THE HISTORY OF INFAMOUS IMPOSTORS. OR, THE Lives & Actions Of Several Notorious Counterfeits, Who from the most Abject, and Meanest of the People, have Usurped the Titles of Emperors, Kings, and Princes.  
Written by The Sr. J. B. de Rocoles', Historigrapher of France and Brandenbourg.  
And now Done into English.  
London, Printed for William Cademan, at the Pope's-Head, in the Lower-Walk of the New-Exchange, in the Strand, MDCLXXXIII.   

THE PREFACE.  
THE Intention of this Preface, is not to make any Apology for the ensuing Treatise, since it needs none: My Author being well qualified for the Undertaking, and having Learnedly and Judiciously Collected these Lives, from most Authentic Historians, except that of Don Sebastian, wherein he has assisted himself, with part of the Fancy and Tale, from the curious Pen of Madamoiselle des Jardins, as he there acknowledges: All the rest, are backed with good Authority; for I have taken the pains to inspect many of the Authors herein in cited, and sometimes made bold a little to Enlarge or Explain, as the Passages required.  
But I was glad to have the occasion in the Reading this small Piece, to observe and expose how restless a Passion Ambition is, and what different Ways it treads to compass its Designs; Though amongst all the Methods that are used, none is more Plausible, and in a fairer way of Success, than this kind of Artifice, where the Impostor, upon his own Fund of Confidence, by personating Another, sets up for Himself, and a Kingdom: And with such Art and Subtilty, puts on his borrowed Plumes, that the Fraud has not been soon, or perhaps never fully discovered: But the End has generally proved Unfortunate.  
Here are represented almost all that History furnishes of this kind, except the late Demetrius' of Russia, and very few more; which may possibly be added to This hereafter, in Case it be worthy of another Edition. But what Volumes might be made, should an Historian undertake to Describe the Arts and Tricks of our Modern Impostors, who to arrive at their Ambitious Ends, far outdo the villainies related in this Book.  
Where can we parallel such an Impostor? Who had been long sensible of the warm Influence of Royal Favour, and had all his former Crimes buried in Oblivion; and yet that he should return to his Vomit, by animating his Prince's greatest Enemies to his Destruction; and most ungratefully, when the Snuff of his detested Life is almost extinct, still delude the World with his borrowed Shapes and Disguises; seducing his Countrymen from their Duty and Allegiance, with groundless Fears and Jealousies: And then, with the specious Pretences of Liberty and Property, so charm the Multitude, that he becomes not only the Idol of the Clowns, but of many others, who are ready to raise Altars to Him, having made Medals in his Honour; till, at last, he hurries them into Riot, Sedition, and their dismal consequences. Strange Contradiction! That Vigour, and Decrepit Old Age, should consist for Rebellion: And when Life is on Tilt, New Plots should be tapping, to stum the Nation, and intoxicate the weaker Sort to their Ruin.  
Nor can I less admire the Imposture of his Clients, who being a Scandal to Debauchery, cry out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians! Our Religion! Our True Protestant Religion! To follow the Scent, and to keep up the Chase, One can even prostitute his Wife to another, and be basely branded vigilanti stertere naso: And to give a Specimen, that All things should be in Common, in an Honourable way, make bold with a Sister. Who cannot easily detect such an Impostor, that would make us believe, he can be just to Oaths and Sacraments, when he has abused them, and mimickt the most Sacred Mystery, with the Diversion of a Christmas Fire? And who in the Fraud of an Employment, by the Letting out of Prisoners, foretold he would be a Patriot for the Liberty of the Subject?  
Lord, how it shocks me! to think, that a Publican, and a Sinner, One that from Leathern Breeches should by indirect means, so fill his Canvas, with the Stamp of Majesty, that he should aim at a Peereage, and missing of it, should then forget his Allegiance to Caesar. Sure, 'tis no small Artifice must make this Man appear a Saint, and an Assertor of his Country's Rights. And that a Wise City, worthy of Bedlam, should fancy him the  Guardian of Widows and Orphans, who used to make private Assignations, with their Wives and Daughters in moorfield's; and then, at last, modestly absconded, hoping to defraud them of their Portions.  
But those who most raise my Admiration, move in a Lower Orb; yet are no less Eminent in their proper Sphere, than the Former; These, like the Moon, though enlightened from another, yet have great Influence, and are very Instrumental in the Flux and Reflux of our Troubled Waters. Great Zealots for a Religion, which is yet to be chosen. Hypocrites, always stigmatised for Atheism: Cowards to every one, but God, and their Prince; both whom, they dare Lampoon in Taverns, and impudently Defy; because, they know, their greatest Attribute is MERCY. 'Tis a mad World, my Masters! When One sets up for a Protestant Pillar, who by his Bulk perhaps might be thought so, to hear him mouth out PROPERTY and RELIGION; whose Estate, like his Poetry, lies in Terra Incognita; and his Piety such, that he scarce ever Names his Maker, but to Profane Him. One, worse than a Pharisee, neither Clean within, nor without,; who bauls for a Dole, and is chosen by his Worthy Patrons, not for his Brains, but his Lungs. The Devil's Maxim holds true; That no Man serves God for nought; and he, to invert the Case, serves not his Masters for nought: Though, when these Distractions shall be quite Composed, and the Delirium of the Nation abated, his Patrons may discard their Tool; which being without an edge, rather Bruised than Cut: And so at length, in imitation of a Playhouse, retrench their Expenses, and deprive their Lumber-of-a-Writer, of his Pension. This Man was a Papist by his Education; a most scandalous Libertine, in course of Life; and a professed Atheist is his Conversation: No doubt therefore, but he must be a fit Champion for the Protestant Religion, and the Laws, against Popery, and Arbitrary Government.  
And since we are in, let us not forget another Impostor, whom Nature never designed for a Man, but said, Be thou always a Boy. A strange Mixture of a Creature, who learned in his Father's Shop to be Pragmatical and Fantastic; and thinks it as easy a Task to Cleanse, and take off all the Stains and Spots, which he with his False Glass can represent in the Face of the Established Government, as for his Sire, in a Chequered Apron, on a Saturday Night, to scour the Face of a Ploughman. Sure, in all reason, 'twas enough for him to have imitated Soap-Bladders in Poetry, and not to have been set on work about Trimming up a New Successor; where, like his own Rockets on a Pope-Night, he Rambles extravagantly, and Whisks this, and that way, to no purpose; and his best Reasons, as once his Squibbs, destroy themselves, and endanger no Body so much as their Author. If he could possibly be made capable of Good Advice, I would counsel him only to play the Fool in Bartholomew-Fair; there let him be Laureate to King Oberon; and at his own Booth, be Zany and Poet. But let not his own Life and Manners be the Subject of his next Puppet-Show; lest it Debauch the Rabble, his great Admirers.  
These, and many other Scribblers, have been Selected, as the Propogaters of the Cause; but they are generally so Vile and Inconsiderable, that I choose to despise them, and scorn to do them the credit of Remarking.  
I would stop here; but, Difficile est Satyram non Scribere; as fast as I cut off, New Heads arise from my Hydra; Legion, of Old, left Man for Swine, and now for Swine enters Man again. Such Impostors have appeared amongst us of late, that it is incredible to think, that our Senses and Understandings should have been so much imposed on, as they have. Wretches, most profligate in all sorts of Wickedness; as Cheating, Thieving, Forgery, Coining, Lying, Perjury; nay, Sodomy; have on a sudden been entertained and credited, as most Pious, Sober, Virtuous Christians, and True Protestants. What greater Prodigy, than that such Spirits of Darkness, should pass for Angels of Light? Yet in respect to the Sense and Justice of my Country, I will keep in bold Truths, and spare even the Impostor with a Witness. But when any Man shall think it convenient, in proper Colours, to draw the true Lineaments of some of these Counterfeit, the History of their Lives, though writ with the greatest Impartiality, will appear as improbable as Rabelais his Garagantua. In the mean time, let them be tormented with their Secret Crimes; and in their Consciences, which are as a Thousand Witnesses, confess,  
— Ambiguae si quando citabere Testis  
Incertaeque rei. Phalaris licet imperet, ut sis  
Falsus, & admoto dictet perjuria Tauro.  
Summum crede nefas, vitam praeferre pudori,  
Et propter vitam vivendi perdere causas.  Juvenal Sat. 8. 
I could have Paraphrased this into English, but will content myself with Doctor holiday's Translation.  
When in a Doubtful Cause, thou needs must stand  
A Witness, should Phalaris bid thee be  
False, show his Bull, and dictate Perjury.  
Life, before Virtue, count it lewd to choose;  
Do not, to save Life, th' Ends we live for lose.   

A TABLE OF THE Histories contained in this Book.  

Chap. I. THe False Smerdis, only Brother of Cambyses King of Persia, and of the Medes. Pag. 1.  
Chap. II. The False Nero. Pag. 26.  
Chap. III. The False Messiah, called Bencochab, Chief of the Revolted Jews. Pag. 30.  
Chap. IU. The False Moses. Pag. 33.  
Chap. V. John Bulchold, King of the Anabaptists, called John of Leyden. Pag. 35.  
Chap. VI The False Clotaire, called Gondoald. Pag. 38.  
Chap. VII. The False Baldwin, Emperor of Greece, and Earl of Flanders. Pag. 58.  
Chap. VIII. The False Richard, Duke of York, and pretended Son of Edward the Fourth King of England, called Perkin Warbeck. Pag. 76.  
Chap. IX. The False Don Sebastian, King of Portugal. Pag. 113.  
Chap. X. The False Voldemar, Marquis and Elector of Brandenbourg. Pag. 139.  
Chap. XI. The False Mustapha, Son of Bajazet, the First of that Name, Emperor of the Turks. Pag. 154.  
Chap. XII. The False James Heraclides, Despot of Moldavia and Wallachia. Pag. 179.    

A LIST OF INFAMOUS Impostors: OR THE LIVES Of Several Notorious Counterfeits, who from the most Abject, and Meanest of the People, have usurped the Titles of Emperors, Kings, and Princes.  

CHAP. I. Of the False Smerdis.  
ONE of the most Profligate Impostors I can write of, is the Counterfeit Smerdis, who was a Magus; which, taking the word in its most favourable Acceptation, signifies a Scholar, an ginger, or Philosopher: But I am more inclined to believe he was a Magician; who for some Crime, escaped the Justice of Cyrus, with the loss of his Ears. The Frenzy and Distraction into which Cambyses, King of Persia, and Son of Cyrus the Great, fell, gave this Impostor an Opportunity to show himself; and, for eight Months, to ascend the Throne of one of the Greatest, and most Potent Empires in the Universe. For the King, when fallen into this Distemper, caused his only Brother to be put to Death, he being then Governor of Persia: Whose Person this Magician so acted, as obtained him the Quality and Empire of Smedis. The untimely Death of this Prince, gave him the Opportunity of being so great an Impostor; the Distraction of Cambyses, was the cause of his Death; and the Sacrilege of Cambyses, in mortally wounding the God Apis, of Epaphus, the Occasion of that Punishment. This Apis the Egyptians blinded with Idolatory, adored in the Figure of a Calf. The Fable of this Divinity is known to proceed from Jupiter's loving the Princess Jo, Daughter of Inachus, King of Phoenicia; Juno contrived to surprise him with her: wherefore Jupiter turned her into an Heifer, to secure her against the Revenge and Jealousy of the Goddess: But that was not sufficient to extinguish her Jealous suspicions, which prompted her to beg that beautiful Cow of Jupiter, who could find no excuse to deny her. Juno committed her to the keeping of Argus with his hundred Eyes; at which, Jupiter being extremely vexed, sent Mercury his Bastard, and stole her away while Argus slept: This so engaged Juno, that her Revenge fell on Jo, whom she commanded the fury Erinnys to make distracted, and possess with wild Fancies, which made her wander about the World; until grown weary and Faint, she stopped in Egypt, where she was restored to her former Shape and Person, and brought to Bed of Epaphus; The Egyptians Worshipping both her, and her Son. Ovid tells this Story at the end of his first Book of Metamorphosis.  
Cambyses, although the eldest Son, and Successor to so great a King, and in the Possession of such mighty Provinces as the Persiaen Empire contained, burned with an unlimited Ambition to extend his Conquests, which he did over Egypt; stripping Psalmneticus the King, Son of Amasis the Usurper, of all Regal Power: But this not being enough for his vast Thoughts; he undertook three great Wars, at the same time, though very unseasonably, and to his disadvantage; making the Carthaginians, the Aethiopians; and the Arabians his Enemies. Against each of these he had ill Success: He could not attack the Carthaginians, but by Sea; and the Phoenicians, his only Subjects that could assist him with Ships, mutined, and refused to lend him any; belleving it unnatural to contribute towards the Ruin of the Carthaginians, who proceeded from them. To advance towards Aethiopia, the Army had vast Deserts to march over; and this young unadvised King took so ill Measures, and made so small Provisions, that he hardly got the Fifth Part of the way, ere his Army wanted, and were forced to eat their own Horses, and Camels; and afterward, by Decimation and Lot, to feed on every Tenth Man; till at last, he, with the Wrack of this miserable Army, got back to Thebes in Egypt. The Third, which was of Fifty Thousand Men, was commanded to waste the Country round the Temple of Jupiter Hammon, and to burn that famous Temple, with the Statue of Jupiter. When they had advanced as far as the City Oasis, seven days Journey beyond Thebes, being the midway to the Town of Dasis, (the Country they were to attack) they halted in a Valley; where an impetuous Wind, blowing Mountains of Sand from all parts, buried them together, not one escaping; so that Cambyses could have no other News, but only the probability of this Accident.  
The God Apis, so much adored by the Egyptians, showed himself that Year, which he had not done along time before. These blind People, when they found a Calf of extraordinary Largeness and Beauty, made it their False God, using all Shows of public Joy they could express. Cambyses, being angry, and ill humoured with his late Disasters, believed they rejoiced at his ill Fortune, and took a Pretext to do it for the Apparition of their God. He was then at Memphis; where he commanded the Magistrates to come before him, and give an Account, why they took so ill a Conjuncture for their Mirth and Feasting. No Excuses would serve, nor no Submissions prevail; but he caused them all to be put to Death. He also commanded the Priests of Apis to be brought, with the Calf they adored; which was black, and had a large square Spot in his Fore head; another in the resemblance of an Eagle on his Back; a Cross under his Jaws; and at the End of his Tail, a thick forked Tough of Hair. Cambyses drew his Sword, and wounded him in the Ham, though his intention was to have killed him; calling the Priests contemptuous Names, saying, You deserve no better Gods, than Flesh and Blood, that can feel and smart with a Wound. Then, in derision, caused them to be cruelly beaten, commanding his Guards to kill whoever they found rejoicing on that Occasion. This severe Order soon put an end to their Feasting: The God Apis was carried into the Temple, where he languished till he died, and was privately buried by his Priests. Heaven, as the Egyptians believed, punished Cambyses for these Sacrileges, taking away his Reason, and making him distracted. One of the saddest Effects of his Frenzy, was, the Death of his own Brother Smerdis, a very accomplished Prince, and of so extraordinary Strength, that it caused his Brother's Jealousy so far, as to deny him Access to his Person, by sending him into Persia while he remained in Egypt. His Ambassadors, or rather his Spies in Aethiopia, amongst other Rarities, brought home with them a Bow, of so large a size, that no Persian had strength enough to bend it, but Smerdis only, who did it with two Fingers; which was the first subject of his Disgrace, as that which follows was the cause of his Death.  
Cambyses dreamt, that a Courier came in great haste, & brought him news, that Smerdis sat on his Throne, & that his Head reached Heaven. This made him resolve his Death; and gave Prexaspes, one of his Officers, Orders to see it done; which he did near Susa, as he accompanied him a Hunting: Others say, It was by throwing him into the Red-Sea, as he walked on the Cliffs. I need but mention the other Cruelties of Cambyses; The Murdering one of his Sisters, whom he had Married, kicking her many times on the Belly, when she was with Child, of which she died: The Occasion she gave him, was wittily reproaching him of his Killing Smerdis. He shot the Son of Prexaspes with an Arrow, and then ripped him open; so paying his Father for Murdering Smerdis. He put twelve of his great Lords to a cruel Death, burying them alive, with their Heads downwards; and would have killed the best of his Counsellors, the wise and famous Croesus; who lost his Kingdom of Lydia, with his immense Riches; on whom Cyrus, his Father, had pity. These were the Praeludes, or rather the Causes, which preceded and encouraged this Impudent Impostor, of whom we treat.  
During the time Cambyses committed these Excesses of Cruelties, and that his Frenzy made him more hated, than a wild Beast; there were two Brothers, by Profession Magicians; One of them, called Patazithes, was an Officer of his House: These conspired against him. Patazithes, knowing the Death of Smerdis, which was hid from the Persians, had Insolence enough to undertake this Enterprise, which follows: He had a Brother of the Age and Features of Smerdis, and of his Name also; him he contrived to set on the Throne, and instructed him in all the Arts he should use. He sent Heralds into Egypt, commanding the Officers of the Army, for the future, to obey Smerdis, the Son of Cyrus; and no longer to own Allegiance to Cambyses: These Heralds so well acquitted themselves of their Commission, that one of them met Cambyses with his Army at Echatana in Syria, to whom he boldly shown his Order; who was astonished at his Resoiution; and turning towards Prexaspes, spoke to him in these words: Is it thus, you have executed the Commands I gave you? No, Sir, (replied Prexaspes) it is not true, that your Brother can ever Rebel, or Fight more or less against your Authority; for with my own Hands I obeyed your Orders: And if those who are out of the World can fight, you have more reason to apprehend Astyages, King of the Medes; but if your Majesty have no cause to think of him, you have no other to fear your Brother Smerdis. I beseech you, Sir, (continued he) grant me some of your Guards, to pursue this Herald, and bring him back, that you may learn from him, if he have seen, or spoke to Smerdis. This Advice pleased the King: The Herald was brought back, and asked, If he received his Orders from the Mouth of Smerdis, or from some of his Ministers only? He ingenuously confessed, he had not seen him, since the War Cambyses made in Egypt; but had his Orders from the Magician, whom his Majesty made Intendant of his Affairs in Persia; who said in these words: Smerdis, the Son of Cyrus, commands this to be done. Cambyses was satisfied by this Answer, that Prexaspes had obeyed him; whom he otherwise had certainly put to Death. He asked him, If he could conjecture, who were the Authors of this Rebellion and Imposture? I doubt (said Prexaspes) they were the Magician's Patazthes, Governor of the Household, and Smerdis his Brother. When Cambyses heard the Name of Smerdis, he seemed Thunderstruck, remembering the Truth of his Dream; and knowing too late his fatal Error, wept bitterly for his double Murder, of his Brother and Sister: In this transport of Grief, hastily mounting his Horse, to chastise the Rebels at Susa, the Scabbard of his Sword dropped off, and he found himself wounded in the same Place, with the Point, where he hurt the God Apis. It surprised him more, when they told him, He was in Echatana in Syria: The Oracle of Butis having foretold he should die in Echatana, he believed it the great City of that Name in Media; where he kept his Treasure, and commonly resided: Flattering himself he should end his days there, in his old Age; but troubled at the Imposture of the Magician, and grieved for the Excesses of his past Life, his Wound having made him languish twenty days, he sent for the most considerable Officers, and spoke thus to them: Fate will, that Cambyses, the Son of Cyrus, die here; and now I am constrained (my dear Persians) to discover what I have hid from you hitherto. When I was in Egypt I dreamt a Dream, which made me fear my Brother should usurp my Crown: This Fear made me act with more Precipitancy, than Reason; (I find Man has not the Power to hinder what shall happen) I too rashly sent Prexaspes to kill Smerdis at Susa: After which Crime, I thought myself secure; not imagining, when he was out of the World, any mortal Creature dared to rise up against me: But I see I am miserably abused, and have been, to no purpose, my Brother's Murderer: For, notwithstanding I am robbed of my Empire, it was this Smerdis the Magician, the Doemon showed me in my Sleep; and 'tis he, was to take Arms against me. Think not, when I am gone, to have Smerdis, the Son of Cyrus, for your King: They are two Magicians, would have the Empire; One I made Governor of my House; the Other is Smerdis, his Brother. But, Oh deplorable unhappiness! He that should have revenged his Insolence, is basely murdered by his nearest Relations. Next, I conjure you in the Name of the Gods, in whose Protection Crowned Heads are, and which I hope to obtain of you, my most dear Ackemenides, since the Kings of Persia proceed from you; never suffer such a Meanness of Spirit, as may let the Empire, and Sovereign Power return to the Medes: If they obtain it by Fraud, or Force, use the same Methods to tear it from them; and if in this you obey my Orders, I beseech the Gods, your Fields, your Wives, and your Cattle may be fruitful: But if you do not as I command; on the contrary, may all Miseries fall on your Heads, and your Ends be unhappy as mine.  
Having ended this Discourse, he wept abundantly, deploring his so early Fate: The Persians that were by, found his griefs so moving, they tore their Garments, and shed many Tears, crying out for sorrow. His pain augmented till the Wound gangreen'd, & perished the Bone: Death giving a Period to his Reign, which was Seven Years, and Five Months, without any Children.  
The truth of the Imposture, and Usurpation of the Magicians, could not enter into the minds of the Persians; it seemed incredible to them; They thought the Death of Smerdis, of which Cambyses informed them, was only a Pretext to make the Name of the Persians odious, and believed firmly that Smerdis, by this Rebellion, had placed himself on the Throne: Which opinion they continued in the longer, by Prexaspes' utterly denying the Murder, though if he had owned it, he had certainly been destroyed, when Cambyses was Dead, who authorised and avowed it; for the Persians would have been very rigorous with him, that had dared to shed the Blood of that Great King Cyrus.  
The Magician, after the Death of Cambyses bearing the Name of Smerdis, Reigned without trouble or contradiction, Seven Months together; during which time, he exercised his Liberality and Munificence, to the Subjects of the Empire; which were so extraordinary, that after his Death, the People of Asia, (except the Persians) lamented his loss extremely. He sent his Proclamations through all the Provinces, to exempt the People from Taxes, promising them Peace, and Rest; Declaring he he would List no Soldiers for the War, in three Years: But in Eight Months his Villainy was in this manner detected.  
Otanes, Son of Pharnaspes, who was one of the greatest Lords of Persia, suspected the Magician not to be Smerdis, the Son of Cyrus, and his suspicion was grounded on his recluse way of Living; for he never came out of the Palace, nor gave Audience or access to any Persian Lord. This just doubt made him send a faithful Servant to Phedina his Daughter, who with the rest of the Wives of Cambyses, was in the possession, and enjoyment of the Magician, to ask what kind of Man lay with her, if it were Smerdis the Son of Cyrus, or some other? She sent him word by the Messenger, she could not resolve him, because she had never seen Smerdis, nor could she describe what kind of Man he was, that had access to her. Upon this, her Father desired, she would ask Attossa, the Sister and Wife of Cambyses, and now in the Number of those, in the Possession of the Usurper. To which she replied, She could not speak to Attossa, nor any other Woman the King lay with; for this Man, whatever he be, since he became King, keeps us all in different Apartments.  
Otanes being confirmed in his suspicion, by these Answers, sent his faithful Servant a third time, to propose what follows; That she being of a Noble Family, should not fear exposing herself in a danger her Father advised her to; for if this Man were not Smerdis, the Son of Cyrus, but he whom he suspected, she ought not to be enjoyed by him, nor he possess the Sovereignty he Usurped over the Persians, but be punished as his Insolence deserved: Therefore she should endeavour to feel his Head, when he was asleep, and if she found his Ears, he was undoubtedly Smerdis the Son of Cyrus; if not, he must as certainly be Smerdis the Magician. Phedina could not dissemble her apprehensions of the danger; for if he surprised her in that curiosity, she could expect nothing but Death: nevertheless she promised to venture, and obey her Father. Cyrus had cut his Magician's Ears off, for some Villainy committed in his time; and she feeling when he was asleep, found he had none, and early in the Morning gave her Father notice. Otanes informed Aspathines and Gobrias of this affair, who before extremely suspected it; therefore were easily persuaded of the Truth: 'Twas their opinion, each of them should choose a Colleague, able to Act, and advise with them. Otanes took Intaphernes; Gobrias, M●gabysus; and Aspathines chose Hydarnes. They were six in Number, when Darius arrived from Susa, the Metropolis of Persia, of which Hystaspes his Father, was Governor: They joined him to their Number, being now seven of the Greatest Lords in the Persian Empire; They consulted, and reciprocally gave their Faith to each other. When it came to Darius his turn, he spoke in this manner. For my part, I believed no body knew the Magician Reigned; but myself; and that Smerdis, the Son of Cyrus, was not in the World. I came hither on purpose to exterminate this Impostor; but since I find you are all equally informed of it, I think it convenient now to agree, what is to be done, and not defer it a moment; for there can be no advantage in long debates. Otanes replied, My Dear Son, thou speakest like the Son of Hystaspes, a Man of Gallantry and Honour, with whom thou dost equally possess Prudence and Courage; however let us not precipitate the Execution of such an affair, but with mature deliberation let us undertake and proceed in it. Then Darius replying, said; Know my Lords here present, that if you follow the opinion of Otanes, you are all ruin'd: For some body, for his particular intent, will discover this matter to the Usurper: and therefore you that first began to execute the business, because you have thought sit to trust several Persons, and me also, let us go through with it this Day: For know, that if you resolve to pass it, I will prevent my being the Sacrifice of another Man's Peace, and first discover to the Magicians, what will destroy you all.  
Otanes, considering the determination of Darius, said, Since you so much resolve to hasten this affair, tell us how we shall get armed into the Palace, and attack the Impostor? You know (at least, by Fame) the Guards about his Person are very strong; How then shall we make our way to him? Darius' answered, There are many things, (my dear Otanes) that are more easily executed than projected; as there are also several, which seem plain in the discoursing of whose Success is doubtful. You may reasonably suppose, we shall find no great difficulty in passing his Guards, being so many of the chief Persons in the Empire; we shall meet no Man dare stop us; but rather give us place, either for Fear, or Respect. I have, at least, a pretention not to be denied: I came now from Persia, and can tell them, I have Affairs of the greatest consequence to acquaint the King with, from my Father, who is Governor there: A Fiction may be allowed, when Necessity requires it: Truth and Falsehood have oft the same end; For who uses the former, aims at their own Advantage, and the latter serves to persuade what we desire. As to the Guards of the Pretended King; If they let us pass quietly, and without resistance, they will have no occasion to repent it; and we shall have an opportunity to reward them, as they merit: But if any resist our intent, we must use them like Enemies; and being entered, resolve to execute our great design.  
Gobrias extremely approved this Discourse; and further added, My Dear and Honoured Friends, It will be much more glorious for us, to tear the Empire from this Usurper, or if we can't, to die in so noble an Action; than for us Persians to obey a Mede, whose Ears have been cut off for his Crimes; especially if we call to our remembrance, what Cambyses recommended to us on his Deathbed, with all the Imprecations imaginable; if we suffered such an Ignominy, and lost the Empire to the Medes. We than believed not whathe said, we could not persuade ourselves, neither of his Brother's Murder, nor of the Magicians insolence, to gain the Crown by so base an Imposture. I am now convinced by Darius; and am of the Opinion, That immediately, and without separating, we should go from this place to the Palace, and execute our design.  
They all agreed to what Gobrias proposed. But while these seven Illustrious Persian Lords were consulting, the Magician's Patizithes and Smerdis, were thinking how they might strengthen their Usurpations, by obtaining the Friendship of Prexaspes, in whom they believed great dispositions towards it. Cambyses having shot his Son with an Arrow; his excess of Cruelty not satisfied with that, used him yet more barbarously, ripping him open, to show his skill in shooting through his Heart, boasting his nimbleness and dexterity. Prexaspes only had the certain knowledge of Smerdis' death, having murdered him with his own hands, to obey the impious and unnatural Cruelty of Cambyses, which made; him odious to all the Persians that suspected it. They sent for him to the Palace, promising him Wonders, and obliging him to take an oath of Secrecy, not to discover how they had Usurped the Persian Monarchy. Prexaspes promised them all they desired. The Magicians finding him so much inclined to their purpose, told him their Intention to assemble the Persians, at the foot of the Castle, and that he should go with them, and from the top of a Tower assure the People, no other than Smerdis the Son of Cyrus, was their present King. They chose him rather than any other, because of his Authority, and his often Protesting, on several occasions, he had not killed Smerdis, as he was suspected to have done; even this also he promised them. They assembled the Persians, ordering he should ascend the Tower, to make his Speech, as they had agreed: But he forgot, on purpose, what the Magicians desired him to say, and discoursed of Achemenis, the first of the Persian Line; declaring the Progress and the Particulars of that Illustrious Family; and coming to Cyrus, he showed them the great things he had done for the Persian Nation. After this, he told them the truth of all, alleging for his Excuse, the fear he had of Death, if he had opened his lips; but being then forced to speak, he declared the real truth, that he had murdered Smerdis, the Son of Cyrus, by the most express Command of Cambyses; and that those who now possessed the Regality, were Magicians, and Impostors, calling for Curses on the Persians heads, if they did not tear it from them, and take Vengeance on their deceit. After which he threw himself down from the Tower on the Pavement. To give him his due, he was a man of extraordinary Merit, excepting his guilty Obedience to Cambyses.  
These seven Lords resolved, to attack the Magicians immediately, after having recommended the Success of their Enterprise to their Gods. They knew nothing that had arrived to Prexaspes, till by the way, they heard the surprising Catastrophe; and going to a private place, a little out of the street, discoursed what was to be done, since this last Conjuncture: Those who had been of the same Opinion with Otanes, persisted in their first Sentiments to defer the business, because of this Accident; But they who agreed with Darius, persevered that there was no time to be lost; but immediately to advance to the Palace, and finish their Resolutions in so just a design. While they were in this Debate, they observed seven Falcons pursuing two Vultures: This they took for a good Augury of the happy Execution of their Enterprise, and went boldly to the Palace. When they came to the outward Gate, it happened, as Darius had foreseen; The Guards having so much respect for the great Lords of the Empire, suspected no Accident from those who appeared in so much Pomp and Majesty; not so much as ask, If they were sent for? or, What they desired? When they entered the Court of the Palace, they met several Eunuches that went on Messages, and introduced those who had any affairs in the Court: These demanded the occasion of their coming, chiding the Porters, and threatening a severe Punishment for suffering any to pass; and at the same time, putting themselves in a posture, to hinder their advancing further. Whereupon these Illustrious Confederates gave each other the Signal, and drawing their Swords from under their Vests, soon laid the Eunuches on the Ground, running with all the hast imaginable to the Magician's Apartment; where they found them together, consulting on the last Accident of Prexaspes. When hearing the Cries of the Eunuches, and perceiving what was done, they made a Virtue of Necessity, and stood upon their Defence; one seizing a Bow, and the other a Lance: The first was useless against men that were so near, and aimed at their heads; the other defended himself valiantly with the Lance, or rather a Halbeard, with which he wounded Aspathynes in the Thigh, and struck out one of Intaphernes his Eyes; but none of these seven Lords were killed. He that could not use the Bow, fled into a Chamber, where he lay endeavouring to barricade the Door; but Darius and Gobrias, entering at the same time with him, prevented his Intentions. The Room was dark, and the Windows shut; this pretended King affecting obscure places. Gobrias closed with him, and Darius feared to run his Sword into the Magician, lest he should kill his Friend by mistake; but Gobrias calling to him, chid him for his delay, choosing rather to be killed himself, than save the Impostor. Darius either by his Voice, or his own good Fortune, took his measures so well, that he only wounded the Magician, with that stroke laying him on the Ground.  
Five of these Lords, Deliverers of their Country, went out with the Heads of the Magicians, leaving Aspathynes and Intaphernes wounded in the Palace, to secure that, whilst they showed the People what they had done, telling the reason of their Exploit, and killing all the Magicians they met. The Persians were Ravished for Joy of his Heroic Action, being enraged at the same time against all they thought Magicians, they destroyed many; and had not the Night hindered them, none would have escaped. Afterwards they kept that day a Festival, called Magophonia, or The Destruction of Magicians; which Day none of them durst appear in public, but shut themselves up in their Houses.  
This History is taken out of Herodotus, one of the ancientest Historians, whose Works have been preserved and transmitted to our Times; and who flourished about the Year of the World 3573. This is in his Third Book, Entitled Thalia. 'Tis 2213 years since it happened, counting to this present year 1682. and 5655 years since the Creation of the World, according to the Chronology of Conradus Functius: For almost all Chronologists vary about the number of Years, counting either some few more or less. And this was in the year of the World 3442. that this Impostor, the Magician, thus shown himself.  
I might have begun my History long before, and have spoken of the famous Semiramis, Wife of Ninus, the Son of Belus, the second King of the Assyrians, or Chaldeans. Some there are that confound him with his Father Belus, since this crafty Queen had the subtlety to disguise her Sex, and usurp the Throne of her Son Nynias; so that she might pass for an Impostor. Nevertheless, because she had been the Wife of a mighty Monarch, and that she made herself as famous, as any other of the Kings of Assyria, by her Victories in Asia, Media, Persia, Egypt, Lybia, Ethiopia, and the Indies, during her long Reign of Forty two years; which began in the year of the World 1959. and also by the memorable Building of Brick, which encompassed the City of Babylon of 480 Stadia or Furlongs: And that I have not undertaken to speak of any but Infamous Impostors, who being descended from Base and Contemptible Parentage, have aspired to the Dignity of Princes and Sovereigns, to make themselves the Possessors of their Estates; and which Imposture of theirs, has been punished with some Ignominious Death.  
Nor will I less rank, among these Notorious Impostors, the Patriarch Jacob, Father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, the Person in whom were deposited the great Blessing which God had promised to his chosen People; though he feigned to be Esau, covering his Hands and Neck with the Skin of a Kid; and although he had told more than one Untruth, That he came from Hunting, where he had killed Venison, and that he was his Brother Esau: For in the bottom, Rhebecca his Mother, who had put him upon practising this deceit, did not sin in the main; and, by consequence, he was no Impostor. An eminent Action, when it is Just and Honourable, ought not to be condemned, for one that is small and imperfect. So the Body ought not to be rejected, because one Member is out of order. The promise of God must have been accomplished, That the Elder Brother must serve the Younger.  
Herodotus gives an Account immediately after this History, of the Consultation what Government should be established in Persia; Otanes spoke in favour of Democracy, for the People; Megabysus for Oligarchy, or the Nobles; and Darius for Monarchy, whose Opinion prevailed; as also his Fortune: for the Choice fell on him.   

