Mountaynes there hee was spoyled by the Paisaunts and verie manie of his armie slaine whereby Amurath entered into such a meruaylous melancholie and displeasure that what by disease therewith taken and his olde age togethers hee dyed in the yeere of our Lord God 1451. of his age seauentie fiue and of his reigne thirtie two and of the reigne of Charles the French king the seauenth of that name twentie sixe Thus Amurath was the first that instituted the Iannisaries MAHVMET the second of that name called by Enguerrand and other french Historiographers Morbesan perhaps they would haue said Morbesalem which is as much in the Surien or Moresque language as these woordes in the Gospell Vade in Pace depart in peace This woord Morbesan among the Turkes signifieth so much as Duke or Duchie This Mahumet was sonne
Iland to bee a member of Africk This Iland from the North east to the North west is drawen in length twenty miles in breadth twelue miles from the place wher it is broadest it proceedeth to be strait narrow vpon the south towards that part of Africk where those famous quicke sands remaine that are called Sirtis Minor vpon the cost whereof is situated that towne which is named Leptis Parua vpon the North faceing Silicia being more towards the Promontory or lands end therof called Pachino than vnto Lilybeo in compasse and circuit threescore miles the Carthagians first inhabited this Iland after as I vnderstand one Battas the first builder of the famous citie of Cyrenes did reigne there in the time of Dido which afterward came againe in subiection of the Carthagians so remained vnder their dominion vnto such time as the same in the second wars of the Carthigians that they with their nauy on the seas being ouerthrowen came into the hands of the Romaines at which time those of Malta were supposed to be very wealthy by reason of the repaire much concourse of sâ—ndry nations through trade of marchandize that frequented thether and famous through sundry notable artes there vsed also of their notable Cotton which is very soft white there growing of which sundry garments are made by those of Malta and had much in estimacion This Iland is well replenished with hony there growing whereof some suppose this Iland to haue the name and also very famous with the growth there of sweet roses the trees there haue fruit twise in the yeere and oft times two haruests there in one yeere chiefely of barly flax Cotten How beit the ground ther euery where is stony vneuen as heere an hill there a valie very vnfruitfull for trees albeeit there groweth the figge tree Aple tree Almonde tree and Vines planted with the much labour and diligence of the inhabitant they haue wilde date trees but vnfruitfull they haue exceeding plenty of great thistles which they vse for their fewell and fire In this Iland of Malta is meruailous scarcetie of sweet water which neither the skies by reason of little rayne there giueth nor yet the grounds there yeeldeth And â—â— for such fountaines and wells that there bee 〈…〉 y I beeleeue that it is the rayne that falleth in winter 〈…〉 t maketh them and yet they bee halfe â—alt and brackish and drie in sommer The Inhabitants through the exceeding heate of the Sunne are so â—anned that they looke in colour much like to the Aâ—thiopians so that rather in winter each thing that there groweth seemeth to bee more pleasant to the view sight The men of this Iland for the most part are very healthfull of bodie of sclender diet very diligent and painefull rather than apt to wars whom old age soner than disease and sicknesse doth take them from this life Their forme of buildings except their citie which is situated in the midst of the Iland somewhat more towards the South which also is called Melita hauing certaine suberbs about the same are long low not much vnlike the sheepe cotes of Barbaria couered with reede or thacht the little and prety dogs called the Miletean Dogs are supposed to come forth of this Island which Pliny rather ascribeth to the other Island likewise called Malta lying in the gulfe of Venice betweene the Island Cursâ—â—la and the shore of Dalmatia In this Island of Melita called Malta some affirme that Saint Paule the Apostle after shipwracke there did land howbeit let them beeware it be not the other Malta in the gulfe of Venice that Saint Luke makes mencion of when as Saint Paule in the the sea Adriatico otherwise called the gulfe of Venice was tossed too and fro with cruell tempests of weather but that he came out of that sea into the other sea of Mediterraneum where the Iland of Malta standeth it appereth not in Saint Luke And as to that which they say no venemous beast neither there is engendred nor if from any other place any venemous beast be brought into that Iland doth harme and the same so hath continued there sithens that time Saint Paule did cast of from his hands the viper and adder that would haue stung him howbeit it may be thought that this Iland hath naturally had that property