aloud St. James St. James the Spaniards Patron He rescued with his own hand Pontius of Granado who unhorsed and sore wounded was ready to be slain Also 30000 Moores came suddenly to surprise a small Tower on a Hill near Carthages ruines wherein Souldiers were placed for it was near the Camp Before these went a Numidian Priest bellowing out certain Charms and casting abroad scroles of paper wherein he cursed the Christians they brought those in the Tower with fire and smoak to great extremity but the Emperour coming to their rescue flew the Priest with others and put the rest to 〈◊〉 The discomfiture of the Spanish Horsemen made many think that the Emperour's Horse were too weak for a set-battel being but few and inferiour to the Numidians For which cause and divers others some of his Councellors willed him to proceed no farther in that dangerous Warre but speedily to return since he had won honour enough by taking Guletta and the enemies Fleet but he gave them a resolute answer to the contrary willing them to cease further to 〈◊〉 him no way dismayd or to possess his valiant Souldiers with a vain fear and resolutely against next day with him to expect the fortune of the field for a full accomplishment who was set down to give battel or he enemy refusing to batter the Walls of Tunis not doubting but God would stand by him in so good and godly a quarrel So garrisoning Guletta and repairing its breaches laying the Ordnance on Carriages which before lay bound in unweldy pieces of Timber with Iron rings Then causing the Country to be well viewed which betwixt the Olive Groves and the right side of the lake passeth directly to Tunis he set forward with his Army in so good an order as still ready to fight and in his Armour he rode from squadron to squadron cheerfully and hopefully recounting the former Victories they had got for him telling them he that day expected of them a most honourable day's service seeing they were to fight against the naked enemies of the Christian Religion and to resolve to endure all difficulties till they might joyn battel with their enemies where they should undoubtedly by Gods goodnesse obtain the Victory comforting themselves the while with the sure hope of a most rich prey of a rich City They all answered with a great shout he should not trouble himself with those matters for they would patiently endure all extremities and by a valiant fight make him Emperour not of Africk but Asia also Vastius made General chiefly for that day withdrew two Spanish Companies of Harquebusiers to skirmish with the Moors following in their Rear whom by those and some Troops of Horse the Duke of Alba notably repulsed The Army being come to the 〈◊〉 which Muleasses and others had told them of the extream thirsty Souldiers descrying them afar off forsook their Colours and ran as fast as they could unto them Vastius laboured in vain by fair and fowl means to stay them a great advantage being by that disorder offered to the enemy not far off The Emperour himself hasted thither to keep them in order yet such was their intolerable thirst that he could not remedy the disorder some 〈◊〉 in the sands for lack of drink and some ready to burst their bellies at the Fountains so that he beat them away with his Truncheon One Cicero of Arpinas a famous Captain died there with over drinking This extremity seemed just for Vastius had the day before commanded every Souldier to carry a bottle of Wine or Water at his girdle though he caused what water he could conveniently to be carried in Casks for common relief the Germans having the most Some ready to give over bought a draught of water of their fellows for two Duckats The Army being brought into order Charls held on his march for Barbarussa coming with a great multitude of Horse and Foot and a number of Ensigns gallantly displayed about 3 miles from Tunis and some Field-pieces went about to break the Christian's Battel those Pieces doing little or no hurt through the Cannoniers unskilfulnesse Vastius had likewife commanded the Ordnance to be brought into the Front but perceiving what toyl and time it required He told the Emperour he thought it not best to stay for them every man desiring Battel lest staying too long upon their great Ordnance their enemies should gather courage and the Souldiers cheerfulnesse grow cold The Emperour cheerfully answered If thou think good I like it well In Gods Name give the Signal That I shall said he but first 't is reason that thou which swayest a great part of the world at this time obey me whom thou for this day hast made General of so mighty an Army wherefore since I may not request I command thee to get into the middle of the Battel lest by some unlucky shot the whole Army be extreamly endangered by the danger of one mans life Charls smiling willed him not to fear it saying Never Emperour was yet slain with a gun yet he went into the middle of the Battel The Signal given by Trumpet and Drum the enemy was furiously charged by his Horsmen who to avoid the Artillery made all haste to come to handy-blows Noble and valiant Gonzaga being somewhat foremost at the first onset slew with his Launce a notable Moorish Captain with his sword so troubling those next him that he opened a way to break into the enemies Battel the Harquebufiers also discharged so fast that 300 of them lay dead before Battel was joyned whereupon the other Footmen fled back from their Ordnance to Barbarussa who not long enduring the Christians force or fight but grinding his teeth for grief retired with his Turks into Tunis 〈◊〉 himself with hope out of his enemies foreseen distresses to take some fit advantage if he could but a while defend the City the Numidians and Moors retired also into the Suburbs and other places near The Emperour glad of his enemies flight thought to be a 100000 encamped that night where they before lay determining next day to batter Tunis's walls Barbarussa exceedingly surprized with fear and distracted with cares purposed to kill all the Christian-captives in the Castle but Sinan the Jew for divers reasons disswaded him from that most execrable fact Solyman using to derest and revenge such outrages who living bound in Chains if they should lust after their unlucky liberty 〈◊〉 neither give victory to the enemy nor take it from him or hinder it and might shortly serve him to good purpose whereat he ashamed went out of the Castle assembling all the chief of the City into the biggest Temple telling them what he would have done for defence and encouraging them to fight from whom a little before Charls his coming he had taken all kind of arms A constant report of a danger so eminent run even in the Dungeons of the Castle by some manumissed slaves who had in heart returned to their old Christian
not proud of thy fortune but consider the uncertainty of worldly things taking by me example c. Young Andronicus moved herewith entred the pallace humbly saluting embracing and comforting his Grand-father Straight way carrying away the Patriarch Esaius kept in the Monastery in a Chariot restoring him to his Dignity who spared not fully to revenge himself of the old Emperour's friends One might have seen all the Nobles wealth that took his part carried away and their houses overthrown especially of Metochita whose wealth not onely in his house but layd up with friends by notes in his study was a prey to the people and the rest confiscate being brought with wife and children to extream beggery in one day many to increase his grief saying All that treasure was the blood and tears of the poor subjects brought to him by them he made rulers of provinces c. that he might stop them cruelly dealt with by them from complaining to the old Emperour and that the Revenger's eye was now awaked c. He was confined to Didymoticum whence after a while he was sent back to Constantinople where having nothing to relieve him he went to the Monastery of Chora repaired by him in his prosperity therein shrowding himself and not long after dying But Niphon sometime Patriarch meeting the young Emperour the same day asked How they would deal with his Grand-father Who answering Emperour-like was by him inflamed for Niphon bare a special grudge against the old man for that he being by the Clergy outed of his Patriarchship for his shameful extortion was not defended as he looked for and dreaming his taking out of the way was a step to the same Dignity Wherefore he said If thou desirest to Reign without fear c. cast haire cloath on him and clap him in prison or exile him to which ungracious counsel other Nobles consenting much changed the young Emperour's minde that he could not endure his Grand-father a Companion in the Empire Whereupon it was decreed the old man should retain the name and ornaments but meddle with nothing nor come abroad with 10000 duckets yearly for his maintenance Of which shameful decree 〈◊〉 the Patriarch was a furtherer rejoycingly wresting this Scripture The just shall rejoyce when he seeth the Vengeance But the old Emperour thus shut up humours distilling through grief first lost one eye and shortly the other being often mocked not by his guarding enemies onely but by his own servants The young Emperour not long after falling very sick Catacuzene and the rest yet doubtful of the old blind man put him to choice either to put on him the habit of a Monk or to take dear exile or perpetual imprisonment At which hard choice he oppressed with woes lay on bed a great while speechlesse for being encompassed with barbarous Souldiers none was left to direct him where to go or stand But would he or not they shaving and polling him cast a Monks habite on him changing after the manner his name to Anthony the Monk of which Esaeias was glad as now no hope to recover the Empire nor cause for himself to fear Yet seeming to be very sorry but indeed deriding him he sent two Bishops to know of him how he would be remembred in Church-prayers To which fetching a great sigh he answered As in poor Lazarus appeared a double miracle that dead he rose and bound walked so in me in a contrary manner who alive am dead and loose bound my tongue also wherewith I might at least bewaile my woes and wrongs to the Aire c. But shame hath closed my mouth my brethren abhorre me and the light of mine eyes is not with me c. As for him that sent you I chose and preferred him to the Patriarchship before many worthy men never before preferred or famous c. But in my Calamity he joyned with mine enemies more cruel than any other feigning him to be much like the Crocodile of Nile ignorant and sorry for me But if I should answer to his catching question to be remembred in the Church as an Emperour I shall forthwith be slain If I say as Anthony the Monk it will be taken that of mine own free will I put on this habite which was never in my thought Thus he sent them away and sitting down said My soul return to thy rest c. neither spake he one word more in declaring his grief and so against his will passing over his sorrow in silence as astonished before the humorus gathered into the brain could be difsolved into tears But the Patriarch decreed he should be remembred before his Nephew in Church prayers as the most Religious and Zealous Monk Anthony the better to colour the matter as if weary of the world he voluntary took it on him Yet in four daies Synadenus understanding the people secretly to mutter at the hard dealing with him Ecclesiastical Laws enforcing none against will to enter Religious orders sent to exact an oath of him in writing that he should never seek after accept of or substitute any other in the Empire and to fear him of his life upon refusal setting barbarous Souldiers over him so yielding he signed the Oath with a red and black crosse another guiding his hand Thus living two years on Feb. 12th towards night a day dedicated to St. Anthonies Vigil certain friends had accesse to him amongst whom was the Prince of Servia's widow his daughter and Nicephor as Gregoras Authour of this History with whom he entred discourse till past mid-night then bidding them farewell pleasantly saying To morrow they would end their discourse no signe of sicknesse appearing They gone he eat of a shell-fish after which as his manner was when he felt inward heat he drank cold water then feeling a great pain in his Stomach and afterwards very sick fell into a loosenesse and going often to a house of Office in an inner Chamber not able to recover his own bed and none to help him he dyed before day sitting on a homely bed fast by having Reigned 43 years whose death was by strange signs and accidents foretold a great Eclipse of the Sun just 43 daies before and after of the Moon an earthquake the day before the Sea rising above the bounds made breaches in the Citie-Walls c. Many Crosses and Pinacles with a great Pillar before the Church of the 40 Martyrs he having wished to live so long as it stood were overthrown He was honourably buried in the Monastery of Libe whose Obsequies 9 daies yearly were solemnly kept Thus the Reader may see the Greek Emperour's were not at leasure to look over into Asia At which time Othoman on one side in Phrygia and Bithynia and Aladin's Successours along Meander encroached as fast till the Greeks were thrust quite out But Othoman's 2 Garrisons built before Prusa having continued certain years brought the City to such 〈◊〉 that many Citizens and others died of famine The rest out of hope to
into Greece Bajazet forthwith sent Mustapha Bassa to Pope Alexander with like instructions who comming safely to Rome among many things in charge the life of Zemes was that he most sought for of the Bishop Charls the French King then in 1495 passing thorow Italy against Alphonsus and so thorow Rome so terrified Alexander the Bishop that he yielded to all conditions he demanded not purposing the performance of any giving him Casar Borgia his Sonne in hostage then a Cardinal covering the disgrace with his Sonnes Title of Legate and was forced to deliver him Zemes who to the Bishop's profit had remained seven yeares there in custody who three dayes after died at Caieta thought to be poysoned before by a wondrous white and pleasant powder cunningly mingled with the Sugar which Zemes drank with water whose dead body sent to Bajazet was by his appointment honourably interred at Prusa Borgia also deceiving his Keepers at Velitras returned to Rome before Charls came to Naples which wicked imp shortly after envying Candianus his Brother General of the Bishops forces then great having supped together with their Mother caused him to be murthered going home and his body to be cast into Tiber. Then casting off his 〈◊〉 Robes took on him the leading of his Fathers Army And with exceeding prodigality exhausting his Fathers Coffers and the Church Treasures bound to him desperate Ruffians and Souldiers chiefly Spaniards his Fathers Countreymen which proceedings his Father winked at fearing it was thought to be murdered of him himself He now became a terror to the Roman Nobility and Signiories thereabouts by his Fathers help desiring to make him great drave the Family of the Columnii out of the City then out of Italy and poysoning or killing the honourable of the Ursine and Caetane Families took their possessions strangling at once 4 Nobles of the Camertes and driving Guide Feltrius out of Urbin taking Pisaurum from John Sfortia hardly escaped his hands and driving the Malatestaes out of Ariminum thrusting the Lady Catherine Sfortia out of Forum Liuli and Cornelii shamefully leading her in triumph thorow Rome And shedding blood without measure he took Faventia from young Astor Manfredus whom having abused against Nature he caused to be strangled and east into Tiber But he being with his Father at a solemn Supper in the Vaticane prepared to destroy some Cardinalls and other chief Citizens they were both poysoned by a waiter's mistaking the Flagon of poysoned Wine prepared for the guests the Bishop dying few dayes after but his Sonne the same being more allayed with water died not a long time after yet was so sick that he was soon forsaken of his followers seeing two of his enemies Pius the 3d and Julius the 2d sitting in his Fathers place Pius enjoying it but 16 dayes whom Julius succeeding caused Casar Borgia to be shut up in a Castle whence he freed him upon delivery of some strong Holds held by his Garrisons who fleeing to Ostia and so by Sea to Naples he was for fear of raising new stirs in Italy apprehended by Ferdinand King of Spain's Command and imprisoned in Spain in Medina Castle where after three years he escaping by a rope from a high Tower fled to the King of Navarre in whose Warres he was in a hot skirmish though he got the Victory slain with a small shot whose body found stript and brought to the King on a bad Beast was honourably buried at Pampilona But the French King having lost Zemes by death and Borgia by escape journied toward Naples all places yielding to him as he went without much resistance Alphonsus destitute of requested aid and most of the Nobility hating him for too severely punishing the late rebellious the Princes of Sarne and Salerne being chief and the people murmuring at their heavy exactions for these Warres maintenance with teares in sight of the Neopolitans resigned his Kingdom to his Sonne Ferdinand scarce reigning a year after his Fathers death passing over to Mazerea in Sicilia Ferdiuand was to the wondrous content of the Neapolitans with joy c. saluted King returning presently to his Army by which time the French King was with his forces entred far into Naples and having taken divers Cities by assault struck the Neopolitans with a general terror Ferdinand had taken the Straits of St. Germanes Forrest to hinder Charls his further passage but suddenly hearing that Columna had broken by the Appenines into Campania he doubting to be shut up betwixt two Armies retired to Capua where through the River Vulturnus deepness he purposed to stop the French but newes being brought that the Citizens of Naples were all up in Arms doubting which way to turn he troubled leaving his Army and Capua in charge to his Captains rode back post to Naples by whole arrivall every man laying down his Arms generally welcommed him who earnestly requesting them not to betray him their natural King unto his cruel enemies c. they all answered they would spend themselves in his quarrel while keeping his Army whole and defending Capua but if the Arragonians should be overthrown or abandon that City and the French King approach Naples he should against reason and equity exact his Subjects fidelity So exposing City and Country thereabouts to be spoiled c. Charls the while being come to Capua the Citizens though ever affected to the Arragon Kings yet the French King beating down all before him they consulted of yielding up the City and the rather through the revolt of Trivultius and his followers which caused Verginius Petilianus to flee to Nola with their Companies The French hereupon entring the Suburbs Gothfredus Gaspar two valiant Germanes sallied forth with their Companies and having valiantly repulsed the French in their return were shut out of the Gate and in danger of the enemy who on their knees entreating the cowardly Citizens on the Walls not so to berray their friends c. at length were received ten by ten in at one Gate and put out at another farthest from the enemy who going towards Naples met with the King at Aversa declaring what had hapned at Capua who notwithstanding came to its very Gates calling on divers chief ones to be let in but none answering him and a French Ensign being on the Wall he returned to Naples where he found the Gates shut against him and all the Citizens in Arms not willing to receive any but the King himself for it was famed that all his chief Captains were gone to the enemy or fled the Army broken up and Capua yielded wherefore they began to contemn Ferdinand who fetching a compasse came to the Castle whereinto he was received but foreseeing he should there be besieged by Sea and Land he commending it to valiant Davalus his keeping departed with 20 Gallies to the Island Aenuria not farre off But Justus the Captain of the Castle traiterously shut the Gates against him wherewith the Prince wondrously perplexed with intreaty and remembrance of
Antioch with whom without longer stay for his friends aid he joyned battel and was with certain of the best Commanders carried captive unto Carras most of his Army being overthrown Hereupon the Caliph of Aegypt the Saracen for Aegypt with Tuneis and Moroccoes Kingdoms were yet in their possession invading Jerusalems Kingdom landed an Army at Joppa besieging it also by Sea with 700 sail Against which while they lay in hope the Duke of Venice stirred up by the Pope for the Christians relief came from Cyprus thither in hast with 200 sail and either before the Saracens could make ready or after a doubtful battel obtained a glorious victory going by land to Jerusalem where he was honorably received by the Patriarch c. Eustace also the Vice-King overthrowing them at Ascalon After Joppa's relief the Saracens discomfiture and the Christians encouragment they besieged Tyre by Sea and Land March 1. whose sharpe assault the Turks valiantly repulsed yet after 4 months June 29 1124 it was yielded on composition of which a third part was given to the Venetians according to a former agreement Baldwin after 18 months imprisonment being shortly ransomed for 100000 Ducats But the Duke of Venice returning home took Chios 〈◊〉 and three more Islands with the City of Modon 〈◊〉 Peloponnesus from the Emperour who as Alexius his Father envying the Christians success had in the Dukes absence infested his Territories King Baldwin also invaded and spoyled the King of Damasco's Country overthrowing him in three battels taking great prey as also the invading Saracens at Ascalon whereby for a time he lived in peace who with others joyning with Hugh Paganus the first Master of the Templars returning with a great number of Christians out of the West and besieging Damasco through the Cities strength the Defendants valour and the 〈◊〉 contagion raised their siege King Baldwin also now sent to Fulk Count of Turine c. who was 60 years old and making preparations for the holy Land offering him his eldest daughter Melisinda with the Kingdoms succession for a dowry whereof he accepted And about 3 years after feeling death draw on removing into the Patriarchs house he in the presence of divers great Ones commended to his Sonne in Law and Daughter with their Son Baldwin two years old the Government presently after Aug. 22. 1131 dying and solemnly buried with Godfrey and Baldwin Fulk was Sept. 16. Crowned by the Patriarch the beginning of whose reign was by Pontius of Tripolis and Hugh of Joppa that joyned with the Ascalonian Saracens vext with domestick discord 〈◊〉 hurtful to the Christian State which by force and others mediation was well appeased and yet vengeance followed the Traytors The Turks also invaded about Antioch aud were overthrown But John the Greek Emperour with a puissant Army took Tarsus with Cilicia's whole Province besieging Antioch pretending it belonged to his Empire who after Christian Princes mediation agreed that Raymond Count of Poictou to whom the dukedom of Antioch was given with the Dukes daughter should hold it from him as his Soveraign and so returned Fulk about that time coming to relieve Monteferrant-Castle was by Sanguin the Turk overthrown betaking him into the Castle which now he hardlier befieged pinching them within by famine unto whose relief the Kingdoms whole power coming the Turk upon deliverance of the Castle to him set all at liberty John the Emperour about 4 years after came to Antioch having longed also for Jerusalems Kingdom who not being suffered to enter but upon an oath and few followers with quiet departure in revenge pretending the Armies want of victuals made havock of the Suburbs cutting down the fruit-trees to dresse their meat And wintring in Cilicia at hunting of a Boar had his hand lightly wounded by a poisoned arrow in his quiver wherewith his arm swelling more and more must be cut off which he abhorred saying The Greek Empire was not to be governed with one hand died Emmanuel the youngest Son his two eldest being dead succeeding him King Fulk also now at peace walking with his Queen out of Ptolemais following amongst other 〈◊〉 a Hare put up by running boys fell in the course with his head under the Horse with whose weight and the 〈◊〉 hardness the brains came out at the nose and ears of his crushed head who died Novemb. 13. 1142 lying 3 days speechless and was magnificently buried by the other Kings with a general lamentation The elder of whose 2 Sons Baldwin about 13 years 〈◊〉 with his mother were solemnly on Christmas-day crowned in 1142 about which time Sanguin the bloody Turk took by undermining Edessa in Joscelin's absence exercising all cruelty on the Christians the territory of 3 Archbisho-pricks being drawn from Antioch hereby which Turk was stabbed in his drunkenness at the siege of Cologenbar Noradine his Son succeeding him Who after Baldwin 3 had in his first year recovered and fortified Sorbal Castle beyond Jordan so beset him in his return the next year going against the King of Damasco that he miraculously escaped Edessa's losse with the Christians miseries through the stirring up of Eugenius Bishop of Rome greatly moved the Western Princes to prepare almost in every Province for their relief Conrade Emperour of Germany raysing a puissant Army set forward who having before certified Emanuel the Greek Emperour of his purpose craving passage with victuals and all necessaries for his mony he seemed willingly to condiscend though inwardly pining thereat for strong companies of the Greeks following the Army to keep the Souldiers from stragling now and then cut them off roaming at advantage And the farther they travelled the more the Greeks discontented countenances appeared yet they went on to Philippolis from whence departing the Greeks and Armies rear had not the wiser sort duly appeased them had plainly fought Then from Adrianople they came to the Plain Cherobachi where the River Melas that suddenly in Winter or great fall of water overfloweth its banks like a Sea through abundance of rain so by night overflowed the encamped Army that 〈◊〉 with burdens besides weapons c. and also great numbers of armed men were with lamentable out-cties carried away and perished like hay or chaffe every one glad to shift for himself the beholders saying The wrath of God was broke into the Camp Neverthelesse the water being fallen the sore troubled Emperour marched to Constantinople Who by armed men glistring on the Walls was not suffered to enter but perswaded by the Emperour to transport his Army over the straite promising to supply his wants the Greeks sparing no labour or vessel in that so hasty service Who being shipped over the Countrey people by his appointment brought nothing as before to sell them the Towns at an extream rate first receiving their mony by ropes from the Walls delivered them what they pleased and oft-times nothing vildely mingling Lime with their Meal of which many Souldiers died but if the Emperour were not privy thereunto yet he coined