CHAP. II. THE Sergeant NERO.  
THE Emperor Nero, that Monster of Cruelty, the Horror and Aversion of Mankind, believing himself condemned, by the Senate, to a Cruel and Ignominious Death, though not proportionable to his Crimes, found one of his Free Men, called Epaphroditus, to encourage and assist him to choose one more mild; which he gave himself in the Thirtieth Year of his Age, and of the World 4033; of our Lord the Seventy first.  
About two Years after, when Otho bore the Name of Emperor, an Impostor appeared in the East, who had Insolence and Ambition enough, to persuade the People, he had a Title to the Imperial Crown; which he said, was torn from him by the unjust and villainous Attempts of the Senate. Cornelius Tacitus gives us this Relation in the Second Book of his History; whom I will endeavour to follow.  
When Otho governed Rome, both Greece and Asia were alarmed with the Apprehensions of Nero's being alive; many and different were the Stories of his death; some reporting, others, believing he was yet living.  
A Slave who came from Pontus in Asia, or (as others say) an Italian Freeman, who could sing, and play on the Harp; which, with the Resemblance of his Face, did not a little serve to persuade the World he was the true Nero. He gathered many Fugitives, and Vagabonds, that knew not where to go, o'ercome with Want and Poverty, to whom he made mighty Promises. Taking shipping with them, he was driven by a Storm on the Isle of Cynthus, or Delos; where the Mountain Cynthus was consecrated to Apollo, or to Diana. There he got more Soldiers, who were coming from the East; destroying those who refused his Service. He plundered all the Merchants in the Island, giving Arms to the most vigorous Slaves he could find. But he tried by all possible means, to gain Sisenna, a Centurion in the Syrian Army, and sent part of that Army to Rome, to make a Treaty of Union with the Praetorian Cohorts, or Regiment of the Guards; carrying with them, for the Symbol of that Unity they desired, the Figure of Right Hands joined together. This Captain he tried so many ways to make of his Party, as obliged him to steal privately out of the Island, for avoiding the Violence and Danger that threatened him. These Proceed carried the Terror and Fear of the supposed Nero very far; many unquiet Minds taking this occasion of disturbance; some through the desire of Novelty, others in dislike of the present Government, dispersing the News of Nero's Return.  
The Emperor Galba had given the Government of Galatia and Pamphilia, to Calpurnius Asprenas, and two Galleys were ordered to conduct him. These casting Anchornear this Island, the Impostor much desired to be Master of; which, not being able to effect openly, he tried to accomplish by Art; and putting himself into a small Vessel, not knowing any thing of a Roman Governor, desired he might come on Board and transport himself into Syria or Egypt. Standing on the Prow of his Ship, looking sad and disconsolate, he admonished the Soldiers to think of the Oath of Fidelity, they had sworn to him heretofore. Then directing himself to the Pilots, they made some difficulty to receive him, saying, They were not Masters, but would ask their Commander; doing this for an Amusement, that they might the better surprise him. They informed Asprenas of what had passed, who considering the Vessel the Impostor was in, not to be of any great Force, immediately commanded to attack her; but he took her not without a smart dispute, the false Nero Valiantly fight till he died. His Body, remarkable for his fine Hair, and great Eyes, but above all, for the Fierceness of his Countenance, was carried to Asia and Rome, where it lay exposed to every one's Admiration, and to consider his Insolence, that durst attempt to usurp the greatest Emprire of the World.   

CHAP. III. THE False MESSIAH, CALLED Benchochab, Head of the Revolted Jews.  
ADrian having succeeded Trajan the Emperor, in the 4080th Year of the World, and of Jesus Christ, the 118th, found the same Dispositions of Revolting in the minds of the Jews, that his Predecessors had done. So he recalled Jul. Severus from Britain, who was reputed one of the Wisest, and most Valiant Captains of his time, in the Roman Empire; and him the Emperor sent into Syria, to quell the Mutineers: But he found them so well on their Guards, and so strongly fortified, as made him avoid coming to a Battle, or hazarding his Troops unequally, against such desperate Vagabonds. Therefore spent time, and prolonged the War; which gave the Jews opportunity to augment their Strength.  
The better to increase their Army, and heighten their Courage, they took Religion for a pretence; the Head of the Seditious calling himself the Messiah; and to make the nearer Allusion to the Prophecy in the 24th of Numbers, where the great Legislator (Moses) says, A Star shall come out of Jacob, he took the Name of Benchochab, Son of the Star, or (as some will) Barcochab; but 'tis all one: for Ben and Bar both signify a Son. This Impostor possessed, for six years together, fifty Castles besides four hundred and eighty Towns and Villages. He fortified so strongly the Castle of Bethoron, seituated by the Tribes of Benjamin, and Ephraim; which Castle Solomon chose to make a strong Fortress, that it held a Siege of three years and a half. The Emperor Adrian coming in person against it; 'tis hardly to be believed what Resistance the Besieged made, how many Sallies, and what Blood was spilt: We find written, that three hundred thousand Jews were slain, besides vast numbers who perished by Plague, and Hunger; 'Tis said to the number of 500000 Men, if we may believe Carion's Chronicle. Bencochab was killed in a Salley, after whose Death Bethoron was taken. The Jews, instead of Bencochab, call him Benscosba, or the Son of Deceit, having falsely called himself the Messiah. The Emperor writ excellent Letters on this occasion, of his Victory, as equal with the greatest had ever been obtained, since it gave Peace to all the East. This Impostor had such an inveterate hatred to the Christians, that all those who fell under his power, he put to cruel Deaths.  
The Emperor Adrian, having razed the City of Jerusalem, resolved to rebuild it, calling it Elia Adriana; he forbade entrance into it, or habitation there, to the Jews; but allowed both to the Christians.  
Thus ended this Impostor, who did just contrary to the true Messiah, whose Name he usurped, viz. Led the people into Servitude and Misery.   

CHAP. IU. THE Counterfeit MOSES.  
IN the time of Theodosius the Emperor, who Reigned from the year 412, until 454, a wicked Jewish Impostor appeared in Candia, calling himself Moses; promising the Jews, who were in great numbers in that Insulary Kingdom, he would lead them through the Sea on foot, without the help of Ships, into their old Country Judea, as he had formerly done their Fathers, in the time of Pharaoh King of Egypt, and by the same means, deliver them from Servitude; that he had already done it, in the year of the World 2454, being 2050 years before this Counterfeit appeared; the present Story happening in the 4420th year of the World.  
He further persuaded them, he was the same Prophet Moses, whom God had sent from Heaven, to be their Guide. He went about the Island for a year together, inculcating these Persuasions into the People, and assigned them a certain Day to begin their Journey. He pretended to prophecy, and gathered Money on all hands; and at the day appointed, led Multitudes of People to the Seaside; where commanding several to leap in, their Folly and Blindness was so great, to obey him; many of them being swallowed by the Waters: and if some Fishermen had not been near, and charitably saved several with their Barks, calling to those on the Shore, not to venture, they had many of them perished, who by their means were saved. The Impostor escaped, and I find not what became of him; but his Villainy opened the Eyes of many of those poor People, who embraced the Christian Religion.  
Socrates a Greek Author, writes this History.   

CHAP. V John Bulchold, KING of the Anabaptists.  
THE Conformity of this Impostor, with those two preceding, persuades me to break the Order of Time I had prescribed myself. This Wretch, of whom the last Age talked so much, was a Hollander, born at Leyden, a Tailor by his Profession: He appeared at Munster in the year 1534. and took the Name of King of the Anabaptists, saying, He was sent by God to Extirpate all other Princes, and Potentates of the Earth. John Sleidan, in his Tenth Book of his History touching the State of Religion, declares the Excess, Extravagance, and Cruelty of this Impostor. He caused two Crowns to be made of massive Gold, a Sword, a Chain, and Sceptre, with other Jewels, and Marks of Royalty. He appeared in public, accompanied with his Officers, and Gentlemen of his Court, having two Pages on Horseback; One carried his Crown, and a Bible; the Other, his Sword. He caused a Throne to be built in the most public place, hung with Cloth of Gold, on which he sat, as in his Court of Justice. He created twelve Judges, to whom he gave so many Imaginary Kingdoms. He married several Women, who were dressed like so many Queens. He sent twenty eight Disciples, Teachers of his Law, about 〈◊〉 World, who were all executed and put 〈◊〉, but one, who cunningly made his 〈◊〉 ●●●●rd ●●●ppe●doling, who be●●● 〈◊〉 Consul, or Magistrate of the 〈◊〉, would needs be the Executioner: He ●●●mitted many Cruelties, and Extravagancies, and the King as many in his turn, 〈◊〉 heading People himself, not sparing one 〈◊〉 his Wives, who was grieved to see the ●●●eries, the poor People endured by the extremity of Famine, the City being besieged by Francis Count of Waldeck, their ●●●hop, assisted by the Circles of the Em●●re.  
His False Doctrine was, To deny Infant's ●●otism: To Rebaptize those who had been so already: To have all things in common: ●o marry several wives: He denied that Jesus Christ took Humane Nature from the Vir●n Mary: He denied the Pardon of Sinners, abolished Magistracy, took Others Goods by Force, and Extirpated those who believed not his Foolish Doctrine.  
The 24th of June 1535. the City was taken by the skill of two Fugitives, who did that good Service for the Bishop, and the Besiegers. John Bulchold, the Impostor King, Bernard Knipperdoling, both Magistrate and Hangman, and Crechtineh, were all three Executed the 25th of Jannary 1536. being torn to pieces with Red-hot Pincers. Bulchold repent, and implored the Mercy of God. Their Bodies were bound in Iron-Frames, and hung on the highest Tower of the City; the pretended King being placed in the middle, a man's height above the rest.   