as likewise those IlaÌ„ds therabouts called Gaulo Galata and Clupea at this day haue the like vertue by nature sundry other Ilands in that sea of Mediterraneum as others other wher for the Iland of Candye nourisheth no manner of venemous beast as England hath no Wolues nor Ireland any Serpent considering both the aire of the places and nature of the grounds are contrarious to the same but touching this matter as sundry haue their diuers mindes so that which hath seemed to make against the common opinions by any probable maner I haue thought good by the way not to let passe but to my purpose I will returne Malta vpon that part which is towards Sicilia is bowed and croked into sundry bayes and rodesteids meet for the riding of shippes as for hauens and ports this Island of Malta hath two besides the hauen vpon the East part of that Island called Marzasâ—â—acco and besides also the rodested of Saint Thomas and an other which is not far distant from the same called Seal or Scala of these two aforenamed hauens or ports there is one which stâ—â—â—â—heth from the South to the North alongest the side of a long peece of ground of the said Island in forme like vnto halfe an Island and this hauen of the inhabitants is called Marzamusetto the other hauen stretching from the East to the West is likewise named Porto Maior Vpon the vttermost part and front of this halfe Island is situated a Castle or fortresse right stronglie fortified both by nature and art called Saint Elmo whom heereafter I will name Saint Hermes To him that entreth into the other hauen called Porto Maior there doe appeare vpon the left hand thereof foure long peeces of ground towards the sea as it were certaine little halfe Islands or promontories with as many rodesteds or baies for ships thervnto appertaining vpon the first of these said foure promontories is situated a certaine Gallos being the common place of execution for offenders vpon the second promontorie is planted an exceeding strong castle vpon an incredible high and ragged rocke of stone called the castle of Saint Angelo nigh vnto the which there is adioyning a towne seuered from the castle but with a dike and wall called Bâ—rgo and sometime the new towne cut and made out of a rocke right well fortified both with the sea and art of the souldiour In the Castle of Saint Angelo the great Maister of Malta remaineth in the towne the knights of the order are resident Vpon the third promontorie there is a towne also called Bâ—rgo and a Castle called Saint Michael The fourth
promontorie is vninhabited hauing a mightie baie in the same stretching to the water of Marza and in manner to halfe the Island as beefore I haue said Againe from the hauen or port of Musetto towards the West there appeareth an other rodested which is dedicated to Saint George and an other called Benorrat beyonde lieth the port of Saint Paule not much lesse then that which is on the Orientall part of the Island after is the rodested called Salynarum Vpon the other side of the Island which is towards Africk is the rodested called Miliaria there bee also sundry other little Islands not farre from Malta as the Island of Gaulos which some suppose to be Câ—sira at this day called Gozo in compasse thirty miles towards the West of Malta not passing fiue miles distant by sea from Malta which Islande of Gozo in the yeere of our Lord 1551 was taken and wasted by the Turks and sixe thousand captiues out of that Island were taken had away at such time as the towne of Tripolis in Africke which sometime was called Leptis Magna was wone by the Turkes from the knights of this order Betweene Goza and the West side of Malta there lieth two other Ilands whereof the greater commonly is called Cumino and the lesser Cuminetto seuered the one from the other with the sea beeing there verie narrow At the South and by West part of Malta there is an other little Iland called at this day Piper All which Ilands are in obedience to the great Maister of Malta the rest for the mosâ— part are compassed with huge rockes and raging seas thus of Malta and the inhabitants thereof somuch as appertaineth to the knowledge of this present matter I thinke there is inough saide The meane time what power and army Mounsier Valet the great Maister of Malta had to withstand the Turks ariuall I will shew vnto you first of all In the Iland were a thousand and three hundred souldiers that tooke wages of a thousand of those some were Spaniards some French men and some Florentines the rest were Neapolitaiâ—s There also were a thousand that frequented the seas pertaining to the Nauie of the Knights of Malta and fiue hundred in the towne of Saint Angelo Of the inhabitants of the Iland were about fiue thousand that were trained for the warres and were retired from their Countrie habitations to Borgo where the great Maister was resident There were also fiue hundred Knights of the order beesides the Priests and esquires for there bee three sortes of them that in this order