Constantinople who rejoyced to be sued unto by such a Prince as the Sultan was being honourably received in triumph For the solemnizing of which a great number of People were assembled at the report of an active Turk who had promised to fly a furlong from the top of an high Tower in the Tilt-yard who hovering a great while girt with a long white garment of many pleats and foldings and the Beholders crying Fly Turk fly at length finding the wind as he thought fit committed himself to the air breaking his neck armes c. whereby the Sultan's attendants could not walk the streets underided the common people crying Fly Turk fly whose insolency the smiling Emperour in favour of the grieved Sultan restrained The Emperour after the triumph which was obscured by an earth-quake gave the Sultan many rich presents with a masse of treasure who in requitall termed himself his son promising him Sebastia with its territories thrusting Dadune out of Sebastia taking from him 〈◊〉 Caesarea and Amasia but kept all to himself Jagupasan's dominions likewise falling into his hands by his death on whom he had also bent his forces And now the Sultan swelling with pride took Laodicea from the Emperour killing and carrying the people captive as he went whereupon the 〈◊〉 passing with a great army into Asia maugre the Turks most strongly fortifyed Dorileū carrying the first basket of stones on his own shoulders as also Sybleum Yet the Turks ceased not their inroads though not with such successe as before The Emperour now expostulated with the Sultan as an unthankfull man who again upbraided him with breach of promise thus open war was daily expected the Sultan managing his by expert Captaines whereas the Emperour commonly in great expeditions adventured in 〈◊〉 who in revenge of his subjects so many wrongs raised his whole power in Europe and Asia passing into Asia with his most puissant Army well appointed of all necessaries orderly marching thorow Phrygia and other places and by the old ruinous Castlc of Myriocephalon Ominous by its name Though he were circumspect yet by reason of his many Carriages c. he made but small speed the Turks destroying the Country before them and in many places poysoning the water whereof the Christians especially of the flux died The Sultan though aided by the Persian loath to adventure all on battel 's fortune made to the Emperour once and again for peace on honorable conditions who pricked forward by his Court-Gallants proudly dismissed the Embassadours willing them to tell their Master he would give him an answer under the walls of Iconium which caused the Sultan to take the Straits of Zibrica enclosed with high mountains whose vallies opening and growing straiter and straiter with superimpendent rocks on both sides almost touching each gave to the Army of necessity passing thereby from Myriocephalon a difficult passage The Emperour though he were told that the enemy had strongly possessed the streights and mountains not providing for his safety desperately entred herein John and Andronicus with others conducting the Vant-guard the drudges and carters c. following then the Emperour with the maine battle and Andronicus Contostephanus in the rear After no far entry the Turks shot as thick as hail down upon them Yet the Vant-guard casting themselvs into a three square battle and closely covering their heads with their Targets like a pent-house caused their enemies by lusty shot to retire into the mountaines and passing those streights with little or no losse encamped on the top of a commodious hill But the rest of the army not passing with such order and courage and troubled with their carriages in those rough and streight places were miserably overwhelmed by the Turks arrows falling like a shoure to their great dismaying disordering The Turks now incouraged came downe from the mountains to handy blowes on plain ground overthrowing the right wing where Baldwin breaking into the thickest of the enemy with a valiant troop to stay their fury was slain with all his followers and most of that wing Then the Turks with all their power stopped all the Christians waies who by reason of the places streightnesse could neither retire or goe forward to relieve one another their many carriages hurting themselvs were the cause of their own and others destruction the valleys full of dead bodies and the rivers running with the blood of men and beasts in an unexpressible manner and if the Christians shewed any spark of valour it was but lost the Turks shewing the head of Andronicus Bataza the Emperour's nephew who coming against the Turks of Amasia was overthrown The Emperour was now so troubled that he was at his wits end doubtful which way to turn who having often attempted to open a way for passage but in vain 〈◊〉 the same danger in staying as in going forward with a few of his best souldiers resolving to dy by many blowes given and received himself having many wounds and could not lift up his Helmet being beaten close to his head about thirty arrows sticking in his Target brake through and escaped those streights Infinite numbers of the other legions seeking to follow were slain besides many troden to death by their own companions Those that escaped one streight this passage having 7 Valleys were slain in the next the sand also raised by men and horses and by a violent wind carried both armies being as it were in darkness killed both friend and foe so that those Valleys seemed to be a burying place of Turks and Christians the most being Christians and those not all of the meanest sort The wind allaying and the day clearing wounded and whole living men were seen middle neck deep among dead carcases not able with strugling to get out with rufull voyces crying to passengers for help whom every man through fear without compassion left living as to be numbred among the dead The Emperor standing alone under a wild Pear-tree to breathe himself a common souldier came and helped him to buckle up his armour but a Turk came and took his horse by the bridle from whom the Emperour cleared himself by striking him to the ground with the truncheon of his broken lance other stragglers likewise came presently ready to seiz on him one whereof he slew with the said staff struck off anothers head with his sword keeping them off till 10 relieved him and departing toward the Vant-guard he was troubled with other Turks and heaps of dead bodies 〈◊〉 John 〈◊〉 that married his neece fighting alone encompassed slain The Turks seeing him followed him as a rich prey whom he with his 〈◊〉 company notably repulsed comming at length after much labour and more danger long looked for and most welcome unto the legions Who in his way to them ready to faint for thirst and drinking some infected water of a river with a deep sigh said Oh how unfortunatly have I tasted Christian blood whereunto an envious souldier replyed that he had
But the Turks oppressed with multitudes still landing fled into the Town leaving their Governour with 500 dead on the shoar This rich and populous City had since the sormer taking been strongly fortifyed by the Turks with deep ditches high walls c. and 〈◊〉 with all things for a long siege Yet the Souldiers and Citizens remembring the miseries endured in the former siege the night following fled over the River by a bridge made of Boats and brake it lest they should be followed having first fired their houses The Christians entring the City did what they could to quench the fire and afterwards found abundance of riches with store of victuals This happened about the beginning of Octob in 1249. Meledine herewith discouraged offered the King for peace and the redeeming thereof more in 〈◊〉 and Syria then they had before a long time which was by the French proudly rejected and Alexandria the Metropolis further demanded Meledine not much beloved now died in whose stead Melechsala couragious welbeloved even then returning from craving aid of the Mahometan Princes was chosen which Princes though not according among themselvs or with the Aegytian yet in this common danger of Superstition joyned sending him great aid Who being strengthned hotly skirmished with the Christians not far from Damiata wherein he retired with some losse But the Christians sallying out the next day fled to the Camp with ten times more losse Whereby the Sultan encouraged hoped for better success stopping that without great peril no victuals could be brought to City or Camp so that victuals began to grow scarce whereof he was informed by fugitives that fled for want It fortuned that the Governour of Caire not ill affected to the Christian Religion and highly offended with the Sultan for his Brothers wrongfull death secretly perswaded the King to come thither with his Army promising to deliver it to him with instructions what to do Whereupon he assembled what forces he could make sending also for the Earl of Salisbury who with the English was gone to Ptolemais for indignities offered him by Artoys the King's brother purposing to serve no more But with promise of better usage and recompence for wrongs he returned into Egypt And more strengthened by new supplies from France leaving a convenient Garrison in Damiata set forward towards Caire Wherefore the Sultan offered to restore him all 〈◊〉 with a great summe of money and all prisoners so he would redeliver Damiata and joyn in League with him Which offer through others perswasion he refused The King was to passe an Arme of Nilus but being conducted by a fugitive Saracen to a foord he 〈◊〉 Robert of Artoys his brother with a 3d part before accompanied with the Masters of the Templars and Earle of Sarisbury Who assailing the Turks in their tents in the Sultans absence put them to flight Artois above measure encouraged would needs on forwards whom the antient Templars acquainted with that Nations deceitful manners and considering their own strength better then he perswaded him not further to prosecute the enemie till the rest of the Armies coming To whom he in despight replied he would prosecute c. calling them cowards objecting to them the common fame that the holy Land might long since have been united to the Christians Common-wealth but for the false collusion of the Templars and 〈◊〉 with the Infidels The Master moved answered he should when he would and where he durst display his Ensignes c. Sarisbury also perswaded Robert to listen to the wholesome Counsel of the Templars being experienced men beginning also to pacifie the Master with gentle words Whom whilst speaking Robert called Dastard wishing the Army rid of him and the fearful Cowards his Country men Who answered well General on my foot shall be as far as yours and I believe we go where you shall not dare to come nigh my Horses tail He said so because the French had in disdain often called him and his English Tailes The Earle not to be perswaded first assaulted a little place called Mansor who was about to retire having lost a number of his men The Sultan suddenly came on with his whole power and with his multitude enclosed the long wished-for divided Christian Army in which great fight though they worthily behaved themselves yet being a small number they were slain down right Then the too late repenting Earle cried out to Sarisbury valiantly fighting to fly c. who answered God forbid my Fathers son should run from the face of a Saracen The French Earle swiftly fleeing and taking the River Thasues overladed with armour was drowned Sarisbury with his own hand slew many that day till his Horse being slain and he so wounded in the legs that he could not stand yet desperately laid about him on his knees and was there slain scarce more than 2 Templars 1 Hospitaller and 1 Common Souldier escaped alive Sicknesse also increasing in the Camp the King sent many sick people to 〈◊〉 down 〈◊〉 purposing to march to Caire whom the Sultan by meeting them with boats carried in Carts burnt and drowned all except one English man who wound 〈◊〉 5 places escaped reporting it to the rest The Sultan 〈◊〉 now intelligence of the Governour to betray Cair suddenly apprehended him till better leisure the King had all his hope of the City hereby cut off who now would gladly accept of the refused conditions which the Sultan would not hear of but sent in derision to know what was become of all his mattocks forks c. which he brought with him why like an ill husband he suffered them to rot and rust by him The King would fain have retired to Damiata but the Sultan got betwixt him and home so that he must fight it out or yield Who being before often intreated by his Nobles for safety of his person to conveigh himself by water to Damiata would never be perswaded saying He was resolved to endure with his people whatever God should lay upon him So passing the foord afore-mentioned coming where his Brother's battle was fought he might see the mangled Christians the Sultan having proclaimed great reward to whomsoever brought him a Christians head or hand Long he staied not there but the Sultan appeared with a most huge Army against whom the French men for 3 hours made great resistance But one being against ten and the Army fainting for sicknesse and food they were at last all except a few saved in hope of great ransome slain The King with two Brothers was taken also who to the Sultan demanding why he warred against him answered 't was for Religion and the defence of his God's name This was fought Apr. 5. 1250. most of the French Nobility being slain The Sultan presently sent a like number of his souldiers with French attire and Ensignes to Damiata where the Duke of Burgundy French Queen and the Pop's Legate lay but they were by them of the City discovered and so kept out
Commanders commending his Fathers quiet life c. protesting he was heartily grieved thereat The 〈◊〉 discouraged sent for peace which was concluded on such conditions as he pleased The great Cham of Tartary now growing old sent to him divers presents offered him his onely daughter and with her to proclaim him heir apparant of his Empire as in right he was being his Brothers son Which Tamerlane gladly accepting was afterwards done being supported by his Father in-law while he lived and succeding him after his death Yet the while he wanted not envious Competitours who now onwards of his way against the King of China Calix of great power in the great Chams Court with a puissant Army seized on great Cambalu the Citizens also disdaining to be governed by the Zagataian Tartar Tamerlane returning with most of his Army met the Rebel who had 80000 horse and 100000 foot and above 50000 being on both sides slain overthrew him himself being beaten to the ground took him and beheaded him His state newly confirmed by his Victory he proceeded in war against China breaking down their strong wall of 400 Leagues long and entred their Country overcoming the King leading 350000 with the slaughter of 50000 of his men took him and yet wisely moderating his Fortune shortly freed him yet as having taken half his kingdome leaving Ormar his Lievtenant and imposing other conditions with 300000 Crowns yearly tribute So returning in triumph to the old Emperour at 〈◊〉 glad to see him and his daughter who had still accompanied him The War against Bajazet resolved on he sent Axalla to Sachetay or Zagati to begin assembling of forces that at first of the spring he might set foreward He procured from his Father in-law a 100000 foot and 80000 horse hoping to have as many from Sachetay besides 50000 from the Lords that would accompany him and divers other supplies expected also he would oft say he was appointed by God to abate the Othoman pride So departing towards Samarchand his Empires seat he left the great Emperours forces to come to Ozara the place of general meeting The Moscovite requested sent him 15000 horse with a sum of money and to passe thorow his necessary Territories Axalla the Livetenant general had the while assembled all the Army at Ozara whom Tamerlane sent for to Samarchand to conferre about setting forward for by his advice he did all things without him nothing who wanted not the envy of the Court but his virtues 〈◊〉 and worthy services supported him against malice who having largely discoursed with him about the Armies estate and order they shortly departed to Ozara where Tamerlane consulted with his most expert Captaines whether to lead his Army towards Capha by the Moscovites Coasts or on tother side the Caspian Sea by Persia's skirts It was in the end resolved to passe though the longer way by the Moscovite so to the Georgians and Therizonda thence into the Othoman Kings Country From Ozara he came to Maranis staying 3 daies for Odmars forces from China receiving news thereof paying and generally mustring his Army He conveighed Victual's and most of his Furniture by the Caspian Sea a great ease to his Army to passe some 20 Leagues thorow places without victuals and water His Army extended 20 Leagues At the river Edel he stayed at 〈◊〉 while his Army passed over at Mechet and 2 bridges made for that purpose The Circassians and Georgians now offered him all assistance they could he passing that way The Georgians being Christians a great and warlique 〈◊〉 long tributaries to the Greek Emperours tributaries and sometimes confederates to the Persians but the Turks enemies Axalla drew great number of them to his Princes service whom being tall beautiful strong couragious and expert he not a little esteemed who had 〈◊〉 resisted the Othoman Power by their rough Countries advantage Tamerlane was by these with all necessaries relieved In marching thorow whose Countries he so severely ordered his Souldiers that if any had taken injurionsly but an Apple or the like he died for it 'T is reported a woman complaining of a little milk taken from her he ript up the Souldiers stomach where it lately drunk being found he sent her away contenting her who otherwise had surely died Which severity of many accounted extreame cruelty was the preservation of his Army 〈◊〉 Camp now as a well governed City was stored with all things Artificers and Merchants from far and Country people receiving present money and safely departing Then coming to Bachichich and staying 8 dayes to refresh he 〈◊〉 400000 horse and 600000 foot or as some present affirme 300000 horse and 500000 foot whom he generally paide orating what orders and military discipline whereof he was curious he would have kept Then also every Common Souldier might more boldly behold him than on other dayes Who passing the Georgians and comming to Buysabuich Axalla who led the head of the Army came to him with news that Bajazet raysing Constantinople siege was resolved to come to battle in Asia trusting more to the experience than multitude of his Souldiers whom Tamerlane could hardly be perswaded would adventure out of Europe but rather there protract time to weary him at which he not insolently rejoycing said a small number well conducted did oft carry the victory from a confused multitude staying 3 dayes his Souldiers still marching passed over Euphrates the rather to maintain his Army on the enemies spoile All Cities yielding he favourably received those refusing he used with all extremity 〈◊〉 strong Sebastia where some of his fore-runners were cut off and the gates in contempt set open Tamerlaxe offended sent certain horsemen upon his displeasure so to bear themselves that he might find the City taken or the gates shut for nothing was more dreadful to his men than his displeasure if any in hunting gave way to the Lyon or Bear for fear and slew him not he was sure to dye and to turn his back on the enemy was to run on his own death The garrison Turks seeing these Tartarians not many issued out to meet them who were so charged by them that retiring for haste they shut out part their own lest the enemy following should have entred of with them who were slain by the Tartarians Shortly after came Tamerlane and sitting down before it lay still 7 daies the defendants thinking he intended to distresse it by long siege But about the 8th day the walls c. in many places undermined were suddenly overthrown leaving large breaches to enter The Turks forthwith yielded in hope of their lives but he as the Turks report commanding deep pits to be digged buried quick all the people of the City and utterly rased it Then he bid 〈◊〉 the Governour spared onely for that purpose to go tell his Master what he had there seen which tragedy he relating Bajazet demanded of him wch Army he thought the bigger he answered Tamerlane had the greater number Bajazet in great Choler replyed
friends come to see thee or intreat for thee thou must needs have ill deserved of them as of others Yet if I should set thee at liberty would they receive thee as their Soveraign Bajazet answered Were I at liberty thou shouldst see that I want neither courage nor means to revenge my wrongs and to make those disobedient and forgetfull know their duties better Which made Tamerlan keep a straiter hand over him Then restoring to the Mahometan Princes Tachretin Isfendiar Germian and others all their inheritance with something more as he did divers Cities and Countreys of Natolia to the Greek Emperour for 400000 Duckats of Gold and 800000 Franks of silver yearly tribute and enriching his Army with Othoman spoiles in Asia he turned against the Aegyptian Sultan who had aided Bajazet and entring into Syria near Aleppo before yielded to him was fought a mortal battle the Sultan having an 100000 foot and 74000 horse whereof 30000 were Mamalukes Axalla with the Vant-guard hardly distressed was taken but rescued forthwith by Tamerlane who if he had not come on with fresh forces that day might have ended his good fortune After long fight 80000 being slain the Sultan fled Tamerlane pursuing him 3 leagues and sending Axalla with 40000 horse and 50000 foot to pursue along Arabia's coast himself the while with 60000 horse and 100000 foot had all Cities by the Sea coast as he went yielded to him as Magata Aman c. onely Damasco refused Prince Zamadzen strongly defending the same but Tamerlane overthrowing part of the Wall by battery won it by assault the Castle almost impregnable yet remaining but the retired multitude soon pinched with hunger and many dead the rest for their lives offered to yield to whom he would not shew mercy so that most dying the rest yielded without condition and were almost all slain Which severity made them bring the keys of their Cities to him 30 leagues off and contribution to his army Thence he turned towards Jerusalem the City driving out the Sultan's Garrison Chorazin at first stood on their guard but afterwards dismayed and submitting they found mercy where leaving certain men in garrison for repressing the troublesome Mamalukes he rode to Jerusalem to visit the Sepulchre and make his oblations where joyfully received seeking out all antiquities and conducted to all places thereabouts as Pilgrims gave to the Sepulchre and devout there many rich gifts to the contentment of all but the Jews who blamed him whom he called the accursed of God He heard the Sultan gathering his forces was in Aegypt fortifying especially Alexandria and Tamerlane's Army the while came towards Damiata which he would not leav behind him though perswaded by some as thought impregnable so commanding Axalla to set on it himself followed after Axalla declaring to the Inhabitants most Christians Tamerlane's courtesy and what Religion himself held and made many Greek Captains tell them of their misery under the Moors and Mamalukes which so prevailed that by night they mastering a quarter of the City delivered a Gate to Axalla who entring slew or took all the Mamalukes gaining the City Tamerlane yet on his march hearing of this was in good hope of a happy end in Aegypt for he knew this haven might serve him with victuals out of all Greece He left there two thousand of the Emperour's Souldiers taking Oath for obedience His Vant-guard marched towards Alexandria and passing the River turned even instantly to Cair to the Sultan's great astonishment But using diligence as Tamerlane approached he entredthe City to defend it with 40000 horse and 60000 foot whereby the City ready to revolt was again confirmed Tamerlan could not stay long before it for want of victuals yet making a great trench to cover his horse c. he drew near it giving divers on-sets to try the enemies confidence and to see the affection of the Citizens especially of the slaves to whom he promised liberty One day he shewed his Army in battle array before it to seek occasion to fight hoping also if the Sultan came forth some revolt might happen within he having made known to the Citizens he came not to hurt them but to destroy the Mamalukes But none came forth neither was any stir raised in the City for the Sultan resolved to weary him out with lying still Who resolved to force him even in his greatest Cities heart though not to be done without great adventure He purposing first to take one City for it 's divided into 3 advanced by little and little still fighting Having brought his foot to the place of onset for t was fortifyed onely with ditches and trenches he commanded the Prince of Thanais to begin with 50000 and there began a most terrible fight Axalla setching a compasse passed the trenches on another quarter of the City with small resistance leaving 30000 to fill the ditches and make way for the horse to enter advancing himself against 20000 sent by the Sultan to stop him Thanais being almost beat back by the Mamalukes But the way being made plain and 10000 horse entred who charged on their backs where the Sultan was and seconded by 10000 moe Tamerlane following with all his power the Sultan retired into the next City The fight was 7 hours above 16000 of the Sultan's being slain and betwixt 7 8000 of Tamerlane's who now sounded a retrait hoping next day to win the rest as he did For Thanais forcing their trenches in one place and Axalla in another the Sultan after a great fight abandoned the City encamping by Nilus purposing to passe it and flee to Alexandria whom Tamerlane followed with his horse and a few foot whose service he had promised to reward hardly drawn from their fellows spoiling the City against whom the Sultan opposed on a narrow cawsey 12 or 15000 slaves to favour his passage who stood fast but at length forced by their enemies increasing not without great losse they took the River with a weapon in one hand and swimming with the other to the bank The Sultan fleeing with 18000 horse not fled or drowned is reported to comforchis men saying tha they were not men but Gods that vanquished them Divers Mamalukes being taken and brought to Tamerlane he demanded if they would serve him now their Master was fled which they refused yet he freed them for their fidelity every man after 24 hours spoyl was commanded to his quarters He set all the Citizens at liberty leaving 10000 good souldiers with many others whereof he caried great multitudes c. to keep the City his Army passed the river to follow the Sultan Axalla before with the avauntguard and Chanais with the rest himself going by water greatly pleased to see the river's sometimes swist course and in an instant scarce moving The Alexandrians hearing of his coming besought the Sultan to withdraw into Lybia whither for barrenness he could not greatly follow they resolving no more to resist so great a force promising to