CHAP. VI THE False Clotaire, CALLED GONDOALD.  
THis Impostor appeared a second time in France, under the Kings of the first Race, in the year 586. calling himself the Son of Clotaire, the first King of Soissons, and by consequence Grandson to Clovis the Great.  
I will observe what two Historians say of him; those are, Robert Guaguin, and Paulus Aemilius, both having writ the History of France. His Mother Educated him from a Child, like the Son of a King; above all things preserving his Hair, which was a Mark of the Royal Family, amongst the Old Frenchmen. Clotaire his pretended Father would not own him when his Mother brought him to Soissons; which persuades me, that he was Illegitimate: But Childebert, his Uncle, King of Paris, who had no Child, took pity of him, and bred him in his Court; At which Clotaire was angry, and writ to him in these terms.  
Send back to me Gondoald, that I may take care of him myself, and breed him up, if I find him my Son: for if he be not, the Education of a Prince, which you give him, may be the occasion of Error, and Illusion, in the World, who may show him those Honours, which are not his due.  
Clotaire, when he had him in his power, shaved his Head, and shut him up in a Monastery. This pretended Father dying in the year 564. Cherebert, or Childebert, King of Paris, his elder Brother, took a Kindness to him, and was careful of him for some time: But Cherebert was an Effeminate Prince, abandoning himself to Debauchery and Women, which extremely altered his Health; so that Gondoald's Happiness had but a short date: For after the Death of this generous Brother of Clotaire, which was in the year 565. Sigebert, another of his Brothers, King of Austrasia, the Country which is now called Lorraine, sent for him to his Court, without saying, how he intended to treat him, and leaving him altogether in uncertainty; which he nevertheless construed to his own advantage. And this unhappy man no sooner arrived at the Court, but he shaved him a second time, and put him into a Monastery at colein: So that finding himself thus tossed about, he made an Escape, and fled into Italy; where Narses, that famous Eunuch, General of the Emperor Justinian's Army, with admirable success, made War against the Goths. This was no small advantage to Gondoald, to make a Friendship with one of the most Valiant and most Illustrious Captains mentioned in History. Totila, that Generous and Magnanimous King of the Ostrogoths, whom Bellisarius, the indefatigable General for the same Justinian, could not entirely overcome, lost both his Diadem and his Life, by the Conduct of this Little Old Man of three Cubits stature, who wanted one of the most Essential Parts of a Man.  
I will only use the words of Paulus Jovius, in his Eulogies of Illustrious men, speaking of him; Narses, says he, deserves an Admiration extraordinary, and above all other men; who being born a Slave in Persia, and bred in the Seraglio or Apartment of the Empresses Women, being but half a Man, deprived of that Part which both Sexes most value; became the Imperial Treasurer, and was the only accomplished General, not only for all Military Virtue, but likewise for his good Fortune, whoever suffered so great a Deprivation. E tanta ereptae virilitatis calamitate unicus prope cum Virtute, tum fortuna Imperator extiterit. It had been incomparably a greater Advantage, if Gondoald could have been with this Captain, in the height of his Favour: for at that time, viz. in the year 566. Justin the Second succeeded his Maternal Grandfather, the Emperor Justinian, who extremely loved Narses, for his Merit, and the good Service he had done him; having Extirpated two powerful Kings of the Ostrogoths, Totila and Teias, and defeated an Army of Seventy two thousand Frenchmen, commanded by one Bucelin, General for Theodobert, King of Mets. Gornandes, Archbishop of Ravenna, and born a Goth, is mistaken in his History, when he reckons Two hundred thousand men killed, and attributes the Victory to Bellisarius.  
Sometime after Gondoald's Arrival, the Empress Sophia, persuaded by the Enemies of Narses' Glory, recalled him into Italy, and also treated him with great Scorn and Contempt; saying, He was sitter to distribute Wool to her Women, and to the Maids of her Seraglio to spin, than to command an Army. Which Expressions he so much resented, that he called Alboin his Friend, King of the Lombard's, out of Hungary, to come into Italy; who made such a Progress there, that this most wise Empress was not able to put a stop to. Gondoald hoped considerable Assistance from Alboin, with which he designed to take from his Brothers, Sigebert, Chilperic, and Gontran, who bore the Titles of Kings of Mets, Paris, and Orleans (the Cities where they lived, and kept their Courts) a more considerable Kingdom, than either of them possessed. Narses being naturally Merciful, and Religious, was persuaded by the Entreaty of Pope John the Third, who came to meet him at Naples, how pernicious the consequence must be, of Alboin's coming into Italy, and conjured him to countermand and hinder it all he could. When the Pope and he were returned to Rome, and considering how they might remedy this Misfortune, Narses died, whose body was carried to Constantinople, and there magnificently buried.  
Gondoald, after this Accident, crossed the Sea, and made his Court to the Emperor Justin, and the Empress Sophia his Wife, an Ambitious and Airy Princess: His good Mien and Intriguing Humour made him extremely considered in that Court. Venerationem sibi ac Majestatem conciliarunt; says Paulus Aemilius. He remained at Constantinople all the time of Justin the Second, a pusillanimous Prince, who suffered his Wife to govern the Empire, contrary to his Honour and Interest.  
During the Reign of Tiberius, which was seven years, he made several Campaigns in the Wars of Persia, under Mauritius, who was after chosen Emperor, and Successor to Tiberius: for Gondoald dared not to venture himself in the Court of France, where he had been so ill treated, having many sad Examples of his Relations Cruelty, even to their own Blood. Clotaire, his Father, without Pity or Mercy, burnt Cramnus or Granus, his own Son, with his Wise, and Children, in a House where they Fled for Refuge: He overcame, & killed in Battle Senabut, Duke of Britain: He Burnt Conobald, Duke of Guienne, in the Chapel of S. Martin, where he ran for safety; because he had assisted Granus, in his Revolt; to whom he Married his Daughter.  
This Clotaire also was Guilty of that abominable parricide, of dipping his hands in the Innocent Blood of his two young Nephews, Theobald and Gontier, Sons of Cladomir, his Brother, King of Orleans. Gondoald, considering he had little Reason to expect a better Treatment from his Father's Brothers, Sigebert and Chilperic, chose rather to Live quietly in Justin's Court: But when he was Informed how matters went in France; he resolved to hasten thither, encouraged by the Empress Constantina, and the Emperor Mauritius, Son-in-Law to Tiberius; who promised him their Assistance. His two Sisters-in-Law, Brunechilde, the Daughter of athanagild, King of the Wisigoths in Spain, Married to his Brother Sigebert, and Fredegonde, Woman of the Bedchamber to the Queen Galsond, Wife to Chilperic, his other Brother, King of Paris, who first became Mistress, and then Wife to that King. These two Women disturbed all France; Their Husbands having been Traitorously Murdered, which was the occasion of his Return, after having been Twenty Years in the East. He Landed at Marseilles, with a splendid Equipage; where Theodore, Bishop of that Diocese, received him with much Honour, it being reported he brought Vast Riches along with him, and was able to give great Rewards, having made the best Advantage of his Happiness in the Eastern Court; besides the finding a mighty Treasure, hid by Narses the Eunuch. His Royal Qualities, and Majestic Person, were admired; The Fame of his Actions having gained him the Reputation of a good Captain, & Scholar, to the Incomparable General Narses. Didier, who absolutely Commanded the Countries adjacent, to Tholouse; Mummol; much talked of for his Service in the Wars against the Greeks and Lombard's, and thought one of the best Soldiers in his time, (besides many Lords both Visigoths, and Romans, who kept the Frontiers of Spain) declared for him. Thus having acquired such powerful Friends, and reduced to his Obedience, a great part of the People, and Cities of Guienne, the Peregordins, and Bourdelois, those of Tholouse and Anjou, followed his Fortune.  
Childebert, King of Mets, the Nephew of Gondoald, was then angry with his Uncle Gontran, King of Orleans, for refusing to deliver into his hands, his Mother-in-Law, Queen Fredegonde, the Murtheress of King Sigebert his Father; which reason persuaded him to declare for Gondoald, sending him Ambassadors, and styling him King, to give him the more Majesty, for the obtaining the Hearts of the French; advising him to take the Name of Clotaire, his Father. The occasion of Gontrans refusing to deliver to him the Queen Fredegonde, was, that young King Clotaire the Second, her Son, was under his Tutelage; and he thought it below a Generous Prince, to give up the Mother of him, whom he intended to make his Successor. Gontran was a Prince extremely Good, Pious, and Charitable: I can find no other Reason, why he preferred Clotaire his Nephew, who was but Four Months Old, when his Father Chilperic, was Assassinated, by the Infidelity of Fredegonde his Wife; Gondoald, having before so much cause to doubt whether Clotaire were Lawfully begot or no, his Mother being of a very scandalous Life, in her Husband's time, abandoning herself to the More or Stewards of the Palace, Londry de la Tour. Unless he thought the Decision of the Laws sufficient, that Filius est quem nuptiae demonstran; That Child is Legitimate who is Born of a Woman who hath a Husband. He hoped to give good Impressions to the young Prince, being like soft Wax, capable of any he would make. But Gondoald's Humour he extremely apprehended, for his fierceness, and resentment of the usage he received in his younger Days. That Divine Quality, so Admirable in a Prince, to forget Injuries received, when 'tis in his Power to Revenge them, never having been exercised by Clotaire his Father, who always preferred his own private Resentments. This made him not acknowledge Gondoald, that came from the Court of Constantinople, when the Grecian Artifices, Treachery, and Cruelty, were much in use.  
The Affection, and tenderness he had for the Innocent Child, prevailed over his aversion to the Vices, and conduct of Fredegonde his Mother. Raymond, Bishop of Paris, a Person of an Exemplary Life, first spoke to the good King, in Favour of this young Prince; he having before, saved Fredegonde from the Fury of the People, enraged by the Death of their King Chilperic; of which she and her Gallant Landry, were shrewdly suspected, he giving her with her Son, and Treasure, refuge in his Church. The Merciful King continued his Clemency to his Death, which happened the 28th. of March, 594. Still assisting the Queen, with his Council and Protection; He persuaded her by his remonstrances, with the fear and respect she had to offend him, to Live a more retired Life; He caused what the Courtiers, and Domestics of his Brother Chilperic, had unjustly taken from several particular Persons, to be restored; He did many Favours to the Church, making those deuce to be paid, which Chilperic had suppressed, or diverted; and largely assisting the Poor. All which he had reason to believe, Gondoald would not do, being greedy of Money, wanting all the Treasure he could get to recompense his Creatures, and support the Luxury he had Learned at Constantinople. I will not stop to relate the Encomiums, which Gregory of Tours, and Fredegarius, in their Chronicles give this King Gontran; only say, it was the greatest misfortune, or if you please, an effect of God's Judgement, to want his protection, and be rejected by him. Though Gondoald did all he could to obtain his Favour; He chose two Priests of Cahors (as Guaguin Relates) of the most Pions he could find, hoping for that quality they would be well received, by his Brother King Gontran, he gave them his Letters, written on Tablets covered with Wax, and Directed to the chief Men of France. These Priests were surprised by Gontrans' People, who understood by the Contents, and the Confession of the Bearers, what Gondoalds Thoughts, and Correspondence intended.  
He left not off for this misfortune, but persisted in his endeavours, to gain the kindness of Gontran; He sent Ambassadors to him, carrying Olive Branches, that with the Symbol of Peace they might pass every where, and get admittance; Being brought to his Presence, after he had demanded their Names and Country, they made this Speech.  
We are come towards your Majesty from Gondoald the Son of Clotaire, who with Justice demands a part of his Inheritance, which if your Majesty refuse, he is resolved to do himself Right by force of Arms: He has already a numerous Army in Guienne, and Childebert will join him with considerable Troops. Gontran was so displeased with their Discourse, that he violated the Law of Nations, ignominiously using the Ambassadors, causing them to be tied with their Bellies to two Horses, and whipped through the Streets. The Persons of Ambassadors have always been Sacred, they came desiring Peace, and carried the Symbol of it. The Renowned Aeneas received the first marks of Friendship in Italy.  Jamque Oratores aderant ex urbe Latina, Velati ramis Oliae. 
Antiquity allowed none but the Gods to use it, and their right devolved to Kings, who are their Images; for which reason, as a Note of Dignity it was called Jus Regium. The Injuries received by Ambassadors have ever been esteemed done to the Persons that sent them; all Nations agreeing to Revenge a common injury. Si Civis Pulsatus actio est Injuriarum, si Magistratus Majestatis, si Legatus bello & Jure gentium agitur.  
It is no wonder, after this Procedure of Gontrans, if they both made War with the extremity of violence. Paulus Aemilius, in an excellent Style, writes of the dismal Examples of Wars Domestic and Foreign; Civil Wars filling the minds of Men, with Distractions. But Gontran soon delivered his Subjects from those Alarms, by adopting Childebert for his Heir, who was a Young Ambitious Prince, desirous to augment his Dominion. The Good Old man had no Children Legitimate, nor natural, so chose this way to make him depend, in hopes of the Succession.  
Gontran called an Assembly, or Parliament, to Celebrate this Solemn Action, of Adopting his Nephew Childebert, the better to separate his Interest from Gondoald. I can hardly believe what Guaguin, the same Author that writes the cruel affront done to Gondoalds Ambassadors, reports; which is, that he made them be brought into this Assembly, and show their Commissions, as they had done to him already, where they owned and confirmed the Truth of a Report, had been discoursed before; which was, that Gondoald had rob the Princess Rigonde, Daughter of the Deceased King Chilperic, taking away her Money, and Jewels, as she went to her new Husband in Spain: And that some of Childeberts' Courtiers were in the Action, who absconded from the Assembly on that Occasion. However Gontran proceeded to effect what he intended, Adopting his Nephew Childebert, and using certain ceremonies, presenting the point of a Lance to his Breast, giving him advice to make his Kingdom Flourish, and at the same time, Restoring those Towns and Places, his Uncle Chilperic had taken from him.  
The Allies of Gondoald, Didier, Momol, Landase, Valden, and Sagittaire Bishop of Gap, a Turbulent Man, who had been Banished from his Diocese, being Informed of the Agreement between the Uncle and the Nephew, and knowing that by this Adoption, he would quit the Interest of Gondoald, resolved all to do so at the same time; Yet his unhappiness made him not lose Courage, he retired to Comminges beyond the River of Dordogne, caressing the Citizens, Living Familiarly with them, and making great Protestations of Friendship, he persuaded them to carry all their Riches into the Castle, for fear of losing them, if the Town were Besieged, but the Castle he esteemed Impregnable. Sometime after, making them believe that the Enemy was near; he caused them to take Arms, opening the Gates, and encouraging them to make a Sally; but as soon as they were gone, he shut them out, driving their Bishop after them, because he was of the contrary Party. The Lords, of whom we spoke, still kept fair with him, though they intended to leave him, they had not yet broken all measures.  
This place was so strongly situated, and so well provided of all things, that Gontran dispaired to take it by force, and therefore had recourse to an Artifice; he persuaded the Queen Brunechilde, Mother-in-Law of Childebert, whom he had newly Adopted, to write to Gondoald, as if she were still for his Interest, advising him to leave that Place, and strengthen himself in Bourdeaux, which was the Metropolis of a great Country, and had an excellent Harbour; persuading him to carry his Treasure with him. Gondoald was deceived by her, whom he believed advised him hearty. It was a strange oversight to trust a Woman, and of so ill Fame. However he sent his Equipage, with his Money and other Treasure to Bourdeaux. But the Men whom Gontran had laid in Ambush beyond the River Gironde, eased his Mules of their Burden, and carrying off this Rich Booty, rejoined the Army which Marched straight to Comminges.  
Landegesille, General of Gontrans Army, Invented a sort of Chariots covered with large Oziers', which defended those that digged Mines, for the better taking the Town; they also cut down great quantities of Wood in the Forest there abouts, and endeavoured to fill the Ditch. The Besieged on the other side, with Boats, great Stones, Pitch, and Firebrands, endeavouring to burn the Wood, and hurt the Besiegers. These attacks taking small effect, Landegesille Tried another way to accomplish his Design, he desired to speak with Momol, and giving him a Friendly reproof, for quitting the Service, and interests of King Gontran, to assist Gondoald, assured him if he would cause the Town to fall into the Power of the King his Master, he would for certain liberally acknowledge that Service, and pardon all that was passed. Momol desired time to consider this Proposal, and declared it to the Bishop Sagittaire, Landase, and Valden his intimate Friends, showing them the eminent danger they were in, if the place should fall by force into the Power of Gontran, and that therefore they ought to think of their safety. They all gave attention to Momol's advice, and followed it; Resolving to fire a Church, and while the People should run to quench it, take that opportunity to deliver one of the Gates, and receive Landegesille into the Town. They made Carulfe their confident, who was one of the richest Citizens there, and their Landlord. After this Resolution taken, and the Day pitched upon, on which the Church was to be burnt, and the Town to be delivered to Landegesille; Momol went privately to Landegesille, and shown him the places where his Men should enter, provided he kept his word, and promise with him, and obtained him the King's Favour. Landegesille overjoyed to take so strong a place, and save the effusion of more Blood, confirmed all he had said with an Oath, and that at least if he could not immediately gain the Kings Pardon, he would, in the mean time, procure him a Church for his refuge, till he had compassed his Mercy. Things being thus agreed, Momol changed his Intention of burning the Church, and went to Gondoald with great deceit, and artifice, assuring him that his Fidelity, and zeal to serve him, were not in any sort diminished; which obliged him to represent, the deploreable Condition his affairs were reduced to, from which he could conjecture no hope; That this had persuaded him to sound the Inclination of Landegesille, whom he found extremely well disposed to serve him, and to endeavour a good Peace between him and King Gontran, his Brother; That nothing shockt him more, than to perceive he had not that Trust and Confidence he desired, in the Tenderness and Generosity of the King, and that if he could have so good an Opinion, without difficulty to meet Landegesille, he did not doubt to give him all satisfaction Imaginable; And, continued he, 'Tis my Opinion, that you should deliver yourself from all these Miseries and troubles, and let us go together to King Gontran. Gondoald disinherited the Fraudulent Discourse of Momol, yet so great was his Unhappiness, he did not give himself Power to help it, believing it impossible, to avoid the Malice and Treason of those Persons, he had so long trusted and confided in.  
While these things were agitating; Landase, one of the Conspirators against the unhappy Gondoald, put Fire to the Church, and while the People ran to quench it, went secretly out of Town where Bolo, and Bolon, Count of Bourges, stood ready with their Men before the Gates, to seize Gondoald, as soon as he should be delivered to them; which Momol, being the stronger Man, did not fail to do, & gave the wretched Gondoald into his Power, he re-entering the Town immediately, and causing the Gates to be shut. The Prisoner, Gondoald, was abused by the Soldiers that Guarded him, who carried him to a Descent between the Town, and the Camp of the Besiegers. Belon, one of the Generals, tumbled him down the Hill, and Boson barbarously knocked out his Brains, as he rolled to his Feet. So died this Unhappy Prince, or this bold Impostor, who persisted to mount the Throne of France, in spite of those who had Power to grant him that Advantage.  
Momol did not prosper in his Treason and Avarice; for while he plundered the Equipage and Money of Gondoald, pillaged and fined the Citizens; the Soldiers of the Army, enraged at their losses before the Town, through the long and vigorous Resistance of the Inhabitants, forced the Gates, and put all to Fire and Sword, without distinction of Age or Sex. The Walls were razed, and the City entirely Burnt. Momol thinking he had done great Service by his Conduct, came to the General Lendegesille his Quarter; who commanded him to go out of his Tent, and retire some where else, till the Soldier's rage against his Person, was appeased: He perceived, if he went out, he should die, the incensed Soldiers flocked about him, giving him reviling Language; therefore he resolved to defend himself so long as he was able, and sell his Life dearly. The General being throughly Informed of the King's Pleasure, who commanded that he should have no Quarter, made a Sign for the Soldiers to dispatch him: Momol valiantly defending himself a great while, Fought like a Lion; but could not avoid falling under such a Multitude, all covered with wounds; so receiving the reward of his double Treasons. And for the Bishop Sagittaire, a Soldier perceiving him Fly, cut off his Head with his Sword, not knowing who he was. The Riches Momol had gotten, were carried to Gontran, where he found a Thousand Pound weight of Gold, in that Coin which they called Besans, and 250 Pound of Silver. Gontran giving a good part of it to the Poor, divided the rest, with his Nephew Childebert. Among the Spoils of Momol, there was led a Giant three foot higher than ordinary Men, as Robert Guaguin, from whom I have taken great part of this Story, says. After this War, according to Paulus Aemilius, the Limosins, those of Quercy, and Auvergne, received Earls for their Governors.   

