¶ A Dolorous discourse, of a most terrible and bloody Battle, fought in Barbary, the fourth day of August, last passed. 1578.  
Wherein were slain, two Kings, (but as most then say) three, beside many 〈◊〉 … mous personages: with 〈…〉 ●umber of Captains, and 〈◊〉 Soldiers that were ●●●ine on both sides.  
Whereunto is also annexed, a note of the names of diverse that were taken prisoners at the same time.   printer's device of John Charlwood, consisting of the arms of the city of Geneva (divided vertically into two equal parts and showing the left half of the imperial eagle and a key of St. Peter) first used by Rowland Hall in Geneva in 1562-53 and passed to John Charlwood at an unknown date (McKerrow) POST TENEBRAS lux 
〈…〉 abonde.   

❧ To the Reader.  
IT was not without great reason, (gentle Reader,) that the ancient Poets in old time; feigned Phaeton to fall from heaven, and to be drowned in the depth of the Sea: because not contented with his calling, he would of a proud ambitious mind, presume to take upon him the government of his Father Phoebus' Chariot, being a thing far beyond his skill to compass. For surely there is not in the whole world, a more pestilent evil, or a thing that breedeth so much mischief, as doth the cankered and most accursed vice of ambition, which not only worketh the ruin of the party therewith poscessed: but often times causeth the confusion of many mighty Monark● and ●●e utter overthrow of whole Countries and common weals.  
Wherewith the words of Cornelius … rus do very aptly agreed, who saith that after the desire of principallytie had long continued in the minds of men undiscovered: when Princes be●an to enlarge their Limits, and to make their dominions greater: when they began to conquer kingdoms, and envying the felicity of common weals, desired the confusion and utter overthrow one of another. Then began this ambition first of all to break out, which as (Saint Barnard saith) pleaseth and delighteth every man, and yet is there nothing that doth more cruelly crucify or breed more unquietness, than it doth.  
For from whence springeth bloody wars so much, as from this root of Ambition.  
What causeth so many to endure the extremity of the could Winter nights, by lying abroad in the open Fields without any harbour, and to abide the heat of the hot Summer season being clogged with the carriage of their unwieldy armour: but only ambition?  
Is it aught else but this greedy ambition, that maketh men to travel so many intemperate countries, and desperately to run into so many doubtful daingers as they do?  
In conclusion, there is nothing that more breaketh the bands of benevolence, abateth the obedience of children towards their Parents: the love of Parents, towards their Children: the duty of subjects, towards their Princes, and the care of countries commodity, from all men, as doth this abominable vice of ambition.  
Whereof divers histories aswell of ancient time, as examples daily showed amongst us, is a most perfect testimony.  
By the greedy ambition of Scylla Marius, Carbo, Cinna, Pompeius, and Caesar, there were more slain amongst the romans, then in conquering to them the kingdom of the whole world.  
Silla condemned & caused to be executed 80000. romans, besides many ●ore that were slain in the civil wars, between him and both the Marius.  
Also Pompeius and julius Caesar, the one suffering no peer, the other no superior, by their insasiable ambition, caused innumerable people to be slain between them, and subverted the best and most renowned public weal, in the whole world: and finally, enjoying little time to rejoice them in their unlawful desires, Pompeius shamefully flying, had his head strooken off, by the commandment of Ptolemy King of Egypt: unto whom as to his friend he fled for succour, and Caesar that was the vanquisher, was shortly after cruelly murdered in the Senate, with dagger's, by them whom he best trusted, and most specially favowred.  
It would require much time, and a very large volume, to make mention of all those that heretofore, by coveting to increase their credit and estimation in the world, and to advance themselves to high dignities, have brought both themselves and their countries to extreme danger.  
But I will leave here to rehearse any more of such antiquity, and show a more lively & lamentable example, of three renowned Princes: who not long since by their ambitious desires, did not only procure their own untimely death: but also the destruction of many thousands of their people, in the maintenance of their unjust quarrels, as by that which followeth shall more manifestly appear.  
But before I proceed to the matter, I have here thought good, for the readers better instruction, breflye to describe the country of Barbary, and the customs thereof.  
(⸪)   


❧ A description of the orders and customs of Barbary.  
BArbary, is a country situate in Africa, inhabited with a barbarous people observing the laws of Mahomet, given (for the most part) to idleness, & sundry superstitions.  
In this Country are many jews enhabiting, in whose hands consisteth the most part of the traffic of the Country, being the only Merchants of Sugars, Mallasses, and other rich merchandise which the same yieldeth: for the which, they pay great sums of money to the king. And now to the matter.   