courage and one consent to take this sacred war in hand and so enroll your names in the eternal book of fame Forthwith ensued the Despot's reares perswading them of that expedition's necessity declaring the Turks cruelty and strange tortures his sons deprived of sight and spoyled of their Genitories c. that the Hungarians were divided from the Turks but by the river Saus oft to be waded in Summer and hard frozen in Winter that he was driven into exile by the Turks power fleeing to Ragusium then into Hungary of which the Barbarian now asked tribute to have some colour for its invasion c. Wherefore with many teares running down his aged face he besought Uladislaus not to let slip this fair occasion c. offering a great sum himself towards the war's charges assuring them also of great supplies of men and money from other Princes Whereupon a decree was made that the King should personally with all speed entertain that war Though Winter approached men were taken up and Embassadours sent to the Emperour and others to pray their aid Who 〈◊〉 excusing themselves sent no aid at all Yet many out of France and Germany forsaking all came and served on their own charge The spring come and supplications made for successe Uladislaus May 1. passing Danubius from Buda stayed 3 dayes at the River Tibiscus for his Armies coming departing thence marching till within sight of Bulgaria he 〈◊〉 Cobis passing Danubius with his very great Army marched to Sophia in about 6 dayes in Bulgaria's 〈◊〉 Which being badly fortified was easily taken and afterward burnt as were all other Towns and Villages thereabouts for terrour to the rest Thence he encamped at the River Morava where 500 light horse men being sent over to view a safe and easie passage for the Army they took 4 Turks scouts understanding them that 2000 Turks were at hand They retiring back with all speed to the River many leaping for fear from the high banks perished in the deep the rest stood doubtfully expecting what should become of themselves The Turks descrying the King hovering on the top of the hill beyond the River doubting an ambush retired Which they on the far side perceiving and encouraged by the Kings coming down followed a while to increase their fear Next day the King passing the River sent to see if all 〈◊〉 clear but being 〈◊〉 that the Turks at hand had placed ambushes fast by he entring into counsel resolved that Huniades with 10000 horse should next night suddenly set on the enemy Who 〈◊〉 near them and the Moon shining out he led his men by the way the enemy was likeliest 〈◊〉 flee if put to the worst and entring the Campe with a hideous cry the Turks suddenly awakened and dismayed betook some to their weapons some to their heels c. Huniades the whiles cheared up his men couragiously to assaile their sleepy naked and fearful enemies At first the Turks made a Stir but hearing Huniades was there with the greatnesse of the sudden fear with an inconsirate desire of flight they trod down one another thrusting on each others weapons Most of them driven into thickets c. were by the fierce pursurers slain the rest when 't was day ran the same fortune 30000 Turks were slain 4000 taken with a number of Ensigns Most report Huniades lost but 500 for few found any enemy to resist them They took all the spoyle of a most rich Campe The King and Despot hearing of Huniades approach in triumph from the slaughter of the Turks with great applause of the other Legions went 3 miles to meet him and would not suffer Huniades to alight to do him honour but taking him by the right hand joyed with him thanking God who had given him a Captain worthy to rule the Romane Empire c. The Common Souldiers embracing one anothet welcomed their victorious Friends So the King and Huniades sending the spoyle and the chained Prisoners before returned in great triumph causing prayers with thanksgivings to be made to God thorowout the Army The Legate General of the Voluntary Christians perswaded the King and the rest to prosecure their good fortune and take in the rest of Bulgaria Huniades had learned it was but. 3 dayes journey to Philippopolis in Thrace the like to Hadrianople as much to Constantinople The difficulty was the great and rough mountain Hemus which dividing Bulgaria and Servia from Macedouia and Thrace is not to be passed over but in 2 places one made by Traian the Emperour with a mighty stone-gate to be opened or shut at pleasure the other near the little River Saltiza Huniades marching foreward took all Towns in their way of Bulgaria wherein conformity of Religon the Turks 〈◊〉 great affinity of Language was no small help 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Thrace the weather now very cold they learned those passages were so strongly shut with great stones c. they were very hardly to be forced Wherefore 〈◊〉 leaving the straighter way made by man came 〈◊〉 Christmas even to the other by Saltiza where Amurath had shut up the passage and placed strong Garrisons to defend Macedonia and Thracia from the dreaded Hungarians invasion In the Army was such want of all things that the Souldiers were ready to forsake their 〈◊〉 and mutinie beginning to grow weak by victuals failing Besides the Winter was so cold and the frost so great they could not many times seek for forrage or water So that the Army began to retire and had been dissolved had not 〈◊〉 daily 〈◊〉 them the greatest difficulties werealready past c. that in going back they should find greater difficulties in those wast Countries than in going forward 〈◊〉 that these straits opened there remained not but the spoile of a most rich and pleasant Country that what they had already won was easie to be recovered except those enemies remaining were driven quite out of Europe Whilst Huniades spake every man was encouraged but remembring their 〈◊〉 they cursed the rash attempts of ambitious Princes The Turks coming after them Huniades was sent with some troupes who 8 times encountred them and as 〈◊〉 forced them to retire In retiring back the King with most of the Army went before Huniades and the Despot followed after a good daies Dayes march the Turks that kept the passage followed them down the hill in hope of revenge Carambey was their General with expresse charge not to fight upon any occasion with the enemy for Amurath thought it Victory enough without losse to keep them out of 〈◊〉 Which 〈◊〉 for all that neglecting followed the Christian Army 〈◊〉 to the mountain 〈◊〉 hovering over 〈◊〉 heads to take them at advantage The Christians would many times fight with them in disadvantagious places 〈◊〉 They had rather dye like men then 〈◊〉 with hunger and cold 〈◊〉 exceeding both in strength and number besides the ground 's advantage would needs give battle 〈◊〉 and the Despot though much troubled with the King's
common Souldier to view how the enemy encamped Being informed that the Turks kept but negligent watch He the night following suddenly assaulted one of their Camps quarters which though discoverd by Scouts yet by his furious assault he slew 2000 before they could well arme carrying away 230 horse losing but 42 men whom the Turks in revenge next morning hewed in peeces Amurath upon these disgraces gave three fierce assaults to the City and was alwayes with losse repulsed But turning the 〈◊〉 with revenge he encouraged them to a fresh assault with 〈◊〉 promises than ever before in all his warrs appointing Feri Bassa with 12000 horse and 6000 foot to attend on Scanderbeg lest he should trouble the assault by assailing his Campe Feri Bassa glad 〈◊〉 lay as he was commanded boasting that he would seek Scanderbeg in the field and trie with him hand to hand Amurath next morning compassed the City round purposing to gage his whole forces on the taking thereof The battered Walls were not without Ladders to be assaulted through the places strength and the defendants still filling up with earth They first deliver ed their Arrowes and Bullers like a Haile shower And in this heate clapping Ladders to the Walls began desperately to Scale but the Christians with shot slew and wounded many yet others pressing up the assault was terrible in many places especially neere the Gate where with timber c raising as it were a wodden Tower for they fought with the Christians as upon even ground and prevailed so far that they had set ensignes on the Wall The Governour hastning with a fresh Company and repulsing the Turks sent their Ensignes into the Market-place Consuming the Wodden Tower with Wild-fire from the Walls and presently placing fresh Souldiers worthily defended the City Scanderbeg the while came with 9000 Souldiers to assaile their Campe Feri Bassa opposed against him Scanderbeg retired a little to draw him further from the Camp The Bassa withdrew 4000 horse to fetch a compasse and to set upon Scanderbegs reare c. But the expert Captaine perceiving 〈◊〉 leaving Moses with the maine battell with 2000. so charged these 4000 before well departed that they had now more cause to look to their own safety Scanderbeg here encountering with Feri hand to hand slew him Moses all this while stood fast receiving the assault expecting their Successe But Scanderbeg comming now in he set forward with such force and courage that the Turks fled many of whom were shine in chase yet not daring to follow them too far he retraited and having put his Army in order appointed some to take the spoile of the slaine Amurath hearing what hapned to Feri was so overcome that he could not for a while speak but afterwards he commanded some Ordnance to be placed on that side of the Campe most in danger Sending 4000 to joyne to Feri Bassaes for its defence charging them not to issue out of their trenches Continuing the assault all that day and no hope appearing he left the assault in which he lost 7000 and many dying afterwards of the Garrison but 70 were slain and 90 hurt Scanderbeg hoped Amurath would at length begone yet with 2000 he would oft shew himself on the Mountaines sides to draw the Turks out and take them at advantage But the King commanding none to goe out or speak of battell or assault on paine of death lay certain daies more like one besieged himself which Scanderbeg the more distrusted fearing he was hatching some mischiefe who thought good againe to prove if t were possible to overcome the Garrison Souldiers with gifts wherefore he sent offering to the besieged conditions with such large rewards as had not been heard offered to any All which being leightly rejected by common consent one base-minded fellow corrupted herewith secretly promised the Turks espialls that on assurance of the profered reward the City should be yielded He layed many plots but the first device served his purpose The Garrison Souldiers were of the upper Dibria exceeding superstitious putting nice difference between meats chusing rather to die than eate or drink of that which they deemed unclean Sfétigrade was watered but with one Well which sunk deep into the Rock The Traytor in the night cast the stinking Carcase of a dead dog therein In the morning the Garrison being drawn out of the Well the report was it was poysoned all were in an uproar to find out the Traitour The Citizens were very sorry but the Souldiers detested that loathsome water more than Turkish servitude protesting they would rather perish with thirst than drink thereof Some desiring to fire the City and break thorough the enemies or die They that thought best that it might be yielded up as ready to sue to Amurath for peace though on harder termes than the former The Governour troubled and astonied the better to pacifie the matter exhorted them in the Market place to continue faithfull and make small reckoning to use the water which would soon be brought to its wonted purity drinking in their sight a great draught whose example the Citizens followed But the Captaines and Souldiers refused to tast thereof as of some deadly poyson crying to give up the City wherefore many thought they were corrupted by Amurath Yet none but the Traitor did afterwards revolt or appeared richer The Governour seeing they were not to be moved by perswasion reward or any other meanes resolved with his chiefe Captains and best of the Citizens to yield the City to Amurath on condition that all might safely depart with Armour and other things that such Citizens as would stay might there dwell as under Scanderbeg the rest to depart at pleasure with bag baggage Glad was Amurath yet 〈◊〉 not that the Citizens should continue in the City but build their houses without the Wall The Garrison Souldiers quietly passing Mahomet earnestly perswaded his Father to put them all to the sword saying 'T was one of Mahomets chiefe commands to use all cruelty to destroy the Christians But the old King would not hearken therein saying People abhorre the government of a faithlesse and cruell Prince The Traitor had three rich suits of apparell 50000 aspers and a yearly pension of 2000 Duckats But after a few dayes he was suddenly gone and never seene or heard of supposed to be secretly made away Amurath detesting the Traitor though the Treason served his purpose Sfetigrades Walls being repaired and 1200 Janizaries put in 〈◊〉 Amurath September 1. departed out of 〈◊〉 having lost 30000 at the Seige much grieved that he could not 〈◊〉 the enemie Scanderbeg understanding of his departure speedily followed with 8000 horse and 3000 foot and taking advantage of Woods and Mountain-straites skirmished often with the Turks charging them everyway and slew many Amurath left the Viceroy of Romania with 30000 to attend on Scanderbeg who now ceased to follow Amurath fearing to be enclosed between both Which he seeing followed to Hadrianople Scanderbeg returning
miles long before it meet the fresh water and about a quarter of a mile broad the City Pera or Galata standing on the further side very deep bearing ships full fraught close to the shoar The 3d side almost North and South 5 miles also in length the two Sea and Haven sides are environed with a single wall with high Towers flanking the same c. But the other side regarding the main Land beside the fenced ditch is defended with 3 walls c. Mahomet placed his Asians on the right toward Bosphorus on the left towards the Haven lay himself with 15000 Janizaries c. betwixt both against the heart of the City placing also on the further side of the Haven Zoganius with another part of his Army Then also Pantologes came to the siege with 30 Galleys and 200 small ships and a number of others fitter for shew than service But the Emperour chaining the Haven overthwart placing his small Fleet within it rather there by chance than provided for such service the City was put in good safety on that side When he had surrounded the City by Sea and Land he cast up great Trenches as near the Walls as possible raising mounts in divers places as high as the walls thence greatly annoying the Defendants Then he terribly battered the Gate called Calegaria chiefly with one Ordnance difficultly brought from Hadrianople with 150 yoake of Oxen carrying a bullet of 100 pound made of a hard black stone from the Euxine Sea The Christians also discharged their Artillery on the Turks but sparingly as if afraid to shake their own Walls or loth to spend shot and Powder yet the Turks were grievously annoyed with what was spent The breach also made at the Gate was dangerously and laboriously repaired with 〈◊〉 and earth and made stronger than before In which they were directed and greatly encouraged by Justinianus Mahomet continuing his battery in greater hope employed his store of Pioners to dig a Mine directed by skilful 〈◊〉 therefore entertained whereby that 〈◊〉 of the wall with one strong Tower therein was quite undermined and supported but with stays till it should be blown up This the Constantinopolitans neither perceived nor feared for that Bajazet and Amurath had both vainly attempted the same But Mahomet had by men of greater device brought this to passe though it took not the wished effect for John Grandis a German suspecting by a Counter-mine timely discovered the Turks and they with fire and sword were driven out and the Mine strongly filled again Mahomet removed his battery planting it against the Bactatina Tower near the Romane Gate which at length falling down filled up the ditch 〈◊〉 the outer wall But this breach was speedily and couragiously made up again The Turks also erecting high Timber Towers covered with raw hides slew many Christians But Mahomet seeing their valiantness said It was not the Grecians but the Frenchmen that defended the City for so the Turks call all the Christians of the West The Turkish King almost despairing to win the City which he could but on one side assault a Christian in his Camp shewed him how to bring a great part of his Fleet by Land into the Haven to assault the City by water by which device and mens strength Zoganus Bassa brought 70 lesser Ships and Galliots with sails abroad up a great hill 8 miles into Constantinople's Haven The Christian is supposed to have learnt it of the Venetians who did the like before at the Lake of Bennacus Glad was Mahomet and the Christians with its sight discouraged who attempting to burn them in launching the Turks with great Ordinance sunk the foremost Christian Galley the rest being dismayed returned Next day the Turks slew certain Christians of the Galley took up in the Haven and in revenge certain Turks prisoners were put to death on the top of the walls in sight of the Camp Shortly after Mahomet made a wonderful bridge more than half a mile long over the Haven built with timber planks c. whereby his Army came over to assault the City on that side also Three tall Genoway Ships laden with Corn and munition from Chios and one of the Emperour 's with Corn from Sicilia coming for Constantinople the Turks Fleet set upon them and boarded them after an exceeding number of Turks slain but being much lower they could not well look out but they were slain or wounded Mahomet beholding it cryed aloud swearing and blaspheming God riding in rage into the Sea and 〈◊〉 back rent his cloathes The whole Army was filled with indignation also The great Fleet ashamed in sight of their King to be overcome of so few did what they might to enter but in vaine glad to fall off againe Some 〈◊〉 Turks reported almost 10000 Turks to have perished Three of these ships arrived at Constantinople the other was lost Though Pantogles Mahomets Admirall lost an eye in that fight yet he thrust him out of office confiscating his goods and hardly sparing his life A rumour being raised of great aide comming out of Italy by Sea and Hungarie by land for reliefe of the besieged the Turks Camp was filled with feare So that the Souldiers murmured c. Whereupon Mahomet consulted with his three great Bassaes whether he were best continue the siege or not Caly Bassa of greatest authority and secretly favouring the distressed Emperour after long declaring the difficulty of the wished successe c concluded it were best for him to depart before further losse or disgrace received But Zoganus envying Caly Bassaes greatnesse perswaded the King to proceed in his enterprise assuring him of its good successe c. Of the same opinion also was the third Bassa rather to crosse Caly c than for any great hope in the desired successe The King resolved to continue the siege authorizing Zoganus to appoint a day for a great and general assault who appointed the Tuesday next May 29. The meane time he sent one Ismael to offer the Emperour peace but on conditions no lesse to be refused than death it self the Turks being most of opinion God will not prosper them except they first make their enemies some offer of peace and to prove what confidence the enemy yet had But they were by the Emperour refused Three dayes before the assault the Turks kept their fast eating nothing till night then making the greatest cheere and joy and taking their leave one of another Mahomet proclaimed he Citye's spoile for three dayes to his Souldiers if they won it solemnly swearing the Turks great Oath By the immortall God c for confirmation thereof Caly Bassa 〈◊〉 that his counsell was rejected secretly advertised the Emperour of the appointed day for assault perswading him 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 them who were no lesse afraid of him c. The wofull Emperour did all the siege what he could but the Citizens many times were hardly drawne from their Trades to the Walls affirming 't was to no purpose to
Daughter in marriage for t was thought if Selimus should any way miscarry none was to be preferred before Amurat and if he should invade him out of Persia all lesser Asia for the death of Achomates would revolt from him Wherefore Hysmael at Spring willed Amurat to passe Euphrates at Arsenga into Cappadocia with 10000 Horsemen to prove the Countries affection and enemie's strength sending Usta Ogli with 20000 Horse to follow Amurat within a dayes journey himself staying in Armenia with a far greater power doubting to want Victual in those vast and barren places whereby he must passe Amurat entring Cappadocia had some Towns yielded him by friends others he took by force sacking or razing them and so fearing the Inhabitants that they submitting all the way 't was thought that he had gone to Amasia had not old Chendemus Selimus his Asian Lievtenant at Sebastia now Sivas met him with a great Army who also having advertised Selimus of the Persian's coming he came into Asia meeting all his forces at Prusa speedily levying thereabout 40000 Souldiers which Amurat understanding though desirous to fight Chendemus yet doubting to be intangled in Antitaurus's straits by Selimus his speed he retired to Usta Ogli Selimus to the great joy of Christendom converted into the East in 30 dayes came and joyned with Chendemus at Arsenga and in revenge of his enemies harrying the Countrey resolved to follow them and enter the greater Armenia the chief Persian Province The difficulties of this expedition were propounded in Councel to be great and many for the Souldiers who had soon marched thither out of Europe already were to endure the pinching cold of Mount Taurus by and by scorching heat in plains with thirst hunger and want and the more since the 〈◊〉 retreating destroyed all serving for the use of man on purpose if they should pursue them besides they stood in no small doubt of the petty Princes of Armenia the lesse and Aladeules the Mountain-King whom they should leave behind them with no great assurance of their friendship c. Aladeules his forces being not to be contemned and his command by Castles and Garrisons stretching from the Mountains Scodrisci near Pontus to Amanus dividing Cilicia from Syria Chendemus also of great experience and in greatest authority with Selimus perswaded him with a notable and grave speech to stay a while in Cappadocia to refresh his wearied Europeans and to expect the coming of his enemies disswading him from the dangerous expedition into Persia. But he doing all things according to his own direction though not a little moved with that speech and seeing many Captains troubled at the imagination of the danger yet in a fume refuting a little of Chendemus his speech dismissed the Councel protesting he would proceed hap what would hap though that old fellow he said feared to die honourably Whereupon others accustomed to serve his humour and envying Chendemus beginning with the greatness of his forces valour of his Souldiers c. laboured to lessen what the Bassa had said touching te enemies prowesse and power Then discrediting him saying he being of known resolution had not so said as wanting courage but as foreloaded with Amurat's promises and Persian Gold Wherefore they wished him to beware of the Fox and proceed so much the boldlier c. And moreover these flatterers suborned false accusers affirming he received great summes from Amurat and therefore timely went not against the Persian robbers for which pretences Selimus commanded Chendemus without further hearing to be slain indeed to terrifie others from like liberty of speech and to teach them to accept of their Sovernighs devices and counsels without contradiction The sudden death of this faithful Counsellor struck exceeding fear into the mindes of all Selimus marching on came to the lesser Armenian King's Confines and of Aladeules requesting them then in Arms to joyn and go with him against the Persian promising the Warres happily ended to give them all taken from the enemy as a reward But they hating them both for daily injuries received and expecting the event answered they took not up Arms but for their own defence c. yet if he would peaceably passe thorow their Dominions they promised a free passage and to relieve him in Armenia the greater with what Victual their bare Countrey afforded Selimus thinking those poor Kings would for love or fear have done him what service they could then dissembled his grief Wherefore passing the Mountains Scodrisci in 8 dayes to the great Mountains Moschii which famous Euphrates separates from Antitaurus and running into Iberia and Colchis discovereth Armenia the greater on the right hand here Selimus least he should lack water departed not from Euphrates his banks So holding on Eastward till he came to the Mountain Periardo for its fertility there called Leprus that is fruitful for Euphrates and Araxis there running forth of contrary marishes water that Champian drie Countrey Selimus not yet hearing where Hysmael with his great Army was as half afraid encamped at the head of Euphrates sending his Scouts every way to intercept some that might inform him therein But the Armenians whether for fear of Hysmael's command were fled out of that part whereby Selimus was to passe carrying away or burning whatever was for mans use The Scouts after two dayes returned to Selimus not taking one man shewing him how it was and thinking either the Armenian Guides mistaking or on purpose had brought them into such desart places where Horses and men must perish together the weak Kings increasing their fear chiefly Aladeules who for a few dayes helped them with Victuals but being gone farre thereinto Armenia performed not his promise thinking Hysmael would vanquish the Turks as he had most of the East Selimus perplexed c. with grief remembred what Chendemus had before told him yet seeming chearful to his Souldiers c. and calling his Guides he understood that on the right hand beyond Periardo lay the fruitful Countrey of Armenia so compassing the Hill Northward he turn'd down toward Araxis passing it over about the City Coy for it is foordable till it receive Rivers out of Periardo He had scarcely got over but Usta-Ogli with Amurat encamping not farre off quickly set forward to meet the Turks lest Coy where the Persian Kings for fresh Fountains c. wholsom air and plenty of all fruit used to spend most of the Summer should be suddenly surprized Cussimus an Armenian probably shewed Jovius Coy to have been famous Artaxata which Domitius Corbulo destroyed Nor did Hysmael though he lately sent most of his forces against the Coraxeni in rebellion not much reckoning the Turks durst come so far delay but forthwith came personally to his Army Usa-Ogli incamping near the City when as the Turks Scouts upon Hysmael's coming the dust rising and the Horses neighing perceived a great power was at hand The Turks were glad that now they should by Victory turn their toyl and famine c. into