of Malta are called bretheren And this was the vvhole number that defended the Castles and Tovvnes of Saint Hermes Angelo and Michael into the vvhich the souldiers vvere distributed accordingly as each place was thought requisit to bee defended In the Citie of Malta vvhereof beefore I mencioned vvere placed two hundred souldiers besides the citizens foure hundred chosen out of the rest of the vvhole Iland and three hundred also that serued on horsebacke vnto this garrison of the citie of Malta was appointed to be generall one Sor Io Vagno a Mâ—ncalerio a gentleman borne in the countrie of Piemont besides these things was prepared a meruailous furniture of victuall armour weapon and necessaries which vsually was to be prouided meet for abiding of a long siege and other wants and aboue all other that which is to be desired against euery infortunitie there was planted in euery one that there serued an inuincible courage which oft times maketh the ouerthrowen to be victorious Things beeing in this order and readinesse and vnderstanding that seauen and twentie of the gallies of the Turkes had taken the port of Marzasirocco and had landed certaine of their souldiers Immediatly Gyon the Captaine of the nauie of the order of Malta a right diligent and forward gentleman accompanied with fiftie Arquebusiers was sent to view the enemie and in so much as he could to endeauour to draw the enimie to some open places But the Turks espying them right quickly retired to their gallies againe at an other part where the greater part of the Turks nauie rode ther were landed two hundred Turks vpon them gaue a charge one Riuier a gentleman of france accoÌ„panied with eight other horsemen who hauing his horse slaine vnder him and with the losse of one of his companions came into the handes of the enimie While these matters were in doing a christian man a captiue among the Turkes slipt from them as they rode in the port of Vulturno and fled into the citie of Malta and discouered there to the general the purpose of the enimie saying that the deuise of Mustapha the generall of the Turkes army was that the most part of their army should land with their great artillery and to besiege and giue batterie to the fortified places whose opinion Piale Bassa the Turks Admirall did vtterly mislike saying that if he so did he should but come to his manifest destruction considering they had not passing eight thousand Ianizers and ten thousand Spachies besides a rude and vntrained companie of mariners to be left in the shippes wherefore vnto such time as Dorguta should come who euery houre was loked for hee would enterprise nothing at whose comming hee would then agree that the castle of Saint Hermes should first bee beesieged For Solyman the Emperour of the Turkes did commaund that nothing should bee done without the aduise and counsaile of Dorguta such confidence and credit had this barbarous prince in the warlike knowledge and practise of Dorguta But whether this intelligence were true or fayned the Turks neuerthelesse riding in the port of Vulturno landed twentie thousand of their souldiers with fiue field peeces and encamped themselnes right stronglie in a place which those of Malta call Azorbar that done Pial Bassa accompanied with seauen thousand with him departed to view the situacion of the fortresse of Saint Michael vpon that part which loketh towards Saint Katherines Church and durst not approch nigher beecause the artillery of the fortresse began to shoote of a pace against him and his company besides certaine of the garison of the fortresse made a salie and issue vpon the enimie and in such sort behaued themselues that one named Curfeline by surname called Prata a gentleman of right singuler worthines hauing in his company but one onely Spaniard valiantly berest an ensigne from the enimie killed a Sangiaco and certaine others of the Turks So the Turks retired to their campe vvher among the Princes of the same consultation vvas had vvhether it were better that battery should be first layed to the fortresse of Saint Hermes or to the towne of Saint Michael Finallie it was concluded that the fortresse of Saint Hermes should first bee beesieged So the Turkes to view the fortresse mounted vpon a hill who beeing perceiued by those of the fortresse issue and salie was made and therewith a skirmish on both sides beegan and after
