TWO very notable Commentaries THE ONE OF THE ORIGINAL OF THE Tvrcks' ks and Empire of the house of Ottomanno, written by Andrew Cambine, and tother of the wars of the turk against George Scanderbag, prince of Epiro, and of the great victories obtained by the said George, aswell against the Emperor of Turkey, as other princes, and of his other rare force and virtues, worthy of memory, translated out of Italian into English by john Shute.  PROVERB xxi The horse is prepared against the day of battle but the lord giveth the victory. 
PRINTED AT LONDON by Roland Hall for Humphrey toy dwelling in paul's Church yard at the sign of the helmet. 1562   

To the right honourable and HIS SINGULER GOOD LORD AND MASTER sir Edward fines lord Clinton and Say, Knight of the order and high Admiral of England and Ireland, john Shute wisheth long life with increaceof godly honour.  
FOR AS MUCHE (RIGHT Honourable) as the office of man standeth chiefly in two points, the one, to serve God as he himself hath appointed, the other, truly to serve his country and to wish well to the same in all that he mai, I thought it good to turn into our English tongue: these two Books following, thereby to profit such, as are not of servile spirit, and when I had ended the same, I beth ought me of some worthy patron: to whom I mought dedicate the effect of my small travail in that behalf, and discoursing in myself of diverse men, I thought your honour a very meet man to accept my simple present, not, for that I am your man, and you my very good lord, and Master but, in respect of those rare virtues which in your honour I know to rest. Wherefore, my humble request is, that your lordship will take this my poor travail in good part, which being granted may be an occasion to stir me up to take in hand here after, some greater matter. The one of these Books is written in the Italian by Master Andre Cambine: a Citizen of Florence, which declareth from whence the turks came: when they first came into the less Asia, of what condition they were, the wars that they made and upon what nations they made them, the victories that they obtained: and how they used them, & the whole means whereby they attained to that mighty seat in the which they now sit and command, to the great dishonour of the Christian princes. The other is a Commentary written also in the Italian, by whom, I know not, for that the name of the auctor is suppressed but whatsoever he be that did it, he hath deserved to be well thought of for his travail, for it is well worth the redding. It intreatethe of the wars between Amorathe the second, Mahomethe the second his son, Emperors of Turckye, and the most worthy prince George Castrioth: otherwuse named Scanderbag prince of Albania, in the which Book is evidently seen, to how great purpose and effect it is to have a Captain of perfect judgement, and a soldier of tryid discipline. And for so much as I have here occasion to speak of such knowledge as makes a soldier & I term discipline I think it not encowenient some thing to say thereof, not at large (for that it will sufficiently fill a great volume) but briefly as I may of so weighty matter. 
Of discipline and wherein it concisteth  This discipline containeth in it, the whole force of the wars, the root thereof is the perfect judgement of the Captain the branches are these, the good choice of the new soldiers, obedience of the soldier, the continual exercise of the soldier, order, wherein the soldier must be instructed, furniture wherewith the soldier must both defend and offend, and then the severity of the Captain in seeing this discipline truly observed and kept A. worthy general is of that perfection that he can use any of these in his kind, and I desire of god that this discipline may be better known in our country than it is, so shall we not have so many as we have: that shall say, give me the untrayned soldier and take the trained that list, 
The trained soldier is to be preferred to the unskilful.  of whose opinion I for my part nether am ne will be, for so much as I think I shallbe able to prove both in these our days and also in the old worlds, that the disciplined soldier hath alway achevid the great enterprise, the untrained hath often been overthrown, but seldom or never hath given overthrow. And to prove this true: these men are ready whose names do here follow (beside the whole troop of historiens else) Livy, Plutarcke Cesar Appian Alexandrine Valerius Maximus Vigetius, Blondus Herodian, Paulus iovius, & the Commentary of George Castrioth as here after more plainly shall appear. I think these sufficient to persuade any man that is of a modest spirit in that behalf. And for so much as this discipline is of so great value I think it not vn●itting or unfruitful to touch every branch briefly in particular, and first I will begin with the election & choice of the new soldier, Sertorius a worthy Roman who being the chief governor in Spain after the death or Silla, 
The choice of the soldier and what is to be required therein  and being a man of a noble courage and of great judgement in martial affares (as Appian Alexandrine witnesseth of him in his first Book of the Civil wars of the Romans) was not more honoured for any of the rare virtues that were in him t●en for his great judgement in the choice of new soldiers, his opinion was that the youth which should be chosen to defend their country should descend of honest parents they should be honestly brought up, they should be modest they should also fear shame as witnesseth Vigetius in his first Book of the art of the wars the, 7. Chapter, Plato that noble Philosopher is of opinion that the new soldier must be chosen of the age of xx. years, Servius Tullius king of the Romans would have them chosen of the age of xvii. years, blando sayeth that others are of opinion to choose them at xvi. years of age, Vigetius in his first Book and iiii, Chapter of the art of the wars, is of opinion to choose them when their beard doth first show, Saluste is of opinion to choose them young, for as much as in their youth they are apt to be taught any kind of exercise, and being accustomed in their youth to great travail, they shall the better when they come to greater age, endure the travail and misery of the wars, he saith also that it is better that the soldiers want years, than exercise, moreover, Vigetius saith that whatsoever they learn in their youth doth continue long in their memory perfectly. All these worthy men are of opinion, that if he be untrained and pass the age of thirty years, he is not to be accepted into a band: for sundry respects. This weighty charge to choose new soldiers, was not committed to any Captain but to those that were of greatest judgement and best seen in the discipline of the wars, as witnesseth Vigetius in his first Book and seven. chapter.  
Now as touching the obedience of the soldier, 
The obedience of the soldier.  the histories are full how great skill is in it, for what was the cause of the death of Pompey and defeicte or overthrow of his Populous army in Thesaly, was it not only disobedience? look Cesare in his third Book and Appian in his second Book of the Gyvyll wars of the Romans. Hath not disobedience been also the death of diverse Roman Emperors and almost the destruction of the whole Empire, look Herodian and there you shall see the proof hereof This obedience is a band that bindeth the rest of the branches of discipline so firmly together, that it maketh them to work their effect and giveth virtue & power to every of them. Wherefore Andre Cambine justly doth say, that a disobedient army is less to be feared, them a worthy Captain without an army.  
THe worthy men of the old world and chiefly the Romans: 
The exercise of a soldier.  brought up their soldiers in sundry exercises, as to run, leap throw the bare, swim, to use their weapons, to march the march called Passo militare, which was to go armed in the hottest of the summer xx. miles in five hours, and upon great occasion: xxiiii. miles in four hours, they had a field which lay upon the side of the river Tibre which once was of the possession of Tarquinus surnamed the proud and when he was banished Rome, the Senate appointed that field for the exercise of their soldiers, there were in that field a number of great stakes deeply set into the ground, against whom the soldiers having their roundels made of wicker of the double weight of those which they should were in battle and a staff of the length of a sword and of the double weight of the sword which commonly they did wear, and being thus furnished they should daily fight against those stakes as against their enemies. In this field did they use all their exercises, whereof I spoke before and when they were weary they went into the River and washed them, and refreshed their wearied bodies and learned to swim, as witnesseth Vigetius in his first Book and x. Chapter. To swim well is and exercise very commodious for a soldier, as for example Liure in his first Decade and second Book declareth that Oratius Cocleus a worthy Roman, 
Suimming Necessary  defended the end of the bridge that putteth over Tiber, against the whole power of the king Porsena whilst that they of the City broke the bridge behind him, and then (armed as he was) he leapt into the river from the bridge and did swim to the land, and saved both himself & the City for that tyme. Also the noble Emperor julius Cesare being in Alexandrie and assailed upon the sudden by the Alexandrines (and having but few of his people with him) was enforced to flee their fury whereupon he leapt into the river and did swim over: to the other side, by the which means he saved his life at that present, as witnesseth Appian Alexandre in his second Book of the civil wars of the Romans, and also Aulus Hirtius in his fourth Book of the Commentaries of Cesar entitled de Bello Alexandrino the like doth the same Aulus Hirtius declare in the aforesaid Book, of the Ph●ritanes, which dwelled in an Isle that standeth in the river Nilo eight hundred paces from Alexandrie, which being assailed by the soldiers of Cesare and put to flight, took the river and did swim to Alexandrie and saved a great number of their lives. The exercise of the soldier and chiefly of the use of the weapon that he shall use in the field is a thing of great value, 
The use of the weapon.  which the Romans did so much esteem that they appointed a number of Masters to instruct their soldiers in the use thereof, and every Master had double the entertainment that a soldier had, as witnesseth Vigetius in his first Book and xii. chapter, and in my judgement not without great reason, for the field is not the only place to train soldiers in but they must also be made perfect in the use of their weapon in marching in their armour, accustomed to order and such like exercises, before they come to the field, otherwise they be but an encoraging to the enemy and a people led to the slaughter, wherefore the Romans had their new soldiers as perfect in altheyr exercises as were their old soldiers (before they would send them to the field) saving in that that they had not seen the enemy nor felt of his force.  
another branch thereof is of importance, 
The necessity of Armour.  which is furniture with out the which no army is perfect, for if a man be never so valiant & well trained if he want furniture he will not put himself in that peril that he will do being well armed and furnished. As long as the Romans went well armed and furnished to the field their Empire did alway flourish as witnesseth Vigetius in his first Book and xx. chapter, but when they became slothful and neglected discipline, they then obtained of their Emperors within short space licence to go to the field first without their body Armour, & then without their shields and hedpeces, and when they had obtained at their emperors hands these noble demands, within shorn space after they paid well for their case, the Goths & Vandals, and also the lombards made wars upon them & gave them sundry overthrows. Then was the difference seen between the army brought up in discipline and that wherein discipline was not known, between the exercised soldier and the unexercised, between the instructed soldier and the ignorant, between the armed soldier & the unarmed, & between the Captain of judgement and the unskilful Captain, for where as in time before the Romans (dwelling under discipline) were not only able to defend their own most ample dominions: but also that of their friends which lay farthest from them: now, when they had rejected discipline (having wars with these nationes afore named) they were not only unable to defend their own dominions: but also to defend their City Rome which was twice or thriese sacked by the aforesaid enemies, as witnesseth Carian in his history.  
There is also order, 
Order, of great importance.  which is of great value, and without it an army is but a confused multitude, nether any battle is worthily fought no town perfectly besieged, nor any thing well done. This the ancient Romans had in such estimation, that whosoever did violate it, was punished without remission, as for example Valerius Maximus in his second Book declareth: that Posthumius Tibutius being dictator, & having with him in the wars his only son the only succession that he had, whom he had very tenderly & carefully brought up, yet forasmuch as he being in the wars did (of himself & not by his commandment) take those bands which the Romans called aides, or helppes, & encountered the enemies & gave them a great overthrow, & then returned to the camp with the victory, as soon as he came to his father, he commanded to strike of his head, 
Examples of strange punnishements for breach of order.  so careful was he to see order observed that he preferred it before the life of his son, the continuance of his house and all that ever he possessed in the world. The like did Posthumius Torquatus (being Consul) to his son in the wars of Italy, who gave battle to the enemies without commandment from his father, defected them, and slew a great number of them, and alson took from them a marvelous rich spoil and returned with the victory, yet at his return his father commanded the officers to take him, and so was he executed. Also Papirus the dictator did marueloussy embrace order. And when he made wars against the Samnites, he had with him general of the horsemen Q. Fabius Rutilianus, who seeing his enemy in battle charged him, overthrew the Samnites, and returned with the victory, yet notwithstanding, Papirus respected not the victory, his virtue, his force, nor yet his house, but commanded him to be spoiled of his garments and to be beaten naked with rods, a marvelous strange ●yghte, to see Q. Rutilianus, general of the horsemen, a man of great worthiness victorious, to be beaten naked and to have his flesh torn by the hands of the justiciers and also his blood shed, and although the soldiers desired Fabius to flee to Rome, where in vain he made request to the Senate for pardon, Papirous persevered in punnishinge him and would in no wise for give it, the father of Fabius (who had been Dictaour, and three times Consul) was enforced to come in humble sort to declare the matter to the people, desiring them to crave the aid of the Tribunes in the behalf of his son, yet notwithstanding Papirus persevered still in his purpose, till at the last (being desired by the Citizens, the Tribunes & people) he swore that he would forgive it, not for the love of Fabio, but for the love that he bore to the office of the Tribunes, and to the people of Rome, this Ordre direct the every branch of this discipline & maketh them to work their effect. What should I say any more of order, the histories are full of the nedefulnes thereof.  
Beside th●se there is also severity which causeth the soldiers to dwell in obedience, it chaseth all disorder from them, it hath been executed in all ages, 
Severity in punishment very expedient.  Cesar that worthy Emperor whose natural inclination to pardon offences was such, that I do prefer his co●tezie before them all that I have red of, yet you shall see in his commentaries that he upon occasion hath taken the tenth man of his legiones and put them to death, also Vallo a famous and worthy Captain who hath written very substantially three Books of the art of the wars exhorteth all men of charge, to be severe when occasion doth require, for one or two sometime punished do save great numbers from destruction. Wherefore Vallo in his first Book, and third chapter, willeth that he that disobeythe his Captain, he that doth mutiny, he that being appointed to the stand watch or scout doth leave his place with out licence of his Captain, or he that departeth from his ensign in the field without leave of his Captain shall not only lose horse, armour, weapons and all that he possessyth in the wars, and so escape the punishment, but he shall be condemned to death and shall pass the pikes in manner as followeth. There shallbe a squadrone ordered and in the midst of the same shallbe a void space throughout the squadrone almost as broad as the length of two pikes, 
The order of passing the pikes  then shall the offender be brought into the midst thereof and before that they shall abase their pikes, he upon his knees shall demand pardon at his Captains hand three times and at the third time the Captain shall take the ensign from his ensign bearer vndisp●aide, taking the head thereof in his hand and with the but end thereof shall strike him on the head in token that the ensign through his evil behaviour hath been in peril, and dishonoured, and that he doth condemn him there to die, that done, the Captain withdraweth himself out of the place then the soldiers abase their pikes and slay him.  
Also Selim father to Solyman Emperor of Turchie, being at Iconio (after that he had brought his army out of Persia) determining there to winter for that he would be at hand to undertake the enterprise in the spring next following against the Sophy, whereupon his janissaries being desirous to pass that winter in Grecia made request (at the persuasion of some of their leaders) to Selim that they mought go into Gretia that winter, and when they saw that they could not obtain, they rebelled against their lord, whereupon Selim disguised sent into Spain to make wars upon the Numantianes' and to daunt their proud spirits which were puffed up through the want of understanding of the Roman counsulles and legates which had made wars against them and received diverse overthrows at their hands Scipio received the same army which they had so often defected, and as soon as he had possessed this army, 
What kind of people are to be banished out of an army or camp.  he forthwith purged it of all unprofitable people: such as procured men to delicacy, as those that sold all kind of Merchandise and delicate meats and drink, such as were rather to satisfy appetite then to preserve health and maintain force, also he banished from his camp two thousand wh●res when he had this done he restored to the army perfit discipline and then besieged the City of Numantia, took it and brought it into ashes.  
The like may be said of Metellus, who being Consul made wars in Africa against jugurthe he received his army of Spurius Albinuus throghe whose negligence and want of understanding, discipline was clearly extinct and forgotten: and the army utterly corrupted through ease and delicatie, by means whereof the enemy obtained against them many victories. 
Other enormities redressed by Metellus.  And the consul determining to purge his army and to restore it to perfect discipline, removed from his camp all Taverners and cooks, he would not suffer that any private soldier should have any horse or servant to carry his armour and victual but that he himself should carry it, than he marched with his camp and removed in manner daily & fortified his camp & entrenched it as strongly, as if juguith had been present, also he saw them daily exercised according to the order of the Roman discipline, and in the end brought them to that perfection, that to that same enemy (of whom they had received many overthrows in time before and never could give any) they gave sundry and great overthrows and triumphed over him as witnesseth the aforesaid Valerius. Beside these, Appian Alexandrine in his fourth Book of the civil wars of the Romans: doth right well declare the price and necessity of the judgement of the Captains in the persons of B●●ius and Cassius, who fled out of Rome after that they had slain Cesar, and through their wisdom and policy gathered together within the space of two years: an army of xx. legions of foremen, and of xx M. horse men, a legion according to the opinion of Livy, 
What a legion i●.  had in it the number of five thousand four hundred soldiers and according to the mind of Vigetius it was of the number of six thousand and some time of greater number beside this they had a Navy of two hundred great ships at the least, they were thoroughly furnished with all kind of Munition and well provided of money, this had they brought to pass in the space of two years having Octavius surnamed Angustus, Marcus Antonius & Marcus Lepidus to enemies, who then governed in the triumvirate at Rome, and did continually persecute them with wars by all means possible as the aforesaid auctor plainly doth declare. Also they brought under their governance all the countries even from Macedonia to the flood Euphrates, beside these examples the histories are full of the praises of worthy generals, but by the way I would not that any man should think that I do so greatly honour the judgement of the general: that I would thereby condemn discipline in any respect in the which I would have the soldier brought up and trained, but I do think it as requisite that the general with his chief officers of the army, be of judgement sufficient to direct the use of this disciplne, as it is for the soldiers to be brought up and instructed therein, and the army that wanteth either of them: to wit the disciplined soldier and the general of judgement is not perfect, nor sufficient to take any great enterprise in hand.  
There is nothing more profitable nor meet to bring a general to this perfection then to add to his experience the reading of histories in the which he shall see plainly set before his eyes in what order battles have been fought, overthrows given, victory used, countries defended and conquests made, wherefore if the general with his chief officers want this perfection they are not greatly to be feared although their armi be of trained soldiers. Furthermore their is nothing more to be embraced by a worthy general, than modesty, and there is nothing more perilous in a General then to be ambitious rash and wilful, as for example at the battle of Canua, 
A general must be void of ambition and rashness.  as plutarck declareth in the second part of his lives: in the life of Fabius Maximus and also of Aniball, how that both the Roman consuls were there pesent the one was Paulus Emitius a man of great judgement and worthiness in arms, the other was Caius Terentius Varro a vain and wilful man, full of ambition, glory, & boasting. This Terentius could not be contented to govern jointly with his companion and to use mutual council, but would have the government divided and would govern every other day absolutely to avoid contention Paulus Emilius granted thereunto Emilius saw how to chase Aniball out of Italy without hazarding of any one battle and therefore he determined to prolong the wars, and seeing Anibal in a strange country, in great extremity through want of victuals, his army being of many nations he was assured by these means to enforce him to abandon Italy for that time, contraryly, Terentius (being a man of small judgement in martial affares) did taunt blame and openly spoke evil, 
Terentius wilful and without skill.  of that noble man Emilius, having no respect at all to his worthiness and wisdom but said it was great shame to see the enemy daily in battle and the Romans to lie idle within their camp, not weing what it was that constrained the enemy so to do wherefore when he had brought to pass that he mought govern every other day, Anibal being newly come with his army to Canua and there lodged and the Romans being lodged upon both sides of the river A●sido, now called ●ofanto not far from him as soon as his day came, in the morning by the rising of the sun he caused to set up on the height of his tent a token to signify that he would give battle which the italians call vest militare, this did he directly against the will of his companion, when Aniball saw this he was exceeding glade for it made well for his purpose: for he was in great extremity through want of victual, Terentius had double the number of soldiers that Aniball had. His soldiers were well trained and brought up in discipline whom he put in order and gave battle, the horse of Emitius was slain under him and he fought on foot like a noble man when Terentius saw his people like to be overthrown he fled Emitius like a noble man fought continually, 
Emilius most valiant, and courageous.  till at the last, seeing the Romans all slain and fled, he sat him down upon a stone, being full of wounds and imbrued with blood that no man did know him till at the last Cornelius Lentulus a noble young man came by him & knew him, he lighted immediately from his horse and desired him to leap on and to save himself for the love of his Citizens who had great need of so worthy a Captain as he was, 
His answer to Lentulus before his death.  but he answered not so O Lentulus, but commanded him to leap to horse and said declare unto Fabius Maximus and also be thou witness how that Paulus Emilius hath observed his council even to the last of his life and hath not broken one jot of the promise that he made unto him, and that he was not overcome only by Aniball, but also by Terentius, and with such commendations he licenced Lentulus, and then he fell down among the ded bodies & gave up the spirit. Here was seen to the great hindrance of the Roman City the difference, between the modesty of Emilius and the arrogancy of Terenrius, Livy saith that in this battle there were slain xl. M foot men and two thousand seven hundred horsemen, pollibie declareth of a great number but truth it is that the Romans nether in the first nor second wars of the Carthagunenses received a greater overthrow than this, for so much as Emilius the Consul a man of great worthiness and virtue redi in all doubts toward his country with Servilius which was Consul the year before, and a number of worthy Citizen's eyes, who had been consuls, praetors Tribunes, Aediles and inch like, were there slain.  
The like happened in Puglia and other time: Fabius Maximus being then dictator, Anibal determined to winter with his army in a City named Glereon, a City of great wealth Fabius encamped as near him as he mought conveniently, and being called to Rome (for sundry great affares of the common wealth) left his army under the conduct of Marcus Minutius with express commandment nether to assail the enemy ne yet to give battle in any wise. It happened after the departure of the dictator a squadrone of the enemies to go forth into the country for corn, Minutius hearing of it broke the commandment of the dictator & marched forth with certain bands & encountered the enemy and chased them home to their very lodgings & flew a great number of them, the bruit of this came fleeing to Rome, and forthwith it was held for a great victory, & immediately the people wold● needs that the government should be equally divided between Fabius and Minurius: a thing or that time never seen, Fabius endured all these things patiently and returned to his camp, they were then two dictator's, Minutius through this little spark of good hap, did clean forget himself and took upon him without the advise of Fabius to give battle which Anibal (being often victorious) durst scarcely do Minutius being an arrogant, 
Note the arrogancy and wilfulness of Minutius.  ambitious and proud man, and not of great judgement in the discipline of the wars caused Fabius to stand in great doubt, lest that he being thus excidingly puffed up in pride should take in hand some matter that mought greatly hurt the common wealth wherefore he came to Minutius and divided with him the army, thinc king it better for him to govern only some part of the army then confusedly with his insolent companion to govern the whole. Whereupon he took to him the first and fourth part of the Roman soldiers and gave to Minutius the second and third part the like did he by the soldiers that they call aids, when Minutius saw himself dictator equal with Fabius and that he had an army at his commandment, he was in great triumph, Fabius bad him to take heed and to confider that now it was not with Fabius that he must have to do, but with Aniball, and upon this Fabius caused his drums and trumpets to sound and marched out of the camp and went to a ground that he liked and there encamped with his people.  
Anibal understanding of this, approached near to them both and encamped in a ground of strength and had between him and his enemy's ground very apt to ambush his people in, and when he saw Minutius divided from Fabius he thought it good to present the battle to Minutius and in the night ordained and placed his ambushes and appointed them a sign at the which they should salie. When the day came he sent certain bands to take a hill not far from Minutius to provoke him to battle, Minutius forthwith: sent forth his light armed men and attached the scaramoche and seeing Anibal to supply from time to time (with fresh bands) those soldiers that he had sent to take the h●ll he put his whole army in order, and marched forth and joined with the enemy in battle, the fight was cruel, the Carthaginenses retired and fought continually until such time as they had drawn him past their ambushes, than Aniball gave his sign, wher●pon the ambushes discovered themselves and assailed the Romans behind them with great rumour, noise, and slaughter, when Minutius turned him and saw the disorder that was among his people, and his Captains fleeing he sought to save himself also by flight, whereupon the Numidan horsemen followed the chase, and made great slaughter of the disorderid Romans.  
When Fabius saw the Romans in this extremity, the which he suspected in the beginning of the battle he went to a certain place from whence he mought behold the whole mattet and seeing the Romans gathered in the midst of their enemies struck his hand upon his thigh and with a great sigh said in the presence of all those that were with him, O Hercule, sooner than I would have wished & not so soon as he himself would, Minutius hath undone himself and his, whereupon he commanded his army to march and said O soldiers whosoever doth now think upon Minutius let him make haste and consider that he is a worthy man one that loveth his count●e, 
Fabius' exortation to his soldier.  and although it hath not happened (according to his desire) that he mought put the enemies to flight we shall here after have time to blame him for it. Then he encountered the Numidianes, charged them, and put them to flight and marched on and encountered those that were laid in ambush in the night and assailed the Romans behind them in the battle, he slew them that the rest of the Carthagtnenses seeing this, began to i'll.  
When Anibal saw his people i'll and Fabius a far of very fiercely among the Carthagynenses, he left of any further executing of the Romans and commanded to sound to the standard and then returned to his lodging and suffered the Romans to pass to their camp without any further slaughter, & it is said that being at his lodging & talking of Fabius he said have not I often times told you that yonder mist that lay always upon the hill would make us one day very foul wether. I have this day overcome Minutius and Fabius hath overcome me. When the battle was ended Fabius commanded his soldiers to take the spoil of the ded enemies, and then returned to his camp, and notwithstanding this great victory he never cast in the tetle of his companion his evil government.  
When Minutius came to his camp, he spoke to his soldiers in this sort. My companions in arms, there is nothing more perilous to a man then to fail in gerat matters: 
Minutius acknowledgethe his folly.  and when he seith his own default it is the part of a wise man to obey unto him that hath given him good admonition & although that I have good occasion to be offended with fortune, yet I must confess that I am much bound to her, for that she hath given me to understand even in an instant that I not being able to command others, should submit myself to the rule of others. Wherefore let us go to the first dictator and render him thancks and I promise you that I will be the first, both to thank him and to yield him obedience, when he had thus spoken, he commanded to take down the Eagles which were the banners of government and marched with them to the lodgings of Fabius and being come to the market place, he went straight to his tent and there did set up the Eagles with great noises and when Fabius came forth of his tent he came & called him father, and his soldiers saluted the soldiers of Fabius by the name of patrons or Masters. When silence was commanded Minutius said to Fabius thou hast in one instant obtained two victories thou hast overcome thine enemy by force and thy companion by counsel and cortezie, wherefore I may justly call the most worthy father, who hath saved both me and my people & then served under him as general of the horsemen as before.  
Hereby it appeareth that where things shall take good effect▪ it must needs be that the soldiers be brought up in discipline and that the general be able to judge of discipline, as for example livy in his third Book of his first decade doth well declare that it was not only an army of trained soldiers: that did overthrow the people called Volsci and Equi, but that also the consuls & chief officers of the field were of great judgement, whose good order did not à little prevail in that behalf. Beside this it was not only an army of trained soldiers that discomfited the Samnites not far from the City Suessola, where they slew an exceeding great number of them and took. 40. thousand shields which were of the men that were slain, and also. 170. standardz Cornets, and Euseignes as witnesseth Livy in his seven. Book of his first decade, but that also the judgement of the Consul did much prevail in that behalf, who when he saw the great number of his enemies, commanded his soldiers to hold them within his camp, whereupon the Samnites presuming, contemned the enemy., and neglicted order, and dispersed themselves all the country over to provide them of corn and other victuals, and left their camp ungarded in effect, which when the consul understood he exhorted the soldiers to behave them valiantly and immediately went forth of his camp and assailed the camp of his enemies, and in the first charge he slew the greatest number of them as they were in their tents and lodgings, and then commanded to set all their Cornets, ensigns and standardz, upon the trenches of their camp which he had taken from them, and then left for the guard of the camp two legions, with commandment that on pain of death no man should take any thing of the spoil of the camp until his return, whereupon he marched on with his army in order toward the enemy and sent his horsemen before him, who charged, the negligent and unprovided enemies being dispersed all over the field and utterly destitute of order so that they fled with great confusion and fear, not knowing whither it were best to i'll, when this was done the counsul returned to the camp with great victory, and then gave the spoil of the camp of the enemies to his soldiers. In like sort was the perfect order of L. Scipion counsul: no less helpful to his army when that he defeicted the mitghty army of Antioch king of Asia up on the river Phrigio near to the City Magnesia as witnesseth Livi in his fourth decade and seven. Book. And in like sort did the indgement of Alexander the great help his soldiers in the battle that he fought with Darius in the which with a small number of trained soldiers he defeicted 6. hundred thousand Persians as witnesseth Blondo in his x book de La institution de La chose public. In the like sort was the judgement of T. Quintius Flaminius helpful to his trained atmie when he did overthrow Philippe the Macedon prince, beside Scotusa in Gretia, slew viii. thousands of his soldiers and took five thousand of them prisoners as witnessyth Plutarck in his Book called the second part of his lives, in the life of the same Flaminius.  
Beside this it was not only the continual exercise and discipline of the soldiers of Scanderbag that gave unto the turks so many overthrows as are declared in his Commentaries, although they were become through their continual exercise as it were invincible but his great judgement in the art of the wars was a great part of the cause thereof, for he knew when and how to take the advantage of his enemy  
Also to come to our age in the battle that francis the first of that name Frenshe king, fought at Marignian with the Suysses where great skill and valiantize was showed on both parts, yet was not the victory won alone through the discipline of the soldiers but also through the judgement of the conductors. The like may be said of the battle that the County de Augimen fought at Serizoles with the Marquis of Guasto in the year of our Lord. 1544 The like of the battle of Pavia between the aforesaid Frenshe king and the Duke of Burbone lieutenant of the Imperial army. Also the like, of the battle between Charles the first: and the Duke john of Saxon, the landgrave of ●esse in Almaigne. What should I say any more to prove this to be true, the histories do all affirm that the understanding of the general doth greatly help to the obtaining of the victory, and without it a trained army is but as a man maimed in comparison of a man that hath all his limbs sound and perfect, and of all the victories that I have here spoken of, and also of all those that I have red of, besides those that I have seen, I have not found one given by untrayned soldiers. Wherefore no army may be called perfect that wanteth these two kinds of men in it which is the general of perfect judgement & the soldier brought up in discipline.  
Vigetius sayeth in his .28 chapter of his first Book of art of the wars that the Epirotes and Macedonines people of great power, adorned with many victories and also the Thesalique nation who brought under their yoke the Persians even to the confines of India, besides these Lacedemonies, Athenies Marsians and Samnites, The Datianes', Medes and Thratianes' which were so warlike that it was said among them that Mars (whom the heathen call the god of battle) was borne in their country, all these nations did the Romans (through their perfect discipline) bring under their rule.  
Also Vigetius saith in his first Book and first chapter of the art of the wars, 
The benefit of discipline.  that the great number of the Frenshe should have devoured the small number of the Romans, had not been their discipline only, besides that it had not been possible for the Romans to have resisted the populous & mighty nations of the Germans but only by theit discipline, moreover they should not have been able to encountte the lusty & puisante nations of Spain had not been their discipline, yea by what means prevailed they against the wise and wealthy africans, but only through discipline, by what means brought they under yoke the mighty and subtle nation of Greeks, but only by their discipline. The noble Emperor Frederick Barberouse being entered Italy with his army to chastise the Millaneses for their rebellion, would in no wise offer war to his enemies until his soldiers had fworne unto him to observe the discipline of the wars. Paulus iovius saith that the Hungarians so long as they did observe discipline were well able to defend their own & gave the Turcks' sundry overthrows, Val●ius Maximus in his second Book calleth discipline not only, the foundation of the Roman Empire, but also the preservation & maintenance of the same, for in deed it is a hard matter to overthrow a worthy general, having an army of well choose soldiers, obedient, well exercised in the feats afore mentioned & do know what the weapons are worth that they bear being well furnished, and well instructed in order knowing the commodity thereof so long as in battle they do observe it, for it is an impossibility to give any great overthrow we to men that observe their order in the which they are plase & do use their weapons accordingly. Wherefore I wish all men of honest spirits to seek to understand the effect of this discipline, for it doth as much & more help to the obtaining of victory, then doth the greatness of the number as Caesar, Appian, Vigetius & Plutarcke, chief do declare. Peradventure some man will say, why sir we need not this discipline whereof you speak: we can have for our money strangers which are good soldiers to serve us when we need. But such as are of that opinion I wish to read the histories & Chronicles of France, 
The incommodity that cometh by the service of staungers.  for France hath well felt the commodity of the service of staungers, which nether serve for honour of their country & prince, ne yet for their wives, children, goods & possessions, but they seek only to lead the wars at length & to make their ptoffytt of it, beside this I think it not inconvenient to show an example or two of the good service of strangers, Mounser de Lautrec, being in Italy general of the Frenshe army at the siege of Pavia, the Suissers came unto him and required him either to give them licence to repair home in to their country, or else to go & encounter the enemies, for they would no lengar tarry in Italy, whereupon fearing that the Suissers should leave him, he was enforced to go & encounter the enemy, in the which ●ncountre he was overthrown beside Milan at a village called the Pico ●ue, & all his army put to flight as witnesseth paradyne in his first Book of his history.  
The like did Andre Dorie at the siege of Naples being in the pay of ●he Frenshe king & in his service at the siege before Naples and kept ●heir victuals and relief from them whereupon they furnished the Navy of the town & then the chief princes & rulers of the town em●arcked themselves & went and gave battle to the said Door, 
Andre Dorie.  and after long fight, Dorie obtained the victory & took prisoners the prince of Orange the Marquis of Guasto, Camile, Colona, icardo, and a gentle man of Spain named Gogna, he slew two worthy Captains Feramus ●a and Gabone & took three Galleys from the enemies after this he left ●he service of the Frenshe king & carried with him his Galleys and the prisoners that he had taken & went and served the Emperor & immediately set his prisoners at liberty, & the Emperor gave him the principality of Melphe with diverse other castls & lordships. The like did ●he Marques Brandenburge, 
Marquis Brand  when he departed from the service of Henry ●he Frenshe king, carried not he the Duke Domerle with diverse others prisoners with him. Also to come to our wars when the town of Haddington in Scotland was holden for our king Edward the vi. did not the Almains Mutyne there, 
Hadington.  and put themselves in arms against ●s, which (if the enemies had understood) mought have been the loss of the town. Let these few examples fuffyse for this time, and although that I have in this little preface briefly touched the worthiness of discipline, yet am I well assured that victory cometh not only by it, but by the gift of God, wherefore I must say with Saint Paul, 
1 Cor. 3.  Paul planteth. Apollo watereth, but god giveth the increase, even so, the General commandeth, the soldiers obey but God giveth the victory, wherefore, let all men seek to know him, and serve him as he himself hath appointed, and then shall all things go well with them.  
Your honours most humble servant john Shute   

The translator to the reader  
I Have (good reader) turned into English out of the Italien, these two Books following, the one is a commentary of Andrew Lambine▪ the other a commentary betwixt George Scanderbag & the T●tckes & although they be not done in an exquisite and curious stile (which I leave to those that have been brought up in schools and are seen in oratory) yet is the matter of importance, and to such as delight in martial affairs, both pleasant and profitable, the knowledge whereof is very necessary, forasmuch as no country, can promise to itself perpetual peace and quietness. Wherefore take in good part I beseech the this my travail, and use it so, that thereby thou mayst be the better able to serve to the maintenance of Gods glory and common wealth of thy country. I have added in th'end of the books following a table which declareth the principal matters contained in them, what the princes were that brought them to pass and the years wherein they were done, I have also noted the principal matters of the books in the margent which mine author hath not.   

A commentary of Andre CAMBINO A FLORENTINE BORNE, OF THE original of the Turques, and Empire of the house of Ottomanno. The first Book.  
THE Turquish nation after the opinion of divers writers chief of these of●ate years for that they have seen them rule in those parts where the citieof Troy once was, and having regard to their name, have affirmed that they are descended from Teu cxi, from whence the Troyans' bade their original, the which is utterly false, for in deed that nation which at this present dwelleth in the lesser Asia under the rule of the house of Ottomann●: being of nature cruel and barbarous, took original from the Scithianes, and as the philosopher Etico doth declare, had their abiding beyond the montaines called Pyrithei, not far from the Isles' Tarraconite: directly toward the Northwest sea.  
And as Otho, brother to Federyckes father of ostrich being Emperor doth declare, that at the time when P●pine raigined in France, these people departing from the confines of Caspie were about the year of Christ 760. being encountered with the people Auari which in our time are Hungarians, and fight between them a cruel battle, and great slaughter on both sides done. The Turques not withstanding continuing their enterprise, overran and spoiled the countries of Poutho, and Capadocia with other provinces to them adioyinge. And in the beginning they gathered themselves together secretly and dwelled upon mountains and in strong places, perilous to assail, and maintained themselves and lived of p●oie and spoil, as occasion was offered them. After that when they grew to some strength, and were provided of captains, and discipline, they began with open wars to molest and trouble the people of those countries near unto them adjoining and to become lords of their countries, and these people not being able to stand against and to endure their force, and cruelty, were enforced forced to give place: so that the Turques within short space possessed not only Pontho and Capadocia, but assailed the lesser Asia (which taking his name of them is at this day called Turchia) in such sort, that in short time they became lords, and masters of Galatia, Bithynia, Pamphi●ia, Pisidia, of the one and other Frigia, of Cilitia, and of Caria, enlarging the confines of their dominion even from the sea called jonio, to the banks of the sea Egeo, and then appointed to every faction and country, his governor, and in this sort governed for a long time, having among them neither king, ne any man endued with title of sovereentie, other then of captain, according to the saying of Nicolao Sagundino a man very well seen, both in the greek and Latin tongue, and also in the histories as well ancient, as of later times, for that he had exercised himself along time in them, and having joined to his redinge, experience, having travailed thorough, & seen the greatest part of the inhabited earth who wrote to the pope pio, that about the year of the christian health 1330. There arose among the Turques one Ottomano, of a noble house and small wealth, wise, and of a noble mind, who by his perswasiones and towardness, had gathered together a great numbered of valiant and lusty men, desirous of alteration, he took in hand the which he knew to be generally acceptable unto them, which was to make wars against the Christian which confined with his countries, and through his liberal distributing of the proys and spoils that he gate from the christians, to his soldiers, his power was so increased throw the pleasantness of gain and reputation that his people had, that he (seeing himself chief of an army which desired to live licensiously, and was apt to accompany him in whatsoever enterprise he should take in hand, determined to make himself prince of that company, and began openly with wars to persecute those that would not there unto agree in the which his enterprise, he was very well helped by the discord and division that was amongst the principal and chief rulers of that nation, and he aiding himself with the same division, did continaully maintain and norrishe the same, and gave now aid to the one party and then to the other, 
subtility of Ottoman no the first prince of the turks.  until that they were all, so consumed and impoverished that they were not able to resist his force, when it was employed against them. And in this sort, he became a Tyrant over his own nation, & made himself lord of the greatest part of their countries naming himself prince of the lesser Asya. This Ottomano at his death left to succeed him in his kingdom Orcano his son, 
Oreano the second  who following his father's foot steps did not only preserve the Empire which his father left him. But also enlarged it greatly, when Orcano died, Amorath his eldest son succeeded him in his kingdom, 
Amorath the third.  who transfering his court to Bithynia, ordained the seat of his kingdom in Bursia, which standeth at the very foot of the roots of the Mount Olimpo. In the time of Amorathe, two of the Emperor's sons of constantinople fell at strife about the possession of the Empire, it seemed to the younger son, that his brother did marvelously oppress him, and although his force was not sufficient to resist him, he would not yet give place unto him, but sent to Amorathe for aid, of fearing him a great sum of money inrecompence, Amorathe agreed to his demand, and assembled his power, and with speed embarked his people and passed into Gretya, and with great subtlety did lead the wars at length, and when he saw the two brethren so weak and that they had consumed the treasure which their father left them, & by their cyville wars had so spoiled their country that they were not able to maintain themselves in there estate which there revene we which was then left them, 
Amorathe the first turk that invaded Gretia.  he in one instant employed his force against them both, and in the first assault he took the city of Gallipolli, a place very commodious for his state, for asmuch as it standeth in Propontide upon the sea side not far from the mouth of the strait of Helesponto. And desiring earnestly in his mind the Empire of Gretia for asmuch as he knew their force not able to endure against him, whereupon he used the occasion, & did continually spoil and impoverish them, in such sort as in short space he became lord of the greatest part of Romania, 
Ro●a●y● parcel of Thratia.  which is the principal part of the province of Thracia, the which in ancient time had his confines very large, in so much that it is said that on the one side they stretched out toward the east even to the sea called Eusino, and Propontyde, and towards the south to the sea Eugenio, and the flood Strimone and the country of Macedonia, and towards the north to the river Danubio, & on the west it confined with the Mountains of Peonia, & with panonia now called hungaria and with the river Savo, in the which Thratia they will that there be comprehended the one and other Misya, 
The two contreis' called Misianowe Seruya, and Bargarya named.  at this day called Servia, and Burgarya, the inhabitants whereof do call all these places lying a long the seacoaste toward the south inhabited by the Greeks even to the very strait of Elespontho, Romania, when Amorath died, he left behind him two sons, Saliman, and Baiazith, Saliman died in short space after, than the succession was wholly in Baiazith who took in hand the goveraunce. And when he had established his state in Asya, 
Bayazithe the 4 prince of the turks made the second wars in Gretia.  he sent a new power into Europa, and revived the wars began by his father, against the Greeks, in the which fortune so favoured him that in short space he was possessed of all Romania, and left the Emperor of Gretia nothing but Constan●nople and Pera the which was possessed then by the genoese, after this he passed on and made his wars even in the very bowels of Gretia, with a course of marvelous victory no place resisting him, he occupied Thessalia, Phocide, the country of Boetia, with the greatest part of the country of Attica, that only the city of Athenes was defended, which being of such force, both natural and artificial that it was inexpugnable, wherefore he entered into Macedonia the which in time past had his confines greatly enlarged through the great force of the places of the same, & contained in it at that time the countries of Peonia and Paphlagonia, and finding it unfornished of such as mought defended it he possessed it, and passed on with his people and made a course through Bossina, and Servia, leading away with him continually great proys both of men, and cattles in most miserable calamity, and thus he went on consuming and destroying the countries, 
Baiazith besegithe. Constantinople.  and then returned into Romania, and brought his army to constantinople, and shut in them of the city and took from them, all the country about them, in such sort that they were enforced to hold them with in the gates of the city, and could none without great danger go forth of it no way by land, & tormenting it continually, had brought it to that pass that the Citizens being out of all hope to defended it, began already, to practise appointment with him. And there is no doubt, that if god by extraordinary means, had not provided for it, the city of constantinopole the which in time before, many hundred years passed, had been the head, not only of Gretia, but also, of the greatest part of the world, had at that time fallen into hands of the most cruel and barbarous natione of Turques, had not been Tamerlano, a parthian borne who with a great power: entered the lesser Asia, and assailed it with such fury, that he constrened Baiazith to abandon Constantinople: and to pass with his army in to Asya, for the defence thereof. And having now occasion to speak of the acts of Tamerlano, and his people, I have thought it, 
Digressed  not inconvenient, to make some little digression, and to declare from whence this puissant captain had his original, and by what means he did attain to the high and supreme degree of honour, in the which he then was, when Baiazith was chief prince, and king of the Turks, this Tamerlano was borne in Parthia, of base and simple parents, he was exerised in arms even from his childehed, and did so profit therein, that it was hard to say which had greater place in him, either strength and lustiness of his body or else his wisdom and other virtues of the mind, so that among the soldiers he was had in great reputatyon and honour, in such sort that a great multitude followed him, and chiefly those, which were most experimented in the wars and thus in short time he became prince of a mighty army, both of horse men, & footmen, whom he had gained to follow him, by his virtue, good disposition, and liberality, by whose aid he first delivered his country of Parthya from the bondage of the saracenes, and then became prince thereof after that with great violence, he assailed the countries near unto him and in few years possessed them: and brought to his obedience, Scythia Asyatyca, Iberia, the Albaneses, the Persyanes', the Assyrianes, and Medes, a●d last of all he brought under his yoke Mesopotamia and the greater Armenia, and then passed over the flood Euphrates about the year of our Lord 1390. with a far greater army than was that of Dario, or that which Xerse brought into Grecia, for it is said that he had in his camp 400000. 
The atmie of Tamer lano.  horsemen, & 600000. foot men, with whom he assailed the lesser Armia, upon whose confines Baiazith the Turk, king of Asia encountered him with a mighty power both of horsemen & foot men, and trusting in the virtue and discipline of his people, whose labour he had a long time used with great felicity, did not refuse to accept the battle notwithstanding he knew himself to be far inferior in number. Then these two mighty princes approaching the one towards the other so near as they might discern the one the others order, 
The battle between tamerlano & baiazith.  omitted no time but joined in battle, in the which, for the greatest part of the day there were slain great numbers on both sides, and they fought with such assurance, nether part giving place to the other, that it was hard to say where the victory should incline, till at the last the Turks being weary, and not able to endure the force of the Parthians (who continually supplied their squadrons with fresh bands) sought to retire themselves in order, tighting continually in their retreicte, but the Prince being ware hereof, commanded certain great troops of horsemen to give charge upon them, who charged them with such force that they disordered them, and then the Turks began to flee, leaving the victory to their enemies, and Baiazith fought valiantly a long time in person, till he had lost a great multitude of his people: and also last of all, his horse was stain under him and then was taken and presented to Tamerlano, who commanded him to be encheined, and led him with him thorough out all Asia for a spectacle, and it is said that whilst he did dine and fuppe, he had him always tied under his table like a dog, and so fed him, and when he went to horse, he caused him to be brought and to sit him down upon his knees & elbows. And thus used him in stead of a block to go to his horse on. And thus he held him prisoner during his life in most miserable calamity.  
All those which at any time have written of Tamerlano, 
discipline of Tamerlano.  have greatly commended him for the discipline and order which he observed in the conducting of his armies, for they declare that every occupation had his street appointed him in the camp, wherein he might use his exercise even in like order as it had been in a famous city, & there was in it great abundance of all things for the commodity of man, which proceeded of his severity and justice, for he would not leave unpunished the jest violence that was committed: not so much as the taking away of one handful of grass against the owners good will whereupon it followed that he had as great abundance of all necessaries in his camp, as if it had been in great fairs and markets, brought thither voluntarily from the countries about him as he passed, his severity also was such that it held his soldiers so within the bands of modesty, that there was never seen nor head any kind of sedition among them, and they say further, which is greatly to be marveled at, that he never fought with man, but he had the victory over him, so that he never tasted of Fortune's bitterness. Thus when he had spoiled and conquered all Asia even to the flood Nilo, & had taken by force Emirua, Antiochia, Sebastia, Tripoli, and Damascus, with a great number of other cities more, and put the inhabitants of them to the sword carried away their spoil, and consumed them into ashes: leaving them desert and plained to the ground.  
Then entered he into egypt, where he gave many overthrows to the Soldans people, and constrained them to flee beyond Pelusyo and would have followed them had not the scarceness of victuales ben, for it was not possible for him to provide carriage for to transport sufficienty of victual: for the norrishing of so populous an army as his was, through the sandy and desert countries, his courage was such, that he delighted chiefly in those enterprises which seemed most difficile to be achieved in the opinion of others, 
Damas●o.  as it came to pass in the taking of Damascus, where a numbered of the defendants conveyed themselves out of the town into the castle where in there own opinion & in the common opinion of others, they were safe, considering the natural force of the seat, and also the artificisal● force of the place, notwithstanding being desirous to avoid the misery and travail of a siege and to save their lives, they gave out a token, signifying that they were desirous to talk with him, and upon condition to yield him the place, but he refused utterly to hear of any appointment, although, his captains would gladly have persuaded him there unto, 
Tameriano delighteth in difficile enterprises.  but went and considered thoroughly the seat and force of the place, and seeing the walls to be such that no ladder might attain the height of them, he determn●ed in any wise to have it by force, whereupon he caused forthwith near unto the same castle, another castle to be builded of far greater height than the first, from the height whereof he did so beat his enemy's day and night without cease, that in the end with the loss of a great number of his people, he took it of force.  
After this, having intelligence that in the city of Caphia, a garrison town of the genoese, 
Policy of Tamer●●o.  was great store of gold and silver in the hands of the merchants, he having already purpofed to take that town by force, which standeth in Cheronesso Taurico, not far from the Bosphono and strait Timerico, and considering that the treasure (although he wan the town) mought easily be buried under the ground and so saved, he determined to have both the town & treasure by this mean, he called to him the skinners of his country, such as had most rich furs, as Sables, Armines', Jennets, Martirones, and such like, and gave them commandment, for the more speedy dispatch of the matter, that they should not pass, for the selling of them at a low price, to the end, that through the meanness of the price, the merchants mought more greedily by them, this matter being skilfully handlded was soon dispatched, and immedialy after that he denounced wars against them, and forthwith, presented himself with his army to the town, and when he had environed the town with his camp, he planted his batteries and continued them day and night without ceasing, in such sort, that in short space he possessed the town, the merchants, the furs, and the money which was an inestimable treasure. It is written also, that this was his order in besieging of towns, the first day his own lodgings were white, and if in that day, the inhabitants of the town did yield unto him, 
The custum of Tamerlano in the besieging of towns.  they received no hurt neither in body nor goods, the second day his lodgings were red, which signified to them of the town that if then they yielded, that he would put to death all the masters of the families. And the third day, was his last change, which was in to black Pavilions and tents, and then refused he all appointments and when he had in this sort taken any City or town he put all that were in it to the sword, not sparing any of whatsoever age or kind they were, when he had thus done, then would he command to sack the town, and when the goods were taken out of it, than would he cause fire to be set in the town & so consume it to ashes & leave it desert. And there is a bruit which continueth even to this day in those parts, that on a time a certain populous city defended themselves, till the third day, and then seeing a great space of the wall laid flat on the earth, and the enemy in battle ready to give the assault they were discouraged, and thinking to pacify the wrath of this cruel, proud, and victorious enemy, by humbling themselves, sent forth all the women and children of the town in white clothing: with olive branches in their hands, offering him the town, calling to him with loud voice for mercy, whom when Tamerlano saw a far of coming toward him, 
great cruelty of Tamerlano.  he gave commandment to certain bands of his horsemen to charge upon them and to put them all to the sword, after this, he took the city and sacqued it, and then burned it, it happened at that time by means of traffic of marchaundeze, certain marchante, a Genovese borne to be greatly in favour with Tamerlano, and being with him at that same present discoursing of sundry matters, asked him why he used so great cruelty towards those people which he overcame, but he turned to him with an exceeding troublous countenance: with eyes flaming like fire, and said unto him if thou dost think that I am aman thou art much deceived, for I say to the that I ●amthe wrath of God, sent to plague, and punish the world, and I command the that if thou wouldest not receive due punishment for thy auditiouse and foolish demand, that thou get the hence, out of my sight, & that thou come less in my presence, the poor merchant being much feared with the words of the Tyrant departed from him & was never seen after that by him, they that have sen Tamerlano living, 
Tamerlano likened to Aniball.  have said that he resembled much both in face, and manners, Anibal of Carthage, according to the opinion of diurse ancient writers, and before all other offences he showed his severe justice against thefts, in punishing them most sharply without any remission. And it is thought that he did it to that end, that the fear of punishment should cause them to refrain, to the end that he alone mought rob and spoil according to his own desire the whole world and last of all, his delight was wholly set to govern, in so much that he employed him, self continually as in an exercise most virtuous, to molest and trouble other princes with wars, by the which he had subdued many kings, and utterly impoverished a great numbered of tyranes, made desert many, countries, and converted in to ashes an infinite numbered of cities and towns, & then last of all, he returned into his country with his army in credibly enriched with the spoil of those nations whom he had subdued, and also he used to take out of every town that yeldyed unto him, certain of the chief households with all their substances and riches, and to send them wholly in to Parthia. When he was returned home he builded a new City very beautiful, and of a great circuit, and placed their in all those households afore rehearsed, in so much, the the new City being inhabited with these rich & noble men of diverse nationes, in short time increased so in wealth, that it became the chief city of all the Orient. And if it had happened, that Tamerlano had had with him some man of excellent learning and wisdom, who mought with his writings have celebrated the great enterprises that he did, their is no doubt but that he mought, have been numbered among the chief and principal captains, either of the old world or else of this present age, but god giveth not all things to one man, & also it seemed that his great cruelty which he used toward those that he overcame, did not deserve to have his fame celebrated by writing, ne yet the it mought long remain to his posterity, when Tamerlano died, he lefteto succide him in his Empire which he had thus gotten by the sword, 
Divine justice.  two sons, which after his death fell out & maintained civil wars between them, & were the cause the the old, and ancient parthicke fame clearly extinckte & brought to oblivion, and after ward by Tamerlano revived, could not continue nor increase.  