to extenuate their ranks they would be ready to skirmish and suddenly come to handiblows tumbling down upon them great stones from the Mountains their Harquebusiers through the weathers rayniness and tempestuousness serving to little purpose yet the Janizaries climbing up the hills with Pikes and driving them from their standings near the Emperors Person no 〈◊〉 hurt was done Sinan who returning had put to death the Authors of the treachery at Gaza confiscating their Goods and exacted a great sum of the People in general went to meet Selimus with his victorious Souldiers who gave to the Captains generally and particularly the 〈◊〉 common Souldiers silk Garments with a great sum of money as a reward He stayed but four dayes at Gaza and although his expedition required great haste yet his Army was to be refreshed and great provision to be made for carriage of water on Cammels backs thorow the drie solitary and light 〈◊〉 Desarts by the winde much troubling the weary passengers but such a sudden calm ensued the great rain falling few dayes before that Selimus wanted nothing no not plenty of water for the happy conduct of his Army yet the wild Arabians all along hovered about them for prey snatching up and slaying any that stragled or stayed behind but he provided an easie re-medy by placing his Field-pieces in divers parts to be upon danger discharged upon them also strong Harquebusiers in the rear-ward for defence of the weak who could but softly follow By this meanes with small losse he in 8 dayes drew nigh to Caire Sinan with his Europeans keeping a dayes journey before Into a Village called Matharea famous for plenty of excellent balm about six miles from Caire nigh the Village Rhodania Tomombeius conveighing all his new and old Artillery had drawn deep ditches a crosse the field and high way closly covering them with weak hurdles and earth and he with about 12000 Mamalukes and a multitude of Arabian Horsemen lay in convenient places that the Turks approaching might feel the force of his Ordnance before come within Arrowes shot and forthwith to set upon them disordered and entrapped so that none doubted of the success a great mischief to the Turks if the treachery of a few had not frustrated their great endeavors For 4 Epirot Mamalukes grieving at the preferment of Tomombeius whether upon malice or hope of reward c. or in that declining of their Kingdom to seek new friends fled secretly to Sinan who being born in a Village of Epirus a Sow kept in the House is reported to have bit off his Genitories being a Child sleeping in a shady place and being brought to Constantinople by the takers up of minions for 〈◊〉 Turk was presented to Mahomet the great where 〈◊〉 advanced him to his appointed honours whom she had before dismembered instructing Selimus and him especially what stratagems Tomombeius had devised whereinto they must needs fall if they forlook not the high way Wherefore by their guidance they by a great compass and unusual way came before day shewing themselves at their enemies backs in order of 〈◊〉 with their Artillery ready bent Tomombeius though above measure 〈◊〉 at the frustrating of all that he with such industry and labour had brought to pass yet being of an invincible courage entered into his wonted devices telling quickly his chief Commanders what to do the Signal for making ready was to be given the battel to be ordered the 〈◊〉 encouraged and his Ordnance to be quite contrary turned hardly at once to be directed by one and hastily to be done by many but especially the great concourse for removing of the huge iron 〈◊〉 like Ship Ordnance most troubled the well ordering of the rest with their tumultuous stir but 〈◊〉 and constancy much helped their difficulties who although twice overcome and in so suddain an accident were still of greater spirit and confidence Wherefore Tomombeius the signal being given commanded his Arabians to enclose the enemie's wings behind skirmishing with them that if possible the Turks Horsmen might be 〈◊〉 before he came to charge them 〈◊〉 his Ordnance presently to be discharged So did the Turks likewise bringing them within an arrow-shot So that for a good space they beat one upon another with their Ordnance only the Egyptians Cannoneers being almost all 〈◊〉 and many of their Field-peeces broken by the others shot For Selimus had allured many excellent Canoniers out of Italy and Germany chiefly of those Jews who were banished Spain by Ferdinand dispersing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those devices thorough the East Jacobus Regio Lepidi was the chief a cunning Engineer who lately through the Turks rewards revolted to 〈◊〉 But after the matter brought to battel the 〈◊〉 with a most hideous cry furiously assailed the Turks in three 〈◊〉 for Selimus keeping his wont approached his enemies in form of a half Moon Mustapha 〈◊〉 the Asians in the right wing Jonuses the Europeians in the left himself the main battel Sinan the General of the field led a 〈◊〉 number of selected Horsmen 〈◊〉 five hundred 〈◊〉 Harquebusiers ready against all uncertain events So almost at once four sharp battels were made in divers places Some present report that what for clamour 〈◊〉 of Instruments of War and rising of the 〈◊〉 all were so confounded that mistaking one another they sle v many friends instead of 〈◊〉 never battels meeting with greater 〈◊〉 nor two Kings with lesse care of their persons and safety 〈◊〉 desperately shewed their strength and courage Gazellus to requite the Eurepeians for the 〈◊〉 not far from Gaza very suriously 〈◊〉 Jonuses and at first 〈◊〉 brake his first Ranks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of his Guidons and the Arabians then pressing in behind forced 〈◊〉 victorious the flower of Thrace Thessalia Epirus 〈◊〉 and Grecia to 〈◊〉 which never enemy before saw but Sinan comming speedily in with his fresh Troops 〈◊〉 the declining battel and while he was fighting couragiously in the head of his battel he was by 〈◊〉 Bidon coming in slain to rescue whose dead body while his followers laboured they were by Gazellus unfolding his Troops most slain the rest put to flight and the five hundred choise Janizaries now destitute of Horse when they had done what was possible were compassed cut in pieces and trodden under foot in a trice Mustapha in the other wing sore pressed the Egyptians left wing which valliant Helymis the Diadare and Giapal led who had lately received great harm by Selimus his overthwart Ordnance Mustapha hereupon with his whole Troops overthrew their broken Ranks and glistering with a lond voyce encouraged his Asians by valour or honourable death to recover their honour lost in the fields of Aleppo Then also Tomombeius breaking thorow the middle battle of the Turks-Horse entered among the Foot giving many a deadly wound with his Scimitar he being big and strong The Arabians also had enclosed the uttermost of the Turks forcing them in many places to turn upon them being doubtfully charged before and
from his angry enemy These passing into Sigesta were barbarously slain by some Mamalukes chancing on them to gratifie Tomombeius now not knowing of it and shew they desired no peace Selimus provoked by so great injury provided all things necessarie for his expedition into Sigesta against Tomombeius and for his honour and conveniency mad a strong Bridge to passe over Nilus with all small Vessels and Lighters he could gather Tomombeius understanding hereof and fearing the Country-people's revolt by means of Albuchoâ—ar determined once again to prove the fortune of a battel wherefore by advice of his best Captains he timely departed out of Sigesta with 4000 Mamalukes and 8000 Moors and Arabians travelling day and 〈◊〉 to come to Nilus the Turks suspecting no such thing from their weak enemies hoping by his suddain approach to overthrow part of the Turks Army first passing the River before relieved from tother side and fitly came to the place even as the Asian Horsmen were come over the Bridge Selimus his harbingers and Pages being gone somewhat farther then the rest to choose a fit place for his Pavilion perceiv'd their coming by the dust Mustapha suddenly raising an alarm brought great fear both on them passed over and on them on the further side Tomombeius assailing them while but putting themselves in order c. slew those that resisted discomfiting the rest neither could Mustapha by his invincible courage or perswasion repair his disordered Battel or stay their flight all being full of tumult slaughter and fear and all along the Rivers Bank Turks ruthfully looking on the River cryed to those on tother side for help many forced to take the River perished Others striving to return by the Bridge through fear or being overborn by their fellows sell in and were drowned Four men abreast might pass at once but the Ordnance passing over fewer Horse were sent than the sudden danger required nor could their Ordnance be discharged without hurt to the further Banks their own men standing between Selimus the while filling a number of Boats c. with his Harquebusse Janizaries hasted his Horsmen over the Bridge for relief in which Boats the Watermen were so nimble that they soon transported divers bands of them which wondrously comforted the Asians ready to give over Canoglis also with loss of a few Horsmen swam over the River to the Beholder's admiration but the Tartars had oft by Troops swam over Taurus and Valga Rivers as dangerous as Nile For speedy Victories sake Tomombeius strained with might and main to gain the Bridge's-head by plucking away some few Boats to shut in his enemies and by cutting the Cables fastning them to the Bank the Bridge with Turks thereon might be carried away by the River's force whereupon a most bloudy sight arose Mustapha having drawn his Ensigns and best Souldiers thither And being relieved by Janizaries and European Horse comne over in great number they by little and little enforced them to retire This Mustapha the Hungarian Baiazet's son in Law built for his Fame that notable stately stone-Bridge of the spoils of this Victory over the River Stremon by which men pass over into 〈◊〉 wondring thereat Tomombeius to give a breathing rime to his Mamalukes with their fainting Horses exhorted the Moors and the Arabians awhile to charge the enemy which after their manner they valiantly performed Then the Mamalukes so suriously renewed the Battel that Selimus doubting the Victory though perswaded to the contrary adventured over the Bridge in person by whose coming his Souldiers encouraged repressed the enemie's fury Who soon after by fresh Janizaries coming on were notably repulsed and at length put to flight fresh Horsmen pursuing them all the fields over The Tartars also who through the streams force recovered not the further Bank so soon were now come in augmenting the slaughter with their swift Horses Selymus not assured of any thing gotten while Tomombeius lived commanded Mustapha Gazelles and Cayerbeius with fresh Troops of light Horse to pursue him not to 〈◊〉 if possible who making speed overtook him next day at a 〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉 deep Fenn where having a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hewas about to cut off a wooden Bridge to binder the pursuit some of 〈◊〉 followers being flain and taken he again fled The third day all his men being almost lost and he come in 〈◊〉 Sucussane 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these 〈◊〉 Captains denouncing to the people thereabouts all extremities and tortures if they diligently kept not those Marish passages that he should not escape he was so 〈◊〉 that he hid himself in a foul deep marsh alone and was soon by the Peasants search found up to the shoulders in water among the flags who delivering him bound he was with certain 〈◊〉 taken in flight 〈◊〉 to Caire Selimus resolving his death and the rather for the injury to his Embassadors not admitting him to his presence commanded him to be 〈◊〉 to reveal Campsons great Treasures which he was thought to have 〈◊〉 wherein he is reported with great constancy and stern look to 〈◊〉 nothing but deep sighs and groans after which he was set on a lean Camel in ragged apparel with his hand 's bound behind him and so carried in derision thorow all the notable places of the City Then bringing him to the chief gate Basuela they there openly 〈◊〉 him with a rope hanging him up by the neck upon an Iron hook in an arch of that gate so leaving him to the worlds wonder This misery befell him April 13. 1517. Many shed tears to behold so lamentable a Spectacle seeming thereby to detest that unworthy death of their late Sultan yet the Janizaries reproved them threatning them with death who like giddy brain'd fools they said enured to the slavery of the Mamalukes thankfully accepted not their deliverance for the Aegyptians doubted lest the Turks no more courteous then the Mamalukes should no less tyrannize over them under their cruel Emperour they remembred also that Tomombeius with a general favour rose by all degrees of honour to the regal Dignity with which also and his Martial 〈◊〉 his tall and strong body grave countenance and long and hoary beard well agreed Divers of the Mamaluke Princes with some of the common sort ran he same fortune No power being now heard of in all Egypt to renew the War Selimus dividing his Forces sent them to take in the Aegyptian Provinces farther off Alexandria after the Battel of Caire expelling the 〈◊〉 and easily surprizing the 〈◊〉 of Pharus 〈◊〉 many dayes before to the Turks Damiata 〈◊〉 submitting 〈◊〉 to them and every City betwixt Nilus and Judaea and Arabia's borders yielding to Selimus his obedience Also the African Kings boroering on Cyrenaica the Sultan's Tributaries or Confederates sent him Embassadours with 〈◊〉 The wild Arabians chiefly they of Africk only remained who losing many friends in ayding Tomombeius 〈◊〉 thought would never submit to the Turk These wanderers living mostly by theft had filled all from Euphrates running by the
agreeing that since they could not withstand such an enemy or expect ayd to yield to the present necessity c. So the Duke answered him he was ready to yield to Solyman as his vassall and to hold his Seigniory of him for 5000 Duckats yearly tribute which Lutzis accepted receiving in a years tribute this yielding of Naxos was Novemb. 11th 1537. whence Lutzis returned laden with rich spoil to Constantinople who ere long fell at odds with his Wife Solyman's Sister for keeping in his House a delicate youth in whom he took more pleasure than in her she of a great spirit and knowing him by marrying her to have been of base degree advanced to the greatest honours in great rage bitterly reproved him saying she married him to be beloved and used as his Wife not to be abused by his minions whereupon he gave her a blow on the eare causing her to be shut up in her Chamber but she came weeping and complaining to Solyman requesting to be divorced from him Solyman was so incensed that he took from him his Seal and thrust him out of all and had put him to death had not his old love and friendship stayd him yet he banished him into Macedonia where he spent his life as a poor private man Solyman to entangle the Venetians in divers places at once commanded his Lieutenants bordering on their Seigniory to vex them with all hostility In Peloponesus Cassumes besieged Mauplium and Epidaurus Barbarussa surprized ancient Botrotus in Dalmatia razing it and carrying away the Citizens Ustress of Illyria took Obroatium with the Castle of Nadin in Dalmatia the Venetians requiring the like Pisaurius and Veturius took Scardona in Dalmatia's borders putting the Turks to the Sword and overthrowing the walls they sent also Ribeus to besiege Obroatium who upon the coming of Amurathes fled and lost most of his men wherefore Pisaurius had his head struck off aboard the Admiral Galley and Ursinus Governour of Jadera upon their frontiers in Dalmatia took Ostrovilla from the Turks burning it down recovering Obroatium and by the Senates Command razing it as not well to be kept The same Autumne 1537. King Ferdinand received a great and shameful overthrow by the Turks After the battel of Mohathz the Turks kept Possega of Hungary to themselves having thereby a fit passage from Belgrade further into Hungary The Rivers Savus and Dravus inclosing this rich plentiful and populous Country on both sides It bordereth upon Croatia and Corbania which in time past had continual Warres with the Turks Garrisons in Illyria and Bosna Then was Mahometes a most valiant Captain Governour of Belgrade having the keeping of those frontiers and the protection of Hungary in the behalf of King John He the year before by force and policy took from the Christians above 30 small Castles in the Countrey joyning them to the Regiment of Belgrade one whereof called Exek for his passage over Dravus into Hungary he strongly fortified whence he fetcht abundance of prey out of Ferdinands Countrey near him Yet was there then a certain League betwixt Solyman and Ferdinand which notwithstanding did bear with taking of booty and light skirmishes without a great power or Field-pieces which Matthias and his Predecessors had long used with the Turks doing a like harm with their nimble light Horse but the Germanes now serving upon great Horses with heavy Armour received great hurt by those light skirmishes Ferdinand not well brooking these injuries and finding his League with Solyman at his going into Persia to be hurtful to him determined to take up Arms that if he could drive the Turks out of Possega then to go to Buda against John There were some who wished him not rashly to take up Arms against so mighty an enemy foreseeing that Solyman so provoked would do as he had of late done against the Venetians upon a light occasion but all Ferdinands Subjects were so earnest therein that they said they would never bear Arms more against the Turks if he omitted that occasion for they of Carinthia Stiria Croatia and Noricum receiving great harms thought they might easily be expulsed from Possega since Mahometes had no great power not like to have greater Autumne being almost spent So Ferdinand with the exceeding joy of his Subjects very soon raised a good Army yet supposed more strong than numerous most being select men they were 8000 Horse 16000 Foot with store of all sorts of Artillery Cazzianzer as one of great experience and famous for the defence of Vienna Ferdinand made his General for he advised by his best friends never adventured his person in any battel chiefly against the Turks by whom many Christian Kings had been formerly vanquished and slain Mahometes hearing of this preparation against him sent for divers Companies of Garrison Souldiers upon the borders requiring ayd of the Governours the 〈◊〉 being chiefly holpen by Ustorf Governour of Bosna who sent him Amurathes with a great Company of gallant Horsemen to whom were joyned some Companies of Foot of the wild and Mountain Dalmatians kept in order by Janizaries also many out of Servia and Rascia The receiver giving those willing to serve two moneths pay before hand neither wanted he ayd from Buda so that Mahometes soon gathered an Army not much inferiour to Ferdinands expecting the enemies coming at Exek Cazzianzer come as far as Caprunza upon Dravus had before well provided for victualling his Army the chief of the Countrey by the direction of the Bishop of Zagrabia promising to serve the Camp with plenty at a very low rate which the people now hindered by Mahometes by Land and water could not perform he also alluring them for a great price ready mony to bring it to his own Camp Cazzianzer scarce came from Caprunza to 〈◊〉 Castle but about 40 miles in ten dayes for the troublesome carriage of some great 〈◊〉 pieces and they were enforced to spend the Victual provided not for the beginning but the difficulties of a long protracted War wherefore he wrote sharply to the Bishop and the rest to use all possible speed and not to let the hope of a notable Victory be lost for want of Victual and there he stayed expecting its coming sending Bachitius before with 1000 Hungarian light Horse and some Italian Harquebusiers as far as Zopia Castle by taking some prisoners to searn of the enemies purpose the Turks thinking the whole Army was at hand fired the Castle fleeing down Dravus in Boats yet Bachitius took some of them of whom Cazzianzer learned what he knew by his 〈◊〉 that Mahometes encamped at Exek resolving to give him battel who setting forward came in eight dayes to Walpo Castle where he stayed seven dayes at the River Crassus till a Bridge was made to transport his Army Entring there into often Councel for his better proceeding some said it were best to leave Exek and besiege Villach Castle thereby others more wary thought it best to stay there till the expected ayd