as hee prooued many times to doe so in the ende in the Calends of Iuly hee did cast himselfe into the sea considering hee could not get to the castle by land and so did swimme to the castle not without great daunger of his life for he being espied by the Turkes he was shot at with sundry arrowes and arquebuses Vpon his landing he was immediatly brought to the great Maister to whom not onely he discouered sundrie counsells of the enimie but also shewed what ought to bee done at a corner of the fortresse of Saint Michaell to the end to make frustrate certain deuises of the enemies which they purposed to practise against that place and of sundry other things which afterward turned to much commoditie of the christians Who also as oportunitie serued right valiantly after fought against the Turks So as that after the siege and Malta being deliuered he repaired to Rome with meruailous commendacion of the great Maister where the Popes holinesse courteously entertained him and for his vertue and good seruice done aswell towards those of Malta as towards vvhole Christendome he rewarded him vvith sundry guifts Where likewise be dyd forsake his Turkish faith vvherein he vvas brought vp vtterly detesting the same and from Rome he repaired to King Philip to vvhose Maiestie he discouered likewise certaine pretences of Soliman the Emperour of the Turks While these things as aboue vvere done Colonello of vvhome before as I shewed you that vvas sent into Sicilia ariued safe at Messana vvher he found the Christian Nauie not as yet readie so that the afflicted affaires of Malta could not out of hand be succoured For neither the ships that should come out of Spaine vvere than come nor yet Gouianni Andrea Auria vvith his eight twentie Galliaceis vvho staied to enbarque foure thousand footemen vnder the leading of Capino Vitellio that vvere collected in Etruria The knights of the order at Messana considering this tedious tarieng and vvhat perill vvould ensue vppon longer staie fully determined vvith Gods helpe to succour their bretheren of the orderin Malta And vvith such power as they had gotten togethers vnder the leading of two notable gentlemen knights of the Ioannits the one of the house of Messana the other of Baroleto they purposed to passe into Malta Albeit before their departure they repaired to the Viceroy in consulting vvith him they required his Grace to call to memory vvhat seruice the knights of the Ioannits had done not onely for the King of Hispain but for all Christendome and vvhat charges the Ioannits vvere at the other yeere at the vvinning of Pinon de Beles vvhere they neither spared victual artillerie or ships nor yet theyr owne proper liues vvhere theyr seruice might either profit the Kings highnesse or any part of the Christian common vvealth And besides this that he vvould vouchsafe to consider vvith himselfe that the losse of the Iland Malta not onely should touch the Ioannits but vniuersall Italy and chiefely the Iland of Sicilia by reason it should be a neighbour to so mightie an enimie as the Turk For vvhich causes and others that shortnesse of time prohibiteth to report they required of him foure thousand footemen vvith vvhome all the knights there of the order of the Ioannits accompanied also vvith sundry noble personages and other voluntary soldiors vvould passe ouer into Malta to succour their bretheren there vvith vvhich supply they sayd they assuredly hoped if at the least they could not repulse the enimie or vvinne againe the lost Fortres â—et to stay the further procedings and pretences of the furious enemie vnto such tyme as the vvhole Christian Nauie beeing in a redinesse might inuade the Turkish Fleete and also as they trusted vtterly to destroy the same Vpon these words vvhile the Vice Roy deliberated with himselfe vvhat he should doe there came a messenger out of Hispain but vvhat the effect of his letters vvas vvhich he brought though some iudged one vvay and some an other none certainely could tell but so it came to passe that through his comming the Vice Roy gaue a briefe answere to the Ioannits saying that he could not satisfie their request considering the same vvere an vtter vveakening diminishing of the force of the kings nauie vvherby it should come to passe in so doing as they requested that he could not giue them such succors as shortly he pretended to doe Howbeit if they vvould transport all the Ioannits that were at Messana vvith a part of the souldiors vvhich the Popes holinesse sent into Malta in those two Galleaceis vvhich they had prepared hee himselfe vvould furnish an other Galliace to bee sent vvith them The knights hauing receaued this determined answer vvhan as they otherwise could not amend themselues they tooke the offer of the Vice Roy. While these ships vvere making readie to depart the foure ships vvhereof before I made mencion vvhich transported the 600 Soldiours foure score knights of the Ioannits by the space of twentie dayes vvere on the Seas tossed vvith meruailous tempests other stops and staies that they could not attaine to Malta And chiefely they had commaundement giuen them they should not land except they knew certainly that the Fortres of Sainct Hermes vvere still in possession of the christians But approching to Malta they sent their spiall on land promised him to tarry on the Sea vnto the next day for his retorne The meane tyme the Seas by tempestious vveather began so to grow that the Spiall could not retourne at his appointed tyme. Wherefore the shippes that dyd abide him dreaded that either he was perished in the tempest or else come into the