¶ A Dolorous discourse of a most terrible bloody Battle fought in Barbary the. 4. of August. 1578.  
Understand, that not long since, there reigned over the country of Barbary, a King named Mulai Hamet Shek▪ who had divers Sons by sundry his Wives and Concubines: for there they may have as many wives as they will.  
The King passing on a time from Morocco, the chief City of his country, towards another Country of his, called Sus, was in the midway, at a place called Bibon, murdered by his own men.  
After him reigned one of his Sons called Mulla Abdula: by whose means a Noble man of that country, called Alcatho Alley, caused the throats of eleven of the kings Brethrens, to be cut in one morning.  
Two other of his brethren fled for fear into Turkey, and were there brought up in the Turks wars.  
One other of his Brethrens named Mulla Hamet, remained still in Barbary, without any violence offered unto him, and was well beloved of his wicked brother: so that he grew very rich, and was in great estimation throughout the whole country.  
And as cruel murder can never long rest unrewarded. This Alkatho Alley, the only minister of the kings mischievous devise, was in the end measured with such a like measure, as he had before meat to the King's brethren.  
Now the cruel king Mulla Abdula: amongst many other, taking to his wife a bond woman, that was a Black Negro, had by her a son, called Mulla Sheriffa: who for that he was of his Mother's complexion, ●as commonly called the Black King, to whom Mulla Abdula his Father committed the kingdom after his death, as to his only heir.  
Mulla Hamet, after the death of his brother Abdula, fearing the tyranny of his Black nephew that succeeded him, fled incontinently with all his substance and treasure, to Argere, a Town belonging to the Turk, where he remained in good safety.  
Mulla Sheriffa, having for a while peaceably possessed the Crown, become in the end so cruel a tyrant, as his people therefore hating him, murmured in their minds at his great severity, and in the end burst out in plain speeches, saying: that the son of a bond woman should not reign over them.  
Mulla Hamet, his Uncle, remaining all this while at Argere, & understanding how the people were inclined, by the procurement of the most part of the Nobility of the Realm: sent to his Brother Mulla Maluca, that remained with the Turk, willing him with all expedition, to procure such forces as he could, & to return therewith into the country of Barbary, where he certified him that he should be sure to find such friends as he might easily attain to the Crown.  
With this good hope, Mulla Maluca, having obtained of the Turk (in recompense of his long service with him) a band of. 10000 Turks. He entered with them into Barbary, where he was willingly received by his friends and favourers, and greatly succoured, aswell by them, as with the substance of his brother Mulla Hamer, who spared nothing to pleasure him with all, or to further his present enterprise.  
Mulla Sheriffa, his Black Nephew, understanding of his coming: Levied a huge Army, to make respstance against him: but yet although his power far surmounted the number of his enemies, yea: though he had ten to one, more than his Uncle Mu●la Maluca: Yet what through his own valiancy, and the good will that he knew the common people bore to him.  
Mulla Maluca, did in short time so prevail against the said Sheriffa, as driving him to the Mountains of the country, he obtained possession of the Crown, and ever since hath continued king of Barbary: where he was well beloved of his people, being a man very active, and of great agility, skilful in wars, wherein from his youth he had always been trained up: and as men report, ministered justice with equity, much favouring Christians, and specialie our Nation.  
The Black king, when he fled into the Mountains, carried with him a great part of the Treasure of the Country, and daily disturbed the quiet possession of his Uncle Maluca. Who slept not in the mean space: but prepared by all means to prevent whatsoever his Black Nephew might do to his prejudice. And in the end, drove him to so great extremity, that he was forced to crave aid of the king of Portugal: who hath certain holds in that country.  
The King of Portugal being a lusty young Gentleman, about. twenty-three. years of age, peradventure pricked forward by a vain hope and ambitious desire of gain and glory, not respecting the peril that depended there upon: promised the said Sheriffa to perform his desire therein. And thereupon levied an Army, to the number of. 40000. in all: to weet 16000 Portugal footmen, and 4000 horsemen. 10000 footmen of Spaniards, high Almains and Italians, and. 10000 that were Pages, servants, purveyors, and such like continually accompanying the Campe. With this power the king of Portugal in his own person●● accompanied with a great number of his Nobility, departed out of his own country on the xiiii day of july. 1578. and with his whole fleet first arrived at a town in Spain called Calez: where he made his abode for the space of. viii. whole days together, the occasion whereof was, (as some suppose) to furninsh his Army with all such things, as should be needful for the prosecution of his pretenced purpose.  