the Greeks in the Fleet said might easily be done whereby it might happen that Barbarussa would for shame come out and joyn Battel This counsel was best liked of and Auria came to Ambracia Bay so placing his Fleet 250 sayl that the Turks might easily number them At which sight Barbarussa though couragious was exceedingly moved So that an Eunuch sent by Solyman as Barbarussa's Companion seeing him to delay the time did uncivilly and proudly take him up because he would not forthwith go out of the Bay and fight with the daring Christians concluding he should beware that he fearing a most honourable death uncertain though the battel were lost drew not on himself the sure danger of a most shameful death by Solyman's displeasure Whereupon Barbarussa turning him to Salec said We ought for that I can see adventure this battel although much disadvantagious left haply we perish by the complaints of this barking Demie-man So weighing Anchor at the time that Auria was on his way toward Naupactum thinking he durst not come out who being come to Leucade the enemies Fleet was deseryed from the top of 〈◊〉 great Gallion making towards them keeping close by the shoar the crafty Turk counting it less losse if the worst should happen to lose the Galleys than the men Auria somewhat troubled hereat yet commanded the Fleet to prepare to battel and follow his Admiral Galley The Turks Fleet was come into the open 〈◊〉 in such order with 150 Galleys that Auria confessed afterwards a more firm and orderly Fleet could not have been brought out by any before which came Drogut an arch Pirate with about 20 nimble Galleys Capellus came in his long boat to Auria requesting that he with his Galleys might give the first charge whom Auria thanking and praising requested him to follow him to whom he would give a seasonable signe what to do The foremost of the Turks Galleys was come to the great Galleon the foremost of the Christian Fleet whereto were sent some Galleys from Salec to help assayl it which shooting afar off did no harm nor Bondelmerius them who suffered not a piece to be discharged expecting them to come nearer who coming accordingly were by the great and small shot glad to stay and retire Auria the while called back the Ships gone before towing out his Galleon and charging the Captains of the Galleys to make ready upon signal given yet was he not minded to fight without his ships which the enemy perceiving sought by all means to fight before the coming in of the tall ships for it was so calm that the ships could not keep way with the Galleys and the smooth water offering an opportunity for battel so that Grimannus ctyed aloud to Auria to give the signal c. who fetching a great compass held a strange course hovering about his ships of purpose to draw the enemies Galleys within danger of his great ships but Barbarussa doubting to be circumvented with some finenesse stayed his course expecting to what purpose that his strange course tended both his wings the while had begun in divers places to encounter with the Christians some still vainely assayling Bondelmerius others had sore beaten two ships with their Ordnance wherein 2 Spanish Companies were embarqued many men being slain 2 other ships laden with victual were burnt and some few men saved by their ship-boats and by swimming to the next ships In the close of the evening Salec took 2 Galleys stragling behind After which was taken the ship of Figaroa a Spaniard though his men fought most valiantly for a time whose son taken with him beautified with nature's gifts was afterwards presented to Solyman turning Turk and growing in credit obtaining his Fathers liberty after 3 years miserable imprisonment sending him home well rewarded Whilst both Fleets lay expecting their most advantage a great tempest os Thunder Lightning Rain with a fresh Easterly gale arose The Christians seeing the Turks hoysing up their small sayls hoysed up both small and great sparing no Oar to clear themselves of the enemy and that disorderly and in great haste So that Auria called a second Neptune was that day accounted no Captain Barbarussa is reported to have pursued them a while till through the night's darkness he stayed his course for the Admirals had put out their Lights in the poupes whereat he laughing said oft in Spanish Auria hath therefore put out his Light The better in the dark to hide his flight Being come to Corcyra they generally thought by that sudden storm they had avoided a great danger The Emperials to excuse Auria imputed it to the Venetians who would never take any Spaniards into their Galleys wherefore Auria doubting of them refrained battel and the rather because they had hoysed their sayls tyed to their Yards with lines which they cutting might flye which way they would Shortly after came Barbarussa to the Isle Naxus about 4 leagues from Corcyra Eastward braving the Christians Gonzaga grieving requested the 3 great Commanders for the Christian's Honour to represse their insolence at last the Venetians taking in some Spanish Companies they were to give battel in 4 squadrons but it was so long protracted that Barbarussa fearing Tempests returned about Octob. 7. into the Bay of Ambracia After which the Generals went to befiege Newcastle a strong Turkish Town in the Bay of Sinus Rizonicus the people were Dalmatians Epirots who had renounced their Religion and some Turks which they soon won with a great prey and a number of captives and 3 dayes after the Castle was also yielded the Turks covenanting in vain to depart with life and liberty This Town for all the Covenants of the League was reserved for the Emperour and Sarmentus with 4000 old Spanish Souldlers left in Garrison Capellus urging in vain the Venetians right Wherefore the grieved Senate now assured of an ill neighbour to their Town Castrum decreed to sue to Solyman for peace which they easily obtained a little while by Grittus their Duke's son and Ryncus the French Embassadour who told the Bassaes that the Venetians League with Charls was made without most of the Senates consent Barbarussa putting to sea to relieve Newcastle many of his Galleys were by a Tempest cast away on the Acroceraunian Rocks 20000 men being reported to be lost Capellus would have perswaded Auria to pursue Barbarussa so distressed which Gonzaga well liked to recompence the former disgrace but Auria not liking the matter presently hoysed sayl for Italy leaving Capellus in such a rage that he detested himself for submitting to another man wishing the Captains present never to be subject to a'stranger c. But Auria referring all he said and did to the Emperour's profit so far that Ursinus then serving the Venetian merrily said Auria had done nothing but politiquly to set the Venetians and Turks together by the ears opening a gate for a long War c. without his losing one Galley for many thought that would sort to
perfected by the most cunning Astronomers for Maximilian the Emperour They at their landing were first received by Cason and brought into a rich Tent the ground being covered with rich Carpets to whom Rustan Bassa sent such chear as the Camp afforded especially most excellent Wine Next day the Bassaes feasted them not sitting with their legs under them on the ground as their manner was but in Chairs at a Table only Mahometes of Belgrade an extraordinary guest sat down upon a Cushion beneath the Bassaes. Their chear was but Rice and Mutton as if noting thereby the Christians excesse and the Bassaes drink fair water out of Danubius After dinner they were brought in to Solyman each of them led betwixt 2 Bassaes holding them fast by the arms so to kiss his hand yet hath the Turkish Emperour sitting in his Throne for fear of violence laying by him a Target Scimitar Iron Mace with Bow and Arrows The great Globe being brought in filled Solyman and his Bassaes with Admiration for Solyman had curionsly studied Astronomy and especially Cosmography as his leasure served The Embassadours desired him to give the Kingdom of Hungary to Ferdinand almost on the same conditions that Lascus had required it for him paying him such Tribute as John had done promising to draw Charls into the same League so that he might then at pleasure turn his Forces upon the Persian and urging Ferdinand's League with John and so excusing him of the late war they concluded Nothing could be to him more commendable profitable or Honourable than to call such a King as Ferdinand and also Emperour Elect and brother of the great Emperour his Tributary Solyman 2 dayes after answered by Rustan that this was his resolute condition of peace If Ferdinand would restore all places before belonging to King Lewis and for ever abstain from Hungary and for his often provocations great travel and charges he could be content to impose an easie Tribute upon Austria But if those conditions seemed too heavy he would cause by continual War that such things as were taken from Hungary should be requited with the destruion of Austria Though the Embassadours were much moved at the latter demand yet they to win some time required a truce till Ferdinand and the Emperour might be made acquainted with the matter which the Turk winter coming fast on would in no case grant And being rewarded and sent away Solyman commanded Mahometes of Belgrade to spoyl the borders of Austria all along Danubius Cason also General of Acanzii he sent into Moravia but neither did any great harm the Rivers rising and abundance of Rain falling Solyman made one Solyman a Mahometan Hungarian Governour of Buda who by justice and courtesie with Verbetius the Chancellour should endeavour to put the people in hope of long peace which done after about 20 dayes stay because of the rain and cold and fearing to be shut in with the rising of the great Rivers he determined to return setting Lascus in prison at Belgrade at liberty who soon dyed of the Flux in Polonia supposed to be poysoned by the Turks whose death the King himself much lamented Solyman being come to the River Dravus it was told him that Maylat was taken by the cunning of Peter of Moldavia and that Transilvania was well pacified yielding to his obedience whereof he was passing glad for he hated Maylat for Grittus and the Turks by him slain and knew that the Transilvanians an invincible people was by him stirred up This Peter uniting with Achomates against Maylat they were 50000 Horse besides Foot which after the manner of those Countries were not many Maylat finding himself too weak and despairing of ayd from Ferdinand fled again into Fogaras where as in a most strong place he had laid up his greatest substance and warlique provision especially the rich spoyl taken from Grittus Acho mates coming and perceiving it was not to be taken but with much labour and time craftily sent a Messenger to him perswading him to yield to Solyman choosing rather to be called his Friend than his Enemy c. promising he would labour for him as his Friend that he might still enjoy the Government of Transilvania paying him some small yearly Tribute as he had before requested c. saying Solyman was coming with his Victorious Army who would with assured death revenge his vain hope of holding out Maylat foreseeing it better to make a certain peace than to endure an uncertain War answered He could be content to conclude a peace so it were not on any hard conditions c. Wherefore he demanded Achomates's valiant son in Hostage for his coming into the Camp Achomates said he had given him to Solyman and so had over him no power but he promised him 4 of his best Captains which Maylat accepting came with a gallant retinue and was honourably received The Parley was deferred till next day that the Moldavian might take him whom he invited to a Banquet about mid-dinner Maylat of a very proud and cholerick nature was by some insolent speech of purpose so fretted that with his hand on his sword he in a rage flung from the Table the other guests starting up also took him fuming and crying out he was shamefully betrayed his followers being stript of all Incame Achomates the while with deep dissimulation sharply reproving the Moldavian whereto he scornfully as if in contempt answered He had upon good cause taken Maylat prisoner and would safely keep him for Solyman to whom it only belonged to judge Ere long Fogaras was delivered with the Hostages through fear or corruption This Town surrendred almost all Transilvania was by Solyman given to the young King to whom all the people most willingly submitted swearing obedience his Father having almost thirty yeares with justice and quietnesse Governed that Province honouring him the Queen and his two Tutours laying in Leppa with many Presents At the same time Charls the Emperour at the importunity of his Subjects of Spain greatly prepared for conquering of Algiers whose Pirates so insested all the Coast from Gades to the Pyrenean Mountains that all Merchandize set apart they were glad to keep continual watch and ward wherefore though he knew how hardly he was spoken of for leaving his brother so hardly bestead yet he departed out of Germany into Italy where nigh Verona he was met by Farnesius his son in law Vastius and the Venetian Embassadours and brought to Millane where he was with great solemnity joyfully received and under a Canopy of Gold brought to the Pallace in a plain black Cloak and Cap mourning-wise when as the vulgar expected him in his Royal Robes and the Imperial Crown on his Head his heavy countenance presaging the wofull overthrow the day before at Buda not yet known in Italy Thence departing to Genua he was advertised thereof from Ferdinand and of Solyman's coming Whereupon Vastius and Auria perswaded him to defer his African expedition till Spring and
strong Wall with a deep ditch alwayes full of water was hardly to be besieged wherefore a great number of people fled into it with their Cartel as into a most sure hold There was two German Companies and 200 Horsemen with 500 Hungarian Horsemen who living by robbing are infamously called Usarous Tornicllus the Italian sent in four Companies of Italians the most forward in that service Then came Borcocius Captain of the King's Guard with a Company of Horse as Generall who no sooner come but news was brought of Solyman's approach wherefore he convened the Captains with Birrous the Mayor and other chief Citizens what was best to be done but chiefly whether the Suburbs were to be destroyed or not that the City might with lesse labour and danger be defended This question was seriously debated and great reasons alledged on both sides at last the Citizens cryed out with one voice against the matter of which opinion was Serofactus an Italian Captain saying both City and Suburbs might with like danger be defended since both were equally fortified with the Marish and at the worst the Defendants might safely retire into the City at last standing up he said 〈◊〉 Gentlemen what shew will you give of your valour c. If you shall defend so famous a City by deforming it your selves c. before the danger Verily ye shall do nothing c. un ess this City if God please be of you whole and sound valiantly defended Hereupon they all rose the wiser yielding to the 〈◊〉 of the simple Barcocius also setting a good coun enance on that which liked him not declared to the Souldiers the reasons thereof exhorting them with the like valour to answer that honourable 〈◊〉 promising to provide all necessaries for a Victory and 〈◊〉 those deserving of great rewards The Suburbs were quickly fortified the Ordnance conveniently planted and Watch and Ward kept by turns day and night The Turks bent their forces onely against the Suburbs of the Gate towards Buda because the Lake was there driest and the ground sandy more unfit for Fortifications Barcocius drew all the Italians and Germans into the Suburbs of that Gate leaving the Countrey people in their places At first they sallying out made light skirmishes for three dayes without any great harm on either side but Solyman himself being come and besetting the City far and near with his Tents they shut up the Gates and sallyed no more out wherefore the Hungarian Usarons that they might not be coupt up as they termed it asking-leave for fashion sake by night departed though entreated to stay escaping thorow the Woods from the enemy The Turks the while being come with Winding Trenches within shot so scoured the top of the Bulwark that none could appear but he was wounded the Ordnance also soon battered asunder the Planks and Timber which kept in the sandy mould and the shot flying quite thorow slew and wounded many far off the Asapi the while in 12 dayes making a way to passe over to the Bulwark and Suburbs with Earth and Wood brought thereby in 600 Wagons thought impossible to have bin done The Ditches 〈◊〉 filled up the Turks sought by force to enter the Bulwark first the Asapi then the Horsemen now on foot covering the Janizaries who on their knees with Harquebusses sore gauled the Defendants they fought above 3 houres with equal hope but the Turks still 〈◊〉 afresh gained the uttermost Bulwark yet the Italian Fort was valiantly defended the Women and religious helping and a tall Hungarian Woman thrusting in upon the top of 〈◊〉 Fort struck off two Turks Heads with a Sithe at one blow This assault was Aug. 29. on which day they took Belgrade and slew King Lewis hoping to take the City then as on a fortunate day but they were forced to retire Solyman 〈◊〉 sharply reproved Abraham Achomates and Halis because the Bulwark being won they had not more couragiously prosecuted the Victory c. sternly commanding them to prepare for a fresh assault within 3 dayes uever to return to him without winning the City who answered They would in short time accomplish his desire and encouraging the Souldiers they terribly assayled the Rampires and through a thick mist they got up to the top thereof with great silence coming to handy blows ere they were well discovered The fight was for the time terrible but the Janizaries at length put the Germans then the Italians to a hasty flight which 〈◊〉 availed seeing they were to passe thorow a little narrow Gate and they in the City without regard of them that fled had plucked up the draw-Bridge over the Ditch so the Turks pursuing them all along those Suburbs many notable men some fighting some fleeing were slain Serosactus being one Barcocius fleeing to the little gate not to be passed thorow on Hors-back and crying in vain to have the great Gate opened was by the Janizaries slain whose Head and right-hand full of Rings was carried about in derision on a Launce The rest finding the little gate shut up with dead bodies and the Bridge drawn up threw themselves into the Ditch where some taken hold of by others that could not swim were drowned together Some hardly crawling over were shotwith arrows others sticking in the mud were shot to death also some few got over were saved The General of the German-Horse and Uscasades an Italian gathering the remainder placedthem on the Walls but Birrous the Aldermen and others were now so overcome with despair that they thought of no hope but in the mercy of Solyman wherfore Birrous spake from the Wall safely to send to Solyman to treat upon reasonable conditions of surrender which Achomates easily granted The General of the German Horse and Rufus an Italian the most valiant men in all the assaults went with the Embassadours who requested upon yielding for their lives and Liberties who so answered as that it seemed all should not be pardoned Rufus easily obtained the Italians to depart with bag and baggage to Vienna so did the German General for his Rufus refusing to serve Solyman as bound by oath to Ferdinand Solyman Bassa gave him a rich Cloak in Honour of his Valour The Embassadours returning and telling their successe freed the Citizens of a great fear The City yielded Achomates openly proclaimed the Italians and Germans to be ready to depart next day and to beware that no Hungarian went with them the Citizens also to keep their Houses till they were departed whom Homares faithfully defended against the roaming Tartars losing nothing but their dags carried at the Germans saddle-bow The Turks delighting to see them shot off with a Fire-lock as a Novelty but they after Homares departure had hot skirmishes with the Hungarians in their passage being rescued from danger by the Kings Garrisons which remainder came to Vienna more like ghosts than men Solyman entring the City and visiting the King's Sepulchres proclaimed the Hungarians should not fear for he came not to
God had given Grace rightly to consider these things and striving against the Vanities of this world and to embrace an upright Life had surely a place prepared in Heaven where they should at length enjoy life and 〈◊〉 eternal This answer very much satisfied his troubled mind foreseeing as it were his end approaching and so hastening towards his Father pitched his Tents in the open field not far off from his Camp But this his hasty coming the more encreased the 〈◊〉 Rustan craftily encreasing the same For he caused the Janizaries and chief men to go meet Mustapha as if for Honours-sake and the while with troubled countenance came in haste to Solyman falsly telling him that almost all the best Souldiers of the Army were without leave gone to meet him he fearing what would ensue Whereat he became pale for fear and going out of his Tent finding them gone he easily believed all to be true Mustapha also the 3d. day before his setting forward falling asleep in the evening seemed to see Mahomet in bright Apparel to lead him by the Hand into a most pleasant place with most glorious Pallaces and delicate Gardens and pointing to every thing with his finger to say Here they rest for ever who have led an upright and godly life c. Then on tother side to have shewn him 2 great and swift Rivers one boyling with water blacker than pitch and in them numbers of men tumbling some up and some down crying horribly for mercy saying There are all punished who have been malicious workers of iniquity the chief being great men of the world He awaking asked his Doctor what it might signifie who musing a great while full of grief answered This Vision was to be feared as 〈◊〉 the extream peril of his life and therefore requested him to have great care of Life and Honour but he stoutly replyed Shall I suffer my self to be terrified and overcome with childish and vain fear Why rather haste I not c. and the more boldly because I know I have alwayes reverenced his Majesty never turning eyes or foot against his Royal-Seat much lesse affecting his Empire except God had called him to a better Life nor then without the general choice of the Army that I might without murder bloud and tyrannie well and justly reign and in love and peace inviolate live with my brethren c. So he came as was said to the Camp all in white in token of Innocency and wrote Letters as the Turks superstitiously do when going to any dangerous place and putting them in his bosom came with a few trusty followers with great reverence towards his Fathers Tent to kiss his Hand and remembring his dagger girt about him entred not till he had put it off being come into the inner-Rooms he was sutably received by Solymans Eunuch's but seeing but one seat he perplexed stood a while musing then asking Where his Father was who answered He should by and by see him and looking aside he saw 7 Mutes strong men bereft of speech whom the Turks hath alway ready for the more secret execution of their Butchery coming toward him saying no more but Lo my death and arising was about to flee but he was caught hold of by the Eunuchs and Mutes and being drawn to the appointed place they cast a Bow-string about his neck he striving and requesting to speak but 2 words first to his Father All which the Murderer heard and saw by a Travers on tother side saying to the Villains with a most terrible Voyce Will ye never dispatch what I bid you will ye never make an end of this Traitour for whom I have not rested one night this ten years in quiet Whereupon they threw the poor Innocent on the ground and withthe Eunuchs help drawing the knotted string both wayes strangled him he doing the like to his Son shortly after But presently commanding his Bassa to be apprehended and beheaded in his presence Then sending for 〈◊〉 the crooked bid him in sporting-wise go meet his Brother Mustapha which he ignorant hasted to do as glad of his coming but when he came to the place where his brother lay dead on the ground he was beyond measure tormented Solyman sent to him offering him all Mustapha's wealth with his Government but Tzihanger calling his Father ungodly Caint and Traitour and most highly commending Mustapha said Himself would provide that none should so shamefully triumph over a poor crooked wretch stabbing himself with his dagger and shortly dying Whereat the old Tyger exceedingly grieved His Body being Honourably buried at Pera. He forthwith commanded all Mustapha's riches to be brought into his Tent which the Souldiers hoping for hasted to perform but Mustapha's Souldiers not knowing what was become of him 〈◊〉 such a multitude thrust into their Camp without order notably repulsed them not without much bloud-shed The rest of the Kings Souldiers hearing the stir ran to help their fellows so that in short time 2000 were slain and more wounded neither had the broil so ended had not Achomat Bassa a grave and experienced Captain of no small Authority kept back the Janizaries and likewise appeased the rage of Mustapha's Souldiers by gentle and mild words and courteous perswasions whereby they were so mollified that they suffered all that was in Mustapha's Tent to be carried into Solyman's but when Mustapha's death was blown about the Camp another worse tumult arose They in a rage breaking into Solymans Pavilion with drawn swords which so frighted him that he was with extream peril about to flee 〈◊〉 being holden by his Friends and making a Vertue of Necessity he went forth of his Tent but with a pale countenance speaking unto them What broil is this c. What means your fierce and angry looks know ye not your Soveraign Have ye resolved to stain your own and Ancestours invincible Honour with the bloud of your Lord and Emperour They boldly answed He was the man whom they had long before chosen but they had got and preserved for him a large and mighty Empire that he should govern them virtuousty and not lay his bloudy hands on every just man c. and that they came thither armed justly to revenge the death of guiltless Mustapha for which he had no just cause to be angry protesting they would never lay down weapons till the Accuser of him for treason appeared commencing his accusation judicially upon pain of the like punishment if he 〈◊〉 in proof The late hainous fact made every man the while to shed tears so that Solyman seemed to be sorry for his murder promising the Souldiers whatever they required yet lest he should slip away and deceive them of what he had promised they kept most diligent watch and ward Wherefore to appease them he deprived Rustan Bassa of all Honours and of his Seal which he delivered to Achomates But Rustan now in no safety in his own tents secretly asked Achomates what course best to take in so