enimies hands Whereby they sayled back to Pozalo a place on the coast of Sicilia to the ende to learne somewhat there of the state of Malta Where vpon their arriuall they certainely dyd know that the Fortres of Sainct Hermes was yet vngotten by the Turks Which whan they had learned they departed to the seas againe But comming within sixe miles of Malta wher at their place determined they were apointed to land they spied a fier from land as a signe made vnto them wherby they iudged both that their former Espiall was taken by the enemie that some Ambush was there layed for them Wherevpon they retourned to Pozalo againe at which place they learned of one of the Knights of the Ioannits a French man that came out of Malta of purpose to them that the forenamed fire by his commandement was made that they being instructed by that signe might safely proceede to their landing place in Malta Vpon the vnderstanding whereof they all with speede dyd get them to the Seas againe and failed to Malta where at a place called Saxa Nigra which is situated in that part of Malta which is towards Lybia they landed in a quiet night the nine and thirtith of Iune so being not seene of any others marched without impediment to the Citie of Malta where with incredible
to win the places of the Christians and what preparation the Christians were in making to giue succours to Malta other such like things The meane time the two gallies of Malta departed from Messana and came to Sarragoza where they tarryed one day while the ship of Salazar was set on ground to tallow to make hir more swift of saile and that the better the next day after they might passe togethers the famous promontory and lands end of Sicilia called Pachino The next day as they departed out of the hauen of Sarragoza they encountred a boate that came from Pozalo hauing in the same one of Malta beeing very sore wounded who beeing demaunded who had in such sort euelly entreated him answered that when as he a companion of his that other night ariued nigh that port and so required by two Sicilians that had houses vpon the shore to come on land and to lodge with them that night which they did sodainely the night being quiet fiue Turks landed by whom the two Sicilians were taken and his companion slaine and he himselfe hurt as they did see which two Sicilians that were taken also told those Turks that in the port were riding two gallyes hauing in the same sundry knights of the order with other souldiours to passe in Malta by whose words the knights of the order in those two gallyes well perceiued that theyr going into Malta was discouered to the enemy whereby they knew it was either most dangerous for them to enter the port of Borgo in Malta or else vtterly impossible Neuerthelesse they dread not to keepe on their course towards Malta toweng at their sternes the boate of Salazar While these two galleyes thus sayled they perceiued not farre beefore them two other Gallyes and a little Barque who espying the two Gallyes of the Christians to follow them made all the hast they could towardes Malta from them whereby the Christians thought that without doubt they were the Gallyes that had sent the fiue Turkes on land who had done those hurts which hee of Malta beefore recounted to them Howbeeit the two Christian Gallyes continued theyr course vnto Pozalo from whence by theyr letters they gaue intelligence to the Viceroy of occurrants to them happened in theyr voyage And forsomuch as they could not proceede on their course in that the South and Southwest windes were so much contrarious to them they retyred with their Gallyes to Sarragoza agayne and so to proceede as the Viceroy should further aduise them About the which immediatly a knight of the order was sent from thence to Messana to the Viceroy whose counsell was that the two gallyes should stay at Sarragoza for the rest of the whole Nauy that right shortly would come and accompany them into Malta But Salazar being brought to Pozalo determined in his boate to continue forward his course and albeit at the time that hee departed from Pozalo the seas were meruaylously troubled with windes thunders other stormes the other daies following wer so quiet calme that within a short time Salazar ariued safely at the citie of Malta and there taking apparell of a Turk vpon him and like weed for a companion of his that could speake the Turkish tongue as hee could by night they departed thence into the Campe of the Turkes to espy the estate of the Turkish armie where they espying that they came for they perceyued that the whole number of the Turkes left on liue in theyr Campe amounted scarce to foureteene thousand men wherof many of them were â—â—urt and very sicke the residue were but an vnmeete and vnwarlike company considering that their former fights and assaults had consumed their best souldiours and after hauing secretly viewed the manner and forme of theyr encamping Salazar vvith his companion retourned backe to the citie of Malta