But now, returning to our History where we left, after that the army of Baiazith was defected & he taken by Tamerlano, his sons fled away before the fury of the victorious enemy, who had bereft them the whole empire of the less Asia, and when they came into Gretia: they happened into the hands of the Emperor of Constantinople, 
Calapin● the 5. king  who preserved their lives, and held them under good guard, and after the death of Tamer●ano, he licensid the eldest son Calapino, to pass into Asia, where when he was arrived he was forth with, gratfullye received of the people, and in short time recovered the Empire which once was his fathers & after that returned into his state & government in Gretia, & from thence went against the king of hungari, who went then for aid to Charles the vi. King of France, who granted him a great numbered of men at armies under the conduct and guide of john Count of Niverse, who afterward succyded his father in the governance and principality, of the Duchy of Borgonie, and of many other Captains as it is some thing plainly declared already by us, in the French History, and in the life of the afore said Charles the sixth also that when there were defeycted in hungary at Mychopollye, 
Defeict at Michopolli.  eight hundred French lances, the afore said john with many other noble men of France, was taken prisoner, & for the sum of two hundred thousand ducats were set at liberty by the afore said Calapino, them died this same Calapino, & left Orca his son, but Moses his brother succided him in his Kingdom, 
moises the 6. King.  who bereft Orca not only of his kingdom but also of his life, but he long enjoyed not that kingdom so wickedly gotten, but died in short space after, 
Mahometh the 7 king.  & left his brother Mahometh to succeed in his place, who afterward made wars upon the people of Valachia, a stout nation, dwelling near the mouth of the river Danubio, giving them many overthroes, and consuming their country with continual courses and spoils, compelled them to search appointment and to give tribute, after all this he employed his force against certain noble men of the Turkish nation, which dwelled in Asya, and he fell to agreement with some of them, and the greatest numbered of them he banished from their countries and dominions, and took them clean from them. This Mahometh during his reign, handled the christians that were his subjects very cruelly, and did plague them with sundry tyrannies, when Mahometh died, he left his Kingdom, to Amorath his son who was then in Anatolia upon the fronters: 
●morathe the 8. King.  with an army by the commandment of his father: for the guard thereof who hearing of the death of his father, came with all speed of Calcedone to pass the strait and so to enter into his dominions of Gretia, but the Emperor of Constantinople: did prohibit him the passage for a long season with his navy, and set Mustaffa the youngest son of Baiazith at liberty, and also gave him aid to recover his father's kingdom, but when Mustaffa, and Amorath were once joined in battle, Mustaffa with his power was soon defected, & Amorath with his army remained there with the victory upon the place, and easily possessed the dominions and kingdom of his father, after that he brought his army into Gretia, and with continual courses did so spoil and impoverish, those provinces that yet rested in the hands of the christians, and lad his army to the city Thesalonica, which was then possessed by the Venetyanes', by virtue of a grant made unto them by Theodoro, son to Emanuel, Emperor of Constantinople, and took it by force and sacked it, and left it in manner desert, and following on, the race of his victory, entered in to Epirro which of men of this age is called Lartha, & from thence into the countries of the people called Etolli, countries in ancient time of great power and nobility, and at this day are joined to the governance of Macedonia, 
Amorathe taketh Sckyavonia.  & when he had thus taken them, he annexed them to his crown. And shortly after he entered into Illiria, which at this day is called Schiavonia, in the which their is contained Dalmatya, Croacya, and Istria, with the people called Iburni, he over ran it with exceeding great spoil and destruction thereof, also he took there certain towns, and carried away from thence an inestimable proye of men and cattle. And because among the Turks it was lawful for one man to have many wives, 
Amorathe taketh to wife the daughter of the dispotte of Servia.  Amorath although he had already a great number of wives yet he joined himself in marriage with a daughter of George Dispotto of Servia, but making small account of the band of affinity with in short space after, he entered into Servia as an enemy with his army, but George knowing his force not sufficient to resist the power and fury of his son in law furnished with men & monition, the city of Sinderonia, and left in it one of his sons for the defence thereof, and he, with his wife children and family fled in to Hungary, and carried with him a great numbered of priests, 
Servia taken by Amorath●  Amorath in a short time became lord of all Servia, & then last of all with his army went to Sinderonia, and took it by force, and finding in it the son of the dispotto, he plucked out both his eyes, & carried him prisoner with him, when George had thus lost his country he continued in hungary many years in exile, tell on a time john the vaivoda, which then governed hungary entered into Saruia. This vaivoda was accounted for his great judgement in wars, one of the most famous captains of Europe, and had given to divers of the Turks Savigiachi, many overthroes, and recovered out of the hands of the said Turk, a great part of the country of the afore named Dispotto, but he restored him not to all that which he had recovered, 
liberality of Vavioda.  for some part of it he gave to his captains, other he held to himself, persuading himself that he had great reason so to do, considering that it was he that had recovered it, and therefore thought it good to hold some part of it for himself and some for his friends, and the rather for that he knew the dispotto, not worthy to be trusted, for so much as as he put no difference between the Christian religion, and the Mahometan, and for that his country lay between the hungarians and the Turks, and would now enter in league with the one, and then with the other, and deceive them both, but now returning to speak of Amorath, a man truly of great power, & also of great understanding in wars, who when he had brought under foot those noble men of his nation, that held any parcel of his dominion, and had reduced to his obedience, all the less Asia, with pontho and Capadotia, so that all those that dwelled in it were his except only Caromano, 
Caromano prince of Cilicia.  prince of Cilitia, & Asmabeco which governed in Armenia near to the flood & uphrates, and the lord of Scandalaro which far beionde the city of Setalia, doth possess that part of Cilicia that doth face the Iste of Cyprus, and although that Amorath had determined in his mind the enterprise against the hungarianes yet he thought it good to make himself lord of the rest of Gretia, 
the, seat of Pelonesso  or at the least to leave them, his frynds, at his back, whereupon he entered into Peloponesso which at this day is called morea, and from thence marched on with his armies, to the strait (which beig) in breddeth but five thousand paces doth divide Peloponesso from the rest of Gretia, in sort, that if this distraite of the land were cut through, Peloponesso should be & Isle, enufroned with the seas, Egeo, and jonio) & there razed the wall of Esmillia the which in time paste was made by the Greeks for a strengeth to their country, & Constantainte the dispotto who at that time possessed it seeing himself not able to defend it, did grow to an appointment with him, and agreed to give him a certain tribute, and by that means made peace with him. When Amorathe had thus brought to pass the affares of Peloponesso, and possessid the whole province of Attica and was agreed with the lord of the city of Athenes which was aflorin tine by Birth, he assembled an army of a hundred thousands of men, and so passed into hungary, & being there could by no means get, 
Amorathe passeth with his army into hungary  sufficencie of corn ne victuales, for such an army, for so much, as the year before there had fallen so much rain in hungary, the it had in manner utterly destroyed their corn, in so much that the inhabitants thereof, were enforced to leave the contery in many places thereof & to seek for relief in other places, the which when he considered, he commanded to spoil the country, as much as in them was, & then returned home with his army. This scarcity & want of victual did at the time save the kingdom of Hungary, for by means of it, Amorath was constrained to return home with his army, & to content themselves with the simple spoil the they there found. 
the Cardinal Saint Agnolo sent into Almaigne  Then Eugenio the forth of the name Bushope of Rome, understanding in what peril the country of Hungari was, sent in to Almany juliano Cesearino his legate dalatere, Cardinal S. Agnolo, to persuade the Emperor and other princes of the almanigne nation to aid the king of Hungari, which Cesarino when he came into Almagnie, did earnestly desire the Emperor to take upon him the defence of the Kingdom of Hungary, against the enemies of the Christian faith when he had thus done, he went into Hungary, and there by his authority & effectuous persuasion, so moved the people, the every man took his furniture & weapon & would not tarry, the aid the was promised them out of Almaigne, but followed john Vaivoda their captain, & marched on into Gretia, until they came to the city of Sophia, & having often times occasion to deal with the Turks, had always the victory of them Vaivoda wan so great estimation in this journey, in the which he did not only fully execute the office & duty of an excellent discreet Captain, but also of a valiant and hardy soldier, so that it was grown to a Proverb among the Turks, the when the mother's would appease their children from crying, or else which draw them from any fond desire the they had, they would say, here cometh Vaivoda. After this all the Sangiachi gathered themselves together, with the am tenant of Gretia, which in the Turkish speech is called Belagarbei, & they united their powers & marched toward the christians, which a very puissant army, both of horse men and foot men, and joined with them in battle, 
Battle between vaivoda and the belagarbei of gretia.  but the Christians in numbered, were far in feriour to the infidels, who fought for a long time very valiantly with the hungarians, but at the last being overcome, through the virtue, and discipline of the hungarianes turned their backs and flied, and in this flight were slain a great numbered of them. In this act ofarmies, the hungarian Captains did some what augment the victory, and wrote to frederick the Emperor declaring that they had defected the turkish army, and slain thritye thousand of them upon the place, and also taken of them a great numbered, but it seemeth to me rather that to be true, that the Cardinal saint Agnolo wrote to the pope and the Emperor, which was, that the number of them that were slain, was upon the point of sire thousand, and that also, they had taken ix. cornets of the enemies, and thus attributing the glory to God: and then to john the Vaivoda, whose great understanding, and magnanimity, he doth celebrate with marvelous praises, when the turks were returned home from this defeicte, 
Brute in Turchie  they were more afraid them hurt, by means of a brute that ran among them, that the hungarians did not only make preparation to invade them, but the Almains and all the princes of Christendom also, whereupon they being in great doubt and fear, sent to the hungarians for peace, who well weing the power of the enemy, imputed the victory as well to good hap as to their force, and were willing to avoid the danger of any more enhaxarding their force, to attempt fortune, whereupon with good will accepted the conditiones offered unto them, and in this sort astablished a truce between them for ten years, conditionally the they should restore again to the Dispotto of Servia, all such towns of his, 
truce between the hungers & the turks.  as they then held presently in their possession, when the agreement, was thus put in writing, them were they on both parts solemnly sworn, to observe and fulfil all such articles as were notified with in the said truce, and thus on both sides they ceased from hosti, litie, dissolved their armies, and either returned to his country. The Cardinal who had determined to levy a new army, and so to follow the victory, was very much displeased with the making of this truce, and wrote his mind to the Pope in that behalf, 
Note the commandment of the Pope.  who was very sorrowful when he hard of it, and being a man fully bend to chase the Infidels out of Europe, wrote again to his Legate: that the truce taken between the Hungarians and the Turks, was of no value: for so much as his consent was not in it, and therefore charged him to command Laodislao, King of Polonia: who at that time possessed Hungary, that he should break the truce made with the enemy, and revive the wars, for so much as he and the rest were dispensed with as touching their oath, by the authority of the apostolic seat, than the bishop sent forth his Legates to the rest of the Christian princes desiring them to aid the King of Hungary in this enterprise against the Turk for the recovery of Gretia, but he found none that was any ●hynge moved with godly real toward this enterprise, saving only Philippe duke of Burgonye, who put to sea his navy, and sent them toward the strait of Gallipollie to joying with the Galleys o● the Pope Eugenio, which he sent under the conduct of Camertingo his nephew, to the end that they should spoil and invade the coast of Asia, & to shut up the strait, that no aid should come out of Asia into Europe. When Laodislao had received this commandment of the great bishop, he thought it very fit for his purpose, for so much as he knew right well that the nobility of Hungary were not well contented that he should govern and possess their country, wherefore he thought it good to hold the people thereof continually occupied in wars. And immediately without any difficutie obeyed the pope's commandment, sent for men into Polonia and Bohemia, with other countries near about him, and levied his army, made him ready with great celerity, leading with him a great number of Hungararians and also in manner, all the nobility and Prelates of Hungary, he had also in his company the Cardinal of saint Agnolo, who by the authority of the apostolic seat had gathered together a great number of crossed men, when Laodisiao was proclaimed Captain general of the journey (john vainoda went with an army, 
another journey against the Turcks.  in the which it is written that there were xl. thousand horsemen besides footmen) towards Valachia, where he had passage and victual, & then passed over the plains, and after that, over the river Dawbio, and from thence marched on into the lower Misia which at this present is called Burgaria, 
Mysia now called Burgaria.  intending to pass through the plains into Romania with his army, when Amorathe understood the coming of the Christians, and the great power that they were of, he trusted not greatly to the greeks, ne yet to the Turcks that were brought up in Gretiae, but thought it good to provide him an army of the people of Asia, wherewith he was marvelously troubled, considering the difficulty in passing them into Gretia, for so much as the navy of the Christians lay all along the Coasts, waiting continually to empeche him that he mought pass no army out of Asia to Europe, and thus tossing and tormen thing himself, searching what way he mought devise to pass them, being almost desperate and out of hope, of any transportage for them, considering the difficulty thereof, it is said that he was delivered from this care by means of an offer that was made unto him, by certain masters of Ships of Genoba, which went to him and offered him, that if he would content them well, that they would pass him in to Europe what numbered of men he would, and would give him surety thereof, of the which offer he was exceeding glade, and agreed to give them for every man that they should pass that served on horse back, a ducat of goold whereupon the genoese departed and set sail, and sailed to the mouth of the straight toward the great sea, which place, of them of old worlds was called the Bosphoro Cilmerico, which lieth between Prop●ntide and the sea Eusino, above Constantinople eight legnes & a half, Asia is there divided by an arm of the sea which is in breadeth half a mile and half a quarter of a mile, when Amorathe had brought his army near to Calcedoma: and that the genoese had received them all aboard, and according to the promise, received a hundred thousand ducats, for their passage they passed the strait, and put them safe a land in Thratia, in this mean time the army of the Christianes' was come to a place called Varna within four days journey of Andrinople, where they saw Amorathe with an army of an incredible numbered of men marching toward them whereupon the princes and Captains counseled, what was to be done, 
Note this opinion.  the king of Polonia, & the Legate, were of opinion the it was not best to tari him in the place but to retire them to some high hill, or ground of advantage, where they mought encamp, & not be enforced to battle. 
opinion of Vaivoda.  The Vaivoda was of contrary opinion, and alleged the the manner of the Turks was, ever, to bruit themselves to be a greater numbered, then in deed they were to the end to fear their enemies & to cause them to be in doubt of them, but admit said he, the they were so many in numbered as men say they are, yet ought we not to give any place, or to fear them, considering that they do not so greatly exceed us in number, as our Hungarians do surmowt them in virtue, discipline, & force, & also the turks are more curious in decking themselves & their horses, which brave apparel, rich jewels, costly saddles & trim bridles, then to arm themselves & their horse's with good & sure armours & bards, which their furnitures, & our Hungarians in contrary sort desire to be well mounted & armied, so, as their enemies shall hardly hurt them, & esteem not Bravery any thing at all, more over it ought to be considered, that if we should now give any place to the enemy, considering the great force of our army, being lad also by a King of Hungary, & a legate apostolic in person, being accompanied with such a number of noble men, prelate's & gentlemen, the it may well be affirmed the all the nobility & force of the kingdoms of Hungary, Polonia, & Bohemaia is in this camp the which, here after may be such a discorag to the Hungarians when they alone shall have occasion to deal with them the they shall not be of the nobility of mind once, to encounter them, or to look them in the face, when Vaivoda with these, & such like saings, had exhorted them to be of noble mind & not to give place, but there to abide the enemy, it was wholly agreed to follow his opinion, as of a man most honourable & magname in appearance: of all those the there were in council, whereupon they ceased their march, & renged themselves, in battle. The next morning the infidels presented themselves, enbattailed to them, and whether it were, for that they were more in numbered then they were bruited to be, or else it happened: as often times it both, that to those that are affrayed of every shadow, small things seem great, I judge not. But when vaivoda had viewed the numbered, 
Vaivoda persuaded the king not to accept the battle.  and order of the infidels, he was discouraged by means of the present peril, and changed opinion, and began to persuade the king, not to accept the battle, but the he should do well, to march away to some place of advantage, unto whom the king answered that his council was given out of time, for so much as he saw it to be more dangerous to turn their backs the enemy being so near then to make good the place, and to accept the battle, for in giving battle, they had great reason to hope for the victory, considering it hath been often seen that the lesser army hath defected the greater, and also that in giving battle, the virtue and discipline of men is of more value than the numbered, more over, he believed that they would fight with great assurance, for so much as they fought for the real of the religion, of the most high Monarcque, God (in whose hands are all armies and kingdoms) who would aid and favour his faithful, considering the justness of their cause, and contrariwise he was assured, that the victory by flight should be given to the enemies, without loss of their blood or well paying for it. And when he had sharply reproved Vaivoda of the brave and manifique, words that he spoke the day before, being full of ire, commanded all that were armed to follow him, and thus very boldly thrust forward toward the enemy, 
Amorathe  Amorath went up to a little hill, from whence he mought well discern, both the doings of the Christians, and of his people also, and there seeing the Christians march toward him, already in battle, he commanded a squadron of. 
Battle between Laodislao and Amorathe  xv. thousand horses to charge them, to begin the battle. The Christians received the charge of the Turks with great assurance, and then gave the charge upon them, and thrust in among them and so used their hands that there was great slaughter on both ●artes, but far greater on the part of the infidels, who not being able in the first encounter to endure the ●orce of the christians retired themselves, and the ●ungarianes charged them with such force that they enforced them to desorder themselves and to turn their backs and fly toward their camp, when Amorath be held the shameful flight & disorder of his people clean contrary to his expectation, he was so dismayed and overwhelmed with fear, that he turned his horse and began to fly, 
the bastias enforce Amorathe to stay.  which when his Bastias and captains of the Gia ●izzaries perceived, they laid hand of the bridle of his horse and stayed him of force, and so marched toward the enemies with him threating him to cut him in pieces, if that, he refused his place, and in this sort enforced him to tarry, and the worthiest men of his army came to him to encourage him, and then restored the fight in the wicch they employed themselves with great obstinacy and force on both parts, by the space of certain hours, the one part having now the better, and then the other, in such sort that it was hard to judge where the victory should light, for the slaughter was great on both sides, but far greater on the party of the infidels, then of the Christians, for that they were nothing so well armed as the christians were, 
soldier like handling.  but in the end they so increased with new squadrons of men emploing them in the place of the wearied, and spoiled squadrons, the which relief the Christians wanted to froonte their enemies with, and being thus ernesly occupied in the battle for the space of many hours, the hungarians waxed weary, & being overcome with the over much travail that they had endured in this battle, therforce began to fail them whereupon, they retired themselves, by little, and little, the which when Laodislao perceived, he took with him a mighty squadrone of horse men of P●lonia: in whom he had great confidence and to encourage his people & disorder his enemies, then in manner victorious he caused his troop to stir them, and passed on with his carriage, and monition in very strong order to the hill afore said where Amorathe stood with his guard, and assailed him with such assurance and force, that Amorathe was disordered, with his guard also, and being utterly dismaie● determined yet once again to flee, and through out his whole army there was nothing but disorder an● confusion, they were so stricken with fear that every man determined by flight to save one. And it is not to be doubted, that if john Vayovoda with his people had come on and followed the king, and continued the charge which the king gave upon the enemies and so followed the course of victory, but that the christians had that day overthroen Amorathe with all his power, and taken from him the Empire of Gretia, but Vaivoda as soon as he considered the weariness of his people and saw the ensigns of the christians begin to decline & give place, serred himself, with a troop of ten thousand hungers and Valacques his trusty soldiers, & with drew him speedily from the fight, without advertising the king any thing at all of his departure, the enemy yet making good the place, & not thoroughly disordered the victory also yet being doubtful, he sought to save himself by flight, their are some that for his excuse do say that he being a man of great experence in the wars, saw no means how to save the Christians from the slaughter, wherefore he thought it better to save those few, then to suffer all to pass by the edge of the sword the Pollonianes did ever after that: inpute this defeicte of the Christians: 
the excuse Vaivoda.  to the cowardice of Vaivoda.  
And he for his excuse said, that his council was contemned and not followed, Laodyslao being guided by evil hap, and being far forward assailing, valiantly the carryages of the enemies, in the which assault he had his horse slain under him and he himself stricken to the ground with many wounds was there ●layne, 
●aodislao s●aine.  whose head Amorathe commanded to strike of and to be set upon on the the point of a lance and carried about all the camp, and then through all the provinces of Gretya in token of the victory, all the bands of Polonia that there were, were slain upon the place there scaped not one of them, the camp and lodgings were sacqued, and those that were with the carriages and munition were all cut in pieces, the ●oble men and Prelates of Hungary that were with ●he King were all slain in the battle, and sultan Cesarino the Cardinal fled, and so escaped ●he hands of the enemies, and being as he thought ●ute of danger, staying at a lake to give his horse ●ryncke, 
Cardinali S. Agnolo slain.  there overgate him certain Venturers Hungarians who knew him, thinking that he had ●ad about him a great sum of treasure, where vp●on they laid hands on him and slew him, spoying him to his very shirt, leaving him naked ●pon the ground, a food For Birds and wild Beasts, this was the end of the apostolic Legate, a man ●n deed very honourable and of great authority, adorned with great learning of all sorts, and naturally very eloquent, which gate him great good will of the people, he had many other goodly gifts of Nature, for he was of a goodly stature well proportioned and faced, very pleasant and affable, courtese of peach, his life was clean and full of good order, ●nd, above all things he favoured religion, in such sort ●hat the was content to yield his life for the mainte, ●aunce of the Christian faith, when john Vaivoda was escaped from the defeicte as we have said before, 
Vaivoda prisoner.  ●e came in to Servia where the dispotto met him: receiving him very honourably, and the day following, ●e appointed to him guard, and in no wise would grant ●im liberty, unless he would cause to be delivered unto ●im: all such towns and castles as the said john Vainoda and his friends, than held of his, the Vene●ian cardinal which was lyvetenante of the Navys ●t the sea, was also blamed for this overthrow, and charged to be negligent in the doing of his duty and ●yd not that, that was to be done, in defending the straight and forbidding the passage of the army ●ute of Asya, in to Europe, and also for that, that when he knew them to be passed: he did not advertise the Christians thereof, to the end, they mought ●he better have provided for themselves, & as touching ●he number of those that were slain. I can not certainly say, but that the slaughter & spoil of the Turks, did far exceed that of the Christians, but considering the inequality of the armies, the loss of the Christians (weighing their number) did far exceed that of the Turks.  
When Amorathe had thus obtained the victory and rested wholly master of the field, he had no great desire to follow the chase of his flying enemies, nor yet did glory with great words as the manner of the Turks is, ne yet sought in any kind of sort to amplify the victory: nor showed in his countenance any kind of joy, and being demanded by certain of his familiars: the cause, 
Answer of Amorathe.  that after so great a victory, he showed himself so melancolicke, he answered, I desire not often to obtain victory in this sort. After this, he raised his canipe and desolued it, and such soldiers as he had left alive, he sent again to the places from whenre they came, and he in person returned to Andrinople, where he accomplished sundry vows that he had made to God. 
A notable consideration of an heathen prince.  And after this, he called to mind the great peril and danger that he had been in, and also the great cares that are incident to government, in the which he concluded that no man mought call himself happy, for as much as it hath in it, more of the bitter, then of the sweet, and judging also by examples passed: the inconstantie of Fortune, who rarely accompanieth any man favourably throughout to the end, and being desirous to provide for his security, and quietness, called to him all his Bascias and chief governors and councillors, of his Empire, and by their consent appointed in his stead, Mahometh his eldest son to be their prince and lord, and to be governed until he came to lawful age to govern, by Calibasso Bascia, who for his power and wisdom, 
Amorathe in private estate.  was the chief counsellor that the Turk had, and when he had disburdened himself of government and was become private, he passed over into Asia, accompanied with certain of his familiar friends, 
Mahometh the 9 prince.  and there lived religiously giving himself to solitarine. Al his sons, Mahometh only excepted, were by the advise of the Bascias put to death, to avoid all occasions of tumults stirs and alterations that mought happen, 
The turkish costume.  as often times it doth among the Turkish nation, with whom the children of private men are more happy, than they of Emperors, the battle of Varna, did so diminish and consume the force, of both the Tukes and Hungerianes, that without any convenant of peace at all, they held them of both sides with in the frontiers of of their countries for the space of many years after, 
victory, dearly bought  and neither of them durst to enter the others country, ne yet to provoke by any manner of injury, the one the other to wars, this quietness was so much the more perfect, for somuch that neither in Turchia: ne yet in Hungaria, was there any king of age, able to govern himself, but either of them, were governed by other men, for among the Turks did Callibasso govern, and among the hungarians did john Vaivoda, govern, both, men of great reputation and credit among their own people, Calibasso had governed a long time under Amorathe, and being a man very grave and modest having also great experience, was judged of all men a very wise man, Vaivoda being a man of a percinge judgement, 
Opinion of Vaivoda.  and valiannt in wars, was holden in the opinion of all men to be the more skilful of both, it semid to him that he had lost great reputaci on by the overthrow received at Varna, which did much disquiet him wherefore he denised in himself day and night, how to recover his lost credit, and to be revenged of the dishonour that he had received, he iugged the quiet being of the Turcks (who are ambitious and desire to enlarge their dominions) to proceed only of want of governance and force, whereupon he thought to prevent them & to assail them unlooked for, and although he knew well that they were able to levy a great power, yet he persuaded himself that they had no governor able to command, and also he was not ignorant that a great army inobedient, and wanting a discrete leadre, was less to be feared, than a wise and experimented Captain with out an army, whereupon he determined to make wars again against the Turcks' with all speed, and with great diligence assembled his people of Hungaria and Bohemia, he entretained in pay also: diverse regiments of Almains and other stranger's foot men, and so marched on toward the Turks with his army, thinking to enter their country and to take some place of importance with in the country and so to pass one with his army to Andrinople, before the enemy should understand of his departure out of Hungary which he was like to have done, 
Treason of Dispot to.  had not the filthy treason of George dispotto been, who as soon as he hard that Vaivoda levied bands in hungary, he sent to Calibasso Bascia, and to all the Sangiachii of Gretia, making the numbered of the Christians far greater than in deed it was, reporting the matter to be more perilous then of itself it was, which when they understood: they were so amazed, that they knew not whither to torn them, for they were out of all hope that Amorath would ever stand them in any stead, for so much as he was old and had given over all charge and wholly given him to religion, wherefore he would no more deal in wars, and for that Mahometh was so young, they thought it not good to commit so weighty a matter in to his hands, as the leadyg of an army against so puissant, & skilful an enemy as Vaivoda was, and they feared that if Calibasso should lead their army, he should not have due obedience, which is a thing most perilous in all armies. Thus, when the council had debated sundry opinions, they agreed upon none, but were in great confusion, consuming the time in discourses of none effect growing to no point at all, at the last by the advise of Calibasso, here was their only remedy, they agreed to call Amorath out of Asia, and to enforce him to come, if that with good will: he would not take in hand the enterprise for the defence of his sons state, being assured at that time that the Gianizzeries would fight under the conduct of none but only of Amorathe, and also they thought it not convenient to commit the fortune of the wars into the hands of any man, Amoonly exceptedunder, 
Ambition of Mahometh.  whose conduct they were always accustomed to embrace victory, this council of Callibasso very much displaysed the young king Mahomethe who above all other things desired to have governed that journey, to get him reputacien, and to give them to understand, that he was sufficient to govern of him slfe, moreover he suspected that if Amorathe wc●● called again to govern, he mought continue in the same, for so much as the minds of men are mutable. When the ambasssadours were come into the presence of Amorathe, they persuaded him earnestly to the journey, brought him with them to Andrinople, where with great diligence: he assembled his soldiers and furnished them of all kind of necessaries. In this mean time, was Vaivoda come on toward Sophia, and encamped at a place called Basylia where it was declared unto him that Amorath was not far of with the Turkish power, 
Besilia where the battle was fought.  which when he understood (although it were contrary to his expertation) caused him to put on a noble mind determining not to tarry there the coming of the enemy, but to march on toward him and so to encounter with him, as soon as Vaivoda had discovered him forth with he put his men in battle and marched on toward him & with speed joined with him in battle, their began a terrible fight which continued, the space of certain hours with great obstinaty on both parts, that nether, gave to the oath, one foot of ground the battle was so doublefull, that of neither side was there seen any advantage, 
Note the place of the general of the army.  for against that corner, or wingne of the battle, wherein Vaivo da was, the turks were not able to endure the force of the hungarians, and for a long time gave place giving over the victory in to the hands of their enemies. And in contrary wise, where Amorath was in person, the Hungaianes were not able to make good the place, after this, Vaivoda and Amorathe met face to face, and drew unto them, all the whole weight of the battle, in so much that the Christians were not able to endure the great force of the Turks, although the Hungarians did far excide the Turks, in virtue & discipline of the wars yet not with standing, being over laid with numbered and not with force, but being utterly wearied, were constrained to give place, and Vaivoda could nether with prayer, nor threating, cause them to make head but fled continually, whereupon he with drew him, with a few of his trusty friends with him very skilfully from the vattaile and so saved himself, there died in that battle many noble men chiefly of the Hungariane nation and some prelatz, y●. foot men were in manner all slain upon the place, and on the turks part the loss was not less when he came to his revewe, when Amorathe had thus (with the great effusion of the blood of his people) bought the victory, he returned home again with his army, 
Amorathe restoreth Mahomth again to government.  and restored his son Mahometh again to his place, and continuing in his first purpose conveyed himself to Bursia, and there lived privately even to his death, in the which he committed to the faith of Callibasso a young son of his, of the age of six Months, which he begat of Sponderbei, a noble princes in Penderacia, the child's name was Calapino, when he had thus done, he died, & was buried in Bursia, in the province of Bithynia, which was then the seat of the kingdom of the house of Ottomanno, Calibasso being desirous to gratitifie the new king delivered into his hand the child of Amorathe, 
unspeak able cruelti of Mahomethe.  with the mother thereof also, whereupon he commanded the child to be strangled and when it was done he restored the dead body to his mother, and commanded to celebrate his funerales with princely honour, in this sort did he consecrate the beginning of his reign, with the death of his innoocent brother, not wythstanding, some are of opinion that Calidasso did change the child and presented an other in his place, and that y● frewe child was brought up in Constantinople, and after ward sent to Venise, and that it was he, that was holden prisoner in the palace at Rome by Calixto the bishope, but we refer the truth of this matter to the judgement of other, for we will affirm nothing in this behalf, but men may well think that sometime or it doth happen the son of a Barber, or of a Surgeon, of such like base condition by such subtle means to have been advanced to great honour, yea and some time to succid in the seat of kings, and of others, of excellent titles and government   

The second book of Andre CAMBINE FLORENTINE, OF THE Original of the turks and Empire of the house of Ottomanno.  
AS soon AS AMORATHE WAS DEED, Mahometh his son cast from him all kind of subjection: and took upon him absolutely to govern the kingdom, and determining to reform things that were out of order, he made new laws, he al●● corrected such of their ancient constitutions as were ●edeful to be corrected: with great diligence, he did mar●elouslye enrich his treasury by augementing his re●enue with new gabels & impositiones, 
The numbered of Gianizaries augmented by Mahometh.  he did greatly increase the numbered of his janissaries, and horsemen, he caused the account of his Bascias, and such like ●s governed in his father's time, to be perused, whereupon he put certain of them to death, and from many of he rest he took their goods and livings, and having ●n ambitious head, could not be contented with that ●mple dominion that his father left unto him, but sought ●o take in hand some glorious enterprise, whereby he nought be thought, not only to be equal with his an ●estors: but far to exceed them, whereupon he fully determined to take Constantinople by force, 
Discourse of Mahameth.  and to make ●im self lord thereof, persuading himself that he could not lawfully be called Emperor of Gretia, unto the time ●hat he possessed that City, being the chief city and ●eate of the same Empire, and more over by thesi me●●es, he thought to make his fame glorious with their nation's, if that he, scarcely crept over of his c●yld●●ede mought join to his Empire so mighty and famous a city, and so much the rather, for that it had been attempted by certain of his ancestors to their great charge: who never could obtain it but departed ever without it, and thus he determined the enterprise making few privy unto it but dissembled the matter, and with all speed possible caused to build a Castle upon the mouth of the striate of the great sea, v. miles above constantinople and finished it with great expedityon and being finished, he appointed a captain to it and f●● nished it with men and all kind of munition, when h● had thus done: without any other denouncing of war contrary to the oath and effect of the confederacy, h●● presented his army as an enemy, to Constantinople and when he had over run and proied the whole con● trey round about it, he encamped near to the citi● and environed it with his army, both by sea and land The Emperor and the princes of Gretia, had a suspicion of Mahometh, 
Ambassadors sent by the princes of Gretia to the pope & other princes of Europe.  and being affrayed, considering tha● their force was not sufficient to encounter him, sent thei● ambassadors and Orators to all the princes of Eu● rope, to the Emperor, and to the Bushope of Rome using with them all art possible to induce them to giu● them aid, declaring to them the manifest peril where in they were, which was like to be the ruin and loss● of that ancient and noble Empire, and last of all, opened unto them the misery that they were like to en cur if they should light in the hands of that most● cruel, Barharouse and blood thirsty nation of the turks, which more thirst for Christian blood the● for any drink that is in the world, thus were they enforced with plentiful streams of tears, to move them to compassion and to crave aid at their hand but all their travail was in vain, for they found (that whic● I do abhor to speak of) the ears of the christian princes so stopped and their eyes so blinded, yea they found'st them not only blind and deaf, but they were rather to be judged out of their wits, if y● they could not dis● cerne, and consider that if the turks once mought possess the whole empire of Grecia, the ruin of all Europe in time, were like to follow, with the utter extirpation of the Christian religion, but I believe that they were occupied rather in revenging of particular causes and about their private commodities by means where of they contemned their universal wealth and commodity.  
But now, to return to the declaration of our history, In this mean time, Mahometh caused to leui● out of all parts of his dominions, an infinite number 〈◊〉 men, 
The marvelous segeand expugnation of Constantinople.  & took with him to his camp an exceeding great ●rniture of artillierie and munition, and when he had ●us besieged the city of Constantinople round, he plan ●d his batteries and employed his wholeforce to take it ●nd to the end he would be sure of it, he commanded ●o make certain mines, directly under certain of the ●ul warcks of y● to end, that his peoplemoughte ●ghte the more advantageously: and the more easily with ●heir ladders surmount the height of the walls, he cau●ed to make a very deep trench round abaute the Town ●eare to the walls, with the earth whereof, he made great bank at the foot of the wall, upon the height whereof they mought easily set their ladders and so en●er the Town, 
A brydgeof a marvelous length.  and on that side toward pera where ●he sea beatethe upon the Town, he made a bridge by ●reate art, of two miles of length, where upon he builded certain towers, which in height did far expede the walls of the city, and placed on every one of these, a number of men, to beat along the walls that no man might stand to the defence thereof, with these terrible and great preparations, Mahomethe did for ●a long time batter and annoy them of the Town, both day and night with out cease, yet for all that, they of the town determined rather to die, then to yield the town to his mercy, whereupon they defended their city with great assurance, Mahometh then: consider●nge the great breach that he had made, and also the slaughter of the Citizens, was in good hope to win it by force, whereupon he commanded a proclamation to be made by sound of trumpet throughout all his camp, that every man the next day following (which was the five and twentyth of April, in the year of our health. 1452.) should be in order ready to give the assault, and the Town being once taken, he gave frankly to his soldiers, all such good des as they should find with in it and be able to carry out of it in three days, 
Fasting of the turks.  which proclamation once published, so pleased every man, that happy was he, that could be in the best order furnished, there was not one of them but that he fasted all the whole day till night that they saw the stars appear in the heavens, than every man prepared him to eat, and drink, calling their frynds and kinsmen to them, and made great cheer together, and when the had thus in banqueting consumed a good piece of the night, they took their leave the one of the other, with embracing and kissing one an other, as though they should never have seen again. On the other side, when they of the City understood the proclamation that this mighty prnice had made and the great preparation also, the priests and other religious took in hand the Images of the Crucifix and our Lady, and also the relics of Saints and went in solemn procession with all the inhabitants of the City singing of hymns and songs with shedding of tears calling to god for aid, in this sort did they consume all that day in fasting, prayer, and visiting the holly places of the City until night came, and then they made good cheer, and that done, every man went to the place that he had in charge to defend, the walls of the City were in height and thickness, comparable to the walls of any City, that then was in the world, but through their long continuance, 
Great negligence of the greeks  and negligence of the Greeks for want of reparation: their vauntemures were utterly decayed in many places, but the wall was very strong and of sufficient force to be defended, whereupon the Greeks having good hope in the force of their walls appointed their people in companies for y● defence of them. Constantinople is in form almost treangle, whereof, the two parts that the sea beateth on, are guirded about with walls sufficiently strong to defend the force of the Armata, the rest of the City, toward the firm land, beside his wall whereof we have already spoken, is environed with a dyke, die and large, when the third watch of the night was passed, the turks being very greedy upon the spoil of the City, made them ready to the assault and would not tarry for the day light but presented themselves to the walls of the town and began to assail it, 
The first assault.  from whence the arroes and stones flew as thick as hail from the height of the walls, the turks were much annoyed by means of the darkness for that they could not see how to defend themselves from the arrows and stones, where with many of them were slain and hurt, when it was perfect day, Mahometh approached near the town with all his power, 
Great judgement of mahometh  & commanded when he should give a sign, the town to be assailed round, to the end that they of the towns should not be able to defend every where his force, he appointed to every colonel with his regiment a certain space of the wall to assail, for that they should fight apart, to the end the virtue of the assailants, and their worthy acts mought be seen, & that thereby they mought be the more inflamed through desire of honour to commit themselves to all kind of peril. In like sort was their order given to them of the Armata, with commandment that in one instant every man should assail that place whereunto he was appointed, there were brought also near to the walls certain towers of wood, which were set upon high grounds of advantage, upon the which he placed many soldiers, to the end they mought with their shot, beat a long all the circuit of the walls, he had also with his artillery, taken away all the defences, so that when they should come to defend the breach and walls, they must stand all open against his shot. When Mahometh had done all these things, the token of the assault was given, with the sound of trumpets, bornes, bagpipes, and drums, that the air resounded of it, immediately hereupon the assault began the Turks covered their heads with roundels & targes, in such sort that it was like the roof of an house over their heads, & in this sort came to the walls, & set up their ladders, 
The second assault.  enforcing themselves with great courage to climb to the height of the walls, on the other side, they of the town endeavoured themselves to defend it and threw down upon them great stones, mighty pieces of timber, and annoyed them marvelously with the shot of their Cross bows, Darts, and such like, thrown by the arm, they above used their Mykes so well, that they threw the Turks continually from their ladders down, slew and hurt a great number of them, and handled them so hardly that they enforced them to scatter, and made them glad to abandon the assault, whereupon Mahometh drew near with his company, and encouraged them, calling by name now one and then another, especially those that were most valiant and worthy, comforting them to revive the assault, 
The third assault.  and in y● end some he threatened with cruel words, and to other some he made great and large promises, and in this sort wrought with them, that he caused them to put on noble minds and to begin again the assault, with far greater fury than before, and every man sought to get up the wall, one climbing on the others shoulder and up by their Pikes like Cats, some other wonted close together, covering their heads with their targes and roundels and they that were on the low steps of the ladders, vare before them even of force, those that were on the highest of the ladders, and many laid hold of the Pikes and punchinge staves of their enemies as they thrust at them, and so with great courage gate up walls, and when they were at the highest were stricken down headlong into the bottom of the dyke, by them of the town, and also they made such spoil of the enemies by throwing down upon them, huge stones, artificial fires, burning Piche, with Darts and Pikes of fire works, that it was very strange to behold, yet not withstanding the emperor maintained theassaut with great discretion, and in the place of the wearied and spoiled, he sent always new and fresh bands, in such sort, that he gave them of the city no jot of time to repose, but still augmented the fight with new men, so that they of the town were merneylouslye consumed in a short space, but that, 
john Iustinia●.  that most discouraged, was: that one john Giustiniano, a Genovese borne, a Noble man in his country, who at the time of the siege happened to be in Constantinople, and behaved himself so worthily in the defence thereof, that they imputed the greatest part of their defence to consist in him, until that at the last, as he was valiantly fighting upon the walls with the enemies, through disgrace he was sore wounded, and as it is said seeing himself to lose much blood, would not discourage the multitude with calling for a Surgeon, but secrently which drew him from the assault, of whose departure, when Constantine the Emperor understood, he feared it wouldbe the loss of the city, whereupon he went in person to him, & desired him not to leave the assault, but Giustiniano would by no means grant thereunto, but required to have a gate open to the end he mought go to be dressed & then to return again to the city, all the gates of the braies were shut between them and the town, to the end that they which fought upon the uttermost walls, should determine there to obtain the victory, or else to die in the place, for so much as they being once abandoned, the loss of the town must needs follow, when the gate was opened Giustiniano went out, through whose absence they of the town were marvelously discouraged, 
the assault revived.  and began very coldly to defend the assault, which when the Turks Bascias and Colonels perceived, they marched on with their bands and regiments serred, and with greater fury than before: assailed the town, and began to climb the breach, which they had made with their battery, some by their ladders, and some beside their ladders, by the spoil of the walls, and began to wax masters of the utter walls, and rep●●sed the greekish soldiers, enforcing them to fly in great disorder, and every man by fotemanshyppe sought to save one, and to get into the city through the same gate, that was opened to Giustiniano.  
When the Emperor saw the shameful flight and great disorder of his people, he also fled after them, not regarding his imperial majesty, 
The death of Constantine the emperor.  nor seeking as it became so mighty a prince, rather honourably to die with his sword in his hand, then to show such want of magnanimity. He came on toward this same gate also, where with the force & thrusting of those which repaired thither to get in, he was thrown down to the earth, and in the press trodden to death. And among so great a number of Soldiers as then were within the City, there were found only twain that utterly despised servile life, 
Two noble soldiers.  and like worthy men honourably died with their sword in their hands fighting to the uttermost, the one of them was Theophilo Paleologo, a Greek borne the other john Stiavo, a Dalmatian, which men esteemed it to vile: in such sort to fly, and for a long time defended themselves and the city from the hands of their most cruel enemies, sleing a great number of them, till at the last being overlayed with the increase of the number, not discouraged, but wearied with overcoming of others, fell down and gave up the ghost, among a number of bodies of dead infidels, which they had slain with their own hands. And Giustiniano's being gone to Pera, and from thence by sea to Scio, fell sick either of his hurt, or else with thought, and in few days after died, not enjoying that great honour, which he had won, 
The death of Giustinian.  and truly he had been happy if he had died up on the walls of Constantinople. In the entry of the turks at the aforesaid gate, they cut in pieces viii or ix hundred soldiers Greeks, and Italians, when the turks were once masters of the town walls, they chased away the citizens that were come to the gate to defend the entry, and with their arrows and great stones from above, they made way for their companions to enter. And when the turks were in this sort entered the gate, and become lords of the city, and had slain as many as they found with weapon in their hands, than they employed themselves to spoil and sack the town, 
Unspeakable wickedness.  the number of the triumphantes was in manner infinite, they had no desyrt but to rob, spoil and to accomplish and fulfil their beastly and fyltye fleshly desires, being much given to carnal voluptudusnes, they pardoned neither kind nor age, mixing murder with their adulteries and fornications, they made the old men slaves, and other men and women of more lusty years, and of base condition: they chained together with great derison and scorn, and so drove them on, like flocks of sheep before them, & if it happened that any fair maiden or fair young man came in their way, by and by numbers of them would strive who should first lay hands on them, and often times would grow into question for them, and the like would they do when they happened upon any booty of great value, as well sacred as profane, for every man would ●aye hands on it, in so much that often times they would ●one cut another in pieces for it. And this army being of divers nations and countries, and also of sundry nature's and speeches, did keep such a stir in Constantinople by the space of three days (which was their time of spoil) that there was nothing unlawful for them to do, although it were most detestable and wicked.  