the Childs neck it swiled on him and lifting it self up as it could offered to embrace his neck and kisse him whereat the stony-hearted man fell down in a swound lay for dead The Eunuch standing without the Chamber and marvelling at his long stay goes in where finding the Ruffian on the ground strangled the guiltlesse child himself So long as it was uncertain what success Bajazets attempts would have Solyman spared the Infant lest upon his good hap he might seem to strive against the will of God but his Father being dead and his quarrel by the ill success condemned as it were by the Sentence of the Almighty he though not good to suffer him longer to live lest of an ill Bird might come an ill Chick for the Turks judge all to be well or ill done by the good or bad success though brought to passe or endeavoured by never so bad or good means as appeared by a Chiaus in his talk with the Author of this History who justified Solyman's Father but exclaimed against Bajazet This Year 1558. the Emperours Charls 5th who had 2 years before delivered all his Haereditary Dominions to his son Philip on Febr. 24. the day of his birth by his Embassadours resigned the Empire to his brother Ferdinand requesting the Electours to confirm him therein which they did March 13. following so as a private man in a solitary life whereto he had certain years before retired himself He died Sept. 21 after living 58. and raigning 39 years About which time also died Mary Queen of Hungarie and Eleanor the French Queen his Sisters The Knights of Malta had at length so prevailed with the Pope and King of Spain for recovery of Tripolis in Barbary and the Island Zerbi betwixt Tripolis and Tunis then also surprized by the Turks whence they much troubled the Christians that the King made ready a great Fleet in Septemb. 1559. unto which the Pope Duke of Florence the said Knights and others joyned their Forces there being 100 Galleys and ships met together in Sicily Gonzaga being General but whilst they wintred in the Haven of Marza-Moxet in Malta many Souldiers died Spring being come the Captains consulted whether first to set upon Tripolis or Zerbi otherwise Mening The Knights thought best to besiege Tripolis speedily before Dragut should come to furnish it Others rather first to invade Zerbi Island where the Army might be relieved with plenty and whence they might in danger safely retire thence go to Tripolis as time should serve Which most agreeing to in Feb. 1560. they sailed to Zerbi Dragut the while being come to Tripolis with 800 Janizaries had also notably sortified the City certifying Solyman of the Christians Fleets arrival who at their first landing on Zerbi were encounted by the Moors whom they repulsed and landed at pleasure It is not far from the main no River in it but boggs ond Marshes and somewhat Hilly in the middle About 30000 men inhabited it dwelling in low Cottages yet is the Island reasonable fertile The Christians sent for Carvanus thither a poor King from whom Dragut had taken it to use his Counsel going with 8000 to besiege the strongest Castle in the Island they lighted on 10000 Moors which lay in ambush in a Wood 700 of whom being slain in skirmish by the Spaniards who went foremost the rest fled so laying hard siege to the Castle the Captain fled secretly with his Turks leaving it for the Moores to defend who to depart in safety yielded the Castle three Spanish Companies being there left Caravanus the Moor-King with the King of Tunis's Sonne came the while to the Camp sitting on the ground and wisely discoursing with the Generall how the Turks were to be removed out of Africk but suddenly a Pinnace brought newes that Piall the Turk's Admirall was coming with 85 Galleys more repairing to him daily with a number of the Turk's best and most approved Souldiers for the Turks had a great opinion of the valour of the Spaniards they were doubtful also of the long journey so many of them before setting forth making their wills so that all Constantinople was in a confused fear The Christians were not a little troubled hereat yet they new fortified the Castle agreeing with the chief Moore in the Island who had set up the King of Spain's Ensigns instead of Draguts to pay yearly tribute to the King as before to Dragut 6000 Crowns 1 Cammell 4 Ostriches 4 Sparrow-Hawks and 4 blew Faulcons But May 9th the Master of Malta gave those at Zerbi to understand that the Turk's Fleet was even at hand advising them to get them to some more safe place or come to him for fear of being by so great a power oppressed whereupon Auria the Admirall requested the Generall presently to come aboard but he for all that stayed at the Castle where they had built four strong Bulwarks not yet all perfectly finished but whilest he is thus busie next day descrying the Turks from far he hasted to be gone with the Admiral and was twice by a contrary wind driven again into the Haven so that with much adoe they got into the Castle for the wind brought the Turks so fast on that the Christians dismayed knew not well which way to turn but most of the Ships and 14 Gallies were gone the night before and the Master of Malta had called home his in April of the rest some few Galleys escaped others ran aground 10 whereof were taken by the Turks and the rest that were left though they awhile did what they might to save themselves The night following the Viceroy and Admiral secretly got away to Malta Auria gathered together the remainder of the dispersed Fleer having lost 17 Galleys and a good part of the Ships Don de Sandes was left as General in the Castle with 5000 Foot some Germans and Italians but most Spaniards besides 1000 no Souldiers The Turks besieging it May 17. were notably encountred and repulsed in their assaults Dragut came at length to the siege encreasing the battery with 15 great Pieces The Christians also with 40 great Pieces slew a number of Turks and Moores and sallying out fought with them slaying and wounding many Thus the siege continued three moneths but in the Castle was but one great Cistern which though yielding some store of water yet was not enough to suffice so great a multitude in that hot Clymate and season but was sparingly measured our to the Souldiers as far as it would go which some augmented by distilling Sea-water mingling it with their allowance till they had spent all their Wood. Many half dead lying on the ground gaping and crying water water into whose mouthes if any one powred a little they as revived would sit up till for thirst they fell down again at length giving up the Ghost The Governour considering the great extremity attempted with Doude Leyva the Neopolitan Admiral and Bellingerius the Sicilian Admiral and others to escape by
her Father being secretly reconciled to the Persian King Letters went between them of great matters and particularly of the affairs of Sirvan The Bassa kept this in store to his own safety and the destruction of Sahamall and inviting him according to the custom to a Feast he enjoyned certain Companies of his Souldiers that as soon as Sahamall was entred into his Court even in his very dismounting to fall upon him cut off his head and put all his retinue to the sword which being done accordingly he forthwith sent 2000 Horsmen to spoyl and sack all his Country to the great marvel both of far and near The Persian King took this most grievously foreseeing that the recovery of that Province would prove very difficult and fearing it would still remain as it doth in the Turks possession This was the end of the Turks attempts against the Persians in Sirvan this year 1578 wherein one way or other they lost above 70000 men Amurath advertised from Mustapha who for the advancing of his own credit had described these successes to be far greater than they were began to devise touching the next years attempts and upon his better consideration ceased further to think of sending Forces again into Sirvan for the recovery of the lost places there because Tartar Chan had faithfully assured both him and Osman to over-run that Province anew and do great matters which for all that fell out to be but windy words So Amurath devised for sending his Army to Tauris to erect a Fortress there which being also strongly Garrisoned should never be again subdued And hereby to keep under all those Countries between Tauris and Erzirum which important conceit was much encreased by others who almost thought it was very easie for so great an Host both to perform that service and pass whithersoever he would desire yet having with more indifferent judgement compared his own Forces with his Enemie's to wit the Georgians on one side of whom he had yet no great assurance and the Persians on the other He found many difficulties and dangers in that tedious Journy which at first he saw not Whereupon he concluded first to make sure his own borders and afterwards by little and little to enter into the Enemie's Country still fortifying in convenient places as he went Hereof he wrote to Mustapha charging him against next spring to provide all things necessary for building certain Forts between Erzirium Georgia to secure those ways and bring those people first under Obedience Whereupon Mustapha presently directed precepts to divers places for taking up 20000 cunning Pyoneers c. and writing to all the Countries whence he raised his Army the last year that a greater number of Souldiers should be ready against next spring which he caused to be spread as far as 〈◊〉 commanding also the Taxes and Tenths to be collected and using the Chambers of Aleppo and other places for what mony he thought necessary Alexander and Manucchiar the while in doubtfull hope at Constantinople were examined and exhorted to embrace the Mahometan Religion Manucchiar easily yielded but Alexander would by no means consent though he knew he should be deprived of his Estate and protesting his Obedience at all times to Amurath and his love to his Brother requested only but as a private man to go and live in his own Country there to be buried among his Ancestours which request the Turk referring to Manucchiars discretion he consented thereto Manucchiar was circumcised and called Mustapha with the Title of Bassa of Altan Cala and of all his Mother and Brother's Countries so they both returned home Now in the Persian Court were many consultations for repressing the Turks Invasions Imanguli Chan doubting to lose his Government of Genge by reason of the late sacking of his City and spoyl of his Countrey offered to the King on pain of his Head to defend Sirvan against Osman's further Fortifications or Conquests Whereupon the Government of Genge and guarding of Sirvan was committed unto him and divers other Governours and Captains that were nearest commanded to assist him if either the Tartars or Turks with any great power should enter therein But how to protect the Georgian Country was thought a matter of greater importance because most thought some great Turkish power would be sent thither to assure the Conquest begun and to succour the Fortress of Teflis which must else fall again into the Georgians hands Simon a famous Georgian once a prisoner with Ismahel at Cahata and by him seduced from the Christian Faith for defence whereof he had chosen to live deprived of liberty and estate thinking it now a fit time to obtain from the King long desired help to recover his Dominion usurped by Daut his younger Brother who for obtaining thereof of Tamas had renounced his Religion offered the King his faithful service for defence of that part of Georgia wherein Teflis stood against the Turks reproving his younger Brother by way of disgrace of cowardize The Persian King with great content consented to his request naming him Chan of all that Kingdom which he possessed whilst he was a Christian and sent with him Aliculi Chan with five thousand Horsmen and certain Ordnance taken at Ere 's Simon comming to Georgia was joyfully received pressing about three thousand Souldiers of his owne and his Neighbours excusing his becomming a Persian as no preferring Mahometanism before Christianity but thereby to be delivered from long imprisonment and to maintain his estate The Spring approaching all the Turks Forces in 1579. met at Erzirum with all necessaries for the intended Warre i th this Army equal with the first Mustapha in twelve dayes 〈◊〉 to Chars and since they were to fortifie that City with Walls and Ditches and that with all speed many of the Spaoglani yea and of the Janizaries also must needs be set to work whereupon they tumultuously and bitterly protested to the General that their stipends were not bestowed on them to employ them in such servile works but only with their Weapons ro exercise that force for which they were esteemed worthy of that honour but he using most haughty terms and all means of Authority and Terrour they wrought as much as he desired so in 23 dayes all was finished and the Water brought round it whilst they were busie in this work amongst many inconveniences the Souldiers endured a most sudden cold by reason of great abundance of snow falling August 25. Mustapha resolved to send succour to Teflis but how to relieve it he was doubtfull yet to preserve his credit with Amurath he sent Nassan Bassa of Damasco Mahamet the Visier his Sonne of great valour with between eighteen and twenty thousand Souldiers with one Resvan Captain of certain Adventurers who freely offered themselves assigning also to him forty thousand Duckats and many loades of Corn with other necessaries Nassan resolving to put these succours into Teflis or to lose all came to the Strait of Tomanis where the
succours must needs be sent by the Turks determining also to go himself to Carrach with his Army a place commodiously scituated between Tauris and Sirvan and there to expect Sinan's remove who he doubted to surmount Mustapha would attempt some great enterprize but into Georgia he sent such as had best experience of those Countries and were nearest unto him with whom he sent Tocomach also and others whose service he had before used that they joyning their forces with Sinan if the Enemy should bend to Tauris they should follow him that so they might joyn together with him and so incounter the Enemy the forces that these lead were 10000 men which with them of Georgia made 13000 who arriving at Genge gave Simon knowledge of their coming and that in his behalf they were ready to do great matters The Persian Embassador was honourably received at Constantinople and honourably entertained by the great Bassaes but chiefly by Mustapha who two dayes after suddenly died surfetting of immoderate eating of Musk-millions and drinking of Zurbet a pleasant drink made of water and Sugar but most thought he poysoned himself as 〈◊〉 new complaints of the 〈◊〉 against him for suppressing Embassages in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sent from the Persian King 〈◊〉 his death it was commonly reported that if he had longer lived he should have been undoubtedly strangled and i deed his 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into the Kings Treasure only a sma l portion left to his Nephews a most certain token of Amurath s indignation Maxut 〈◊〉 audience Aug. 7th with 〈◊〉 lively reasons and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Turk to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Warre began as 〈◊〉 to the will and pleasure of their Prophet Mahomet as also to the Peace 〈◊〉 and largely concluded between Tamas and Soliman not to have been broken but upon some great injury 〈◊〉 which the Persians 〈◊〉 never offered but had declared by an 〈◊〉 sent by Sultan 〈◊〉 that they had 〈◊〉 wished him all happiness and though there was some 〈◊〉 that Ismahel in his short Raign would go to Babylon c. yet he had received due punishment for that you 〈◊〉 part and abuse of his liberty after long and straight imprisonment but their present King did above all others imbrace amity with him and therefore did most earnestly desire him to emper his anger conceived against him so much his friend and of the same Religion Amurath onely 〈◊〉 order that he should communicate whatsoever he had to say with his Visier who required all those Cities and Countries which the Turk had 〈◊〉 that time conquered or whereon his Generals Horse 〈◊〉 trod to be yielded again unto him which the 〈◊〉 had no warrant to do whereupon he 〈◊〉 to be evil 〈◊〉 as suspected for a Spie wherewith he was too plainly charged by he Visier's Speech And perceiving himself strained to grant these demands and receiving also some threatnings he gave the Visier good hope he should perswade his King to yield up so much as Amurath did demand hereupon he was in friendly manner sent from Constantinople to Chars where Sinan was Commissioned speedily and faithfully to have the Embassador conducted to Van thence into Persia wheresoever he did desire But Sinan the General who from Erzirum was now come to Chars dispatched thence the Embassador much discontented that no other conclusion for peace could be wrought Maxut arriving at Court reported to the King all that had happened in this his Embassage who for the present was well satisfied with what he had done giving him in reward the name of Chamberlain of Tauris of which great Office he took small pleasure for that Emir Chan his ancient Enemy was chief Governour of that City wherefore leaving a Deputy to execute his Office himself withdrew to Cassanggith a place of his own till the King should otherwise dispose of him but Emir Chan certified the King that Maxut had in contempt of his rewards abandoned Tauris substituting a most base person to represent his Majesty and mannage his Treasure and that he had no doubt withdrawn himself into the Confines of Turkey either to yield himself to them or have intelligence with them and was likely enough to be guilty to himself of his great errour in promising so large conditions to the Turk whereby as a Traitor to his own King he had obtained such a safe Convoy wherefore it were good to try his inclination c. whereupon the suspicious King commanded Emir secretly to apprehend him and bring him to Court and if he could not by other meanes then by torture to wrest from him the truth of all glad was Emir hereof but Maxut having some inckling when 15 tall Fellows were sent to him from Emir in the Kings name to summon him to Court he in shew courteously entertained them with great Cheere but when sleep had overcome them by reason of excess he had them straightly bound and with long Cords hanged down into a deep Well which he secretly covered then withall his most precious things he fled with all his Family in the Evening and was next day friendly entertained by the Turkish Bassa at Salmas so also at Van whence he was sent to Sinan honourably accompanied who very glad sent him with all diligence to Amurath Sinan after eight dayes stay at Chars went to Tomanis there to build a Fort but he could not perform it for the immoderate Rain which for eight dayes space continually fell besides he greatly feared least the Enemy taking the opportunity of the rain and building suddenly should assault his Army and greatly endammage it wherefore he removed thence to carry succours to Teflis but as soon as he was past the straight 〈◊〉 Capta n of the Janizaries of Damasco and Homar a Sanzack secretly hearing that a 〈◊〉 out of the way was good store of Corn and Cattel with 2000 Souldiers went to 〈◊〉 in that 〈◊〉 Now Simon and the Persians had divided their Souldiers into all places where there was any thing to allure the Turks to scatter from the Camp who suddenly fell upon these 〈◊〉 Turks being 〈◊〉 so that of that 2000 all were slain except Ta-logli who escaped Sinan coming to 〈◊〉 in two 〈◊〉 in reproach of Mustapha who falsely had informed Amurath that Teflis was as great and 〈◊〉 as Damasco called a Councel of his chief Captains ordering every man to depose upon Oath the 〈◊〉 touching the greatness thereof then dividing the Treasure and suckers brought amongst the Souldiers of the Fortress he cheared 〈◊〉 with good words and great promises and 〈◊〉 they greatly complained against their Bassa he caused a 〈◊〉 to be framed against him and 〈◊〉 he had converted pay to his own use he condemned him to restitution and placed Guisuf Beg a Georgian in his room who for the ancient enmity between him and Simon had most welcomly yielded himself to the Turks Sinan departing thence and passing the straight of Toman's Mustafzad Bassa declared unto him that not far off was great store
open to them such matter as in respect of other men might cause their coming to prove profitable to all Persia which request they solemnly promised to perform being very desirous to know what those strange novelties should be whereupon Abas sent unto them two of his chief Counsellors with full instructions who after many speeches swore by the Creator of all things by the head of Hali and by the Religion of Mahomet that such perverse thoughts never entred into Abas Miriz alledging many manifest proofs that when the King was advanced to the Kingdom and in his battels against the Turks his Sonne had alwayes caused devout prayers to be made for his prosperity and never desiring to hear but of his happy success they brought with them abundance of precepts and loyall Letters from Abas to the Governours his Subjects for Government of the State never naming himself King of Persia but onely your King and Governour of Heri they prayed the King also if there should be found any shadow of such a suspition in his Sonne upon a diligent process framed against them to take from him his Estate and liberty offering themselves as his Hostages but if Abas should be found free from these accusations then 〈◊〉 the Earth they besought him to take information upon what mind his Counsellor had advised him to undertake so dangerous a voyage c. And as for Abas his forbidding the Governours to go to Warres against the Turks that was onely in respect of an invasion justly feared in those quarters by the Tartarian Gesselbas who by divers inroads had already done great harms thereabouts all which was by writing signified unto the Visier himself which he maliciously concealed to try if he could bring to passe that Abas and the King might be taken away in those troubles whom Emer Hamsey succeeding himself might remain the superintendant of his Sonne in Law c. which they imputed not to the Prince altogether ignorant of such a purpose but onely to the ambition of the wicked Traitor Miriz Salmas the King by nature credulous made great construction of these grave Speeches and could not chuse but harken unto their so earnest and upright requests wherefore calling unto him all the chief Officers of all the Cities of Heri he demanded of them how they esteemed of Amas and in what degree he desired to be esteemed of them who all answered they held him and he desired to be taken for their Lord and Lievtenant to the King of Casben bringing forth divers papers wherein he entituled himself only Your King of Heri and demanding of them whether those Tartars had attempted any such Warres they largely informed him they had to the great dammage of all those Territories though he might justly now have put Salmas to death as the Authour of so great troubles and bloodshed yet for better information sake he first of all in great secresie examined the Prince why he had advised this Journey against his guilty Bro Abas who answered onely from the credit he always gave to his Father in Law Miriz Salmas as to a chief Counsellor c. touching whom the King diligently inquiring both of Courtiers and Army-men found him guilty of all that the Embassadors of Heri had accused him for which so foul a Treason the false VISIER by the Kings command had his Head struck off so the 2 Brethren being reconciled and the Son to the Father after Abas had again promised Obedience which he most dutifully performed the King returned towards Casbin where by reason of the Turks unexpected motion he had bin long looked for Amurath through the rough speeches of Sinan was more and more setled in his purpose for continuance of the Persian War Wherefore he resolved at last to make choice of Ferat Bassa for his general fierce in courage tough in opinion hardy in Counsel but especially devoted to the King Who calling him apart encouraged him to take the charge upon him with a firm resolution to perform all things answerable thereunto with the Opinion he had of his valour Ferat promised to do his utmost to execute whatever should be offered him either by occasion or his real command Amurath at first onely intended to employ him in assuring the passage to Teflis and so into all Georgia and to have destroyed Mustaffa his Country who had put his whole Army into confusion but hearing of the troubles between the Persian King his Son he commanded Ferat to erect a Fort at Reivan belonging to Tochmac and to assure the passage from Chars thither so should they be revenged of many harms received by him and lay open the way to Tauris he willed Ferat to dissemble his ill Opinion of Mustaffa and if possible to make use of him for convoying succours to Teflis whereby all Georgia would be won without any more Fortresses and next year they might attempt the enterprize for Tauris In the beginning of the year 1583. all Cities that used to appear at these Wars were commanded upon Summons to be ready to execute their new General 's Injunctions all which sent their Captains and Souldiers accordingly So Ferat coming to Erzirum viewed all his Army and provision thence arriving at Chars conducted by Maxut-chan he set forwards Reivan but 3 dayes before he came thither he erected a Fortress of some ruines of an old Castle leaving in it 400 Souldiers with a Zanzack and some Ordnance Between Reivan and Tauris 8 or 9 dayes journey distant are Stannasivan Chiulfal Maraut and Sosian having goodly Gardens and Greens but in the way are many craggy Mountains and sundry hard passages Here Ferat consulted with his chief Captains where to build the Fort who advised him to fortifie the Houses and Gardens of Tochomac which he did and enclosed the Gardens with strong Walls and deep Ditches whereinto he conveyed water from a certain River This Fortress was finished in 15 dayes being 750 yards about Tochomac exceedingly grieved so suddenly to lose his Country and dwelling sought at least in some part to be revenged of so great an injury Wherefore he wrote to King Emer-chan and Simon gathering Souldiers out of the Villages but he could receive no help the King being so far against his son the Georgian being bufied by hindering the relief of Teflis and Emer-chan either would not or could not stir from Tauris having as some supposed secret intelligence with Ferat not to disturb him in this work So Tochomac not able of himself to do much yet by privy Ambushes killed sometimes a 100 sometimes 150 Turks and sometimes more and dispatched Horsmen in haste to the King at Chorazan amplifying by Letters the cowardize of Emer-chan with some causes of suspition that he had some Intelligence with Ferat who having built this new Fort and furnished it with all necessaries appointed Sinan Bassa son of a Runagate Genuan with 8000 Souldiers to keep the same and so departing he arrived in 10 dayes at Chars where