againe The next night after Salazar vvith one Pietro Paccio a Spaniard a gentleman of meruaylous hardinesse and courage repayred to a place nigh vnto the beacon or vvatch place called Maleca vvhich place when hee had thoroughly considered hee left Pietro there and keeping in memory the signes and tokens of the cities of Gozo and Malta as Pietro shewed him to the ende to declare the same to the Viceroy Salazar taking passage in his owne boate againe found fortune so much to bee his friend that shortly after hee ariued at Messana vvhere hee discouered to the Viceroy vvhat hee had seene amongest many talkes hee shewed how vveake the Turkish Nauy remayned how slender theyr Armie on land was voyde of good souldiours and weapon that theyr whole number of Turkes were not able to encounter with tenne thousand Christians To affirme the wordes of Salazar to bee true at that time returned one of the two little shippes wherof I told you beefore that were sent to bee espialls in Malta bringing with him a Spaniard and a fugitiue out of the Turks campe beesides also retourned foure gallyes that before were sent from Messana who brought with them foureteene Turks whom they had taken about Malta who all approued the words of Salazar to be true that is to say that the Turks army was meruailously diminished and that with beatings they could not be compelled scarcely to aproach to the walls for which cause the Bassa had slaine sundry of them And the thing that made the Turks so affraied was that they saw neuer any of them whom the Christians wounded but hee lost his life Besides that they said they did see the Christians with incredible hardinesse defend their places that no peece of artillery of the Christians side was at any time vainely blowen of wheresore the Turks affirmed they had right good cause to bee weary and repent to detest such wars which made them to eschew vtterly to fight and vtterly to flie away and chiefely such as were Renegants that had forsaken the Christian faith and become Turks For which cause there was right strait watch set by the Bassa and commandement giuen by him that either they should winne the towne or else to loose their liues all for so had Soliman their prince commaunded These words and such like which the Turks that were taken did tell to the Viceroy made the Viceroy to set forth his nauie in a readinesse more soone then otherwise peraduenture he would In the Fortres of Borgo this vvhile vvas one Francis Giuara a Captain a very hardy gentleman and vvonderfull Ingenious he a litle from that place vvhere the enemie vvith Artillerie had beaten downe a part of the vvall of the towne builded a peece of Fortificacion contayning in length fiftie paces in bredth 〈…〉 paces vvith two flanking Corners vvhich being finished vvithin two nights turned afterward to a meruailous help and ayde of the defendours of that Towne The enemies the meane tyme vnder the corner of the Dike vvhere Boninsegna the Spaniard a vvorthie Knight of the Ioannits had his charge began to myne vvhich vvhan the defenders perceued they encountred
of the Souldans and taking of the kingdome of Egipt caused the yeerely reuenue vvhich beefore vvas accustomed to be paied to the said Souldans by the kings of Cyprus of all such merchandise as were brought in or transported thence to be set in certaine 8000 Duckets vpon condicion of which paimeÌ„t by way of a yeerely tribute he freely graunted to the Venetians as to his vassals the possession of the said I le which paimeÌ„t of 8000 ducats the Venetians onely would suppose to be graunted as an honorable reward or gratuitie in no sort as a tribute But Selymus the second demaunding of the said Venetians by a Harrauld the Fee possessioÌ„ of Cyprus which hetherto hee alleadged they had held vnder condicion of a yerely tribute affirmed their whole right so they had any to be extinguished the Intrest to be deuolued comd back to him as the superior Paramont Lord Because contrary to the allegance due to the lord of the Fee the said Venetians had giuen harborough and receit vnto certaine Spanish Pirats enemies to the sayd Selymus who by the licence of the Venetian Magistrates had brought into Cyprus ther made sale of great pillage certain booties taken out of Cilicia And although diuers other of the Turkish Emperours had tollerated the said Venetians to vvith-hould vvhat vvas not their right yet he the said Selymus had in determination to haue his due vvith vvhich if in good accord they vvould be content to depart he vvas not in any sort to violate their bonds of amitie or breake the peace but vvould endeauour in euery degree to aduance the estimation of that common vvealth If otherwise yet he the sayd Selymus vvas not to forgoe his right vvose meaning vvas to recouer the same by force The Venetians vpon this message although by the scarcitie of prouision and vittailes vvhich for diuers yeeres before they had endured as likewise by the firing of their Arsenall wherein the yeere precedent