And on the. 22. day of the foresaid month of july, he gathered his men together, and with all expedition passed from Calez, to another Town lying within the borders of Barbary, called Tanoes: where he mett● with the Black Kings, who had with him, five hundredth Mores Horsemen. And after he had also sojourned therefore a season, he departed from thence to Argele: Which is a certain Hold that the said king of Portugal hath in Barbary, and after his departure from thence.  
The first day, which was the. 29 day of the said july: the said king of Portugal with his whole power, marched forward one League farther, which is three of our English miles, & pitched his Tents in a place called Sweet River.  
The second day, he went forward one League more, and in that place remained for the space of two whole days. In which time there was discovered on the top of a very high hill, a troup of Horsemen of the Moors, which whereby estimation, not above the number of. 400. in the whole, and the cause of their coming, as it might very well be imagined, was only to take a view of the king of Portugese's Camp, to know of what power he was: which indeed standeth greatly with reason, for that after their appearance, they departed again so suddenly without 〈…〉 or making any other● 〈…〉  
The third day of y● 〈…〉 proceeding, he marche● 〈…〉 League's farther, and 〈…〉 ●●●stance quietly pitched hi● 〈…〉 unto a river called Queen 〈…〉, remained all that night.  
The. 4. day he also m … 〈◊〉 further, & arrived at a City of the … o●es, called Alcazar Kiber, b●t●●en ●●ich City & them, ran the great 〈◊〉 … sa: and the bridge thereof was … lie guarded by. 2000 Moors … en: that the king of Portugal per●●●●●●g it to be impossible without 〈…〉 to pass that way: because he w … … re his men till more meet● 〈◊〉 ●●ght be offered for the prosecution of his present enterprise: he c … ed the country to find out some otherwaye mo●e f●t for his purpose. And at th● lengt●●●me to a little Ford whe●e he 〈◊〉 o●●r his whole Army his Ordinance, & carriages, without any d●n●●r o●●●ficulty ●t all, which 〈…〉 work, he was constrained to harbour there all that night.  
The next day the king of Portugal called all his most wise & best experienced Captains to counsel, & asked their advise: whether it were better for him with his whole power to martche toward Alcasany: which being a dry Town, though there were in it about the number of. 7000. households, yet was it but weak, unmeet to make any great encounter, and not able long to stand in resistance.  
Or else to proceed forward on his way towards the Town Alcazar Kiber, before named.  
This being long debated between them, every man alleging what he listed: After they had all particularly expressed their opinions therein, some one way, and some another way: in the end it was concluded with a general consent that he should keep his course toward ●lcasar Kiber, which he performed accordingly.  
He had not passed very far before he discovered Mulla Maluca, that was king of Barbary, marching toword●s him with a great power of men, which were valued to be in number. 70000. Horsemen, &. 40000. Footmen, whereof. 20000. were Horsemen shot, and 10000 Footmen gunner's, besides other followers of the camp: whose number I have not heard, and therefore cannot make a true report thereof.  
But because the day was quite spent before the two Armies could com●●●y thing near together, they both ●ncamped themselves there that night, in sight the one of the other.  
The next day, being the fourth of August. 1578. the King of Portugal divided his battle into four squadrons: whereof he appointed to Don Duer … e Mennesses, General of the Army, the leading of the Vautg●rde. The second Squadron, the king Portugal himself took charge off. Upon the right hand was the Black king Sheriffa, with his Horsemen: And upon the left hand; the Duke Daverro, the eldest son of the Duke of Bargansy, with the. 4. Squadron.  
King Maluca, did also use the like other in the division of his Army.  
All things being thus prepared on both sides, the two kings purposing to put themselves to the hazard of that ●hich should happen, addressed themselves to fight.  
King Maluca, first gave the Onfette upon the Horsemen of the Portugese's Army, but they vallyauntly defended themselves, and in the end forced Ma●●●a and his Moors, to retire with the loise of many of them.  
But Maluca herewith nothing discouraged, bringing his men again in good order of Battle: gave such a fresh charge upon the King of Portugese's Horsemen, as he constrained them to retire unto the main battle.  
But the Portugese's Horsemen, being incontinently gathered again together ●n good order, they gave the Moors such ● sharp charge, that they flew a great number of them.  
The Moors again returned freshly upon the forces of the Portugal horsemen, forcing them to join with their footmen.  