and yielded themselves Amurath hereupon commanded Ali Bassa of Buda to be strangled for that he had broken the League in not restraining the insolency of his Sanzacks and placed 〈◊〉 Bassa in his stead whom he had now again by the request of his Wife received into favour About this time also Sigismund the King of Swedens Sonne chosen King of Poland even in the beginning of his Reign wrote to Amurath to renew the League which his Predecessors had before made with the Turkish Sultans unto which his Request and Letters Amurath not long after returned answer that he took it well that he had sent his Embassador with Letters to his Court who had requested in his name that no invasion should be made in his behalf into the borders of the Kingdom of Poland or any harm there done between that time and the confirmation of the League wherefore as it beseemed him that nothing be on his part done either much or little against the League so should it be on his part most inviolately observed to which end his Letters were directed to Isban Gerai the Tartar Prince straightly commanding him not to make or suffer any incursion to be made into the Borders of Poland telling Sigismund that it was on his part requisite not to forget oft to intimate to his Court such occurrents and newes as should happen in those parts which should be unto him a signe of his sincere love and friendship Sigismund according to his promise being crowned at Cracovia sent Dzioursius his Embassador to Amurath for confirming of the League which he so firmly kept that he could never by the intreaty of the Emperour or others be drawn into the fellowship of that long Warre which he and a few other Princes his confederates hardly maintained against Amurath while he lived and also against Mahomet his Sonne the year following 1588 Ferat took the City of Genge being for fear quite forsaken by the Inhabitants who yet upon his faith given for their safety returned again yielding to pay the Turks 5000 Duckats yearly tribute but going further into the Enemie's Countrey and having part of his Army cut off by the way he was by his Souldiers ill-intreated wounded and forced to retire Cicala also passing over Euphrates had bloudy skirmishes with the Persians sometime having the better sometime the worse till Amurath himself as weary as his people of that long and chargeable Warre and the Persian King inclining also to the peace by Sinan Bassas perswading was intreated to hearken thereunto both for new troubles then arising in other places as also for the great Famine and Plague then in Constantinople Sinan also wisely told him he could not confirm his new Conquests in Persia without peace wherefore Embassadors passing to and fro a peace was at length concluded on betwixt these two Mahometans the Turks still to keep Tauris Genge Sirvan and Chars with all the profits thereof to maintain his Garrisons and Timariots there whereof although it was thought new stirs would soon arise yet the League was on both sides for 10 years space orderly confirmed for the more assurance of which one of the Persian King's Sonnes or Nephews was given in Hostage to Amurath as he required Shortly after there was a great sedition at Constantinople by the Court-Souldiers who returning out of Persia insolently demanded their pay wherefore Amurath 〈◊〉 to inhaunce the value of the Coyn and a new kind of Subsidy imposed upon all without exception who standing upon their old Liberties refused to pay it chiesly the Souldiers of the Court wherefore the Aga of the Janizaries was commanded to appease them and perswade them to pay and was in danger to be slain in the attempt yet for prevailing no more with them he was thrust out of his Office and another placed in his room that should have married Amuraths Daughter whom for all that they would not accept of but threw stones at him and threatned to kill him Next night a great fire arose in the City to quench which the Janizaries were commanded to help which they both refused to do and kept back others that brought water to that end and with the other Court Souldiers did what they might to make it burn faster the fire consumed seven Temples 25 great Inns 1500 Houses with many Shops and Ware-houses Commandment was given to a Beglerbegge of Greece and Passi a Jew the first Authours of this new Imposition either to gather the said Tribute or by some other meanes to content the Souldiers but the Priests publickly perswaded the people from paying of this new Tribute or any other such like whereupon the Temples were shut up by the Priests Prayers for the Sultans health intermitted the Bassaes Houses assaulted and all the City in a new hurliburly so that Amurath was glad to pay the Souldiers out of his own Treasury to revoke his Mandates for the new Tribute and to deliver the Beglerbegge and the Jew to the will of the Janizaries who drew them up and down at Horses Tails then cut off their Heads tossing them from one to another like Tennice-Balls About the latter end of September Sinan Bassa of Buda by the help of other Sanzacks raising 11000 Souldiers to spoil all the upper part of Hungary summoned the Castle of Putnock October the 6th but they being better provided and more resolute then he supposed he departed thence and passing the River Sachayo came to Sizo a small Town which after soar battery he took burning it to the ground Russel the while Generall in that part of Hungary came upon him and after hard fight put him to the worst having slain about 2500 Turks besides 300 drowned in the said River Shortly after the Christians breaking into the Turks Frontiers took the Castles of Blavensten Gestes with some other small Forts thereabouts Sinan having against the League and without Amurath's Command so unfortunately attempted Warre was in 1589 sent for with great displeasure to Constantinople and Ferat Bassa of Bosna placed in his room at Buda Amurath not ignorant of the ill success of the invincible Armado as it was termed of Philip of Spain set forth to invade England in 1588 and of the purpose of Queen Elizabeth to trouble his rich Trade especially into the West-Indies and for relief of Don Antonio by him driven out of Portugal wrote unto her about this time confirming those and such like matters as had been moved by her Agent telling her that since he had for many years past made Warres in Persia with a full intent utterly to subdue the Kingdom of that accursed Persian Heretick and now was upon point of satisfying of his desire that once done provision should be made for all things she had desired of him who by her Orator had requested him at the first of the next Spring to send out his imperiall Fleet against the King of Spain exhorting her in the mean time to be alwayes vigilant and according to the conventions
Castles thereabouts without mercy though the poor Inhabitants offered them large contribution Hereupon also Swartzenburg determined with all his Forces to come again to the siege of Buda sending for some great Ordnance to Vienna Col. Rodoler of St. Andrews in upper Hungary also upon this overthrow shewed himself with 500 Horse and 600 Foot before Agria yet leaving most of his Forces a little way off in Ambush The Bassa hereupon sallying out began a hot skirmish but those in Ambush started out and couragiously assayling the Turks put them to flight pursuing them even to the gates of the City and had there bin more Footmen 't was thought that the dismayed and confounded Turks had abandoned the place Nevertheless the Christians with small loss retired having slain a great number and carrying away 100 prisoners with 500 Horse and much Cattell The free Haiducks also receiving new supplies had done great harm in the Country about Buda without opposition Wherefore the poor Christians which yet dwelt there ŕose up against the Turks promising Obedience to the Emperour and that they might be no more molested by the Imperials offered to do their utmost themselves to hinder the Turks passage by Land and Water These Haiducks also brake down all Bridges which the Turks had made between Buda and Alba-regalis for the commodious bringing of Victuals and munition to each other and Palfi Nadasti hearing that the Tartars in 3 companies had over-run much of the Country and were retiring towards Buda with great booty went out and forced them to fight who better inured to filch lost all their lives with what they had stollen Then with their Forces they took 2 of the Turks Castles with much rich spoyl which they sacked and burnt with the great Town of Zolna breaking down the bridge upon the river Trava The Turks at Buda now having no Governour and also pinched with great want doubting some sudden attempt retired into the Castle leaving the City to the Imperials then ready to have besieged it but the Avantguard of the Turks great Army being come to Moattesh where Sartes Bassa was also looked for and there being a report that the Turks having relieved Buda would besiege Canisia or Strigonium they as in doubt went no farther So some Commanders with their Souldiers were sent to fortifie some passages whereby the Enemy was to pass the rest retiring for that he began to approach they knew also what desire Ibraim had to recover Strigonium The Imperials the while encamping near 〈◊〉 and Zolnock cut off 500 Turks going towards Buda to vctual it taking a Chiaus prisoner who was sent from Ibraim to Agria to put them in hope of speedy relief Then also they approaching the 〈◊〉 of Zolnock with certain Petards being discovered by the watch were ensorced to retire 40 being left slain and many more carried away wounded in revenge whereof the rest destroyed the Villages intercepting much Munition and Victuals going to Buda and Agria Ibraim Bassa in the beginning of September came to Buda with an Army of 130000 Whence in his Masters Name he gave the Emperour to understand That to save the further effusion of innocent bloud and not for any distrust of his own strength he could be content to hearken to some reasonable Conditions of peace whereunto both these Princes having well wearied themselves and exhausted their Treasures seemed not now unwilling the rather because the old Sultanness who through the greatest weakness of her Sons Government did bear most 〈◊〉 seemed in what she might to further the same Wherefore about the end of this month a parley was agreed on in an Island of Danubius beneath Strigonium Swartzenburg Nadasti Palfi and the Bishop of Vacia being for the Emperour and the Bassa of Buda with the Lievr Gen. of the Tartars and some others for the Sultan The Turks at first demanded Rab Strigonium with all other Towns and Castles taken from them in 5 years before with a yearly Tribute to be paid at Constantinople the Emperour also to have his Embassadour Leiger alway attending upon the Turks Court for which they would deliver the City of Agria only All which Demands being by the Emperour's Commissioners rejected they offered to leave unto the Emperour Rab and Agria onely for Strigonium exchanging as it were Strigonium for Agria which when it could not be obtaied the Treaty was broken off the wars again continued But in the mean time Michael of Valachia certainly informed his life to be sought after in the Turks Court by the ambitious Cardinall Bator his envious Neighbour by command from the Emperour with an Army of 60000 men entred Transilvania most horribly burning the Country and killing the people as he went Where while the Cardinall was making head against him he had the City Corona or Brasso with the strong Castle of Focaras yielded unto him whence marching towards Alba Julia with all his Army Octob. 26 before divided into 3 parts he came into the Plaines near 〈◊〉 where assured that his Lievtenant corrupted by Ibraim had promised to kill him with his own hands presently cut his throat By and by after came unto him the Popes-Nuntio sent from the Cardinall with another Embassadour telling him the Embassadour had Commission from the Emperour to will him forthwith to desist from Arms and depart out of Transilvania Which seeming to the Vayuod almost impossible he desired to see that Commission the Nuntio answered He had left it with the Cardinall himself But I said the Vayuod have one here present of another Purport which I purpose fully to execute yet was he for that day entreated by the Nuncio to stay his Army and in the mean time the Vayuod would know of the Nuntio Why the Cardinall so troubled the Country by intruding himself to the great prejudice of them to whom it more justly belonged not attending to the Government of the Church better beseeming his calling but he had no answer So Octob. 28. these Messengers were sent back to the Cardinall who presently returned them with rew Instructions to the Vayuod then busie with his yong Son in setting his men in Array who answered them only He was resolved to come to the tryall of a battel with him so the 2 Armies encamped near each other the same day joyned a most cruell battell for 5 hours space with desperate obstinacy fought till the Cardinalls men at length overcome were utterly overthrown 30000 of them being Turks and Tartars sent from Ibraim The Vayuod now Master of the field sent out some Troops to pursue the Cardinall divers wayes himself with the rest came to his Camp quite forsaken 45 pieces of Ordnance great store of Coyn and Wealth a great number of Tents and Horses becomming to him a prey Then marching to Alba-Julia he was joyfully received of his Friends for there were divers who still favoured the Emperour After that the Vayuod sent his Lievt to Claudiopolis which willingly yielded with many other places
him before he could get thither so hardly pressing him that he must needs turn about and fight or suffer his men to be slain like beasts wherein though he nor his failed to do their utmost yet such was the Valour of the other that in a great fight disordering his Foot they put them to flight and cut them all in pieces Whereupon the Prince fled betime with his Horsmen to the uttermost Confines of Transilvania having lost 10000 Souldiers Hereupon Claudiopolis with divers other Cities and Towns returned again to the Emperours Obeysance The Vayuod to satisfie his long hatred against the Transilvanians utterly wasted all places whereby he passed which Basta not liking requested him to use his Victory with more modesty especially toward such places as voluntarily returned to the Emperour's Obeysance who answered He would do what he thought good without his appointment or the Emperour 's either chiefly in that which he had now twice Conquered wherefore Basta might command them that were to be commanded by him for he acknowledged no Soveraignty of Basta or the Emperour over hims Unto which presumptuous speech Basta replyed not but from that time better observing his proceedings perceived he had Intelligence with the Turks that by chasing the Imperials out of Transilvania he might hold it to himself as Tributary to the Sultan best able to defend him The truth whereof he certainly understood by Letters of his to that purpose intercepted by his Souldiers Whereupon he became very pensive for the great power of the Vayuod in those Countries and also for the great strength he had even then present about him So consulting with certain of his chief Commanders what were best to be done in so dangerous a case A Walloon Captain offered to go into the Vayuods Camp and in his own Tent to kill him as a Traitor so he going with some 60 men boldly stept into his Tent willing him to yield himself the Emperours prisoner who being about to lay his hand upon his Scimitar the Walloon with an Holberd thrust him into the breast at which instant another with a Sword at one blow cleft his Head down to his shoulders Presently upon his death a great tumult was raised in his Camp but Basta forthwith appearing with all his Souldiers and producing the treasonable Letters all was again appeased but especially for that his souldiers now saw themselves without a Head and too weak also for the Imperials there present in Arms. In the Vayuods Tent were also other Letters found so plainly declaring the same treason that the Walachians who were at first wonde rously moved hearing them read said he was worthily slain and had they known any such traiterous purpose by him they would themselves have taken of him deserved punishment Basta offered his Souldiers either to depart wither they would or taking an Oath of obedience to the Emperour to enter into his pay His dead body was laid out a whole day for the Souldiers to gaze upon and afterwards buried Basta now what by force what by agreement soon took in most of that Countrey nevertheless for all that he had done for the assurance thereof unto the Emperour being so much as most men thought sufficient even in the winding up of this year 1601 the Transilvanians understanding that Sigismund with a great Army of Polonians Turks and Tartars was coming against the Imperialls most part of them took up Arms in his behalf saying Their first Oath voluntarily given to him as their natural Prince was more to be respected than any other afterwards by force extorted from them by a forraign Prince So that Basta withdrew himself with his followers unto a strong Town in a corner of Transilvania whence with all speed he sent to the Emperour for greater ayd After whose departure Sigismund entring without resistance was of the people in generall joyfully received and all the honour done unto him that was by them possible In the mean time the Bassa of Agria going out with 10000 Turks in hope to have surprized Toccay in upper Hungary was encountred by Gonzaga the Lievtenant there overthrown and with great slaughter chased to the Gates of Agria The Scrivano also in Caramania and Natolia came now again this year with a greater power into the field to meet with Mahomet Bassa who with 50000 good Souldiers was ready to encounter him a great part of whose Army the Scrivano cut asunder in a great fight and becoming Master of the Field forraged all the adjoyning Countries almost to Aleppo still calling the people to liberty and proclaiming himself the true defendor of the Mahometan faith and of the liberty of those combined Countries so that the great Turk must now send another great Army to ayd the Bassa with whom the Scrivano joyning Battel and overcharged with multitude was at first put to the worst but having repaired his disordered Battel he with a great slaughter disordered also the Bassa's Army so contenting himself with what he had already done he retired with his Army into the strength of the Mountains to live that winter upon the spoil of the adjoyning Countries Besides all which troubles the Plague also this year soar raged both in Constantinople and many places of the Turkish Empire when also the Janizaries at Constantinople having received some disgrace by some of the Sultans favourites caused their Aga well accompanied to enter into the Seraglio to require their heads whom Mahomet caused for his presumption to be cut in pieces in the midst of the Spahi yet not without the great slaughter of the Spahi themselves slain by the Janizaries The other Janizaries also now ready to revenge the death of their Captain were by Cicala Bassa bellowing among them a great sum of money again appeased which their insolency Mahomet imputing to their drinking of Wine contrary to their Law by the perswasion of the Musti commanded all that had any Wine in their Houses in Constantinople or Pera upon pain of death to bring it forth and stave it except the English French and Venetian Embassadors so that some report Wine ran down the Channel in Constantinople as if it had been water after a great showre Sigismund now again possessed of Transilvania could not yet well assure himself to keep it for Basta still strengthened with new supplies from the Emperour was already entred into Transilvania in 1602 the Polonians busied in their Warres of Swethland and the Turks with their other greater affaires not sending Sigismund their promised ayd Wherefore he dealt with Basta for a cessation of Arms till Embassadors might be sent to the Emperour to intreat for some good attonement who so handled the matter with the Emperour that Sigismund was content to the behoof of his Majesty to resign unto Basta all places as he yet held in Transilvania upon much like conditions he had about three years before made with him and so in and for all to submit to his Majesty whereupon Zachel Moyses the
then dismissed his Army This Summer Constantinople and the Countrey round was annoyed with Grashoppers as the year before wherefore in July the Patriarch of Constantinople and Alexandria with other Bishops and Caloires in their Ornaments went forth solemnly at the North Gate whereupon said the Greeks they all perished but abundance were dead before they cursed them and many lived af er their curse continuing till next Summer God causing extraordinary cold dewes to fall they were thought to be the cause of their destruction Gabriel Bator lawfully descended from the Princes of Transilvania making himself the Turks Tributary and mingling Mahomets Religion with the Christian also exceeding in cruelty became a memorable example to Posterity who seeing many factions made against him by the descendents of Botscay Giezy Bethlem Gabor c. supports himself with the Forces of Nage who came to assist him before Cromstad Bator inviting him to dinner in his Tent after dinner the more to demonstrate their friendship they went to take the Air. Nage had drunk much Bator intreated him to run his Horse a Carreere which he refused wherefore Bator spake to him many contemptible words who answered in like manner Bator wondrously offended that one crept up but by degrees of Rebellion should give him such words slew him by 3 blowes with his Battel-Axe on the Head But Bator was annoyed by Decaci Botscayes Kinsman Giezi levies forces to prosecute him and Bethlem Gabor a Transilvanian Noble and assisted by the Turk took many places from him after Giezi had forced him to raisehis siege at Cromstad Transilvania is peopled by Sicules Saxons and Hungarians the Sicules of the Scythians came with Attila the Hunne into Pannonia now Hungary and going toward their Countrey inhabited that of Transilvania next Moldavia building six Towns The Saxons mutinying against the Emperour Charlemain for certain impositions retired thither seizing by force on that part next Valachia building Alba Julia and six other Towns The Hungarians inhabited it from the time of King Stephen and mastering the others their successors have been since called Nobles of Transilvania and the Princes thereof taken from among them they built Varradin and other Towns Most of these three Nations revolted from Bator particularly the Saxons through his great cruelty who thus forsaken and prosecuted and not daring to trust to the Turk who openly favoured Gabor sent Embassadors to the Emperour Matthias promising all obedience and sending him rich and rare Presents he would have Matthias signifie to the Bassa of Buda that this attempt against Transilvania was against the Articles of peace who answered The Sultan was not to be blamed if he seized on that which immediately belonged to him and kept it quiet from others practises but Bator sent also Embassadors to the Sultan with rare and rich Presents who had secret Treaties with the Bassaes which Matthias's Embassador discovering sent him word he entertained a Monster among men About which time Embassadors came from the Saxon Towns of Transilvania much complaining of Bator's cruelty and Tyranny who against his Oath had deprived them of their priviledges and in a manner ruined them that he had sought to root out the ancient Family of the Saxons afflicting them three years in prison onely because he brought a great Estate out of Germany depriving Widows of their Estates and exacting upon others surprizing Hermstad and suffering the Haiducks to spoil it and commit all insolencies expelling the Magistrate banishing honest Citizens ravishing Women slaying Parents to deprive Children of their Inheritance sending 300 Captives to the Sultan for a Present cutting many in small pieces throwing down some from high places hanging up some by the feet drawing others in pieces with Horses and Trees and practising all barbarous cruelties having expelled Religious Princes out of Moldavia and Valachia he had subjected them to the Turk that he might waste all with fire and sword and having freed Gaudin he chose 20 of its chief Inhabitants and giving them Pikes forced them to kill each other in the Market-place But Bethlem Gabor joyning with Serder Bassa they enter Transilvania force Lugatsi take Deve and terrifie the whole Conntrey Ogli Bassa also comes and lodgeth in the Suburbs of Cromstad and thence went and encamped over all Barsac Bator attended the Emperours succours under the Palatine of Hungary and Forgatsi but they could not resist the Turk wherefore he wrote to Trinau for levying of Souldiers but none through hatred would march under his Ensignes whereupon he tells his most familiar friends he holds it needful to purchase peace with Serder at any price but they answered they had rather die than advise him to it he wanted money his Subjects yea his Souldiers hated him so at last he fell into despair intreating one of his servants to kill him but he refused it but within few dayes after going in an open Chariot to view where his Troops were lodged onely with two Gentlemen 50 of his Souldiers in ambush shot and slew him hurting his accompaniers This hapned in 1613. Few dayes after Bethlem Gabor was declared Prince of Transilvania by Serder who thus advertised him Bator shall serve for an example to bad Princes I think thou wilt not follow his steps beware thou do nothing without my Masters privity maintain peace with thy Neighbours and make men of experience and honesty of thy Counsel The desire of peace and fear of the Turks Army drew 〈◊〉 the Towns in Transilvania to swear fidelity to Gabor Let us now end the remainder of 1612. Nassuff the Visier Bassa brings the Persian Embassador to conclude the aforesaid peace they with the Army arrived at Scudaret whither most of the Bassaes crossed over to salute him and then returned but Nassuf stayed there two dayes and on the third passing over to Constantinople with 234 Mules loaden with gold and silver for the Sultan where he was very honourably entertained at the water side The Visier passing by the Sultans Window bowed very low unto him from whom he had a nod and so rode away fast as the Turks use when they salute a greater than themselves to run or ride away a pace Being come to the Seraill he went in to kisse the Sultans hand staying an hour the other Bassaes attending without The Emperours French English Polonian Dutch and Venetian Embassadors were present at this dayes pomp Nassuf with Hat off saluting the Emperours but not the rest the Persian being still at Scudaret The same day Tomsho sent many Polonians to Constantinople whom he took in Warres who though they threw down their Caps and offered to turn Turks were put to death Few dayes after 〈◊〉 the Visier sitting in the Divan had three Robes sent him from the G. Seignior Achmat to let the Persian see the magnificence of his Court went out under pretence to go to take the air at his Countrey Pallace of Darut Bassa whereupon the wayes from thence to the City being four English miles were covered