their whole sea preparation had ben consumed they were mightely perplexed and amated yet with noble resolution they returned aunswere that the sayd Selymus had no iust cause why to bereaue them of their iurisdiction in Ciprus which now for a hundred yeeres in right of inheritance they had peaceably possessed and that the yeerely pension accustomed to be paid to the Soldans of Egipt was no tribute dew to him as to the superior lord but onely an honorable gratuity whereby the kings of Cyprus were accustomed to acknowledge their thankfulnesse vnto the said Souldans as to their benefactors and friends by whose help Peter sometimes the king there had recoueted the same In which their good cause they made no doubt of gods asistance by whose aide and help they had decreed nothing doubted with force of armes to repell the violence and iniuries of Selimus and to defend Ciprus This answere returned to Constantinople all the marchants of Venice trading there were presently apprehended their goods seased and Pial Bassa Admirall at sea with a nauy Mustapha Bassa with an army by land conducted through Asia and Cilicia were sent against Ciprus Whilst in the meane time at Venice Petrus Lauredanus duke of that common wealth by griefe and discontent dyed during whose gouernment many heauie mischances and calamities had beefallen that state others more daungerous daily ensuing To this Lauredanus with great applause of the people Lodouicus Mocinega succeded The generall appointed for this war of Ciprus was Hieronimus Zanius an old man high fourescore yeeres of age yet of much viuacitie and abilitie in body who slowly coasting along Iadera and Corcyra made thereabouts whilst the rest of the Nauy should approch an idle and vnprofitable aboade but in the end houlding course towards Creet hee there continued as he had in commaund expecting the ayding forces of the Pope the king of Spaine of Cosmus duke of Florence But now whilst these affayres were in this sort carried by them Piall Bassa the Turkish Admirall first putting a strong garrison in Rhodes aryued at Micarium in Ciprus vpon the Calends of Iune whether Mustapha Bassa had likewise transported both his foote and horse forces without any worlds resistance Now the Venetians a little beefore had fortified the citie of Nicosia distant from the sea coast seauen Germain myles and which in formerages had both ben the seat of theyr kings an Archbâ—shops sâ—a with eleauen bulwarks a garrison of two thousand soldiors vnder the gouernment of Nichâ—â—â—us Tond â—â—us Astor Bâ—leonius This city Mustapha being without impeachment master of the field besieged erecting round about the same many fortes and sconses which hauing by a whole month both battered often assalted was in the end taken by force where hee repayring the ruins of the said fortifications and planting therin a garrison enforcing the course of his further victory vpon the 16. of September the same yeere he began to laie siege to Famagosta On which day the Christians who had lingered all this while about Creet with a nauy of 200 ships wholie ignorant what things had hapt at Cyprus and now setting sayle from Heraclea Sentia not far of encountred Lodouicus Bembus who recounted the losse of Nicosia whervpon the generals of the fleete Hieronimus Zanius Iohn Andreas Auria Marcus Antonius Columna with others calling a counsaile of war through different delaying opinions whervnto may be added the misfortune of a horrible tempest which dispersed the fleet lost both opportunity the aduantage of executing any honourable attempt In which their consultations it was chiefely argued that now the haruest being far spent the winter drawing neere the nauigation of the Pamphilian seas would be exceeding dangerous besides if ought should fall out otherwise then well there was no where thereabouts safe harborough for the ships That the Turks now becomd insolent through the successe of their late vctiory would fight with greater courage then before hauing besides all the hauens other harboroughs friend vnto them whom it was not now possible by any meanes as matters were fallen forth to expel from Ciprus The confederates further alledging that they were sent onely in ayde of the Venetians not to recouer things once lost but to giue let least ought shold be lost which occasion since it could not be holden it was thought most conuenient againe to returne â—o Creet the gulfe of Venice Andreas Auria likewise alledged for himselfe how he had in coÌ„mand from the king of Spaine his Maister to come back with his nauy in the end of September wherevpon this Christian captaines casting away both hope counsell of recouering Ciprus retyring backe were before they could recouer Creet with great stormes of winde they and their whole fleete miserably afflicted Now when they were ariued at Creet Andrea Auria craued lisence to depart that so he might obey his princes command from whom hee had in charge for the reducing of his fleet to Messana in Sicilia