Which done, the said portingalings gave a new charged upon the Moors: But their best Soldiers being slain before, and having no new succourers, to supply their wants: for that they were far from their friends, and in a foreign country, amongst their mortal enemies: whose power greatly surpassed theirs, they were not able to do any good at all.  
But the Moors still remaining very strong, with the force of their Horsemen shot, and footmen Gunners, so broke the arrays of the Portugal Horsemen, as they overthrew, killed, and took captive, the whole Army, except. 80. or. 100 persons at the most, that saved themselves by flight.  
In this conflict were slain. 3000. Almains. 700. Italians, and. 2000 Spa●●●rds. whereof Don Allonso Dageler ●night of Cordua was one.  
In this last battle, it is supposed that 〈◊〉 the three Kings were slain.  




●he names of the Portugal Nobility, that were slain.  
Don Sabastian, King of Portugal.  
Don Lewis, de Cordua.  
●on Diego de Mennesses.  
●eorge de Silva governor and justice of Portugal.  
Don Francisco de Portugal.  
Don Francisco, son to the county of Sortelha.  
Don Constantino.  
Don Ferdinando de Silva.  
Don Allonso de Almado.  
Don Christopher, and Don Avero Peers of Travora.  
Don Alvaro de Silva.    


Moore.  
Sheriffa the black King.      


¶ The names of such as were taken, and are known to re●aine 〈◊〉 in Barbary.  
THe Duke of Bargansas Son.  
Don Duart de Mennesses, great … star of the Camp, and General of the Tangere.  
Don Farnando de Castra▪ Controller of the Fenances.  
Don Diego de Silva.  
Don Piedro de Menness●s.    
¶ diverse other Lords and noble men there are missing, but whether they be slain, or taken Captives, it is not yet certainly known.  
The dead body of the King of Portugal is reported to rem●●n in Alc●●●●r Kiber, for the delivery whereof the Mo●es require in ransom the towns 〈◊〉 F●ues and Arsylla, with the Munition therein.  
There is offered for the ransom of the Duke of Bargansa his son. 10000 Ducats: but it is refused.  
The King of Portugal lost by this Battle. 22. pieces of Ordinance. 700. chariots, with Mules and Oxen: besides many other things of very great value.  
There were slain of the Barbarians about the number of. 40. or. 50. thousand one with another, whereof the King is supposed to be one.  
The Portugese's have chosen for their King, a Cardinal, that was great Uncle to their late King deceased.   
FINIS.   

The Conclusion.  
Behold here, (gentle Read●●) 〈…〉 end that greedy ambition (〈◊〉 breedeth so many bloody broils 〈…〉 bringeth them unto, that embrace 〈…〉  
Let the pitiful spectacle here 〈◊〉 down to thy view: of the woeful ad●●●ture that happened to the Princes ●●fore spoken off, by the confusion of t … people, and loss of their own lie … serve thee as an example, (of what de … so ever thou be,) when thou feelest ●●●selfe pricked forward to the like en●● prize: by reason, to remove from thee, 〈◊〉 devilish desire, which so greatly b … death the understanding of many re●●●nable creatures, alluring them thro●●● a conceived hope of that which can n … be compassed, to commit things contr●●● to all order & honesty: not regarding 〈◊〉 reward that rightfully belongeth to 〈◊〉 aspiring minds, nor the m●serabl● 〈◊〉 of them that are so ambi●●●usly 〈◊〉  
If Mulla Sheryffa, the 〈…〉 King here spoken off 〈…〉 was in quiet possession of his kingdom, could have governed his people with … ety, & had not of a proud ambitious mind, (to make his power appear th● greater) So grievously oppressed than 〈◊〉 tyranny as he did: their love towards him would have been such, as his uncles ●●●●r should never have so prevailed ●●●●nst him, as it did.  
〈◊〉 the said Maluca could have conte●●●● him with the good estate he was 〈◊〉 and had not left the service of the 〈◊〉, (where he lived peaceably, in ●●eat honour and estimation,) to make himself king of Barbary, by dispossessing his Nephew of his rightful inheritance: the king of Portugal would never ha●e been provoked to make wars upon him, and to work his confusion, as he did.  
Finally, if the king of Portugal, had not of an ambitious mind, been moved to enlarge his Dominions, with another's loss, and to increase his Fame by his rashness: in waging wars with th● said king Maluca, he should not have brought himself, & so many 〈◊〉 Gentlemen, to that miserable end that he did, in a barbarous country, amongst a sort of brutish infidels: but might have lived in peace and great prosperity in his own country, and have still continued that commendation which by his virtues and vallure he had won & well deserved: whose like for wisdom, courage, and good qualities (in such young years) Portugal was never possessed withal before.  