Countrey taking many Oar-Galleys their Land-Army doing the like throughout Dalmatia which made the Turk angry with his Captains Foscol the Land-General vanquisheth three Towns in Dalmatia and dispersing 4000 Infidels two places more yielded to him yet the Turk won Licca and something elsewhere The Venetians get Mirabel in Creet or Candy with the Victualling-ships and fight prosperously at the Forts of Dardanel for which the Governour and three Bassaes were slain at Constantinople but he lost by shipwrack Grimmane the High Admiral with 1600 Souldiers and the value of 14 millions Thirty Gallies come laden with Souldiers and Victuals to Canea from the Turk this year 1648 where two Forts are lost and regained by the Venetians and that with much blood the Earl of Solm is killed with 17 Captains The Venetians likewise maintained the Haven of the pleasant vale of Suda in that fruitful Island against the opposing Turks whose Emperour Ibrahim by reason of his Tyranny is reported about that time to have given place to his Son The Life of Achmat the second 13th Emperour of the Turks AChmat II being proclaimed Emperour and established In 1649. The Venetians gave the Turks two overthrowes one in the Haven of Foggio where 72 Oar-Galleys perished 18 bigger Ships 60 Ships laden 6000 Turks were slain with the Bassa and as many 〈◊〉 taken And all this with the losse of 90 Venetians and 40 wounded This made the Sultan change the purple Garments of Saranzone his Embassador into mourning Weeds He also makes stop of the English ships and so turns his force against the Venetians who slew 1500 Turks at the Haven of Suda drowning six Galleys with the Bassa that was their chief Captain They contend vehemently for 〈◊〉 4000 Sacks of Wooll and 33000 scaling Ladders being brought thither for storming 't is twice lost and as often recovered but at the third attempt a Mine is made which consumed 3000 Turks and 200 Christians Twice were the Alps of Italy crossed into the lower 〈◊〉 for prey And when Haase had given place unto 〈◊〉 and had gone into Dalmatia twenty thousand Turks were there consumed with the Plague However more than 50000 Christians were captivated by him In 1650 He is watchful over the Persians who appeared in Arms against Babylon and he reneweth Peace with the Hungarians He likewise reduceth the Cyprians and the Bassa of Cagre into obedience But in Candy the Venetian afflicts him in the Gulph Del 〈◊〉 four times he was preyed upon and the Haven of Maluase was stopt together with 〈◊〉 Whereupon he moves War by Usais his Bassa and that chiefly because his Navy at Dardanelle was penn'd up other Havens also were possessed by the Venetians that provision could not be brought in to the Island In 1654. The Venetians obtained a great Victory over the Turks having fought them two dayes together in the Dardanelles wherein they slew 6000 Turks wounded the General Amurath Bassa to death taking 4 Men of War and 16 Galleys yet not without the losse of one Galliot and five Galleys The Turks about December the same year thinking to surpize the Fortresse of Vesprin in Hungary by night found such resistance that they were forced to retire with the losse of 900 Men. Not 〈◊〉 before which the Grand Seignior of the Turks 〈◊〉 advertised that the Vizier Bassa had long projected to make himself Emperour through the assistance of the Greeks who were to have rebelled also by the correspondence he held with the Moscovites Cossacks whom he promised to embrace the Greek Religion He called him before a Private Council and being condemned to death was strangled within 5 or 6 hours imprisoning also the Patriarch of Jerusalem About April in 1656 there were great 〈◊〉 raised by 20000 Janizaries at Constantinople who massacred divers of the Sultan's Council strangled the Visier Bassa forced the Sultana Mother of the Sultan to fly to the old Seraglio for safety the Muphti being glad to flye 〈◊〉 trusting these Mutineers who designed to dethrone the grand Seignior and establish his Brother They deposing all 〈◊〉 Officers in the Empire to secure themselves from punishment chose others in their room who were at their devotion So that although this confusion might have stop'd the Turks proceedings against the Venetians yet the new ones made more vigorous preparations against their Interest in Candia than formerly so that the 〈◊〉 were forced to send Prince Horatio Farnese other chief Commanders with good numbers of Men and store of Ammunition to maintain what they held in that Island The Turks being come to Bagnaluth making great Magazines at Clivano with 8 great Artillery-pieces and 1000 yoak of Oxen to draw them for the besieging of 〈◊〉 they ordered Antonio Bernardo to go into Dalmatia as Commissary General to assist the General Zeno. But within 2 or 3 Months after these tumults in Constantinople being appeased the grand Seignior riding through the City gave Order for executing of the Ring 〈◊〉 of these Disorders sending for the Bassa of Damasco to accept of the slain grand Visier's Office which great place was conferred on him through but 24 years of Age because of his great abilities Who about June coming to Constantinople with great Pomp and Solemnities was installed into the said Office Presently after that 〈◊〉 Fleet was recruited with Men Money and other necessaries over which the Venetian Fleet obtained a notable Victory June 26 1656. Who having stayd one month in the Dardanelles to wait for and fight the Enemy 7 Galleys of Malta arriving there the Turks Capt. Bassa appeared in the sight of the Castles his Fleet consisting of 28 great Ships 60 Galleys 9 Galeasses and other small Vessels The Venetian Navy had 28 great Ships 24 Galleys 7 Galeasses besides those of Malta who keeping in the narrow Channel the Turks must needs accept the Battle The Bassa had raised 2 Batteries on Land on both sides the River thereby thinking to facilitate his own going forth by causing the other to leave 〈◊〉 Station yet the Venetians undauntedly 〈◊〉 their shot 〈◊〉 that advantage unprofitable Wherefore the Bassa on the 26 in the morning advanced all his great Ships yet he withdrew behind the point of Barbiera a few houres after the Venetian Navy moving Eleazon Moccenigo now a Volunteer commanding the left Wing and passing beyond the Turkish Fleet fought valiantly to stop their retreat The Battle being begun Laurence Marcello the Venetian General with him of Malta intermingling with the other Venetian Vessels so hemmed the Turks in from escaping that they were forced to fight with more eagerness but they were wholly routed with fire sword and water the Captain Bassa onely saving himself with 14 Galleys 40 Gallies being taken in the fight 10 sunk and burnt with 9 Mahones taken but the 28 great Ships were for the most part burnt The number of Turks slain were judged to be 5000 4 or 5000 Christian slaves being released and 4000 Turks made slaves The Venetians losse being
their chief Captain Marcello 500 Souldiers and Marriners 3 Ships likewise of theirs were burnt two in fight and one by accident After an extraordinary joy by the Duke and City of Venice the Senate ordered for releasing prisoners for debt some Banditti being also freed and Moccenigo who had contributed much to the gaining of the Victory was knighted by the Senate with a Chain of Gold of 2000 Crowns conferred on him and then was declared Generalissimo in the room of slain Marcello in remembrance of whom a publick service was celebrated at the publick charge About the same time some Thieves set fire on the Seraglio of Bosna four thousand Houses four Dovens of Custom-houses and three Mosques being burned down to the ground and the Jewes quarter plundered In Septemb. in the same year the Venetians took that considerable Isle and Fort of Tenedos about the mouth of the Dardanelles from the Turk forcing the Inhabitants of the Isle to surrender it not onely by vexing them with 26 Ordnance and 5 Morter-pieces but also by firing their Munitions and spoiling their Wells 800 men and 300 Women Turks and Grecians coming out of it And through the fear and confusion that was among the Turks in Constantinople they doubted not but soon to take the Isle of Lemnos besides divers other places like to fall into their hands The Inhabitants of Scio sent Deputies to the Venetian Forces at that time inviting them to draw near to their Island assuring them of an easie entrance through the division of the Turkish Commanders there who were through their oppressions become so odious to the Inhabitants that they alwayes were in hope of an opportunity to cut the throats of their oppressors The Venetians after Tenedos soon took Stalimene or Lemnos Island from the Turks and having furnished the Fortress there with all necessaries for defence their Proveditor General set sail with the Fleet towards Scio and Zia to refresh his men about which time the Turk cast away all thoughts of peace with the Venetians having wholly broken the Treaty that had been begun at Constantinople by their Secretary Bellarini In July 1657. The Turks having taken the Fort Bossina in Dalmatia put 800 Christians to the Sword And 6000 Turks coming nigh to Spalatro turned to the passage of St. Francois there to raise Forts but Possidario sallying out drave them away with the losse of many great Commanders who in their retreat went to Salona lying between Spalatro and Clissa where they were recruited with 6000 Foot and 4000 Horse But the Turks under Bassa's Command came July 2d in the night with storming-Ladders pressing to surprize the City of Candia but 500 of those in the City crying our Turks Turks the Chains were drawn and the Souldiers and Citizens drave out the Turks Also issuing forth they disordering the Turks put many of them to the Sword who left behind them 29 Ensigns and 5 Cornets which they had put upon the Wall 1400 Turks were slain and 2100 with a great booty taken About August following the Venetians obtained a signal Victory against the Turkish Fleet at the mouth of the Dardanelles in the sight of the great Turk himself But the losse of their General Moccenigo soured this success who being in prosecution of the Victory and afterwards returning to attaque the Isle of Scio a Tire of great Guns being discharged from the Castles of the Dardanelles one of them lighted into the Magazine of Powder in his Galley and blew him with many more Nobles up into the Air. In October in the same year the Turks regained the Isle of Tenedos though not without ruine to themselves The Venetian Fleet being gone from that Island to take in fresh water the Turks Fleet landed there a great Body of men who setting upon the Fort of Tenedos by storm were at first repulsed but preparing for a new Onser the Venetian Garrison working a Mine under the Fort disposed their Powder therein with a Match fitted to it and quitting the place the Turks taking possession were blown Fort and all up into the Ayr. The Venetian Fleet returning and perceiving what had hapned the Turks Fleet being at hand prepared for an encounter which being resolutely performed on both sides for the Grand Seignior having come purposely to see that Island regained being of so great importance to the commerce of Constantinople encouraged the Turks but in conclusion the Venetians got a notable Victory sinking sixteen 〈◊〉 men of War with four that came from Tripoli taking 4 of their Galleys About December following a Persian Embassador with a gallant Train coming to Constantinople presently went to audience and making his Proposition said That in case the Grand Seignior would not restore the lesser Babylon and make satisfaction for the Merchants Goods and captivated Persians which during the Treaty of peace were carried away by the Turks then in his Kings Name he declared War No Answer followed hereupon but the Embassador's Head was 〈◊〉 from his Body and the chiefest of his Train cast into prison So that the Turks being sure of War with the Persians there was but one Camp with the Turks great Ensign set out against the Venetians The great Prince staying at home to supply Recruits and watch the Muscovites who spake Thunder in their Warlike threatnings against the Turks Before which time the Sonne of the Grand Visier sware He would be revenged on the Grand Seignior himself and all that counselled him to put his Father to death whereupon he rose up in Rebellion and made no small disturbance Then were the Persians also stirring against the Turks whose Land-forces were to act against them if they could make no cessation of Arms with them wherefore they then blockt up Lemnos which being reduced their Land-forces might be imployed against the Persians or some other parts The Venetian Commander repulsed the Turks in 15 assaults yet the Turks at last taking the said Island of Stalimene or Lemnos sent thither a Garrison of 10000 men In 1658. Prince Ragotzi being returned out of Poland into Transilvania the great Turk having commanded him in 1657 upon great penalty not to proceed against Poland sent to him to resign his Principality of Transilvania to his Cousin 〈◊〉 he at the present yielded thereto though to deliver any of his Forts into the Turk's hands he utterly denied and reasiuming his Principality without the Turk's consent he being enraged would try his utmost to devest him and dispossess the Princes of Moldavia and Wallachia Wherefore ordering great Forces against him about the latter end of April the Turks totally defeated the Prince of Vallachia who was marching to Prince Ragotzi's aid who had sent to Vienna to demand the promised aid against the Turks from the King of Hungary 8000 being slain upon the place and a great number of prisoners taken among whom were divers Boyars the principal Officers of that Prince who flying into Transilvania the Turks forced another to accept his 〈◊〉
with a double Wall 460 Towers within it an impregnable Castle at its East-end with a deep Lake on the South side Many a fierce sally during the siege was made by the Turks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 repulsed chiefly at the bridg made by the Christians with boats over the River for passage to and fro But at the beginning of February through the abundance of rain and scarcity of victuals whereby they eat their slain enemies their horses perishing for lack of meat Peter the Hermit author of this war and Bohemud's Nephew among others through these increasing miseries secretly withdrew to steal home who being taken and by Hugh sharply teproved were forced to take a new oath for their fidelity A great part of Arethusa's Garrison being cur off by Bohemud the Countrey was more open for distressed Souldiers relief until a great number of Turks about Aleppo and Damasco came to relieve the besieged who by the Christians were put to flight 2000 being slain taking store of victuals c. and setting the Turks heads on stakes before the City Whereupon Cassianus having lost his eldest Son herein and expecting relief from the Sultan requested a truce for a time which being by the Turks slaying one 〈◊〉 a French-man broken a fresh and more hard siege began The Governour had in 9 months space lost so many that he used one Pirrhus amongst divers Christian Citizens for the guarding of a Tower who by secret intelligence and easy conditions made with Bohemud let his Souldiers by night into the City which was recovered June 1098 about 10000 men women and children were put to the sword amongst whom many Christians by the furious Souldiers many Turks fled into the Castle and the fleeing Governour was slain by Christians in the mountains of Armenia Amongst other Letters speedily certifying this joyful news Bohemud wrote to Roger his Brother Prince of Apulia shewing how it was yielded unto himself by Pyrrhus and how few daies after he was in danger by a wound received at Aretum that was assaulted by them assuring Roger both of the valour and esteem he and the Army had of his Son Tancred The Venetians likewise at the time of the siege with 200 Galleys having the upper hand of the Turks by Sea at the Rhodes set at liberty 5000 souldiers save 30 chief Commanders and sayling into Ionia took Smyrna spoyling Lycia Pamphilia and Cilicia Corbanas also the Persian Sultan's Lievtenant now besteged Edessa intending to relieve Antioch which was defended by Baldwin whereof he had intelligence by the Son of Cassianus after he had raised that siege keeping on his way with a mighty Army resolving to hazard the fortune of a battle The Turks still possessing the Castle Corbanas sent some supplies into it which sallied out on the Earl of Tholouse who was left to keep them into the Castle while Corbanas fought with the Christians in the field so that within and without the City was a dreadfull fight and bloody slaughter but the Turks gave ground and fled above 10000 of them being slain and about 4000 Christians leaving rich prey besides Horses and other beasts the Castle also surrendring the next day June 28. Alexius the Emperour unto whom this City should according to agreement have been delivered guilty of neglect sending the Princes no relief all the siege refused to accept of it so that Bohemud was chosen Prince or King of Antioch At Autumn there was a plague in the Army of which 50000 are said to have dyed which ceasing in November Rugia and Albaria two Cities were by force taken where Raymund envying Bohemud's preferment dissented with him who for the Cause's sake retired to Antioch At Spring Raymund besieging Tripolis from some fortunate roads made on the enemies last Winter insolently maligned Bohemud's proceedings who had besieged Tortosa Bohemud considering 't was enough to divide all Christians rose with his Army and retired to Antioch After which Gabella was taken and Tortosa whither Godfrey and Raymund from Tripolis came after 3 〈◊〉 siege departed spoiling about 〈◊〉 passing by 〈◊〉 and keeping Whitsontide at Casarea marched to and from Rama And upon the first descry of Jerusalem there were piercing and rending shouts for joy some lifting up eys and hands to Heaven calling on Christ others kissing the ground and saluting those so much heard of holy places Every one as at the end of long travel expressing some joy This ancient and famous City being utterly destroyed by Vespatian and his son 〈◊〉 40 years after Christs death lay buried in its ruins till about the year 136 it was by Aelius Adrianus Emperour re-edified who in part changed its scituation enclosing the place of Christs suffering and burial within the City walls and calling it Aelia after his own name giving it first to the Jews who were afterwards for rebellion thrust out and then gave it to the Christians in time also recovering the ancient name Jerusalem who under several idolatrous and persecuting Emperours endured grievous things peace being about 320 given to the afflicted by Constantine the Great Whereby for 300 years they flourished under Greek Emperours till usurping Phocas by killing Maurice and his Children occasioned Cosroes King of Persia to invade Syria taking Jerusalem and killing almost 100000 Christians in revenge of his Father in Law who about 624 was again driven out of it by Heraclius that succeeded Phocas cruelly slain by his Guard Which 〈◊〉 not paying a warlike people of Arabia Deserta that had helped him against Cosroes calling them vile Dogs because they had lately received Mahomet's Doctrine caused them to revolt and joyn to the Caliphs extending 〈◊〉 doctrine and Soveraignty over all Aegypt and Syria taking Jerusalem The Greek Emperours being overcome by the Saracens left Syria in their possession for which they had divers years conflicted who for 370 years oppressed the Christians leaving a 3d part of Jerusalem to them with Christs Sepulchre and mount Zion for profits sake untill the vagrant andcruel Turks start up and aspiring Persia's kingdom subdue Mesopotamia Syria most of the lester Asia and all 〈◊〉 The Saracens Government being but light unto the Christians in respect of their Thraldome under the Turks and had not these Princes who were now come to 〈◊〉 been stirred up for release of these miseries none could have been expected The Princes lay encamped before the North and West of Jerusalem in order Bohemud being at Antioch and Baldwin at Edessa 〈◊〉 with the Germans and Lorrainers lying next the City whose Governour had a very strong Garrison with all necessaries for a long siege on the 5 day they fiercely assaulted it but for want of enough scaling-ladders t was supposed they gave over few daies after they most terribly assaulted it on both sides afresh untill by reason of fervent heat and want of water all the wells expect Siloe being poyfoned they retired into their Trenches A fleet of Genowaies now arriving at Joppa knowing themselves too weak for the Aegyptian Sultans
fleet at Ascalon for Jerusalem's relief sunk their Ships and marched to the Camp among whom were divers Engineers by whom a great moving Tower was made covered with raw hides to save it from fire which by night being brought to the wall they the next day the winde driving the Turks fire who thought to burn it into their own faces gained the top of the wall which being first footed by Godfrey and his Brother they pressed in like a violent River killing men women and children with a lamentable sight The better sort of Turks retiring into the Temple fought terribly many on both sides falling but the Christians fiercely breaking in the foremost were miserably slain the Turks also 〈◊〉 fighting in the midst of the Temple there were slain heapes both of victors and vanquished the pavement swimming with blood Then the Turks held the top of the Temple And the next day upon Proclamation of mercy to such as laid down weapons they yielded themselves Thus Jerusalem was recovered in 1099 having been in the Infidels hands above 400 years Eight daies after cleansing the City and giving thanks to God and the poor Christians welcomming with joy their victorious Brethren the Princes consulting of their King chose Robert Duke of Normandy who refusing Jerusalem upon news of his Fathers death in England William Rufus being in possession as it were lost both Kingdomes Godfrey of Bulloine a great Souldier being saluted King who said He would not wear a Crown of Gold where Christ wore a Crown of thorns but briefly certified these proceedings to Bohemud shewing Jerusalem's strength and situation and how he first gained part of the wall Baldwin opening the gates for entry of their great conflict in Solomon's Temple and that since he was saluted King of Jerusalem though against his will he would endeavour well to deserve of the universal faith And then joyned a most dreadful battle with the greatest multitude of Turks and Saracens all as one assembled at Ascalon for revenge killing a 100000 of them taking more spoile than in this whole expedition After this Victory some Princes returned to their Charges others with honour to their own Country But shortly after a great Pestilence ensuing Godfrey among the rest died July 18. 1100. Scarce reigning a full year generally lamented and honourably buried on mount Calvary in the Temple of Christ's Sepulchre In whose Room Baldwin of Edessa his brother was Crowned King in 1101. Who aided by Sea and Land took the Sea-City Cesarea-Stratonis overthrowing certain Companies at 〈◊〉 gladly and safely conducting to Jerusalem new westerne aides by Tyre and three other Cities holden by the enemies at which time the Christians were notably overthrown about Rama by the Turks aided by the Arabians and Aegyptians two Stephens Earles of Charters and Burgundy being slain the King hardly escaping who repairing his Army at Joppa speedily so overthrew his secure enemies that they had little cause to rejoyce in their Victory Tancred Prince of Galilee in the mean time taking the City Apamea and with much toyl Laodicea But Baldwin 〈◊〉 Governour of Edessa was at the siege of Carras thatwas upon yielding overthrown by the Persian Sultan Benedict a Bishop and 〈◊〉 his kinsman being taken with him who to the offence of the 2 Sultans after 5 years redeemed themselves from the Turk that took them King Baldwin who after this lived unmolested for a season suddenly raised a full strength and besieged Ptolemais or Acon in Phoenicia and was glad to raise his siege being after a long time brought to his end by a healed-up wound received in a skirmish at his return yet the next year Ptolemais by the encouragement of the Genua fleet was yielded to him on composition after 20 daies Tancred Livetenant Governour of Antioch soon after put to flight the invading Governour of Aleppo and others and the Caliph of Egypt was discomfited by the Christians at land and by tempest at Sea comming against Jerusalem Bohemud returning out of Italy with 40000 foot and 5000 horse as is reported toward Jerusalem spoiled in revenge of Alexius his injuries the Country about Dyrrhachium forcing the Emperour to promise by oath security and kindnesse to all travelling Souldiers and dying shortly at Antioch in 1108. Whose Principality his child Bohemud enjoyed under Tancreds 〈◊〉 Baldwin the King Apr. 23. 1111. wonn the City Berytus 〈◊〉 most to the sword and the same year Decemb. 19. Sidon was yielded to him through the assistance of a Norway fleet Tyre only of all the famous Sea-Cities from Laodicea to Ascalon remaining to the enemies the which Baldwin hardly besieged 4 months in vain Two years after Baldwin and Tancred who Bohemud dying Reigned in Antioch with the rest joyned a cruel battle with the Persian Sultans mighty Army under Mendus their General encamping on the Sea near Tyberias after some companies were by some flying skirmishers entrapped in ambush and rescued by other Christians who were by the Turks far exceeding in number put to flight and hardly followed with great slaughter The Ascalon Turks the mean while besieging Jerusalem weakly manned but news of the Kings coming and of Supplies out of the west made them having burnt store-houses of Corn and spoyled other things to retire home This King after many hard conflicts with Turks and Saracens won Pharamia a strong Sea City in Aegypt taking abundance of fish at the mouth of Nilus wherewith he feasted in the City And after dinner grieved with his old wound died near Laris in his return in 1118 Reigning 18 years and royally Sepulchred near his brother Godfrey Baldwin Brugensis of Edessa his Cousin was chosen and Crowned King of Jerusalem Apr. 2. 1118. a man of great courage tall stature and comely countenance Against whom the Caliph of Aegypt with the King of Aleppo raised a great power the same summer Baldwin also encamping in fight of his enemies both armies for fear of each other after 3 months facing retired without any notable action Alexius the Emperour died this year whose Son Calo Johannes his successour all his Reign worthily defended his territories in lesser Asia But Roger Prince of Antioch with more courage than discretion going forth against a great Army not far from Aleppo was slain with most of his Army the place being called the field of bloud Baldwin Aug. 14 1120 overthrowing the carelesse Turks with a great slaughter joyning Antioch principality to his own which Antiochians Baldwin their protecting Prince being far off were more subject to enemies inroads than before the King of Damasco entring with great power and doing harm thereabouts in 1122 who understanding Baldwins approach with a puissant Army retired out of the Countrey the King taking Garaze a new built strong Castle of the King of Damasco's which he raced to the ground Whilst this King wisely sent Embassadours to divers Christian Princes especially to the Uenetians for relief by Sea Balac the Persian Sultan with a great Army invaded about him