CHAP. VII. THE Counterfeit Baldwin, Earl of Flanders.  
THis Impostor pretended to no less than the Empire of the East, with the Earldoms of Flanders, and Haynault. Zeal for the Christian Religion, and a Desire to drive the Infidels out of the Holy-Land, persuaded many generous Princes of Christendom, to forsake their Countries, and expose their Lives in this Enterprise. Of which Number was Theobald, Count Palatin of Champagne, (who died by the way); Baldwyn, Earl of Flanders; Boniface, Marquis of Mount-ferrat; Lewis, Earl of Blois; John, Earl of Brienne, and Guy Earl of St. Paul; with the Bishops of Soissons and Troy's. Pope Innocent the Third, of the House of Signia, show'ring his Indulgences, and Encouragements on their design.  
In the beginning of this War, (which was in the Year, 1203.) a Young Grecian Prince, of 23 years of Age, called Alexis, Implored the Assistance of these Christian Argonauts, while they were Besieging the City Zara, in Dalmatia, which the Hungarians possessed, and they undertook in lieu of their expenses at Venice, before their Departure. Isaac Angelo, of the House of Comnenes, Emperor of Constantinople, was the Father of this Prince Alexis, and Father-in-Law to Philip, Emperor of Germany, by his Daughter Irene. He was deposed from his Empire, deprived of his Sight & Liberty, by his only, (though unnatural, and ungrateful) Brother Alexis; to whom he had always shown the Marks of a more than Brotherly kindness. After the taking of Zara, restored through the Valour of the Confederates, to the Obedience of St. Mark's Lion; the Generous Warriors embarked on 250 Ships, in which were 20000 Foot, and 8000 Horse. Henry Danduli, the Doge or Duke of Venice, though almost blinded by the cruelty of the Grecian Emperor Emanuel Commenes, who caused a burning Plate of Copper to be held to his Eyes, went in the Head of many Noble Venetians, persuaded by the same Zeal, which made them equip a Fleet for this Expedition.  
They drove the Usurper Alexis from Constantinople, taking the old Emperor Isaac out of Prison, and Establishing him with his Son, the young Alexis in the Throne. But the old Prince died in a few Days, not being able to suffer so great a change of Life and Fortune, without a mortal Alteration of his Body, through excess of Joy, for so unexpected a Felicity. A Villain called also Alexis Ducas, surnamed Murzuphle, from his large spread eyebrows, suddenly seized the Person of young Alexis; and, after having twice made him swallow Poison without effect, strangled him with his own hands; reporting he had destroyed himself; when he had Reigned Six Months, and Eight Days. The French and Venetian Army, by Land and Sea, continued in the Neighbourhood, expecting the effect of young Alexis Promises; which he not being able to perform in the time agreed on, too earnestly endeavouring to raise the Money, fell into the hatred of the People, and was thus deprived of his Diadem and Life. So bloody a Regicide, deserved the Chastisement our Warriors intended him; who, drawing their Army down, Besieged Constantinople for 72 Days. Geofry de Vilhardovin, writ the Story of this Siege, and the particular Actions of the Heroes. Murzuphle fled with his Treasures, abandoning the City, which was taken the 12th. of April, 1204.  
The Princes, and other Lords, resolved to choose an Emperor amongst them: The Earl of Flanders, with the Count of St. Paul, named Five, to give their Suffrages: The Marquis of Montferrat, and the Earl of Savoy, other five: The Venetians choosing the like Number: In all, 15 Voices. The Plurality were for Baldwyn. This Prince was very powerful, and a Great Soldier; of which he had given many Proofs, in the Siege: He was Uncle, by the Mother's Side, to Lewis, designed Successor to Philip the August, King of France. He was Crowned by Thomaso Morosini, newly created Patriarch of Constantinople. Boniface, Marquis of Montferrat, had from young Alexis, for a Recompense, the Island of Candia; which he sold the Venetians, for a great Sum of Money, and was nevertheless made King of Thessaly. Godfrey, Lord of Champagn, was made Duke of Athens, and Prince of Achaia; John, Earl of Brienne, was sometime after made King of Jerusalem. Baldwin had scarcely possessed this new Dignity a Year, before he went to Besiege Adrianople, three Days Journey from him, and possessed by his Enemies, who very much annoyed him. That Success he had in the beginning, did not accompany him in this Affair; since by the profound Secrets of the Divine Pleasure, being attacked with great Numbers of his Adversaries, Greek Fugitives, Bulgarians, and Tartars, he was defeated, and supposed to be killed in the Plains of Orestes. A nostris pro Mortuo deploratus est, says Paulus Aemilius; His Brother Henry Succeeding him in the Empire. This Disaster happened in the Year 1205, though some Chronologists antedate it, two or three Years.  
Twenty Years after, This Famous Impostor, calling himself by the Name of this Emperor, appeared in Flanders: Jane, eldest Daughter of this Baldwin, by Mary, the Daughter of Henry Earl of Champagne, was at that time Countess of Flanders, and Married to Fernando, Infant of Portugal. She had great Wars, her Husband having been taken Prisoner, at the Famous Battle of Bovines, which King Philip the August, gained over the Emperor Otho the 4th, in year 1214. And was long a Prisoner in the Lovure at Paris. Although this had been some Years past, she still felt her losses, and that great Consternation. Robert Son of Peter de Courtenay, Earl of Auxerre, and Prince of the Blood of France, and Yolente only Daughter and Inheritrix of the Emperor Henry Earl of Flanders, then possessed that Throne, to which this Impostor pertended.  
One would have thought, he should first have gone to the place, where he was taken Prisoner; but he could hope no assistance from the Greeks: On the contrary Theodore Lascaris, who resided at Nice, and always took upon himself the Title of Emperor of Constantinople, would have used him worse than the Bulgarians, if he had fallen into his hands. As for Robert de Courtnay, whose Mother Yolente, was his pretended Niece; he was no ways inclined to yield him the Empire; he had too much difficulty in obtaining it. His Father, the Emperor Peter, falling into the Hands of Theodore, was cruelly put to Death by him: So that, this Impostor thought his Affairs would advance better, and he be more kindly received in his Native Country. The Earldom of Haynault was his first Inheritance; for this Baldwin, was Son to an Earl of Haynault, of the same Name, Surnamed The Magnanimous, and of Margaret of Alsace, Heiress of Flanders. For this Reason he was Joyfully received there, and with more satisfaction to those Martial People, who hated the Dominion of a Woman: Besides, it was Independent on the Kings of France. The Flemings received him very coldly, seeing but a small Train with him, nor would they own him for their Earl, or Emperor of Greece.  
This Impostor affected an extraordinary Gravity in his Mien, the better to draw Veneration, and acquire the Majesty of an Emperor. The Countess Jane refused to see him; but was advised to interrogate him, for the better discovery of his Practices. The Precedent of her Council of State, summoned him to appear, asked him many troublesome Questions, Gravibus fatigare percontationibus ausus est; and spoke to him in this manner:  
If it be true, that you are the Earl Baldwin, and assume not a False Title to the Empire of Greece; I demand of you, Why you have abandoned your Subjects in that Country? Even those poor People, laden with Miseries, whom the Divine Providence, by the Suffrages of so many brave Men, had committed to your Protection? Why forsake you them in their greatest need of your Conduct and Care; having so many Generous, and Experienced Captains, to whom you owed the last and greatest Obligations, for choosing you among the most principal Men in the World, to be their Chief, and set the Imperial Diadem upon your Head? Why have you thus neglected them, exposed to the rage of Barbarous Nations? For this reason, although you were the true Baldwin, we have sufficient Cause to dissemble our knowledge of you; sure then we shall not own you, who are but a false and a counterfeit Badlwin. Why, when the Affairs of all the East were laid on your shoulders, to be supported, and sustained by you; when they were in disorder, and lost by your misfortune, have you feigned to be dead, and concealed your being alive? What could you expect from so strange a Deceit? Or what could be the reason of such a supposition and imposture? If you would so long dwell among the Dead, why should we now believe you are alive, not having appeared in any place these twenty years? And had you been what you pretend now, why did you not come in the time of Philip the August, your Brother in Law, (who Married Alix, one of your Sisters) and in the life time of so many persons of Honour, who might either have proved your Imposture, or authorised your Title? Why came you not sooner out of the Grave? In what darkness have you hid that Glorious Face, known to the whole World? And with what new one do you pretend to Enchant the eyes of Men, after so many years? I ask, if you believe yourself, that we ought to give faith to a Man, who after so vast an Interval, shall say, I am the Emperor Baldwyn. Have we never seen nor heard, that there have been Impostors, who have falsely Usurped the Quality of Kings and Emperors? Haynault has suffered many Revolutions and Calamities, since the departure of the true Baldwyn: And Flanders has done the same. We have all been oppressed with misery; have you given us any assistance in our Wars, or any help in our Afflictions? Ought this Country to own you for their Prince, since in their trouble you have not considered them, who gave you Birth, and Nursed you in your tender years?  
This Man heard, with attention, these Remonstrances, showing a great assurance and courage, speaking in his turn; but not as if he would answer these Reproaches, but reprove and condemn them; dissembling by this procedure, his boldness and grandeur of mind: And told them That his Countrymen and Subjects were more Inhuman than his Enemies; that Fight before Adrianople, for the glory of that Country, which now disowned him, being overpowered, and made Prisoner by the unequal number of his Enemies, as often arrives in the chance and fortune of War; yet notwithstanding he had not suffered so much Contempt, nor so extraordinary Opprobry, either by reason of the Majesty of his Person and Name, or else in consideration of his Subjects in Flanders, but was kept and maintained moderately; till by length of time, his Guards were not so strict, but he found an opportunity to save himself, by the extraordinary favour of Heaven: And that returning to his Country, he had been retaken by other Barbarians, who did not know him, nor to whom he did not discover himself; they carried him into Asia, and used him like a miserable Slave; sold him to the Syrians, where he dwelled two years in a Barn, with other Captives, sometimes driving the Blow, and breaking the Clods of Earth with those hands with which he had held the Sceptre; till during a Truce between the Christians and the Barbarians of Asia, some Germane Merchants Travelling by the place where he was at work, he spoke to them in the Germane Tongue, and made himself known to them, telling them his unhappy and miserable Adventures; who bought him at a common price: And that now after this good fortune, his own Subjects affronted him, so as neither the Greeks nor the Inhabitants of Thrace, their cruel Neighbours the Scythians, nor the Barbarians of Syria, had ever used him. As to Flanders it was never more happy, nor more flourishing, than when he possessed the dignity of Earl. Their glory had never been greater at home nor abroad, than when they owned him for their Prince. He always styled himself August, Chosen or Elect of God, and used a Seal of massive Gold. He termed them ungrateful Subjects, and Countrymen, to reproach him with provoking questions, after having suffered so many Vexations and Miseries: Surely they had changed their Inclination, and degenerated from the Virtue and Justice of their Fathers, by whom he was made Sovereign and Emperor of Greece, and had made and given Laws to all the People of the East. But he wondered not that Flanders had fallen into all these disorders, and had renounced the good and commendable qualities of their Fathers, to embrace those which were new and pernicious; that on the contrary, in his Government, they were extraordinary flourishing. He would have continued speaking much longer, and made them greater Reproaches, if the Lord Treasurer, who was also Precedent of the Counsel, had not broke it up; saying, It was not fit for them to conclude any thing in Affairs of that Importance, without knowing the good pleasure and determination of their Countess. This Princess had an extreme aversion to this Pretender, whether it might not be because she really thought Baldwyn her Father was dead; but she effectively sent into Greece, John Bishop of Mutelan, (that, without doubt, which is now called the Isle of Mytelene) and Albert, a Religious man of the Order of St. Bennet, both of the Greek Nation, to inquire and inform themselves, if Baldwyn were dead or alive: The Annals, or Histories of Flanders, written by Jacobus Meyer, Adrianus Barlandus, and others, which furnish me with the greatest part of this Story, observe; That it was not certainly known, whether in the unhappy Battle of Adrianople he was killed or taken, only that he could not be found; but these two Envoys were upon the place, and being Arrived in Bulgaria, they made so exact an enquiry, that they were informed of his being taken by John, King of that Country, and was by his order carried to the Queen his Wife, to the Town of Cernoa; who following the nature of an enraged Barbarian, cruelly put him to death, chopping his Limbs to pieces, and throwing them to the Fowls of the air. Meyer writes these circumstances in the 8th. Book of his Annals of Flanders.  
Besides she that had been accustomed to command, and had long been Mistress, must needs think with much grief, of delivering the Sovereign Power to another, of which she had so long thought she should never be deprived, but by Death. Notwithstanding all this, a great part of the Flemish Nobility received this Man for their Sovereign, and Emperor of the East, and submitted to his Obedience; and the more readily by his subtlety in Authorising their Cognizance of him, and the Veneration they had to his Person, by his telling them their Names and Extractions, which he readily did to a great part of the Nobility of Flanders, with the glorious Actions of their Ancestors; showing their Arms, Blasons, and Devices of their Families, and all their Genealogies. He understood the Country very well, having lived several years a Hermit in the Forest of Glaucone, near Valenciennes. He appeared in a strange habit, like the Armenians, wearing a great ruffled beard. The common People, who being Ignorant, and love Novelty, believed his Impostures; and the rather, for his being of the same Stature, and having several features, like the true Baldwyn. He found himself so well assisted, that he designed to seize the Countess Jane, and wanted very little of surprising her in Quenoy; but she was fled to a strong Castle, and had sent Ambassadors to Lewis the 8th. King of France for assistance. The Historian Guaguin (who was a Subject of this Princess, and born at Preaven near Cassel, and gives her the Character of a very Wise Princess) says, she came in Person to the King for succour, against the Insolence of this unknown Impostor, entreating his Favour and Assistance in this Conjuncture, as Sovereign of Flanders, and she one of the Nobles Feudatories of the Crown of France; to which she was so nearly related. The King came as far as Campagne, where he appointed the Impostor to meet him, who came extraordinarily accompanied: He was Clothed in Scarlet, having a white staff in his hand: When he was Introduced to the King, he saluted him very slightingly; to whom the King said; I know not in what manner I should Salute you, nor what Title to give you: Baldwin, Earl of Flanders and Haynault, was my Uncle, and a most Generous Prince; He was also Emperor of Greece: Whose Death I have lamented, when I was in my Youth. When first the unhappy News arrived, his Son Henry, a Valiant Prince, succeeded him in the Empire, and his Eldest Daughter Jane, in his Earldom of Flanders. Their Country holds of me, and is a Feudatory of my Crown, as the Earl is a Peer of my Kingdom. I wish, I could alter the Course of Nature, and that what has happened, had not been; that my dear Uncle, the Father of my Cousin-German, whose Name and Memory is of admirable Veneration in Greece, could return to Life. But I cannot lightly be persuaded, from the belief I have of his death, and the report which hath been confirmed, through the course of so many Years: Most humane things, especially Empires, subsist by the Testimony of men. Tell me then, for whom you would be received? If for my Uncle, show it us, by some authentic proof; and because the thing is unexpected, it will be so much the more agreeable, and give me transports of joy and satisfaction; when I am convinced I have wept for my Uncle without cause, and for a false Opinion; whilst he that I should Reverence like a Father, is restored to me. I am glad that a few short questions will make yourself judge, and witness in your own Cause, which the World must needs know, is of the greatest Importance. I ask you then, If my Father King Philip, treated you as his Homager, and whether he gave you the Investiture of the Earldom of Flanders? In what place; at what time; in what manner; and before what Witnesses did he gird on your Sword, and made you a Knight? And of what Order was it? Who was the Wife you Married in France? Who treated the Match? In what place, and with what Ceremonies did you Marry her? for the true Baldwyn cannot be ignorant of these matters.  
I have exactly made a Recital of all the Questions, from Paulus Aemilius, that admirable Historian.  
It is very strange, that he, who had so well studied the Genealogies of the Flemish Lords, could not tell what Wife he Married, which was Margaret, Daughter to the Earl of Champagne. The Annals of Flanders say, it was the Bishop of Beauvais, Precedent of the King's Counsel, that asked him all these questions; which may be reduced to three. 1. In what place he did Homage for his Earldom of Flanders? 2. By whom, and in what Place he was made a Knight? 3. In what Place, and on what Day he Married Margaret of Champagne? But this Impostor, as surprised with all these Questions, asked three days to answer them: Perhaps one might excuse a Man for not remembering several Circumstances of the principal Actions of his Life: Besides, such an August Assembly, before so Great a King, and Magnificent a Court, a Subject of such consequence, before an Audience no ways favourable, with the Apprehension of the Danger, might distract him, and hinder his answering pertinently. Guaguin says, That speaking Haughtily, to the Points in question, without sufficient Proofs of what he pretended to be, the King commanded him to go out of his Realm, in three days; but doing him no hurt, because he had given him his safe Conduct. This Impostor being thus shamefully Driven away, retired to Valenciennes in Haynault; where being abandoned by those, whose hopes of advantage by this Novelty, had made them promise him great assistance, he disguised himself, like a Tradesman, intending to have passed into Burgundy, hoping to find countenance and support there; but he was watched, and taken on his way by a Burgundian Gentleman, Erard Castenac, who sold him to the Countess Jane for four hundred Marks: She put him to the torture, and forced him by his torments, to Confess his Imposture: He said he was Born in Champagne, and his name was Bertrand de reins; he was led through all the Cities of Flanders, and Haynault, where after having been showed to the People, he was publicly hanged at Lisle in Flanders.  Famâ ancipiti, jurene an injuriâ. 
The greatest part of Europe, was in doubt whether the Countess justly put this Impostor to Death. The example of Peter Courtney, Successor of the true Baldwyn, and Henry, in right of his Wife Yolante, persuaded the possibility of so strait a Prison, as might not give him Opportunity to inform his Subjects and Friends what misfortune had befallen him. The Catastrophe of this false Baldwyn happened in the year of Christ, 1225. and of the World, 5186.   