When they had spoiled the temple of S. Sophia, which was builded by justinian the Emperor of Consti●ople, in the which they had a marvelous mass or trea●ure, both of silver and gold, and precious vessel, & such like oruamentes, they filled it with all kind of fylthy●es, making it an habitation of whores, a stable for their horses, a place wherein no filthy exercise was left unexercised, to the like use they converted all the rest of the churches and sacred places of the city, out of the which they took the bones and relics of holy men & women, the which when they had disgarnished of y● gold silver & stone, that was about them, they threw into the street and canell to be trodden on, not only of men, but also of dogs, swine, and other beasts, the crosses and Images of saints were broken with great hammers and such like instruments of iron, & thrownen into the dirt, and when they had with sundry torments compelled the servants of the citizens to reveal unto them the hidden treasure of their masters, it is said, that they gate, hidden under the ground, a great sum both of gold and silver and precious jewels, which were by the unwise citizens hidden in the beginning of the wars, the which if they could have been contented to have employed in the defence of the city, peradventure they had saved themselves both goods and life, 
Want of providence the ruin of all countries and state's.  and also to their country liberty and honour. But the old Proverb was verified in them, which saith that covetous men have no power over their gold, but are subject to it, when the city was thus spoiled of all that ever was in it: The third day they departed out of it, & brought all their prisoners into their camp. And Mahometh according to the custom of the Turks, did celebrate to his Bascias and Captains, a very sumptuous feast, and when they had eaten and drunken more than sufficient, he thought it good to honour his banquet with the shedding of Christian blood, and commanded to bring before him all the chief and most noble prisoners of the city that were on live, 
Unspeakable cruelty of Mahometh.  and caused them all with unspeakable cruelty, to be cut a sunder in the midst in his presence, among the which there was one that came before him called Rireluca, the chief governor of the city next to the Emperor, whose eldest son he caused to be slain, in the presence of his father, and immediately after hanged the father, whose other son, because he was young and fair, he reserved to his noble and virtuous usage. They had also taken divers merchants of Italy, Venetians, Genonese, and others, whom he put also to death, except they were able presently to ransom themselves, and Isodoro the cardinal Rueteno, 
Aspres silver money of the turks. 50. amount to the value of a ducat.  who was sent thither along time before, Legate from the pope Nicholas, disguised himself in simple habit, and when the Turks entered the town, for few thousands of Aspres, ransomed himself. They that dwelled in Pera a garrison town of the genoese, hearing that Constantinople was lost, laid down their weapons, and tarried not the summoning, but sent to Mahometh, and offered him the town, who received them, and shortly after razed the walls thereof, and where he had promised them safeguard of their persons lives, and goods, with all other their commodities, contrary to his promise, he took out of the town for his own virtuous and cleanly usage, a number of the women and boys that there were, and also taxed the town in a great sum of money the which he enforced them presently to pay, notwithstanding the managing of these weighty affairs he kept secret with in his breast the hatred that he had conceived against Calibasso Bascia, for that he was the chief occasion that Amorath was called out of Asia to take in and the wars against the Hungarians & finally called ●im to him, & caused to lay hands on him, and examined ●im sundry days, 
Calibasso put to death by the commandment of mahometh  by sundry & cruel torments, laying ●o his charge that he had revealed the secrets of those wars ●o the emperor of Constantinople, and upon this took from him all that he had, which was treasure in manner infinite, & caused him most miserably to be put to death. When that the loss of Constantinople, & the death of the ●mperour was known in Morea, the Albaneses that dwelled in Peloponesso, rebelled against Thomas & Dime●rio, brethren to the late emperor of Constantinople, they were a great number, & determined to choose to their prince, a noble man a Greek borne, who pretennted title ●o it, & did so attempt it, that they entered into wars a●aut it, whereupon on both sides, they addressed themselves or aid to Mahometh, who when he hard the matter thoroughly debated, judged the two brethren to have the ●ight, whereupon he granted them his frendshipas to ●hose that had the right on their side, & sent in their aid ●ertain bands of men, by whose good help, they sone re●ressed the force of the Albaneses, 
Thomas paleologo tributary to the turk.  & enforced them to dwell ●nder the rule & goveruance, of Thomas Paleologo there Dispotto, who agreed with Mahometh to pay him yearly ●euentine M. ducats, & in this sort commended himself ●nd his state to his protection, & for asmuch as the right was descended unto him by the death of his brother the emperor, he mought lawfully have called himself emperor of Gretia, in the which his ancestors had commanded many years, but fearing to offend Mahometh he abstained from that title, & contented himself with the only ●itle of the Dispotto of Morea. But shortly after when ●e understood that Calixto the third, a spaniard, succeeded Nycholas the fift, in the romish seat, who forth with scent his Legates and Cardynalles, ●o all the Princes of Christendom, to persuade ●heym to make wars against the turks, for ●he recovery of Gretia. And also understanding, the great preparation that was made in italy for the Sea, 
Thomas paleologo revolteth.  and the leaviing of the army in hungary, denied flattelye to pay any Tribute unto Mahometh, and also over rashly refused his friendship and protection, being deceived in his imagination, perswadiuge himself that forthwith the Turks should have been chased out of Gretia, but after, when he saw the bishops preparation took none effect: he was enforced with great gifts and payment of the tribute for two years before hand at one payment, to reconcile himself to Mahometh, and to renew the league between them, whereupon Mahometh dissembling for a time the injury that he had received at his hand, received him again into his favour and protection, but within few years after, when he perceived himself to be assured in his seat in Gretia, he called to mind the foresaid rebellion, and sent his army into Peloponesso, and took the wall of Esmilia, that was builded upon the strait called Isthmos, which shutteth up that strait of land, being five miles in breadeth stretching from the sea jonio to the sea Egeo, 
Esmilia.  of the which seas, all the rest of Morea which anciently was called Pel● ponesso is environed. And when the Turks had won the wall, they entered into Morea, and took the city of Corintho, and made both the Dispotts his vassals, the one being divided from the other, and took from them their state and patrimony. The province of Peloponesso is the chief part of Gretia for the commodiousness thereof, and also for the great wealth and power of the nobility and commons that in the old worlds inhabited the same, that piece of ground well considered, will declare itself to be the foundation of the Greek Empire, for as much as in it there are many godly goolfes, many large and great caves, and promontories, many manifique and sumptuos cities, and they say that the form of the plat thereof: is like unto that of the leaf of a platane, 
Peloponesso in length 175. miles in circuit, it is 5505. miles.  the length and breadeth thereof are almost equal, and from the one end to the other it containeth a hundred, seventy and five miles, and in circuit (according to the opinion of Pollible) it containeth five hundred miles, and Anthemidoro addeth unto it fifty miles, and and we have declared it is environed with two seas, saving that piece of land called Isthmos, which confyneth upon the seas afore said and containeth in length v. miles, near where unto, is the noble and famous city Corintho, and their is contained in y● same Peloponesso, 
Peloponeso now called Morea.  now called Morea, Achaia, Messenia, Licaonia now called Lacedemonia, Largolica, and Arcadia, which lieth in the midst of them, but now returning to the declaration of our history beginning where we left, when Mahometh was become lord of Constantinople, and being determined, there to appoint the seat of his Empire, the first thing that he took in hand, was to amend and repair the walls of the city, and to make them defensible, & also to repair the spoiled buildings of the town, and also to furnish it with inhabitants for that it wanted a great number by means of the great slaughter that there had been where upon he caused inhabitants to come out of all parts, and gave to them great privileges and liberties to use what traffic, and also what religion they would where upon within short space there came thither an infinite numbered of inhabitants, namely of hebrews or jews which were chased out of Spain, beside this he used the custom that the princes of the east parts of the world do use, which is that when soever he took any City or Town after that time, he would take out of them the chise and most, noble households and families, with all their treasure and substance, and send them to Constantinople, to inhabit there, he used the matter so that at the time of his death, he left it a City of great traffic: and also marvelously replenished with inhabitants as soon as he was become Emperor of Constantinople he determined in himself, the wars against the hungarians judging it a great assurance to his state of Europe, if that he mought bring to pass, to subdue Hungary and make it subject to him, which he greatly desired considering the propinquity thereof, & also the valiantize of the people, he determined to provide him of & aptaines of great judgement and of good soul diours and to assure him in his seat of Gretia, wherup on he deferred the enterprise for three years, and began to make wars upon the city of Athenes which only rested out of his hands, of all the province of Attica, which City although it were then of no great circuit, ne yet any thing in comparysson so populous or rich, as it had been in time before, yet notwithstanding, they had builded a fort upon the walls that were left of the ancient Temple of Minerva, 
Temple of Mynexua.  which was thought inprennable, but the lord thereof which was a florentine borne, and of the noble house of Acciavolli, seeing no way how to defend it, 
the lord of. Athenes a florentyne borne.  for so much as he had attempted the princes of Italy in sundry sort for aid, but all was in vain, whereupon he fell to composition with him and agreed to deliver him the Town, in exchange of certain houses and yearly rents that the turk had 
Athenes renderid to Mahometh.  promised him for the maintenance of him self and his family, and hereupon yielded the Town to the turk when the Turk had recompensed him, he took from him two of his sons and brought them up in his Seraglio to serve him, of the which two, one profited so well in the exercise of arms, and also in governance, that the turk had him in great estimation. And in Albania, the which is that part of Macedonia that lieth toward the west, and stretch the out from Durazzo, to the ancient City Appolonia, the language of the Albaneses is proper to themselves, and doth differ from the speech of all those people that dwell about them, for neither the Greek, ne yet the Schiavonese understandeth it, and we are not certain in what sort, nor by what means, they first arrived in those parts, ne yet of their ancient original, although it be said that this nation, with diverse others, came out of Scythia Asiatica, from that ancient City Albania not far from Colchide, 
Albaneses' descended from the Scythianes  and so went on wandering to seek new habitations and seats, and finally occupied that part of Macedonia which beareth their name, about the time of the loss of Constantinople the prince of their country happened to die, whose name was Camusa, 
Camusa.  who being descended of christian parents: became so beastly, that of his own accord he left the christian faith and embraced the folisheand beastly religion of Mahometh, but having small affiance in it, even as he had raishely forsaken Christ, so unadvisedly refused he Mahomet he and returned to the religion of his ancestors, willing (although he had no great affiance nether in the one nor other) rather to die bearing the name of a Christian, then of a Mahometiste, unto whom, George Scanderbag succided in governance as lawful heir, who was descended of a noble parentage in his country, and when he had haunted the wars along time he became an excellent and famous Captain, and spent the rest of his life in the defence of the Christian religion, when Mahomethe understood the death of Camusa, he sent one of his Bascias with an army to Valona, which standeth upon the sea bank, and although it be but a little Town, it hath a sure and a goodly haven, from whence in to Italy the passage is but short and without danger, and many years before that time, it was possessed and holden by Baiazithe, and when he died they threw from them the Turquishe yoke, but Amorathe within short space after took it again, and from thence for the was it continually holden by the in fydels, to the great reproach and dishonour of the Christian princes, and to the great terror of all Italy, it is possessed even at this day by the infidels, when this Bascia had brought his people to valona, he assailed Scanderbag, who although he did always worthily defend himself and his people, and divers times with his power had encountered the turks, and departed from them always with the victory, yet notwithstanding he sent for aid to the king Alphonso of Aragone, 
Scanderbag to king Alphonso of Naples.  than king of Naples, and obtained of him divers band of men at arms, well furnished in every respect, which passed in to Albania by the way of Durazzo, not far from the city of Croia, and with the help of George Scanderbag they defended that country for along time from the Tyranny of the infidels, when Calixto the romish, bishop understood the danger that Scanderbag was in, 
Callirio the Byshope of Rome.  Scanderbag was in, weinge his power with the unspeakable power of his enemy, he would not see him want but supplied him with a great some of money to entertain his soldiers and with these aids he defended the country of Albania, very skilfully and valiantly. In this mean time their was a practise discovered, 
A practiz● discovered  the which a Nephew of his, his brother's son, who having intelligence with Mahometh, agreed with him up oncertaine condityones, to slay his uncle by treason, or else if he could by any means bring it to pass, to deliver him on live in to Mahomethes hands, when this practeze was discovered by one of the menagers of this same, he laid hands on him, and so caused him to be examined, in the which he confessed the whole, whereupon he thought it not convenient to shed his own blood, but banished him, sending him with his process to the king Alphonso, who commanded to put him into the Dung on called Miglio, there to continue during his natural life. And whilst Scanderbag lived, he defended Albania from the tyranny of the infidels, fighting only for the zeal, he bore to the Christian religion & caused his subjects to persevere in the faith of christ and his word, notwithstanding the continual invasious, and courses that his enemies made upon his cotre impoverishing his subjects utterly spoiling the labourers of the earth, lainge waste a great piece of his country, bringing it into unspeakable misery and calamity, when Mahometh understood the death of Scanderbag he sent forth with his army in to Albania, and took the city of Croia with all the rest of the country except those places that the venetianes held, about that time after the taking of Constantinople, he did marvelously vex the religion of Rhodes both by sea and land, but the great master of the Hospital of Iherusalm unto whom the Isle did appertain, with his soldiers, defended it contynnally even to these our days, and when Calixto the gre at Byshope was called unto for aid he put his Navy of Ships & Galleys to y● sea, & sent them to Rhodes, underthe conduct of the patriarch of Aquileia, who being in those seas, had often to do with the turks took and drowned many of their Galleys and fustes, drowned and slew their people, and departed alway from them with the victory, & when he had taken from the Turks the Isle of Salaminan which in ancient time was called Lenno, and also that, that is called Tasso, which the Isle of Nembro and certain other little Isles, near unto them, he went and spoiled all along the sea coasts from helesponto even to the confines of Egipte, to the great impoverissing of the inhabitants there of, holding them in continual doubt and fear and it seemed that if he mought have continued, he would with time have greatly prevailed, but as soon as Calixto was dead he departed from thence with his Navy, in to Italy, leaving Rhodes with all others places that y● christians possessed in those parts, in great peril. And in Acarnia which lieth in the midst between Epiro, and Boetia and is called at this day the Duchy, and the Dispotto which then reigned in Acarnama and Epiro, which at this day is called Arta, which beginning toward the west at the permontories of Acrocera, do stretch out toward the east to the bay Ambrachio, which at this day is called the golf of Arta, this Dispotto being marvelously vexed with Mahomethes soldiers, and being desirous to purchase some forien amity, by means of the king Alphonso he took to wife a daughter of the lord john Vnitimiglia, a Captain of great fame that came into Italy with the king Alphonso of Aragone, to the winning of the kingdom of Naples, who passed the sea into Arta, having with him certain bands of Italianes' men at arms, and having often times to do with the turks, gave them many defeictes, and set his son in law free from the invasion and aunoiance of the Turks enforcing them to return 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Romania, & to hold them with in the confines thereof, but this noble Captain was not so soon departed out of Acarnamia and 
Dispott● of Acarnamia betrayed.  gone home, but within short space after, the Dispotto was betrayed by some of his own people, and delivered on live, in to the hands of Mahometh, with his country also when George the Dispotto of Servia hard of the great preparation that the Turks made for the wars being in doubt of his state, fled into Hungary, and left his cities and Towns well guarded and furmished with soldiers and all kind of munition, and when he was there arrived to demand aid: the king was not there whereupon he went to him where he was in Vienna in Austrice, where he found also freer john Caprestano of the order of Sainet francis, who being a man of good life, and an excellent preacher did at that time with great fruit preach the gospel to the hungarians, and being desirous to talk with the Dispotto, sent to him desiring him that if it were not a trouble unto him, that he would vouchsafe to speak with him, whereunto the Dispotto agreed, and upon a day they met, and by there Turc● men had great discourse of the Christian faith and Caprestand did approve by great reason, the authority of the romish church, and the opinion of the same as touching the Christian faith, in such sort, that he constrained the Dispotto (not having reason to answer for himself in that behalf) to yield, and would have had him to refuse the error, in the which he and his people were, and to have embraced the religion and faith of the romish church, unto whom George, laying all reason a part answered, I have lived these four score & ten years in this faith which was taught me by my forefathers, 
Answer of the Dispotto of Servia.  & imprinted in mine understanding from michildhed. And among my subjects (although I have been an in fortunate man) I have been holden for a reasonable man, & wouldest thou have me now such a one, as they seeing me changed mought think, that mine age hath decayed mine understanding, in such sort that I mought go soocke again, according to the proverb wherefore I will lose my life, rather than leave the faith, wherein both I & my predecessors have been nourished & brought up, with which words he departed from Caprestano. And for that he could obtain no aid at the kings hand who was much offended with him for his untruth, he took his leave, (not satisfied according to his expectation) and returned into Servia, a manifest document to admonish men to take head, how they use double dealing when George was come home, he understood that Michael Zilugo, (whose sister Vaivoda had to wife) should ●e governor of the Town of Alba, which at this day ●s called Belgrado, and was already with his brother Laodislao gone into his wagen to pass on his journey, and as they passed on by the confines of his centrey he ●ent toward them certain bands of armed men with commission to bring them either on live, or ded, as ●one as Michael saw himself like to be assailed by the Seruianes, he left his wagen and took his horse which was at hand leapt upon him, and with his sword in ●is hand did cut his way through the midst of them and so with flight saved his life, the Seruianes finding ●aodislao in the wagen, slew him, 
Laodisla● Zilugo slain.  Michael determining to revenge the injury that was done him and the death of his brother also, appointed certain to go, and to understand in what strength the Dispotto used to ride when he passed from place to place with in his country, from whom he received advertisement that George with in few days after would pass on upon the side of Danubio to visit certain forts, and Towns of of force that he had standing upon the same river, whereupon Michael, with certain bands of soldiers passed on and marched in the night and ambusshed themselves upon the way that George must pass, and as ●one, as George came to the place where they lay in ambush, they showed themselves, and with great fu●ie assailed him, and in the fight he lost two of his fingeres, and Michael took him prisover unto whom he paid a great sum of money for his rausome, and so returned home to his house, and when he came there, he could by no means staunch the bleeding of his wounds which bled continually in such sort that in short tyme●e died. And this was the end of George the Dispotto of Servia, a man exciding troublous and full of treason, in whose place Lazaro his youngest son succided him, and deprived his elder brother, whose eyes were plucked out by the commandment of Amocathe, as before is mentioned, with in few months after, Lazaro died, upon whose death their arose great contention, who should succid him in state, 
Of civil wars in servis.  Georg he desired aid of Mahometh, the wife of Lazaro being widow demanded aid and obtained of the king of Hungary, certain bands of both horse men and foot men to maintain her in her state, 
Carafagio in Almaigne.  by the which means she continued in it, at that time was Carafagio, the Cardinal Saint Angelo, in Almaigne, sent by Calix to the Bishop of Rome to require them to aid the hungarians in that they had begun in the behalf of the Dowgier, Carafagio at the request of the Hungarianes entered with his army into Servia and finding the turks already possessed of it, by means of the Seruians which of their own accord had yell ded them, unto them whereupon he returned back again and escaped hardly, notwithstanding with great difficulty he came safe to Buda, when all these things were done, it semid to Mahometh that he had well established his affares of Gretia, whereupon he prepared his army and all kind of munition thereunto belonging, determining no longer to defer the enterprise against the Hungarianes, for somuch as this occasion was, offerred him to be called in to Servia by the Seruianes themselves whereupon he assembled his army, in the which he had according to the opinion of some writers, a hundred and fifty thousand able soldiers, but their are other that writ (of whose opinion rather we are) that they were a hundred thousand furnished soldiers, and were fully persuaded to were the palm of that journey, whereupon, he conveyed his army over the mountains of Tracia, and so marched on, till he came to the river Savo, whereupon john Carafagio Cardinal Saint Angelo, gathered together all the power that he could, promising to as many as would follow him in that journey, full remission of their sins, 
Blasphemy of an empudent papist.  and by the Apostelique authority that he had he gave to as many as should be stain in that journey eternal life, and by these means and with the help of the preaching of friar Caprestano he had assembled an army offortie thousand men, of Almains, Bohemes and hungarians, all crossed men not of the wealthiest sort or men of estate, but poor men of the common sort, the which for the zeal of the christian faith, were contented to offer themselves to the danger of the death for the name of Christ jesus, hoping in this world to obtain forgyvernes of their sins, & in the world to come, foye everlasting, which matter is hard for preachers to persuade princes, and great rulers of the world unto, for so much, as many of them (setting their hole felicity upon these transitory vanities) have no care for the life to come, which Christ hath promised to as many as walk in his ordinances, for the great ones of the world for the most part will not hazard themselves to lose this life for that they can not assure themselves of the life to come, wherefore they do, not only, not frame themselves to hear the word of god, but forasmuch as in them is, they flee from it as from a thing mostedispleasante, 
john Vaivoda.  and contrary to their natures: like wise john Vaivoda had assembled an army of valiant men, out of Hungary & Bohemia, both of horse men and footmen, Mahometh was in such a triumph by means of the good success that he had had, that he thought there was no power in Europe: able to encounter him. And being puffed up in this sort with pride, with great fury presented his camp to the city of Alba, which standeth upon the mouth of the river Savo, 
Mah●meth before Belgrado, in camp.  not far from the Danubio, and at this day is called Belgrado and at the lodging of his camp he gave a great bravado and a notable charge upon them of the town, and when he saw the town well furnished with defendants and his assaults received with great assurance and that the hungarians durst, not only to defend their town, but also to hold the field continually in arms within the shot of the Cannon whereupon he thought good to assure himself from ouward insults and to plant his batteries, wherefore he gave order with all speed to fortify his camp with great dykes and strong rampires, & also they of the town applied them day and night in repairing themselves, that in short space they were so fortified that notwithstanding the greatest part of the wall, was by that turks battery laid flat on the earth, yet stood they upon their new fortificationes and ripares that they had made within the town in far greater assurance for the defence of the town, then if the walls of the town ha● continued in their former state, and the turks being at hands with them continually, both day and night were entered the breaches and then the town, & fought with them of the town upon ground of equal advantage with their new fortificationes, and defences, and could not enforce them to give unto them one foot of the ground which they had determined to defend such was their value in arms. 
Order of Mahometh.  When the turks had in this sort batterid the town for a long time in vain, Mahometh being kindled with great fury, and rage determined to hold them occupied day and night continually, and so to weary them. And when he had embattled all his people, & divided them into regementes or squadrons, appointing to every squadrone for conduct thereof a man of great judgement in martial affares, to the end that they should, one succide an other in y● assault with their battailones and so to keep occupied continually them of the town, to the end that they should have no time to fortify themselves against them, and then they began on every side to assail the Christians who also put themselves in battle and appointed also certain extraordinary bands to be employed where necessity should require, and thus came on nobly and encountered their enemies, there was between them a long fight, the assault was full of bloodshed and cruelty, and also doubtful, for some time the Turcks prevailed: as though they would forthwith become lords of the town, on the other side the Christians suppliing the fight often times with new bands and calling to mind their wont valiantize did so repulse the enemy's that some time they enforced them clearly to abandon the walls, so that the victory seemed aparently to be theirs and in this sort the battle continued so doubtfully that it was hard to say where the victory should light, and by means of the great obstinaty on both parts the matter was like to continue doubt full till the dark night whereupon Mahometh determined to prove whether his presence mought anyething prevail to encourage his soldiers or no, & immediately came among them, thinking by his presence so to encourage his soldiers that forthwith they should enforce the Christians to abandon the walls, whereupon he came to that place where his guard of janissaries did assail, and as he approached some thing near was stricken with an aroe under the right pap, whereupon he was taken and carried to this lodging, which so discouraged his people, 
Great co●fusien among the turks.  that immediately they left y● assault upon the soodden, & abandoned their artillery to their enemies in proie, and with speed conveyed themselves to their lodgings, and the nigth following they levied their camp with great silence and marched on with great speed till they came into Servia, and from thence into Romania, when the Christians saw the siege raised, and the enemy gone, they gave god great thanks and were joyful and marvelous glad. Then they endeavoured to cure their hurt men and to distribute the proye to every man according to his place, this great & rare victory was attributed to there men in especial, which is to john Carafagio Legate apostolic, in whose name the journey was taken in hand. To john Vaivoda, and to freer Caprestano, which two were present in all these affares although that Vaivoda in all his letters that he wrote to the Emperor and to other princes and friends of his, never made any mention of Caprestano, nor Caperestano in his letters which he wrote to the bishop of Rome and also to the General of his order and other prelate's, made any mention of Vaivoda, notwithstanding, either of them affirmed in his letters that god through him, had given to the christians that glorious victory, wherein it was apparently seen, that the nature of man being most greedy and desirous of honour, will more easily departed with kingdoms, countries, riches and such like & to approve this, it was evidently seen in Caprostano, who in time before, could easily contemn and dispize all worldly riches, set at nought all earthly pleasures vanquish & overcome the desires and motiones of the flesh and yet could not depress that desire of glory which then was in him. Although some man mought say unto me, that Caprestano cared not for his own glory but for the glory of god declaring his incomprehensible power by aiding the Christians and giving them victory by the advise and industry of a simple, poor, and un armed freer, to the which objection I am content at this present to give place, when Mahomethe had received this great bastonade and was returned home, it is said that he became more temperate, and modest, and began to consider man's estate, and to depress his arrogance, and pride, and he never happened afterward to hear any talk of the journey of Belgrado, but it would put him in Cholere, and make him to shake the head, notwithstanding that he could well dissemble his cause. When Calixto was ded, there succided him in his seat Enea Picolhuomini a Sienese borne, who being desirous to provide for the defence of Christendom, went in person to Mantoa, a city in Lombardie, where he had appointed a general council, and at the day appointed their came many princes, and the ambassadors of all the Christian potentates, and the matter being there examined and debated for the space of eight months in what sort they should make wars for the recovery of Gretta, and chase of the enemies out of Europe, and having there a great numbered of Christian princes, which were very cold in that behalf, and did slenderly satisfy the expectation of the pope, whereupon when it was decreed that the wars should be taken in hand against the turk, he licenced the Council, and departed toward Rome, determining to go this journey in person with his Navy by the sea, on tother side Mahomethe having intelligence of the great preparation that the Byshope of Rome made, determining to cut of all occasyones that mought trouble his state in Gretia, and calhies enemies thither, 
Another army in Morea.  whereupon he sent his army again into Morea, & about the year of our salvation a thousand four hundred and three score, and in a short space became lord of the greatest part of that country, and having already taken the Dispotto thereof (dimetrio) and sent him prisoner to Constantinople, Thomas his elder brother being then prince of Acaia, was marvelously in doubt of himself, whereupon he took with him out of Acaia the head of Saint Andre the apostle and fled out of his country into Italy with the afore said head and many other relics of Saints, & came and presented both the relics, and himself to the pope. Who received the relics, and caused them to be placed with great solenpnitie, in the church of saint Peter prince of the Apostles, in a certain Chapel which he had builded with great sumptuosity, & to Thomas prince of Achaia, he appointed such promision as mought honourably maintain his state during his life, in that same year Mahometh went with his army against the Emperor of Trebisonda and entered into Ponto with an exceeding, great Navy and besieged Trebisonda, 
The see●e of Trebisonda.  both by sea and land, and the Emperor making no great defence nether of himself, ne yet of his city, was taken, and brought on live to Mahometh, who sent him prisoner to Constantinople, and became, not only lord of Trebisonda but also of Sinopi & the rest of the towns and cities, that the Christians possessed with in the country of Pontho, when he had thus done, he returned with his Navy into Gretia, the year following, he put his Navy again to the sea, and sent it to assail the Isle of Mitelleme in the old world called Lesbo, which was possessed at that time by the lord frauneys Gattalusio a Genovese borne. When he had brought his Navy thither, and landed his people in short time he took all the forts, and towns of the Isle, and then he brought his army the to City of Mitilleme, wherein was the lord of the Isle with all his power, 
Mitilen● besieged & taken by Mahometh.  the turks besieged the town both by sea and land, in such sort, that they of the town could neither receive into the town, men ne yet victuales, then planted they their batteries, and in short space made an exceeding great breach, and yet they continued it day and night without giving any time at all to the defendants to repose them, and after many assaults given, the defendants were marvelously consumed by death, and hurts: whereupon they assailed it round with all their force, and in the end entered (after long fight) the repares that the defendants had made, and first became masters of the walls, and then of the city, they put all the men of the town to the sword except the lord of the Isle whom they took prisoner, they deflored all the Virgins of the town, and forced all the women of the same, they spoilt the town of all the riches that therein was, and they left nothing nether sacred ne yet profane undefiled and in this sort they obtained an exceeding rich spoil, both of treasure and prisoners of all kinds, and ages, which they lad with Gatalusio their lord, to Constantinople and sold them in their marcketes (by companies like herds of swine (for slaves, a piteous spectacle to behold, a certain people of the Isle of Scio called Manoesy (unto whom the Isle of Scio did apartaine) 
Manoesy Tributa Tributaries to the turk.  in the right of their ancestors, who at their own charges wan it notwithstanding they did owe certain homage to the city of Genoa of the which, they were citizens', when they understood of the loss of Mitilene fearing lest the victorious Navy should be employed against them, thought it good to make the matter sure, whereupon, they sent an ambassade to Mahometh, and agreed to give him yearly ten thousand ducats in the name of tribute, and thus committed themselves to his protection. When the Venetianes understood of the taking of Morea, the loss of Mitilene and Trebisonda, 
Late wise  they began to be in doubt of their Isles and towns that they possessed in Gretia, and saw then their own folly in that, 
Nota.  that they had not in the beginning aided those princes and people, but suffered them to be devoured, one after an other, & Mahometh to possess their states and countries, whereupon, they thought it better to assail, then to be assailed, and therefore prevented the enemy, being in good hope that the pope's enterprise should go forward, and take good effect, by means whereof, Mahometh should have enough to do, to defend his own dominions, and countries, 
Wars between the venetians & the turks.  whereupon they put to the sea a great Navy of Galleys of divers ordres of oars, and many great ships in whom they bestowed agreate numbered, both of footmen and horsemen Italians, and so sailed on toward the Archipelago or middle sea, & when they had landed their people in Morea, the first thing that they took in hand, was to make again the wall of Esmilia and to make it as strong as they could, after that they marched on with their army to the city of Corintho and besieged it both by sea and land, when Mahomethe was advertised of the arrivalle of the venetians, and of the great danger that Corintho was in, he put his Navy to the sea and embarked his army, giving them commission to haste with all celerity toward Corintho as soon as the infidel army was landed in Morea, they assailed forth with the wall of Esmilia, 
Esmylya.  and laid their batteries to it, whereupon the christians not being able to stand to the defence thereof, gave it over to the enemies and retired to their camp the which as soon as the turks Captains espied, they forth with cut through the wall, and entered, marching on with their army toward the enemy, who refused not the battle but marched also toward them and without delay joined with them in battle, 
Battle between the venetians & the turk.  which continuing for the space of certain hours, was both terrible, & bloody and in the end the christians being weary, and not able to endure the force of the turks (who continually supplied the fight with fresh and reposed squadrons in the place of the wearied, and spoiled) began to retire toward the sea, thinking to save themselves by fleeing to their Navy, and broke their order, and being followed by the turks horsemen, were slain, and taken in great numbered, and lost also their artillery, munition and carriage, and in this sort, was the siege of Corintho raised, and then with great triumph returned the infidels to Constantinople, leading with them the Christian prisoners enchained, & as soon as they were there arrived, they caused a great number of them with great cruelty to be cut in pieces in the market place, the rest they lad with them, like flocks of sheep through the Towns of Asia, & sold them for slaves in every place that they passed by. The venetians being greatly discouraged through this defeicte and fearing that they had procured to them the Turcks' indignation by the means of the soodden wars which they had made upon him whereupon they addressed them forth with to the pope, ● sent their Orators to Rome, to desire and solicit th● pope with great instance, to make wars upon th● turk, and to haste the journey into Asia, declaring v● to him that if he deferred the time, Mahometh should have good commodity to take all the towns in Greti● that were in the possession of the Christians, and chiefly those that were upon the sea coast by means where of they should not be able to maintain any Navy up on that coast, having no havens nor goolfes at their commandment, the bishop although he knew that to be true which they said being very sorry to consider the peril wherein they were, did put them in good hope that he would acomplishe their request, although in deed, he saw no means how to do it, for that he could get no aid from beyond the mountains, for as much, as the case eas such, that after that the council of Mantoa was licensyd, all Europe was filled with division, and private innimities, and regarded not at all, the good determination of the general enterprise against the infidels agreed upon at Mantoa, for in Almanie there was wars between the Duke of Bavera, 
Europe filled with wars.  and the Saxons, and either part employed their friends, and by that mean drew to them the greatest part of Almanie. The Emperor pretending to succide in the royal seat of Hungary, his Nephew Laodislao king thereof, would not endure that the king Mathias should possess it, wherefore he employed all his force against the Hungarianes. The Frenshe king being much offended with the pope for that he crowned, and admitted to the seat Royal of Pulia the king Ferdinando a bastard son of the king Alsonso, not regrading at all the right that the king Renato of Angio his cozen had to the afore said kingdom, did not only refuse to send aid to this general enterprise: but threatened the pope continually to send his army into Pulia. The English men, which were never wont to fail in any enterprise against the enemies of the Christian faith, being sore vexed with Civil wars, having two kings living at once which sought no means, but only how the one mought chase the other out of the realm, the people being divided, the one part favouring henry their ancient king, the which by Edward, Duke of york was chased out of the Realm, the other sort sought ●o maintain the party of king Edward unto whom the Duke of Burgonie gave aid, and Loise the Frenshe king aided the king henry, whose son with the count of warwicke entered England, & gave battle to king Edward. In Spain the city of Burcelona in the con●rey of Catalonia revolted against their prince, the king john of Arragone king of Navarre, and were aided & maintained against him by the king of Castilia, on the other side the Frenshe king gave aid to the king john of Navarre to recover again his right who was encamped before the city with his power, and for y● that god would not that any part of Europe should be at quiet, he stirred up in France the Duke john, son to the king Renato of Angio, who passed into the kingdom of Naples with a great Navy of Galleys & ships, and while he was there, he so practised, that he diui●ed the whole force of Italy the one part thereof favouring the house of Angio and the other part the house of Aragone, so, that in those wars: all the nobility of the kingdom, as men out of their wits divided them selves into sundry factiones, not only they of the kingdom, but of all the states of Itali●. The venetians, & genoese, with diverse other princes favoured the par●ie of the Duke john. The pope and the Duke of Myl●ane, discovered themselves in the favour of the king Fer●ante, and sent him divers bands both of horsemen, & boatmen. The florentines, although generally they were ●nclyned to favour the Frenshe party by means of ● league made between the house of Angio and them, and were bound to the king Renato, yet notwithstanding being governed by the appetite of their rules, they were persuaded that it was not good for them to take part in so gerat wars, and to enter into new charges, but to stand as newtres, but in deed, they showed ●hem selves friends to the house of Aragone, whereupon forthwith: they cassed many of their bands, with the lord Simonetto, one of their chief conductors, and permitted them to serve the king ferrante, & thus secretly they aided the party of Arragone, whereupon, the pope being impeached by means of these emotions determined to defer the purposed enterprise against the turk until such time as the devisiones and tumults of Europe and chief those of Italy were appeased whereupon he departed from Sienna & rteorned to Rome purposing to acquit and redress the temporal state of his church, which was marvelously disordered & shaken by means of the aforesaid division, he began at Viterbo which was then holden by one of the factions, & by his authority called home again those that for fear were fled, & reconciled them which their adversaries & in this sort left them all in good peace under his protection & governance after this he sent his legates into the duchy & into the country of Marca and finding these provinces infected with the afore said malady, one city being in arms against the other and diverse city being divided in themselves, the one part of the City against the other some were of the Colonese factino & other of the Orsius and now had the one the better and then the other, till at the last by the great providence and industry of the legates, they were all pacified and left under the regiment and governance of the pope's officers in perfect tranquiletie and quietness: after this when the pope beheld the miserable state of his country & the great spoil thereof that had been made through the Civil disorder and wars that had ben among them, by means whereof they had consumed a great numbered of their people, & also were brought into extreme poverty, it was a great grief unto him, and then gave he order that they which governed should by common consent restore again to their first degrees and honours the orders of gentlemen and the twelve, and should call from exile certain worthy citizens, and in this sort he enlarged his regiment and state, and left it quiet and in peace till at the last in the country of Marca, their arose the lord Sigismonde Malisti, and gathered an army and encountered with the pope's Legate and gave him a great overthrow by means whereof all the Country of Marca was in arms and followed this Sigismonde, whereupon the pope sent thither his legate the Cardinal of Tiano apistolese borne with the Duke of Urbine and the lord Napoleone Orsino, which gave to Sigismondo such an overthrow not far from Sinigaglia, that they enforced him to leave the field and so repressed his fury that in a short time they took from him Sinigaglia, Fano, and a good piece of the county of Arrimino, and after diverse encounters in the kingdom of Naples, the kings Ferrante remained victorious, and the Duke john with his Angionme faction was returned into France, & when Ferrante was well established in his kingdom, and that the pope saw himself delivered of two great wars, and had established the temporal state of his church and brought it to perfect quietness, he then called again to mind the enterprise of Asia, against the turks and being confederate with the king of Hungary, the Duke of Borgonie and with the state of Venise, they then consulted and determined in what sort they would make these wars, the pope sent forth his letters with his messengers to all the princes of Christendom, exhorting and requiring them to come & aid him in this journey against th● infidels, and appointed the time, that in the year of our health a thousand four hundred threescore and four the xv. day of june, all the army should be ready in y● country of Marca, not far from Ancona, where they should find the Navy ready to receive, both the pope's holiness and them also who would in person go, to so glorious an enterprise, and when the pope had thus determined, he passed on for the recovery of his health to Sienna, meaning the next spring following according to his custom to go to the banns at Petrivolo: and when he was there arrived, news came to him that Philippe Duke of Borgonie (seeing the great tumults and emotiones that were in France between the king and the nobility) would provide for the security of his state wherefore he would not deal at all in the enterprise against the turks but employed all his force under the conduct of his son Charles against Joys king of France whereupon he changed his purposed journey to the banns, and returned to Rome where he was marvelously troubled with the gout and also with the fever whereupon he was enforced to continue there a long time contrary to his determination which was the cause that he could not be at his day appointed at Ancona: according to his proclamation that he had made of the journey in the mean time their came to Rome severally ambassadors, both from Joys the frenshe king and also from Philippe Duke of Borgonie, excusing either of them for so much as being troubled with domestical wars they could not at that time give any aid toward the journey, when the pope was some thing recovered of his disease, he called the Cardinals to the Consystorie, & there discoursed of the heresies that then were in the kingdom of Bohemia, whereupon he granted forth his citationes, and then with his Cardinals and other Cortigianes he departed from Rome and passed through the country of Sabina into the Duchy, and from thence into the country of Marca and being carried in a horse litter (in consideration of his weakness) passed so on to Ancona and as he passed on the way he met with a great numbered of men ●●ich came out of Almanie, France, and Spain, of t●●ir own good wills, to go that journey against the infidels, of the which numbered the greatest part, and chiefly those that came out of Almanie brought with them no provision wherewith to sustain them in that journey, 
The pope's liberality.  whereupon, he gave them his been diction, and absolved them clearly from all the offences that ever they committed, until that present, and in this sort licensid them to return into their countries again, and being in Ancona he looked for the Navy which was made ready in divers places of Italy, and should repair thither to unite themselves and also he looked for the Duke of Venise with his armata to arrive there in this mean time the fever did so grow and encreas up on him, that the same day that the Duke of venise landed in the haven of Ancona accompanied with xii. galleys and a great numbered of gentlemen he yielded up his soul● to god, which was the year of our health. 
Pio the second pope of that name died.  1464. and the ●iiii of August, immediately upon his death the Cardinals' returned to Rome to elect a new bishop, and the Duke of Venise returned again to Venise with his armata and in this sort the Navy was divided and all the preparation that was made for the journey into Asia, was but in vain, and when the Duke was come home to Venise, the seniors thought it not good to loss all that which they had bestoed in furnishing their Navy and their army where upon they made Nicholas de Canale, general of their Navy and sent him with their Navy to the sea, who sailed along the coast of Gretia, & landed in Romania and sacqued the City of Euia and took out of it a great spoil and after that, 
Enia taken by the venetians.  he entered into the golf of Patrasso which is in Morea, and there landed, and being encountered with the turks that were there left for the guard of the country, he flew two thousand upon the place, and gave them a great overthowe he took the Castle of Vesticio fortified it and left in it a garnison of his people, there succided pio the second, Paulo the second, a venetian borne, who seemed not to abandon the enterprise that his predecessor had determined against the infidels, whereupon he joined in league with the venetians against the turks which had made there courses into Almaignie and had taken a way a great proye both of men and cattle, Mahometh determining always to banish the Christians out of Gretia, 
Great preparation of Mahometh.  about the year of our health. 1470. did put to the sea a Navy of. 400. sail where of they say there were. 200. gaylles and fustes, and when he had embarked a great number of horse men and foot men, he sent them under the governance and conduct of Mahometh, Bassa to the siege of the city of Calcide which standeth in the Isle that was anciently called Euboica and now is called Negroponte, 
Euboica anciently called Negroponte besieged by the Turck●s.  as soon as the Bassa was arrived at the Isle, he landed his people and besieged the town and planted his batteries, and when the had continued it for a long space, they had done in manner nothing, for they of the town be haved them so well that whatsoever breach was made in the day, they made it up in y● night, and rampared it in as great strengte as before, wherefore it seemed to Mahomethe that his enterprise took no great effect, and that his batteries did not greatly prevail, he sent for a new supply of men and went thither in person and when he beheld the great breaches that his men had made he thought that they mought easily enter the town: whereupon he embattled all his army, and appointed certain Colonelles with their regiments to the assault and appointed to every of them the place that he with his regiment should assail, when he had thus done, he called all the captains of his army unto him persuading them with goodly words to show themselves worthy of that good opinion that he had of them, and that they would approach the town with purpose that day to be victorious or else there to end their lives, and also he gave unto them the whole spoil of the town, more over he promised to such as should first enter the town great rewards, with these exhortaciones and promises, he did greatly encourage his soldiers, whereupon he continued his batteries with great fury, for a space, with the noise where of and with that of drums, trumpets, and cornets the air, the earth, and the sea, did tremble, Mahometh gave order that when the Colonelles of the first assavite had continued it for a certain time, 
Mahometh a noble Captain.  that then other C●lonelles with their regiments should take their place and so continue the assault, by the which means, he had always fresh assailants, and thus continued he the assault without intermission two days & two nights, and suffered not them of the town in any wise to repose, and although that the Christians who were appointed to the guard of the town defended it with rare virtue, and noble minds, and used their fires artificial shot, great stones, and casting spears, wherewith they had slain a great numbered of the infidels, and when the infidels had twice chased them from the breach & had entered the town, the Christians serred themselves and charged them and for with chased them fort he of the town making great slaughter of the aforesaid enemies but in the end, for asmuch as the greatest part of the defendants were stain and the rest being but few in numbered and greatly wearied with the long fight that they had endured, and being consumed in this sort not being a sufficient number to defend the whole circuit of the town, 
Soldiers of anoble mind.  certain of them repaired into the market place determining there to die honourably with their sword in their hand, and such as were not of so noble a mind as they were, for soak the town, among the which numbered, was the governor of the City with many of the chief officers and gentle men Venetians which fled into the fort or Citadel, whereupon the turks entered the City, and after a long fight became lords of the market place, and them of the City, and with unspeakable cruelty they put to death all the italians 
Unspeakable cruelty.  that they could lay hands on, inpalinge them upon long stakes, of others they plucked the skin over their ears, and some others they cut a sunder in the midst in such sort: that all the streets of Negroponte were filled with deed bodies and washed with christian blood and after that they took all the inhabitants of the town as well men as women that then were living, and made them slaves and when they had thus done, they began to sack the town both houses and Churches, in such sort as they left nothing in the town, such as were fled into the sort made an appointment with him, it was agreed that they should depart safely with their lives and goods whereupon they delivered the Castle before that any one piece was planted against it, in deed the turk held not his promise with them, for in deed be put them all to the sword. And in this sort the famous Isle of Eboica about the midst of the month of june was taken by Mahometh and when Nicholas de Canale was returned to Venise the Senate laid to his charge the 
Negr●ponte taken by Mahometh.  he had not done his duty in that that he had not succoured Negroponte, which he mought have done if he had durs●●, as they said, whereupon they laid him in chains and then condemned him to perpetual exile, & created in his place their general Petro Moranigo, who departed out of the golf with a Navy of lx. galleys & xx. great ships and sailed on toward the Isle & spoiled and destroyed all the sea coast of Gretia, and Asia. In those days the Genoveses fearing least the turk should bring his army to the City of Capha, which standeth beyond the strait of Bosporo upon the sea called Eusino which at this day is called the greater sea, 
Pon●o Eusino.  and seeing no way how they might send any succours thither, for somuch as the turk had his Castles very well furnished which he had builded upon both the straits, and they thought it a matter impossible to send any bands thither by land, considering that the journey was great and the passage perilous, through the countries of so many barbarous nations, and being in this great extremity, there was a Constable which offered for a certain sum of money to go into Caffa with his band which was of the numebr of. 150. soldiers or there about, unto whom they gave such some as he demanded, whereupon he took his journey and passed through the country of Friule in Italy, & after through the country of Hungary, then through Polonia, from thence through Scythia, which at this day is called Tartary, and in this sort conveyed himself into Caffa while these things were doing, Mahomethe had put 
practise of Mahometh.  a great Navy to the sea to pass into Candie where men supposed he had already framed certain practises with the Candiottes that he should be received by them whensoever that he came, and understanding the Venetian armata to be already arrived there and that the chief conspirators were taken and put to death, immediately he changed purpose and directed his Navy into the greater sea, and commanded a great number of horsemen to pass into Valachia and to spoil & destroy there what they could, as they were doing of this, he besieged the City of Caffa both by sea and land, 
Caffa besieged.  he planted his batteries, and began to torment them ercidingly with his shot, the genoese which there were, who were many in number & possessid great riches, both of merchandise and treasure, who being amazed by this sodden assault, and seeing themselves out of all hope of succour, after that they had defended it nobly by the space of certain days, thought it not good there to lose both life and goods, whereupon they practised an appointment. And agreeing upon the same delivered the town upon condition, 
Caffa yielded to Mahometh.  to enjoy all their goods, which promise was but evil observed, for so much as they took from thence many of the principal families with that they had and sent them to Constantinople, and constrained them there to dwell and made the Citizens of Caffa his tributaries and forbade them upon pains of life to depart from thence, or to send away from thence any of their substance or riches. And in this sort the City of Caffa (standing upon the sea called Eusino) which had been of a long time possessed by the genoese, became subject to the tiranouse governance of the turks, when Mahomethe according to his determination had clearly banished the Christians out of Gretia, he levied an army of a hundred thousand men, and sent them into Albania to besiege the town of Scutary, 
Scutar● besieged by Mahometh.  which standeth near the river called Buiana (not far from the ancient City Appollonia) which then was possessed by the venetians and furnished with divers Constables and bands of italians both footmen and horsemen, when the infidels were comen before Scutary, they environed the town with their camp, and planted their batteries contynewing them day and night with out cease with marvelous fury, and they of the town did with no less courage defend themselves. And through the noble minds and discipline, of the Christian Captains, all the turks preparationes and attempts were renderid vain and of none effect, they were enforced to consume all that summer in vain before that town, and when the Autoume drew on, the turks through the sharpness of the air, and the pestilent winds which bet upon them continually through the mouth of the river fell into diseases in such sort, as they were enforced to abandon the siege and to with draw themselves into those mountains of Macedonia that were nearest to Scutary, in intention to return thither again as soon as the infection of the air should cease, and whilst they wintered there the lieutenant of the army took with him certain of his chosen bands and made wars upon john Gernoi 
john Gernoi.  (which possessed diverse towns in the mountains of Albania) he took from him the town of Sabiaco, and when he had by force taken the City of Divastro and Lisso, he put to death all the men that were within them with sundry torments and tiranouse deaths, he made the women and children slaves which he there found, and went in the spring following, again to the siege of Scutary, although he were out of hope to take it by force, yet he thought in time through famine to possess it, whereupon he cnnironned the town with his camp in such sort, the they could neither send forth to their friends any advertise meant, nor receive from them any in telligence or relief on the other side the venetians could never persuade the pope to abstain from the wars which he had begun in Tuscan against the florentines, & to unite his force with them and so to invade the infidels, for so much as they alone without the aid of any other, 
Great charges of the venetians.  had borne the whole charge of the wars in Gretia by the space of. 25. years, being with the intolerable charges thereof wearied, for that they were enforced to hold continually a great Navy upon the Coast of Gretia, for the defence of such forts and towns as they possessed there, and beside that they did contribute very largely to the pope for the manitenance of his wars in Tuscan against the Florentines, whereupon like wise men they judges, that if the Florentine should happen to be subdued, the enemy mought also easily take from them all such places as they possessed in the main land of Italy, wherefore they thought it good to disborden themselves of so great a charge, and by means of certain Greeks, practised an appointment with Mahometh, and concluded a peace with him for many years, upon conditione that for his honour's sake, 
Scutari given to Mahometh.  they should be contented to deliver into his hands the town of Scutary and besides that, that they should pay unto him in consideration of the charges that he had been at according to the entreaty had between his and their commissioners two hundred thousand ducats within the space of two years then next ensuing, and in consideration of this, he gave unto them she liberty to have in Constantinople a Bailo, 
Bailo an ambassador leaguer that hath power of life.  to determine the differences that should happen between the Venetianes there, when Mahometh had in this sort concluded peace with the venetians: he divided his army, sending the one part thereof into Hungary, which made a great course there, and the other which was his Navy he sent to land in Pulia, where they raised a great proie both of men and cattles, after that he made wars against them of the Isle of Rhodes, & sent thither one of his Basrias with a great power and when he had landed his people (which was the xxi. of May, in the year of our health M. CCCC.lxxiiii) he proied and spoiled all the circuit of the Isle, which is a hundred and twenty miles, 
Rhodes by Mahohometh be segid.  and when he had thus done, he presented his camp to the City of Rhodes, & assailed it both by sea and land, planted his batteries and ceased them nether day ne night, the great master of the order, with his kinghtes and soldiers and other christians that there were, defended the town so nobly & repaired it with such industry as it was a marvel, they sallied forth daily and scaramoshed with them the enemies used all speed possible with their battery contynning it without cease both day and night, giving them of the town no time at all to repose, but held them continually occupied both day and night with scaramoshes, alarms, and false assaults, notwithstanding that, they of the town repulsed them with great assurance, and slew many of them, and also they lost of there's some time, notwithstanding their small loss was more prejudicial unto them (forthat they had not means to be supplied with new men) than the great numbered of the party of the assailants which were slain was to them of the camp, the numbered of them of that of town consumed and decayed daily, when the Mahometistes had in this sort continued their siege by the space of two months, it seemed to the Captains & Bascias that they had made sufficient breach whereupon. they thought themselves sure of the town whensever they should assail it, and upon this they made ready for the assulte all kind of necessaries & determined to give the assault whereupon they divided their people, and gave order to their Coloneles, who should begin the assault, and which they were that should from time to time supply it, when this was done they put their peopel in order and approached the town the. 
Rhodes assaulted the xx. of july  xx. day of july in y● break of the day with great noises and cries and they employed their greatest force upon that side of the town where the tower stood that was called Giudeca, which was so flat betyn to the ground that the spoil and roobishe thereof so filled the dyke that men mought easily clime up to the height of the breach, as soon as this was known, they that were without began the assault placed their shot to beat their defences and breaches to the end they should not be able to stand to the defence of their breaches, and immediately entered the dike and as they were coming up the breaches, they were encountered by them of the town with great Valiantize who appeared in all places where need was throwing out upon their enemies continually great stones pieces of timber casting spears and with their shot they did marvelously anoie them, they th' rue them down continually from the walls making excidinge great slaughter of them notwithstanding the turks continued still the assault and renewed it with fresh bands from time to time, in such sort as the fight continued still without cease and was maintyned a great piece of the day with great assurance on both sides, but in the end the turks through their great number, and also through their means which they used, to supply the fight with fresh regiments and bands, prevailed murche and in the end certain thousands of the Turcks serred themselves and charged with their hole force, up on the Christians, which not being able to endure the force of their enemies, were constrained to abandon the breaches, whereupon by little and little they retired themselves toward the market, and the enemies entered the town and followed them on well toward that place Giudeca, and suddenly they stated (not being charged at all by the enemies) and showed such a token of fearfulness that it seemed they trembled with fear, the cause thereof was not certainly known although there were some found, and chiefly certain sons of one Gentle. de Bardi a Florentine, which affirmed that they saw step forth before them, 
Strange adventure  a man on horseback armed at all pieces with an upper garment of white upon his armour, which when the enemies saw, they were abashed and durst not deal with him, the Christians perceiving the cowardice of the enemies, called again to them noble minds, and put themselves again in order and then charged the enemies, which fled from the Christians, abandoned the town, leving the victory at that time to their enemies, and therefore that day they of the town were preserved (contrary to their own expectation) being clearly out of hope of their health & thereupon comforted themselves and all they that were in the town both men women & children laid to their hands for the repairing of the breaches for the space of certain days, till that they had made it somewhat defensible the enemies on tother side endeavoured themselves by all means possible to supply their bands & to furnish them with all kind of necessaries for to assail the town again. In this mean time the king Ferrante 
The christian zeal of the king Ferrante.  dispaiched from Naples two great ships with commission to sail toward the coast of Gretia and to secure the town of Rhodes, which ships being well furnished with men, set sail and sailed toward the coast of Gretia, and the xxx of july they arrived within the sight of Rhodes, and holding on their course toward the haven mouth the lesser of the two passed with filled sails, through the midst of the turkish Nanie, which came and assailed him thinking to deny him the passage as he passed through their Navy he slew many of the infideles and so arrived safely with his ship and people in the haven of Rhodes, where he was received by them of the town with incredible joy, Franzino pastore that commanded the other ship seeing the peril that the other ship (that was arrived at the town) had been in, was discouraged & durst not follow but made about from the Navy of the enemies to the sea again toward the midst of the channel, the next morning being enforced by his soldiers & mariners, he set sail again having a prosperous wind and made toward the haven, & suddenly the wind failed him, by means where of he could make no sail but lay still in great danger of the enemy, who seeing the ship encaulmed, weighed their anchors and made toward her with all their Navy, determinig to burn her and loaded a ●alandre with pitch and tow meaning that whilst certain of their galleys did assail her, others should set her on fire, whereupon they tawed the palandre after them at the sterme of some of their galleys, in their mean time the wind arose & began to blow a handsome gale, not without a manifest token of the favour of God whereupon the Captain commanded to pack on all the sails and directed his course full upon the Navy of the infidels and sailed on with great fury passing through the midst of them arrived safely in the haven, to the great content as well of those of his ship, as of them of the town, for the which good hap they of the● town triumphed for the space of two days shewing signs of great joy in ringing of bells making of bonfires shoring of artillery and such like, whereupon the turks began to despair of the taking of the town thinking that the two ships had brought far greater number of men and monition then in deed they did. Then began they to attempt the town but slenderly and devised rather how to abandon the siege then otherwise, and finally conveyed their artillery and monitions aboard their Navy and abandoned there siege the xvii. of August, & sailed toward the strait of Gallipoli, 
Rhodes delivered from the siege of the enemies.  and in this sort was Rhodes delpuered from the siege of the turks. In this mean time Mahometh sent Acomath one of his Bascias with a Navy of an hundred sails (being furnished with xv. thousand soldiers) towards the golf and upon the sodden he assailed the Isle called Saint Maura, anciently called Eucadia, and took it, and from thence he passed on toward Cephalonia, and Hiacinto, ● in short space became lord of them both, and he determined to sail back again by the golf and from thence into Pulia, in intention as divers men thought but to land and spoil the country, considering the great riches y ● ●here was both of men, treasure, and cattles, and chief ●y for that he had intelligence that the country was left without guard of men of war, and also that the king was where he could not annoy him, when the Navy of the infideles was come within fight of that point of ●ande that the italians call Cavo de Ottranto, 
The head of Ottranto.  they made toward the land and came into the haven of Ot granto, and seeing them of the town to make no resys●ance, but being afeard: showed moste shameful Cowardice, and shut the gates of the City holding them ●clues within the walls thereof and durst not once to ●okevpon him in the field, whereupon he landed his men ●andhorses, and first he proied all the country about Ot ●tranto and then spoiled it and brought to his ships ●an excyding great proie, 
Ottranto beseegyd.  without any resistance at all, whereupon he was the more bold (presuming upon the Cowardice of them of the town) and thought to attempt to take it, whereupon he fortified his camp to defend him from outward invasion and environed the town in such sort, that they of the town could neither receive in, nor send forth any thing out of it, when this was done he planted his batteries and began to batter the walls and tormented them with his batteries day and night, he arrived at Ottranto xxviii. of july, in the year of our health M. CCCC.lxxix, and the xi. day of August next following he gave an assanlte to the town, and chased them of the town from the breaches and took the town by force, & master francis Zurlo who was there, for the king being fled with the Arch bishop of the City into the Cathedrale church where unto all the the chief of the city were fled also for succour, was with the rest cut in pieces. and all the rest of the people, with the women and children were sent into Gretia to be sold as slaves, when the king Fer rante understood that the turks were arrived at Ottranto, he caused to arm all the ships and galleys of the realm, with marvelous celerity, and sent also for his son the Duke of Calabria, into Toscane, who at that time had made peace with the florentines & was in Sienna making great preparation for solemn jousts and triumphs, to celebrate the feast of our lady not without great suspicion the he was procured by diverse noughty Citizen's of his faction, that day to take the city and to usurp it, when the Duke had received this commandment from his father; he departed forth with out of Tuscan with all his army, and marching on with great speed brought them into Pulia and entertained also, as many footmen as he could get and appointed them to Captains, he gathered together also, all the men at arms and horsemen of all sorts that were in the kingdom, and then marched on with his army & encamped not far from Ottranto, the Navy was made ready with marvelous expedition by the great industris of the county of Sarni, and was already departed from Naples toward Pulta, 
The duke of Calabria before Ottranto  the Duke of Calabria fortified his camp with strong rampires & deep dikes, doubting the fury of the enemy, and durst not to approach the town so near, as he mought lay battery unto it, but lay some things farther of and presented himself daily to the town and they of the town sorted forth continually and scaramoshed with him and often times repulsed them and made great slaughter of them. And one day they attached a scaramoshe, and it was maintained in such order from time to time with fresh bands that the whole power of the camp was at it, and it grew to a battle & continued by the space of certain hours there was great slaughter, and it was fought with great assurance on both sides, in that battle was slain the county julio de Aquaiva, one of the kings chief conductors of his men at arms, the footmen being discouraged fled, Joys de Capua being general of them, with certain of his company (thinking to save himself) fled to a certain tower which was of some force not far from Ottranto, the Turquyshe horsemen followed him, and when they came to the tower they deter myned to assail it, and prepared pitch and tow and other necessaries to let fire unto it, the afore said Joys being desirous to live, yielded him with all his company to the turks, and was carried prisoner into Ottranto, & after this there was daily scaramoch between them of the camp & the town, but they of the camp had always the worse, there was slain before Ottranto Mattheo de Capua, the count julio de Pisa and divers other Captains & officers of the Italian army, the king because he would make the journey the more famous went with his court to Barletta, he sent for aid to all the Christian princes the king of Hungary Mathias, sent him a Colonel with a regiment of eight hundred Hungarian horsemen, the king of Portugal sent him many caravels, well armed and furnished, there came also out of Spain, Arragone and Catalona, many gentlemen of their own charges and good will, to aid the king, & notwnstanding these aides the turks dismayed not at all, but assured themselves & fortified their town, & did not only defend it but went forth of the town daily & scaramoched with the Christians & slew many of them & also brought of them to the town, prisoners. And when they had thus in vain consumed both the summer & the Autome winter approached & constrained them to abandon their siege & to lay themselves in garnisonnes, in the towns nearest about eit, and in y● same winter the Navy of the Turcks spoiled all the coast of Pulia even to the veri mount of S. Agnolo, 
mount. S. Agnolo  & for that the Acomathe Bassa desired to speak with his lord Mahometh, before the coming of y● spring of the year, he left in Ottran to for the defence thereof eight thousand choose soldiers, & furnished them which all kind of monition sufficiently for the space of xviii. months, & then passed on with his armata to Valona, & from thence he passed by land to Constantinople to the court, & when he had thoroughly discoursed with his lord, Mahometh determined to go in person into Anatolia to aid his son Batazith, against Caromano who had alredi given Baiazith a great overthrow, & destroed the greatest part of his army, his pleasure was that Acomathe should go with him the journey entending to make quick Dispatch of the same, & then to return into Gretia & to have good time to go into Italy against the king Ferrante when Mahometh had passed his army into Asia & was come near to Scutaio he fell sick of a fervent fever & within fewdaiss died, & it was suspected that he was poisoned.   