And therefore all Chrinstendome, but especially the poor widows, and fatherless children, in Portugal, may well with most pitiful complaints, & lamentable cries, accompanied with floods of tears: be wail, though all to late, the unlucky lot of that unfortunate Prince, and the doleful day, wherein unadvisedly, he first began this his unhappy enterprise.  
O miserable man, borne to woe and calamity: was it not sufficient that a thousand thousand mischiefs, whereunto thou wast borne, should fall upon thee, and overwhelm thee in this vale of misery: but that thou must by thine own unkindly inclination, add thereunto murder, discord, and division between country & country, so carelessly: as thou dost, contrary to the custom of ●ll other earthly creatures of Gods creating.  
What pleasure hast thou in the spoil of thy people, O thou proud and ambitions Prince? that to purchase to thyself such things as thou must leave behind thee, when God calleth thee away, out of this transitory world: wilt put so many in peril of their life. When thou has● attained to thy insatiable desire, thy mind is never satisfied therewith, vn●yll thou thyself art also become a prey to the worms of the earth, or the … es of the air.  
And what shall then remain unto thee, of all the spoils and victories, that with the bloodshed of many thousand men, thou hast acquired in thy whole life time: surely nothing else but a syllye winding sheet, and peradventure want that too, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chance 〈◊〉 not the better.  
O Christian Princes, embrace peace, seek to have love and amity one with another, to the strengthening, establyshing, and enlarging of Christendom: lest the infidels, for the sins of you and your people, be a scourge to you all.  
Hath not God by his infinite, and incomprehensible wisdom, wonderfully wrought in the placing of your Provinces: every one with such sundry commodities, as the one should always have need of the other, to the end that you should link in Love, and live in continual concord, one with another? Yes verily: And wherefore do ye then altar the decree, and determination of the almighty: Who hath appointed all these things for the benefit of his people?  
O ye Subjects, 〈◊〉 your hearty prayers, for peace and quietness, and th● continuance thereof: that you with you● wives, children, friend's, and 〈…〉 may live quietly and peaceably together, maintaining with your necessary travail, your countries fertility, to the avoiding of penury, and the preventing of such like mischievous murders, and … stly bloody broils, as are before sp●●en of.  
O ye Prelates, Prophets, and Preachers, if you be the Messengers and Ministers of our Saviour jesus Christ: Preach to your Princes, and as Christ did, so do ye persuade youthful Princes from seeking such bloody battles: so shall ye be known to be the Disciples of that heavenly Messiah.  
But if any persuade Princes to the shedding of blood, murdering of Innocentes, and to make spoil of the people, whom God hath only created to his glory. They are not the servants of jesus of jesus Christ: but in deed the very schoollers of Antichrist, & the messengers of mischief.  
To conclude, I would council all men▪ of what calling so ever they be, as well Princes, as private 〈…〉 … tistie: themselves with that which ●t shall please God to in … te unto the●: not seeking by unlawful means, to enhance themselves higher than GOD hath appointed, lest for their great unthankfulness, he do not only disappoint them of their pretenced purpose: but also bereave them of those benefits, which before he had bountifully be stowed upon them, which is the just reward belonging to such ungrateful persons.  
Surely if men would call to remembrance, the care, trouble, fear, & continual danger, that always accompanieth those that be advanced to high dignities, and would ●aye with all, what assured safety, con … eth in the mean estate: I am full●●swaded that they would not then so pr●●●e for promotion as they daily do, nor seek with such incessant pain and peril, to purchase a thing so unprofitable: but rather to shun it as a most pestilent evil, being the only corrupter of good manners, & vanquisher of virtue, esteeming 〈…〉 to live contented with a little: 〈…〉 seeking by dishonest means to ●●●●hase great abundance, to put both 〈◊〉 ●nd body in danger, the one of 〈◊〉 … ation, the other of destruction.  
〈…〉 which enormities, the Lord for 〈◊〉 mercy's sake deliver us: and make 〈◊〉 endfull of his manifold benefits, 〈…〉 bestowed upon us: far more lie …▪ then we can either desire, or 〈…〉, Amen.  
FINIS.  ●●x super omnia prodest.  

●●printed at London by ●ohn Charlewood, and Thomas Man.