CHAP. VIII. Perkin Warbeck, OR, THE COUNTERFEIT Duke of York. Son of Edward the Fourth, King of England.  
THis Impostor continued longer than any of the rest, and had more Chances, and happy Hours. The Cruelty of Richard Duke of Gloucester, Son of Richard Duke of York, and Brother of Edward the Fourth King of England, gave Henry Earl of Richmond, Grandson of Owen Tudor, and Catharine of France, a Pretention to Arm against him, for the Recovery of the Kingdom of England, which Edward the Fourth, before Duke of York, and Head of the Red-Rose, had usurped from Henry the Sixth. Richard Duke of Gloucester, had also usurped the Crown from Edward the Fifth, a young Prince of Twelve years old,  Son and Successor to King Edward the Fourth; as likewise from his Brother Richard Duke of York, his two Nephews, whom he unnaturally and cruelly murdered in the Tower of London, in the year 1483. It was the Person of this last Richard Duke of York, and only Brother of King Edward the Fifth, that this Impostor, Peter Warbeck, commonly called Perkin Warbeck, so artfully imitated, for Five or Six Years time, from 1494 until 1499, putting all England into combustion, and perplexity on that Subject: and giving much trouble to the new Conqueror, Henry the Seventh, who was before Earl of Richmond.  
Margaret, Sister to King Edward the Fourth, Widow of Charles the Hardy, Duke of Burgundy, and Sovereign of the Seventeen Provinces of the Lower Germany, produced, and instructed this Counterfeit, to take the Crown of England, (if she could have effected, what she had often endeavoured) from Henry the Seventh, Chief of the House of Lancaster, or the White-Rose, whom she mortally hated. This is the Truth of the Story, as Polydore Virgil, Historiographer to Henry the Eighth, relates it, in the Twenty-sixth Book of his History of England.  
This Princess, (a Woman of an Ambitious and Intriguing humour) had conceived a great Aversion to Henry the Seventh, Exterminator of the Usurper Richard Duke of Gloucester. The principal cause of her Hatred proceeded from the long Enmity between his Family of Lancaster, and her's of the House of York; which made her continually endeavour, by all means imaginable, his extirpation, with the satisfaction of her own Revenge, in the removal of the Crown to One of her own Party: But finding all her endeavours miscarried, and those of John Earl of Lincoln were come to nothing, her old Inveterate temper prompted her with new Expedients, more difficult for Henry to prevent.  
She met a young man at Tourney, who was handsome, of a subtle with and quick Apprehension, his name was Peter Warbeck, but the English, in Derision, after called him Perkin. He understood English, and some other Languages, was very little known, being of the meanest Birth, and in extreme Poverty. He had Travelled through divers Countries like a Beggar and a Vagabond. Him, the Duchess Margaret, thought a sit Instrument, to Counterfeit the Duke of York, second Son of Edward the Fourth. She hide him in her House, and instructed him in the affairs of England, and the particular Interests of the House of York, till he perfectly understood his business; Imprinting her Maxims in his memory, and talking properly of them, persuading all that he was the Real Prince of that Illustrious Family. Persons of that Quality and Birth have an Instinct not to be described, to follow the steps of their Glorious Ancestors, that they may deserve the same admiration, and even in this she had informed him. And now she, understanding that King Henry was raising Men for France, to assist Francis Duke of Britain, (his old Benefactor) believing this a favourable occasion to set her Engines at work, and cause a disturbance in England, she sent Perkin privately into Ireland, that so this young and well-instructed Adventurer, might sow the Seeds of Rebellion amongst those uncivilised People, who were always inclined to Mutiny.  
When he Landed in Ireland, he so well employed his time and favour there, that many of the principal Irish believed his deceit, and gave him the same Honour, as if he had really been what he pretended, promising to Arm, and follow him with all Necessaries for the War.  
This News being spread abroad, Francis, the Eighth King of France, invited him to his Court, that he might oppose him to Henry his declared Enemy, who was then ready to Land in France. Perkin overjoyed at this News, believing himself Blest, to enter into the Familiarity of Kings, repassed the Sea, and came to the French Court, where he was Magnificently received, and had a Train of Guards appointed him: But suddenly after, a Peace was concluded between France and England, and the King finding him no longer useful for his Purpose, dismissed him the Court. Being thus disappointed of his hopes, he went to the Duchess Dowager, into Flanders.  
This Princess longed to know how he had been Received and Entertained, but the disappointment sensibly afflicted her; yet she Treated him, as if she had never seen him before; which she cunningly endeavoured to persuade, being overjoyed to see him; publicly Congratulating his happy return, and taking a singular pleasure to hear him tell, how nearly he escaped in several Countries, which he Travelled. This she did, the better to persuade the World, he was the true Son of Edward the Fourth, her Brother; and showed him extraordinary Respect, as likewise did the Flemish Lords on her account. The Deceit being hid under so much appearance of Truth, as persuaded them that he escaped death by the particular Providence of Heaven; and when he was in the Power of his Uncle Richard, a faithful Servant of his Fathers had conveyed him privately beyond Sea, so Rescuing him out of his cruel hands, and that now he would attempt to regain the Kingdom of his Ancestors. The Story of so strange an Adventure was soon spread over all the Country, flying into England, where it passed for Truth, not only among the common People, but even with several of the Nobility.  
When the News came that Richard Duke of York was alive, the number of the Seditious increased abundantly. They, whose Crimes or Debts made them abscond, or whose Poverty hoped advantage, fled into Flanders to Perkin; and soon after, many of the most considerable Lords entered into the Conspiracy, and believed the Impostor; swayed by their own rashness, or by a false persuasion that this young Man was Prince Richard, Son of King Edward, and having a blind affection for the House of York; Others through Disgust, believing themselves ill rewarded by Henry the Seventh, whom they had ventured their Lives for, to set him upon the Throne: Many through Avarice, and a desire of change, were driven into this Conspiracy. Thus the News of Richard Duke of Yorks being alive, divided England. Hopes and Fears filled the minds of all men, none were exempted from Trouble, each measuring his Danger or Advantage according to his Interest, Fancy, and particular Opinion.  
It was an extraordinary astonishment, to the King, and his Friends, that there should be any Man in the World, who had the Impudence to invent and discourse so Pernicious an Imposture; which was not only improbable, but looked impossible; and under the colour of Truth, concealed a most Subtle and Implacable piece of Malice, which he already knew many great Men in the Kingdom had a mind to give Credit to, (though he dissembled his Information:) And he foresaw this Fable might endanger the Ruin of the State, if it were not early discovered to the Nation, for no other than a fictitious, most wicked, and dangerous Counterfeit.  
Those who delighted in War and Trouble, embraced these Novelties, persuading themselves there was no deceit in them, and that the News was all true; believing they should reap both Honour and Profit, by Fomenting the Hopes of their Party: And this being a Point of so much Importance, the Conspirators sent into Flanders to the Duchess Dowager, to know of her, when she thought fit that Richard Duke of York should pass over into England, that they might the sooner Advertise their Friends, and have them ready to give him all necessary Assistance.  
Sir Robert Clifford, and William Barklay, were deputed for this, by the general Consent of the rest; They gave the Duchess Margaret an account what the Creatures and Favourers of this New Duke had agreed to do, which gave her an extreme pleasure: She assured them, all that had been advantageously discoursed of Richard Duke of York, was really so, showing them the Impostor, who Counterfeited the Person of Richard to a wonder: Then she extolled his Virtues to the Skies, and made admirable Report of his Princely Inclinations, which were to imitate the Actions of his glorious Ancestors. When Clifford had seen the Youth, he really believed him of the Blood Royal, and so writ to his Correspondents in England: And the better to make himself be believed, he assured them, he perfectly remembered his Face. After the delivery of these Letters, they contrived a new Motive, to excite the People to favour their Party: They assured them nothing could be more True, than the News of Richard Duke of York; and this they so cunningly spread, that no Author could be produced for the Report.  
The King perceiving these Deceits, not to diminish in the People's minds, thought himself absolutely obliged to provide for the Public Safety, in which his own Interest was so deeply engaged: He knew where this design was laid, and understood Clifford's Secret Departure, sending Officers with some chosen Men, and approved Soldiers, to the Seacoasts, for the preventing any men's Landing in, or going out of the Kingdom, except with good Passes, and to hinder all great Assemblies. For the better disabusing the English from their false opinions; he sent his subtlest Spies through all the Towns of Flanders, to understand the Birth and Original of this Counterfeit, promising large Recompense to those that could discover it; Writing to his Friends on the same Subject. These Emissaries exactly obeyed their Orders, some of them coming to Tournay, found the false Richard was Born there, of the Meanest of the People, his name being Peter Warbeck, of which they brought very authentic Attestations.  
Upon this the King sent a solemn Embassy to young Earl Philip in Flanders, of which Sir Edward Poinings, and William Warham, Dr. of Laws, were chief: The latter of these was also a Churchman, of extraordinary Parts and Modesty: He made a Speech to the Lords of the Young Prince's Counsel, who was not of Age yet to take the Government upon himself. He laid the impiousness of the Impostor before them, putting them in mind of the like happening in their Country, about 250 years before, in the time of their Countess Jane: Likewise telling them, that the Effects of the King his Master's Friendship, to Maximilian, Father of the Prince, in the War of France, should not be so quickly blotted out of their memory; sharply reflecting on the Conduct of the Duchess Margaret, who brought forth in her elder Years, not a Child at nine Months, but a Prodigy of nine score Months old. The Council, after a long Debate, replied, That to gratify the King, their Earl would give no assistance to Perkin: But for the Duchess Dowager, She was Mistress of her Jointure, and her Actions; and they would neither prescribe, nor forbidden her any thing. The Ambassadors being returned, Henry sent divers Emissaries; some to discover the Names of the Conspirators, by feigning to enter into the design; others to endeavour the persuading Sir Robert Clifford, and William Barklay to return, with the assurance of their Pardon. Clifford was prevailed on; but Barklay continued obstinate, not returning till two Years after, and till he was certain of the King's Mercy. Some of the King's Messengers came back, after having discovered many of the Conspirators: Others stayed longer, to accompany Clifford, whose coming home, so much discountenanced the Plotters, that they knew not whom to trust.  
The King being informed, who several of the Conspirators were, caused them to be Seized and Committed to Prison in London; the Chief were John Ratclif, Lord Fitz-Walter, Sir Simon Montfort, and Sir Thomas Thwaites, Knights; William Dawbeney, Robert Ratclif, Richard Lacie, with divers others: Some Priests: William Richeford and Thomas Ponies, Dominican Friars; William Sutton, Robert Laybourn, and William Worsley Dean of St. Paul's. The rest finding their practices were discovered, fled to several places of Refuge: They were all Condemned as Traitors, but only these Principal were Beheaded, Robert Ratclif, William Dawbeney, and Simon Montfort. John Ratclif, Lord Fitzwalter, was carried to Calais, where for endeavouring to make his Escape, he lost his Head likewise: The rest the King Pardoned.  
Not long after Sir Robert Clifford Arrived, and the King chose to speak with him in the Tower, that in case he accused any Great Men about his Person, he might secure them there. Much discourse there was touching Clifford's Conduct; some thought him all along to have been employed by the King, to discover the rest. This was occasioned by the ready obtaining his Pardon, and his Return made him equally decried by both Parties; his Friends believing him a Cheat, but the small consideration the King had of him generally, convinced People, he acted as he thought, through his Inclination to the House of York, being deceived into the persuasion it was the true Prince. He threw himself at the King's Feet, giving an account what passed in Flanders, and naming amongst his Accomplices Sir William Stanley: It much astonished the King, he being his Lord Chamberlain, to whom he trusted his most Important Affairs, and who had gained him the Crown, which was wore by his assistance, in the Battle against Rich. the Third, the Usurper. Clifford pretending to know his ill will to the King, from the beginning, he having declared, He would never bear Arms against that Young Man, if he were convinced he was the Son of King Edward. Polydore Virgil says, his Resentment proceeded from his not being rewarded, as he thought he had deserved to be. Benesicium post hominum memoriam Maximum, per quod Henricus a periculo vitaeliberatus, conservatusque Regnum sibi quaesivit. For when the King was overpowered at the Battle of Bosworth, and like to be torn in pieces by that Squadron where his Enemy Richard was; Sir William Stanley, by order of his Brother Thomas, who Commanded the Reserve, effectually helping where he found most need, charging Richard, he disengaged the King, and gave him the Victory.  
These Considerations made him in some suspense, but the consequence of the Example prevailed, and he was Beheaded as the rest were. The King was under a necessity to use that Rigour, for hindering the Insolent discourses of the common People, who talked Maliciously, and Cursed him at their little Meetings; saying aloud, They expected every day the Duke of York, and to see him on the Throne. But these Executions, and the Method he used in his Affairs, extinguished great part of those Heats, and restored many People to their Duty. Giles Lord Dawbeney, whose Prudence and Fidelity, the King was well assured of, possessed the Place of Lord Chamberlain, Vacant by the Death of Sir William Stanley.  
The Irish more than ever persisting in their rash unadvisedness, it was resolved to endeavour to crush those Seeds of Sedition Perkin had sown amongst them, the precedent Years: For which Intent, the King sent Henry Denny Abbot of Langton, a Wise and Contriving Man, whom he designed to make Chancellor of that Kingdom, making Sir Edward Poynings, his Colleague, who was to command the Army. These two Persons representing the two Arms of Justice, one holding the Scales, the other the Sword; showing above the Cheats of an Impostor, the Majesty of a Lawful King, Non solum Armis decoratam, sed & Legibus armatam. They had order to go where he had been, and take an exact account, who they were, that resolved to assist him, and to Arm all they could, to pursue the Accomplices.  
Ireland was divided into two sorts of Inhabitants, the one Civilised through the converse with other Nations, but especially the English: The others Wild and Savage, as any upon Earth, living by Theft, inclined to Rebellion and Novely, destroying one another, according to the Inclinations and Avarice of those they follow. Perkin knowing the Genius and Turbulent Spirits of the latter, addressed himself to them: These Sir Edward Poynings attacked chief, knowing them most Guilty; but they would never stand the shock, always flying to their Bogs and Mountains. The other Irish did not obey his Orders, nor send him Succours as they promised, which made him give over the Pursuit, believing the old Governor Gerald Earl of Kildare favoured them underhand; wherefore he cunningly seized his Person, and brought him to the King; before whom, this Earl so pleaded his Cause, that he was sent back, and restored to his Government, being thought the most prudent way in that Conjuncture, because of his great Interest and Authority with the Irish.  
While these things were transacting in England, Warbeck was extremely grieved, his Conspiracy was discovered, and many of his chiefest Friends Executed: Yet he, notwithstanding, resolved to cross the Sea, accompanied by a great number of Vagabonds, such Fugitives as would follow him. 'Tis true he had some Lords, and good Captains in his Train, to strengthen his hopes of the Crown. His Fleet came upon the Coast of Kent, where the weather being calm, he Landed some of his Men, for the better securing or persuading the Country People to his Party: But the Impostor was already known every where, and they had suffered much Misery and Desolation in the late Wars. They knew the Soldiers of this false Richard were all Strangers, who would make no distinction of Friends or Enemies, where they were strong enough to Plunder and Pillage, nor have respect to Churches, or Places Sacred; believing God had left them, since several of their Party had been put to shameful, deaths, as a punishment of their Gild. Wherefore these Inhabitants endeavoured to destroy this Counterfeit, by persuading him to Land all his Men; promising to give notice to their Neighbours, and make a considerable body, while he prepared for his March. Perkin disinherited their Intentions, knowing the common People use no Ceremony in their Emotions, but run on without Reason or Deliberation: Therefore he resolved not to Land himself, but to venture part of his Men, who were no sooner out of sight, when the Country People Charged them; driving them back to the Sea, so that only the most Nimble and most Cowardly escaped, the Stoutest and Robust were killed or wounded: The latter were not treated as Prisoners of War, but like Pirates and Thiefs, 150 being Hanged along the Shore. The King himself was on his March from London, against these Vagabonds; till meeting the news of their Defeat, he returned; sending only Sir Richard Guildford to thank the Kentishmen for their Loyalty, and assure them of his Grace and Favour; encouraging them to persist in the same Fidelity and Zeal for his Interest.  
Though this ill success troubled Warbeck, and his Friends, who returned to Flanders, they gave not over for it, taking new Resolutions of Landing in Ireland, and Levying Men there, for the Invading the Western parts of England: And if that failed, to go for Scotland; which Nation had never Peace long with the English: His Aunt giving him Money for the equipping a Fleet, and making some Levies. He Sailed with good Wether, to the Irish Coasts, where he soon found the inequality between those unarmed, unexperienced People, and the, English Forces; yet not daring to expose his Men to the Slaughter, he rather chose the other Project of passing into Scotland, where James the Fourth was not displeased at the Arrival of a Person so much discoursed of through all Europe, out of the Aversion his People had for the English, giving him Access to his Royal Person, where Polydore Virgil says, he made this Speech.  
I know (Great Prince) you cannot be Ignorant what Calamities have late befallen the Family of Edward the Fourth, King of England, whose Son (I assure your Majesty) I am; having by a Miracle escaped Death. My Father,  he died, made Richard Duke of Gloucester my Uncle, Guardian to Edward my Elder Brother, and myself; hoping the great kindness he always favoured him with, would oblige him to more tenderness of us: But alas! how was he deceived, for our Guardian became our Murderer: Transported by his Ambition of Reigning, he gave his positive Commands for our Destruction. The Person he instructed with his Orders, frighted with the horror of the Crime, obeyed but half his Instructions: For after he had taken away my Brother's, sparing my life, he suffered a faithful Servant to convey me out of the Kingdom, who left me not till I was past all danger. By these Methods my Uncle Richard seized the Crown, as if it had been the Reward of his Crimes, whilst I (after this Deliverance) wand'ring about the World, almost forgot who I was. At last coming to my Aunt Margaret, Widow of that most excellent Prince, Charles, late Duke of Burgundy; she received me with unspeakable joy, as risen from the dead: But that Princess having only her Jointure in Flanders, and not able to assist me with Force enough, for the recovery of my Kingdom, I have been constrained to have Recourse to other Princes: And by her advice, I am come to Your Majesty, though slenderly accompanied: Yet knowing your Princely Generosity, which has filled the World with your Glory; particularly for your Inclination to protect the Unhappy, Dispossessed of their Rights; who becoming Objects of the Cruelty of wicked Men, are so much the greater of Your Royal Clemency. This encourages me, to implore Your Majesty's Assistance, for this Unhappy Prince here before You, for the Recovery of his ancient Kingdom: And I assure you, I and my Successors will so acknowledge Your Majesty's Grace and Favour, that this Crown will not repent the Kindness; though, to say truly, it is above all we can do, to express our Gratitude as we ought.  
King James answered his Speech very civilly, exhorting him to take Courage; and assure himself, he should not repent his coming thither. He Assembled his Council, who were much divided in their Opinions; some taking him for an Impostor; others (whose Advice prevailed) affirming, that if he were the true Duke of York, both He and all his Posterity must acknowledge this Favour, and for it, be obliged to Scotland: Or although he should prove a Counterfeit, this Pretence of War would make the English treat with more inclination, to grant what they desired, for the dis-engaging the Scots from his Interest. This last Advice was followed by the King, who shown Perkin extraordinary Respects, styling him Highness, and Duke of York: And to advance his Credit, he married him to his Kinswoman Katherine, Daughter of Alexander Earl of Huntley; a Lady of incomparable Beauty and Virtue, whose Obedience to the King, rather than the Ambition of having her Head Crowned one day with a Royal Diadem, o'ercome the Repugnance she had in her Heart, to marry a Man so unknown, whom many called an Impostor. The Motives which persuaded the King to this Match, were for a specious Pretext of War, and breaking the Truce with the English; He being by this obliged to protect his new Kinsman and Ally, without being accounted rash in his Assistance, if the Deceit should be discovered; for this Marriage must needs persuade the World, he thought him the true Duke of York.  
King James raised Men, and form an Army; which, you will suppose, gave the Impostor great Satisfaction. And now his Senses were charmed with the Sound of Warlike Music, as well as with the softer Concerts of his Wedding. Courriers were sent into England, to observe what Preparations were making for Resistance. But all being quiet; the Scotch Army, with their King at the Head, entered Northumberland; where they pillaged, burnt, ravished, and killed, sparing neither Age nor Sex; behaving themselves, without Humanity: Till the Soldiers, laden with Plunder, refused to March further, pretending no English joined them. The Counterfeit Richard, one day hearing the Cries of the poor plundered English, seemed much afflicted; saying, Oh! how wretched am I, and my Heart as hard as Steel, not to be troubled at the Misery of my People! Entreating the King, to prevent the Cruelty of the Soldiers, and not suffer them to destroy his unhappy Country; feigning great Commiseration and Tenderness: Who answered him very coldly; He might concern himself with his own Affairs, and not with other men's; calling England his Country and People; where none came to his Assistance, though a War was undertaken for his Cause. So chiding this Mock-King's Dissimulation, and changing from that time, his Respect to him; Neglecting, and contemning him, when he found neither his Actions, nor the Event of things, correspond with his former Promises.  
King Henry prepared to meet, and repel the Scotchmen, at the News of this their Cruelty and Infidelity; when the Lords on the Marches, informed him of their Retreat; They having done the best they could, by Entrenching & Fortifying themselves, with an Intent, as they did, by their frequent Alarms and Skirmishes, to waste and tyre out the Enemy. Just before this Advice, he Summons a Parliament at London, where several good Laws were made, for the Public Safety: But Money being the Sinews of War, they concluded on the Methods of raising it. Giles Lord Dawbeney, who was General of the Army, had Orders to begin his March for the Frontiers of Scotland: But he had scarce set forward, when the Cornish Men took up Arms, alleging for their Pretence great Taxes laid on them (as they said) for an Inconsiderable Scotch-War, which was ended already; when indeed it was but just begun: And then their Barren Land, and hard Labour of Mineing, making them Incapable to pay them. Thomas Flammock, a Country-Lawyer, and Michael Joseph a Farrier, two bold Fellows, being at the Head of the Rebels, they Marched toward London, and demanded the Heads of John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir Reynald Bray, both Privy-Counsellors; And at Wells, they were Joined by James Twichet, Lord Awdley, and some other Gentlemen. King Henry considering these Troubles should be first appeased, recalled the Lord Dawbency, with his Army, sending Thomas Howard, Earl of Surry, in his stead, a most experienced Soldier; To whom he had given his Life and Liberty, after the Famous Battle of Bosworth-Field, which he had won of Richard the Usurper; afterwards honouring him with the Office of Lord High Treasurer of England, upon the Death of John Lord Dinham. This Earls Commands were, to raise what Men he could, about the County of Durham, and oppose the Incursions of the Scots, till Giles Lord Dawbeney should have Dissipated, and chastised the Rebels of Cornwall, and Joined him with his Army. Polydore Virgil Names the Lords, and the Gentlemen, who met the Royal Army, commanded by Dawbeney, increasing it with their Tenants.  
About this time, Charles the 8 th'. of France, sent an Ambassador to give the King an Account of his Conquering the Kingdom of Naples, and to renew his Alliance with England: Henry sent some Lords to meet them, so soon as he knew they were arrived at Calais, and also to amuse them at Dover, that they might not understand the Revolt in the West, till it was suppressed: in which he was exactly obeyed.  
In the mean time, the Rebels decamped from Wells, Marched to Salisbury, and so to Canterbury, hoping those People would Join with them; but they were much deceived; for they found them Armed, and ready to oppose them; being Commanded by George Earl of Kent, and John Lord Brook, with Fifteen or Sixteen other Lords. The Resolution, and Fidelity, of these Men, so astonished the Rebel's Army, that many abandoned them, Running from their Camp in the Night: But they were too far advanced for a Retreat; so continued their March to Black-Heath, near London; where they drew up themselves, in Order to a Battle, upon the Hill. Thither, the King sent, Henry Bourcheir Earl of Essex, Edmund dela Pool Earl of Suffolk. Sir Richard Thomas, and Sir Humphrey Stanley, all Great Soldiers, with detached Parties, to encompass them, and hinder their Flight; whilst he Marched straight to charge them, with Dawbeney, followed by the best Men of his Army: Commanding Sir Richard Thomas, to attack them, at the same time, from his Post; which was so vigorously executed, that notwithstanding all their resistance, the Rebels were broken and lost Two Thousand Men, besides vast Numbers of Prisoners; the King missing but Three Hundred: He pardoned those wretched People, only making their Chiefs, Examples; among whom was the Lord Audley, who was drawn from Newgate to Tower-Hill, and there beheaded; Thomas Flammock, and Michael Joseph, were Hanged and Quartered, and their Heads and Limbs set up in London, and several places of Cornwall; for the Terror and Example of others. They admired the Constancy of Michael the Smith, who contented himself, that he should always be talked of: A Deo (says Polydore) Medios ac insimos viros, perinde ut Summos, Gloriae cupiditas incendit.  
The Scotch King, taking Advantage by these Disorders, entered the County of Durham, giving his Men all manner of Licence: With some of his Troops he Besieged Norham, a Castle of Great Importance, on those Frontiers; into which Richard Fox, the Vigilant Bishop of Durham, had put a strong Garrison, and well fortified the Place, having foreseen the Siege: He then advertised Thomas Earl of Surry, who had already raised a considerable Army in Yorkshire; and hearing the distress that Norham was in, he Marched with all speed, having a Great number of Gentlemen, and Knights with him, and a Body of near Twenty Thousand Men, besides a considerable Fleet at Sea. King James informed of his Advancing, being within Two Days March, Hastily raised his Siege, and retired into Scotland, where he was followed by the Earl; who being in the Enemy's Country, plundered all he could and took several Towns: But having no opportunity to furnish himself with Provisions, he returned into the County of Durham.  
During the War, about this time, Peter Hyalas, a wise and prudent Man, came Ambassador, and Mediator from Ferdinand, and Isabella of Spain, a most Incomparable Princess. King Henry appointed for his Ambassador, Richard Bishop of Durham, who was near the Place of Treaty; where they met the King of Scotland's Privy Counsellors, and treated of the Conditions of Peace. The greatest difficulty arose concerning Perkin Warbeck; Henry Positively persisting, to have him delivered up, as being the Disturber of his Kingdom's Peace, and the Occasion of so many Rebellions. The King of Scotland could not in Honour, yield to deliver up a Man to Death, whom he had raised, and made his Kinsman. So, at last, it was agreed, that he should quit his Interest, and command him out of his Dominions. These Articles were agreed on, and a Peace was made between them in the Year, 1498. Henry King of England, sent home this Spanish Ambassador, Loaden with Presents, and with great Thanks to his King and Queen.  
Then was the Marriage projected of Prince Arthur, the King's Eldest Son, and Katherine the Infanta, afterwards Married to Henry the VIII. his Second Son; whose Famous Divorce, caused so many Revolutions in the Kingdom. About the same time, King Henry Received two other Embassies; One, from the King of France; the Other, from Prince Philip, Earl of Flanders, Son to the Emperor Maximilan, who renewed his Alliance with Him. The King of Scotland exactly observed the Articles of Peace, touching Perkin Warbeck; being wholly disabused concerning him. He sent for him, and told him in short, what he had done in his Favour; but he found himself obliged to conclude a Peace with England; and now was no longer in Circumstances to give him assistance, or allow him his Court for a Retreat: Therefore, advised him to retire, and hope a better Fortune. Though this was a Fatal Blow to Warbeck, it came not unforeseen by him, who wanted not Understanding, but extremely thanked the King; assuring him, he could never acknowledge his Favours as he ought, and desired acquiescing in his Orders.  
After this, with his Wife he went for Ireland, with Intention either to go for Flanders, to his Aunt; or head the Cornish Malcontents: But resolving on the latter, he found the Minds of those People, irritated by their Losses, and easily engaged them to Mutiny. He then gave out his Commissions, and Form his Army, with Design to surprise some considerable Towns; which might serve for a Refuge, in case of ill Success. With this intent, he Besieged Exeter, using all Endeavours, to carry it by Assault, and trying to seize the Gates; for Petards nor Rams were not then in Use; he brought Great Stones, and Axes, instead of those Engines; which not taking effect, he employed Fire; and heaping Wood against the Gates, endeavoured to burn them: The Besieged used the same Expedient, Firing great quantity of Wood, within their Gates; by Flames preventing their Danger by Fire. He then raised his Scaling Ladders, and commanded the Attack to be made, which was better repulsed, many of his Men being left dead under the Walls, the very Women throwing Stones, and Scalding Water on the Besiegers.  
King Henry being Informed, what Danger the Besieged were in, advanced with great Marches to their Assistance; sending Detached Parties, to declare His Coming. In the mean time, several Men of Quality got into the City, with supplies. Amongst whom, was Edward Courtney, Earl of Devonshire, and several of his Family; Peter Edgcomb and William St. Maure and other Men of Noto: This extremely perplexed Perkin; he could not cover his Men in any strong Place; who for the most part of them, were ill provided of Arms, as well Offensive as Defensive; and considering he was not able to resist so Powerful Enemies, as were advancing towards him; he raised the Siege, and Marched to Taunton; where he Mustered his Men, and drew them up in Battalia; of which the King hearing, directed his March that way; many Lords Joining Him, and giving Demonstrations of their Zeal, to express and Signalise their Loyalty on that Occasion. The King Commanded my Lord Brook, my Lord Dawbeney, and Sir Richard Thomas, with a Party of chosen detached Men, to begin the Charge; but both his Orders, and their Resolutions were needless: For Warbeck, through his own Natural Cowardice, or believing himself betrayed, ran away, and left his Army; flying into the Monastery of Beaulieu. His Officers seeing themselves abandonned, lost their Resolution, and tried to save themselves by Flight. The wretched Multitude, being left without a Head, knew not what to do; whether to resolve to die Fight, or to Implore the King's Mercy: But choosing the latter, they threw down their Arms, and on their Knees, begged Pardon; which the King granted them: For certainly, if their Officers had not left them, it would have cost him very dear, they being resolved to overcome or die. Parties of Light-Horse were sent every way, for the Apprehension of Warbeck, and the Chief of his Gang: But though they miss him, they took most of the others his Accomplices: Some of the Searchers found Katherine Huntley, Wife of Perkin, with her Women; Her they brought to the King; who was much furprized to see so Beautiful a Lady; extremely pitying her Misfortune: And considering such a Noble Prize, was not fit to be the Soldier's Prey, but worthy an Emperor; He sent her to London, where he presented to the Queen this unfortunate Lady, so unhappily Sacrificed to the Humour, or Interests of the King her Uncle: & Matched to a Villain, and Impostor, instead of a Legitimate Prince, whom she justly Merited, and not the extreme Grief, of seeing this Counterfeit, her Husband, suffer the deserved Reproaches, and Calumny, of the Basest Profligates.  
The King Encompassed the Monastery of Beaulieu, with his Army, for the better securing Perkin: Not being willing to Violate the Sanctuary; he himself having been protected the same manner in Bretagn, when Richard the Usurper, demanded him. Besides, such was the Custom of those days. Wherefore, he sent him word by the Religious Men of the Monastery, that he would spare his Life; assuring him of his Clemency: yet nevertheless, at Exeter, he beheaded several of the Principal Rebels, punishing many of the rest, which were taken in their Flight; thanking that City for their Zeal and Fidelity. With Warbeck in his Power, he returned for London, where the People, in Multitudes, Flocked to see Perkin, with astonishment; admiring, that a Foreigner, of so mean Birth, should undertake by his Impostures, the Overthrow of so great a Kingdom; and persuade so many Princes, Lords, and People, (to the Destruction of many) of the Truth of those Falsehoods, he till then spread abroad, both of his Person and Birth.  
There is no doubt, but that the King kept him close Prisoner, and justly punished those remarkable Rebels of Cornwall, Devon, and Sommersetshire; for which Service, he sent Thomas Lord Darcy, Sir Anyas Pawlet, and Robert Sherburn Dean of St. Paul's, with his Commission into the West, where they sound Fined, & Amerced every one, that had Assisted or Favoured the Rebels, before or after their Defeat at Black-heath: But yet with consideration of such Persons, who either through Fear, or by Force were compelled to do it.  
There happened about this time, a Quarrel between the English and Scotch, that had like to have renewed the War. Some Scotch were observed to walk under the Walls of Norham, which a little before they had Besieged; and the next day doing it again, the English Garrison, fearing they had some Design, sent out to know their Reasons, and whether they came not as Spies. From Words, they soon came to Blows; which put the Scotch, who were fewer in Number, to Flight, leaving several Dead on the Place. At this, the King of Scotland was incensed, demanding the Violators of the Peace, in his Letters, where he highly complained of them. The King of England tried to appease Him, promising exemplary Punishment on the Aggressors. Richard Fox, Bishop of Durham, (being extremely displeased, that the Garrison he had placed there, should give Occasion of Variance, between those two Monarches, who with so great Difficulty, were brought to an Accord,) sent his Letters to King James; assuring him, he might expect all possible Satisfaction. This Prince, who very much esteemed him, honoured him with an Answer, and an Invitation to come, and discourse of Matters. The Bishop immediately informed the King, his Master; who permitted him to go. It was in this Visit, that King James told him, If He did not fear a Denial, he would ask the Princess Margaret, his Master's Eldest Daughter, in Marriage. The Bishop encouraged his Hopes, undertaking to sound the Affair, without engaging His Honour in it. King Henry rejoiced at the Overture, and accepted it with all His Heart. It was from this Marriage of the Princess Margaret, to James the Fourth King of Scotland, that James the Sixth of Scotland, and since King of England, as next Heir, Inherited the Crown of England, after the Death of Queen Elizabeth, in the Year 1603.  
Now, we will declare the Catastrophe, and Death of the Impostor Perkin; together with that of the Unfortunate Prince Edward, Earl of Warwick.  
Warbeck's Turbulent Spirit, ill brooking so straight an Imprisonment, endeavoured to make his Escape; and finding his Guards to abate something of their first strictness, got out of Prison, directing his Flight towards the Seaside, for Shipping off privately; which in England, after Proclamation to the contrary, is very difficult. He was quickly missed, and every way pursued: He carefully watching, hide himself in Ditches, and behind the Hedges; till the Horsemen that sought him, were passed: When despairing to get out of the Island, and finding himself reduced to the utmost Distress, he waited the Obscurity of the Night, and got to a Monastery; where ask for the Prior, and throwing his Arms about his Neck, he declared his Misfortune. The Father touched with his Misery, promised to speak to the King; which accordingly he did; whose Piety granted his Life, without other present Punishment; provided he no more attempted to escape.  
The Counterfeit was then led in Chains to London; where before Westminster-Hall, he was, in a pair of Stocks, exposed a whole Day, to the Scorn and Mockery of the People. The next day, enduring the same in the City; where he declared his Parentage, the Place of his Birth, and all the Passages of his Life; and by what Means he was induced to make this Attempt: and from thence he was conveyed into the Tower.  
As for Young Edward, Earl of Warwick, he had been a Prisoner from his Cradle; bred up out of the Sight of Men or Beasts: So that he could not distinguish a Goose from a Hen, and incapable of doing any thing worthy of death: He was nevertheless brought to it by the Crimes of Others.  
That Age being Fruitful in Impostors, an Augustine Monk, called Patrick, suborned a Youth, whose Name we find not, with Promises of Raising him to the Crown, and to better Fortune than Perkin Warbeck's, provided he would pass for the Earl of Warwick, and but leave him alone to Act the rest. Ambition had such Charms with the Young Man, that he undertook it, and hazarded all was desired of him. So they came to Canterbury, where they told their forged Adventure: The Friar declaring how dextrously he had got the Earl of Warwick out of Prison; and some credulous People believing the Story: But before they had time to cheat the World, the King sent, and apprehended the Two Sparks; Hanged the Youth, and Immured the Monk; according to the Custom of those Times.  
Perkin continued still the same, contriving and endeavouring to break lose once more; and having corrupted some of his Guards, designed to Murder the Lieutenant of the Tower, and carrying the Earl of Warwick with him, to get out by Force; which being discovered, he was by the Judges condemned for this last Action only; and a few days after, hanged accordingly.  
As for the Earl of Warwick, he lost his Head, for listening to him, and intending to Escape with him. This Unhappy Prince bearing the Iniquity of his Father, George, Duke of Clarence, who was the Barbarous Murderer of Prince Edward, only Son, and designed Successor of Henry the Sixth.  
You may imagine the Astonishment and Affliction the Duchess Margaret was in, for the Unfortunate End of her Pretended Nephew, whom she had taken such Pains to set on the English Throne, by so many Impostures.   