The third book of Andre CAMBINE FLORENTINE, OF THE Original of the turks and Empire of the house of Ottomanno.  
MAHOMETHE DIED THE LVI. YEAR of his age in the xxvii. year of his reign, he left behind him two sons the one named Gemma, the other Baiazithe. The turkish nation being divided after the death of Mahomethe, the one part, especially the nobility favouring Sultan Gemma, and the Gianizaries the party of Baiazithe, and therefore immediately upon the death of Mahomethe, the janissaries marched with all speed to Constantinople, and for somuch as Baiazithe was at that time in Anatolia, they took a young son of his named Corcuthe, & when they had saluted him Emperor, they bore him about thorough all the city to show him to the people, 
Baiazithe the 10. king  and caused them with loud voice to cry the name of Baiazithe who about the midst of may when he was returned to Constantinople, caused himself to be saluted and confirmed Emperor, being assured through his maniefolde rewards and liberality, of the favour and aid of the Bascias and Gianizzaries, and being in doubt of his brother Sultan Gemma, He began to see his soldiers very well furnished, and to provide for his own security, Gemma, departing from the confines of Soria, where he was left by his father to make wars upon the sultan, brought his army into the lesser Asia, & when he understood how the affairs had passed in Constantinople being out of hope to enjoy any part of gretia, 
The determination of Gemma.  he changed his purpose & determined to occupy the Empire of the less Asia, whereupon he conveyed his army into Bithynia: to the City Bursia, which when he had fortified, he determined to call together all the rulers of the people of, Asia and when he had consulted with them, to send for the rest of his bands that were in Asia and to unite them with his army, 
Note this act.  Baiazithe gathered together all the old bands of Gretia, and assembled his army and passed them into Asia and sought his brother Gemma, and met him upon the plain not far from Bursia, the armies being renged, the battle was presented, they joined, the fight continued for a long time and after great slaughter on both sides, 
Gemma defected.  Baiazithe became master of the field, Gemma being broken, and abandoned of his people, fled, with certain of his trusty friends with him to Rhodes, and the great master of the religion (fearing lest by holding of him he mought purchase the innimitie of Baiazith and so provoke him to wars) sent him well guarded with certain ships into France, from whence afterward by commandment of Innocentio the viii. bishop of Rome, he was sent to Rome, and being received by the bishop, had his lodgings appointed in the height of the Palace, and was there for a long time guarded with great diligence the pope agreed with Baiazithe for a yearly pension of thirty thousand ducats so to keep him guarded during the life natural of Gemma. 
An offer of the king Ferrante.  In this mean time the king Ferrante being in Italy received Aduertysement of the death of Mahomethe, and caused it to be declared to those of Ottranto, & offered them (that if they would deliver into his hands the City) he would set them all safely into Gretia with all such goods and treasure as they had there. The infideles would in no wise agree to this demand forsomuch as they knew not whether their lord was dead or Noah, or else for that they stayed to see which of the two brethren should be their lord, and whether he would send them succours or no, being assured that if Acomathe were living he would not abandon them, nor break promise with them. The Duke of Calabria seeing their perseverance in the promise to Acomathe, did with his camp approach the town more near then in the time of Mahomethe he durst do, 
Ottran●o straightly besieged by the Duke of Calabria.  he began to entrench toward the town, and so from trench to trench, conveyed his people to the very bank of the town dyke, and then planted his batteries, and batterid it for certain days & they determined to give an assault, whereupon he saw his people furnished with all kind of necessaries and then divided them into battaylones, and gave order for the beginning and contynance of the assault, and then commanded the trumpets drums and cornets, to sound to the assault and thereupon began to assail the breaches with great fury, and in short space became lord of them, and when they entered the town they found in it such new fortifycation as they were out of all hope of winning of it whereupon they retired from the assault with the loss of many of their most valiant men, after this they attempted new practises and agreed with them of the town, that they should safely send their messengers into Gretia, to understand whether Mahomethe were living or no, and how the affares passed there, upon this there was a truce taken for a certain time, the Captains of Ottranto dispatched their messengers into Gretia, & when they came there they understood the Acomathe was in Asia, and had taken part with Gemma, and Baiazithe made ready with great celerity to go against them in person, where upon they returned to Ottranto and declared what they understood of the affares of Gretia, whereupon the general with the Captains consulted, and forasmuch as they saw the state of Turchie so divided leading and maintaining Civil wars among themselves, and that Acomathe, in whom was all their trust had declared himself enemy to Baiazithe and was in Asia, and they being out of hope of all succour entered again into talk of appointment with the Duke of Calabria, and messengers both went and came on both sides, and at the last with much a do they agreed that the town should be delivered into the Duke's hands, upon condition that the king should safely set them in Gretia: with all the substance and artillery that they presently possessed there, and in this sort the peace was made, and the performances of the promise confirmed by oath and when the king and the Duke had thus promised, the turks delivered the town and received into it, 
Promise evil observed.  the Duke's soldiers and delivered unto them the governance of the town, when this was done, contrary to all promise they held all the chief of the turks prisoners, and put a great number of the soldiers into the galleys, and held them of force all, saving certain of them being men of place, and circumspect, who would rather commit themselves to the faith of the Hungarian Cononel, then to the italians, when Sultan Baiazithe had overthorowen his brother Gemma and put him to slight, and received obeisance of all the state and dominiones of his ancestrous in Asia the less, and had visited the country of Pontho Capadotia and other provinces and given order for the governance of them he continued in Burfia for a certain space: to give audience to the governors of those provinces of Asia, which were subject unto him in those parts, where he bore himself so modestly and determined his causes with such humanity that in the end he obtained great good will of the people, when he had thus done, be passed the strait homeward and was received into Constantinople with great pomp, according to the order of the trump hantes of the old worlds, he then gave order, & altered, the receipt of his revenues and customs, without any spark of avarice or rapine, and when he had made a revewe of his janissaries, 
Baiazithe encreasyth the number of both his fortmen & horsemen  he did not only encrense the number of his footmen, but also of his horsemen, and caused them to be well paid, which was an occasion that they were well furnished & in good order, for so much as they saw their prince to have a delight ni them & that he was very liberal unto them. And then began they to be excellently well mounted their horses richly furnished, themselves and their wives somptuously aparellyd, with cloth of gold, silver, jewels and such like, in sort, that the country was changed from rude & gross furniture, into somtuouse and magnific ornaments and deckings. And when he had bestoed a time in visiting his provinces of Gretia, and was come near to Ep●rro which is that part of Macedonia that is inhabited by the nation called Albaneses, from whom the contrei hath yet his name & is called Albania, among whom at the death of Sultan Mahometh, there arose certain leaders seditioussi & caused a great part of the Edovardi to revolt, whom by his presence he agreed, & the rest be took b● force and so brought them to his devotion, & before the he would depart out of that country, 
Ambassad from Baiazithe to Ferrante  he sent to protest to the king Ferrante of Naples, that if he sent him not his artillery & munition wholli, that was left in Ottranto at the delivery thereof, with his people and all such substance and treasure of theirs as he then detained contrary to his sworn promise, that then he would make wars upon him and seek to redress his own cause, through the which message the king (being sore a feared) embarked all his artillery, monition and men, with all such riches as they there had and caused them to be landed safely at Valona, after that he lad his army into Romania, and continued with his court in Andrinople, began to make preparation for the wars against Caromano prince of the one part of Cilicia, 
Caromano prince of Cilicia  being desirous to revenge the defeicte that he received of him a little before the death of his father. This Caromano was the second prince of the turkish nation that then possessid any dominion in Asia, and they say that when he needed, he was able to come to the field with xl. thousand armed horsemen, & his principal state wherein he did reside was in the for dost part of the lesser Asia toward Soria, called Cilicia campestre in that part thereof where the ancient and famous city of Tarso standeth, which is builded upon a plain and is divided through the midst by the river Cidna and is not far from the Bay Issico, which is at this day the golf of jaza, & he possessed also in the less Armenia, and Capadotia, those parts that confyne with the mount Tauro, when Baiazith had prepared all things meet for the journey he put his Navy to the sea, embar●ked all his soldiers, 
The voyage of Baiazithe.  both horsemen and footmen, and passed then into Asia, & then marched through Bithi, nia both the countries of Frigia, Dardania, jonia, & M●sia, Caria, Licia Pamphilia, and finally with his people in order, he entered into Cilicia campestre, forasmuch as the country of Cilicia hath very large confines, it is by ancient writers divided into two parts, of the which the less is called Trachea, and hath his sea bank, or shore, of no great largeness, it hath standing upon the plain thereof, never a great town, for that the greatest part of it is of the mount Tauro, and is so barren, that it is not well inhabited the campestre beginning at the City of Tarso and at Magnopoli (a City in time passed of great power and fame) stretcheth out to that bay Issico now called the golf of jaza, and toward the north it confineth with Capadotia upon the side of the mount Tauro, when Baiazith was entered with his army into the country of Abraham Caromano, who had with great diligence fortified his towns, looking for his enemies and also he had furnished the straits of his country, and to the end he would not be enforced to fight he encamped always in places of strength and great security, and dwelled with his people as near the enemy as he mought. The turks being lords of the field went and spoiled and proied all the country: finally when Baiazithe had consumed a great piece of the summer & could by no means provoke the enemy to battle, he deter myned to besiege some of his towns, 
Tarso besieged by Baiazithe  whereupon he went to Tarso, and besieged it round & planted his batteries and began to batter the walls, not ceasiing day nor night in such sort that in short space, he had made so great breach, that he thought it sufficient whereupon he made ready for the assault and put his men in battle, which thing when they of the city perceived (refusing to put themselves in danger of the loss of both life, and goods) they practised appointment, and agreed to deliver him the City upon condition that he should suffer them to enjoy both life and goods, when Baiazithe was come into the City, he used the Citizen's very gently, and would not suffer any of his army to enter into the town but only those that were appointed to the guard both of his person and town, and when the Automne was come on, the sharpness of the wether was such, that he could not well hold his people in the field, 
Policy of Byiazithe  whereupon he appointed them to lie in Garnisones in the towns there about, from whence he over ran & spoiled all the country and would not suffer the subjects of Caromano other to sow and plough the ground, or else to do any thing in the fields that mought before their commodity, whereupon they that dwelled upon the plain were in such distress, that of their own accord they revolted from Caromano, for the greatest number, and became subjects to Baiazithe, when the springe of the year was come, Caromano (considering the inclination of his people and being in fear to be forsaken of his soldiers, or else to be delivered by them into the hands of Baiazithe) obtain of the sultan of Egipte, 
Caromano aided by the Soldain Caribeio.  Caribeio (a man of much fame and worthiness) a great sum of money and also certain bands of Arrabianes, he sent into all parts of his dominions for such aid, as there was to be had, and joined them all with his army, and made it of as great number as he could, and determined to see how fortune would favour him and rather to Hazard the battle then to give place to his enemy and in time to be delivered by his own men into the hands of his enemies whereupon being furnished with all necessaries, he took the field, and chose a place of great strength and apt for the service of horse men, when Baiazithe understood that the enemey was come to the field and in camp, he sent to all his garnisones commanding them to repair unto him with speed, & with them to bring their whole furniture, and when he had taken revewe of them, he marched to the field and put his soldiers in battle, and then marched toward Caromano, 
The battle between Baiazithe & Caromano.  and when he came within sight of him he sent his vanguard toward his enemy some thing speedily, to begin the battle, and he in person did conduct the battle and followed the vanguard, he also was followed by the rierewarde, and all his bagagers, and when he came where the enemies were, they refused not the battle, he came toward them in good order and joined with them, and notwithstanding that the force of Baiazithes' people was great, and that a troop of ten thousand horsemen of his went and serred themselves and with great fury assailed the enemies, persuading themselves, that in the first encounter they would disorder them, but the Ciliceanes recavid their charge with great assurance, in such sort, that there was not one of them that gave one foot of ground to his enemy. After this when they were entremelled, there began a very brave and bloody fight, men fell down dead and hurt, contynally on both sides, and their places were always supplied with fresh men, and in this sort they continued for the greatest part of the day with great assurance, nether party giving place to the other, so that it could not be judged on which part, the virtorye should light, for the battle continued doubtful even to the dark night, Abraham Caromano showed that day, of what value he was, for in his order he showed himself a Captain of great judgement, and afterward in his fight he showed himself a valiant and stout soldier, and last of all (by the providence of god his time being at hand) seeing his people to give place, being charged by a great numbered of his enemies whose force they were not able to endnre, be thrust on speedily towards them with his guard, & a good number of other of his soldiers and gave in up on them in such sort, that he pierced even in to midst of their squadrone, and being known by the enemies was by them forth with environed, and charged on every side with such fury, that they slew his horse under him, where upon he was constrained to fight on foot in the which he behaved himself so nobly: that which his own hand he slew diverse of those which assailed him, & in the end through the great loss of his blood which continually fell from him: through his diverse and sundry wounds which he had receavied in the battle (not being able to endure any longer) 
The death of the noble prince Caromano.  fell down dead in the place, as soon as his people understood of his death: they were so amazed and discouraged that immediately they dysorderid them souls and left the fight scattering themselves all the the field over, hoped to make flight their safety but being followed by the Turckyshe horsemen the greatest number of them were slain and a great part of the rest were taken on live and delivered to Baiazith, 
Ripe judgement of Baiazithe.  when he had in this sort obtained so great a victory, he determined forthwith to use the same, whereupon, he began to occupy the rest of Cilicia campestre, and marching on over all the country, the cities and fortellezes yielded unto him enerie where as he came without making any resistance, and having in short time brought under his obeisance all that country that Caromano possessed in Cilicia, he devised then with his Captains what was best to be done, finally it seemed best in the opinion of every man, first (or he took in hand to pass the mount Tauro and so to go on to conquer that which Caromano possyd in the less Armenia and Capadotia) to possess the other Cilicia called Thrachea to the end to leave no enemy behind them the mought empeche them, whereupon he caused to moostre and pay his men and then gave them a little time to repose, that done, he united them and sent them toward Setalia, 
Setalia.  which is a City in that province then newly inhabited, a city of great traffic & marvelously well inhabited by means of the decay of the trade that was in Delo, which in time passed was a City of the greatest traffic of all Asia, and chiefly for the great number of slaves that then were there bought, and sold, which were in number in manner infinite, whereof it grew into proverb, merchants make your voyage to Delo, and there unshippe, for whatsoever is brought thither is ready money, when the traffic of this City was decayed the whole traffic and trade of merchandise was put over into Setalias, and through the great repair of merchants it was become the chief, and best in, habited City of the less Asia, in so much, that the sea coast all there about losing his old name, is called the golf of Setalia even at this day, upon the which golf, directly over against the Isle of Cyprus, standeth a noble City, 
Scandaloro.  and a popolouse called Scandoloro, the lord whereof being a turk borne. and all ways in doubt of them hath ever been an enemy to the house of Ottomano, and also to Caromano, and confede rate with the great master of Rhodes and the King of Cyprus, did preserve his state until that day standing as a neuter between them both, but when he saw Baiazith come upon him with so populous an army upon the sodden, judging himself not of power to witstand his force, for all the power that he was able to make did not exceed the number of xx. M. men on horseback where upon examining himself, he determined to prove, rather the clementy than force of so mighty a prince, & when they had talked upon certain articles of agreement, 
Agreement between Baiazithe and the prince of Scandaloro.  they concluded, that upon condition, that Baiazithe should give him certain revenue in Anatolia, he would deliver unto him all his possession and dominion of the country of Cilicia called Trachea, whereupon it came to pass that when Baiazithe was become lord of both the countries called Cilicia all that towns of the sea coast from propontide or straight of Gallipoli even to the confines of Soria, were under his obeisance so that all was his even from the one to the other, when Baiazithe was in this sort agreed with the prince of Scandaloro, and become prince of both the one and other Cilicia, and also of a great part of the mount Tauro, he continued there until that he had made the whole: one governance or province, and appointed unto it for governor, one of his Bascias, leving with him for guard thereof, an army sufficient this done he determined to precide in his enterprise, and to subdue the rest of the state & possession of Caromano which was in Armenia the lesser, and in Capadotia, whereupon, he passed the mount Tauro, and descended into the less Armenia and became lord without any difficulty of all the countries, and towns that there had been possessed by Caromano, all the people came and yielded themselves to him of their own a cord, when he had thus done he marched on by the side of the mount Tauro toward the north and all the people and towns that rested of the jurisdiction of Caromano came and renderid themselves wholly unto him, and when he had thus in short time achevid so great an enterprise he determined to lead home ward his army, and entered into Licaonia, and in Iconio, and Tocato, be left his Astatique army in garnison, under the charge and conduct of Mustaffa his Bascia, and then he entered into Galatia, and from thence into Bithynia the nearest way to Bursia, and from thence went down into the golf of Nicomedia, and there embarked himself with the rest of his army and sailed toward Romania and there landed with all his people sately, when he had this done, he took the sea again, with his soldiers of Gretia and sailed on, 
Baiazithe returned to Constantinople  and landed in the haven of Constantinople, where he was received of all the people with exciding great joy, and there took his horse and road about all the City and thus with great pomp according to their custom he went to lodge in his palace called Seraglio, which standeth upon that point, that is called Cavodi santo Demetrio, being determined in the next springe following to go again into Cilicia with all his power, to make wars against the sultan, chiefly for that he had aided Caromano against him, contrary to the order of a league between them, wherefore he was much offended with the sultan, 
The voyage of Baiazithe against Caromano.  & departed from thence with his court and went to Andrinople, and all that winter he was occupied in making preparation for that journey, and gave order to lenie out of all his dominions of Europe new bands. The number of his artillery which he carried with him, was great, and when the springe was come, in the beginning of Apryll, he assembled his army, embarked them and passed, them in to Asia. And when he had passed through Bithynia and Galatia, he brought them into licaonia to Iconio, and ioyved them, with his army that he had left there with Mustaffa his Bascia at his departure from thence, when he had this done, he entered again into Cilicia toward the mount Tauro and Armenia, and there received advedtizement, that the sultan, as soon as he herd of the death of Caromano, fearing left Baiazithe (being puffed up in pride through the great victory that he had obtained against Caromano in the revenge of the aid that the sultan had sent him) should attempt some great enterprise in Soria, 
Diadaro, a name of honour appertaining always: to the admiralles of Alexandrie.  whereupon he sent all the Mamalukes that were in his court under the conduct of the great Diadaro to the confines of Cilicia, accompanied with a great numbered of Arrabianes, wherefore Baiazith was some what in doubt what was to do (considering the great preparation of the enemy) although he were acompained with an army of well trained soldiers, & had brought with him more, than one hundred thousand soldiers on horseback beside his guard of Gianizaries, and other bands of footmen, yet notwithstanding fearing that virtue & discipline of the Mamalukes, whose name was feared through all Asia, for as much as they were counted a people invincible in battle wherefore he thought it good not raishly to try his fortune in battle, nor on the other side, to show any token of fear whereby he mought encourage his enemy to deal with him, but admisedly put his army in order and then marched on toward Tarso, the Mamalukes being advertised of the turks coming toward them thought it not good to tarry and suffer them to enter Soria, but marched toward them to meet them upon the way and when they were entered Cilicia, marching toward the Turcks (of whom they made small acompte) approaching near unto Tarso, as soon as they came within sight of them, they put themselves in battle and marched on toward them, when Baiazith beheld the coming of his enemies he also presented his people embattled and as soon as the Mamalukes came any thing near unto them, 
Note this battle between Baiazithe & the great Diadaro Admiral of Alexandri●  Woute deferring of time, the great Diadar● advanced himself with asquadrone of xv. thousand horsemen, when the battles were joined, he gave in upon the turks with such force, that not withstanding they received the charge (being well serred) and prepared with great assurance, & gave to their enemies no place at all, yet for all that they had much to do to preserve their order, that the Mamalukes had not broken it, & after this when they approached the one the others squadrons they were so joined that they could use no long weapon but were driven to use there Scimitarres, and so continued they in so strait order fight with great assurance for a long time, that no man could see of either side, any advantage, and Baiazithe although there were far greater slaughter of his people then of the Mamalukes and Arrabianes, yet did he always supply his wearied and spoiled, squadrons with new and fresh bands and having far greater number of soldiers than the Diadaro had, he continued the fight in this order from the midday, till after the going down of the son, whereupon the great Diadaro determined to use all force possible to the end that the night should not sunder them without victory, 
The great diadaro an excellent Captain  whereupon he chose out of his, a number of soldiers in whom he had great trust and when they were some what reposed he renged them in battle very closely & then lad them in person and charged the turks again with such force that he thought verily in that charge to disorder them, but notwithstanding that the turks received the charge with great difficulty, yet they maintained their order still and broke not, and although that they in diverse places, making head to the enemy they defended themselves but slenderly and were in manner ready to break, yet Baiazithe through his good order relieved them in such sort with his presence and his reposed guard of Gianizaries, that he encouraged his people, 
Good providence of Baiazithe  renewed the fight and repulsed some what the Mamalukes, and fearing that if his people should be charged again by the Mamalukes, he should not be able to maintain their order, whereupon he thought it good to prevent this mischief, and with all his force to charge the enemy, and then retiring by little and little to abandon the fight, thinking in this fort to give place and to a noid the loss of his whole army, rather than to make good the place & to be charged by the enemy and so put to fight, whereupon he retired his people (in that same order wherein they had fought all the day before) with their faces to ward the enemy, fighting continually in their retreyte in good order, although notwtoute great loss, & in this fort brought his people into his camp to their lodgings, which he left well fortified with trenches and rampires, and also well guarded with soldiers, whereunto, when the Mamalukes approached the next morning following, and consyderid the fortification thereof, the great quantity of the artillery placed upon the bulwarckes and rampires thereof, and also the number of the guard there unto appointed, they durst not to assail their camp but retired themselves. And it seemed to Diadaro that he had for that time well provided both for the security of Soria, and also for his estimation, thinking it not good to enter into further peril whereupon he returned again to Aleppo from whence he came, and when he had consumed the rest of the summer in proinge and spoiling the confines of the turks country and that Automne was come upon him he appointed his people to garnison upon the confines of Soria, and Baiazithe appointed his in the like sort in the province of Cilicia, than Baiazithe practised an atonement with the sultan and many Orators were sent between them, from the one to the other, 
Digression  whereunto it was an easy matter to persuade the sultan notwithstanding his victorious success. This sultan was the chief in degree and accounted himself the first prince of the Mahometan religion, and taking upon him the name, and dignity of sultan, he is sacred in his creation with great ceremony, and beside that, the eldest of a noble house in Cairo, and it is said that anciently they were the princes, and held the sovereignty thereof & were named Caliphi, the sultan is crowned with an Imperial Crown whereby he is accounted as the father of all the Mahometystes, they have always been contented with their dominion of Soria, & Egipte, they have not used in time passed, to make wars upon any prince of their sect and religion, unless they had been enforced, in the defence of their own state, or else of some other Mahometyste prince, there confederate and friend, in such sort, that holding that principality and kind of government for the space of three C. years and more, they never enlarged their confines, nor sought to possess the dominions of others, the which, there manner and order of governance did chiefly cause, for they provided in y● beginning and made a law, 
Note.  that none should be sultan, but be election, and that also he should be of their commonalty, that is a slave, not yet worthy to be admitted into the order of the Mamalukes, with whom was the whole governance, and authority to elect and chewse the sultan, the children of the sultan never succeeded their father in governance, no more did they of y● Mamalukes succeed in the place of their fathers, neither in wars, ne yet in any public prehemuinence, they did live privately as other Citizines did, and possessed the propre goods and inheritances of their fathers, which they left unto them at their death, & used the same exercise and trade of life that other of the country did. But now to our history, when Baiazithe by means of his ambasciadours, and Orators, had pacified the sultan, renewed and confirmed the ancient league and confideracie that had ben of a long time between the Soldans, and his house, and established his government in Cilicia, he returned to Bursia the nearest way & then embarked himself with his souldionrs of Europe, and returned into Gretia, and when he be came thither he ceased from all hostility, & gave himself wholly to provide for the quietness of his people, and sent his soldiers to garnisones, and gave order for the administration of justice in all places. after this, he gave himself wholly to the study of the Alchorane, 
Koran a Book wherein are contained the chief points of the turk his Religion.  & of natural philosophy, in the which he had great delight, in so much that he had always about him, of all nationes men excellently well seen in physic, in whose company he passed the greatest part of his time, and when he had in this sort spent many years he was moved to take in hand new enterprises, by occasion that was offery● to make him lord of Corcira now called Corfu, being certified by certain Greeks of the Isle who had practised with them of the forts and so brought to pass that they would render the forts unto him at all times, 
practise of Baiazithe to betray Corfu.  upon condition, that he should consider them according to their service, and offered them also to take the City and the rest of the Isle & to deliver the whole into his hands this matter seemed unto him likely, and possible to be brought to pass, and also that he could not make a conquest more meet for the assurance of his state, no more apt to anoie the enemies of his religion, immediately he determined in himself the order of the enterprise & for that he would not that the Venetianes should suspect him, he began to make ready his Navy, and to prepare his army by land, & bruited that he would make wars upon the people of Valachia, and Moncastro & when he had made ready all things both by sea and land the Venetian Navy returning from Candie, whether it were by chance, or else that the general thereof had some kind of intelligence of the practise, he came to Corsu, & according to their custom, when he had seen the moniti on, & viewed the guards of the forts & towns, he took away the old soldiers and put new in their places and took with him certain men that dwelled in Corsu and when he had spoiled all the sea coast of the golf he returned with his Navy to Venise, which when Baiazithe understood he dissembled the matter as though he had meant nothing at all that way, and would not discover his practise by the sodden unrigging of his Navy and so to loss the greatest part of the charges that he had been at, whereupon he determined to take in hand the enterprise which he had bruited and put his Navy to the sea and sent them toward the sea called mare magioro, and he in person with his army, 
Baiazith in Valachia.  went by land thorough Burgaria toward the prince of Valachia, who dwelled in the loer parts thereof toward the sea Eusino, he entered into his cauntre invading and spoiling a great part thereof, the prince thereof, knowing himself not able to withstand the force of this mighty prince, determined to prove if he might by any means grow to an appointment with him and so to save himself having great hope in the cortezic and goodness of Baiazithe, whereof the fame was spread all the country over, and filled so the minds of men that all men had good hope of him, and sending his Orators unto him in very humble sort to demand peace of him, the which when Baiazithe had herd, he granted their request without difficulty, upon condition that he should pay unto him yearly a certain sum of money in the name of a tribute, whereupon he would receive him into his protection, when he had thus done, he passed the river of Danubio and marched on until he came within the sight of Moncastro, where he had also sight of his Navy, Moncastro standeth upon the sea bank near to the mouth of the river Nester where he entereth into the sea, 
The seat● of Mancastro.  called Maremagiore, the seat of it is naturally strong, & the town is also artificially strong and of great emportance, by means of the commodities of the conntre, of the river, and of the sea, and it is of great reputation in all the countries about it, which it won in the time of Sultan Mahometh, who went thither with his camp and besieged it, and when he had batterid it by the space of a month, he was enforced by mean of the great cold to levy his camp, and to depart thence without it, when Baiazithe had spoiled and proied all the country about it, and saw that they of y● town came not forth to the field, 
Baiazithe besiegeth Moncastro in very good order.  he caused his Navy to approach near to the town and forthwith besieged it both by sea and land, in such sort that they of the town were nether able to send forth, nor receive into them any man, and when he saw the inhabitants thereof determined to defend it, he planted his batteries, and began to batter & make sundry breaches, and when he had continued his battery by the space of many days, he had made so great breaches that it seemed unto him that his men mought enter the town at their pleasure, wherefore when he had appointed his Colonels how they should succeed the one the other in the assault, the next morning following at the point of the day they presented themselves in battle before the town.  
Those of the town were ready at the breaches, & had marvelously fortified against the cannon, with strong rampires and exceeding deep dykes, and defended themselves nobly, in such sort, that when the enemies presented themselves to the breaches to enter the town, strait way they were with them at the push of the p●ke and bestowed upon them such store of shot, artifeciall fires, casting spears, and great stones, that they enforted them to leave the breaches, and they bore themselves so worthily in their defence, that they stew and hurt an exceeding great number of the enemies, and repulsed them often times clean from the breaches but the enemies were always supplied with new regiments, and renewed still the assault, and gave them of the town no time at all to repose, and they had of their people slain, and hurt continually, and had not means to be supplied with new, whereby the defendants began excidingly to decay and not to be able to answer all places, whereupon they received greater hurt of the few which they lost, then did the enemy of the great slaughter the was made of his, when Baiazithe had in this sort continued the assault the greatest part of the day, he commanded to sound the retreicte and brought his people home to their lodgings, determining the next morning so to divide the regiments of his army, that he would appoint the Colonelles of the first assault so to be supplied from time to time with new regiments, that they of the town should rest, nether day, nor night, and in this sort, he meant to consume them, & to cut thorough their new works which they had made against the Cannon, and so to enter the town, and being in this determination he commanded his people to go to rest: willing them to be ready in battle the next morning before the rising of the sun to assail the town again, and never to leave the assault till they had repulsed, the enemies and taken the town of force, or else there to leave their lives, when they of the town understood the great preparation of the enemy for the assault, they dyscoraged not at all (not withstanding the great peril that they were in, for that they wanted defendants, considering their people were marvelously spoiled and consumed, but laid to their hands as men of noble minds, & repaired those places that were needful & prepared themselves with such force as they had to defend there town to the uttermost. The day following Baiazithe brought his people again in order to the walls with great noises and cries, and undoubtedly they assured themselves of the victory, they tarried for nothing but for the token of the assault, Baiazith being desirous to save both the people, and the town, 
Great cortesy of Baiaziih.  determined to brave if that he could (by making them to understand the peril wherein they were) cause them to yield the town upon condityones, and to save their lives, whereupon he fignified unto them that he would talk with them sending his messenger unto them, giving them to understand that be came in full purpose, never to leave the assault, day nor night, until he had taken the twone by force, and also, that if they tarried the assault he had given the Town in proie t● his soldiers, and would not spare age, nor kind, but that he would put to the sword all that ever he found there, but if they would yield unto him, he would give them both their lives and goods, and also it should be in their choice whether they would continue there still or else depart the town, when they of the town had herd the offer of this noble prince, and had no means to save their lives, considering that their people were so consumed that they had not number sufficient to furnish the breaches that were made, wherefore they took a time to answer, whereupon the chief of the city gathered together, and after certain conference had, they determined to accept the conditiones that were offered unto them, being in good hope through the good opinion that they had of Baiazithe to have them faithfully observed, whereupon they agreed, and sent their messengers to him offering him the town, which Baiazith willingly accepted, and observed his promise with such faith, that they were hurt neither in person nor any one jot of their substance, than he licensyd all such as would depart the town, to departed, with all their goods and to convei it whither they lest, & no man upon pain of his life to touch them, or theirs, when he had this done he left the town well guarded and furnished with all kind of mention and necessaries, and being assured the on that side he could not be molested & having brought under his obedience all the coasts of the sea called Mare Pontico, he made it so safe, that no man could pass y● way but by his good will, for as much as he possessed all the havenes and rivers that enter into the same, when he had achevid this enterprise he returned home ward and brought his army into Romania, where he sent them to garnison and he with his court tontynued in Andrinople, and calling to mind again the enterprise of Corsu, 
Batolo an ambassador that continueth in a place.  could in no wise imagine how the venetians should understand of his practise, unless it were by means of their Baiolo, or merchants which dwelled in Constantinople and Pera, wherefore he thought it not for his commodity to kepeas it were in his bosom his natural enemy, who mought daily understand his practises and give advertisement thereof, yet would he not seem to touch particularly the venetians, lest that by means thereof, he mought discover, what he had meant toward Corfu, whereupon he made proclamation that no forien nation mought after a certain day 
Consul is a secretari and determynethe the differences between the merchants that are all of one country.  have within any of his dominions either ambassador or Consul, nor any other that should have any public authority or jurisdiction he laid to the venetians charge that they had dealt deceitfully with him, wherefore he stayed them & took from them all such goods as they there had, and thus were they there kept many years, and their goods taken from them. Among whom the chief was Andre Gritti, when the peace was in this sort broken between the turk and the venetians, Baiazithe determined to make wars upon them, about the year of our health M. CCCC.lxxxxviii. & put his Navy of Ships, Galleys, fustes & other vessels to the sea, and caused them to sail toward Peloponeso now called Morea, and he in person went thither by land with his army, 
Lepanto taken. Modon be segyd by Baiazithe  and when he was entered into the golf of Patrasso, he encamped before Lepanto, anciently named Naupatto, and besieged it both by sea and land, and in the end obtained it upon condition, than followed he his enterprise & the next year following he passed with his Navy to Modone and besieged it round, & they of the town being well furnished with all kind of necessaries, defended themselves in such sort the they made him to consume many months in vain, and being men of much worthiness were determined to defend it to the uttermost, but at the length they began to have great scarcity of victual, Antonio Grimmano, than Captain of the Venetian Navy, fraughted a great ship with corn and sent it toward Modone, & when he came within sight of the town having a full wind and a good gale thereof packed on all his sails, and say led directly toward the Turckyshe ficete, which lay in his course, directly between him and the town, & came on with such violence, that none of them durst to encounter him but gave him way and in this sort he passed through the midst of the enemies into the haven safely, the general of Modone seeing the ship safely arrived within the haven, commanded all those of the town to go to the havenes side, to unload the corn, & to bring it into the town, when they of the town had received this commandment (being very desirous of victual) both inhabitants, 
Great want of understanding of the Modonese.  and soldiers ran to the haven leving their town ungarded, as though their had no enemi near them, of which great disorder Baiazithe being advertised, commanded his vantagarde to march toward the town in all haste and he with the rest of his army followed, he assailed their ripares with great fury, and finding them unfurnished of defendants, entered them forthwith and became master of them and then they took all the places that were of any force with in the town before the they the were at the ships were able to secure it, when the turks were in this sort become lords of Modone and had put their guard in the market place, and also upon the bulwarks of the town than began they to seek all places of the town, and to cut in pieces whosoever they met with armour or weapon, than fell they to the sack of the town and spoiled as well the sacred, as profane places, making men, woe men, and children slaves, and spoiled them in exceeding miserable sort, so, that they left nothing to be had, & their were such number of them gone into the Citadel that they were not able to endure there, but practiled an appointment, and were enforced to render it having their lines saved then they of the Iste of corone, which standeth right over against Modone, seeing Modone posfessyd by the infidels, being desirous to save both their lives and goods, sent forthwith their messengers to Baiazithe, offering him both the City and the Isle up on condition that he should take from them neither lives nor goods which conditiones when Baiazithe had promised to observe, 
Corone delivered up to Baiazithe.  they delivered him the town, and received his officers and soldiers into it, Baiazithe determined to continue that winter in Morea & to make provision for the fortyfyinge of Modone, and provided new inhabitants to dwell in it, and changed the name of it, naming it Tangari Verdi which in our tougne signifieth, given by God, he appointed there a notable garnison of his soldiers and in the springe following, he sent one of his Bascias toward Valona, and assailed the City of Durazzo with xl. M. men and the walls thereof being fallen into decay, and the City slenderly furnished, was a mean whereby he soon became lord of it. 
Nota.  And the venetians according to their old custom and order, laid the whole fault of the loss of Modone in Antonio Grymano captain of their armata, for that he had not with his Navy succoured it, whereupon they sent for him to Venise, commanding him to be brought in yronnes: prisoner, and banished him into the Isle of Proconesso, from whence afterward he brack, & came to Rome, they appointed in his place Captain general of their armata, Marchio Trevesano, and seeing that of themselves they were not able to endure the charges of so great wars, they sent to the king Lois of France for aid, who sent them out of province & Genoa, seven ships well armed and furnished, and fifteen galleys with a great quantity of artillery, & also certain thou sands of foot men, the greatest part Guascones, under the conduct of the lord of Gravistence, who departed from Genoa and sailed toward the Archipelago (which divideth the less Asia from Gretia) to join with the Venetian armata and when he came to Scio, he depated from thence to Mitilene, entered the haven and landed his people, & immediatli proied & spoiled all the Isle & finally came and encamped before the town which was the chief of the Isle, 
Mitilene besieged by the frenshe  and assailed it with great fury, & the first day that they came before it they planted their batteries and batterid in such sort that they so feared the Turcks of the town with their sodden assault, the notwithstanding there was within it a granison of great fame, of men of great experience, yet they were so affrayed that they sent their posts by sea and land, to Baiazithe to declare unto him the great preparation and force of the christians, and the fury of their batteries, protesting unto him: that if they were not spedylye relieved they should not be able long to defend it, when the arrival of the Navy of France was commonly known in Constantinople the force of the nation being then augmented and increase so at that time, did put such fear into the whole City, and to all the rest of Romania, that the Mahometistes being out of all hope to continue any longer in Gretia, imagined how to provide ships and other vessels where with to flee into Asia, rather than to put themselves in order to secure Mitileno, where up on Baiazithe being excidingly moved with the confusion that he saw among his people, making none account of his estate guyrded his gown to him, & came downto the havennes side where his people were, some meembarcked, and others ready to enbarcke, and entretyd his people that they would embarcke & pass on to secure Mitileno, and whiles the court continued in this sort making no provision at all in effect for their defence, their is no doubt that if the venetians had gone on with their Navy & united them which the Navy of France and increased the power of the christians (chiefly of foot men, whereof the frenshe had great want) but when they had taken Mitileno and some other one place in Gretia they should have brought the turks to that pass, that they peradventure of themselves would have fled into Asia, and have for saken Gretia, but the venetians, whether that it were for that they were all redyentred into practise of a peace with Baiazithe which afterward they concluded by the means of Andre Gritti) and would no further procure his indignation, or else that the good success of the frenshe did not like them whereupon they in deed procided slowly in all their affares, & chiefly, in furnishing the frenshe Navy with victual and men, whereof they stood in great need and prolonged so their coming to unite them selue● with the frenshe that when they had continued there for a certain space and made so great breaches the if they had had men sufficient to have given the assault they mought easily have taken the town, but when they saw the tarrying of the venetians and the small haste that they made, the Captain of the frenshe, being in great distress of victual by means whereof he could no longer continue there, and being also much offended with there stacknes, doubted that they went about te betray him and his people, and had them in great suspicion, where upon he embarked his people and artillery, dissolved the siege and set sail, passed the golf and then along by Scicilia and returned with his Navy to Genea, and then be in person took the post and went into France, when Baiazithe considered the great peril wherein he had been determining no more to incur the like, chiefly for that he was of nature given to be quiet and not ambitious nor desirous to enlarge the confines of his dominions whereupon he determined to attempt the venetians for peace, and delivered Andre a Gritti upon sureties for his return, & then embarked him & sent him to Venise to entreat the peace, when Gritti was come to Venise and found the Senate, the Duke, and all the commons of the City, well inclined to peace, after that he had had great conference with the Senate, he received auctorye and commission from them to conclude the peace, whereupon he returned to Constantinople and concluded the peace upon such conditiones as at this day are observed between them, and Baiazithe when he had in this sort ceased his hostility, he lad his life in great quietness and spent the greatest part of his time, his court being in Andrinople, at a certain house of his not far from the City, a place of great pleasure, where he builded for his commodity marvelous sumptuous & goodly lodgings, and in this sort he passed a great piece of his time in great quietness, and being come to the age of lx years, and having governed in the Empire xxx years, to the great content of all his subjects, he began like a wise man to consider that he was old, and not healthful of body, and that he was like every day to be surprinsed by death and to be taken away, wherefore he was desirous to provide for, and establish his succession for the quietness of his subjects and to take away all occasion of tumults that mought happen by his death, considering that he had three sons of lawful years, whom he had appointed in three sundry parts of Asia to govern upon his confines, & every of them had under his charge a great army, wherefore for only remedy, and maintenance of unity in his Empire, to the end that through the discord of his sons it should not be divided and consumed with civil wars, for so much as there was not a better remedy for to avoid such disorder then to follow the example of Amorathe his graved father, which was to give over the governance, and to provide in his life time for the establishment of his succession, and to appoint who should succeed him and to give over into his hands all power and rule, and to put him in possession of the Empire which should be an occasion of great quietness, for so much as be (being old and syckly and not able to endure so great labour and travail) thought that the people should be better governed by a younger man and the other bretherin should be out of hope to attain to the Empire which should be all ready possessed, by means whereof, they should be enforced to obey, if that they would not receive further incommodity, and he being entered into a private life should be more in quiet, and should provide better for his health, & when he had in this sort discoursed in himself, be then imagined which of them he were best to appoint to succeed him in the Empire, whereupon he thought it not meet to take from any that that was his right, wherefore he determined that Acomathe his eldest son should succeed in his place and meaning by the discovering of his purpose to give him greater reputation, he broke it chiefly to the principal Captains and leaders of his janissaries, and horsemen, whereupon he dispatched away one of his servants to signify unto him that the should leave his confines well guarded and repair into Gretia to his father when Acomathe had received this commandment from his father, and being all ready certified from his servants which late at the port, of the cause of this message, he forthwith, took his journey acompayned with a great number of gentle men and courtiers, & so passed through Licaonia Galatia & Bithynia and then passed the strait and landed in Gretia, and there understood that Baiazithe was with his court in Andrinople, whereupon the road thither, & when he came to his father, he received him very joyfully and arose out of his chair embraced him kissing his fore heed in token of the great love the he bore him, and lodged him in his own lodgings presenting him with many rich, & honourable presents and beside that they did continually acompanie together by the space of certain days (which was not his ordinary) and had between them great and secret dyscourses, and finally when they had agreed upon the time and order that he should observe when he should come to receive the government, 
The port is a passag between Europe & Asia not much unlike the escluse of oye.  be licensyd him and sent him again to his charge when Selim the other son of Baiazithe, was advertised by his servants that he had at the port of the coming of Acomathe to the court and of the great entertainment that his father gave him and also how that his father determined to make him Emperor in his life time, and to resign his place unto him, Selim having a troublous head and being very ambitious, could in no wise be content that Acomathe should command him, wherefore he sought to prevent as much as in him was, that such succession should take no place, whereupon he determined to come to the port in person and departed from Trebisonda where he had his abiding, without asking his father licence, or giving him any thing to understand thereof, being accompanied with six hundred horse men tartars and Pontoises & passed on all the sea coast of Eusino and passed on through the country of Valachia, and Burgaria, and so came directly to Andrinople, and when he came to his father he found him greatly altered, & was rebuked of him, for that, that he contrary to the Constitution and order of the Empire, was departed from his charge without his licence, Selim was not amazed for that he saw his father offended with him, but allegid in his defence many things, and declared that in his coming at that present, he followed the example of his brother Acomathe, desiring (for that his father was old) to see him before he should die and to receive his blessing) Baiazithe being some what moved with the words of his son, was contented to suffer him to kiss his feet, and then he took him up and kissed him in the forehead, and embraced him, & gave him certain gifts, and then licensid him and gave him in charge to return to his governance with all speed, but Selim deferred his departure by all means possible, and thought by being conversant with the janissaries and his horse men, and using among them great liberality and activity, by these means, to assure himself of them, making it to seem unto them that he delighted in nothing so much as in the exercise of weapons, and riding of horses, and his whole discourses were of wars, horses and weapons, he was in giving, exceeding liberail, & did continually purchase friendship among them. This tarrying of his did greatly displease Baiazithe, wherefore he sent unto him that he should forthwith depart, and get him to his charge, but he ever allegid one excuse, or other, and in that sort as much as in him was deferred his departure, in so much that his father being exceedingly wroth with him, sent to declare unto him, that if he did not forth with depart the court he would so give order that he should depart to his pain, whereupon he took his leave and departed with all his train, and road on with his people toward Servia iiii. or v. days journey, and there stayed at a place called Scazacara, and the place was very commodious & meet for his purpose, being from Andrinople iiii. days journey, and from Phillipoli two. days journey, and it stood up on a certain passage that whosoever came out of Europe to go to the port, he must come that way and lodge there, when Selim had lodged his people, and fortified his lodgings with thick and mighty rampires and deep dykes, he caused to brute that he would tarry there for a space & assemble his power, and then to go into Samandria against the Hungarians, when he had in this sort fortified his lodgings, he stayed as many as came that way, and chiefly all such as came out of Gretia, dalmatia, Bossina, Servia, and Burgaria, and carried to the port, the rents, customs, and gabelles that the turk received out of those contres, & with such sums of money he entertained as many horsemen, and footmen, as he could get being well furnished and exercised in arms, & giving great entertainment his fame spread so thorough out the country that all the best soldiers thereof came unto him, in such sort that within a short space, he had under his leading a mighty army both of horsemen and footmen, able to encounter any prince, when Baiazithe understood or this he was much offended and although be could when it pleased him, flatter them, yet for all that, it was a grief to him to use his force against his son, and to fowl his hands in his own blood, and according to his great courtesy and humanity, sought by all means possible to remove his son from his lewd, and audacious enterprise, but all was in vain, for Selim would not hearken to any thing that was spoken, but continually increased his power, 
Baiazithe departeth from Andrinople.  whereupon Baiazithe judging Andrinople not to be a meet place for his purpose, thought it good to go to such a place where he would not be enforced to fight but that he would be at his choice whereupon he departed from Andrinople with his course and all his power both of horsemen and footmen, & took the way toward Constantinople, thickinge that being there he mought use the matter as he listed when Selim understood of the departure of his father, he difserrid not the time but marched forth with all his power, leaving his carriage and baggage behind him in his camp, and with great speed marched toward Andrinople to overgette his father, and he passed on with such speed that he overgate the rear guard of his father's army within l. miles of Constantinople, and finding them in battle, without sending of herald, trumpet, or any other messenger deferred no time, but charged them and began to join in battle, and to lay hands about him, when Baiazithe beheld the fury of his son executed cuted upon his people as if they had been his natural enemies, yet could he not be contented to use his force against him: but sent unto him to persuade him to leave of his foolish and audationes enterprise and to return again to his charge, but all was in vain that he did for Selim was always the foromoste, and gave in upon them as if they had been his very enemies, but in the end when Baiazithe saw that he could by no means appease him but the still he persevered in his beastly rage against him, he laid a part all respects, and also his fa therly love, & called to him his Baftias, & the Captains and guard of his Gian izzaries, and commanded them to use all their force possible against Selim, as against their mortal enemy, for so much as he saw in him so great beastliness as to use against him, such barbarique cruelty and rage, which enforced, him to believe that his mother had deceived him, and breaking her faith towards him had conceived him by some adultery, when the Bas cias and Captains heard these words of their lord, they were marvelously inflamed with Ire and just indignation against Selim, and took their weapons and 
The bat●tayle between Baiazithe & Selim.  with such fury charged his people that they (not being able to endure their force) were in one instant disordered, scaterid, and put to flight, and being once broken, every man sought to save himself by flight, but being followed by the horsemen of Baiazithe, the greatest number of them were slain upon the field, and See limb with a few of his trusty friends with him escaped through the speed of their horses, they stayed in no place but fled continually day and night, till they were passed Varna in Burgaria, and then they went into certain mountains that were of great height & tedious to climb, and there continued for a time. And Baiazithe being full of sorrow, not knowing in what sort he were best to use his son, continued on his journey to Constantinople, and when he came thither and saw the ambition, and audacity of his son it caused him to continued more firmly in his purpose, to provide for his succession in his life time, and to establish one in his place and determining not to prolong the doing thereof, sent to signify to Acomathe to make him ready with all con vement speed, and to come to the port to receive the go vernance, in the which mean time Corcuthe being his third son which continued in Magnesia to descend all those provinces against the sultan, when he understood of the rebellion of Selim against his father, whose determination and commandment, he was well content in every respect to obey, and was not moved at all with the coming of Acomathe, but afterward suspecting the ambition and cruelty of Selim, disguised himself and with one only galley, departed from Magnesia, and conveyed himself to Constantinople, & when he came in his father's presence, after that he had done his due reverence unto him desired him that in the estabishement of Acomathe in the Empire, he would pro vide also for his security putting him in remembrance how that in his absence, being a little child he was by the janissaries placed in the Imperial seat, and of the promise that he made unto them in his behalf as touching the succession, Baiazithe being exceedingly well pleased with the good words of his son, did marvelously embrace him, and willed him to be of good cheer, and gave him a great mass of treasure and appointed four galleys of his to attend upon him home, and in this sort sent him to his charge well satisfied and contented, and as soon as Acomathe had received commandment from his father, he began to make great preparation for his journey, and used not in a matter of such importance, such celerity as he mought have done, but thought that he should come in good time whensoever that he came, he made ready all such things as he would carry with him, and then road one ordinary journeys toward Europe, when Baiazithe understood of his coming (meaning to receive him honourably) he made great preparation in Constantinople, and put to the sea many galleys, and Palandres, richly furnished and trimmed, to send into Turckie to transport his son, who being come down into Bithina was come to Scutary, a place that standeth upon the sea bank near unto the aucient city Calcedonia, dercetly over against Constantinople, the which when Baiazithe un derstode, he commanded his guard of janissaries and divers of his Sanzachi to embarcke with their companies and to go to receive Acomathe, but the Captains of the janissaries not being willing to accept Acomathe for their lord, for that he seemed unto them in his coming and contynnance at the port, not to be a man meet for so great a charge, & besides the being a fat man, they thought him not active on borsbacke nor such an one as would seek to enlarge his Empire, and exercise himself in wars, but rather woldegyve himself to his ease and to pleasures, and make small account of his men of war, and chiefly because they knew him to be of nature, scarce, and not liberal, and contrartlye Selim to be of nature ambitious, not delighting so much in any thing as in the exercise of weapons, and riding of horses, & also they knew him to be very liberal and bounteous, wherefore they judged it to be more for their commodity to have him to be Emperor then Acomathe, and they were the more moved with it, because they saw things stand in such tormes as they did at that present, where with they nothing pleased, whereupon they determined to resist it, and suddenly rebelled & made a great tumult in the City, and took their weapons and ran in every torner of the City and began to sack the house of the Sadi, 
Sadi is an officer that determineth differences, as debts and such like money matters.  and of two of the chief Bascias, and there went with them a great nuber of horsemen, they went down to the sea and entered into the Galleys and Palanders, spoiled them of all their riches and ornementes, took away their sails and helms, because they should not be able to sail, and in this great stir & trouble their number alway increased, they went on to the place that is called Saint dimetrio and came to the gate and called, requiring to have Selim sent for, & that he mought come and kiss his father's feet, Baiazithe used all means possible to dissuade the janissaries from this uproar, and in the end offered them an infinite sum of money, if they would agree and consent that Acomathe should be coroned, and seeing that he could by no means appease them: but that the more that he entreated them, the more insolent they were, and began to threa ten him with proud, and beastly words, whereupon Baiazithe was enforced of necessity to give over, and to grant their request, yet for all that, did he not leave of, but sought by all means possible how to alter them and to bring them to his devotion, but he kept himself always out of their hands, when the Agar and others of great place, had received this grant of their lord they dispatched one fleeing, toward Selim, to will him to come his way with all speed, he received not so soon this message, but he came his way with all speed and upon the way, he met with a thousand horses which were sent unto him for his guard, by the janissaries, with whom when he was entered into company they went upon the spur to the City, where there came to encounter and receive him, not only the janissaries, but also the greatest number of the Spachi, and other orders of horsemen, with a great multitude of the people, and when they had brought him into the City they saluted him Emperor, to the universal contentation, and satissying of the people, and when he had ridden about all the City, they placed him in the Imperial seat, and coroned him with all kind of Imperial ceremonies, and finally they swore openly to be obedient & faithful unto him, and in this sort Selim, without any resistance took upon him the state and governance of the Imperial City, 
Subtility of Selim  and then sent to his father wlllinge him not to dismay for any thing for he was not come to use any force against him, but being called by his soldiers and by the people he thought it not seemly to deny so general a consent, and therfoore he signified unto him that he would not take him only for his father, but also for his lord, desiring him not to deny the universal request of his people, but to confirm and approve what they had done, and that he mought with his favour and good will govern, promising that he would always be an obedient child towards him Baiazithe seeing the offers of his son, and that there was no means to altere that that was done, and that if he should not willingly consent there unto, he mought soon be enforced to do it, whereupon he granted his request and especially, for that he was persuaded in his own opinion, that this great and sodden change of men's minds, was the very work of god, & to bring to pass to reveal in time: secrets which then were hid den, and being moved in this respect, contented himself, would no longer resist, but sent into the City one of his Bascias to salute Selim Emperor, and to promise obedience in his name, the next morrow following he went in person into the City, and came to his son and falling prostrate on the ground kissed his feet who arose and lifted him up, and kissed him in the forehead, and therwas great token of frinoshippe showed on both parts and then they with drew them into a place separate from the rest, where when they had had great conference together, Baiazithe required Selim to grant him that he mought live discharged of all cares privately, and that he mought with certain of his familiars depart and lead his life at the Dinaotico, which is a certain house of pleasance near unto Andrinople wherein y● time of his governance he used much to lie, and had builded there sumptouse and costly lodgings, Selim answered him very frankly that he should not only have that house, but also any other house that he would, whereupon Baiazithe caused to make provision of all such things as he would carry with him and then went again to visit his son, and took his leave of him, & then went with his company toward Andrinople, and in high journey he fell sick, either of thought, or else of poison, according to the opinion of many, and died in the year of the Christian ●elthe 1512  
FINIS.   

Andre Cambine of the original OF THE TURCKES, AND EMPIRE of the house of Ottomanno. The fourth Book.  
WHEN ACOMATHE UNDERSTOOD of the coming of his brother Selim to Constantinople, & in what sort things had passed there, he thought not himself sure at Scutaro, whereupon he departed from thence to Bursia, and when he understood of the death of his father, he departed from thence with his army that he had in Anatolia, toward Capadotia, and when he came thither, he went near to the mount Tauro, into that part that Caromano had possessed, and fortified himself at the foot of mounts Tauro, with great rampires, deep Dykes & artillery & the place of itself being strong he had made it inprenable and had furnished it plentifully with victuals and all other kind of necessaries in such sort that he mought or a long time lie safely there, whereupon, for asmuch as he saw himself surely encamped, & that Selim could not enforce him to battle unless he list he determined not to go forth of his camp for any occasion that should be offered him, but to lie still there and to see what time would do, persuading himself that god would not permit amongst men, such an one long to enjoy an estate won so wickedly, on the other side when Selim had possessed his father's treasure, which was thought to be innumerable, he distributed a great part thereof to the janissaries, and to the rest of his men of war toward whom he used great liberality, and gave them exceeding largely, after that he began to reform theordynances of his predecessors as touching his men of war, and gave them to under stand that their great bravery was to no purpose for it behoved good soldiers to provide to cover them selves, and their horses with good and sure armour that being surely armed they mought hazard themselves into greater peril and fight the more valantly, and not encourage the enemy to enforce themselves to all peril, for the gain of the gold, jewels, and silver, the they did wear upon them. After this he established his country of Gretia, and then passed the strait with his army into Bithynia, and then into licaonia and Capadotia meaning first to take away that impediment, his brother Acomathe, and brought his army and encamped not far from his brother's camp, the next day he left his camp, and with his people took the field, and put them in battle, ready to fight. But for all this Acomathe would not once stir nor suffer one of his soldiers to go forth of his camp, when Selim had consumed there a great time in vain and could by no manner of Injury procure him to the battle, although he had used all means possible that mought provoque him their unto, and in the end seeing that he could by no means cause him to accept the battle, and that it was not possible to enforce him to it, he was sort that he had lost so much time, and determined to defer the enterprise to an other time, wherefore he raised his camp and took the way toward the sea and from thence into Magnesia to deal with his brother Corcuthe who continued in Magnesia, and being a man of vo travail nor understanding of the wars, nor had in the time of his father, nor afterward taken in hand any great enterprise, and mistrusting nothing, was taken unprovided without guard, 
simplicity of Corcuthe.  but Selim determining to dispatch all those of his blood, and to reign without suspicion road on with such speed that he was entered the confines of Magnesia, or that Corcuthe had intelligence thereof, or of his coming at all, whereupon Corcuthe seeing him to come with so great fury and having no preparation wherewith he mought encounter him, he determined to see if the he mought by flight save his life wherefore he disguised himself, and with certain the he most trusted he departed secretly out of the town, and took the way toward & hodes, & when he came to the passage he found it, with all the sea coast occupied with the galleys and fustes of Selim, and when he saw no means how to get out of the country, he determined to hide him in certain woedes there at hand, and when he had continued there in caves for a certain time and lived of wild honey, and roots, Selim promised openly to give great reward, to whomso ever would give him knowledge where he was, or else deliver him into his hands, in the end he was discovered by certain men of the country who advertised Selim of him whereupon he sent to take him, 
The death of Corcuthe.  and as they were bringing of him toward the town, he was upon the way by the commandment of Selim, put to death when Selim was in this sort possessed of Magnesia and of all the provinces of the lesser Asia which lie along the sea coast even to Soria, and had established the goveren meant thereof, he brought his army to Bursia, and when he was entered into Cilicia in great triumph, he determined to get into his hands certain young men, sons of two of his brethren that were dead, which Baiazithe there grandfather had in his life sent thither to be nori shed and brought up, whereupon, he ordained to celebrate a marvelous sumptuous feast to his Captains according to the turkish manner, and to diverse other inhabitants there, among whom he caused to convite his Nephews, and when the feast was ended he licen said all men saving his Nephews, 
Barbarque cruelty.  with whom he declared that he would speak, and caused them to be put into sundry chambres, and then by his Mymstres caused them most cruelly to be strangled, in such sort that of the plentiful issue that Baiazithe left behind him their rested none leaving but only a son of his, and his brother Acomathe, with two sons of his, whose death he did continually both day and night frame when he had appointed the government of Bursia, he went to Niconedia and from thence to the golf and finding his Navy there, embarked himself with his people and passed along the coast of Propontide, sailing directly to Constantinople, and landing at the steres there he took his horse and road through all the City and then lighted at his palace at Saint Dimetrio his ponte, and being there, discoursed marvelously in himself of the order how to overthrow his brother Acomathe, and knowing, that if he would continue in his camp, it was so strong as it was not possible to pluck him out of hit, wherefore he determined to see if he could by any means betray him, 
Selim practisethe to betray his brother Acomathe  whereupon he entered into practise with the Agar of the janissaries and two of his chief Bascias, & brought to pass that they should enter into practizo secretly with Acomathe, and declare unto him that they were not contented with the governance of Selim, wherefore they would take part with him, and help him to recover his state and promised to help him by all means possible, and sent to him secret lie by certain of their trusty friends, that considering the unspeakable cruelty that Selim had used, both toward his father, Corcuthe, and his Nephews, they did detest and abhor him, and by means of his great insolence and tryanny that he used in his governance they were sure nether of their goods, ne yet of their lives, & that they did repent that aver they created him Emperor, and also if he would come and take their part, they would cut him in pieces and deliver themselves of his most intolerable servitude and therefore whensoever that they should understand that he would come forward with his army to Bursia, that immediately thereupon they would either cut him in pieces, or else rebel openly against him, and leave him, and come and join their powers with him and when they had in this sort accepted him for their lord, they would then acompanie him to Constantinople to place him in the Imperial seat, & they exhorted him therefore, not to lose, such an occasion, for as soon as they should understand that he was entered into Bithynia, all the janissaries and horsemen would for the with rebel, and stay Selim, and come to him and accept him for their lord, when Acomathe had received this message, he doubted in the beginning, of their faith, suspecting them to be but intisinges to cause him to leave his strength, & to betray him, wherefore he gave small ear, & weighed it not at all, but they continuing still in sending their messages, did so urge, and importue him, requiring of him nothing, but to come to the field with his army, and showed him the order how they would bring it it pass without any peril, and in the end persuaded him to accept their offer, and yet he suspected the matter even as it came to pass, and determined to go no further then to Bursia, whereupon he promised them to come meaning not to departed from Bursia until that he heard that the janissaries, and horsemen, had taken their arms, and revolted openly against Selim in Constantinople, & to this intent he departed from his lodgings and marched with his army directly toward Bursia, Selim on the other side had continual spyalle upon Acomathe, and was from time advertised of his proceedings as soon as he had in telligence that he was marching and drew near the confines of Bithynia, he ordained to make ready his people secretly, and passed them in the night with great silence into Turchie, and road on with all speed the nearest way toward Bursia, and when he came upon the plain of Bursia, he met with Acomathe and his army not far from the town, and assailed him with great fury, charging him in such sort, 
Battle between Selim & Acomathe  that his force was such, that the soul diours of Acomathe not being able to endure them, were in the first encounter dysordred, and put to flight, and being followed by the horsemen of Selim the greatest part of them were taken and slain, and Acomathe, having his horse stain vuder him, and lying upon him on the ground could not shift himself from him, and being environed with a great number of enemies was taken, he desired to be brought to the presence of his brother, and as he was on his way going toward him, there met him, certain that were sent from Selim, which stayed him, and strangled him most miserably, Acomathe brought to the field with him two sons, Amorathe, and Aladino, which in the rencounter that they had with Selim, as soon as they saw their people begin to recoil, in the beginning of the battle, conveyed themselves away, & would not come in his hands, but took sundry ways, the one of them fled into Persia to the Sophy, who entertained him honourably and gave him great provision, and a wife, thinking to aid him against Selim, but in the end he became so insolent, that he was in tolerable, wherefore he put him to death, the other took his way along the sea coast and passed into Sorta and came to Cairo, and Selim after this great victory had against his brother having taken away all occasi once of civil wars returned into Gretia, & having determined in his mind a journey against the Sophy and could not endure that he should enjoy a number of towns in the lesser Armenia, which were wont to be governed by the princes of the turkish nation, and beside that, that he should enlarge his dominiones even to the confines of Turchie, doubting much the fait he of those people, for so much, that the greatest number of them were infected with the superstition or heresy, that the sophy is, being divided from the rest of the Mahometistes into a peculiar sect, also he would not that the subieces of the Sophy should travail into his country nor traffic any more with his people, and when he had arrested all the silks, and goods, of the merchants that were subjects to the Sophy, which dwelledin Bursta & were called aggiammi, he sent them to dwell in Constantinople. And judging the enterprise against the Sophy to be of great importance, 
Preparation of Selem.  considering his great force and power, he thought to take the matter in hand by great advisement, and to make great preparation and to go strongly, wherefore be determined by all means possible to augment the number of his Giantz zaries, whereupon he sent into Turchie for all his slaves that he had there, that were sufficient to use weapons, and caused them to be enroled among the rest of his janissaries, 
Note here the great judgement of Selim.  and appointed them to ordinary masters to show them how to use their weapons and knowing that his enemy was nothing so well furnished with artillery as he was, he determined to alter the artillery that his father left, and to make it, into such pieces as mought more easily be carried and like unto the which the christians use at this day, wherefore he caused to break all the great Bombards, and to make them in to half cannonnes, falcovetes and pass volantes, and caused to make a great number of carriages for them and provided for a great ummber of Cannonters to use them, out of Almaigne, Hungary, and France, and gave them great entertainment, he provided also for other masters of artillery as makers of powder, of shot, of fire woorcks and such like, besides that judging harquebuziers on horseback very meet to encounter his even mies, for so much as they had seen no such in time before by means whereof, they should be a great terror to the enemy, chiefly to those of the east parts, whose horses not beings accustomed to hear the like noises, as soon as they should hear the crack and thondre of the harquebuzrie they would be so affrayed, that they would run away and disorder all, maugre those that road them, and therefore he provided a great number of them and chose them young men and caused them to be daily erercised in the use thereof and made perfect, he provided them of horses and appointed to every new band a certain number of old soldiers, such as had been well trained to govern and lead them, unto whom he gave great entertainment, by means where of there came unto him, out of all parts of christendom, in such sort as in a sort time he had more than a thousand on horseback, beside a great number that he had on foot then he determined also to amend and increase his Navy, and caused to make in all places upon the sea side (where he used to have any Naute) arsevales to the end, that in time of peace his ships mought lie co●ered wherein time before they were wont to lie always at the road and so within a few years to rot and consume, and when he had made these preparationes he than ●etet mined to provide how to maintain all these things and with all diligence increased his revenue, and railed new impositions upon all kind of merchandizes in ranye places which they call Comechi, he also cut of, ●ll superflouse charges, such, as appertained only to ●ompe and bravery and when he had in this sort reform his state, and augmented his bands, both of footmen, and horsemen, when he saw time convement he went to the field with his army, and would no longer defer the time, but caused to pass his army out of Gretia, into Asia and joined them with his soldiers of Asia, he had then in his camp more than a hundred & fytie thousand horsemen, beside his janissaries, and a great number of footmen, than he caused them all to march on toward Persia, and passed on through Capadotia, and Licaonia, into Armenia the less, and when he had brought it under his obedience, he determined (or that he would pass the river Euphrates) to make sure all the passages of the mount Tauro, to the end that the passage of his victuals should be free without empechement, and therefore sent his ambasciadours to the prince of Adola) who possessed many places in the mountain, to require him to join with him in league who answered that he would be enemy to neither of them nor would deal in there differences, between the Sophy, and him, but would stand friend to them both, and would give to either of them free passage thorough his country, and also such victual as he had, which conditiones at that time Selim was contented to accept, because that he could obtain none other, and to avoid the loss of time did not mean as then to take the country of force for so much as the prince possessed in the mountains, many places of great force, both natural, and artificial and exceedingly well furnished both with men and monition, and also was able to bring to the field of his own subjects armed, thirty thousand men on horseback whereupon when the conditiones were artified, and oath given on both sides for the performance of the same, he marched with his army to the flood Euphrates, then fastenned he his botes from the one bank to the other of the same, and laid his bridge upon them and passed over, his army, and when he was entered into his enemies country, he began to spoil and proie it when then sophy was advertised of the arrival of the turks army he deferred no time but took his horse and marched with his army toward the river Euphrates to encounter Selim, and meet with him in the midst of the plain one this side of the City Tauris four days lorney, 
The battle between the Sophy & Selim.  and without any delate, put their people in order and then came on with great fury, and joined in battle, the fight was terrible and bloody, it continued long in good order, without any advantage seen of other side, but at the last the Persians serring themselves and coming on having their horses of more force, and better armed then the turks horses were, began to prevail, which when Selim perceived he caused his squadrone to open, and to suffer the persians to pass all most into the midst of the squadrone and when they came there, he caused upon the sodden to discharge certain peers of artillery which he had placed in the midst of his squadrone, which made so great anoyse that the air did ring, and the earth did shake with it, and having stain in the discharge of that volee an exceeding great number of men & horses, it so feared the rest of the horses which were not used to thondringe and noise of artillery, that they ran away, and scattered all over the field, and they the road them were not able to govern them, when the turks horsemen saw their enemies flee in that sort, they followed them with all speed possible, and when they overgate them, they slew and took an infinite number of them, the roast fled every man his way, and suffered there enemies to enjoy the victory, and at the first discharge of the artil lerie the Sophy, with a great number of his nobility, with drew themselves, 
Selim, of great judgement.  seeing their people in so great disorder, Selim determining to use the victory, lodged his army that night, where the persians lodged the night before, and gave all the spoil of their camp to his soldiers. The next morning as soon as it was day, he took his horse and road toward the city Tauris and when he was come near unto it, the Citizens being discouraged through the overthrow of their prince and seeing no man to appear upon the field in their defence, would not by defending themselves hazaro both their lives and goods, determined among them to yield the city, whereupon they sent forth certain of their Citizens to talk with Selim, and in the end agreed to deliver him the City, saving their lives and goods, when this was agreed, they received him into the town and his people also, and there is no doubt, but if that Selim had had provision in Tauris for the sustenance of his army, 
Tauris yielded to Selim.  but that he should easily have possessed the kingdom of Persia, and banished the Sophy the country, but he had soon consumed all the country and provision that there was, and on the other side the princo of Adule, as soon as he understood that the sophy had his army upon the field, judging that he should have the better, broke his promise with him, and took the field with his army & occupied all the straits and passages, by the which men must pass, out of the turks dominions into Persia, and took from all the victuallers that came, 
Great ertremitie.  their victuals, & warned them, that from thence forth they should no more come there whereof it followed, that having consumed the victuals which they found there, and having no relief out of their country, they were brought into great penury, & intolerable famine, in such sort, as they were enforced to stay their horses, and eat them, and also to ear both roots and herbbes that were unwholesome for man to eat, by means whereof: they were not only unable to follow the victory against the Persians, but also to stand upon their feet, through the which incommodity Selim being exceedingly afflicted, and seeing his people daily to consume, with the great loss of horses also that he had, and seeing no way how to remedy this mischief, being of necessity constrained, he determined to put of this enterprse and to return into his country meaning (that when he had assured himself of the passages, and made better provision) to return thither again the year following and to renew the wars, and when he had taken out of Tauris a great number of the chief Citizens, with their whole families and substanes, and also all such as could make armour, he sent them to Constantinople and departed with his army out of Tauris and passed the river Euphrates, and detormyning some what to recreate his afflicted army he assailed the town of Mascuall and took it of force & gave it in proie to his soldiers, and in this sort continuing his voyage by small and easy journeys, for that many of his horses were so feeble that they could scaresely go he brought his army into Licaonia, and sent them to garnisones into the country about Iconio, at this day called Cogni, so spoiled that they showed themselves not only, not victorious, but rather defeicted overthrown, & spoiled when Selim had in this sort placed his people in garninifones, he then sought how to supply and furnish them again whereupon he made a revewe of his arms and sent into Gretia all those that had endured and suffered most misery, to relive themselves, and caused new and fresh men to be sent in their places, and the Sophy being upon the consynes of Persia, and having intelligence of the departure of Selim from Tauris, was so discouraged, that he durst not deal with him, by means of the overthrow which he had receaveo, and also the fear that he had of the artillery, 
Nota.  and chiefly for the that he had lost the greatest number of his old soldiers he durst not attempt any further, Selim determined to be revenged of the wrong, that the prince of Adula had done him and also to assure himself of the passages wherefore he sent Sinan Bassa with a great number of horsemen and footmen to spoil his country, 
Battle between the prince of Adula & Synan Bassa.  & as soon as he came into his country, the prince encountered with him and after long fight was taken by him and all his people overthrown, whereupon he possessed all the state that he had in the mountains and sent him prisoner to Selim, who caused to strike of his head and to set it on the point of a lance, and then sent it to be showed in every place through out his country in token of victory, he then being wholly occupied in making his provision of men both on horseback and foot, of money and other monition which he meant to use in his enterprise that he determined to take in hand the springe nerte following, calling out of Asia and Europe, all such of his subjects as had been well trained in the wars and had determined to winter at Iconio, for the he would be at hand to take in hand again the enterprise in the springe following, the janissaries being determined to go home into Gretia, went unto him and when they saw that they could not persuade him to pass into Gretia for that winter, 
Muting of the janissaries.  they began to threaten him, and declared unto him, that if he would not go with them, they would themselves go, and when they came there they would swear obedience to his son, with the which words, Selim was marueiously troubled, and began to suspect, and the night following disguised himself and with certain of his familiars with him, took the post, and ran day and night until he came to Scuta ro, and passed the strait and discovered himself to none, until he came within his Seraglio: where he continued three days and would give audience to no man and in the end being enforced by Pernio Bascia and the Cadi to declare the cause of his great melancholy, answered that he was no more an Emperor, for so much as the janissaries would have enforced him, whereupon they desired him to be of good cheer, and declared unto him that he should have good means to punished them and to be revenged upon them for their rebellion, and when they understood of him, the chief auctors of this disorder, they wrote to all the bands of the janissaries in general, and gave them to understand the whole matter, and the auctors of the disorder also, whereupon they so stirred them up, that suddenly they took their weapons, and then laid hand of those which began this matter, and brought them in chains to Constantinople, and presented them before the gates of the Seraglio, and with loud voice asked pardon, putting the whole default in their leaders, and delivered them all in chains, requiring him to put them to death, in example, to those that should come after them, Selim accepted their exceuse and pardoned them, and put to death all the chief of the sedition, which severity wrought so great terror, that Solimano his son, fcaring lest his father should have him in any sospition by means of the words of the janissaries, went to kiss his father's feet, being moruelously affrayed, and excused his innocenty, when Selim had left his frontiers of Europe well guarded, and had provided both men, and money for his journey, he returned again to Icomo to his garnisones. In this mean time the Sophy sent his ant bassodours to the Sultan for aid, declaring unto him the great peril wherein he was, & prayed him that he would have regard to their common wealth, and send his army to unite with him. The sultan was maruelousty moved by the perswationes of the persians, 
great fore sight of the sultan.  and understanding the great confusion and disorder into the which the Sophy was brought, with all his country of Persia, & fearing lest that he, being thus affrayed should seek such peace at the hands of Selim as he mought obtain, and that when the turks had brought the Sophy under foot, they should employ their whole force against Soria, whereupon he gave them to understand that he would in no wise fail them but would for their wealth hazard, both his person and all that he had else, and that they shoudle will their prince to be of good cheer, and as soon as the springe should come on he would in person, with all his power of Mamalukes and other soldiers that he could make, descend into Soria, to unite his force with his, to the end, that when they had had united their forces, they mought prenente the enemy and go to seek him and make the wars at his own door, and for that the sultan would detract no time he began immediately to levy his bands and gather his army, and to make ready for the enterprise on the other side when Selim returned to his garnisions he began to supply his bands with fresh soldiers, and to see them thoroughly furnished with money and all other necessaries, and as soon as the springe of the year tame he assembled his army, and put to the field marthing toward the mount Taurs: to pass into Armenia and as he approached near the mountain, he had advertisement that the Sultan was departed from Caiazzo ro with all his ordinary bands, and a great number of Arabianes, and came down into Soria to aid the Sophy, and to unite his force with him, whereupon he caused to state the march, and then called to council his Bascias and other Captains, declaring unto them the coming of the sultan into Soria, and when they had thoroughly discoursed of the matter what was to be done therein, they allowed the opinion of Selim, which was to preveut the enemies, 
Ripe judgement of Selim.  and not to suffer them to unite their forces, but to go and encounter the one of them, judging it more easy to overthrow one, than both their powers being once united, and discoursing in himself which of them it were better first to assayls he thought the enterprise against the sultan mostemete, and easier than it of Persia against the Sophy, for that the sultan being an old man, and not trained in the wars, was more weak, and for that his army had been a long time at rest, and had dealt with no enemy of great experience in wars, but that their name was feared in all the east, for the acts which thy & their predecessors had done in time past, & being in this sort persuaded, he determined the enterprise against the sultan, & marched with his army a long by the foot of the mount Tauro holding the way of the right hand & so passed into Cilicia: where he understood that the sultan had entertained in his pay a great number of Arrabianes, and that he was entered into Soria with, xv. thousand Mamalukes coming toward Aleppo, where upon he made the greater haste and went towards him and when he came near to Aleppo he understood that the sultan was encamped upon the river of Singa tenmyles from that place, whereupon, he put his people in battle, and marched on toward the enemy with great fury, and when he came within sight of them, he foude that the sultan began to disiodge and to take the field putting his people in order in the midst of the field declaring himself ready to the battle, 
The battle between Selim & the sultan.  whereupon without delay they joined in battle, and there began a very brave, and bloody fight, and it continued a great piece of the day without any advantage of either side but at the last a certain number of the Mamalukes marched on so closely in order that they were as strong as a mighty wall, and charged the turks with such force, that they not being able to endure the force and power of the Mamalukes and their horses, were enforced to disorder and break their ranks and by means thereof: gave them way to enter their squadrone, & when they were come to the janissaries, they disordered them also, and passed on until they came to their ensigns where the turk was in person, and he seeing his people thus in disorder, and that there was no means to hold them together and to keep them in order, he commanded his master canoneers to discharge all their artillery at one Instant upon them, the noise of the artillery was such, that the horses of the Mamalukes could not endure it, but returned back and ran away scattering all over the field in despite of those that road them, and thus by flight, left unto their enemies that victory, which they had all ready in their hands, they had not lost of their people before the discharge of that volee of shot, scarcely one thousand. The soldiers of Scilin, seeing the flight of their enemies began to encourage themselves, and followed them, making great slaughter of them. The sultan behaved himself that day like a worthy man, and did not omit any thing that appertained to a worthy Captain, and had sundry times that day, supplied with great discretion where need was, and where his people were in disorder and began to flee, whereupon he was enforced to use both fair words, pro messes and threatinges & by these means had diverse times that day stayed them from roning away and putting them in order again sought to renew the fight, but he found them so amazed & stonied by means of the noise of the artillery, to the which they were not accustomed, that they (lainge a side all reverence) did not once hercken to any word the he speak but continued still their flight, and disorder, and when the sultan saw that he was left of his soldiers, and alone upon the field, he would not come on live into the hands of his enemies wherefore he following after his people, sought to save himself by flight but being ercedingly hot and fainty in his armour, for so much as he had taken upon him the day great travail, and had continued the hole day on horseback, without receiving meat or drink, in the end being utterly wearied, and with the force of the press of those the came after him, who being so affrayed that they fled continually in a confused sort, having no regard to their duty, but every man made shyste for one, & among them he was overthrown both horse and man, and beings once down, being an aged man, & his armour of great weight, 
The death of Campsone Cairo sultan of Babilone.  he could no more rise, and having lost his force & sensses, gave up his spirit amongs their horses feet, and this was the end of Campsone Cairo sultan of Babilone, a noble parsonage, and of great virtue, who found the kingdom of Egipte, and Soria, so consumed and spoiled, by civil dissension, and wars, that in short time their were stain among themselves in these esmotiones, four Soldans, when this man had accepted the governance, he so reform it, by his great wisdom and justice, increasing it both with reputation, and obedience, in such sort, that he brought it to an exceeding great quietness and tranquillity, so that for the space of xvi years, wherein he had governed, they had not only, not experimented what the wars were, but also not heard them once named among them: in all the kingdom of Egipte, and Soria. After this when the night came, the enemies fled fast toward Aleppo, & left the field, and also their camp without defence, in proie to the enemies, but Selim mistrusting the finesse of the Mamalukes, would not that night enter into their camp, but encampted where the battle was sought, 
Selim an excellent Captain.  and held a great piece of his army all the night in battle, and when it was day he sent certain vaunt corriers to view the camp of the enemies, who finding it without defendants, gave such advertisement whereupon Selim marched with his army and entered the camp, and found the lodgings of the sultan full of riches and gave it in proie to his soldiers, and when he understood that Gazzele, with the rest of the Soldans Captains, were departed from Aleppo in the fourth watch, and gone to Dammasco, he marched on to Aleppo, and when he came thither, Caserbeio, which was governor there for the sultan, without making any resistance at all, went forth to him and yielded him the town, and being marvelously embraced and honoured by Selim, confirmed the opinion of many, which was the he had alway been a traitor to the sultan, and had in telligence with Selim, and also that he had advertised him of the coming of the sultan into Soria, and exhorted him to leave the enterprise of Persta, and to take in hand that of Soria against the sultan, when Selim was entered into Aleppo, he granted the Citizens many liberties, and being greatly oppressed by the impositiones and taxes which the sultan laid upon them, he meaning to gratify them, and to preserve the great traffic, and encourage the merchants that there were & others also to come thither with their merchandise, he released diverse of the impositiones, and also diminished a part of the custumes of the merchandise, & when he had continued there certain days, he received advertisement, that all the Mamalukes that were left living at the overthrow of Aleppo, with Gazzele which was the chief Captain among them then (considering that the lord of Damascus was slain in the battle) were determined to go and to create a new sultan whereupon they departed from Soria and road toward Cairo, Selim departed from Aleppo and marched on to ward Damascus, and when he was come before the City with his army, they of the City thought it not good by resistance, to put both themselves and that they had in peril, whereupon they sent forth to Selim Orators, and granted him the City, upon condittion to enjoy: both their lives and goods, when Selim had accepted their offer, he entered into the City being accompanied only with his guard, leaving all the rest of his army without in camp, because the City should not by molested, nor grieved, nor the strange merchants that there were out of all parts of the world, the Cities of Soria, which stand upon the sea coast followed the example of Aleppo and Damascus, and the principal of them were, Tripolli, Sindonia, Baruti, and Tolemarde, which yielded, and received diverse bands of the Soldiers of Selim into them, Selim determyniing to establish the government of Soria, called a coum cell in Damascus, and thither came messengers out of all the cities and towns of the province, and he sat in the midst of the market place, with diverse grave and discrete councillors about him which he used alway when he gave audience openly, and there he herds, and determined many controversies, and when he had appointed governors and officers to every town and city, and had abolished diverse of the custumes of the ancient Soldans as unjust, and intolerable to the people, he did moderate them with new laws, and when he had continued in Damascus a long time about the reforming of the country, and had well reposed his army, he then determined in himself to make wars a 'gainst Egipte, for so much as he understood that all the Mamalukes that were dispersed abroad into all the countries, were come to Cairo to create a new sultan, & being once together, they chose Tomombeio the great Diadaro, 
Tomombeio elected sultan  a man of great reputation and credit, and of great experience, and excellent, in the discipline of the wars, Selim being upon the point of his departure, sent before him to make sure the way Sinan Bassa, & gave him in commission to pass on to the City Gaza, and there to tarry him, and he in person departed from Damascus with the rest of his army and followed, and being desirous to visit that most famous temple of Ike rusalem, took with him his guard of janissaries and a certain number of his horsemen and entered into judea and passed on to Iherusalem, and when he had visited the temple, and other holly places of the City, he returned again to his army the next way. And Sinan Bassa with his company which was xu thousand horsemen having overthrown the arabians and repulsed their invasyones which often times they had attempted against him, and had made the passage free with much a do, and was come on to Gaza, which stood near unto the sea upon the confines of Egipte in the place, where men enter into the sandy desert passing from judea to Eairo, and when he came before the City with his army, they of the City willing to avoid the sack & spoil thereof, gave place to time, and yielded the City unto him, where he continued, and tarried for commission from his lord to direct him in those affairs. As soon as Tomombeio had received the government, he determined forth with to supply the bands of Mamalukes which were marvelously spoiled and consumed, wherefore he caused to enrolie all their slaves the were of lawful years and apt to use arms, he provided armour and weapon for them and also horses, also he had entertained in his pay a great number of Arabianes, and lost no time, but continually provided artillery and Monition, with all other necessaries, and being advertised by those of Gaza (which did very well affect the Mamalukes) of the coming of Sinan Bassa, and in what sort he lodged there. The sultan at their request de. termyned to send a power to encounter him, having great hope in the good will of the Citizens, whereupon he dispatched Gazele, 
Sinan Bassa a discrecie & worthy Captain  and sent him with sire thousand horses, and a great number of Arabianes, and as soon as Sinan Bassa was advertised of his coming, by his bands that he had alway upon the field, not trusting them of the City, he determined to go against him & to encounter him, and when he had ridden xv. miles, he stayed at a village where he mought well lodge, for that that in the village their was a fountain very plen tuouse of pure water, whereupon he commanded to lodge there, and began to appoint the quartiers, and before that they had done the alarm was given, and he was advertised by the scoultes of his vanguard, that they saw afar of a great dust, 
soldier like advertisement.  wherefore they judged the enemy to be there coming toward them, Sinan Bassa had scarcely time to put his people in order, before that Gazele was come with his, & began to assail his vanguard and after that they had fought a certain space, Gazele seeing his peopble overlaid, with vumber, and a rtillerie, and that they began to recoil, and seeing that they of Gaza appeared not in his favour (in hope of whose aid he had taken in hand the battle) with his sword in his hand did make his way thorough his enemies, & so returned to Cairo with the loss of his carriage, and a great number of his soldiers, and when Selim was departed from Iherusalem he came to his army, and brought them to Gaza, where he found Sinan Bassa returned with great victory, and had put to death many of the Citizens which had procured the sultan to send his people thither, when Selim had reposed his soldiers for a time in Gaza, he determined to march on toward Cairo, and would not give the new sultan time to furnish himself of new bands and to put himself in good order, wherefore he made great provision of hogs hedes to carry water with him, and sent Sinan Bassa before him with his bands of Europe, and he followed him always within one days journey with his whole army, 
macharea a place where the precious bal●e doth grow.  and in this sort passed on through the desert, and came near to Cairo within few miles, a little from a villadge named Macharea, where the sultan had a garden, where that most precious liquor called Balsme did grow, which is a certain goome, that distillethe through certain clestes made in the bark of the trees in the time of the gathering thereof, by the gardeners, which cut them with exceeding fyne knynes made of ivory, Tommobeio determined to tarry the enemy in the village, whereupon he entrenched it very stongly with great rampires, and deep Dykes, and had bend all his artillery upon the way where the Turcks should come and as soon as he heard of the coming of the turkish army he departed from Cairo with, twelve thou sand Mamalukes, and a great number of Arrabianes, & other soldiers on horseback, and on foot, and came & lodged in his lodging that was fortified for him of purpose, where, when he had put his people in order he tarried the coming of the enemy, and as soon as Selim understood of the Soldans order, he refused the way that the sultan had bend all his artillery upon, and would not assail his enemy upon the frounte of his battle but determined to assail him on the flank where he was not so well provided, whereupon he disvanded a great number of shot & sent them to assail the trenches of the sultan, & immediately the sultan marched forth with his people in order, and there began between them a notable fight, and a furious, and having fought from the fourth hour of the day, to the sun going down in very doubtful sort, even to the dark night, Tommabeio caused to sound the retreicte, 
The battle between Selim & the sultan.  and left the village and marched to Cairo and the turks as victorious entered into the Soldans lodgings and their lodged that night, there were slain of the party of the Mamalukes the great Diadaro, strycken with a falconete and of the turks party Sinan Bassa, 
Two worthy captains slain-  and when the sultan was returned with his arms, he lodged them between the City, and the river Nilo, and determined to supply his army with new bands and to defend himself, and therefore sent for all the Mamalukes that were appointed to the guard of other countries, and commanded them to repair to Cairo with all speed, he took out of the Monition house of the Castle, all the furniture of armour, and weapon, that there was and distributed it to the children of the Mamalukes and to twelve thousand slaves which they took up in that City, besides that he sent into judea and Arabia, his Captains to levy and enrol all such horsemen and footmen as they should find, that were trained, and experimented in the wars and for that he would as much as in him was save his people from the force of the artillery, he determined with all his power to assail his enemy in the darckest of the night, for that he was assured that in the night they could not well use their artillery without the slaughter of their own people as well as of their enemies, & discovering his opinion to certain of the chief of the Mamalukes, he provided to put it in execution, but he could not use the matter so secretly, but that among those few with whom he had debated the cause, their were some traitors which did advertise Selim thereof who caused to make great fires without his camp round about it, which made all the parts about the camp to be as well seen as in the midst of the day, and in this sort provided that he mought well use his artillery, and then put his army in battle looking for his enemies, Tommobeio in the night▪ approached near to the turks camp, and when he saw all these fires he was then assured that his enterprise was discovered yet would be not so return, but assailed his trenches in such sort that he entered them and synding them very well furnished be returned again to his lodging from whence he came, and after that (being enforced by the Mamalukes) he was constrained to lodge within the city, and to defend it, and for that he would provide in every respect, he caused with all speed to fortify it and when he had made strong the principal places thereof, 
Providence of Selim.  he put strong guard into them, Selim as soon as he heard that the sultan with his army was lodged with in the town, he marched with his army into the town, which he mought easily do, for that the city was not environed with wall, nor rampare, being within the City with his army, he fought three days continually, with the enemy, and when he had slain a great number of them he became lord of the greatest part of the City, and the Mamalukes seeing their force daily to de caie, and that they were no longer able to continue in the City, went from thence to the river Nilo and took the boats that they found there, and passed all their army with the sultan over the river into the Region Segesta, which is a part of Africa that lieth toward Cirene, and Tomombeio for that he would not give over the matter, sent for those Mamalukes that were appointed to grave the City of Alexandria, and for that there came daily into his camp, Arabianes, africans, and other moor, of the provices there abouts, he began to be again in good hope to defend his own, whilst the matters of Cairo passed in this sort Gazzele whom the sultan had sent into Thebaiade, to levy as many bands of both horsemen and footmen as he could, was come near to Cairo and had brought with him a gerat number of Arrabianes with their Captains also, and when he understood of the loss of Cairo, and that his lord was fled beyond the river Nilo, and being out of all hope of the preservation of his country under the government of the sultan, seeing it passed all remedy determined to observe time and to pronide for his safety by yielding himself to the victor, and when he had in this sort debated the matter with the Captains of the Arrabianes, which he had brought with him, & had per swaded them in that behalf, he came to the gate of Selim and required to be brought to his presence, 
Gazzele rendered him to Selim-  & when he came before him, he fell prostrate to the ground and ryssed his feet saying, for so much as he had done for the preservation of the Mamalukes state and of his lord, all that was possible for him to do, and never broke his faith, so long as there was any token of hope left for the preservation of this same, and now seeing his highness possessed of the City, and placed in the Imperial seat, and his lord to be fled and to have left his kingdom, wherefore he had determined with himself no longer to respste, but trusting in his clemency, and goodness was come wholly to commit himself into his hands with out any manner of condition at all, but to be well contented with all that, that should please his highness to deteremyne of him, Selim received him very corteously, and willed him to be of good comfort and to assure himself not to want place with him meet for a man of his worthiness, he caused him to be written among the rest of his chief Captains, & appointed unto him an honourable, provisionin like sort he caused the Captains & chief officers of the Arrabianes to be brought unto him, and gave them very good words, and entertained them in his ordinary. After this he understood of a certain man of Segesta (which was come to seek him) of many of the purposes of Tomombe is, and how he was continually solycited by certain Mores the principal, and chief of Cairo, in such sort as he was fully determined to return thither again, when Selim understood of these preparationes, he thought good to pre vent it, whereupon he determined to pass the river Nilo and to seek him, and to the end that he mought the more speedily pass his army, and artillery, he provided a great number of botes and fastened them to both the shores, and then laid his bridge made of boards and called into the Castle such Citizens as he suspected, and ●caused them to be safely kept, when Tomombe is under stood that Selim was making ready to pass the Nilo with his army fearing the inconstancy of the people and seeing no way how by flight he mought prolong the wars, determined to prove what fortune would do, once more in battle, wherefore he thought it good to assail the bridge, 
the bridge assailed.  and to see if that he could (synding his enemies occupied in their passage over) take them unprovided and so to onerthrowe them, whereupon he used greats celerity departing from Segesta in the last watch of the night and road with four thousand Mamalukes, and four thousand moor and Arrabianes, and came to the bridge before that the turks had understanding of his departure, and finding only the soldiers of Asta passed, with their Captatne Mastaffa Bascia he forth with, charged them with such force, that the turks, not being able to endure their virtue, were disordered and began to flee, in such sort that Mustaffa not being able to keep them in order, they were exceedingly spoiled & stain, when Selim understood of the peril that his people were in, he hasted to the bridge in person, and sent over with such speed as he could, aid frontyme to time unto them, and in short space he had put over so many that he was Master of both ends of the bridge and when he had assured the bridge he went in person with certain bands with him thither where y● sultan was syghting, and suddenly charged him, in sorts, that he enforced him to retire, whereupon the Sol dane being out of hope of the victory, determined with those few that he had left, by flight to seek to save himself and when they had ridden three days continually, they came to a certain village called Secusa, and Selim determining to follow him wheresoever he should go, 
judgement of Selim.  did send after him Mustaffa Caterbeio, and Gazzelle with a great number of light horsemen which when they drew near to the place where he was, and had slain upon the way as they came a great number of his men, and had given commandment that all the men of that country should follow them wheresoever they went upon great Penalty, & also appointed great reward to whosoever should deliver him either dead, or living, when the sultan had lost the greatest number of his men, and fearing the persecution of the men of the country seeing none other mean to save himself changed his garnementes, and departed secretly, and did hide him in a marese there by, and covered himself with reed and such like as did grow thereupon, but the country men being very greedy of the reward that was promised, went and searched all secret places, where in he mought be hidden, whereupon certain of them went into the marese and searched very diligently, and in the end found him hidden in the water up to the throat and then took him, with diverse of his chief and principal councillors, & presented him bound to Mustaffa and the rest of the Captains, who forthwith sent him an toward Cairo in miserable sort, and presented him to Selim, who would not speak unto him but delivered him to his ministers and caused him to be examined with sundry torments to make him to confess where the treasure of Campsone the sultan was, and when they had done all that they were able to do, they could not only, not cause him to manifest it, but also could not with all their torments cause him to speak one word the constancy of his mind was such, 
Constanci of Tomombeio.  the nerte morning following he caused him to be lad openly therowe the City, to the gate called Basuela and hanged him by the neck, 
A lamentable end of the valiant and noble Tomombeio.  & then put a chain of Iron about his neck and caused him continually to hang over the gate. The cause why Selim did this cruelly, and shamefully put Tomombeio to death, was for that, that after he was gone into the Region of Segesta (according to the opinion of diverse) Selim sending his Orators to him, to require him to be content and to give over and to commit himself to the faith of Selim, who promised him great place, and dignities, the Mamalukes contrary to all reason, and order of men, would not suffer them to come in his presence, but cut them in pieces, when Tomombeio was dead, he caused to put to death all the Mamalukes and soldiers that he had in the prisons, and left none on live the were able once to hold up head against him, when the inhabitants of Alexandria understood what was done at Cairo, they b●gan to rebel and made an uproar, took their weaponnes and cried the name of Selim through out the City they took upon the sodden the forts of the City and the Fareglion also, 
Fareglion the chief fort in Alexandria.  and took prisoners all the Mamalukes and officers, that the sultan had there, Selim determined to possess all such countries and Regiones, both he on this side, and beyond the river Nilo: as were wont to obey the Soldans of Cairo, 
Cairo with all the provinces thereunto belonging possessed by Selim  wherefore he sent many of his Captains with their companies to take possession: who syndinge none that made resistance, caused them all to swear obedience and truth to Selim, and in short space brought all to his devotion, moreover diverse kings of Africa which were confederate always with the Soldans, & did pay unto them certain tribute, when they had vuderstandinge of the success of Selim, sent their ambassadors to renew the confederacy, in such sort that both on this side and beyond the Nilo, there rested not in Egipte one haven even to the confines of judea, out of the obedience of Selim Emperor of Turckie, saving only the Arrabianes, chiefly those that dwelled in Africa, such as from the beginning had their confines upon the river Euphratos (& at this present have them stretched out to the very Dceane) & after that having filled all Africa and Egipte, 
Digressyon  with their multitudes, continually erercised in wars upon the people that confined with them, but rather after the manner of theft, and stealth, with making of courses, and prays, then to unite themselves in camp, & soto come and fight as men of war in battle, they have no certain dwelling places, but like to Scythianes do inhabit & dwell upon their waggens in great companies and numbers which are their Cities & towns, every City or town hath his proper Captain appointed unto him, they do not marry, or otherwise join in fryndshyppe with any other nation, they este me themselves the most noble, and ancient nation of the world, as a people that never was mingled with any other nation but have continued their nobility, and antiquity uncoroupted from the beginning of the world, they are maruelousty wise and prove excellent in any kind of discipline or erercise that they take in hand, they use toward strangers the come into their country great courtesy and liberality, and in deed if they did agree among themselves, they were able to subdue all the countries about them but maintainig among them certain ancient inimities left unto them by their predecessors they are continually accupied with cyvyllwarres and dissentiones the onercontynually spoiling the other, but returning now to our history, when Selim had received the obedience and faith, of the whole Empire of the sultan he meant to see Alexandria before that he would depart out of Egipte, whereupon he embarked, and sailed down the river, and in few days arrived at Alexandria, and when he had seen and viewed his Navy which was newly arrived there from Constantinople, he appointed them what to do, and when he had furnished the Farreglion and the rest of the forts, with bands of his soldiers and monition, he then established the government of the City, and when he had put to death all the Mamalukes that were there in prison he returned again to Cairo, and took out of it five hundred households, of the most noble and principal of the City with all their children and substance, and sent them to Alexandria to his Navy who conveyed them with all their riches and treasure to Constantinople, he sent thither also in diverse passagers, hired ships, a great number of the children, and wives of the Mamalukes and when he had thus appointed his departure he lefts in Cairo a great guard of turks and appointed Carerbeio to be his lieutenant in all Egipte, ho, which at the death of Camsone the sultan, was governor in Aleppo, this election did very much displease junio Bassa who succeeded in y● place of bellagarbei of Gretia, Sinan Bassa, who was the chief, & in greatest favour with the Emperor who had promised him the place, he could not endure to see Carerbeio a new man to be preferred before him, & not being able to dissemble his wrath, began to govern y● that was committed to his charge overthwartli, & troublonsly, 
The pay of the soldiers 〈◊〉  chief such as mought seem in any respect to touch Carerbeto whereof when Selim was advertised he called to mindother displeasures also, & began tohate him excedingli whereof afterward proceeded his death as shall be declared hereafter the soldiers which were lest at Cairo required their lord that they mought have their pay augmented, who commanded junso Bassa to see it done and to cause the treasurer that he left there to do according to his order, when the Emperor was departed from Cairo junio seemed not to remember it, and gave no order at all in that behalf, wherefore it followed, that when Selim was gone from Cairo into judea, and that the pay came, the soldiers had not their entertainment increased, whereupon they began to Mutyne and rebett against Carerbeio, and he excused himself, and caused them to send with all speed after the Emperor and to complain unto him or their wrong, they sound him near unto Iberusalem, declaring how that at the time of their pay they received nothing but their ordinary and that the Treasurer declared that he had no commission to augment their pay, they declared unto him also, that to live there was very chargeable and that their ordinary was not able to maintain them there, whereupon Selim was exceedingly wroth for that that his order which he left, was not put in execution, and adding to this diverse other complaints which he had received from Cairo, of the behaviour of junio, chiefly touching the families that were sent to Constantinople, whereupon he commanded him to come to him, and as soon as he came to him he commanded him forth which to be hanged, and when he had established the government of Palestina, he went into Soria, and appointed Gazzelle to be governor of Damascs, 
Note this great voyage, to lead an army so far by land.  one of the Captains of Campsone, he appointed also a governor to Aleppo, and to all the rest of the towns of the province leaving them all well furnished with all kind of monition, and men. And determining to provide for the defence of Soria against the sophy, he left Mustaffa Basria in Cilicia, at the foot of the Mount Tauro with xl. M. horsemen, and when he had this done he determined to go home into Gretia, and coasted all along the sea side of the lesser Asia and so passed into Bithynia to the City of Bursia, and from thence passed on to the golf and finding his Navy ready there he embarked his soldiers of Europe and then sailed on to Constantinople, and when he was there arrived he sent his people to garnison, and consumed all that winter in visiting the towns of Gretia, and late in Castoria, a long time and took great pleasure in chasing, when the spaing of the year came, he went from thence into Remania, & gave order to make ready his Naute, and caused them to take out of the Arsenal, all his Galleys, fustes, and Palandres, willing them to be brought into Propontide, and in short space he had between Gallipolli, and Constantinople, upon the sea, more than two hundred Galleys beside his other ships with all their tacle, & furniture, and having already sent to the forest many carpentres, he caused to cut a great quantity of timber which caused many men to think that he made this provision to employ it upon the Isle of Rhodes, notwithstanding that then, and afterward, there were diverse that thought it not made for Rhodes, but to be employed against Italy, and in the end when every thing was ready he commanded them to roe down to the mouth of the strait and there to ride, and every man thought that within few days they should have been paid, & commanded to set sail and to do some great enterprise upon the sodden: which few understood, after this their came commandment suddenly, that forthwith they should discharge and unrigge the Navy, and licence the mariners to go home to their dwelling places, after this the cause of this great preparation, and the soodden disoluinge thereof, could never be understand, yet some men think that a sickness that then was come upon Selim was the cause thereof. When he had unrigged his Navy, he departed from thence to Andrinople, and seeming to take some pleasure in the chase, he lay in little villages about it and consumed the rest of the summer there, with the Automne also, and the winter following after this, there appeared in the rains of his back, an incancred apostume, which did so eat his flesh the a man mought have put into the sore his whole hand and they did cut away the flesh round about it which was so dead that he felt it not. And I will not here omit a notable matter, which was declared unto me in Florence of him (by a Persian of the Mahometan religion) having for my turciman a citizen of ours named johu Cerini, & it is this, that on a time as his disease did grow and increase upon him, resting his head upon the thing of Perino one of his Bascias, he said unto him Perino I do consume, & must die within short space without all remedy, upon the which words the Bascia took occasion to talk further with him, & said unto him my lord, if thou knowest that thou must die, why dost not thou give order for the disposing of those goods which at thy commandment were arrested & taken from the merchants called Aggiammi in Bursia which are subject to the Sophy thine enemy, the goods are worth at y● least, certain hundreds, of thousands of gold ducats, and if thou shouldest now die & not give order in that behalf they should be conveyed, and stolen away, were it not better that thou should bestow them upon some hospitale, 
A notable answer of Selin being a heathen prince.  whereunto Selim answered, wouldest thou that I should honour myself with the goods of other men & to bestow them in vertuose works in the remembrance, and commendation of me I will never do it, whereupon Perino replied, saying, what wouldest thou then that there should be done with them? He answered, that they be delivered to them from whom they were taken, and also he called to his remembrance, that there were three thousand ducats of a Florentyne son to one Thomaso de Aiolfo, he commanded also that they should be delivered unto him, Whereupon after that, the money, merchandise and silks that were arrested in Bursta, were delivered to the owners and he that reported this was one of them, and had received a great quantity again and had brought of the same salkes to Florence two fardels, & this is spoken to confound many of our Christian princes, among whom in the like case, it is a very hard matter to find one, that shall have such remorse of conscience, but now to our history when Selim was in this sort consumed with his disease, in the end of the month of Septem her, the vere of the Christian health. 1520. having in right years which was the time of his reign, brought to pass so many marvelous enterprises, 
the reign of Selim, the death of Selim.  he ended his life, in whose place succeeded Solimanno his only son a young man of great worthiness in whom their was great hope for the great modesty that was in him, he was of the age of. xxviii years, and being in Anatolia, the news were brought him fleeing of the death of his father, wherefore in the beginning he was in doubt of them, fearing lest it had been feigned by the commandment of his father wherefore he would not stir at all out of Anatolia till such time as Perino Bassa came into Anatolia to him, who did not only ascertain him of it, but also constrained him to pass over into Gretia to Constantinople, where, as soon as he was arrived, he was received and coronned without any contradicti on at all, and accepted Emperor with the untuersall joy and contentation of his subjects, and in this sort he accepted the government, using in all his determynations the council of Perino Bassa, whom he honoured as though he had been his natural father, in this mean time when the death of Selim was published in Egipte and Soria it did greatly move the people of those countries, and Gazelle being pricked with ambition persuaded himself that he mought recover both Egipte, 
Gazele revolt. he.  and Sorta and erect again that of state the Mamalukes, according to y● ancient order thereof under the Soldans whereupon he caused the City of Damascus first to rebel, and possessed it, calling himself openly lord there of, and utterly cast from him all obedience towards the house of Ottomanno, which brute when it was spread abroad throw the province, caused all the Mamalukes that were left, which were hidden in Asia, and Africa, to come unto him, and then according to their anient custom they created him sultan, who made all preparation possible to defend his state, and gathered together a great number of Arrabians, and of the countries near about him, and sent his ambassadors to Cairo to desire, Carerbeio to join with him & to help to restore the Mamalukes state to his ancient liberty, offering him to give him what part of the dominion that he would, yea, to resign unto him his place and to make him sultan, when Carerbeio had given public audience to his ambassadors, & understood their demand without giving them any answer, caused his Ministers to cut them in pieces, & having also proved Aleppo and diverse other Cities of Soria, he found none that would join with him in this enterprise, whereupon he determined to defend himself as well as be mought and levied in all countries, such bands as he could get to serve him, when the news of the rebellion of Da masco was come into Gretia Solimanno commanded forthwith the Bellagarbei of Cillicia which was appointed for the guard of the lesser Asia with xl M. horsemen, to go thither who entered into Soria, acompained with the lieutenants of Aleppo, and of the rest, of the cities of that province and came before Damascus with his army in battle, he was not so soon come before the City, but Gazzelle having determined for only remedy to hazard the battle, and would rather die honourable with his sword in his hand, then to be delivered by some practise: living into his enemies hands, whereupon he marched forth of the City with his army and put his people in battle, and then marched on with a noble mind to encounter his enemy, who marched also toward him, 
The battle between the Belagarbei of Cilicia, and Gazzelle.  and without delay joined in battle and fought for a long time with great assurance on both parts, the virtue and discipline of Gazzelle, and of those few Mamalukes that were with him was such that notwithstanding they were exceedingly overlaid with number yet for y● space of certain hours they so endured the force of their enemies that they were nothing at all disordered nor gave to their enemies one foot of place in the end: having slain a great number of their enemies and many of them being slain also, and the rest in manner all hurt, being overcome with very weariness, and not able to use their weapons, & Gazzelle finding himself environed by the turks, fought valiantly against them till at the last he fell down dead from his horse among them, 
Gazzelle dieth honourably.  the Mamalukes being in the end disordered, and saying no way by flight how to save themselves determined to die like worthy men with their weapons in their hand, 
The noble end of the Mamalukes.  and so fought to y● uttermost, in such sort, that very few were taken living by the enemies. As soon as Mustaffa Bassa had obtained this victory, he came forthwith which his army be fore the City, the Citizens made no resistance but opened the gates and received the Bassa with such people as he would with him, into the town, who entered accompanied with few, for that he would not have the City spoiled nor the merchants which were: there out of all parts of the world to exersyse their traffic, he pardoned the Citizens and confirmed their liberties and freedoms which Selim had given unto them he lodged his army without the City, and in this sort dispatched the rest of the Mamalukes. And established Soria, and all the provinces of Egipte in perfect peace, which were wont to obey unto Selim, leaving them under the rule of Solimanno Ottomanno their lord.  