CHAP. IX. THE COUNTERFEIT Don Sebastian. KING of PORTUGAL.  
THe first Prince, that gave Beginning to the Royal Family of Portugal, was Henry, who Married Teresa, or Taresia, Alphonso King of Castile's natural Daughter, in the Year 1090, having the Earldom of Portugal, for her Portion. The King hoping he would make as Vigorous a War against the Moors, as his Brother Hugh Duke of Burgundy, had done; giving him that Country for a Bulwark, to defend his own from those Infidels; towards whom, it was the Frontiers. He was the Son of another Henry Duke of Burgundy, Grandson of Robert Duke of the same, who was Grandson to Robert, King of France, Successor to Hugh Capet. I do not mind the Opinions of several Historians, who are much perplexed to find out of what Family, and Country this Henry was. Theod. Godefroy, one of the most Learned, and most Curious Persons of his Time, first discovered this Original of the Kings of Portugal; and those Famous Twins, Scevola, and Lewis de St. Martha, have Authorized it, in their Genealogical History of the House of France.  
The Princes of this Race, have held the Royal Dignity, and Signalised their Conduct by many Victories, over the Unbelievers, even beyond our Hemisphere: But to give an Account of their Actions, is no part of my Subject; therefore, I will only say, They have generally held the Sceptre with Great Glory, and without any Interruption, in the Royal Family, to this very Don Pedro, who now Reigns with the Title of Prince Regent; no Objection being to be made, except two or three suspicions of Illegitimacy; so that it has always been supported by the same Blood Royal.  
Don Sebastian, whose misfortune we treat of, (which gave an opportunity for an Impostor to aspire, and pretend to his Diadem, persuading the World he Escaped from the Unhappy Battle of Alcazer) at three Years Old, which was in the Year, 1557. Succeeded Don John the Third, his Paternal Grandfather: He was Grandson to the Emperor, Charles the Fifth, by his Mother Jane. In his Youth, he had been under the Tutulage of Donna Catharina of Austria, his Paternal Grandmother, Sister to the same Emperor; and of the Cardinal Henry, his Great Uncle.  
A Desire to Augment his Glory, by setting a Moorish Prince on the Throne of Fez in Africa, (imitating Alexander the Great, who at his Age passed the Hellespont, for the Conquest of Asia) Persuaded him to do the same over the straits of Gibraltar, for the Subjugating Africa; his Ancestors having showed the way, especially King Don Emanuel; whose Heroic Virtues, frequent Prosperities, and Signal Victories, had vanquished, and made Tributary several Kings, in those Extreme Parts of the World: Chief by the Conduct of the Famous Don Alphonso Albuquerque; and also through his Care to plant the Christian Faith, which Justly made him esteemed one of the Greatest, and most Happy Princes, in the World. The same Motives of Religion, and Glory, with the Hopes that Muley Mahomet, or Muley Hamet, King of Fez, whom he undertook to re-establish in the Throne, would according to his Promise, embrace the Christian Religion; persuaded him to this most Unhappy Enterprise; and, as the Marquis of Pisani, than Ambassador for the Crown of France, in the Spanish Court, declares, That he was also pushed on to this Engagement, by the Unsound and Pernicious Counsels of the Jesuits. I have Read in their Catechism, That this Prince, being a Jesuit in his Heart, would not Marry; they having often solicited him, to make a Law, That for the future, none should be King of Portugal, but a Jesuit; and Elected by their Order, as the Pope is by the Cardinals: And because this young Prince could not, or to say truly, durst not condescend to it, (though Superstitious enough) they assured him, that God had so ordained it, as he should understand by a Voice from Heaven, when he came to the Seaside, so that he several times expected it; but these good Apostles, (for so they called them in Portugal) could not so well carry on their Mummery, to procure the Voice: However, they so followed these Impressions, as carried him into this unhappy War, in the Flower of his Age, being about Twenty Two Years Old.  
This Disaster, one of the most terrible, that ever the Sun beheld, was presaged the Year before it happened; that is, in 1577. by the Appearance of a Prodigious Comet, seen in the Air, when all Portugal was in Arms: Nunquam visus Terris impune Comets; if you believe the Poet. I will not leave my Subject, to seek further any Reasons of the War, That having been at large declared by Giovanni Botero Benese, Abbot of St. Michael de la Chiusa, in his first Volume of his General Description of the World, which was augmented by Pierre Daviti of Tournay, and continued by Me in the Year 1660.  
Cherif Xeque, King of F●z. and Morocco, gave his Kingdoms to his Sons Successively, excluding his Grandsons. Abdalla, Successor of Xeque, to Frustrate his Father's Will, put all his Brothers to Death, who were very Numerous, being born of many Wives, after the Mahometan Fashion: Only Muley Moluc, or Abdelmeleck, and Hamet, fled to Constantinople, for the saving their Lives: and for a better Expectation of the Crown, to exclude their Nephews, the Sons of Abdalla, according to their Father's Establishment. Muley Mahomet, the Son of Abdalla, tried to secure his Father's Sceptre, to the Prejudice of the Substitution, made in his Uncle's Favour: And in truth, Justice was on his side, it being the Natural Order of Succession. However, his Uncle Muley Moluc, or Abdelmeleck, assisted by the Turks; beat him three several times.  
This made him Cross the Sea, to Implore the Assistance of King Don Sebastian, who, moved with hopes of converting the Moors, through more Zeal than Prudence, and heightened by his Desire of Glory, heard the African King's Protestations; from whom he promised himself great Advantages, for the Christian Religion, for the Reputation of his Name, and the Utility and Profit of his Subjects. With these Notions, he passed the Seas, at the Head of a very Powerful Army; and joining with Muley Mahomet, he gave Battle to Muley Abdelmeleck, near the City Alcazer, on the Plains of Tamista, in the Year 1578. where, to his great Unhappiness, his Army was defeated, with an extreme Slaughter; and he, doing the Office of a Valiant Captain, was there killed: Though the Portuguezes have always believed, and yet affirm, his Escape from the Fight, into Italy, where many saw him as we shall after declare. Muley Moluc, or Abdelmeleck, in the Beginning of this Action, was taken with an Apoplexy, and carried to his Tent, where he died, just when his Enemies were upon the Point of Flying: Hamet, his Brother, Reaping the Sole Fruit of this Victory. Mahomet's Body was carefully sought for, by his Order; and being found, his Skin was slayed off, and stuffed with Straw, to be carried before him, at his triumphant Entry into the City of Fez.  
This Mahomet left a Son called Chirissi, whom his Uncle Albequerin brought into Spain, where turning Christian, by the Munificence of Philip the Second, he was made Commendator of the Order of S. James, though commonly called the Prince of Morocco.  
Some years after this, King Don Sebastian came back out of Africa: But whether he were the True, or an Impostor, the World seems yet divided in their Opinions. Daniel Hawley, an Irish Man, of the Order of St. Dominick, called Archbishop of Goa; when he was Ambassador in France, from Alphonso, the Sixth King of Portugal, told me in Paris, That he was fain to refuse the Licensing a Book, which said, This King Don Sebastian, had lost his Life in that Battle of Alcazer, till he had Obliged the Author, to change his Language and Opinion. And, at this present, to say, That he was an Impostor, and not the true Don Sebastian, that returned from Africa, is forbidden, and Criminal in Portugal.  
Peter Math●●a, in his History of Henry the Great, in the Third Book; and Mademoiselle des J●●●●as▪ in the Seventh Part of her Annals Gallants, in the Eighth History, tells, by what good Fortune, this young Prince got from among the Dead, and how he wandered from the Field of Battle. I will not determine any thing on the likelihood, or real Truth of the Action. She says, That this King, though he were promised and engaged, to Many the Princess Mary, his near Kinswoman, Daughter of Edw. Duke of Braganza, and Isabel one of the Daughters of King Don Eman●eb, fell so much in Love with Xerine, Daughter of Muley Moluc, who being born of a Greek, was much whiter than Africans commonly are, that he promised to Marry her, and underhand bring what Obstacles he could, against the Dispensation to Marry his Cousin German.  
This Moorish Princess, understanding Don Sebastian's Defeat, whom she dearly Loved, despiseing the Crowns of Fez and Morocco, for the Hopes of that of Portugal, and Transported with a Grief, even to Despair, Rann, ere the Day-brake, to the Plains of Tamista, only accompanied with Laura, a Christian Slave, her Confident; resolving to Sacrifice herself, with her own Hand, on the Body of her Loved Sebastian; whom she sought amidst the Horrid Numbers of the Dead and Dying, with which the Plain was covered. Some of the Wounded Men, who had yet a Glimmering of understanding left them, told the Place where Don Sebastian Fought; and carefully observing those bodies, she espied one extremely resembling her Lover; and with great Cries, she embraced, and moved him, resolving to Die there; when the supposed Dead Man came to himself, a little opening his Eyes, and spoke a few words imperfectly.  
Xerine, being Transported with Joy, by the help of her Slave, carried him to the Bank of the River Mucazen, which runs through those Plains; where she washed, and bound up his Wounds, sending Laura to a little house hard by, for some body to remove him from thence. A Mariner did that good Office, carrying him with his Boat into a small Island, but Inhabited, at the Mouth of the River; for which she well rewarded him.  
The Alliance, which Don Sebastian had with Muley Mahomet, made his Death necessary to the Peace of the new King Hamet; so the Xerine feared equally the Life, & Liberty of her Lover, if he fell into his hands: she tended, and dressed him, till his Recovery; One Day saying to him; Heaven will not deprive Portugal of its King; But has made your Xerine happy, in saving her Dear Don Sebastian 's Life. The Wounded Man soon found the Princess' Error, without intending to undeceive her; but using his Endeavour to confirm her mistake, from which he foresaw such happy Consequences: Therefore, gave her Infinite Thanks, desiring she would inform him, how she distinguished him among the Dead; of which she told him the Particulars. This shown him Xerine's Birth, and Engagement with Don Sebastian, whom he studied to personate, which he might with Impunity; for he resembled him much (a Prodigious and incredible thing!) even to several Moles, and Natural Marks on his Body.  
Xerine, understood by those, whom she had sent to inquire for News, that King Sebastian was drowned, in his endeavouring to save himself; but none could find his Body. This Truth she thought an Error; as she believed her own Error true; promising herself no less, than to be Queen of Portugal; and thinking her Care, kind Words, and obliging Promises, well bestowed on that Subject.  
The Portugueze having spirit enough, to support this Caprice of Fortune, soon perceived by the Princess' Discourse, that Muley Boabdelin, a Prince of the Blood Royal of Morocco, had always been a Friend to Don Sebastian: He sent him word, that the King of Portugal was not dead; and if he would come to the Island of Mucazen, he should hear of him. Maley Boabdelin came in great haste, with the Envoy Xerine sent, leaving the farthest Part of the Province Hoscore, whither he was fled, to avoid the Tyranny of Muley Moluc, generally called Abdelmeleck: When he Arrived, he was deceived by the resemblance, as the Princess had been. There was great Embracing, caressing, and mutual kindness betwixt them: By him, the False Sebastian was informed, That his Uncle, the Cardinal Don Henry, Reigned in his stead, by the consent of the People. This News much disturbed him; believing it very difficult to dispossess him. Muley Boabdelin was of his Opinion; they both concluded it proper to sound the Inclinations of the Portuguezes, and try to Oblige the Principal Ministers of State, to Assert and Maintain their Monarch's Right, before he should expose himself to the Policies of the New King, This Moorish Prince, at the same time, offering Xerine, and her Lover, a retreat in Hoscore, where he was so well fortified, that he had no occasion to fear any thing.  
They all agreed not to Publish any report of Don Sebastian's being alive, till he were in a Condition of Possessing his Crown: But to Authorise what the Princess had done in his. Favour, Muley Advised him to marry Xerine, which she also wished; believing by that tye, her hopes secured. This Effect of his likeness to Don Sebastian, made him desirous to taste the Fruit of it; he was charmed with the Beauty, and Passion of the Princess; and had Reason to be so: Therefore fulfilled her desire, with as much Joy, as Speed: By this becoming Victorious, and the most happy of Mankind. But when he had thus made what Advantages he could, the private Negotiation of Portugal seemed too slow; so he resolved to go, and manage his Affairs there in Person: Upon which, Xerine and he had many Discourses. Europe, (said she, one day to him) Asia, or Africa, are all equal to me, provided I have you with me: Do not then refuse me the Pleasure of following you: 'Tis a Debt to my Love: Let me not be so unhappy, to find any other thing more Powerful in your Soul; since I have the Glory of Contributing to your Establishment, when Pretensions had been Vain, without me.  
These tender Expressions seemed Reproaches to Sebastian; they offended him, which troubled Xerine, at last they differed, and that Difference gave him an opportunity which he looked for: He had Learned from her, the most Particular Affairs of the true Sebastian; and in these Transports of their Love, he ask her, What Part of his Conduct, had most sensibly touched her; that, (as he said) he might often repeat, what he had Practised with Success? The Princess ingenuously told him, It was the slighting Mary of Portugal, whom he refused to Marry, for her sake: Besides (said she) that Princess was very Beautiful, and Loved you much, as you did her, before you knew me.  
He well might Love her, for she was a Princess of Infinite Wit, whose Body and Mind were equally Admirable; her Mien was modest, and yet Majestic; she was of a most accomplished Beauty; and indeed, the most admirable of that Age. I cannot Read her Character, in Fam. Stradas History of the Wars of Flanders, without being charmed with the Merit and Virtue of this Princess; whom, in the absence of Don Sebastian, the King of Spain, Philip the Second, gave to her Cousin-German in Marriage, being Brother and Sister's Children: This was that Great and most Renowned Soldier of his Time, Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, the King's Nephew; who did him those Eminent Services, as Governor of the Low Countries. This Princess spoke Latin Elegantly, understood the Greek Tongue, was perfectly Mistress of the Mathematics, a Great Judge of Philosophy, and Familiar in the Holy Scriptures, of both Testaments: And with all this, was of an admirable Innocence of Manners, and a Holy Life. Of all which, the said Strada gives us the Relation.  
The Pretended Sebastian, being furnished with these Instructions, and above all, with those he had cunningly drawn from Xerine; took an Opportunity to cross the Sea, about Fourteen or Fifteen Years after the Battle of Alcazer, Landing in Italy; where the Princess was then a Widow; The Hero, her Husband, dying at Arras, in the Six and Fortieth Year of his Age, the Second Day of December, 1591. People of this Sebastian's Character, use not to be ignorant of any Circumstance or thing, which concerns their Relations. He came to Parma, where he sent the Duchess word, that a Gentleman of Portugal had something to tell her, which he could declare to none but herself.  
The Duchess had lately received an account by a Courier from Lisbon, of the Death of the Cardinal Don Henry, who last filled that Throne, which she now demanded for her Son Rainuccio; she being the Daughter of Edward, one of the Sons of King Don Emanuel.  
There were also other Pretenders to this Crown of Portugal, such was Emanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, by his Mother Beatrix, a Daughter of King Don Emanuel. Katherine, the Sister of Mary, joined her Right, with that of the Duke of Braganza, a Prince of the Blood Royal of Portugal, for her Son Theodosio; and who indeed, by the Law of Lamega, which (as they affirm) excludes a Foreigner from the Throne of Portugal, had the most just Pretence to it. Catharine de Medicis, Queen of France, claimed it, though at greater distance. And Pope Paul the Fourth, came in with his Title; saying, That Crown was a Fief of the Holy-See, and therefore at his Disposal. Philip the Second, King of Spain, was Son of Isabel, Daughter of the same King Don Emanuel, and Mary his Wife, was yet nearer, being Daughter of Don John the Third, Son and Successor to Don Emanuel. He was the nearest in Blood, the nighest Neighbour, and the most Potent; so got Possession of the Crown; but not without fight for it, by Sea and Land. The Naval-Fight, which his Admiral, the Marquis de Santa Cruz, obtained of Peter Strozzi, a Florentine, and Marshal of France; who undertook by Force, to dispute the Title of Catharine de Medicis, his Mistress, and kinswoman, was no small Part of Philip's good Fortune.  
The Three Estates of the Kingdom of Portugal, were Assembled, to determine this great Controversy, when Don Sebastian appeared in Italy.  
The Duchess of Parma had also her mind filled with these things; but when she perceived Him, she gave a shrieck, and ran to the Other end of her Closet, much astonished. I bring you (Madam, said he, approaching her) Extraordinary news, which will much surprise you; the King Don Sebastian is alive, and not far from hence, not much distant from you, for he now speaks to you. What Madam, (continued he, without hesitating) does then Don Sebastian Fright you? He hoped, that a better Reception would have been the reward of those pains, he has endured to find you. At the tone of his Voice, the Duchess' trouble was so great, she could neither speak, nor move out of her place. Recollect yourself, my dear Cousin (said he, with a Passionate Air) I am no Phantasm, but the same Don Sebastian, you once honoured with your Favour; and now returned, as full of your Idea, as I was before I went to Africa.  
With these Discourses, the Duchess came to herself, and suffered the False Don Sebastian to approach nearer, giving him her hand; and when she was assured, that this pretended Monarch, was a Man, and no Ghost; Ah, my Lord! (said she) Whence are you come? where have you been so long hid? And by what Miracle are you among the Living? When you are in a Condition to hear me (replied Don Sebastian) I will answer you all this: But first, be not so disturbed; and believe, that I am really the King of Portugal, and if neither my Stature, nor my Face assure it, let the Passion of my Eyes convince you. I have now recovered my Spirits (said the Princess, sitting down by him) and confess your Sight did affright me, above my Power of commanding my Disturbance: But, Sir, all is now dissipated: Therefore, pray tell me, to what Wonder we own your Life, and return to Love. Madam, (answered Sebastian) a Passion, that had once made me touch your Heart, must needs defend me from all Accidents. Then he told her, how Xerine found him among the Dead, his getting into the Isle of Mucazen, and his Living at Hoscore; but carefully concealed, how Don Sebastian had Loved Xerine, before that Action; and more, his Marriage to her, in Africa: Though that Princess used her utmost Power with Muley Boabdelin, her Cousin, and a Prince of the Blood Royal, to oblige him to it, by assuring him, the Princess Mary was Married to the Duke of Parma: But said, that sometime after, being informed she was a Widow; He escaped (as he pretended) with difficulty, out of Prison, and came to lay himself at her Feet, so full of Love, that he had Lived on the very Thoughts of being esteemed by her. Why then (said the Duchess) did you not Write to me? That I did many times (replied he); and doubtless, Xerine, who hoped that from my Misfortunes, which she could not expect from my Re-establishment, gave such Orders, as prevented their coming to your hand. My Restraint was very severe; I was treated like a Valued Lover, and had no Opportunity, or Liberty to deliver myself from that Title.  
The Duchess must needs be Transported at the Recital of a Constancy, so well invented. She Ordered an Apartment for him, whom she thought the King (her Cousin) together with an Equipage, in all respects suitable; and sent for the most Intelligent Persons, to depute to the Estates of Portugal, on his behalf; which Deputation extremely surprised them. They sent Six of the Chief in their Assembly (of whom some had been Ministers to Don Sebastian) to see their Monarch. Their Eyes assured them, he was the same; they asked him several Questions, which they thought Don Sebastian only could Answer: But he was so well instructed by Xerine, as convinced the Ambassadors, that none but He in the World, could so reply: Insomuch, that they assured the Estates, he was really their King. Those who were interested against him, accused him of being a Counterfeit, and Practizer of Deceit, requiring this Sebastian to go, and be present in Person, at the General-Assembly of Estates, to be Interrogated there in Form concerning his Pretensions: While those who were affectionate to the Memory and Person of Don Sebastian, thought there was no Security in that Demand. The Kingdom was hereupon divided; Those were called Royalists, who adhered to the King; and Those who declared for the several Princes, pretending to the Crown, Leaguers.  
During these Disorders, he that caused them, lived at Parma, expecting an Army should take the Field for his Interest: At the Head of which, he intended to demand, what he said was his Right.  
This supposed Prince, after some time, fell into disgrace with the Duchess of Parma; I know not whither or no, by the Accident, which Mademoiselle des Jardins relates on this manner: That one Day, walking with her by the side of that Canal, which is one of the most Beautiful Things, belonging to the Palace of Farnese, she observed the Ribbon of a Letter-Case hanging out of his Pocket, which she softly pulled out; wherein she found Letters, and Verses, that discovered his Love, some of them having the Greatest Liberties of his Marriage with Xerine, for their Subject. This so possessed the Duchess with Rage, and Jealousy, that she destroyed all she had before done for him, and declared him an Impostor.  
Xerine came soon after into Portugal, to solicit the Establishment of her Husband; purely moved by her own Conjugal Affection, notwithstanding his Ingratitude; and had she come before he had left the Duchess, her Resentment might have been more Fatal. Mademoiselle des Jardins, contrary to the Idea that Strada gives of her, says, Her anger was the more Justifyable, having granted this Counterfeit Sebastian, many innocent Favours, which this Accident made her think Criminal.  
Her Aversion bearing a Proportion to her Former Kindness, made her fly from one Extreme to another. She sent, and declared to the Estates, That he was a Counterfeit, which she had discovered by the many Contradictions, and different Stories, she found him in; Making a Voyage into Portugal, more to raise him Enemies for his Perfidiousness, than for the obtaining her Son Rainuccio that Crown. And as her Anger saw plainer, than her Love; so it was more Active.  
The Circumstances of the true Sebastian's Death, were examined by the Assembly of the Estates: His defeat at Tamista, was not so general, but that several Persons of Note could give an Account of their Prince's Fate. They all affirmed, They had followed him to the Side of the River Mucazen: Some added, They saw him drowned there: And others said, They had like to have perished, by endeavouring to Save him. This Story no way agreed with what Xerine affirmed, of finding him in the middle of the Battle. But that which made most against him, was, the Account she gave of the  he was wounded in. The King's Officers affirming, that they were no way like those he had on that Day. But Nature had made the Subject, so like the Prince, and he so supported the Resemblance by his Wit, and Courage, that they knew not what to resolve. The more they examined, the greater Difficulties arose. It was a horrid Crime, to refuse their Lawful Prince, his Crown: And it could be no less, to give it to an Impostor. But the Death of the Counterfeit, determined the Matter.  
The Politicians looked on this Union, of Don Sebastian with the Moors, as very dangerous to Portugal: He had Married Xerine, by a most Signal Infidelity, charmed with her Beauty, before he came to Africa: She drew him from among the Dead, and was Married to him, before the Old Prince Boabdelin, at Hoscore; and it was impossible to bring any Obstacle, by reason of the Difference of Religion; she having promised to become a Christian, and kept her word as soon as she Landed in Portugal. Mademoiselle des Jardins, says, The Pretended Sebastian was, with an Army raised in his Favour, upon the Frontiers of Portugal, where it is separated from the Kingdom of Oviedo; and that, being obliged to Fight, his Ambition made his Courage so rash, that he was made a Prisoner, and carried to Lisbon; where his Adversaries talked of no less, than punishing his Insolence by a shameful Death. But this supposed King died in Prison, leaving great Suspicions, that his Death was hastened. He desired to see Xerine, before he died; and the last Breath being a Touchstone, to the Artinces of Life, he confessed to this Princess of Morocco, That he was not the King of Portugal; and Conjured her, not to disturb the Election, after his Death.  
This Declaration he found necessary, for the Peace of his Conscience; Xerine having had a Son by him, who might have caused much disturbance. He could not make such a Confession, without great Signs of Remorse; Crying, Ah, Madam! I have deceived you more ways than one; yet I can but weakly reproach myself for the Deceit, which made me your Husband: I should do it more, not to have used it, when in my Power, than I can think myself Guilty, for the accepting so great a Glory. But Madam, That which makes me Die in Despair, is, That once I ceased to Love you, for the hopes of a Crown, which I obtained not; and which a Thousand Accidents might take from me, if I had gained it: I was on the point of Renouncing a Heart, that all the Diadems upon Earth could not justly Merit●● Afflict not yourself, (said the Generous Princess) with 〈◊〉 too late, and unuseful Repentance: I Loved the Person of Don Sebastian, more than the Splendour of his Condition. I thought, I had met that Person in you: Those charms, which first touched me, have lost none of their Privilege, because they were not placed in a Monarch: though I confess, I should never have observed them in an Ordinary Man: Neither my Spirit, nor my Birth, would have permitted me to Consider whom I had not thought a Prince; but my Error became dear to me; and is so still, for all it is Fatal to my Peace. The Name of Husband is so sacred to a Woman truly Virtuous, that it wipes out any Stain, which accompanies it: Therefore, try to overcome your Illness, my dear Prince, (pardon that Name!) Fortune, (said she, lifting her Eyes to Heaven) might have given it, where she gave me. Rescue yourself from the Arms of Death, if it be possible; it may be, we may find you a Happiness more serene and easy; than that which is denied you in Portugal.  
He was so moved with this Excess of Generosity, that he could no longer suffer the Transports of it: But expired in the Arms of the Passionate Xerine, whose Soul, with much difficulty, stayed behind.  
This Man had, in the highest Degree, abused the Princess' mistakes; and the unconstancy which followed the first Fault, was more Injurious, than the Crime itself. But Xerine truly Loved the Counterfeit Don Sebastian, and religiously fulfilled his Desire, as soon as her Grief permitted; retiring into Africa, without giving the least Disturbance to the Competitors of the Crown.  
I acknowledge to have borrowed the most agreeable Part of this Relation, from Mademoiselle des Jardins, her Annals Gallants. P. Mathieu, in his History of Henry the Great, says, That Sebastian wandered through many of the Courts of Italy, till he fell into the hands of the Viceroy of Naples; who sent him to Philip the Second King of Spain: By an Effect of whose Policy, he died in Prison, out of the sight of the World, and without Witnesses. He passed through all Christendom, except in Portugal, since the late Revolutions in 1639. for an Impostor.   