FINIS.   

A COMMENTARY OF THE WARS OF THE TURCKES MADE against George Scanderbag prince of Epirro and of the victories obtained by the said George, as well against the Emperors of Turchie, as other princes, and of his rare force and virtue worthy of memory.  
SCanderbeg prince of Epirto was son to the lord john Castrioth, the which possessid the part of Albania, that was called Emathia, and Tumenestia: and the mother of Scander beg was named Volsava, she was daughter to the prince of Pollogo, which is a part of Macedonia, and also of Burgaria, this john was a worthy man, and of great judgement & experience in the wars, and having wars with Amorathe Ottomanno prince of the turks, and seeing him to be waxed very stonge in Gretia, and Albania, in such sort as in the end he was not able to encounter him, wherefore he made peace with him, and for hostages delivered him his sons, which were Repossio, Stanissa, Constantino and this Scanderbag which was then named George, but when this tyrant Amorathe caused him in his childhood to be circumcised, he gave him the name of Scanderbag, which in our speech is, lord Alerandre, and after that, the turk caused him to be instructed according to the rite and custom of the Mahometan sect Amorathe truly seemed to be exceeding glad when Scanderbag (being a child but of eight years of age) was brought to his presence, and seeing him beautiful and to have a majesty in his countenance, he iugged in himself that if he should live long, he would prove a worthy man, wherefore he determined never to suffer him to return home again, but to keep him in his court, to the end that when he was come to the state of a man he should serve him, and therefore appointed him worthy masters to instruct him, and to be careful for him and to see him brought up in learning, and civility he allowed both for his table and apparel even as if he had been his own son. After this when Scanderbag was something grown he delighted to ride, and to run, and also with his commpaniones to use the lance, and the rabattued sword, and he did exceed them all both on horseback, and on fort, and chiefly if it were in y● presence of Amorathe, who had great felicity of se little boys in such exercises, and did marvelously rejoice to see such force & towardness in Scanderbag who always remained victorious. After this when the turk made wars against any prince, he commanded to bring Scanderbag always with him whithersoever he went and when so ever he sought with his enemies Scander beg behaved himself so well that all the turks maruellyd at his doings and would say among them selves, that if he mought live till he came to perfect age no man should be able to continue against 'em. When Scanderbag was come to y● age of xix years. the turk made him a Sangiacco, which is as much to say as a conductor of sundry, bands, and gave him the leading of five thousand horses, and some time the title of general of an army which in the turkish speech is called Bassa, sending him against his enemies, accompanied with many other Sangiachi which were appointed to be directed by him, and to be at his commandment, and being in that part of the lesser Asia that is called Anatolia, and having many rencountres with his enemies he always made great slaughter of them and departed from them with the victory, by means whereof? he took many towns and Cities of that country and brought them under the obedience of the Turcks, who from that time forth, would always say that Scanderbag was his right arm, his heart, and his eye, and his most assured defender, and augmentour of his dominions, whereupon all the rest of the turks did marueloslye love him, and had him in great estimation. After this Scanderbag being of the age of xxv years and attending upon his lord in Andrinople, being in the company of many noble men, 
A Tartarus chalengethe.  there came thither a Tartarus of a great stature, and an exceeding force, and challenged to fight with any man in all the turks court to the utterance and there was no man that durst to answer his challenge, for that the brute was that he never fought with any but that he overcame him, and had stain many men in the like combattes when Scander beg saw this, he went to the prince and declared unto him and to all the noble men there, that he would encounter him, and fight with him to the death, but his lord with all the rest of the noble men, would in no wise agree unto it, but were all very sorry to see him so disposed, yet for all that, he made so earnest request and continued it with such Instancy, that in the end with great difficulty he obtained his request, and then made him ready and went in the presence of them all with great as to encounter this Tartarre, who disdained him even as Goliathe did David, and said that it grieved him much to fight with so young a man, wherefore Scanderbag was excedingely wroth with him, and struck at him and so behaved himself in the combat that in the end he obtained y● victory & slew the Tartarre. Shortly after Amorathe went to Bursia: a City of Bithynia where two soldiers of Persia one named jaia and y● other Zampsa which made a like challenge to that that the Tartarre made saving that they would fight on horsbackes with lance, sword, and Targe, whereupon as soon as the challenge was made, Scanderbag made ready and encountered with jaia and as they were earnestly fighting, this cruel Zampsa assailed him in treason, but Scanderbag discouraged not at all for that but assured himself in god, and put on a noble mind and within short time he slew them both, for the which notable acto he was much praised of all those that were there present, after this the Hungarians came to make wars upon the turks and to invade their country wherefore Scanderbag was sent Captain general, with a great army against them, & in that enterprise he behaved himself so discreetly and circumspectly that the Hungarians returned again without battle. He always had that attended upon him christians of his father's subjects, who always in struct him in the Christian faith which he had received at his Baptesme, wherefore he found the means that the Hungarianes returned without battle and be also returned with his army safe to Andrinople, where he was exceedingly embraced of the turk and honoured with great presents, & he said to his most familiar friends, that the hungarians feared the virtue and worthiness of Scanderbag and therefore returned and would not give battle, he desired Scanderbag to require some great gift of him but Scanderbag answering very modestly said that he required nothing but to dwell in his good grace, and favour, wherewith he should hold him very well satisfied, when they had ended these discourses, 
The father of Scanderbag deceased.  news came that the lord john father to Scanderbag was deceassyd whereupon Amorathe in all haste dispatched a Captain of his named Sehalia `with an army into Albania who as soon as he came thither took the City of Croia with the whole state of the lord john, to the behoof and use, of the hostages, giving the people to understand, that the great turk would immediately deliver it to one of the sons of the prince john deceased, but after that, the turk performed no one thing that the Bassa had promised in his name to the people, 
Three of the brethren of Scanderbag poisoned.  but kept all the country to his own use, and caused three of the brethren of Scanderbag secretly to be poisoned, and fed him with goodly words, keeping him always in good hope desiring him to have patience for a little time and that as soon as he had dispatched certain affares, he would restore him to all that which was his right to have, and he should be always assured of his good will and frynd ship, but Scanderbag like a wise man, and one that well knew his determination to be full of cruelty and wickedness, declared himself to be w●ll contented with whatsoever should be his good will and pleasure, notwithstanding, in wardly he was full of sorrow and heaviness, and he thought on nothing day nor night, but how to find some means, by the which he mought bring to pass to enjoy that patrimony which was his fathers, and to live in liberty of consciens as a Christian ought to do, and the rather for that he was out of hope to be delivered by the turk, and to be restored to his right. After these things, when the year was ended, the hungarians at the request of the pope Eugenio, assembled a mighty army and went against the turk in the behalf of the dispotto of of Servia, which when the turk understood, he gathered together his army, and sent the Bassa of Romania Captain general of the same, being accompanied with Scanderbag, to the end that by his help, he mought the more assuredly obtane victory, & contrarily, Scanderbag prayed to god that it would please him to give the Hungarianes the victory. And in the end the two armies meeting near the river called Morava, joined in battle. And the discipline & virtue of john Hunniade, Captain general of the hungarians was such, by the help of god that the turks after a long fight were disordered, and put to flight, with exceeding great slaughter and spoil of them, Scanderbag did marvelously rejoice for this victory, and yet he fled among the turks, till he came to a secret place, where he was safe from peril, and afterward when it was night, the turks chief secretary came unto him and said. O Scanderbag what dost thou here, thou which never was seen to flee or this time? Scanderbag descretly answering said, that the power of man, mought not resist the will of god, wherefore there was no remedy but patience, and when he had thus said, he commanded to lay hands on the Secretary, and to set yronnes upon his legs, where with be being excedingely amazed said, that it seemed strange unto him, considering his faithful service always, and that he had never offended his lord the turk ne yet Scanderbag, than Scanderbag smile answered that he held him so for no cause, but only for that he should not steel away, 
A policy of Scan.  and for that he should make him a letter, in the name of the turk to the governor of Croia, that forthwith upon sight thereof: he should deliver the City to Scanderbag, as governor in the name of the turk, and he would also that the Secretary should go with him, and he would give him greater place than that which he had with the turk, and would ever esteem him for his dear friend, and brother.  
The Secretary answered with a troubled countenance, that he would not make such a letter for any thing in the world, whereupon Scanderbag drew his sword and threatened to kill him if that forth with he made not the letter, whereupon he being exceedingly affrayed took pen, ink, and paper, and wrote the letter accordingly as Scanderbag gave him instruction in the turkish language, he could not deceive him therein for Scanderbag understood well the turkish tongue, the Arabian, the Greek, and the Schiavon, when this was done, 
The secretary of the turk slain.  Scanderbag willed the Secretary to go with him, but he refused utterly so to do whereupon he caused him suddenly to be slain to that end, that he should not go and declare the matter to the great turk, and in this sort he was prevented.  
Then Scanderbag with three hundred Albaneses, valiant and faithful men, who had always served him and were well trained and experimented in the wars took his way, and road very secretly, and speedily, and in short time arrived in Albania, where he found certain of the turks soldiers, whom he caused very cortesly to souppe with him, and after sundry pleasant discourses, asked them if that they had heard any thing of the cause of his coming thither, who answered him no, than he declared unto them that for sundry respects, the turk had sent him to change the governor of Croia & to supply that place for a season, whereupon they answered all at once frankly, that they were assured that he was sent for some greater purpose than that, considering, that they were well assured that the turk loved him as his brother, and one of them, offered to go before with the messenger that he sent, to certify the governor of Croia hereof, wherewith Scanderbag was well contented, and sent them before to Croia with speed. As soon as the governor understood the Tenor of the letter, he made ready to do, all that was commanded him in that letter. Afterward when Scanderbag came into Croia, becaused to take down the turks ensign and to set up his with the splayed Eagle of sable in a field of gules, 
The entre of Scanderbag into Croia.  and they cried in every place long may Scanderbag live, and then he caused to slay all the turks that would not be baptized, & in four days he recovered all his father's country, and by that twenty days were ended, he had possessed all that which the turk had won in Albania, and cut in pieces as as many turks as he found there, in sort, that in an in stante he became prince of Albania, where he had of yearly rend two hundred thousand ducats, accounting his salt pits which he had near to Saint Nicolo dela Pietra, where Cesare the Dictator, fought that terrible battle with Pompeio, his father in law, Captain general of the Roman army.  
When the Albaneses were thus delivered from the Tiran, and from his wicked and cruel government, & from the intolerable yoke of the infidels, they thanked god in every place, & they cried thorough out, long may our prince Scanderbag live, and in few days Scanderbag had an army of xu M. Albaneses well trained in the wars, some on horseback, and some on foot then ho appointed officers of se justice duly executed, 
Note his age.  & appointed Captains to his towns and forts in the year of our lord. M. CCCC.xliii. and in the year from his birth xxxiii.  
When the turk did understand this fynosse of Scanderbag, and the victory of the hungarians, he had so great sorrow, as in all his life he had not had the like wherefore he determined to be revenged and to employ all his force against Scanderbag, but Scanderbag being very wise and one that know what he had to do, being advertised of the turks determination and purpose, went to Alessio, a City in Albania, then under the government of the venetians, where at his request all the princes held a council, with the rest of the nobility of Albania: of whom these that follow were y● chief Aramthe Conino which was afterward father in law to Scanderbag, Andrea Thopia, Paulo Ducagino, Nicolo, Pietro, Spano, Lech Dusmano leech Zacharia, & the honourable lieutenants of the Senate of Venise, to whom Scanderbag spoke in this form. 
The oration of Scan.   
Very honourable fathers and magnificent princes. I doubt not, but that it is well known to us with how great enmity, and despite, the turks do persecuteour most Christian faith, and how greatly they are enemies to all virtue, and especially: they never keep any promise that they make, and if their power were agreeable to there will, they would make all Christian princes to pass by the edge of the sword, as by experience it hath been seen here tofore, when god for our offences hath permitted it, yet I by the mighty arm of god have chased the usurpers of my father's state, out of it, and have cut all the turks in pieces that made any resistance against me, and besides that, I have won all that which the turk did possess in Albania as it is manifest to all men, wherefore your excellenties may be well assured, that that cruel dog, will employ all his force possible against me, and that with speed and if that by chance (which god forbid) he should overcome me, he would immediately make wars upon you, wherefore I do erhorte, and erneslly desire your highnesses, that for the love you hear toward god & our most holly faith, and also for charity, that it will please you to vouchsafe to unite your forces which mine, and if it seem not good unto you so to do, for so much as you are at peace with the turk, yet I shall earnestly desire you, to stand by, and nether to aid the turk nor trouble me, and hereof I do attend your gentle answer, for that that I hope with the mighty right hand of god, to defend myself against the great Tyrant. Then all the princes and noble men of Albania, withdrew themselves with the lieutenants of the Senate of Venise, and went to talk in secret, and when they had considered, and debatted the importancy of the matter, they made answer to Scanderbag in this sort, most excellent prince George, our dear son and brother, as touching your age, but in respect of your virtue & worthiness, our honourable father, we have very well considered, and weighed thy just, and most necessary demand, full of wisdom, and worthy in every respect to be herd, wherefore we give you to understand by common consent, that we are determined to unite our powers with the for ever and to esteem thy state as our own, and our state as thine, and will continue this league according to our promise in wealth and misery, which of them that god shall send, moreover we make y● our Captain general, to defend our liberty, hoping in the mighty god that there is no power, that shallbe able to resist our most holly union, wherefore be of good comfort, and make provision of such things as shallbe necessary, and command, for you shall not want, and also we will allow you a yearly stipend toward your own maintenance, and you shall not lack that that we shallbe able to do in any respect, when this most holly league was concluded, the aforesaid princes of Albania went and dined with Scanderbag their new lord, and thanked god of this concord, and then some of them took leave and returned to their provinces, and others accompanied Scanderbag to the city of Croia.  

A brief declaration of the chief princes of Albania included in the aforesaid league  
GEorge Castrioth, else named Scanderbag, appointed Captain general by their common consent, desernethe to be first named, after him his father in law Aranith Conino, than the sons of Musachio Thopia, called of many Carlnich which in the Schianuon tongue betokennethe glorious, and they are called the sons of Charles, for so much as they are descended from the house of France, than were the lords of the house of Ducagini, and the noble men of the house of Spain, the lords Cernovichi, and Dusmani, but the venetians would not enter into this league for the good will they bore to the house of Angelo, which is descended from the Imperial house of Constantinople on the one side and on the other: from that of the dispotto of Scruia, & of the noble princess Margaerite of Monferato, duchess of Mantoa, who beside her other patrimony, had diverse parcels in Albania, & chiefly Drivasto, Antivari and Croia: and possessethe at this present Antivari and Dolcigno, with other places that have not howed the knee before the Idol Baale, which is Mahomethe, and it may please god to give them the grace to convert the turks and other infidels to our most holly faith, or else to overthrow we their great powers as diverse times Scanderbag hath done.  
Some man mought ask me here, from whence Albania had his name? Wherefore you shall understand that Plinio in his Book entitled the Hominibus Illusiris in the third Chapter, 
The original of the Albaneses.  doth declare, how y● Tullio hostilio the third king of the Romans, when he had destroyed the City of Alba, which was not far distant from Rome, and had been often times enemy unto it, commanded that the Albaneses should come and dwell at Rome, but a great number of them (according to the opinion of diverse writers) went into Asia and dwelled among the people thereof which possessed the country that lieth between the mountains called hiberi and Caucast y● Albaneses increased, & multiplied from time to time so that at the last, their country was called Albania Iberia, which this same Plinio describeth in y● vi book of his natural history, and in the third chapter, from whence one part of the Albaneses departed, and came down into Europe, of whom the one part dwelled in Epirro, others in Macedonia, somme, in one part of Liburnia which at this present is called Esemptia the loer near unto Macedonia and Epirro, some dwelled in a certain part of Dalmatia: and Illiria which is called the hie Esemptia near unto that part of Liburnia where of we spoke before, when the Albaneses had long continued in the aforesaid countries, they were so increased and multiplied that of all those provinces was made one Region and government, and was called Albania for that it was inhabited by the Albaneses who so named it, other some say that the Albaneses are descended from France, peradventure for that they see a natural friendship between the noble men of both the countries, which thing is perfectly known by certain of their princes as by the lords of Durazzo, surnamed Thopia which are descended from Charles the great, some other from Meschino, and some from others, and for a token of good will, Charles is made in the City of Croia of an excellent stone, engraven with great skill and, art and set in the chief place of the City, others say they are descended from Griffon de Altafoglia as the house of Ducagine and the house of Spagni as the noble men of both houses themselves say.  
Let all men know that this new Albania which is this described, lieth in Europa, it is very fertile & plentiful of all things needful to y● maintenance of man's life as is possible, it bringeth forth men naturally so strong, valiant, of noble minds, and apt to any thing that they take in hand, chiefly, for the wars as is possible, they are constant and faithful to their natural lords, and will rather commit themselves, to all kind of danger and peril, then to have their displeasure, the farthest part of this Albania is near to the seas Adriatico, and jenio, and lieth over against Puglia, froon Durazzo to Brindizio, is an hundred miles and from Valova over to Ottranto three score miles by sea. Now to our purpose.  
After all these things there came aspiall from Andrinople to Scanderbag, & declared unto him the Alibege, one of the turks Bassas came against him with xl M horsemen, than Scanderbag without delay road to his confines with xu M. Albaneses, and when y● turks were come within two miles of him, 
A perfect Captain must be able well to speak his mind.  he made an oration to his army whereby he did so encourage his soldiers, that they desired nothing so much as to encounter with the enemy, in this mean time the turks came on with such a noise, that it seemed that the heavens should fall, but Scanderbag with his worthy soldiers refused not to encounter them, but made the sign of the cross upon him, and then he cried follow me, & thrust toward them and was the first that struck, & charged them with suck force and virtue, that in short time he disordered them, and when the battle was ended, there were found dead on the place xxii 
22. thousand turks slain.  M. turks, and there were taken a thousand, of the Christians many were hurt and one hundred stain upon the place all the spoil of the turks as money, jewels, horses and such like, was presented to Scanderbag, who cansed it wholly to be disstributed to his soldiers, which were all very joyful. The next day Scanderbag commanded to sound to horse and road into the turks country a great days journey, and cut in pieces as many turks as he met or could find, and raised fire in all places where he went. In this mean while Alibeg Bassa returned to Andrinople, and was greatly blamed by the turk for his evil government.  
Laodislao king of Hungary, who then made preparation to go against Amorathe with an army, sent to Scanderbag (understanding of the great victory that he had obtained against him) to desire him that he would go in his company, which such bands of soldiers as he should think good, wherefore when Scanderbag had red his letter, he called unto him his Captains showing them the letter and ask their advise in y● behalf, who answered by one consent that he mought in no wise refuse the king in so reasonable a demand, for that it was for the destruction of the common enemy of our faith, than Scanderbag wrote unto the king Laodislao that he mought assure him of all the aid that he should be able to give him, and then Scanderbag by the help of Paulo Ducagino and other princes of his nation had levied other xv. M men, besides those that he had already under his conduct with whom he defeicted the aforesaid Alibeg, which amounted in the whole to the number of thirty. M. and then he began to march, but George Vucovich dispotto of Servia a man valiant enough, but of a traitorous mind, and regarded not any religion, neither Christian nor Mahometan, for that he had given Amorathe to wife, his daughter named Hierenia, and of some Catagusina, which was sister to the wife of Alessio Spano called Isabetta, and of some others Milizza, which was sister to Lazaro, Stephano, and Georgio, Nephews to Andrea Angelo by there mother side, for certain hatred that the Dispotto bore to the hungarians, and chiefly to john of Transyluania, who had been the cause that certain castles and towns of his were holden from him whereupon the Dispotto fortified all the passages of his country, whereby he troubled Scanderbag in such sort that he could not pass without great loss of his people into Hungary.  
In this mean time john with the Hungarians, and Polonianes, being aided also by juliano Cesarino Cardinal S. Angelo, made ready his army to march toward Varna, where they must needs fight: and Amorathe looked for aid out of Asia to come to him and therefore avoided by all means possible the battle and prolonged the wars as much in him was, 
Science of john Vaivoda of Transyluania.  & would not come to the battle, which when the worthy Vayvoda understood, he procured him to the scaramoche in so skilful sort, that in the end he enforced him to come to the battle, and in the end after long fight the virtue of the hungarians was such, that the turks were disordered and put to flight, 
The battle between Laodislao and Amorathe  when Laodislao understood this, he became exceedingly wroth, by means of the talk of certain foolish and ambitious young men, who said, that john Vaivoda sought to have all the glory of the victory to himself, which was the cause that he appointed the king, alway to tarry within his squadrone, 
Ambition of rayshe young men distroiethe all.  the king being moved with these words marched forward with his troop of ten thousand hungarians, which was very strong, and fronted the turks great squadrone, where after long and cruel fight Laodislao, was stain, by means whereof, the hungarians which were even ready to follow the victory, were constrained to torue back again and to lose al-in such sort that john Vaivoda their captain general was enforced to flee to the house of the aforesaid Dispotto of Servia as to a place of security, but he being the only cause of this overthrow (for so much as he suffered not Scanderbag to pass thorough his country) caused Vaivoda to be kept under good guard forth with, until such time as he restored him to all his towns, Scanderbag sought continually to pass through the country of the Dispotto, and hearing of this miseral le chaunse was in such a rage that he brunt and sacaged all the country of the Dispotto, and returned into his own country and as he went homeward he met with diverse hungarians that were at the battle of Varna he declared that he was erceding sorry for it and how he was coming to aid them, and gave money to every of them to help them with.  
After all these things Amorathe the great turk sent an ambassador to Scanderbag with a letter of this tenor, 
Amorathe writeth to Scan.  Scanderbag by this my letter.  
I Amorathe Emperor of all the east part of the world may not salute the more nor less for that thou art become my greatest enemy, and haste used me with such ingratitude considering that I brought the up and nourished the even as thou hadst been my natural son, and always sought to do the honour and thou hast now rebelled against me, and hast done me great displeasures as thou right well knowest, and all men may witness thereof, and I know not from whence it doth proceed, unless thou waste angry with me because I did not so soon restore the to the dominions of thy father or else for that thou hast always been minded to refuse the faith of the perfect Mahomethe and to return, as thou haste now done, to the Christian faith to the loss of thine own soul, truly if I had understood this desire of thine I would have done, what thou wouldest have required me, & that thou knowest well (as I have always declared unto thee) that I would pleasure the in any request that thou wouldest make to me, for I was so bound (considering they rare virtues) to favour the above all others, and thou knowest that I promised the within short space to restore the to all thy father's dominion, and for that thou hast done contrary to thy duty, thou art certainly worthy of great blame and of my displeasure, yet not withstanding when I do consider the virtuous acts which in time passed thou haste done in my service and conservation of my state, I am enforced to qualify mine ire towards thee: and am contented that thou possess the inheritance of thy father, upon condition, that thou restore unto me the part of Albania, which I have gotten from others and not from thy father, which thou against all right haste spoiled me of, and holdest it without my good will, wherefore see that thou do restore it unto me, or else I swear unto the by god, and by his prophet Mahomethe, by the soul of my father, and by my sword, that I will employ all my force against thee, and will chase the out of that country in despite of thee, and if that peradventure thou escape with life, thou shall be enforced to beg thy bread. Thou knowest well that beside all mine other forces. I can put to the field more than a hundred and thirty thousand fighting men, and thou having but a handful of soldiers art not able to resyfte me. I say these things unto thee, because I would not hurt thee, I have set before thee, the good, & the evil, it is now in thy chose to take whether of them thou wilt, and thou mayst credit my servant and am bassadour Airadin and whatsoever he shall promise by mouth I will fulfil, from Andrinople the. 16. of june. 1444.  
When Scanderbag had red the letter, and heard the ambassador, he made him to be entertained very honourably, and after five days he dispatched the ambassador, and delivered him a letter of answer, of this tenor following.  
George Castrioth some time named Scanderbag, 
An answer to the turcks' letter.  prince of the Albaneses, sendeth salutaciones infinite to the lord Amorathe prince of the turks, by Airadin thy servant and ambassador, I have received a letter, in the which for good beginning thou sayest thou canst not salute me more nor less, whereunto I answer, that if it seem to the by that which I have already done, that I am become thine enemy: yet if all things be indifferently weighed it shallbe rather judged that I am thy friend and for a proof thereof I say that their is nothing in y● world to be done to do the pleasure: that I would not for thy sake do, so that it be not, against the will of god, and of this thou mayest assure thyself, for I determine to be thy friend, but if I have recovered my liberty, which my father's country, I think not therein to have done the any wrong, for that it apertayned to me, and not to the beside that, if the turks thy soldiers which lay in those parts of Albania that thou possessedst, confyninge with my country came against me with armed bands to assail me, and if that I, according to their deserts have overcome them and chastised them, recovering also that country, the defaute is not mine, but there's, or his who sent them against me, moreover if I have defected thine army which thou dydste send which thy Bassa Alibeg against me. I think I have done but as I ought to do, to defend me and mine, against such as would offend me, and to conclude, if I have refused the most damnable and detestable sect of Mahomethe, & am returned to that most true and lively faith of jesus Christ, I am well assured that I have chosen the better part, for in keeping his most holly commandments I am sure that my soul shallbe saved and not (as thou sayest) damned, wherefore I beseech thee, that for the health of thy soul thou wilt receive one good council at my hand, which is, that thou wilt vouchsafe to read the Alchorane, which is a brief collection of the commandments of god, and there thou mayest easily consider which of us is in the wrong, and my hope is, that if y● wilt indifferently consider, being vanquished by the truth, thou wilt receive and embrace the Christian faith, by the which oneli, all men that seek to be saved are saved & without it all men are damned, God grant, that thou mayest suffer thyself to be Illumined with his holly. Spirit, and to receive his most holly Baptesme, & to begin to lead a Christian life, and then I would desire to see that the greatest prince of the world, and I would be unto thee (even as I have been here tofore) a very friend and a faithful servant, which thou mayest easily understand by these my exhortations. And I do assure thee (that although I have defended me against y●) I am thy friend, and I promise thee that if thou do this, where unto I do exhort thee, which is to become Christian that I will not only restore unto the that part which thou requirest at my hand, but also all mine own that I do possess in the world, and will be during life thy trusty servant: otherwise, I do assure thee that I may not do it for any persuasion that thou mayest use, and chiefly for that the turks be always enemies to y● christians, and evil neighbours also, wherefore I will not put that in hazard which god hath given me, and marvel not at it, for it is my right, and not thine, to possess that which doth appertain to the Christians, although it did not appertain to my father, it is mine for that I am a Christian and have lawfully recovered it with my sword in my hand. This also should provoke thee to become Christian, for that the possession of the towns, and the government doth appertain (to the christians, and not to the infidels) wherefore again I beseech thee, that thou wilt become Christian, for otherwise I will continually molest and annoy the in all that I may, and I hope rather to take from the the which thou usurpest of the christians, then to yield in to thy hands one handful of ground. And as touching thine oath that thou haste made 〈…〉 me out of my country, and that if I be not slain, I shall at the least be enforced to serve other men, unto this I answer, that if I were not a Christian, I durst not encounter thee: but committing myself into the tuytion of God, in whose hands are states, and kingdoms, I say unto thee, that I have an assured hope to defend me against thy great power, where with thou hast threatened me, and thou mayest well think, that victory consisteth not in number of men, but in having god, and right of his side, and then in the virtue of the soldiers and disipline & judgement of the leaders, 
Note here things of great importance.  and if hit hereunto we have possessed all these things aforesaid, as I do believe thine own people have or now witnessyd, wherefore to conclude I say that neither thy sugared perswasiones, ne yet thy cruel threatings may alter what I have said, but if that thou wilt become a Christian, I shall then be enforced to all that thou hast required of me, further more I promise unto thy highness, that I will not invade any part of thy dominions, unless that thy people do first begin. And thus I commend me unto thee, in such sort as shall please thee, from our camp, the xiiii. of july. 1444.  
When y● ambassador was departed with this letter, Scanderbag called unto him all his Captains, and declared unto them in order what the turk had written unto him, and in what sort, he had answered him whereof they were all very glad, and hoped, that their affares should have good issue, unto whom Scanderbag spoke afterward in this sort.  
My dear companiones in arms, I do believe that as soon as the turk shall have considered my letter, 
Scan speaketh to his soldiers.  and heard his ambassador, he will immediately determine to employ against me all his force possible, and therefore it is necessary, that we be provided, to the end that we may defend ourselves, 
The order which Scanderbag giveth to his soldiers.  and also that we be vigillante and attentive, observing such order as I shall appoint unto you, which is, that we continue together alway in arms, and continually whiles we eat, or sleep, our horses to stand bridled, and saddled, and that every man with his horse also keep that place of the squadrone, wherein he shall fight. ●nd when the ordinary time shall come to give them provender, to give it then in little sackettes and then to hang their bridles upon the pomelles of there saddles whiles they eat, to the end that if the enemies should come upon the soodden to assail us, we mought be soon in order ready to answer them and besides that, I will always have without my camp a good guard, for that they shall not surprins us, wherefore I would that you should well observe this order but forsomuch as I am certain, that as yet no enemy will offend us, I will that every man depart to his dwelling place, and provide himself of necessaries: and repose himself, for I will forthwith, with mine ordinary bands go to the confines of my country: and will there lie now in one place, and then in an other, and will hold the enemies in doubt, & when it shallbe needful to fight I will send you word, and when so ever we shall encounter with the enemy, let this commandment remain always with you, that no man pain of life take any spoil, so long as one enemy shall make head against us, until the battle be ended for I say unto you that a man that is loaded with baggage can never fight worthily. And therefore I give you to understand, that I willbe obeyed, and what so ever he be that like the not this let him remain here, and not go with me, and when that god at any time shall give us victory I promise you as a faithful soldier, that all the spoil shallbe yours. Then with great reverence, and humanity, the Captains and chief soldiers answered, that what so ever he would command should be done, and then every man took leave and returned to his dwelling place and Scanderbag with his two thousand chosen horsemen and one thousand footmen, passed on to his confines and there continued, Scanderbag continued in this sort up on his confines in manner without any lodgings saving certain tents that he had to 〈◊〉 him from the heat he had by his good providence exceeding good provision for all his horses, he kept ta●● for all his Captains & principal soldiers, his 〈◊〉 to eat once a day, and according to that ord●● his tables were most plenteously furnished, notwithstanding, whosoever did well consider his stature, and complexion, and the exercise that he did daily use, and also his diet, mought well perceive that he delighted not greatly to eat but only to sustain nature and maintain force, 
The description of Scan.  Scanderbag was of a goodly stature, and fair, well fewtrid of all his membres and of an excellent good complexion, well able to endure heat, cold, and all kind of travail, as touching the virtues of his mind, he was wise, circumspect, and magnanime, full of liberality, and courtesy, and just both in deed and word as mought be possible, valiant & merciful, apt to forgive wrongs if it were required of him he was an enemy of all vice, and especially of that of the City of Gomorra, he would never suffer his soldiers to slay women nor children of his enemies, nor that any woman should be enforced, in prosperity he was never proud, nor in adversity never discouraged, & besides these his rare virtues, his experience was such in the wars, that his people never received overthrow if y● he were with them, and being in the field he never lay out of his armour, nor was without his weaponnes about him, but slept on the ground upon a carpett, five hours sleep sufficed him. In the beginning of any battle, he never said to his soldiers, on good fellows, but follow me, he was always the first in giving the charge, and the last that returned from it, his soldiers were richly appareled, in silk and gold, but he wore always course cloth, unless it were upon solemn feasts than he would show himself very richly appareled.  
Whilst Scanderbag was in this sort upon his confines, there came a spyale unto him, declaring that the turk (understanding that he had dissolved his army & licenced them to repose them at their houses, & how y● he with a few soldiers with him lay upon the confines of his country) had commanded Ferisbeg one of his Captains to take with him ix M. turks, horsemen, and to depart with all speed toward the frontiers to take Scanderbag unprovided, and the spial was of opinion the they would be with him that day, when Scanderbag understood of this, he sent for no aid, but made him ready with all speed possible with his two thousand horsemen and one thousand footmen embattled, and then tarried his enemies, 
Battle between Ferisbeg and Scan.  and as soon as they came, he signed himself with the sign of the cross, and charged them with such fury, that although the turks resisted for a time, yet in the end they were disordered & put to flight Ferisbeg Bassa aforesaid, galloped up and down the field, and with many injurious words chanlenged to fight with Scanderbag, he of the other part commanded to follow the chase, and to execute by all means possible, and went forthwith and encounter with Ferisbeg, and slew him at the first stroke that he gave, with the which, the fear of the turks so increased, the happy was the foremost man, when this was done, Scanderbag returned with the victory to his confines, 
A custom of a good Captain  and the next day following he entered the turks country and brought an exceeding great proie from thence.  
When the turk understood these doleful news, he appointed forthwith and other Sangiacho named Mustaffa, and made him his Captain general of ten M, turkish horsemen, with commission not to encounter Scanderbag, but to enter his country by an other way and to spoil, and proie the same, but Scanderbag having intelligence hereof, and of the place: where the Turcks determined to enter, he forth with made him ready and sent for two thousand horsemen more, 
Good foresight of Scan.  which made in number. 4. thousand horsemen, and one thousand foremen, & with these he went as secretly as possible, to imbosque himself near to that place where the turks determined to begin their forcy, and as soon as they were come thither, they began to scatter over all the country, and Scanderbag took his time and charged them, and there began a cruel fight on both sides, but in the end Scanderbag with his soldiers, so behaved himself, 
Mustaffa de●e●cted.  that the Turcks were disordered and put to flight the greatest number of them were slain upon the place and Mustaffa their Captain with certain of his principal soldiers fled, there were slain of Scanderbag soldiers. xx. upon the place, in the end of this rencounter all the spoil was presented to Scanderbag, who distributed all to his soldiers, and then licenced the two thousand horsemen that came last, and with the rest he returned again to his accustomed confines.  
The turk for all this left not, but sent Mustaffa afore said with a greater company than before, to the confines of his country, with commission not to stir from thence without a special commandment from him, but that he should stand well upon his guard and look diligently that Scanderbag did not endamage his people, and spoil his country, which when Scanderbag understood he determined also not to move, unless that the turks did first begin, but stood always upon his guard according to his order, in this mean time there came news to Scanderbag that leech Ducagino fonne to the lord Paulo had slain leech Zacharia lord of the City called the Dagnio which standeth in Albania near unto the Ryner call Drino, for whose death Scanderbag was very sorry, for that there had been alway gréate fryndshippe between them, and for that he died without children Scanderbag determined to succeed him in his state after the decease of the lady Bossa his mother by virtue of certain covenants the were between them notwithstanding the Lady Bossa by mean of the lieutenant of Scutari agreed with the Senate of Venise, upon certain conditions, and delivered them the Dagnio with the rest of her state, for the which Scanderbag was greatly offended and assembled all his power and went in person and besieged Dagnio, and left (not withstanding) upon his confines his trusty friend the county Vurana one of his Captains for the guard thereof, with three thousand soldiers, when the lieutenant of Scutary understood this, he advertised the Senate thereof, and received commission from them to levy an army, where upon he took out of Scutarie many bands of Italians and levied a great number of Albaneses and made general of the army: the worthy Damel Sebenico, & as soon as he had all things ready he marched toward Scanderbag, who as soon as he heard hereof, passed the river Drino with all his army, to go toward the Venetian army and to encounter them, and then spoke to his soldiers in this manner that followeth. 
Scan. to his soldiers.   
My compainons in arms, if it be so that a man may lawfully demand his right without doing wrong to any man, truly in that, that I have demanded my right, and besieged Dagnio, and taken the straight or valley thereof, I do believe, I have done no injury at all to the Senate of Venise, but am rather wronged, notwithstanding I have them partly excused, considering the false information that hath been made unto them in the absence of the contrary party, and truly I can not persuade myself, but that they being just, and most Christian, and knowing the great affection and good will the I have alway borne them, would never have concluded in my prejudice: if they had first understood my right, notwithstanding, for that they have now addressyd their army against me, we must needs this day fight against the Christians, which in deed is greatly against my will, wherefore now I say unto you that it behoveth you to fight more circumspectly and valiantly than you have done at any time else, considering that you have to do with men that do far exceed the Turcks in value, but yet I hope in God that the victory shallbe ours wherefore I do command you, that when we shall have broken them, that no man after that, slay any of them, but to take them prisoners and to follow the chase even to the gates of Scutari, and when he had thus said, he spoke on high, 
The bettayle between Scan & the venetians.  saying, follow me, and then marched on with his army in battle and joined with the venetians, the fight between them was continued with great obstinaty, but in the end Scanderbag disordered them and put them to flight, following the chase even to the gates of Scutari, and did slay none of them in the chase but took a great number prisoners, and especially men of account, which were all presented to Scanderbag, who like a noble prince caused them all to be well entertained & sent them home wit houte any ransom, & of all those prisoners be caused to detenyne two men of account, the one was Simone Vulcatal, of the country of ● cutari and the other was Andre Humoi brother to the Captain of Croia, which he sent into his own country, & kept them prisoners in a fort of his the was of great strength called Pietra Bianca, where they were by his commanded very well used and had great provision appointed unto them, after this Scanderbag passed with his army through all the country which appertained to the venetians, thinking to have taken it, but he could not, whereupon he fortified a razed City, name Balezzo, which had been destroyed by Attilla Flagello di Dio, he fortified it with walls, trenches, and bastionnes, he furnished it with all kind of menition, and valiant men, and he appointed to be their Captain one of his captains named Marino Span, a man of much worthiness, to the end that he should with continual courses spoil, 
judgement of Scanderbag.  and impoverish the country, & keep them in continual doubt. And when he had established this order he returned to the siege of Dagnio. After this they of Scutari, understanding the Marino Span was gone forth of Balezzo, they went thither with all speed, and spoiled the City to the very foundation wherewith Scanderbag being greatly offended destroyed all the country of Scutari.  
When the turk venderstode that Scanderbag had wars with the venetians, and considering that that country lay between two mighty enemies, he was excedinly glad thinking for that the venetians were of great force, that they would soon chase Scanderbag out of his country, wherefore he sent commandment to Mustaffa, which lay upon his confines, with xv. M horsemen to go, and spoil all Scanderbegs country, yet for all that, Mustaffa cansydering the bands that Scanderbag had lying upon his frontiers in readiness, would go no further than that place, which is called Dronich where he set up his tents, and lying with his army encamped there, he held the country in continual fear, whereof as soon as Scanderbag had advertisement, he departed from Dagnio with two thousand soldiers, and went to his other three thousand soldiers, that lay upon his confines: and when he had exhorted them to behave themselves valiantly, he put them in order & assailed the turks with such fury, that within a short time he put them to flight, 
Mustaffa defected.  and slew ten M. of them, and took Mustaffa with xii others, men of great account, whom he caused forthwith to be sent, where Andre and Simon was, and then made a great course into the turks country, & brought with him a marvelous rich proie, and distributed all to his soldiers, and gave among them afterward xxv M. ducats which he had for the ransom of Mustaffa and the other xii. When Scanderbag had done this, he returned to Dagnio, & held that country in such travail, that he brought it all under his obedience, yet notwithstanding the Cities defended themselves, and chiefly Drivazzo, whiles Amesabeg Nephew to Scanderbag, spoiled the country about Drinazzo, the worthy Andre surnamed Angelo, descended of the Romans, which in time passed possessed the Empire of Constantinople, being Captain of Drivas tynes, ysued out of the town with such fury, and assailed the army of Scanderbag so worthily, that he put them to flight with great spoil of them, so that after that, it was always said that Scanderbag was always victorious, unless it were before Drivasto, but his excuse was, for that he was not present at that rencounter.  
In the end Scanderbag made peace with the venetians, upon condition that he should restore unto them all those places that he had taken from them, and in recompense thereof, he should have one part of the valley or strascte of Scutari, beginning at the bank of the river Drino toward Scutari, and so stretching out to a certain place called Busgiarpeni, which portions in deed were much more commodious for Scanderbag, than the town of Dagnio.  
When this agreement was made, Scanderbag spoke to the ambassador of Venise in sort as followeth, right honourable my lord ambassadors, it is the opinion of such as are wise where a man loveth once in deed, he must needs love alway, and peradventure the proverb hath hereof his beginning, which saith that the discord of friends: engendereth an increase of good will, wherefore I give your honours to understand, that notwithstanding our difference I have been alway well affected toward my lords of Venise, for so much as their state is most Christian, and that they are friends of all kind of virtue, wherefore I would not suffer at the battle of Scutari (the victory once being mine) to slay any more of their soldiers, and to the end that it shall be well seen that I am their friend in deed, I shall hold me well contented and satiffyed with any thing that may be commodious to their state, and for that they shall well understand that I make less account of mine own commodities, then of there's, I do make them a present of all the which is mine for the which we have had this difference and do hold myself as well contented, as if I had them continually in my possession, and further, I will them not to fear the turk, for I trust in God to defend both their state, and mine own also, and thus I commend me to your honours. When Scanderbag had this said, he embraced the ambassadors & returned into his country, when he came thither, he caused to take out of prison, Simon and Andre aforesaid, and when he had delivered them, he did them great honour and gave them great presents, in token of the goodwill that he bore to the Senate of Venise.  
At that same time Scanderbag made a great course into the turks country, and burned and spoiled all the country as he passed thorough, and brought a great proie from thence: whereupon the turk called unto him, all his consellours called in the turkish tongue, Vestri, & also his Bassas, Sangiachi, Captains, and others of his principal order of soldiers, and spoke unto them in this sort.  
I am marvelously troubled and amazed, with the manifold damages, and dishonours that I have received at the hand of Scanderbag, my mortal enemy, wherefore I do now determine to be revenged & to employ all my force possible against him, and so much the more for that I could never give him overthrow, but he hath always triumphed over my people, and over the venetians also in one instant, and now (for that he is a Christian) he hath made peace with them, and continually maketh wars against me, and maketh none account of me at all, in so much that he doth not only, not determine to deliver unto me that which he hath taken from me, but continually threatnethe to spoil me (as he hath all ready certified me by his letters) of the rest. Wherefore I do determine to make provision, and to use my whole force against him, wherefore I give you to understand that I will go thither in person, & first I will besiege the City of Croia and take it, and then all the rest of his state, wherefore make you ready, for woe shall he be, that is not ready at my mustres, Scanderbag was speedily advised of this great preparation, and with all speed furnished the City with all kind of necessaries and good soldiers, Albaneses of great experience and faith, he gave them for their general Vurana aforesaid and he in person stood well upon his guard, in this mean time there came a great number of turks into Scanderbegs country, and encampdd before Sfetigarde, a city that standeth from Croia. 58. miles, when Scanderbag understood of this, he went forthwith as secretly as he could and encamped within vii miles of the turkish army, with 4. thousand horsemen, & one thousand footmen and being thus encamped would not suffer day nor night any fire to be made within his camp by means whereof the enemy understood nothing of his being there, 
Note.  in this mean time Scanderbag determined to put in use a Strategeme, whereupon he willed the valiant Moses, 
A Strategeme.  and his Nephew Musachie de la Angelina to take with them xxx horsemen, and to disguise themselves and the next morning to attempt as though they would go into Sfetigard leading with them certain Asses loaded with corn, & it was so done according to his commandment, and in the morning as soon as the guard of the Turcks' camp saw them (thinking that they had been victuallers) they hasted to encounter them and when Moses with his companiones had fled a little way, he turned and charged the turks and forthewt slew viii of them, and hurt many: whereupon the rest suddenly fled and hasted them to the camp to declare the news, but the Bassa being very circumspect mistrusting (as it was in deed) that they were no rascals, considering the wounds, and great blows that they had given, commanded. 4. thousand horsemen to follow them, and to take them living, Moses which always had regard to his, seeing them come began to flee, and to hide him in a certain deep valley, & the Turcks followed their tract with great fury. 
Good providence of Scan.  In this mean while, Scanderbag who did attend such an occasion, furnished the entries of the valley and then with certain bands with him, entered the valley and charged them, & flew the greatest number of them, and the rest fled in marvelous disorder, and had it not been that the Bassa looked for Amorathe in person, he had then returned again with all his army into the turks country.  
After this the. 14 of may. 1449. this Tiran came to his camp in Albania with. 160. 
Sfetigard besieged by Amorathe  thousand turks, with many great bombards, and a great quantity of other artillery, & besieged Sfetigarde very straightly, where Pietro Parlato was Captain, who with his soldiers that he had out of high Dibra and the rest that were with him in that siege, behaved themselves so valiantly, that although they were continually occupied in the defence of their town, and in scaramoche, yet they always left with the best, 
Cysteren a place where in is received the rain water.  but in the end a certain traitor, did cast a ded dog into their chief cistern of the town, by means whereof the people were greatly consumed, and the Tiran Amorathe took the town, and in the beginning he did entertain this traitor very honourably, and gave him great presents, but after certain days he was no more seen of any, for in deed princes do often times love the treason, but not the traitor nor never trust them after, and therefore it is not to be marveled at, that the turk seeing such horrible villainy in a man, would never trust him after, considering that for his private lucre, he could be content to shed not only the blood of his countrymen, but also to destroy his religion, and betray his country. After this Amorathe went and besieged Croia round, and planted his batteries and battered for the space of. 4. montthes, notwithstanding he did them of the town small hurt for that the City was very strong on every side, and that they had within the town a plenteous fountain of goodly water, and an other very fair fountain behind the Castle, which the enemies could never possess. In the mean time that the turk besieged Croia in this sort, the noble prince Scanderbag, now in one place & then in an other, assailed the turks camp, and spoiled continually all such victuallers as came to his camp notwithstanding for that his number was very small he could not enforce them to raise their siege. In the end of the fourth month aforesaid Amorathe commanded to give a general assault to the town and to assail it round in the which he prevailed not, but returned from the assault with great spoil and loss of his people, 
the death of Amorathe.  for the which he took so great an inward grief that forthwith he died. Then the sorrowful, amazed dishonoured, and confounded turkish army, abandoned the siege, and returned home in great disorder, and were followed and spoiled in many places as they passed, and were very evil handled, in such sort, as they came home greatly diminished, and Scanderbag remained in his country with great triumph and victory, contynully praising the Almighty God.  
When Amorathe prince of the turks was dead Mahomethe his son succeeded him in his kingdom, he that was son to Hierenia, or Catagusma, daughter to George the Dispotto of Servia, and for that he was not yet surely established in his seat, he could do no great hurt, wherefore Scanderbag (being desirous to leave some heir of his body after him) took to wife that excellent fair, & virtuous lady named Doneca, daughter to Aranithe Conino, but as soon as Mahomethe the new Turckyshe prince was established in the seat of his father, he began immediately to threaten Scanderbag and could not endure that he should possess Croia, & Epirro, than Scanderbag with his. 2. thousand horsemen, and a thousand footmen, which were his ordinary guard, went to his confines, determining not to invade at all, unless that Mahomethe first began, and being in this sort upon his confines he understood that the turk had no army in readiness to send against him, and considering that it was needful to visit his country, he took with him his aforesaid wife, and made a visitation in his country, ministering justice in such sort, with mercy, that he was both honoured, loved, and feared, of both● more and less, a man mought safely have gone through all that country with horses loaded with gold & no man would have touched it. After this Scanderbag sent for a great number of masonnes and labourers, and went to a certain high mountain over the which there lieth away that leadeth from Turchie down into the country of Scanderbag, and upon the height of the same mountain he builded a fort of an exceeding force, and named it Medrissa, and then furnished it with all kind of necessaries and a good guard of footmen, which should at all times when they saw the power of the turk come, shoot of certain pieces of Artillery to advertise the country of their coming, to the end that they mought be ready to defend themselves, when Scanderbag had in this sort finished, and furnished his fort, he passed on with his army to his wont confines, but first he entered the turks country and sackaged it putting all to fire and sword without compassion.  
Then the aforesaid Mahomethe prince of the turks, desiring greatly the utter ruin and spoil of all the country of Scanderbag, sent against him a worthy Captain of his named Amesabeg, with xii 〈◊〉 chosen turks on horseback and as soon as this most vigillante Scanderbag hard the sound of the cannon, he leapt forthwith on horse, with his ordinary three thousand soldiers and passed on toward the turks, & as soon as he was come near unto them, he signed him with his wont sign of the cross, and with great fury charged them, 
The battle between Scan. and Amesabeg  and after that he had fought with them a certain time, he enforced them to disorder and to flee, following the chase with all speed possible, executing the enemies, with great terror and force. In the end Amesabeg was taken with diverse other Turcks of great account, and were presented to Scanderbag. Then Amesabeg with tears spoke to him in this sort, Ah thou worthy Scanderbag, thy highness doth know right well, that we do eat the bread of our master and lord, wherefore we can not but serve him, wherefore we beseech thine honour to use, some kind of mercy & cortesy towards us, for the love of God which thou dost worship, & for all the virtues of the same.  
Then Scanderbag as a magnanime prince answered in such sort, as he caused not only the prisoners, but also all those that were present with them to shed tears, after that in token that he pardoned them of their lives he caused them all to eat at his own table, and Amesabeg to eat at his own mess and in one dish which him and when he had in this sort comforted them he caused them to be safely kept, and appointed unto them honourable provision. In the end according to the covenants between them, there were paid for Amesabeg x. M. ducats, and for the rest iii M. and in this sort they were delivered. Then Scanderbag called his soldiers unto him and according to his custom distributed these sums of money unto them, notwithstanding certain of his chief soldiers who for their obedience towar●● him did not refuse to receive it, yet in his presence spoke frankly and under correction, saying, that not to seem to direct him, but to declare their opinion unto his highness, maruellinge much that he followed not the council of the old proverb, which sayeth, dead men do make no wars, but that he did always suffer his enemies so to departed with their lives, by means whereof they mought return an other time and annoy them. But Scanderbag answered them in such sort, that he satisfied them all very well, but his conclusion was that if they came again an other time, he would also take them, and distribute their ransom to his soldiers, & also he partly excused them, for that they lived by their lord, he said it was reason that they served him, when these words of Scanderbag came to the turks cares and also his cortesye toward all such as were taken prisoners, and how that he took ransom of such as were rich, and gave money to those that were poor and sent them home freely to their country, their common voice was in all places that there was but one Scanderbag in the world, and after him their should not come such an other, and in this sort it did grow into proverb amongst them and contynuethe to this day.  
When Mahomethe had received this difeicte, he sent forthwith an other Sangiacho named Debreambeg for his general, with xiiii M. turks, and as soon as Scanderbag understood that they began to approach to his confines, he took his horse with his soldiers, and road in the night thorough a great valley, and at the last came up the hill where the turks lay, without any suspection, and charged them upon the sudden, & whiles his soldiers were fighting with the turks he in person went directly to the tent of the Captain Debreambeg and found him in order ready to come forth whereupon he assailed him, 
Debreambeg slain.  and with his lance struck him clean through the belly, and then he returned to him, and with his sword struck of his head, & as soon as the turks understood of this, immediately they disordered themselves & fled, notwithstanding it proffyted them smally for the greatest number of them followed their Captain Debream. When this was done Scander beg distributed the spoil to his soldiers, and returned safely into his country with all his soldiers, with victory and triumph.  
After this Scanderbag being much offended with Mahomethe prince of the Turcks: went and encamped before a City of his called Belgrado (not that of Hungary) with xiiii M. soldiers on horse and foot, & left for the guard of his confines a famous and worthy Captain, named Moses which was of high Dibra, with 2. thousand soldiers footmen and horsemen, and when he had of a long time continued his siege and batteries Scanderbag left his cousin the lord Musachio Topia, which was son to the aforesaid Andre: Captain general of all his army, before that town, and appointed a guard alway to be forth of his camp, to that end that the turks should not take them unprovided, & then he departed from thence, and took with him. 3. thousand horsemen, and a thousand footmen, and went to visete certain places of his. In this mean time a Bassa of the turks called Sebalia came with xl thousand turks to raise the siege, and having by means of corruption had intelligence, with those traitors of the guard that was without the camp, unto whom he gave an exceeding great sum of money, by means whereof the guard suffered them to pass without giving any advertisement to them of the camp thereof, whereupon immediately they slew the general of the army, Musachio & put all the camp to flight in marvelous disoder, and followed them doing great execution upon them with great noises and cries. And by the providence of God Scanderbag was already on horseback, coming to visit his camp, with his. three thousand horsemen, and one thousand footmen, & as soon as he heard this great noise, he suspected the treason of the guard. Then he put spurs to his horse and with all speed came into his camp, where he saw the turks making great spoil of his people, he charged them with such force that in manner in one instant, in despite of them, he made them to leave of, saving that one part of them continued still the chase: which so kindled Scanderbag, and his worthy soldiers, that the force of the turks could by no means stand against them, 
Sebalia, defected.  but as they were wont turned their backs & fled, toward the City to their great shame. Then Scanderbag like a worthy Captain thought it good no further to follow them, iudgeinge it to be a great grace of God, that he had so at an instant delivered his people from death, and therefore sounded the retreicte and passed into his country safe, with honour, and when he made a revewe of his army, he found that there were slain of his soldiers. 2. thousand horsemen, and. 3. thousand footmen, which for the more part, were come out of Apuglia with the aforesaid Musachio his cousin and Captain general, and there were of them taken four score, which did much offend the mind of Scanderbag, within few days after he supplied his army, and went again to the siege of Belgrado, but the Citizens and turks that were within sent an ambassador to Scanderbag, who behaved himself so wisely, that he contented Scanderbag in such sort, that he returned suddenly back again, & dissolved his army.  
After this Scanderbag with his. 3. thousand horse men, & one thousand footmen, returned to his confines to his acustumed places, and when he came there, he licenced the. 2. thousand soldiers which there were, under the conduct of the aforesaid Moses.  
This Moses for his virtues, and worthiness, was so much embraced and favoured of Scanderbag, as any man that was with him: in token whereof Scanderbag had given him many towns, and great possessyones, armours, weapons, horse, apparel, jewels, cloth of gold, and silk, with great sums of money, notwithstanding after this overthrow of Scanderbegs people this Moses was out of hope that ever Scanderbag should be able to defend his country, whereupon he began to contemn him, and left his service and went to the turk aforesaid, 
Moses revoltethe.  and offered him to chase Scanderbag out of his country, so that he would deliver him xv. thousand chosen turks: with this condition, that when he had banished Scanderbag, that then he mought remain lord of the country, painge yearly to the turk such tribute as he should think good to appoint him to pay. This offer pleased the tyrant marvelously and he gave unto him very attentive ear: and answered Moses, that if he could bring that to pass, he would furnish him in every respect, and grant him all his demands, and for that that Moses said that he would flay Scanderbag, and would challenge him openly to fight with him upon the field in singular battle, the turk promised him to give unto him a hundred thousand ducats so that he brought unto him the head of Scanderbag, and also he would have no tribute at all of him for Scanderbegs country: but it should suffice him to have him obedient, faithful, and his good friend, & for the greater assurance he commanded to put all these conditiones in writing.  
Then Moses took his journey & passed on with his xv. thousand chosen turks well monted, & came against Scanderbag thorough Thracia, and Macedonia. As soon as Scanderbag understood of this practice, he did unite his army to the number of r. thousand men, on horse, and foot, and went to tarry the coming of Moses in the plains of the base Dibra. When Moses was come into those plains and saw the army of Scanderbag in so good order, he became even amazed, & went forth from his people, and with loud voice challenged Scanderbag to fight with him in singular battle, using against him many villainous words, but Scanderbag with more sharp voice answered, saying, o thou rebel meet for the gallows, tarry, and I will soon make the to repent thee of that, whereof thou thinkest not to repent the at all, than many of Scanderbeges soldiers were much offended with him and would have gone forth out of their squadrone to fight with him man, to man, but Scanderbag with incredible fury spurred his horse toward him, so that they were both out from their people, and as soon as Moses beheld the troubled there, and furious countenance, of his lord, he began forthwith to flee, and returned into his squadrone, and Scanderbg followed with great fury, but he could not over get him wherefore he returned to his people.  
Then when all things were in that order that he would, he commanded them with a loud voice to follow him, and they all being already exceedingly wroth followed him, but he being in a great fury was the first that struck upon them, and the turks were exceedingly amazed to see that most shameful flight of Moses their Captain, 
Moses' defected.  and almost with the first charge, were put to flight, so that a few of them ever returned home, Moses went again to the turk, but he was not only, suffered to come to his presence, but also was greatly laughed at: and scorned, and esteemed to be a vile manand of no worthiness. Then Moses became almost desperate, and began to discourse in himself what he were best to do, he could find no means whereby he mought remedy his evil, in such sort as he mought with his honour show himself in any place of the world, considering that he had in this sort purchased the name of a traitor, in the end being moved in conscience he called to god for mercy: and then he was fully persuaded to put his trust in God, and in Scanderbag, who had diverse and sundry times pardoned penitent offenders. Then he disguised himself, and came into Albania secretly, with a cord about his neck, casting himself down at the feet of Scanderbag with trembling, and tears demanded mercy. Then Scanderbag forth with put forth his hand, and took him up, and began to discourse with him, even as though there had ben never any offence made against him discoursing of the practises that the turk had framed against him. Then Scanderbag commanded to apparel him honourably, and when they had supped he restored him to all his livings & goods that before were confiscate, in token that he had frankly pardoned him.  
After this when Scanderbag saw Moses' faithful and diligent in all his affares he received him into his faveur, as before, and accepted him better.  
When the turk understood the continual victory of Scanderbag against him, and against his father in his life time, he gathered a great army and sent Isaahe, Bassa of Romania, Captain general with xl. thousand men against Scanderbag, & as soon as they were come into his country, Scanderbag seemed to be in great fear and fiedde into Alessio a City of the Vene tianes. Then the turks were out of doubt of Scanderbag, and so ran over his country at their pleasure, even to the very sea, but they could raise no proie great nor lesser, for that he commanded them before hand to flee with their goods and cattle into places of force and security, so that the turks found themselves greatly deceived and abused, the same night they lodged upon the side of the river called Mathias, and rested them as though they had been at home in their country, but Scanderbag enemy of all sluggishness, the day following about nun came with his. 7. thousand horsemen to a mountain which joined to the plain where they encamped, & then with certain of his Captains went up to the top of the hill, to consider, and behold in what strength his enemies did lie, and whether he mought have any occasion to assail them upon the sudden. When Scanderbag was upon the height of the mountain, he saw the turks lying without guard under the trees in shodowe, and in their tents, for it was in the hottest time of the summer, and in the midst of the day: wherefore he departed from the mountain and went to horse with all his soldiers and began to ride in great haste toward the turks, & met with their scout, and slew them immediately all saving one, who with the speed of his horse escaped to the camp crying in this sort Scanderbag is bear, Scanderbag is here. But Scanderbag in person followed him, and could not overgett him for that he had so much ground before him at the first. Then Scanderbag commanded to sound the alarm with all such instruments as they had and then gave in upon them with such force (unprovided as they were) that in the first charge he put them in such disorder, and flight as was marvelous to see, so that he slew of them there. 30. thousand upon the place, and all the ever the Sangiacho Amesabeg (nephew to Scanderbag & rebel against him) could do or say could not stay them from ronning away, 
Amesabeg Mesithbeg taken.  wherefore in the end this same Amesabeg, with Mesithebeg, both Sangiachi, with 500 turks more were taken prisoners, and Isaac the Bassa, 
Isaac Bassa put to flight.  with such scattered turks as were living fled and was followed for a certain time and great execution done upon his people. After this Scanderbeh divided the spoil to his soldiers, according to his acustumed order, there were slain of his sovidiours. 60.  
This done he returned to his confines, and made acourse into the country of his enemies and sacaged it, & burned a great part thereof, and returned into his country with an exceeding great boutie safely, & gave thancks to God for his great victory.  
The turk rested not for this but sent new bands to guard his confines with two other Captains, the one of them was named Hannebeg, and the other Sinanbeg with expressed commandment not to deal with Scanderbag, nor to enter his country, unless they received from him other commission, and this he did for that he saw he could not overcome Scanderbag, and therefore he determined to prove if he mought prevail against some other princes, wherefore he took in hand first the enterprise against the Imperial City of Constantinople, & in short time took it, flew the Emperor thereof with an infinite number of Citizens and other Christians, & then conquered all his state, in the year. 1453. After this he went against the afore named Dispotto of Servia, a prince of great wealth possessing a marvelous mass of gold and silver by mean of certain mines that he had not withstanding, he chased him out of his country, in the year. 1459. 
The king of Bossina put to death in miserable sort.  After this he went against the king of Bossina, and took him & caused him to be sawed a sunder in the midst, and took his state.  
Then Scanderbag beholding the great prosperity of his enemy (in the prejudice and subversion of the Catholic faith, threating also to take the countries of diverse Christian princes) determined to go and encounter with the two Captains aforesaid.  
In this mean time the ambassadors of the pope Pio the. 
Faro the strait at Misena between Scicill & the main land of Italy.  2. and of the king Ferrante king of Puglia, and of Scicile, passed the Fero and went to Scanderbag saying, most noble prince, we give thine excellenty to understand in the behalf of our lords, and Masters, that the Duke john, son to the king Renato of France is come with a great power of Frenshe men, into the kingdom of Sicily against your dear friend the king Ferrante, and there are revolted against the king (taking part with the aforesaid Duke) the princes of Taranto, and Bossano, with the greatest part of the nobility of that kingdom, and he hath entertained in his pay the County james Piocinino with all his regiment so that his army is very great and strong, and he hath already conquered the whole kingdom, saving only Napls, Capua, Auersa, Gaieta, Troia, and Barletta, where the king is now straightly besieged, and in danger to be taken, and the power of the pope and the king can not pass over to secure him, wherefore the pope's holiness, and our king also, desire your highness in most earnest wise, that it may please you to come into Puglia in his favour, and when the ambassadors had this said they presented unto him the pope's bulls which the kings letters, wherein there was contained the like of that, which they had declared by mouth.  
Then Scanderbag being greatly affected towards the pope's holiness, and the holly catholic church of Rome, and for that also he was entered into great fryndshippe with the king Alfonso, father to Ferrante, fermer, and tributary to the aforesaid bishop, he determined to aid him with all his power possible, and so after great entertainment made to the ambassadors he licenced them in very cortese sort, and forth which sent one of his chief Captains his Nephew, named Cairo Stroisio, a man of great understanding, and worthiness with. 500 chosen horsemen, who passed the sea, and landed in that part of the country that yet held for the king Ferrante, where he did great good by means of his worthiness.  
In the mean ty●e Scanderbag made a truce forone year with the T●●cke, by means whereof he had as good opportunity as he could have wished for so much as shortly before the arivale of the ambassadors aforesaid, there came a messenger from the turk, to demand peace of Scanderbag, but he was departed without grant thereof, for he was fully determined to deal with the turks Captains that lay upon the confines, but as soon as he understood of this, he sent his currevers after the ambassador and caused him to return, and then concluded the aforesaid truce.  
After this he committed his state into the hands of his well-beloved wife, and others, his most faithful friends and appointed to defend them a worthy Captaie with sufficient number of soldiers, and when he had hired a great number of ships, and galleys and other vessels for the sea, he caused his army to embarcke in them being well furnished of horses and coursers of great price, and with abundance of virtual, and then he caused them to set sail: and in short space he arrived at Ragusio, and he with certain with him landed there, and was by the chief of that place honourably received. And when they had a long time talked together, he went to the church to hear service, and then took his leave and went aboard and set sail, & having a prosperous wind, in short time approached near to Barletta, & when the Duke john, and the county james and the rest of the nobility, saw so many sails, they judged Scanderbag to be there, for it was bruited that Scanderbag would come and aid the king, whereupon they raised their camp and went to encamp at a certain place from thence, far of. In this mean time Scanderbag landed, and the king forthwith went out of Barletta and came and embraced Scanderbag, weeping for joy, giving thanks to God, and then to him, for so great courtesy, and grace, after this Scanderbag caused to unshippe his furniture, to comfort the king, and all the rest of his people: and the next morrow he road into the country which had rebelled against the king aforesaid, and brought from thence and exceeding great proie of cattle of all sorts and drove it to Barletta, and for the space of all that day, there was made great joy in hope of victory, and the morning following he made an oration to his soldiers, in form as followeth.  
My dear friends, 
Scan. to his souldours.  the cause of our being here as now is to aid and secure the king Ferrante our friend, whom in one moment by gods help, we have delivered from a perilous siege, hitherunto: without drawing our sword wherefore to make an end of this enterprise, it is needful to use our weapons very skilfully, and to keep very good order, in such sort, as the king may recover the country that he hath lost: which thing can not be done without giving battle, fighting the same with great assurance, and in marvelous perfect and strong order, but I think not that you will do otherwise here in Italy, than you have done in Albania against the Turcks, and other our enemies notwithstanding, this may not be unadvisedly taken in hand forsomuch as these the kings enemies, are italians, and Frenshe men and are armed surely even from the head to the foot, having lances of great force and stocks both strong, and well piercinge, wherefore if we should stand firmly and receive their charge, they would handle us very rudely, and we should be able smally to anoie them, for that our armour is slender in comparison of there's, we were jacks of mail, Targes, long and slender lances, and although that our sword and Scymytaries be heavy, and that some of them will cut any kind of iron, yet all this is in manner nothing, considering that their number doth far exceed ours, and they be men of greater virtue and force then are the turks, wherefore with such enemies it behoveth us to deal discreetly and valiantly, putting our trust in God to obtain victory, according as we are acustmed to do, wherefore it behoveth you to observe this order thoroughly that I shall now give you, we will go and seek these the kings enemies, and when we shall find them, we will without delay offer to charge them, & if they will offer to countrecharge us, we will then seem to rone away, and after the will torn suddenly upon them, for when they have followed us a little time, they will be soon weary for they can endure no great travail, for they are loaded with heavy armour, and their horses are great, and heavy, and will be soon weary: but we are able to endure to the end of any travail, and then will we with our sword, Scymytars, and Mases, so beat them about the heads that we will enforce them to fall from their horses half dod and using the matter in this sort there is no doubt but that we shall obtain the victory, truth it is for that they are baptised, it grieveth me much, but there is no remedy, 
Great blasphemy  for every man is bound to defend himself, & we have the right on our side, and the pope's blessing and grace, who is lord of the whole world, both in spiritual, and temporal matters, for that he is Christ's lieutenant, wherefore I pray you and also command you, that every man enforce himself (more now then ever he did) to do well, for that we are in a strange coum trey, and are enforced to obtain this victory for the glory of God, and the wealth and commodity of our friends and for our own honour, and to the loss and dishonour of our enemies.  
The next morning following Scanderbag with his soldiers, went with great assurance to see the kings enemies, and he attempted a scaramothe to see the manner of his enemies, and in what order they fought, but they behaved themselves valiantly for a long time, 
judgement of Scan.  and in the end they were weary, and there were thirty. of them ftayne, and xx. taken prisoners, and of those of Scanderbag there were only iiii. hurt, & in this sort Scanderbag returned victoriously to Barletta.  
The next day following in the morning, Scanderbag returned again to the enemies determining to fight with them all that day, and the night following he divided his army into three squadrons, 
The order of Scan.  the one of them he would leave in person, the other he committed to the conduct of Moses a notable Captain of his, and the other he gave in charge to the county Gintrizza his most valiant. Nephew, and he presented these three squadrons and assailed the enemy in three sundry places at once, and the battle continued all that day and in the end the enemies were weary, wherefore, that most subtle county james determined to find a remedy, for that most eminent peril wherein he was, and therefore went forth of his squadrone, and with a loud voice called saying, most noble prince Scanderbag, may it please the that I may safely, come to speak with thine excellenty of matters that shall in no wise displease thee, Scanderbag answered that he should go, and come safe upon his faith, than the county replied requiring him that it mought please him, to come forth of his squadrone, and he would do the like to the end that they might talk together from their companies, whereupon Scanderbag without any difficulty went forth from his squadrone accompanied with a few soldiers, and when he came near where the county was, he caused his soldiers to stay a part from him, than james said my lord our talk will require some time wherefore may it please your highness that for this day the battle cease, and that commandment be so given to both the armies, Scanderbag was well contented, than the county was very glad and began to talk of peace, and amity, both to the honour of the king Ferrante and also to the honour of Scanderbag. And as they were thus talking, Moses and Gintrizza, two of his Captains brought in four squadrons of soldiers which they had taken prisoners, 
Squadre of totemen 20. of men at arms 25.  and presented them to Scanderbag. Then the county began to be affrayed & suddenly feigned a jollity, and said he doubted not at all, but trusted wholly in the prome● of Scanderbag, who answered, behold I give them all to you, notwithstanding that they were all taken before the commandment was given to the armies, and then he caused them to be set at liberty, in the end. When Scanderbag had understood the opinion of the county in certain points he answered that it was needful to take good advise, upon these matters, and to understand the kings pleasure in that behalf, and to give answer the next day following, when he had thus said, they took leave the one of the other, for that it was very late. In the mean time as Scanderbag made him ready to go toward Barletta, a soldier of the counties came to Scanderbag, and showed him that all the parliament that the county held with him, was but very deceit, only to to deliver his army which was so weary, that of necessity they must have been overthrown, and also for that he had practised with some of his soldiers, to see if that they could betray Scanderbag, and take him living and this was the only cause why he came forth in person out of his squadrone, for if Scanderbag had not given ear to him but continued still the battle, there is no doubt but that he had overthrown all the army for they were all ready so weary, that they were determined to yield themselves. Then Scanderbag more furious than any Lion, cried out with a terrible voice saying, O the most wicked murderer & thou county james thou traitor Ganio, was it not snfficient for the with craft and subtility in this sort to avoid the destruction of thy flugguyshe and unprofitable army, but that thou must under pretence of so poisoned a friendship, seek to betray me which am innocent. Wherefore look well to thyself for to morrow thou shalt be recompensed for thy well doings, when he had thus said he departed with his people, and went to Barletta, and when he had supped he commanded to give his horse's provender, and rewarded the soldier that revealed this matter, and departed in the night by the moan light with all his soldiers with him towards the enemy, and when he came to the place where they encamped the night before, he found all the army gone, for Zachuria Groppa, one of the counts soldiers declared unto the county even as it came to pass, wherefore the count with his army departed with speed, and went to enrampe, to a place that was far of. Then Scanderbag returned, and the next morning he took the king in company with him, and mingled their soldiers, to avoid strife, and then went on following the tract of the enemy, and in short time they discovered them, & he caused to march on the one side Frederick Duke of Urbine lieutenant of the pope's army, and Alexandre Sforza lieutenant & brother, to the Duke of Milane, who desired earnestly that they mought so pass over, than when they had all things in order, they marched on to a City called Troia. The Duke john with the county james and all his army were in a City called Nucera from Troia viii. miles, according to the measure of Apulia, between which two Cities their was a mountain called Segiano, from Troia two miles, and from Nucera viii. miles, Scanderbag therefore, knowing that the armies must fight, between those two Cities, rose up in the night, and with his soldiers went and took that hill, and furnished it with men sufficient to defend it, to the end that if peradventure the king's power should be overthrown, they mought take that hill and defend themselves, the county james who in deed was skilful, and of great experience in wars, meant also to take the same hill, and therefore he departed also in the morning betime to take the hill, & when he found that Scanderbag had already taken it where with he was very sorry, and said to certain of his most trusty friends: that he was then out of all hope of victory, notwithstanding he left not of for that, but did in every respect the office and duty of a good Captain, exhorting and encoraginge his soldiers, putting them also in order according to the time, & place. The next morning they determined to give battle and made them ready on both sides, enbattayled their people, 
The batbetwene the Duke john and Scan.  and encountered, the fight was between them most terrible, and continued till the evening in the end the Duke's army was so overthrown, and spoiled, that he was glad that he mought return into France with shame, and dishonour, and with the loss in manner of all his Frenshe bands, in likewise the county james, which all the infortunate noble men of Apuglia, fled thorough most difficult passages every man his way, and it was the great grace of god that they escaped with their lives. Then the king was delivered from his enemies with great glory, and triumph, through the worthiness of the magnanime, puissant, and victorious prince Scanderbag. After this the aforesaid king Ferrante, road with Scanderbag to see if that he could recover his Cities, and towns, which he had lost, he entered into Naples in great triumph, and afterward went on their journey notwithstanding, many Cities, and towns continued in their former purpose, and would in no wise obey the king Ferrante, but said that they would rather die with their weapons in their hands, then to yield them into his wicked hands, for they were well assured that he would be revenged on them, and would observe no promise with them, but they were contented to yield them to Scanderbag upon his faithful promise, in the end when the king, and Scanderbag had talked together, it was agreed that the king should swear to perform all promise that should be made in his name, and that Scanderbag should promise his subjects and assure them thereof: otherwise they would not yield but would fight it out to the uttermost, for it seemed unto him a thing most unseemly for a Christian prince, to break his faith, which is the seal of his salvation, & every Christian is bound to observe it, even to his enemies. Then the king swore openly that he would perform in every respect what so ever his good father Scan. 
The oath of king Ferrante.  should promise, when this was done, Scanderbag went and assured them all that the king should perform his promise in every respect, and should use them all as his very friends, and loving subjects by means whereof all places wheresoever he came yielded unto him, but as soon as Scanderbag entered into any place he caused to set up the ensigns of the king Ferrante and made them swear fidelity, and obedience to the king. In this mean time Fusano a Sicillian, a man of great prows, a rebel, and a mortal enemy to the king aforesaid was then in the City of Trani, in the fort thereof, and with the soldiers that he had, he made continual wars against the king Ferrante & did greatly annoy him, wherefore Scanderbag being much moaned therewith, rote to Trani and took it and Fusano also, who for that he would be set at liberty and mought have means to escape, commanded his Nephew to yield the fort into the hands of Scanderbag. When this was done, Scanderbag set Fusano at liberty and suffered him to run his way. When Scanderbag had recovered again all the kings Cities, towns, and forts, which were wont to obey him, he went strait to the king and restored him to them all, praying with great instancy, and modesty his highness, to perform and keep all his promises which he had made to his subjects: which thing the king promised, and fulfilled for the great good will that he bore unto Scanderbag. Then the king caused to make solemn triumphs. jousts torneys, and huntings, with other sumptuous shows. After this he gave to all Scanderbegs Captains, and chief soldiers, great presents and gifts, & to Scanderbag he gave certain fair castles in Apuglia, and then after great thanks, & cortese offres of both parts Scanderbag returned into Albania safely, when the Albaneses understood of the coming of their lord, with so great triumph and victory, the chief of them went to do reverence unto him, and to visit his highness, with great presents & gifts of victual, as fat Calves young Oxen, Kids, lambs, Weathers, Feisants, Partridges Quails, Tortelles, Thrusshes, Woodcokes, Snipes, Plwers, Hens, Pigiones, Capones, Hares, Conniesred Dear, Valoe, Dear, Boars, guise, and other beasts, and fowls, both great, and small, wild and tame with all kind of other victuals, and with fish notwithstanding, his court was alway very well furnished of victuals (besides these presents) for he had in his court that lived by his meat, and drink. 5300. persons, and his custom was to give meat & drink to all his subjects, that came about any suits thither he entertained very honourably all such as came to visit him, his chief counsellors sat always at his own table: every man in his degree, often times he would cause them to drink out of his own cup: a thing in that country of great estimation, as when a soldier hath put himself in great peril for the safety of his prince in token of the great favour that he bore him: he would some time drink to him, & cause him to drink out of his own cup.  
After this Scanderbag went to his confines to visit his Captain that he had left there? When he went into Apuglia, and there he made great banquets to his Captain and all his soldiers and gave to diverse of his friends, and thief soldiers great gifts, to some he gave apparel of cloth of gold, to others silk to some scarlate & other colours, to some he gave horses to others money, to some one thing, and to others an other, according to every man's deservings, so that every man was very well pleased, beside this he never denied alms, to any poor man that asked him for Christ's sake, and in those days he gave great alms, and chiefly to the sons of those noble men that had been chased out of their countries by the turks, and to diverse noble strangers that came to him from far, to whom he gave not only money and apparel, but also possessiones to maintain them honestly, to live like christians in the fear of god. When the turk understood that Scanderbag was returned safely with such triumph, and honour it grieved him much as it is well known, for Mahomethe did never understand that Scanderbag had been in Apuglia in person, but thought that he had sent only that Captain Coico with. 500 horses to the king aforesaid for if the turk had understood that Scanderbag had gone in person, he had (notwithstanding the truce) employed all his force to destroy, spoil, and conquer all his country.  
When the truce was ended the turk gave commandment to his Captain that he should in no wise invade Scanderbag, unless that he began with him, and in this mean time he went with his army against the Dispoto of Morea, a man of great estimation, he chased him out of his country, 
Morea taken by the turk.  and conquered it, in the year. 1460.  
After this he went against the Emperor of Trebisonda, he took and conquered all his state. After this he went against the Isle of Meteline and immediately took it, after this he marched against the Duke Stephano Hierceco, and took from him all his country, saving the castle of Novi, which standeth upon the mouth of Cataro, and at this present is possessed by the Turcks. The same Tiran took also many other places that did appertain to the Christians, by means whereof he was become much more puissant than before, when the turk saw himself in this sort victorious, and triumphant, by means of the great enlarging of his state, he determined to make wars upon Scanderbag wherefore he appointed to Sinan his Bassa aforesaid 23. thousand turks horsemen, giving him commandment to go upon the sudden and to assail Scanderbag, whereof as soon as Scanderbag was advertised, 
Synan Bassa sent against Scan. and defiected.  he sent for five thousand soldiers more, horsemen & footmen, to the. 3. thousand which he had already with him, & then departed, with great silence in the night, & laid his people upon the way that the turk must pass, & took an hill which is not far from a place celled Mocre over the which hill, the turks must in any wise pass when the Turcks were come to the foot of that hill, they began to go up toward the height thereof, not thinking any thing at all of Scanderbag, and immediately he caused to sound the a alarm, & with such force charged those scattered turks (in such sort) that he put them to flight in such disorder, that none of them turned for his fellow. But Scanderbag continued still the chase, until that he had slain the greatest party of them beside those that he took prisoners. After this he distributed all the proie to his soldiers, who through their continual exercise in battle, 
Note what exercise doth  were become invincible so that they were of exceeding noble minds, all fear was banished out of their heads, they could endure all kind of travail and misery, this was the only cause why Scanderbag obtained so many victories, I say the second cause, for the first was the grace of god. The next day following Scanderbag made a great course in to the turks country, and took an exceeding great proye, and returned into his country safely with all his.  
After this the turk sent an other Captain of his called Assambeg, with an exceeding great army into Albania, and sought a battle with Scanderbag, & with in short space all the chief conductors of his army were slain, 
Assambeg defected.  whereupon the turks fled and the greatest number of them were slain, & the Bassa was hurt in the right arm with an arrow, and for that it was late he with drew himself with certain with him, in to a secret place. But Scanderbag being advertised her of, went the next morning to the place where he was, and then Assambeg came forth to him without any weapon, and used so good words toward him that he merited pardon.  
After this the Bassa jussubeg took in hand to encounter Scanderbag, with an army of .18. thousand turks, and came near a place called Scopia: notwithstanding, he had not so evil hap as the infortunate Assambeg had, 
jussubeg defected.  for Scanderbag passed on and met him upon the way as he was coming, and charged him upon the sudden and put him, and his people to flight. Yet notwithstanding, the vain desire of fame and glory, stirred up the old Carazabeg which had been a companion with Scanderbag, in the wars of Anatolia, and other places, who had done the turk great service, wherefore he went to the turk, and so persuaded with him that in the end he obtained licence to choose as many soldiers as he would, to take with him, whereupon he chose. 30. thousand horsemen, and made him ready, to go to seek Scanderbag, and to assail him upon the sudden but Scanderbag being advertised hereof, went against him passing thorough the two countries of Dibra until he came to the confines of Triballe, where it was certified unto him, 
Carazabeg experimented in wars.  that Carazabeg must pass, as soon as he came there he was ware of. 4. thousand turks, which Carazabeg had sent before to discover his passage but coming into the bosom of Scanderbegs army, the greatest number of them were immediately slain which when the Bassa understood, he was excedingely sorry, and chiefly for that he was so discovered: more than for the death of his soldiers.  
Then this subtle old Ruter sent to Scanderbag a messenger, requiring him to fight with him like a prince in appointed battle, and not upon suddenness in such sort like a stradarolle and thief, seeking alway to take the enemy unprovided. But Scanderbag being as circumspect as he, and knowing well the decepte of the old man, who would seem to blame that in an other man, that he himself would feignest have brought to pass, if that by any means he mought, Scanderbag sent him answer, saying, 
Celerity doth much prevail in wars.  I will answer the old foolish follow well enough. Then whiles Carazabeg did consult of the matter according to the manner of old men, Scanderbag with his army in very good order, came and assailed the army of Carazabeg with such force, and noise, that it was not possible for one of them to hear an other, & by means of the great rain, and wind that then was Scanderbag could not follow the chase acordingely as he was wont to do, although he handelled them very rudely. But Carazabeg being greatly ashamed and confounded, took the shortest way to Constantinople, where he was not a little rebuked of the great turk, and also mocked, after that by means of his friends, he was well commended of that Tiran, for that he had passed the journey with less charges, and spoil of his people, than any of the rest of his Bascias had done, & brought away his people with less slaughter.  
When Mahomethe saw that he could by no means obtain his purpose against Scanderbag, he then determined to prove whether he might deceive him or no, wherefore he determined to send to him for peace, to the end that he might proceed against other princes in the mean time without let of Scanderbag, wherefore he sent an ambassador to him, with a letter, and great presents, 
A letter from the Turk to Scan.  beside the cloth of gold, and silk, that he sent him, who received the ambassador with his letter in very cortese sort. The tenor of his letter was. The lord Mahomethe the mighty king, and Emperor, of all parts of the world, from the east to the west, to the noble prince Scanderbag greating: we give thy worthiness to understand, that notwithstanding the great offences that thou hast committed against our house and state, yet when I call to mind, and consider the great travails and pains and the worthy and excellent acts, that thou hast so faithfully wrought, for the conservation, increase, and honour, of our state, when thou were oftage with our father Amorathe and diddest eat his bread in Andrinople, and were more favoured, and honoured in his court, than any other Sangiacho, Bassa (or good servant) that he had. I can not but forget all the aforesaid offences, wherefore I give the to understand that I have determined to pardon the all offences, and to become thy friend, and to make a perfect peace with thee, upon this condition, that y● wilt suffer, that my people may pass safely thorough thy country, to make wars upon the venetians, my enemies and in consideration hereof. I will frankly give the all that that thou possessyst in Albania, which of right did appertain to my father, and from henceforth I will call the prince of the Epirotes, and will do the all the pleasure and honour possible, I will also that for performance of this peace, thou send me john thy son, whom I will use as though he were mine own son, and moreover, for that that I do desire to see the personally for the great fryndshyppe that hath been of a long time between us, may it please the to come and visit me that we may rejoice together, and god doth well know the great entertainment that I will make y●, I would also that thou wouldest grant that the merchants of mine Empire mought safely pass thorough thy country, and I will grant the like to the merchants of thy country, and thou mayest credit my servant, & ambassador Mustaffa the bringer hereof, and whatsoever he shall say unto thee, I will perform, from Constantinople the second of May. 1461.  
When Scanderbag had red this letter he smiled, and then talked a great time with the ambassador, & by him wrote answer to the turks letter, in this sort. The soldier of jesus Christ, George Castrioth sometime named Scanderbag, 
Answer to the turks letter.  prince of the Albaneses, & Epirotts, to the most excellent prince of the turks Mahomethe sendeth greating. By thine ambassador, and letter. I have understood the mind of thine excellenty in certain points, whereunto I answer, first that the venetians, beside all other fryndshippes that are between them and me, by the which we do estime here our states as one, are so honest good christians, and do so well observe their promises, that although there were none other hand of our Catholic faith, under pain of greater excomminycation, that christians should not willingly permit the heathens to annoy christians, I for the aforesaid virtues, & goodness that is in them, may never condescend to this first demand, for so much as I am not returned to the Christian faith to stand a cursed, nor hurt such as be faithful. As touching that, that thy highness saith thou wilt from henceforth call me prince of the Epirotts, that shall not offend me at all for thou shalt do but right to give me that title, which God of his goodness hath given me, for his own honour. And where thy highness requireth my only son john, which is the solase of his mother, this thing also I may not grant: having noyssue but only him, for I am careful of him, and can not otherwise answer thee, and as to that thy maiesrie saith thou desirest to seem personally, for the great friendship that hath ben between us of long time, I say also that if it were a thing that mought be done without peril I would soon do it, but now for so much as God hath appointed me to be absent from thee in this sort, I do think, that as it doth suffice me, so it should suffice thee to see and behold me with the eyes of thy mind. And to this last where thou sayest that thou wouldest that the merchants of our countries should safely traffic the one, into the others country thorough out in all places, I am contented to make peace with thee with this last condition, and offer myself (in all just and reasonable cause) to be at thy commandment, and thus far well. And what I want in writing thy ambassador shall certify the by mouth, from our camp the. 30. of may. 1461.  
When Scanderbag had ended his letter, the ambassador departed, and carried the letter to the turk, & after that by commandment of the turk within 40. days, he returned to Scanderbag with an other letter: of this tenor. 
another letter to Scan. from the turk.  The lord Mahomethe, the mighty prince, and Emperor of all parts of the world, from the East, to the west, to the magnificent prince Scanderbag prince of the Epirotts, sendeth greeting. By Mustaffa my servant & ambassador, & by thy letter responsyve I do understand in what sort thou art content to make peace with me, and also how thou dost excuse thyself as touching certain of my demands, wherefore to show how much I do favour thee, and how greatly I do tender thy state, I am content to make a perfect peace with thee, according to thine own will, and as I have already of mine own goodwill called the prince of Epirro, so will I alway from henceforth call thee, & of my liberality I do frankly give thee, all the state that thou at this day dost possess, as well that which appertaineth to me in the right of my father, as the rest. And credit Mustaffa my servant and ambassador, for whatsoever he shall promise in my behalf, I will perform, and agreeing with him, thou shalt confirm the peace, which thou shalt sign with thine own hand, & seal with thy seal, and send me, farewell, from Constantinople the. 22. of june. 1461.  
When the peace was in this sort concluded, and published in all places, between Scanderbag and the turk the Senate of Venise, by common consent of the Senataurs in the time of Christofero Mauro, being then their Duke, sent into Albania a new lieutenant, a man of great understanding, named Gabriel Devisano, to the end that he should be much in the company of Scanderbag, and to prove with his perswasiones, if that he could cause him to break the peace that he had made with the turk, who made cruel wars upon the venetians, notwithstanding Scanderbag remained constant and firm, for sundry respects, and chiefly for that he saw his people glad, and desirous of peace, considering the long wars that they had endured.  
When a certain time wss passed, the aforesaid lieutenant of the venetians, went to the Arch bishop of Durazzo, which was in great estimation not only in all that province, but also in Rome, and diverse other parts of Italy, and did right well deserve it, for he was of a very good nature, learned in the Greek, and latin, eloquent, well seen both in Divinity and humanity, beloved of all men, and honoured chiefly of the princes of Albania, and especially of Scanderbag, who reposed him wholly upon him, his name was Paulo Angelo, he was son to the aforesaid Andre, Captain of Drivaste, of the excellency of whose house I mean not to speak any furdre, for that it is manifestly known. This lieutenant declared the mind of the Senate to the aforesaid most reverend Arch Byshope, whose house being of ancient friendship with the state of Venise, and besides that for other sundry good respects (as soon as he understood of this) he went forth with to Scanderbag, where thorough the credit, authority, and affiance that Scanderbag had in him, he so persuaded, that calling together diverse other noble me, and soldiers of great understanding, they concluded with the Arch Byshope, who aleged the infidelity of the turks, and how that they never kept their promise, but to serve themselves with all, and with such like arguments, he brought to pass, that he joined Scanderbag, and the venetians in such an amity and fryndshyppe, as ever after continued between them. And for this there was made great joy in every place.  
After this the turk promised to give an hundred thousand ducats to who so ever could flay the Arch bishop, and. 2. hundred thousand to whosoever would present him unto him living. Then Scanderbag upon the sudden gathered together his army, and made a road into the Turcks country and raised a proie of. S. hundred thousand sheep. 60. thousand head of Kyen, Oxen, and Bullocks, and. 3. thousand Mares, with their colts, which were of the Tnrckes own race, 
Scan. taketh an exceeding great proie out of the turks dominions.  he took beside this great riches, and burned a great piece of the country, and returned home safe, and dispersed all the proie to his soldiers.  
When the great turk understand of these great spoils that Scanderbag had made, and how he had broken the peace with him, he was exceedingly wroth, and day, nor night thought of any thing but how to be revenged of Scanderbag, and of the Arch Byshope yet for that he understood that the pope Pio the. 2. would in any wise make a great Croysade, and go against him in person, he determined to attempt if he could by any means pacify Scanderbag, and to confirm the peace that was already made, for he doubted that if that Scanderbag should come with the Crusade, that he should then be utteriy overthorowen: as the turks themselves declared in all places. This kind of Crusade was determined in the concistorie at Rome, by the aforesaid pope, being moved through the suggestion of diverse prelate's, and Cardinals, men of great worthiness, and chiefly by the friends of the afore named Arch Byshope Pavolo, so that this most worthy pope Pio the second, had determined to go in person and to see this journey: and when he should have been in the City of Durazzo, to have celebrated in the Cathedrale church thereof a most solemn mess, and to have given to this most worthy Arch bishop the hat of a Cardinale, for that he was already pronounced in the concistorie at Rome, in the month before, and also to give the regal corone to Scanderbag, and to make him king of Epirro, and of all the whole Albania, and when he had so coronned him, to give him truncheon, appointing him general of the Crusade, and in that sort to proceed to the utter destruction of the Mahometan sect.  
When the turk therefore understood this, he sent the afore named Mustaffa his ambassador to Scanderbag with a letter of this effect. The great and mighty prince Mahomethe, Emperor of all parts of the world from the East, 
A letter from the turk to Scan.  to the West, to thee magnificent Scanderbag, prince of the Epirotts, I have none occasion to send thee greeting, nor to wish the health as well for that thou hast broken the peace made between us, as also in that thou hast not holden thy promised faith, but hast done me so many manifest wrongs: notwithstanding, for so much as I understand that the Venetians mine enemies have deceived thee, and caused the so to do, for this I will have some respect toward thee, & have the partly for excused, & so to pardon the these offences, so that thou wilt be contented now, to make peace with me, which is to confirm the tenor, and conditiones of the last peace made between us, and that thou shalt swear this second peace so confirmed upon the faith which thou owest to thy God, 
The estimation of an oath, with the turk.  for so much as I am thoroughly persuaded, that if thou hadst sworn the first, that the venetians, nor any others could have caused thee to break it: wherefore I beseech thee, if that my request may have any place with thee: that thou wilt make this second peace with an oath, and I swear unto thee upon my faith, that I will observe my promise in every condition, and never to molest thee, but to be always profitable, and frindely to thee, and ready to honour thee, and otherwise I do assure thee, that I will leave all other enterprise, and will continually follow, and plague thee in such sort, that if thou escape with thy life, I will banish the thy country, and then it shall be seen whither the venetians be able to maintain the against me or no, thou being a simple, & mean prince of that part of Albania which thou now posessist, and I am Emperor, king, and prince, of so many powers and countries, that thou shalt never be able to withstand my fury wherefore have regard to thyself, and make this peace with good will, to the end that thou mayest die lord of thy country, and leave that honour to thy posterity: otherwise, it shallbe to thy hindrance: thou mayst give credit to my servant and abassadour Mustaffa, in all things that he shall say unto thee, from Constantinople the. 7. of may. 1463.  
After that Scanderbag had heard the ambassador, and red the letter which the turk had sent him, he wrote him answer in this sort. The soldier of jesus Christ, 
Answer to the turks letter.  George Castrioth some time named Scanderbag prince of the Albaneses, to the excellent Mahometh prince of the turks, greeting, forsomuch as I under stand by thine ambassador Mustaffa, and by thy letter also, the great complaints and injuries, wherewith thou chargest me, I am enforced to answer: and to say unto thee, that I do not repent me at all in that that I have in this sort broken the peace with thee, for it is not lawful for the great prince to make his will a law, and to disdaigne the lesser, as thou hast done me, in that, that on a time a peace being made between us, thou immediately brakest it, with thy faith also, and that this is true, God is my witness, and the world also knoweth it, that whilst I dwelled in peace assuring myself upon thy promise, thy soldiers did greatly endamage me whereupon I sent my messenger to thee, to whom thou gavest answer, that thou wouldest chastise them that had so offended, notwithstanding thy promptness was turned into air, and I remained frustrate, and the offenders without punishment, which doth plainly declare it to be done by thy consent, wherefore know thou, that I had great reason to redress my wrongs: and not to make scruple in breaking of peace with him, which estymeth not peace, but doth imagine how to abuse the world, and then will say that the venetians have deceived me, who always observe their promise, not as thou dost. And therefore I give the fully to understand that in no case I will make peace with thee, though I be as simple a prince as pleasythe God, & thou so mighty and puissant an Emperor as thou sayest, even from the Orient, to the the Occident, which no man saith but only thou, which through thine audatitie, pride, and presumption, dost arogantly take upon the to usurp such an Imperial name, which only appertaineth to the Emperor of Rome, which is coroned by the pope of Rome, being god's vicar on earth and thou by the permission of God art become a mighty tyrant to punish the wickedness of the christians, for the which thou thinkest it lawful to usurp so excellent a name, whereby thou makest them laugh that read it, forsomuch as the world is divided into three principal parts, that is Asia, Africa, and Europa, the first is in manner as great as both the other, and is divided into Asia the greater and the lesser, in the lesser which is called Anatolia, are many kingdoms, whereof thou possessest only that part, which I by mine industry have brought into subjection of thy house, which is a small portion in comparison of the rest. In the greater, there are very many kingdoms in the which thou hast nothing to do. In Africa there are exceeding many kingdoms, and provinces, whereof thou possessyst no jot, but in Europe which is almost the greatest inhabitation of the world there are many kingdoms, and provinces, of which the possessest only, Tracia, Gretia, Servia, Bossina, More a, Bulgaria, Achaia, Magnesia, Mitelline, and certain others which were, and shallbe of the possessiones of the christians, wherefore I do not a little marvel that y● which canst give me good council, canst so suffer thyself to be blinded with ambition, that thou dost not consider what thou sayest: and although that for our scourge thou art become a great tyrant, possessing in Asia, & Europa, more than thirty provinces: yet I give the to understand that I esteem the not for all that, but do trust in my lord jesus Christ that he will cause a thousand hethennes to fall down before the face of ten christians: so that I am not to be dissuaded nether for flattery, nor threatening, unless that thou will openly embrace the Christian faith wherein of a child thou ha● ben instructed, and also that thou wilt cause all thy subjects to be baptised, and doing according to that part of the Alchorane which saith that the Gospel is good, and is the best thing that is upon the earth, and in this sort thou mayest have of me what thou wilt. Otherwise, understand that I will defend myself, and that not without thy hurt and shame, for I fight for the honour of him, that will help me, from our camp the xxv. of june. 1463.  
As soon as Scanderbag had sealed this letter, 
Note this act.  he went to horse with all his army, and carried with him the aforesaid ambassador, and went into the turks country and raised a great proie, and assailed Sfetigarde which of right should have been his, and took the town and set fire on it: notwithstanding the citadel which stood on the height of the hill was in expungnable, wherefore be returned, and took his leave of the ambassador very cortezely, declaring to him by mouth beside his letter, willing him to say unto the turk from him, that at the coming of the great priest of Rome, with the Crusade, he would come to satisfy his desire, that he had so greatly to see him: and when the ambassador had taken his leave, he road on of his journey. Then Scanderbag returned with his army into his country, and distributed the proie unto them, and then gathered them together and said. My fellows in arms, I beseech you be of good cheer, for if the Crusade be but as many in number as the iiii. part of the turks power, we with their help will chase him undoubtedly out of his dominions notwithstanding I hope that the Crusade will be of far greater power than his army shall be, and so much the sooner, for that that God is with us, and the soldiers are italians, Frenshemen, Spaniards, Englishmen, Almains. Hungarianes, Pollonianes, Vallaques Schiavoneses, Greeks, Albaneses, besides our people and others, by whose means, and by the grace of God. I hope that the turk shallbe utterly ruynate, and chased out of his dominiones, and his tyranny clean plucked up by the roots, and the church of God to be at rest, if it be the pleasure of God.  