CHAP. X. THE LIFE OF THE COUNTERFEIT Voldemar, Elector and Marquis of Brandenbourg.  
THis Man has passed for an Impostor, in the Opinion of most Historians; as Hen. the Monk of Rebdorff, in his Chronicle; John Cuspinian, in his Lives of the Emperors; Nicholas Lutinger in his Life of Frederic, the First of that Name, Elector of Brandenburg; and John Leunclavius, in his Pandects of the Turkish History, etc. For my own Part, after examining the Circumstances of his Story, I am apt to conclude in his Favour, and pity this Princes Disafter, in losing his Country, and being decried by so many Pens, for a Counterfeit, and placed in the number of Notorious Impostors, whose Lives we treat of. But this is the true History.  
Voldemar the Second, Marquis and Elector of Brandenburg, was the Thirteenth descended in a Right Line, from Albert de L'Ours, of the Family of the Earls of Ascagne, who bore that Dignity: From which Albert, are also descended the Dukes of Saxon Lavemburg, and the Princes of Anhalt.  
Voldemar was the Son of Henry, styled Without Land, who died in 1313. and of Agnes, or as others say, Matilda de Sangerhuse; the two Electors, John the Third, and Voldemar the First, who preceded him, were his great Uncles, whom he Succeeded.  
He had scarcely been three years' Elector, when a Fit of Devotion, according to the Custom of those Times, persuaded him to go a Pilgrimage, to the Holy Land. He left his Brother John the Fourth in Possession of his Country; and discharged all his Servants, except two, whom he reserved for his Voyage; not giving his Brother, his Relations, nor Subjects, any Account which way he traveled, nor what adventures befell him in his Journey. For indeed, there were then no Posts in use, it being difficult sending from Foreign Countries, unless by express Messengers.  
Voldemar believed he had taken sufficient Care of the Succession, his Brother being only left alive, of the Eldest Branch; though in a short time, there had been Nineteen Persons of the same; who by Wars, and Inveterate contentions, for Avarice and Ambition, drew God's displeasure on the Family, and were suddenly scattered, like the Dust of the Earth. He obliged his Subjects, not to receive the Princes of Anhalt, who were of their House of the Counts of Ascagne, for this Sovereigns, in Case his Brother and He should die without Heirs. This their Subjects had Sworn justly to obey and execute: But it not being Authorized by the Electors, nor approved in the Empire; the Emperor Lewis thought he had Power to dispose of it, when he should receive News of Voldemar's Death.  
He left his Country in the Year, 1322, and appeared not till Three and Twenty Years after, being in 1345. His Brother, who governed in his Absence died Four and Twenty Days after he departed: I know not whether by Sickness or Poison. However, Lewis of Bavaria, then possessing the Empire, disposed of the Electorate, investing in it his Eldest Son Lewis, by his First Wife Beatrix of Poland, as a vacant Fief of the Empire.  
Most of the Germane Histories tell this much in Favour of the House of Bavaria, as follows.  
Rodolph, Duke and Elector of Saxony, designed to take the Electorate of Brandenbourg, from Lewis of Bavaria, Son to the Emperor Lewis the Fourth, who had Invested him in it, after the Death of John the Fourth, State-holder, and Governor of Brandenburg, in the Absence of Voldemar, his Elder Brother. Rodolph pretended, that being of the House of Ascagne, of which Voldemar was the Head, He ought to possess it, before any Other; or, at least, some Prince of his Family, since Two Electorates could not possibly be in one, and the same Person.  
The better to compass his Design, he reported his Cousin, the Elector Voldemar, was alive, who had not appeared in Twenty Three Years; Till understanding how matters went, after many Pilgrimages to Holy Places, like an ordinary Man, and having escaped from the Captivity, and Imprisonment of the Infidels, he was now returned to his Country; and to personate this Prince, he brought on the Stage, for a Principal Actor in this Tragedy, a Miller of Landrestaw, or as others say of Beltztize, called James Rebok, a Cunning Fellow, and a Subtle Liar, being near the Age of Voldemar, with something of his Mien, & Shape; as much as so many years' absence, the changing of his Hair, the Misery and Trouble he had suffered, with the Weakness of Age, could allow or persuade. He had Lived many Years in Saxony, where he was throughly instructed, in the Life and Family of Voldemar. His Application and Address, made his Deceit very Successful; for to all Persons he seemingly gave eminent Proofs, that he was no Counterfeit, but the true Marquis Voldemar.  
The noise of his Return from Palestine, and Turkey, where he had so many Years been detained, spread through the Country, and all Germany over; he being assisted by the Emperor Charles the Fourth, who was also King of Bohemia, Grandson of the Emperor Henry the Seventh, who brought that Dignity into his Family, of Luthzelburg. This Prince recommended him to the Circles of the Empire, and severely treating many of his Enemies. The Occasion of his Enmity to Lewis the Elector, was, because he got from his Brother Henry, Margaret Countess of Tyrol, with her vast Fortune.  
His other Friends were the Dukes of Brunswick, Pomerania, and Mekelbourg, the Archbishop of Magdebourg, Primate of Germany, besides Fifteen others: The most Zealous for his Interest, being those of his own Family, the Duke of Saxony, and the Princes of Anhalt; so that he wanted very little, of expelling the Elector Lewis of Bavaria.  
Voldemar▪ presently Summoned an Assembly, in the Year 1348. The Circle, and near all the Nobility of the Marquisate, acknowledging him for their Prince, reiterated their Loyalty and Homage, being transported with Joy to see their Ancient Master.  
His Old Subjects, either touched with the Misfortunes, and Calamities, which he had suffered; or pleased with Novelty, being weary of the Bavarian Dominion; after having Experimented the Glory and Justice of Voldemars' Family, the space of One Hundred and Eighty Years; They lent him Money, to acquire his Right, and drive out Lewis. All the Cities in the Marquisate declaring for him except Francfort on the Oder, Spandaw, and Brizack.  
Lutinger observes in the Two and Twentieth Book of his Commentaries of Brandenburg, that the Family of Lockhow, one of the Greatest in the Marquisate, continued on Lewis' Side; having the Principal Commands in his Army, during the War, which lasted Nine Years, with various Success, according to the Chance of Fortune.  
Voldemar King of Denmark, whose Name seemed a good Augury to Voldemar the Elector, was nevertheless quite contrary; for Carrion, in the Fifth Book of his Chronicle, says, He was the First that stopped the Course of his Victories, and prevented his absolute Repossessing his Country.  
Cassimir, King of Poland; Lewis, called the Roman, for his being Born at Rome, Brother by a Second Venture to the Elector Lewis; the Duke of Stetin, (that Duchy being then separate from Pomerania) with many Lords of Poland and Silesia, then assisted Lewis: Notwithstanding which, Voldemar the Assailant, gained a very Signal Battle, absolutely defeating the Army of Lewis his Rival, commanded by Lewis the Roman his Brother; who very hardly himself escaped: The Duke Rodolph, Palatin of the Rhyne, with Seventy nine Gentlemen, bearing Shields of Arms; of which number were Forty of Poland; Fourteen being of the Family of Lettizia, he ma●e Prisoners of War, and Trophies of his Victory.  
This Blow extremely lessened Lewis' Courage, and reduced his Affairs to such a Point, that many Cities opened their Gates to the Governor.  
Lewis, tired with the War, (which, according to Carrion, in his Life of the Emperor Lewis of Bavaria, lasted Nine whole Years; though Lunclavius, in his Germane History, mentions Three only) went into his Earldom of Tyrol, which he had had by his Wife Margaret, Daughter of Henry Duke of Carinthia, and Earl of Tyrol, leaving the Marquisate and Electorate of Brandenbourg to his Brothers, Lewis of the same Name, surnamed the Roman, with Otho his Youngest: The Emperor Charles the Fourth confirming by his Letter Patents at Budissine, in the Year 1350. his Transferring the Electorate to his two said Brothers.  
This Emperor Charles had (as we may say) extremely longed for the Electorship; being vexed, that the Emperor Lewis of Bavaria had been more Fortunate than he, in disposing it to his Eldest Son, when the Death of Voldemar was reported. Lewis, the Eldest of the Three Brothers, in Possession of Brandenbourg, deceased in 1361. and Maynard, his Eldest Son, left the World before he was Fourteen Years old, though Married, yet having no Heirs: He was born in 1349. and died in 1363. The Two remaining Brothers, the Roman and Otho, consented by their Agreement with the Emperor Charles, to exclude their nearest Relations, if they died without Heirs Male; and substitute Winceslaus, his Eldest Son, Elector: But if neither He, nor the Emperor left a Son, than it should pass to John, Marquis of Moravia. They allowed Winceslaus to use the Arms and Title of Marquis of Brandenbourg; obliging their Subjects to swear Allegiance to him. This Agreement was signed at Nuremberg, in 1363. where it is still to be seen.  
Now the Roman dying without Children, in 1366. left in possession hereof Otho his Brother, Son-in-law to the Emperor, by the Marriage of his Daughter Agnes; who being also without Children, consented to sell the Marquisate and Electorate of Brandenbourg, in his Life-time, for Two Hundred Thousand Hungarian Ducats, to the same Emperor Charles, his Father-in-law, and to his Eldest Son Winceslaus; there being delivered to Otho several Towns in Bohemia, as Pawns for a Security till Payment of the whole Sum.  
Thus the Electorate of Brandenbourg, after having (with various Fortune) been One and Fifty Years possessed by Voldemar, and his Party; was, by the Three Sons of the Emperor Levis of Bavaria, conveyed into the Family of Lutzelbourg; where it remained Four and Forty Years, being governed by Stateholders', in the Reigns of the Emperors, Winceslaus and Sigismond; which last sold, and absolutely disposed of both this Marquisate and Eleotorate to his Favourite Fredrick de Zoltern, the Burggrave of Nuremberg, whom he had before made Governor: Giving him the Investiture, at the Council of Constance, with great Ceremony, the last Day of April, being the Eve of St. Philip and Jacob, and the Year 1415. Since which time, the Heirs-Male, descended in a Right Line, from the  Frederick, have justly possessed, and gloriously governed the Countries of the Marquisate and Electorate of Brandenbourg.  
But let us return to Voldemar. What Lunclavius says of his being Condemned, and Burnt alive for his Imposture, is not true; though he affirms it in the Chronicle of Germany, Translated by him: But it is most certain, that he died of a Natural Death; not at a Place called Korckei, or at Stendeil, in 1322; but at Dessaw, in 1354, Nine Years after his Return; and was buried in the Chapel called The Holy-Ghost, which is the ordinary Place of Sepulture for the Princes of Anhalt, as is testified by the Chronicle of Magdebourg.  
The Reasons, which oblige me to believe he was the True Voldemar, contrary to the Opinion of those Historians whom we have cited, are the Attestations of the Princes of his Family, who then were the Electors of Saxony, the Dukes of Lavembo●rg, and the Princes of Anhalt; which two last Branches are still in being.  
These Princes would not have so much abused themselves, to give such Honours to an Impostor, nor have mingled his Ashes with Theirs; who, without doubt, are one of the most Illustrious Sovereign Houses of Europe. I have heard John George, Head of the House of Anhalt, Earl of Ascagne, Lord of Zerbst and Bernberg, Governor of the Provinces of the Marquisate of Brandenbourg, say, That he kept his Seal, and believed him the True Elector.  
Secondly, The Archbishop of Magdebourg, Primate of Germany, a Man of great Virtue, would never have owned him; there being no Advantage in doing it, and giving an ill Example to so many People: Nor would the Emperor Charles the Fourth, (of whom we have been speaking) and those other Princes, have exposed their Lives, and caused the Effusion of so much Blood for an Impostor.  
Thirdly, The ill Agreement where this pretended Counterfeit was born: Sometimes he was a Miller of Landreslaw; at other times, of Beltzize: which convinces me, it is rather an Imposture to persuade it.  
And further, There was a Letter from the Electoral College, writ to the Pope, at that time, who had been a Cisterian Monk, named James Tournier, but then Bennet the Twelfth, born at Saverdun, in the Earldom of Foix. This Letter was sent Sixteen Years after his Absence, and Seven before his Return; in which his Name is with the rest of the Electors▪ Henry, Arch Bishop of Mayence, Dean of the Electoral-Colledge, is the first after him; Baldwin Archbishop of Treves, Walram of Collen, and this Voldemar, the First of the Secular Electors; that is, before Rodolph Palatine, and Rodolph Duke of Saxony, contrary to the common Method of Precedence; for sometimes the Younger let the Elder precede them, out of Respect, as the Elector of Saxony did to Joachim, the Second Elector of Brandenbourg, whom he always called Father. Though there is no Date to this Letter, it declares, That they agreed on the Fifteenth of July 1338, to meet at Rinsse on the Rhyne, near Franckfort, and treat of Affairs of Importance; which was to advertise the Pope, that neither He, nor his Successors, could have any thing to do in the Election of Emperors, either by their Consent, Approbation, or Confirmation, or any other Matter belonging to it: as likewise, to oblige him to revoke his Excommunication against the Emperor Lewis. This Letter is to be seen in the Archives of the Elector Palatine. The ingenious Marquard Freherus, one of his Councillors, has inserted it in a Volume of the Germane History, from Charlemagne to Frederick the Third.  
It is to be observed, that the Family of the Palatinate, is the same with Bavaria, and made War to extirminate Voldemar, as an Impostor: Therefore there was much Contradiction and Absurdity in these Elector's Proceed; who writ to the Pope, in favour of the Emperor Lewis of Bavaria, who had given the Electorate of Brandenbourg to his Son, as vacant by the Death of Voldemar, in putting his Name to this Letter, if they believed him Dead; for that was doing a notable Prejudice to Lewis, Son of this Emperor, who then possessed the Dignity of Elector, and the Marquisate, to own in his Place the absent Voldemar, whom they believed was dead. They knew, that Lewis bore a mighty Hatred to the House of Ascagne, the two Electors of that Family, Rodolph Duke of Saxony, and Voldemar the First, having opposed his Election, declaring for Frederick of Austria, his Rival in the Empire, in the year 1313, at the Diet of Franckfort. Voldemar the First starving Nicholaas Booch, his Envoy, in Prison, for falsifying his Letters of Procuration, razing out the Name of Frederick, to insert that of Lewis, contrary to his Master's Intention and Pleasure.  
All these Considerations make me reasonably conclude, they either thought him Living, and had some News of him; or were persuaded, the Emperor Lewis only gave his Son the Administration of the Marquisate and Electorate of Brandenbourg, till he returned, or his Death was better confirmed.  
It is almost impossible, he should die in a strange Country, and tell no Body who he was; as likewise, that the Emperor Lewis of Bavaria should send no Messengers, to be assured. of the Place and Circumstances of his Death, when it would have saved him so much Trouble, and secured so rich a Prize.  
How many Examples are there, of Princes, who have quitted their Country, through the same Motives that Voldemar did? William Duke of Guienne, and Earl of Portou, whose eldest Daughter and Heiress, Elinor, was repudiated by Lewis the Seventh, King of France, called the Young, and Married to Hen y the S con, King of England, in the year 1152; also of the Old Blood of the Earls of Anjou: which Lady became the occasion of most cruel Wars between those Martial Nations, while her Father went on Pilgrimage to St. James of Galicia, feigning himself Dead; he, in the mean time, travelling like a miserable, unknown Wretch, about the World, that he might exercise those rude Pennances for his Crimes; after his Death being made a Saint, to eternize his Memory.  
Fiacre, Son of Eugenius, the Fourth King of Scotland, lived a Hermit, unknown to all, near Meaux in France; choosing a Spade before a Sceptre: Him also they made a Saint.  
Julius Sabinus, an Illustrious Gaul, near Langres; who boasted, that he was descended from Julius Caesar; and in the time of the Civil War between Vitellius Otho, and Vespasian, caused himself to be proclaimed Emperor, by several Legions; but having the worst in Fight, lived Nine Years in a ●ave, with his dearly beloved Wife Eponina; where, in the greatest Extremity to Poverty, he had several Children by her; but could not so conceal himself, to avoid Death by the Cruelty of the Emperor Vespasian, who destroyed him, with his Wife and Children.  
The Proverb says, Ill gotten Goods are soon lost: Which was verified in the Posterity of Lewis of Bavaria, Marquis of Brandenbourg; for neither He, nor his two Brothers, Lewis the Roman, nor Otho, ever possessed it quietly; but were constrained to abandon it to the Emperor Charles the 4th.  
Thus (as Carrion concludes in the Fifth Book of his Chronicle) the Bavarians were deprived of this Electorate and Marquisate of Brandenbourg, by the same Deceits which they had used to frustrate the Princes of Anhalt, after the Absence and Death of Voldemar, who were justly the next Heirs.   