In this mean time the ambassador Mustaffa brought Scanderbegs letter to the great turk, who when he understood the tenor thereof was filled with great fury, not without exceeding great fear whereupon he sent forthwith to all his towns of force and forts, 
great judgement of Maho●●the.  that he thought were of most importance, and fortified then by all means possible: & then called to him Seremeth beg his Bassa, and sent him with xiiii. thousand turks against Scanderbag, to lie upon the confines of his country for the guard thereof and of his City that he 〈◊〉 much esteemed, called Orchride, or else Aeleria, which is not far from Scanderbegs country, and is near unto a certain lake out of the which the river Drino doth rise, in the which lake their is great abundance of carps trouts, & other delicate & noble fishes. When Scanderbag understood of the coming of those turks, he determined to seek them although it were a hard matter to deal with them, for so much as the one part of them were lodged within the City, and the rest without not far from it, in this mean time their came news unto them how that the pope Pio the second was come in person with the Crusade to the City of Ancona, meaning as soon as the Duke of Venise should come thy ther, to take ship, and to sail towards the Turcks notwithstanding he fell sick there, and in short space died, 
The pope poisoned.  being poisoned according to the opinion of many by certain hypocrites and false christians through the which, the noble Duke of Venise which was then there not only with his own armata, but also with the aid of diverse Christian princes was exceedingly amazed, & returned to Venise much discomforted: and in this sort was the great Crusade frustrate.  
When Scanderbag contrary to his expectation understood of this, he was stricken with very great sorrow forsomuch as in that was his only hope. Then with tears he lifted up his eyes to the heavens, saying O most merciful lord jesus Christ very God, I do see the thine omnipotent, 
A prayer made by Scan.  and divine majesty (fountain and springe of all goodness) will not send forth this Crusade, to the destruction of both thine, and our enemies. And I fear it is for our offences which are Christians for that we have greatly provoked thee to wrath, wherefore I humbly beseech the for thy mercies sake, by the which thou pardonedst the these hanging on the Cross thou which art only come to call sinners to repentance, that it may please thee to defend us thy servants, which do fight day and night, in the defence of our most Catholic faith: to the end that the enemies say not, where is the God of Chrystyanes' become, notwithstanding thy will be done, and not ours.  
When Scanderbag had thus ended his prayer, he t●ned him to his soldiers who with tears also had prayed with him, and to comfort them he said. My dear friends fear nothing, but be of good cheer, for God doth never leave those that put their whole trust in him, and doth all things for the commodity of both body and soul of his faithful, wherefore we humbly render thanks unto his divine majesty, and to morrow we will go to seek the turks our enemies, with whom we will fight, and deal with them according to our wont. Three hours before the break of day, Scanderbag road with xii. thousand horse men and foot men, and came near unto the City of Orchrida aforesaid, and spoke to his soldiers in this sort. This day is the vigil of the assumption of the virgin Marie Queen of heaven, 
Great blindness.  in honour of whom and for the obedience of the commandment of holly church, every faithful Christian doth fast, or at the least doth eat fish, but I do use always to fast, and for that confidence, and faith, that I have in her. I will assuredly promise you, that at dinner time you shall have to dine with, as great abundance of good fish, as ever you saw, wherefore consider, that the custumer of this town is a man of great wealth, strong lusty, and valiant, and he will be the first that shall come against us: wherefore see that you give him place and in no wise strike him, nor do him any hurt, but take him, for after our victory (the which I hope we shall obtain, through the grace of Marry the Queen of heaven) we shall have plenty of ducats of the same custumer, and also as much fish, as shall suffice you wherefore be of good cheer.  
When he had thus said he called unto him Peiche Emanuel and Pietro Agenlo brother to the Arche-Bushope Paulo, and appointed to their conduct v. hundred chosen horsemen, and gave them commission to go near the town of Aeleria to provoke the turks to come for thee, and as soon as they should come near unto them, he willed them to flee and to seem to be greatly affrayed, & to draw them on to the place where Scanderbag mought cut between them and the town, and so to assail them in two sundry places at once, whereby he mought easily defeicte them, as it came to pass, for that the aforesaid Captains were men of great judgement, 
Great judgement of Scan.  and trained the enemies speedily passed the place where Scanderbeglaye in ambush, and as soon as they turned upon them and charged, they took this custumer and immediately upon their charge, Scanderbag discovered himself, and charged them on their backs and slew x. thousand of them, and took the son of Seremethbeg with xii. turks more of account, which were presented unto him fearing lest they should be all slain: 
The defeicte before A●laia.  but Scanderbag, being courtesy itself, caused them to be gently entreated, and of his great courtesy, laid the greatest charge upon the custumer, who although he were very sorrowful, yet with a pleasant countenance he sent for so much fish, both fresh, and salt, as did fully satiffye the whole army, wherefore they said thorough out the army, that Scanderbag was an Apostle of him that fed the multitude of the Jews with v. barley loves and two fishes. After this for the ransoms of the custumer, the son of the Bascia, and the other xii. Turekes, there was presented unto Scanderbag, the sum of xl. thousand ducats, in Gold, and money of the Turekyshe Coin, than Scanderbag caused it all to be laid down upon carpets and distributed all with his own hands to his soldiers, giving every man his offering, but not as the pressed doth upon the solemn feasts. After this he suffered the prisoners to depart into the town, and he returned into his country safe and with great joy.  
When the turk understood this he dispatched an other fierce Captain of his called Balaban Badera: called Aga, with xv. thousand turks on horse, and three thousand footmen, the which Balaban came to y● City of Ocrida, or Aelcria, and sent secretly to Scanderbag diverse great presents, to purchase frindshyppe which him, to the end that peradventure he being taken prisoner at any time, mought be assured of his life, as it was declared to Scanderbag by the secretary of Balaban, which was taken by Scanderbegs soldiers in a rencounter between the turks and him, this Balaban was an Albanese borne, and a country man, subject to the father of Scanderbag, and was taken in his child head by the turks, with diverse other children, as they were keeping of cattle, notwithstanding, his hap was to serve men of account, and so became a valiant man, and for that he was the first that entered into Constantinople, when the turks gave the assault unto it, the great turk exalted him to the degree. When he was in this sort appointed against Scanderbag, he seemed outwardly to be much his friend, although inwardly he was the greatest enemy that he had in all the world, as by the proof it was seen, for he was ever attentive to take in hand all such enterprises as mought tend to the destruction of Scanderbag, under the pretence of dissemblyd fryndshippe, to the end he mought do the more hurt. And when Balaban understood, that Scanderbag with his soldiers was in the valley called Valcal, he made him ready with xv. thousand horsemen and three thousand footmen, to go in the night to assail Scanderbag: but he being advertised hereof by his espial, went to encounter him, whereof Balaban being certified and being a shamed for sundry respects (and chiefly for that his treason was so discovered, and also his feigned frindshyppe) he returned with speed. Then Scanderbag came over the valley aforesaid, and encamped upon the height of the same with all his people which were in number 4. thousand horsemen well mounted, and v. hundred footmen, to whom he spoke in this sort. My companions, I doubt not but to morrow: or the next day at the farthest, 
Scan. to his soldiers.  this most wicked traitor Balaban will come to seek us with all his power, wherefore I think it good that we tarry him, and when we see him coming that we depart from hence, and go to that little hill that is behind us, to the end that they may think that we flee from them, considering our number is small in the respect of them, and therefore may the more boldly and assuredly chase us, and then, when I shall give you a token, every man to make head, and to charge them being so scattered, by means whereof, we may easily overthrow them, which if it so happen (as my trust is in God that it shall) I command you all upon pain of my displeasure, 
Note the judgement of Scan.  that you follow the chase even to the mount, or hill of Valcal and no further, for I am assured that they will leave some troop in that valley, to the end that if they should be broken, and we should follow them passed that place, they mought charge us behind, and they whom we should follow should charge us in the face, and all in an instant, and by that means overthrow us at their pleasure, for the place is very apt for an ambush.  
The second day after that Scanderbag had thus exhorted his soldiers, Balaban with all his power came to find Scanderbag, who according to his, determination went with his soldiers toward the aforesaid hill: then the turks with great fury assailed Scanderbag, and he fled for a certain space, and then in an instant turned and charged them (he being in very good order) with such force that after long, and terrible fight, he enforced them to torn their backs, & to flee in great disorder, in such sort that in the end the greatest number of them were found ded upon the field and the victory was followed to the aforesaid appointed place. 
Balaban defected the first tyme.  But the aforesaid Moses, Gintrizza, Musachio Dela Angelina, Gino Musachio, Giovaniperlato, Nicolo Berisio, Georgio Cucca, and Gino Manesio, every one of these were able to give order to an army, & had often times governed right great charge. These men being very earnest in executing the enemy, by means of the great hatred they had toward Balaban and his turks, 
Nota.  did not remember, or else in their fury esteemed not the commandment of Scanderbag, wherefore they passed the appointed place following the victory fleeing, and cutting in pieces, their fleeing enemies, until that they came to the midst of the valley of Valcal. Then the squadrone of the enemies (according to the saying of Scanderbag) that there was laid, charged wholly upon these eight Captains, which after long and cruel fight in the defence of themselves with the great slaughter of those amazed turks, passed of force thorough the midst of that valley, and climbed up an hill upon the height whereof were the turkish footmen, unknown to them, whereby they were deceived, thinking that they had been of their own men, they were taken by these footmen, and delivered to Balaban who forthwith sent them to the great turk, who then was at Constantinople. When Scanderbag understood this piteous case, he sent immediately and ambassador to the great turk, to desire him that he would be contented to restore to him those prisoners safe, and in exchange of them he should have others, or else, as much money as they did weigh, but he being full of fury, & cruelty, and being advertised by Balaban of their worthiness, would in no wise gratify Scanderbag, but in greater despite caused them to be flayed by little, 
Barbarique cruelty.  and little, for the space of xv. days continually, and in this sort they died.  
After this the turk supplied his army, and commanded Balaban in any wise to continue the wars against Scanderbag, notwithstanding Balaban durst not to make any attempt against him, but sought to qualify the matter, and to be at peace with Scanderbag who never put any trust in him, nor yet granted him peace for any gift that he could send, but continually made his courses into the Turcks' country, & brought from thence great proyes, and spoils, and ever returned to his confines, when Balaban saw that he could by no secret practice pacify Scanderbag, he determined to prove if that he mought by treason surprise him and so upon the sudden to defeicte him for he was out of all hope to overthrow him in battle, wherefore he discoursed in himself by what means (in executing his intent) he mought defeicte Scanderbag, with his army also and in the end he found means by giving an exceeding great sum of money to corrupt his guard that he held continually without his camp, to give advertisement from time, to time of the coming of the enemy. In this company were certain Albaneses his kinsmen, in whom Scanderbag had great affiance, not thinking it a possibility, for any such treason to have had place in them, Balaban took his journey in the night with xv. thousand horsemen, and .3. thousand footmen to assail Scanderbag, and marched until it was with in an hour of day, and then approaching near to the camp, Scanderbag by means of the great noises of their horses suspected the treason of the aforesaid guard and made him ready most speedily, with his iiii. thousand horsemen and one thousand five hundred footmen, even as though he had been advertised of the whole practise, so that his enemies thinking to take him utterly unprovided, found him in very perfit, and good order, at the which the enemies were excedingely astonished notwithstanding, through the great encoragementes of Balaban, they encounteryd with Scanderbag, and charged him in terrible sort with great fury, but in the end through the providence, 
Balaban defected the seco●tyme.  and conduct of Scanderbag, they were all disordered, and put to flight, in such sort that few of them carried any news home but of the army of Scanderbag there were only ten slain.  
When the great turk had advertisement of this he determined in any wise to proceed against Scanderbag, and knowing Balaban to be of no less valiantize, and experience in wars, than the best of the rest of his Captains: and also that he was an Albanese borne and a great enemy to Scanderbag, he sent him again with xviii. thousand horsemen, and three thousand footmen, with whom he arrived at the City of Aelcria, where he continued for a long time without giving any at tempt against Scanderbag, and did continue his secret sending of presents unto him, and declared unto him that he was his very friend, and servant at commandment. But Scanderbag who did well know him to be a great murderer, and Traitor, and that it was his only suit to be sent again with charge against him did not only, not trust him, but also to declare, that he made none account of him, and beside that, that he had received his presents, sent him in change somptuose presents growing about the villages wherein Balaban was borne, which was sacks of a little yellow grain and also of cockle, and such like of vile price, which a plough harrowe, pick axe, spade, van, and flail, with such like instruments,  
Then Balaban well understanding his meaning by this, was marvelously offended: and knowing that Scanderbag lay continually upon his confines with viii. thousand horsemen, and two. thousand five hundred footmen, he marched with his whole army against Scanderbag, and when he saw Balaban coming he made him ready, put his people in order and marched toward him and joined with him in battle, the fight being terrible, Scanderbag with his own hand slew the day many of his enemies, and as he was in the press fighting with his enemies (through ille fortune) his horse was slain under him, and fell down to the ground with him, and in the fall Scanderbag lighted upon the trouncke of a tree that was cut down, and by means of the great fall, he was greatly bruised, and chief in his right arm in such sort that he could not in manner stir it at al. Then the turks thinking that he had been ded, caused certain to descend from their horses to strike of his head, whereupon he called unto him his wont magnanimity and notwithstanding his exceeding great bruise he leapt up and stood upon his feet, and with his sword flew all the turks that were so lighted from their horses, and as many more of others that environed him to the intent to have slain him, his acts that he then did were marvelous. At the last, one of his soldiers brought unto him one of his best coursers and when Scanderbag was mounted on horse, he gave in among the turks in such fury, as in his life he had not done the like, and alway one stroke was the price of one enemy with him, and he assailed the enemies with so great assurance, and force, that he constrained them to disorder, to torn their backs, 
Balaban defected the third time,  and to flee, & in the chase he flew them in manner all, but the said Balaban with a very small number with him, did flee into the City of Orchrida aforesaid.  
After this, Scan. disposed the whole spoil to his soldiers very liberally, according to his custom but after y● victory, he endured such pain in his arm, that he was iii months & could not once lift it, to take of his cap to gratify such as did salute him, 
Great absurdity  ne yet to reverence the Image of our Saviour, nor of the virgin mary, ne yet of the saints. And also when he heard mass he was served as is the high bishop when he doth assist in solemn feasts, for he could not help himself at all with one of his hands.  
In this mean while Balaban being very sorrowful and ashamed, returned with few with him to Constantinople, and was greatly blamed reviled, and condemned, by the great turk, but he like an old Ape and subtle fox, endured all thing patiently, and when the fury was past he found such means that he so excused himself, attributing his overthrow to the providence of God, that the turk was well satisfied with his excuses and committed the whole charge of these wars to his discretion: whereupon forthwith he took in his company the Captain jaguppe Arnanthe a man of great value, jagup Arnanthe signifieth in our speech jamez the Albaneses. When he was marching, he divided his army, and willed james with one part thereof to pass through Tracia, and Macedonia into Epirro and in any wise to keep him secret, and not to invade until he had advertisement that Balaban was arrived in Albania, and he that first approached the confines to tarry his companion, to the end that they mought upon the sudden assail Scanderbag.  
Balaban on the other side took with him xx. M turkish horsemen, and iiii. thousand footmen, and came first into Epirro, and encamped in the afore named place of Valcal, which when Scanderbag understood being always provided, and in readiness, sent three spiones into the enemy's camp to consider the order of the same but one of these spiones was a kinsman of Balaban, and was y● cause that the other two returned not at the hour appointed, whereupon Scanderbag being a soldier most vigilant, took with him five soldiers and went to discover the camp of the enemies, but that subtle Balaban who had good experience of the usage of Scanderbag, appointed to that place which was most apt for such purpose, certain soldiers on horse, and being there, encountered with Scanderbag, and were at the blow of the sword for a tyme. But in the end Scanderbag was enforced to flee and take the nearest way to his camp and passing thorough a strait found by mishap, a tree lying overthwart his way, notwithstanding, he put spurs to his horse and leapt over it and so did one of his soldiers: but the other four could not by any means, whereupon they turned to y● turks, and charged them, and slew certain of them, but in the end they were all four slain. In this mean time Scanderbag being moved with pity turned him and espyeing a turk that had lopt the tree after him following him, he encountered him with such fury that at the first stroke he slew him, and then he fled until he came to Pietra Biancha, which was viii. miles from him: where be found his viii. thousand horsemen, and iiii. thousand footmen tarrying for him.  
Then he changed his horse, and in few words encouraged his soldiers to fight stoutly, and when he had thus done, he marched on toward the enemy, and or that he would encounter him, he took a certain hill not far from them, and then ordained all things for the battle, & presented his people in four squadrons the one he committed to the conduct of Thamssio Thopia, lord of the country near unto Durazzo and cousin to the Arch bishop Paulo Angelo aforesaid, the second he committed to the leading of Zacharia Groppa the third to Peiche Emanuel and the fourth he lad in person and this was his order, but Balaban who tarried for his companion would in no wise accept the battle whereof when Scanderbag understood, he disbanded certain men and entered the scaramoche with the Turcks augmenting it from time to time, 
Note this order.  in such sort, that he in the end enforced them to come to the battle, and then presented all his squadrons in front saving only one which he held hidden behind the rest, the battles being joined the fight was terrible, in this mean time the fourth squadrone came in upon their flank unsoked for, and charged them with such courage that the turks not being able to endure the force of the Albaneses, according to their old custom disordered themselves and fled, so that they were hurt, & slain in manner all, 
Balaban defected the fourth tyme.  notwithstanding Balaban with few with him conveyed himself in to a place of security.  
This victory being newly obtained, their came a messenger in great haste to Scanderbag from his sister the lady Mamnizza, declaring unto him that jagup was come into Albania by the way of Belgrado, and had proied, spoiled, and burned a great piece of his country, when Scanderbag understood of this, he imagined forthwith the determination of the two Captains to have been together him in the midst between them both, he instructed his army, and encouraged them greatly, not to doubt xvi. thousand Turcks, considering that they had in short space before, overthrown xxiiii. M. whereupon he marched toward the lesser Tirana where jagup with his army lay, Scanderbag as soon as he drew something near his enemy stayed and chose five hundred horsemen to go and provoke the enemy to the field. As soon as jagup saw this, he ranged his army in thresquadrones, and with certain disbanded horsemen charged them, and put them to flight following the chase with those disbanded horsemen, marching after them with his whole power, and when they came where Scanderbag was he cried unto them to turn, whereupon immediately they charged the turks, & Scanderbag with his army in order came on and joined with them, 
Nota.  and in short time put them to flight, by means that he saw where jagup was in person, whereupon he chose unto him certain assured soldiers & severed themselves and charged the squadrone wherein jagup was, 
jaguppe slain & his army defected.  and so of force entered it and with his lance smote him under the chin thorough the throat and flew him, wherewith the turks being amazed and discouraged stood like unto sheep without a shepherd: and were slain miserably, and main of them were taken prisoners, so, that acomptinge first those of Balaban, and secondaryly these of the Bassa jagup, there were xxiiii. M. slain, besides vi. thousand that they heard no news of at all. After this Scanderbag caused to gather together all the gold, silver, and other riches, which the turks had gotten in his country and carried all into Croia in great triumph making great feasts to the contentation of all that there were, and he sent messengers to sundry princes and others his friends that dwelled near about him, with the news of this great victory, & sent them also presents of the Turckyshe spoil, as horses, coursiers, slaves, Armour furniture of horses, rich garments of men, and such like.  
When the great turk understood the dolorous defeicte of these two armies, he determined to go in person with all his power against Scanderbag but he having intelligence hereof, made provision for the defence of his country, and especially furnished Croia with men and all kind of necessaries, his soldiers on foot were of the garnisons of the Senate of Venise, their governor was a worthy man named Baldisera Perduci. In those days there was in that part of Albania which was subject to the Signiory of Venise, their Proveditour a Venetian borne, named josaphat Barbaro, a man of great worthiness, who by commandment of the Senate, did often times attend upon Scanderbag, and the Arch Byshope Paulo, who for the great zeal that he had toward the Christian religion, was in those days continually with Scanderbag, unless that he were sent in his name or in the name of the Signiory of Venise in ambassade to any Potentate for the preservation of there countries, as oft times he went to Rome, Milane Naples, Venice, and other places.  
In this mean time there came from Constantinople to Scanderbag two turks, saying that they were come thither to become christians, and to serve him faithfully, and also to save their souls, being assured that the faith in jesus Christ, was the only true and wholesome faith, and in the contrary, the faith Mahometan to be false, unjust, and damnable, as was evidently seen, by the great things that god did daily work by one only man, which in comparaison of the turk was a very lamb, and yet did continually triumph over a most fierce and cruel lion. Then Scanderbag received them courteously and gave them large provision for their maintenance, causing them to be instructed in the Christian religion, even as they had been of his own nation: notwithstanding, this coming of there's was to a devilish end, which by the goodness of god was discovered, who never faileth such as unfeignedly trust in him, for on a time these two turks fell at words and in fine struck together with their fists in sort that they lost much blood from out of their noses, and the one saying to the other in great fury, thou traitor dog sent by the great turk to slay the most gentle & good prince Scanderbag, when the Captains of Scanderbag understood this, they took these two forthwith, and presented them to Scanderbag, who caused them immediately to be tormented and then they confessed the whole matter in every point, and showed the dagguers which they carried secretly about them for the purpose, declaring also how that the turk had promised them an infinite sum of money, and also to make them great lords, if that they could slay Scan. he then being a prince of great magnanimity and one that did honour the turk would not for his sake use them according to their deserts, but caused them to be brought out of his Padiglion, & so appareled as they were, caused them to be hanged upon the height of two great trees, where they mought be well discerned from all parts of the fields about it, when he had thus done he took his horse, and with all those soldiers that then were with him and in all the country near unto him, entered into the part of the turks country where he never was before, & when he had spoiled all the country, he then raised fire and burned all the country where he passed thorough, and returned home safe with all his people in to his country.  
After this the aforenamed Mahomethe, came into Albania with two hundred thousand men on horse and foot, and encamped before the City of Croia, promising them of the town great gifts, if that they would render the town unto him upon composition, and otherwise he threatened to put them all to the sword, but their answer was, with the fair Canuonade, harquebuzade, and such like, in sort, that they slew many of the turks, and continued the same daily, until the turks dislodged from thence and abandoned the siege. Whiles the Turcks lay before Croia, Scanderbag was always attendant upon their camp, now in one quarter, and then in an other, destressing their foragers, & also their victuallers coming to their camp, and often times in the night assailed their camp, now in one quarter, & then in an other so, that he made great slaughter of them. Then at the last the turk seeing Croia to be in expungnable, and having received there both great loss of his people, and also great dishonour, he determined to leave before it a camp volant, and so in the end by famine to take it, whereupon he left the aforesaid Balaban to execute that enterprise with xviii. M. chosen horsemen and five thousand footmen of the best in all the army, with viii. Sangiacchi, men of great experience, & judgement in wars, to the end the better to advise. This done, the great Tiran departed from thence, returning toward Constantinople, and in his journey be took certain forts of Scanderbag, and put his garnisons into them, with officers to keep them in his obedience, beside this, by means of a wicked Traitor he took a place called Chidua, wherein were viii. M. of Scanderbag soldiers, beside women and children, and others that were not able to use arms, to whom by means of this traitor he made great promises, but being once within, he broke his faith, and caused them all to be cut in pieces, which was greatly to the hindrance of Scanderbag, not withstanding, within short time he recovered all again and cut in pieces as many Turcks as he found in those places, which the turk had thus taken from him, the turk returned to Constantinople very sorrowfully & Melancholyque for the great spoil, and loss of his soldiers, which he had sustained in that journey.  
Scanderbag, considering the turks that besieged Croia were valiant and of great experience, and had so fortified themselves that it was an impossybilitie to assault them, for that they had already taken the hill Crnivo by means whereof, it was expedient to have a great army to take in hand that enterprise to raise them from that place, Scanderbag having lost the aforesaid eight thousand men in Chidua, was enforced to demand aid of other Christian princes, whereupon he went to Rome in person and declared his cause before the pope Pio the second and his Cardinals and other prelate's in their Concistorie and was gently heard and great promises were made unto him, notwithstanding (at his departure) by means of evil tongues, he received small succour at the pope's hand who was a Venetian borne, but not over full of devotion, and for that that Scanderbag was greatly esteemed of sundry of them, it is no marvel if others did envy him, by means whereof he obtained no more for his travail then. 3000. Ducats only, the which junetrio being one of the chief Citizens of Drivasto, cousin to the Arch Byshope Paulo Angelo, and Steward to Scanderbag received, Scanderbag was exceedingly troubled with this, notwithstanding he gave thanks to God and returned safely into his country. Then he went first to Scutari where he found josafat Barbaro aforesaid, lieutenant to the venetians, who levied bands of those that were subjects to the Seigneours of Venise and joined them with his soldiers, and provided them of all kind of necessaries, there went with him also to aid him, leech Ducagino, with his brother Nicholas, with four hundred horsemen and as many footmen, chosen soldiers and of great experience in wars, with an hundred men at arms also well armed and mounted, he had also five hundred footmen of Italy, Venetianes borne of the garnison of Scutary with a thousand Lances and .3. thousand footmen of the countries about Scutari, Drivasto, Antivaro, Alessia, and Dirachio, which made an army of .13. thousand and .4. hundred chosen men, with whom Scanderbag marched toward Croia, and when he came near the town, he spoke in this sort. My lords, and you my good soldiers: although often times good words do comfort wearied and troubled minds, yet I will at this present as well encourage you by my deeds as by my words, for that I do know you to be of noble minds, & desirous to put our enemy to the flight, wherefore my trust is in god, that if the turks which do besiege my City, were as many more in number as they are, we shall undoubtedly overthrow them and put them to the sword.  
When he had thus said, he divided his army into two parts, 
Vaivoda lyeu: enant to a prince in field or town.  committing the one to Nicolo Moneta Vaivoda of Scutari, and sent him over thorough a plain & certain woods to a certain strong place called Gionenemi, not far from that place where the turks lay in camp before Croia: he commanded the aforesaid Nicolo not to depart from thence in any wise until that he heard him shoot of certain Cannones, which he did according to his promise. In this mean time Scanderbag went with the rest of his army and upon the sudden took the height of the mount Canino in despite of the enemies, and determined to council with the aforesaid Nicolo, of what sort to proceed, Balaban having intelligence of the coming of Scanderbag, went forthwith to Croia, requiring them to yield the town upon Conditiones, making them of the town great promesses in the behalf of his Master, persuading himself, that by these means he should obtain victory, according to the intelligence that was given him, whereupon he had exhorted his army to be of good cheer, declaring to them that if they mought have the town delivered unto them, that then he would with his army lodge in the town, and would not care for the coming of Scanderbag if that he should happen to come, but if that it so chansed that they did not obtain it, he would levy his camp and depart thence, whiles Balaban looked for answer there sorted forth of the town certain soldiers to scarmoche with his people. Then he being exceeding wroth, and out of all hope of recovery of the town, with his soldiers that were then with him, galloped toward them to give a charge on them but the christians perceiving it, drew near the town under the defence of the shot, 
Balaban slain before Croia with the shoot of a arqebus.  whereupon George Alesy an Albanese, discharged his arqebus, and struck Balaban under the chin into the throat, and gave him his deaths wound, not withstanding this great blow Balaban fell not but put spurs to his horse and gallopte to his tent when the turks understood of this, and also that the mount Crina was already taken, they abandoned the siege, and being greatly affrayed conveyed themselves spedylye in to the field named Tiranna.  
Then Scanderbag finding no man to resist him went down into Croia, and caused to bring into the town all the meal, barley, and other victuales that were left in the turks camp, which were sufficient to sustain them of the Town for one whole year, when he had this done, he lodged in the City and sent certain bands to take the passages and straits, thorough the which the turks must pass, for he determined to seek them and to give them battle. That same very evening came two turks of account to Scanderbag desiring him, in the name of their whole army to give them their lives, and that they would with one consent give him willingly all that they had and excused them saying, that they were enforced to come to that siege by the commandment of their prince, whose bread they did eat, so that with great humiletie they desired Scanderbag to grant them that, which he never denied to their fathers, when Scanderbag had herd the request of the turks, he commanded them with a fryndly countenance to be well lodged in a fair pavilion, and to be honourably entertained. After this, the aforesaid Scanderbag called to him the aforesaid lieutenant with the noble lords Ducagini, and other lieutenants, men of great virtue, unto whom he declared the request of the Turckyshh army, requiring their advise and answer josaphat Barbaro (which the venetians had sent into Albania to be continually in company with Scanderbag) spoke first and said that he would do nothing but what should please Scanderbag to command him wherefore he would do as it should seem good to Scanderbag in this matter. After this spoke leech Ducagino very frankly saying, Embetha, which in our tongue signifieth, upon them, for that he thought it not requisite to use mercy towards infidels, but to cut them in pieces of the same opinion were diverse other noble men, and Captains of great value. Then Scanderbrg spoke unto them saying, you noble men, and you worthy Captains, I trust in the lord, and am well assured, that if we shall happen to encountie the turks, we shall soon defeicte them. Notwithstanding, for that they are the choice of all the Turckyshe army, and now become desperate, and determined in deed to employ their hands and for that also that the end of wars is doubtful, and that god for our offences should permit them to have the victory, as it may well come to pass. It should be the ruin of us all. 
Ripe judgement.  Wherefore to play sure it seemeth to me reasonable that we respect the attempt until such time as Croia be supplied with victuals and other necessaries for many years: and then to go on to encounter them with assurance of mind, and to overthrow them for so much as they can escape in no wise for that the passages are already taken. The opinion of Scanderbag was well liked of many, and of others not liked at all, and chiefly of such as were subjects to the venetians, who desired earnestly to be revenged of the turks, and of some others which had not experimented the force of the turks very often. Then Scanderbag called for the two turks aforesaid, and willed them to declare unto the whole army, that as they came not with his licence to besiege his City, no more should they depart out of his country with his licence. In this mean time be sent his army to the river Isimi where he had a great number of ships loaded with corn meal, biskete and other victuales, and caused all to be unloaded with speed, so that in three days he furnished Croia for sire years. And then went with all speed to encounter the Turcks, but he had tarried a long, for they in these three days seeing themselves so assailed with famine, went to the passages, and passed of force, not with out great slaughter and spoil of their men, and in this sort fled. Then every man in manner was sorry, and murmored against Scanderbag, and laid the whole fault of their escape upon him, but he with his great cortesye, & gentle words pacified and contented them all, lainge for his excuse the old proverb, that to the enemy that fleeth a man must make a bridge of gold, and then gave to every man presents and gifts, according to his place. In this mean time many Albaneses of the Venetians country, and of the countries of other princes came & presented to Scanderbag a great number of the heads of turks, with horses, armour, and other spoil, in the end Scanderbag very honourably, licenced his army. Saving only his two thousand horsemen, and one thousand footmen with whom he went forthwith to his confines.  
When Mahomethe the Turckyshe prince, understood that Scanderbag had raised the siege of Croia, which so much honour, to his great shame, and loss of his people, he was much gryved there with, whereupon the year following he returned into Albania with two hundred thousand turks, and went to besiege Durazzo, 
Mahomethe again in Albania  a noble City and of great antiquity, which had been a garnison town of the renowned Romans, he did greatly molest it notwithstanding he departed from thence without it, with spoil of his people and great dishonour, from thence he went with speed to Cro●a, & besieged it round, and sent his messenger to signify to them of the town, that if they would deliver him the City, he would advance them, and deal liberally with them all, and otherwise it should be to their pain, for he was determined not to depart thence without it, and would be revenged up on them to the uttermost. The answer of the besieged was not far to seek, but was given by the mouth of the Cannon, Colueryne, arqebus, and such like instruments. Scanderbag, on the other side did often times assail the Turckyshe army, now in one quarter and, then in an other, making great spoil of them, holding them in continual fear and doubt, when the turk saw that he could by no means obtain the town, he departed with all his army thence, and marched to a place called capodellis Rodane, near unto the Admatique sea where Scanderbag had builded a City named Chinril, which was not fully finished nor replenished with inhabitanes, he took it and raised it to the very foundation, after this he passed thorough the country of Scanderbag, thinking to take it from him but he could not take the simplest fort that he had, he went also into certain mountains of Albania, where there were multitudes of Albaneses, with their whole families and substances, and assailed them, but he was repulsed with great dishonour, spoil, and slaughter of his people: but Scanderbag who was ever vigillante, and followed the Turckyshe army day and night, making great spoil of them, in such sort that Mahomethe being in manner out of all hope was constrained to return to Constantinople by the shortest way.  
When the turk was come to Constantinople be appointed Alibeg and Alesbeg his Captains to have the conduct of xxviii. thousand men, and sent them to his confines with expressed commandment that in no wise they should go to fight with Scanderbag, nor to enter his country unless that he first began, but only to guard well his confines. These Captains came to the frontiers and obeyed the commandment of their lord, and secretly sought to have fryndshippe with Scanderbag, and sent unto him presents of great price and value, he also used them very cortesly and fryndly, not in that that he feared them, but because he would not be counted ingrate: for he never trusted them, but stood alway upon his guard. In the end Scanderbag understanding certainly, that these Captains had expressed commandment from their lord not to make any attempt against him, but only to guard his confines, & also how that they were desirous to be in peace with him, he left the one part of his soldiers upon his confines, and took the rest with him and went to visit his country, and to administer justice and reason to such as had need thereof, and to see that none were oppressed. After this, Scanderbag came to Alessio about certain affares that touched both his state, and the state of the Senate of Venise, and chiefly for order how to take a certain new City called Valma, which the turk had builded and there fell sick of a feruant fever, in such sort, as he was enforced to lie long in that place, and seeing his death at hand, he called unto him all his Captains, and had a long discourse with them, who shed not a few tears to see him in that case, and in the end he called unto him john his only son, and in the presence of his mother the lady Doneca and of the rest, spoke unto him in this sort.  
My good son know thou, that I find myself so evil disposed in my body, that I am assured that the time of my departure out of this world is at hand, which thing seeing it is by the providence of God, his will be done: but for that thou art very young, and not able to defend our state: for that our enemy is of exceeding great power, I have determined to leave it in the protection of the Senate of Venise, as my dear brother, & good father, Paulo Angelo the Arch Byshope, our hope (whom I leave in my stead of the governance thereof) hath often times persuaded me. And further I do command the my son, that thou be alway advised by him, for in so doing thou shalt not do a miss, considering his great wisdom and experience to be such, as I can not but hope well of thee, and of the rest of my subiecttes, if that you be governed by him, for I am assured that for my sake he will be as careful for the and thine, as if thou were his own son, wherefore when thou hast shut up these mine eyes and buried me, go thou then into Apuglia to our Castles and towns that we have there, and continue there until thou come to age able to govern, and then go to Venise, and be always advised by the Senate thereof, who will gladly see thee, and set the safely into thy state and dominion, I commend unto the all my subjects, whom I have alway found faithful and obedient, use them so, that they may rather love thee, then fear thee, which thou mayest easily do, if thou see justice truly administered.  
Scanderbag had scarcely given full order for his testament, when a messenger from the governor of Scutari came, with a letter signifying unto him, how that Hamathbeg one of the turks Basas, was come from Servia with x. M. horsemen, and v. M. fote●en, and had passed a very sharp and difficult mountain named Illugi, which did appertain to the venetians, & was come down into their country, and had made great spoil there. Then that noble and magnanime prince Scanderbag, being greatly moved with these news caused to make him ready, and appoint his soldiers to make them ready to ride: in this mean time his disease did so increase upon him, that it troubled him in such sort, that he was enforced to send his soldiers away to Scutari and to tarry that day in his lodging, commanding them to do whatsoever the lieutenant should command them, and that he would the next day be with them to deal with Hamathbeg and his power, when his soldiers understood this they road on their journey shedding of tears and came to Scutari, and forthwith by commandment of the lieutenant afore said passed on over the plains until they came to the river named Cli●o. Then a certain of the turks which were on the other side of the river making guard (as soon as they saw them) knew them to be of Scanderbegs soldiers, and marveling at their sudden aryvale, called unto them ask where Scanderbag was, it was answered that he was in Alessio, and that the morning following he would look upon them, where upon the turks repaired to their Captain Hamathbeg who lay in camp upon the territory of Drivasto, and declared unto him the news that they had herd. When Hamathbeg understood these news, he was exceedingly affrayed, so that he was enforced to stand all that night in battle, and in the morning very timely to march away, and to pass over mountains by very difficult passages and ways, so that it was the journey of all the day to attain to the height of that hill, and that same night following there fell so much snow, driven with a vehement wind being in the month of januarie, that y● greatest number of those poor, and fearful turks died in that night, and they which were left on live the day foloing, marched away in exceeding great fear, & looked often times behind them if that they mought see Scanderbag to follow them, and had determined, if they had seen him come, to fall upon their knees, & to yield unto him, as it was declared to the Drivastianes' by sundry turks which they took, and in every place where these poor turks passed, they were cut in pieces, and spoiled, & miserably handled, in sort, y● few of them ever returned to their dwelling place.  
This same very day that the turks thus fled not being followed by any enemy, 
The death of the Christian prince Scan.  this most Christian prince Scanderbag, left this earthly life, yielding his soul to God in the year of our health. 1467. and in the year from his birth. 63. he was buried in the Cathedral Church of Saint Nicholas, in Alessio, with great solemnity, and honour, for whose death the bewailing was so universal, as the like was never seen in those parts of Epirro, for in all places a man should have hard them weep betterly, of all estates, and chiefly the nobilitises, and Captains, cried out in most piteous wise, saying, O Scanderbag our good king, our defender, our only comfort, our father, and brother, why hast thou thus left us Orphans as sheep without a pastor, how may we now any lengar escape the hands of those most cruel, and wicked turks, our enemies, woe shallbe unto our poor people, woe to both great and small, woe to Albania, and to all the provinces thereof, and to all the provinces near about it, In like sort did the princes, and people of other countries near about it, morn, and lament, for Scanderbag was their eye, and watch man, the defender of the states of all faithful christians, and of his own, he was entirely beloved of all christians unless it were of the false christians disciples of judas. Also the unreasonable creatures lamented his death, for one of his best horses upon whom he had done great acts, and been also in perillause battles, which was a very well doing horse, and of great travail, in battle like a Lion, of such fierceness as it was marveled at of all the noble men and Captains, that had seen the doings of the horse, and out of battle he was as gentle as a lamb, this horse as fone as his Master was dead, began forthwith to bray terribly, and to beat himself from the one side, to the other, without taking any rest day nor night, he would never after that day suffer bridle, nor saddle to be put on him, nor would never taste any kind of hay provender or other sustenance, but continually braying & beating himself day and night till at the last through very faintness, he fell down to the earth, and never rose again upon his feet but died, the signification hereof I commit to the secret purpose of God, who knoweth all things, notwithstanding I wish all Christians not to cease, but continually to give thanks unto his divine Majesty for his great benefits bestowed upon us, and to pray him to deliver us from the cruel and wicked hands of the turks, and to give us victory against them, and all other infidels, as he always did to his faithful soldier Scanderbag, which was not unlike in victory to judas Machabeus, Scanderbag was much like to the Emperor Eracleo, which by the help of God did overthrow the proud heathen prince Cosdroe, Scanderbag in all the afore named battles, and others whereof there is no mention made in this treatise, was never shirt nor maimed at any time, except once that he was hurt in the right leg with an arrow, but the poor soldier which shot it, was forth with espied of him and slain at one only stroke, and cut in two pieces, his arms were always, covered with armour, he was not enchanted, as the foolish ignorant people did affirm, for if he had been echaunted, he could not have been hurt by the arrow, and it is written that he never fought but his arm was well armed his use was ever to throw of his braciall, 
Usage of Scan.  as soon as he had put his enemies to flight, to the end, that he might the more frankly strike, for he bestowed never more than one blow, upon one enemy in chase, at all other times he was very well armed, and did join with his rare force, wisdom and experience, and would never at tempt God.  
After that he was ded, the worthy Captains peiche Emanuel, Zacharia Groppa, Leche Cucca, Paolo Manesi, with diverse other worthy men, and worthy of credit, who had been with him in manner in all his doings did affirm how that Scanderbag in those battles wherein they had accompanied him, had slain with his own hand more then. 3. thousand men, his order was such that his enemy did never long stand against him but speedily he put them to flight, and as touching his natural force, it was not much unlike to y● most rare force of Orlando, and Rynaldo, with other famous Knights of the mighty king Charles, he gave once a great blow in the presence of all his army, being in a great fury for otherwise I believe he should hardly have done it, there were taken in battle two. soldiers of Balabanes kinsmen, which were rebels unto Scanderbag, these were presented unto him, and had done him much hurt, and displeasure, he would not suffer that any other should slay them, but drew his sword, and with one only blow he cut them both in pieces, in such sort that they fell down ded to the earth, not without marvel & trembling, of all those that beheld it. The turk on a time understanding by report that Scanderbag had a sword: wherewith he would strike of some time a man's arm being well armed, and would cut in pieces a helmet or any other kind of armour made of iron, sent unto him desiring him to give him the sword Scanderbag had more than three of that temper and goodness, & sent the turk frankly one of them, the turk was very glade of such a present and caused the sword to be proved by certain of his most valiant men, to see if that they could cut iron with it, but they did not much hurt the iron with it, no more did their strokes the sword. Then the turk sent to Scanderbag that his sword was no such sword as it was named to be, but Scanderbag answered that the sword was sufficiently good to do more than had been reported of him, so that it were governed by his arm, which he kept to his own use. And for testimony of his force I think it not inconvenient to recite certain strokes that he gave for pleasure, to the end, that such as be of judgement may think what he mought do, being well armed and kindled against his enemy, Scanderbag hath been seen to chase the Bear, the wild Goat, the Wolf, the Heart, the Boar, and such like beasts of great speed: over the plains on horseback, and with one only blow to have stricken any of the afore named beasts riding, to the ground ded.  
And on a time it happened the king Ferrante to hunt in Apuglia, being acompained with many noble men according to the use of that country, and when any beast came forth of the woods to the plain, the king used to appoint some noble man to slay it with his sharp Gianetton, and it happened that a great Boar came forth to the plain, the king smile said that that chase belonged to his dear father Scanderbag, who then without saying any more, or taking any Gianeton with him (which is a weapon appointed for that purpose) put spurs to his horse and galloped after the boar in the sight of them all, having no armour upon him and overgate the boar, & drew his sword and running with one stroke cut him a sunder in the midst & put up his sword, and returned again to his company, where at the king, and Queen, with all the nobylitye maruelied much, to see a man of a goodly stature, upon an high Courser running, to do such a miracle. another time in a wood of the lady Mamizza, his sister, in albania their was a wild Bufallo a bull very great of body, and he was much feared, he had done much hurt to diverse valiant men, hunters, and others that passed that way, and chiefly to such as did were red garments, Scanderbag did alway use to were on his head a scarlatte cap, after the manner of Carmannola, and on a time being in this wood at the chase, and saying this Bufallo coming out of the wood all they that were with him began to flee, where at he smiled and thrust his horse toward the Bufallo, and dealt with him with such agility that at one stroke he smote of his head, whereat all men marveled, and especially his valiant Captains, which before fled from the beast, but in the end, they did greatly rejoice at that strange blow, the sword that Scanderbag struck the best with was a Scimitar bending like unto a falchion he was a right damaskyne, he used sometime to wear two in one scabbard, and sometime to break them both in one battle, or else so to spoil them, that he mought no more with his honour were th●m. At the last there came an excellent Master out of Italy, who made him three Scimitaries, not only good, but excellent, where of he gave one to the turk, they would cut all kind of iron and never hurt the edges of them, Scanderbag did with these sword great acts against the enemy's of the catholic faith, in the honour and service of the almighty God, it was never seen that Scanderbag fled from any man, on les it were once from a soldier of his own on whom he had compassion. This soldier on a time (as Scanderbag was debating with his Captains of certain services of importance) answered so unadvisedly, & with such insolency, that he moved him in such sort that he laid hand on his sword and ran at him, but the soldier turned his horse readily and fled. Scanderbag followed him until that he came to a river: then the soldier turned him and drew his sword and spoke unto him very advisedly, saying, that he could flee no further for the river. 
Great magnanimity of Scan.  wherefore he was enforced to defend his life, when Scanderbag understood this who would not have lost such a man for his weight of silver, he considered both how reverently and manfully he behaved himself toward him, he was moved with compassion, and said unto him, be of good courage, doubt not, come on with me. I will not hurt thee, and in this sort repressed his fury, and returned to the company giving great commendations to this worthy man and plase him in the number of those that he most favoured.  
When the turk understood the news of the death of Scanderbag, he would in no wise believe it but said to his visiris and chief Captains, that it was a finesse of his enemy, to feign him to be ded, meaning thereby to do some strange fact, wherefore he was in great fear and stood more upon his guard then before, and would not attempt any thing at all against Scanderbag nor against any other neighbour of his until one whole year was passed, but as soon as that most cruel enemy of the christians was assured of the death of Scanderbag, he was more glad than ever he was before at any time & immediately assembled his army and sent them not only into the country of Scanderbegs, and of the venetians, but also into the countries of all the rest of the princes of Albania, not once, but often times, as to the siege of Croia, Scutari, Drivasto, and sundry other places, making wars upon them for the space of xi years without cease, notwithstanding through the help of God, that country did alway defend itself, not without great spoil, and slaughter of the turks aforesaid. In the end this mighty Tyrant came into Albania in person with all his power, and all the princes thereof that fled not, were other slain, or lad away in miserable captivity, he took in manner the whole country of Albania in a very short time, but the victorius City of Scutari (not fearing his long siege) did alway defend itself not without the slaughter and spoil of an infinite number of turks. In the end the Senate of Venise to conclude a peace with the turk, were content to give him that City, saving the lives and goods of the Citizens according to the conditions of the peace that was made with Tauth Bassa of Romania by means of the magnificient Pietro Angelo, who was sent with commission honourable in ambassade, from the mighty Antonio Loredano, general of y● Venetian Armata, to the aforesaid Tauth with whom Ducagino was prisoner, by whose means he obtained a safe conduct, for the Senate to send an ambassador (for the conclusion of the aforesaid peace) to Constantinople. Then the Venetianes sent their secretary john Dario, ambassador to the great turk, & concluded that peace.  
In this mean time all the inhabitants of Scutary came to Venise, and were received by the Senators, and rewarded largely for their faithful and true service. After this the turks took the City of Alessio where with all diligence they sought for the body of Scanderbag, & as soon as they had found it, although in his life time they feared it, and also hated his name, yet being ded they worshipped it: as we use to worship Canonizad saints, and in the end happy was he that could get some piece of his bones, esteeming it for a holly relic, and set it in gold or silver, and hanged it about their necks as things of great holiness, saying that thereby they hoped to have alwai victory, which is a paganish superstition. Although that for the offences of us Christians, which are so divided among ourselves by means of our Ambition, and greediness, god hath given the turks many great victories a, 'gainst us, even to this present day according to our most just deserts and merits.  
FINIS.    

A description of the success of the house of Ottomanno.  
IN the year of our health. 1353. Amorathe Ottomanno prince of the turks passed into Gretia with. 70. thousand men in the aid of one of the brethren, sons to the Emperor of Constantinople, then lately deceased, he spoiled all the country of the loer Servia called Burgaria, with the country of Macedonia, and the higher Servia.  
In the year. 1366. he took the City of Gallipolli of the dominions of the Emperor of Constantinople.  
In the year. 1370. he took the kingdom of Burgaria.  
In the year. 1375. Baiazithe the first entered into Gretia with his army making wars against the Greeks, and in short time possessed all Romania, leving to the Emperor but only Constantinople, and Pera.  
In the year. 1390. Tamerlano the parthian prince, made wars upon Armenia, upon the confines whereof Baiazithe the turkish prince encountered him in battle, and was taken prisoner, & his army defected by him, and also the Empire of the lesser Asia possessed Amorathe the .2. took the City of Solenich, with diverse other places to the great prejudice of the Christians, he made wars against George Castrioth sometime named Scanderbag, & in the end he died in despite before the City of Croia, in the year. 1442.  
In the year. 1453. Mahomethe the second, son to Hierenia the daughter of George the Dispotto of Servia, and to Amorathe the second aforesaid took the City and Empire, of Constantinople.  
In the year, 1459. he took the whole kingdom of Servia, after the death of his Uncle Lazaro, he took also the kingdom of Bassina, and made wars in Albania against the afore named George Castrioth, but he received alway the foil at his hand.  
In the year. 1460. he took the whole country of More a, Athenes, and all Thesalia.  
In the year. 1462. he took the Empire of Trebisonda, In the year. 1463. he took the Isle of Meteline, at the same time they of the Isle of Scio put themselves under the protection of Mahomethe and granted to pay him tribute.  
In the year. 1470. he put a Navy to sea of. 400. sail under the conduct of Mahomethe Bassa, sending him to take the City of Calcide, standing upon the Isle, anciently called Euboica, now called Negroponte, and after many assaults took both the City and the Isle.  
In the year. 1475. he took the City of Caffa.  
In the year. 1474. he came to the Isle of Rhodes, landed his people and besieged the town of Rhodes but he could not take it, he sent at that same time Acomathe his Bascia with. 15000. men toward the golf, who assailed the Isle Eucadia or Sent Manra and took it, he took also Cephalonia, and Hiacinta, and then passed the golf and went into Puglia took Ottranto.  
In the year. 1477. after the death of Scanderbag aforesaid he took the City of Orivasto, he obtained Scutari by the making of a peace with the Venetians, he took also diverse other towns in Albania.  
In the year. 148. Baiazithe the. 2. entered into Cilicia and fought with Caromano prince thereof, overcame him in battle, flew him and defected his army, possessed in short space all his dominions.  
About that same time he agreed with the prince of Scandaloro prince of Cilicia Trachea, giving him in exchange of his country, other possessiones in Anatolia.  
In the year. 1498. he put his Navy to the sea and he in person went with his army by land and came to the golf of Patrasso and besieged the town of Lepantho & in short time took it.  
The year following he besieged Modone and took it.  
Selim the successor of Baiazithe, in the year. 1512. departed from Trebisonda and encountered his father in battle, and was defected by him.  
In the year. 1514. Selim came to Constantinople against the determination of his father, & though the aid of the Gianizaries deposed his father from the government.  
In the year. 1515. he gave battle to both his brethren and defeicted their armies, flew them with certain of his Nephews.  
In the year. 1516. went with a great army against the Sophy king of persia, gave him battle and overthrew him.  
In the year. 1518. he marched with is army toward Aleppo, and encountered Campson the sultan, ten miles beyond Aleppo, upon the bank of the river Singa, gave him battle, in the which both he was slain, and his people put to flight and slain, within short time after he marched on toward Cairo and encountered in battle the new elected Sultan. Tomombeio, defected his power and took him, and put him in miserable sort to death, and possessed all Egipte, with the whole country of Sorria.  
In the year. 1520. he made ready a puissant Armata, with other great provision by land and then died.  
In y● year. 1531. Gazzele rebelled in Damasto, against Soliman son to Selim, whereupon Solimanno sent his army against him, flew him and defected all his power.   

Faults escaped in the printing.  
In y●. 2. lease &. 2. page, Eugenio for Egeo, fol. 4. page. 1. Emirna for Smirna, fol. 7. page. 1. janio, for jonio, fol 8. page. 1. Sagenio for Eugenio, fol. the 10. pag. 1. Varia for Varna, fol. 11. page. 1. stir for serre fol. the. 20. page the. 2. platane for plantain fol. 22. page the. 2. their, for there fol. 22. page the. 2. vere for vex fol. 23. page the. 1. Salaminan for Salamina fol. 23. page the 1. promountories for promontories fol. 24. page the first ransom for ransom.