CHAP. XI. THE False Mustapha. SON of BAJAZET, (The First of that Name,) Emperor of the Turks.  
THere's none can be so ignorant in History, as not to have heard of Tamburlaine, Emperor of the Tartars, and of the Victory he gained over Bajazet, the First of that Name, Emperor of the Turks. In the Turkish Annals, these two Monarches are called, the one Temir Can; and the other, Gilderum Can. The Title Can, which signifies King or Lord, being commonly used to any other Tartar Prince, or Turkish Lord. But the Name of Tamburlaine or Tamerland, was given him because he was Lame; which Land expresses in the Persian Tongue: Some called him Temir Cuthlus, signifying in the Tartarian Language, a Fortunate Sword. His Surnames were, The Terror and Desolation of the East, Terror & Clades Orientis. He also styled himself the Wrath of God, or the Instrument of his Indignation. As for Bajazet, he was Named Gilderum, or (as others say) Hildrim; which, in the Language of the Tartars, signifies the Terror of Thunder and Lightning. The Greeks called him Lelapa; that is, a Violent Torrent. The Imposture of this False Mustapha, who called himself the true Son of Bajazet, (certainly believed to have been killed in this great Battle, where his Father was defeated, and made a Prisoner) obliges me to look backward, and tell you of Bajazet, with the Subject and Circumstances of the War.  
Bajazet was a most Cruel, and Bloody Parricide; being the First, who taught the Princes of his Family, to Imbrue their Hands in the Blood of their nearest Relations; he causing his Brother Jacup or Jacob to be strangled, whom Paulus Jovius calls, Solyman. His Ambition was so great, that without having any right, but the sharper Scymitar, he drove many Sovereign Princes out of their Countries: As Techrin, Prince of Erzingue, or Erzrum, in the Greater Armenia, whom some call Scander, and make him King also of Armenia; together with the Prince of Germian, the Duzinon, or Lord of Adem, and others, sadly experimented. He had also much Afflicted Constantinople, and made great Devastations, in the Countries of Emanuel, Emperor of the East.  
These expelled Princes being thus cruelly used, went in Person to implore the Protection of Tamburlaine, against the Tyranny and Injustice of Bajazet: The same Greek Emperor groaning under the severe Yoke of this Tyrant, paying him Three Hundred Thousand Crowns Tribute every Year; (Tres myriadas Auriorum, as Carrion has it in his Chronicle) was constrained to surrender up the City of Philadelphia to him, which the Tyrant had so often Besieged in vain; giving him also Hostages, and being Obliged to furnish such number of Soldiers for his Wars; this made him also send Ambassadors, to represent his miserable condition.  
Axalla, the bravest of Tamberlain's Generals, was a Christian of Genoese Extraction, born at Copha in Taurica Chersonesus, which was then a City, and Colony, under the Dominion of that State of Genoa. This generous Man endeavoured also by his entreaties, to persuade his Master to re-establish these Persecuted Princes, and beat down the Pride and Insolenc● of Bajazet. Tamburlaine was pleased to hear him express what Glory it would be to his Reputation, if he should deliver the Emperor of Constantinople, and the other Princes, from so unjust a Tyranny. The Tartar was so sensibly touched with their Misfortunes, that he dispatched away a Herald, to require Justice on their behalf from Bajazet; at the same time, sending a very Rich Vest, which is always by them presented from a Superior to an Inferior.  
This so enraged the Turk, that a War was soon declared; Bajazet bringing an Army of Eight Hundred Thousand Men into the Field, (Paulus Jovius says a Million.) where in a bloody Fight, he was absolutely defeated, and taken Prisoner. The Turkish Annals mention not the numbers of either Army, only that Bajazet's was as numerous as Tamberlain's. And that the Occasion of Bajazet's defeat proceeded from the generosity of the Tartars, in freeing of Diest, and other Nations, as Germian, Mentez, etc. which Bajazet had subjugated, whose Princes were in Tamberlains Army.  
There was none but Bulcis or Bulcogli, for so they called George, Son of the Despot of Servia, who followed not the good Example, endeavouring to exterminate the Tyrant, by abandoning him as the rest did. His Men behaved themselves so well (to the Glory of the Christians) that Tamburlaine cried to those about him, See how valiant and resolute those Dervices are! Proh quam feroces & truculenti; sunt isti Dervisii; till some of his Great Officers told him, They were Christians, and not that sort of Religious Turks, called Dervices & Turlacks. The Victory fell on Tamberlain's side, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Men being Killed upon the Place. This Battle was Fought in the Year 1399, and according to the most probable Opinion, in the great Plain called Cassobe, or Descanards, near Mount Stella; Memorable for the Famous Defeat, that Pompey the Great gave there to Mithridates' King of Pontus.  
I find very different Accounts of this Action; but follow the Turkish Annals, which say, that Zelebis, or the Noble Mustapha, (the Name of Zelebis being given to all the Children of the Turkish Emperor) was killed in this Fight: And he being the Subject of this Discourse, who must appear, and pretend to the Ottoman Empire, and dispute it with his Brothers, and with Amurath the Second, his Nephew; It seemed necessary to dispose the Reader, for the History and Adventures of this Impostor, by the recital of what preceded it, to give him a more full Idea and clear knowledge thereof.  
The Disasters of his Father Bajazet, being so annexed to his Death, I will say something farther concerning them, without resting on what several Authors report of Tamberlains being the most Inhuman, and Bloody of Mankind; and of his Extraction from the meanest of the People; having been very well informed by that Excellent Book of this Conqueror's Life, Written by Monsieur Sainctyon, which was taken from an Arabian Historian, called Alhacent; who was an Ocular Witness of his Actions, and Military Expeditions, and familiar with him, (which Life is very different from that Written by one Acamed, Son of Gueraspes, a Creature of the Ottoman Family, and by consequence an Enemy to Tamburlaine.)  
He was the Son of the Potent Monarch Og, King of Saketay (or the ancient P●●shia) nearly related, and Successor to the Great Cham of Tartary: He had two Sons Cham Sentrokius, (which signifies the Love of Mankind) and Letrokius, whose Variance occasioned the Desolation of their Country. But he, for the Goodness of his Life, his Royal Virtues, and above all his Justice and Victories, might be equalled with Alexander the Great: So far was he from those Vices of Cruelty, Barbarity, and Rage, which Paulus Jovius accuses him of, Feritatem, truculentiam, ore truculento recedentibusque Occulis semper minaci.  
And the Turkish Annals call him Inhuman, for this reason, that when Gilderum, or Bajazet was taken, and brought to him, he conducted him to his Tent, receiving him on foot with great Honour: Gilderum was on Horseback, because of his Wounds, supported by Tamberlain's People; and being brought in, they both sat down, and eat together: Tamburlaine saying thus to him; Prince, we ought to give God infinite thanks, and to sing Hymns of Praise to him, that he has given me, who am a poor Lame Man, so vast an Empire; extending from the furthest Parts of India, to the Gates of Sivas, which is Sebaste: And to Thee, from the Walls of this same City, to the Confines of Hungary. God having thus disposed so great a Part of the World between us, what can such a Cripple as I, desire of him more? 'Tis for this his great Goodness, that we ought to make him our Acknowledgements: It may be, thou hast not done this heretofore, as thou oughtest; but hast been ungrateful to his Bounty: for which Reason, this misfortune is come upon thee. Philip Camerarius, in the 54th. Chapter of his Historical Meditations, makes him continue it further, as follows: Can we think the Sovereign Disposer of the World, thought us the most worthy, to Command so many Millions, who are wiser and stronger than we? That it should please Him, that Thou, who art almost blind, shouldest be Emperor of the Turks? And I, who am a Tartar, and Lame, be the Sovereign of so many People? No certainly, it was not our Merit, but a pure Effect of his Grace and Bounty.  
Tamburlaine sent him Dogs and Hawks, either to divert him in his Trouble, or reproach his extraordinary Delight in those Creatures. The Turkish History saying, that Gilderum kept Seven Thousand Falconers, and Six Thousand Dogs. He talked so insolently to Temir on this Occasion, that he exposed him to the Contempt of his Army, setting him on a Mule, and commanding him to be led through it: Thus enduring the Mocks of the Soldiers, and causing his Wife, the Daughter of Eliazar, the Despot of Servia, whom he passionately Loved, to wait half naked at his Table.  
One Day Temir, or Tamburlaine, asked him, and desired him to Answer ingenuously, If he had fallen into his Power, how he would have used him? Gilderum, or Bajazet, who was a Man of a terrible and cruel Temper, answered him in a Rage thus; To say the Truth, if Fortune had given me the Victory, and made me thy Master, I would have shut thee up in an Iron Cage, and so carried thee about with me. Tamburlaine was not ignorant of the Lex Talionis, nor of that natural Law, which the Emperor Alex. Severus (as saith Lampridius) so often repeated, Do to another, what you would have done to you: Following the Law of the Twelve Tables of the Romans, and of that famous Edict mentioned by Aulus Gellius, in the First Chapt. of his Noctes Atticae; where the Curious Discourse is between Sextus Cecilius the Lawyer, and Phavorinus the Philosopher. And therefore accordingly, he shut him up in an Iron Cage: Yet the Turkish Annals say, He still continued his Humanity; always before he decamped, going to see, and civilly saluting his Prisoner: He assured him, he would ●ere long grant what he should desire: But telling him, he would first carry him to Samarcand, where he kept his Court; and from thence send him to his own Country.  
Bajazet was so afflicted with this, that he killed himself in the Fourteenth Year of His Reign, and the Fourth of his dreadful Imprisonment, in the Year 1403. and of the Hegira, or Flight of Mahomet, 804. Theod Spandugin relates these Circumstances of it; That having no other way to end his Life, filled with Rage and Despair, he frequently and with such violence beat his Head against the Bars of his Cage, that he broke his Skull, and died distracted.  
This Emperor left Five Sons, of whom Mustapha Zelebis, the Eldest, was lost at the Battle; The Annals say, Amissus fuit in Temiriano praelio. The others escaped, who were Lemir Solyman, Isa Zelebis, Zultan Muchemet, and Casan Zelebis, who was then very young: I will not meddle with the Accidents, Wars, and Murders, which happened amongst them; only relate, how after the Death of Lemir Solyman, in the Year of Christ 1423. which is of the Hegyra 824, Amurath his Son being newly Placed on his Throne, Twenty Years after Tamberlain's Famous Victory; a certain Man, called Dusmes Mustapha, pretending to be the Son of Can Gilderum or Bajazet, appeared in Romania. And although Mahomet the First, and Amurath the Second, was assured, that he was killed at Mount Stella; yet the Grecian Emperor Emanuel Paleologus, would never believe it; but always thought him the true Mustapha; and by giving him his utmost Assistance, pulled many Unhappinesses on his own Head. Amurath offered him great Advantages, not to meddle with their Quarrel; but to let them determine it among themselves, with their own Arms.  
Carion, in his Chronicle, speaks not of Mustapha, as an Impostor; but says, that the Greeks perceiving Amurath to raise the Ottoman Name and Power, after that Fatal Overthrow at Mount Stella, where his Grandfather lost both his Glory and Liberty; and that he attacked all the little Christian Princes, who had dependence on the Eastern Empire, to extirminate one after another; by their Spoils, seeking to repair his own Losses; though they most Religiously observed the Peace with his Father. Wherefore the Greeks than broke it also, taking out of Lemnos, his Uncle Mustapha, whom they had kept there under a sure Guard, as a Rival, capable of frustrating his Designs; for which purpose, they gave him all Imaginable Assistance, that he might dispossess Amurath, and obtain the Empire for himself.  
This Prince, whither True or False, is uncertain, lived sometimes at Verdari, a little City of Thessaly, bearing the Name of a River, which runs by it; where several Lords of the Family of the Eurenoses, took his Party: Assisted with whose Forces, he Besieged the City Serra, which, with its Fortress, he forced to a Surrender. This great Success exalted his Hopes, and gave him Courage to attempt Adrianople, then Capital of the Ottoman Empire; whose Inhabitants had a  Opinion, both of his Person and Title; opening their Gates at his Approach, and swearing Fidelity to him. All Romagna followed their Example, and submitted to his Government; yet he still continued his Residence at Verdari.  
Sultan Amurath thinking on little, but his Pleasures at Bursa, where he than kept his Court or Port, heard what Progress Mustapha had made, and sent against him Bassa Bajazet, with a considerable Army; but when he came before Adrianople, this Traitorous Bassa abandoned his Conscience, and his Honour, joining with Mustapha's Army; for Recompense of which Treason, he was made Vizier; which is like Chancellor, or Prime Minister of State.  
Zunaites, Prince of Smyrna, who had been Prisoner with the Impostor Mustapha, in the strong Fortress of Monemuasia, which was the ancient Epidaurus, armed also for him. The Turks called this Man Chusines. He raised a considerable▪ Body of Men, composed for the most part of Azapes, being foot, who fight with Bows and Arrows: Laonicius supposes these to have been an Auxiliary of Strangers. He gave great privileges to all those, who took up Arms in his Favour, and that freely embraced his Party.  
Having raised this Army, he left Adrianople, and Marched straight to Bursa; and on the way, finding his new Vizier, the Bassa Bajazet, was conspiring against him; he caused him to be Excecuted publicly, as a Traitor, within one days Journey of Bursa: Thus paying with an Ignominious Death, his double Treason.  
In the mean while, Amurath advised with his Bassa's, how he might best defend himself from the Storm that threatened him. They counselled him to release out of Prison, Mechemet Beg, Chief of the Michalogli; of whom Lunclavius, in the Twenty Seventh Chapter of his Pandects, gives this account.  
Osman, one of the Chief Heads of the Ottoman-Family, the better to Establish his Greatness, made a Friendship and Alliance with Three little Princes; by whose Assistance, he extraordinarily advanced his own Affairs, and gained many great Victories over the Christians. One of these Princes was called Michael; another, Mark; both of the Eastern Imperial Family; and the Third, a Turk, named Aurami: From which Three, were descended the most Considerable Persons then in the Ottoman-Empires: Still retaining the Names of the Son of Michael, Mark, and Aurami; or Michalogli, Marcalogli, and Auramogli; the Turkish Pronounciation calls the last Eurenosogli, whom Mustapha had on his side: as Amurath had the Micaloglis, and above all, Beg Mechemet, the Instrument of his Good Fortune, who extirminated his Rival, in this manner.  
Amurath recalled him to the Port from Nisar, the ancient Nicocesaria, often called also Tocat, the Chief City of Capadocia; where he was under Restraint, kept like a Prisoner; giving him, with his Liberty, the Command of his Army: Mechemet, without staying at Bursa, Marched to Lupadi, or Vlabat, a considerable Town in Anatolia; encamping near the Bridge. Dusmes Mustapha likewise advanced with his Army, on the other side of it, opposite to him. Mechemet apprehending the Danger of a Battle, saw that Dusmes his Army was no way to be forced, thought on a Stratagem more for his purpose: He then in Disguise went to the Enemy's Guards; and being one of the greatest Men among the Turks, made himself known to them, desiring to speak with the Officers, that were his Friends; to whom, with Substantial Evidence, he represented, and proved the Imposture of Dusmes Mustapha, with the Interest the Greeks were able to make of their Division, by endeavouring to set up a base, unknown Impostor, and Creature of theirs, on the Ottoman Throne: Telling them also, what Recompenses Amurath would give them. Mechemet, with the Sentiment of the Christian Religion, had also renounced and disclaimed the Blood of the Imperial Family of Greeks, of whom he was descended. By this, and other Arts, he drew to his Master Amurath's side, the most considerable Lords and Soldiers in Dusmes Army, (as Laonicius reports at large) which overthrew all his Affairs, without Hopes of any Re-establishment; reducing him to the utmost Extremities. Dusmes Mustapha, and Amurath, both sent Ambassadors to the Emperor of Constantinople, Johannes Paleologus, to obtain his Assistance, making great Offers, and soliciting his Ministers with mighty Promises.  
This Affair was much debated in the Council of State; The Reasons of both Sides being considered, the Emperor declared for Mustapha, who was his Creature, whom he had begun to oblige, when he was in Prison: And therefore promised himself more from his gratitude, than Amurath would ever do. This had great Reason to fright Amurath's Party; and doubtless, had it been known, the greater part of his Captains would have declared for his Enemy: But his Ambassadors, foreseeing the danger of such a Report, returned with speed after this denial, to give the Army an Account of their Expedition; but Mechemet, the Michalogli, who was a cunning Soldier, and a Greek, though he had abjured his Country, with his Faith, caused it to be reported, that the Greeks were for them, and were sending vast Succours to their Army. This False News soon got into Mustapha's Camp, where it put them in such a Consternation, and Disorder, that before their Ambassadors could give them the True Account of their Alliance with the Empire, and the Assistance he was preparing, most of the chief Officers, and European Soldiers, deserted him, getting over the River Lupadi in the Night, into Amurath's Camp; others, by various ways, flying into their own Countries. Mustapha, seeing himself thus unhappily forsaken, and incapable to resist his Enemies, (a Memoral 〈◊〉 Example, showing the Power of True or False News, spread opportunely through an Army) fled with his Baggage toward the City Baga or B●●●, bearing the Name of the River, on whose Banks it stands; whither he was so closely pursued, that he very narrowly escaped the danger of being taken; but by the Favour and Assistance of the Cady, or Judge of the Place, to whom he gave a round Sum of Money, he there got shelter.  
Zunaites, Prince of Smyrna, who had always followed Mustapha's Fortune, both before, and since his Captivity, being as much affrighted as the least Soldier in the Army could be, stole away secretly in the Night, with all his People; and by his Example, drew those after him, who had any remains of Affection to the supposed Prince Mustapha. Amurath putting all those Troops that remained, to the Sword; while Mustapha only thought of saving his Life, flying with very few followers; and being favoured by the Greeks, passed the Channel or straits of Gallipoly into Romania, or ancient Thrace; seizing all the Ships, and Vessels he found in the Ports, or on those Coasts, to hinder Amurath from pursuing him; but could neither foresee nor help a Genoese-Ship, that cast anchor on that Shoar; having for it's Fraight of Turks, at two Ducats the Head, paid to the Master of the Vessel.  
Historians differ about this Infamous Avarice of the Genoeses, so prejudicial to Christendom, by their helping the Turks for Money into Europe; some mistaking it for the first time, which was long before, when the Turks were fled over from Asia, at that narrow Neck which is near to the Fortress of Asty or Maitoes, formerly called Cheronesus, at the Mouth of the Hellespont; and took Zemenicum, at the same time, surnamed Chirocastron, or the Town of Widows; because according to Nicolaides, they destroyed all the Men, and only kept the Women for their Use. And others mistake it, for that, in a few Years after, when Pope Eugenius, having Absolved Vladistaus King of Hungary, and Poland, of his Oath, given to Amurath, for the Observation of the Truce, made in the Year 1444. obliging him to declare War; which proved Fatal to himself; That deluded King losing his Life, and a Great Army, at the Memorable Battle of Varna; The Grecian Emperor John Paleologus, with the Venetians; and other Christian Princes of Italy, seconding his Intentions, promising to keep the straits, and hinder the Turks from coming into Europe, while Ibraltem, Prince of Caramania, held him employed in a Fierce War in Asia.  
This was one of the deepest Wounds, that Christendom ere received from the Turks; their Army being Eighty Thousand Men, composed of several Nations, as Hungarians, Germans, Bohemians, Polanders, Italians, and Walachians: besides a Train of Four Hundred Pieces of Artillery. The Peace, after a Defeat of the Turks, had been concluded for Ten Years; and, for the Security of it, Lunclavius (in his Pandects, (Numb. 116.) affirms upon the Authority of several Christian Writers, particularly Cuspinian, and many others; That this Young King Vladislaus, by the Impious Advice of some Counsellors, or Ministers of State, gave into the Hands of Amurath, a Consecrated Host, which he thought his God, pawned for the inviolable Observation of the Truce, and solemnly sworn upon the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Amurath swearing also by his Prophet Mahomet.  
But notwithstanding these sacred Conclusions of this Affair, the Pope of Rome, Eugenius the Fourth, never left off, when Amurath was retired into Asia with his Army, till he had broke the Peace, sending the Cardinal Juliana Cesarini, his Legate a latere, to dispense with, and absolve the Christian Princes of their Faith and Oath, which they had plighted to the Turk, for the Observation of this Truce: Which Cardinal so acquitted himself of his unjust Message, by his Prayers and Entreaties, added to the Papal Commission, that he broke the Peace, notwitstanding the Repugnancy of the most Conscientious Opposers.  
Amurath finding himself obliged to return our of Asia, and meet Vladislaus his Army, came, bringing the greatest Strength he could so suddenly raise: And when the Fight was begun near the City of Varna, in a Marish Ground, by the Mar Maggiore, or Pontus Euxinus, he saw the Beglerbeg of Romania killed by the Hands of the Valiant John Huniades, and the two Wings of his Army put into great Disorder; he then absolutely despairing of Victory, drew out of his Bosom the Consecrated Host, with the Articles of the Truce, which the Christians had made; and lifting up his Hands and Eyes towards Heaven, said these words, or to this effect: O Jesus Christ! if thou art God, as the Christians affirm to us, revenge the Perfidiousness of thy Followers, who have pawned Thee in my Hands; see the Injury they do Thee, after having sworn in Thy Name, and on Thy Holy Gospel; violating by an execrable Crime, that Peace so holily and solemnly sworn between us.  
After he had made this Prayer, the Success of the Battle soon altered: For Amurath, rallying his Routed Troops, and with Fury charging this half Victorious Army, in a short space defeated, and ruined it entirely.  
Thus did God show his Judgement on the Christians, for having abused and violated, contrary to Justice, their Faith given in his Name; as both the Christian and Turkish Histories agree. Though Callimachus says, This matter was so secretly done, that the Public could never know certainly, that any such Gage was put into Amurath's Hands.  
The Circumstances of this Great Disaster, makes us observe, That the Protection, which the Emperor gave to the False Mustapha, and the Avarice of the Genoese-Merchant, who sold a Passage into Europe, to Amurath's Troops, were two dreadful blows to Christendom; which has often endured its greatest Losses by the  Conduct of Christians themselves. But to return to our Story.  
Amurath having passed the Strait, encamped with his Army upon the Plain Ezea, which is near to Maitoes, on the side of Thessaly. Mustapha finding himself so pressed, took his March towards Bolairis or Bolerus (This plain of Azea, is sometime confounded with Bolairis) from thence he fled into Adrianople; where, being abandoned by his Men, and his Disasters increasing, he endeavoured to save himself in some other Place; but was taken, and brought back to Adrianople: which Amurath, by this time, had seized. Here the miserable Impostor was Hanged over the Battlements of the City-Wall.  
For certain, Death is always equally the Punishment, or the Misfortune of those, who of the Ottoman Family aim at, or seem to have any pretence to the Sceptre. 'Tis neither the Innocence of Age, the Merit, the Proximity of Blood, the Sincerity, nor Justice of the Cause, can ever preserve them, if they fall into the Hands of the Conqueror.  
I have taken this Lamentable End of Mustapha, word for word, out of the Turkish Annals, and the Pandects of Lunclavius, with the History of that War, and its Accidents. Indeed, till Sultan Amurath was delivered from this considerable Opponent, he could not think himself secure, nor fast settled in his Throne: Which happened in the Year of Christ, 1425, and of the Hegira, or Mahometan Computation, 827. It is true, that one of his Brothers, also named Mustapha, who was in Anatolia, gave him much Trouble, but he overcame it; and getting him into his Power, caused him to have his Throat Cut: Others say, to be Strangled at Nizar, or Nicaea, where he was delivered into his Hands by his own Governor. Which seems to have been a mistake, occasioned by the Conformity of the Names of the two Mustapha's.  
Du Verdier writing the Adventures, and Death of our Mustapha, believes him no Impostor; and tells his last Flight, and miserable Catastrophe in another manner, as follows: After he found himself (says he) deserted, he cried out, Oh, how hard it is to preserve a Great Heart against the Power of Fortune! There were many Proofs of his Courage; His Pretention to the Empire, was no weak Mark of it. But a Crown was then no longer in Controversy: The Question was, How to save his Life? For which purpose, when his Troops left him, he no more thought of Glory, Honour, nor Interest: but only fled, quitting all his Pretensions, for the Hopes of Life; which, for a little while, he preserved, by the Assistance of the Greeks, who received him kindly into their Vessels, and gave him the Opportunity of gaining the Fortress of Gallipoli. But all this, only served to ruin him more shamefully; for Amurath pursued him so obstinately, that he besieged him in the Place he chose for his Retreat; compelling him to get out of it in mean Equipage; and at last, finding him hid in a Bush on the Mountain Toganum, he caused him to be strangled in his Presence, that he might be sure he had of him no Competitor left.  
Lunclavius, in the 83. Chap. of his Pandects, makes a Parallel between this Mustapha and Voldemar; saying, That Two Eggs were never more alike, than these two Men were: Whom he puts in the Rank of Impostors. Both of them had mighty Allies; Mustapha having for him, John Paleologus, the Grecian Emperor; and Voldemar had Charles the Fourth, Emperor and King of Germany, whose Empire was more Flourishing than the Others.   

CHAP. XII. IAM. Heraclides. THE FALSE DESPOT OF Moldavia & Wallachia.  
LVnclavius, in his Supplements to the Turkish Annals, brings in this Man, whom, he affirms, he both saw and knew. He says, That he had a Noble Mien, was of a middle Stature, had a Body strong and nervous; that he was discreet in his Discourse, and used four Languages very well; to wit, the Latin, Greek, French, and Italian. He was called James Heraclides and Baziliquez, pretending to be of the Race of the Ancient Despots, or Waywoods of Wallathia and Moldavia, Lord of the Isle of Samos, and Marquis of Paros, in the Archipelago. He found some Lords in Poland credulous enough to believe him no Impostor, who were so much affected with his Person, that with an Army they Established him Despot of Moldavia and Wallachia.  
The Principal of these Polish Lord, were A●●ere Lasens, Philiponischy, and Lassotchy. whose Army was much Inferior in Number to that of Alexander the Despot, whom they endeavoured to expel, for the putting this Impostor into his place. However the Victory fell on their Side; Alexander was driven out, and James Established Despot; and confirmed in his Principality by the Turkish Emperor Soliman. This was effected by the influence of his Presents, which he sent the Bassa's of the Port. The Victory gained by this Impostor, happened the 18th. of November, in the Year 1561. But yet, three Years after, though he governed his Subjects gently enough they suspected him to be an Impostor, and the Wallachians Murdered him in cold Blood.   
FINIS.   

Some Books Printed for William Cademan, at the Popes-Head in the Lower-walk of the New-Exchange, in the Strand.  

Folio.  
AN Institution of General History; or, the History of the World. By William Howel, L. L. D. in Two Volumes.  
Historical Collections; or, an Exact Account of the Proceed of the Parliaments in Queen Elizabeth's Reign.  
A Journey into Greece, by George Wheeler Esq; in Compuny of Dr. Spon of Lions. In Six Books Containing 1. A Voyage from Venice to Constantinople. 2. An Account of Constantinople, and the Adjacent Places. 3. A Voyage through the Lesser Asia. 4. A Voyage from Zant through several Parts of Greece to Athens. 5. An Account of Athens. 6. Several Journeys from Athens, into Attica, Corinth, Boeotia, etc. With variety of Sculptures.  
Pharamont, Complete in English, an Excellent Romance.  
Clelia, a Romance, in English.  
Parthenissa, Complete in English.  
An Historical Heroic Poem on the Life of the Right Honourable Thomas, Earl of Ossory, (with his Picture neatly engraven on a Copperplate) Written by Elkanah Settle.  
A Protestant Plot no Paradox; or, fanatics under that Name Plotting against the King and Government.  
The English Jeroboam, or, the Protestant Reforming Magistrate, and what the Church of England may expect from such a one.  
Considerations Offered to all the Corporations of England, containing Seasonable Advice to them in their Future Elections of Burgesses to serve in Parliament.   

Quarto.  
An Historical Relation of the First Discovery of the Isle of Madera.  
The Protestant Religion is a Sure Foundation, etc. By the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Derby.  
The Jesuits Policy to Suppress Monarchy. By a Person of Honour.  
A Warning Piece for the Unruly, in Two Visitation Sermons, by Seth Bushel, D. D.  
The Great Efficacy and necessity of Good Example, especially in the Clergy, in a Visitation Sermon at Guildford, by Thomas Duncomb, D. D.  
A Sermon Preached before the King, by Miles Barn, Chaplain in Ordinary to His Majesty.  
A Sermon Preached at the Assizes at Lancaster, by Henry Piggot, B. D.  
Praise and Adoration, a Sermon on Trinity Sunday, before the University at Oxford, 1681. by Thomas Manningham, M. A. late Fellow of New-Colledge in Oxford.  
A New-years-gift for the Antiprerogative Men; or, a Lawyer's Opinion, in Defence of His Majesty's Power-Royal, of Granting Pardons as he pleases; wherein is more particularly discussed the Validity of the Earl of Danby's Pardon.   

Octavo.  
The Spanish History; or the Differences that happened in the Court of Spain, between Don John of Austria, and Cardinal Nitard: with all the Letters, and Politic Discourses, relating to those Affairs.  
Rapin's Reflections on Ancient and Modern Philosophy.  
The English Princess; or, the Duchess Queen, a pleasant Novel.  
Court Songs and Poerns, being an exact Collection.  
The Temple of Death, with other Poems. By a Person of Honour.  
Hogan Moganides; or, the Dutch Hudibras.  
Liquor Alchahest; or, the Immortal Dissolvent of Paracelsus and Helmont, etc.  
A Philosophical Essay; or, the History of Petrification, by Dr. Shirley.  
Gulielmus Ferrarius de bello Batavico.  
Westminster Quibbles, very Pleasant.  
Zaide; or the Spanish History, a Pleasant Romance.  
Memoirs of the Duchess of Mazarine.  
Anima Mundi, an Historical Narration of the Opinion of the Ancients, concerning Man's Soul after this Life, according to unenlightened Nature.  
Clarks Manual; a Book of Precedents.  
Saunders his Astrological Physic.  
A Copy of the Two Journal Books of the House of Commons, in which is the whole History of the late horrid Popish Plot.  
The Wits Paraphraised; or, Paraphrase upon Paraphrase. In a Burlesque on the late several Translations of Ovid's Epistles.  
Two Discourses; the First showing, how the Chief Criteria of Philosophical Truth, invented by Speculative Men, more eminently serve Divine Revelation, than either Philosophy, or Natural Religion. The Second manifesting, how all the Foundations of the Intellectual World, Viz. Reason, Morality, Civil Government, and Religion, have been undermined by Popish Doctrines and Policies. By Thomas Manningham, M. A. Fellow of New-Colledge in Oxford, and Rector of East Tysted in Hantshire.  
Machiavelli Redivivus; being an Exact Discovery or Narrative of the Principles and Politics of our Bejesuited Modern fanatics.  
The Present State of Geneva; with a brief Description of that City, and the several Changer and Alterations it hath been subject to, from the First Foundation thereof.  
Amarillis to Tityrus; being the First Heroic Harangue of the Excellent Pen of Monsieur Scudery; a Witty and pleasant Novel, Englished by a Person of Honour.   

Twelve.  
The Amours of the Count Du Noy; a witty Novel.  
The Penitent Hermit; or, the Fruits of Jealousy; a Novel.  
The English Mounsieur, a Comical Novel.  
History of the Pollas Royal; or, the Amours of the French King, and Mademoiselle de la Valiere.  
The Amours of Madam, and the Count de Guiche.  
The Novels of Queen Elizabeth, in Two Parts.